Thompson on Hollywood

Berlin Golden Bear Goes to 'Child's Pose,' David Gordon Green Gets Director

Festivals

As the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival wound up, the Golden Bear went to Calin Peter Netzer's Romanian drama "Child's Pose," about a wealthy mother trying to extricate her imprisoned son. The Silver Bear for best director went to American director David Gordon Green for "Prince Avalanche," which debuted at Sundance.

By Anne Thompson
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February 16, 2013 2:20 PM
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Belgium's 'Broken Circle Breakdown' Wins Europa Cinemas Label Prize at the Berlinale

Festivals

Belgian film "The Broken Circle Breakdown" has won the Europa Cinemas Label as Best European Film in the Berlinale's Panorama section. It is directed by Felix van Groeningen, and centers on the stormy relationship between a bluegrass musician and a tattoo artist. Synopsis below.

By Beth Hanna
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February 15, 2013 12:33 PM
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SXSW 2013: 'The East' to Close Festival; Plus New Titles, Panels and Film Conference Lineup

Festivals

Zal Batmanglij's "The East" will close the 2013 SXSW Film Festival. Fifteen new titles and additional panels are also announced, including conversations with Danny Boyle and Rob Zombie, Joss Whedon and his "Much Ado About Nothing" cast...

By Sophia Savage
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February 13, 2013 3:17 PM
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The Hollywood Education of Ben Affleck, from 'Chasing Amy,' 'Armageddon' and 'Shakespeare' to his Second Act and 'Argo' [VIDEO]

News

Before accepting the Santa Barbara Modern Master Award from childhood pal Matt Damon, "Argo" helmer and star Ben Affleck, 40, with graceful help from master interviewer Leonard Maltin, showed his mettle as charming raconteur and ace impressionist. These skills have served "Argo" well in its surging race for Oscars.

By Anne Thompson
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February 13, 2013 2:34 PM
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Berlin: Director David M. Rosenthal Talks Backwoods Noir 'A Single Shot,' Starring Rockwell and Macy

Interviews

“I wasn’t one of these directors who knew at the age of 8 that they wanted to be a director,” said David M. Rosenthal over a large plate of currywurst and fries in the cafe at Berlin’s Grand Hyatt Hotel. “I was a photo geek in high school, the photo editor of the newspaper, and that’s how I kind of started to see the world through a lens.”

By Tom Christie
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February 12, 2013 12:16 PM
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Dave Grohl's Sundance Entry 'Sound City' Available on Amazon Instant Video

News

Dave Grohl's popular Sundance entry "Sound City" can now be screened in full on Amazon Instant Video.

By Beth Hanna
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February 11, 2013 3:38 PM
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'Before Midnight' Hits Berlin: Delpy, Hawke and Linklater Press Conference

Festivals

"Before Midnight" isn’t just a chick flick, it’s a chick field-goal. About half way through the third Ethan Hawke-Julie Delpy love-hate-love fest, I found myself thinking two words: 'Shut up! Stop talking!! Shut the FUCK up!!!'

By Tom Christie
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February 11, 2013 1:52 PM
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Watch Berlin Trailer for Documentary 'GMO OMG' on Corporate Takeover of Seeds

Video

Check out the trailer for documentary "GMO OMG," the opening night film for the Berlinale's Culinary Cinema section. The film follows first-time feature director Jeremy Seifert as he investigates genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in seeds and the subsequent effects on health, biodiversity and the global agriculture industry.

By Beth Hanna
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February 11, 2013 11:54 AM
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Berlin Review and Roundup: Finger-Clenching Thriller 'A Single Shot' Stars Sam Rockwell, Kelly Reilly, William H. Macy

Reviews

A dark, tightly wound backwoods thriller with a twist, "A Single Shot" received warm applause following its second screening at the Berlinale, where it world-premiered Saturday night. Well-designed and executed by director David M. Rosenthal ("Janie Jones") from Matthew F. Jones’s script and novel of the same name, the film features uniformly fine performances by a cast including Sam Rockwell as an unlucky ex-farmer and hunter, Kelly Reilly as his estranged wife, an unrecognizable Jeffrey Wright as his alcoholic friend, William H. Macy as a gimpy small-town lawyer, and Joe Anderson and Jason Isaacs as seriously creepy denizens of the deep, wet forestlands.

By Tom Christie
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February 10, 2013 7:21 PM
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Berlin: Damon on Affleck’s ‘Rough Spot,’ 'Promised Land'’s Bomb, and Berlin’s Airport Debacle

Festivals

At a press conference following the screening of his and Gus Van Sant’s "Promised Land" at the Berlinale today, Matt Damon was asked what the chances of Ben Affleck’s "Argo"winning the Academy Award, and if he was tired of talking about his friend and business partner. “His life is so interesting, I never get tired of talking about him,” said Damon with a smile. “He’s been on a roller coaster for the last fifteen years.”