Thompson on Hollywood

Oscar Watch: 'Argo' Director Affleck & Editor Goldenberg Talk Reality vs. Comedy (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO)

Interviews

"I maybe have matured," Affleck says of his pursuit of smart quality modest-budget movies--he calls $44-million Mideast thriller "Argo" "a labor of love"-- designed to stand the test of time like the 70s classics he reveres.

By Anne Thompson
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October 15, 2012 2:27 PM
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'Flight' Review; Zemeckis, Washington and Cheadle Talk at NYFF Press Conference (VIDEO)

Festivals

Denzel Washington waltzed in late to the press conference following the NYFF screening of the Robert Zemeckis-directed "Flight." The audience didn't mind of course, because he's Denzel: His appearance prompted wild applause which immediately drowned out the voice of screenwriter John Gatins.

By Sheerly Avni
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October 14, 2012 3:59 PM
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Alan Arkin Takes Affleck's 'Argo' Seriously: "It's not a spoof, satire, or parody" (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO)

Interviews

As revealed in our conversation below, Alan Arkin takes serious comedy seriously, and that's the secret at the heart of Ben Affleck's "Argo." Arkin doesn't buy the idea that he and Goodman are participating in a Hollywood parody or spoof or satire. Or even comic relief for that matter.

By Anne Thompson
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October 12, 2012 7:42 AM
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Immersed in Movies: Screenwriter John August Talks Burton's 'Frankenweenie,' 'Big Fish' Musical, and Industry Frustration

Interviews

"Frankenweenie" scribe John August was willing to concede industry frustration when we spoke even before the lackluster opening for Tim Burton's critically praised stop-motion animated feature (which was even outgunned by animated rival "Hotel Transylvania"). It's increasingly difficult to get quality features produced, let alone commercially embraced.

By Bill Desowitz
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October 11, 2012 3:44 PM
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Video Clip: Ben Stiller Talks About His 'New Yorker' Profile

Interviews

During last week's The New Yorker Festival 2012, Ben Stiller and Letter from California columnist Tad Friend talked backstage about the magazine's recent profile of the actor, comedian, writer and director (clip below). They got along, apparently, although both mentioned nursing migraines after a four to five hour interview.

By Maggie Lange
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October 8, 2012 1:21 PM
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A Candid Mila Kunis Covers 'Esquire' As the Sexiest Woman Alive

News

The November issue of "Esquire", which names Mila Kunis as the sexist woman alive, begins with her recount of the odious pressure she received while promoting 2008 action film "Max Payne." When she refused to pose for the cover of a certain magazine, she explained that standing up to a few jerks was one of her most important career moves:

By Maggie Lange
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October 8, 2012 1:16 PM
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Oliver Stone Talks 'Untold History of U.S.' at NYFF [VIDEO]

Festivals

From "Platoon" to "JFK" to "Nixon" and beyond, few filmmakers have done more to challenge the convenient bonafides of US history than Oliver Stone. Judging by the response to yesterday’s sneak peak at his upcoming Showtime series "The Untold History of the United States," the director has lost none of his audacity in his transition to premium cable.

By Sheerly Avni
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October 7, 2012 4:22 PM
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Case Study on Self-Releasing 'Detropia': "Filmmakers need to be better businesspeople"

Interviews

The DIY distribution model may be all the rage, but it's not as easy as it looks. As "Detropia" filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady learned the hard way, self-releasing demands a steep learning curve in the intricacies of marketing and distribution. These are skills that it takes professionals years to acquire.

By Anne Thompson
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October 6, 2012 7:51 PM
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David Chase and Cast Talk 'Not Fade Away': NYFF Review and Press Conference

Festivals

At the New York Film Festival screening of David Chase's marvelous first feature "Not Fade Away," I felt my spirits lift a little higher with each scene until, by the time the band finally performed an original song for the first time, I was soaring, the way you're supposed to do when you forget you're on the job because there's a real live movie on screen.

By Sheerly Avni
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October 5, 2012 4:27 PM
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Immersed in Movies: Will Animated Black-and-White 3-D 'Frankenweenie' Win Burton His First Oscar?

Interviews

"Frankenweenie" is not only Tim Burton's best film since "Big Fish" (another rite of passage story), but also a lock for a best animated feature nomination. In fact, the Oscar arguably appears to be Burton's to lose, though it's shaping up to be quite a race with two other tantalizing retro movies yet to come: Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph" (November 2) and DreamWorks' "Rise of the Guardians" (November 21).