Thompson on Hollywood

Ben Affleck Returns to Boston and Dennis Lehane for Next Film

News

With a stellar career and two Oscars on his mantle, Ben Affleck is gearing up for production later this year in Boston for his next film, an adaptation of Dennis Lehane's Prohibition-era gangster novel "Live By Night."

By Ryan Lattanzio
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May 8, 2013 12:59 PM
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2013 Oscar Highlights: Dancing and Tripping Stars, Eloquent Acceptance Speeches and More; Show Scores 40.3 Million Viewers UPDATED

Video

The 2013 Oscars held many noteworthy moments, including the race's sixth tie in history, and the six major category wins all going to different films. It also saw plenty of song belting, some charmingly old-school dance numbers and moving speeches from award recipients. Below, video highlights from the night, updated ratings info and more.

By Beth Hanna
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February 25, 2013 12:06 PM
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Oscar Watch: Why Actor-Directors Have the Advantage at the Oscars

Awards

What’s been overlooked amid all the wringing of hands, gnashing of teeth and what-were-they-thinking hysteria surrounding Ben Affleck’s alleged “snub” as a Best Director nominee, is the degree to which the director’s branch has defied Oscar history. “Argo” is a fine, sturdy entertainment, a movie everyone should be proud of.

By John Anderson
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February 21, 2013 1:22 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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Vanity Fair's Hollywood Edition 'A Celebration of Friendship,' Featuring Bruce Weber's Photos of Affleck, Stone, Cooper and More

News

Vanity Fair’s 19th Hollywood Portfolio, shot by Bruce Weber, includes 75+ stars, from Tom Hanks and Amy Adams to Quvenzhané Wallis and Eddie Redmayne. The cover stars Ben Affleck, Emma Stone and Bradley Cooper.

By Sophia Savage
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January 29, 2013 1:51 PM
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SAG Awards: With Critics Choice, Globes, PGA and SAG Wins, 'Argo' Now Challenges 'Lincoln' (VIDEO)

Awards

Ben Affleck accepted the Modern Master Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Friday night, and at the after party, grilled me about where "Argo" stood in the Oscar race. A lot of people thought the movie might win the Producers Guild's top award Saturday, and so it did. But few expected it to also win the SAG Ensemble Award--that was supposed to be a win for "Lincoln" or Harvey Weinstein's "Silver Linings Playbook."

By Anne Thompson
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January 27, 2013 11:24 PM
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PGA Awards: 'Argo' Wins Big, Plus 'Sugarman,' 'Homeland,' 'Modern Family'; Tributes to Weinsteins, Abrams & Working Title

Awards

"Argo" is on a roll. Ben Affleck's movie won again at the Producers Guild Awards, setting the tone for the weeks leading to the Oscars as one of statistical chances. Without also receiving a Best Director Oscar nomination, four other films have won the PGA's top prize ("Driving Miss Daisy," "Apollo 13," "Moulin Rouge," and "Little Miss Sunshine").

By Sophia Savage
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January 27, 2013 3:34 AM
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Oscar Talk: 'Argo' vs. 'Lincoln,' PGA, DGA, SAG Predicts, Sundance Recap

Awards

Kris Tapley and I go toe to toe in this week's post-Sundance, pre-PGA, SAG and DGA Oscar Talk.

By Anne Thompson
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January 25, 2013 4:52 PM
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Affleck's 'Argo' is Banned in Iran, Which Has Approved Its Own Film Version of 1979 Hostage Crisis

News

Iran's Art Bureau has approved the making of a film depicting the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis depicted in Ben Affleck's "Argo." Filmmaker Ataollah Salmanian states: "the movie is about 20 American hostages who were handed over to the US embassy by Iranian revolutionaries at the beginning of the revolution. This movie... can be an appropriate response to distorted movies such as 'Argo.'”

By Sophia Savage
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January 16, 2013 1:14 PM
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Film Independent's Directors Close-Up Series To Feature Affleck, Russell, Loktev, Zeitlin, Fleischer, Sachs and Soloway

Awards

Film Independent's 12th edition of their Directors Close-Up series will feature Ben Affleck ("Argo"), David O. Russell ("Silver Linings Playbook") and Benh Zeitlin ("Beasts of the Southern Wild"), director Ruben Fleischer ("Gangster Squad"), and writer/directors Ira Sachs ("Keep the Lights On"), Julia Loktev ("The Loneliest Planet")...