Thompson on Hollywood

Who Should Direct Bond 24? Take Our Poll

Features

Now that Sam Mendes has dropped out of directing "Bond 24," who should helm the follow-up to the billion-dollar "Skyfall"? The new MI6 table's been set with M (Ralph Fiennes), Q (Ben Whishaw), and Moneypenny (Naomie Harris), and with no more rites of passage or existential crises to deal with, Daniel Craig's 007 is now fully formed and reporting for duty "with pleasure."

By Anne Thompson and Bill Desowitz
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March 7, 2013 4:17 PM
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Immersed in Movies: Jacqueline Durran Talks 'Anna Karenina' Costumes

Features

Although the boldness of Joe Wright's theatrical approach to "Anna Karenina" has been unappreciated by most critics, there's no denying the craft and beauty of both Sarah Greenwood's production design and Jacqueline Durran's costume design.

By Bill Desowitz
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January 4, 2013 2:55 PM
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Oscar Watch: Sex and Death in 'Anna Karenina' Costumes (VIDEO)

Features

After its fest circuit rounds and limited openings last weekend, "Anna Karenina" screened Sunday at the Academy, yielding yet another set of divisive reactions. Wilshire Boulevard's Kate Mantilini Restaurant was packed with members hanging out between "Karenina" and "Life of Pi." Joe Wright's artfully stylized take on Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" has passionate defenders and detractors. (The NYT's A.O. Scott gives it a rave.) But whatever happens on Oscar nominations morning, the film's costume designer Jacqueline Durran will likely be recognized withher third nomination, after Wright's "Pride & Prejudice" and "Atonement."

By Anne Thompson & Sophia Savage
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November 19, 2012 1:19 PM
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'Anna Karenina' Early Review: Visually Splendid, Audacious, Swoony Epic Romance Heads for Oscars

Reviews

The startling new adaptation of Tolstoy’s great novel "Anna Karenina," with Keira Knightley in the title role, is . as visually splendid as any studio epic, even if it plays with audience expectations of what lavish looks like. It’s a respectable adaptation of a huge story, encompassing a wealth of ideas; yet it also has the direct, heartfelt appeal of what Hollywood once called ‘a women’s picture.’

By David Gritten
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September 2, 2012 7:00 PM
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'Anna Karenina' Through the Film Ages

Features

Joe Wright's "Anna Karenina" (November 16) looks to be a highly original take on the Leo Tolstoy classic, but it's certainly not the first time (or even the 10th) that the Russian romance has been adapted for the big screen. Below, a compare-and-contrast of six film versions.

By Beth Hanna
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August 20, 2012 6:39 AM
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Toronto Preview: New Images for 'Anna Karenina'; 'Les Miz' Won't Make Fall Fests

News

Working Title, Keira Knightley and Joe Wright have done well together so far with the period Oscar contenders "Pride & Prejudice" and "Atonement." But the director and star don't always do as well apart with more contemporary material--see Knightley's "London Boulevard" or "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" or Wright's "Hanna" or "The Soloist." We will see if Wright and Working Title's "Anna Karenina," adapted by Tom Stoppard from Leo Tolstoy's Russian classic, will help Knightley recover from recent reviews with a second Oscar nomination (after "Pride & Prejudice"). After all, what better role to play than Karenina, passionately in love with a dashing officer ("Kick-Ass" star Aaron Johnson) as her husband (Jude Law) battles for control and society looks on.

By Anne Thompson
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August 7, 2012 3:02 PM
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Toronto Film Festival 2012 Announces Opening Night, Galas and Special Presentations; 'To the Wonder,' 'Anna Karenina,' 'Looper,' 'Place Beyond the Pines' & More

Festivals

The Toronto International Film Festival has a handful of exciting announcements today about the 2012 installment of the fest (running September 6-16). Rian Johnson's futuristic action-sci-fi thriller "Looper," starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis, will be the opening night film, and Terrence Malick's "To the Wonder," Ben Affleck's "Argo," Derek Cianfrance's "Place Beyond the Pines," David O. Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook" and Joe Wright's "Anna Karenina" are among the screenings this year. Full list of galas and special presentations below.

By Beth Hanna
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July 24, 2012 12:49 PM
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Trailer Watch: Joe Wright's Sumptuous 'Anna Karenina' Waltzes Between Stage and Location

Video

The trailer for Joe Wright's likely Oscar contender "Anna Karenina" has landed, and it looks like Wright's decision to give the film a sumptuous stage setting is delivering in spades. Watch below as the characters (Keira Knightley plays the title role) waltz between gilded, illuminated amphitheatres and actual locations.