Thompson on Hollywood

Oscar Watch: Academy Rules on Best Picture Producers

The Academy has ruled on the remaining two best picture nominees' producer credits. They like to limit them to three (hence the Crash imbroglio that eliminated angry financeer Bob Yari). But in this case, The Blind Side has three, The Hurt Locker, four.

By Anne Thompson
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February 5, 2010 3:33 AM
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Santa Barbara Film Fest: Opener, Bullock, Cameron, Panels

I'm in Santa Barbara for its 25th film fest: 196 films, 18 world premieres, 28 U.S. premieres and a program from 45 countries. The festival runs through Sunday, Feb. 14. Per usual, I'm ensconced in a twee bungalow at the Simpson House--sweet muffins on arrival, Laura Ashley decor, fringed pillows and lamp shades, white venetian blinds, stone fireplace, hot tub, soft bed, classical music.

By Anne Thompson
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February 5, 2010 2:40 AM
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Vanity Fair's Leibovitz Shoots Directors and Stars

At their best, the photos in Annie Leibovitz's 2010 Hollywood photo gallery capture feelings between the movie directors and their stars. This one of Quentin Tarantino and straight man Christoph Waltz--who will get an Oscar, even if his boss does not---is my favorite.

By Anne Thompson
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February 4, 2010 1:31 AM
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Oscar Wrap-Ups, Reactions

USA Today's Anthony Breznikan shares his sleepover (with no sleep) at the Oscars with Anne Hathaway the night before nominations.

By Anne Thompson
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February 3, 2010 3:15 AM
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Oscar Watch: Final Nominations Predictions

Today, I picked up my credential to attend the Oscar nominations announcement bright and early Tuesday morning. I'll bring my laptop and file from there. I like getting the information packet that has all the stats and info about all the nominees. I have posted my final predictions, front runners and one long shot in all the categories except the shorts, which I have not seen.

By Anne Thompson
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February 2, 2010 2:01 AM
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Oscar Watch: Bigelow First Woman to Win DGA Award

It means less for Avatar to have won best drama and director at the Golden Globes than to have lost best film at the Producers Guild and best director at the Directors Guild, both times to The Hurt Locker. And it means less for Inglourious Basterds to have won best ensemble at the Screen Actors Guild than to have lost at the PGA and DGA. See where I am going? Kathryn Bigelow's DGA win Saturday night (the first to a woman in 61 years) is a sign of continued strength for that film, which could well repeat at the Oscars. (BTW, Bigelow, 58, does not look older than her ex-husband, Cameron, 55).

By Anne Thompson
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January 31, 2010 4:07 AM
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Oscar Talk Episode 19: Heading Toward Noms, Bullock vs. Streep, Avatar vs. Hurt Locker

Kris Tapley and I took a week off while I decamped to the Sundance Film Festival. As we head toward the DGA Awards Saturday and Oscar nominations Tuesday morning, we forecast sure things and possible surprises, debate strengths and weaknesses of Golden Globes winner Avatar, SAG ensemble-winner Inglourious Basterds and PGA winner The Hurt Locker, and wonder if glam awards-newbie and SAG-winner Sandra Bullock (with momentum behind her) could actually beat admired-but-familiar Oscar-veteran Meryl Streep.

By Anne Thompson
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January 29, 2010 9:02 AM
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Oscar Watch: Tarantino vs. Cameron vs. Bigelow vs. Reitman vs. Daniels

On the plane to Salt Lake City, I was listed A 01 on Southwest for the first time, like first class, and got out before they shut down some southern California flights due to high winds.

By Anne Thompson
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January 21, 2010 11:55 AM
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Upsets At the Globes: Reitman, Cameron Beat Tarantino, Bigelow

There were some close races at the Golden Globes, including best screenplay and best director. When Jason Reitman accepted the screenplay prize for Up in the Air, (shared with Sheldon Turner) he said that he thought Quentin Tarantino would be accepting, not him. And when James Cameron accepted the best director award for Avatar, he said, "I thought Kathryn was going to get this, and she richly deserves this. I am very grateful." He went on to thank his stars in Na'vi, and thanked wife Suzy Amis in English: "Baby, you make my dreams possible." That's a far cry from his old Oscar chortle, "I'm King of the World!"

By Anne Thompson
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January 18, 2010 3:17 AM
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Oscar Talk Episode Seventeen: PGA, DGA, Scripters and Top Ten

Kris Tapley and I track the Oscar impact of the recent PGA, DGA and USC Scripter noms. Of the top four, what's ahead? Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Up in the Air or Inglourious Basterds? Is Christoph Waltz a lock to win best supporting actor? We also weigh the chances of Up, The Messenger, District 9, A Serious Man and Star Trek to make it into the best picture top ten. And we get into recent eligibility issues on Bright Star, District 9 and An Education with the Scripters, the Academy and the WGA.