Thompson on Hollywood

Now and Then: 'Lincoln,' the Movies, and Historical Accuracy

Reviews

"Lincoln" is no dour disquisition, no romance of an imagined past, but a heroic, even thrilling drama of compromise and chicanery in the midst of the Civil War. Indeed, it resolves one of the medium's oldest conundrums: "Lincoln" is that rare thing, good history and great cinema at once.

By Matt Brennan
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November 13, 2012 1:28 PM
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Arthouse Audit: 'Lincoln' Makes Triumphant Limited Opening, Beats 'Schindler's List' Initial Numbers

Box Office

Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" opened with the most impressive limited gross of the year, solidifying its status as a rigorous Oscar contender. Though not the top per screen average of the year, it opened wider - 11 theaters in seven cities, not just NY/LA - than those with higher average numbers.

By Tom Brueggemann
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November 11, 2012 4:14 PM
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Daniel Day-Lewis On Giving 'Lincoln' Voice (NEW VIDEO CLIPS)

Interviews

Uncanny is the word NPR uses to describe Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal of the 16th president in Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln." In this All Things Considered interview, Day-Lewis describes how he found a high register for Honest Abe's distinctive voice that carried across many well-remembered speeches, and reveals his favorites. The actor wanted to show the lighter side of Lincoln, who used humor to battle back the darkness. Here's Day-Lewis on Lincoln as an entertainer:

By Maggie Lange
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November 10, 2012 10:00 AM
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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT from 'The Big Screen: The Story of the Movies': David Thomson on Steven Spielberg

Features

San Francisco-based critic David Thomson, the brainy Brit behind the must-own "Biographical Dictionary of Film," has written an authoritative history of film with his distinctive flair: "The Big Screen: The Story of the Movies." Here's an exclusive look at his chapter on Steven Spielberg, "To Own the Summer."

By David Thomson
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October 23, 2012 1:06 PM
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Spielberg Talks Childhood Anger and 'Lincoln' on '60 Minutes,' Turns Back on Action (VIDEO)

Television

The brass ring of publicity scores is the '60 Minutes' interview. What beats it? Maybe a Time cover. Sunday night's Lesley Stahl profile of Steven Spielberg includes the first clips from his upcoming “Lincoln” (November 16) as well as an interview with Spielberg’s parents about his childhood.

By Anne Thompson
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October 22, 2012 2:51 PM
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Oscar Talk: Spielberg's 'Lincoln' is Major Contender, Led by Day-Lewis; Supporting Actress Race, Has Phoenix Dive-Bombed His Chances?

Awards

On this week's Oscar Talk, Kris Tapley and I weigh in on Steven Spielberg's 'Lincoln." The movie is restrained, and beautiful, and deeply moving, and Daniel Day-Lewis carries the day as America's 16th president pushing thorugh the 13th amendment to ban slavery. Picture, director, adapted screenplay, cinematography, art direction, costumes, score, actor, supporting actress and actor--Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones will also factor--you name it.

By Anne Thompson
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October 19, 2012 12:10 PM
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DreamWorks' Spielberg, Katzenberg & Geffen Give $90 million to Motion Picture & Television Fund

News

The Motion Picture & Television Fund has received a hefty donation from the three founders of DreamWorks SKG; Steven Spielberg, Jeffery Katzenberg and David Geffen will each give $30 million to the campaign to help ensure the MPTF's charitable programs and services are available to those in need, and so the program may continue to grow.

By Sophia Savage
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October 16, 2012 2:27 PM
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Hollywood is in Turnaround

Features

"It's in turnaround" is one of the great Hollywood lines in "Argo" as John Goodman and Alan Arkin throw insider lingo at Ben Affleck's neophyte "associate producer." Truth is, it seems like all of Hollywood is in turnaround right now.

By Anne Thompson
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October 12, 2012 7:07 AM
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Watch: Spielberg and Day-Lewis Talk 'Lincoln' at Lengthy Q&A (VIDEO)

Video

Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis participated in a live Q&A session yesterday after a special screening of "Lincoln," directed by Spielberg and starring Day-Lewis as the 16th president. The full interview and a shorter clip, in which the pair talk about how they can use fear as a driving force in their work, both linked below.

By Maggie Lange
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October 11, 2012 2:33 PM
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NYFF Secret Screening: It's Spielberg's 'Lincoln'

News

Using the old "work-in-progress" canard, in a move not likely to please LA's AFI FEST, which had booked Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" as its closing night gala, Disney/DreamWorks has added "Lincoln" as Monday night's secret screening in New York. This allows a film to gain media attention and buzz without officially being part of the line-up.