Thompson on Hollywood

Immersed in Movies: Assessing the Editing Oscar Race, from 'Argo' to 'Zero Dark Thirty'

Features

Last night's BAFTA win for "Argo" editor William Goldenberg certainly bolsters his Oscar chances, especially given the way the movie is steamrolling its way through the awards season. Then again, Goldenberg, who's also nominated for the controversial best picture contender, "Zero Dark Thirty"...

By Bill Desowitz
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February 11, 2013 4:05 PM
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Friday Box Office: 'Identity Thief' Outpaces Weak Pack

Box Office

The good news: Universal's Melissa McCarthy comedy "Identity Thief" scored the best Friday gross of any film so far this year. Battling both a Northeastern blizzard-- which closed theaters across the most populated stretch of the country-- and inferior reviews, it easily surpassed the first-day gross for "Bridesmaids" (just under $8 million in May 2011), which, propelled by great word of mouth, stuck around for months to gross a total $169 million. The bad news: the rest of the box office.

By Tom Brueggemann
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February 9, 2013 2:48 PM
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Read: Kathryn Bigelow's Essay Addressing Depiction of Torture in 'Zero Dark Thirty'

News

Director Kathryn Bigelow has published an essay in the L.A. Times addressing the controversy surrounding her Oscar-nominated film "Zero Dark Thirty" and its depiction of torture. "I do wonder if some some of the sentiments alternately expressed about the film might be more appropriately directed at those who instituted and ordered these U.S. policies, as opposed to a motion picture that brings the story to the screen," she writes. Highlights below.

By Beth Hanna
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January 16, 2013 11:56 AM
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Weekend Recap: New Film Art, 'Zero Dark Thirty' Controversy Thickens, Casting Watch, and Awards Talk

News

Here's our weekend recap. Two new pieces of film art were revealed this weekend. Just when you thought it was winding down, the "Zero Dark Thirty" controversy continues. Before she became a Golden Globe winner, "Girls" creator/star Lena Dunham sat down for a probing interview by Charlie Rose. Comedian Louis C.K. might join David O Russell's untitled Abscam film. The Gurus o' Gold have posted their post-nominations Academy Awards Prediction chart.

By Maggie Lange
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January 14, 2013 1:15 PM
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'Zero Dark Thirty' Review and Torture Debate - Senate Committee Probing Bigelow and Boal's CIA Contact [UPDATED]

Reviews

UPDATE: The Senate Intelligence Committee has begun a review of the contacts between "Zero Dark Thirty" director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal and CIA officials, following the committee chairwoman's "outrage" over the film's scenes that imply "enhanced interrogations."

By Anne Thompson & Sophia Savage
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January 3, 2013 3:31 PM
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Best Movie Posters of 2012: Retro, Sexy, Design-y, Scary, Striking and Stylish

Reviews

By Maggie Lange
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January 1, 2013 6:19 AM
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Weekend Wrap: Newsweek Cover, 'Les Miserables' and 'Django' Last Push, Gibney on 'Zero Dark Thirty'

News

We wrap up breaking news stories from the weekend, from Alex Gibney on torture in "Zero Dark Thirty' and videos from 'Les Miserables" and 'Django Unchained" to the end of Newsweek and the Oklahoma Film Critics picks.

By Maggie Lange
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December 24, 2012 12:45 PM
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Oscar Talk: 'Zero Dark Thirty,' 'Wreck-It Ralph,' Animation Race, and Oscar Campaigning

Awards

On this week's Oscar talk podcast, In Contention's Kris Tapley and I examine the "Zero Dark Thirty" smear campaign, and wonder if "Wreck-It Ralph" and "ParaNorman" have the right stuff to win the animation race. Here's the podcast, which is also on iTunes. We're also celebrating our 100th episode and four years. We'll be back after the holidays!

By Anne Thompson
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December 21, 2012 12:22 PM
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Critics' Vote Roundup UPDATED

Awards

UPDATE: A new batch of critics' winners have come in, with Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" receiving Best Picture from both the San Francisco and Kansas City film critics' circles. The African-American Film Critics Association picked Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty" as Best Picture, and Ben Affleck ("Argo") for Best Director, with Ava DuVernay's "Middle of Nowhere" getting wins across multiple categories. Full list of winners below, plus links to all critics' voting thus far.

By Beth Hanna
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December 17, 2012 2:02 PM
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PTA's 'Master' Leads Chicago Film Critics Nominations, UPDATED: Houston and Indiana Critics Nominations

Awards

UPDATE: The Indiana Film Journalists Association and the Houston Film Critics Circle have announced their nominations, with "The Master" again making a strong showing with nine nominations in Indiana, and six nods in Houston. "Lincoln" earned the most nominations in Houston, with eight nods. Full lists below.