Thompson on Hollywood

Summer Movies: Drag Me to Hell, Away We Go

Every once in a while I am reminded that my taste is not the same as the mass audience. I can usually call a blockbuster like 300 or Star Trek--in other words, I ignore the tracking and opening weekend predictions to insist--THIS MOVIE IS SO GOOD IT WILL DO BUSINESS. Sometimes, thank God, word-of-mouth counts for something, so that a movie becomes A MUST-SEE.

By Anne Thompson
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June 5, 2009 8:16 AM
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3-D Conquers NAB

I'm out of my element in Vegas for my first-ever National Association of Broadcasters convention. Monday I did a Q & A with stop-motion auteur Henry Selick, who ran some nifty clips from Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach and the surprise $74-million hit Coraline, which is starting to open in Europe.

By Anne Thompson
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April 21, 2009 2:56 AM
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Where the Wild Things Are: Trailer and Photos

Warner Bros. is putting the trailer for Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers' adaptation of Maurice Sendak's children's classic Where the Wild Things Are in front of Monsters vs. Aliens this weekend. Here's an advance peek at the trailer for the troubled Playtone Production which has long been in post-production. Max Records stars as Max. The movie finally opens October 16.

By Anne Thompson
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March 25, 2009 7:00 AM
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Monsters vs. Aliens Brings 3-D Invasion

One of the surprises of the year so far is how well Henry Selick‚Äôs 3-D animated gothic fairy tale Coraline lasted at the b.o.; this weekend brings DreamWorks Animation's Monsters vs. Aliens and a spate of 3-D offerings are on the way. Even the venerable Cannes Film Festival, which has made an annual tradition of unveiling the latest animated fare, will for the first time open the 62nd fest on May 13 with not only an animated movie but Disney/Pixar‚Äôs 3-D balloon adventure Up, which opens May 29.

By Anne Thompson
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March 24, 2009 7:11 AM
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Coraline's Selick on the Fantastic Garden

Remarkably, on its fourth weekend, the well-reviewed Coraline is still hanging in there--it grossed more than $5 million and placed eighth on its way to some $70-million in total domestic gross--even though new opener JonasBrothers: The 3-D Concert Experience took over its 3-D theaters.

By Anne Thompson
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March 1, 2009 6:19 AM
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Sundance Hot Titles

My flight from LAX to Salt Lake City was delayed. Every seat was taken, many of them by industry folks heading to Park City for the Fest which launched Thursday night. I enjoyed a pleasant sunset drive up the mountain with Robin Schorr, who recently left River Road to put together a new development company with funding from a private investor. She told me to see Big Fan, from writer-turned-director Robert Siegel (The Wrestler). The voice behind Ratatouille, Patton Oswalt, breaks out in this one, I hear.

By Anne Thompson
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January 17, 2009 3:04 AM
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Holiday Weekend Update: Good and Plenty

There's plenty to see in theaters this weekend.

By Anne Thompson
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March 21, 2008 5:40 AM
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Simpsons Movie: Groening and Brooks Do Rose

This weekend I caught up with Charlie Rose's conversation with Matt Groening and Jim Brooks, both of whom are among the smartest and funniest people I have gotten to know in Hollywood. Brooks insists upon high standards. He's a guy who observes, analyzes, improves. What The Simpsons has done, as the longest running TV show and now a movie, is pretty amazing. (Like many Angelinos, I TiVo Charlie Rose and watch the shows that appeal to me.)