Thompson on Hollywood

#SXSW Wrap, Hits and Misses

Continuing to build its rep as a balmy spring destination for genre fans and cinephiles alike, the 17th South by Southwest Film Festival saw a strong turnout at films and panels appealing to young males and indie filmgoers, from opener Kick-Ass and stoner-comedy Leaves of Grass to the more finely calibrated critics' faves Tiny Furniture (which won the dramatic jury prize) and Cold Weather. Clearly, the fest hasn’t lost its indie cred, although a hardcore midnight screening of A Serbian Film tested the limits of many filmgoers.

By Anne Thompson
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March 23, 2010 2:04 AM
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Sony Worldwide Acquisitions Group Closes Welcome to the Rileys Deal with Apparition

Finally, the ink has dried on the pact with Sony Worldwide Acquisitions Group and distributor Apparition (as reported here) to release Sundance Kristen Stewart-starrer Welcome to the Rileys. They're planning a fall release. Directed by Ridley Scott sprig Jake, the movie was executive produced by Steve Zaillian and boasts a strong script by Ken Hixon.

By Anne Thompson
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March 15, 2010 6:22 AM
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Post-Sundance Indie Landscape, New Faces

The Sundance Festival unfolds in two parts: what gets seen during the festival itself, and what happens afterwards.

By Anne Thompson
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February 22, 2010 1:55 AM
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Film Department, Overture, Apparition, Weinsteins Sell Sizzle In Tough Economy

As Mark Gill and Neil Sacker's Film Department seeks new funding via an IPO, they're announcing that they're plunking down some of their remaining cash on a new script produced by Michael De Luca, the original action-comedy True Memoirs of an International Assassin, written by Jeff Morris. Why telegraph this news?

By Anne Thompson
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February 3, 2010 11:33 AM
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Oscar Momentum: Bright Star vs. Young Victoria

In the Oscar derby, what went wrong with Bright Star, which earned one Oscar nomination (for costume), and right with Young Victoria, which grabbed three?

By Anne Thompson
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February 3, 2010 3:40 AM
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#Sundance: Jett, Currie, Stewart, Fanning Talk Runaways

The Runaways hit Sundance like a freight train, thanks to the combined star power of Twilight stars Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and the characters they play in the musical biopic, "wild and braless" Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, who toured as teenagers with the first all-girl rock band in the 70s.

By Anne Thompson
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January 26, 2010 7:47 AM
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Holiday Biopics: Young Victoria, Creation, Me and Orson Welles

Three period biopics with awards hopes face some tough going over the holidays.

By Anne Thompson
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December 31, 2009 3:10 AM
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Things I Learned on the Weekend Party Circuit

1. There's girl-on-girl snogging between Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning as bisexual rock stars in The Runaways. That's why it's R-rated.

By Anne Thompson
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December 21, 2009 2:00 AM
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Trailer Watch: Sundance-Bound The Runaways Stars Stewart and Fanning

The trailer is up for Sundance-bound rocker The Runaways starring New Moon co-stars Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie. The advance interest in this edgy indie at Sundance is huge.

By Anne Thompson
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December 17, 2009 9:03 AM
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Stewart, Jett Hit Sundance with Apparition's The Runaways

It's no surprise that Apparition picked up all U.S. rights to Kristen Stewart vehicle The Runaways, which was fully financed by River Road and produced with Linson Entertainment. It's the first Apparition/River Road theatrical collaboration (Terrence Malick's Tree of Life, due in 2010, will be their second). The deal closed two weeks ago.