Thompson on Hollywood

Ten Questions for Bright Star's Jane Campion: "I've Never Made a Crap Film"

Bright Star was brilliantly reviewed on the film fest circuit from Cannes to Toronto. But some critics praise its undeniable visual style and directorial panache (the film won a special cinematography prize from the National Board of Review) but find the 19th-century period drama lacking in deep emotion.

By Anne Thompson
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December 10, 2009 6:26 AM
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Must -Sees: The Last Station, Up in the Air, Bright Star

Must-Sees:Jason Reitman's Up in the Air has been deemed a too-dark marketing challenge. But the movie's strength is the way it skips past conventional genre cliches while deftly taking its characters through romantic escape and isolation--and the tough economy. Paramount Pictures is one of the few studios that can market both big and little movies. Up in the Air may be on its way to some Oscar nominations: it won four awards from the National Board of Review, including best picture of the year. It's tied with Precious for number one on the Gurus 'O Gold. Reviews are stellar: Tomatometer: 84%. Metascore: 81.

By Anne Thompson
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December 4, 2009 1:00 AM
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Tree of Life Will Not Open in 2009

Writer-director Terrence Malick's long-awaited family drama about grief, The Tree of Life, will not be released by year's end. Apparition had tentatively scheduled a December 25 release for River Road's 50s period film, which stars Sean Penn and Brad Pitt. But Apparition chief Bob Berney says that a year-end opening was "wishful. It's definitely not going to come out this year." That's because it won't be finished in time.

By Anne Thompson
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October 15, 2009 7:16 AM
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Buzz Boosts Zombieland, Moore, Paranormal Activity; Whip It Limps

Lessons learned from the weekend box office:

By Anne Thompson
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October 4, 2009 9:49 AM
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Oscar Talk Episode 4: A Single Man, A Serious Man, Bright Star, Get Low, The Last Station

In Oscar Talk, Episode 4, In Contention's Kris Tapley and I continue our discussion of all things Oscar. We cover the foreign language submissions (62 so far), the PGA and Oscar ten best films, the long-term forecast on Bright Star, Sony Pictures Classics’ Oscar hopefuls The Last Station and Get Low, and The Weinstein Co's Toronto buy A Single Man. We also veer off topic with discussions of New York Film Festival opener Wild Grass, Zombieland and Paranormal Activity.

By Anne Thompson
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October 2, 2009 9:29 AM
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Toronto: Winners, Losers, Oscar Contenders

There was plenty to see in Toronto. Here's how the films shook out for me.

By Anne Thompson
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September 20, 2009 3:20 AM
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Toronto Wrap: Indie Bloodbath

If industry-watchers didn't see it coming, they figured it out at this year's Toronto Film Festival.

By Anne Thompson
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September 19, 2009 9:09 AM
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Apparition Picks Up Boondock Saints II

Apparition's Bob Berney is adding another movie to his burgeoning release slate, which kicks off September 18 with Jane Campion's Toronto-bound period romance, Bright Star. The latest release is Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, set to open October 30, marking yet another distribution deal with Sony Worldwide Acquisitons Group, which also pacted with Apparition to release Black Dynamite. Other releases include Toronto closing nighter The Young Victoria and Terrence Malick’s The Tree Of Life, starring Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.