Thompson on Hollywood

Will Roadside's Wall Street Drama 'Arbitrage,' Starring Richard Gere, Repeat 'Margin Call' Magic?

Interviews

When Lionsgate/Roadside scooped up U.S. distribution rights for some $2 million for Nicholas Jarecki's Wall Street drama "Arbitrage" at Sundance last January, they were banking on the film being as much a crowd-pleaser as their last Sundance acquisition, sleeper indie "Margin Call," which scored more than $13 million worldwide.

By Anne Thompson
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August 3, 2012 2:58 PM
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Oscar Watch: Magnolia Juggles Mads Mikkelsen's 'Royal Affair,' 'The Hunt'

Awards

It's a Mads Mads Mads world. In May at Cannes, Mads Mikkelsen won Best Actor for his stunning performance as an ostracized, falsely accused pederast in Thomas Vinterberg's "The Hunt," which was swiftly acquired by Magnolia Pictures. That distributor has been specializing in Scandinavian fare of late, turning "Headhunters" into a smarthouse hit.

By Anne Thompson
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August 2, 2012 1:42 PM
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Academy Governors Elect Hawk Koch as New AMPAS President

News

Good-bye to Tom Sherak, who leaves behind his unpaid job as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as he has served his full nine years as a Governor. And hello to a new AMPAS president as Tuesday night the Board of Governors elected veteran producer Hawk Koch ("Gorky Park," "Source Code") for his first term.

By Anne Thompson
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July 31, 2012 11:44 PM
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The Weinstein Co. Moves 'The Master' Up and 'Killing Them Softly' Back

News

As the Weinsteins send mixed messages about where Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" will wind up on the festival circuit, we can now rule out New York. The new September release (9/14 limited and 9/25 wide) could still mean a Venice or Telluride bow or a screening at Fantastic Fest (9/20-27). The Weinsteins are notorious for shuffling their release plans as it suits them, often infuriating exhibitors. But this fall they have plenty of high-profile projects to juggle, from David O. Russell's "The Silver Linings Playbook" to December 25 opener "Django Unchained," written and directd by Quentin Tarantino.

By Anne Thompson
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July 27, 2012 4:01 PM
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Directors Guild of America Goes All-Digital for 2013 Voting, Sets Awards Schedule

Awards

The Directors Guild of America has set its schedule for the 65th Annual DGA Awards and dinner, which will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 in the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. For the first time, DGA members will vote online only--no paper ballots (for the last few years they had a choice).

By Anne Thompson
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July 25, 2012 3:14 PM
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Academy Tightens Some Oscar Campaign Rules, Allows More Direct Marketing to Members

Awards

The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences constantly updates the regulations for how distributors, talent and campaigners market movies to Academy voters. According to outgoing Academy President Tom Sherak, “these rules help us maintain a level playing field for all of the nominees and protect the integrity of the Awards process.”

By Anne Thompson
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July 25, 2012 1:34 PM
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Trailer Watch: Ang Lee's 3-D Epic 'Life of Pi' Heads for Oscar

Video

Listening to masters Ang Lee and Martin Scorsese talk about the process of learning how to direct in 3-D was one of the highlights of CinemaCon. They embrace the technology while taking advantage of how it enhances their storytelling; they intellectually gauge how the placement of the camera will impact the audience.

By Anne Thompson
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July 25, 2012 12:55 PM
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Toronto Line-up Launches Oscar Race; What Will Show Up in Venice? Fantastic Fest?

Festivals

Many likely Oscar contenders are spoken for in the Toronto line-up, from Ben Affleck's "Argo" to FDR tale "Hyde Park on Hudson." "Looper" may seem like an odd TIFF fest opener--the festival has stepped away from having to book Canadian films--unless you consider Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis walking the red carpet.

By Anne Thompson
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July 24, 2012 7:32 PM
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Oscar Talk is Back for Mid-Summer Status Report

Awards

Kris Tapley of In Contention and I resumed our Skype conversations to address the midsummer state of the Oscar race. We talk "Django Unchained," "The Master," "Beasts of the Southern Wild," "The Sessions," "Lincoln," "On the Road," "Zero Dark Thirty," "The Life of Pi," "Anna Karenina," "Les Miserables," and many others in our quest to keep you informed on all things Oscar.

By Anne Thompson
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July 20, 2012 5:15 PM
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Academy Changes Rules for 85th Oscars on Foreign-Language Film, Makeup, Music & VFX Categories

News

The Academy's Board of Governors has approved the rules for the 85th Academy Awards. The most changes are in the Music, Foreign Language, Makeup and Visual Effects categories...