Thompson on Hollywood

Fifty Shades of a Porn Lawsuit: Universal Suing Over XXX Adaptation of E.L. James' Novel

News

"Fifty Shades of Grey: a XXX Adaptation," from Smash Pictures and James Lane, is a porn adaptation of E. L. James' uber-popular novel that is in development at Universal.

By Sophia Savage
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November 29, 2012 6:24 PM
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Richard Burton & His Diaries, 'The Great Actor Who Hated Acting'

Features

In The Great Actor Who Hated Acting, The New York Review of Books' Finton O'Toole looks at the late great Richard Burton. A new book, "The Richard Burton Diaries," delves in to the actor's mind and musings through his extensive personal diaries, published now for the first time. O'Toole recalls Burton's career, his life with Elizabeth Taylor, his impoverished youth and the traps of fame and alcohol as he ventures through the diaries and considers the insight they provide into Burton's psyche. Not only did Burton hate acting, he hated himself. O'Toole compares him to James Tyrone of Eugene O'Neill's "Long Days Journey Into Night," positing that both may be among the great twentieth century tragedies. Check out some highlights from O'Toole's review (which includes portions of Burton's diary entries) below:

By Sophia Savage
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November 29, 2012 7:00 AM
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DreamWorks Eyes 'Light Between Oceans'; Harry Potter's David Heyman Producing

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DreamWorks is in exclusive talks to acquire the rights to London attorney-turned-author M. L. Stedman's WWI-set debut novel "The Light Between Oceans."

By Beth Hanna
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November 27, 2012 3:46 PM
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CHALLENGE! Take David Thomson's Second Stump-the-Film-Buff Quiz

Features

San Francisco-based critic David Thomson, the brainy Brit behind the must-own Biographical Dictionary of Film, has now written a spanking new film history, "The Big Screen: The Story of the Movies." We asked Thomson to concoct another demanding quiz, this time derived from info contained in his new tome. He thinks this one is even harder than the last. Impossible you say? We challenge you to test your film buff cred.

By Anne Thompson
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October 31, 2012 3:46 PM
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Dujardin and Murray Join Blanchett in Clooney's World War II Eurothriller 'Monuments Men' for Sony & Fox

News

At the "Argo" premiere party, George Clooney was not only delighted about producing one of the year's hits, but was in the thick of preproduction on "Monuments Men," a project he plans to direct and star in. (Of course that was once true of "Argo.") He and frequent writing partner Grant Heslov are adapting the true story, as documented in Robert M. Edsel's book "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History," which follows a special force of art lovers who help countries to steal the world's best art back from the Nazis. Such paintings as the Mona Lisa and Nightwatch were at stake. Heslov will produce.

By Anne Thompson and Sophia Savage
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October 29, 2012 1:42 PM
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Kasi Lemmons Boards 'Agaat,' Will Adapt & Direct South African Apartheid Drama

News

Kasi Lemmons, director of "Eve's Bayou" and "Talk to Me," is attached to adapt and direct South African apartheid novel "Agaat," written in 2010 by Marlene van Niekerk. The rights to the book have been optioned by producers Patrick Holzen, Mark R. Harris and Debbie Vandermeulen. Holzen states, “It took a long deliberation to find the perfect person and I can’t imagine the project with anyone else now. [Lemmons'] previous projects have dealt with themes of social change, empowerment and love, which are our themes as well. Kasi is a formidable talent with a unique perspective that was essential to adapting this masterpiece.”

By Sophia Savage
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October 26, 2012 4:10 PM
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James Cameron Lines Up Potential Post-'Avatar' Directing Vehicle 'The Informationist' Centering on Strong Female Protagonist

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James Cameron and his Lightstorm Entertainment producing partner Jon Landau have nabbed rights to Taylor Stevens' 2011 novel "The Informationist." Cameron is considering directing the film for 20th Century Fox, but not until after his two "Avatar" sequels which will be shot concurrently.

By Sophia Savage
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October 23, 2012 3:32 PM
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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT from 'The Big Screen: The Story of the Movies': David Thomson on Steven Spielberg

Features

San Francisco-based critic David Thomson, the brainy Brit behind the must-own "Biographical Dictionary of Film," has written an authoritative history of film with his distinctive flair: "The Big Screen: The Story of the Movies." Here's an exclusive look at his chapter on Steven Spielberg, "To Own the Summer."

By David Thomson
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October 23, 2012 1:06 PM
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Weekend Recap: Hollywood's Most Secretive Directors, Cinema's Future, Tina Brown, AMC vs. Dish

News

Secretive directors: In a world where new posters, trailers, and spoilers are prized and rumors are updated minute-by-minute, remaining a "secretive" director takes willpower and determination. A select few directors manage to keep a tight lid on their projects, and Vulture's Kyle Buchanan posted a list of the most clandestine of these. Hollywood's most secretive filmmakers? Christopher Nolan, Woody Allen, and the Wachowskis...

By Maggie Lange
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October 22, 2012 2:35 PM
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Johnny Depp is Delving Into the Book Business

News

Johnny Depp is going to help run a publishing imprint and he's already got a big billing on the roster: Bob Dylan has signed on with "The Unraveled Tales of Bob Dylan," adapted from interviews with best-selling historian Douglas Brinkley.