Thompson on Hollywood

Angelina Jolie Writes About Her Decision to Have a Preventative Double Mastectomy and Commitment to Family

News

The New York Times published an op-ed piece by Angelina Jolie this morning, in which she articulately explains her reasoning for undergoing a preventative double mastectomy, a process that has taken the past three months to complete. Jolie's mother died from cancer at age 56, and, after consulting doctors, Jolie confronted the reality that genetically she had an 87% risk of breast cancer, and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. Now, "I can tell my children they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer, " Jolie writes. Highlights from the essay below.

By Beth Hanna
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May 14, 2013 11:58 AM
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Columbia Pictures Nabs North American Distribution to David Ayer's World War II Drama 'Fury,' Starring Brad Pitt

News

Columbia Pictures has picked up domestic distribution rights, and a good portion of available international rights, to David Ayer's "Fury," starring Brad Pitt as an army sergeant leading a deadly mission into Nazi Germany near the close of World War II.

By Beth Hanna
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April 11, 2013 11:52 AM
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McQueen's 'Twelve Years a Slave,' Starring Pitt, Ejiofor and Fassbender, Gets Oscar-Friendly 2013 Release Date

News

Fox Searchlight took a huge gamble picking up Steve McQueen's Toronto 2010 entry "Shame," starring Michael Fassbender as a tormented sex addict, which hit theaters in 2011. Fans of McQueen's work (which also includes 2008's "Hunger") have been chomping at the bit for his next film. Searchlight is giving his "Twelve Years a Slave" --starring dream team Brad Pitt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano and Fassbender--a limited release on the Oscar-friendly date of December 27, 2013.

By Beth Hanna
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April 2, 2013 2:06 PM
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'World War Z' UPDATE: Paramount Execs Cut Mention of China as Possible Culprit of Zombie Outbreak

Video

As if "World War Z" hasn't already stomached enough production turmoil. News broke earlier today that Paramount executives have changed a minor plot point in the film that involves China, so that Chinese officials might look more favorably on the film for domestic distribution in the fast-rising Chinese market.

By Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna
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April 1, 2013 2:54 PM
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Brad Pitt Talks Tentpole 'World War Z,' Unused Budapest Scenes and Fast vs. Slow Zombies in New EW

Interviews

Much has been reported on "World War Z"'s laborious trek to the big screen (June 21), plagued with re-shoots and re-writes -- all the while taking the title of Most Expensive Zombie Movie Ever Made. Despite rumors of conflict between director Marc Forster ("Quantum of Solace") and his producer-star, it's up to Brad Pitt's to turn this movie into a winner for all concerned. And so he sits down with Entertainment Weekly (which hits newsstands March 29), and discusses his newfound admiration for the big-budget tentpole, the stealthy zombies in the film, and why he loosened up on his original political interests in the project.

By Beth Hanna
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March 28, 2013 1:43 PM
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Cheers! Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Releasing First Wine Next Month from Chateau Miraval

News

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt now own Chateau Miraval in Correns, France, and will begin releasing their first wine next month.

By Sophia Savage
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February 14, 2013 1:09 PM
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The Curious Case of Brad Pitt's China Tweet

News

The Daily Beast reports that Chinese microblogging service Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter (which is blocked there) with upwards of 400 million users, was sent spinning last week when Brad Pitt started an account, inaugurating it with this message: "It is the truth. Yup, I'm coming..." The Weibo message generated tens of thousands of responses, primarily positive, with more than 160K new followers added to the account. Then, on December 8, Pitt's message disappeared. What happened?

By Beth Hanna
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January 11, 2013 12:35 PM
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Review: 'Killing Them Softly' Has Bold Style, Skips Heartbeat

Reviews

Andrew Dominik's "Killing Them Softly," adapted from George V. Higgins' 1974 crime novel "Cogan's Trade," takes place in an atrophied post-Katrina New Orleans in 2008. Brad Pitt plays Jackie Cogan, a hitman whose preferred method of execution is explained in the film's updated title.

By Beth Hanna
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November 30, 2012 6:44 PM
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Weekend Preview: Slim Pickings Beyond Andrew Dominik's 'Killing Them Softly' -- Unless You're Into Jean-Claude Van Damme

Reviews

This lackluster weekend for movie openings may leave you wanting to catch up on the Thanksgiving releases you missed. That said, Andrew Dominik's "Killing Them Softly," an alternately engrossing and heavy-handed hitman drama starring Brad Pitt, is the strongest of the bunch. Beyond that, the options are disparate: a feminist take on Marilyn Monroe from HBO star Liz Garbus, "Love, Marilyn," wan horror title "The Collection," or Van Damme-Lundgren vehicle "Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning," which some critics find worth reckoning with (and some don't).

By Beth Hanna
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November 30, 2012 5:39 PM
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Review Roundup: 'Killing Them Softly' Is Formally Stunning, Well-Acted, and Heavy-Handed

Reviews

Down Under director Andrew Dominik's politically pessimistic crime drama "Killing Them Softly" hits theaters this weekend, starring Brad Pitt as a numbed hitman in an atrophied, Recession-roiled America. Critics are of two minds about the film: On the one hand, it shows masterful visual skill and boasts strong performances, while on the other, it becomes bogged down by its own message with a capital M. Reviews are mixed to positive; a roundup is below.