Thompson on Hollywood

Now and Then: 'Enlightened,' HBO's Masterpiece of Heartbreak

Reviews

"Enlightened" opens with Amy Jellicoe (Laura Dern) gag-sobbing in a bathroom stall, mascara streaking down her cheeks in mournful black rivulets. Like the rest of Season 1 of HBO's masterpiece, which returns for Season 2 on Sunday at 9:30, it isn't all that funny. But to call "Enlightened" simply a comedy is unjust: it's a symphony of regret.

By Matt Brennan
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January 7, 2013 2:01 PM
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EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Judd Apatow Talks 'This is 40,' Lena Dunham and Vanity Fair Comedy Issue

Interviews

Writer/producer/director/talent scout Judd Apatow is a seriously funny multi-tasker who takes his time between directorial efforts. His latest, "This is 40," is a spin-off of "Knocked Up" that follows married couple Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) as they navigate the treacherous terrain of marriage, career and family. Apatow talks about writing--he likes juggling several projects at once-- working with Lena Dunham on "Girls"--he promises surprises next season-- and deadbeat dads, played in the film by John Lithgow and Albert Brooks. And he talks about editing the must-read Vanity Fair comedy issue.

By Anne Thompson
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December 12, 2012 2:45 PM
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Louis CK Does Proust Questionnaire - Personal Questions, Luis Tiant & 'I Love Barack Obama'

News

A look inside the mind of Louis CK via Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaire.

By Sophia Savage
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December 10, 2012 3:53 PM
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This American Life's Live Stage Show 'The Invisible Made Visible' Now Available Online [Trailer]

Video

In "The Invisible Made Visible," radio show This American Life went live onstage for "radio you can watch."

By Sophia Savage
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November 19, 2012 3:08 PM
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'Just Deux It' with Empire's Best/Worst Movie Taglines

News

Empire has created a list of 12 movie taglines that are either "brilliant, terrible or brilliantly terrible." For example, for Francophiles who appreciate majorly corny linguistic puns, the tagline for the 2010 John Travolta vehicle "From Paris With Love" defies easy evaluation: "Two Agents. One City. No Merci."

By Beth Hanna
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November 12, 2012 12:43 PM
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Trailer Watch: Mel on Mel in HBO's 'Mel Brooks Strikes Back!'

Video

Check out the new trailer for HBO's upcoming "Mel Brooks Strikes Back!," a lively extended interview between the legendary comedy writer-director and BBC creative director Alan Yentob. "What was it like growing up as a Jew in Brooklyn?" Yentob asks. Brooks' reply: "I don't think there was anybody but Jews in Brooklyn!"

By Beth Hanna
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November 9, 2012 11:45 AM
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Now and Then: 'Your Sister's Sister,' Lost in the Oscar Shuffle

Reviews

As much as I enjoy awards chatter, this time of year can be frustrating. Spring, summer, even early fall releases that merit attention melt away before the campaigns of the heavy hitters. Lynn Shelton's lovely character study "Your Sister's Sister" won't factor in the Oscar race, and maybe it doesn't deserve to. But it surely deserves your eyes.

By Matt Brennan
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November 6, 2012 3:52 PM
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'Stand Up Guys' with Pacino, Walken, Arkin: Review, Trailer, Awards Run (VIDEO)

News

Grabbing the boomer audience is like shooting fish in a barrel. They're starved for movies about them. So actor-director Fisher Stevens assembled three veterans at the top of their game--Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin--and let them run with the ball.

By Anne Thompson
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October 24, 2012 4:14 PM
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Hugh Grant Follows Up 'Cloud Atlas' Villains with Untitled Marc Lawrence Romantic Comedy

News

Hugh Grant will follow up his audacious multiple villains in "Cloud Atlas" with a return to the romantic comedy genre in writer/director Marc Lawrence’s new untitled romantic comedy. It will start shooting in New York in April 2013.

By Anne Thompson
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October 22, 2012 12:59 PM
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Now and Then: At NOFF, Indie Comedies 'It's a Disaster' and 'Supporting Characters' Impress

Reviews

"It's a Disaster" is something you title your film only if you have a lot of faith in the project. The pun, for a critic disposed to go negative, is almost pathetically easy. Fortunately for writer/director Todd Berger, such confidence is well deserved. "It's a Disaster" is hilarious.