Thompson on Hollywood

Spirit Awards: Black Swan Wins Four, Portman and Franco Take Home Acting Awards

Fox Searchlight was the big winner Saturday at Film Independent's Spirit Awards as Black Swan collected four awards, for best feature, actress (Natalie Portman), director (Darren Aronfosky) and cinematography (Matthew Libatique) while a tired-looking James Franco, who is not only co-hosting Sunday's Oscars but threw a post-Gagosian show party Friday night, won best actor for 127 Hours.

By Anne Thompson
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February 27, 2011 12:50 AM
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Live From The Indie Spirit Awards: Black Swan Dominates, Winners Talk (UPDATE)

We are live on the beaches of Santa Monica for the 2011 Indie Spirit Awards. It's a sunny but blistering February afternoon. The clouds will likely roll in as the show starts at 2 pm. Winners will be ushered into the press tent to give their last comments before tomorrow's season-finale Oscar showdown. Check back for live updates. Here is the complete list of nominees.

By Sophia Savage
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February 26, 2011 9:43 AM
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Indie Spirits Preview: Back to Beach with Host McHale; Oscar Nominees Favored to Win; Hudson Talks

It's back to the beach in Santa Monica (amid threats of rain) for the 26th edition of the Independent Spirit Awards, which are voted on by some 5000 members of Film Independent, and take place the Saturday before the Oscars. It won't be hard for first-time host Joel McHale (The Soup, Spy Kids 4, see video below) to improve on last year's Eddie Izzard, who phoned in his duties without seeming to have much sense of the smart indies in the room during 2010's one-off move downtown to LA Live. Former R-rated hosts John Waters, Sarah Silverman and Rainn Wilson honed in on the right vibe for this crowd. Here's the list of presenters.

By Anne Thompson
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February 26, 2011 2:42 AM
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Oscar Talk: Bening vs. Portman, Leo's Gaffe, Nominees Lunch, BAFTAs, Inception Surge

We're in the thick of the Oscar race now. In this week's Oscar Talk podcast, In Contention's Kris Tapley and Guy Lodge and I discuss the real contest between Annette Bening and Natalie Portman, whether Melissa Leo's glam ads are opening up the field in supporting actress, and how the Nominees Lunch and the upcoming BAFTAs on Sunday give us a sense of where the races are tipping.

By Anne Thompson
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February 11, 2011 4:59 AM
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SBIFF Oscar Directors Panel: Aronofsky, Ferguson, Granik, Hooper, Russell, Unkrich

During the final panel of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 5, Variety’s Peter Bart led a discussion among directors of Oscar-nominated films, including Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), documentarian Charles Ferguson (Inside Job), writer-director Debra Granik (Winter’s Bone), Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech), David O. Russell (The Fighter) and Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3) before a capacity crowd at the city’s historic downtown Lobero Theater. Justin Lowe reports (video is below).

By Justin Lowe
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February 9, 2011 3:14 AM
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Academy Nominees Luncheon: 2011 Class Photo, Meeting the Coens, Keeping It Short

What becomes a legend most? A diminutive best actress nominee sitting at the center of a group photo on last year's best actor winner's lap. At last year's nominees luncheon, Jeff Bridges was hanging with genuine affection with old pal Sandra Bullock.

By Anne Thompson
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February 7, 2011 11:52 AM
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Three Critics: Forces of Change in 2011

In our ongoing Three Critics series for AOL Moviefone, indieWIRE critics Leonard Maltin, Eric Kohn and I continue to debate the challenges facing Hollywood. I start things off:Anne Thompson: As we move into 2011, things in the movie business are not looking good. Even though 3D propped up 2010 ticket sales, attendance was down 5 percent. While many disturbing trends from 2010 will carry over to 2011, there's change in the air. Hollywood is hanging on to some bad habits, but the entertainment industry is in transition.

By Anne Thompson
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February 5, 2011 7:58 AM
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Oscar Watch: The Real Black Swan, Co-Host Franco Rehearses, Does Santa Barbara Q & A, Recites Byron

Never has one movie inspired more men to put on makeup and tights: see Johnny Knoxville at the Critics' Choice Awards and Jim Carrey on SNL, below. And here's the latest incarnation, The Real Black Swan: Lionsgate used Madea to promote Tyler Perry's latest, Madea's Big Happy Family (April 22).

By Anne Thompson
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February 1, 2011 6:20 AM
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Oscar Watch: True Grit vs. Social Network, Bening vs. Portman

How quickly momentum shifts in the Oscar race after nominations reveal the lay of the land. Every single one of the Gurus 'O Gold who was voting for The Social Network to win best picture switched to The King's Speech. Wow.

By Anne Thompson
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January 28, 2011 5:50 AM
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Hugh Jackman To Present At Academy Awards; Hosts Hathaway and Franco Tease With Video Promo

For those who wish that Hugh Jackman was returning to host the Oscars, well, he's the first confirmed presenter for the Academy Awards on February 27. This year's hosting chores will be handled by two young actors, Oscar nominee James Franco (127 Hours) and Anne Hathaway, who did a memorable turn on the Oscar stage with Jackman. Hathaway and Franco's first Oscar promo is below.