Thompson on Hollywood

Which Stars Need a Comeback?

Awards

Everybody loves a comeback. Ben Affleck redeemed himself from "Jersey Girl" and Gigli" with "The Town" and "Argo," while President Obama gave Democrats hope by deciding to show up for his second debate against Mitt Romney after a frustratingly muted first round. So with the fall movie season upon us, HitFix names ten likely comebacks of the fall season, among them Robert De Niro, Jamie Foxx, Barbra Streisand, Helen Hunt and Robert Zemeckis. We also name a few of our own stars needing a comeback below.

By Sophia Savage
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October 18, 2012 4:25 PM
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Well This is Awkward: 'Twilight' Drama Takes the Lead in EW's Fall Movie Preview; Stewart Out of 'Cali'

Blogs

No surprise here; EW features a cuddly Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson on their Fall Movie Preview issue. "For better or worse," writes EW, "Stewart and Pattinson and their much speculated-upon romance have always been intertwined with the onscreen relationship of their fictional counterparts, Bella and Edward." Director Bill Condon reminds readers: "The fact is, these are actors playing parts. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing for people to be reminded of that.” Either way, "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" (November 16) and EW will continue to sell plenty of tickets and issues that capitalize on the actors' private lives. 'Twas ever thus. Variety confirms web chatter that Stewart has dropped out of "Cali," in which she was previously set to star alongside "Magic Mike"'s Alex Pettyfer. Talks of a replacement are premature.

By Sophia Savage
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August 9, 2012 2:48 PM
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London Boulevard and Melancholia Hit VOD Before Theaters

News

Two indie films with strong casts are available right now on VOD before they hit movie theaters on November 11. Magnolia is releasing controversy-magnet Lars von Trier's Melancholia, starring Cannes best actress winner Kirsten Dunst, on OnDemand, iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Playstation and Zune.

By Anne Thompson
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October 7, 2011 9:34 AM
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Film Independent at LACMA Starts With World Premiere of Rum Diary, Reitman Breakfast Club Reading

Elvis Mitchell is in the building!

By Sophia Savage
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September 14, 2011 1:07 AM
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Long-Delayed Fireflies in the Garden, Starring Julia Roberts, Finally Gets October Release

Back in 2007 when Julia Roberts was tributed by the American Cinematheque, they screened a clip from her upcoming midwest family drama Fireflies in the Garden. The film debuted in 2008 at the Berlin Film Festival and was released around the world (Tomatometer: 28%). Four years later, finally, after the film was extricated from the financial quagmire of Senator Entertainment, a never-before-seen director's cut of Fireflies will be self-distributed to stateside theaters in four major cities on October 14, with Roberts looking fresher than she has in years and Ryan Reynolds a much bigger star. “I am so pleased our film will finally get a theatrical release in the U.S.,” said rookie writer-director Dennis Lee. “Anyone familiar with our story knows the road to this moment has been paved with challenges. It’s not lost on me how much care and determination it took to bring Fireflies to light. I am so grateful for all the support I’ve received.”

By Anne Thompson
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August 25, 2011 5:40 AM
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Gosling Front and Center on New Drive Poster, More Violence Due in Refn's Next, Only God Forgives

When you've got it, flaunt it. In Nicolas Winding Refn's indie-financed, $13-million Drive, Ryan Gosling scores in his first Steve McQueen-style action role as a stuntman and getaway driver who is in complete control: until he allows himself to be entrapped by a young neighbor (Carey Mulligan) and her son. Gosling is Drive's primary selling point. Why not show what you got? He's never looked better.

By Anne Thompson
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August 2, 2011 6:37 AM
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Moving Fest Slots For Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, J. Edgar; Young Adult Bypasses Circuit

Here's the new poster for Tomas Alfredson's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which Focus Features is opening November 18 after its debut in Venice, which is timed before its European release in September. That's the reason why the film isn't in the Toronto Film Fest line-up. There's speculation that the film might turn up as a centerpiece gala or closing night offering at the New York Film Festival, along with Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar, starring Leonardo DiCaprio (October 21). There's still time for these potential Oscar contenders to jockey for prime fest positions at the four fall fests, Venice, Toronto, New York and Telluride, which keeps its selection a secret until the last possible minute. Angelenos who take the Charter from LAX to Montrose, Colorado at the start of the Labor Day weekend are handed the schedule as they board the plane.

By Anne Thompson
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August 1, 2011 7:02 AM
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Universal Moves Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy to Focus Features for November 18 Release

Universal Pictures had the first look at acquiring U.S. rights to Working Title's John Le Carre adaptation Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and did so out of Berlin.

By Anne Thompson
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June 1, 2011 11:58 AM
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Paranormal Activity 2 Spoof: Scarier Than A Demon? A Damon!

Thank Funny or Die for providing more entertainment (for free) in under three minutes than Paranormal Activity 2 will slow-drip into your system in over an hour. The first of their two trailers (below, here's the official trailer) warns of something worse than a demon - a Damon! Complete with complex math skills! The second just tries to tell the truth.

By Sophia Savage
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October 20, 2010 4:55 AM
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Weekend Box Office: The Social Network Clicks to Top

The most buzzed-about launch of the fall season, The Social Network met (but did not exceed) expectations with a $23-million start, while hard-R vampire thriller Let Me In proved to be a classic tweener: too bloody violent for upscale smart-house crowds and too European for mainstream gore-hounds. Anthony D'Alessandro explains:Sony’s PG-13 Facebook origin myth The Social Network effortlessly clicked its way to the top box office spot with $23 million – a number which was in line with studio estimates, but fell short of crashing any ticket booth’s computer with a fall record. Two R-rated thrillers, Overture’s vampire remake Let Me In and Paramount’s Renee Zellweger-Bradley Cooper vehicle Case 39, each cannibalized their target femme demo, tying with $5.3 million apiece.