Thompson on Hollywood

Searchlight Buys Murdoch-Produced Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Fox Searchlight acquires only a few films each year. So one reason why Fox Searchlight Pictures co-presidents Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula picked up Wayne Wang's 19th-century drama Snow Flower and the Secret Fan can be found in the producing credits.

By Anne Thompson
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May 13, 2010 2:03 AM
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News Update: Studios Step Up Security, Iron Man Hits Web, Tony Noms, Vaughn Helms X-Men: First Class

L.A. County sheriffs have stepped up security around movie studios in response to the foiled bombing attempt in New York's Times Square. The LAT reports that the bomb's proximity to Viacom headquarters has led to speculation that the company was targeted because of a recent South Park episode on Comedy Central involving the prophet Muhammad. Viacom owns Comedy Central as well as the MTV network. At MTV and Lionsgate offices in Santa Monica, guards have been checking vehicle trunks since the incident, among other precautions.

By Amy Dawes
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May 5, 2010 1:31 AM
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Bret Easton Ellis's Imperial Bedrooms Heads for Fox Searchlight?

During his Sunday LAT Fest of Books Q & A, Bret Easton Ellis talked candidly about Hollywood with music journo Erik Himmelsbach, reports Cameron Carlson:

By Cameron Carlson
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April 26, 2010 1:45 AM
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Weekend Preview: Pattinson vs. Damon in Melodramatic Remember Me and Political Green Zone

Heading into its second weekend, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland will continue to score big numbers. According to Flixster, the Tim Burton fantasy (which has a Tomatoscore of 52%) is pacing about five times ahead of this week’s new releases. That's not hard, because none of the newcomers are crossing over from their target demo. (Trailers are on the jump.) UPDATE: Box office watchers can now place bets on their predictions.

By Anne Thompson
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March 11, 2010 2:21 AM
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Shahrukh Khan Hits America, Berlin, Meets Leo DiCaprio

Shahrukh Khan is everywhere these days. He gave an interview for NPR on his recent swing through America to promote his latest, My Name is Khan, which Fox Searchlight opened strongly this weekend as it debuted in Berlin. The big question is whether this Bollywood superstar will ever make the move to star in a Hollywood movie. While the studios are chasing him, like fellow star Aamir Khan, he's got it pretty good back home, where Bollywood's insular filmmaking community is a family affair.

By Anne Thompson
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February 14, 2010 9:24 AM
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Oscar Phase Two: Bullock vs. Streep, Renner vs. Bridges, Cameron vs. Bigelow

Nothing is certain until it's over. And that's especially true for the Oscar race.

By Anne Thompson
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February 9, 2010 11:16 AM
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Clip Watch: (500) Days of Summer

(500) Days of Summer's Joseph Gordon-Levitt (almost) dances up a storm in this music clip:

By Anne Thompson
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December 21, 2009 10:31 AM
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Oscar Watch: No Costume Nom Possible for Fantastic Mr. Fox

For those who harbored hopes that Wes Anderson's animated feature Fantastic Mr. Fox might be eligible for a costume prize, it isn't. My pal Jane in the Academy would happily vote for it--even if it was shot in stop-motion. But when we looked up the credits, we saw no designer. I checked with Fox Searchlight, and they confirm that there's no official costume designer for the film.

By Anne Thompson
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December 17, 2009 10:04 AM
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Oscar Talk Episode Thirteen: Avatar, Lovely Bones, Crazy Heart, Parties

Kris Tapley and I discuss the week's frenetic doings: National Board of Review, parties for The Hurt Locker, Crazy Heart and The Lovely Bones, and the upcoming sci-fi monster Avatar.

By Anne Thompson
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December 6, 2009 12:30 AM
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Precious, Last Station Score Five Indie Spirit Noms

It was amusing watching announcers Matt Dillon and Taraji Henson maul the global Independent Spirit Awards nominees live on UStream Tuesday morning: they couldn't wrap their tongues around many of the names. Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire and The Last Station dominated with five nominations apiece. Best feature and best actor nominee 500 Days of Summer and best director James Gray (Two Lovers) were other big surprises. The announcement of Paramount's breakout thriller Paranormal Activity for best first feature (made for $15,000), brought gasps in the room. Excellent move: that film defines an indie breakout.