Thompson on Hollywood

Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds Opens Strong

Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds opened strong Friday night, raking in an estimated $14.3 million. (We'll see how it holds.) Reviews were mixed, 69 on Metacritic. Richard Corliss, Roger Ebert and Jim Hoberman were thumbs up on this cinephile's fantasy, while Ken Turan, David Denby and Manohla Dargis were thumbs down on the slow-paced, often ridiculous alternative take on history. Here's New Yorker blogger Richard Brody and LA Weekly's Tarantino Q & A.. UPDATE: Looks like a $37-million opening, and great opening overseas, too. The film performed similarly to last weekend's District 9.

By Anne Thompson
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August 23, 2009 2:36 AM
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Tarantino Promos Inglourious Basterds, Top 20 Films

First, Quentin Tarantino is one of the most entertaining people to be around, period. So put him on the campaign trail for a new movie and we get to enjoy the results. (Is he really going to do a Len Deighton movie? The Ipcress File gets my vote.)

By Anne Thompson
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August 18, 2009 7:07 AM
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Lionsgate Buys Comic-Con Hit Kick-Ass

As I suspected, Lionsgate has acquired Matthew Vaughn's violent action comedy Kick-Ass, which wowed audiences at Hall H in Comic-Con. It was one of several indie pics that used Comic-Con fan reaction to try to land an distributor. In this case, the strategy worked.

By Anne Thompson
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August 17, 2009 4:41 AM
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Inglourious Basterds Premiere: Jolie & Pitt

Given that I'd already seen Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds twice, I blew off the L.A. premiere in favor of a family birthday dinner at El Cholo (Nora and Jake made red velvet cupcakes with white frosting). Luckily, there was plenty of other coverage. UPDATE: Here's Marc Malkin. And yes, Angelina wore black leather.

By Anne Thompson
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August 11, 2009 6:00 AM
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Paramount Dumps Stiller Picture, Marc Pease Experience

Paramount will open The Marc Pease Experience on a contractually minimal ten-market release outside of New York and L.A. on August 21, sources close to the movie confirm. Todd Louiso's orphaned indie film starring Ben Stiller and Jason Schartzman is a casualty of the demise of Vantage--and the departure of ex-Vantage chief John Lesher. "Their business model changed completely," said one source. "They have no specialty marketing division. The company doesn't exist."

By Anne Thompson
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August 11, 2009 4:19 AM
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Young Victoria Goes to Apparition

Over the weekend, Apparition closed a U.S. distribution deal for Toronto Film Festival closer The Young Victoria, starring Emily Blunt in what could be her breakout role carrying a movie as the youngest British monarch. As is typical these days, the new distrib run by Bob Berney and backer Bill Pohlad did not put up a minimum guarantee, but rather beat out several competitors (including Miramax, Overture and Roadside Attractions) by committing to $4.5 million in P & A and a 250-screen release. Appariiton will open the movie November 13. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group will handle all domestic ancillary rights. Alliance will release in Canada.

By Anne Thompson
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August 10, 2009 7:45 AM
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Inglourious Basterds: Recut, Nine Clips

Quentin Tarantino's recut of Inglourious Basterds is one minute longer than the Cannes version, and much improved. It's a gorgeous movie with a great eclectic soundtrack crammed with everything from Ennio Morricone to a brilliant use of David Bowie's "Putting Out the Fire." (Trivia question: what movie debuted that song?)

By Anne Thompson
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August 9, 2009 1:52 AM
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Hughes Tributes, Limon on Hudson, Fall Indie Previews, Where the Wild Things Are Trailer

John Hughes tributes are ubiquitous online today. Herewith a sampling:

By Anne Thompson
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August 7, 2009 8:08 AM
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Movies Go to the Opera

Opera buff alert! You don't have to spend a small fortune anymore to see live opera. These days, the Metropolitan Opera is delivering its shows live in HD in digital cinemas around the country. This way, instead of sitting in the rafters with binoculars, you can relish in close-up the visual and aural wealth of the hefty sets, costumes, singers and orchestras.

By Anne Thompson
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August 7, 2009 1:14 AM
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Berney and Pohlad Announce Apparition, Malick's Tree of Life

Finally, ex-Picturehouse chief Bob Berney and Bill Pohlad of River Road Entertainment have announced their new company, Apparition, on the eve of taking Jane Campion's Cannes entry Bright Star to Telluride (my spies predict) and Toronto for a September 18 release.