Thompson on Hollywood

Now and Then: A 'Zero Dark Thirty' Piece That's (Mostly) Not About Torture

Reviews

We are Maya. That's the first thought that comes to mind about Jessica Chastain's tireless, obsessed CIA analyst in "Zero Dark Thirty," a "motherfucker" who's been chasing Osama bin Laden for twelve years — nearly the same length of time as this country's impossible war.

By Matt Brennan
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January 22, 2013 1:22 PM
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Read: Kathryn Bigelow's Essay Addressing Depiction of Torture in 'Zero Dark Thirty'

News

Director Kathryn Bigelow has published an essay in the L.A. Times addressing the controversy surrounding her Oscar-nominated film "Zero Dark Thirty" and its depiction of torture. "I do wonder if some some of the sentiments alternately expressed about the film might be more appropriately directed at those who instituted and ordered these U.S. policies, as opposed to a motion picture that brings the story to the screen," she writes. Highlights below.

By Beth Hanna
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January 16, 2013 11:56 AM
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'Zero Dark Thirty' Leads Women Film Journalists' EDA Awards; Lawrence Recognized for Kicking Ass, Dench for Defying Ageism

Awards

The Alliance of Women and Film Journalists EDA Awards have been announced, with "Zero Dark Thirty" winning Best Picture, Director (Kathryn Bigelow), Original Screenplay (Mark Boal) and Actress (Jessica Chastain). The EDAs also have a colorful list of "Special Mention Awards," with categories ranging from...

By Beth Hanna
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January 8, 2013 12:58 PM
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'Zero Dark Thirty' Review and Torture Debate - Senate Committee Probing Bigelow and Boal's CIA Contact [UPDATED]

Reviews

UPDATE: The Senate Intelligence Committee has begun a review of the contacts between "Zero Dark Thirty" director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal and CIA officials, following the committee chairwoman's "outrage" over the film's scenes that imply "enhanced interrogations."

By Anne Thompson & Sophia Savage
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January 3, 2013 3:31 PM
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Highlights from LA Times Directors Roundtable with Bigelow, Affleck, Russell, Lee, Hooper and Gervasi

News

Six directors talk shop for the LA Times' directors roundtable. John Horn is joined by Kathryn Bigelow ("Zero Dark Thirty"), Ben Affleck ("Argo"), Tom Hooper ("Les Miserables"), David O. Russell ("Silver Linings Playbook"), Ang Lee ("Life of Pi") and Sacha Gervasi ("Hitchcock") to discuss their films, working with actors...

By Sophia Savage
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December 21, 2012 3:59 PM
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'Zero Dark Thirty' CIA Duo Chastain and Clarke Talk Torture Controversy & Bigelow (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO)

Video

Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal's ripped-from-the-headlines "Zero Dark Thirty" (December 19) has been wowing the critics, who are raving about best actress Jessica Chastain, who plays the hard-swearing tough-as-nails CIA agent who doggedly pursues Osama bin Laden.

By Anne Thompson
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December 12, 2012 6:26 AM
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Oscar Talk: 'Les Mis' and 'Zero Dark Thirty' Are Powerful Contenders, Whither 'Django Unchained'?

Awards

On this week's Oscar Talk podcast, Kris Tapley and I review the Oscar impact of post-9/11 CIA thriller "Zero Dark Thirty," Kathryn Bigelow's follow-up to Oscar-winner "The Hurt Locker," and soaring musical "Les Miserables," Tom Hooper's follow-up to his Oscar-Winning "The King's Speech."

By Anne Thompson
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November 30, 2012 12:38 PM
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Bigelow and Boal Talk 'Zero Dark Thirty' with Nightline: Controversy, Meticulous Recreation & Chastain's Character

Video

Check out this interview by ABC's Martha Raddatz with "Zero Dark Thirty" director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal, in which the two talk about the controversy surrounding classified information that arose before the film began shooting, meticulously recreating the house in Abbottobad, the amazing woman at the center...

By Beth Hanna
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November 27, 2012 1:18 PM
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Bin Laden at the Movies: 'SEAL Team Six' Airing on NatGeo & Netflix Before Election; Plus Bigelow's 'Zero Dark Thirty' and Tell-All 'No Easy Day'

News

Sorry, Mitt, but NatGeo is airing feature film "SEAL Team 6" on November 4, two days before the election. The film is a re-creation of the events, authorized by President Obama, that lead to the killing of the terrorist leader and, as the NYT puts it, serves as "the crowning national security achievement of President Obama’s term in office."