Thompson on Hollywood

#SXSW Perfect Venue for Kick-Ass

SXSW has a casual young, male vibe. At the Kick-Ass opener, the fest's Janet Pierson and director Matthew Vaughn were both wearing jeans and sneakers. So it makes sense SXSW was perfect venue for Kick-Ass, which has a primarily young male --and less female-- appeal. It's a nasty hard-R super-hero spoof designed to outrage and delight. And it will destroy at the b.o. when Liongsate opens it April. (It opens first in the U.K. in two weeks.)

By Anne Thompson
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March 13, 2010 2:10 AM
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Oscar Party Circuit: HBO and Weinstein Co.

The Oscar party circuit continued Saturday night with HBO's Peninsula party, presided over by documentary doyenne Sheila Nevins. (Five out of the eight doc Oscar-nominees are connected to HBO.) Rob Kenner admitted that he's never been involved with a movie that has done as much publicity as Food Inc., while Roadside Attractions co-heads Howard Cohen and Eric d'Arbeloff were crossing their fingers that Oscar predicters are right to place The Cove as the front-runner to win the doc Oscar.

By Anne Thompson
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March 7, 2010 9:09 AM
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Precious Has a Long Way to Go

Lionsgate is girding itself for a long haul to the Oscars. They have accomplished a great deal: a movie with tough subject matter about familial abuse, starring an all African-American cast, has become a must-see. And I will argue that although I have encountered folks who are resistant to watching the movie, most Academy members (who mostly lean Liberal) will check it out. (The Carpetbagger rolls out some of the film's problems.)

By Anne Thompson
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December 8, 2009 5:27 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.

By Anne Thompson
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December 1, 2009 4:08 AM
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Brothers vs. Brothers

Beware the cross-cultural remake.

By Anne Thompson
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November 23, 2009 3:45 AM
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Epix Launches October 30

When I first heard that three studios--Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount--were bypassing pay-TV deals in favor of a new online streaming venture, I thought the new distribution order was at hand. While the other studios were still hung up on the old ancillary paradigm, this gang was skipping windows and jumping into the future.

By Anne Thompson
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October 30, 2009 12:45 PM
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#LFF: Precious Scores in London, Chicago

Anyone wondering about a Precious backlash need only sit through the movie with an audience. The movie plays, people. It won the audience prize at the Chicago Film Fest, and scored at its London Film Fest gala as well.

By Anne Thompson
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October 24, 2009 10:58 AM
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Toronto: Winners, Losers, Oscar Contenders

There was plenty to see in Toronto. Here's how the films shook out for me.

By Anne Thompson
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September 20, 2009 3:20 AM
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Toronto Wrap: Indie Bloodbath

If industry-watchers didn't see it coming, they figured it out at this year's Toronto Film Festival.

By Anne Thompson
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September 19, 2009 9:09 AM
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TIFF#: Precious Producers Want Credit

Without Colorado-based producers Sarah Siegel-Magness and her husband Gary Magness, Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire might never have been made.