Thompson on Hollywood

Watch: Peter Jackson Previews 'The Desolation of Smaug,' Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peek and New Characters

Video

Those who purchased the Blu-ray and DVD combo pack of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" received a special access code to watch Peter Jackson previewing the second installment in the franchise, "The Desolation of Smaug" (December 13). Six minutes of that preview have now been released online -- watch below.

By Beth Hanna
|
April 1, 2013 1:52 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

'Django' Nearly Beats 'Hobbit' for #1 New Year's Day

Box Office

The first day of 2013 saw grosses for the top 10 films rise about $3 million - better than 6% - above New Year's 2012. The top 10 stayed the same as for the weekend, with the order finally stabilizing after much shifting, particularly in the top 3. But the film that looks strongest going forward could be "Django Unchained," which was edged out by "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" by a narrow margin - $9.2 million to Peter Jackson's film's $9.4 million, with "Les Miserables" coming in third at a still strong $7.6 million for the day.

By Tom Brueggemann
|
January 2, 2013 5:29 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Pre-Holiday Box Office is Weak: Christmas Can't Come Too Soon for Studios, Theaters

Box Office

Pre-Christmas weekends vary wildly in performance year by year, depending on where the dates fall (the closer to Christmas, the worse the business until December 25) and the strength of new openings. With the debuting films this year ranging for modest to weak, whatever strength there was came from the second week of "The Hobbit," which took a steep (but not unusual) fall from its smaller-than-expected opening. The result is a so-so total gross at best.

By Tom Brueggemann
|
December 23, 2012 1:03 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Immersed in Movies: Joe Letteri Talks 'Hobbit' VFX, Gollum

Features

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" represents a VFX benchmark for just how far the wizards of Weta have come in the last decade since "The Lord of the Rings." This is definitely not a case of been there, done that.

By Bill Desowitz
|
December 17, 2012 1:30 PM
|
2 Comments

More:

Weekend Box Office Top Ten: 'The Hobbit' Breaks Records, But What Does It Mean?

Box Office

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" delivered about 70% of the top ten revenue in the pre-Christmas doldrums. Grosses almost doubled from last weekend and climbed about 13% from last year, making this a very successful weekend indeed. Yes, "The Hobbit" set a record for December weekend openings-- in raw dollar count--but the numbers suggest that it might not be quite as strong as seems at first glance. Down the line, a whole series of Thanskgiving and earlier releases show few signs of giving up their screens as a whole slew of major new films prepare to battle to grab their spots over the next two weeks.

By Tom Brueggemann
|
December 16, 2012 1:08 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Weekend Preview: From a Speedier 'Hobbit' to Yet Another Christopher Walken Comedy

Reviews

Those expecting the grandeur of "Lord of the Rings" from Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (the first of a new prequel trilogy) will be disappointed. But that's not to say the ride isn't enjoyable once you get used to the 48fps in 3-D. Were I to sit through the nearly three-hour film again, I'd take good old fashioned 24fps and 2-D. Once Bilbo Baggins (a perfect Martin Freeman), Gandalf and the many dwarves are off on their journey (after a rough start) the adventure does pull you in with some spectacular visuals and some quality time with Andy Serkis' show-stealing Gollum. What I missed most: Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn.

By Sophia Savage
|
December 14, 2012 7:47 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

New Mondo 'Lord of the Rings' Posters from Alamo Drafthouse -- 'Fate Has Chosen Him, Evil Will Hunt Him'

News

Check out the new Mondo posters for Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings," designed by artist Olly Moss and featuring a jagged sword looming ominously over Frodo and his companions. Mondo is Alamo Drafthouse's boutique poster shop.

By Beth Hanna
|
December 12, 2012 12:53 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

New 'Hobbit' Images from 'Desolation of Smaug' & 'There and Back Again'

News

Check out these new images for the second and third installments in the epic "Hobbit" franchise, "The Desolation of Smaug" (above) and "There and Back Again," set to hit theaters on December 13, 2013, and July 18, 2014. There's a hill of gold and more Orlando Bloom in store...

By Beth Hanna
|
December 7, 2012 1:09 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Immersed in Movies: Peter Jackson Talks 'The Hobbit' and Controversial 48 fps

Features

Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth with "The Hobbit" at the higher frame rate of 48 is certainly a bold experiment. It's new; it's different; it's smoother; it's more realistic. But there's no question that HFR 3-D is already causing an aesthetic divide. For some, it's jarring; for others, it's jaw-dropping.

By Bill Desowitz
|
December 5, 2012 2:43 PM
|
6 Comments

More:

Peter Jackson's 'The Hobbit': Review and Reaction Roundup UPDATED

Reviews

Finally, the last films of the year are being screened, just in time for early critics voting. While early reactions to this weekend's "Django Unchained" were upbeat, reviews so far are mixed on Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." Reactions came in from both the New Zealand premiere, held on Wednesday, and a slew of Los Angeles screenings. Complaints from the premiere took the form of dizziness and even motion sickness from watching the controversial 48 fps, while L.A. critics found the film padded, overlong and shockingly lacking in women.