Thompson on Hollywood

Magnolia's on a Roll, from 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi' and 'Marley' to Twisty Stylish Thriller 'Headhunters'

Features

"Headhunters" is a smart pick-up. It's basically the most commercial movie Norway has to offer, based on Joe Nesbo's global detective bestseller, starring rising star Aksel Hennie ("Max Manus") and Danish "Game of Thrones" baddie Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and directed with style by top commercial director Morten Tyldum.

By Anne Thompson
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May 13, 2012 10:41 PM
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Magnolia Pictures Buys US Rights to "Steve Jobs: The Last Interview"

News

Not wasting any time as Walter Isaacs' bestselling Steve Jobs biography continues to fly off shelves, Magnolia Pictures has acquired US rights to documentary "Steve Jobs" The Lost Interview."

By Anne Thompson
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May 2, 2012 2:47 PM
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Weekend Box Office Specialty Films Report: What It Means

Box Office

Three specialized films with stellar reviews opened this weekend, but the one going out the widest and also available for home viewing, "Marley," boasted the most success. Three other new releases also had parallel premieres on video-on-demand.

By Tom Brueggemann
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April 22, 2012 2:18 PM
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Weekend Box Office: What the Indie Numbers Really Mean UPDATED

Box Office

The weekend marks the return of two veteran filmmakers who were established in specialized theaters in the 1990s – Whit Stillman and Nanni Moretti. Films from both directors (who have always made pointed observations about their surroundings) opened to respectable if not spectacular grosses this holiday weekend.

By Tom Brueggemann
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April 10, 2012 1:52 PM
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Trailer Watch: Magnolia's 'Bel Ami' - Pattinson Seduces & The Women Swoon (Video)

News

Magnolia Pictures will release Robert Pattinson's "Bel Ami" in the US on June 8, with Sony Pictures handling all other US media. The film, directed by Declan Donnellan, is already in UK theaters.

By Sophia Savage
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April 3, 2012 3:40 PM
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Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz Goes to Magnolia for Summer 2012 Distribution; Williams & Rogen Star

Sarah Polley's sophomore feature, Take This Waltz, has gone to Magnolia Pictures for U.S. distribution, planned for Summer 2012. Starring Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen, the film received mostly strong reviews at its Toronto premiere, as did Polley's 2006 Away from Her. Here is Meredith Brody's review from TIFF:

By Sophia Savage
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October 17, 2011 6:56 AM
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London Boulevard and Melancholia Hit VOD Before Theaters

News

Two indie films with strong casts are available right now on VOD before they hit movie theaters on November 11. Magnolia is releasing controversy-magnet Lars von Trier's Melancholia, starring Cannes best actress winner Kirsten Dunst, on OnDemand, iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Playstation and Zune.

By Anne Thompson
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October 7, 2011 9:34 AM
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Lars Von Trier Will NEVER Give Another Interview; Retires from Public Speaking

Lars von Trier has had it, finally. After being declared "persona non grata" by the Cannes Film festival after statements he made at the Melancholia press conference, calling himself a Nazi, the Danish filmmaker has released a statement. He's done speaking in public, period.Today at 2 pm I was questioned by the Police of North Zealand in connection with charges made by the prosecution of Grasse in France from August 2011 regarding a possible violation of prohibition in French law against justification of war crimes. The investigation covers comments made during the press conference in Cannes in May 2011. Due to these serious accusations I have realized that I do not possess the skills to express myself unequivocally and I have therefore decided from this day forth to refrain from all public statements and interviews.

By Anne Thompson
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October 5, 2011 4:46 AM
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Toronto Wrap: Best of Fest, Oscar Boosts, Winners and Losers

The trick with the fall film festivals is to gauge expectations going in vs. what was actually achieved. Various distributors launched their fall slates, and watched with pleasure or horror at how their movies were received by audiences and critics. Oscar contenders either moved forward in the awards race, or were pushed back. Other indies hoped their films would be picked up by the right distributor in time for this year's Oscar race. Some were, some weren't. It's tough for films that have already debuted at other festivals to pick up new momentum, although the press will bank features for release. The biggest noise goes to the new players, always.

By Anne Thompson
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September 21, 2011 7:04 AM
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Toronto Deal Wrap: Early Buys Begin, New Indie Distribs

Before the high stakes bidding begins at the Toronto Film Festival which runs Thursday September 8 through September 18, acquisitions execs are already opening their checkbooks. Several distribs are said to be chasing Steve McQueen's erotic drama Shame, which would have to go out unrated; a studio subsidiary would have to go with an inevitable NC-17 rating, if no trims were made (so how could rumored interested distribs Sony Pictures Classics take this on? I don't see it).