Thompson on Hollywood

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).

By Anne Thompson and Maggie Lange
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September 8, 2011 3:53 AM
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Weinstein Co. Launches Indie Label, Poaches Magnolia's Tom Quinn

Marking a major loss for Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner's Magnolia Pictures, The Weinstein Company is launching a new label focusing on innovative distribution strategies to be run by Magnolia's Tom Quinn and Jason Janego, who will be co-presidents. The unnamed New York-based TWC label will "bring new films and other specialty entertainment to audiences simultaneously across multiple digital and traditional platforms," said the Weinsteins in a release.

By Anne Thompson
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September 6, 2011 10:14 AM
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Trailer Watch: Lars von Triers' Melancholia: Life is On Earth And Not For Long

Here is the latest trailer for Lars von Trier’s psychological disaster movie Melancholia, starring Cannes best actress winner Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Keifer Sutherland, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, and Alexander and Stellan Skarsgård. The film premiered at Cannes to rave reviews and Von Trier's notorious banning from the festival (here's our interview). Next stop: Toronto.

By Sophia Savage
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August 30, 2011 4:50 AM
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Lars von Trier's Last Cannes Q & A: "Stupid" Statements, Melancholia, "I Am Not a Nazi," Dunst, Cruz

Features

This year at Cannes, fest veteran Lars von Trier picked a hell of a way to became a household name. In the days following the notorious Cannes Film Festival Melancholia press conference during which the Danish writer-director offended just about everybody (except the Iranian culture minister) by calling himself a Nazi, he apologized repeatedly for his "stupid, idiotic" comments that led to his banishment from the festival and insisted, "I am not a Nazi."

By Anne Thompson
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May 26, 2011 2:24 AM
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Teen Lesbian Romance Jack and Diane Goes to Magnolia, Stars Juno Temple and Riley Keough

Distribution rights to Bradley Rust Gray's Jack and Diane -- currently in post -- have gone to Magnolia Pictures. The film stars Juno Temple (Atonement, Cracks), Riley Keough (The Runaways), Kylie Minogue and Cara Seymour, and features animation from the Brothers Quay and creature effects by Cremaster 2 and 4's Gabe Bartalos. Gray made his mark as a director with 2009's micro-budget fest-circuit hit The Exploding Girl, which starred Zoe Kazan and earned largely positive reviews.

By Sophia Savage
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May 5, 2011 7:14 AM
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Jiro Dreams of Sushi Goes to Magnolia Before North American Tribeca Premiere

North American rights for Jiro Dreams of Sushi have gone to Magnolia, which plans to release the film later this year. Jiro Dreams had its world premiere at the Berlinale and will make its North American premiere at Tribeca on April 21. The film follows 85-year old chef Jiro Ono and his son, Yoshikazu, who is heir to his legendary Tokyo restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro.

By Sophia Savage
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April 20, 2011 7:08 AM
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Film Society's Lincoln Center Cinema Adds Bingham Ray as Program Consultant

New Yorkers can celebrate the imminent arrival of two new art-house cinemas in a city that has long been underserved by movie theaters. Here are reports by indieWIRE and the the NYT on the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Elinor Bunn Munroe Film Center, which opens June 17 with Andrew Rossi’s film circuit doc Page One: Inside The New York Times (Magnolia).