Thompson on Hollywood

TRAILER WATCH: Pixar's Brave Stars Athletic Feminist Princess

Video

The exciting trailer for Disney/Pixar's "Brave" -- featuring Kelly Macdonald ("Boardwalk Empire") as the voice of Princess Merida -- has arrived. Merida, complete with Scottish accent, is a free-spirited tomboy with fiery red hair. (Think of her as a young William Wallace in "Braveheart.") Bravo to male-dominated Pixar for finally introducing their first female lead. "Brave" premieres June 22, 2012.

By Sophia Savage
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November 16, 2011 3:27 PM
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HBO Teams with Sports Illustrated, Endgame & Playground for Sport in America: Our Defining Stories - Submit Yours

News

HBO, Sports Illustrated and Endgame Entertainment, in association with Playground for Sport in America have teamed up for "Sport in America: Our Defining Stories," a documentary series set to air on HBO in 2013. Their goal: "a sweeping cross-platform examination of how the universal thread of sport has shaped America’s character." HBO Sports exec producer Rick Bernstein says: "This is one of the most ambitious sports projects that HBO has launched." Sports Illustrated editorial packages and content on HBO and SI's social media platforms will accompany the series.

By Sophia Savage
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November 16, 2011 3:16 PM
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Exclusive Featurette: A Look Inside the Cult of Martha Marcy May Marlene; Olsen and Durkin Vie for Oscar Slots

Features

Fox Searchlight's mighty marketing machine is in full force right now as they seek to not only push "The Descendants" and "Shame" into movie theaters and the Oscar race, but a less obvious indie contender, "Martha Marcy May Marlene" ($1.6 million in limited release to date). Check out this exclusive featurette, complete with footage, commentary from breakout dramatic actress Elizabeth Olsen (younger sibling of the Olsen twins) and a psychologist who specializes in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. They address the nature of Martha's experience both within and outside a cult led by a charismatic, seductive Svengali leader ("Winter's Bone" Oscar nominee John Hawkes). More likely than Olsen landing a slot as best actress is "Martha" writer-director Sean Durkin's shot at scoring an original screenplay nomination--as usual that field is wide open.

By Anne Thompson
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November 16, 2011 11:57 AM
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Third Annual Hollywood Fringe Festival Sets 2012 Dates: How to Join Up

Festivals

Los Angeles culture lovers: the third installment of the Hollywood Fringe Festival has set its dates for 2012. From June 14-24, Hollywood will get an "explosion of theatre performances, solo artists, dancers, experimental art, comedy, films, and cabaret" from this non-profit fest. An opening night gala, awards ceremony and after party are all part of the fest, which is open and non-curated. More information on how to be involved and key dates are below:

By Sophia Savage
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November 16, 2011 11:44 AM
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CASTING WATCH: More Psychopaths for McDonagh's Sophomore Film: Harrelson, Waits, Kurylenko Join Farrell, Walken & Rockwell

News

By Sophia Savage
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November 10, 2011 4:53 PM
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Media Watch: Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft Team Up for Ads, Google+ Welcomes News, NY Times Sues HuffPo

News

By Maggie Lange
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November 9, 2011 4:48 PM
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IN THE WORKS: Miles Davis Biopic Based on His Son's Book, Dark Magus; George Tillman Jr. at the Helm

News

By Sophia Savage
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November 9, 2011 4:38 PM
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Film Independent Names 30 Filmmakers for 2012 Project Involve; Speakers Include Pariah's Rees & Cooper

News

Film Independent has selected 30 filmmakers for Project Involve, their program designed to foster the careers of emerging filmmakers from communities underrepresented within the film industry. The program's guest speakers include producer director Dee Rees and producer Nekisa Cooper (Pariah), Stephanie Allain (Hurricane Season, Hustle & Flow), and others yet to be announced. Cooper is an alumni of Project Involve, as is Circumstance producer Melissa Lee. LA Film Fest's artistic director David Ansenand Zhiv Productions' Joyce San Pedro will serve as mentors. New this year is Sony Pictures' Diversity Fellowship, which is granted to one participating filmmaker and offers year-round support (complete with a cash production grant and professional development). Film Independent's Josh Welsh says the filmmakers coming out of Project Involve "continue to inspire us, and we remain committed to giving them the opportunity to further their careers." More on the program and this year's participants below:

By Sophia Savage
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November 9, 2011 2:42 PM
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Morgan Freeman to Receive Golden Globes' Cecile B. DeMille Award

Awards

Morgan Freeman is to be honored at the 69th Golden Globe Awards with the Cecile B. DeMille award, for his outstanding contribution to entertainment. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's president, Dr. Aida Takla-O'Reilly, made the announcement with Amy Adams and Pedro Almodóvar. The Golden Globes will take place on January 15. As recipient of this award, Freeman joins the likes of Robert De Niro (2011), Martin Scorsese (2010), Steven Spielberg (2009), Warren Beatty (2007), Anthony Hopkins (2006), Robin Williams (2005), Michael Douglas (2004), Gene Hackman (2003), Harrison Ford (2002), Al Pacino (2001), and Barbra Streisand (2000).

By Sophia Savage
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November 9, 2011 1:54 PM
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AFM: Cary Elwes' Directorial Debut Goes to K5 Int'l, Stars Bana & Huston as Elvis & Nixon

News

Benaroya Pictures, who financed and produced Margin Call, have sold Elvis & Nixon to K5 International for international distribution. Cary Elwes is directing the comedy, starring Eric Bana (Elvis Presley) and Danny Huston (Richard Nixon), from a script he wrote with Joey Sagal and Hanala Sagal. Michael Benaroya and Holly Wiersma are producing, and Bana's Pick Up Truck banner is serving as exec producer. The film is set to shoot in Shreveport and Los Angeles. Synopsis is below.