Thompson on Hollywood

Denmark Submits Terribly Happy; Remake in Works

It's that time of year when one after the other, countries around the world submit their best choice for Oscar contention in the foreign film category. Only five will be nominated. (Last year 67 films were entered.) The latest submission comes from Denmark, which has chosen Henrik Rubin Genz's droll cop film noir Terribly Happy (Frytgtelig lykkelig). The international hit won six Bodil Awards out of seven nominations. Oscilloscope will release the film in North America.

By Anne Thompson
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September 24, 2009 6:49 AM
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Toronto Update, Awards, Auteurs, Moore, Coens, Beatles

Toronto WatchHot off their fab launch of A Serious Man at Toronto, the Coens swear they have no interest in returning to The Big Lebowski, even if audiences do. A Serious Man won the updated IndieWIRE critics poll for 34 new Toronto films that did not play Sundance or Cannes. Magnolia has picked up North American rights to Tilda Swinton-starrer I Am Love.

By Anne Thompson
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September 23, 2009 5:19 AM
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New York Film Critics Circle Sets Award Dates

The New York Film Critics Circle will hold their annual vote on 2009's best films on Monday, December 14th. Historically, the best films often forecast Oscar nominations, but the NYFCC prides itself on picking winners that the Oscars overlook. Recent best picture winners include Milk, No Country for Old Men, United 93, and Brokeback Mountain. The group is comprised of 31 New York area critics. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association usually announce their votes before New York, so they will probably convene on December 13. Gold Derby has posted a helpful Awards Calendar.

By Anne Thompson
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September 22, 2009 11:40 AM
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Producers Guild Expands Nominations to Ten

Following the Academy's lead, the Producers Guild of America is expanding its Darryl F. Zanuck producer of the year nominations from five to ten for 2010. PGA President Marshall Herskovitz explained that the change was made because "we feel it better represents the unprecedented diversity of films being produced today."

By Anne Thompson
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September 21, 2009 9:26 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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Viggo Mortensen Talks The Road

So many of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars seem like overgrown kids that the studios often turn to Brits and Aussies for their manly men. Viggo Mortensen, however, is that rare American actor who is both muscular and humane, tough and sensitive, fighter and lover. He seduces us with a threat of danger, his chiseled Nordic physique and stunning blue eyes. Never over the top, for Mortensen, less is more. His performances are slow reveals of hidden information and emotion.

By Anne Thompson
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September 19, 2009 7:08 AM
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Oscar Talk, Episode 3

Kris Tapley and I wrap up the Oscar changes post-Toronto Film Fest, from the Coens' A Serious Man to new Weinstein pick-up A Single Man.

By Anne Thompson
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September 18, 2009 10:20 AM
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Oscars: France Picks A Prophet, Spain Misses Broken Embraces

As expected, France has submitted SPC's Cannes pick-up A Prophet for Oscar consideration. And Spain has not submitted Pedro Almodovar's Broken Embraces. Check out the foreign line-up at The Film Experience, which keeps track of the foreign Oscar race. 21 films have already been submitted.

By Anne Thompson
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September 17, 2009 8:51 AM
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TIFF#: The Boys Are Back's Owen Goes Family

Everyone goes into Toronto with a schedule of films to watch. And that list changes with buzz. Some movies fall off due to bad WOM, while others become must-sees. IndieWIRE's in-progress critics' poll of 34 films is indicative of the movies that everyone went to see-- and the ones that nobody did.