Thompson on Hollywood

Early Robin Hood Reviews Break Before #Cannes

The first reviews of Ridley Scott's Robin Hood were scheduled to break with the film's Wednesday opening at Cannes, but Empire broke first, followed by THR, Variety and indieWIRE. Verdict: decidedly mixed.

By Anne Thompson
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May 9, 2010 9:06 AM
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Oscar Talk Summer Edition: Pre-Cannes Season Survey

In Contention's Kris Tapley, refreshed after a sojourn from his labors, and I reconvene for a summer edition of Oscar Talk. We cover the lacklustre spring season, look forward to Cannes and the summer, and dissect Iron Man 2.

By Anne Thompson
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May 8, 2010 5:13 AM
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2 Comments

Do We Need Another Robin Hood? It's Time.

While comparisons will abound between Ridley Scott's new take on Robin Hood and all the prior iterations of the great Sherwood Forest legend, Sophia Savage wonders if she'll be able to move on from her girl crush on Kevin Costner in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. Even Russell Crowe seems a tad threatened, if you ask me. He told People that Costner's Robin Hood film "looks like a Jon Bon Jovi video."

By Sophia Savage
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May 4, 2010 4:50 AM
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Summer Movies: What Can Top Iron Man 2?

It's starting to look a lot like summer.

By Anne Thompson
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April 20, 2010 4:01 AM
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13 Comments

Cannes Adds Jurors Denis, Garcia Bernal, Mezzogiorno, Egoyan

The Festival de Cannes announces that filmmaker Claire Denis (White Material) will preside over the Un Certain Regard jury. I have also learned that Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal (whose new Spanish film Even the Rain is tagged for possible inclusion in the fest) and Italian actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno (Vincere) will join Tim Burton's competition jury, while Canadian writer-director Atom Egoyan (Chloe) will preside over the Cinefondation Jury. UPDATE: Cannes announced that Garcia Bernal will head the jury for the Camera d’Or, honoring the best first features.

By Anne Thompson
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April 7, 2010 1:22 AM
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Wall Street 2, Tree of Life, Woody Allen Heading for Cannes

It's not official yet, but it looks pretty sure that Oliver Stone will finally be making his Cannes debut, with the sequel Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, starring Michael Douglas 23 years after his first turn as Gordon Gekko, and Carey Mulligan as his daughter. Shia LaBeouf and W star Josh Brolin also star. It's long overdue, if you ask me. Oliver Stone is an auteur in my book, even if the Cannes selectors hasn't deemed him one of their elite so far.

By Anne Thompson
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March 29, 2010 3:16 AM
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Cannes Opens with Ridley Scott's Robin Hood

The Cannes Film Festival has selected its opening night film: Ridley Scott's Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. The period actioner will screen out of competition on May 12, the day it opens in France. Universal releases the Imagine film globally on May 14.

By Anne Thompson
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March 26, 2010 5:38 AM
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Super Bowl Movie Ads: Pick Movies You Want to See

Which of the movies advertised on Super Bowl Sunday convinced you to see them? Vote in this poll. My guess before anyone starts voting? Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland wowed the most eyeballs. Am I right?

By Anne Thompson
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February 8, 2010 2:31 AM
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Master and Commander Redux

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World has all the elements of the kind of movie that keeps studio heads up at night: it's literary (based on the Patrick O'Brian seafaring series), period (Napoleonic), expensive (close to $150 million), packed with action (swords, pistols, rifles and cannons) and VFX (ships at sea under fire). That's why, even though the Napoleonic adventure movie looks like a success, grossing $209.5 million worldwide, it was a nail biter for Twentieth Century Fox co-chairman Tom Rothman at the time. (He took on partners in the venture, and had to push back the release to get the FX finished.) The well-reviewed awards contender (nominated for ten Oscars, it won two) barely made its production and marketing costs back. (Here's my NYT story from 2003.)

By Anne Thompson
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July 20, 2009 12:59 PM
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Master and Commander Redux

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World has all the elements of the kind of movie that keeps studio heads up at night: it's literary (based on the Patrick O'Brian seafaring series), period (Napoleonic), expensive (close to $150 million), packed with action (swords, pistols, rifles and cannons) and VFX (ships at sea under fire). That's why, even though the Napoleonic adventure movie looks like a success, grossing $209.5 million worldwide, it was a nail biter for Twentieth Century Fox co-chairman Tom Rothman at the time. (He took on partners in the venture, and had to push back the release to get the FX finished.) The well-reviewed awards contender (nominated for ten Oscars, it won two) barely made its production and marketing costs back. (Here's my NYT story from 2003.)