Thompson on Hollywood

Nirvana, Foo Fighter Frontman Dave Grohl to Direct "Sound City" Documentary

News

Dave Grohl, the famed frontman of Foo Fighters and drummer of Nirvana, will direct and produce a music documentary, "Sound City," on the legendary music studio. From the trailer - posted below - it already looks frenetic and chock full with self-congratulatory interviews. But for fans of the infamous recording studio...

By Maggie Lange
|
May 3, 2012 4:35 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

KiD CuDi Samples "Attack the Block" in his Latest Track, Plus "Hunger Games" Anthem

News

Smooth hip-hop stylist KiD CuDi samples lines from the 2011 British sci-fi comedy "Attack the Block" in his latest track "Hook Me Up With Some More of This Whiskey." The movie's fast and funny style matches nicely with CuDi's sound (listen and download here). KiD CuDi also appears on the soundtrack for "The Hunger Games" (listen below). The intense song "The Ruler & the Killer" masterfully blends CuDi's distinctive sound with the movie. Our ears are perked for more cinema collaborations from the singer.

By Maggie Lange
|
April 27, 2012 11:52 AM
|
0 Comments

More:

How 'The Hunger Games''s Lush Soundscapes Were Made (Video)

Video

Can't get enough of "The Hunger Games"? Learn about how the film's Dolby Surround 7.1 Immersive audio was created for the film in the video below. Director Gary Ross and his sound team - Supervising Sound Editor Lon Bender, Re-recording Mixer Michael Keller, and Re-recording Mixer Mike Prestwood Smith -- discuss how the film's "lush soundscapes" were made.

By Sophia Savage
|
March 27, 2012 4:50 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Immersed in Movies: Oscar-Winner Dante Ferretti Talks Retro 'Hugo'

Features

As we come down to the wire, it appears to be a foregone conclusion that Oscar belongs to "The Artist" and "Hugo" in a strange alignment of early moviemaking nostalgia. But while "The Artist" will likely score the top three prizes for picture, director, and actor, "Hugo" seems destined to take most of the technical awards.

By Bill Desowitz
|
February 28, 2012 1:49 PM
|
1 Comment

More:

Immersed in Movies: Ren Klyce Talks Sound and Subways for Fincher's 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'

Features

For David Fincher, the sounds of silence are equally as disturbing as loud noises. This is clearly evident in sound designer Ren Klyce's Oscar-nominated work for "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Indeed, the underlying soundscape is a freezing, unsettling horror that perfectly complements the disturbing, graphic imagery.

By Bill Desowitz
|
February 22, 2012 1:29 PM
|
1 Comment

More:

First Listen: Interscope Releases Original Soundtrack for Madonna's 'W.E. '

News

"W.E." the period romance co-written and directed by Madonna, was originally rumored to be a musical about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Though a time-jumping romantic drama resulted instead, Interscope is highlighting the music from the motion picture in a soundtrack release on January 31st.

By Maggie Lange
|
January 26, 2012 10:41 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Immersed in Movies: Soaking Up the Tweedy Atmospherics of 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'

Awards

The BAFTA-nominated "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is all about atmosphere. Not only in conveying the lies, betrayal, and silences of the Cold War spy game back in the '70s, but also in the look of gritty, rain-sodden, strip-lighted London of the period.

By Bill Desowitz
|
January 20, 2012 11:25 AM
|
0 Comments

More:

Golden Globe Nominee Abel Korzeniowski Talks Madonna, 'W.E.,' Score

Awards

One of my favorite movie scores of the season is Abel Korzeniowski's haunting work for Madonna's "W.E."

By Bill Desowitz
|
January 11, 2012 3:08 PM
|
2 Comments

More:

Kim Novak Protests Use of 'Vertigo' Score in 'The Artist'--Hazanavicius Explains Why He Used Herrmann Score

Awards

I have spoken to a number of people who are not thrilled with the way that Michel Hazanavicius and composer Ludovic Bource used Bernard Herrmann's signature "Vertigo" score at the climax of "The Artist." I had wondered if this reaction could lead to Bource not landing an Oscar nomination from the Academy music branch.

By Anne Thompson
|
January 9, 2012 12:49 PM
|
24 Comments

More:

Academy Names 97 Original Scores for Oscar Contention; Newman Lands Four Eligible Scores to Desplat's Three

Awards

Ninety-seven original scores are eligible to compete for the Oscar. Now the music branch will vote for the films that will make the top five to be announced nominations morning on January 24. The Academy deems eligible scores that are substantially original. Thomas Newman edged out Alexandre Desplat with four eligible films to three, while as expected, John Williams has two films, Spielberg's "War Horse" and "The Adventures of Tintin." Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross are likely to to earn a nomination for David Fincher's "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."