Thompson on Hollywood

Now and Then: 'Haywire,' 'Bourne' Trilogy Prove That Style Is Substance

Reviews

Steven Soderbergh is a tough guy to peg. He made his name with a densely talkative indie about orgasms ("sex, lies, and videotape"), and in 22 films since has tackled everything from classy capers ("Out of Sight, the "Ocean's" trilogy) to the biopic of an iconic revolutionary ("Che"). But one thing is clear: the man's got style.

By Matt Brennan
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May 7, 2012 6:06 AM
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Los Angeles Film Fest Reveals Full Lineup; Will Close With A Lap Dance

Festivals

Film Independent's Los Angeles Film Festival is finalizing its full lineup. From June 14-24, the 18th annual festival will showcase nearly 200 features, shorts and music videos representing over 30 countries at its LA Live venue. Opening the fest is Woody Allen's "To Rome with Love," while Steven Soderbergh's "Magic Mike" will close with a world premiering strip dance--and we can hope, a lap dance from Channing Tatum.

By Sophia Savage
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May 1, 2012 1:43 PM
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Up Close with RED Camera's Rooney Mara, Shot by Fincher

Blogs

The marriage of movies and fashion endures. RED cameras are advertised in the latest issue of Vogue, featuring a glamourous Rooney Mara shot by her "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" director David Fincher...

By Sophia Savage
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March 19, 2012 12:19 PM
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Soderbergh's Deal with Annapurna for 'Side Effects' Hits Snag UPDATED

News

Word is that the recently announced deal for Annapurna Pictures and Open Road Films to partner to produce Steven Soderbergh's "Side Effects" has hit a snag.

By Anne Thompson
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January 22, 2012 2:01 PM
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Now and Then: In 'Contagion' and 'Children of Men,' Disaster Runs Cold and Hot

Reviews

The opening minutes of "Contagion" are all surface, literally. A bowl of peanuts on the bartop, a swiped credit card, an elevator button, the human hand: each is a vector of death itself, a pandemic already in motion. With the rasp of a cough, a title card tells us we're in "Day 2." It's terrifying.

By Matt Brennan
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January 9, 2012 11:02 AM
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Soderbergh's 'Haywire' is Kick-Ass: Trailers and Early Reviews UPDATED

Reviews

I finally saw Steven Soderbergh's "Haywire" (January 20) at Relativity Media's Hollywood premiere at the DGA Thursday night. In his intro, Soderbergh said, "I happened upon Gina Carano beating a woman up in a cage." The way to make it even better? Have her beat the crap out of macho movie stars. "Did you meet Gina?" Soderbergh asked me at the after-party. "Don't say the wrong thing, she's very strong."

By Anne Thompson
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January 6, 2012 7:28 PM
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What Happened to Contagion?

Awards

It’s completely disappeared from any awards conversation, including, incredibly, best screenplay and direction. When I saw it, I thought it was the second great movie of the decade. At least "The Social Network" was a real contender up to the wire. I was certain that "Contagion" would be the same.

By Terry Curtis Fox
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December 30, 2011 3:07 PM
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Soderbergh Hits Promo Circuit for Contagion, Talks Man From U.N.C.L.E. and New Film

Awards

Steven Soderbergh has been around the industry long enough to know the signs of a project that isn't firing on all cylinders. And he knows that once you go down the road of making too many compromises, the chances of turning out a movie you can be proud of are pretty slim. Better, he told me Friday night at an Academy-invited screening and cocktail promo party for "Contagion," his best-received movie in a while, to let "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." go before it really was too late. He doesn't regret losing out on "Moneyball" either, he says. If he hadn't been fired from the baseball picture, he says he wouldn't have gotten to make "Haywire" (January) with Channing Tatum, which led to stripper movie "Magic Mike." But not to "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

By Anne Thompson
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November 20, 2011 3:27 AM
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CASTING WATCH: Jolie Gets Agent to Go Indie, U.N.C.L.E. Eyes Tatum, Beatty Picks Felicity Jones

News

By Sophia Savage
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November 15, 2011 1:40 PM
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Trailer Watch: Fassbender Gets His Ass Kicked

News

Carano vs. Fassbender: EW has posted a Haywire trailer showing Gina Carano whupping Michael Fassbender, who is no slouch physically, as well as an interview with him on his fights with the MMA star. I'll be talking to Fassbender on the flip cam Friday. Stay tuned.