Thompson on Hollywood

Sundance Reviews: 'The Debutante Hunters,' Neil Young, and 'We’re Not Broke'

Festivals

It may go down as one of the oddest double-bills in Sundance history. Prior to the premiere of Karin Hayes’ and Victoria Bruce’s earnest and timely documentary about the broken corporate tax system in the U.S., “We’re Not Broke,” Sundance programmers chose to show a short subject documentary entitled, “The Debutante Hunters.”

By Charles Lyons
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January 30, 2012 5:26 PM
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Sundance News: Participant Media and AFFRM Acquire 'Middle of Nowhere'

Festivals

Participant Media and AFFRM have acquired US rights to Ana DuVernay's "Middle of Nowhere." The director's sophomore film is an understated emotional drama chronicling a woman's separation from her incarcerated husband.

By Maggie Lange
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January 27, 2012 7:32 PM
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Sundance News: Entertainment One Acquires Psychological Thriller 'Wish You Were Here'

News

Entertainment One has purchased North American rights to the Australian Sundance opener "Wish You Were Here." Directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith, the mystery thriller stars Joel Edgerton ("Warrior" and Baz Luhrmann's upcoming "The Great Gatsby"). The movie will most likely be released in Fall of 2012. "Wish You Were Here" depicts what happens to three friends after one goes missing on a trip to Cambodia. It was criticized for weak plotting, but praised for its performances and production value.

By Maggie Lange
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January 26, 2012 10:33 PM
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Sundance Reviews: Lean Mean 'Bachelorette' Shocks Festival, Too Hard or Too Soft?

Festivals

Sundance comedy "Bachelorette" boasts an all-star girl comedy-pack: Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan, and Isla Fisher. They play a hard-drinking and drugging trio who are horrified that their pudgiest gal pal (Aussie comedienne Rebel Wilson) is the first of their high school gang to get married.

By Anne Thompson
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January 26, 2012 10:28 PM
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Sundance Deal Update: 'Simon Killer,' 'Chasing Ice,' 'The Pact'

Festivals

With many of the biggest buyers heading home with depleted wallets, smaller deals are playing out. IFC Films is in final talks to acquire "Simon Killer," a psychological drama; this is IFC's second acquisition after writer-director-actor Josh Radnor's "Liberal Arts."

By Anne Thompson and Maggie Lange
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January 26, 2012 6:08 PM
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Sundance Review Round-Up: Fox Searchlight Plans Oscar Run for 'The Surrogate'

Festivals

Fox Searchlight immediately snapped up "The Surrogate" for $6 million, the biggest acquisition at Sundance so far this year, outmaneuvering at least three other potential buyers for the picture.

By Anne Thompson and Maggie Lange
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January 24, 2012 2:55 PM
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Review Round-Up: Fox Searchlight Pick-Up 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' Stuns and Impresses

Festivals

The breakout hit of Sundance, Benh Zeitlin's "Beasts of the Southern Wild," has critics gushing. After acquiring potential Academy contender "The Surrogate" for a cool $6 million for worldwide rights, Fox Searchlight closed a deal for "Beasts of the Southern Wild"as well. (Review round-up below.)

By Anne Thompson and Maggie Lange
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January 24, 2012 1:46 PM
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Another Sundance Buy: Magnolia Acquires "The Queen of Versailles"

News

And another Sundance opening night doc gets snapped up: Magnolia Pictures has acquired the North American rights for crowd-pleaser "The Queen of Versailles." Filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield paints an intimate portrait of excess and post-2008 fall-out.

By Anne Thompson
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January 20, 2012 8:57 PM
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Sundance Reviews: Aussie Opener 'Wish You Were Here' Earns Mixed Response

Festivals

With some references to the plot of "The Hangover II" (Hollywood Reporter, LA Times), Kieran Darcy-Smith's Sundance opener relates the aftermath of three friends' lives after one goes missing on a trip to Cambodia. Led by Joel Edgerton ("The Warrior" and Baz Luhrmann's upcoming "The Great Gatsby"), the film was criticized for weak plotting, but praised for its performances and production value. (Review round up below). The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney