Thompson on Hollywood

Twilight's Pattinson Tests Marquee Value with Remember Me

A fellow-Hollywood scribe (who tends to like a lot) has seen Summit's Rob Pattinson romance Remember Me and says it's strong. (I'll see it soon but can't write about it yet). This "family" trailer (below) is much better than the last one.

By Anne Thompson
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February 12, 2010 1:19 AM
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Trailer Watch: Toy Story 3 Intros Barbie and Ken

In the second trailer for Toy Story 3, when Andy takes off for college, his toys--even Woody and Buzz--wind up in the hands of the toddlers at Sunnyside Daycare. We also meet Barbie and Ken. The 3-D Pixar/Disney pic opens June 18.

By Anne Thompson
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February 11, 2010 5:09 AM
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Rick Baker is Star of Disappointing The Wolfman

You may think that Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving and Emily Blunt star in Universal's long-delayed reboot of the classic monster tale The Wolfman. While they all deliver enjoyable performances, del Toro is hopelessly miscast as Brit noble Hopkins' returned "prodigal son," who was sent away to be raised by an aunt in America. Del Toro looks uncomfortable in 19th century tweeds as he chases corseted beauty Blunt. If the guy can't pull off a British accent, then don't cast him. The star of the monster movie which opens Friday is make-up effects master Rick Baker. The movie is over-labored and may not make back its budget (it should open in the number two spot behind Valentine's Day) but the R-for-violence wolfman transformations and action scenes are superb. UPDATE: Reviews are not good. Tomatometer: 35%, Metascore: 44.

By Anne Thompson
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February 10, 2010 10:04 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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Super Bowl Movie Ads: Shutter Island, Prince of Persia, Alice in Wonderland, Last Airbender

I don't watch the Super Bowl game. I watch the ads. CBS has sold out the spots, reports the LAT:

By Anne Thompson
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February 4, 2010 4:24 AM
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#Sundance: Stewart's Welcome to the Rileys, Keener's Cyrus, Hoffman's Jack Goes Boating

Two of this year's Sundance it-girls are women of a certain age: Catherine Keener, who rocks in both Please Give and Cyrus (as John C. Reilly's ex-wife), and Melissa Leo, who stars in both The Dry Land and Welcome to the Rileys. The straight-forward Jake Scott drama is well-written by Ken Hixon (executive produced by Steve Zaillian) and executed by Kristen Stewart as a damaged stripper-prostitute and James Gandolfini as a lonely man still recovering from the teen death of his daughter. Leo is his equally wounded wife. It will be fascinating to see how distribs navigate the distance between Stewart's younger Twilight fanbase and this hard-R drama. This is also an issue for Apparition's The Runaways.

By Anne Thompson
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January 24, 2010 7:30 AM
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Trailer Watch: How to Train Your Dragon

While most folks would pick Pixar over Dreamworks animation any day, Jeffrey Katzenberg does know how to craft accessible commercial movies like Madagascar and Shrek (the fourth installment is in the works under live-action director Mike Mitchell). But I am hearing good buzz on How to Train Your Dragon, set in the world of the Vikings, which hits theaters March 10 in several 3-D formats, including IMAX. Some elements are familiar: our young hero proves his manhood by riding a flying banshee--er, dragon. (Slashfilm has doubts.)

By Anne Thompson
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January 1, 2010 12:05 AM
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Previews 2010: Inception, Iron Man 2, Toy Story 3

Surprise! The most-viewed trailers of 2009 were also among the year's biggest b.o. grossers. Among some of the anticipated movies of 2010 are two Leonardo DiCaprio movies--Chris Nolan's Inception and Martin Scorsese's pushed-back Shutter Island--as well as Pixar's latest, Toy Story 3. More trailers and clips are on the jump.

By Anne Thompson
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December 28, 2009 10:00 AM
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Trailer Watch: Sex and the City Meets Road to Morocco

In Sex and the City 2, set for May 28 release, Michael Patrick King takes the girls on the road to Morocco. Here's the trailer.

By Anne Thompson
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December 23, 2009 5:56 AM
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Trailer Watch: District 13: Ultimatum Goes Parkour

In this sequel to District 13, police officer Damien Tomasso (Cyril Raffaell) reteams with ex-vigilante Leito (parkour master David Belle) to protect D13 from a group of corrupt officials looking to raze and redevelop the deteriorating area. Check out the hi-def trailer.