Thompson on Hollywood

Precious, Last Station Score Five Indie Spirit Noms

It was amusing watching announcers Matt Dillon and Taraji Henson maul the global Independent Spirit Awards nominees live on UStream Tuesday morning: they couldn't wrap their tongues around many of the names. Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire and The Last Station dominated with five nominations apiece. Best feature and best actor nominee 500 Days of Summer and best director James Gray (Two Lovers) were other big surprises. The announcement of Paramount's breakout thriller Paranormal Activity for best first feature (made for $15,000), brought gasps in the room. Excellent move: that film defines an indie breakout.

By Anne Thompson
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December 1, 2009 4:08 AM
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A Serious Man's Michael Stuhlbarg Talks Coens

In this three-part flipcam interview on the pool terrace of the Sunset Plaza Hotel, A Serious Man star Michael Stuhlbarg talks about how he came to be cast in the period dramedy, working with the Coen brothers, and how he is handling his serious good fortune. The fall release is likely to earn kudos with critics' groups at year's end and could be a factor with the Oscars as well. Will the Academy actors recognize this theater star, or is he too unknown? Well, he has now arrived. Next up: a major HBO series, Martin Scorsese's Boardwalk Empire.

By Anne Thompson
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November 13, 2009 4:29 AM
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#LFF: Schamus Delivers Lessons in Redacted Storytelling

James Schamus is not your ordinary Hollywood player.

By Anne Thompson
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October 28, 2009 6:01 AM
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Changes at Comcast/NBC/Universal, LAT and LA Weekly, John Woo, Serious Man Ending

John Woo is on the promo circuit with the shortened version of his Asian two-part epic Red Cliff--I'll file on my upcoming Q & A with him. Here's Movieline's interview.

By Anne Thompson
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October 13, 2009 5:50 AM
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Universal Shoe Drops: Marketing Chief Fogelson New Chairman [UPDATED]

Universal Pictures has done the expected. In the corporate game of Survivor, co-chairmen Marc Shmuger and David Linde are out and new co-chairmen Adam Fogelson and Donna Langley are in.

By Anne Thompson
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October 5, 2009 5:30 AM
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NBC/Universal on Roof, Downey Likely Harvey Star, Movie Sound Cliches

It looks like GE is in serious talks with Comcast to buy NBC Universal, reports Sharon Waxman. As Vivendi looks to sell its 20 % stake in the company, which has suffered a tough year, Comacast may step into the breach. UPDATE: Here's the LAT.

By Anne Thompson
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September 30, 2009 12:17 PM
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Indie Fallout: Should Studio Specialty Units Change Focus?

Ever since the Indie Summit last week, something has been nagging at me.

By Anne Thompson
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September 30, 2009 3:58 AM
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Who Should Play Barbie?

Of course we don't even know what take Universal will have on its live-action movie based on Mattel's 50-year-old Barbie doll. Will it be a broad family comedy? What period? Tone? Mattel's sixteen animated videos sold 75 million units worldwide. Now they're gearing up a movie based on the universally recognized girl toy.

By Anne Thompson
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September 26, 2009 5:37 AM
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Toronto Day Two: The Coens Deliver with A Serious Man

Joel and Ethan Coen's Latest, A Serious Man, is a portrait of a period (1967) and place (Minnesota) and milieu (Jewish) that the brothers know very well. They cast it with excellent actors; Richard Kind as pathetic Uncle Arthur and Adam Arkin as a well-heeled lawyer are probably the only recognizable names. The writer-directors start the movie off in a wintry shtetl, evoking the dread spirit the dybbuk hovering over an uneasy marriage. This movie is utterly assured, personal, serious, sad and very funny.

By Anne Thompson
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September 11, 2009 9:51 AM
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TIFF Watch: A Serious Man Clips

I'm making a quick transition between Telluride and Toronto, trying to catch up and get prepped, knowing that I will feel under the gun and behind for the next ten days, no matter what. It's the nature of the beast, even in relatively calm Telluride. Wednesday, travel day, I will post the first draft of my Oscar Predicts chart, which I will adjust frequently going forward into awards season.