Thompson on Hollywood

Venice Line-up Heavy on Americans: Coppola, Schnabel, brothers Affleck

Venice has announced the rest of its line-up. Besides Darren Aronofsky's opener Black Swan (in competition) and the closer from Julie Taymor, The Tempest (out of competition), the fest is world premiering a number of North American titles. As expected the competition entries include Sofia Coppola's Somewhere, Julian Schnabel's Miral, and Richard Lewis's Barney's Version, a rare debut for a Canadian film in Venice.

By Anne Thompson
|
July 29, 2010 3:55 AM
|
0 Comments

More:

Toronto vs. Venice: Who Got What?

The Toronto International Film Festival announced fifteen galas and 35 special presentations Tuesday morning, including 25 world premieres. Among the auteurs debuting their films at TIFF are Robert Redford (The Conspirator), Michael Winterbottom (The Trip), Guillaume Canet (Little White Lies), John Cameron Mitchell (Rabbit Hole), Mike Mills (Beginners), Tony Goldwyn (Conviction), Mark Romanek (Never Le Me Go), George Hickenlooper (Casino Jack) and Andrucha Waddington (Lope).

By Anne Thompson
|
July 27, 2010 6:01 AM
|
1 Comment

More:

Trailer Watch: The Town

Ben Affleck wrote and directed this new Bean Town crime drama, adapted from Chuck Hogan's Prince of Thieves. The Town depicts the struggles of ruthless robber Doug MacRay (Affleck) and the unexpected complications of falling for his former hostage, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall). The robber scenes recall the professionalized intensity of Heat and the masks in Point Break.

By Cameron Carlson
|
July 16, 2010 9:18 AM
|
2 Comments

More:

Hollywood is Running Out of Movie Stars Like Matt Damon

One of the running gags at Saturday night's 24th annual American Cinematheque Ball was how strange it was to be honoring a movie star who hasn't yet cracked 40. "What can you say about Matt Damon that hasn't been said about Brendan Fraser?" roasted Jimmy Kimmel. "You're here tonight because were running out of stars."

By Anne Thompson
|
March 29, 2010 6:56 AM
|
1 Comment

More:

Clooney Wants to Play Clancy's Jack Ryan

Buried in this Kim Masters story about Sony bringing over George Clooney's production deal is a juicy nugget: Clooney wants to take over playing Jack Ryan in the Tom Clancy franchise. That is, if Paramount ever gets its act together and puts the next movie back on the front burner. It's been years since Ben Affleck took over from Harrison Ford as a younger Ryan, and acquitted himself well in The Sum of All Fears, which grossed $193 million worldwide in 2002.

By Anne Thompson
|
July 7, 2009 4:16 AM
|
0 Comments

More:

Oceans Gang Hits Croisette

Raucous laughter hit the Palais during the morning screening of Oceans Thirteen, which was followed by an equally entertaining press conference as Steven Soderbergh and his Oceans Thirteen gang goofed on themselves and the assembled press corps.