I’ve been reading the on-line coverage by Anne Thompson ever since she launched her “Risky Business” blog at “The Hollywood Reporter”. When “THR” started having financial difficulties I thought it was a brilliant move by “Variety” to snatch Ms. Thompson away from the competition. Now it’s “Variety”’s turn to crumble financially and as a result comes the news that Anne Thompson has lost her job there. This seems to me as not only a silly move on “Variety”’s side, but also as an ungrateful one. Ms. Thompson’s “Thompson on Hollywood” blog and her weekly column were a breath of an independent thinking mind, dedicated to the artistic process, in a publication that too often tries to appease the corporate bosses.

Her blog, Thompson writes, will continue in some form or another. And I say: Anne, this may be the best thing that has happened to you. An independent blog - free from “Variety” or “The Hollywood Reporter” - is the best solution. Creatively, certainly, but I believe that also financially.

Thompson was always ahead of the curve. She admired Bollywood movies long before anyone in Hollywood knew how to spell “Slumdog”. She were chummy with Israeli producers and filmmakers long before anyone knew what “Waltz With Bashir” was. And as for this blog, stationed half a world away from Hollywood, Thompson was always very kind and supportive of “Cinemascope” and I heard great things about her from mutual acquaintances such as Ram Bergman and Ari Folman.

So while being fired is a bummer, I believe that as an independent blogger Anne Thompson could very well beat “Variety” at its own game: certainly with scoops. But also in online traffic. I see great things ahed. Best of luck, Anne. And thanks for your continuous support.