L.A. Times - Entertainment — Madonna's sophomore directorial effort "W.E." unspooled at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday, and critics are split on the drama about the scandalous 1930s romance. more info

Guardian Music — Xan Brooks gives us the low-down on Roman Polanski's Carnage, starring Kate Winslet and Jodie Foster, as well as Madonna's jaw-dropping vanity project about the life of Wallis SimpsonXan BrooksElliot Smith more info

ContactMusic — Pop superstar Madonna has credited her "very talented" ex-husbands Sean Penn and Guy Ritchie with inspiring her to pursue a career as a director. The Like A Virgin hitmaker makes her feature film directorial debut with W. E. , a royal drama documenti... more info

Guardian Music — How sitting in the director's chair of the biopic W.E. gave Madonna the chance to portray Simpson as 'human'She became one of the best known, most photographed and then most vilified American women to ever live in England – Wallis Simpson, that is,... more info

The Telegraph — As a singer with one of the most enduring careers in pop, Madonna is a dab hand at reinvention. more info

The Telegraph — Madonna explains her motives for making W.E. and why she feels a special connection to Wallis Simpson. more info

USA Today Music — Media swarm Madonna at Venice Film Festival, but critics are less enthusiastic about her movie. more info

Reuters — VENICE, Italy (Reuters) - Pop star Madonna thanked her ex-husbands for encouraging her to take up a career in movies, as she arrived in Venice on Thursday for the world premiere of her lavish royal drama "W.E." more info

Guardian Music — Madonna's answer to Edward and Mrs Simpson has premiered at Venice; will the Material Girl turn up to face the press after the shellacking her short film, Filth and Wisdom, received at Berlin? more info

The Telegraph — A short guide to the life of Madonna Louise Ciccone. more info