"THE KING'S SPEECH" TOPS RIVALS WITH 12 OSCAR NOMINATIONS

Still from The King's Speech

Some surprises, but not really. This year’s Oscar nominations were announced earlier today and The King’s Speech from The Weinstein Co. towers over its rivals with a total twelve nominations, including the most coveted category of Best Picture in which it will be up against nine other titles. It is considered a favourite especially in the Best Actor category based on the strength of Colin Firth’s career-best performance, but also Co-stars Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter also get recognized for their work in the Best Supporting Actor/Actress categories.

Paramount Pictures’ Western-Drama True Grit garnered an impressive ten nominations also with Jeff Bridges surprising some with a Best Actor nomination after having won that Award last year. Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ Blockbuster Inception earned a total eight nominations, although mostly in technical categories and less for Acting. This ranks Inception as the third most nominated Film in this year’s Oscars race, alongside Sony Pictures’ The Social Network which many consider to be the frontrunner for Best Picture based on its wins in precursor ceremonies like the most recent Golden Globes.  The King's Speech however, edged it out this past weekend in the Producer's Guild Awards. 

Another title from Paramount Pictures’ The Fighter, consistently has been in the thick of it this Awards season, garnering seven nominations (three coming from its outstanding Support Cast members Amy Adams, Melissa Leo and Christian Bale). Many are wondering though whether or not the split votes between Adams and Leo will aid for True Grit’s 14 year-old Star Hailee Steinfeld, who is seen as a Dark Horse to win Best Supporting Actress in her first role ever in a Film.

BOLLYWOOD STAR ANIL KAPOOR IN TORONTO TO PROMOTE "INDIA'S OSCARS"

Anil Kapoor & Mr. Will-W.

Although relatively obscure with North American audiences, Anil Kapoor is a screen legend in India and internationally among fans of Bollywood Cinema.  The 51 year-old Actor has been in Toronto the past few days doing Press for the upcoming International Indian Film Academy Awards celebrations, which will be taking place between June 23-25, 2011 here in the Greater Toronto Area.  Think Oscars - but Bollywood.

Recognized most in these parts for his performance in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, which swept the Oscars in 2009 including the coveted Best Picture Award, Kapoor also appeared in the eighth season of popular series 24.

The upcoming festivities are expected to bring 40,000 visitors to Toronto and 600 million people around the world will be watching on Television.  Various Theatres around Toronto will be hosting Film Premieres also during the festivities.  Click here for more details.

2011 BAFTA NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

BAFTA Award

The British Academy of Film & Television Arts announced their 2011 Film Awards Nominees earlier today in Piccadilly. Not drawing many distinctions from those Award ceremonies held so far in the U.S., their Best Film category finalists include: Black Swan, Inception, The King’s Speech, The Social Network and True Grit. The inclusion of Inception for some might be the surprise. The King's Speech leads the way with a total 14 nominations.

For Outstanding British Film, nominees include 127 Hours, Made in Dagenham, The King’s Speech, Another Year and the more obscure Four Lions.

There were no real surprises in the Acting categories other than Melissa Leo failing to get a Best Supporting Actress nomination; instead her The Fighter co-star Amy Adams got the nod. They also considered 14 year-old Hailee Steinfeld in the Best Actress category versus Best Supporting Actress, which she has been considered for mostly here. The Academy also recognized The Town Actor Peter Postlethwaite in the Best Supporting Actor category; he hasn’t been mentioned much thus far for Oscar contention in these parts also.

The BAFTA Awards will be held February 13, 2011. Read a Full list of nominees here.

 

(Photo credit: BAFTA)

JAMES FRANCO AND NATALIE PORTMAN ON "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY"

James Franco & Natalie Portman on Entertainment Weekly

Although I know it hit newsstands a couple days ago, I just got around to reading this week's issue of Entertainment Weekly this morning in bed, and I must say it is quite possibly the best issue ever.  In two separate Cover Stories, depending on which version you find, both James Franco and Natalie Portman get equal top billing.   We learn that both Actors are good friends after having worked together on upcoming Medieval Comedy, Your Highness out in April.  Due to conflicting schedules though, they haven't been able to hang out despite checking-in often to compare availabilities.

Keith Staskiewicz chats with Franco, mentioning how 127 Hours Director Danny Boyle was unimpressed with the Actor after first meeting him, thinking he was high and v. unfocused.  Upon meeting Franco a second time, Boyle stated that "He (Franco) is very sharp. He uses it as a technique, I think, because it allows him to suss out the room and suss out what's going on before he commits.".  

DANIEL CRAIG AND ROONEY MARA IN STOCKHOLM FILMING "THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO"

Daniel Craig filming in Stockholm

Oh yeah. As many of us know, David Fincher's U.S. adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is filming already in Stockholm, Sweden and our favourite hunk Daniel Craig is starring in the film.  For those of you who have seen the original Swedish version of the film, you'll know disappointingly that the character Craig plays, disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist, is clothed for most of the film. Bummer.

All eyes right now however on the movie's female lead Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander, who steps up to the physically demanding role in three instalments. Mara got lots of exposure this weekend in Fincher's The Social Network which not only debuted at number one at the Box Office, but continues to perform strongly, slaughtering the competition even based on Monday and Tuesday's numbers. Mara's big sister Kate appears briefly in Danny Boyle's 127 Hours which recount's mountain climber Aron Ralston's hours stuck in a cave under a boulder.

To see more candids of Craig in Sweden, click here.

(Photo credit: Fredrik Sandberg/Scanpix)

VIDEO: Q&A OF DANNY BOYLE'S 127 HOURS AT TIFF 2010 FEATURING ARON RALSTON AND JAMES FRANCO

Finally I've been able to extract this video clip from my Camera after doing a bit of cutting and snipping due to a cap on file size transfer. This video was taken at the Q&A for Danny Boyle's 127 Hours and in attendance were Aron Ralston and James Franco at Ryerson Theatre. Ralston got emotional when talking about re-living the experience, after watching it on-screen. 127 Hours recounts the time Ralston spent trapped by a boulder on a mountain climbing adventure. He had to amputate his own arm off in the name of survival. Check out my review of the film here.

REVIEW AND PICS FROM DANNY BOYLE'S 127 HOURS TIFF PREMIERE

What can I say about Danny Boyle's 127 Hours other than that it was sublime.  The film is based on the true story of Aron Ralston, an Mountain Climber who unfortunately had to amputate his own arm after it was trapped by a boulder while adventuring in Utah.  Tragic.

The film was every bit as epic as any Boyle film could promise and believe me, anticipation was high without an empty seat in the auditorium which included the likes of Edward Norton and Woody Harrelson last night at Ryerson Theatre.  And I guess it was well received judging by its resoundingly vocal standing ovation.

There isn't much dialogue of course in the film as we are trapped in the Cave alone with Ralston the whole time as he desperately makes attempts to free himself and also survive on what limited resources he has including a Burrito and Nalgene Bottle full of water. Occasional flashbacks are made to his childhood and his reflections on lost love. The film is gorgeously filmed with lots of creative trickery and multiple-perspectives (we watch in empathic disgust as Aron drinks his own Urine from within the Bottle); overhead shots of the Canyon are simply breathtaking.  The film is treated much in the same rich, vibrant hues of Slumdog Millionaire.  

JAMES FRANCO AT TIFF PRESS CONFERENCE FOR DANNY BOYLE'S 127 HOURS

James Franco & Mr. Will-W.

Look at that smile!  James Franco is absolutely wonderful and I can confirm it now after having heard many wonderful things about him.  He sure loves his fans and did a v. thorough round of greets and autographs this morning, signing anything thrown his direction and giving everyone an opportunity to take a photo with him.  And there were many.

After having a late night out last night doing the rounds among elsewhere the Vanity Fair Magazine Party at Thompson Hotel, Franco arrived at his Press Conference bright and early for 9 AM.  Franco is here to premiere Slumdog Millionaire Director Danny Boyle's new film 127 Hours tonight at Ryerson Theatre.  The film is a true recounting of a man's struggle between life or death after being trapped under a boulder for five days, having no choice but to amputate his arm.  There is a lot of Oscar buzz surrounding Franco's performance and I'll know soon just how warranted this praise is after seeing it later tonight.  Review to come soon.

In the meantime check out these photos of Franco I got below:

DANNY BOYLE'S 127 HOURS AND SHAWN KU'S BEAUTIFUL BOY AT TIFF 2010

Yes! The equally handsome as he is talented James Franco, will more than likely be appearing at this year's TIFF as Slumdog Millionaire Director Danny Boyle's 127 Hours is now rumoured to be one of this year's titles. Boyle of course, won the Cadillac People's Choice Award at the festival in 2008 and subsequently, Best Picture at the Oscars in 2009 with that film. 127 Hours is based on the true story of Aron Ralston, who had to cut off the lower portion of his arm after being trapped in a rock-climbing incident; he survived. The film, which opens November 5, 2010 via Fox Searchlight, also stars Mean Girls' now slim-and-trim Lizzy Caplan. Read more about it at Entertainment Weekly.

Also, it was just announced that Choreographer-turned-Director Shawn Ku's Beautiful Boy will be premiering at TIFF too. The film which stars Maria Bello, Michael Sheen and get this - Meat Loaf - is a story about the parents of a young man who goes on a killing rampage at his College, before finally killing himself. Although chilling films like Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine and Gus van Sant's Elephant have been made on the matter, it is said that this film instead focuses more on the story of the parents of the Murderer. This is definitely one of Sheen's meatier roles and Bello as we've seen in David Cronenberg's A History of Violence, is a perfect fit for darker matter even though she doesn't always get to show it. The film will screen September 12, 2010, although its theatrical release date has yet to be confirmed.

TIFF DAY 1 - AN EDUCATION REVIEW

The Toronto International Film Festival kicked off today and excitement has lit up the city. I caught the opening gala of An Education at Ryerson Theatre tonight. The film is rapidly catching fire after earning consistently strong reviews across the board at both the Sundance and Venice Film Festivals. Directed by Lone Scherfig, the film takes place in suburban London in the '60s and stars newcomer Carey Mulligan as Jenny, in what is arguably the breakthrough performance of the year. Jenny is a 16 year old girl who gets courted by a wealthy playboy twice her age, David (played by Peter Sarsgaard). She sacrifices her bid for acceptance at Oxford University in the name of love and soon gains "an education" on the importance of having one's own dream. Also, Alfred Molina's performance as Jenny's father was outstanding. Superb. Grade: A

Here are some pics I got from the gala for An Education below and luckily, I had a few moments to chat with Mulligan about her uncomfortable choice of footwear which made her laugh out loud. Also in attendance Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle and Mamma Mia/Mean Girls star Amanda Seyfried, the latter who I also got to chat with briefly. Sweet girl.

I was anticipating seeing Penelope Cruz tonight at the gala for Pedro Almodovar's latest film Broken Embraces, but had little luck. She arrived at her gala very late and the public was kept very distant from the talent at Elgin Theatre. Word is that she's been out and about around Yorkville shopping. Seeing that I live in the area, I'll keep those fingers crossed for a chance encounter perhaps.

All eyes were on Megan Fox this evening at Ryerson Theatre for the midnight madness screening of Jennifer's Body. Directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Diablo Cody (Juno), fans of Fox camped out at the venue from midday onwards for a chance to see Hollywood's hottest new starlet. She did not disappoint either, arriving shortly after 11:30 PM. Fox stole the spotlight quickly from co-stars Amanda Seyfried and Adam Brody who were very punctual, arriving an hour early. I managed only to snap one shot of Fox, but it came out pretty well considering the manic circumstances. Cody was also very gracious to pose for a photograph for me. Enjoy the photos below:

I'll be attending the gala for The Informant! tomorrow night starring Matt Damon, in what critics are calling his career-defining performance and possibly Jane Campion's new film Bright Star afterwards. Will be spending the day scoping out some Press Conferences and hopefully be bringing you some more gorgeous photos of Megan Fox!

Night!


xW