FIRST LOOK: "DJANGO UNCHAINED"

Still from Django Unchained

Here's your first look at Quentin Tarantino's much-talked-about Django Unchained, with its all-star Cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kerry Washington, Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz and Don Johnson. The Film sees Django (Foxx) sold as a Slave to Dentist Dr. King Schultz (Waltz), only to wind-up at a Plantation, where his Wife Broomhilda (Washington) is, working under the ruthless Calvin Candie (DiCaprio).

Foxx tells Entertainment Weekly recently, "There’s a beautiful way (Tarantino) found for the characters to talk to each other. It’s mindblowing. You’ve never heard it this way. You’ve seen movies deal with slavery — or westerns that never dealt with slavery – do it the safe way. This way is like … wow.".  "All Django wants to do is get his wife,” Foxx says. "He’s not trying to cure or solve Slavery. He just wants to get his life back.". Click here to read more Teasers.

Cannot wait to see what the never-disappointing Tarantino has up his sadistic little sleeves for us. Django Unchained hits theatres Christmas Day 2012!

(Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.)

AN EARLY LOOK: THE SMURFS MOVIE

More details have been leaked about The Smurfs movie and the cast is looking spectacular.  Confirmed so far are Katy Perry (Smurfette), Fred Armisen (Brainy Smurf), Neil Patrick Harris (Johan), Hank Azaria (Gargamel), Kevin James (Hefty Smurf), Alan Cumming (Gutsy Smurf), George Lopez (Grouchy Smurf), Jonathan Winters (Papa Smurf) and many more notable, although primarily television actors. 

Although it was originally slated for a Holiday 2010 release, a new tentative release date of July 2011 has been announced for the Sony/Columbia Pictures film directed by Raja Gosnell (Big Momma's House, Beverly Hills Chihuahua).  Director Quentin Tarantino and Glee's Jayma Mays are also rumoured to be attached to the project.

The story will revolve around evil Gargamel casting a spell on The Smurfs leading them to be transported from their village right into the heart of New York City, thus the film will be a combination of Live Action and CGI animation. 

MAGGIE CHEUNG'S RODARTE COLLECTION FOR UNICEF

I don't often get to cover Asian artists on my blog, but today I want to pay tribute to an exceptional actress who has helped place Chinese cinema on the map internationally.  To say that Maggie Cheung is elegance incarnate would be an understatement.  

Cheung was born in Hong Kong and spent most of her adolescence in London, England before moving back to Hong Kong, landing a job as sales representative at an upscale department store Lane Crawford.  In 1983, she placed as first runner-up in TVB's Miss Hong Kong Pagaent and from there she went on to gain starring roles in campy television series for a number of years before branching into cinema.

There has been no turning back since then.  She has won Best Actress Awards at the prestigious Cannes and Berlin International Film Festivals.  In 2007, The New York Times hailed Cheung as one of the 22 Greatest Performers of the year for her performance in ex-husband Olivier Assayas' film Clean, which was filmed across Canada, France and England.  The role demanded she speak fluently in English, French and Cantonese.  And she did it with ease. It also brings me great pride to know she filmed the movie, which earned her that prestigious award at Cannes, here in Toronto.

Many of you might not know this but Cheung actually appeared in Quentin Tarantino's 2009 hit Inglourious Basterds, although her scenes were cut from the final version we saw in theatres.   Tarantino called her in Cannes to let her know that his film was already clocking at over 150 minutes, leaving little room for any footage not central to the story.  She is pretty much in retirement mode now as an actress.

American fashion house Rodarte previously collaborated on a collection with Target and known most for its deconstructed/gothic looks.  It has teamed up with upscale Hong Kong fashion retailer JOYCE, Swarovski Elements and Cheung herself to create a one-time only collection for UNICEF.  Each piece was featured recently at a private silent auction/exhibit as one-of-a-kind pieces and together they raised  over $500k HK (approximately $100k CAN/US) for the cause.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, SANDRA BULLOCK!

Sandra Bullock is absolutely killing it this year.  Fresh off yet another win at this weekend's Screen Actor's Guild Awards for Best Actress in The Blind Side, she is now the clear favourite to win the Oscar for Best Actress, with that predictive Golden Globes-Screen Actor's Guild double.  This is just what the world needs to see right now.  The message of hope through true hard work and humility.  We love you, Sandra.  You're an inspiration!

I am also excited to hear the cast of Glee in winning the Best Ensemble Cast in a comedy television series.  Well-deserved. Still waiting on those upcoming tour details.

The results in the motion picture acting categories were an exact duplication of the Golden Globes awards, however a Best Ensemble Award was given to the cast of Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.  Don't forget to check out these pics I got from the Toronto premiere of that film this past August.  Let me tell you, Tarantino is a class act.  A truly gracious spirit who loves his fans. Despite a very hectic schedule that day, he made sure to give each and every fan who wanted to meet him, his undivided attention.

For a full listing of winners from the Screen Actor's Guild awards, click here.