REVIEW: "CORIOLANUS"

Still from Coriolanus

If there's one Human Truth one can take away from Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut Coriolanus, it would be the importance of living your own life. The Action-Drama takes modern sensibility, edgy (albeit shaky) Cinematography, outstanding acting and delivers William Shakespeare's lesser-known Play with some bloody, violent gusto.

The Film centers on Coriolanus (Fiennes), a Roman General who at once is celebrated and loathed by his people.  Under the pressure of his controlling Mother Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave), he is given little choice but to advance to the position of Consul.  After failing to win the hearts of Romans and thus their requisite votes, he reacts angrily and finally is banished from Rome. Coriolanus, leaves behind his beloved Mother, his Wife Virgilia (Jessica Chastain) and Son Martius (Harry Fenn) to form a shocking alliance with his Arch-Nemesis Aufidius (Gerard Butler).  Alas, our Hero's loyalties are tested to the extreme when his Family returns to confront him, but has Coriolanus reached the point of no return?

Point blank, Coriolanus isn't for everyone.  Some fans of Contemporary Cinema simply won't connect with John Logan's Screenplay, which faithfully is Shakespearean; this of course, bodes well for Enthusiasts. Some may even react queasily to the copious amount of violence seen on-screen, but in the end, the Film raises generates some interesting thoughts about Free Will, Betrayal and the cost of Ambition.

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO SEE AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF "CORIOLANUS"

Still from Coriolanus

With both Jessica Chastain and Vanessa Redgrave already winning Best Supporting Actress awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and San Francisco Film Critics respectively, Coriolanus is already stamping itself as a Contender this Awards Season.

The Directorial Debut from Oscar Winner Ralph Fiennes, also starring himself, made its rounds at TIFF in September and already is appearing in a number of Best-of Lists. The William Shakespeare Adaptation centers around a fallen Roman Hero named Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes) who allies with a sworn enemy in Tullus (Gerard Butler) to take his revenge on the City. 

D Films releases Coriolanus on January 20, 2012. Click here to watch its exclusive Canadian Trailer.

To enter to win a pair of passes to see the Film on January 18, 2012 at Varsity Cinema, click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook before January 10, 2012.  You may also Re-Tweet the following (you must be following @mrwillw) to qualify:

Mr. Will-W. wants to take me to see D Films' Coriolanus, opening in theatres 1/20/12. #MRWILLWCORIOLANUS

Remember to:
Follow D Films on Twitter here.
Like D Films on Facebook here.

Shall we re-live the time we met both Stars Jessica Chastain, Gerard Butler and Brian Cox back in September?

NEW TRAILER: "CORIOLANUS"

Promotional Still from Coriolanus

Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut, Coriolanus received raves at TIFF 2011 and a release date has been set for Christmas Day for the Drama based upon the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. Already having received many raves, especially for Vanessa Redgrave's performance, its Story centers around Caius Martius Coriolanus (Fiennes) who defies his Mother Volumnia's (Redgrave) wishes, to become Consul in Rome, to instead team with his nemesis Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler), in taking revenge against the same City which refused to support him.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

RALPH FIENNES AT TIFF 2011 WITH "CORIOLANUS"

Ralph Fiennes at TIFF 2011

Ralph Fiennes might be known as Voldemort to a generation of Harry Potter Fans, but the Oscar-nominated Actor now is turning his sights to directing, with his debut Film Coriolanus premiering at TIFF 2011.  Fiennes made some face-time with Fans and Media outside the Press Conference for the Film today, his first visit to the City since TIFF 2008 with The Duchess opposite Keira Knightley.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BRIAN COX AT TIFF 2011 FOR "CORIOLANUS"

Brian Cox & Mr. Will-W.

Veteran Actor Brian Cox may be in-town for the Premiere of Ralph Fiennes' directorial Debut, Coriolanus, but that didn't stop him from taking out some time for leisure today at Hazelton Hotel's at Boy and Doll Public Relations' first-ever Premier Celebrity Gift and Lifestyle Lounge.

Perusing the various selections, particularly the Jewelry offerings, Cox and his Wife Nicole appeared to be having a wonderful time! Thank you BADPR for having me. Can't wait to dig into my Goodie Bag!

Coriolanus premieres Monday night at VISA Screening Room and stars Jessica Chastain, Vanessa Redgrave, Gerard Butler and Ralph Fiennes are said to be attending!

INTERVIEW: MATTHEW LEWIS ON "HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2"

Matthew Lewis in Toronto - July 2011

"I'm not much of a Coffee drinker", he answers when probed about the truest test of Canadian Patriotism that is whether or not he has tried Tim Horton's Coffee. Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis' moment finally has arrived and Toronto was lucky enough to spend some time with the emerging talent.  The Leeds native is known best for his work in the $6,343,865,842 (to be exact) worldwide grossing franchise as a bumbling and underachieving Neville Longbottom.  It all ends in the final installment Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, but for Lewis this just might be the start.

Dressed simply in a Penguin Polo shirt, a Fred Perry Cardigan and Jeans, my initial impression of the 22 year-old is that he is an even mix of awkward, shy and poised.  He completely is unaware of his status as a Sex Symbol to those Fans who like him have grown into Adults this past decade seeing him on-screen with artificial mangled teeth and protruding ears. When the topic of him being a Breakout Star and the Fan-imposed label of "stud" were brought-up by one Journalist, the fair-skinned Actor became two shades of uneasy, blushing visibly to the eye.  "That makes me uncomfortable actually", he giggles.

Lewis looks back at the past ten years as a labour of love, confessing "I didn't go through the emotions that some of the others went through during filming. I didn't cry.". He does admit though, "It actually wasn't until the London Premiere (held last week in Trafalgar Square), that I realized this would be the last time. We have the best Fans in the World and I will miss presenting these Films to them.". And loyal these Fans have been to the Franchise - thousands upon thousands queued at the London landmark, some camping out three days to get close to the Cast. Although not quite as feverish, Toronto Fans likewise are excited, with Neville Longbottom and Matthew Lewis both trending on Twitter prior to his arrival in the City.

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 2 "HARRY POTTER" PRIZE PACKS

Harry Potter Prize Packs!

Attention, Muggles! I'd like to give two lucky Readers these official Harry Potter Prize Packs which include: a size M "ONLY ONE CAN LIVE" T-Shirt, a Privet Drive Keychain and a "IT ALL ENDS" Magnet. 

To qualify for the win, you must:

1. Tell me the name of the Actor who terrified Matthew Lewis most while filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.  Clue here.

2. Be a Follower of Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Twitter

3. Include your Twitter Username so I can get in touch with you should you win

Your deadline is August 1, 2011 - Contest is open to Canadian readers only. Good luck, Mugglenati!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 opens in theatres Friday, July 15, 2011 via Warner Bros.

"HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2" WORLD PREMIERE

Barry Meyer - Chairman & CEO of Warner Bros & Cast of Harry Potter

Fans camped-out as early as Tuesday at London's Trafalgar Square for their one final chance to meet the stars of Harry Potter on quite possibly one of the most elaborate Red Carpets ever!  Franchise Author J.K. Rowling and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter,  Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon graced the Carpet, greeting thousands of screaming Fans of the $6 billion-grossing series.

It all ends on July 13, 2011 when Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 2 opens in theatres.

Watch  the Red Carpet festivities here.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 REVIEW

Still from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is the latest installment in J.K. Rowland's massively popular adapted franchise and the third to be directed by David Yates. Although Fantasy isn't particularly a favoured genre of mine, even I was able to enjoy this one.

This first half of this final chapter has longtime Wizard friends Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) out to complete a deceased Dumbledore's mission and defeat the Dark Lord. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) now controls the Ministry of Magic and he is on a mission to kill Harry, who has managed to escape death time and again in previous installments. Overly-zealous Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange (Helen Bonham Carter) however, is both ambitious and evil, wanting to earn the honour of being Harry's slayer all her own.

Harry must locate the Sword of Gryffindor which he has inherited through Dumbledore. He believes it is situated in his hometown of Godric's Hollow, where his Parents died also. The Death Eaters who report to the Ministry of Magic, locate Harry and lead him back to Lord Voldemort.  Will Harry, Ron and Hermione be able to escape a doomed fate? And also, as the three of them journey away together, will unresolved issues in their ongoing Love Triangle prove self-destructive?

The ensemble of Grint, Watson and Radcliffe is wonderful, with Watson particularly attention-grabbing with her expressive eyes even where there is no dialogue.  Bonham Carter is absolutely terrifying in her villainous goodness, putting on what might possibly be a performance stronger than her already excellent work in Oscar contender The King's Speech.  And despite only doing Voice Work here, the impeccable Toby Jones as resourceful Elf Dobby, is wonderfully endearing and quite possibly tear-inducing.  Riveting CGI and an engaging story line make the two-plus hours here go by quickly, serving as a perfect build-up to next summer's ultime Finale.

Warner Bros.' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 has a bit of something for everyone and if you aren't really that big a Harry Potter fan like me, it's still not too late to start.  The Film hits theatres November 19, 2010 and thank God, it's not in 3-D!  Grade: A-