"THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN": RECORD-POISED AND NOW IN-THEATRES!

Andrew Garfield & Mr. Will-W.

How could I forget about this Photo from TIFF 2010 with Andrew Garfield?  Although you couldn't tell he was particularly friendly, I swear he was the nicest.  In fact, he even took two Photos with me, but simply misjudged when to look away from the Camera.

Already pulling-in a whopping $50.2 million Overseas in Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India and The Philippines, Sony Pictures' The Amazing Spider-Man is set to open wide tomorrow in North America and many are expecting Records to be broken.  Already in South Korea, Spider-Man has bested the performance of Marvel's The Avengers in its debut there, earning $13.4 million there alone.   Public Screenings were made available this evening in Toronto as early as 8:00 PM and soon we'll know the numbers as Fans line their local Cinemas for Midnight Shows.

But are Critics loving it?  Although on the positive side (77% on Rotten Tomatoes), Reviews haven't been overly outstanding.  Toronto Star's Peter Howell feels, "The Amazing Spider-Man is at least better than Raimi's Spider-Man 3, which was a mess".  Rolling Stone's Peter Travers says, "I don't really see why the Spidey reboot was needed right now, but The Amazing Spider-Man has its virtues. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are stellar and director Marc Webb has crafted a Spider-Man that touches the heart.".  Time Magazine's Mary F. Pols praises, "None of this is new to us, but Garfield and Webb make it feel convincingly fresh and exciting.".  The Chicago-Sun Times' Roger Ebert states, "If we didn't really need to be told Spidey's origin story again, at least it's done with more detail and provides better reasons for why Peter Parker throws himself into his superhero role.".   In a nutshell, The Amazing Spider-Man tugs more at Heartstrings than rely on technical Trickery.

On a side note, Onlookers at the Thompson Hotel's Rooftop Lounge in Toronto apparently spotted Star and real-life Girlfriend of Spider-Man (Garfield) himself, Emma Stone, earlier this evening.  No word though on whether she's here for Work or Leisure, although it doesn't appear it's so much the former with no scheduled appearances in the City tomorrow.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

ANDREW GARFIELD AT COMIC-CON FOR "THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN"

Andrew Garfield at TIFF 2010

With the Trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man (due July 2012 via Sony Pictures) surfacing the other day, many Fans including myself are asking the question - why they have to re-tell Peter Parker's transformation to Spider-Man all over again?  Although this question remains to be answered, the entire Cast including Emma Stone and Director Marc Webb, made an appearance earlier today  at Comic-Con in San Diego.  Star Andrew Garfield even showed-up dressed as Spider-Man - enough of a distraction from the burning question ...for me at least!

Garfield had nothing by praise for Tobey Maguire's interpretation of the coveted role telling attendees, “When I watch that first Spidey film, I lost my mind. I watched it back to back, twice in a row when I first saw it.”.  He also confirmed that Maguire has been supportive, revealing “He (Maguire) gave me his blessing. It meant the world to me, because I respect him so much in general and also what he did with the role.".

"THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN" TRAILER SURFACES

Still from The Amazing Spider-Man

The Trailer for 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man has finally surfaced and this Reboot appears to be a bit darker than 2002's Spider-Man.  Although I fear Motion Sickness, the first-person Camera sequence seen in this Trailer is mighty cool, I must say.  Andrew Garfield really looks like he's giving it his all here and Emma Stone, whom I am hearing a lot of great things about for her work in Disney's The Help, as always is great to see.  The Amazing Spider-Man opens in theatres July 3, 2012.

Watch the Trailer below:

VANITY FAIR MARCH 2011 HOLLYWOOD ISSUE COVER

March 2011 Cover of Vanity Fair

Could this Photo get any hotter?  Norman Jean Roy shot this year's eagerly-anticipated Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue Cover and is it ever a sight to see.  Roy managed to bring together: Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, James Franco, Jennifer Lawrence, Anthony Mackie, Olivia Wilde, Jesse Eisenberg, Mila Kunis, Robert Duvall, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Andrew Garfield, Rashida Jones, Garrett Hedlund and Noomi Rapace together in this Keeper of a Cover.

Click here to read more about the Behind-the-Scenes details of this Shoot.

The March issue of Vanity Fair hits newsstands later this month.  Must grab.

(Photo credit: Norman Jean Roy/Vanity Fair)

"W" MAGAZINE'S BEST PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR PORTRAITS

Natalie Portman in W Magazine

I quite literally screamed when I saw these Photos.  Lynn Hirschenberg sits down with  the major Oscar contenders of 2011 in the February issue of W Magazine with stunning Photography by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.  The Photos are astounding.  

Interestingly we learn that my new favourite Natalie Portman is a huge fan of Dirty Dancing admitting, "I always loved Penny, probably because I was really like Baby. I was a Jewish girl from a Jewish family, so of course I liked the tall, skinny blond girl.”

Jeff Bridges reveals shockingly that he is a huge fan of the quirky Gay-themed Comedy Chuck & Buck, telling Hirschenberg, "I thought the best performance of the last decade was Mike White in Chuck & Buck.  I dug that performance."

FIRST LOOK: ANDREW GARFIELD IN "SPIDER-MAN"

Andrew Garfield

Introducing your new Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield.  Sony Pictures just released this first look at The Social Network star in-character - the bangs, the abs, the whole deal.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

ANDREW GARFIELD COVERS "DETAILS"

Andrew Garfield in February's Details Magazine

The Social Network's Andrew Garfield looks focused in this Photo by Details Magazine's Norman Jean Roy, who sure knows how to photograph a Man.  Covering the publication's February issue, Garfield talks about Fame, telling Jeff Gordinier: "I hope I never blow up".

Garfield then goes on to speak about his life-changing experience filming perhaps his strongest scene in The Social Network, where he barges into Facebook's Headquarters confronting Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) and then smashing a Laptop.  He admits,  "I've gone through my whole life caring deeply what people think of me.  That was probably one of the first times where I didn't care for a second. And it was liberating. I felt more like a man than I've ever felt".  Read the Article in full here .

The February issue of Details hits stores later this month, while The Social Network hits stores today in DVD Blu-Ray and Standard Two-Disc Editions.

(Photo credit: Details/Norman Jean Roy)

STARS ARRIVE AT "THE SOCIAL NETWORK" DVD LAUNCH

Jesse Eisenberg and Aaron Sorkin

In-stores on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, David Fincher's The Social Network held a DVD Launch Party in Beverly Hills yesterday. Most of the principal cast members including Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Brenda Song, Armie Hammer and Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin showed-up to promote the Movie which will be available in Standard Two-Disc and Blu-Ray editions.

Seen above being.... social are Sorkin and Eisenberg, both up for Oscars consideration for their respective categories.

Zimbio has lots of great Photos from the event here.

(Photo credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

MR. WILL-W.'S GREATEST MOMENTS OF 2010: A REVIEW OF CELEBRITIES WHO VISITED TORONTO

What can I say? 2010 has been a wonderful year for Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven, seeing many highs in terms of exciting new content and readership. Although we’re by no means Perez Hilton or Just Jared, I  maintain a humble grassroots philosophy here.  I don't believe in bashing other Bloggers by constantly calculating their shortcomings, nor do I make boastful claims of being "the best", because I'm not.  I have come with no real Media qualifications other than my opinions, but I  want always to be able to improve.

You'll find that a vast majority of the Celebrity Photos seen here are self-taken and not sold for profit.   Unlike many Celebrity Gossip sites where Bloggers sit in front of their Laptops comfortable in their often biting anonymity, I interact first-hand with many of the Celebrities who appear here. What you're reading comes first-hand - not observed from behind a bush with Binoculars nor re-interpreted.

Besides this, where else can you get detailed Reviews of Albums and Films before everybody else?  I review these beforehand so that you can make better informed choices on where you spend your hard-earned money.  And need I mention Mr. Will-W.'s Exciting Giveaways? This past year alone, we've seen Readers win Marc Jacobs Cologne, Scissor Sisters VIP Concert Tickets, CDs by artists like Rihanna and Ke$ha and Signed Photos from the likes of Katy Perry, Mariah Carey, Cory Monteith, James Franco, Sam Worthington and more!  Sponsors stand behind the quality of content featured on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven and this speaks for itself.

I thank you all personally for your loyalty to me. Things only will continue to get even more exciting in 2011.  Stick around.  Follow on Twitter or become a Fan on Facebook.  

Looking back on the year, there were many bright moments and narrowing it down to a Best-of has been difficult. I am blessed to live in a City which always has something exciting going on and would not be able to do any of this without Toronto. So indirectly, all of this is a big thank you to the City I love most.  I live, breathe, eat and speak Toronto. 

Without further ado, here are Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven’s Greatest Moments of 2010:

Taylor Swift

14. Seeing Taylor Swift.  She's by far the hottest thing right now in Pop Music from a numbers standpoint - and she's not even really Pop, she's Country.  I was lucky enough to see Taylor Swift in November at CTV's Canada AM, part of her crazy day of Promotions in Toronto for third album Speak Now.  Whatever she did, it worked because she sold 1,047,000 copies of the CD in its first week.  This came soon after rumours sparked of her dating Jake Gyllenhaal whom I also got to meet in May.  Although her Publicist kept her at a distance from everyone, it was still a privilege to hear the v. grounded young Singer/Songwriter just be herself.  I'll be seeing her for the first time in Concert next July and am kinda stoked about it, really.

Sir Paul McCartney

13. Seeing Sir Paul McCartney. To say I was only a couple feet away from Sir Paul McCartney in itself is enough to brag about for a lifetime. Although he was pretty much all work, no play during his two days in Toronto this past August, his presence was felt definitely. I caught McCartney quickly rolling down the window of his Escalade to throw a quick wave to Fans outside his Hotel, before heading off to his show at Air Canada Centre. With Vinyl Records, Sharpies, CDs and Cameras all aimed his direction, it was Beatlemania allover again. It was incredibly quick and incredibly memorable.

Andrew Garfield and Me

12. Meeting Andrew Garfield. Although many of us are just getting to know him, Garfield by Summer 2012 will be everywhere due to his new high-profile role as Spider-Man. This year alone, he appeared in two widely acclaimed titles, Never Let Me Go (Mark Romanek) and more familiarly The Social Network (David Fincher). I met the talented Brit at the Premiere of Never Let Me Go this past September at TIFF. Although a bit awkward with the fame thing, he still was a Gentleman. Having seen The Social Network just days prior (thanks Nadia), I delivered him great praise to which he replied, "What?  How is it that you've seen it already and I haven't?".  I took two Photos with him and hilariously, he wasn’t quite sure which way to look both times. Just having garnered a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal as Eduardo Saverin, one of the co-founders of Facebook in The Social Network, he’s definitely a major contender for Best Supporting Actor at next February’s Oscars. Look out.

"THE SOCIAL NETWORK" SET FOR JANUARY 11, 2011 RELEASE

The Social Network DVD

Mark your calendars!  Timed perfectly for the Oscars voting period, David Fincher's The Social Network will see a DVD release here in North America on January 11, 2011 via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  The current frontrunner in the race for Best Picture follows a strategy similar to that of Paul Haggis' Crash, which was released theatrically ahead of Awards season and timed also with a DVD release right around the crucial voting period.  The Film went on to win Best Picture in 2006 over favoured Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee).

The Social Network's release mid-January would be beneficial in numerous ways in that all the buzz it is getting right now will be great of Sales and Rentals of the Film.  At the same time, the frequent advertising and mentioning of its release would aid in its cause for staying visible in the 6,000+ Academy Voters' collective consciousness.

Crafty/sneaky or whatever you like to call it - I'm so up for owning this one on DVD.  Can't wait to watch the abundance of Featurettes on the Two-Disc edition of the DVD, including a full-length Documentary about the making of the The Social Network, its Scoring and Commentary with Fincher & Cast.

EMMA STONE AS A BLONDE

Emma Stone

Who knew?  Before today I had no idea that red hotness Emma Stone is actually a Blonde.  Stone who is now filming the latest installment of the Spider-man franchise alongside Andrew Garfield, showed her true colours last night at TREVOR LIVE.  The Awards ceremony in Los Angeles was held in honour of The Trevor Project, which promotes visibility and understanding of the LGBTQ Community.  Learn more about the event here.

US Weekly posted the above photo of Stone with her new original hair colour (required for her role as Gwen Stacy) and I hate to say it, but red suits her so much more.  Have a better look at the side-by-side comparsion here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/US Weekly)

CAST OF "THE SOCIAL NETWORK" HONOURED AT HOLLYWOOD AWARDS GALA

The Social Network's Rashida Jones, Josh Pence, Jesse Eisenberg,
,Justin Timberlake, Max Minghella and Andrew Garfield

Congratulations to the cast of David Fincher's The Social Network who were honoured at the Beverly Hilton last night for the 14th annual Hollywood Awards Gala.  And Awards season still hasn't begun yet! The Actors won the  Ensemble Acting Award and my guess is that they're likely to win the Screen Actor's Guild Award for Best Ensemble Cast on Sunday, January 30, 2011 too.

Other Actors honoured last night include:

ANDREW GARFIELD CHATS WITH TERRY GILLIAM ON OCTOBER'S INTERVIEW MAGAZINE

Andrew Garfield on October issue of Interview

You snooze you lose.  One of the things I was asked most frequently about my TIFF 2010 experience was, "Who is that?" when people would stumble across my photos of Andrew Garfield.  If you still don't know who he is, it won't be long before you will be all too familiar.  With David Fincher's The Social Network on the verge of Oscar success with its release this Friday, in addition to a loyal cult following for Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go, Garfield is at the forefront of this generation of actors although it does seem he is peaking a bit later than expected.  His performance, aside from that of The Social Network star Eisenberg, is one of the biggest highlights of the film.

The 27 year-old Los Angeles-born actor who hails from London has been tapped to play the coveted role of Spider-Man taking over the iconic role most recently owned by Tobey Maguire.   As an aside, the latest instalment in that franchise is to be directed by Marc Webb, who brought us last year's phenomenal yet bittersweet (500) Days of Summer.  Garfield sits down and chats with acclaimed Director Terry Gilliam on this month's Interview Magazine on what life was like prior to being now on the brink of stardom.  

TIFF PREMIERE OF NEVER LET ME GO (PICS & REVIEW)

Andrew Garfield & Mr. Will-W.

Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go is a beautiful film crafted delicately right down to its gorgeous colour treatment - but don't walk in expecting smiles and laughter. The adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's acclaimed novel received a TIFF North American premiere at Ryerson Theatre tonight with the Author, Director and lead actors Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield present.  The story imagines a world where human cloning is done for the purpose of organ donation and the emotional impact of knowing that your life will end prematurely after your organs have been donated. Can one be in love with another knowing that their life will end prematurely at the discretion of someone else?

The story follows three clones who are raised together, with both girls Kathy (Mulligan) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) divided by their feelings for Tommy (Garfield). Tommy and Ruth wind up in love from a young age, despite Kathy also having feelings for him.  Her jealousy and self-defeat push her into isolation.  Even hough their fates have been sealed as clones, they come to realize that with love, there is a real reason to want to continue living. 

Knightley (absent today) is a pleasure to watch even though her screen time is minimal. Mulligan who was lovely for fans, generously dividing time with them on the Red Carpet, proves that indeed her success is no fluke after last year's An Education.  She delivers a nuanced performance here, while Garfield, our next Spiderman, has an almost-childlike curiosity about him - surely the first of many more high profile performances including David Fincher's upcoming The Social Network. Interestingly upon speaking to him today, he told me he was jealous that I've seen it before him actually! Check out my review of that film here.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK REVIEW

Although I was a bit devastated that David Fincher's (Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) The Social Network didn't do the rounds at TIFF this year, it was just as rewarding attending an advanced screening of it and I can say that it very much lives up to the hype surrounding it.  

The story criss-crosses different stages of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's hands-on and meticulous involvement in the crafting of the world's favourite social networking website up to his  documented legal battles over the legitimacy of his title as its Founder. Turning Facebook into the $25 billion empire that it is today did not come without its share of Drama.  The limits of true friendship and loyalty are put to the most rigorous test when fortune divides best friends Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield).  Zuckerberg's integrity also is challenged further with  wealthy twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer and Josh Pence) fighting for an entitlement to the fortune in having commissioned him to assist in the creation of a project which wound up spiraling and veering off into the opus of Facebook as we know it.