STEVE CARELL INTERVIEWS RYAN GOSLING FOR "INTERVIEW" MAGAZINE

Ryan Gosling - May 2011 Issue of Interview

Perfect timing. Just as he’s in-town right now relaxing, this charming Interview with Ryan Gosling by Funnyman Steve Carell surfaces. The two Actors who will be appearing in eagerly-awaited Comedy Stupid, Crazy, Love this July, appear on the May issue of Interview Magazine.  Here we learn about everything from Gosling’s experience on The Mickey Mouse Club with Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears to the creative process behind his acclaimed work in Blue Valentine.

Gosling tells Carell, “I loved growing up in Canada. It’s a great place to grow up, because—well, at least where I grew up—it’s very multicultural. There’s also good health care and a good education system. So it’s a great place to be from, although, when I was 8, I was walking to school one day and I saw a frozen cat by the side of the road, and I picked it up and hit it against a tree.”.  Uh-oh.  PETA won’t like this.

On how he feels about watching his own Films, Gosling says, “ I hate it… there’s no way that a Film can capture in two hours the experience of making it, so it’s always disappointing in some way. The thing that’s so exciting when you’re making a film is that it can be anything and there are no limitations on it. So I do have to remind myself that most people watching the film weren't involved in making it, so they don’t really know what’s missing.”.

"BLUE VALENTINE" GETS REVISED MPAA RATING

Still from Blue Valentine

At last, there is justice in the World! After much discussion the Motion Picture Association of America in a unanimous Vote, has overturned its decision to give Derek Cianfrance's Blue Valentine an NC-17 rating, which prohibits anyone under the age of 18 in the U.S. from seeing it in theatres. 

The heartbreaking Drama instead has been given a revised Restricted rating, breaking down one more barrier in promoting the Oscar contender, as media outlets foreseeably would be reluctant to promote a Film with an NC-17 rating.

After v. publicly expressing his discontent with the MPAA's decision in October to give Blue Valentine that controversial rating, studio head Harvey Weinstein of The Weinstein Co. can now officially breathe a sigh of relief.

Cheers to you, Harvey Weinstein! 

 

 

(Photo credit: Alliance Films/The Weinstein Co.)

MICHELLE WILLIAMS & RYAN GOSLING AT "BLUE VALENTINE" SCREENING IN NYC

Michelle Williams & Ryan Gosling

So sexy! Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling look amazingly co-ordinated here at a special Screening of Derek Cianfrance's Blue Valentine at Tribeca Grill Loft in New York City.  I love this white Party Dress with a Waterprint Poppy print on her. It seems Williams has been influenced a lot by classic looks of late in researching her latest role as Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn; the Film just wrapped-up in London.

The Event was organized by the Film's Producer Jane Rosenthal and Robert DeNiro, who was just seen hosting Saturday Night Live the night prior. Blue Valentine opens December 31, 2010 although there still is no word on whether or not the MPAA plans to reverse its decision of a controversial NC-17 rating for the Film....

Zimbio has lots of amazing pictures of the Evening here. 

(Photo credit: Zimbio/Getty Images)

NEW "BLUE VALENTINE" POSTER REVEALED

A racy new Poster for Derek Cianfrance's Blue Valentine just got released (left) according to Cinematical and I do kinda like it.  It does match the tone of the cool tone of the Film.  I still prefer the previous version of the Poster (right) a bit more even though it wasn't as literal and pink.

Still no word on whether or not Harvey Weinstein's appeal to the Motion Picture Association of America has been successful to have its rating changed from a controversial NC-17 to Rated R though.

To read my ongoing coverage of the saga known as Blue Valentine, click here.

"BLUE VALENTINE" SLAPPED WITH NC-17 RATING BY MPAA

Still from Blue Valentine

The Weinstein Co. is in a bit of a scramble after one of its biggest Oscar contenders Blue Valentine, was slapped with an NC-17 rating yesterday by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America). Horrible, I know. For those of you unfamiliar with the rating, basically it prohibits anyone under the age of 17 from seeing it in theatres in the U.S.

But how is this really different from films which are Restricted (Rated R) in Canada Well, in Canada, anyone under the age of 18 is not permitted to a film deemded Restricted.  Blue Valentine likely will get a Restricted rating in Canada. In the U.S., people under the age of 17 can watch a Restricted movie in theatres as long as they have a Parent or Guardian accompanying them.

The problem lies with the the stigmas attached to a film with an NC-17 rating.  A pornographic film can be edited down even to meet the NC-17 classification.  American Media may be reluctant to promote a film with the rating, which in turn hurts the film from a commercial standpoint without the support of advertising in traditional mediums like Radio, Newsprint and Television.

I have seen Derek Cianfrance's Blue Valentine and I loved it. In fact, I am v. passionate about it.  I will tell you that the two scenes in question which likely resulted in the film receiving the NC-17 rating are:

MR. WILL-W.'S EARLY OSCAR PREDICTIONS - OCTOBER 2010

Although not quite as formula-based as my girl Sasha predictions are over at Awards Daily, Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven is known to have picked an Oscar winner or two in the past.  Even though the big day isn't until Sunday, March 5, 2011, I will break down for you who I feel is in-contention for a nomination in the major categories.   Obviously, there are a few contenders which I have not seen yet, so I have denoted these with an asterisk.  The names in bold are the contenders I feel have the greatest chance of winning the actual Oscar.  Selections are subject to change and I'll probably re-jig this again closer to the end of the year.

Still from Black Swan

BEST PICTURE

• The Town
• Black Swan
• Inception
• The Kids Are All Right
• The Social Network
• 127 Hours
• Rabbit Hole
• Toy Story 3
• Blue Valentine
• The King's Speech

*Hereafter (review to be posted Wednesday), Made in Dagenham, True Grit, Fair Game and Love and Other Drugs

MICHELLE WILLIAMS AS MARILYN MONROE

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe

Stunning.  The Weinstein Co. just released this new photo of Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe in upcoming feature My Week With Marilyn, which has already begun production in London at Pinewood Studios.  Now we know why Williams wasn't at TIFF 2010 after spending the summer here in Toronto filming Take This Waltz.

The film is about Writer/Filmmaker Colin Clark's one week with Monroe while she was filming the iconic The Prince and The Showgirl after her husband, Playwright Arthur Miller left London.  It was a crazy week apparently.  

My Week with Marilyn is the second in a one-two punch from The Weinstein Co., with the first Blue Valentine, garnering her lots of Oscar buzz for the studio.  It will hit theatres late December and just received a rare NC-17 rating due to a couple graphic sex scenes.  Read my review of it here.

DEREK CIANFRANCE BLUE VALENTINE Q&A AT TIFF 2010

Director Derek Cianfrance answers an audience question during the Q&A of Blue Valentine here in this clip I captured today. You can also see handsome Ryan Gosling take the mic here too. Enjoy.

Read my review of the film here.

(Video credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BLUE VALENTINE - MOVIE REVIEW

Ryan Gosling & Mr. Will-W.

Although I had to wait 90 minutes in the freezing rain to get a seat, it was well worth the wait to see Derek Cianfrance's directorial debut, Blue Valentine.  Emotional, raw, beautiful are words I would use to describe the broken love story.  And above this, its star Ryan Gosling joined Cianfrance for a Q&A session.  What a treat!

The film follows the relationship of Dean (Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams), who meet by chance volunteering at a Seniors' Home.  Dean is a free spirit who enters Cindy's life when she least expected it, while she is dating Bobby (Mike Vogel) and charms his way into her heart.  Cindy comes from a loveless home and vows never to replicate history.

The story criss-crosses different stages in the couple's relationship and we are introduced to Dean and Cindy after they have a serious blow-up, requiring Cindy and their daughter Frankie (Faith Wladyka) to stay at her parents' home.  We then get to see flashes of what their relationship was like when times were more carefree and love was only sweet.  The contrasts become apparent the further we progress into the story and ultimately, the damage is irreparable.  Ultimately, the two running timelines meet in one sharp point of contrast - we see how much they loved each other when they wed and where they wound-up.

RYAN GOSLING AT TIFF PREMIERE OF BLUE VALENTINE

And there you have it, a Ryan Gosling Buffet.  Gosling arrived at Ryerson Theatre's Red Carpet earlier this evening to premiere his much-buzzed Derek Cianfrance Romantic Drama, Blue Valentine.  Unfortunately, his co-star Michelle Williams, who is getting a lot of Oscar buzz for her performance here, could not make it out for the celebrations due to filming obligations.  He was absolutely wonderful, working the Media Wall, Press Line and most importantly the Fans, signing hundreds of autographs before heading into the theatre.  The total draw for him was almost just as strong as that of fellow-Canadian of the same name, Ryan Reynolds, proving that despite fewer projects of late, the actor is still v. much in-demand.  I will be reviewing the film tomorrow. 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BLUE VALENTINE PREVIEW STARRING MICHELLE WILLIAMS AND RYAN GOSLING

Although I couldn't get tickets at TIFF for Blue Valentine last Friday, I can enjoy wallowing in defeat with how fantastic this Clip looks. This preview for the hotly-tipped Derek Cianfrance film, starring my dear Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling, looks stellar and I can see why there is so much Oscars buzz surrounding both stars.  Dear Gods of TIFF, please hook me up with a ticket!  I will not wait until December 31, 2010 to see this.

Williams just wrapped-up filming for Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz before the weekend, after spending her summer in Toronto and on the East Coast, before heading to the Venice Film Festival yesterday to premiere Kelly Reichardt's Meek's Cutoff. The film re-pairs Williams with that Director who brought her much acclaim for her turn in 2008's Wendy & Lucy.

TIFF 2010 TITLES ANNOUNCED

Yes! The titles TIFF 2010's Special Presentations and Galas have just been announced and this is going to be a good one.

This year we just might be expecting stars like Sam Worthington, Jon Hamm, Ben Affleck, Woody Allen, Naomi Watts, Marion Cotillard, Aaron Eckhart, Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Paul Giamatti, Emma Stone, Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Rebecca Hall, Colin Firth, Michelle Williams, Ryan Gosling, Helen Mirren, Evan Rachel Wood, Kevin Spacey, Ryan Philippe, Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman and oh, so many more to be in the city this September!

I'm particularly excited to see Blue Valentine, The Town, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Black Swan, Never Let Me Go and of course Conviction, which I've been going on about forever. But as always, I love measuring the buzz and discovering hidden surprises too!  What are you guys excited to see?

For a complete list of Special Presentations and Galas, click here. Exciting stuff!

TAKE THIS WALTZ BEGINS FILMING IN TORONTO

Filming started a couple days ago for Canadian actress/director Sarah Polley's latest film Take This Waltz, to be distributed by Mongrel Media. The casting for the film however, is dead-aimed at the Oscars with a dream ensemble including Academy Award-nominee Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman.  Williams has been getting a great amount of ink for her role in upcoming The Weinstein Co. production Blue Valentine.

I did have a chance to visit the set which is tucked away in Little Portugal, quiet enough yet still accessible to the city. Upon arrival, I could see Crew members in charge of Locations advising local residents to stay off their porches so not to be in the shot, as this particular scene was set at 5 AM. Low and behold, I could see a radiant Williams giggling with co-star Luke Kirby, with whom she develops feelings for in the film. Take This Waltz touches upon the question of fidelity as Williams' character (married to Rogen) is said to struggle with commitment.

Polley could be heard calling "Action!" and "Cut!" from around the corner as her and the Crew followed Williams and Kirby around the block multiple times on a Trolley. In this scene, Kirby could be seen pulling a Rickshaw, while Williams conversed with him on her feet.

AN EARLY LOOK: BLUE VALENTINE

Canadian actor Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, soon to arrive in Toronto to film Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz, are causing a stir in Cannes with their latest film Blue Valentine, based on their strong performances.  The romantic drama follows a couple, cross-cutting different stages in the evolution of their relationship.  The film is directed by Derek Cianfrance, who has done a couple Hip-Hop documentaries in the past.  The film to be released via The Weinstein Co. this winter (and via our friends at Alliance Films in Canada), will be released in tandem with Oscars season and possible see a screening at TIFF in September.  One to look out for. (Photo credit: Getty Images)