MR. WILL-W.:POP MAVEN'S 2011 BEST-OF LISTS

Although I was always under the mindset that 2011 wasn't really a standout year in terms of Music and Film, looking back I can appreciate that even though for me there were no clear-cut, definitive favourites, overall there were many bright and memorable moments.  I have selected my Top Ten Films and Top 20 Tracks of 2011.  Let's see where my choices compare to yours!

Still from The Artist

TOP TEN FILMS:
1. The Artist
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
3. Shame
4. Bridesmaids
5. The Help
6. The Muppets
7. War Horse
8. My Week with Marilyn
9. Drive
10. Warrior

One of my biggest regrets this year was not seeing The Artist at TIFF in September, but better late than never as the Film which touched and uplifted me most, actually is only a recent discovery.  The Silent Film about Era-star George Valentin is a triumph and a must-see for all.  Also, despite not loving the original Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, alas all that buzz did amount to something solid with David Fincher's Adaptation starring Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig being absolutely electrifying.  Michael Fassbender quickly has become one of my favourite Actors also with his riveting performance in Shame as a Sex Addict whose life is interrupted by the sudden arrival of his estranged Sister. Kristen Wiig's performance in Bridesmaids still sticks with me to this day as does Michelle Williams' work in My Week with Marilyn.

"THE ARTIST" LEADS 69TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

Still from The Artist

Awards Season has now kicked-in officially with the Golden Globe Nominations being announced earlier today at 5:00 AM PAC from Los Angeles. No huge surprises this year, but if anything Michael Hazanavicius' The Artist has solidified itself as a Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars, leading all other Nominees with a total six nods including Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical where it is up against 50/50, My Week with Marilyn, Midnight in Paris and the biggest Box Office Hit of them all, Bridesmaids.

The Help fared v. well, in addition to leading in SAG Awards nominations as announced yesterday, garnering nods for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama with Viola Davis (some saw her as a Supporting Actress) and also Actress in a Supporting Role with Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer. It too is in the running for Best Motion Picture - Drama vying against The Descendants, Hugo, Moneyball, War Horse and The Ides of March.

Michelle Williams leads the race for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for My Week with Marilyn, giving her a bit of breather from her stiffest Oscars competition in Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady in the the category of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. Both Streep and Williams are being campaigned by the same interest in The Weinstein Co.  The Match of the Year.

MELISSA MCCARTHY WINS FOR "BRIDESMAIDS"

Melissa McCarthy

Surprise! Melissa McCarthy suddenly has thrust herself into the spotlight as a legitimate Oscar Contender for her work in Blockbuster Hit, Bridesmaids as sassy and tough Megan.  Just today McCarthy was awarded Best Supporting Actress by both the New York Film Critics Online and Boston Film Critics Association Awards.    The praise continues to roll-in for Bridesmaids also with the American Film Institute also naming it one of their Top Ten Films of 2011.

Although this isn't typically the type of Film the Academy is clamouring to hand awards to, don't be surprised if it is a major presence these next couple months as Awards Season continues to roll.

(Photo credit: The Hollywood Reporter)

MELISSA MCCARTHY & HUSBAND BEN FALCONE IN "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY"

Still from Bridesmaids

Okay, I am embarrassed to admit that  legitimately I had no idea that Mike and Molly Star Melissa McCarthy was married to her Bridesmaids Co-star Ben Falcone. You know, the Guy she accused of being an Air Marshall, seducing him over and over?  They even have two Kids together, Vivian (four-and-a-half) and Georgette (19 months)! 

In addition to appearing on-screen together in one of 2011's biggest Box Office smashes (Bridesmaids has grossed over $286 million worldwide), the Couple also co-wrote together on a new Sitcom which they've sold to CBS. Also coming is a Dramedy titled Tammy which will be released via Warner Bros./New Line in which McCarthy stars also.  The Help Director Tate Taylor is being wooed for the Project as per early reports.

Falcone tells Entertainment Weekly's Karen Valby on his Wife's recent Emmy Win, "The first thing I did was yell. Everybody got up and yelled ‘Oh my God! Oh my God! She won!!!!’ And then after that I think everybody was kind of concerned for me because I fell into a weird, slack-jawed stunned silence for like 20 minutes.".  Now that's a supportive Husband, right there.

Click here to read the Interview in full.

And have you seen the Cover of the current issue of Entertainment Weekly?  The Queen!

(Photo credit: Universal Pictures/Entertainment Weekly)

MELISSA MCCARTHY ON "SNL"

Melissa McCarthy on Saturday Night Live

Melissa McCarthy might be your unconventional It Girl... but she is! The Funnywoman is exactly why we need to see more real Comedic talent on Saturday Night Live instead of Celebrities trying their hands as Actors, at the expense of our patience and time.  The Star of Mike and Molly and Bridesmaids was rushed onto the long-running Show hot on the heels of her recent Emmy win and the results were tremendous.  She sang, she danced, she made us laugh and she grossed us the hell out (i.e. gulping down some Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing straight from the bottle).

Although it's hit or miss, whether or not it will work due to NBC's regional restrictions (Canadians can see it here), this is the proper link for one of her most brilliant Sketches, Arlene where she not-so -subtly drops a hint or two to her Co-worker played by Jason Sudeikis, that she's into him.  We all need someone like that in our Offices!

Watch below:

"BACHELORETTE" - 2012'S "BRIDESMAIDS"?

Rebel Wilson

If you loved Bridesmaids - and I know you did - chances are you'll be excited to see Will Ferrell-produced Comedy Bachelorette, which will hit theatres next year.  Currently filming in New York City, its premise centers around three Girls who are asked to be Bridesmaids at the Wedding of a Girl they bullied in High School, known as Pigface/Becky.

The Cast includes familiar faces like a hot-again Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher (The Wedding Crashers) and Lizzy Caplan (Mean Girls).  The role of Pigface/Becky goes to Australian Funnywoman Rebel Wilson, who also starred in Bridesmaids!  James Marsden and Adam Scott also star, while first-time Director/Writer Leslye Headland helms the project.

JustJared has posted Photos from the Set of Bachelorette.  Check them out here.

(Photo credit: Herald Sun)

"TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON" TOPS THE HOLIDAY BOX OFFICE

Still from Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Like its first two installments, Paramount Pictures' Transformers: Dark of the Moon takes the top spot at the Box Office this  holiday weekend with $97 million over three days (Friday to Sunday). Opening in 4,013 theatres, the Sci-fi Action Film trails Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen which opened with $109 million back in October 2009, but bests the original Transformers which opened with $70 million in November 2007.  Maybe this third Film in the Series didn't need Megan Fox that much after all?

Disney's Cars 2 performs well in its second week of release with $24.7 million from 4,115 theatres. To-date it is earned $121 million in North America, ahead of Sony Pictures' Comedy Bad Teacher which in its second week also brings in $14 million.

Larry Crowne debuts disappointingly in fourth spot for Universal Pictures (Alliance Films in Canada), earning $13.5 million. The Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts-headlined Rom-Com hasn't fared well overall with Critics, garnering 34% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

20th Century Fox's Monte Carlo starring Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy could only manage a fifth-place debut with $7.5 million. Despite a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, CinemaScore has given the Film an A grade.

Easily Woody Allen's biggest Box Office success in years, Midnight in Paris still clings on to the Top Ten in ninth spot with $3.5 million from 951 theatres, just ahead of a resilient Bridesmaids in tenth with $3.3 million. Bridesmaids in eight weeks of release, has earned $153.4 million for Universal Pictures, making it Director/Writer Judd Apatow's highest-grossing Film ever.

"CARS 2" ZOOMS TO TOP OF THE BOX OFFICE

Still from Cars 2

Cars 2 accelerates all the way to the top of the Box Office this weekend with $67 million earned for Disney. This result bests its predecessor's performance in its 2006 debut, earning $60 million on opening weekend.

Bad Teacher starring Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel and Justin Timberlake debuts in second for Sony Pictures, with an impressive $31 million despite negative reviews overall (46% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer). On any other weekend this would place it on top.

Last week's champion Green Lantern slips to third with $18 million, ahead of Super 8 with $12.2 million. Mr. Popper's Penguins starring Jim Carrey continues to go strong still in fifth spot with $11 million this weekend, bringing its three-week tally to $95.3 million.

Bridesmaids surprisingly is still in the game in eighth spot with $5.5 million. In it seven-week run it has brought in $146.8 million for Universal Pictures.  Meanwhile, Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris slips to tenth spot this weekend with $4.2 million.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS LIVES UP TO ITS NAME IN DEBUT

Still from X-Men - First Class

X-Men: First Class had a first-in-class opening weekend at the Box Office, taking in $53 million from  3,641 theatres for 20th Century Fox.  Although a solid opening, this is considered weak for a Marvel Comics adaptation.   Reviews however, have been strong for the Film starring an Oscar-caliber Cast of Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence and Rose Byrne.  Rotten Tomatoes pegs it at 87% on its Tomatometer.

The Hangover Part II is still going strong in its second week, slipping to second with $35 million after a record-setting opening.  It is v. close to surpassing the $200 million mark domestically.

Meanwhile, Kung Fu Panda 2 continues to perform strong in third with $22 million this weekend in its second week, putting it just ahead of former Box Office-topper Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in fourth with $16.5 million in its third week of release.

Bridesmaids just surpassed the $100 million-mark in earnings this weekend in fifth spot with $12 million (a second Movie in the Top Ten for Byrne) and more notably, Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris in Limited Release (147 theatres) is performing well in eighth spot with $2.4 million.

"THE HANGOVER PART II" SHATTERS BOX OFFICE RECORD

Still from The Hangover Part II

Congratulations, Warner Bros.! The Hangover Part II officially has shattered Box Office Records, becoming the highest opening R-rated Comedy of all time. Opening Thursday night with an eye-popping $31.6 million alone, the Wolf Pack are expected to make $107 million by Sunday and $139 by the end of U.S. Memorial Day Weekend. Despite poor reviews overall on Rotten Tomatoes (35%), CinemaScore rated the Film an "A" still.

Kung Fu Panda 2 was expected to give The Hangover Part II a run for its money, but in the end failed to threaten even though it performed well, with a projected take of $56 million by Sunday and $65 million over a five-day weekend.

After a superb debut, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is still going strong, estimated to take-in $50 million by Sunday. Bridesmaids follows behind in fourth with $20.6 million. To-date the Comedy has brought in $89.3 million in three weeks. Meanwhile, Thor finds itself in fifth this Memorial Day Weekend with $12 million.

Woody Allen's latest Midnight in Paris showing in only 58 theatres, lands in ninth spot in its second week of release with $2.2 million. The Rom-Com starring Rachel McAdams, Owen Wilson, Michael Sheen and Marion Cotillard will continue to expand in coming weeks.

MR. WILL-W. "BRIDESMAIDS" REVIEW ON "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY"

Mr. Will-W. on Entertainment Weekly

How awesome!  I received a Tweet from Entertainment Weekly today, posting a 140-word review I did of Bridesmaids.  A huge honour - EW is one of my favourite Magazines! If you haven't seen the Comedy, please do yourself a favour and see it soon!

Read my full Review of Bridesmaids here.

If you're not a member of the Mavenati on Twitter yet, you can become one here!

MOVIEGOERS CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF "PIRATES"

If there was any concern over the world ending this weekend, Moviegoers certainly were undeterred from heading to the theatres this weekend.  Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides debuts this weekend with an excellent $91.5 million, making it the biggest-grossing opening weekend for a Film in 2011.  Although not quite as successful as the second and third installments of the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise -  Dead Man's Chest opened with $135 million back in 2006 - On Stranger Tides, doubled The Curse of the Black Pearl's $46.6 million opening back in 2003.  The Disney Franchise clearly has seen better days, but by no means is showing signs of stopping yet.

Truly embodying what it means to be a Bridesmaid by coming in second two weeks in a row, Universal Pictures' Bridesmaids brings in a healthy $20.9 million this weekend.  In two weeks the Comedy has earned $60 million, almost doubling the Studio's $32 million investment in production costs.

Paramount's Thor is still performing well, landing in third in its third week of release with $15.6 million, just ahead of another former Box Office champion Fast Five with $10.1 million.  Something Borrowed is still hanging on in the Top Ten in seventh, now surpassing the $30 million mark, while 20th Century Fox's Water for Elephants spends its fifth week there with $2.3 million in ninth spot. 

KRISTEN WIIG IN JUNE 2011 ISSUE OF "INTERVIEW"

Kristen Wiig in June 2011 issue of Interview

"There’s definitely a difference between girls seeing a stripper and guys seeing a stripper. When a male stripper comes into a room of girls, they’re just laughing and screaming and giggling and embarrassed. It’s funny." - Kristen Wiig 

The lovely, sexy and talented Kristen Wiig, aka our new Queen of Comedy, sits down and chats with David Grohl of The Foo Fighters on the June 2011 issue of Interview Magazine.  She reveals how raucous she was as a Teenager growing up in Rochester but also says how she actually is, "I never considered myself to be funny—maybe because socially I can be a little shy sometimes. I just didn’t think that you could be both.".

Click here to read the Interview in full.

If you haven't seen Bridesmaids yet, please see it this Long Weekend.  Funniest Film of 2011.  Read my Review here.

(Photo credit: Steven Pan/Interview Magazine)

"BRIDESMAIDS" DEBUTS IMPRESSIVELY BEHIND "THOR"

Still from Bridesmaids

Thor shows no signs of stopping, landing on top of the Box Office again for a second week. The Marvel Comics adaptation brought in $34 million this weekend from 3,963 theatres, firmly planting Australian Actor Chris Hemsworth as a star in North America. Hemsworth is said to be starring next in the upcoming Snow White and the Huntsman 3-D adaptation set to film in Montreal with Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron.

Despite opening against a Monster, Universal Pictures' Bridesmaids exceeds expectations, debuting in second spot with $24.5 million from 2,918 theatres. The Comedy pairs Saturday Night Live alumni Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph together and actually has received stellar reviews also. Rotten Tomatoes pegs it in around the 90% mark on its Tomatometer, making it one of the best-reviewed films of 2011. To put this into perspective, despite this being R-rated and showing in only a fraction of theatres that Thor is, Bridesmaids actually is the real champion here.

Fast Five still is going strong this weekend and despite slipping to third in its third week of release, it still earns $20.2 million at the Box Office. Usher who was in Toronto this weekend, could not resist even and had to head to our AMC to see it Friday night!

"BRIDESMAIDS" IN THEATRES SOON

 

This looks absolutely amazing!  Bridesmaids from Veteran Actor/Director Paul Feig, centers around Annie (Kristen Wiig), who is asked by Lillian (Maya Rudolph) to be her Maid of Honour.  Annie, broke and single, is forced to put on a brave face and tough her way through the pre-wedding rituals and what ensues is a series of antics almost sure to draw laughter.  She doesn't have a clue what to do!

And if all else fails, there's a superb Supporting Cast which includes Melissa McCarthy, Jon Hamm, Rose Byrne... and a Cameo by Wilson Phillips!  Yes!!!  Judd Apatow (The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) produces.

Universal Pictures releases Bridesmaids on Friday, May 13, 2011.

Watch the Trailer in full below: