FIRST LOOK: ANGELINA JOLIE AS "MALEFICENT"

New Still from Maleficent

Here's a first look at Disney's upcoming Live Action Film, Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie.  The Film helmed by first-time Director and Oscar-winning Production Designer Robert Stromberg, tells us the Story behind how the Sleeping Beauty Villain was driven to the Dark Side, eventually cursing the Baby, Aurora.  

Having just begun Production lats Wednesday, Maleficent also boasts a superb Female Supporting Cast of Juno Temple, Miranda Richardson, Elle Fanning, Imelda Staunton and Lesley Manville.

March 14, 2014 is the set release date. Cannot wait.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Motion Pictures)

"WE BOUGHT A ZOO" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from We Bought a Zoo

After his Wife Katherine (Stephanie Szostak) passes away, Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) is left alone to care for his rebellious Son Dylan (Colin Ford) and charming Daughter Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones). He decides to quit his job one day, moving out of their home to start a new life with his Family.  Together, they stumble upon the perfect house... only to realize it's actually situated on a desperately ailing Zoo. Here we meet Zookeeper Kelly (Scarlett Johansson), Robin (Patrick Fugit) and Lily (Elle Fanning) who are struggling to keep things afloat until Benjamin decides to commit himself fully to making the Zoo's relaunch a reality.  Realizing soon that his money is depleting as expenses pile-up, Benjamin and his helping hands are in a race against the clock with an inspection from the meticulous Walter Ferris (John Michael Higgens) soon-to-come, deciding the Zoo's fate ultimately.

With theatres being flooded with Dramas over the Holidays/Awards Season, We Bought a Zoo from acclaimed Director Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) offers a welcome lighthearted option for Moviegoers.  Do not however, mistaken this as fluff as there actually is substantial enough a story here with tons of heart and a struggle worth fighting for. Never for a minute do we not want this Zoo to succeed as each setback is thrown our way.

ENTER TO WIN A "WE BOUGHT A ZOO" PRIZE PACK

We Bought a Zoo Prize Pack

How wonderful is this?  20th Century Fox Canada & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want to give one lucky Reader a We Bought a Zoo Prize Pack!  Contents include a copy of the Film's Original Motion Picture Soundtrack with Music by Jónsi of Sigur Ros, a copy of its original Novel by Benjamin Mee and of course a Double Pass to see a Toronto Advance Screening of We Bought a Zoo on Tuesday, December 20, 2011.

Directed by Cameron Crowe, the Family Dramedy takes place in Southern California where a Father moves his Children to the Countryside, coming together to restore a troubled Zoo. Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning and Thomas Haden Church star in the heartwarming Tale.

To enter to win the Prize Pack, click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook.  Double your chances by following me on Twitter and Re-Tweeting the following:

@mrwillw wants me to win a WE BOUGHT A ZOO Prize Pack including a chance to see it in Toronto 12/20/11. #MRWILLZOO

Your deadline is December 17, 2011 and I will be handing you your Prize Pack in-person!  Good luck, Mavenati!

Watch the Trailer for We Bought a Zoo below:

"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."

SOFIA COPPOLA'S SOMEWHERE - REVIEW

Still from Somewhere

Bluntly-stated Sofia Coppola’s fourth effort Somewhere isn’t her best work and after having raised the bar so high with The Virgin Suicides and Lost in Translation, expectations of Filmgoers have left her nowhere to go but down. Where the Film does succeed is that it is an engaging study of a character who is easy to dislike, while at the same time it is a heartfelt story of the least saccharine kind, brimming with a sense of hope and redemption.

Somewhere is a story about a lonely Film Star perhaps past his prime, Johnny Marco, who calls the famed Château Marmont home. Commitment-free, the Playboy beds many adoring Women throughout the Film, while drinking and partying on the excessive. One anonymous spiteful ex-Lover succinctly calls him in a Text Message, "an Asshole".

One day his twelve year-old Daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning, younger sister of Dakota) shows up unexpectedly for an undetermined period as her Mother Layla (Lala Sloatman) must sort through some personal issues. Although interfering with his structure-free lifestyle, Johnny soon finds the experience rewarding, ultimately forcing him to re-evaluate his priorities in life after having been spoiled by Hollywood as an eternal adolescent. Is it too late though for Johnny to turn his life around and accept himself as a Man and a Father?

STEPHEN DORFF IN TORONTO FOR PREMIERE OF SOFIA COPPOLA'S "SOMEWHERE"

Richard Crouse (L), Stephen Dorff (M)
& Mr. Will-W. (R)

Toronto was lucky enough to get an official Premiere for Sofia Coppola's highly-anticipated new Film Somewhere, winner of the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival this September. The festivities took place at Varsity Cinema where its star Stephen Dorff came by to greet an intimate audience, which included many close friends made over the years in his many visits to the City. In fact, Dorff filmed his first Movie ever, The Gate, in Toronto back in 1986 and since then the Los Angeles native's career has seen many highs including starring roles in important Films like Backbeat, Blade and Cecil B. Demented.  He completes two full days of Press in the City tomorrow.

Dropping by quickly the introduce what he called "the most important film of his career", Dorff was presented by CTV's Canada AM Film Critic Richard Crouse and returned post-Screening for a Q&A. Dressed in a well-cut Suit, Dorff arrived exactly as expected - ruggedly handsome. The Actor who surprisingly is diminutive compared to his on-screen presence, undoubtedly is proud of his work here.

Somewhere is a story about a lonely Film Star perhaps past his prime, Johnny Marco, who calls the famed Château Marmont home. He is a Playboy - bedding many adoring Women - drinking and partying heavily, or as one anonymous spiteful ex-Lover succinctly calls him in a Text Message, "an Asshole". One day his twelve year-old Daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning, younger sister of Dakota) shows up unexpectedly for an undetermined period as her Mother must sort out some personal issues. Although interfering with his structure-free lifestyle, Johnny soon finds the experience rewarding, ultimately forcing him to re-evaluate his priorities in life in having been spoiled by Hollywood as an eternal adolescent.

Dorff admitted to Crouse and the audience, "I couldn't have played this role ten years ago" and only after his Mother Nancy had fallen ill, subsequently passing away, did he acquire the maturity and depth required in the quiet role of Johnny.  Coppola wrote the Screenplay for Somewhere specifically with Dorff in mind and his admiration for her was mutual, praising her unique vision. "She (Coppola) wants us to observe her characters like a fly on the wall" says Dorff, indicating that he felt really challenged by his role - despite having much screen-time, he has little to say;  he felt stripped of all his tricks.

"THE NUTCRACKER IN 3-D" EARNS A RECORD 0% RATING ON ROTTEN TOMATOES

Still from Nutcraker in 3-D

Thank God she's getting much better reviews in Sofia Coppola's Somewhere.  Elle Fanning, little sister of Dakota, stars in The Nutcracker in 3-D which is v. loosely based on Holiday Classic, The Nutcracker Suite.  The Film released late November in select theatres, is by Director Andrey Konchalovskiy.  Since then it has made a paltry $200,000 at the Box Office which probably isn't even enough to recoup the costs to convert it to 3-D technology.  The Film cost $90 million to make.

Above this, the Critics weren't mixed on their hate for it - in fact, they all hated it.  Rotten Tomatoes has rated the Film an unheard of 0% on the Tomatometer.  Yes, it's that bad apparently and you can read their absolute disdain for it here.  I'm curious now just how awful it really is and how they could ruin a story so beloved by many.

Roger Ebert on his Blog posted a nightmare of a story here which one elderly Woman experienced, bringing her Great Grandchildren to see The Nutcracker in 3-D as a pre-Holiday treat.  Needless to say, she did  not get what she expected at all and is embarrassed because she hardly ever gets to see the Kids. We need to start a Fund to give this Woman her money back.  How tragic!

(Photo credit: Freestyle Releasing)

STEPHEN DORFF, SOFIA COPPOLA & ELLE FANNING AT HOLLYWOOD PREMIERE OF "SOMEWHERE"

Stephen Dorff, Sofia Coppola & Elle Fanning

The Premiere for Sofia Coppola's Somewhere was held last night at the Arc Light Hollywood, with Louis Vuitton sponsoring the Festivities. Director/Writer/Producer Coppola and 12 year-old (!!) star Elle Fanning - yes, younger sister of Dakota and devastatingly good-looking Lead Actor Stephen Dorff all look devastatingly amazing in Vuitton.

Also in attendance last night were Benicio del Toro, Mena Suvari and Somewhere star Michelle Monaghan.  Zimbio has the goods. Click here to see the beautiful people.

(Photo credit: Zimbio/Getty Images)