"THE AVENGERS" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from The Avengers

Marvel's The Avengers carries the weight of the World - both literally and figuratively - but does it meet the demands of Moviegoers and Comic Fans alike? You bet. Director/Writer Joss Whedon (Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) knows exactly what Fans of the Genre want and delivers item-by-item like a Grocery Checklist.  It's funny, it's intense, it's thrilling and every bit a masterfully-interwoven Spectacle.

The $220-million Blockbuster via Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) brings together Superheroes Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans) and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).  These Superheroes are united by one great Cause to save the Earth from Thor's Brother, the ruthless Supervillain Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his catastrophic Army, in his quest for endless Power and Domination.

The problem with Films boasting All-Star Casts is that Story Lines and Character Development often are skimpy, but impressively Whedon manages to tell each Superhero's Story clearly and concisely, with our attentions focused always on the Mission at-hand.  Anyone walking into Marvel's The Avengers without a clue would be able to enjoy the Film sans confusion amidst all the Sci-Fi jargon.  The beauty is that you don't need to see it in 3-D necessarily to enjoy it - it stands on its own in 2-D glory.  My only concern though is that v. integral The Hulk's Story Line is given the least detail here and perhaps more could have been done to build-up the excitement for his awaited massive transformation.

MARK RUFFALO & COBIE SMULDERS IN TORONTO FOR "THE AVENGERS" | SIGNED PHOTO SET GIVEAWAY

Mark Ruffalo & Cobie Smulders in Toronto - April 2012

Hot on the heels of it grossing a whopping $185.1 million overseas this weekend, Marvel's The Avengers Stars Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk/Bruce Banner) and Cobie Smulders (Agent Maria Hill) are bringing the action north of the Border for the Canadian Premiere of the Action-Blockbuster. If you think that's impressive, consider that it has only thus far opened in 70% of Overseas markets and furthermore, has yet to even open in North America!

Ruffalo and Smulders joined forces for an appearance on CityTV's Breakfast Television. Ruffalo who made his first appearance in Toronto since TIFF 2008, revealed that in addition to slimming down on a strict Regimen for his dual role, he also faced some great challenges. "I enjoy working with Actors" he says, explaining that it was a great challenge filming fight scenes before a Green Screen on his own.

Vancouver Native Smulders made a welcome return her Homeland, ensuring to grab a Tim Hortons Coffee first thing today. The Actress who has gained much popularity for her work on CBS Series How I Met Your Mother as Robin Scherbatsky, praises Ruffalo for giving The Hulk a comedic spin, yet remaining v. human. She also expressed excitement at being able to do her own stunts in some of her more physical scenes in the Joss Whedon Film

The Avengers sees a Team of Superheroes - including Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) - assembled to fight the evil Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his Army from destroying the Earth. 

Marvel's The Avengers hits theatres in North America Friday, May 4, 2012.

To enter to win a Signed Photo Set from Ruffalo and Smulders, click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook. You must also be following on Twitter also. Your deadline is June 4, 2012.  Good luck!

More to come...

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

MARK RUFFALO & COBIE SMULDERS TO APPEAR AT CANADIAN PREMIERE OF "THE AVENGERS"

Mark Ruffalo at TIFF 2007

In case you missed it, you can catch all the excitement from the World Premiere of The Avengers last week in Los Angeles' El Capitan Theatre! Gracing the Red Carpet were the likes of: Robert Downey Jr (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Joss Whedon (Director).  

And if this weren't exciting enough, Toronto will be hosting the Canadian Premiere of The Avengers on Monday, April 30, 2012 at Scotiabank Theatre with none other than Hulk himself, Mark Ruffalo and Canadian Actress Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) scheduled to make an appearance!  This will be gracious Ruffalo's first visit to the City since TIFF 2008 when he was promoting The Brothers Bloom and Blindness.  This is just what the City needs and we'll be there!

Enjoy The Avengers World Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals below:

The Avengers opens in theatres May 4, 2012.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W. | Video credit: Marvel)

WATCH: 60-SECOND "THE AVENGERS" PREVIEW

The Avengers

For those of you who missed it lats night during the Super Bowl, here's the full 60-second Preview of Marvel's The Avengers in anticipation of its May 4, 2012 release.  Are you ready for the most epic battle ever to have been captured on camera?  Iron Man, Black Widow, The Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye, Thor.  Together at last.

Watch the 60-second Preview of The Avengers below:

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada)

FIRST TRAILER: "THE AVENGERS"

Official Artwork for The Avengers

Here it is finally! Walt Disney Motion Pictures' The Avengers, which promises to be just about the biggest Blockbuster to hit theatres in 2012, now has a first official Trailer and it looks pretty epic. Iron Man, Captain America and Thor join forces to save the World in this ultimate mash-up of Marvel Superheroes.  Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson. Need I say more?

Watch the Trailer in full below:

See some Promotional Stills from The Avengers:

GEMMA ARTERTON & JEREMY RENNER CAST IN "HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTER"

Gemma Arterton at TIFF 2010

Gemma Arterton and Oscar-nominated Actor Jeremy Renner are confirmed to star in Paramount Pictures' upcoming twist on The Brothers Grimm's classic Hansel and Gretel.  According to Entertainment Weekly, the upcoming Fantasy Film, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters picks-up with the Siblings as adults, having escaped the Evil Witch who captured them as children. 

Previously, Noomi Rapace from the popular Swedish franchise The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was considered also for the role of Gretel but it was lovely and kind-hearted Brit Arterton who proved victorious in the end.  This should be a huge breakout role for the actress who appears on-the-verge of something big.

Will Ferrell among others, will be in the Producer's Chair, while Norwegian Director Tommy Wirkola will be helming the project.

THE TOWN TIFF GALA WITH BEN AFFLECK, BLAKE LIVELY, JON HAMM (PHOTOS & REVIEW)

Ben Affleck at
The Town Gala

Ben Affleck's The Town is a movie for the guys and even he joked at tonight's Roy Thomson Hall TIFF Gala that since his last directorial effort Gone Baby Gone "failed to set Hollywood on fire", perhaps this film will.  He went on to thank the Cast and Crew for their hard work on the film, before thanking also his wife Jennifer Garner who was in attendance.

Set in Charlotte, Massachusetts, this story involves a team of bank robbers who orchestrate a series of heists. Their master mind Doug (Affleck) however, falls for the same Bank Manager Claire (Rebecca Hall) he holds hostage, even though she is not cognizant of this in having been blind-folded by his accomplices. What ensues is a tale of betrayal, redemption and a high octane Tom-and-Jerry chase as FBI Agent Frawley (Jon Hamm) is in hot pursuit of the dangerous criminals responsible for terrorizing the town.  Will Doug be able to end his Criminal ways before he is caught?

My only problem with The Town other than its over-the-top implausibility, is its questionable choices in casting as Affleck opts for buzz and star-power in his on-going quest for a validating commercial/critical hit. Gossip Girl's Blake Lively despite her best efforts just doesn't quite nail the depth and history required of Krista, an alcohol and drug-dependent single mother and lover to Doug. The talented Hall is under-utilized, not given much of an emotional range to work with in her seemingly important role which somehow disappears in the high speed car chases and rounds of shoot-outs. The same could be said of Hamm's character also perhaps.

"THE TOWN" TIFF GALA PRESS CONFERENCE PHOTOS

I did scope out the Press Conference for Ben Affleck's The Town this afternoon and although it was rather amazing seeing Affleck and his co-stars up-close, it was extremely competitive to get a clear line of sight to photos with tons of Autograph Hounds traveling in from aboard - some blocking each other and any Cameras trying to snap a shot- with their Clip Boards.  Affleck did "bless" a few photos with his initials, as did Rebecca Hall and Blake Lively (both even more stunning in-person), but stars like Mad Men's Jon Hamm were a little less generous with autographs due to time constraints. The Hurt Locker actor Jeremy Renner signed a grand total of zero autographs, which was rather surprising.

The Gala for The Town takes place Saturday night at Roy Thompson Hall and I'll definitely be in attendance and posting a review soon.  By then hopefully, I'll have some more photos of its stars including Hamm, whose wonderful photo magically disappeared from my Camera!  In the meantime though, enjoy these snaps from earlier this afternoon.

Ben Affleck

BEN AFFLECK SHOWS OFF HIS GRAY HAIR IN VENICE FOR THE TOWN

Ben Affleck & Rebecca Hall
at Venice Film Festival for "The Town"

One of this year's most anticipated films is Ben Affleck's The Town and it just received Gala treatment at Venice Film Festival yesterday, where its principal stars all came out on the Red Carpet. Affleck has been generating a lot of buzz with his noticably Salt and Pepper hair, which actually suits him rather well if I might say so. But then again, when has Affleck not been handsome?

Time Out Magazine published one of the first reviews, giving it three out of five stars. The review calls the Bank Heist Drama "a slice of robust craftmanship". Awards Daily pointed out Empire Movies' review, which notes particularly that "the supporting cast is excellent – notably Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall and especially Blake Lively, as Doug’s (Affleck) white-trash girlfriend, who really help Affleck sell his rough-diamond antihero." Many are taking note of Affleck's directorial ability.

The TIFF Gala for The Town is this Sunday at Roy Thompson Hall and I'll be there! Cannot wait.  For everybody else, the film opens next Friday, September 17, 2010.

(Photo credit: Associated Press)