"KILLER JOE" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Killer Joe

One of the more disturbing Films you'll see in 2012 is Killer Joe. Not to say you won't be at the edge of your seat the whole time, mind you. Morals thrown-out the window, the Action-Dramedy from William Friedkin centers around Chris (Emile Hirsch), whose life is endangered after falling severely into debt. Hoping to stike-gold for him and his Family, he contracts Joe (Matthew McConaughey) to murder his estranged Mother in hopes of cashing an Inheritance.  He soon realizes that things don't work out as easily as hoped.

Chris' Father Ansel (Thomas Haden Church), Stepmother Sharla (Gina Gershon) and naïve young Sister Dottie (Juno Temple) soon get caught-up in a grimy web of Deception as they struggle making ends meet to pay Joe, who becomes a part of their Family with his affections for young Dottie. With time running out  for the troubled Smiths and lines of appropriateness crossed with disregard, we wonder whether or not they are able to accomplish their Mission to cash-in. Will it be too late for them with one of the most dangerous Men in the South circling-in far too close for comfort, as their payment deadline approaches?

Killer Joe features a lethal Ensemble Cast fronted by a finger lickin' good performance from McConaughey, who straddles that fine line between creepy and alluring with precision. If you can walk away with one observation from it all, that would be that nobody in 2012 has made bad look as good as McConaughey in one of this year's most memorable performances.

The underrated Gershon is a delight to watch in all her trembling intensity, especially in a revealing moment late in the Film, while Church gives a Master's Class in Daftness providing several moments of Comedy. Temple's Star continues to be on the rise and her childlike innocence juxtaposed against the evil around her, is irresistible. Hirsch effectively carries much of the weight here on his own against some brilliant types - by no means an easy feat.

VVS Films releases Killer Joe in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver on August 10, 2012.

Click here to see some Photos from the TIFF 2011 Premiere of Killer Joe!

LEE DANIELS' "THE PAPERBOY" OFFICIAL TRAILER

Still from The Paperboy

Perhaps the most intriguing TIFF 2012 Film which still has yet to be announced. Zac Efron Fans, scroll to the 1:39 mark. That is all.

This already is looking like my favourite Film of 2012. It's got sizzling Drama, real Transformations and burning Intensity. Kidman. McConaughey. Cusack. Efron. Delicious.

Check out this just-released Trailer for Lee Daniels' (Precious) The Paperboy:

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO SEE "KILLER JOE"

Still from Killer Joe

Matthew McConaughey delivers one of 2012’s most electrifying performances in KILLER JOE.

VVS Films and Touchwood PR release the well-received TIFF 2011 Selection in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal on Friday, August 10, 2012. Together with Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven, we want take you to an Advance Screening of the Film on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto, 10:00 PM.

Killer Joe also stars Juno Temple, Emile Hirsch, Thomas Haden Church and Gina Gerson

Watch the Trailer below:

NICOLE KIDMAN IN "THE PAPERBOY"

Still from The Paperboy

This Still of Nicole Kidman from The Paperboy looking pretty much like a Hooker is why I am a devout Fan of hers for life.  She lives, breathes and emanates everything that it means to be a real Star and despite a few missteps following Moulin Rouge, The Hours and maybe even Fur, her Oscar-nominated performance in 2010's Rabbit Hole has ours attentions once again.

My Inside Sources are telling me pretty much that the Film will be at TIFF 2012 come September and for those who don't know, Lee Daniels (Precious) directs this Drama about a Reporter named Ward (Matthew McConaughey) and his younger Brother Jack (Zac Efron) who investigate a Murder in hopes of exonerating a Man on Death Row (John Cusack).  If that list of Notables doesn't excite you, then I truly don't know what will.  Although Reviews are somewhat mixed at this point, it did receive a Standing Ovation at Cannes in May.

Although this little Teaser doesn't reveal much, here's a taste of The Paperboy:

INTERVIEW: CHANNING TATUM & JOE MANGANIELLO ON "MAGIC MIKE"

Channing Tatum & Joe Manganiello in Toronto - June 2012

A year ago, a few eyebrows might've been raised with the talk of there being a Steven Soderbergh Male Stripper Film in development. Magic Mike as that Film now is known, will soon be revealed - pardon the pun - amidst the 2012 Summer rush of Blockbusters.  I mean, we've all heard of 1995's delicious and unintentionally-laughable Showgirls, but much still is left to be accomplished in Films of the ever-tricky Stripping genre. Stars Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello (pronounced with a hard "g") both arrived in Toronto today for the Canadian leg of Magic Mike's Press Tour. 

The Dramedy brings together Tatum and Soderbergh a second time, after having seen the release earlier this year of Mixed Martial Arts-inspired Action Flick Haywire.  This time around, the Action we see is of a whole different variety - the variety which surely you might have seen in that Clip on the Internet of Tatum gyrating onstage back in his pre-Actor days as a Stripper.  You know you clicked "refresh" on that. Don't lie.

Magic Mike follows a Man in his 30s (Tatum) who is at a turning point in his life after making quick cash - and stacks of it - as a Stripper.  Although he is successful at what he does, we soon begin to see the repercussions of this choice on his love life and ability to achieve his own dreams as an Entrepreneur. Along the way, we get to know a mix of Characters in his all-male Dance Revue. We meet the Mastermind behind it all Dallas (Matthew McConaughey), Ken (Matt Bomer), Big Dick Richie (Mangniello) and Newcomer The Kid (Alex Pettyfer). Matters become complicated when Mike falls for Paige (Cody Horn - Daughter of Warner Bros. President Alan F. Horn), who happens to be The Kid's grounded Older Sister.

On Horn's Character, Paige, Tatum reveals that her early beginnings in the Film actually are based on his own real-life Sister of the same name.  "She's a beautiful, strong-willed Woman", he tells us. "I didn't have to get my Boys when I got into a fight in the neighbourhood. I'd be like 'Yo! Let me go get my Sister!', drawing laughs from the intimate group of Journalists - some unable to contain their excitement for him. "Huge Fan here", one admits to him.

NEW OFFICIAL POSTER FOR "MAGIC MIKE"

Official Artwork for Magic Mike

What do you think of this new Official Poster for Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike? Who's Abs did your eyes migrate to first?  Okay I'll leave you all alone now.... Bye.

Magic Mike is out Friday, June 29, 2012.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

THE CAST OF "MAGIC MIKE" ON ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

The Cast of Magic Mike on Entertainment Weekly

Entertainment Weekly features the Cast of Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike on their current Issue, and posing for an exclusive Photo Shoot are Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello and Matt Bomer! 

The Boys tell the Magazine all about hilarious antics they experienced on-set and especially McConaughey had a bit of a close call doing one Dance Sequence where the weight of the Dollar Bills from Extras pulled on his Thong so hard that it fell off. "I stayed in sequence,” says The Lincoln Lawyer Star. “I went for the tuck. [Mimes covering his manhood] I went for the roll. [Mimes doing a forward roll] And I finished the dance.”.

The Magic Mike Issue of Entertainment Weekly is now on Newsstands. Warner Bros. releases Magic Mike on June 29, 2012.

Click here to read more and to see a Video.

(Photo credit: Entertainment Weekly)

FIRST OFFICIAL TRAILER: "MAGIC MIKE"

Still from Magic Mike

"Women. Money. And a good time".

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I first heard Steven Soderbergh was working with Channing Tatum on a Male Stripper Flick based somewhat on Tatum's life? A full official Trailer for Magic Mike finally has surfaced and this actually looks like lots of fun and can't wait to see more... err, or do I mean less? LOL

Warner Bros. releases Magic Mike June 29, 2012. Tatum, Pettyfer. Bomer. McConaughey. Soderbergh. Summer heat.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

FIRST LOOK: "MAGIC MIKE" STARRING ALEX PETTYFER, MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY & CHANNING TATUM

Still from Magic Mike

Finally, we get a first look at Steven Soderbergh's Male-Stripper Drama Magic Mike. The Film centers around The Kid (a now-buff Alex Pettyfer) who goes under the wings of a professional, more experienced Dancers named Mike (Channing Tatum) and Dallas (Matthew McConaughey). It is said that Tatum played a great part behind-the-scenes crafting the Story and that much of this is based upon his own experiences formerly as an Exotic Dancer.

Here we have the incredibly fit and good looking Cast ready to answer the call of the Drill Sargent (McConaughey), doing his nation proud with a flag tied around his neck.  Nothing like some good old-fashion Patriotism.

Speaking of Patriotism, Warner Bros. will be releasing Magic Mike right before 4th of July weekend on June 29, 2012 and I'm sure many of you are ready to salute!  

2012 will be a busy year for Tatum as he has Haywire out on January 20, 2012, Toronto-filmed The Vow out on February 10, 2012 in-time for Valentine's Day, 21 Jump Street on March 12, 2012 and G.I. Joe: Retaliation out on June 29, 2012.  His Ten Year, which premiered at TIFF last September also is still waiting on a release date also.  I'm out of breath just typing that....

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY PROPOSES TO CAMILIA ALVES

Camilia Alves & Matthew McConaughey - Christmas 2011

Matthew McConaughey might have had more than just a Christmas Gift in-store for Partner of four years, Camilia Alves, who also happens to be the Mother of his two Children Levi and Vida. A freshly-buzzed McConaughey posted this Photo via Twitter after proposing to Alves on Christmas Day. FeliciDADes!

Follow Matthew McConaughey on Twitter here.

(Photo credit: Matthew McConaughey)

MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY JOINS CAST OF "MAGIC MIKE"

Matthew McConaughey in Toronto - March 2011

It's official.  Magic Mike just may be the sexiest Film to hit theatres in 2012.  As announced previously Steven Soderbergh is helming a Film about Male Strippers titled Magic Mike.  Its Story follows Mike (Channing Tatum), a veteran Exotic Dancer, who mentors a newcomer played by Alex Pettyfer.  McConaughey, according to Entertainment Weekly will be playing the role of the Club Owner.  

Magic Mike begins filming September 14, 2011, just after Tatum's likely return to Toronto for TIFF, where he is expected to show up for the Premiere of Ten Year, also starring his Wife Jenna Dewan. We'll know that for sure though when the official Guest List for TIFF is announced next Tuesday, August 23, 2011.  

Tatum was in Toronto just last Fall, filming The Vow alongside Rachel McAdams, which will be released Valentine's Day 2012. 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"LIMITLESS" ACHIEVES BOX OFFICE PERFECTION

Still from Limitless

Just as its Hero reaches perfection with a Miracle Drug, Limitless does the same at the Box Office this weekend debuting on-top with $19 million for Relativity Media/Rogue in the U.S. and Alliance Films in Canada. This is Bradley Cooper's fourth Film to debut at the number one spot in two years, others include He's Just Not That Into You, The Hangover and Valentine's Day. Another Film, The A-Team debuted at number two.

Rango, which debuted on-top two weeks ago is still hanging strong, placing second in its third week of release. The Animated Feature from Paramount brought in $15.5 million, just ahead of last week's number one, Battle: Los Angeles with $14.5 million.

Matthew McConaughey-headlining The Lincoln Lawyer which continues to win raves with 80% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes, debuts in fourth for Summit Entertainment with $13.6 million from 2,707 theatres, just ahead of Alien-Comedy Paul which lands in fifth also in its debut for Universal.

Red Riding Hood in its second week slips to sixth with $7.3 million, bringing its total to $26 million and appearing to under-perform domestically. It has yet to open overseas, where likely it will fare better for Warner Bros.

MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY IN TORONTO FOR "THE LINCOLN LAWYER"

Matthew McConaughey in Toronto - March 2011

Once voted People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive, Matthew McConaughey has been quieter of late on the Film Front, but he is already winning lots of praise for his work in upcoming release The Lincoln Lawyer. The Film is based upon the 2005 Novel by Michael Connelly and centers around a Lawyer  named Mickey Haller (McConaughey) who works out of the back of a Lincoln Town Car around Los Angeles, while his Client works to pay off his overdue legal fees.  He must defend Client Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe) against Attempted Murder and Assault charges after being framed.

McConaughey is now in full promotional swing for The Lincoln Lawyer and just made a stopoff in Toronto at CBC's George Stroumbouloupoulous Tonight, plus doing an interview with that network's Ilana Banks also.  Banks gushed to me, "He sure had a twinkle in his eye and is proud of his new flick".  

Arriving in an Escalade - not a Town Car, which would have been more fitting perhaps - McConaughey was surrounded by a small crowd of Fans and Paparazzi, stopping to sign a meager three Autographs, mumbling "I'm  just going to keep walking" aloud. 

I will not be shy in saying that I possess one of these few Autographs, a gorgeous 8x10 of him in a Dolce & Gabanna Ad (seen right) reading "jk livin' (an abbreviation of just keep livin'), Matthew McConaughey".  Notoriously Paparazzi-shy, McConaughey disappointingly refused Autographs and Photos with Fans who braved the cold weather, as he exited the venue amidst flashing Cameras.  The Stroumboulopoulous interview will be airing at a later date.  Check his official website for details.

And why not one more Photo of the handsome Actor just for good measure?