FIRST TRAILER: "GAME CHANGE" STARRING JULIANNE MOORE AS SARAH PALIN

Still from Game Change

 "It wasn't my fault, I wasn't properly prepped".

Julianne Moore like the brilliant Actress she is, absolutely transforms into Sarah Palin in this intriguing first Trailer for HBO's Game Change. Delving behind-the scenes on the intense relationship between John McCain and the famed former Alaskan Governor, this would appear immediately to a bit more on the satirical side.  One thing's for sure -  Palin isn't portrayed all that favourably from what we see here and if anything, she seems rather unstable. Directed by Jay Roach, Game Change also stars Woody Harrelson, Ron Livingston, Sarah Paulson and Ed Harris.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Game Change airs on HBO, Saturday, March 10, 2012.

(Photo/video credit: HBO)

"AMERICAN HORROR STORY" TO RETURN NEXT SEASON WITH NEW CAST

Still from American Horror Story

One of my latest obsessions is FX's American Horror Story, which concluded its first season just recently after 13 episodes. The Horror Drama is pretty much the best thing to happen to surface on Television in quite some time, daring to go where few others have before. Produced by Glee's Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy, the Series is a complete departure from what we are used to with the antics over at William McKinley High School. And I pray that unlike Glee, all of American Horror Story's glory isn't all thrown into its first Season only.

The First Season centers around the Harmon Family: Ben (Dylan McDermott), Viven (Connie Britton) and their Daughter Violet (Taissa Farmiga), who move into a Home with a horrible, horrible history.  Their Neighbour, the overbearing Constance (Jessica Lange), constantly is lurking about, holding the key to some disturbing secrets which unlock their fate.  The Supporting Cast also includes Kate Mara, Zachary Quinto, Frances Conroy, Sarah Paulson and Denis O'Hare.

"MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Martha Marcy May Marlene

It's rare that I see a Movie so riveting that I'm haunted for days after and that's how I feel about Martha Marcy May Marlene. The Pyscho-thriller from Director Sean Durkin centers on a young Woman named Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) who escapes a Cult, then trying to reconnect with her estranged older Sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and Brother-in-Law Ted (Hugh Dancy).

Seemingly safe in being three hours away from the Cult Camp to which she belonged under the watchful eye of manipulative Leader Patrick (John Hawkes), Martha struggles to open-up to and connect with Lucy about the mysterious two-year gap where neither had been in-touch.  Silently, Martha is tortured by the shocking memories of her past two years, which saw her being brainwashed under Cult mentality, transitioning into an Enabler and a Sexual Commodity.  

Tensions mount between Lucy, Ted and Martha as the latter fails to transition back into a normal life, causing much strain on Lucy and Ted's marriage.  We witness Martha's Paranoia getting the better of her as time lines are crisscrossed between current and past.  Will she be able to escape her secretive past or will it destroy her and her Family altogether?

I cannot praise enough Olsen's daring performance here as Martha, as she disappears completely into her role at a level reminiscent of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Scarlett Johansson when they first had exploded as Darlings of Cinema. She handles the wide range required of her role with skilled precision, going with ease from fearfully trembling, to being emotionally numb, to outright vicious and at times hysterical.

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO SEE "MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE" IN TORONTO

Official Artwork for Martha Marcy May Marlene
(Subject to Classification)

Martha Marcy May Marlene is a powerful Psychological Thriller starring Elizabeth Olsen as Martha, a young Woman rapidly unraveling amidst her attempt to reclaim a normal life after fleeing from a Cult and its charismatic Leader (John Hawkes). Seeking help from her estranged older Sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and Brother-in-Law (Hugh Dancy), Martha is unable and unwilling to reveal the truth about her disappearance. When her memories trigger a chilling paranoia that her former Cult could still be pursuing her, the line between Martha's reality and delusion begins to blur.

After winning uanimous praise at TIFF, Sundance and Cannes earlier this year, talented new Director Sean Durkin is ready to unleash the hotly-tipped Martha Marcy May Marlene, featuring a breakthrough performance by Elizabeth Olsen, younger Sister of Moguls, Ashley & Mary-Kate.  For the first-time ever, Fox Searchlight Canada & Mr. Will-W.: Pop Maven are partnering to give ten lucky Readers Double Passes to  a Toronto Advance Screening of this exciting Thriller on Monday, October 24, 2011.

To enter to win, all you have to do is go to Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and "like" this Post.  Your deadline is Friday, October 21, 2011.  Good luck, Mavenati!

Watch the haunting Trailer in full for Martha Marcy May Marlene:

SARAH PAULSON AT TIFF 2011 WITH "MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE"

Sarah Paulson & Mr. Will-W.

Sarah Paulson was my first Celebrity spotting at TIFF 2011 and I caught her arriving in Toronto earlier this afternoon. She arrived a bit early as her Premiere for Martha Marcy May Marlene isn't until Sunday at Ryerson Theatre. The Drama about a young Woman looking to flee a Cult also stars one of this year's most exciting new names, Elizabeth Olsen who also arrived today.

Although Paulson is known mostly for her TV work, Martha Marcy May Marlene is gaining tons of acclaim already among the Critics and I can't wait to see it! Will let you know my thoughts in a bit.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)