MARK WAHLBERG PURCHASES $12 MILLION CONDOMINIUM IN YORKVILLE

Mark Wahlberg in Toronto - May 2011

There's a new Boy on the block! After a bit of speculation, it's been confirmed that Mark Wahlberg has purchased a $12 million Condominium at 36 Hazelton Avenue on the seventh floor. The 4,600 square foot Penthouse is said to have "360-degree knockout views" for the star of The Fighter, who just confirmed this weekend on Spike TV's Guys Choice Awards that he is commencing work on a Sequel to the Oscar-nominated Boxing Drama.

Building Amenities at the Condominium include a Wine Cellar with Lockable Fridges, plus a Wine Tasting Room.  There also will be Car Washing and Dog Washing Stations in the Underground Garage.

Of course I'm thrilled about this news as Wahlberg's lavish new Toronto Home is less than about a five-minute walk from me.  Welcome to the neighbourhood, Mark!  I'll be bringing over a Basket of Muffins - Carb-free of course!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

MARK WAHLBERG & TIE DOMI SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Mark Wahlberg in Toronto - December 2010

The Boys are back in town! BFFs Mark Wahlberg and former Toronto Maple Leaf Tie Domi were out and about the City this evening and after being spotted in Yorkville earlier - where they have been known to stay in the past - they enjoyed some Italian fare among Friends at Biagio on King St. this evening.

Having just been to the City this past December to promote subsequent Academy Award-winning The Fighter, Wahlberg traveled with less Entourage than normal tonight and came out afterward to greet Fans on the street, signing Autographs and taking Photos with them.  Not at all surprising - he's one of the nicest!

In addition to working together with Author James Frey (as announced previously here) on a new HBO series about Porn and evolution to the Internet, Wahlberg is also teaming-up again with The Other Guys Co-star Will Ferrell for Warner Bros.' upcoming Comedy, Turkey Bowl.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

2011 ACADEMY AWARDS RECAP

Natalie Portman at the 83rd Academy Awards

The 83rd Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre this evening, were marred most perhaps by predictability. As Award after Award was handed-out this evening, it became more and more apparent that there were not going to be any real surprises in the most anticipated categories.   

Colin Firth as Actor in a Leading Role, yes - saw it a mile away.  Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, giving The Fighter an Oscar double in the Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role categories respectively - yes.  Aaron Sorkin for Adapted Screenplay with The Social Network - uh-huh.  Inception in the technical categories: Sound Editing, Visual Effects, Editing, Sound Mixing - yup.

The biggest surprise in my opinion was The King's Speech Director Tom Hooper nabbing the Award for Directing over The Social Network's David Fincher, a telling sign that the former would go on to win the coveted Best Picture Award.  Another telling sign was that Colin Firth's now-famous Speech in that Film was played over a Montage of all the Best Picture Nominees prior to the Award being announced.  The Weinstein Brothers sure know how to win an Oscar, that much I'll say.

HOPKINS TOPS BOX OFFICE FOR FIRST TIME IN NINE YEARS WITH "THE RITE"

Still from The Rite

In a tepid weekend at the Box Office, Exorcism-themed Thriller The Rite finds itself on top with $15 million from 2,985 screens. Starring The Tudors' Colin O'Donoguhe and veteran Anthony Hopkins, this marks the first time a Hopkins Film has topped the Box Office since 2002's Red Dragon.  Read my review of The Rite here.

Last week's champion No Strings Attached slips one spot to second with $13.6 million this weekend, the second week in a row Natalie Portman has two films in the Top Ten. Portman's Fox Searchlight Oscar vehicle, Black Swan, accounts for the eighth spot with $5.1 million as it closes in on the $100 million mark domestically. Well done.

Action Hunk Jason Statham's The Mechanic accounts for third spot with $11.5 million for recently-launched CBS Films. The Film has received mixed reviews overall, with 48% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.

"THE KING'S SPEECH" TOPS RIVALS WITH 12 OSCAR NOMINATIONS

Still from The King's Speech

Some surprises, but not really. This year’s Oscar nominations were announced earlier today and The King’s Speech from The Weinstein Co. towers over its rivals with a total twelve nominations, including the most coveted category of Best Picture in which it will be up against nine other titles. It is considered a favourite especially in the Best Actor category based on the strength of Colin Firth’s career-best performance, but also Co-stars Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter also get recognized for their work in the Best Supporting Actor/Actress categories.

Paramount Pictures’ Western-Drama True Grit garnered an impressive ten nominations also with Jeff Bridges surprising some with a Best Actor nomination after having won that Award last year. Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ Blockbuster Inception earned a total eight nominations, although mostly in technical categories and less for Acting. This ranks Inception as the third most nominated Film in this year’s Oscars race, alongside Sony Pictures’ The Social Network which many consider to be the frontrunner for Best Picture based on its wins in precursor ceremonies like the most recent Golden Globes.  The King's Speech however, edged it out this past weekend in the Producer's Guild Awards. 

Another title from Paramount Pictures’ The Fighter, consistently has been in the thick of it this Awards season, garnering seven nominations (three coming from its outstanding Support Cast members Amy Adams, Melissa Leo and Christian Bale). Many are wondering though whether or not the split votes between Adams and Leo will aid for True Grit’s 14 year-old Star Hailee Steinfeld, who is seen as a Dark Horse to win Best Supporting Actress in her first role ever in a Film.

"NO STRINGS ATTACHED" TIES UP THE TOP SPOT AT BOX OFFICE

Still from No Strings Attached

No one can deny that Natalie Portman is the Belle of the Ball right now and she tops of the Box Office this weekend with Paramount Pictures' No Strings Attached, for which she is listed as not only its Star, but also a Producer. Despite mixed reviews overall (51% on Rotten Tomatoes), Moviegoers were not deterred with a projected total $20 million in a strong debut.

The Green Hornet 3-D continues to perform well, giving Sony Pictures a sigh of relief after multiple delays resulted from Re-shoots for the Comic adaptation. It is expected to bring in $17 million in its second week, bringing its two-week tally to $67.5 million.  It is performing fairly well overseas also, where it pulled in $15 million last weekend in select countries.

Ron Howard's The Dilemma which slips only one spot to third this weekend with $10 million for Universal Pictures, just ahead of Producer's Guild Award-winner The King's Speech which lands in fourth with $8.5 million for The Weinstein Co.

The team at Fox Searchlight surely are patting themselves on the back for the massive success that is Black Swan making for a second Portman Film in this weekend's Top Ten. Based on this weekend's $5.7 million, its total domestic run has brought home $83 million. Again, it was made for only $13 million and this tally does not even include overseas numbers.  I've seen it six times!

The Fighter also in its sixth week is still in the Top Ten impressively, hanging on in eighth spot with $4 million. Its total run so far has brought in $72.5 million in these parts for Paramount and Alliance Films, north and south of the Border respectively.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 68TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

Aaron Sorkin

For those of you who missed the 68th annual Golden Globes tonight on NBC, here's a recap and some highlights:

-The Social Network executes a full-on assault on the evening, winning most major Awards - Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Director (David Fincher), Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin) and Best Score (Trent Reznor)

-The televised broadcast going black as Natalie Portman is announced as a nominee for Best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture for Black Swan.  Of course she won joking, "That Man - Benjamin Millepied - he`s the best Actor ever because in the Film he said he wouldn`t sleep with me and look, he really does want to sleep with me! ". Millepied is now engaged to Portman and the Father of their Child, to be born this Summer.

-Colin Firth winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for The King's Speech and true to character, delivering understated words.  No surprises there.

-A recovering Michael Douglas presenting the Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama to The Social Network Producer Scott Rudin; Douglas received a standing ovation.

NATALIE PORTMAN WINS AT CRITICS' CHOICE AWARDS

Natalie Portman at the 2010 Critics' Choice Movie Awards

Natalie Portman is winning so many Awards already for Black Swan that I've decided to coin a new term: Congratalie which has been created to save effort in congratulating Natalie Portman on her Award wins.  Portman won Best Actress last night at the 16th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles and I doubt anybody would dispute her deserving this.  Garbed in a lovely Gianfranco Ferre number which helped flatter that Baby Bump, the Actress was all smiles as she was presented the Award by Kevin Spacey.

Other winners last night include Colin Firth for Best Actor, Hailee Steinfeld for Best Young Actor, a pair of wins for The Fighter in the categories of Best Supporting Actor (Christian Bale) and Best Supporting Actress (Melissa Leo).  The Social Network was a big winner last night also winning top honours for Best Movie, Best Director (David Fincher) and also Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin).  No surprises here.  Don't forget to tune into tomorrow night's Golden Globe Awards, which air 8 PM EST on NBC.

Kevin Winters, my favourite Paparazzi took some amazing shots last night and you can see all 270+ Photos at Zimbio here.  For more highlights from the night visit the VH1 website.

(Photo credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

"TRUE GRIT" EXPECTED TO TAKE TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Still from True Grit

In a tight finish for a third consecutive week, True Grit and Little Fockers duke it out Cowboy style at the Box Office. True Grit based on preliminary numbers from Friday, is expected to take the top spot with $13.5 million. Two-week champion Little Fockers, is expected to land in second with $13.2 million although it could well take top spot after final tallies come in tomorrow.  Screeners have already floated online as illegal downloads for True Grit, not impacting its Box Office performance.

Season of the Witch, which critically has been-panned, the latest in a series of Box Office and critical failures from Oscar winner Nicolas Cage, is expected to bring in $9.2 million, good enough for third spot in its debut. Rotten Tomatoes has pegged the Film at 1% on the Tomatometer. Pathetic.

Sony Screen Gems' Country Strong also failed to impress the Critics despite high hopes, but doesn't disgrace itself in its debut with $7.5 million in fourth. Keep in mind that it only opened in 1,424 theatres versus Season of the Witch which is showing in 2,816 theatres.

"TRUE GRIT" AIMS LASSO AT "FOCKERS" FOR TOP SPOT OF BOX OFFICE

Still from True Grit

Despite early predictions that True Grit would take the top spot at the Box Office this New Year`s Weekend, your top three is identical to that of the week prior.  Last week`s champion Little Fockers, took top spot with $26.3 million from 3,554 theatres over a determined True Grit which brought in $24.5 million from 3,083 theatres. 

Even though it hasn't exceeded expectations, Disney`s TRON: Legacy continues to perform consistently in third again with an estimated $18.3 million this weekend.  Another representative from the same studio Tangled 3-D lands in sixth - also v. consistent considering it is now in its fifth week of release, surviving a competitive Holiday release schedule.

The Fighter likely will surpass the $45 million mark this weekend in seventh, bringing in $10 million for Paramount Pictures, just ahead of two other Best Picture contenders in Black Swan (ninth - $8.4 million) and The King`s Speech (tenth - $7.6 million), the latter which just expanded to 700 theatres.  In Canada, both Fighter and Speech are distributed by Alliance Films, marking a successful last quarter which will also see expansions for Sofia Coppola`s Somewhere and Derek Cianfrance`s Blue Valentine in coming weeks.

"LITTLE FOCKERS" TOPS THE BOX OFFICE CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

Still from Little Fockers

Staying true to form, the latest installment of the Meet the Parents franchise, Little Fockers, lands on-top of the Box Office this Christmas long weekend. The Comedy starring Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand, brought in a healthy $34.1 million from 3,536 theatres, significantly weaker than 2004's Meet the Fockers which brought in $46.1 million in its debut also on Christmas weekend.

Performing surprisingly well in second is True Grit with $25.6 million from 3,047 theatres. It has grossed $36.8 million since Wednesday and was made from $38 million, proving a moneymaker for Paramount Pictures.

Disney's TRON: Legacy 3-D this weekend slips to third spot with $20.1 million in its second week. The visually stunning Film has made $88.2 million in total, just shy of the $170 million it cost to make. Around the world though, it has made $111 million and that is nothing to scoff about.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of Dawn Treader started strong three weeks ago and is still holding on in fourth spot. Although it has only made $63.9 million in North America, this third Film from the Narnia series, actually fared much better overseas, where it has made $128.9 million to-date.

17TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Still from The Fighter

Nominees for the Screen Actors Guild Awards have just been announced and perhaps this is a better indication of what's to come for the Oscars than the randomness of Monday's Golden Globe nominees.  Honouring the v. best performances in Television and Film, the SAGs will air Sunday, January 30, 2011 on TBS.

The Fighter ties The King's Speech in leading all nominees with four nods each. Surprisingly, The Social Network only earned two nominations this time - Oustanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture and Oustanding Performance by an Actor in Leading Role in a Motion Picture.

Both Robert Duvall for Get Low and Jeff Bridges for True Grit finally get some recognition this Awards season in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role alongside favourites Jesse Eisenberg for The Social Network, Colin Firth for The King's Speech and James Franco for 127 Hours.

2011 GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Golden Globe Award

Nominees for the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced earlier today and the Hollywood Foreign Press Assocation made some good choices and some odd ones too in honouring the best in both Television and Film.  The King's Speech led all others with a total seven nominations, while The Fighter and The Social Network followed behind closely with six each.

Nominees for Best Motion Picture, Drama include Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The King's Speech and The Social Network - all excellent and deserving choices.  The HFPA however, raised a few eyebrows for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy with choices like Alice in Wonderland 3-D, Burlesque, The Tourist and Red, showing signs that perhaps this category has outgrown its name? The clear-cut favourite here would be The Kids Are All Right, looking like a shoe-in for the win against these.

The match for Best Director is a competitive one with finalists which including Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), David Fincher (The Social Network), Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), Christopher Nolan (Inception) and David O. Russell (The Fighter) - all deserving of the win.

NEW YORK FILM CRITICS SOCIETY WINNERS ANNOUNCED - "THE SOCIAL NETWORK" CONTINUES TO DOMINATE

Still from The Social Network

One of the more important precursors to the Oscars is the New York Film Critics’ Circle Awards just held earlier today. In what’s looking more and more like a shoe-in for Best Picture next February is David Fincher’s The Social Network, which won top honour of Best Film; Fincher also nabbed Best Director.  But get this though - The Social Network this weekend was also awarded Best Film unilaterally by the Los Angeles Film Critics Assocation, the Boston Society of Film Critics and New York Film Critics Online. 

Surprisingly, Best Actress was handed to Annette Bening for The Kids are All Right over Natalie Portman in Black Swan, while Best Actor honours went according to plan with Colin Firth, winning in that category for The King’s Speech.  Black Swan won for Best Cinematography possibly due to a local bias seeing that much of the Film was shot in Brooklyn.

Melissa Leo, just in Toronto this past weekend, won Best Supporting Actress for The Fighter, yet another trophy in her cabinet after just receiving an award for that same performance, from the Boston Society of Film Critics too. Mark Ruffalo won for Best Supporting Actor in The Kids are All Right and it would be amazing to see him rewarded with an Oscar nomination next year for the first time.

Click here to read about more of the Winners.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

MARK WAHLBERG & MELISSA LEO IN TORONTO FOR "THE FIGHTER" PREMIERE | AUTOGRAPH GIVEAWAY

Mark Wahlberg & Mr. Will-W.

It was a star-studded day in Toronto as we were lucky enough to get an official Premiere for heavily Oscar-buzzed The Fighter and stars Mark Wahlberg and Melissa Leo descended upon Yorkville to do a full afternoon of Press.  The Biopic about Boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward's rise to fame is receiving accolades galore and just last week the National Board of Review awarded the distinction of Best Supporting Actor to Christian Bale for his portrayal of Boxer Dickie Ecklund, older brother of Ward.

Melissa Leo & Mr. Will-W.

I was lucky to spot Leo as she was out on a Cigarette Break outside her Hotel.  She plays the domineering Manager/Mother of both Brothers in the Film, Alice Ward, and I got to chat with her quickly about her performance, telling her how I found her outright terrifying.  Graciously, she thanked me for the praise and told me "Alice is actually a wonderful Woman and I loved getting to work with her on this Film."  Leo was  rather surprised that I would even have a Photo for her to sign, but in actuality, I've loved Leo's work of late whether it be her Oscar-nominated performance in Frozen River or her villainous turn in this year's Conviction.   "Alright Will, I'm gonna need to borrow your back to sign this Photo so I'm gonna need you to turn around", and she proceeded to sign on my back before confessing that she was actually on a bit of a Secret Break, then rushing back to do some more Press.  Amazing.

"THE TOURIST" FALLS SHORT AS "NARNIA" SOARS; "BLACK SWAN" AND "THE FIGHTER" WOW AT BOX OFFICE

Still from The Tourist

Yikes. Despite high hopes for Sony Pictures' seemingly sure-fire hit The Tourist starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, Deadline reports that the Action-Drama looks like it will only bring in about $18.5 million. Keep in mind though that despite its in Wide Release, it is showing on only 2,756 Screens compared to this Weekend's expected Box Office Champion Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of Dawn Teader 3-D. The latest in the series of Children's Book adaptations likely will pull in $28.5 million by end of day Sunday.  Reviews for both are mixed to negative according to Critical aggregate Rotten Tomaotes.

Last week's top Film Disney's Tangled 3-D pulled in $3.4 million last night, which will place it in third overall with $14.5 million approximately. Surprisingly still in-the-money is Christina Aguilera and Cher's  Burlesque, which likely will  pull-in $3.2 million in by end of Weekend; good enough to land it in sixth but still not enough to recoup its $55 million spent in production costs.

All eyes are Fox Searchlight's Black Swan which continues to wow. Expanding only to 90 theatres yesterday, it still brought in $925k. Expect it to place in eighth with $3 million. 

Boiling under is The Fighter which premiered last night in New York City with Amy Adams and Mark Wahlberg in attendance, earning a stellar $90k from just four theatres as the "Irish" Mickey Ward-centered Biopic debuted in Limited Release. Expect big things as buzz is feverish and don't forget to check back tomorrow for pics from its Toronto Premiere right here.

THE FIGHTER REVIEW

Still from The Fighter

The Fighter is a remarkable film in that with the throw of a punch, Director David O. Russell covers an inordinate amount of ground in this Biopic about former Welterweight Boxing World Champion "Irish" Mickey Ward. Is it a Comedy? At moments. Is there Drama? Lots of it. Is it a Love Story? Sure, there is. Is it an Action Film? There are many intense, tightly-choreographed Fight scenes, so I'm inclined to say yes. Is there heart and soul to the story? It's a Technical Knockout.

The Film recounts Mickey's (Mark Wahlberg) rise to the top, starting off as a young man Boxing out of financial necessity in Lowell, Massachusetts. Overshadowed by his older Brother Dickie (Christian Bale) whose claim to fame once was defeating the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard, Mickey struggles to find his own identity as a Boxer. Managed by his domineering Mother Alice (Melissa Leo), he finds himself questioning his own best interests as both she and Dickie seem more fixated on launching the latter's Comeback, having battled many years of setbacks due to his Crack Addiction.

Dickie soon finds himself in legal trouble after being driven to Crime out of financial desperation,  landing himself in Prison. Mickey is no longer able to support the questionable ways of his older Brother and this causes a divide between him and his Family.  Above this, Dickie's lack of focus and dedication in guiding Mickey's career continues to leave him with lackluster results.  Mickey finds comfort and self-confidence in tough-talking Girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams) and a new Trainer, much to the disappointment of Alice and Dickie who had been an integral part of his career all along.  We wonder, will Mickey ever realize his full potential as a Boxer?  Also, will he become a Casualty of War in being pulled two polar opposite directions by the people who matter most to him?

CHRISTIAN BALE ROCKS A TRACKSUIT AT PREMIERE OF "THE FIGHTER"

Dickie Ecklund & Christian Bale at The Fighter Premiere

The Cast of The Fighter graced Grauman Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles last night for that Film's Premiere and everyone arrived glam.... except for Christian Bale who plays Boxer Dickie Ecklund in the Film.  Bale showed up to the Red Carpet of the event sporting (fittingly) a Tracksuit with a Jacket inscribed with Ecklund's name on it, paying homage to the former Athlete.  Ecklund is the older Brother of  legendary Boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward (Mark Wahlberg), whom the Film centers around and he was also in attendance last night, jokingly throwing Bale a punch for the Cameras, as seen above.



The Fighter continues to garner lots of Oscar buzz especially for Bale's performance with him just being named last week Best Supporting Actor by the National Board of Review.  I have seen the Film aleady and loved it but due to an Embargo, will not be able to post the Review til later this week.  Bale puts forth his best performance yet.  It will be in Limited Release in the U.S. this Friday and Canadians will get to see the film the following week.  Check back.

Visit Zimbio for more pictures from the Premiere here.

(Photo credit: Zimbio/Getty Images)

EARLY REVIEWS FOR "THE FIGHTER" POUR IN

Still from The Fighter

Early reviews are coming in for The Fighter and although the reviews are generally positive, I'll let you decide just how positive they are based on comments from some my favourite Critics.

Peter DeBruge at Variety feels, "The Fighter feels like kind of a mess, lurching from one scene to the next as if the film itself has taken a few hits to the head, that's not entirely a bad thing."

Kirk Honeycutt at The Hollywood Reporter wasn't as kind in his review stating, "True story of Boxer 'Irish' Micky Ward is played for domestic drama about a dysfunctional family that never quite earns your sympathy."

Kris Tapley at InContention notes, "I’d say we’re looking at a solid contender for a Best Picture nomination. The film played like gangbusters and I’ve heard from numerous critical minds responding likewise, so erase all doubt."

Our friends at Awards Daily have a few more reviews posted here for those who are curious.

I am excited particularly about Amy Adams' performance as she's been quiet of late and this will be a bit of a transformation into a tougher role which sees her throwing a punch or two as Ward's (Mark Wahlberg) wife.  And if all else fails, Wahlberg will be shirtless (again) for much of the film so you just can't go wrong!

TWO-MINUTE TRAILER FOR "THE FIGHTER" REVEALED

Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter

David O. Russell's (I Heart Huckabees, Three Kings) The Fighter won't be out until December 10, 2010, but a two minute-long Trailer of the film which aired during last night's Mad Men Season Finale, sure got a few people excited.  The Academy loves a good Boxing movie as evinced by Best Picture winners, Million Dollar Baby and Rocky.

The film about Boxer Mickey Ward before he established himself in the professional ranks, looks rather intense and sure packs a punch especially with glimpses of its supporting cast including a barely recognizable Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo, who all transform into their characters.  And I haven't even mentioned Mark Wahlberg's impressive physical transformation as lead character Ward.

Visit the official site for Paramount Pictures' The Fighter here.