ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF "THE ART AND MAKING OF 'PARANORMAN'"

ParaNorman Zombie Slippers

With just two weeks till its release, expectations and hopes are high for ParaNorman, the Stop-Motion Animation Feature from the same Team which brought us Academy Award-nominated Coraline.  Upon checking my mail today, I was delighted to find these v. cute Slippers inspired by the Zombies seen in the Movie.  I can't stop wearing them and furthermore, can't wait to review it next week!

ParaNorman centers around a misunderstood Boy named Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who is called upon to save his Town - under-siege by Zombies - with his abilities to communicate with the Dead.  The Film also features the Voices of Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jodelle Ferland, John Goodman and Casey Affleck.

Alliance Films releases ParaNorman in Canada on August 17, 2012.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

MOVIE REVIEW: "WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING"

Still from What to Expect When You're Expecting

Intertwining the experiences of five Couples in New York City, What to Expect When You're Expecting brings to the Big Screen Stories inspired by Heidi Murkoff's popular Pregnancy Books of the same name. As often is the case with Movies with All-Star Casts, Story Lines do suffer, but Director Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee, Everybody's Fine) successfully manages to draw some strong performances from his highly talented (and recognizable) Ensemble.

In this super-sized Rom-Com we meet Jules (Cameron Diaz) and Evan (Matthew Morrison), a Couple who are united by a Dancing with the Stars-esque Reality TV Series. We also meet Gary (Ben Falcone) and Wendy (Elizabeth Banks) - the latter a Breastfeeding Advocate and Pregnancy Expert whom herself is struggling to become pregnant. Gary's Father Ramsey (Dennis Quaid) and young Stepmother Skyler (Brooklyn Decker) might be divided by an age gap, but their zest for life is the glue which binds them together. Marco (Chace Crawford) and Rosie (Anna Kendrick) run competing Food Trucks and one day that passion for competition spills over into their personal lives. Alex (Rodrigo Santoro) and Holly (Jennifer Lopez) are a Couple just getting established in their Careers, now contemplating Adoption. Although their lives are rather different, these Couples are all joined by one common thread - they are expecting Children.  They each soon learn though that this isn't quite what they were expecting.

What to Expect When You're Expecting is well aware of its stature primarily as a Comedy, yet it hits all the correct notes emotionally, capturing the essence and beauty what it means to become a Parent and giving the gift of Life. Some of the Humour borders on Judd Apatow-crude, yet through it all, the experience is rewarding.  Tears and sniffles are unavoidable, judging at least from the response at the Screening I attended.

Lopez truly delivers some of her best work here, while Banks is commanding whenever she appears.  Decker may be a Newcomer to Film, but holds her own against several Black Type sorts here.  Most natural on-screen is the sizzling Chemistry between Kendrick and Crawford, although their intriguing Story Line falls flat after showing much promise early.

What to Expect When You're Expecting gives Ladies the right to be "Pro-choice" at Theatres this weekend amidst the Battle of the male-centric Blockbusters.  Alliance Films releases Friday, May 18, 2012.

ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO SEE "WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING" IN TORONTO, OTTAWA, HALIFAX & WINNIPEG

Official Artwork for What to Expect When You're Expecting

Director Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee, Everybody's Fine) brings us a star-studded Affair like none other with What to Expect When You're Expecting. Based on the bestselling Pregnancy Guide by Heidi Murkoff, the Rom-Com brings together five interconnected Couples with Babies on-the-way. As they learn though, life isn't always what you expect!

What to Expect When You're Expecting stars Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Brooklyn Decker, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Dennis Quaid, Chace Crawford, Rebel Wilson, Matthew Morrison and many more!

Alliance Films and Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want to give Readers a chance to see this year's most hotly-anticipated Rom-Com before everybody else! To qualify, simply click "like" on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and also this corresponding Post before Sunday, May 13, 2012. Remember to indicate for which City you would like Passes.

Double your odds by Re-Tweeting the following:

@MRWILLW wants you to see What to Expect When You're Expecting. Passes available for HFX, TO, OTT and WPG. #MRWILLWBABY http://tinyurl.com/cwmo6eo

You must also be following on Twitter here. 

Screening Dates are as follows:

Ottawa & Halifax - Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Toronto & Winnipeg - Thursday, May 17, 2012

NOTE: If you have restricted Privacy Settings on Facebook, please ensure you leave an E-mail address or your Twitter account so that I can reach you back. Good luck, Mavenati!

Alliance Films releases What to Expect When You're Expecting on Friday, May 18, 2012. Remember also to follow Alliance Films on Twitter too!

Watch the Trailer for What to Expect When You're Expecting below:

NEW TRAILER: "PARANORMAN"

Still from ParaNorman

"There's nothing wrong with being scared Norman, as long as you don't let it change who you are."

Blithe Hollow's Norman Babcock is often misunderstood, but when that Town is about to be overtaken by the Undead, the young Ghoul Whisperer just might be the one to save its People from a Witch's Curse.

From the same Creators as Academy Award-nominated Coraline, ParaNorman features the voice work of Kodi Smit-McPhee, Casey Affleck, Tempestt Bledsoe, John Goodman, Leslie Mann, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Anna Kendrick and many more.  With a rumoured budget of $60 million, we can expect to be dazzled by this  3-D Stop-Motion Animated Thriller-Comedy when it hits theatres August 17, 2012 via Alliance Films!

Watch this brand new Trailer for ParaNorman below:

"WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING" POSTERS

Official Artwork for What to Expect When You're Expecting

Hot Mama! Lionsgate Films just released these gorgeous new Posters for Rom-Com, What to Expect When You're Expecting with its all-star Cast. Starring Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Cameron Diaz, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Chris Rock, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chace Crawford, Rodrigo Santoro (in an amazing American accent!) and many more, this is the latest effort from Director Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee, Everybody's Fine). The Movie follows five Couples expecting their first Child in New York City and hits theatres May 11, 2012.

J-Lo isn't even showing here. Are we sure she's preggers?  What's the deal?

See more Posters below:

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR "PARANORMAN"

ParaNorman Promo Pack

If the $124 million-earning success of 2009's Coraline is any indication of how this is going to do, expect this to be massive. Slotted for an August 17, 2012 release date, Chris Butler & Sam Fell bring us ParaNorman, a 3-D Stop-motion Animated Comedy/Thriller about a Boy named Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who has the ability to communicate with Ghosts and Zombies. With his abilities, he is called-upon to save his Town from a Curse which dates back many centuries.

ParaNorman features the voice work of Anna Kendrick, John Goodman, Casey Affleck, Leslie Mann, Jodelle Ferland, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and The Cosby Show's Tempestt Bledsoe (!!!).

Our Friends at Alliance Films sent over the above cute Promo Pack for the Movie, so I decided to check it out.   One for your radars - it will be a smash.

Watch the Trailer below:

JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT SNUBS FANS AT TIFF 2011: CO-STARS SHINE

Joseph Gordon-Levitt at TIFF 2011 Premiere of 50/50

The Fans absolutely love Joseph Gordon-Levitt but it would appear he doesn't feel the same about them. Arriving in Toronto just hours before the Premiere of his TIFF 2011 title 50/50, missing its Press Conference yesterday, the talented Actor avoided Fans completely, some who queued up all day hoping just to get an Autograph.

The shy Actor did the same also on his way out of Ryerson Theatre, where the Premiere had been held, sheepishly avoiding eye contact with a smirk on his face.

Co-stars Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard however were wonderful to Fans, making time for them before and after working the Media Line at the Red Carpet, especially fellow Canadian Rogen who drew tons of cheers.  Even Funnywoman Kathy Griffin popped by to walk the Red Carpet to give out a few high-fives and Autographs for laughing out loud!

Read my Review of 50/50 here.

See more Photos below:

50/50 - TIFF MOVIE REVIEW

Still from 50/50

We often don't think of Cancer as a funny thing, but Vancouver-filmed 50/50 makes the most of it finding humour in the worst possible scenario. The Jonathan Levine Film, was written by Will Reiser who was inspired by his own battle with the Disease. It tackles heavy subject matter with a dash of optimism while at the same time, remaining true to the heart of the struggle.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivers a powerful, performance making proud those backers who first took note of his talent as a Child Actor in Sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, and if you weren't sold on him with his work in 2009's sleeper hit 500 Days of Summer, 50/50 will have you seeing him as a cut from the same cloth as talented contemporaries like James Franco and James McAvoy.

Gordon-Levitt's portrayal of Adam is authentic and mostly numbing myself having battled Cancer at one point in my life, I can appreciate that. He brings to life delicately the resentment, the doubts of uncertainty and disappointments which not only come from coping on a personal level, but also seeing how the Disease can affect one's own social support network. Despite being much a Comedy, the focus is honed-in just enough at the right moment that we are reminded how serious Adam's struggle is and ultimately that is where we get a proper glimpse at Gordon-Levitt's range.

EDGAR WRIGHT TO PROMOTE "SCOTT PILGRIM" DVD RELEASE IN TORONTO AT BLOOR CINEMA AND HMV

Although it wasn't profitable at the Box Office with a worldwide tally of $44.4 million earned (made for $60 million), the team behind Scott Pilgrim vs. The World still haven't given-up and they are going all-out again to promote the Tuesday November 9, 2010 release of the DVD.  

Director Edgar Wright will be appearing alongside Toronto's Ellen Wong and Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O'Malley at HMV Yonge St. (Yonge x Dundas - not to be confused with the Eaton Centre location!) on Friday, November 5, 2010 at 12:30 PM.  

At 7:00 PM, the three will be appearing at Bloor Cinema for a free screening of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World in the same city where the film is set and made!  Seating is first come-first serve of course, and some Behind-the-Scenes footage will be shown too.  For more specifics, please visit Wright's website here.

In case you missed my fun photos from the Toronto premiere of the movie in August, check out these exclusives:

• Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Toronto Premiere
• Anna Kendrick & Edgar Wright out in Toronto
• Superman Brandon Routh in Toronto

Have fun if you're going!  Looks like an amazing time.  It doesn't appear rumoured girlfriend of Wright, Anna Kendrick, will be accompanying him on the visit unfortunately.

TWILIGHT AND UP IN THE AIR'S ANNA KENDRICK IN TORONTO

I'm getting a moment finally to upload some pictures from the cast of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World's Toronto visit earlier in the week.  Oscar nominated Anna Kendrick, who made a splash last year with her breakthrough performance alongside George Clooney in Up in the Air, has already developed a bit of a reputation as being avoidant.   Case in point, she was seen with Director Edgar Wright escaping through the back exit of her Hotel and then up along Avenue Rd. prior to heading to a Double Feature screening of Wright's work. 

Clueing into her escapist ways, I was able to catch up with the 25 year-old actress, although she did not make it easy at all, constantly looking backwards to see if she was being followed.  When I and a group of followers finally caught up with her, she was anxious and uncomfortable - constantly reiterating that she had to get going.   Alas, Kendrick could hide no longer and she took photos and signed autographs with a small number of fans. Nice enough, but hardly nice.  Honestly, relax Anna!  We Toronto fans mean no harm. But thanks anyway! Celebrate the fame and enjoy having fans!

Kendrick can be seen in next year's Live With It alongside Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt which was filmed in Vancouver recently.  Also, she can be seen in the next installment of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 2, reprising the role of Jessica Stanley.

TORONTO PREMIERE OF SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD (PHOTOS)

I'm finally getting a chance to upload these photos from the Toronto premiere of forthcoming Action-Hero Comedy Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. The film based on the Graphic Novel Scott Pilgrim by Canadian Bryan Lee O'Malley, was filmed here in Toronto under the Direction of Edgar Wright, who brought us Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead.

The invite-only Gala rolled out a Red Carpet at Elgin Theatre for some of today's most promising talent including the film's two main stars Michael Cera (Johnny Pilgrim) and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Ramona Flowers). The film is about Scott Pilgrim wanting to win the heart of Ramona Flowers, but in order to do so, he must defeat her seven ex-lovers. It features an amazing cast of familiar faces like Brandon Routh, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Jason Schwartzman, Aubrey Plaza and Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick - all of whom you will know after this film is released Friday, August 13, 2010 via Universal Pictures.

Although most of the cast were just wonderfully nice (especially Schwartzman and Torontonian Ellen Wong), I am baffled why Kendrick refuses to pose for photos with fans or even sign autographs, as it was reported that she ignored fans on multiple occasions.   It was noted also that our very own Cera is becoming increasingly difficult to interact with as he tends to keep a distance, not posing for photos with fans.

To learn more about Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, click here.  Check out some pics I got from the Red Carpet below:

VANITY FAIR - HOLLYWOOD'S NEW "IT GIRLS"

.... and a warm welcome goes to Hollywood's newest batch of "It Girls".  These photos above, taken by Annie Leibowitz will be appearing in the March 2010 issue of Vanity Fair and Evgenia Peretz does a brief profile on each of these talented young actresses.

Sasha Stone at one of my favourite blogs Awards Daily, really nailed it on the head though - there are no minorities in this group of actresses.  The Huffington Post made a similar observation.  Is Hollywood really progressing enough to cast actors who are truly indicative of America's social reality?  Or has a wider ethnic spectrum of talent been excluded in this photo shoot?

Included in the group are:

• Carey Mulligan who is getting a lot of Oscar buzz for her breakthrough performance in An Education. I did have the opportunity to meet her last fall at TIFF and she is absolutely delightful.
• Kristen Stewart, star of Twilight and A New Moon.  Her next film in theatres this March is The Runaways, which has her playing rock legend Joan Jett.
• Amanda Seyfried, best known perhaps for her ability to predict weather with her boobs in Mean Girls and for starring alongside Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia.  I also got to meet her a TIFF this past September and she's another sweetheart. Her latest tear-jerker Dear John is also poised to debut big at the Box Office.
• Abbie Cornish, who is getting a bit of Oscar buzz for her turn in Bright Star.
• Rebecca Hall who gave us a wow one-two punch with strong performances in Woody Allen's Vicky Christina Barcelona and then Frost/Nixon.  Love her.
• Emma Stone who was hilarious in The House Bunny as a "sacrificed virgin" and also in Box Office champ Zombieland.
• Anna Kendrick, star of Twilight and Best Supporting Actress contender for her role alongside George Clooney in Up in the Air.  I was inches away from her at TIFF, but had no idea who she was at that point :(
• Evan Rachel Wood, who hasn't quite exceeded the promise she showed in Catherine Hardwicke's Thirteen, but is still undeniably one of the best in her generation.
• Mia Wasikowska, whom I have seen only briefly in failed Amelia Earheart biopic Amelia, but her upcoming starring role in Alice in Wonderland almost guarantees that she will be a big star.

Click here to read the rest of Peretz's write-up.  What I'm really excited to see though is Leibowitz's annual Oscar contender portraits, which will also be featured in the issue.