TIME MAGAZINE REVEALS ITS MOST INFLUENCIAL PEOPLE OF 2011

May 2011 issue of TIME

TIME Magazine has announced its annual TIME 100, honouring the most influencial People in the World. whose ideas have sparked dialogue and even revolution.  Included on the list this year are Arianna Huffington, Bruno Mars, Chris Colfer, Blake Lively,  Justin Bieber, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Mark Zuckerberg, Colin Firth, Sting, Amy Poehler, Michelle Obama and more!

Check out the complete list here.

(Photo credit: TIME)

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.

RENEE ZELLWEGER & COLIN FIRTH REUNITE AT "THE KING'S SPEECH" AUDI PARTY

Renée Zellweger & Colin Firth

She hasn't looked this good in years!  Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth did a Bridget Jones's Diary reunion of their own reunion at Château Marmont last night as Audi hosted a part for Oscar Contender The King's Speech. 

The Party was full of talent including the likes of Amanda Seyfried, Michelle Williams, Busy Phillips, Cory Monteith, Gerard Butler and Orlando Bloom.

The Party comes one day after the annual Oscars Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel where Nominees showed-up in full force except for a noticably absent Director David Fincher for The Social Network.



"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.

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.

"W" MAGAZINE'S BEST PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR PORTRAITS

Natalie Portman in W Magazine

I quite literally screamed when I saw these Photos.  Lynn Hirschenberg sits down with  the major Oscar contenders of 2011 in the February issue of W Magazine with stunning Photography by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.  The Photos are astounding.  

Interestingly we learn that my new favourite Natalie Portman is a huge fan of Dirty Dancing admitting, "I always loved Penny, probably because I was really like Baby. I was a Jewish girl from a Jewish family, so of course I liked the tall, skinny blond girl.”

Jeff Bridges reveals shockingly that he is a huge fan of the quirky Gay-themed Comedy Chuck & Buck, telling Hirschenberg, "I thought the best performance of the last decade was Mike White in Chuck & Buck.  I dug that performance."

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)

"THE KING'S SPEECH" SETS BOX OFFICE RECORD IN LIMITED RELEASE

Still from The King's Speech

Congratulations to The Weinstein Co. as they've been long overdue for a hit for a while.   And it looks like they already have the favourite for Best Picture at the 2011 Oscars with The King's Speech which opened in limited release this weekend.  The Film set a Box Office record with an average gross per theatre of $87,500 and $350,000 from just four theatres this weekend. 

Tom Hooper's The King's Speech will open in theatres in wide release December 10, 2010.

Read my review of it here. 

THE KING'S SPEECH REVIEW - TIFF CADILLAC PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER

The King's Speech

Although I regret not having had a chance to see The King's Speech in its first two screenings at TIFF, I was thrilled to hear that it was selected as this year's winner of the Cadillac People's Choice Award based on festival-goer votes. And I can see why audiences reacted so passionately to the Tom Hooper (The Damned United) film after having seen it now.

The story begins with Bertie (later known as King George VI) being second-in-line to the throne of an ailing King George V. He suffers from a stuttering problem, preventing him from being an effective political leader. With the help of his wife, later known as Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), he winds up receiving the guidance of an unconventional Speech Therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Bertie however, is reluctant to co-operate and Lionel struggles to get him to open-up.

Bertie's brother Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) winds up succeeding to the throne but his love for a twice-divorced woman Wallis Simpson (Eve Best) stirs up a bit of controversy and being adamant in marrying her, Edward winds up foregoing his title as King and Bertie assumes the role.  He however, lacks the self-belief to tackle the daunting role. From here, we see Bertie's transition as King George VI, guiding England into World War II - but it is far from a cakewalk for him.

COLIN FIRTH IN TORONTO FOR TIFF PREMIERE OF THE KING'S SPEECH

... rise and shine, Mavenati!  For those of you just discovering my Blog, that would be a term of endearment I use for readers of Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven.  And of course, that above would be the man who is getting the most Oscar buzz so far at TIFF for his performance in Tom Hooper's (The Damned United) The King's Speech.  Although I've met Firth a number of times before, I thought I'd drop by and wish him a Happy 50th Birthday last night.   You'll never meet a nicer Celebrity and Toronto is honoured to have played host to premieres of his brilliant work so many years consecutively. Thanks Chris for sending this in to me!

Don't forget to check out these great photos Tyrone sent in of Firth and co-star Geoffrey Rush too!

COLIN FIRTH AND GEOFFREY RUSH IN TORONTO AT TIFF FOR THE KING'S SPEECH

Photographer and Mr. Will-W.: Pop Maven reader Tyrone was ever so nice to share these snaps he got of Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush on their way back to their Hotel last  night.  The two are here to premiere their new film The King's Speech, which continues to be the toast of TIFF so far, with loads of praise pouring in for their performances.

Firth is celebrating his 50th Birthday believe it or not and a small gathering of media and industry was held at Soho House, just outside of Chinatown this evening.  I did get a photo with Firth, who is always amazingly kind, but will post that tomorrow as it's now 3:00 AM and I need to be up at an obscene hour in the morning for another day of Stargazing, Movie Screenings and Television appearances.  Thanks Tyrone for these - they're great!

The King's Speech from The Weinstein Co./Alliance Films (Canada) will be in theatres November 26, 2010.

(Photo credit: Tyrone Kerr)

PRAISE FOR COLIN FIRTH AND GEOFFREY RUSH IN THE KING'S SPEECH

Colin Firth and Helena Bonham-Carter
 in The King's Speech

"Speaking of ensemble pieces, Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech started things off just right this morning and received a hell of a reaction from the crowd." - Kristopher Tapley, In Contention

The praise keeps pouring in for yet another fine performance from TIFF favourite Colin Firth, along with the legendary Geoffrey Rush in The King's Speech.  The Tom Hooper film is about a man who becomes King George VI but lacks the confidence from others in being a competent King due to his stuttering problem.  He then hires a Speech Therapist to help him lead England through War.  At the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado this weekend, the film received a five minute standing ovation apparently according to In Contention and is definitely one to look out for come Oscars season.  

The King's Speech opens December 1, 2010 via Alliance Films in Canada and will be a Gala Presentation at this year's TIFF on Friday, September 10, 2010 at Roy Thomson Hall.

TIFF DAY 6

No reviews to report today as the selections didn't tickle my palette. Fear not though as there were lots of stars to see still!

I must say that Nicolas Cage is amazing. Although I'm not a huge fan of his work he took a good 10 minutes of his time signing autographs and posing for photos with everyone who asked nicely. He is at the festival promoting director Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans. The same applies to Colin Farrell who is here to promote director Neil Jordan's (End of the Affair) Ondine - I even got a photo with his handsome self too! Robin Wright Penn, fresh off a divorce from Sean Penn was amazing also and happily posed for a photo for me. Wright Penn is here with Keanu Reeves promoting The Private Lives of Pippa Lee which is garnering some rave reviews at TIFF. I will be seeing that on Thursday.

A big thumbs down goes to Canada's very own Ellen Page. She ignored all fans today completely, although rumour is that she's not feeling well. Trust me, if George Clooney can do a round of autographs with a cast on his hand, then Page has no excuse! Things got extremely chaotic outside the Press Conference for Drew Barrymore's film Whip It and despite my being right in front of her literally, I couldn't manage to get many decent shots with all the crowding around me. She was nice enough to scribble her autograph on my copy of He's Just Not That Into You which she produced. She then proceeded to take my dried up Sharpie and did a round of signatures, eliciting a bunch of "boos" from those hoping to get autographs for resale. I want my marker back, Drew!

I had much better luck with handsome fashion icon Tom Ford today and got to chat with him quickly. He graciously signed what he called his favourite ad for me. Colin Firth as usual, was extremely amazing happily posing with many female fans. Firth just won a Best Lead Actor award at the prestigious Venice Film Festival for his performance in Dorian Gray.

For now, you can feast on these:

I received an insider's tip on the whereabouts of U2 later this evening and was able to snap these shots of The Edge and Bono leaving Masonic Temple (MTV Headquarters). This was a special guest appearance on Elvis Costello's Spectacle show. I must say, Bono is much more handsome in person than on television. And yes, I was one of the lucky few who scored Bono's autograph! Yes.

Check back tomorrow for some photos of Natalie Portman and Michael Cera.

xW

TIFF DAY 5 - WHIP IT AND A SINGLE MAN REVIEWS

Before I comment on anything TIFF-related, please let me state my opinion on Kanye West regarding some inappropriate comments made during Taylor Swift's MTV VMAs acceptance speech. Just click this link, as it says it all really. He's not even worthy of being Summer's Eve. He's generic Life brand!

Now that this is out of the way....

I caught Whip It earlier today. The film is directed and produced by Drew Barrymore, starring Ellen Page (Juno). I loved it and I am very certain that it will be a massive hit. The comedy features the right combination of genuinely touching moments, laughs and action to give it crossover appeal. The film centers around Bliss (Page) who is pressured by her mother Marcia Gay Harden to enter the local beauty pageant circuit. Finding little joy in this, she finds inspiration in competitive roller skating and secretly joins a team played by an all-star female cast that includes Barrymore, Kristen Wiig, Eve and Zoe Bell. It is from competitive roller skating that Bliss finds a true defining passion, but she must come to terms with having to gain her mother's acceptance in this new life choice. The story leads up to a Roller Derby championship match that pits Bliss' team against fierce opposition from a team led by Juliette Lewis. Grade: A

Screenwriter Shauna Cross attended this morning's screening and explained to the audience during the Q&A that all the actors had trained rigorously for this film and it showed! Completely and utterly amazing. A must-see. The film opens October 2, 2009.

I'll be getting some snaps of Barrymore, Lewis and Page tomorrow for you all. Can't wait.

Later in the day I was able to get in close with Jennifer Garner, Ricky Gervais, Rob Lowe and Julianne Moore. Garner was especially wonderful taking the time to sign autographs for anyone asking for one and when things got a little crazy, she showed concern for everyone's safety, assuring everyone to remain calm; she's wonderful. Her new film with Gervais and Lowe, The Invention of Lying, is getting mixed reviews at the festival. Check out that bling on Garner's hand!

Enjoy these pics I got earlier: