JAMIE BELL IN TORONTO FOR "THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN"

Jamie Bell & Mr. Will-W.

Introducing Tintin himself! 25 year-old British Actor Jamie Bell is known best for his work in 2000's Billy Elliot in which he starred in the Lead Role,  Since then however, he has built a steady career in popular titles like King Kong, Flags of our Fathers, Defiance and Jane Eyre.  Bell flew-in from New York City yesterday morning for an extensive two-day Toronto Press Tour in support of Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin.

The $135 million 3-D Spectacle is expected to fare well internationally (it already has opened in several markets overseas) as Fans of the Comic Book Series have long adored it since it first was created by Hergé (Georges Remi) in the 1940s. I remember visiting London a few years back and seeing a Shop of all Tintin Memorabilia - that's how big it is over there!

The Tintin Shop in London's Soho District

I caught-up with Bell quickly one of his stop-offs today including visits to CBC, MuchMusic, CHUM-FM and a day full of interviews out of his Yorkville Hotel. Despite being rushed by his Handler, he was a Gentleman about it all, stopping to pose for a Photo and signing Autographs for Fans.  It's been a while since he's been in Toronto, after filming Doug Liman's Jumper here back in 2008 alongside Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson. While in the City, Bell made sure to check-out the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins last night at Air Canada Centre.

THE IDES OF MARCH - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from The Ides of March

The Ides of March certainly has the pedigree of an Oscar contender, but does it live up to its deafeningly-loud buzz? Perhaps so, perhaps not. At 30 years of age, Stephen (Ryan Gosling) is the Mastermind behind the Political Campaign of Presidential Candidate, Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney). After becoming involved with 20 year-old intern Molly (Evan Rachel Wood) and unexpectedly being wooed by the Brain behind a powerful opponent to Governor Morris in Tom (Paul Giamatti), Stephen finds himself caught in a thick, knotted web of corruption, betrayal and deception, himself struggling to do what is right and more importantly, survive in the cut-throat world of Politics.

Make no mistake, The Ides of March is a highly-watchable and engaging affair, marked overall by strong performances in particular from Gosling and Wood, the latter perhaps benefiting most from her work here as a lovelorn Seductress.  Having also seen Gosling's Drive recently,  it is plain to see where he invested his focus best, with both Films seeing a release over the past month. This Political Drama's most pivotal moment comes where Stephen and Governor Morris face-off  quietly and icily, handled with tight precision as Director/Co-writer Clooney draws-in our focus to the expressions on their Talking Heads and intense dialogue.

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO A TORONTO ADVANCE SCREENING OF "THE IDES OF MARCH"

The Ides of March Official Artwork

The Ides of March takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily contested Ohio Presidential primary, when an up-and-coming campaign Press Secretary (Ryan Gosling) finds himself involved in a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate’s shot at the Presidency.

Missed it at TIFF 2011? Don't fret. Alliance Films & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven are excited to offer Readers a chance to win Double Passes to see George Clooney’s The Ides of March. With a superb Cast that includes Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti and Clooney himself, the Political Drama already is considered a Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars. The Screening takes place Thursday, October 6, 2011 7:30 PM at Scotiabank Theatre.

  The Ides of March hits theatres Friday, October, 7, 2011.

To qualify for 1 of 20 pairs of Passes to an Advance Screening in Toronto, all you have to do is click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven’s Facebook Page. Your deadline is October 3, 2011. Good luck, Mavenati!

And while you're there, don't forget to enter to win a signed Ryan Gosling Photo and copy of the Novel, Drive!  Follow me on Twitter too!

See its Trailer in full below:

EVAN RACHEL WOOD AT TIFF FOR "THE IDES OF MARCH"

Evan Rachel Wood & Mr. Will-W.

One of the greatest highlights of my TIFF 2011 experience so far was meeting Evan Rachel Wood as she arrived in Toronto tonight.  No stranger to TIFF, Wood has visited prior with Films Thirteen and Across the Universe and this time around she stars in one of the Festival's centerpiece titles, The Ides of March - directed by George Clooney.

Despite being in a rush, Wood eventually caved in and stopped to pose for Photos after flying in direct from Paris.  Sporting a new Pixie Cut, she looked amazing and definitely is a Sweetheart despite her edgy exterior.  

Like many others, I had absolutely no luck in securing tickets for The Ides of March but will keep trying!  I did spot her Co-stars Ryan Gosling and Marisa Tomei though this evening so that kinda made my day!

Graciously, Wood signed an extra Photo for my Readers which will be posted in a bit.  And look how Starstruck I look in our Photo!  LOL  Amaze.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

NEW TRAILER FOR "THE IDES OF MARCH"

Still from The Ides of March

"I'll do or say anything if I believe in it. But I have to believe in the cause.".

The stakes are big in this new Trailer for The Ides of March, which not only is premiering at TIFF this September, but also it is a mega Oscar-contender for Best Picture. See Ryan Gosling star as an Intern, Stephen Myers, assisting with on the campaign of a Presidential Hopeful, played by Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney). Things get just a little competitive and heated when Stephen finds out something dark and shady about Mike that goes against his beliefs.  

My question is, what is Gosling up for here, Best Supporting Actor or Lead Actor as he appears to have the most screen time?  This looks like a The Devil Wears Prada type scenario in 2007 which saw Anne Hathaway get more screen time, but instead Meryl Streep be in the running for Best Actress.  Clooney of course is Streep and Gosling of course is Hathaway.

See the Trailer in full below:

EVAN RACHEL WOOD REVEALS HER SEXUALITY

Evan Rachel Wood in May issue of Esquire

One of my favourite young Actresses, Evan Rachel Wood is showing no signs of stopping and on the May issue of Esquire Magazine, the 23 year-old makes a shocking revelation to Julian Sancton that she’s actually Bisexual.

Those of us who saw her on HBO’s Mildred Pierce recently surely were shocked by her deliciously evil performance as Veda, daughter of Mildred (Kate Winslet). She confesses that she’d marry Winslet if she could. Elaborating further, Wood says “Yeah, I'm more kind of like the Guy when it comes to Girls. I'm the dominant one. I'm opening the doors, I'm buying dinner. Yeah, I'm romantic.". So hot.

Wood can be seen in Robert Redford’s The Conspirator, which expands this weekend in theatres. She only recently finished wrapping the new George Clooney Film The Ides of March in Michigan.

Click here to read the Interview in full here.

(Photo credit: Brooke Nipar/Esquire Magazine)

WHY YOU NEED TO WATCH HBO'S "MILDRED PIERCE"

Still from Mildred Pierce

My latest obsession is HBO’s Mildred Pierce, a five-part Mini-Series which I have been going on about now since learning last year that it began Production in New York. Not to be confused as a Remake of the 1945 Film starring Joan Crawford as much as it is an Adaptation of the 1941 Novel by James M. Cain, Mildred Pierce is well worth that $20/month you’ll have to spend to get HBO here in Canada.

Directed by Todd Haynes, who brought us 2002’s outstanding Far From Heaven and starring Oscar winner Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce alleviates any worries those of us had about Winslet “stepping down a notch” to do Television when she is a bona fide Film Actress. If anything, her work here rates as one of her best performances yet.

Haynes truly understands the soul of a tortured Woman.  Mildred leaves her adulterous Husband, raising difficult and materialistic Daughter Veda on her own. All the while, she single-handedly builds a Restaurant Empire out of her own ambition in California during the Great Depression while experiencing a sexual re-awakening engaging in a sexy and passionate relationship with Monty Peragon (Guy Pearce) who is financially dependent on her. This Mini-Series not only is a study of a complex character, but also a detailed examining of Class Relations in a time when Money or a lack thereof, defined an Era.

Despite Winslet v. much being where our attentions are focused upon, Mildred Pierce’s Supporting Cast is remarkable, including another Oscar winner in Melissa Leo and the great Hope Davis. The biggest revelation thus far has been soon-to-be twelve Child Actor Morgan Turner, who plays a young Veda – full of venomous fire and ambition. Veda has her Mother at her mercy, constantly making her crave approval and validation. Several times we see her deliver slaps and receive them from Winslet. When I was 11 years old… And although she has yet to surface, the talented Evan Rachel Wood plays the older Veda who surely will be stealing a scene or two.

Mildred Pierce airs Sunday nights on HBO Canada at 9:15 PM EST.

(Photo credit: HBO)

HBO'S MILDRED PIERCE MINI-SERIES TO PREMIERE END OF MARCH

Still from Mildred Pierce

HBO's Mildred Pierce will be premiering in the U.S. on March 27, 2011, though its Canadian Premiere Date has yet to be confirmed.  The eagerly awaited five-part Mini-series stars the amazing Kate Winslet in the Lead Role made famous originally by Joan Crawford in 1945.

Instead of studying Crawford's performance, Winslet made sure not to watch the original Film Adaption of James M. Cain's Novel in order to stay true to the original story as much as possible.  Mildred Pierce is about a Woman who finds financial wealth during The Great Depression after becoming a Restauranteur.  She finds that her upward mobility causes strains in her relationship with her spoiled Daughter Veda (Evan Rachel Wood).

Watch Mildred Pierce's juicy Trailer 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.