SUPPORT KIDS' HEALTH: SICKKIDS HOSPITAL'S "DO THE HAPPY" CAMPAIGN

Toronto SickKids Hospital's Do The Happy Campaign

Toronto's SickKids Hospital is raising awareness towards Children's Health Issues this May. Problems at the forefront include Childhood Obesity which has tripled in the last 25 years, and Traumatic Brain Injuries - the leading cause of Death and Acquired Disability in Children under 14. You can help by pitching-in to raise awareness and funds simply by attending one of their Do The Happy Events or by making a Donation!

See some Stars in Toronto show their support for the Do The Happy Campaign - a few connections which Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven might have played a small part in making happen!

Lear more about the Do The Happy Campaign here.

(Photo/video credit: SickKids Hospital)

OFFICIAL "COSMOPOLIS" POSTER & FRENCH TEASER TRAILER

Official Artwork for Cosmopolis

Although we're still waiting on a North American release date for it, several overseas dates have been inked ranging from May to December 2012 throughout Europe and Australia.  This saddens me a bit as it means that Toronto won't be hosting its actual World Premiere at TIFF 2012, although there still is a possibility it may be presented still as a Gala here come September. Fingers crossed.

Above is the official Artwork for David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis, filmed in Toronto last Summer in what appears to be a Photo from his Photographer Daughter Caitlin, who was responsible for some of the first Stills which surfaced. With a French Teaser Trailer being released last week, the Film has the Director giving us what he does best - extreme violence and tons of edge.  I already am feeling some hints of his earlier work like Videodrome and Crash. This certainly isn't the same Robert Pattinson we saw in Twilight and Water for Elephants.  Nope.  Eric Packer has arrived!

One of the biggest shocks upon perusing the Poster in-detail is that Somolian-Canadian Singer K'Naan stars in the Film too. Will there be a Musical Sequence too?  I kid.

Watch the Teaser below:

ENTER TO WIN A "GOON" PRIZE PACK

Goon Prize Pack

With Goon hitting theatres today via Alliance Films, how about we do another Giveaway to celebrate the hysterical Hockey-Comedy's release?  Included in this Prize Pack are: two shot glasses, a commemorative novelty hockey stick, character trading cards and a key chain!

To enter, click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and remember to follow on Twitter here too before March 10, 2012.

I chat with the Cast of Goon on the Red Carpet at its Toronto Premiere on Wednesday night.  See what Jay Baruchel, Liev Schreiber, David Paetkau, Seann William Scott and Michael Dowse had to say right here.

Good luck!

INTERVIEW: THE CAST OF "GOON" - FEATURING SEANN WILLIAM SCOTT, LIEV SCHREIBER, JAY BARUCHEL, MICHAEL DOWSE & MORE

Seann William Scott at the Toronto Premiere of Goon - February 2012

Canadian Director Michael Dowse (Fubar, It's All Gone Pete Tong) premiered his latest Hockey-Comedy back in September at TIFF to rousing reception and now is ready to unleash a "rink of fire" to the masses.  Alliance Films has shown its firm vote of confidence in the distinctly-Canadian Film, touring it over the past week with stop-offs in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Montreal and tonight, Toronto.  

Montreal's Jay Baruchel not only co-wrote Goon together with Evan Goldberg, but also stars in it.  He is said to have been moved to tears by a surprise visit from now-Fiancée and then-Co-Star Alison Pill. The two developed a romance on-set and thus, the Film can be said to be a Labour of Love, in more ways than one. In addition to Dowse and Baruchel, talents David Paetkau, Liev Schreiber and Seann William Scott graced the Fan and Media-filled Red Carpet also at Toronto's Scotiabank Theatre.

Goon centers upon Doug (Scott), a Jewish-Canadian Bouncer and trained Boxer whom after years of struggling to find his niche, gets hired aboard a floundering Halifax Hockey Team as someone whose purpose solely is to help his Team win fights on-the-ice, fully utilizing those Boxing chops. Doug turns out to be a much better at his job than anticipated and this causes some friction within his Team, especially with its Captain of many vices Xavier (Marc-André Grondin), and also a competing team's soon-to-retire star, the tough-as-nails Ross (Schreiber). Along the way, Doug falls for Eva (Pill) whom at first appears emotionally unavailable, but nonetheless he is determined to win her affections. With the support of his Team and Buddy Pat (Jay Baruchel), he enjoys a celebrated, although stormy rise to the top - even if it should come at the expense of his overachieving Parents.

Certainly not lacking controversy, Goon has gained much Media attention of late for both its shocking Posters, showing Baruchel in what might be considered a lewd act, but more so its violent on-ice beatdowns.  A Representative for the City of Toronto has denied that it ordered the removal of the offending Posters namely from bus shelters, according to a probe by The Globe & Mail.

Baruchel poked fun at the situation, performing quickly an encore of the said lewd act for the Cameras, shouting "Here you go, one more time!".  On a more delicate note, I asked Baruchel about how this Film might be misconstrued solely as a tough, violent Film when in fact much of it actually is a Love Story.  "Yes, that's exactly right. I was raised to believe that toughness has nothing to do with being a good person or not", he comments.   "It's also a reaction to a terrifying trend in movies where they're always cynical and always come from a mean-spirited place. I just wanted to bring a happiness and heart back into Films.".

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO THE TORONTO PREMIERE OF "GOON"

Official Artwork for GOON

Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven and Alliance Films are pleased to offer Readers a chance to attend the Toronto Premiere of GOON, the hilarious Hockey Comedy from Director Michael Dowse which made its celebrated debut last September at TIFF.  The Guardian, The Observer and Time Out already are raving about this story about an Underachiever named Doug (Seann William Scott) who finds his niche in a Semi-Pro Hockey Team, knocking out anyone getting in the way of a victory! Also starring are Jay Baruchel, Liev Schreiber, Alison Pill, Eugene Levy, Kim Coates and more.

To enter to win a Double Pass to the Toronto Premiere of GOON on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, click "like" on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and also this corresponding Post.  Don't forget to follow me on Twitter also! You must enter before Saturday, February 18, 2012 to qualify.  Good luck.

And did I mention that GOON Stars Jay Baruchel, Seann William Scott, Liev Schreiber and Director Michael Dowse all will be in attendance on the Red Carpet?

Watch the Trailer in full below:

JAY BARUCHEL, TERENCE STAMP, KATHERYN WINNICK & MATT DILLON FILMING "THE BLACK MARKS"

Top to Bottom - L to R: Terence Stamp, Jonathan Sobol, Katheryn Winnick, Matt Dillon, Jay Baruchel & Mr. Will-W.

I had the absolute pleasuring of meeting some of the Cast and Director of forthcoming Feature, The Black Marks finally after pondering it at great lengths. The second Film from Toronto's Jonathan Sobol looks to be highly entertaining, being about a retired Motorcycle Daredevil/Art Thief named Crunch Calhoun (Kurt Russell) who gathers his old Crew - including his Brother Nicky (Matt Dillon) - to perform one last Heist on a priceless book. Think Ocean's Eleven, a wittier plot and a real expensive Book. The outstanding Cast includes also Montreal's Jay Baruchel, both Toronto's Katheryn Winnick and Chris Diamantopoulos, Hamilton's Jason Jones, plus British Thespian Terence Stamp.

Filming for the Dimension Films release has shifted between Niagara Falls, Hamilton and Toronto and I learned through Baruchel that he actually has a deep attachment to Hamilton, having filmed in Steel City multiple times in the past.  "What?  You saw it??", he asked with his jaw dropped after telling him how hard I laughed at his upcoming Hockey Comedy Goon, in theatres February 24, 2012 via Alliance Films.  Genuinely touched, he said "You don't know how much that actually means to me!".  Of course, Baruchel is deeply-attached to the Film as he not only stars in it, but also co-wrote its Screenplay along with Evan Goldberg. Although it premiered last September at TIFF, we just may be seeing him again on the Red Carpet here in Toronto soon to ring-in its official release.

JAY BARUCHEL: A DRAGON'S GREETING

Jay Baruchel & Hiccup

What more fitting than to receive a Year of the Dragon greeting (below) than from our favourite Viking/Dragon Trainer himself, Jay Baruchel? The Montreal-born Actor known best for voicing Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon currently is in Niagara Falls filming Jonathan Sobol's Comedy The Black Marks alongside Kurt Russell and Matt Dillon. Canadian Cast Mates Chris Diamantopoulos and Katheryn Winnick have confirmed to me directly via Twitter that the shoots will at some point be coming to Toronto. How exciting!

Baruchel will have a busy Year of the Dragon indeed, with multiple Films on-the-go.  Hockey Comedy Goon will be out February 24, 2012 via Alliance Films in Canada, before David Cronenberg's Cosmpolis hits theatres later this year. He soon will begin work also on Comedy The Apocalypse alongside James Franco and Seth Rogen, and also he will be reprising the role of Hiccup once again in How to Train Your Dragon 2.

(Photo credit: DreamWorks)

TATYANA ALI TO FILM "HOME AGAIN" IN TORONTO | "THE BLACK MARKS" BEGINS PRODUCTION IN HAMILTON

Tatyana Ali

Any The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Fans? Some of you might be excited to know that Ashley Banks (Tatyana Ali) herself will be in Toronto soon to film her latest project, Home Again. The Film is a Drama which centers around three individuals who are deported from U.S., Canada and England to a place neither are familiar with.  Home Again, directed by Scarborough-born Sudz Sutherland, is set to film until March.

Furthermore, as previously announced, Jonathan Sobol's Book Heist Comedy The Black Marks starring Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon and Jay Baruchel, is set to being production in Hamilton, Ontario right away.  Crossing fingers we see this one come our way in Toronto soon!

(Photo credit: Robert John Kley)

MORE ROBERT PATTINSON GREETING FANS ON "COSMOPOLIS" SET | KRISTEN STEWART CONFIRMED SIGHTINGS

Robert Pattinson in Toronto - July 2011

You Robert Pattinson Fans are just so wonderful and vocal, so why not give you back even more RPattz? The Cosmopolis star greeted hoards of Toronto Fans on the final outdoor shoot for the Film. The session lasted approximately ten minutes as he made his way through every single Fan  (under 100) in-waiting ensuring they received an Autograph.  It is said that the remainder of filming for the David Cronenberg Film is scheduled til July 19th in Toronto - all interior.  Early reports indicated that some Production would take place in New York City although it is unclear whether this still is on the agenda.

And yes, there were multiple confirmed accounts of his Partner Kristen Stewart accompanying Pattinson to the Set with their Dog Bear.  Our dear Friend Photographer Stephen Fernandez was the only one to snap a shot of her quickly dashing out of their Vehicle into their Trailer.  Click here to see it - it was a blink and miss moment we hear. One Fan tells us that amidst all the frenzy for Pattinson, she had approached their Vehicle, discreetly asking Stewart for an Autograph which she quietly declined with a nod trying to remain under the radar.

Pattinson who normally wears a Baseball Cap when greeting Fans, gave them a peek at his asymmetrical Hipster-esque Hair for the final part of the Film.  What do you think of it?

Why, of course you need to see the Photos!....

ROBERT PATTINSON GREETS FANS ON TORONTO SET OF "COSMOPOLIS"

Robert Pattinson greeting Toronto Fans

Although I wasn't feeling particularly amazing at all today, I got some rest and pulled myself together by Evening for all you RPattz Fans - only because you've all been so wonderful to me!

Cosmopolis continued into its third day of Filming here in Toronto, with one of my favourite Diners in Little Portugal providing the backdrop. The Production Crew, after taking measures to Paparazzi-proof their Set yesterday on Mercer St., took similar precautions again today in keeping Megastar Robert Pattinson's Trailer out of sight. Fans waiting the entire day by the front of the Restaurant failed to get a glimpse of him all day with him being ushered in and out through the back of the establishment.

After locating Pattinson's Trailer, I found a few devout and savvy Fans who had been waiting patiently the entire day in the area.  Unfortunately they had failed to catch his attention as he went in and out of his Trailer.  One Fan after growing tired of waiting, finally approached Pattinson's Handler Dean, asking if there was any remote possibility of obtaining an Autograph even.  She however had been told by him, "Probably not - there's too many people around", shielding his attention-shy Client.  In total there were six Fans in-waiting.

Around 8:00 PM a glimmer of hope appeared as Pattinson entered his Trailer again for one final wardrobe change for the day - a change back into his Everyday Wear: a Stussy T-shirt, his Long Beach 49ers Baseball Cap and a pair of Jeans.  He officially had wrapped for the day after a long, grueling day in the Heatwave which has hit the City.  After flagging him over, we were shocked to see Pattinson actually respond to us, coming over to personalize Photos and Magazines for us one-by-one in his best possible Penmanship.   

ROBERT PATTINSON ON THE SET OF "COSMOPOLIS" IN TORONTO

Robert Pattinson on the set of Cosmopolis

It's official, Toronto is P.O.'d, or Pattinsoned-out. At least for today anyway. The British Hearththrob took over Financial District today with Filming taking place for David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis - the first official outdoor shoot for the Film in the City.

With the street transformed into New York City with an abundance of yellow Cabs and its signature Newsstands, much of today's filming centered around a Deli (click here to see). In attendance today were cast members Kevin Durand (who we spotted yesterday in Yorkville) and Sarah Gadon.

Fans who lined-up early, were kept at a distance from their hopes of meeting the Twilight Saga Hunk. Handlers told them, "We won't be bringing him over there!", managing expectations accordingly. This didn't prevent the determined from trying though as onlookers got a generously helping of Pattinson as he went in and out of his Trailer onto the Set just one block over.

An attention-shy Pattinson had his Lunch delivered to him in his deluxe Trailer from Craft Services and was seen with a bottle of Nestea Iced Green Tea in his hand walking into his Make-up Trailer for a touch-up.  Noticing Paparazzi and Fans trying to snap away, he at one point tried hiding behind his Handler, before toughening-up and braving the Cameras.  One Paparazzi got in a little too close and was warned, "You better stay back or I'm gonna make sure everyone else gets their Photos except you!".  Ouch.

Wrapping around 5:00 PM, Fans received a friendly wave from Pattinson before he headed off for the day.

Enjoy this Clip I got of Pattinson below heading to his Make-up Trailer:

"COSMOPOLIS" STAR KEVIN DURAND SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Kevin Durand & Mr. Will-W.

With Filming having begun earlier this week for David Cronenberg's new Film Cosmopolis, much speculation has been made about which Cast members actually are in-town and more importantly, where the Cast has been filming.  Robert Pattinson Fans have been growing impatient with the lack of confirmed sightings on Social Utilities like Twitter.

Worries were laid to rest as Pattinson was spotted out and about on Thursday night at Queen St. haunt Horseshoe Tavern, enjoying some Live Music from British Folk Act Johnny Flynn. Luckily, one Fan (@Flinstones1973) managed to snap a Photo together with him outside.  Click here to see it.

Earlier today while strolling through Yorkville I crossed paths with one of his Co-stars, a v. tall and ripped Kevin Durand who stars in the Film as Torval.  Durand appeared to have been fresh off a jog, walking with a slight limp and sporting an array of Tattoos, visible under this Tank Top.  

I had a moment to chat with the Fan-friendly Durand, who described working with Cronenberg as being "really cool!".  He also mentioned upcoming $80 million Sci-Fi Boxing Film Real Steel in which he stars alongside Hugh Jackman (also in Toronto this Summer), telling me that much of his part in fact involves Computer Animation. Heading back into his temporary Residence after taking a Snap together, I saw him walk towards his window moments later, where he looked out towards the street, checking messages on his Phone (seen above).  Durand apparently arrived last week as sightings were reported as early as then.

JAY BARUCHEL & ALLISON PILL: A COUPLE

Jay Baruchel

Buzz has been circulating the Toronto Film Critics' Association Awards Gala tonight that homegrown talents Jay Baruchel (How to Train Your Dragon, She's Out of My League) and Alison "Sorry I Don't Take Photos With Fans" Pill (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Milk) have been canoodling together in a v. Couple-like manner. Baruchel and Pill were seen arriving together.  An interesting match, but at the same time not surprising?  And yes, I did hear Pill say the aforementioned quote myself.

Alison Pill

Despite Winners having been announced mid-December the Gala held at Nota Bene, honours the selected Victors and Victresses. David Fincher's The Social Network won the Association's top honour of Best Picture and the Film also scored in categories: Best Actor (Jesse Eisenberg), Best Supporting Actor (Armie Hammer) and Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin). 

Denis Villeneuve, Director of Incendies was on-hand to accept the award for Best Canadian Film, which includes a monetary prize of $15,000.

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

JAY BARUCHEL IN GQ MAGAZINE

On working with Nicolas Cage on the just-released Disney flick The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Montreal's Jay Baruchel tells Micky Rapkin, "He's as fucking batshit crazy as I am." Check out this and some other hot photos of Baruchel looking very chic in the August issue of GQ. Click here for more.

In case you missed them the first time, here are some exclusive photos I got of Baruchel in Toronto a couple months back. A sweetheart.

 (Photo credit: Ben Watts/GQ Magazine)

JAY BARUCHEL AT THE TROTSKY TORONTO PREMIERE

Montreal native Jay Baruchel is arguably one of the hottest new breakout actors in Hollywood.  If you've seen How To Train Your Dragon, Million Dollar Baby, Tropic Thunder, She's Out of My League, Knocked Up, Almost Famous or Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, you've seen Baruchel's work.  And when I had the chance to meet him today, it was refreshing to see that he remains an incredibly modest, no-frills person despite having achieved a significant amount of fame.  In fact, today for his CBC interview with George Stroumboulopoulous on The Hour, he walked from his hotel to the studio.  Kindly, he took a moment out to pose for a picture with me and I am extremely honoured.  It is no secret that Baruchel is well on his way to becoming the next Tom Hanks of his generation.  He's awkward, funny, personable yet headstrong.

For this evening's Scotiabank Theatre premiere of latest comedy The Trotsky, he did a round of press after a hectic promotional itinerary which saw him visit MuchMusic Headquarters and CBC prior to arriving at his premiere.  Running late, he didn't get a chance to introduce the film with his fellow cast members, but he did pop by afterwards to field some questions post-screening.

REVIEW: SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE

Great acting, direction and a strong storyline make for a great time in director Jim Field Smith's She's Out of My League.  Upon first seeing the trailers and advertisements for the romantic comedy, I recall having rolled my eyes at the many times-done plot line of Average Joe/Geek-conquers-heart of Hot Babe.   She's Out of My League however, is unique enough to stand on its own and I was pleasantly surprised.

Canadian actor Jay Baruchel plays Kirk, an awkward, modest and all-around-nice guy who works as an airport passenger scan terminal clerk.  By chance one day, he runs into gorgeous Event Planner Molly (Alice Eve) in a rush to catch her flight.  After Kirk's pervy boss tries purposely to delay Molly's scan as he admires her beauty, he interjects and helps her on her way.  She forgets her iPhone though at the Scanning Station and Kirk has to return it to her.  They coordinate a meet-up and from there the sparks start to fly between the odd couple.  Pretty implausible, but Sean Anders/John Morris' script makes it all work fine with fully-fleshed dialogue and richly developed characters.

Things aren't smooth sailing for Kirk and Molly though.  Kirk's family and friends constantly do and say things to reinforce how Molly simply is "out of his league".  Kirk's supportive friends rate him a "Five" and Molly a "Hard Ten" on that proverbial Scale of Ten and the constant see-sawing of defeating Kirk with belittling and the sweet victories he earns as we see how Molly is genuinely into him, pretty much drives the entire film.  The fact of the matter though is that the lovers come from two completely different worlds and we are curious to see whether or not their lifestyle differences are enough to tear them apart.

REVIEW: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

How To Train Your Dragon is the type of movie I would want to take my kids to see.  Well, hypothetical kids that is.  The Dreamworks production, based on the children's books by Cressida Cowell, will have you on the edge of your seat with its gripping action animation sequences and yes, you really need to witness it in 3-D for full effect.  And this is coming from someone who isn't a fan of animated features.

The story centers around lanky Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), who just isn't a cut from the same Viking cloth as his heroic Dragon Slayer father Stoick (Gerard Butler).  After being pushed into taking Dragon Slaying lessons, it's plain to see that Hiccup simply lacks the stalwart prowess required of him.  Under pressure not to disgrace his father, while also struggling to find his own identity, Hiccup one day stumbles upon the most-feared  dragon of all, who is wounded.  As they say, "an injured dragon is a dead dragon" and he realizes that if this dragon isn't saved, the Vikings will get to it and decide its fate.

Before long, Hiccup befriends the dragon secretly, nursing it back to health and while observing its behaviour, he develops an understanding of dragons' weaknesses. He uses his knowledge to tame dragons to submission in his studies, winning the respect of the Vikings who proclaim him a n overnight hero.  Of course, classmate Astrid (America Ferrara) becomes jealous and suspicious of Hiccup and after keeping a close eye on him, she learns of his secret.  She too soon befriends the pet dragon whom is eventually named Toothless.

The two are taken on a visually breathtaking ride by Toothless, not unlike that crucial scene in Titanic where Jack and Rose romantically embrace the wind, but instead of a boat, Hiccup and Astrid are aboard a dragon.  Toothless then leads the two to the dark and dangerous world of the Dragon's Nest.   Here they discover the most destructive mother of all dragons, narrowly escaping capture.