"MIRROR MIRROR" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Mirror Mirror

Mirror Mirror knows exactly what it is, but did the Public and Media know that when they started pitting it against "that other Snow White Movie" which hits theatres this June?  Retelling the classic Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale and taking a few comedic liberties with it, Director Tarsem Singh (The Immortals, The Cell) has a bit of fun with it all and so should you.

The Comedy is told from the perspective of The Evil Queen (Julia Roberts) who controls an impoverished Kingdom, while at once  obsessively being aware of her own vanity and age, driving her at all costs to ensure that she remains fairest of all.  Threatened by porcelain-skinned Beauty Snow White (Lily Collins), the  stakes are increased significantly after the 18-year-old attracts the attention of handsome Prince Alcott (Armie Hammer) whom The Evil Queen also has her eyes set-on as a potential Husband; a Marriage between herself and Prince Alcott would bring her riches, saving her destitute Kingdom also.

Brighton (Nathan Lane) - The Queen's Assistant - is assigned the task of murdering Snow White and after failing to do so, she escapes into the Forest where she is taken-in by a team of seven pint-sized Rebels who trainer her to become The Evil Queen's most powerful Opponent yet.  Will The Evil Queen prevail in ridding-of Snow White and who will Prince Alcott once again cross paths with Snow White, his true love, after she goes missing?

DRESS-UP LILY COLLINS!

Mirror Mirror: Dress Up Snow Application

In advance of its March 30, 2012 release, a fun new Application for Mirror Mirror has been launched on iTunes and best of all, it's free.  Check out Mirror Mirror: Dress Up Snow where you can dress Actress Lily Collins, who plays Snow White, in an array of exciting dresses, hair, accessories, shoes and more.  The Application even includes original Music and Score from the Movie, which also stars Julia Roberts, Sean Bean, Armie Hammer and Nathan Lane!

For all the latest, "like" Mirror Mirror on Facebook here and follow the Movie on Twitter here!

(Photo credit: Relativity Media)

MARK RUFFALO TAKES LEAD IN RYAN MURPHY'S "THE NORMAL HEART": JULIA ROBERTS, JIM PARSONS, ALEC BALDWIN & MATT BOMER ALSO ADDED

Mark Ruffalo at TIFF 2008

2012 will be the start of Mark Ruffalo's long-overdue rise as a bona fide Leading Man in Hollywood.  The Actor has been confirmed to take the lead in Glee/American Horror Story Creator Ryan Murphy's new Film, The Normal Heart.  The HIV/AIDs Drama is based upon a TONY Award-winning Play of the same title and centers on Ned Weeks, who is one of the first Advocates in New York to raise awareness about the disease.  Written by Activist/Writer Larry Kramer, the Play largely is autobiographical.

The Cast for The Normal Heart is rather impressive including Julia Roberts, who last teamed with Murphy on 2010's Eat, Pray, Love.  She will be playing a wheelchair-bound Doctor who also is among the first to raise concern about HIV/AIDs.  Matt Bomer, whose star dramatically is on the rise, takes the role of Weeks' Boyfriend contracting the Disease, while another openly-Gay Actor Jim Parsons will tackle the role of an Activist from the South.  Alec Baldwin also has been named to play the Lawyer Brother of Weeks, struggling to cope with the sexuality of Ruffalo's character.

Ruffalo currently is filming Now You See Me, a Bank Heist Thriller which has the FBI circling a team of Illusionists who rob banks as part of their act, rewarding their audiences with money; Isla Fisher, Morgan Freeman, Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg star. His upcoming Drama Thanks for Sharing has him alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, P!nk, Tim Robbins and Joely Richardson, about three Sex Addicts on the road to recovery.  His marquee release however is Disney's all-star The Avengers, in theatres May 4, 2012 which has him starring in what is said to be an important role as Bruce Banner/The Hulk.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

FIRST TRAILER: "MIRROR, MIRROR"

Still from Mirror, Mirror

Okay, first thing's first. What is going on with Julia Roberts' Accent here? After seeing the much darker Trailer for Snow White and The Huntsman, Tarsem Singh presents this much lighter and Comical take of the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale, Mirror, Mirror. 

Although a bushy-eyebrowed Lily Collins takes on the starring role of Snow White, this really is all about The Evil Queen played by Roberts.  And after seeing handsome (at one point shirtless!) Armie Hammer in a couple of more intense Films, The Social Network and J. Edgar back-to-back, we now get to see some Comedic Chops from him.

The Trailer premiered earlier today on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and now it's here for all of us to enjoy online!

Watch the Trailer in full below:

NEW STILLS FROM "UNTITLED SNOW WHITE"

Still from Untitled Snow White

Relativity Media just unleashed this brand new set of Photos for Tarsem Singh's Untitled Snow White. Lily Collins stars as Snow White who as an Orphan, is next in line to the throne. The Queen (Julia Roberts) might have something to say about the matter though as she tthwarts a looming romance between Snow White and Prince Alcott (Armie Hammer), banishing her to the Forest where a man-eating Beast awaits her.

Untitled Snow White also stars Nathan Lane as The Queen's Servant Brighton and Sean Bean as The King.

See more just-released Stills below:

SARAH JESSICA PARKER & ANGELINA JOLIE ARE HOLLYWOOD'S HIGHEST-PAID ACTRESSES

Sarah Jessica Parker in Toronto - March 2010

Forbes Magazine has published their list of Hollywood's Highest-Paid Actresses and right at the top unsurprisingly is Angelina Jolie. Many might be shocked though also to see Sarah Jessica Parker right there alongside her in a tie with both Actresses earning $30 million between May 2010 through May 2011.

Much of Parker's success though is attributed to the big numbers which Sex and the City 2 brought in last year, with it having grossed $290 million.  She can next be seen in I Don't Know How She Does It and also New Year's Eve both out later this year.  

Jolie had to work a bit harder for her money starring in two Action Flicks last year, Salt and The Tourist.  Her directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey will be released this December.

Following Jolie and Parker are Jennifer Aniston and former list-topper Reese Witherspoon who both tied with $28 million each.  Ranking in fifth is another Highest-Paid Actress, Julia Roberts with $20 million.

To see the list in full, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

LARRY CROWNE - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Larry Crowne

Although not necessarily his meatiest material to-date, Tom Hanks shines bright in latest self-directed and co-written Rom-Com, Larry Crowne, about a 40-something Man fired from his Job at a Discount Retailer. Due to changes in the current economic climate, Larry is forced to upgrade his skills and thus decides to return to College where among other courses, he studies Speech Delivery under a de-motivated yet immensely attractive Professor Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts).

Unable to afford Gas for his SUV, Larry buys a Scooter from his Neighbour Lamar (Cedric the Entertainer) at a Yard Sale and then is introduced by classmate Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) to a group of Scooter-riding, well-meaning Misfits who help turn his life around. As he begins to apply himself to his studies in trying to maintain a work/life balance, his feelings for Mercedes grow stronger. There is only one catch though – Mercedes not only is his Professor which presents professional risks to her by being involved with Larry – she also is married still (albeit unhappily) to husband Dean (Bryan Cranston).

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF THE OST TO "LARRY CROWNE"

Just about everybody's excited to see Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts reunite on-screen in Larry Crowne! The Romantic Comedy follows the story of a middle-aged Man who loses his job and is forced to re-invent himself by going back to College, where he falls in love with his Professor.

In theatres July 1, 2011 via Alliance Films, you can watch its Trailer in full below:

TOM HANKS & JULIA ROBERTS ON "LARRY CROWNE"

Julia Roberts & Tom Hanks in June 2011 issue of W Magazine

Too hot! Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks cover the June issue of W Magazine as part of the build-up to their upcoming Film together, Larry Crowne.

Lynn Hirschberg sits down and interviews Hanks and Roberts separately in the fascinating Piece.  Hanks who co-writes and directs Larry Crowne, reveals that this upcoming Film is a social commentary on America today, feeling that he is living in cynical times.  Hanks says, "People are afraid of change. People say, I can’t do this or that. Why? Because I’d have to change something. Well, yes: You should change. The idea of change makes them nervous, but I think change is good. Always.".

Roberts however who is v. conscious of her age comments on her choice to steer from Rom-Coms at this stage in her career saying, "I think it’s called growing up. Light and funny has a more compelling quality when you’re younger. But I haven’t abandoned the genre: I love falling down; I love Lucille Ball. It’s just that a lot of those stories revolve around problems that I can’t convincingly portray at this age.".

"JESUS HENRY CHRIST" GETS TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL PREMIERE

Still from Jesus Henry Christ

I swear, it's like watching my old Kid graduate! Julia Roberts-produced Jesus Henry Christ, which many of you might remember was filmed in Toronto last Summer, has received a Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City's BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

 

Roberts showed-up to the Premiere last night  looking amazing as always together with her Sister Lisa Gillian. Among others in attendance were Robert DeNiro, Closer Director Mike Nichols and his Wife, Diane Sawyer.

Check out the Photos from the Premiere last night here.

To see some of my Photos and read about Jesus Henry Christ, click here.

(Photo credit: Red Om Films)

TRAILER FOR "LARRY CROWNE"

Still from Larry Crowne

This Trailer totally brought a smile to my face. Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks - together again! Universal Pictures' Larry Crowne opens July 1, 2011, re-teaming Roberts and Hanks for the first time since 2007's Charlie Wilson's War.

The Comedy is about a Man who gets fired from his job, going back to College where he meets and falls in love with his Professor.  Larry Crowne is directed by Hanks and is Co-written by him also with My Big Fat Greek Wedding Helmer Nia Vardalos.  Can we all agree that Vardalos is long overdue for a hit?

Watch the Trailer in full below:

MR. WILL-W.'S GREATEST MOMENTS OF 2010: A REVIEW OF CELEBRITIES WHO VISITED TORONTO

What can I say? 2010 has been a wonderful year for Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven, seeing many highs in terms of exciting new content and readership. Although we’re by no means Perez Hilton or Just Jared, I  maintain a humble grassroots philosophy here.  I don't believe in bashing other Bloggers by constantly calculating their shortcomings, nor do I make boastful claims of being "the best", because I'm not.  I have come with no real Media qualifications other than my opinions, but I  want always to be able to improve.

You'll find that a vast majority of the Celebrity Photos seen here are self-taken and not sold for profit.   Unlike many Celebrity Gossip sites where Bloggers sit in front of their Laptops comfortable in their often biting anonymity, I interact first-hand with many of the Celebrities who appear here. What you're reading comes first-hand - not observed from behind a bush with Binoculars nor re-interpreted.

Besides this, where else can you get detailed Reviews of Albums and Films before everybody else?  I review these beforehand so that you can make better informed choices on where you spend your hard-earned money.  And need I mention Mr. Will-W.'s Exciting Giveaways? This past year alone, we've seen Readers win Marc Jacobs Cologne, Scissor Sisters VIP Concert Tickets, CDs by artists like Rihanna and Ke$ha and Signed Photos from the likes of Katy Perry, Mariah Carey, Cory Monteith, James Franco, Sam Worthington and more!  Sponsors stand behind the quality of content featured on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven and this speaks for itself.

I thank you all personally for your loyalty to me. Things only will continue to get even more exciting in 2011.  Stick around.  Follow on Twitter or become a Fan on Facebook.  

Looking back on the year, there were many bright moments and narrowing it down to a Best-of has been difficult. I am blessed to live in a City which always has something exciting going on and would not be able to do any of this without Toronto. So indirectly, all of this is a big thank you to the City I love most.  I live, breathe, eat and speak Toronto. 

Without further ado, here are Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven’s Greatest Moments of 2010:

Taylor Swift

14. Seeing Taylor Swift.  She's by far the hottest thing right now in Pop Music from a numbers standpoint - and she's not even really Pop, she's Country.  I was lucky enough to see Taylor Swift in November at CTV's Canada AM, part of her crazy day of Promotions in Toronto for third album Speak Now.  Whatever she did, it worked because she sold 1,047,000 copies of the CD in its first week.  This came soon after rumours sparked of her dating Jake Gyllenhaal whom I also got to meet in May.  Although her Publicist kept her at a distance from everyone, it was still a privilege to hear the v. grounded young Singer/Songwriter just be herself.  I'll be seeing her for the first time in Concert next July and am kinda stoked about it, really.

Sir Paul McCartney

13. Seeing Sir Paul McCartney. To say I was only a couple feet away from Sir Paul McCartney in itself is enough to brag about for a lifetime. Although he was pretty much all work, no play during his two days in Toronto this past August, his presence was felt definitely. I caught McCartney quickly rolling down the window of his Escalade to throw a quick wave to Fans outside his Hotel, before heading off to his show at Air Canada Centre. With Vinyl Records, Sharpies, CDs and Cameras all aimed his direction, it was Beatlemania allover again. It was incredibly quick and incredibly memorable.

Andrew Garfield and Me

12. Meeting Andrew Garfield. Although many of us are just getting to know him, Garfield by Summer 2012 will be everywhere due to his new high-profile role as Spider-Man. This year alone, he appeared in two widely acclaimed titles, Never Let Me Go (Mark Romanek) and more familiarly The Social Network (David Fincher). I met the talented Brit at the Premiere of Never Let Me Go this past September at TIFF. Although a bit awkward with the fame thing, he still was a Gentleman. Having seen The Social Network just days prior (thanks Nadia), I delivered him great praise to which he replied, "What?  How is it that you've seen it already and I haven't?".  I took two Photos with him and hilariously, he wasn’t quite sure which way to look both times. Just having garnered a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal as Eduardo Saverin, one of the co-founders of Facebook in The Social Network, he’s definitely a major contender for Best Supporting Actor at next February’s Oscars. Look out.

WIN A COPY OF "EAT PRAY LOVE" OR "THE OTHER GUYS" ON DVD

Something for both Guys and Girls! Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada and Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven are pleased to offer readers a chance to win DVDs of 2010's biggest Blockbuster hits!  Beginning today, you can win 1 of 3 copies of either scenic Eat Pray Love starring Julia Roberts, or hilarious The Other Guys starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.

• To qualify for a copy of Ryan Murphy's Eat Pray Love, leave a comment with the name of any of the three countries Elizabeth Gilbert (Roberts) visits in the film

• To qualify for a copy of Adam McKay's The Other Guys, leave a comment with the name of the actress who plays Allen Gamble's (Ferrell) wife.

Winners will be drawn Sunday, December 5, 2010, so please remember to include some way for me to reach you back. This Contest is restricted to residents of Canada  only and you are allowed one entry per DVD. If you are entering to win both DVDs, you must leave separate comments. 

Eat Pray Love hits stores Tuesday, November 23, 2010, while The Other Guys hits stores Tuesday, December 14, 2010. Perfect Holiday Gifts!

Again, tell me which Blog loves you the most.  Good luck, Mavenati! 

Don't forget to add yourself as a fan on my Facebook Page for more exciting Giveaways.

OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK TO LAUNCH IN CANADA MARCH 2011

OWN's Official Logo

Canada, are you ready for Oprah all day, every day? It has just been announced that Oprah Winfrey's much-talked about Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) will be launching in Canada via Corus Entertainment on March 1, 2011. Its U.S. launch will be taking place two months prior on New Year's Day.

OWN which targets Women aged 25 to 54, will be replacing existing channel VIVA as it caters to a similar demographic. To prepare Canadians for its launch, Corus' W Network and VIVA will be airing blocks of programming from OWN throughout January and February.

The many exciting programs to come include a reality show from Shania Twain, plus Talk Shows from Gayle King, Sarah Ferguson, Rosie O'Donnell and Lisa Ling. Above this, Julia Roberts will star in a Documentary called Extraordinary Moms, which also will be airing on the network!

To learn more about OWN's programming, click here.

JULIA ROBERTS AND MERYL STREEP: TOGETHER AT LAST

Julia Roberts in Toronto - July 2010

Julia Roberts has got a secret.  Or not.  In a surprising bit of news, it has been announced that both Roberts and Meryl Streep are close to confirming an on-screen collaboration in a forthcoming adaptation of the play August: Osage County.  The film will be directed by John Wells who is known mostly for his work on Television (ER) and also his forthcoming release The Company Men.  The film is being developed by The Weinstein Co. and hopefully will be condensed down from its near three-and-a-half hour stage version. 

August: Osage Country penned by Tracy Letts, is about a family with multiple generations of women facing different demons.  The Matriarch Violet (to be played by Streep), is overcoming a serious addiction to Prescription Drugs, while her eldest daughter Barbara (Roberts) is dealing with her husband's infidelity.  Although this won't begin filming until next summer, we can expect that perhaps 2012 will be a year of powerhouse female performances, especially with the recent news of Jodi Foster and Kate Winslet teaming up to star in Roman Polanski's screen adaptation of Tony Award-winning play God of Carnage.  Don't make me choose... please!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

DOES JULIA ROBERTS HATE JAPAN?

So does Julia Roberts hate Japan? That's what many Japanese fans seem to think as surprisingly to-date she has yet to visit one of the world's most technologically and fashion-forward countries. Roberts arrived in Japan earlier this week to promote Eat Pray Love and was nothing but smiles for Photographers.

"It’s just my good fortune to finally find myself here in Tokyo with all of you nice people”, it appears she's been groomed to say, at her Press Conference held this Wednesday in Tokyo.

From my own personal experience, Roberts seems a very private person and other than promoting, she appears to prefer staying away from the spotlight. I don't think this really applies specifically to Japan - it applies to everyone as she was pretty much in hiding for much of her stay in Toronto. And don't even think about approaching her when she has her Kids with her, I've heard as things can turn ugly. But I don't really think that's out-of-character for any Mother really being approached by strangers.

Japanese fans report that Roberts was extremely generous signing autographs at her Premiere in trendy Rappongi Hills. She even donned a Kimono - at least she's put forth some effort! You can check out some of the photos on JustJared.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

EAT PRAY LOVE REVIEW

You will have an uncontrollable urge to eat Pasta and Thin-Crust Pizza after seeing this. Sony Pictures' Eat Pray Love might take a few liberties with the Elizabeth Gilbert memoir in which it is based upon, but overall it succeeds as a movie-going experience.

Eat Pray Love, directed by Glee's Ryan Murphy, follows the story of successful writer Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) who decides that she is no longer satisfied with her marriage, leaving her husband Stephen (Billy Crudup). As predicted by a Medicine Man named Ketut (Hadi Subiyanto) whom she visits in an off-chance in Bali, she will lose everything before going on a year-long journey, which brings her back to him full circle.  He predicts she will gain everything back again in due time, but in order to do so she must complete this said journey. Thus, in finding herself, she takes a transcontinental trip leaving her life, possessions and friends like Delia (Viola Davis) in New York.  She travels to Italy, India and finally Indonesia. 

Liz is forced to face her biggest inner-demon - that is - finding and loving herself. Along the way though, she gets involved with an alluring young actor in David (James Franco); learns Italian while gaining much weight from Italy's sumptuous cuisine; masters the art of Meditation in India while befriending a no-nonsense Texan named Richard (Richard Jenkins) and finally finds love in Indonesia unexpectedly with a world-traveling Brazilian hunk Felipe (Javier Bardem).  All play a pivotal role in teaching her life lessons.  Oh, yeah.

NYC PREMIERE OF EAT PRAY LOVE & JAMES FRANCO ON EAT PRAY LOVE

*scream*  That's Javier Bardem and Julia Roberts at the New York premiere last night of Eat Pray Love held at Ziegfeld Theatre.  Doesn't she look amazing in a jacket Stella McCartney, daughter of this man, and shorts of by DVB (David Victoria Beckham)?

I just finished reading Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love literally minutes ago in what seemed like the quickest read ever, and am psyched to see it this Friday.  In the film, Bardem will play Felipe, a sexy Brazillian world traveler whom Roberts' character falls in love with after a journey of self-discovery which takes her across three countries.

Interestingly, James Franco who appears only early in the film as the younger lover David who devastates Roberts' character, covers the September issue of Esquire Magazine also.  In his interview, he's asked what he thought about the book Eat Pray Love and he replied frankly, "What can I say about Eat Pray Love? Let’s see (pauses for 15 seconds) You know, in Eat Pray Love, my character mostly appears in the first 20 pages of the book. (smiles) And I can definitely say I read the first twenty pages."  Hey - why work harder than you have to, right?  I call that efficiency!

I've done a quick search for early reviews of the movie and there appears to be some sort of an Embargo as there is nothing published yet still.  And generally that's a bad sign.  But let's be honest though, critics generally are tougher on Chick Flicks, so I say - walk in with low expectations.  I don't care as I am going to love it - any excuse to stare at Roberts for 133 minutes!  Let yourself go, B*tches!!

UPDATE: Ouch.  The Critics are mauling the Baby Lamb that is known as Eat Pray Love.  Click here for the scathing reviews.

(Photo credit: Associated Press)

JULIA ROBERTS IS NOT A FAN OF GLEE

*scream*  Julia Roberts sits down with Entertainment Weekly's Dave Karger on this week's issue and talks about (what else?!?) filming Eat Pray Love.  Karger flat out asks her, "Do you obsess over your appearance?  Do you like the way you look today?", to which she replies "I'm human.  Sometimes I, like anybody, wake up in the morning and go, 'F----, Really?  This is the starting point?'". 

On director Ryan Murphy and Glee, Roberts confirms she's not a fan of the show, "I'm not a Gleek.  But I was lucky because I had an in, so I got to watch all the DVDs.  I felt like I was ahead of the tsunami."

To read more from the interview, click here.

Sorry Peaches, I realize my obsession with Julia is bordering obsessive now so I apologize in advance if this is too much.  Actually, no - I don't really apologize.  What's wrong with you?  Can you not see how out-of- this-world gorgeous (albeit Photoshopped) she looks on the cover?!? 

JULIA ROBERTS ON GAINING 11 LBS. FILMING EAT PRAY LOVE

PopSugar has posted trascripts for a Press Junket my current obsession Julia Roberts for Eat Pray Love. She talks about working with Javier Bardem and putting on 11 lbs from all the eating in Italy.... but she definitely isn't feeling the Indian Cuisine.

On Italian cuisine: "...they did go to great elaborate pains to make food that I had to eat endlessly in the heat. So there was this one plate of pasta that was — all other circumstances removed — delicious pasta. It was simple spaghetti. It was delicious..."

On Indian cuisine: "India, well let's just say this. I, as a mother, pack like a 10-pound box of medicines and Band-aids and alcohol and all these things — which I never had to open — and a 10-pound box of snacks, so that might have been my favorite bite. Every time I turned to that box late at night, a granola bar."

Ouch! How could anyone not love Indian food?  Clearly she was eating in the wrong places!