ENTER TO WIN "FRIENDS WITH KIDS" ON DVD

Friends with Kids on DVD

One of the biggest hits of TIFF 2011 was Friends with Kids and after a few additional tune-ups and a decent run at the Theatres, the Jennifer Westfeldt acted, written and directed-Film is now seeing a DVD release.  We were at its Premiere - click here for a walk down Memory Lane!

Friends with Kids centers around two best Friends, Julie (Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott) who decide to raise a Child together. Although their feelings for one another are completely platonic, we begin to see complexities develop as they each carry-on in their own respective romantic lives.

Starring an outstanding Supporting Cast which includes Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Megan Fox, Chris O'Dowd, Edward Burns and more, Friends with Kids is equal parts a Drama as it is a Comedy and a Romance.  It hits stores on Tuesday, July 17, 2012.

Touchwood PR, VVS Films and Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven are excited to offer Canadian Readers a chance to win one of five DVD copies up for grabs.  All you have to do to enter is "like" this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and be following me on Twitter.  Your deadline is Friday, July 13, 2012.  Good luck.

Don't forget to check-out Touchwood PR's Facebook Page for information on their upcoming releases.

(Photo credit: VVS Films)

REVIEW: "THE DICTATOR"

Still from The Dictator

Anyone who watches Larry Charles' The Dictator should know well what they're getting into based on its Star Sacha Baron Cohen's prior Track Record. Having depended much on the entertaining shock value and the unscripted responses of his Alteregos's unsuspecting victims in Bruno and Borat, much this time around falls on his delivery as an Actor and the strength of his Script. And the results are brilliant … even if horribly wrong to laugh at.

Admiral General Aladeen (Cohen) is the Dictator of Wadiya, a Country he has oppressed for several years from Democracy. Times are changing however, and now no longer able to ignore the demands for change from his People, he flees to the United States working as a Grocery Store Clerk as a springboard to re-enter his Homeland of Wadiya.

Cohen's charm is undeniable in his dual role as the ruthless and endearing Aladeen and also his bullet-taking Decoy. Let's face it, The Dictator without him carrying a majority of the weight here and although deliciously crass, there never is a moment that we fail to see this as a Satire and a passionate statement about the World today. It is a witty acknowledgment of the ironies and hypocrisies of the World we live in, both sides of the continental divide.

Anna Faris is the perfect match to Cohen as his love interest Zoey, unaware yet fully aware of her place in all of this and in a rare moment. we get to see the intense Sir Ben Kingsley deliver the laughs here as Aladeen's plotting Uncle. At once we are delighted by a slew of surprise Cameos including the likes of John C. Reilly, Megan Fox, Jason Sudeikis, Nassim Pedrad and Bobby Lee - all in-on-the joke and loving it. Major laughs. Paramount Pictures releases The Dictator on May 16, 2012.

LINDSAY LOHAN TORONTO-BOUND FOR ELIZABETH TAYLOR TV MOVIE

Still from Mean Girls

Although I'm not quite sure what Elizabeth Taylor would think of it, Executive Producer Larry Thompson confirmed  first in January via E! News that Lindsay Lohan is set to star as that Film Icon in an upcoming Lifetime TV Movie titled tentatively, Elizabeth & Richard: A Love Story.  Megan Fox also was in- the-running but it is said that she is focusing now on starting a Family with Brian Austin Green.

The Film centers around the tumultuous relationship of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, as they met while filming Cleopatra and subsequently wound-up marrying and divorcing twice. What better Actress to take us through the Drama than someone who knows it well herself?  Production is set to take place in-and-around Toronto.

TMZ confirmed today that Lohan has been given the green light to work here in Canada after they had received confirmation from her Probation Officer and the Court that she completed her Community Work requirements.  We couldn't be happier for Lohan who is making a genuine effort to sort herself out, as she is set to return to the same City where she made 2004's legendary Mean Girls! 

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures)

NEW TRAILER FOR "84TH ACADEMY AWARDS"

Josh Duhamel & Megan Fox in Trailer for 84th Academy Awards

Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel go on an all-out search, winding-up in Mongolia in their quest for The Host. Billy Crystal, that is.  Crystal last hosted the Oscars back in 2004 and will be making a long-awaited return to the stage at the upcoming Awards Ceremony.

See this new funny Trailer for the 84th Academy Awards:

The Oscars air Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 7:00 PM EST on ABC.

(Photo/video credit: ABC)

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR "THE DICTATOR"

Sacha Baron Cohen as The Dictator

This looks like a hot mess. In a good way, that is. Sacha Baron Cohen does it again with BORAT-like flare in his next release from Paramount Pictures, The Dictator. If anything, he's even more ridiculous here as a Man who spares no cost to ensure his Homeland never gets tainted by the evils of Democracy.

We even see Megan Fox in-on-the-joke looking rather insulted after providing her "services" to The Dictator, asking him "What is this a Ruby? Is this a joke? What am I, a Kardashian?". That's gotta hurt.

Watch the Trailer for The Dictator in full below:

"FRIENDS WITH KIDS" PREMIERE AT TIFF WITH MEGAN FOX, JON HAMM, ADAM SCOTT & JENNIFER WESTFELDT

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green in Toronto - September 2011

Although tonight marked the Premiere of Actress Jennifer Westfeldt's directorial debut Friends with Kids, all eyes really were on the gorgeous Megan Fox on the Red Carpet tonight at Ryerson Theatre.  The Comedy premiering at TIFF 2011 received plenty of praise from its Audience and its Cast were kind enough to spend a generous amount of time greeting Fans.  Fox is said to have opted to greet Fans instead of sitting down to watch the Film.

I was one of the lucky ones who actually got a Photo with Fox, as she has built a reputation of not doing it prior.  Actually her Husband Brian Austin Green was the one to take the Photo, as Fox was in fine form this evening, ravishing in red.

Also in attendance this evening at the Premiere were Fox's Co-stars Jon Hamm, Adam Scott and Director Westfeldt (Hamm's longtime Partner).  Unfortunately, Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph were unable to attend the festivities.

See more Photos below:

NO SHORTAGE OF BEAUTY ON RED CARPET OF 68TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBES

Natalie Portman at 68th annual Golden Globes

Natalie Portman looked absolutely stunning on tonight's 68th annual Golden Globes Red Carpet at the Beverly Hilton.  Dressed in a Viktor & Rolf number adorned with a beautiful Red Rose, she was Classic Hollywood. 

Appearing incredibly bored on E!'s Red Carpet Special with Ryan Seacrest talking about the preparation process for Black Swan, she appeared rehearsed and confident.  When it came to answering questions about what she plans to name her Baby, due this Summer, she fumbled for words before eventually saying "We're open for suggestions!".  

Others who stunned on the Red Carpet included Angelina Jolie in Versace, Scarlett Johansson in Elie Saab, Olivia Wilde in Marchesa, Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad and both Megan Fox and Anne Hathaway in Armani.  Check out some Photos from tonight by Getty Images over at Zimbio.

(Photo credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

MEGAN FOX FILMING "FRIENDS WITH KIDS" WITH JON HAMM, JENNIFER WESTFELDT AND KRISTEN WIIG



Production Photo from Friends with Kids



Finally, a role in a non-Action film.  Megan Fox just posted this Behind-the-Scenes Photo on her Facebook Fan Page from the he set of her latest project Friends with Kids.  The Film is being written/produced/directed and acted by Jennifer Westfeldt, who also happens to be the longtime partner of red hot Jon Hamm.  Hamm also will star, along with the amazingly funny Kristen Wiig of Saturday Night Live.  It it said that Anne Hathaway originally was to star in the project too but that never came to fruition and it looks as though Fox has replaced her.  She will be dating the character of Adam Scott.

Its plot is a bit unconventional, revolving around  a pair of Best Friends who decide to have Children and date other people in response to the pressures of being married and having Kids.  Production is taking place in New York City right now and Friends with Kids is expected to hit theatres in 2012. 

Crossing fingers that this gets a screening at TIFF as both Hamm and Westfeldt were seen this past September mingling from party to party, possibly networking for the project?

(Photo credit: Megan Fox)

BILL MURRAY AT TIFF PREMIERE FOR "PASSION PLAY"

Veteran actor Bill Murray arrived at Ryerson Theatre earlier tonight for Mitch Glazer's Passion Play, along with mega-fox Megan Fox and Mickey Rourke.  Although the latter two did pop by to do Press and introduce the Film, Murray did stay through the whole film and did a Q&A with the audience afterwards.  

The film is about a girl who is controlled by a Gangster but gets saved by a Trumpet Player.  It is reported that Rourke but more Fox in particular, were wonderful signing as many autographs as they could for fans, while Murray opted only to shake hands at the Red Carpet.  On his way out of the Q&A though I was one of the lucky few who got Murray's coveted signature on my Lost in Translation DVD.  An honour.  

Check out this photo of Murray goofing around with a fan's Camera taking a picture of himself with it:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

MORE FILM TITLES ADDED TO TIFF 2010 LIST

Still from Hereafter

In what's shaping up to be a v. exciting TIFF, more titles have been confirmed for the festivities beginning September 9, 2010. I cannot wait.

Among the titles added were Passion Play (starring Mickey Rourke, Megan Fox), What's Wrong With Virginia (Emma Roberts, Ed Harris - directorial debut of Dustin Lance Black who penned Milk), Last Night (Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley), SUPER (Ellen Page, Kevin Bacon, Liv Tyler), Everything Must Go (Will Ferrell in a rare dramatic role), Let Me In (Chloë Moretz), Casey Affleck-directed Mockumentary I'm Still Here (Joaquin Phoenix) and Clint Eastwood's Hereafter (Matt Damon). Also as rumoured, Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle's 127 Hours (James Franco) has also been given the green light.

Definitely one of the better years in recent memory. Click here for the updated list of films and synopses on IndieWire.

VIDEO PREMIERE: EMINEM FT. RIHANNA - LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE

Better late than never! It seems to be a new phenomenon that songs are hitting number one before their videos are released in this age of Digital Downloads. The official Music Video for one of this summer's biggest hits, Eminem's Love the Way You Lie ft. Rihanna, has finally surfaced and in his typical flare, he delivers the Drama. And somewhere in-between Rihanna's hectic touring schedule, she managed to fit in a Video Shoot, sporting that gorgeous Red Hair I saw earlier last week when I got to meet her! And no, you're not mistaken, that is the positively sexy Megan Fox starring in the video.

TOY STORY 3 OPENS TO RECORD-BREAKING DEBUT

Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 3 slaughtered its rivals this weekend, debuting as the highest ever grossing opening weekend for an animated feature with $109 million. It opened on Friday as the 12th highest opening film of all time earning $41 million that day alone.

Sony Pictures' The Karate Kid continues to perform exceptionally well, taking in $29 million in its second week, which is more than many films earn in a theatrical run. The film just surpasses the $100 million mark domestically.

The A-Team despite getting pulverized in terms of reviews, brought in $13.8 million this weekend, good enough to put it in third proving that hot talented Bradley Cooper is now indeed a bona fide Leading Man.

Warner Bros.' Jonah Hex debuted in an embarrassing eighth spot with $5.1 million, a second consecutive Box Office bomb for gorgeous star Megan Fox after Jennifer's Body.

Expect Fox's Knight and Day to debut huge next weekend. The Action/Comedy stars Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise. Of course, the studio has an arrogant no Blogger policy so I won't be reviewing it prior.

JENNIFER'S BODY: AN AUTOPSY REPORT

This past weekend's Box Office tally has been published and although it is no surprise that Sony's Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs came out the clear winner with a take of $30.1 million, the biggest shocker of all is Fox's Jennifer's Body performing below expectations. The film was to be a star vehicle for Megan Fox although it came in at number six overall with just $6.8 million in ticket sales. The film was produced for just $16 million, so this shouldn't translate to a huge loss for the studio if you factor in rentals and that it hasn't opened overseas yet.

Fox was just in-town along with cast members Adam Brody and Amanda Seyfried at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of the film where the media turnout reached record numbers; tickets sold out completely. Warner Brothers' The Informant! starring Matt Damon came in a distant second with $10.5 million in sales. That film received the gala treatment at the Toronto International Film Festival and positive reviews generally. I guess this is what happens when studios aren't meticulous enough in their forecasting. I would've timed Jennifer's Body a little closer to Halloween....

I just received word from Universal Music that the highly-anticipated Mariah Carey album Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel will be delivered to me digitally any day now. Will be sure to post a review as soon as it pops in my Inbox. Am curious to listen as early reviews are uncharacteristically mixed. Billboard Magazine claims it's a winner; Perez Hilton claims it's a dud. He stated to me over e-mail that "Mariah needs Tommy Mottola back". Stay tuned.

TIFF DAY 2

Just taking a quick break after an afternoon of Press Conference gawking. It was amazing getting up close and personal with Amanda Seyfried (again!), Diablo Cody (again!), Megan Fox (!!!), Jeff Bridges, Scott Bakula... Matt Damon (!!!!) and get this, George Clooney (!!!!!!!). It was mass pandemonium for the latter two.

Damon was extremely kind posing for photographs and signing as many autographs as he could, as was the case with Clooney who arrived today with a cast on his right hand. Not quite sure what the story is there but he is truly amazing. I was lucky enough to get both Damon's and Clooney's signatures also. Gratuitous.

My good friend Josh is going to squeal when he receives my personalized copy of Transformers: The Movie signed by Fox herself. Happy Early Birthday!

Check out these photos I got below:

Off to attend the gala for Steve Soderbergh's The Informant!, starring Damon. For those of you in the Toronto area, I'll be on CTV/CP24 around 9 PM EST as their TIFF correspondent, so don't forget to tune in! I was on earlier today being interviewed by George Lagogianes and that segment should also be on loop throughout the day.

xW

TIFF DAY 1 - AN EDUCATION REVIEW

The Toronto International Film Festival kicked off today and excitement has lit up the city. I caught the opening gala of An Education at Ryerson Theatre tonight. The film is rapidly catching fire after earning consistently strong reviews across the board at both the Sundance and Venice Film Festivals. Directed by Lone Scherfig, the film takes place in suburban London in the '60s and stars newcomer Carey Mulligan as Jenny, in what is arguably the breakthrough performance of the year. Jenny is a 16 year old girl who gets courted by a wealthy playboy twice her age, David (played by Peter Sarsgaard). She sacrifices her bid for acceptance at Oxford University in the name of love and soon gains "an education" on the importance of having one's own dream. Also, Alfred Molina's performance as Jenny's father was outstanding. Superb. Grade: A

Here are some pics I got from the gala for An Education below and luckily, I had a few moments to chat with Mulligan about her uncomfortable choice of footwear which made her laugh out loud. Also in attendance Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle and Mamma Mia/Mean Girls star Amanda Seyfried, the latter who I also got to chat with briefly. Sweet girl.

I was anticipating seeing Penelope Cruz tonight at the gala for Pedro Almodovar's latest film Broken Embraces, but had little luck. She arrived at her gala very late and the public was kept very distant from the talent at Elgin Theatre. Word is that she's been out and about around Yorkville shopping. Seeing that I live in the area, I'll keep those fingers crossed for a chance encounter perhaps.

All eyes were on Megan Fox this evening at Ryerson Theatre for the midnight madness screening of Jennifer's Body. Directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Diablo Cody (Juno), fans of Fox camped out at the venue from midday onwards for a chance to see Hollywood's hottest new starlet. She did not disappoint either, arriving shortly after 11:30 PM. Fox stole the spotlight quickly from co-stars Amanda Seyfried and Adam Brody who were very punctual, arriving an hour early. I managed only to snap one shot of Fox, but it came out pretty well considering the manic circumstances. Cody was also very gracious to pose for a photograph for me. Enjoy the photos below:

I'll be attending the gala for The Informant! tomorrow night starring Matt Damon, in what critics are calling his career-defining performance and possibly Jane Campion's new film Bright Star afterwards. Will be spending the day scoping out some Press Conferences and hopefully be bringing you some more gorgeous photos of Megan Fox!

Night!


xW