ELI ROTH IN TORONTO FOR "HEMLOCK GROVE"

Eli Roth in Toronto - July 2012

Producer/Writer/Director and sometimes Actor Eli Roth has been working away for the past month on his forthcoming Netflix Series, Hemlock Grove and although he's been to Toronto several times already, I never had the opportunity of meeting him.  Fan-friendly Roth was spotted out and about today in the City's Fashion District, up-and-at-'em early after an overnight Shoot last night.

The Hostel Director is attached as a Producer to RZA's upcoming Kung-Fu Flick The Man with the Iron Fists, starring Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, Jamie Chung and Pam Grier.  There are rumours that Roth will be directing Crowe as Dracula also in Warner Bros.' Harker.  He also will be helming another Title, Green Inferno, due in theatres 2014.

Hemlock Grove films in the City till mid-December.

See Roth in-person Monday, July 30, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox as he presents the Horror Flick, Cannibal Ferox. Get your tickets here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

AMANDA SEYFRIED & TAYLOR SWIFT OFFERED ROLES IN TOM HOOPER'S "LES MISÉRABLES"

Taylor Swift in Toronto - July 2011

As if its Cast couldn't get any better, two more marquee names have been added to the Cast of Tom Hooper's (The King's Speech) Les Misérables, as reported by Twitch.

Amanda Seyfried who currently is in Los Angeles filming Lovelace - Pornstar Linda Lovelace's Biopic - has just been offered yet another Plum Role as Cosette in this Film Adaptation of the Victor Hugo Novel and internationally-acclaimed Stage Musical. Seyfried in addition to being a burgeoning star of Film, is a classically-trained Vocalist. It's hard to believe this is the same Girl who filmed Mean Girls in Toronto eight years ago. Her Agent truly deserves a raise.

If Seyfried's casting isn't enough to excite you, Les Misérables' Box Office fate has just been sealed by its offer to cast Country Pop Megastar Taylor Swift as a riches-to-rags Éponine, raised together with Cosette; both Girls long for Marius (Eddie Redmayne). Others up for the coveted Role of Éponine included: Lea Michele, Evan Rachel Wood and Scarlett Johansson. Although not quite the Actress as some of those others, it is understandable why Swift was chosen based on her arena-filling Fan Base.

To re-cap, these are the stellar Principal Cast members so far in Les Misérables:

ANNE HATHAWAY JOINS HUGH JACKMAN IN "LES MISÉRABLES"

Hugh Jackman in Toronto - July 2011

In what's shaping up to be a stellar Cast for the upcoming Musical Film Adaptation ofLes Misérables, Anne Hathaway has just been confirmed to play the coveted role of Fantine, as reported by Variety.  Hathaway's career just seems to be getting sweeter being set also to appear in upcoming The Dark Knight Rises as Catwoman next July.  Other Actresses in the running for the role of Fantine include Rebecca Hall and Amy Adams.

Set in 19th-Century France, Hugh Jackman will be taking on the Lead Role of Jean Valjean, a Prisoner on Parole for stealing bread, seeking redemption, while also evading the attentions of Inspector Javert. 

Although Russell Crowe (as Javert), Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter also are linked to the Project, there still is no word yet on who will be playing the important roles of  Cosette and Marius (taken-on recently Nick Jonas in London). Director Tom Hooper, known best for The King's Speech will be helming the Musical.

Universal Pictures will be releasing Les Misérables in the U.S., December 2012.


(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

REVIEW: ROBIN HOOD (2010)

Although it's completely not my genre, Sir Ridley Scott's Robin Hood gives moviegoers a lot of bang for their buck. The story follows Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe), an Archer fighting under King Richard's regime in France.  He and his comrades decidee to  returns to England after the King is killed at war.  Along the way, he comes across Robert Locksley (Douglas Hodge) who is ordered by King Richard to return his Crown to England, but Robert dies in transit and he entrusts Robin to take over the task, while requesting one final wish for him to to return his sword back to his father, Sir Walter Loxley (Max von Sydow).  

It is learned though that Godfrey (Mark Strong), who appears to be have allegiances to England, is actually plotting a secret French invasion of England. An arrogant and egotistical King John (Oscar Isaac) is crowned the new King of England after learning of his brother's death,  and he appoints Godfrey as Earl Marshall,  proving to be a fatal error. Along the way, Robin and his companions return to England where he meets Sir Walter and his daughter-in-law Marion (Cate Blanchett).  Robin is rewarded with more than he bargains for, including the hand in marriage of his Robert's strong-willed estranged wife, who agrees to re-wed only to keep her 5,000 acres of land as she would not be able to keep this without her husband being present.