"THE BOURNE LEGACY" CONTINUES TRADITION AT TOP OF BOX OFFICE



Still from The Bourne Legacy

If there was every any doubt that the Bourne Series would survive without its most recognizable face, Matt Damon, then away with that as The Bourne Legacy tops the Box Office this weekend in its debut with $40.3 million in North America for Universal Pictures. Opening in 3.745 theatres, the Film starring brilliant Jeremy Renner, is the third-strongest opening for the Franchise behind the second and third installments released in 2004 and 2007 respectively.

The Campaign starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis seems to have benefited from its ambitious and rowdy Whistle Stop Tour, including a stop in Toronto recently, earning $29 million for Warner Bros. The Political-Comedy opened in 3,205 theatres to a positive 66% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

Three-week Champion The Dark Knight Rises finally falls to number three in this its fourth week of release, earning $19.5 million this weekend also for Warner Bros., just ahead of Sony Pictures' Hope Springs starring Thespian Queen Meryl Streep and Steven Carrell. It made $15.5 million this weekend after opening solidly on Wednesday; strong reviews for this one also with 74% on the Tomatometer.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, the third in the Franchise finds itself in fifth spot this weekend with $9 million, ahead of a disappointing Total Recall which in its second week only earned $8.1 million despite some high expectations with its $250 million budget. Still waiting on Overseas numbers where it continues to expand and should fare well...

Universal Pictures' Ted still is going strong in ninth spot in its seventh week with $3.5 million, now breaking the $200 million mark.  Meanwhile The Amazing Spider-Man rounds out the Top Ten with $2.4 million.

ANNE HATHAWAY AT THE OSCARS: "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES" VS. "LES MISERABLES"

Anne Hathaway as Fantine in Les Miserables and Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises

We're half-way through 2012 as a year of Film and although I have yet to be supremely-wowed yet by any performances to-date, we cannot deny that this is Anne Hathaway's year.  In just a few months' time, she may well be an Oscar Winner in the category of Supporting Actress with two well-placed gigs which with the correct campaigning will have her v. visible on the radars of Academy Voters.

Already having received universal praise for her performance as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Warner Bros.' The Dark Knight Rises from Vanity Fair to President Obama, perhaps Hathaway's biggest shot is Tom Hooper's Les Miserables, due for a release mid-December via Universal Pictures?  The Studio appears to be confident enough in the 29-year-old Actress, using her highly emotive rendition of I Dream a Dream in the first cut of the Musical's Trailer, placing her front and center. It is impossible not to shiver hearing the tears in her voice.

The worst case scenario however for any Actor/Actress with two strong performances in one given year always is the Split Vote, which complicates matters slightly for Hathaway in the nomination process with two competing Studios campaigning for her. Ultimately though, it is difficult to foresee her being overlooked even with Voters being divided.

An Actor/Actress ultimately can receive only one nomination per category at the Oscars. Ask Kate Winslet for that matter who in the 2008-2009 Awards Season faced the dilemma of two Oscar-worthy performances in both The Reader and Revolutionary Road.  Her work in The Reader however ultimately prevailed with her being campaigned for the former and going on to win Best Actress.

(Photo credit: Universal Pictures/Warner Bros.)

"THE DARK KNIGHT RISES" THREE FOR THREE AT BOX OFFICE: "TOTAL RECALL" DEBUTS AT #2

Still from The Dark Knight Rises

Although it was expected to face stiff competition from Total Recall, alas The Dark Knight Rises reigns supreme a third straight week at the Box Office with a stunning $36.2 million earned this weekend. To-date in North America, it has grossed $353 million for Warner Bros.

With high expectations, the Remake of Total Recall from Len Wiseman debuts in second with a decent $26.5 million from 3,601 theatres. This still is a far cry from the $250 million in production costs footed by Sony Pictures for the Toronto-filmed Blockbuster starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel. Critics also have been harsh on the Film, with Rotten Tomatoes having it at 31% on their Tomatometer.

20th Century Fox's Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 opens in third with $14.5 million, which is well below the $23 million the second installment of the Franchise opened with in March 2011.

Ted which in its sixth week of release is still in the Top Ten at number six with $5.5 million for Universal Pictures, just ahead of Step Up: Revolution in its second week slipping to seventh a with $5.3 million, earning a total $23 million domestically.

Former Box Office Champion Brave still is going strong in this its seventh week with $2.8 million, while Magic Mike rounds out the Top Ten with $1.7 million, making it a Warner Bros. top and bottom this weekend.

"THE DARK KNIGHT RISES" STILL ON-TOP ON TEPID WEEKEND

Still from The Dark Knight Rises

In a tepid weekend at the Box Office, The Dark Knight Rises’ dominance still isn’t enough to spark some heavier Moviegoing with last week’s Colorado Tragedy still v. present in the Public’s Pysche. Add above that the fact that everyone's glued to their Television Sets watching the Olympics. Earning $65 million this weekend, the Batman Trilogy Finale cumulatively has earned $278 in North America, surpassing the $420-million mark globally for Warner Bros.

Despite limited promotion, 20th Century Fox’s all-star Comedy The Watch still manages to debut at number two with $13.3 million. Despite a Cast of Jonah Hill, Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller and Seth Rogen, it still only mustered an embarrassing 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.  This betters Ice Age 4: Continental Drift's showing just slightly in third with $13.2 million in its third week.

Step Up Revolution 3D dances its way to a debut in fourth spot with $11.8 million from 2,567 theatres, which actually is the lowest opening to-date for the Franchise. Now onto its fourth Film, the Series’ Sequels have yet to eclipse the performance of their Predecessor in 2006, which debuted with a bang at number two with $20.6 million.

Ted still continues to go strong with $7.4 million in this its fifth week of release, now earning $192.5 million in North America alone for Universal Pictures, just ahead of The Amazing Spider-Man which earns $7 million for Sony Pictures in its fourth week. It’s safe to say that the Reboot has somewhat underwhelming in terms of performance.

Meanwhile, Magic Mike still hangs-on at number eight with $2.2 million and Madea’s Witness Protection rounds out the Top Ten with $1.2 million in its fifth week.

“THE DARK KNIGHT” PREVAILS AT BOX OFFICE: WARNER BROS. OPTS TO NOT RELEASE WEEKEND TALLIES OUT OF RESPECT TO COLORADO VICTIMS

Still from The Dark Knight Rises

Firstly, I must commend Warner Bros. for not reporting Box Office tallies over the course of this weekend out of respect to those affected by Friday`s tragic Shootings in Colorado. I too have opted not to report Box Office results this weekend for the same reason.

It is no mystery that The Dark Knight Rises is a shoe-in to top the Box Office and it is terribly unfortunate that its hard-fought success has been marred, if not hindered by the horrific events which took place.

The Movies for me always have been a safe Haven and it is unthinkable that someone could be so callous as to take this sense of Security away from others.  My Heart goes out to the Families and Friends of those affected as I cannot even begin to understand the sense of grief and loss they are experiencing right now. 

As The Dark Knight himself would want, Truth and Justice shall prevail above all else.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

"THE DARK KNIGHT RISES": MOVIE REVIEW

Still from The Dark Knight Rises

Expectations are impossibly high for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, the Finale to his epic Batman Trilogy. Fans of its two Predecessors however, have little to worry about here.  This Installment introduces us to a battle-worn Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) eight years in exile after Batman is seen as being responsible for the death of Gotham's Community Pillar, D.A. Harvey Dent. 

Gotham however is under-siege with the imminent danger brought-on by a menacing presence with a Terrorist Agenda, Bane (Tom Hardy).  Although she appears immediately as a Foe, the beguiling Burglar Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) is called-upon by a soon to be out-of-exile Batman to save the City of its greatest threat yet.  Will this be enough we wonder, and at what lengths will Batman go to in order to protect a City which continually has shunned him despite his good intentions?

The Dark Knight Rises is without a question a Work of Art.  The Film is breathtakingly-shot, with some masterfully choreographed Action sequences and first-rate performances from the best Hollywood has to offer.  At the same time, it presents some thought-provoking parallels to the World we live in and also Humanity today - if only we all had an all-consuming drive for Justice and Selflessness like Batman...   Perhaps as we approach possibly a Post-Obama Era even, this Film needed to be made as a reflection of the Collective Consciousness and where we stand right now in the continuous War against Terrorism.

Bale as always can be counted upon to deliver and he does so once again with understated charm.  A hardly-recognizable Hardy is terrifying to watch as Bane - deliciously ruthless, albeit lacking enough dimension for my liking, considering his outstanding range as an Actor. We never really get a true sense of what lies beneath his unquenchable thirst for Destruction. Gary Oldman as the vulnerable Jim Gordon and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake round-out what quite possibly is the Dream Team of Ensemble Casts.  I however, cannot mask my excitement for Hathaway's irresistible portrayal of  Catwoman/Selina Kyle, silencing any doubt that she could really pull-off that daunting assignment.  Dare I say she might even find herself in-contention for her second ever Oscar Nomination?

MATTHEW MODINE & NESTOR CARBONELL AT CANADIAN PREMIERE OF "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES"

Nestor Carbonell & Matthew Modine at Canadian Premiere of The Dark Knight Rises

Although more a modest Cousin to the The Dark Knight Rises Premiere which took place in London tonight at Leicester Square, Toronto played host to the Canadian Premiere of perhaps 2012's most eagerly-anticipated Film. The final Installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy is poised to open big with estimates just-shy of the $200 million mark to be made domestically this weekend.

Stars Matthew Modine (Any Given Sunday, Full Metal Jacket) and Nestor Carbonell (Lost, Ringer) flew-in to the City for a round of Press in support of what is seen at this point as a Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars.  Modine plays the integral Role of Deputy Commissioner Foley, while Carbonell reprises the Role of Gotham's Mayor Anthony Garcia in The Dark Knight Rises.  The Actors combined made appearances earlier today on CityTV's Breakfast Television, CP24 Breakfast and also CTV's Canada AM.

Modine and Carbonell graced the Red Carpet tonight in the City's Financial District at a Venue which for one night only was re-branded Wayne Manor - of course an Homage to the Film's Hero, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale). The glamorous Affair thematically was tied into the Film, named the Black & White Masquerade Ball. Earlier in the evening, Modine sat-in on the Canadian Premiere at Scotiabank Theatre.

I was one of the lucky few who was able to attend the Premiere and will be posting my full Review of The Dark Knight Rises on Friday.  Stay tuned!

Warner Bros. releases The Dark Knight Rises on Friday, July 20, 2012 with several theatres offering Midnight Screenings. 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO THE CANADIAN PREMIERE OF "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES"

Still from The Dark Knight Rises

With its Premiere descending upon us, our Friends at Warner Bros. Canada are giving Fans a chance to rise to the occasion!  The Dark Knight Rises premieres Wednesday, July 18, 2012 here in Toronto and you can enter to win via Twitter a Double Pass to see it first.

Simply ReTweet the below and remember to follow @WBPicturesCan and @WarnerBrosTDot!

"I want to RISE with @warnerbrostdot at the Toronto Premiere of ‪#TheDarkKnightRises‬" to win 2 passes. Contest ends Sunday." 

Yes, there will be Cast in-attendance, although who still has yet to be confirmed.  Good luck!  See you there!

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

BATMAN'S "THE TUMBLER" ARRIVES IN TORONTO

The Tumbler in Toronto - June 2012

Batman Fans, rejoice! The Tumbler, seen in all three Batman/The Dark Knight Films, made an appearance at the Corus Quay Building earlier today as part of its Tour across Toronto. Just yesterday, the Vehicle along with The Bat-Pod, made a Stop-off at Bay Adelaide Centre and later today it can be seen in-person at Yonge x Eglinton at RioCan Eglinton Centre. Between 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM tomorrow, The Tumbler also will be on display at Dundas Square as part of Herbie Day Festivities for SickKids Hospital.

After receiving clearance through a few Publicists, Onlookers got to witness the opening of The Tumbler and one lucky Man - Derek Welsman from The Edge 102.1 - got to sit inside it even. No Photos though, unfortunately!

The Tumbler Tour is organized by Warner Bros. Canada to celebrate the upcoming release of The Dark Knight Rises on July 20, 2012. Find out where it'll be stopping-off next here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

NEW TRAILER: "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES"

Still from The Dark Knight Rises

After much talk about it, finally the Official Trailer for The Dark Knight Rises is here and v. present. Christopher Nolan looks like he has yet another dark Masterpiece ready for us to devour. Those of you who see Marvel's The Avengers this weekend will be seeing this Trailer on the big screen. Can you handle this?

Although many had their doubts about Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, I'd say their fears should be alleviated after seeing her level of conviction here.  Cannot wait for Tom Hardy as Bane, looking in top form here.

Watch the Trailer below:

BURN GORMAN SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Burn Gorman & Mr. Will-W.

What an amazing surprise it was today to take Billy on a walk and run into British Actor Burn Gorman strolling about Yorkville with a bag of new threads from Diesel!  Gorman who has built an extensive Résumé overseas in titles like cult-hit series Torchwood and Johnny English Reborn, is now coming into his own as a bona fide Film Star with two major releases to come this year, including Toronto-filmed Red Lights alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Sigourney Weaver, Robert DeNiro and Cillian Murphy, plus eagerly-awaited Blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises, out July 20, 2012.

Gorman revealed that he has been in-and-out of the City filming Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim and that one of the things he looks forward to most here is the Food.  His favourite spot to get a meal is Tokyo Sushi he tells me, although I recommended Yorkville's Sushi Inn, which he promises to try!  He was smitten with Billy telling me that he grew-up with Shih Tzus at-home, although his Mom's often had black and white markings.  "Let's do this, Dude!", he cued me happy to do a quick Snap on my Blackberry.  Awesome Guy!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

FIRST TRAILER: "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES"

Still from The Dark Knight Rises

"There's a storm coming Mr. Wayne.  You and your friends better batten down the hatches cause when it hits, you're all gonna wonder how you ever thought you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us." - Catwoman

At long last, a proper 2:00 minute official Trailer for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises has surfaced after Moviegoers were enticed last week with a six-minute Prologue before Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

Without giving too much away, we see that Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has his doubts about his ability to resurface again, although ultimately he is forced to resurface again to protect Gotham City against the ruthlessly tyrannical Bane (Tom Hardy).  We also see the sometimes villainous Catwoman/Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) introduced as an ever imposing presence.  Looks superb and it's actually pretty exciting to see Hathaway break out the claws in one of her more daring roles ever. Are you excited?

Watch the Trailer in full below:

NEW TEASER POSTER FOR "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES" & TRAILER DETAILS

Teaser Poster for The Dark Knight Rises

Warner Bros. has just released this new Poster for The Dark Knight Rises and one brazen Fan even uploaded a Trailer which the Studio quickly asked to be removed. It is looking likely that it will be unleashed this weekend for Moviegoers seeing another Monster from the Studio, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2.

Collider has specific details of what the Teaser Trailer includes, which you can read about here.  From the sounds of it Bane (Tom Hardy) is a menacing presence, bringing out the fear in Batman (Christian Bale) himself.  

Even though it won't be out til July 20, 2012, I wouldn't be surprised if this in itself draws some die-hard Batman Fans out to the theatre this weekend!

MARION COTILLARD DELIVERS BABY BOY

Marion Cotillard & Mr. Will-W. - TIFF 2010

Congratulations, Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet! Two French Couple are the proud parents of a Baby Boy.  Le nom du bébé? Marcel est son nom ...and he was born last night. And yes I can clarify he definitely isn't mine, although you might think otherwise with all the love beaming from our eyes in the above Photo taken last September in Toronto.

Although we'll be missing Oscar-winning Cotillard in Toronto this Summer, we'll soon see her in the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises alongside Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway.

Cotillard as you might recall originally was a frontrunner opposite to star Robert Pattinson in David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis set to begin filming next week. The role eventually went to Toronto's Sarah Gadon.

THANK YOU, TOM HARDY.

Personalized Photo from Tom Hardy

Some Boys really have all the luck!  Thank you to Mr. Tom Hardy, for this lovely personalized Photo.  It made my day completely.  Huge fan.  *gush*

See Hardy next in upcoming Boxing Film Warrior and This Means Wear, alongside Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon.  He also has recently been cast in The Dark Knight Rises as Bane together with his Inception Co-star Marion Cotillard, Anne Hathaway, Morgan Freeman and of course, Batman himself, Christian Bale.

ANNE HATHAWAY CAST AS CATWOMAN

Anne Hathaway at TIFF 2008

Christopher Nolan has announced some exciting news regarding the new Batman Rises Film, which is in development. Starring alongside Golden Globe Winner Christian Bale as Batman will be none other than Red Carpet favourite Anne Hathaway as Catwoman. Sexy Brit Tom Hardy will also be appearing in the Film as Bane, The Hollywood Reporter reveals here.

This will be Hardy's second time working with Director Nolan as they teamed together in last Summer's Inception. His character is known as one of Batman's most intellegent and power opponents. Warner Bros. will be releasing Batman Rises tentatively on July 20, 2012.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)