CHLOE MORETZ AT TIFF FOR "HICK"

Chloe Moretz & Mr. Will-W.

The unmistakably talented 14 year-old Chloë Moretz made me a promise over Twitter the other day to take a Snap with me today and she followed through, remembering exactly who I was.  Despite there being hoards of people waiting for both her and George Clooney to exit their shared venue, Moretz still was wonderful, taking the time to greet as many Fans as possible.

Although I did see Hick today, personally it failed to meet my expectations in terms of believability, Moretz herself stepped-up to the challenges of her role and I am a true champion of her potential.  Unfortunately, Blake Lively did not visit the City as confirmed a few weeks back and Juliette Lewis, surprisingly didn't take the stage during the Q&A attended also by Co-star Eddie Redmayne following the Premiere at Winter Garden Theatre.  Lewis can however v. much be found around as she continues to film NBC's The Firm in the City til early next year.

Moretz can next be seen in Martin Scorcese's Hugo due November 23, 2011.

See more below:

CHLOE MORETZ AT TIFF FOR "HICK"

Chloë Grace Moretz in Toronto - September 2011

By far one of the brightest Stars of her generation, 14 year-old Chloë Grace Moretz already has won Critics over with her talent in titles like Kick-Ass and Let Me In. Along with starring in Martin Scorcese's Hugo, Moretz also appears in Indie flick Hick opposite Gossip Girl's Blake Lively.

Arriving just after midnight from London, hoards of Autograph Seekers crowded.  In anticipation of the volume, Police Officers were employed to help keep Fans away from Moretz and with a sincerely apologetic look in her eyes, she tried fitting in a couple scribbles to appease those who waited all day for her.  Moretz did Tweet me back personally after that she will take a Photo with me at the Premiere of Hick, which I will be attending.  What a Sweetheart!  Can't wait to see it!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

LEIGHTON MEESTER CONFIRMS TIFF 2011 VISIT

Leighton Meester Tweet

So it's confirmed! Gossip Girl Leighton Meester will be coming to Toronto for TIFF in September for her Film, The Oranges!  Meester (@itsmelighton) Tweets a Fan, @Miss_S_Liss a confirmation yesterday and like us, the Singer/Actress seems thrilled to visit our City.  She last came to Toronto for for Herbal Essences in August 2010.

Co-star Blake Lively likely will be here for her Film Hick during the Festival also considering she is the Film's Star. Perhaps they'll be lending each other a bit of support provided the timing is right?

CONDÉ NAST & UNIQLO "SAVE JAPAN!T-SHIRTS"

Karl Lagerfeld Save Japan!T-Shirt

Show your support for Japan's ongoing Disaster Relief by purchasing a limited edition Save Japan!T-Shirt from Japanese Fashion retailer Uniqlo and Publisher Condé Nast, featuring designs by an array of Celebrities.

The likes of Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham, Nicole Kidman, Karl Lagerfeld, Blake Lively, Charlize Theron, Cyndi Lauper and more contributed designs for the Initiative.  I myself am quite fond of Lagerfeld's design! For $19 US plus Shipping, you too can show your support.

Click here to see more.

(Photo credit: Uniqlo)

INTERVIEW: MARK STRONG ON "GREEN LANTERN"

Mark Strong in Toronto - June 2011

"Ah, Parking Validation.  What a fascinating thing!", he tells a small group of Journalists today as he entered the Interview Suite of his Hotel. Mark Strong had just arrived in Toronto earlier to promote his latest Film Green Lantern, Warner Bros.' eagerly-awaited Blockbuster from Director Martin Campbell. Dressed in a fitted navy blue Blazer, a crisp blue Shirt and Jeans, the 47 year-old British Thespian - and Father of two - admits, "I only first learned of Parking Validation in Los Angeles".

Strong's new-found Fame in North America having starred in recent mega-hits like Sherlock Holmes and Kick-Ass has been long overdue perhaps, after spending many years on-stage and in lesser-known  (in these parts at least) Television Series in the U.K.  He considers himself lucky to be cast in big-budget productions now, often as the Villain, posing the question "What's the point of making something that will never be seen?". He reveals that his eldest Son recently witnessed Fans approaching him for Autographs, confused at the sight of it all.  He had explained to his six year-old, "This is just a feature of my job, but it does not mean in any way that I am better than they are.".

Growing-up in London, Strong admits knowing little about American Superheroes - other than Superman whom he considers most iconic - as they were more obscure overseas. "I honestly knew nothing about Green Lantern.... Martin sent me a load of Comics to read. I became hooked on the look of Sinestro", whom he plays in this DC Comics adaptation.  The Character is the Leader of a race of Peace Protectors  (Lanterns) who shun the one chosen Human Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds).  Hal is faced with the daunting task of overcoming his fears and limitations as a Human in order to save the Universe from destructive Parallax (voiced by Clancy Brown). 

ROBERT PATTINSON & TAYLOR LAUTNER SHARE KISS AT 2011 MTV MOVIE AWARDS

Taylor Lautner & Robert Pattinson kiss at 2011 MTV Movie Awards

In what will be remembered as the most shockingly defining moment of the 2011 MTV Movie Awards, Robert Pattinson went into the audience where The Twilight Saga Co-star Taylor Lautner was sitting... and kissed him!  After much speculation that tonight would be the first time in which Pattinson and Girlfriend/Co-Star Kristen Stewart would be kissing publicly upon receiving their award for Best Kiss, Pattinson managed to break the tension successfully with his surprise move.  Pattinson also won Best Male Performance for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Jason Sudeikis of NBC's Saturday Night Live hosted for the first-time ever providing for several awkward moments, including making reference to Blake Lively's recent Nude Photo Scandal when introducing her and  Green Lantern Co-star Ryan Reynolds on-stage as Presenters.

Reese Witherspoon who received the MTV Generation Award for her body of work, gave younger Actresses a bit of advice, "If you're gonna take nude photos of yourself, cover your face!".  Calling, Blake Lively....

Other Winners this evening included Chloë Grace Moretz for Best Breakout Star in Kick-Ass, Emma Stone for Best Comedic Performance in Easy A, Justin Bieber for Most Jaw Dropping Moment in Never Say Never and Kristen Stewart for Best Female Performance in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.  The Twilight Saga: Eclipse garnered a total five Awards, leading all nominees in wins, including the top Award of the evening, Best Movie.

Click here for a full list of Winners.

(Photo credit: WireImage/MTV.Com)

THE 2011 MET GALA - RED CARPET VICTRESSES

One of my favourite events of the year to creep is the the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art's Costume Institute Gala and the Ladies came out in full force again this year.  The Gala this year features the Exhibition, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, honouring the late Designer whose Successor Sarah Burton has had Fashionistas in a fury uniformly with Kate Middleton's Grace Kelly-inspired Wedding Dress.

Jennifer Hudson flaunted that new Body in Oscar de la Renta.  Jennifer Lopez stunned in Gucci.  Blake Lively shocked in Chanel.  Dakota Fanning was cute in Valentino. Salma Hayek was flawless in Alexander McQueen.  Madonna was demure in Stella McCartney. Both Sofia Vergara and Renée Zellweger were perfection in Carolina Herrera.

Visit Zimbio for all the Photos.

(Photo credit: Zimbio/Getty Images)

MARTHA STEWART PRESENTS BLAKE LIVELY'S "EASTER DESSERT BUFFET"

Blake Lively's Easter Dessert Buffet

While at the TIME 100 Gala in New York City tonight, Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart spotted Gossip Girl's Blake Lively, an Honoree this year at tonight's festivities.  The Gala honours the year's most influencial people according to TIME Magazine.

Stewart Tweeted the above Photo of Lively's Easter Dessert Buffet, which quite literally is a rainbow of flavours.  And if I'm not mistaken, that's a seven-layer Rainbow Cake featuring every colour of the spectrum up in front.  I only wish Lively used a better Camera minus all the effects on her iPhone so we can better enjoy the details she put into her Table of Yummy.

Lively is known among the Baking Circle as quite the talent. Back in December, she and the Queen of the Cake Pop herself Bakerella, hooked-up and had a bit of a Baking Party.  Wish I were there!

(Photo credit: Blake Lively)

TIME MAGAZINE REVEALS ITS MOST INFLUENCIAL PEOPLE OF 2011

May 2011 issue of TIME

TIME Magazine has announced its annual TIME 100, honouring the most influencial People in the World. whose ideas have sparked dialogue and even revolution.  Included on the list this year are Arianna Huffington, Bruno Mars, Chris Colfer, Blake Lively,  Justin Bieber, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Mark Zuckerberg, Colin Firth, Sting, Amy Poehler, Michelle Obama and more!

Check out the complete list here.

(Photo credit: TIME)

PHOTOGRAPHER TERRY RICHARDSON IN TORONTO WITH LADY GAGA FOR "THE MONSTER BALL"

Terry Richardson & Mr. Will-W.

Famed Celebrity Photographer Terry Richardson arrived in Toronto today with Lady Gaga for her The Monster Ball Tour at Air Canada Centre.  Being the lone passenger aboard her Tour Bus to be dropped off at the front of their Hotel in Yorkville, the New York native was all smiles, posing with Gaga Fans for Photos and signing some Autographs for those who came prepared.  And I was one of the lucky who recognized him, getting a Photo together with Richardson.  And graciously he smiled for my Camera  - a great honour for me to photograph a Legend.

Earlier in the day, Richardson was seen on the Tarmac at Pearson International Airport, photographing Lady Gaga as she exited a private Gulfstream Jet.  They had flown in directly from Paris, where Gaga had made her Runway debut at a Thierry Mugler Fashion Show.

For those of you who need a refresher, the controversial Richardson had shot Gossip Girl's Blake Lively and Leighton Meester in a suggestive Rolling Stone Cover back in 2009 which saw them licking an Ice Cream Cone together.  And those gossip-inducing Photos of Lady Gaga seen in her famous Meat Dress.  Yes, that also is the work of Richardson.  Too amazing!

See more Photos of Richardson below:

BAKERELLA IN TORONTO FOR NEW BOOK "CAKE POPS"

Bakerella & Mr. Will-W.

I love this Woman!  Bakerella (née Angie Dudley) is at the forefront of this generation of Web Celebrities, who have found notoriety simply through their publishing their passions in Blog form.  Her eponymous Baking/Cake Decorating Website is becoming a hit among Celebrities, Homemakers, Foodies, Novice Bakers and Decorators alike.  

It all began with a Cake Decorating Course which Bakerella took in her native Atlanta, Georgia.  Her Hobby soon led to her posting Photos of her creations anonymously on Picture Sharing Website Flickr, and then subsequently, creating her own Blog.  Before she knew it, Martha Stewart, CTV's Canada AM and NBC's TODAY were calling her to book appearances.  Just this past week, Gossip Girl's Blake Lively met-up with Bakerella for a bit of a Bake-off and the pictures were posted online, which is how I discovered her work.  

Scrolling through the Blog, I found myself mesmerized by her Craft. Her original Cake Pops - Popsicles made of Cake and decorated/modeled into adorable Novelties - are the new rage, quickly demoting Cupcakes to the passé.  Who would've known the possibilities?

Bakerella is in Toronto promoting her new book Cake Pops by Bakerella.  The Hard Cover Book explains visually how you too can create these Confectionary delights, with a focus more on the decorating aspect of it.  Sheep, Snowmen, Bonbons, Chicks, Christmas Trees.  Everything.

THE TOWN TIFF GALA WITH BEN AFFLECK, BLAKE LIVELY, JON HAMM (PHOTOS & REVIEW)

Ben Affleck at
The Town Gala

Ben Affleck's The Town is a movie for the guys and even he joked at tonight's Roy Thomson Hall TIFF Gala that since his last directorial effort Gone Baby Gone "failed to set Hollywood on fire", perhaps this film will.  He went on to thank the Cast and Crew for their hard work on the film, before thanking also his wife Jennifer Garner who was in attendance.

Set in Charlotte, Massachusetts, this story involves a team of bank robbers who orchestrate a series of heists. Their master mind Doug (Affleck) however, falls for the same Bank Manager Claire (Rebecca Hall) he holds hostage, even though she is not cognizant of this in having been blind-folded by his accomplices. What ensues is a tale of betrayal, redemption and a high octane Tom-and-Jerry chase as FBI Agent Frawley (Jon Hamm) is in hot pursuit of the dangerous criminals responsible for terrorizing the town.  Will Doug be able to end his Criminal ways before he is caught?

My only problem with The Town other than its over-the-top implausibility, is its questionable choices in casting as Affleck opts for buzz and star-power in his on-going quest for a validating commercial/critical hit. Gossip Girl's Blake Lively despite her best efforts just doesn't quite nail the depth and history required of Krista, an alcohol and drug-dependent single mother and lover to Doug. The talented Hall is under-utilized, not given much of an emotional range to work with in her seemingly important role which somehow disappears in the high speed car chases and rounds of shoot-outs. The same could be said of Hamm's character also perhaps.

"THE TOWN" TIFF GALA PRESS CONFERENCE PHOTOS

I did scope out the Press Conference for Ben Affleck's The Town this afternoon and although it was rather amazing seeing Affleck and his co-stars up-close, it was extremely competitive to get a clear line of sight to photos with tons of Autograph Hounds traveling in from aboard - some blocking each other and any Cameras trying to snap a shot- with their Clip Boards.  Affleck did "bless" a few photos with his initials, as did Rebecca Hall and Blake Lively (both even more stunning in-person), but stars like Mad Men's Jon Hamm were a little less generous with autographs due to time constraints. The Hurt Locker actor Jeremy Renner signed a grand total of zero autographs, which was rather surprising.

The Gala for The Town takes place Saturday night at Roy Thompson Hall and I'll definitely be in attendance and posting a review soon.  By then hopefully, I'll have some more photos of its stars including Hamm, whose wonderful photo magically disappeared from my Camera!  In the meantime though, enjoy these snaps from earlier this afternoon.

Ben Affleck

BEN AFFLECK SHOWS OFF HIS GRAY HAIR IN VENICE FOR THE TOWN

Ben Affleck & Rebecca Hall
at Venice Film Festival for "The Town"

One of this year's most anticipated films is Ben Affleck's The Town and it just received Gala treatment at Venice Film Festival yesterday, where its principal stars all came out on the Red Carpet. Affleck has been generating a lot of buzz with his noticably Salt and Pepper hair, which actually suits him rather well if I might say so. But then again, when has Affleck not been handsome?

Time Out Magazine published one of the first reviews, giving it three out of five stars. The review calls the Bank Heist Drama "a slice of robust craftmanship". Awards Daily pointed out Empire Movies' review, which notes particularly that "the supporting cast is excellent – notably Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall and especially Blake Lively, as Doug’s (Affleck) white-trash girlfriend, who really help Affleck sell his rough-diamond antihero." Many are taking note of Affleck's directorial ability.

The TIFF Gala for The Town is this Sunday at Roy Thompson Hall and I'll be there! Cannot wait.  For everybody else, the film opens next Friday, September 17, 2010.

(Photo credit: Associated Press)