REVIEW: "CORIOLANUS"

Still from Coriolanus

If there's one Human Truth one can take away from Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut Coriolanus, it would be the importance of living your own life. The Action-Drama takes modern sensibility, edgy (albeit shaky) Cinematography, outstanding acting and delivers William Shakespeare's lesser-known Play with some bloody, violent gusto.

The Film centers on Coriolanus (Fiennes), a Roman General who at once is celebrated and loathed by his people.  Under the pressure of his controlling Mother Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave), he is given little choice but to advance to the position of Consul.  After failing to win the hearts of Romans and thus their requisite votes, he reacts angrily and finally is banished from Rome. Coriolanus, leaves behind his beloved Mother, his Wife Virgilia (Jessica Chastain) and Son Martius (Harry Fenn) to form a shocking alliance with his Arch-Nemesis Aufidius (Gerard Butler).  Alas, our Hero's loyalties are tested to the extreme when his Family returns to confront him, but has Coriolanus reached the point of no return?

Point blank, Coriolanus isn't for everyone.  Some fans of Contemporary Cinema simply won't connect with John Logan's Screenplay, which faithfully is Shakespearean; this of course, bodes well for Enthusiasts. Some may even react queasily to the copious amount of violence seen on-screen, but in the end, the Film raises generates some interesting thoughts about Free Will, Betrayal and the cost of Ambition.

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO SEE AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF "CORIOLANUS"

Still from Coriolanus

With both Jessica Chastain and Vanessa Redgrave already winning Best Supporting Actress awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and San Francisco Film Critics respectively, Coriolanus is already stamping itself as a Contender this Awards Season.

The Directorial Debut from Oscar Winner Ralph Fiennes, also starring himself, made its rounds at TIFF in September and already is appearing in a number of Best-of Lists. The William Shakespeare Adaptation centers around a fallen Roman Hero named Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes) who allies with a sworn enemy in Tullus (Gerard Butler) to take his revenge on the City. 

D Films releases Coriolanus on January 20, 2012. Click here to watch its exclusive Canadian Trailer.

To enter to win a pair of passes to see the Film on January 18, 2012 at Varsity Cinema, click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook before January 10, 2012.  You may also Re-Tweet the following (you must be following @mrwillw) to qualify:

Mr. Will-W. wants to take me to see D Films' Coriolanus, opening in theatres 1/20/12. #MRWILLWCORIOLANUS

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Shall we re-live the time we met both Stars Jessica Chastain, Gerard Butler and Brian Cox back in September?

NEW TRAILER: "CORIOLANUS"

Promotional Still from Coriolanus

Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut, Coriolanus received raves at TIFF 2011 and a release date has been set for Christmas Day for the Drama based upon the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. Already having received many raves, especially for Vanessa Redgrave's performance, its Story centers around Caius Martius Coriolanus (Fiennes) who defies his Mother Volumnia's (Redgrave) wishes, to become Consul in Rome, to instead team with his nemesis Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler), in taking revenge against the same City which refused to support him.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

GERARD BUTLER FAN FRENZY AT TIFF 2011 FOR "CORIOLANUS"

Gerard Butler at TIFF 2011

If there was one Star who stole the show in Toronto during TIFF 2011, it definitely would be Gerard Butler, who between his two Movies at the Festival - Machime Gun Preacher and Coriolanus - and all the promotion that entailed, has been out partying hard, remaining ever-visible and creating interest in his new work. And the Ladies love it as evinced by a massive crowd of them waiting at Roy Thomson Hall last night for Machine Gun Preacher's Premiere.

I caught the Scottish Hunk leaving a Press Conference for Coriolanus earlier today, single-handedly causing a frenzy on his way out as Media lined up to get a chance to interview him and Fans clamoured for an Autograph. One Fan threw his Photo over my lens just as Butler had begun to take a Photo with me which upset him, declining to give that Collector an Autograph.  My Hero. Gerard Butler, Keeper of Justice.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

RALPH FIENNES AT TIFF 2011 WITH "CORIOLANUS"

Ralph Fiennes at TIFF 2011

Ralph Fiennes might be known as Voldemort to a generation of Harry Potter Fans, but the Oscar-nominated Actor now is turning his sights to directing, with his debut Film Coriolanus premiering at TIFF 2011.  Fiennes made some face-time with Fans and Media outside the Press Conference for the Film today, his first visit to the City since TIFF 2008 with The Duchess opposite Keira Knightley.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

JESSICA CHASTAIN AT TIFF 2011 FOR "CORIOLANUS"

Jessica Chastain at TIFF 2011

One of the names I was most excited to see at TIFF 2011 was Jessica Chastain and I'm thrilled to say I've gotten my chance to meet her.  Appearing in eight films over the span of one year, all eyes are on this new "It Girl" who went from Theatre to starring alongside Brad Pitt and Sean Penn earlier this year in The Tree of Life.

Currently in Toronto promoting Coriolanus, the directorial debut of acclaimed Actor Ralph Fiennes, Chastain also is slated for an appearance at the Premiere of Take Shelter alongside Michael Shannon later this week.  She will be filming Thriller Mama, a Guillermo del Toro production, in a couple weeks' time in the City too!

Chastain was an absolute Sweetheart, making her way through Fans waiting outside her Press Conference today, before being cat-called over by a bunch of Construction Workers and she played it up even, planting a kiss on one lucky Guy's cheek!  Love her!

See more of Chastain below:

GERARD BUTLER AT TIFF FOR "MACHINE GUN PREACHER" & "CORIOLANUS"

Gerard Butler in Toronto - September 2011

Doing his rounds earlier today, Gerard Butler visited a Yorkville Hotel quickly for Photos and although he made it clear, "I don't have time for individual Photos!", he did roll down his window and wave to Fans quickly before taking out his own Blackberry to take Photos of his Fans!  

After having premiered Machine Gun Preacher on Sunday night at Roy Thomson Hall to hoards of screaming Fans, he next will be appearing alongside Ralph Fiennes, Jessica Chastain and Vanessa Redgrave at the VISA Screening Room on Monday night at the Premiere of Coriolanus.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BRIAN COX AT TIFF 2011 FOR "CORIOLANUS"

Brian Cox & Mr. Will-W.

Veteran Actor Brian Cox may be in-town for the Premiere of Ralph Fiennes' directorial Debut, Coriolanus, but that didn't stop him from taking out some time for leisure today at Hazelton Hotel's at Boy and Doll Public Relations' first-ever Premier Celebrity Gift and Lifestyle Lounge.

Perusing the various selections, particularly the Jewelry offerings, Cox and his Wife Nicole appeared to be having a wonderful time! Thank you BADPR for having me. Can't wait to dig into my Goodie Bag!

Coriolanus premieres Monday night at VISA Screening Room and stars Jessica Chastain, Vanessa Redgrave, Gerard Butler and Ralph Fiennes are said to be attending!

JESSICA CHASTAIN TO FILM "MAMA" IN TORONTO

Jessica Chastain

Things like this make me giddy like a School Girl. Tree of Life, The Debt, The Help, Take Shelter, Coriolanus, Texas Killing Fields, Wilde Salome and The Wettest Country in the World are among some of Jessica Chastain's recent projects to receive much critical buzz.  Count 'em - that's eight high-profile releases slated for release within the span of a year. In addition to there being much talk of her being a Front-runner in the Oscars Best Supporting Actress race for her work in The Help, Chastain just won the Gucci Award for Women in Cinema earlier this weekend in Venice.

But get this - the new Queen of Cinema will be filming in Toronto from October to December, in addition to attending the TIFF 2011 Premieres of Take Shelter and Coriolanus. She is set to star in Guillermo del Toro-produced Mama, a Thriller about two Girls who escape a cruel Woman they believe to be there Mother. Mama, which is one of two del Toro Films being produced in Toronto simultaneously (the other is Pacific Rim), will be directed by Andre Muschietti. OMG. Dying here.

(Photo credit: Alliance Films)