"A DOLPHIN TALE" SWIMS TO THE TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Still from A Dolphin Tale

A Dolphin Tale swims to the top with $14.2 million of a wide-open weekend at the Box Office against many other Films just making their debuts. In two weeks it has earned $37.5 million for Warner Bros. after opening in second last weekend.

Holding-on in second spot again this weekend is Sony Pictures' Moneyball with $12.5 million, just-ahead of the Movie the beat it last week Disney's The Lion King 3-D, with $11.1 million.

50/50 despite strong reviews could only muster a debut in fourth spot with $8.9 million, making back its $8 million in production costs and good enough to edge-out Christian-themed Film Courageous, which only opened in 1,611 theatres. Honor begins at home its Tagline suggests.

Dream House, the Toronto-filmed Horror starring Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz wasn't a hit among Critics and despite being made for $60 million, it earned only $8.2 million in its debut in sixth.

What's Your Number? starring Anna Faris opens in 3,002 theatres with $5.6 million for 20th Century Fox in eighth, out-finishing former Champion, Contagion in ninth with $5 million.

"DREAM HOUSE" GETS 0% AT ROTTEN TOMATOES

Dream House rates 0% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer

Although it's only a handful of Reviews that have come in, things are looking rather grim for Toronto-filmed Horror Dream House by Jim Sheridan.  It had the Pedigree: a great Director, an Oscar-calibre Cast of Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz.  I was planning to see it, but likely now won't touch it with a ten-foot poll.

The Orlando Sentinel's Roger Moore says, "So much is just so...obvious.". The New York Daily News' Joel Neumaier notes, "More than likely, though, it will be recalled as one of the strangest movies the current James Bond (Craig) and the Oscar-winning actress have ever made.".  Variety unfortunately didn't have much better news, stating "Daniel Craig does everything to dispel comparisons to Stanley Kubrick's The Shining with a finely tuned performance, but the film flattens as it tries to explain his character's psychological state.". 

Reviews from many Key Players are still rolling-in, but this is pretty much the final blow for the troubled $60 million Film distributed in Canada by eOne Films which in the U.S. had gone through a hard-fought battle to get a PG-13 rating, but alas the MPAA upheld its decision to keep it Restricted. Also, the Horror has been pushed-back multiple times now after original plans to release it earlier in the year.  Re-shoots were ordered in Oakville (just west of Toronto) too this past Winter, accounting for some of those delays.  Terribly sad.

Will this be enough to deter you from seeing it?

"DREAM HOUSE" TRAILER SURFACES - IS DANIEL CRAIG THE VILLAIN?

Still from Dream House

"Everyone who lives in this house gets killed".

In what looks like a cross between The Others and Shutter Island, with elements from a litany of other Horror films, an official Trailer for Toronto-shot Dream House finally surfaces today.  And although originally it appeared to have been a Supernatural Thriller, it's looking more like a Psycho-Thriller, leaving us questioning whether Daniel Craig is the Hero or the Villain.  

There's much talk of Dream House returning to its Toronto roots for a TIFF Premiere in September and we'll soon see if this Rebirth will be taking place!

See the Trailer in full below:

FIRST OFFICIAL "DREAM HOUSE" POSTER

After being pushed-back due to Reshoots here in Toronto earlier this year, it appears that Dream House finally is ready for release.

This new Poster for the Jim Sheridan Horror starring Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts has just surfaced. They had that many big names and could only allocate that little bit of space to cram them all in?  Perhaps this Poster would be better fitted to a Film called Creeps on a Doorknob?

With over two months to go before its September 30, 2011 release, we have yet to even see a proper Trailer for the Film. This is beginning to scare me ...and not in a good way!

There is still some thought of it receiving a Premiere in September at TIFF, possibly as part of its Midnight Madness line-up? We'll soon know!

See the Poster below:

POSSIBLE 2011 TIFF TITLES? (UPDATED)

Still from Like Crazy

Although the Toronto International Film Festival is only a little over two months away, there already is wide speculation about which major Oscars Keyplayers will be getting a Toronto Premiere here come September.  Although these are based purely on rumour, the below v. possibly could be screening in the City - meaning you just might be seeing these Stars here!

Here are a few Candidates:

We Need to Talk About Kevin – starring Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly; about a Mother recounting the series of events leading up to her Son’s massacring of students and teachers at his High School.

Sleeping Beauty – Australian film starring Emily Browning about a Girl who enters a secret underground Prostitution Ring, taking a sleep-inducing Drug which then allows her Clientele to have their way with her without any recollection.

The Ides of March – starring George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti and Evan Rachel Wood. A Staff Member to a new Presidential Candidate is given a quick, dirty Crash Course on Politics during his Campaign Trail.

DANIEL CRAIG & RACHEL WEISZ MARRY SECRETLY

Rachel Weisz at TIFF 2008

If you think Rachel Weisz looks shocked here, how do you think I felt when US Magazine broke the story that both she and Daniel Craig tied the knot on Friday in New York City secretly?  It is said the Ceremony was a v. intimate one with few Friends invited.

Weisz and Craig's Romance had ignited late 2009-early 2010 when they were both in Toronto working on Jim Sheridan's Thriller Dream House.  At that time Weisz had still been married to Director Darren Aronofsky and Craig had been together with longtime Girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell.  Albeit quick, who are we to judge?  Congratulations to the talented Thespians!

Many are saying we likely will be seeing both at TIFF 2011 in September as the Film will be released around then.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

DANIEL CRAIG SPOTTED IN TORONTO FOR "DREAM HOUSE"

Still from Dream House

Although we have our hesitations about that sighting on Twitter earlier in the week now, it is confirmed that Daniel Craig officially is now in Toronto for Dream House Re-shoots.

The Thespian was spotted arriving in Toronto Wednesday night from a New Jersey flight. Click here to see the Photos at Just Jared!

Now for the question on everyone's mind, where is Rachel Weisz?

(Photo credit: Universal Pictures)

DANIEL CRAIG, OWEN WILSON, BELLA THORNE & MORE SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Yes, that's legit.

Gush.  He's back!  Daniel Craig was spotted yesterday in Yorkville doing a bit of shopping in Hazelton Lanes.  One Onlooker (@sabcav) saw James Bond himself perusing the Fashions at upscale Retailer TNT Blu.  Craig rolled into town quietly to do re-shoots for Jim Sheridan's Dream House for Universal Pictures.  There is talk of the Horror possibly getting a premiere at TIFF 2011, so don't fret quite yet if you miss your chance to spot him this time as he's known to be a difficult one.  No Rachel Weisz or Naomi Watts sightings yet though. *frown*

Woody Harrelson picked-up his BFF Owen Wilson at Hazelton Hotel's ONE Restaurant around 11:00 PM last night. Wilson was seen earlier dining in-the-open at Whole Foods after a taxing Bike Ride around the City which had Torontonians-a-Tweeting. The two headed to Drake Hotel for some late night libations and a smoke, giving Onlookers a taste of one of the hottest Celebrity Bromances this City has seen… ever!

One trustworthy source might have seen veteran Actor Malcolm McDowell at Starbucks in Yorkville earlier today. Although there are no Toronto Productions listed on his Docket, McDowell does have a Guest Spot on Vancouver-filmed Series Psych for the USA Network. Could it have been him?

DANIEL CRAIG DRESSES IN DRAG FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Daniel Craig in Drag

Daniel Craig lends his support to International Women's Day (today), appearing in this Television Spot for the website We Are Equals.  "It's not just about money and power" says Dame Judi Dench, ending the Ad by asking, "Are we equals?  Until the answer is 'yes', we may never stop asking."

I love you, Ladies!  Stay strong.  Nothing happens overnight, but we are heading the right way.  Being a Guy isn't all it's cut out to be either, trust me!

As an aside, today also happens to be the Birthday of Rachel Weisz, rumoured Girlfriend of Craig.  Born to be together?

Watch the Television Spot in full below:

DARREN ARONOFSKY & RACHEL WEISZ CONFIRM BREAK-UP

Darren Aronofsky at TIFF 2010

Worst news ever.  According to The Hollywood Reporter, acclaimed Director Darren Aronofsky and Oscar-winning Actress Rachel Weisz have split-up.  Although they never married, the two have a four year-old son, Henry Chance, with whom they will continue to share joint-custody.

Word is it that Rachel Weisz has been involved with Daniel Craig after they both met in Toronto earlier this year filming Universal Pictures' Dream House.  Scenes from the Horror Film will be re-shot here later in the month.  Both Aronofsky and Weisz were in Toronto this September for TIFF supporting eachother at their respective Premieres: Weisz had her Premiere for The Whistleblower at The Elgin and Aronofsky's Premiere for Black Swan was at Roy Thomson Hall.

On the other end of the spectrum, Craig hasn't been seen with longtime girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell much of late.  This however could be due more to his hectic filming schedule, which has seen him in both Stockholm for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Albuquerque for Cowboys & Aliens since Summertime. 

• Read some of my previous coverage of Dream House here.
• Read my coverage of Darren Aronofsky's Oscar contender Black Swan here.

They are/were so good together! All four of them.  Separately as couples, of course!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

THE KENNEDYS STARRING KATIE HOLMES FILMS IN TORONTO

Yes, that’s two Dawson’s Creek alumni to be filming in Toronto this summer. Katie Holmes has just signed on to play Jackie O. in upcoming History Channel mini-series The Kennedys alongside super-talented I-don't-need-an-SUV-I-can-take-a-cab-around-Toronto-thank you Greg Kinnear.

They will be here from June to September in tandem with filming for Sarah Polley’s new film Take This Waltz which stars former Dawson’s Creek star Michelle Williams. The public’s fascination with Jackie O. will once again be very prevalent as Rachel Weisz, as announced recently, will also be playing Jackie O. in feature film biopic which will start filming after completion of Jim Sheridan’s Dream House which is still ongoing in Toronto. I’ll definitely be dropping by the set of The Kennedys to bring you the scoop. Stay posted…  (Photo credit: Glamour Magazine)

RACHEL WEISZ AS JACKIE O.

Oscar winner Rachel Weisz is pairing up again with Director/partner Darren Aronofsky.  Their last time collaborating together was 2006's lacklustre The Fountain, which earned only $10 million at the Box Office after having been made for a $35 million budget. 

After throwing a few clunkers, as often is the case post-Oscar win, I'm actually intrigued to hear that their next project is a Jackie Onassis biopic.  The film takes place during the four days between John F. Kennedy's assasination and burial; it currently has no set distributor, although there were rumours that Steven Spielberg was attached to the project which turns out not to be true. 

Weisz is still in Toronto filming Jim Sheridan's thriller Dream House with Daniel Craig and Naomi Watts.  Interestingly, she was spotted at a Yoga studio around the corner from me earlier in the week.  As you may recall, I had an opportunity to visit the set of Dream House recently and it is said that they still have at least another month to go before filming reaches completion.  (Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

AN EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEAK AT DANIEL CRAIG'S NEW FILM "DREAM HOUSE"

Filming for director Jim Sheridan's (My Left Foot, Get Rich or Die Tryin') latest project Dream House began in and around Toronto in February, moving from the downtown core to Guelph, Newmarket and Oakville.  The thriller stars hunky thespian-turned-James Bond actor Daniel Craig, alongside Oscar winner Rachel Weisz and Oscar nominee Naomi Watts.  The story centers around a man (Craig), his wife (Weisz) and two daughters who relocate from New York to Connecticut.  After believing that they have found their ideal home, things start going horribly wrong after they discover through their neighbour (Watts), that a horrific occurrences had taken place prior in the home.  Looks juicy.

Although there is no set release date for Dream House, it will likely be in theatres early-mid 2011 via Universal Pictures.  Production is only at the half-way mark, with filming in Oakville to end March 31, 2010.  Scenes were being filmed today at scenic Gairloch Gardens where the production crew built a demo home to model one of the lavish homes on garden grounds.   The demo home will be featured in outdoor shots, while the indoor scenes are filmed in the actual home itself.   Snow and fog machines are being used to create a wintry effect.  It was reported that the demo home will be burned down during the wee hours of the final shooting night in Oakville.

FOOD: THE LAKEVIEW POUTINE

No other diner in Toronto has more history than The Lakeview (formerly known as The Lakeview Lunch).  The 24-hour diner, located in Little Portugal (1132 Dundas St. W), opened in 1937.  Its still-charmingly retro decor, has served as a set to many popular movies like Cocktail and The Boondock Saints.  Daniel Craig who has been in and around the city for the past month, also recently shot scenes from his new thriller Dream House (starring Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz) at the restaurant.

But asides from all its star power, the greasy spoon is known for its famous Poutine.  For my friends outside of Canada, this proudly Canadian creation is essentially French Fries, topped with Gravy and Cheese Curds.  The Lakeview however takes the dish up a few notches, stacking its Sweet Potato Fries base with: Cheese Curds, Crumbled Feta Cheese, Peameal Bacon, Garlic Onion Crunch, Wild Mushroom Sauté and House Gravy.  How's that for indulgence?  The bowl is $9.50 CAN and contains enough flavour, calories and carbohydrates to share with a group of friends.  

The Lakeview also offers a second variety of Poutine with Pulled Pork and Cheese Curds layered generously on top of Sweet Potato Fries.  This version in my opinion, easily eclipses the other version by a mile thanks to its irresistibly tangy BBQ sauce and a serving of pork that is large enough to upset The Muslim and Jewish community simultaneously.