CILLIAN MURPHY & RODRIGO CORTÉS IN TORONTO FOR "RED LIGHTS"

Cillian Murphy & Rodrigo Cortés in Toronto - June 2012

Notoriously press-shy, acclaimed Irish-born/London-based Actor Cillian Murphy returned to the same City where he filmed Red Lights last April. Murphy just arrived in Toronto along with Director/Writer Rodrigo Cortés (Buried) to promote the Sci-Fi/Thriller which centers around Research Assistant Tom Buckley (Murphy) and Psychologist Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver). The Duo are known for their work uncovering Paranormal Hoaxes.  After having disappeared for several years, renowned Psychic Simon Silver (Robert DeNiro) resurfaces but soon becomes the target of an Investigation from Margaret and Tom who are determined to prove for once and for all that he has no supernatural abilities.

Moviegoers got a special treat at TIFF Bell Lightbox, getting a chance to interact with both Cortés and Murphy following Red Lights' Canadian Premiere.  Cortés tells the intimate Audience that much of what drives the Film along is the power of Doubt.  That is, even though we might be fully convinced that the Paranormal might not truly exist, the remote possibility of it existing is enough to trigger dialogue and thought on the matter. And Red Lights indeed is one of those Films which make you think after the Credits roll.

Praised by Cortés as being "The Only Actor who can turn a Romantic-Comedy into a Horror at the blink of an eye", we learned that a selective Murphy first and foremost was draw to the Film by its solid Script. In preparation for this Film had visited Las Vegas and worked closely with Paranormal Debunker James Randi (who was born in Toronto), while also receiving an abundance of Reading Material from Cortés. "Ultimately, it becomes about Characters", says Murphy. "You have to concentrate on what's driving the character. The Psychology of the characters - the emotions. That's what becomes the most important part.".

Watch a Clip of Cortés and Murphy speaking below:

ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO THE CANADIAN PREMIERE OF "RED LIGHTS"



Red Lights Official Artwork

Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven & Alliance Films want to give ten lucky Readers Double Passes to see the Canadian Premiere of Rodrigo Cortés' Red Lights.  The Event takes place at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 and both Cortés and the brilliant Cillian Murphy are expected to attend!

Shot partly in Toronto, Red Lights centers around two Investigators of Paranormal Hoaxes, the veteran Dr. Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and her young Assistant, Tom Buckley (Murphy), study the most varied Metaphysical Phenomena with the aim of proving their fraudulent origin.

Simon Silver (Robert De Niro), a legendary blind psychic, reappears after an enigmatic absence of 30 years to become the greatest international challenge for both Orthodox science and professional skeptics.

Tom starts to develop an intense obsession with Silver, whose magnetism becomes stronger with each new manifestation of inexplicable events. As Tom gets closer to Silver, tension mounts, and his worldview is threatened to its core.

Watch the Trailer for Red Lights in full below:

"LIBERAL ARTS": A CROWD-PLEASER AT SUNDANCE

Still from Liberal Arts

As the Sundance Film Festival approaches and end, yet another Crowd Please has emerged in How I Met Your Mother star Josh Radnor's Liberal Arts. Written, directed and starring himself and emerging star Elizabeth Olsen, the Dramedy sees Radnor playing a burnt-out 35-year-old Man who returns back to his College for inspiration, but instead winds up falling in love with a 19-year-old Student (Olsen). Allison Janney and Zac Efron also star.

IFC Films is confirmed to have picked-up distribution rights and IndieWire notes that it received two standing ovations at Sundance.  Impressive.

(Photo credit: BCDF Pictures)

"RED LIGHTS", "ARBITRAGE" & "ROBOT AND FRANK" GARNERING BUZZ AT SUNDANCE

Still from Red Lights

Filmed partly in Toronto, Director Rodrigo Cortés' Red Lights is getting a fair amount of positive buzz out of the Sundance Film Festival.  Described as "campy" and "over-the-top" by New York Magazine, the Thriller starring Sigourney Weaver, Elizabeth Olsen, Cillian Murphy and Robert DeNiro is about a Psychologist and her Assistant who study Paranormal Activity, being led to a world-renowned Psychic in Barcelona.  Alliance Films has picked-up this one, although there still isn't a set release date.  Will we be seeing this one at TIFF this September?

Richard Gere is no stranger to covering-up a secret or two. In 2002's Chicago, he played Billy Flynn - a top Lawyer hired to defend to Murderesses and also that year he starred in Unfaithful as a Husband who murders his Wife's Lover, rolling him up in a rug and throwing him in garbage dump.  Gere is gaining a ton of buzz at Sundance so far with his latest Drama, Arbitrage, which has him not only concealing his some financial wrong-doings at work, but also the death of his Mistress.  Juicy.  The New York Post also is raving that this juts might be the Actor's best performance ever.

Frank Langella and James Marsden star in Robot and Frank, a futuristic Comedy about and aged former-Jewel Thief whose Son employs a Robot to spend time with him.  New York Magazine already is calling the Film a "gem".

UPDATE: Abritrage was sold to Lionsgate Films and Roadside Attractions on January 25, 2012 for a reported $2.5 million. This might mean that Alliance Films will be distributing in Canada, seeing that they acquired Maple Pictures last year, which had a direct deal with Lionsgate.

(Photo credit: Nostromo Pictures)

ELIZABETH OLSEN, DAKOTA FANNING & ANTON YELCHIN TO STAR IN "VERY GOOD GIRLS"

Anton Yelchin at TIFF 2011

Deadline reports that Elizabeth Olsen, Dakota Fanning and Anton Yelchin are circling the Drama Very Good Girls, to be helmed by Naomi Foner - Mother of Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal. The Film centers around two Best Friends who after graduating High School, are determined to lose their Virginity that Summer. The situation becomes complicated as both Girls are attracted to the same Guy and it is said that both become "more Women than Girls" out of it all. Juicy.  I'm confident this one will be amaze already with its superb casting.

Filming begins this Summer in New York.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"WAR HORSE" WORLD PREMIERE PHOTOS

The Cast of War Horse with Director Steven Spielberg

The great-looking Cast of Steve Spielberg's War Horse hit the Red Carpet at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' Avery Fisher Hall last night for its official World Premiere. If emerging Actor Jeremy Irvine isn't on your radar yet, by all means he will be after seeing War Horse.  The heartwarming/heartbreaking Tale opens via DreamWorks Pictures on Christmas Day. The six-time TONY Award Winner opens at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto also on February 10, 2012.

Stars Irvine, Tom Hiddleston (sporting a Goatee), Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Celine Buckens, David Kross, Robert Emms, Director Steven Spielberg all attended the high-profile Premiere.   See how dapper Irvine looks in his Burberry Suit, paying homage to his native Britain. Mega-hot Elizabeth Olsen (getting lots of Oscar buzz for Martha Marcy May Marlene) and Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick also showed-up to show their support.

See more Photos from the Premiere below:

"MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Martha Marcy May Marlene

It's rare that I see a Movie so riveting that I'm haunted for days after and that's how I feel about Martha Marcy May Marlene. The Pyscho-thriller from Director Sean Durkin centers on a young Woman named Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) who escapes a Cult, then trying to reconnect with her estranged older Sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and Brother-in-Law Ted (Hugh Dancy).

Seemingly safe in being three hours away from the Cult Camp to which she belonged under the watchful eye of manipulative Leader Patrick (John Hawkes), Martha struggles to open-up to and connect with Lucy about the mysterious two-year gap where neither had been in-touch.  Silently, Martha is tortured by the shocking memories of her past two years, which saw her being brainwashed under Cult mentality, transitioning into an Enabler and a Sexual Commodity.  

Tensions mount between Lucy, Ted and Martha as the latter fails to transition back into a normal life, causing much strain on Lucy and Ted's marriage.  We witness Martha's Paranoia getting the better of her as time lines are crisscrossed between current and past.  Will she be able to escape her secretive past or will it destroy her and her Family altogether?

I cannot praise enough Olsen's daring performance here as Martha, as she disappears completely into her role at a level reminiscent of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Scarlett Johansson when they first had exploded as Darlings of Cinema. She handles the wide range required of her role with skilled precision, going with ease from fearfully trembling, to being emotionally numb, to outright vicious and at times hysterical.

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO SEE "MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE" IN TORONTO

Official Artwork for Martha Marcy May Marlene
(Subject to Classification)

Martha Marcy May Marlene is a powerful Psychological Thriller starring Elizabeth Olsen as Martha, a young Woman rapidly unraveling amidst her attempt to reclaim a normal life after fleeing from a Cult and its charismatic Leader (John Hawkes). Seeking help from her estranged older Sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and Brother-in-Law (Hugh Dancy), Martha is unable and unwilling to reveal the truth about her disappearance. When her memories trigger a chilling paranoia that her former Cult could still be pursuing her, the line between Martha's reality and delusion begins to blur.

After winning uanimous praise at TIFF, Sundance and Cannes earlier this year, talented new Director Sean Durkin is ready to unleash the hotly-tipped Martha Marcy May Marlene, featuring a breakthrough performance by Elizabeth Olsen, younger Sister of Moguls, Ashley & Mary-Kate.  For the first-time ever, Fox Searchlight Canada & Mr. Will-W.: Pop Maven are partnering to give ten lucky Readers Double Passes to  a Toronto Advance Screening of this exciting Thriller on Monday, October 24, 2011.

To enter to win, all you have to do is go to Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and "like" this Post.  Your deadline is Friday, October 21, 2011.  Good luck, Mavenati!

Watch the haunting Trailer in full for Martha Marcy May Marlene:

JAMES FRANCO AT TIFF 2011

James Franco in Toronto - September 2011

Here to present his Love Letter to River Phoenix and Gus Van Sant, titled My Own Private Idaho, James Franco seems to be atop many the Must-Meet Lists of many a Mavenati at TIFF 2011.  I spotted Franco out and about actually seeing Movies today, supporting fellow New Yorker Elizabeth Olsen's upcoming release Martha Marcy May Marlene.  In addition, he was at Princess of Wales Theatre supporting Michael Fassbender's much-buzzed Film Shame for which he won a Best Actor Award at the Venice Film Festival this past weekend.  He looked a little tired to say the least, but understandably so - the Man is a Machine.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

SARAH PAULSON AT TIFF 2011 WITH "MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE"

Sarah Paulson & Mr. Will-W.

Sarah Paulson was my first Celebrity spotting at TIFF 2011 and I caught her arriving in Toronto earlier this afternoon. She arrived a bit early as her Premiere for Martha Marcy May Marlene isn't until Sunday at Ryerson Theatre. The Drama about a young Woman looking to flee a Cult also stars one of this year's most exciting new names, Elizabeth Olsen who also arrived today.

Although Paulson is known mostly for her TV work, Martha Marcy May Marlene is gaining tons of acclaim already among the Critics and I can't wait to see it! Will let you know my thoughts in a bit.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

ELIZABETH OLSEN & SIGOURNEY WEAVER IN TORONTO FOR "RED LIGHTS"

Elizabeth Olsen & Mr. Will-W.

Don't even doubt that 22 year-old Elizabeth Olsen already is one of the hottest new names in Hollywood. The younger Sister of Multimedia Queens Mary-Kate & Ashley is just now working on her third Feature Film Red Lights, a Thriller directed by Rodrigo Cortés (Buried). Only recently did she win accolades for her work in Horror The Silent House at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City.  She also goes by Lizzie.

Olsen, who graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts (yes, the School of Lady Gaga) not long ago, stars in Red Lights as the love interest of Cillian Murphy. The Film is about a Psychologist named Margaret (Sigourney Weaver) who with her Assistant Tom (Murphy) study Paranormal Activity.  They then travel to Spain, visiting a world-renowned Psychic (Robert DeNiro).

Although a majority of filming for the Movie has taken place in Barcelona, two weeks' worth of Production was completed Toronto. Olsen wrapped early today and was actually a bit surprised to see that she had Fans asking for Autographs and wanting to take a Photo with her.  "Ugh, I look like a mess!", she chuckled.  Still though, she was incredibly friendly about posing for Photos as opposed to her Co-Star Murphy who was reported to be a little more shy about being photographed.  Filming wrapped officially after midnight with Olsen being the first to finish today; Murphy was the last to leave the Set at Pinewood Studios this evening.

SIGOURNEY WEAVER SPOTTED IN TORONTO FOR "RED LIGHTS"

Sigourney Weaver - TIFF 2007

Too awesome!  Walking in and around Union Station today after work, I spotted none other than a low-key Sigourney Weaver bundled-up in her puffy black Winter Coat.  The three-time Academy Award nominee is in-town til the end of the week filming Rodrigo Cortes' Red Lights. She was holding what looked like some Dinner in a brown Paper Bag from Richtree Market.  Yum.

There was nothing Diva about her, as she was channelling Aliens-era Weaver, toughing the light hail/rain the City saw today. Longest Winter ever. 

Weaver will be seen in a whopping seven Movies this year, including upcoming Maple Pictures release, Abduction starring Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins.  Red Lights, also starring Cillian Murphy, Robert DeNiro and Elizabeth Olsen,  is scheduled for a 2012 release.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

DeNIRO, WEAVER AND OLSEN-HEADLINING "RED LIGHTS" TO FILM IN TORONTO?

Robert DeNiro at TIFF 2010

Director Rodrigo Cortés heightened his profile significantly at TIFF 2010 with Maple Pictures' Buried and its One Man-Cast of Ryan Reynolds.  It is said that Cortés has completed Pre-Production on his next project titled Red Lights and is now ready to begin filming. 

Red Lights is a Thriller about a Psychiatrist and her Assistant who study Paranormal Activity.  From this, they are led to a Psychic. 

Now here's the Kicker. Attached to the project are Blockbuster names like Sigourney Weaver, Robert DeNiro, Toby Jones, Cillian Murphy and Elizabeth Olsen, younger Sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley.  22 year-old Olsen created quite a bit of buzz at the Sundance Film Festival a couple weeks ago with her performance in Silent House, another Thriller.

Although we are waiting on confirmation whether or not Red Lights will actually film in Toronto, a telling sign is that Pre-production for the Film has taken place in both Barcelona and Toronto.  Tentatively, it is set for a 2012 release.  IMDB indicates that filming indeed will take place in Canada.  Stay tuned.... 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)