NEW TRAILER: "SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK" STARRING BRADLEY COOPER & JENNIFER LAWRENCE

Still from Silver Linings Playbook

After four years in a Mental Institution, Pat (Bradley Cooper) - a former Teacher - returns home to live with his Parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-Wife. Directed by David O. Russell (The Fighter), Silver Linings Playbook brings together a superb Cast which includes Jennifer Lawrence (her third Alliance Films release in 2012!), Robert DeNiro, Julia Stiles, Jackie Weaver and Chris Tucker.

Check out this enticing new Trailer:

HAPPY HUNGER GAMES!

Josh Hutcherson in Toronto - March 2012

Opening in 4,137 theatres today, The Hunger Games according to some estimates, is expected to make up to $150 million this weekend alone.  Will it live up to the hype with Midnight Screenings alone last night drawing huge line-ups north and south of the Border?

In case you're planning to see it this weekend, here are a few links for you to get up-to-speed on all the fun we've had with it!

• My Review of The Hunger Games
• Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth & Alexander Ludwig in Toronto for Canadian Premiere of The Hunger Games (Pics & Video)
• Alexander Ludwig in Toronto for The Hunger Games
• Jennifer Lawrence Autograph The Hunger Games Prize Pack 
• Liam Hemsworth & Alexander Ludwig Autograph The Hunger Games Prize Pack

Have fun if you're seeing it this weekend - and many of you are - and may the odds be forever in your favour! Happy Hunger Games!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

ALEXANDER LUDWIG IN TORONTO FOR "THE HUNGER GAMES"

Alexander Ludwig in Toronto - March 2012

Making one last round of stops in Toronto, Vancouver's Alexander Ludwig visited KISS 92.5 and City TV's Breakfast Television before heading back home for more The Hunger Games festivities tonight.  Scheduled for him at Chapters Metro Town in Burnaby this evening is a Hero's Welcome Home where he will be meeting Fans and signing Autographs. 

The Actor who stars as the villainous Cato in what is the first installment of the next massive Teen Franchise to hit theatres Friday, promoted the Film along with Co-stars Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth yesterday in the City. He also walked the Red Carpet at its Canadian Premiere and we were there! Click here for more on that and how you can win a Photo Signed by Ludwig.

The thick morning fog could not keep Ludwig from seeing his Fans outside KISS 92.5 and he was gracious to stop and pose for Photos despite being in a rush this morning, hopping out of his Suburban all smiles. Expect big things to come from this Canadian Talent who many of you may recognize from The Race to Witch Mountain!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"THE HUNGER GAMES": MOVIE REVIEW

Still from The Hunger Games

Set in the not-too-distant future in a famine and war-torn version of North America called Panem - one Boy and one Girl are to be chosen from each of its twelve districts.  They will fight to-the-death in a series of annual Televised Games which all Citizens are required to watch. Sparing the life of her weak younger Sister Primrose (Willow Shields) after her name is drawn in the determining Lottery, a brazen Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) decides to volunteer herself. Together with her drawn male Counterpart Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), she must fight for the honour of her District and more importantly, fight to survive against her vicious and increasingly ruthless Opponents.  With the help of her Mentors Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) and Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), Katniss undergoes the Transformation of a lifetime needed to place her in good favour with all-too-crucial Sponsors and the watchful Public. There can only be one Winner in The Hunger Games, but will it be her? What will become of her looming Romance with Peeta, if only one of them were to live?

Never having flipped a page in the Suzanne Collins Trilogy which the forthcoming The Hunger Games Films are and will be based upon, I found myself drawn-in almost instantaneously to this cutthroat World ruled by tyrannous President Snow (Donald Sutherland), where Human Beings heartlessly are pitted against one another for Entertainment. We don't question it, we accept it and for two-and-a-half hours we are on the edge of our seats, hoping for the best.  

Director Gary Ross takes this Story set against unfortunate circumstances and turns it into an experience that is visceral, tapping into truths about basic Human needs for Love, Companionship and Protection.  We are swept away on a battle, questioning loyalties, yet always being careful never to fall prey to lethal traps.  We aren't watching a Movie, we are growing along with Katniss and fighting with her.

"THE HUNGER GAMES" CANADIAN PREMIERE: JOSH HUTCHERSON, LIAM HEMSWORTH & ALEXANDER LUDWIG IN TORONTO | ENTER TO WIN PRIZE PACK

Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Alexander Ludwig & Shaun Marks at Canadian Premiere of The Hunger Games

It was Panem-onium in Toronto today as the Hunks of The Hunger Games kicked-off the Canadian leg of the Blockbuster's Press Tour. Stars Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Vancouver's Alexander Ludwig who play Peeta, Gale and Cato respectively in the first installment of what looks to be a massively successful Franchise, made stop-offs  at CTV's The Marilyn Denis Show and MuchMusic's New.Music.Live.  This evening, they graced the Red Carpet at Scotiabank Theatre for the Canadian Premiere of the Film.

On The Marilyn Denis Show, we learned that the Boys bonded off-set, experimenting on some Dubstep Music and they had nothing but praise for their Co-Star Jennifer Lawrence who they claim is actually really funny.  Ludwig, who plays the role of the Villain feels his Character is misunderstood and revealed that he actually gained over 40 lbs for the role, eating much Junk Food.  Always remembering his humble beginnings, Hutcherson revealed also that he'll soon be hosting a Hometown Screening of The Hunger Games back in Kentucky where hails from.

WATCH "THE HUNGER GAMES" RED CARPET AT YAHOO! MOVIES

Jennifer Lawrence & Director Gary Ross at Los Angeles Premire of The Hunger Games

I am dying of excitement after watching this Yahoo! Stream of The Hunger Games' Los Angeles Premiere Red Carpet! Jennifer Lawrence looked stunning a gold Prabal Gurung Dress and when asked about her new-found fame, she admits "All the people who used to know me are now kissing my ass!".  Gratuitously, she covered the Red Carpet and  even accommodated Fans lined-up on the opposite side of the street outside Nokia Live Theatre, signing Autographs.  How can we not love her?

Watch the Red Carpet Festivities below:

(Photo credit: Lionsgate Films/Video credit: Yahoo!)

JOSH HUTCHERSON, LIAM HEMSWORTH & ALEXANDER LUDWIG SET FOR CANADIAN "THE HUNGER GAMES" PREMIERE: ENTER TO WIN PASSES!

Josh Hutcherson, Alexander Ludwig & Liam Hemsworth in The Hunger Games

After much anticipation, I'm thrilled to confirm that on Monday, March 19, 2012, Toronto will be playing host to a Red Carpet Premiere for The Hunger Games at Scotiabank Theatre. Above this, we also will be welcoming Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and Cato (Alexander Ludwig) to the 416 in yet another exciting Premiere from Alliance Films, who this year alone have given us much to cheer for with The Woman in Black and Goon.

This first installment in what looks to be a thrilling Trilogy based on the best-selling novels by Suzanne Collins, takes place in Panem, a futuristic replacement for North America torn apart by war and famine. 24 Participants representing 12 Districts will be forced to eliminate one another in a series of televised Games, as Citizens are required to watch-on. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) sacrifices her life by offering to go in place of her younger Sister, whose name is drawn through a lottery. Will she and her male counterpart Peeta survive this battle against others, including some who have trained most of their lives for this?

Watch the gripping Trailer for The Hunger Games below:

I'm thrilled beyond words to announce that Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven and Alliance Films will be making a lucky Reader or two (allotment to be determined) extremely happy by giving away Double Passes to the Canadian Red Carpet Premiere of The Hunger Games! To enter, simply click "like" on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and also this corresponding Post. Double your chances by following me on Twitter and Re-Tweeting the following:

@mrwillw wants to take me to the Canadian Premiere of The Hunger Games! RT to win passes. http://tinyurl.com/7xvs3q3

Your deadline is Thursday, March 15, 2012. Remember to "like" Alliance Films on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter here.

 In the meantime, don't forget also about my exciting The Hunger Games Prize Pack Giveaway which includes the complete Trilogy, Character Trading Cards and a signed Photo from Katniss herself, Jennifer Lawrence!

The Hunger Games opens on March 23, 2012. 

(Photo credit/video credit: Alliance Films)

JENNIFER LAWRENCE, JOSH HUTCHERSON & LIAM HEMSWORTH EMBARK ON "THE HUNGER GAMES" MALL TOUR

Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence & Josh Hutcherson

With just 19 days to go until its release, The Hunger Games have become unavoidable. Buzz is allover the Internet, TV Spots are running in high-rotation and now the Cast are even hitting malls across the U.S. including a frenzied Meet & Greet held yesterday at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles including Principal Stars: Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson.  Other stop-offs include: Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, Minneapolis, Atlanta and Phoenix.

Although Toronto won't be on the Mall Tour, three Cast Members will be here on Monday, March 19, 2012 for the Red Carpet Canadian Premiere of The Hunger Games.  As per Alliance Films, their names will be announced tomorrow, so remember to stay tuned and follow them on Twitter for the update!  I may have heard whisperings of which three Actors we might expect, so we'll see tomorrow...

For those of you who like me, can't wait for the March 23, 2012 release of The Hunger Games, here's a little four-second Ringtone of the four notes which will come to define the Suzanne Collins-penned Trilogy.  It is in MP3 format and will only work if your phone plays MP3 Ringtones. This will have to do until something more official is available.  Copyright is owned by Lionsgate Films. Let's "ring" in The Hunger Games' release together!    Enjoy.

(Photo credit: Lionsgate Films/Getty Images)

ENTER TO WIN A "THE HUNGER GAMES" PRIZE PACK!

The Hunger Games Prize Pack

THE Movie Event of 2012 won't be in theatres till March 23, 2012, but in celebration of its release, I'm launching this Giveaway for The Hunger Games!  Its Canadian Premiere is set to take place in Toronto on Monday, March 19, 2012 and while we are waiting on details just who will be walking the Red Carpet, I'm giving away the complete Book Trilogy by Suzanne Collins and a pack of Character Trading Cards.  As an added Bonus, I have a Photo signed beautifully by Star Jennifer Lawrence herself which I will include.  The Actress was filming in Ottawa Summer 2010 and graciously sent this back to me.  I've been holding-on to it for this big moment. Yes, Katniss herself!

To enter to win this exciting Giveaway,  you really should be following on Twitter here and also clicking "like" on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook, including this corresponding Post. Your deadline is April 1, 2012 - Canadian Readers only. Maybe there will be some passes to the Premiere coming up also?  We'll see...

For updates on the forthcoming Canadian Premiere of The Hunger Games, don't forget to "like" Alliance Films on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter here.

Watch the Trailer for The Hunger Games below:

NEW CHARACTER POSTERS FROM "THE HUNGER GAMES"

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in The Hunger Games 

In anticipation of what surely will be a huge Blockbuster smash, these new Character Posters for The Hunger Games have just been released and for the first time we get a proper glimpse of the Principal Cast which includes Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone), Josh Hutcherson (The Kids are All Right), Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song) and veterans Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson.

The Hunger Games centers around Katniss (Lawrence) who is pitted in a nationally-televised life and death match against other Teenagers from various districts of Panem (a futuristic North America). If she does survive, she also is faced with the challenge of Survival against Love.

Based on the series of Novels by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games hits theatres March 23, 2011 via Alliance Films.

See a few more Posters below:

ENTER TO WIN A CHANCE TO MEET THE CAST OF "THE HUNGER GAMES"

Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games

Fans of best-selling Novel The Hunger Games will be thrilled to know that Maple Pictures has launched The Ultimate Hunger Games Fan Sweeps, which just see you on-Set, meeting the Cast of the Film!

The Contest runs until July 24, 2011 and to qualify, all you have to do is "like" Maple Pictures on Facebook and enter the Contest here. You also can gain two additional entries if you "share" the Page with Friends.  Join Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) as she must rely on her sharp instincts under the tutelage of Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) to fight for her life!

The Hunger Games will be released via Maple Pictures on March 23, 2012.

(Photo credit: Entertainment Weekly)

JODIE FOSTER IN TORONTO FOR CANADIAN PREMIERE OF "THE BEAVER"

Jodie Foster at Toronto Premiere of The Beaver

In an absolute surprise, it was announced last week that two-time Academy Award Winner Jodie Foster would arrive in Toronto to do Press for long-delayed Comedy/Drama, The Beaver.  Also included on her itinerary was an appearance at the Canadian Premiere for the Film at the TIFF Bell Lightbox this evening, treating an intimate audience of Fans and Media to a rare Q&A session.

Foster helms and acts in The Beaver which centers around Walter (Mel Gibson), a Toy Company Executive, Husband and Father of two, who suffers from Depression.  His illness strains his relationship with  Wife Meredith (Foster) and two Sons Porter (Anton Yelchin) and Henry (Riley Thomas Stewart).  Oddly, he gets a second wind in life, finding inspiration in a Beaver Puppet he stumbles upon one day by chance.  The Puppet gives him the strength, self-confidence and the courage to save his Company from Bankruptcy and also drive him to reconnect with his estranged Family.  Things become problematic though when we realize that Walter is unable to act out of his own Free Will with the Beaver deciding his every move.

Yes, The Beaver sounds absolutely ridiculous on paper but Foster makes it a heartfelt and tender experience.  Most of all, Gibson puts in a tour-de-force performance as troubled Walter, really giving it his all, drawing from that deep emotional well which has been accumulating under public scrutiny.  Supporting performances from Foster herself, Yelchin and Academy Award nominee Jennifer Lawrence are insightful and authentic. Thanks to Kyle Killen's thoughtful Screenplay, we are entrenched deeply in the mind of a Man who wants to get better, while at once genuinely not knowing how to get better.

Foster answered questions from TIFF's Head of Film Programmes Jesse Wente and also audience members.  She explained what a struggle it was to get this Film off the ground and the fact that it is being released already in itself is a victory for her.  Believe me, those of us in Toronto have been waiting patiently.  With rumours of a TIFF 2010 Premiere never amounting to anything, Film Buffs have been united by their collective eagerness to see what the commotion is all about.

VANITY FAIR MARCH 2011 HOLLYWOOD ISSUE COVER

March 2011 Cover of Vanity Fair

Could this Photo get any hotter?  Norman Jean Roy shot this year's eagerly-anticipated Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue Cover and is it ever a sight to see.  Roy managed to bring together: Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, James Franco, Jennifer Lawrence, Anthony Mackie, Olivia Wilde, Jesse Eisenberg, Mila Kunis, Robert Duvall, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Andrew Garfield, Rashida Jones, Garrett Hedlund and Noomi Rapace together in this Keeper of a Cover.

Click here to read more about the Behind-the-Scenes details of this Shoot.

The March issue of Vanity Fair hits newsstands later this month.  Must grab.

(Photo credit: Norman Jean Roy/Vanity Fair)

"LIKE CRAZY" AND "MY IDIOT BROTHER" ARE HITS AT SUNDANCE

Still from Like Crazy

Deadline is keeping a close tab on the Distribution deals being struck in Park City at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend and it looks like the one Film getting the most buzz is Like Crazy, a Romantic comedy about an British Girl visiting the U.S. and falling in love with a guy over there, she is told she has to go back to the U.K. after over-extending her visit.  

Paramount Pictures won in the bidding and it is said the deal was in-and-around the $4 million U.S. mark for worldwide rights. The Film stars Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones and Jennifer Lawrence - the latter who created a stir last year in Winter's Bone.

My Idiot Brother, which we have been following here for a while now, is also receiving a fair amount of buzz after its Screening last night, expecting to close a deal with The Weinstein Co. or Relativity Media in the U.S.  Maple Pictures is already set to distribute in Canada.  It is almost guaranteed that the Film will be profitable with its stellar Cast of Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Rashida Jones and Zooey Deschanel and the buzz that it is quite heart-felt.

"THE SOCIAL NETWORK" WINS BIG AT TORONTO FILM CRITICS ASSOCATION AWARDS

Still from The Social Network

No surprises here. The Toronto Film Critics Association announced their year’s best this morning and again David Fincher’s The Social Network cleaned-up. The movie based on the rise of Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, won Picture of the Year in addition to awards for Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin), Best Director (Fincher), Best Actor (Jesse Eisenberg) and in a bit of a shocker, Best Supporting Actor (Armie Hammer).  His co-stars Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield actually have been getting a bit more buzz so this comes as a bit of an upset.

Best Actress went to Jennifer Lawrence for her breakthrough performance in Winter’s Bone.  She also was awarded the same honour by the Los Angeles Film Critics this weekend. Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld who before this weekend was known more for her appearance on a K-Mart ad and some Teen Flicks, was Best Supporting Actress for her turn in The Coen Brothers’ True Grit – another breakthrough performance.

Runner-up for Picture of the Year was Cannes’ Palme D’or Winner Uncle Boonme Who Can Recall His Past Lives and also Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan.

Read more here about Toronto’s Winners.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

CAST OF "THE SOCIAL NETWORK" HONOURED AT HOLLYWOOD AWARDS GALA

The Social Network's Rashida Jones, Josh Pence, Jesse Eisenberg,
,Justin Timberlake, Max Minghella and Andrew Garfield

Congratulations to the cast of David Fincher's The Social Network who were honoured at the Beverly Hilton last night for the 14th annual Hollywood Awards Gala.  And Awards season still hasn't begun yet! The Actors won the  Ensemble Acting Award and my guess is that they're likely to win the Screen Actor's Guild Award for Best Ensemble Cast on Sunday, January 30, 2011 too.

Other Actors honoured last night include:

THANK YOU, JENNIFER LAWRENCE.

If you haven't seen the chilling film Winter's Bone yet, you're missing one of the biggest breakthrough performances from an actress in quite some time.  Newcomer Jennifer Lawrence is an absolute sweetheart to have posted me this in the mail today after I dropped her a line congratulating her on her wonderful work and all the acclaim she's getting of late.  She's currently in Ottawa filming a thrilled The House at the End of the Road alongside Oscar-nominee Elisabeth Shue.  Thank you, Jennifer!  Although people look at me confused when I mention your name now, we both know in a year this will all change. 

xW

p.s. Check out these gorgeous photos of Lawrence in the September issue of W Magazine.

WINTER'S BONE REVIEW

At only 20 years of age, actress Jennifer Lawrence delivers a performance in much-acclaimed Winter's Bone far beyond her youth. The story which follows a 17 year-old girl Ree (Lawrence) who is on a mission to locate her Drug-dealing father through the Ozarks, trying to gather clues to his whereabouts from dangerous members of his network and estranged family members. Her father had used their family home a deposit for his Bail, then failing to show-up for his hearing as promised. Ree, who cares for her disabled Mother, younger Brother and Sister has no choice but to take ownership of the matter in order to save their home.  But will she make it without paying a price for those bridges her father burned?

Screenwriter/Director Debra Granik craftily paints a picture of Ree's father through some excellent storytelling and multi-layered performances from the supporting cast. Standouts in the cast of relative unknowns include Dale Dickey who plays Merab, the no-nonsense wife of powerful Ranch Owner and John Hawkes as Teardrop, the tough-talking uncle of Ree who in ways fills the fatherly void.