18TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS RECAP

Viola Davis - 18th Annual SAG Awards

The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were held at The Shrine in Los Angeles earlier this evening, with Winners being determined by 2,100 Actors voting to honour their Peers for their brilliant work.  Viola Davis was Queen of the Red Carpet in a gorgeous white Marchesa dress, while her The Help Co-star Emma Stone looked stunning also in a black Alexander McQueen number.  Although the Ladies of Bridesmaids won over the audience re-enacting a drinking game on-stage around the word "Scorese", it was the Cast of The Help which was awarded Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Viola Davis was a bit of a surprise winning Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in The Help (defeating Meryl Streep) and Jean Dujardin for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in The Artist. Both wins for further solidify that they too just  might win Best Actress and Actor at next month's Academy Awards.

A recurring theme among tonight's SAG Award Winners was that it's never too late to be recognized.  For one, 82-year-old Christopher Plummer earned his first SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Beginners.  Some also might have been surprised that 90-year-old veteran Actress Betty White won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for Hot in Cleveland, beating-out Julie Bowen, Sofia Vergara, Tina Fey and Edie Falco. Another late to gain recognition is 62-year-old Jessica Lange, honoured for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series with American Horror Story.  

FEW SURPRISES AT GOLDEN GLOBES: "THE ARTIST" & "THE DESCENDANTS" HEAD-TO-HEAD TO WIN OSCAR

Michelle Williams Backstage at 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards

The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards went down earlier this evening at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles and there were few surprises to be found with Oscars Frontrunner The Artist winning Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical and its closest competitor The Descendants winning Best Motion Picture Drama.

The Artist also won for Best Original Motion Picture Score (Ludovic Bource) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy/Musical (Jean Dujardin), while The Descendants won Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama (George Clooney). Clooney upon accepting his award told fellow Nominee Michael Fassbender, "Thanks for taking over the frontal nudity clause" - referring to that one's daring performance in Shame. "If you want to go play Golf with your hands behind your back, go right ahead!".

Michelle Williams won Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy/Musical for her outstanding portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn, while current Oscar favourite for Best Actress, the formidable Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady, won Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama - her eighth Golden Globe. A humble Streep made note of some additional performances she felt were of note this year among her Peers, including Adepero Oduye's work in Pariah and Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre.  "In any other year they would be awarded", she told the audience.

Modern Family won Best Television Comedy or Musical for a third consecutive year, while Showtime's Homeland won two awards for Best Television Drama and Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Drama (Clare Danes).

KATE WINSLET WINS FOR "MILDRED PIERCE" AT PRIMETIME EMMYS

Kate Winslet at 63rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards

Is there any Award left which Kate Winslet hasn't won? The gorgeous Oscar Winner won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie at last night's Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Winslet won for the HBO Miniseries, Mildred Pierce. Am eagerly awaiting its DVD release!

In other categories, ABC's Modern Family won Outstanding Comedy Series, while AMC's Mad Men won Outstanding Drama Series.

Despite Jon Hamm not getting Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series again for the fourth consecutive year, his lovely Partner Jennifer Westfeldt did get a bit of amazing news during the Awards broadcast.  Westfeldt's self-directed/written/acted Friends with Kids, which premiered last week at TIFF 2011, struck a  distribution deal with Lionsgate Films in the U.S. (Alliance Films likely will handle in Canada).  Hamm also stars in the Film.  See Photos from the Premiere here.

For a complete list of Primetime Emmy Winners, click here.

See more Photos from the Primetime Emmys at Zimbio.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Kevin Winter)

CONTAGION - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Contagion

As always, Steven Soderbergh aims high and his latest $60 million Sci-Fi/Thriller imagines a World at the mercy of a mysterious Airborne Killer Disease. It is portrait of what life would be like for us if we were reduced to our most primal need to fight for survival. The Story centers around an international team of Doctors who are called upon with a daunting assignment from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, while the number of victims impacted quickly multiplies into the millions.

Contagion follows the interweaving stories of people around the World impacted by the Disease. Beth (Gwyneth Paltrow) returns to the U.S. after a visit to Macau, falling gravely ill within days. Her death then is linked to a number of other mysterious deaths around the World and soon we see the implications of this Disease as it spreads, whether it be her Husband Thomas (Matt Damon) who  never gets an opportunity to grieve her passing as he too is forced to worry about his own health. We also see Erin (Kate Winslet) step-up as a Doctor to face the challenge of dealing with the Outbreak, risking her own life to save others.   

Meanwhile, Ellis (Laurence Fishburne), struggles to suppress his own fears on a personal level to ensure both he and his Wife (Sanaa Lathan) survive, while at once having to maintain order on a public surface as access to an effective Vaccine is extremely limited. We also see Alan (Jude Law), a Medical Blogger out to expose corruption in the treatment of the Disease. Leonora (Marion Cotillard) is sent to China to study the Disease, but soon finds herself also caught amidst the corruption.

FIRST OFFICIAL TRAILER & POSTER FOR "CARNAGE"

Official French Poster for Carnage

Although it sadly won’t be premiering at TIFF 2011, Roman Polanski’s eagerly-awaited new Film Carnage with its impeccable Cast of Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz, just surfaced today... and it actually looks funnier than imagined. Nothing like seeing a bunch of Adults acting like Kids – Oscar-winning/nominated Adults above that!

December 16, 2011 has been pegged as the Limited Release date in select cities. Cannot wait!

Click here to watch the Trailer in full. 

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics)

KATE WINSLET POSSIBLE FOR TIFF 2011?

Kate Winslet for St. John

If I could get my Photo with any one Actress and one Actress only, it would definitely be Kate Winslet.  The Academy Award winner time and time again has melted my heart with astounding work and after just receiving a Primetime Emmy nomination last week for her work on Mildred Pierce, she now is some TIFF buzz for two possible titles which may be premiering here in September.  Both Steven Soderbergh's Contagion and Roman Polanski's Carnage in which she stars, could begin their Oscars campaign trail here in Toronto before the most discerning of Critics.

The Actress follows Angelina Jolie's lead and now appears as the face of Fashion House St. John's Fall 2011 Collection, while Jolie now is the face of Louis Vuitton.  Please, Kate!

(Photo credit: St. John)

NEW STILLS FROM ROMAN POLANSKI'S "CARNAGE"

Still from Carnage

You could cut the tension with a Butter Knife. Check out some of these new stills from Roman Polanski's adaptation of the play God of Carnage, simply titled Carnage. Sony Pictures Classics releases the Drama about two Couples who decide to sit down and have a rational discussion after their Children have a fight at school.  Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz star in quite possibly the most perfect Ensemble Cast ever assembled.

There's some TIFF buzz on this one - crossing fingers we'll see this one in Toronto this September! I'll be first to line-up to get tickets!  A release date is still to be confirmed.

  See more below:

EVAN RACHEL WOOD REVEALS HER SEXUALITY

Evan Rachel Wood in May issue of Esquire

One of my favourite young Actresses, Evan Rachel Wood is showing no signs of stopping and on the May issue of Esquire Magazine, the 23 year-old makes a shocking revelation to Julian Sancton that she’s actually Bisexual.

Those of us who saw her on HBO’s Mildred Pierce recently surely were shocked by her deliciously evil performance as Veda, daughter of Mildred (Kate Winslet). She confesses that she’d marry Winslet if she could. Elaborating further, Wood says “Yeah, I'm more kind of like the Guy when it comes to Girls. I'm the dominant one. I'm opening the doors, I'm buying dinner. Yeah, I'm romantic.". So hot.

Wood can be seen in Robert Redford’s The Conspirator, which expands this weekend in theatres. She only recently finished wrapping the new George Clooney Film The Ides of March in Michigan.

Click here to read the Interview in full here.

(Photo credit: Brooke Nipar/Esquire Magazine)

WHY YOU NEED TO WATCH HBO'S "MILDRED PIERCE"

Still from Mildred Pierce

My latest obsession is HBO’s Mildred Pierce, a five-part Mini-Series which I have been going on about now since learning last year that it began Production in New York. Not to be confused as a Remake of the 1945 Film starring Joan Crawford as much as it is an Adaptation of the 1941 Novel by James M. Cain, Mildred Pierce is well worth that $20/month you’ll have to spend to get HBO here in Canada.

Directed by Todd Haynes, who brought us 2002’s outstanding Far From Heaven and starring Oscar winner Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce alleviates any worries those of us had about Winslet “stepping down a notch” to do Television when she is a bona fide Film Actress. If anything, her work here rates as one of her best performances yet.

Haynes truly understands the soul of a tortured Woman.  Mildred leaves her adulterous Husband, raising difficult and materialistic Daughter Veda on her own. All the while, she single-handedly builds a Restaurant Empire out of her own ambition in California during the Great Depression while experiencing a sexual re-awakening engaging in a sexy and passionate relationship with Monty Peragon (Guy Pearce) who is financially dependent on her. This Mini-Series not only is a study of a complex character, but also a detailed examining of Class Relations in a time when Money or a lack thereof, defined an Era.

Despite Winslet v. much being where our attentions are focused upon, Mildred Pierce’s Supporting Cast is remarkable, including another Oscar winner in Melissa Leo and the great Hope Davis. The biggest revelation thus far has been soon-to-be twelve Child Actor Morgan Turner, who plays a young Veda – full of venomous fire and ambition. Veda has her Mother at her mercy, constantly making her crave approval and validation. Several times we see her deliver slaps and receive them from Winslet. When I was 11 years old… And although she has yet to surface, the talented Evan Rachel Wood plays the older Veda who surely will be stealing a scene or two.

Mildred Pierce airs Sunday nights on HBO Canada at 9:15 PM EST.

(Photo credit: HBO)

ADELE AT MTV LIVE CANADA | PICS & VIDEO RECAP

Adele at MTV LIVE - March 2011

Alas, soulful British Siren Adele has arrived in Toronto safe and sound to promote her sophomore Disc 21. She did however, have a few scary moments during her bumpy flight from Los Angeles, which had her downing in her words, "a lot of Wine" to help calm the nerves. All is well now.  Especially considering she just received news today that the Album has reached number one in Canada.  A similar fate is expected south of the Border.

Performing tonight before an intimate audience on MTV Canada's staple program MTV LIVE, Adele performed five songs (a mix of old and new) and answered some thought-provoking questions, giving the lucky audience some insight into the Character behind that infectious laugh which Mega-Producer Ryan Tedder for one, can distinguish without fail.  

Adele reveals that she and Tedder had once crossed paths in an Elevator in their Hotel, and even with her hidden behind some balloons, he knew that those giggles he heard had belonged to none other than her.  Getting along rather famously, they had then begun to collaborate on what would become some of 21's more poignant moments like the gritty Rumour Has It and heart-wrenching Turning Tables.  The latter was written on the simple instruction to Tedder of creating something "bitter". Voila!  It was completed in less than 30 minutes.  Quicker than a Pizza Delivery.

HBO'S MILDRED PIERCE MINI-SERIES TO PREMIERE END OF MARCH

Still from Mildred Pierce

HBO's Mildred Pierce will be premiering in the U.S. on March 27, 2011, though its Canadian Premiere Date has yet to be confirmed.  The eagerly awaited five-part Mini-series stars the amazing Kate Winslet in the Lead Role made famous originally by Joan Crawford in 1945.

Instead of studying Crawford's performance, Winslet made sure not to watch the original Film Adaption of James M. Cain's Novel in order to stay true to the original story as much as possible.  Mildred Pierce is about a Woman who finds financial wealth during The Great Depression after becoming a Restauranteur.  She finds that her upward mobility causes strains in her relationship with her spoiled Daughter Veda (Evan Rachel Wood).

Watch Mildred Pierce's juicy Trailer below:

KATE WINSLET AND JODI FOSTER HEADLINE POLANSKI'S GOD OF CARNAGE MOVIE

Jodie Foster at TIFF 2007 for The Brave One

Roman Polanski has been tapped to direct a screen adaption of Yasmina Reza's God of Carnage starring an all-star cast of Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Matt Dillon and Christoph Waltz.  Can somebody just hand them the Oscars in all the acting and directing categories now?  Unbeatable.  Perhaps with a bit of CGI and a wig, I too can play one of the children in the film?

The play which is set in Brooklyn but to be filmed in Paris due to Polanski's never-ending legal problems in the U.S., is about two couples whose children get into a fight at a park.  They decide to meet-up to discuss the matter like adults but soon find themselves engaging in a heated battle, not unlike their children.  God of Carnage garnered three Tony Awards based on its brief Broadway run mid-2009 and originally starred James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay-Harden, Hope Davis and Jeff Daniels.  Filming begins for Polanski's adaption early 2011.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

KATE WINSLET AND NEW BOYFRIEND LOUIS DOWLER OUT IN LONDON

Mama's got herself a new man.  Check out one of my favourite people Kate Winslet out on a hot date in London with new boyfriend Model Louis Dowler last night - dinner at Groucho and drinks at Mahiki afterwards.  That's right Kate, go show him off, you Bad Girl!

View more photos here.

(Photo credit: Pacific Coast News) 

AN EARLY LOOK: MILDRED PIERCE

Kate Winslet looks either extremely focused or upset that she is being photographed here on the set of her latest project, an HBO mini-series about restauranteur Mildred Pierce.  The series, to be released next year, is based on the novel by James M. Cain and 1946 film starring Joan Crawford.  It centers around a woman who after separating from her husband, is left to raise her children on her own during the Great Depression.  She launches a restaurant which becomes wildly successful and this leads to her new-found wealth.  This money strains her relationship with her eldest daughter Veda who takes advantange of the situation. 

Winslet who never disappoints, is in New York right now filming the series and often shines in unflattering roles.  I expect this to be nothing short of heart-wrenching as it is directed by the brilliant Todd Haynes who has a knock for understanding women.  His work garnered Julianne Moore an Oscar Best Actress nod for  Far From Heaven as an emotionally-tortured housewife and the same for Cate Blanchett as Best Supporting Actress in I'm Not There where she transformed into Bob Dylan.  

KATE, SANDRA AND JENNIFER - REAL MEN

When things just aren't working out with your partner, look to these fine ladies as your inspiration.  Kate Winslet, Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Aniston handled/are handling their break-ups with dignity, poise and class.  Instead of beating a dead horse on a lost cause and embarrassing themselves publicly or via their PRs, they took/are taking time to focus on what's important.  Themselves.  

I salute these ladies for handling their break-ups like "Real Men" would.  We could all learn a lesson or two from them.  Trust me - it's their loss, ladies.