ABBIE CORNISH AT TIFF 2011 FOR MADONNA'S "W.E."

Abbie Cornish & Mr. Will-W.

The immensely-talented Abbie Cornish and I crossed paths earlier today, with the Actress being here at TIFF 2011 as one of the stars of Madonna's W.E.  The Fan-friendly Cornish was the only Cast member not to have to go through an underground entrance at the Press Conference for the Film yesterday and she even made time to sign a few Autographs.  

Cornish who was amazing in Box Office-topping Limitless opposite Bradley Cooper, is now attached to star in TIFF favourite Bruce Beresford's next Film, Whisperings and Lies.

"HOP" ON TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Still from Hop

The Easter Bunny arrives early this year, despite our late Easter this year. Universal Pictures wins the Box Office battle with authority this weekend, taking in $38.1 million from 3,579 theatres. The Russell Brand-voiced Animated Feature also stars handsome and lithe James Marsden, who did a bulk of the promotion for the Film, including radio appearances on Toronto's CHUM-FM last week.

Summit Entertainment's Source Code starring Jake Gyllenhaal surprisingly made only $15 million in its debut, landing in second spot despite winning rave reviews. Rotten Tomatoes has it pegged at 86% on its Tomatometer.

Horror Flick Insidious debuts in third with $13.5 million for SAW creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell. Generally, the Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne-starring Film which premiered at TIFF this past September, has received positive reviews.

Last week's champion, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules slips to fourth in its second week with $10.2 million, just ahead of another former Box Office topper, Limitless in fifth with $9.4 million.

Despite landing in second spot last week, Warner Bros.' Sucker Punch slips to seventh this weekend, a change of -68.1% from last weekend.

Rounding out the Top Ten is Battle: Los Angeles which just broke even, surpassing the $70 million mark, the amount for which it was made.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 2 "RULES" THE BOX OFFICE

Still from Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2

Although Warner Bros.’ Sucker Punch was expected to top the Box Office this weekend based on Friday night’s numbers, alas Family prevails. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules landed on top with $24.4 million for Fox, already making back its $21 million budget. The Film based on the popular Children’s books, is the second in its series.

Sucker Punch wound up placing second with $19 million. Despite horrendous reviews, the Zack Snyder (The Watchmen) Action-Fantasy still fares respectably. It was made though for $85 million, but just might do well overseas where it has yet to open.

Last week’s champion Limitless slips to third this weekend with $15.2 million, bringing its total earnings domestically to $41.2 million, finishing just ahead of The Lincoln Lawyer which made $11 million in its second week.

Former number one Battle: Los Angeles finds itself in sixth spot with $7.6 million, just surpassing the $70 million market, for which it was made.

Still going strong is The Adjustment Bureau in ninth spot with $4.2 million, after having been in theatres now for seven weeks. It also just made back its production costs for Universal Pictures, having been made for $50 million.

"LIMITLESS" ACHIEVES BOX OFFICE PERFECTION

Still from Limitless

Just as its Hero reaches perfection with a Miracle Drug, Limitless does the same at the Box Office this weekend debuting on-top with $19 million for Relativity Media/Rogue in the U.S. and Alliance Films in Canada. This is Bradley Cooper's fourth Film to debut at the number one spot in two years, others include He's Just Not That Into You, The Hangover and Valentine's Day. Another Film, The A-Team debuted at number two.

Rango, which debuted on-top two weeks ago is still hanging strong, placing second in its third week of release. The Animated Feature from Paramount brought in $15.5 million, just ahead of last week's number one, Battle: Los Angeles with $14.5 million.

Matthew McConaughey-headlining The Lincoln Lawyer which continues to win raves with 80% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes, debuts in fourth for Summit Entertainment with $13.6 million from 2,707 theatres, just ahead of Alien-Comedy Paul which lands in fifth also in its debut for Universal.

Red Riding Hood in its second week slips to sixth with $7.3 million, bringing its total to $26 million and appearing to under-perform domestically. It has yet to open overseas, where likely it will fare better for Warner Bros.

LIMITLESS - MOVIE REVIEW

Absolutely spellbinding.  Limitless is 2011's first sleeper Hit and perhaps Bradley Cooper's finest performance to-date.  Cooper plays Eddie Morra, a struggling Author and chronic underachiever who is turned onto a Miracle Drug called NZT by his former Brother-in-Law Vernon (Johnny Whitworth) who gets murdered on a ransack in his flat.  Eddie, desperately tries to locate a hidden stash of the Drug after experiencing the ability focus like never before, tapping into potentials never reached before with his mind; he becomes invincible. 

Eddie's Current Girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) has just about had enough of his slacking, until she herself witnesses his dramatic change.  Eddie then peaks the interest of Tycoon Carl Van Loon (Robert DeNiro), possibly striking a deal that will make him a Millionaire many times over.  He learns soon though that because the Drug is untested and that it could kill him potentially should he stop taking it.  All the while, he is in serious danger of being killed when it is learned that Eddie possesses a supply of that coveted NZT.

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 20 PASSES TO AN ADVANCED SCREENING OF "LIMITLESS" IN TORONTO

Alliance Films & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want to take 20 lucky Readers and their friends to an Advanced Screening of Limitless starring Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro and Abbie Cornish.

 

Eddie (Cooper) is an underachiever who gets introduced to a miracle drug called NZT, helping him focus alarmingly well and thus, succeed. When a Business Tycoon named Carl (DeNiro) realizes he can capitalize from Eddie, he then soon becomes a target for assasination by Hitmen who want him for this miracle drug.

The first 20 people to e-mail mrwillw@mrwillw.com with the name of the Actor who plays the character Eddie will win passes for two to see Limitless at Varsity Cinema (Manulife Centre, Toronto) on Monday, March 14, 2011 - 7:30 PM.

Alliance Films releases Limitless in Canada on Friday, March 18, 2011.  Watch its Trailer in full here.

So tell me Mavenati, which Blog always loves you back?  Mmm hmm.