"PEOPLE LIKE US" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from People Like Us

Upon receiving news of his Father's death, Sam (Chris Pine) makes a rare visit home to see his Mother Lillian (Michelle Pfeiffer). Shocked to learn that he must deliver an inheritance of $150,000 to a long-lost Sister he never knew he had in Frankie (Elizabeth Banks) and her Son Josh (Michael Hall D'Addario).  Not knowing his true identity or reason for surfacing, he becomes an integral part of their lives. Meanwhile, internally Sam is coping with the death of his distant Father and also facing fraud allegations at work.  At the same time, he must deal with his Girlfriend Hannah (Olivia Wilde) whose patience is wearing thin with him as a darker side of him is revealed.  We wonder through all of this what will become of Sam and his Friendship with Frankie and Josh when he reveals the truth to them.

Although primarily a Producer, Alex Kurtzman more than ably steps-up to the challenge of directing his first Feature here - a rare Family-oriented Drama geared more towards Adults in an especially crowded Field of Blockbusters at the Box Office.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that Kurtzman has a superb Ensemble Cast to work with here and other than a few lags in pacing, due more to a few thick and substantial Subplots, everything ties up beautifully in what should be a rewarding experience for Moviegoers.

Pine finally gets an opportunity to shine in a Leading Role which doesn't require action sequences of him and he proves that he has what it takes to stand alongside the likable Matt Damons of Hollywood.  Banks must be given credit for veering away from the comedic mold with some of her more recent choices including this, where we see her fully embodying what it means to be a hungry Single Mom with a hardened heart. Pfeiffer as always is a pleasure to watch, giving a v. humanistic portrayal of suppressed disappointment and silent anger.

Although the tears might not come until late, be warned that you should be armed with some Napkins from the Concessions Stand.  DreamWorks Pictures releases People Like Us on June 29, 2012.

NEW STILL FROM TIM BURTON'S "DARK SHADOWS"

Still from Dark Shadows

Spooky! Tim Burton is almost ready to serve up his next Film Dark Shadows, based on the TV Series of the same name in the mid-'60s. Starring once again his male Muse Johnny Depp, the Supernatural Drama centers around a young Boy named Barnabas and his family who move from England to America. Barnabas grows up to be a wealthy Playboy but breaks the heart of a Witch named Angelique (Eva Green) who buries him alive. 20 years later, he is set free and returns to his former residence, now occupied by strangers with deep, dark secrets of their own.

Some new Stills have surfaced from Dark Shadows including the one above with a menacing Depp, haunting Michelle Pfeiffer, perhaps extending an unwelcome stay.  The Film also stars Chloë Moretz, Jonny Lee Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Alice Cooper and of course the brilliant Mrs. Burton herself, Helena Bonham Carter.

May 11, 2012 is Warner Bros.' slated release date for Dark Shadows.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

INTERVIEW: ABIGAIL BRESLIN ON "NEW YEAR'S EVE"

Abigail Breslin

Director Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries) won over Moviegoers at the Box Office with 2009's megastar Opus Rom-Com Valentine's Day and is now ready to unleash his latest effort, New Year's Eve. The Movie intertwines the Love Stories of various New Yorkers, all leading up to the annual Ball Drop at Times Square. What defines this Film ultimately is its stellar Cast including headlining names like Hilary Swank, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sarah Jessica Parker, Halle Berry, Ashton Kutcher, John Lithgow, Zac Efron, Robert De Niro, Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel and its youngest Star, Abigail Breslin. The now-15 year-old Actress at the age of seven became the fourth youngest Actress ever to be nominated for the prestigious Oscar with her Breakout Role as Olive in Little Miss Sunshine.

Breslin, flying into Toronto from her hometown of New York City, sat down to chat with a small group of Journalists about her role as the rebellious Hailey in New Year's Eve.  This counts as her third collaboration with Marshall whom she likens to being "like a Grandpa" to her. Hailey's Storyline is about a 15 year-old Girl who sneaks-out on New Year's Eve to be with a Boy named Seth (Jake T. Austin) against the wishes of her watchful Mother Kate (Sarah Jessica Parker).

I asked Breslin what it was like bonding with iconic Sex and the City Star Parker to create a believable Mother-Daughter relationship. Believe it or not, Reality Television brought them together. She tells me, "It was a cold one-week April shoot, but we talked a lot about American Idol during filming and the whole 'who got voted off' thing.  It was fun!".  

Hailey at the price of rebellion gets her heart broken and I asked in real life how Breslin would handle seeing a Boy she likes kissing another Girl.  After pondering it, she says  "It's a tricky situation, so in real life I get where she's coming from.".  Demonstrating true holiday spirit in forgiveness, Breslin says "Seth is a good Guy in the Movie so I'd cut him a little slack in real life.".

Many wonder how Breslin can balance her thriving Acting Career and also just being a 15 year-old Girl.  The Actress currently is enrolled in Online High School, admitting at heart she's a "ten year-old boy", multitasking her affection for Computer Games (Oyunlar 1 is her favourite website) and Studies.  When she is with her Friends she states, "We never really talk about my Career. We mostly talk about Clothes and Guys and stuff like that.".  Breslin also credits her Mother Kim - her Manager - for helping her stay grounded clearly and organized, traveling with her when she films and Press Tours. "Once I get home from filming, I do regular things like clean my room and take the dogs out".

NEW TRAILER FOR "NEW YEAR'S EVE"

 "There's nothing like New Year's Eve in New York City.".

While we're waiting on the official Artwork for Warner Bros.' New Year's Eve from Director Garry Marshall, let us feast our eyes on this just-released Trailer for the All-star Cast Rom-Com.  Following the same formula as last year's Box Office hit Valentine's Day also from the same Studio, this forthcoming release follows the intertwined stories of various New Yorkers leading up to that one big night in the year where we let go of the unhappy and ring in new hopes and aspirations.

The Cast of New Year's Eve is extraordinary: Zac Efron, Sarah Jessica Parker, Yeardley Smith, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank, Lea Michele, Ashton Kutcher, Josh Duhamel, Jessica Biel, Katherine Heigl, Robert De Niro, Sofia Vergara, Abigail Breslin, Halle Berry, Alyssa Milano, Ludacris, Sienna Miller, Ryan Seacrest, Seth Meyers, Ludacris, Russell Peters and Jon Bon Jovi are some of the names seen.  Kutcher to clarify, does not play the same character he did in Valentine's Day.

New Year's Eve opens in theatres December 8, 2011.  Although I didn't particularly enjoy Valentine's Day for the same reason I don't usually enjoy movies with All-star Casts, as their stories often are written too thinly, I'd be willing to walk in with a clean slate on this one!

Watch the Trailer in full below:

INTERVIEW: DEV | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Dev in Toronto - March 2011

Although the name Dev might not yet ring a bell for many of you, the Singer/Rapper is being touted as one of 2011's hottest names. I mean, most of us know her already as the Singer of the Hook on Far East Movement's Billboard Hot 100 Chart-topper Like a G6. "Oh yeah, her!".

The 21 year-old née Devin Star Tailes hails from Los Angeles and like many recent breakthrough Acts, was discovered online.  In her case, Electro-Pop/Hip-Hop Duo The Cataracs (David Benjamin Singer-Vine and Niles Hollowell-Dhar), who are now responsible for hits performed by the likes of Far East Movement and Justin Bieber, discovered her on Myspace where she had posted an unassuming Amy Winehouse Cover.  In her words, "they liked it and then invited me to sing on their tracks.  We found that we were a good fit.".  The rest is history in the making.

Dev and I sat down to chat on a chilly March morning, the sunlight casting a shadow over the upper floor of a popular Queen St. mainstay still not yet open for the day's business.  In need of a pick-me-up after an early morning of Radio interviews, she sipped on her Espresso, to be followed by a glass of White Wine.  Dressed in a Leather Biker Jacket over a blue Mullet Dress, her hair in a flattering Bob, Dev looks edgy.  At the same time though, she exudes a youthful exuberance as she giggles while adjusting her Dress  in place with it seemingly not being cooperative, as she gets comfortable in her Bar Stool.

She confesses to me that although she took Music Classes in School, it wasn't until she connected with her  eventual Producers that she had truly become serious about making Music in what she calls a "structured setting".