SCATHING REVIEWS FAIL TO DETER MOVIEGOERS FROM "THE DEVIL INSIDE"

Still from The Devil Inside

Paramount Pictures scores big again this weekend at the Box Office, taking the top spot with low-budget Exorcism Horror, The Devil Inside. The Film with a relatively unknown Cast, takes in $35 million in its debut from 2,285 theatres on a weekend short on new releases. Reviews however haven't been quite as stellar for it, receiving 7% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes and an "F" on CinemaScore. 

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, also from Paramount Pictures, continues to perform strongly in its fourth week of release with $18 million, a total of $161.9 million domestically, landing just ahead of its biggest nemesis, Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows with $13.7 million. 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo brings in $11.3 million in its third week for Sony Pictures in fourth spot.  Thus far, it is earned a decent $76.3 million domestically, edging out DreamWorks' War Horse in fifth spot with $8.5 million in this its third week of release.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy edges its way up to eighth spot for Focus Features with $5.8 million in its fifth week of release, now expanding to 809 theatres. Gary Oldman seems to be getting the must buzz for his performance here, possibly his first-ever Oscar nomination.

New Year's Eve rounds out the top ten this week for Warner Bros. with $3.2 million in its fifth week, a total of $52.3 million domestically.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: "MI4" TAKES TOP OF THE BOX OFFICE CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

Still from Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol as expected, takes the top of the Box Office over Christmas Weekend with $26.5 million, earning $58 million in two weeks.  Its limited opening last week was exclusive to IMAX theatres. Overseas it has fared even better, earning $102 already since its release, for Paramount Pictures. The Film made for $145 million, already has recouped its Production costs quickly.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows slips to second spot this weekend with $17.8 million and despite faring stronger than Mission Impossible stateside, internationally it has made only $14.6 million thus far.  It will continue to expand in coming weeks for Warner Bros. overseas.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked slips to third spot this weekend with $13.3 million for 20th Century Fox, earning $50.2 million in two weeks domestically - not shabby at all considering internationally, it has garnered $91 million already; it was made for $75 million.

"SHERLOCK HOLMES" NO MYSTERY AT TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Still from Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shaows

As expected, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, a sequel in the Franchise, not so mysteriously debuts on-top with $40 million at the Box Office. Of course, this isn't quite as strong as its 2009 opening with $62.3 million but that had the benefit of opening on Christmas Day for Warner Bros.

Opening in second is Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked with $23.5 million for 20th Century Fox, again distantly trailing its Franchise predecessor from 2009 which earned $48.8 million. The lack of Family Comedies over the next bit fares well for this one.

Paramount Pictures' Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, filmed partly in Vancouver, has a strong limited opening, showing only in IMAX at 425 theatres with $13.3 million but as pointed out by Nikki Finke at Deadline, this was boosted much by its Thursday night opening and the help of a much-hyped six-minute Warner Bros.' Dark Knight Rises Preview beforehand, which unfortunately that Studio wasn't able to secure with its own Sherlock Holmes.  Also, the increased Ticket Prices for IMAX Movies (approximately $4 more than a Regular Ticket), also inflates its opening numbers somewhat.

New Year's Eve, the Star-spangled Rom-Com slips to fourth spot with $7.4 million for Warner Bros. after a tepid debut last weekend, again ahead of The Sitter in fifth with $4.4 million.

Young Adult from Paramount Pictures, from the same team which brought us Juno, debuts in 986 theatres with $3.5 million, while The Descendants is going strong still in only 878 theatres with $3.5 million.  To-date, the George Clooney Oscar Vehicle has brought-in $28 million, but on a side note, it was made for about $20 million which is rather expensive for an Indie Film.

"NEW YEAR'S EVE" IS TOAST OF THE BOX OFFICE ON TEPID WEEKEND

Still from New Year's Eve

On a weak weekend at the Box Office, Warner Bros.' New Year's Eve takes the top spot with only $13.7million, a far cry from Director Garry Marshall's last Effort Valentine's Day, which brought-in $56 million in its debut back in 2010. The Rom-Com with an All-star Cast overall has been panned by Critics, but likely will have an impact into the Holidays and currently it is showing at 3,505 theatres in North America.

20th Century Fox's The Sitter starring Jonah Hill debuts in second this weekend with $10 million, also opening to negative reviews overall, although it didn't cost nearly as much to make as New Year's Eve.  Finally knocked-out of top spot is The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt. 1 with $8 million this weekend, accounting for a North American total of $259 million in four weeks of release.

Disney's The Muppets is still going steady in fourth spot with $7.2 million in its third week.  In total it has earned $65.7 million, earning back already its $45 in Production costs.  Paramount Pictures' Hugo 3-D meanwhile is in sixth spot with $6 million, expanding to 2,608 theatres.

The Descendants continues to impress in seventh spot for Fox Searchlight, bringing in $4.3 million, showing in 876 theatres only and a total of $23.5 million in three weeks.  Universal Pictures' Tower Heist rounds out the Top Ten with $2.5 million in its sixth week of release.

ENTER TO WIN A "NEW YEAR'S EVE" MOVIE PRIZE PACK

New Year's Eve Official Artwork

Sofia Vergara. Ashton Kutcher. Michelle Pfeiffer. Lea Michele. Jessica Biel. Hilary Swank. Sarah Jessica Parker. Josh Duhamel. Katherine Heigl. Abigail Breslin. Zac Efron. Jon Bon Jovi. Robert De Niro. Alyssa Milano. What do all these Stars have in common?

Well, they all star in the Holiday Opus known as New Year's Eve from Director Garry Marshall.  The mega-Romantic Comedy, which tells the heartwarming stories of various Couples in New York City, opens in theatres December 9, 2011. Warner Bros. & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want to give you a chance to win a New Year's Eve Prize Pack, which includes the following:

2 Champagne Flutes

2 Party Favours

1 New Year's Recovery Kit

1 Ice Bag

2 Tins of Breath Mints

1 Jumbo Tote Bag

1 Pair of Run-of-Engagement Passes to see New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve Prize Pack

To qualify for the win, click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook or Retweet the following: RT @MRWILLW wants me to win a "NEW YEAR'S EVE" Movie Prize Pack.  http://tinyurl.com/7sc5zuc #MRWILLNYE  

Your deadline is December 8, 2011.  Toronto area Readers only, please.  Winners are responsible for pick-up.

Watch the Trailer for New Year's Eve:

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".

GOT A QUESTION FOR ABIGAIL BRESLIN?

Still from New Year's Eve

The beautiful and talented Abigail Breslin will be in Toronto Wednesday, November 30 through Thursday, December 1, 2011 for her latest Film, New Year's Eve from Warner Bros. Those of you who saw Box Office smash Valentine's Day and loved it will find every reason to love this Romantic Comedy with a Cast of Megastars! Hilary Swank, Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Biel, Lea Michele, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sofia Vergara, Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel all star in the Film, opening December 9, 2011.

Breslin plays the role of Hailey in Gary Marshall's new Opus and I'll have the pleasure of getting a bit of face time with the Oscar-nominated star of Little Miss Sunshine. Any questions you want me to ask her? Leave a comment and I'll do my best!

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

JOHN LITHGOW IN TORONTO FOR "DRAMA: AN ACTOR'S EDUCATION"

John Lithgow in Toronto - October 2011

He's won Emmys, Tonys, Golden Globes and SAG Awards, but in the event you didn't know, he's an accomplished Writer also. Star of the stage and screen John Lithgow has starred in over 91 titles his celebrated career with Footloose, Shrek, 3rd Rock from the Sun and Dexter just being some of his best known work.  He arrived in Toronto this weekend to promote his Memoir, Drama: An Actor's Education from Harper Collins, which would include a Book Signing at Indigo Eaton Centre.   

Lithgow who notoriously is Fan Photo-shy, but not Autograph-shy, can next be seen this Winter in New Year's Eve and Judd Apatow's next Film This is Forty, currently in Post-production.

Read more about Lithgow's new Book here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

RUSSELL PETERS & BABY CRYSTIANNA AT 2011 CANADA'S WALK OF FAME

Russell Peters at 2011 Canada's Walk of Fame

Funnyman Russell Peters finally gets the respect he deserves, with an induction at the 2011 Canada's Walk of Fame Awards at Elgin Theatre this evening.  Arriving on the Red Carpet with his Wife Monica and baby Daughter, Crystianna in-tow, Peters had everyone in "aww".

The Brampton native who has appeared on Forbes' list of top-earning Comedians, can currently be seen in Indo-Canadian Comedy, Breakaway which was filmed last year in-and-around the City.  He also has a part in Warner Bros.' star-studded New Year's Eve out on December 9, 2011 along with Ashton Kutcher, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lea Michele, Hilary Swank and more.

Peters joked, "Somebody needs to Twitpic me as soon as someone pukes allover my Star.  That's when I know I've made it!".

See more of the lovely Peters Family below:

SARA PAXTON & DUSTIN MILLIGAN IN TORONTO FOR "SHARK NIGHT"

Dustin Milligan, Sara Paxton & Mr. Will-W.

The latest Action/Horror from Director David R. Ellis who brought us 2006's amazingly campy Snakes on a Plane, is Shark Night 3-D.  The Film centers around seven Friends who visit Sara's (Sara Paxton) Louisiana Lake Cabin.  They are surprised however by some unwelcome visitors - hundreds of Freshwater Sharks! *scream*

I caught-up with Shark Night 3-D stars Sara Paxton and Dustin Milligan as they arrived in Toronto earlier this evening and after Tweeting about their adventures aboard Air Canada's Executive Class, they arrived all smiles.  Graciously, they made the Executive decision to fit in a quick moment to pose for a Photo despite the persistent urging of their eOne Films Handler who told myself and another Fan (who waited all day) curtly, "No!  They've gotta go!". Welcome to Toronto, Guys!

Some of you might remember Yellowknife-born Milligan for his work on 90210 and Runaway.  His Film Sisters & Brothers will be getting a TIFF Premiere here in Toronto next month and he and Co-star Cory Monteith of Glee have confirmed they'll be here! Los Angeles native Paxton's lofty credits include popular titles like Aquamarine, Sleepover and Sydney White.  She can be seen in Warner Bros.' New Year's Eve out this December.

LEA MICHELE COVERS SEPTEMBER 2011 ISSUE OF "HARPER'S BAZAAR"

Lea Michele on September 2011 Issue of Harper's Bazaar

Say what you will about Glee’s Lea Michele but the Girl definitely has Style. She never ceases to amaze me on Red Carpets and despite only having been a major star for less than two years, she already is teaching Starlets who’ve been in the game much longer than her, exactly how it’s done. Either that, or her Stylist is just amazing and deserves all the credit.

Michele covers the September 2011 issue of Harper’s Bazaar and looks absolutely amazing in Photos by Mark Selliger. Although the reaction to her in a turquoise Gucci dress seems to be quite positive, I think she totally pulled off a $6k floral print Lanvin number best. Not everyone can make it work, trust me.

The 24 year-old Actress/Singer tells Marshall Heyman admittedly she isn’t a big spender, opting for shops like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters for everyday wear. She also admits to being a huge fan of her Glee Co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, subscribing to her GOOP Newsletter.

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:

SARAH JESSICA PARKER & ANGELINA JOLIE ARE HOLLYWOOD'S HIGHEST-PAID ACTRESSES

Sarah Jessica Parker in Toronto - March 2010

Forbes Magazine has published their list of Hollywood's Highest-Paid Actresses and right at the top unsurprisingly is Angelina Jolie. Many might be shocked though also to see Sarah Jessica Parker right there alongside her in a tie with both Actresses earning $30 million between May 2010 through May 2011.

Much of Parker's success though is attributed to the big numbers which Sex and the City 2 brought in last year, with it having grossed $290 million.  She can next be seen in I Don't Know How She Does It and also New Year's Eve both out later this year.  

Jolie had to work a bit harder for her money starring in two Action Flicks last year, Salt and The Tourist.  Her directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey will be released this December.

Following Jolie and Parker are Jennifer Aniston and former list-topper Reese Witherspoon who both tied with $28 million each.  Ranking in fifth is another Highest-Paid Actress, Julia Roberts with $20 million.

To see the list in full, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

REVIEW: VALENTINE'S DAY

When you have a film with a star-studded cast, the results can be well, fabulous like in Love Actually or He's Just Not That Into You.  They can also be disappointing like in Garry Marshall's Valentine's Day.   Marshall despite being quiet of late, has brought us some of the greatest films of our time like Pretty Woman and Beaches.  On paper, the cast almost looks too good to be true: Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Patrick Dempsey, Eric Dane, Anne Hathaway, Topher Grace, Queen Latifah, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Shirley MacLaine, Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates and many, many more. 

The film houses multiple story lines which run in tandem one Valentine's Day in Los Angeles.  The film's primary story line revolves around florist and all-around nice guy Reed (Ashton Kutcher), who proposes to his girlfriend Morley (Jessica Alba).  Upon announcing this news to his friends who all seem surprised that she said "yes", we get the back story that their relationship might be rockier than it seems.  Reed is best friends with school teacher Julia (Jennifer Garner) and she is involved with Harrison (Patrick Dempsey), a married doctor.  She doesn't know about his marriage though until Harrison buys flowers from Reed's shop for both his wife and mistress Julia.  Perhaps there might be an undertone of romance between Reed and Julia, an option neither has explored.

Liz (Anne Hathaway) works odd jobs including a temp job at a Public Relations agency where she reports to Paula (Queen Latifah).  Liz is dating Jason (Topher Grace), but he has no idea that she is working a side job as a sex chat line worker.  Hathaway steps outside her comfort zone, completely embarrassing herself in her scenes with awkward sex dialogue - she even does a hilariously spot-on Russian accent in one of them.  Although she is brilliant as usual, I'm sure she'll be regretting this role at some point down the line.