LARRY THE CABLE GUY IN TORONTO FOR "CARS 2"

Larry the Cable Guy

Larry the Cable Guy flew in earlier today, sparing a couple hours for the Toronto Press Tour of Disney's Cars 2.  Somewhere between releasing Gold-selling Comedy Albums and hosting his own Television Show Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy on the History Channel, the Comedian returned to voice Protagonist Mater, a Tow Truck with a Hillbilly Accent. 2006's Cars went on to garner over $461.9 million worldwide.

In Cars 2, Mater finds himself in Tokyo supporting BFF Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) in the World Grand Prix, but also is mistakenly-identified as an American spy; John Lasseter directs. 

Graciously a quick Photo-Op was staged with Larry the Cable Guy just outside his Yorkville Hotel before he head off to the Airport.  And he was absolutely pleasant about it and happy to be photographed despite being in a rush. Even a Celebrity Driver, pardon the pun - for another Car - had to walk over to tell him what a Fan he is!

Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada releases Cars 2 on June 24, 2011.  Visit the official website here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"MIDNIGHT IN PARIS" WINS RAVES AT CANNES

Still from Midnight in Paris

They love it! Woody Allen's new Film Midnight in Paris with an all-star Cast of Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, Marion Cotillard and more, just premiered as the opening night Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.

Thus far, reactions seem to be positive. Todd McCarthy at The Hollywood Reporter calls the Film "as beguiling as a stroll around Paris on a warm spring evening" and Jeffrey Wells of Hollywood Elsewhere states that it is a "relatively minor piece that works very well by way of charm and humour". Lookin' good! 

Yes, this is the Film responsible for McAdams and Sheen meeting and falling in love!

Midnight in Paris opens in theatres through Sony Pictures Classics May 20, 2011.

See Photos from its Press Conference held earlier today right here at Zimbio.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics)

ENTER TO WIN A SIGNED PHOTO BY OWEN WILSON & BOBBY FARRELLY

I promised and now I deliver. Owen Wilson has been the Talk of the Town in Toronto this week making a surprise visit to BFF Woody Harrelson.  Wilson in a rare appearance in the City, was nice enough to sign this guaranteed authentic 5x7 Photo which one lucky Reader here will win.  Seen here also is an Autograph from Hall Pass Director Bobby Farrelly.

Any serious Collector will know that Wilson's Autograph is indeed hard to come by, with a Signed Photo of his ranging up to $180 US online.

To qualify for the win, tell me which Owen Wilson Film you love most and why.  You have until  Sunday, May 1, 2011 midnight and all are welcome to enter!  Good luck, Mavenati!  So tell me, which Blog loves you back most?

DANIEL CRAIG, OWEN WILSON, BELLA THORNE & MORE SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Yes, that's legit.

Gush.  He's back!  Daniel Craig was spotted yesterday in Yorkville doing a bit of shopping in Hazelton Lanes.  One Onlooker (@sabcav) saw James Bond himself perusing the Fashions at upscale Retailer TNT Blu.  Craig rolled into town quietly to do re-shoots for Jim Sheridan's Dream House for Universal Pictures.  There is talk of the Horror possibly getting a premiere at TIFF 2011, so don't fret quite yet if you miss your chance to spot him this time as he's known to be a difficult one.  No Rachel Weisz or Naomi Watts sightings yet though. *frown*

Woody Harrelson picked-up his BFF Owen Wilson at Hazelton Hotel's ONE Restaurant around 11:00 PM last night. Wilson was seen earlier dining in-the-open at Whole Foods after a taxing Bike Ride around the City which had Torontonians-a-Tweeting. The two headed to Drake Hotel for some late night libations and a smoke, giving Onlookers a taste of one of the hottest Celebrity Bromances this City has seen… ever!

One trustworthy source might have seen veteran Actor Malcolm McDowell at Starbucks in Yorkville earlier today. Although there are no Toronto Productions listed on his Docket, McDowell does have a Guest Spot on Vancouver-filmed Series Psych for the USA Network. Could it have been him?

OWEN WILSON IN TORONTO VISITING WOODY HARRELSON

Owen Wilson

In an absolute surprise, I crossed paths with Owen Wilson in Yorkville today.  It was learned later that he is in-town catching up with BFF Woody Harrelson, who currently is hard at work on his self-written and directed Play, Bullet for Adolf, to open later this month at University of Toronto's Hart House Theatre.  Dressed casual in a Purple/Gray Track Suit and T-Shirt, Wilson's wispy hair and charismatic nose could be spotted a mile away.

Wilson was camera-shy when approaching him for a Photo together.  "I'm just here for a walk and just got here" he said in his Southern drawl, "No pictures please".  And so I put my Camera away.  "I'll sign an Autograph if you want", but unfortunately I had no Memorabilia on-hand for him.  He then struck up a bit of a conversation asking me, "Where's good to go so that people won't notice me?" as he nearly landed himself in the Dinnertime Traffic of the bustling area.  I devised a quick route for him to take to avoid being seen, but it didn't work as he sparked a number of Twitter sightings shortly after.  Oh well, I tried.

Both he and Harrelson caused quite a stir among Diners at acclaimed Lee in the City's King St. West area as they sat down to have a quiet Dinner together.  One onlooker on Twitter noted, "They aren't dressed for the occasion".  Boys will be Boys.  Later in the evening they were spotted at the on Prince Arthur Avenue in Yorkville playing Pool, followed by a bit of Club Hopping at Amber.

There may be an Autograph from Wilson to one deserving Fan surfacing shortly as part of my Giveaways. Stay tuned.   Hmm....

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

WIN 1 OF 3 "THE TOURIST" AND "HOW DO YOU KNOW" DVD PRIZE PACKS

Courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven are three DVD Prize Packs up for grabs! Packs includes a copy each of The Tourist (Johnny Depp & Angelina Jolie) and How Do You Know (Paul Rudd & Reese Witherspoon)!

To qualify for the win, please leave a comment with the answer to the following question: "True or false, was The Tourist was nominated for Best Motion Picture - Drama at this year's Golden Globe Awards?". Three lucky winners will be drawn April 1, 2011 and this Contest applies only to readers in Canada. Good luck, Mavenati and please ensure you leave some way for me to get back to you should you win!

The Tourist and How Do You Know are now in stores in both Standard and Blu-Ray Two-Disc formats.

Thank you once again to Media Profile for their generosity in knowing what my Readers want best!  You Guys are stupendous.

HALL PASS - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Hall Pass

The Premise of the Warner Bros. Comedy is rather unconventional. Best Friends Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) have been married to their Wives Maggie (Jenna Fischer) and Grace (Christina Applegate) seemingly forever. Bored in their marriages, with their Wives fed-up with their wandering eyes, finally they are granted permission to have extra-marital relations for one week.

They learn soon that Freedom isn't so liberating after all.  Having been "off-the-market" for a while, they find they are actually slow to attract the Women they want.  Meanwhile, their Wives are having their share of fun, meeting their share of Suitors while away from their Husbands. What will come of these marriages by the end of their week-long Hall Passes, we wonder?

Hall Pass is well-intentioned in that it aims to offer an edgy new twist to the time-tested values of Monogamy, starting off on a bright note.  Where it falls flat though is its predictable, twists taking fewer risks than hoped for, and trying too hard perhaps to tug on heartstrings.  Also its obvious fishing for laughter through overt gaudiness somehow hinders it rather than helping it excel, stealing the focus from what should really matter - the story.

A much more filled-out Owen Wilson delivers ably here as a Good Guy/Average Joe and Oscar-nominated Richard Jenkins shockingly is funny as a Sleazebag. The likable Jenna Fischer's Maggie struggles a bit with a one-dimensionally written character which sees her sulking perpetually. Christina Applegate and Jason Sudeikis are written so far apart from one another that what results is a lack of spark needed to convince us that they are good together. British import Stephan Merchant provides some memorable laughs in a few latently Bisexual moments, but alas appears far too little a time.

TWO DEGREES OF JAKE - TRAILERS FOR "HOW DO YOU KNOW" AND "LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS"

Two complicated romantic comedies. Two degrees of separation from Jake.  Jake Gyllenhaal reunites with Brokeback Mountain wife Anne Hathaway in the upcoming Love and Other Drugs, a true story about a flirtatious Viagra salesman who falls for a girl who knows his game. Matters get complicated when he gets successful and women find him increasingly desirable, but he must stay committed to the woman he really loves. I love both Gyllenhaal and Hathaway, but cannot deny I cringed a couple times at the did-that/done-that bits in the trailer. Love and Other Drugs hits theatres November 24, 2010. Trailer below:

Gyllenhaal's ex-girlfriend, Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon also has a trick or two up her sleeve to with her Holiday release How Do You Know starring Paul Rudd, Jack Nicholson and Owen Wilson. The story revolves around a woman caught between her love for two men, one who is willing to bend over backwards for her (Wilson) and one who she reunites with by chance, who is in legal trouble (Rudd).  I don't see what the issue is here.  Are you kidding me?  Pick Paul!   Nobody can resist those blue eyes and a bad boy in legal trouble.  Nobody!  Trailer below:

RACHEL MCADAMS FILMING IN PARIS

Canada's Sweetheart Rachel McAdams is currently in Paris filming Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris and she is seen here reuniting with missing-in-action Owen Wilson after last being seen together in the 2005 hit The Wedding Crashers.  The film with an all-star cast including Michael Sheen (!), Kathy Bates, Marion Cotillard (!) and many more, is about a young American couple who travel to Paris and realize that the grass might actually be greener on the other side of the Atlantic.

Allen, Cotillard and McAdams are all scheduled to be in the city this September during TIFF. Perhaps we might see them out and about partying with one another?

Well, one thing's for sure - McAdams better hurry back as she's scheduled to start filming in Toronto next week alongside Hunk-of-the-Masses Channing Tatum, for upcoming project The Vow!  The Sony Screen Gems drama is about a young couple who get into a tragic car accident, with one of them experiencing severe memory loss.  Expect a "sighting" here soon.

(Photo credit: Fame Pictures/Pacific Coast News Online)