FIRST LOOK: "OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL"

Still from Oz the Great and Powerful

"Are you the great Man we've been waiting for?".

The Trailer for Oz the Great and Powerful premiered yesterday at Comic-Con in San Diego and now we also get our first look at it! James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz are set to wow us in this Sam Raimi-directed Spectacle, which gives us the Back Story on how small-time Magician Oscar (Franco) goes on to become to great Wizard of Oz.

Official Synopsis is as follows:

Disney’s fantastical Adventure Oz The Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three Witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great Wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his Magical Arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

Watch the Trailer in full here:

"DREAM HOUSE" GETS 0% AT ROTTEN TOMATOES

Dream House rates 0% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer

Although it's only a handful of Reviews that have come in, things are looking rather grim for Toronto-filmed Horror Dream House by Jim Sheridan.  It had the Pedigree: a great Director, an Oscar-calibre Cast of Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz.  I was planning to see it, but likely now won't touch it with a ten-foot poll.

The Orlando Sentinel's Roger Moore says, "So much is just so...obvious.". The New York Daily News' Joel Neumaier notes, "More than likely, though, it will be recalled as one of the strangest movies the current James Bond (Craig) and the Oscar-winning actress have ever made.".  Variety unfortunately didn't have much better news, stating "Daniel Craig does everything to dispel comparisons to Stanley Kubrick's The Shining with a finely tuned performance, but the film flattens as it tries to explain his character's psychological state.". 

Reviews from many Key Players are still rolling-in, but this is pretty much the final blow for the troubled $60 million Film distributed in Canada by eOne Films which in the U.S. had gone through a hard-fought battle to get a PG-13 rating, but alas the MPAA upheld its decision to keep it Restricted. Also, the Horror has been pushed-back multiple times now after original plans to release it earlier in the year.  Re-shoots were ordered in Oakville (just west of Toronto) too this past Winter, accounting for some of those delays.  Terribly sad.

Will this be enough to deter you from seeing it?

TOM HIDDLESTON AT TIFF 2011 FOR "DEEP SEA BLUE"

Tom Hiddleston in Toronto - September 2011

Already being touted as Oscar winner Rachel Weisz's strongest performance yet, Deep Sea Blue premiered this evening at Bell Lightbox and her Co-star Tom Hiddleston (Thor) was out and about the City tonight, spotted earlier in Yorkville and later this evening partying in Entertainment District.

The 30 year-old Brit appears later this year in Disney's War Horse and also the eagerly-awaited The Avengers where he will reprise his role from Thor as Loki.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

DISNEY'S "OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL" BEGINS PRODUCTION IN MICHIGAN

James Franco at TIFF 2010

Not to be confused with Dorothy of Oz starring Glee’s Lea Michele, Disney’s upcoming Fantasy-Adventure, Oz The Great and Powerful, began shooting yesterday at Raleigh Studios in Pontiac, Michigan. The Film directed by Sam Raimi, features some Oscar-calibre talent including James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis, Zac Braff and newcomer Joey King.

Oz The Great and Powerful can be considered a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, telling the story of Oscar Diggs (Franco) who is a Circus Magician swept away from Kansas to the Land of Oz. He has three sceptics though in three witches, Glinda (Williams), Evanora (Weisz) and Theodora (Kunis). Before he knows it, Oscar is caught amidst the problems facing the Land of Oz. Will he be able to use his magical talents and wizardry to save its people from evil?

Walt Disney Motion Pictures is set to release Oz the Great and Powerful on March 8, 2013.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"DREAM HOUSE" TRAILER SURFACES - IS DANIEL CRAIG THE VILLAIN?

Still from Dream House

"Everyone who lives in this house gets killed".

In what looks like a cross between The Others and Shutter Island, with elements from a litany of other Horror films, an official Trailer for Toronto-shot Dream House finally surfaces today.  And although originally it appeared to have been a Supernatural Thriller, it's looking more like a Psycho-Thriller, leaving us questioning whether Daniel Craig is the Hero or the Villain.  

There's much talk of Dream House returning to its Toronto roots for a TIFF Premiere in September and we'll soon see if this Rebirth will be taking place!

See the Trailer in full below:

DANIEL CRAIG & RACHEL WEISZ MARRY SECRETLY

Rachel Weisz at TIFF 2008

If you think Rachel Weisz looks shocked here, how do you think I felt when US Magazine broke the story that both she and Daniel Craig tied the knot on Friday in New York City secretly?  It is said the Ceremony was a v. intimate one with few Friends invited.

Weisz and Craig's Romance had ignited late 2009-early 2010 when they were both in Toronto working on Jim Sheridan's Thriller Dream House.  At that time Weisz had still been married to Director Darren Aronofsky and Craig had been together with longtime Girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell.  Albeit quick, who are we to judge?  Congratulations to the talented Thespians!

Many are saying we likely will be seeing both at TIFF 2011 in September as the Film will be released around then.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

DANIEL CRAIG SPOTTED IN TORONTO FOR "DREAM HOUSE"

Still from Dream House

Although we have our hesitations about that sighting on Twitter earlier in the week now, it is confirmed that Daniel Craig officially is now in Toronto for Dream House Re-shoots.

The Thespian was spotted arriving in Toronto Wednesday night from a New Jersey flight. Click here to see the Photos at Just Jared!

Now for the question on everyone's mind, where is Rachel Weisz?

(Photo credit: Universal Pictures)

DANIEL CRAIG DRESSES IN DRAG FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Daniel Craig in Drag

Daniel Craig lends his support to International Women's Day (today), appearing in this Television Spot for the website We Are Equals.  "It's not just about money and power" says Dame Judi Dench, ending the Ad by asking, "Are we equals?  Until the answer is 'yes', we may never stop asking."

I love you, Ladies!  Stay strong.  Nothing happens overnight, but we are heading the right way.  Being a Guy isn't all it's cut out to be either, trust me!

As an aside, today also happens to be the Birthday of Rachel Weisz, rumoured Girlfriend of Craig.  Born to be together?

Watch the Television Spot in full below:

DARREN ARONOFSKY & RACHEL WEISZ CONFIRM BREAK-UP

Darren Aronofsky at TIFF 2010

Worst news ever.  According to The Hollywood Reporter, acclaimed Director Darren Aronofsky and Oscar-winning Actress Rachel Weisz have split-up.  Although they never married, the two have a four year-old son, Henry Chance, with whom they will continue to share joint-custody.

Word is it that Rachel Weisz has been involved with Daniel Craig after they both met in Toronto earlier this year filming Universal Pictures' Dream House.  Scenes from the Horror Film will be re-shot here later in the month.  Both Aronofsky and Weisz were in Toronto this September for TIFF supporting eachother at their respective Premieres: Weisz had her Premiere for The Whistleblower at The Elgin and Aronofsky's Premiere for Black Swan was at Roy Thomson Hall.

On the other end of the spectrum, Craig hasn't been seen with longtime girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell much of late.  This however could be due more to his hectic filming schedule, which has seen him in both Stockholm for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Albuquerque for Cowboys & Aliens since Summertime. 

• Read some of my previous coverage of Dream House here.
• Read my coverage of Darren Aronofsky's Oscar contender Black Swan here.

They are/were so good together! All four of them.  Separately as couples, of course!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

RACHEL WEISZ AS JACKIE O.

Oscar winner Rachel Weisz is pairing up again with Director/partner Darren Aronofsky.  Their last time collaborating together was 2006's lacklustre The Fountain, which earned only $10 million at the Box Office after having been made for a $35 million budget. 

After throwing a few clunkers, as often is the case post-Oscar win, I'm actually intrigued to hear that their next project is a Jackie Onassis biopic.  The film takes place during the four days between John F. Kennedy's assasination and burial; it currently has no set distributor, although there were rumours that Steven Spielberg was attached to the project which turns out not to be true. 

Weisz is still in Toronto filming Jim Sheridan's thriller Dream House with Daniel Craig and Naomi Watts.  Interestingly, she was spotted at a Yoga studio around the corner from me earlier in the week.  As you may recall, I had an opportunity to visit the set of Dream House recently and it is said that they still have at least another month to go before filming reaches completion.  (Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

AN EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEAK AT DANIEL CRAIG'S NEW FILM "DREAM HOUSE"

Filming for director Jim Sheridan's (My Left Foot, Get Rich or Die Tryin') latest project Dream House began in and around Toronto in February, moving from the downtown core to Guelph, Newmarket and Oakville.  The thriller stars hunky thespian-turned-James Bond actor Daniel Craig, alongside Oscar winner Rachel Weisz and Oscar nominee Naomi Watts.  The story centers around a man (Craig), his wife (Weisz) and two daughters who relocate from New York to Connecticut.  After believing that they have found their ideal home, things start going horribly wrong after they discover through their neighbour (Watts), that a horrific occurrences had taken place prior in the home.  Looks juicy.

Although there is no set release date for Dream House, it will likely be in theatres early-mid 2011 via Universal Pictures.  Production is only at the half-way mark, with filming in Oakville to end March 31, 2010.  Scenes were being filmed today at scenic Gairloch Gardens where the production crew built a demo home to model one of the lavish homes on garden grounds.   The demo home will be featured in outdoor shots, while the indoor scenes are filmed in the actual home itself.   Snow and fog machines are being used to create a wintry effect.  It was reported that the demo home will be burned down during the wee hours of the final shooting night in Oakville.