DIRECTOR DREW GODDARD IN TORONTO FOR "THE CABIN IN THE WOODS"

Drew Goddard in Toronto - March 2012 with Richard Crouse, Mr. Will-W. & Fans

NOTE: This Post containts Spoilers. After several delays, mostly at the corporate level, Sci-Fi/Comedy/Horror The Cabin in the Woods finally will get a release after switching hands from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer over to Lionsgate Films (Alliance Films in Canada).  First-time Director Drew Goddard known mostly for his writing in acclaimed Feature Cloverfield and also TV Series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias and Lost, flew-in to Toronto to do a Press Day for the Film - co-written by Joss Whedon (The Avengers, Roseanne).  The Duo had prior collaborated on Buffy.

A humble Goddard admitted before a crowd which gave him a standing ovation tonight at Scotiabank Theatre he felt at many moments that others working on The Cabin in the Woods would clue-in and realize that he didn't belong, speaking on his inexperience as a Director.  He also expresses much pride in having worked with a brilliant Cast which includes Richard Jenkins, Chris Hemsworth, Bradley Whitford and more.  He admits to being rather starstruck in securing Sigourney Weaver to do a brief appearance also.  Weaver apparently approached had Whedon and Goddard for an Autograph on her copy of the Script, which the Director still to this day doesn't believe had happened, being a huge Ghostbusters Fan himself.

In tonight's Q&A moderated by Film Critic Richard Crouse, we learned that some positives did come out of the many delays surrounding the release of The Cabin in the Woods, which was filmed in Vancouver back in 2009.  "I mean Thor (Hemsworth) is in our Movie and it weirdly makes his death look way better!", Goddard jokes.  "This is actually the best thing that could have happened".  No more Spoilers though, unfortunately.

Following the Screening, Goddard took his time greeting Fans, signing Buffy Memorabilia and Posters.  He was pleased that I enjoyed an uncomfortable scene involving a Wolf head and a passionate kiss.  Yes, it's that kind of a Movie!

Watch a Clip of the Q&A below:

FIRST LOOK: "DARLING COMPANION" TRAILER STARRING DIANE KEATON AND KEVIN KLINE

Still from Darling Companion

His first Film in over nine years, Lawrence Kasdan - the acclaimed Director of The Accidental Tourist, The Big Chill, Silverado and Bodyheat - now brings us Darling Companion. With an impeccable Cast which includes Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest, Richard Jenkins, Sam Shepard and Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss, the Drama centers around a Woman named Beth (Keaton) who saves a Dog from the Freeway one day.  With her Husband Joseph (Kline) growing increasingly distant from her, she finds herself forming a strong bond with the Dog, until he winds up losing it one day while on a walk.  With the help of a few Friends, Beth and Joseph go on an search through the Rockies for their beloved Dog, reaching unexpected places emotionally.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Friends with Benefits

After the Sex-Comedy debacle that is known as No Strings Attached, releasing a Film about similar subject matter might seem like a bit of a risk, especially seeing how that one was panned critically. Studio Executives over at Sony Screen Gems who invested in Friends with Benefits need not fear though as they have on their hands what appears to be a Box Office smash.

What makes Friends with Benefits so enjoyable is not only its charming Cast - yes, that includes you too Justin Timberlake  - but also that its Script and directing by Will Gluck (Easy A) equally are fantastic.  Gluck has a knack at bringing to life smart and vulnerable Heroines and Mila Kunis as tough-shelled Job Recruiter Jamie from New York City, is pitch-perfect here.  This is not to say that her counterpart Timberlake as wholesome newly-hired GQ Magazine Art Director Dylan, isn't also wonderful too as we have some fun watching him and Jamie struggle to keeping emotions separate from their purely sexual friendship.  What ensues here is the natural and completely believable progression of Friends into Lovers and  soon we find ourselves rooting for Jamie and Dylan and become involved in their own "damaged" lives.  Their chemistry together is sexy and fun even though perhaps they are too aware of their becoming a cliché.

Gluck once again brings out his Power-Muse Patricia Clarkson as Jamie's Mother Lorna, delivering some of the Film's brighter moments and Woody Harrelson as a sex-obsessed Gay Sports Editor at GQ absolutely steals the Show with overt gusto.  Jenna Elfman makes a welcome return as Dylan's Sister Annie, while the amazing Richard Jenkins as Dylan's aging and senile Father, gives the Story some true heart and soul.  

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.

BOBBY FARRELLY AT TORONTO PREMIERE OF "HALL PASS" | AUTOGRAPH GIVEAWAY

Bobby Farrelly at Toronto Premiere of Hall Pass

The Farrelly Brothers have delivered some of the most memorable Comedies of our time. Dumb and Dumber, Me, Myself & Irene and There's Something About Mary are just a few small-grossing and obscure titles you may have heard of - I kid. As hopes remain high for Brothers Peter and Bobby's upcoming revival of The Three Stooges (heavyweights like Sean Penn, Jim Carrey and Benicio Del Toro have been named), Fans thirsty for The Farrelly Brothers' bold and outre brand of Comedy can quench their thirsts with latest effort 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, they are granted permission to have extra-marital relations for one week. They learn soon that Freedom isn't so liberating after all when they realize that their Wives  too can have their fun. No, I am not reading this off the back of an XXX DVD.

Bobby Farrelly flew into Toronto this evening for a full day of Press tomorrow with major Media Outlets, promoting the release of Hall Pass.  Arriving just in time for a Q&A with tonight's Audience at AMC Yonge x Dundas,  the Rhode Island native was a huge blast, insisting that I join him in taking  a couple goofy Photos together after I had snapped some shots of him posing by the Film's Poster Display.  I admitted to him that There's Something About Mary is one of my favourite Movies of all time, which he seemed genuinely appreciative to hear. 

Following him into the theatre along with the team at Warner Bros. Canada, Farrelly and Writing Partner Kevin Barnett entered to the resounding sound of laughter and applause from the young Audience.  "That was freakin' hilarious.  I didn't expect it to be that funny!", one young Woman behind me raved.  Another young Man in the Audience declared, "Hall Pass is this year's The Hangover".

Farrelly admitted that both he and his Brother are obsessed with Bodily Functions, a topic which many of their jokes are built upon.  Not to give too much away, there is a shocking scene in Hall Pass which revolves around some Male Anatomy, which caused quite a stir among the Audience.  The Director/Screenwriter also boasted of his great Cast, making some interesting choices like The View's Joy Behar and Oscar-nominated Richard Jenkins, whom the Farrelly Brothers are always looking to incorporate into their Films.

Watch Bobby speak about his casting choices below:

EAT PRAY LOVE REVIEW

You will have an uncontrollable urge to eat Pasta and Thin-Crust Pizza after seeing this. Sony Pictures' Eat Pray Love might take a few liberties with the Elizabeth Gilbert memoir in which it is based upon, but overall it succeeds as a movie-going experience.

Eat Pray Love, directed by Glee's Ryan Murphy, follows the story of successful writer Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) who decides that she is no longer satisfied with her marriage, leaving her husband Stephen (Billy Crudup). As predicted by a Medicine Man named Ketut (Hadi Subiyanto) whom she visits in an off-chance in Bali, she will lose everything before going on a year-long journey, which brings her back to him full circle.  He predicts she will gain everything back again in due time, but in order to do so she must complete this said journey. Thus, in finding herself, she takes a transcontinental trip leaving her life, possessions and friends like Delia (Viola Davis) in New York.  She travels to Italy, India and finally Indonesia. 

Liz is forced to face her biggest inner-demon - that is - finding and loving herself. Along the way though, she gets involved with an alluring young actor in David (James Franco); learns Italian while gaining much weight from Italy's sumptuous cuisine; masters the art of Meditation in India while befriending a no-nonsense Texan named Richard (Richard Jenkins) and finally finds love in Indonesia unexpectedly with a world-traveling Brazilian hunk Felipe (Javier Bardem).  All play a pivotal role in teaching her life lessons.  Oh, yeah.