ENTER TO WIN DOUBLE PASSES TO SEE "THE WORDS" STARRING BRADLEY COOPER

Official Artwork for The Words

I've seen it and loved it. Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven & Alliance Films want to take you to an Advance Screening of The Words in Toronto on Wednesday, September 5, 2012.

Starring Bradley Cooper, Oscar®-Winner Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde and Zoë Saldana, the layered Romantic Thriller The Words follows young Writer Rory Jansen (Cooper) who finally achieves long sought after literary success after publishing the next great American Novel. There’s only one catch – he didn’t write it. As the past comes back to haunt him and his literary Star continues to rise, Rory is forced to confront the steep price that must be paid for stealing another Man’s work, and for placing ambition and success above life’s most fundamental three Words.

To enter to win, simply click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook before September 2, 2012. Good luck!

Watch the Trailer below:

NEW TRAILER: "SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK" STARRING BRADLEY COOPER & JENNIFER LAWRENCE

Still from Silver Linings Playbook

After four years in a Mental Institution, Pat (Bradley Cooper) - a former Teacher - returns home to live with his Parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-Wife. Directed by David O. Russell (The Fighter), Silver Linings Playbook brings together a superb Cast which includes Jennifer Lawrence (her third Alliance Films release in 2012!), Robert DeNiro, Julia Stiles, Jackie Weaver and Chris Tucker.

Check out this enticing new Trailer:

CILLIAN MURPHY & RODRIGO CORTÉS IN TORONTO FOR "RED LIGHTS"

Cillian Murphy & Rodrigo Cortés in Toronto - June 2012

Notoriously press-shy, acclaimed Irish-born/London-based Actor Cillian Murphy returned to the same City where he filmed Red Lights last April. Murphy just arrived in Toronto along with Director/Writer Rodrigo Cortés (Buried) to promote the Sci-Fi/Thriller which centers around Research Assistant Tom Buckley (Murphy) and Psychologist Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver). The Duo are known for their work uncovering Paranormal Hoaxes.  After having disappeared for several years, renowned Psychic Simon Silver (Robert DeNiro) resurfaces but soon becomes the target of an Investigation from Margaret and Tom who are determined to prove for once and for all that he has no supernatural abilities.

Moviegoers got a special treat at TIFF Bell Lightbox, getting a chance to interact with both Cortés and Murphy following Red Lights' Canadian Premiere.  Cortés tells the intimate Audience that much of what drives the Film along is the power of Doubt.  That is, even though we might be fully convinced that the Paranormal might not truly exist, the remote possibility of it existing is enough to trigger dialogue and thought on the matter. And Red Lights indeed is one of those Films which make you think after the Credits roll.

Praised by Cortés as being "The Only Actor who can turn a Romantic-Comedy into a Horror at the blink of an eye", we learned that a selective Murphy first and foremost was draw to the Film by its solid Script. In preparation for this Film had visited Las Vegas and worked closely with Paranormal Debunker James Randi (who was born in Toronto), while also receiving an abundance of Reading Material from Cortés. "Ultimately, it becomes about Characters", says Murphy. "You have to concentrate on what's driving the character. The Psychology of the characters - the emotions. That's what becomes the most important part.".

Watch a Clip of Cortés and Murphy speaking below:

ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO THE CANADIAN PREMIERE OF "RED LIGHTS"



Red Lights Official Artwork

Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven & Alliance Films want to give ten lucky Readers Double Passes to see the Canadian Premiere of Rodrigo Cortés' Red Lights.  The Event takes place at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 and both Cortés and the brilliant Cillian Murphy are expected to attend!

Shot partly in Toronto, Red Lights centers around two Investigators of Paranormal Hoaxes, the veteran Dr. Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and her young Assistant, Tom Buckley (Murphy), study the most varied Metaphysical Phenomena with the aim of proving their fraudulent origin.

Simon Silver (Robert De Niro), a legendary blind psychic, reappears after an enigmatic absence of 30 years to become the greatest international challenge for both Orthodox science and professional skeptics.

Tom starts to develop an intense obsession with Silver, whose magnetism becomes stronger with each new manifestation of inexplicable events. As Tom gets closer to Silver, tension mounts, and his worldview is threatened to its core.

Watch the Trailer for Red Lights in full below:

"RED LIGHTS", "ARBITRAGE" & "ROBOT AND FRANK" GARNERING BUZZ AT SUNDANCE

Still from Red Lights

Filmed partly in Toronto, Director Rodrigo Cortés' Red Lights is getting a fair amount of positive buzz out of the Sundance Film Festival.  Described as "campy" and "over-the-top" by New York Magazine, the Thriller starring Sigourney Weaver, Elizabeth Olsen, Cillian Murphy and Robert DeNiro is about a Psychologist and her Assistant who study Paranormal Activity, being led to a world-renowned Psychic in Barcelona.  Alliance Films has picked-up this one, although there still isn't a set release date.  Will we be seeing this one at TIFF this September?

Richard Gere is no stranger to covering-up a secret or two. In 2002's Chicago, he played Billy Flynn - a top Lawyer hired to defend to Murderesses and also that year he starred in Unfaithful as a Husband who murders his Wife's Lover, rolling him up in a rug and throwing him in garbage dump.  Gere is gaining a ton of buzz at Sundance so far with his latest Drama, Arbitrage, which has him not only concealing his some financial wrong-doings at work, but also the death of his Mistress.  Juicy.  The New York Post also is raving that this juts might be the Actor's best performance ever.

Frank Langella and James Marsden star in Robot and Frank, a futuristic Comedy about and aged former-Jewel Thief whose Son employs a Robot to spend time with him.  New York Magazine already is calling the Film a "gem".

UPDATE: Abritrage was sold to Lionsgate Films and Roadside Attractions on January 25, 2012 for a reported $2.5 million. This might mean that Alliance Films will be distributing in Canada, seeing that they acquired Maple Pictures last year, which had a direct deal with Lionsgate.

(Photo credit: Nostromo Pictures)

MERYL STREEP CELEBRATED AT "KENNEDY CENTER HONORS"

Meryl Streep - 34th annual Kennedy Center Honors

The Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington hosted its 34th annual Kennedy Center Honors, paying tribute to five individuals who have made great cultural contributions to America. Honorees this year include Sonny Rollins, Yo-Yo Ma, Barbara Cook, Neil Diamond and of course The Iron Lady herself, Meryl Streep.

The actual Gala took place earlier this month on Sunday, December 4, 2011 and one night prior, the Honorees received their Medallions from Senator Hillary Rodhmam Clinton.

During tonight's Broadcast, a tearful and appreciative Streep watched on from her balcony as she was serenaded to a tune of "She's Me Pal" by The Devil Wears Prada Co-star Anne Hathaway - complete with the splits - sounding noticeably improved due likely to preparations for her upcoming Role as Fantine in Tom Hooper's Les Miserables.  The Musical Drama is slated for a December 2012 release and production will begin soon. 

Friends and Co-stars Kevin Kline, Emily Blunt and Robert DeNiro also paid tribute to Streep. As her introduction stated succinctly, "By disappearing into her roles, Meryl Streep has made the World visible to us".

See more Photos over at Zimbio. CBS also is streaming Clips on its Website here.

The Iron Lady, for which Streep widely is considered an Oscar Frontrunner in the Best Actress category, opens Friday, January 13, 2012 via Alliance Films.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

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".

"JESUS HENRY CHRIST" GETS TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL PREMIERE

Still from Jesus Henry Christ

I swear, it's like watching my old Kid graduate! Julia Roberts-produced Jesus Henry Christ, which many of you might remember was filmed in Toronto last Summer, has received a Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City's BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

 

Roberts showed-up to the Premiere last night  looking amazing as always together with her Sister Lisa Gillian. Among others in attendance were Robert DeNiro, Closer Director Mike Nichols and his Wife, Diane Sawyer.

Check out the Photos from the Premiere last night here.

To see some of my Photos and read about Jesus Henry Christ, click here.

(Photo credit: Red Om Films)

ELIZABETH OLSEN & SIGOURNEY WEAVER IN TORONTO FOR "RED LIGHTS"

Elizabeth Olsen & Mr. Will-W.

Don't even doubt that 22 year-old Elizabeth Olsen already is one of the hottest new names in Hollywood. The younger Sister of Multimedia Queens Mary-Kate & Ashley is just now working on her third Feature Film Red Lights, a Thriller directed by Rodrigo Cortés (Buried). Only recently did she win accolades for her work in Horror The Silent House at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City.  She also goes by Lizzie.

Olsen, who graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts (yes, the School of Lady Gaga) not long ago, stars in Red Lights as the love interest of Cillian Murphy. The Film is about a Psychologist named Margaret (Sigourney Weaver) who with her Assistant Tom (Murphy) study Paranormal Activity.  They then travel to Spain, visiting a world-renowned Psychic (Robert DeNiro).

Although a majority of filming for the Movie has taken place in Barcelona, two weeks' worth of Production was completed Toronto. Olsen wrapped early today and was actually a bit surprised to see that she had Fans asking for Autographs and wanting to take a Photo with her.  "Ugh, I look like a mess!", she chuckled.  Still though, she was incredibly friendly about posing for Photos as opposed to her Co-Star Murphy who was reported to be a little more shy about being photographed.  Filming wrapped officially after midnight with Olsen being the first to finish today; Murphy was the last to leave the Set at Pinewood Studios this evening.

SIGOURNEY WEAVER SPOTTED IN TORONTO FOR "RED LIGHTS"

Sigourney Weaver - TIFF 2007

Too awesome!  Walking in and around Union Station today after work, I spotted none other than a low-key Sigourney Weaver bundled-up in her puffy black Winter Coat.  The three-time Academy Award nominee is in-town til the end of the week filming Rodrigo Cortes' Red Lights. She was holding what looked like some Dinner in a brown Paper Bag from Richtree Market.  Yum.

There was nothing Diva about her, as she was channelling Aliens-era Weaver, toughing the light hail/rain the City saw today. Longest Winter ever. 

Weaver will be seen in a whopping seven Movies this year, including upcoming Maple Pictures release, Abduction starring Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins.  Red Lights, also starring Cillian Murphy, Robert DeNiro and Elizabeth Olsen,  is scheduled for a 2012 release.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

LIMITLESS - MOVIE REVIEW

Absolutely spellbinding.  Limitless is 2011's first sleeper Hit and perhaps Bradley Cooper's finest performance to-date.  Cooper plays Eddie Morra, a struggling Author and chronic underachiever who is turned onto a Miracle Drug called NZT by his former Brother-in-Law Vernon (Johnny Whitworth) who gets murdered on a ransack in his flat.  Eddie, desperately tries to locate a hidden stash of the Drug after experiencing the ability focus like never before, tapping into potentials never reached before with his mind; he becomes invincible. 

Eddie's Current Girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) has just about had enough of his slacking, until she herself witnesses his dramatic change.  Eddie then peaks the interest of Tycoon Carl Van Loon (Robert DeNiro), possibly striking a deal that will make him a Millionaire many times over.  He learns soon though that because the Drug is untested and that it could kill him potentially should he stop taking it.  All the while, he is in serious danger of being killed when it is learned that Eddie possesses a supply of that coveted NZT.

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 20 PASSES TO AN ADVANCED SCREENING OF "LIMITLESS" IN TORONTO

Alliance Films & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want to take 20 lucky Readers and their friends to an Advanced Screening of Limitless starring Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro and Abbie Cornish.

 

Eddie (Cooper) is an underachiever who gets introduced to a miracle drug called NZT, helping him focus alarmingly well and thus, succeed. When a Business Tycoon named Carl (DeNiro) realizes he can capitalize from Eddie, he then soon becomes a target for assasination by Hitmen who want him for this miracle drug.

The first 20 people to e-mail mrwillw@mrwillw.com with the name of the Actor who plays the character Eddie will win passes for two to see Limitless at Varsity Cinema (Manulife Centre, Toronto) on Monday, March 14, 2011 - 7:30 PM.

Alliance Films releases Limitless in Canada on Friday, March 18, 2011.  Watch its Trailer in full here.

So tell me Mavenati, which Blog always loves you back?  Mmm hmm.

DeNIRO, WEAVER AND OLSEN-HEADLINING "RED LIGHTS" TO FILM IN TORONTO?

Robert DeNiro at TIFF 2010

Director Rodrigo Cortés heightened his profile significantly at TIFF 2010 with Maple Pictures' Buried and its One Man-Cast of Ryan Reynolds.  It is said that Cortés has completed Pre-Production on his next project titled Red Lights and is now ready to begin filming. 

Red Lights is a Thriller about a Psychiatrist and her Assistant who study Paranormal Activity.  From this, they are led to a Psychic. 

Now here's the Kicker. Attached to the project are Blockbuster names like Sigourney Weaver, Robert DeNiro, Toby Jones, Cillian Murphy and Elizabeth Olsen, younger Sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley.  22 year-old Olsen created quite a bit of buzz at the Sundance Film Festival a couple weeks ago with her performance in Silent House, another Thriller.

Although we are waiting on confirmation whether or not Red Lights will actually film in Toronto, a telling sign is that Pre-production for the Film has taken place in both Barcelona and Toronto.  Tentatively, it is set for a 2012 release.  IMDB indicates that filming indeed will take place in Canada.  Stay tuned.... 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 68TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

Aaron Sorkin

For those of you who missed the 68th annual Golden Globes tonight on NBC, here's a recap and some highlights:

-The Social Network executes a full-on assault on the evening, winning most major Awards - Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Director (David Fincher), Best Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin) and Best Score (Trent Reznor)

-The televised broadcast going black as Natalie Portman is announced as a nominee for Best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture for Black Swan.  Of course she won joking, "That Man - Benjamin Millepied - he`s the best Actor ever because in the Film he said he wouldn`t sleep with me and look, he really does want to sleep with me! ". Millepied is now engaged to Portman and the Father of their Child, to be born this Summer.

-Colin Firth winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for The King's Speech and true to character, delivering understated words.  No surprises there.

-A recovering Michael Douglas presenting the Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama to The Social Network Producer Scott Rudin; Douglas received a standing ovation.

2011 GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Golden Globe Award

Nominees for the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced earlier today and the Hollywood Foreign Press Assocation made some good choices and some odd ones too in honouring the best in both Television and Film.  The King's Speech led all others with a total seven nominations, while The Fighter and The Social Network followed behind closely with six each.

Nominees for Best Motion Picture, Drama include Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The King's Speech and The Social Network - all excellent and deserving choices.  The HFPA however, raised a few eyebrows for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy with choices like Alice in Wonderland 3-D, Burlesque, The Tourist and Red, showing signs that perhaps this category has outgrown its name? The clear-cut favourite here would be The Kids Are All Right, looking like a shoe-in for the win against these.

The match for Best Director is a competitive one with finalists which including Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), David Fincher (The Social Network), Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), Christopher Nolan (Inception) and David O. Russell (The Fighter) - all deserving of the win.

MICHELLE WILLIAMS & RYAN GOSLING AT "BLUE VALENTINE" SCREENING IN NYC

Michelle Williams & Ryan Gosling

So sexy! Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling look amazingly co-ordinated here at a special Screening of Derek Cianfrance's Blue Valentine at Tribeca Grill Loft in New York City.  I love this white Party Dress with a Waterprint Poppy print on her. It seems Williams has been influenced a lot by classic looks of late in researching her latest role as Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn; the Film just wrapped-up in London.

The Event was organized by the Film's Producer Jane Rosenthal and Robert DeNiro, who was just seen hosting Saturday Night Live the night prior. Blue Valentine opens December 31, 2010 although there still is no word on whether or not the MPAA plans to reverse its decision of a controversial NC-17 rating for the Film....

Zimbio has lots of amazing pictures of the Evening here. 

(Photo credit: Zimbio/Getty Images)

MR. WILL-W.'S TIFF 2010 BEST-OF LISTS

Nicole Kidman for Rabbit
Hole at TIFF

TIFF 2010 has been wonderful and the last day of the Festival is always bittersweet for me.  After ten days of sheer madness, the normalcy once again is always welcome and for one, I'm sure my dog Billy will appreciate seeing me home more.  And I'm sure my waistline will appreciate it again too as all I've been eating on the go are Hot Dogs (you've never had a Hot Dog until you've had a Toronto Hot Dog), Pastries, Order-at-the-counter Chinese and Starbucks.

Reflecting on my favourite highlights is always a challenge, but this year in particular is difficult to extract from as the first few days of the Festival were extraordinarily concentrated with action, that  surely amidst the madness I might have missed the buzz on some amazing films (i.e. Clint Eastwood's Hereafter) and actors in town.  But if I were to make a few selections, I would narrow it down as follows:





MR. WILL-W.'S TOP FILMS OF TIFF 2010

1. Rabbit  Hole 

2. Black Swan

3. Blue Valentine

4. The Debt

5. 127 Hours

James Franco for 127 Hours

MR. WILL-W.'S GREATEST GUYS OF TIFF 2010

1. James Franco

2. Sam Worthington

3. Ryan Reynolds

4. Ryan Gosling

5. Michael Sheen

TIFF "STONE" PREMIERE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ROBERT DeNIRO

It is a great honour to have one of the greatest talents of our time Robert DeNiro join us at TIFF this year with his new film Stone. The film is a Drama which centers on a Criminal who engages his Parole Officer in mind games, namely sleeping with his Officer's wife. Sure sounds juicy. The film premiered earlier tonight at the VISA Screening Room. 

I caught the talented cast of Stone including DeNiro, Edward Norton and Milla Jovovich on their way to their film's Press Conference and I cannot describe how amazing it was being just inches from DeNiro!  Before long, pushing and shoving made things a bit dangerous for him, but nonetheless he was a great sport.

Check out some of the photos below:

LITTLE FOCKERS TRAILER

The trailer for Little Fockers, the latest installment of the Meet the Parents franchise, has just leaked. The Universal Pictures film hits theatres December 22, 2010.

Admit it, you want to see Stiller jab DeNiro with a needle into his Manhood just as much as I do!  Sickos. (Thanks Kevin!)