TEXTS FROM HILLARY

Texts from Hillary

Confession: I only found out what the heck a Meme is in January!  But now I know better and what better way to celebrate this new-found knowledge than with Texts from Hillary, the "hill"arious viral sensations - some tasteful, some not so much - inspired from Photos by Diana Walker (Time Magazine) and Reuters Photographer Kevin Lamarque of Hillary Clinton texting away on her Cell Phone. 

Imaginary dialogues have been created with several notable Figures including Lady Gaga, Ryan Gosling, Meryl Streep and several more. 

Check them all out at Texts from Hillary!

(Photo credit: Diana Walker/Ginsburg/Spaly Inc.)

"THE ARTIST" LEADS 69TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

Still from The Artist

Awards Season has now kicked-in officially with the Golden Globe Nominations being announced earlier today at 5:00 AM PAC from Los Angeles. No huge surprises this year, but if anything Michael Hazanavicius' The Artist has solidified itself as a Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars, leading all other Nominees with a total six nods including Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical where it is up against 50/50, My Week with Marilyn, Midnight in Paris and the biggest Box Office Hit of them all, Bridesmaids.

The Help fared v. well, in addition to leading in SAG Awards nominations as announced yesterday, garnering nods for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama with Viola Davis (some saw her as a Supporting Actress) and also Actress in a Supporting Role with Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer. It too is in the running for Best Motion Picture - Drama vying against The Descendants, Hugo, Moneyball, War Horse and The Ides of March.

Michelle Williams leads the race for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for My Week with Marilyn, giving her a bit of breather from her stiffest Oscars competition in Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady in the the category of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. Both Streep and Williams are being campaigned by the same interest in The Weinstein Co.  The Match of the Year.

"THE NEW YORK TIMES" BEST PERFORMERS OF 2011 PORTRAITS

Viola Davis

One of the things I look forward to most is The New York Times' Photos of the Best Cinematic Performers of the Year released every December at the onset of Awards Season. This year though they try a little something different, shooting short Vignettes of these Actors and Actresses as famous villainous Horror Icons; self-taught Photographer Alex Prager helms. Pretty bloody terrifying, pretty bloody brilliant.

Talent like Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Rooney Mara, Mia Wasikowska, Rooney Mara, Jessica Chastain, Gary Oldman, Kirsten Dunst, Glenn Close, Ryan Gosling and more took part. Viola Davis' Vignette hands-down is my favourite.  Watch a Ladybug practically go up her nose  and into her eyes without even a flinch.  Now that's focus!

Check out some Photos below:

BRADLEY COOPER IS THE "SEXIEST MAN ALIVE"!

Bradley Cooper on People Magazine

People Magazine in their annual Poll has crowned Bradley Cooper their 2011 Sexiest Man Alive... and I couldn't agree more. His good looks and easy-going demeanour sometimes make us lose sight of the fact that he's hella brainy and I had the honour of meeting the Hunk earlier this year and got to ask him a few questions. Swoon!

Others to make the Poll include Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Dylan McDermott, Idris Elba (currently in Toronto), Liam Hemsworth, Joel McHale, Jason Momoa and more. But where are legit Hotties like Michael Fassbender and Henry Cavill? I demand a recount!

Read it all in full here!

(Photo credit: People Magazine)

THE IDES OF MARCH - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from The Ides of March

The Ides of March certainly has the pedigree of an Oscar contender, but does it live up to its deafeningly-loud buzz? Perhaps so, perhaps not. At 30 years of age, Stephen (Ryan Gosling) is the Mastermind behind the Political Campaign of Presidential Candidate, Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney). After becoming involved with 20 year-old intern Molly (Evan Rachel Wood) and unexpectedly being wooed by the Brain behind a powerful opponent to Governor Morris in Tom (Paul Giamatti), Stephen finds himself caught in a thick, knotted web of corruption, betrayal and deception, himself struggling to do what is right and more importantly, survive in the cut-throat world of Politics.

Make no mistake, The Ides of March is a highly-watchable and engaging affair, marked overall by strong performances in particular from Gosling and Wood, the latter perhaps benefiting most from her work here as a lovelorn Seductress.  Having also seen Gosling's Drive recently,  it is plain to see where he invested his focus best, with both Films seeing a release over the past month. This Political Drama's most pivotal moment comes where Stephen and Governor Morris face-off  quietly and icily, handled with tight precision as Director/Co-writer Clooney draws-in our focus to the expressions on their Talking Heads and intense dialogue.

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO A TORONTO ADVANCE SCREENING OF "THE IDES OF MARCH"

The Ides of March Official Artwork

The Ides of March takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily contested Ohio Presidential primary, when an up-and-coming campaign Press Secretary (Ryan Gosling) finds himself involved in a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate’s shot at the Presidency.

Missed it at TIFF 2011? Don't fret. Alliance Films & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven are excited to offer Readers a chance to win Double Passes to see George Clooney’s The Ides of March. With a superb Cast that includes Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti and Clooney himself, the Political Drama already is considered a Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars. The Screening takes place Thursday, October 6, 2011 7:30 PM at Scotiabank Theatre.

  The Ides of March hits theatres Friday, October, 7, 2011.

To qualify for 1 of 20 pairs of Passes to an Advance Screening in Toronto, all you have to do is click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven’s Facebook Page. Your deadline is October 3, 2011. Good luck, Mavenati!

And while you're there, don't forget to enter to win a signed Ryan Gosling Photo and copy of the Novel, Drive!  Follow me on Twitter too!

See its Trailer in full below:

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF "DRIVE" & SIGNED RYAN GOSLING PHOTO

I promised, I deliver.  Partnering for the first-time ever with Thomas Allen & Son Limited, Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven wants to give one lucky Reader a chance to win a copy of James Sallis' Novel, Drive, paired with a signed Ryan Gosling Photo. The stellar Film Adaptation starring Gosling, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks and Carey Mulligan is now in theatres via Alliance Films.

See Photos & Video from the TIFF 2011 Premiere of Drive here.

See Photos of Gosling arriving in Toronto for TIFF here.

To qualify for the win, you must "like" the Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven Facebook Page and leave a comment under this Post answering the question, does the Director of Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn, actually know how to drive?   You have until October 22, 2011 to qualify.  Good luck, Mavenati!  (Hint: Video on my Drive Premiere Post).

Even if you don't win, don't fret as I'll be giving away additional copies of Drive here also...

RYAN GOSLING AT TIFF FOR "DRIVE" - PREMIERE PHOTOS & VIDEO

Ryan Gosling at Toronto Premiere of Drive

Drawing loud shrieks from Fans who queued for hours to see him at Ryerson Theatre tonight, Ryan Gosling demonstrated v. well why it is that he can be mentioned in the same breath as your George Clooneys and Brad Pitts, who have been omnipresent at TIFF 2011.  Gosling currently is receiving tons of Oscar buzz for his work on not one, but two titles to be released this Fall and I was lucky enough to attend the Premiere of Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive this evening.  I can confirm that it's nothing like anything I've ever seen.  It quite possibly is the most  stylish, serene, yet violent Film I've ever seen - chalk full of enthralling Action and Driving sequences.  Gosling is brilliant without ever really saying much.  Everything about him here is communicated through his eyes and  facial movements.

Refn tells the Audience, which included Gosling's immediate Family, that he wanted always to be in a John Hughes Brat Pack Film and models his Films after those of that Filmmaker, being a Child of the '80s.

Watch a Video extracted from this evening's Q&A with Gosling's Co-stars Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks:

RYAN GOSLING AT TIFF FOR "THE IDES OF MARCH" & "DRIVE"

Ryan Gosling in Toronto - September 2011

Ahh... The one you've all been waiting for! Receiving a Hero's Welcome upon arriving back in Toronto from Los Angeles (on the same flight Marisa Tomei), Ryan Gosling is on-the-verge of something huge with two highly-buzzed Films this Fall. Drive and The Ides of March premiering at TIFF this weekend and everyone seems to be talking about how powerful his performances are in both.

Despite being surrounded by hoards of Fans, he still took the time and handled the situation like a true Professional, signing up a storm of Autographs and keeping them all back at a safe distance when things got a little unruly.  "What are you guys going to do with all of these?", he asked.  I replied to him "Does it matter?  Your true Fans will get these somehow!", which seemed to satisfy him.  I was able to nab one for you, Mavenati.  When things calm down a bit, I will package this together with the Novel Drive and offer it as a Giveaway so stay tuned!

Gosling = amazing.  You can catch him Friday night at Roy Thomson Hall for The Ides of March's Premiere, while on Saturday you will be able to find Gosling at Ryerson Theatre for Drive.  I will be there for the latter and am anxious to share my thoughts on it!  Will this be his year at the Oscars?  Bet on it.

See more Photos of our new favourite Canadian below:

NEW TRAILER FOR "THE IDES OF MARCH"

Still from The Ides of March

"I'll do or say anything if I believe in it. But I have to believe in the cause.".

The stakes are big in this new Trailer for The Ides of March, which not only is premiering at TIFF this September, but also it is a mega Oscar-contender for Best Picture. See Ryan Gosling star as an Intern, Stephen Myers, assisting with on the campaign of a Presidential Hopeful, played by Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney). Things get just a little competitive and heated when Stephen finds out something dark and shady about Mike that goes against his beliefs.  

My question is, what is Gosling up for here, Best Supporting Actor or Lead Actor as he appears to have the most screen time?  This looks like a The Devil Wears Prada type scenario in 2007 which saw Anne Hathaway get more screen time, but instead Meryl Streep be in the running for Best Actress.  Clooney of course is Streep and Gosling of course is Hathaway.

See the Trailer in full below:

CRAZY STUPID LOVE. - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Crazy Stupid Love.

Widely-regarded as one of the most anticipated Rom-Coms of 2011, Crazy Stupid Love. delivers every bit of promise that it hints. This complicated Love Story centers around a married Couple, Cal (Steve Carell) and Emily (Julianne Moore), who are set to divorce after she cheats on him with a Co-worker of hers, David (Kevin Bacon). This of course impacts their two young Children Robbie (Jonah Bobo) and Molly (Joey King) but Cal especially struggles being in his mid-40s and now forced to re-enter the Dating scene again. He lacks the social graces to be at any type of an advantage after marrying young and never dating anybody else other than Emily.

Cal comes across handsome Playboy Jacob (Ryan Gosling) at a bar one night and under that one’s tutelage, his life is turned around, undergoing a Makeover and projecting a confident approach with Women. Despite appearing better off, Cal still however, is lonely. Both he and Emily realize that perhaps a Divorce might not be the best answer to their problems. Along the way, Jacob meets vivacious young Lawyer Hannah (Emma Stone) who just might be the one to trigger a change to his Playboy lifestyle. Is it too late for Cal though and has he veered too far off-path that their Marriage is now irreparable?

AFTER COMIC-CON WILL "DRIVE" BE SURFACING AT TIFF?

Ryan Gosling & Mr. Will-W.

Yesterday the Press Conference for Cannes Film Festival favourite Drive was held in San Diego amidst all the Comic-Con fun, and star Carey Mulligan had nothing but praise for her handsome co-star Ryan Gosling.  She revealed, "He was amazing, such a nice guy, and explained his preparation for his role as a Stunt Actor.  "He spent months before the film knowing everything there was to know about cars. He built his own car for the film...and he learned stunt driving! He was a machine. Everyone loved him, he was a dream, he was amazing.".  Mulligan will be headed to Australia shortly to begin work on Moulin Rouge Director Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby 3-D alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Isla Fisher and Joel Edgerton.

Danish Director Nicolas Winding Refn told those in attendance that upon first meeting Gosling, he was worried that he had made a negative impression for himself after having taken medication for his Flu beforehand.  Refn says, "It was like a blind date in real life; nobody was going to get fucked tonight. We had simply no connection because I was so out of it, so stoned.". Hilarious!  Like in real life sometimes you can't just base things on a first impression as clearly things worked out with the great buzz Drive is receiving right now.

GEORGE CLOONEY POSSIBLY COMING TO TORONTO WITH "THE IDES OF MARCH" AND "THE DESCENDANTS"?

George Clooney at TIFF 2009

Although we missed George Clooney at TIFF 2010, something tells me we'll be getting him back this September here in Toronto!  With two hotly-tipped performances to promote, Clooney looks once again to be in Best Actor contention for the Oscars.  He has two Films coming out later this year, The Descendants and The Ides of March. The former has him as a Man trying to reconnect with his two Daughters after his Wife suffers a boating accident.  Directed by Sandra Oh's Ex Alexander Payne who brought us the brilliant Sideways, this also looks to be the big breakout role we've all been hoping for in Judy Greer who plays Elizabeth, his adulterous Wife in a Coma; Fox Searchlight releases.

The Ides of March looks to be a Best Picture contender with Clooney starring as a Man on the Presidential trail. Ryan Gosling playing a young Man who plays an integral part to the campaign, learning quickly all the corrupt things which go on behind-the-scenes.  Gosling told Extra recently that Clooney is quite the Prankster, having sprayed his pants with an Evian Spray Bottle without even realizing it happened until the Silver Fox walked away. 

Our Friends at Alliance Films in Canada still have no word on whether the Film will be premiering here, but we're crossing fingers and thinking it's likely a go!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5 ADVANCE SCREENING PASSES TO SEE "CRAZY STUPID LOVE" IN TORONTO

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5

 ADVANCE SCREENING PASSES TO SEE 

"CRAZY STUPID LOVE"

IN TORONTO

Warner Bros. Canada & Mr. Will-W.: Pop Maven want to give you and your guest a chance to attend a Toronto Advance Screening of one of this Summer's most eagerly-awaited Romantic Comedies, Crazy Stupid Love.  Best Cast ever!

TAYLOR SWIFT AT TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE FOR "SPEAK NOW" TOUR

Taylor Swift in Toronto - July 2011

Performing for the first of two nights at Toronto's Air Canada Centre on the Toronto leg of her Speak Now Tour, Grammy winner Taylor Swift managed to overcome illness and wow a sold-out crowd after a show just last night at Montreal's Bell Centre. With the audience consisting mostly of early twenty-something Females, Swift focused mostly on newer material from her 4.8 million copy-selling third Disc Speak Now, released last October.

Arriving on-stage at exactly 8:30 PM, Swift delivered her "A-Game", dazzling the audience in one shiny outfit after the other with Beyoncé-like swagger and confidence, delivering tracks like Mine and The Story of Us. It wouldn't be long before the audience would chime-in with Swift singing together in unison on Mean, an ode to her harshest Critics and the price of Karma.

One highlight in particular this evening was a Mash-up of her Ballad Back to December, along with OneRepublic's Apologize and You're not Sorry, also appearing on her latest effort.  Complete with a String section and lights resembling falling snow, the moment was magical indeed.

Into the second half of the show, Swift took the party to a secondary stage set-up behind the  Soundboards, serenading the charmed audience with some Acoustic bliss on her track Fearless, which was merged together with Train's Hey, Soul Sister and Jason Mraz's I'm Yours. The Show hit a high note, as she took the festivities back to the  main stage once again with her Grammy-nominated tune You Belong With Me, clocking in at over six minutes.

GENA ROWLANDS AT TORONTO'S TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

Gena Rowlands

Two-time Academy Award nominee and Screen Legend Gena Rowlands is currently in Toronto partaking in the TIFF Bell Lightbox In Conversation With ... series.  The venue currently is hosting a Retrospective in honour of her late Husband, Director John Cassavetes, which sees her both introducing A Woman Under the Influence for which she received an Academy Award nomination in 1975, and also Friday evening for Faces.

Rowlands arrived dressed in a bright Fuschia jacket over a black top and pants, looking absolutely vivacious at a young 81 years of age. One audience member @tatianna tells me that Rowlands revealed she originally was not cast in the 1980 film Gloria, for which she went on to receive an Academy Award nomination.  It was not until Rowlands was asked to play the Lead Actress role by Columbia Pictures that her Husband John was then given the opportunity to direct the Film.

NEW POSTERS FOR "STUPID CRAZY LOVE"

Boys will be Boys!  Check out these newly-released Posters for Crazy Stupid Love, in theatres in exactly July 29, 2011 via Warner Bros.  Funnyman Steve Carell looks just about ready to murder Kevin Bacon there.  No, his Wife will not be stolen! 

The Rom-Com sees Cal (Carell) try to carry on with his life after his Wife Emily (Julianne Moore) leaves him.  He also is faced with the challenge of getting back into the swing of Dating once again with the help of Playboy Jacob (Ryan Gosling), in addition to working on his relationship with his Kids.

See more of the sexy Posters below:

"STUPID CRAZY LOVE" - WATCH THE TRAILER

There are too many bloody reasons why I need to see this Movie and here are five. Julianne Moore. Ryan Gosling, Marisa Tomei. Emma Stone. Steve Carell.

Stupid Crazy Love centers around Cal (Carell), a Man who is in a passionless marriage with Emily (Moore). She has an Affair on him and wants a Divorce. He must start over and date all over again without a clue what to do. That is until he meets the debonair Jacob (Gosling) who shows him a thing or two.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

STEVE CARELL INTERVIEWS RYAN GOSLING FOR "INTERVIEW" MAGAZINE

Ryan Gosling - May 2011 Issue of Interview

Perfect timing. Just as he’s in-town right now relaxing, this charming Interview with Ryan Gosling by Funnyman Steve Carell surfaces. The two Actors who will be appearing in eagerly-awaited Comedy Stupid, Crazy, Love this July, appear on the May issue of Interview Magazine.  Here we learn about everything from Gosling’s experience on The Mickey Mouse Club with Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears to the creative process behind his acclaimed work in Blue Valentine.

Gosling tells Carell, “I loved growing up in Canada. It’s a great place to grow up, because—well, at least where I grew up—it’s very multicultural. There’s also good health care and a good education system. So it’s a great place to be from, although, when I was 8, I was walking to school one day and I saw a frozen cat by the side of the road, and I picked it up and hit it against a tree.”.  Uh-oh.  PETA won’t like this.

On how he feels about watching his own Films, Gosling says, “ I hate it… there’s no way that a Film can capture in two hours the experience of making it, so it’s always disappointing in some way. The thing that’s so exciting when you’re making a film is that it can be anything and there are no limitations on it. So I do have to remind myself that most people watching the film weren't involved in making it, so they don’t really know what’s missing.”.

MERRY CELEB-MAS!

Ryan Gosling at TIFF 2010

Merry Christmas, Mavenati!   However you're spending the day, I hope it's special and that you're surrounded by those you love.  And that applies even if you don't observe the Holiday.

I just finished my Christmas shopping this afternoon, before heading off to see The Coen Brothers' True Grit and now am just typing with Billy nestled at my feet.  Tomorrow I'll be spending the day with Family and getting up to prepare some Sushi as part of our big Dinner up in the (905).  I also made a batch of Cake Pops too, which I'm sure they'll love....

If you're in and around Toronto, you'll be happy to know that the Celebrities are out-and-about in full force:

• As our beloved @ShinanGovani reports, Amy Poehler (Parks & Recreation, Saturday Night Live) and her Toronto-born and raised Husband Will Arnett (Arrested Development) were seen out in Yorkville earlier today at Starbucks.  I hope they know that it's not open tomorrow!
• While wrapping up my Shopping, I saw Ryan Gosling right in front of my Condo Building incognito in Sunglasses and a Cap, before heading west along Bloor St. possibly to do a bit of last-minute shopping?  Twitter reports also show that he was doing Groceries at Fortino's yesterday and took a Picture even with some Fans. Keep a look out!