"THE VOW": IN THEATRES THIS WEEKEND!

Mr. Will-W.  with Rachel McAdams, Scott Speedman & Channing Tatum

With Box Office forecasts expecting it to open upwards of $30 million this Valentine's Weekend in North America for Sony Pictures, Toronto-filmed The Vow likely will be taking top spot at the Box Office in its debut.  The Romantic-Drama starring Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum and Scott Speedman is expected to attract a Female-heavy audience and with that, it is expected there may be a reluctant Boyfriend/Husband or two tagging along, either voluntarily or involuntarily. More the latter.

Will you be going to see it?  I definitely will be dragging a few Friends out! Rather excited about it, actually.  Any Film which can use Meatloaf's I Would Do Anything for Love and make a car accident out of it, has already won a major victory in my books.

Let's watch the Trailer for The Vow again and cry together:

And in case you need a reminder why Moviegoers won't be able to resist Rachel McAdams this weekend, watch her superb Audition with Ryan Gosling for The Notebook below:

JUSTIN LONG AT TIFF 2011 WITH "TEN YEAR"

Justin Long & Mr. Will-W.

Making another appearance at TIFF this year is Funnyman Justin Long who by fluke I came across on his way to his Ryerson Theatre Premiere for Ten Year. Long is said to have spent some time with his Good Friend Scott Speedman who I ran into a day prior. And coincidentally, I ran into another two of Long's Co-stars, Kate Mara and Max Minghella on the street also. It was so meant to be!

Long was kind enough to roll down his window for me and pose for a quick Photo, while one member of the Mavenati, Brenda, was sweet enough to snap the moment!

There still is no firm release date for Ten Year, with its All-star Cast of Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Ron Livingston, Rosario Dawson and more.

SCOTT SPEEDMAN & TERESA PALMER IN TORONTO FOR TIFF 2011

Scott Speedman in Toronto - September 2011

Scott Speedman despite being busy promoting two Films at TIFF 2011, The Moth Diaries and Goon,  still made a bit of time for his Family today, hanging out with his older Sister, Nephew, Niece ... and Fans!  I caught Speedman and his lovely Girlfriend, Actress Teresa Palmer just before they head out to Dinner this evening and they were so amazingly nice!  Although his Toronto home is only minutes from my place, oddly enough I still had never crossed paths with Speedman 'til today!  Finally.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"BREAKAWAY", "GOON" AND "THE MOTH DIARIES" AMONG CANADIAN TITLES ADDED TO TIFF 2011 LINEUP

Ludacris & Akshay Kumar

Some Canadian titles were added to the TIFF 2011 Lineup today and surely many of you will be excited to see who might be coming in September to Toronto!

Titles include:

Goon - starring Jay Baruchel, Sean William Scott and Liev Schreiber; an Underachiever leads a team of Misfits to become Semi-Pro Hockey players.

Breakaway - starring Russell Peters, Rob Lowe, Camilla Belle and more; also features cameos from Drake and Ludacris. About an Indian-Canadian Boy who aspires to be a Hockey player.

The Moth Diaries - starring Scott Speedman, Lily Cole and Sarah Gadon; a Teenage Girl suspects her roommate is a Vampire.

Edwin Boyd – based on true story about a World War II Veteran who became a Bank Robber starring Scott Speedman and Kevin Durand

Keyhole – Thriller starring Isabella Rossellini and Jason Patric, about a deadbeat Father who goes on journey through his Home.
Sisters & Brothers - looks at the relationships for four different sets of Siblings; stars Cory Monteith, Dustin Milligan and Amanda Crew.

388 Arletta Avenue – Thriller starring Nick Stahl, Devon Sawa and Mia Kirschner filmed in Toronto

Afghan Luke – A Man returns to Afghanistan to investigate a story about buried corpses being mutilated; starring Nick Stahl.

Click here to read more about these additional features from Canadian Filmmakers.

(Photo credit: Alliance Films)

KATE BECKINSALE IN TORONTO FOR "TOTAL RECALL"

Kate Beckinsale & Mr. Will-W.

One of my favourite Actresses undoubtedly is Kate Beckinsale and although she's been in the City for the Toronto International Film Festival in the past promoting titles like Underworld and Nothing but the Truth, unfortunately I'd never had a chance to meet her.  Arriving last month for her Husband Len Wiseman's Total Recall Reboot in which she plays the role of Lori (married to Colin Farrell's Doug), the beautiful Beckinsale has been spotted out and about by Fans and Paparazzi alike. Because I still hadn't seen her, I was beginning to think she was somewhat of a Mirage.

I had spotted Beckinsale on a stroll with her Daughter Lily, Husband Len, another young Lady and their two Dogs Ingrid and Pocket.  The latter even has been spotted on-Set with her.  Careful not to be intrusive, I had asked if on her way back she could take a minute to chat and take a Photo with me and absolutely she fulfilled her promise! 

Upon finally meeting her, I confessed  what a great Fan I am of 2008's Nothing but the Truth.  Despite few people seeing that Film, her portrayal of a Journalist who had taken her integrity to the extreme affected me deeply.  "Yes, it's a shame that it never really made it to the theatres as I was proud of that one", she admits.  I commented also how overall I thought Doug Liman's 2010 Film Fair Game (inspired also by the story of shamed Spy Valerie Plame) paled in comparison and she was touched genuinely, saying "Yes, we thought the same!".

She, Lily (daughter of Michael Sheen) and one Young Lady visiting also noticed that I had brought my Dog Billy out for a walk and the three of them were rather smitten by him.  Beckinsale asked, "Is he a Shih Tzu? and she absolutely was correct!  Their Dogs Pocket and Ingrid - both Female - were so adorably sweet, jumping on my leg.  And the two young Ladies present were so sweet wishing me a good night before they head off after our Chat.

FIRST TRAILER FOR "THE VOW" STARRING RACHEL MCADAMS & CHANNING TATUM

Still from The Vow

If this doesn't melt your heart, I don't know what will. Shot in Toronto last Summer, The Vow by Director Michael Sucsy now has a release date set for February 14, 2012 via Sony Pictures and it actually looks great!

Watch the just-released Trailer below:

BARNEY`S VERSION - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Barney`s Version

With tons of buzz surrounding Richard J. Lewis' Barney's Version, an adaptation of the Mordecai Richler Novel, I can say with certainty that it delivers big. Driven by a remarkable performance from the always-excellent Paul Giamatti as unlikely rule-breaking hero Barney Panofsky, much of the Film is set in Montreal where the Television Producer finds a deep and passionate love with Miriam (Rosamund Pike) after two failed marriages with Clara (Rachelle Lefevre) and Mrs. P (Minnie Driver).

Life according to Barney is all-or-nothing, resulting in many highs and lows. It is this philosophy which sees him getting his heart broken with two of his Best Friends (one whom he is accused of murdering - Boogie played by Scott Speedman) having affairs with both of his ex-Wives. It is also his impulsiveness which leads him to pursue the eventual love his life Miriam on the very night of his second wedding (to Driver`s character). And he does score big, finding many years of happiness with Miriam after finally winning her heart.  As he ages and his memory begins to fail him with the onset of Alzheimer`s Disease, will Barney`s impulsiveness get the best of him and lead to his demise?

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!