MICHAEL FASSBENDER ON "THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER"

Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender covers this week's issue of The Hollywood Reporter, chatting with Pamela McClintock.  In the Interview, we learn that he's actually an Adrenaline Junkie, obsessed with Speed! During his break from filming recently, he escaped to Hawaii, which coincidentally is where fellow Golden Globe Nominee George Clooney shot his winning Film, The Descendants. "I was strapped to the instructor, who was behind me. For 50 seconds, you're free-falling, and your brain is saying, 'What are you doing?'". Lucky Instructor.

Fassbender also reveals that if he could take one person to the Oscars as his Date, it would be his Mother. Hilariously, we learn also that his Father also was "proud" after seeing his super-talented Son's full-frontal scene in Shame at the Venice Film Festival. 

Click here to read more and see some Outtakes from the Photoshoot too!

(Photo credit: The Hollywood Reporter/Brian Bowen Smith)

MICHAEL FASSBENDER ON FEBRUARY 2012 ISSUE OF "INTERVIEW" BY JOSH BROLIN

Michael Fassbender in February 2012 Issue of Interview

For those of you who follow my Blog, it is no real mystery that I have a clear and present fondness for Michael Fassbender.  The brilliant Actor is still gaining tons of buzz for his startling portrayal of a Sex Addict in Steve McQueen's Shame and on January 20, 2012, he will be seen in Action Flick Haywire alongside Mixed Martial Arts Star Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Channing Tatum, Michael Douglas and more.

On the February Issue of Interview Magazine, Fassbender chats with his Friend Josh Brolin whom he met in Toronto back in 2008 at TIFF.  Fassbender reveals to Brolin that after filming Prometheus in London earlier last year, he took a break, Motorcycling his way through Europe.  He says, "I did 5,000 miles with my dad. We went through Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Italy . . . and then I did Spain and France by myself. It was a trip—you would have loved it.".  Both Brolin and Fassbender worked together on 2010's Jonah Hex.

Brolin also relays a message from his Wife Diane Lane to Fassbender on his work in Shame after the Couple saw it together at a 10:00 AM screening. 

Click here to read more.

(Photo credit: Sebastian Kim/Interview Magazine)

MR. WILL-W.:POP MAVEN'S 2011 BEST-OF LISTS

Although I was always under the mindset that 2011 wasn't really a standout year in terms of Music and Film, looking back I can appreciate that even though for me there were no clear-cut, definitive favourites, overall there were many bright and memorable moments.  I have selected my Top Ten Films and Top 20 Tracks of 2011.  Let's see where my choices compare to yours!

Still from The Artist

TOP TEN FILMS:
1. The Artist
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
3. Shame
4. Bridesmaids
5. The Help
6. The Muppets
7. War Horse
8. My Week with Marilyn
9. Drive
10. Warrior

One of my biggest regrets this year was not seeing The Artist at TIFF in September, but better late than never as the Film which touched and uplifted me most, actually is only a recent discovery.  The Silent Film about Era-star George Valentin is a triumph and a must-see for all.  Also, despite not loving the original Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, alas all that buzz did amount to something solid with David Fincher's Adaptation starring Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig being absolutely electrifying.  Michael Fassbender quickly has become one of my favourite Actors also with his riveting performance in Shame as a Sex Addict whose life is interrupted by the sudden arrival of his estranged Sister. Kristen Wiig's performance in Bridesmaids still sticks with me to this day as does Michelle Williams' work in My Week with Marilyn.

MICHAEL FASSBENDER ON "MTV AFTERHOURS"

Michael Fassbender on MTV Afterhours

A Reader sent me this over and after trying to check it out on MTV U.S.' Website, I realized we can't view this in Canada due to regional restrictions.  Some Fans were kind enough to upload it to Chinese site TuDou for all of us to enjoy.  Yay!

Michael Fassbender, currently promoting his big Oscar vehicle SHAME, appeared recently on MTV Afterhours with Josh Horowitz.  Throwing Fassbender completely off-guard, Horowitz challenges him to a Guessing Game like you've never seen before.  

Hint: it has to do with Fassbender's "big reveal" in the SHAME. A true test of his self-confidence, Fassbender handles himself gracefully and is a great sport about it all!

Click here to watch the hilarious Clip.

Don't forget to enter to win Advance Passes to see SHAME in Toronto and also that signed Michael Fassbender Photo here.

(Photo credit: MTV)

ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO SEE "SHAME" | MICHAEL FASSBENDER SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Official Artwork for SHAME

Brandon (Michael Fassbender) is a thirty-something man living in New York who is unable to manage his sex life. After his wayward younger sister Cissy (Carey Mulligan) moves into his apartment, Brandon’s world spirals out of control. From Director Steve McQueen, SHAME is a compelling and timely examination of the nature of need, how we live our lives and the experiences that shape us.

Easily my favourite Film thus far in 2011, Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven is proud to partner together with Alliance Films to take ten lucky Readers to see a Toronto Advance Screening of SHAME. The Film has won the acclaim of Critics everywhere in its run thus far in the Festival Circuit in Toronto, New York, Venice and London, among others.

The Screening takes place Thursday, December 1, 2011 at Scotiabank Theatre. To qualify, you must click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook before November 28, 2011. Please keep in mind the Film contains graphic content and language and is Restricted.

FIRST TRAILER: "SHAME"

Official Artwork for Shame

At last a proper Trailer for my favourite Film of 2011 has surfaced. Shame starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan is daring, mesmerizing, sexy and haunting. One month after seeing it at TIFF 2011, I still can't stop thinking about Fassbender's spellbinding work as Brandon, a New York Businessman held captive by his own Sexual Addiction. His daily routing is shaken-up when his estranged Sister Sissy (Mulligan) shows up out of the blue.

On December 2, 2011 Alliance Films releases Shame in Canada and you too will see the performance which won Fassbender the coveted Award for Best Actor at Venice Film Festival this year.

See Photos of the alluring Fassbender at the TIFF 2011 Premiere for the Film here.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

MICHAEL FASSBENDER AT TIFF 2011 FOR "SHAME" & "A DANGEROUS METHOD"

Michael Fassbender in Toronto - September 2011

To whomever started the rumour that Michael Fassbender was canceling his TIFF 2011 visit, you need a serious spanking! The strapping German-born Irish Actor arrived finally today in Toronto after missing a round of Press for another high-profile Film in which he stars, A Dangerous Method.

Just having won the Award for Best Actor at Venice Film Festival this weekend, Fassbender I saw is genuinely is amazing to his Fans, taking the time after his James Franco-attended Premiere for Steve McQueen's Shame at Princess of Wales Theatre.  One-by-one, he signed Autographs for and took Photos with seemingly not in a rush at all, as his rumoured Girlfriend Zoe Kravitz sat in their SUV waiting patiently.  And yes, those good looks are swoon-worthy.  Seen and confirmed.

Fassbender absolutely shines as Brandon in the dark and moody Shame, delving deep into the mind and heart of an emotionally empty, yet successful New York Businessman who is surprised by the resurfacing of his younger Sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan).   Despite resenting her arrival - a disruption in his Playboy lifestyle - the two are connected in spirit by their traumatic Childhood.  Sissy unravels some deeply embedded fears and insecurities in Brandon which he for long has been afraid to face about his own life and his addiction to Sex.   

Shame is sexy, riveting and heartbreaking at once and admittedly I still am thinking about the complex blend of emotions I felt watching this Film.  Visually, McQueen gives us quiet elegance, paired with a superb Score by Harvey Escott perfectly heightening the emotions we experience in this difficult Journey. Mulligan's performance also is a true revelation as she fearlessly goes further than ever before into that emotional reservoir of hers.  Most of all, Fassbender's performance has him fully extended and committed to Brandon; I am mesmerized. I definitely will be seeing it again when it gets a proper release this Fall via Alliance Films.

JAMES FRANCO AT TIFF 2011

James Franco in Toronto - September 2011

Here to present his Love Letter to River Phoenix and Gus Van Sant, titled My Own Private Idaho, James Franco seems to be atop many the Must-Meet Lists of many a Mavenati at TIFF 2011.  I spotted Franco out and about actually seeing Movies today, supporting fellow New Yorker Elizabeth Olsen's upcoming release Martha Marcy May Marlene.  In addition, he was at Princess of Wales Theatre supporting Michael Fassbender's much-buzzed Film Shame for which he won a Best Actor Award at the Venice Film Festival this past weekend.  He looked a little tired to say the least, but understandably so - the Man is a Machine.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)