FIRST LOOK: DANIEL DAY-LEWIS IN "LINCOLN"

Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln

Finally, he's back. The legendary Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Abraham Lincoln in surely what is to be another Oscar-worthy turn in LINCOLN.  This marks his first Film since 2009 Musical NINE. Disney just released this First Look at the phenomenal Actor in the role of the beloved U.S. President.

Disney issued a Press Release giving us some more clues to what we can expect here. The Drama focuses on the last four months of the President's life and the political strategizing he undertook at the close of the Civil War to ensure that slavery would be forever outlawed.

Steven Spielberg, who directed last year's Best Picture Contender for Disney, War Horse, says “Our Movie is really about a working leader who must make tough decisions and get things done in the face of overwhelming opposition.".

In addition to Day-Lewis, the Film sports an incredible Cast which includes Sally Field, John Hawkes, Lee Pace, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jackie Earle Haley, David Strathairn, Jared Harris and James Spader. WOW.  The Starpower is immense.

Disney releases Lincoln on November 16, 2012, with a limited release on November 9, 2012 in select cities.

Like LINCOLN: The Movie on Facebook here.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

"WAR HORSE" AVAILABLE ON DVD, BLU-RAY, ON-DEMAND & DIGITAL APRIL 3, 2012

War Horse 4-Disc Combo Pack

One of my favourite Films of 2011 will soon see a DVD/Blu-ray release and Fans of the Film have every reason to be excited. Best Picture-nomianted War Horse from Director Steven Spielberg will be available in a gratuitous a 4-Disc Combo Pack (2-Disc Blue-ray + 1 Disc DVD + Digital Copy) which includes the following: 

• A Filmmaking Journey - Academy Award®-winning Director/Producer Steven Spielberg provides a unique and unprecedented look into the making and filming of War Horse. 

• Editing & Scoring - Multi-Oscar® winners Michael Kahn (Film Editor) and John Williams (Composer) discuss specific aspects of editing the film and composing music for War Horse, as well as the secret to their long and successful collaborations with Steven Spielberg. 

•  The Sounds of War Horse - Seven-time Academy Award®-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom takes us through the sophisticated sound design he created for War Horse

• Through The Producer's Lens - Producer Kathleen Kennedy shares the photos she took during filming and recounts how she discovered the source material, as well as her appreciation of Steven Spielberg's vision, the team that sounds him, and why War Horse appealed to her. 

• War Horse: The Look - Director/Producer Steven Spielberg introduces us to his creative team of production designer Rick Carter, Costume Designer Joanna Johnston and Director of Photography Janusz Kaminski, who discuss what it took to design the look for the film. 

• An Extra's Point of View - Film extra Martin Dew explains how and why he was brought in -along with a hundred other men- to be featured alternately as both German and British Soldiers.

Read my Review of War Horse here.

War Horse will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, Digital and On-Demand April 3, 2012.  Order it here.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

"PARANORMAL ACTIVITY" DIRECTOR/WRITER OREN PELI IN TORONTO FOR "THE RIVER"

Oren Peli in Toronto - February 2012

Chances are you've seen at least one installment of the massively popular Paranormal Activity Franchise, but you might not know the face behind the success.  Israeli-American, Oren Peli has had a hand in either writing, producing or directing each of the four installments of Paramount Pictures Horror films and now is setting his sights to Television.  

Peli's new series The River (also co-produced by Steven Spielberg) premieres tomorrow - Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - as a two-hour episode on ABC and CTV in Canada, centering around Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood), an Explorer with a Television Show, who ventures to the Amazon.  Him and his Crew never return.  His Son Lincoln (Joe Anderson) and Wife Tess (Leslie Hope) get a little help in their cause to be reunited with Emmet, but will they ever find him and his Crew?  Also, what mysteries will they unravel in the Amazon?

Now kicking into high gear for promotion, Peli made a special appearance doing a Q&A at TIFF Bell Lightbox this evening before an intimate group, later attending a post-screening Reception.  The v. towering Producer/Writer/Director was super-friendly, taking time to pose for Photos with Fans in the Lobby, pleased at the many positive reactions.  The President of Bell Media, Kevin Crull could be heard praising The River as his favourite TV series since 24.

Click here to learn more about The River.

Oren Peli & Mr. Will-W.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"WAR HORSE" WORLD PREMIERE PHOTOS

The Cast of War Horse with Director Steven Spielberg

The great-looking Cast of Steve Spielberg's War Horse hit the Red Carpet at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' Avery Fisher Hall last night for its official World Premiere. If emerging Actor Jeremy Irvine isn't on your radar yet, by all means he will be after seeing War Horse.  The heartwarming/heartbreaking Tale opens via DreamWorks Pictures on Christmas Day. The six-time TONY Award Winner opens at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto also on February 10, 2012.

Stars Irvine, Tom Hiddleston (sporting a Goatee), Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Celine Buckens, David Kross, Robert Emms, Director Steven Spielberg all attended the high-profile Premiere.   See how dapper Irvine looks in his Burberry Suit, paying homage to his native Britain. Mega-hot Elizabeth Olsen (getting lots of Oscar buzz for Martha Marcy May Marlene) and Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick also showed-up to show their support.

See more Photos from the Premiere below:

JAMIE BELL IN TORONTO FOR "THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN"

Jamie Bell & Mr. Will-W.

Introducing Tintin himself! 25 year-old British Actor Jamie Bell is known best for his work in 2000's Billy Elliot in which he starred in the Lead Role,  Since then however, he has built a steady career in popular titles like King Kong, Flags of our Fathers, Defiance and Jane Eyre.  Bell flew-in from New York City yesterday morning for an extensive two-day Toronto Press Tour in support of Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin.

The $135 million 3-D Spectacle is expected to fare well internationally (it already has opened in several markets overseas) as Fans of the Comic Book Series have long adored it since it first was created by Hergé (Georges Remi) in the 1940s. I remember visiting London a few years back and seeing a Shop of all Tintin Memorabilia - that's how big it is over there!

The Tintin Shop in London's Soho District

I caught-up with Bell quickly one of his stop-offs today including visits to CBC, MuchMusic, CHUM-FM and a day full of interviews out of his Yorkville Hotel. Despite being rushed by his Handler, he was a Gentleman about it all, stopping to pose for a Photo and signing Autographs for Fans.  It's been a while since he's been in Toronto, after filming Doug Liman's Jumper here back in 2008 alongside Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson. While in the City, Bell made sure to check-out the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins last night at Air Canada Centre.

ENTER TO WIN AN ADVANCE PASS TO SEE "WAR HORSE" IN TORONTO & PRIZE PACK

Official Artwork for War Horse

War Horse, from legendary Director Steven Spielberg, is the heartbreaking journey of a young Man named Albert (Jeremy Irvine) and his Horse Joey. Although they are torn apart by War, their bond is inseparable and we wonder whether the two will ever unite again with all odds stacked against them.  The Drama is the one Film in 2011 which made me cry so hard that my face hurt by the end of its two-and-a-half hours.

Although my Review won't be posted until War Horse hits theatres on Christmas Day, DreamWorks Pictures & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven would like to take three lucky Readers and a Guest each to see a Toronto Advance Screening of the Oscar Contender on December 15, 2011 at Scotiabank Theatre.  One Reader also will win a copy of the Novel War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, plus a Poster of the Movie too (similar to above)!  

To enter, simply click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook. You have until December 12, 2011 to qualify for the win.  Good luck, Mavenati!  Canadian Readers only, please.

Watch the Trailer in full below for War Horse: