CANADA'S TOP TEN FILMS ANNOUNCED

Still from A Dangerous Method

Last night Canada's Top Ten Films were announced by the Toronto International Film Festival to honour the v. best in Canadian Film. Titles honoured, many which were screened at TIFF 2011, include the following:

Edwin Boyd

A Dangerous Method

Monsieur Lazhar

Keyhole

Take this Waltz

Café de flore

Starbuck

Hobo with a Shotgun

Marécages

Le Vendeur

I'm ashamed to admit I haven't seen any of them yet, although I will be seeing David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method v. soon!  Staying true to its commitment to Canadian Film, each of these will be showcased over the next month at the TIFF Bell Lightbox here in Toronto.  

Click here to view the Schedule for Screenings.

(Photo credit: eOne Films)

SARAH POLLEY CONFIRMS PREGNANCY

Sarah Polley & Mr. Will-W. - June 2011

Just four days ahead of her TIFF Premiere for Take this Waltz, Actress/Director/Writer Sarah Polley has confirmed that she is three-and-a-half months pregnant with a Child from her Husband, Law Teacher David Sandomierski.

That would mean that when I last ran into her in June outside the National Film Board of Canada (seen above), she already had just conceived this first Child. Amaze.  At that time Polley wasn't able to confirm yet that Take This Waltz would be premiering at TIFF saying to me, "Nothing's finalized yet!". 

Technically though, this Baby really could be considered Polley's third Child. Her first Baby, 2008's Away from Her, was born to much acclaim in its TIFF Premiere and eventually an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. The impending birth of her second Baby this weekend in Take This Waltz, also boasts some strong lineage as Michelle Williams appears to be getting Oscar buzz too for her work also.  Congratulations all around, Ms. Polley! 

CONFIRMED TIFF 2011 TITLES

Still from Moneyball

So the first TIFF 2011 Press Conference was held at 10:00 AM today with various Galas and marquee titles announced.  Although weekly announcements still are to come over the next month, here are some of the more buzzed Movies we will be seeing in Toronto come September:

Trishna – directed by Michael Winterbottom – The tragic love story of a Property Developer’s Son and an Auto Rickshaw Owner’s Daughter; stars Freida Pinto.

The Lady – Luc Besson’s Biopic about pro-Democracy Activist Aung San Suu Kyi played by Michelle Yeoh, who was blacklisted in Burma after filming this one

W.E. – Madonna’s directorial debut. A film which criss-crosses a modern day love story with the romance between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.

SARAH POLLEY COMMENTS ON "TAKE THIS WALTZ"

Sarah Polley & Mr. Will-W.

Just as I was heading into a Screening tonight, I ran into acclaimed Gemini and Genie Award-winning Actress/Oscar-nominated Screenwriter Sarah Polley coming out of the National Film Board of Canada.  Just as she head off to her next destination, kindly she stopped to pose for a Photo.

I had to of course ask her my most burning question - whether or not her Toronto-filmed Take this Waltz will be premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival this September.  She smiled back at me, "Nothing's finalized yet!".  That answer would in the least bit appear to indicate it's in close contention?  And considering her favourable relationship with TIFF, I'd say she's a shoe-in! 

Polley's 2008 directorial debut Away from Her premiered at TIFF, eventually seeing Julie Christie get an Oscar nomination, in addition to a Best Adapted Screenplay nod for her own writing.  I did camp-out at the set for Take this Waltz last Summer and you can read some of my coverage here.

SAMUEL L. JACKSON IN TORONTO FILMING "THE SAMARITAN" - READER SPOTTINGS

Samuel L. Jackson at Air Canada Centre - March 18, 2011

As many of you are aware already, Samuel L. Jackson is back in Toronto filming a small-budget Film called The Samaritan, which quietly just rolled into Production. Tonight, Filming took place at one of my favourite haunts, The Lakeview according to one Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven reader Bill - home of quite possibly the most delicious Poutine in the City. And how can you go wrong with $3 Mimosas and Caesars?

The Samaritan is about a man named Foley (Jackson) who after 20 years in Prison, is a free Man - only until he is presented with a risky offer that might just be too good to resist. The Film also stars Toronto's Luke Kirby, who filmed Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz in the City last Summer with Seth Rogen and Michelle Williams. Irish Actress Ruth Negga also stars.

Jackson was spotted Saturday night in Yorkville dining at Joso's.... but not after having some fun at a Toronto Raptors game on Friday night at Air Canada Centre, as spotted by another Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven reader and Sports Fanatic, Joscelyn. 

My Readers are the best, that's all I have to say. Thank you for pitching in!

(Photo credit: @J0scelyn)

MICHELLE WILLIAMS AS MARILYN MONROE

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe

Stunning.  The Weinstein Co. just released this new photo of Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe in upcoming feature My Week With Marilyn, which has already begun production in London at Pinewood Studios.  Now we know why Williams wasn't at TIFF 2010 after spending the summer here in Toronto filming Take This Waltz.

The film is about Writer/Filmmaker Colin Clark's one week with Monroe while she was filming the iconic The Prince and The Showgirl after her husband, Playwright Arthur Miller left London.  It was a crazy week apparently.  

My Week with Marilyn is the second in a one-two punch from The Weinstein Co., with the first Blue Valentine, garnering her lots of Oscar buzz for the studio.  It will hit theatres late December and just received a rare NC-17 rating due to a couple graphic sex scenes.  Read my review of it here.

SARAH SILVERMAN SPOTTED IN TORONTO | AUTOGRAPH CONTEST

She doesn't really care if your ethnic or religious group is offended by her jokes. And that's why I love her. Comedian/Writer/Actress Sarah Silverman is definitely one of my favourites for her brazen brand of humour. She pushes the envelope in her satirical approach to addressing stereotypes in a manner so brilliant that one cannot help but find humour in her irony.

Silverman has been flying in and out of Toronto filming Sarah Polley-directed Take This Waltz, which I have covered here previously. Production is set to wrap tentatively at the end of August and she plays the role of Seth Rogen's sister in that film. There are also rumours circulating that she will be appearing nude in the film for the first time although this has yet to be confirmed.

I had the chance to chat with Silverman quickly on her way out to lunch with her good friends Noah Wyle and Steven Weber, both in-town also filming different projects. Both gentlemen arrived at her Hotel and waited about 15 minutes for her outside, sipping on their Coffees before Silverman came out finally a vision of youth, all smiles in Ray-Ban Sunglasses, a Hoodie and Knapsack sans Make-up.

MICHELLE WILLIAMS ON THE TORONTO SET OF TAKE THIS WALTZ

Yes, way.  That's totally me and Michelle Williams embracing one another in that photo.  The Oscar-nominated actress is a difficult one to gage because she manages to remain out of the Public Eye so well, that I wasn't certain whether she would be stand-offish or not in-person.  Thus, when visiting her on the set of Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz, I proceeded with caution when approaching her especially when co-star Seth Rogen warned me that she is fragile in my conversation with him prior.

As she headed out to Lunch, she stopped to sign a couple photos for me and being careful not to be to overly aggressive, I gave her the option of taking a Photo and she told me, "Of course!  One thing though - it's extremely hot and I think I'll look better after I freshen up.  So how about later?".  And so we set a Date.

She arrived back on set later in the day with her iPod on and seemed to entertain herself between breaks with Music.  Between scenes, Williams came over and threw me a wave and a smile without my initiating it.  By the final scene of the day, which had her and Canadian actor Luke Kirby picking up her husband in the movie (Seth Rogen) in a Rickshaw, there seemed to be a bit of struggle, requiring more takes than normal to get a satisfactory result.  By the last take though, the sky was dark deeming it impossible to blend from a Continuity standpoint with the scene prior.

SETH ROGEN ON THE TORONTO SET OF TAKE THIS WALTZ

Vancouver-born Seth Rogen has done extremely well in terms of making himself a bankable Hollywood Star.  He by no means fits the typical physical prototype of a Leading Man, but when you watch him on-screen, his ability to engage an audience makes you forget everything else.  He's funny and likable. The kind of Nerd that the Hot Girl in High School had a soft spot for.

Currently in Toronto filming Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz, a slimmed-down Rogen will be playing the Happy-Go-Lucky husband of Michelle Williams in the movie - oblivious to the fact that she develops feelings for a Rickshaw Driver played by Canadian actor Luke Kirby.

While breaking for Lunch, I had a chance to say "hi" and tell him how huge a fan I am of his and I asked him to clarify what the tone of this film was as I couldn't decipher if it was funny or serious.  He stated that it leaned a bit more towards the serious.  When complimenting him on how great he looked in keeping his weight off, he giggled and said "Thanks".  Later in the day, he came over to visit me with his Assistant much to my surprise.  "Are you seriously coming over here to talk to me?" I asked, to which he replied, "Of course!  I promised I would!", then signing a few autographs for fans. Unfortunately the trip was quick and he had run out of time when it came to taking our photo together.  Perhaps another time...  I'm certain it'll happen.  Rogen is every bit as wonderful as I'd imagined him to be and I look forward to seeing him branch away from Comedy in this project.

Want more of that Sethaliciousness?  Look below:

TAKE THIS WALTZ BEGINS FILMING IN TORONTO

Filming started a couple days ago for Canadian actress/director Sarah Polley's latest film Take This Waltz, to be distributed by Mongrel Media. The casting for the film however, is dead-aimed at the Oscars with a dream ensemble including Academy Award-nominee Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman.  Williams has been getting a great amount of ink for her role in upcoming The Weinstein Co. production Blue Valentine.

I did have a chance to visit the set which is tucked away in Little Portugal, quiet enough yet still accessible to the city. Upon arrival, I could see Crew members in charge of Locations advising local residents to stay off their porches so not to be in the shot, as this particular scene was set at 5 AM. Low and behold, I could see a radiant Williams giggling with co-star Luke Kirby, with whom she develops feelings for in the film. Take This Waltz touches upon the question of fidelity as Williams' character (married to Rogen) is said to struggle with commitment.

Polley could be heard calling "Action!" and "Cut!" from around the corner as her and the Crew followed Williams and Kirby around the block multiple times on a Trolley. In this scene, Kirby could be seen pulling a Rickshaw, while Williams conversed with him on her feet.

AN EARLY LOOK: BLUE VALENTINE

Canadian actor Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, soon to arrive in Toronto to film Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz, are causing a stir in Cannes with their latest film Blue Valentine, based on their strong performances.  The romantic drama follows a couple, cross-cutting different stages in the evolution of their relationship.  The film is directed by Derek Cianfrance, who has done a couple Hip-Hop documentaries in the past.  The film to be released via The Weinstein Co. this winter (and via our friends at Alliance Films in Canada), will be released in tandem with Oscars season and possible see a screening at TIFF in September.  One to look out for. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

THE KENNEDYS STARRING KATIE HOLMES FILMS IN TORONTO

Yes, that’s two Dawson’s Creek alumni to be filming in Toronto this summer. Katie Holmes has just signed on to play Jackie O. in upcoming History Channel mini-series The Kennedys alongside super-talented I-don't-need-an-SUV-I-can-take-a-cab-around-Toronto-thank you Greg Kinnear.

They will be here from June to September in tandem with filming for Sarah Polley’s new film Take This Waltz which stars former Dawson’s Creek star Michelle Williams. The public’s fascination with Jackie O. will once again be very prevalent as Rachel Weisz, as announced recently, will also be playing Jackie O. in feature film biopic which will start filming after completion of Jim Sheridan’s Dream House which is still ongoing in Toronto. I’ll definitely be dropping by the set of The Kennedys to bring you the scoop. Stay posted…  (Photo credit: Glamour Magazine)

AN EARLY LOOK: TAKE THIS WALTZ

News like this just brings out the stalker in me.  Canadian great Sarah Polley's new project Take This Waltz starts filming this July in Toronto. The film is about a woman who realizes that she might be addicted to the "Honeymoon Phase" of her relationships. The actress-turned-director has cast - get this - comedienne Sarah Silverman, the ultra-selective Michelle Williams and the über-busy Seth Rogen, who only recently wrapped-up production on The Green Hornet and is now in Vancouver working on a film he wrote and directs, tentatively titled I'm With Cancer.  That film is based on Rogen's real life experiences and his friendship with a friend who suffered from the illness.

The last time Polley directed a feature in 2006, actress Julie Christie wound up receiving a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination for Away From Her.  Expect  a similar fate for Williams who is normally outstanding, although seen far too little.  (Photo credit: Associated Press)