KEISHA CASTLE-HUGHES IN TORONTO FOR "REWIND"

Keisha Castle-Hughes & Mr. Will-W.

She holds the distinction of being the youngest Actress ever to have garnered an Oscar nomination and if she looks familiar, that's because many of you know her for her work in 2004's acclaimed Whale Rider.  Then at age 11, New Zealand-born Keisha Castle-Hughes rose to international stardom with her outstanding performance in that Niki Caro Film.  Since then, she has appeared in The Nativity Story and Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, juggling being an Actress and a Mother to Felicity-Amore.

The Actress currently is in Toronto working on a Pilot for SyFy Network Series Rewind, which has her starring as Priya, a Historian who travels back in time to change events in order to prevent a Terrorist Attack from happening. Think Quantum Leap, but more political.

The lovely Castle-Hughes is enjoying a break from filming right now and tells me she is having a wonderful time in Toronto, having enjoyed a bit of shopping, a Blue Jays Game yesterday and also a Marlies Game tonight with a close Friend.  She was even decked-out in a cute Marlies Toque, in full-on Torontonian mode!  To be honest, before today I didn't even know whether the Marlies were a Hockey Team or a Baseball Team and I like to consider myself a proud Torontonian! Go, Keisha!

Rewind is slated to wrap early May, and also stars The Help's Shane McRae.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

MY PICKS FOR THE 84TH ACADEMY AWARDS

The 84th Academy Awards Official Poster

Being less than a week away, I've compiled my picks for the 84th Academy Awards. Admittedly, I haven't seen the Documentary and Short Film nominees so I am unable to comment.   I predict another sweep for The Artist, specifically for Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role, Directing, Costume Design and perhaps a couple technical categories.  Although I think Viola Davis did a fantastic job on The Help, I still feel at this point Meryl Streep should edge her out for Actress in a Leading Role based on her powerful portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

Cannot wait to pop the Champagne and celebrate another year of Cine-memories!

Here are my picks:

BEST PICTURE
The Artist


ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jean Dujardin
The Artist


ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Meryl Streep
The Iron Lady


ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Octavia Spencer
The Help


ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Rango
Gore Verbinski

18TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS RECAP

Viola Davis - 18th Annual SAG Awards

The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were held at The Shrine in Los Angeles earlier this evening, with Winners being determined by 2,100 Actors voting to honour their Peers for their brilliant work.  Viola Davis was Queen of the Red Carpet in a gorgeous white Marchesa dress, while her The Help Co-star Emma Stone looked stunning also in a black Alexander McQueen number.  Although the Ladies of Bridesmaids won over the audience re-enacting a drinking game on-stage around the word "Scorese", it was the Cast of The Help which was awarded Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Viola Davis was a bit of a surprise winning Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in The Help (defeating Meryl Streep) and Jean Dujardin for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in The Artist. Both wins for further solidify that they too just  might win Best Actress and Actor at next month's Academy Awards.

A recurring theme among tonight's SAG Award Winners was that it's never too late to be recognized.  For one, 82-year-old Christopher Plummer earned his first SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Beginners.  Some also might have been surprised that 90-year-old veteran Actress Betty White won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for Hot in Cleveland, beating-out Julie Bowen, Sofia Vergara, Tina Fey and Edie Falco. Another late to gain recognition is 62-year-old Jessica Lange, honoured for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series with American Horror Story.  

2012 OSCAR NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Jennifer Lawrence announces 2012 Oscar Nominees

The 2012 Oscar nominations were announced bright and early this morning with the help of The Hunger Games Star Jennifer Lawrence and the surprises just wouldn't quit! Martin Scorcese came out on-top with an impressive eleven nominations, including Best Picture. Many also were surprised to see the sudden presence of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, which has been a non-presence much of Awards Season, only to pop-up finally for the coveted prize - a brilliant campaign by Warner Bros. to shape perceptions with as late a release as possible. Nonetheless, The Artist which has swept Best Picture awards coast to coast leading up to this, receives a stellar ten nominations. It is without a question the one to beat, although other Nominees The Descendants, Midnight in Paris, War Horse, Moneyball, The Tree of Life and The Help might have something to say about this.

Everyone is talking about some surprising omissions, namely both Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan for their mesmerizing work in Shame.  Elizabeth Olsen who is astoundingly good in Martha Marcy May Marlene also was nowhere to be found either and some are saying that Fox Searchlight which handled distribution for both Films in the U.S., had tapped-out its resources campaigning for its Prize Horse, The Descendants. Also, The Adventures of Tintin, widely considered a contender for Animated Feature Film at one point was overlooked altogether this year.

There were some real pleasant surprises to be had this morning, especially for Actor in a Supporting Role with Jonah Hill (Moneyball), Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn), Max von Sydow (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close) and Nick Nolte (Warrior) all popping-up based on their powerful performances, to join category favourite, Christopher Plummer (Beginners).  Despite Warrior failing to garner critical and commercial success, it is thrilling that Nolte gets his due recognition as an alcoholic Father on-the-mend, hoping to repair his relationships with his two Sons.

"THE ARTIST" SWEEPS CRITICS' CHOICE AWARDS

Jean Dujardin, Star of The Artist

The Critics have spoken, indeed! The Broadcast Film Critics Association held their 17th annual Critics' Choice Awards earlier this evening and if you weren't convinced of The Artist's Oscar chances, you'd better think again. The Film by Michel Hazanavicius was awarded Best Director, Best Costume Design, Best Score and also Best Picture.

The Ladies of The Help also were well-represented, winning Best Actress with Viola Davis, Best Supporting Actress with Octavia Spencer and also, the Award for Best Ensemble Cast.

George Clooney walk award with Best Actor for The Descendants, while Acting Legend Christopher Plummer won for his work as Best Supporting Actor in The Beginners.  Note the irony in namesake: The Beginners... The Descendants... get it?

Although not yet updated, Photos and Winners will be posted on the Critics' Choice Awards Website.

See Photos from the Red Carpet over at Zimbio.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

A-LISTERS AT 23RD ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS GALA

Brad Pitt & Angeline Jolie at 23rd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala

The 23rd Annual Palm Springs Film Festival Awards Gala is where it was at last night with tons of A-listers flying out to spritz-up the Desert with a bit of Glamour. Brad Pitt, who arrived with a cane in-hand after inuring his knee skiing with three-year-old Daughter Vivienne, received the Desert Palm Achievement Award. On-stage, he thanked Co-stars Jonah Hill, Sean Penn and Philip Seymour Hoffman. On his Tree of Life Co-star Jessica Chastain who earlier received the Spotlight Award, he joked "Usually an Actress has to work in the Porn industry to have that kind of success. It’s impressive.”.

Others honoured last night included Michelle Williams in Prada, receiving the Desert Palm Achievement Award for her work in My Week with Marilyn; Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud Director Stephen Daldry being named Director of the Year; Glenn Close getting a Career Achievement Award; Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Diablo Cody & Jason Reitman given the Ensemble Award for Young Adult; Director Michel Hazanavicius being presented with the Sono Bono Visionary Award for The Artist; and Octavia Spencer, a Breakthrough Performance Award for her work in The Help. 

See Photos from the Night over at Zimbio.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

"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 HELP" AND "MODERN FAMILY" LEAD SAG AWARD NOMINATIONS

Still from The Help

Nominees for the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were announced earlier today from West Hollywood's SilverScreen Theater. The Awards honour Actors versus the actual Film or Television Program.

The Help leads all Film nominees with a total four nominations. Viola Davis gets a nod for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, while her Co-stars Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain are up for Female Actor in a Supporting Role. The talented Cast together are nominated also for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture.

ABC's Modern Family also received a total four nominations in the Television categories with both Ty Burrell and Eric Stonestreet both up for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series. Sofia Vergara is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor and the Cast also are up for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF "THE HELP" ON DVD/BLU-RAY COMBO PACK

Official Artwork for The Help

Even though it came out this past August, I'm still v. much in love with THE HELP and I am a genuine Believer that it will be a force come Awards Season. Buena Vista Home Entertainment will be releasing the $193 million grossing Film on December 6, 2011.  Together, we want to give you a chance to win a copy of it on DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack.

The #1 New York Times Best Seller by Kathryn Stockett comes to vivid life through the powerful performances of a phenomenal ensemble cast. Led by Emma Stone, Academy Award-nominated Viola Davis (Best Supporting Actress, DOUBT, 2008), Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard, THE HELP is an inspirational, courageous and empowering story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project -- one that breaks society's rules and puts them all at risk. Filled with poignancy, humor and hope -- and complete with compelling never-before-seen bonus features - THE HELP is a timeless, universal and triumphant story about the ability to create change.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

MELISSA MCCARTHY & HUSBAND BEN FALCONE IN "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY"

Still from Bridesmaids

Okay, I am embarrassed to admit that  legitimately I had no idea that Mike and Molly Star Melissa McCarthy was married to her Bridesmaids Co-star Ben Falcone. You know, the Guy she accused of being an Air Marshall, seducing him over and over?  They even have two Kids together, Vivian (four-and-a-half) and Georgette (19 months)! 

In addition to appearing on-screen together in one of 2011's biggest Box Office smashes (Bridesmaids has grossed over $286 million worldwide), the Couple also co-wrote together on a new Sitcom which they've sold to CBS. Also coming is a Dramedy titled Tammy which will be released via Warner Bros./New Line in which McCarthy stars also.  The Help Director Tate Taylor is being wooed for the Project as per early reports.

Falcone tells Entertainment Weekly's Karen Valby on his Wife's recent Emmy Win, "The first thing I did was yell. Everybody got up and yelled ‘Oh my God! Oh my God! She won!!!!’ And then after that I think everybody was kind of concerned for me because I fell into a weird, slack-jawed stunned silence for like 20 minutes.".  Now that's a supportive Husband, right there.

Click here to read the Interview in full.

And have you seen the Cover of the current issue of Entertainment Weekly?  The Queen!

(Photo credit: Universal Pictures/Entertainment Weekly)

"LION" IS KING OF THE BOX OFFICE AGAIN

Still from Moneyball

Disney's The Lion King 3-D, last week's Champion, defies all odds and does it a second week in a row, still going strong with $22 million in its second week of release. The Animated Feature wins a hotly-contested race for the lead with Sony Pictures' Moneyball, both a critical and commercial success, getting edged-out with $21 million. The Sports Drama also garnered an amazing 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer, meaning that likely it will be a serious Best Picture contender come Awards season.  And to think it all started at TIFF 2011!

Third-place finisher Dolphin Tale 3-D for Warner Bros., starring Morgan Freeman and Harry Connick Jr., is by no means a slouch either, opening with a v. impressive $20 million from 3,507 theatres.

Abduction starring Taylor Lautner opens in fourth spot with $11 million below expectations, as it was made for $36 million and high hopes were held for its Lead Actor's star power. Surely the Actor will see better days soon with the impending release of the next installment of Twilight.

A strong and proven Cast of Leading Men wasn't enough to save Killer Elite which debuts in fifth spot also with $9.5 million. The Action Thriller starring Clive Owen, Robert DeNiro and Jason Statham also fared poorly with Critics at 23% on the Tomatometer.

Former Champion Contagion slips to sixth spot in its third week with $9 million, earning $57.5 million in its run, just ahead of Drive starring Ryan Gosling in seventh, with $6 million in its second week. Meanwhile, Disney's The Help finds itself in eighth spot, now surpassing the $150 mark domestically - just about exceeding everyone's expectations.

ENTER TO WIN A JESSICA CHASTAIN-SIGNED "THE HELP" FAN

She was the Darling of TIFF 2011 with two films this year, Take Shelter and Coriolanus. Jessica Chastain will now be calling Toronto her home for the next few months as she begins work on the new Thriller Mama, produced by Guillermo del Toro.

I not only met the beautiful and immensely-talented Chastain once, but three times over the course of TIFF 2011 and she was sweet enough to sign an item to give away for my Readers, a Promo Fan from Disney's The Help in which she stars as the endearing Celia Foote.

Let's re-live the moments again, shall we?

•  Jessica Chastain at Press Conference for Coriolanus
• Jessica Chastain at InStyle Party
• Jessica Chastain at Take Shelter Premiere

To qualify for the win, you must "like" Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven's Facebook Page and leave a comment under this Post with the answer to the following question, "Is it true Madonna recently presented Jessica Chastain with the Gucci Award for Women in Film during the Venice Film Festival?".  Your deadline is October 22, 2011.  Good luck, Mavenati!

"THE LION KING 3-D" REIGNS OVER BOX OFFICE

Still from The Lion King

Family always comes first and that would be the case at the Box Office this weekend as Disney's The Lion King 3-D reigns supreme with $29.2 million earned from 2,330 theatres.

Former Champion Contagion by Stephen Soderbergh slips to second this weekend with $14.4 million after landing on-top last week.

Debuting in third is early Best Picture contender Drive starring Ryan Gosling, with $11 million for Lionsgate/Alliance Films, opening in 2,886 theatres. It currently stands at a stellar 93% on Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.

Disney's The Help also is still going strong in fourth spot this weekend in its sixth week of release with $6.4 million this weekend, just ahead of the Remake of Thriller Straw Dogs in fifth spot, starring James Marsden and Kate Bosworth.

I Don't Know How She Does It starring Sarah Jessica Parker opens in sixth spot this weekend with $4.5 million and poor reviews at 20% on the Tomatometer.

The excellent Warrior is in eighth spot with $2.7 million in its second week for Lionsgate/Alliance Films, which is a pity.  Hopefully it will see strong numbers overseas.

JESSICA CHASTAIN AT TIFF 2011 FOR "CORIOLANUS"

Jessica Chastain at TIFF 2011

One of the names I was most excited to see at TIFF 2011 was Jessica Chastain and I'm thrilled to say I've gotten my chance to meet her.  Appearing in eight films over the span of one year, all eyes are on this new "It Girl" who went from Theatre to starring alongside Brad Pitt and Sean Penn earlier this year in The Tree of Life.

Currently in Toronto promoting Coriolanus, the directorial debut of acclaimed Actor Ralph Fiennes, Chastain also is slated for an appearance at the Premiere of Take Shelter alongside Michael Shannon later this week.  She will be filming Thriller Mama, a Guillermo del Toro production, in a couple weeks' time in the City too!

Chastain was an absolute Sweetheart, making her way through Fans waiting outside her Press Conference today, before being cat-called over by a bunch of Construction Workers and she played it up even, planting a kiss on one lucky Guy's cheek!  Love her!

See more of Chastain below:

BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD AT TIFF 2011 FOR "50/50"

Mr. Will-W. & Bryce Dallas Howard

I've always loved Bryce Dallas Howard and her performance in The Help finally gives us a taste of what she's capable of. Although v. pregnant, she was ultra-kind to stop and take a Photo with me after having to decline several Fan requests at the 50/50 Premiere earlier (Ryerson Theatre) due to safety issues. 

Definitely one of my highlights of TIFF 2011 and it was amazing that she remembered me and did it without hesitation after seeing me a second time. Amaze!

JESSICA CHASTAIN TO FILM "MAMA" IN TORONTO

Jessica Chastain

Things like this make me giddy like a School Girl. Tree of Life, The Debt, The Help, Take Shelter, Coriolanus, Texas Killing Fields, Wilde Salome and The Wettest Country in the World are among some of Jessica Chastain's recent projects to receive much critical buzz.  Count 'em - that's eight high-profile releases slated for release within the span of a year. In addition to there being much talk of her being a Front-runner in the Oscars Best Supporting Actress race for her work in The Help, Chastain just won the Gucci Award for Women in Cinema earlier this weekend in Venice.

But get this - the new Queen of Cinema will be filming in Toronto from October to December, in addition to attending the TIFF 2011 Premieres of Take Shelter and Coriolanus. She is set to star in Guillermo del Toro-produced Mama, a Thriller about two Girls who escape a cruel Woman they believe to be there Mother. Mama, which is one of two del Toro Films being produced in Toronto simultaneously (the other is Pacific Rim), will be directed by Andre Muschietti. OMG. Dying here.

(Photo credit: Alliance Films)

JESSICA CHASTAIN RULES THE BOX OFFICE

Jessica Chastain

If there was ever any doubt about Jessica Chastain's Star Power, I'll have you know that she stars in both the number one and number two Films at the Box Office this weekend. The Help for the second week in a row, lands atop the Box Office in its third week of release, with $18 million projected for this four-day Labour Day weekend. The Debt which has her starring alongside Helen Mirren and Sam Worthington, exceeds expectations in second spot with $12 million, in second spot.  Just one more week til she's here for TIFF 2011!

Apollo 18, despite some negative reviews, lands in third spot in its debut with $11 million, just ahead of another panned Opener, Shark Night 3-D, in fourth.  Both garnered 24% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.

Columbiana is in fifth spot with $10 million for Sony Pictures, just ahead of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark with $6 million; both in their second week of release. Surprisingly, The Smurfs 3-D remains resilient in rounding out the Top Ten, hanging on for a sixth week also for Sony Pictures, with $5 million.

"THE HELP" ON-TOP AGAIN IN TEPID WEEKEND

Still from The Help

For the second week in a row, Disney's The Help finds itself on-top at the Box Office. Now in its third week, the Drama earned $14.3 million in a weak weekend. To date the Tearjerker has earned $95.7 million domestically, exceeding all expectations and being well on its way to a serious run for Oscars Gold.

In second this weekend is Columbiana, which debuts with $11 million for Sony Pictures. The Thriller starring Avatar's Zoe Saldana keeps another debuting Film Don't be Afraid of the Dark in third spot with $8.7 million.

In fourth spot is 20th Century Fox's former champion Rise of the Planet of the Apes with $8.5 million this weekend, while The Weinstein Co.'s Our Idiot Brother opens in fifth spot with $6.6 million, opening well below expectations for the Comedy with an all-star Cast including Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel and Rashida Jones.

Crazy, Stupid, Love. slips to eighth spot this weekend with $3.2 million for Warner Bros. in its fifth week and Conan the Barbarian rounds out the Top Ten in its second week with a disappointing $3.2 million.

"THE HELP" RISES TO THE TOP

Still from The Help

The great news for Disney this weekend is that they wound up on top of the Box Office with The Help which in its second week, climbs to number one with $20 million. The bad news is that their Remake Fright Night starring Colin Farrell and Alex Pettyfer, under-performs in its debut in fifth spot, with $8.3 million despite great reviews. Coincidentally, both Films have garnered 74% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

Finishing second is two-week champion, The Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which brings in $16.3 million this weekend, with a three-week total of $133.4 million in North America. Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4-D (Aroma-scope) debuts in third with $12 million for the successful franchise. The three previous installments of Spy Kids combined have grossed $161.7 million total.

Conan the Barbarian debuts in fourth spot with $10 million, which is devastating for its Backers at Lionsgate Films as it was made for $90 million.  Meanwhile, The Smurfs 3-D is still going strong in sixth spot behind Fright Night with $8 million, now having earned $118 million in four weeks. Sony Pictures recently announced plans to do a Sequel to this successful first installment.

The Romance One Day debuts in ninth spot for Focus Features/Alliance Films with $5 million, while Crazy, Stupid, Love. rounds out the Top Ten for Warner Bros.

"THE RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES" ON-TOP FOR A SECOND WEEK: "THE HELP" BOWS STRONG

Still from The Help

For the second straight week, The Rise of the Planet of the Apes finds itself on top of the Box Office, taking number one spot with $26.5 million.  In two weeks it has garnered an impressive $104 million for 20th Century Fox.

The Help from Disney/Dreamworks exceeds expectations with $24.8 million in its debut, despite having opened in theatres on Wednesday.  In five days, it has grossed $34.7 million and likely will keep going strong for the next few weeks.

Fans of the Final Destination franchise clearly aren't bored yet, with its fifth installment bringing in $17.5 million in its debut for Warner Bros., landing just ahead of The Smurfs 3-D in fourth spot with $13.7 million in its third week.

30 Minutes or Less starring The Social Network's Jesse Eisenberg and Aziz Ansari, debuts in sixth spot for Sony Pictures, with $13 million.  Meanwhile, Glee: The 3-D Concert Movie despite selling out arenas in North America, failed to enthuse Moviegoers earning only $5.5 million from 2,040 theatres for 20th Century Fox.

The well-reviewed Crazy, Stupid, Love. continues to go strong in eighth spot this weekend with $7 million earned, bringing its North American tally to $55.3 million.