"BULLY" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Bully

After a proper amount of Controversy comes the release of Lee Hirsch's Documentary, Bully - one of the most important Films to hit theatres in 2012. Like a fly on the wall, Hirsch infiltrates the school buses, homes, classrooms and hangouts of five American Youth whose lives have been changed irreversibly by the act of Bullying.

Alex is a Middle School Student labelled by his peers as "creepy" and we see him get jabbed and punched on a daily basis - his Parents completely oblivious to the extent of Bullying he is experiencing. Ja'Maya, an athletic Honour Student, facing several serious charges after pulling a gun on her Tormentors one day on their school bus. Kelby is a Lesbian in High School who along with her Family has faced alienation from their tight-knit Community after she decides to "out" herself; we learn she almost was run-over by a Mini-Van. Not all these Victims lived to tell their stories, as Tyler Long and Ty Smalley both committed Suicide as a result of the pressures they faced from their Peers.  We see their Families try to pick-up the pieces after Devastation.

Although I'll be the first to admit that I found its shaky camera work and oft-blurred focus a tad nauseating, this can be overlooked as we quickly are drawn-in to the fascinating stories of Bully's Subjects. Hirsch enables us to perceive the Worlds of these young People with empathy and compassion, daring to go to uncomfortable places with these Kids and their Families as they open-up candidly about their own individual losses.

LEE HIRSCH AT CITYTV'S "BREAKFAST TELEVISION" FOR "BULLY"

Lee Hirsch & Mr. Will-W.

Lucky day!  The morning after attending his Town Hall for controversial Documentary Bully, Filmmaker Lee Hirsch and I crossed paths again today at an appearance on CityTV's Breakfast Television. Getting a moment to chat with Hirsch was awesome as he savoured his Starbucks Americano and a Cigarette before his appearance. 

He tells me that he's rather pleased with the reaction Bully has received in Toronto and although I really shouldn't be telling you this yet, he revealed that a major Hollywood Actor is confirmed to attend the Hot Docs Festival later this month. Bully actually premiered last year here in Toronto also at that same Festival under the name The Bully Project.

We both talk about our experiences as Kids being bullied and agreed that it definitely has made us more empathetic as Adults and these insights sometimes can only be acquired after undergoing a real hardship.

The New York Native is glad to see his Film finally get an official release this Friday, April 6, 2012 here in Canada, where we've been much more liberal in our ratings system compared to our Friends south of the Border, slapping Bully with an R-rating. Here in Ontario, the Documentary is rated PG and I'm thrilled that I'm old enough to see it this weekend without Parental Supervision! 

Click here to read about last night's Town Hall for Bully.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

LEE HIRSCH IN TORONTO FOR "BULLY" | OFFICIAL T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY

Lee Hirsch in Toronto for Premiere of Bully - April 2012

The statistics on Bullying are staggering. This year alone, it is estimated that over 13 million Kids will be bullied.  Documentary Maker Lee Hirsch was in Toronto today doing a full day of Press for his controversial new Film Bully, which has been in the news much of late due to its debatable R-rating from the MPAA in the U.S., somewhat defeating its purpose to educate Children on a matter which impacts them directly.

Following its Toronto Premiere at the TIFF Bell Lightbox this evening, a Town Hall was held with a Group of Panelists which included:

• Director Lee Hirsch
• Hon. Laurel Broton (Ontario Minister of Education)
• Jacques St. Pierre (High School Student and Founder of the I Will Make it Better Project)
• Leora Schaefer (Director, Facing History and Ourselves)
• Todd Solomon (Clinical Director, Kids Help Phone)

Hirsch explained to the Audience that his inspiration in making Bully - which lasted a span of three years - was a result of his own Childhood which saw him being bullied also.  He goes on to say, "Bullying exists in a construct that's very hard to define and is often met with the response that can be minimizing such as 'Kids will be Kids', or 'This is a rite of passage'.". "I wanted to show it and let people walk in these shoes and experience it.".

MPAA NEARING A SOLUTION TO R-RATING FOR "BULLY"

Still from Bully Trailer

The problem is real. Bully from Director Lee Hirsch, follows the lives of five Students from Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Iowa and Oklahoma, who face bullying on a daily basis at School. Already dealing with controversial subject matter, the acclaimed Documentary also is raising eyebrows in the U.S. with its R rating by the Motion Picture Association of America, meaning Children under the age of 17 won't be allowed to see it due to the amount of foul language heard in the Film.  This in effect, defeats its intention to educate the Public on the Matter.

MPAA Chairman Chris Dodd said last week after a post-Screening Debate in Washington, that he is committed to working around the Red Tape surrounding Bully's release. Dodd says, "One, they don't have to be rated. My hope is we can find some way to work through this", meaning that the Documentary could be released in the U.S. without a rating altogether.  Stars like Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep and Tommy Hilfiger have all joined the Cause, signing a Petition supporting Bully after the MPAA had decided its original rating. Fortunately in Canada, the Documentary in Canada is rated PG-13.

Anyone who goes out of their way to make you uncomfortable whether it be attending School or doing your Work is a Bully and nobody should be subject to this. We can make a difference and I'm excited to see what insights this Film has to offer us.

 Alliance Films releases Bully in Canada on Friday, April 6, 2012.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

HARVEY WEINSTEIN COURTING KATY PERRY FOR FILM ROLE

Paul Potts, Katy Perry, Harvey Weinstein & Mr. Will-W.

Now this is really early in the game, but Vanity Fair reports that Katy Perry was approached by Harvey Weinstein while partying in celebration of the Oscars, to star in one of his upcoming potential projects.  It is said that a Biopic about Britain's Got Talent Winner Paul Potts' is in-the-works and Weinstein is courting Perry to play Julie-Ann Cooper, the Wife of  the Opera Singer whom he had met on the Internet.  

I'm unsure whether or not Perry simply was being kind (as one should) to Weinstein, or whether or not her Cell Phone Network was down at the time because a simple Google query on her Phone would reveal that Cooper substantially is a much larger Woman that the Pop Star.  Would Perry go that far for the sake of Art?  It is reported that Perry went ahead and told Weinstein, "I love a challenge". 

Perhaps this Movie about Potts - who by the way is a kind, lovely Man - will only be a loose adaptation instead inspired by Potts' battle against the odds starring super-gorgeous Actors?  Or maybe it will be animated or in Claymation?

Either way, Weinstein has revealed before that his Daughters Ruth, Emma and Lily are huge Fans of Perry, so surely if not this Role, something could be arranged, hopefully without an tantrum... 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"THE ARTIST" SWEEPS THE 84TH ACADEMY AWARDS

Meryl Streep at the 84th Academy Awards

Winning the coveted Best Picture at the 84th Academy Awards as predicted, was Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist, which after sweeping many major precursor ceremonies leading up to the Oscars, was the favourite to win tonight. To date, the Film has grossed $76 million worldwide since its November 25, 2011 release and it will be interesting to see if it experiences a post-Oscar boost in coming weeks.  It also was victorious for Directing, Costume Design and Score.

Above this, the much-watched Actor in a Leading Role category went to a deserving Jean Dujardin for his unforgettable portrayal of Silent Film Actor, George Valentin in The Artist.  "Woh! I love your Country!", proclaimed the French Actor.

Winning Actress in a Leading Role as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, was the legendary Meryl Streep in her third Oscar win ever. Although many believed that Viola Davis would win the Award following her Golden Globe victory for The Help, alas Streep's superb performance would prevail in the category. This Actor/Actress sweep for The Weinstein Co., also is a big score for Canadian Distributor Alliance Films which handled both The Iron Lady and The Artist in these parts.

At 82 years of age, Toronto-born Christopher Plummer would win his first ever Oscar for Actor in a Supporting Role as a terminally-ill Gay Man in Beginners. Octavia Spencer like Plummer, repeated her feat of a Golden Globe/Oscar-double for her performance in The Help, winning Actress in a Supporting Role.

Hugo might not have been a massive Box Office success, nor did it win Best Picture, but the gorgeous Martin Scorcese Film but it sure gave The Artist a run for its glory tonight, winning five awards including: Cinematography, Visual Effects, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Art Direction.

For a complete list of Winners, click here.

To see some of the gorgeous Red Carpet Victresses tonight like Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Michelle Williams, Angelina Jolie and Milla Jovovich, visit Zimbio here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS WINS DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA AWARD FOR "THE ARTIST"

Michel Hazanavicius

Congratulations again to The Artist which saw its Director Michel Hazanavicius win the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Film tonight. If you weren't convinced that this is your clear favourite for Best Picture at the upcoming Oscars, this should finally convince you.

Other Winners named this evening at Los Angeles' Grand Ballroom include Canada's Jon Cassar awarded in the category of Movies for Television and Mini-Series for his work on The Kennedys, filmed here in Toronto Summer 2010.  Patty Jenkins who helmed 2003's Monster - which saw Charlize Theron win an Oscar in the category of Best Actress - also earned a win for Dramatic Series with The Killing, for which she directed the Pilot.

For a full list of Winners, click here.

(Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.)

WHO PARTIED WHERE AFTER THE GOLDEN GLOBES?

Uggie at The Weinstein Company's 2012 Golden Globes After Party

The Weinstein Company's 2012 Golden Globes After Party was the place to be last night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel! Everyone showed up including Winners Meryl Streep (Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama), Michelle Williams (Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical/Comedy), Kelsey Grammer (Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Drama), Jean Dujardin (Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical/Comedy). Even adorable Jack Russell Terrier Uggie, Star of The Artist arrived in a little Bowtie! OMG.

Alexander Skarsgård, Paris Hilton, Nicki Hilton, Katherine Heigl, Cory Monteith, Mark Salling, Ewan McGregor, Jeremy Irons, Kathy Griffin, Diddy, Gerard Butler, Thomas Jane and many more. The former Actress and Playboy Model known as Lindsay Lohan might even have walked the Red Carpet too...

Our Girl Kathleen Robertson who stars in Golden Globe-nominated Boss, celebrated her Co-star Grammer's Victory looking amaze in white!  We just chatted with her the other day - check it out.

Click here to see the Red Carpet Photos!

That can't possibly be all right?  Tilda Swinton, Charlize Theron, Orlando Bloom, Melissa McCarthy, Miranda Kerr, Emma Stone, Sofia Vergara, Kate Beckinsale, Amy Poehler, Jeremy Irvine, Jon Hamm, Jessica Alba, Heidi Klum, Tina Fey, Matt Leblanc, Jessica Chastain, Zooey Deschanel, Connie Britton, Paul Giamatti, Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Viola Davis, Kim Kardashian and more were spotted at the glam InStyle and Warner Bros. 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards After Party.

"THE ARTIST" LIVE CHAT RECAP

Jean Dujardin at The Artist Live Chat

Kicking its Oscars Campaign into high gear now, The Weinstein Co. held a Live Chat with the Cast and Director of Best Picture Frontrunner, The Artist tonight.  Questions were fielded in-house from the Audience, Twitter and Facebook and we learned a few interesting things.

I for one, had no idea the Film's Director Michel Hazanavicius, actually is married the the Film's Supporting Actress Bérénice Bejo.  A jet-lagged Bejo, who just flew in from Paris to Los Angeles for the Chat, admits that at first she had some struggles working together with her Husband, but after getting a bit of advice from Friends, she finally was able to relax in taking direction from him.  She also explained that the final dance sequence seen in The Artist actually was quite a challenge since neither her nor her Co-star Jean Dujardin are actually Dancers.  The Sequence which is shot continuously took about 17 takes to get right.

Dujardin with the help of a Translator, explained that he never prior had visited Los Angeles for other than leisure.  He lived in the area for approximately three months and really connected to George Valentin as an Outsider in the 35 days of filming.  He also was flattered by all the comparisons to Gene Kelly he is receiving.

One thing which many people forget about this Film is that the Actors did work with Dialogue and were really speaking during Filming.  Actor James Cromwell however, clarifies simply that the sound is not recorded and captured in depicting this as a Silent Film.

Michel Hazanavicius sums-up the messsage of The Artist nicely stating, "We live in a world that changes very, very fast and it is our job to adapt. I think this is what makes the Film really Human". 

Following the Chat, the Cast and Director went into the Audience, signing Autographs and taking Photos with lucky Fans in-attendance!  Jealous!

See some Photos from the Chat below:

"THE ARTIST" SWEEPS AWARDS IN NEW YORK, BOSTON AND LOS ANGELES

Still from The Artist

In case there was any doubt about it, The Artist is now one of your early favourites to take it all at the Oscars.  The French Production about Actor George Valentin at the end of the Silent Film Era, stars Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo.

Earlier today The Film swept the New York Film Critics Online, Boston and Los Angeles Film Critics Associations' Best Picture Awards. It also doesn't hurt that The Weinstein Co., which won the Academy Award for Best Picture with The King's Speech also is responsible for campaigning The Artist.

The American Film Institute also announced its Top Ten of 2011 but as The Artist is not a U.S.-produced Title, it is deemed ineligible. Also, both Dujardin and Bejo failed to win at any of the three Awards ceremonies today.

The Artist is now in theatres in Canada via Alliance Films.

(Photo credit: Alliance Films)

NEW TRAILER: "W.E." BY MADONNA

Still from W.E.

"You have no idea how hard it is to live out the greatest Romance of the Century.".

A proper Trailer for Madonna's W.E. has finally surfaced and although the Dialogue seems a bit literal, it looks rather lovely. The Romance/Drama intertwines the forbidden Romance of King Edward and Wallis Simpson, with that of a present day Love Story.  Andrea Riseborough, James D'Arcy, Abbie Cornish and Oscar Isaac star.

See the Trailer in full below:

W.E. gets a Limited Release December 9, 2011 and a formal release on February 3, 2012. It would appear despite a bit of panning in its Festival rounds, The Weinstein Company still feels this will be a Contender come Awards Season.

Visit W.E.'s Official Facebook Page here.

(Photo/video credit: The Weinstein Co.)

"THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY" VS. "MY WEEK WITH MARILYN"

Still from My Week with Marilyn

A merging of two things I love: Katy Perry and My Week with Marilyn.  Katy Perry is teaming-up with The Weinstein Co. to cross-promote her new Single, The One That Got Away and the forthcoming release of Simon Curtis' Oscar Contender.  Although seemingly an odd pairing at first, the '60s-esque vibe of the Track fits thematically with the Film.

In another bit of breaking news, Perry is said to be taking a year off from Music to take time to focus on starting a Family with Husband Russell Brand, who will be back in-town for a rescheduled Casino Rama Show on Thursday, December 8, 2011.

Watch this Mash-up of the Track and Clips from My Week with Marilyn: 

Simon Curtis was just in Toronto for My Week with Marilyn.  Click here to read about it.

(Photo/video credit: The Weinstein Co./EMI Music)

"MY WEEK WITH MARILYN" TRAILER SURFACES

Official Artwork for My Week with Marilyn

I just died. The Trailer for My Week with Marilyn has finally surfaced and Michelle Williams is absolutely ravishing Marilyn Monroe. She nails it beautifully and it looks like Director Simon Curtis really is going for our hearts here with the Romanticism. The Weinstein Co. and Alliance Films release on November 4, 2011.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

INTERVIEW: KEVIN SMITH ON "RED STATE"

Kevin Smith in Toronto - August 2011

Staying true to the motto of a certain Canadian Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, "Don't go where the puck is, go where it will be", acclaimed Filmmaker Kevin Smith is taking his Idol's advice all the way. Smith surprised many when he had announced recently he would be releasing his latest Film Red State independently, without the support of a major Film Distributor in its theatrical run. Instead, he has opted to tour the mould-breaking Horror Film, which centers around a group of Teenagers who answer an online invitation for Group Sex, only for things to take a dark turn when they encounter a group of violent Fundamentalists.

Prior to its Toronto Premiere last night at Underground Cinema, planted in the outskirts of Chinatown, Red State already had grossed over $1 million in Ticket Sales from Smith's rolling Tour. In addition to this, the Film has sold an additional $2 million in Ticket Sales/Merchandise, in addition to a $2 million in a Streaming/Home Video Deal with Lionsgate Films, plus another $1 million from a Video-on-Demand which will see it on the likes of NetFlix. Smith's greatest challenge in creating this Film was making a $15 million Movie for a budget of $4 million only. And he did it. The Film has proven not only that a Hockey Jersey-loving Smith is a successful Filmmaker, but also a savvy Business Man. Red State despite still not being released theatrically yet, has proven profitable  already for its Investors.  Other Directors including Academy Award Winner Francis Ford Coppola also are following suit, taking his latest work Twixt on the road also, editing the Film on-the-fly for a unique experience for Filmgoers from city to city.

PAUL RUDD & HARVEY WEINSTEIN IN "FUNNY OR DIE" SKIT

Paul Rudd in Funny or Die Skit

Quirky Sex Symbol Paul Rudd absolutely pisses-off Movie Mogul Harvey Weinstein here with his nonsensical pitches in this just-released Funny or Die skit.  The best idea he has is putting a Trailer in the middle of a Movie during a Sex Scene.  Brilliant.

 See the Skit below:

Rudd’s latest work Our Idiot Brother will be distributed via The Weinstein Co. in Canada August 26, 2011. I will be reviewing this one Monday. Can’t wait!

See the Trailer in full here. 

(Photo/video credit: Funny or Die)

NEW TEASER TRAILER FOR "THE IRON LADY"

Still from The Iron Lady

OMG. This just made my day. Can we just disqualify for Meryl Streep from the Oscars race for Best Actress and give her a Lifetime Achievement Award named after herself? The Meryl Streep Honourary Lifetime Achievement Academy Award. That sounds about right.

Check out this just-released Teaser Clip for The Iron Lady below.  The Biopic about former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher opens in the U.S. this December via The Weinstein Co.

THE WEINSTEIN CO. PICKS-UP MADONNA'S "W.E."

Abbie Cornish at TIFF 2007

I've been keeping a tab on this one for a while now and am excited about this bit of news! The Weinstein Co., purveyor of some of my favourites like NINE, Blue Valentine and Academy Awards Best Picture winner The King's Speech, announced yesterday that it will be handling the U.S. distribution for Madonna's directorial debut, W.E.

The Romantic Drama which criss-crosses the love stories of King Edward VIII  (James D'Arcy) who famously gave up his title as King of England to be with a Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), an American Divorcée, together with a modern day Love Story more than 60 years later between an American Girl named Wally (Abbie Cornish) and a Russian Security Guard Evgeni (Oscar Isaac).  Fans of The King's Speech will recall that Film touched upon this famous Romance between King Edward VIII and Simpson.  Natalie Dormer who I met in Toronto a couple months back filming ABC's Poe, also stars.

Weinstein issued a statement yesterday stating “Madonna has really come into her own as a Filmmaker with W.E.,” said Weinstein. “She’s taken one of the most famous romances of the 20th Century and brought it to life in a smart, sexy and thoroughly modern way. It’s a terrific addition to our U.S. release slate.”.

THE WEINSTEIN CO. TO DISTRIBUTE MERYL STREEP'S "THE IRON LADY"

Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher

It’s official! The Weinstein Co. have acquired U.S. rights to The Iron Lady, a Biopic by Mamma Mia! Director Phyllida Lloyd about former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Starring Meryl Streep, it is said only Studio footage was shopped around to Executives attending the Cannes Film Festival and earlier this morning it was confirmed that The Weinstein Co. won the bidding match for the Film, produced by U.K.-based Pathé Films.

As many of you might recall, The Weinstein Co. indeed is hot again, just having successfully campaigned The King’s Speech to a Best Picture victory at the Oscars earlier this year. The Iron Lady equally is being touted as a Film to watch this forthcoming Oscars season. Perhaps, we’ll see a TIFF 2011 Premiere, warranting a rare visit from Streep to Toronto? Exciting!

(Photo credit: Pathé Films)

"FAST FIVE" RACES TO THE TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Still from Fast Five

Moviegoers raced to the theatres this weekend for  Fast Five, the latest in the series of Auto-racing/Action Films, a massive success at the Box Office taking in $83.6 million in its debut. This makes it the best opening yet for The Fast and The Furious Franchise, with the distinction also of being the biggest opening weekend for a Movie so far in 2011.  It is estimated that Fast Five made  $165 worldwide this weekend alone for Universal Pictures. Critics also agree that this one is a hit, with it earning a 79% rating on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.

20th Century Fox continues to perform well with RIO 3-D, slipping to second this weekend after two weeks on top.  This weekend it pulled in $14.4 million from 3708 theatres, landing just ahead of Madea's Big Happy Family in third with $10 million.

Romantic Drama Water for Elephants slips one spot to fourth with $9.1 million, bringing its tally to $32.1 million domestically.

Debuting below expectations was Disney's PROM which lands in fifth with $5 million from 2,730 theatres.  The Teen Romance was estimated to make upwards of $9 million this weekend.

Hoodwinked Two Hood vs. Evil is the second film in its Series, and it debuts in sixth with $4.1 million.  Its predecessor made a total $51.4 million at the Box Office worldwide for The Weinstein Co.

Rounding out the Box Office Top Ten is Scre4m which after three weeks of release, brings in $2.2 million this weekend.  It its theatrical run domestically, the Horror/Comedy has just surpassed the $70 million mark worldwide for The Weinstein Co./Dimension.

SARAH FERGUSON, HARVEY WEINSTEIN & MORE ATTEND MARCHESA GALA IN TORONTO

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York & Mr. Will-W.

Suzanne Rogers, Toronto Fashionista and Wife of Cable Heir Edward, combined two of her greatest loves together for an ultra-exclusive Bash this evening at The Carlu. That is, her desire of Philanthropy and passion for Fashion - specifically Marchesa, which made its official Toronto debut tonight.  Proceeds from the Gala were to benefit the SickKids Hospital Foundation.

Co-founded in 2004 by Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman, who is known more in the public eye as the Wife of Movie Mogul Harvey Weinstein, the Brand is a Red Carpet favourite among Actresses.  Both Craig and Chapman arrived in Toronto for the festivities, doing Press out of their Yorkville Hotel earlier in the day before Rehearsals for the Show.  Accompanying Chapman of course was Weinstein, who is said to have taken care of Baby Daughter, India Pearl while Mommy was hard at work. 

Needless to say, guests of the Marchesa Gala this evening had nothing but rave reviews, with many taking to Twitter to express their excitement.