"THE HUNGER GAMES": MOVIE REVIEW

Still from The Hunger Games

Set in the not-too-distant future in a famine and war-torn version of North America called Panem - one Boy and one Girl are to be chosen from each of its twelve districts.  They will fight to-the-death in a series of annual Televised Games which all Citizens are required to watch. Sparing the life of her weak younger Sister Primrose (Willow Shields) after her name is drawn in the determining Lottery, a brazen Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) decides to volunteer herself. Together with her drawn male Counterpart Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), she must fight for the honour of her District and more importantly, fight to survive against her vicious and increasingly ruthless Opponents.  With the help of her Mentors Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) and Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), Katniss undergoes the Transformation of a lifetime needed to place her in good favour with all-too-crucial Sponsors and the watchful Public. There can only be one Winner in The Hunger Games, but will it be her? What will become of her looming Romance with Peeta, if only one of them were to live?

Never having flipped a page in the Suzanne Collins Trilogy which the forthcoming The Hunger Games Films are and will be based upon, I found myself drawn-in almost instantaneously to this cutthroat World ruled by tyrannous President Snow (Donald Sutherland), where Human Beings heartlessly are pitted against one another for Entertainment. We don't question it, we accept it and for two-and-a-half hours we are on the edge of our seats, hoping for the best.  

Director Gary Ross takes this Story set against unfortunate circumstances and turns it into an experience that is visceral, tapping into truths about basic Human needs for Love, Companionship and Protection.  We are swept away on a battle, questioning loyalties, yet always being careful never to fall prey to lethal traps.  We aren't watching a Movie, we are growing along with Katniss and fighting with her.

FIRST TRAILER: "GAME CHANGE" STARRING JULIANNE MOORE AS SARAH PALIN

Still from Game Change

 "It wasn't my fault, I wasn't properly prepped".

Julianne Moore like the brilliant Actress she is, absolutely transforms into Sarah Palin in this intriguing first Trailer for HBO's Game Change. Delving behind-the scenes on the intense relationship between John McCain and the famed former Alaskan Governor, this would appear immediately to a bit more on the satirical side.  One thing's for sure -  Palin isn't portrayed all that favourably from what we see here and if anything, she seems rather unstable. Directed by Jay Roach, Game Change also stars Woody Harrelson, Ron Livingston, Sarah Paulson and Ed Harris.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Game Change airs on HBO, Saturday, March 10, 2012.

(Photo/video credit: HBO)

NEW CHARACTER POSTERS FROM "THE HUNGER GAMES"

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in The Hunger Games 

In anticipation of what surely will be a huge Blockbuster smash, these new Character Posters for The Hunger Games have just been released and for the first time we get a proper glimpse of the Principal Cast which includes Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone), Josh Hutcherson (The Kids are All Right), Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song) and veterans Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson.

The Hunger Games centers around Katniss (Lawrence) who is pitted in a nationally-televised life and death match against other Teenagers from various districts of Panem (a futuristic North America). If she does survive, she also is faced with the challenge of Survival against Love.

Based on the series of Novels by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games hits theatres March 23, 2011 via Alliance Films.

See a few more Posters below:

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Friends with Benefits

After the Sex-Comedy debacle that is known as No Strings Attached, releasing a Film about similar subject matter might seem like a bit of a risk, especially seeing how that one was panned critically. Studio Executives over at Sony Screen Gems who invested in Friends with Benefits need not fear though as they have on their hands what appears to be a Box Office smash.

What makes Friends with Benefits so enjoyable is not only its charming Cast - yes, that includes you too Justin Timberlake  - but also that its Script and directing by Will Gluck (Easy A) equally are fantastic.  Gluck has a knack at bringing to life smart and vulnerable Heroines and Mila Kunis as tough-shelled Job Recruiter Jamie from New York City, is pitch-perfect here.  This is not to say that her counterpart Timberlake as wholesome newly-hired GQ Magazine Art Director Dylan, isn't also wonderful too as we have some fun watching him and Jamie struggle to keeping emotions separate from their purely sexual friendship.  What ensues here is the natural and completely believable progression of Friends into Lovers and  soon we find ourselves rooting for Jamie and Dylan and become involved in their own "damaged" lives.  Their chemistry together is sexy and fun even though perhaps they are too aware of their becoming a cliché.

Gluck once again brings out his Power-Muse Patricia Clarkson as Jamie's Mother Lorna, delivering some of the Film's brighter moments and Woody Harrelson as a sex-obsessed Gay Sports Editor at GQ absolutely steals the Show with overt gusto.  Jenna Elfman makes a welcome return as Dylan's Sister Annie, while the amazing Richard Jenkins as Dylan's aging and senile Father, gives the Story some true heart and soul.  

ENTER TO WIN A CHANCE TO MEET THE CAST OF "THE HUNGER GAMES"

Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games

Fans of best-selling Novel The Hunger Games will be thrilled to know that Maple Pictures has launched The Ultimate Hunger Games Fan Sweeps, which just see you on-Set, meeting the Cast of the Film!

The Contest runs until July 24, 2011 and to qualify, all you have to do is "like" Maple Pictures on Facebook and enter the Contest here. You also can gain two additional entries if you "share" the Page with Friends.  Join Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) as she must rely on her sharp instincts under the tutelage of Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) to fight for her life!

The Hunger Games will be released via Maple Pictures on March 23, 2012.

(Photo credit: Entertainment Weekly)

ENTER TO WIN A SIGNED PHOTO BY OWEN WILSON & BOBBY FARRELLY

I promised and now I deliver. Owen Wilson has been the Talk of the Town in Toronto this week making a surprise visit to BFF Woody Harrelson.  Wilson in a rare appearance in the City, was nice enough to sign this guaranteed authentic 5x7 Photo which one lucky Reader here will win.  Seen here also is an Autograph from Hall Pass Director Bobby Farrelly.

Any serious Collector will know that Wilson's Autograph is indeed hard to come by, with a Signed Photo of his ranging up to $180 US online.

To qualify for the win, tell me which Owen Wilson Film you love most and why.  You have until  Sunday, May 1, 2011 midnight and all are welcome to enter!  Good luck, Mavenati!  So tell me, which Blog loves you back most?

DANIEL CRAIG, OWEN WILSON, BELLA THORNE & MORE SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Yes, that's legit.

Gush.  He's back!  Daniel Craig was spotted yesterday in Yorkville doing a bit of shopping in Hazelton Lanes.  One Onlooker (@sabcav) saw James Bond himself perusing the Fashions at upscale Retailer TNT Blu.  Craig rolled into town quietly to do re-shoots for Jim Sheridan's Dream House for Universal Pictures.  There is talk of the Horror possibly getting a premiere at TIFF 2011, so don't fret quite yet if you miss your chance to spot him this time as he's known to be a difficult one.  No Rachel Weisz or Naomi Watts sightings yet though. *frown*

Woody Harrelson picked-up his BFF Owen Wilson at Hazelton Hotel's ONE Restaurant around 11:00 PM last night. Wilson was seen earlier dining in-the-open at Whole Foods after a taxing Bike Ride around the City which had Torontonians-a-Tweeting. The two headed to Drake Hotel for some late night libations and a smoke, giving Onlookers a taste of one of the hottest Celebrity Bromances this City has seen… ever!

One trustworthy source might have seen veteran Actor Malcolm McDowell at Starbucks in Yorkville earlier today. Although there are no Toronto Productions listed on his Docket, McDowell does have a Guest Spot on Vancouver-filmed Series Psych for the USA Network. Could it have been him?

OWEN WILSON IN TORONTO VISITING WOODY HARRELSON

Owen Wilson

In an absolute surprise, I crossed paths with Owen Wilson in Yorkville today.  It was learned later that he is in-town catching up with BFF Woody Harrelson, who currently is hard at work on his self-written and directed Play, Bullet for Adolf, to open later this month at University of Toronto's Hart House Theatre.  Dressed casual in a Purple/Gray Track Suit and T-Shirt, Wilson's wispy hair and charismatic nose could be spotted a mile away.

Wilson was camera-shy when approaching him for a Photo together.  "I'm just here for a walk and just got here" he said in his Southern drawl, "No pictures please".  And so I put my Camera away.  "I'll sign an Autograph if you want", but unfortunately I had no Memorabilia on-hand for him.  He then struck up a bit of a conversation asking me, "Where's good to go so that people won't notice me?" as he nearly landed himself in the Dinnertime Traffic of the bustling area.  I devised a quick route for him to take to avoid being seen, but it didn't work as he sparked a number of Twitter sightings shortly after.  Oh well, I tried.

Both he and Harrelson caused quite a stir among Diners at acclaimed Lee in the City's King St. West area as they sat down to have a quiet Dinner together.  One onlooker on Twitter noted, "They aren't dressed for the occasion".  Boys will be Boys.  Later in the evening they were spotted at the on Prince Arthur Avenue in Yorkville playing Pool, followed by a bit of Club Hopping at Amber.

There may be an Autograph from Wilson to one deserving Fan surfacing shortly as part of my Giveaways. Stay tuned.   Hmm....

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

WOODY HARRELSON TO MEET FANS AT TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

Woody Harrelson & Mr. Will-W.

Attention Toronto! Here’s your chance to meet Woody Harrelson. Harrelson will be appearing at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on Thursday, April 7, 2011 as part of their In Conversation With… Series.

In-town right now working on his Play Bullet for Adolf, Harrelson will be looking back at his successful career which has seen many important titles like The People vs. Larry Flynt, The Thin Red Line, Natural Born Killers, Zombieland and more. The Play will be running from April 21 through May 7, 2011 at the University of Toronto’s Hart House Theatre.

Known as a difficult Celebrity to get a Photo-with or an Autograph from, this perhaps is your best chance to get up close with the versatile Harrelson.  More details on the event here.

By chance, I met Harrelson briefly at a Screening for his Good Friend Bobby Farrelly's Hall Pass recently in Toronto.  Read more about that here.

BOBBY FARRELLY AT TORONTO PREMIERE OF "HALL PASS" | AUTOGRAPH GIVEAWAY

Bobby Farrelly at Toronto Premiere of Hall Pass

The Farrelly Brothers have delivered some of the most memorable Comedies of our time. Dumb and Dumber, Me, Myself & Irene and There's Something About Mary are just a few small-grossing and obscure titles you may have heard of - I kid. As hopes remain high for Brothers Peter and Bobby's upcoming revival of The Three Stooges (heavyweights like Sean Penn, Jim Carrey and Benicio Del Toro have been named), Fans thirsty for The Farrelly Brothers' bold and outre brand of Comedy can quench their thirsts with latest effort Hall Pass.

The Premise of the Warner Bros. Comedy is rather unconventional. Best Friends Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) have been married to their Wives Maggie (Jenna Fischer) and Grace (Christina Applegate) seemingly forever. Bored, they are granted permission to have extra-marital relations for one week. They learn soon that Freedom isn't so liberating after all when they realize that their Wives  too can have their fun. No, I am not reading this off the back of an XXX DVD.

Bobby Farrelly flew into Toronto this evening for a full day of Press tomorrow with major Media Outlets, promoting the release of Hall Pass.  Arriving just in time for a Q&A with tonight's Audience at AMC Yonge x Dundas,  the Rhode Island native was a huge blast, insisting that I join him in taking  a couple goofy Photos together after I had snapped some shots of him posing by the Film's Poster Display.  I admitted to him that There's Something About Mary is one of my favourite Movies of all time, which he seemed genuinely appreciative to hear. 

Following him into the theatre along with the team at Warner Bros. Canada, Farrelly and Writing Partner Kevin Barnett entered to the resounding sound of laughter and applause from the young Audience.  "That was freakin' hilarious.  I didn't expect it to be that funny!", one young Woman behind me raved.  Another young Man in the Audience declared, "Hall Pass is this year's The Hangover".

Farrelly admitted that both he and his Brother are obsessed with Bodily Functions, a topic which many of their jokes are built upon.  Not to give too much away, there is a shocking scene in Hall Pass which revolves around some Male Anatomy, which caused quite a stir among the Audience.  The Director/Screenwriter also boasted of his great Cast, making some interesting choices like The View's Joy Behar and Oscar-nominated Richard Jenkins, whom the Farrelly Brothers are always looking to incorporate into their Films.

Watch Bobby speak about his casting choices below: