Acclaimed British Actress Olivia Williams is among the Talent currently in Toronto filming David Cronenberg‘s latest Drama, Maps to the Stars.  Tonight we spotted her returning back from a weekend Getaway at Lake Muskoka, impressively driving herself in her rented car, two hours outside the City.  She was extremely lovely and humble, excusing her appearance not having any make-up on, before snapping a Photo graciously. Surely you will agree the Star of Films like Hanna, An Education, The Sixth Sense and upcoming Seventh Son, is absolutely stunning even without being made-up?

The Film, which just began production recently, already has seen several Members of its Principal Cast in town including John Cusack, Julianne Moore and Mia Wasikowska, who had the Tabloids and Entertainment Shows busy after she was spotted kissing Boyfriend Jesse Eisenberg last week here in the City.  Robert Pattinson Fans have been awaiting updates anxiously about his arrival and the Twilight Star still has yet to be seen in Toronto.

Maps to the Stars, is said to be a scathing look at Hollywood’s relationship with Western Culture, filming in Toronto till mid-August.

See our Snap below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Mongrel Media)

For the second week in-a-row, Universal Pictures’ Despicable Me 2 lands on-top of the Box Office after opening on-top in its debut.  It earns $44.7 million this weekend, for a two-week total of $225 million for Universal Pictures domestically from 4,003 theatres.

Sometimes it’s just not about Special F/X or the best Reviews for that matter when it comes to winning Moviegoers’ hearts.  Case in point, Audiences opted for Comedy and familiar faces, making Grown Ups 2 number two for Sony Pictures, earning a strong $42.5 million in its debut. The follow-up to the 2010 Comedy reunites Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Adam Sandler once again, earning a lackluster 7% on the Tomatometer.  Audiences gave it a B CinemaScore, however which won’t hurt its word-of-mouth buzz.  Made for $80 million, it should have no problems paying its own bill. By comparison, its Predecessor debuted with $40 million, this latest Installment besting it slightly.

Pacific Rim debuts at third with solid reviews for Warner Bros., earning $38.3 million domestically.  The Film, made in Toronto for a budget of $185 million is still expanding overseas, where it is expected to perform strongly, opening in the Top Two in the UK, Russia, Korea and Mexico, among others.  Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore, while Critics gave the Guillermo del Toro Monsters vs. Robots Flick 72% on the Tomatometer.

20th Century Fox’s The Heat slips to fourth this weekend in its third week of release, with $14 million, now earning over $111 million domestically, just ahead of The Lone Ranger with $11.1 million in fifth for Disney.  World War Z slips to seventh with $9.4 million for Paramount Pictures, while Man of Steel rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.8 million for Warner Bros. in its fifth week.

Although it still has yet to open in Canada, Sundance Favourite, Fruitvale Station, gets a timely limited release in the U.S. with the Trayvon Martin Trial verdict having been decided, earning $377k from just seven theatres.  The Oscar Hopeful opens in Toronto on July 26, 2013.

You know him from OZ, G.I. Joe: Rise of  Cobra and The Bourne Identity, but can you pronounce his name?  British Model/Actor Adewale (pronounced “ah-day-wah-lay“) Akinnuoye-Agbaje currently is in Toronto, just completing filming for Paul W.S. Anderson‘s Pompeii, in which he stars alongside Kit Harington. The Action/Adventure set during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, centers on a Man who must return home to Naples to save his Lover and also his  Best Friend, who is trapped within the City’s Coliseum.   The Film is set to hit theatres February 21, 2014.

Some sharp eyes were able to spot Adewale, looking sharp in a pair of red jeans and a top which showed the elaborate tattoos on his incredibly defined arms.  The Actor who formerly aspired to be a Lawyer, was gracious to stop to pose for Photos outside the Diesel Store in Yorkville, accompanied by a Friend who assisted in giving him Fashion pointers, such as layering.

Follow Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje on Twitter here. He next can be seen this November n the upcoming Sequel to Thor as Algrim.

See our Snap below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

He was only 31.  Calgary-born Singer/Actor Cory Monteith passed away earlier this evening at his Hotel in Vancouver and although the circumstances surrounding his death still are to be confirmed upon test results, many are stating it may be drug-related.  The Actor in March this year admitted himself to a Treatment Facility for Substance Abuse.  At the age of 19, Monteith had undergone treatment for the same reason.  He had been dating Glee Co-Star Lea Michele at the time of his death.

I had the pleasure of meeting Monteith back in November 2010 when he was in town to host the Gemini Awards.  I can say without hesitation he was the kindest of his Cast Mates and made me proud to be a Canadian.  Never in a million years would I have guessed his time would come this soon.  I am heartbroken.  Read about my experience with him here.

My sincerest condolences to Monteith‘s Friends and Family.

Our Photo together:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Earlier this week I stumbled upon the Jacob’s Creek Moscato Pop-Up Shop. This Wine honestly is perfect for Summer and those Wine Drinkers who like theirs a little sweeter (me, raising my hand up slowly looking around for judging glares). I posted a Photo on Facebook of this Citrus Sangria they concocted and got a ton of “likes”, so I thought I’d share the Recipe with you too. I plan to make it next time I have Friends over!

Recipe:
1 bottle of Jacob’s Creek Moscato
3/4 cup of ABSOLUT Citron Vodka
1/4 cup of Triple Sec
3/4 cup of Grapefruit Juice
Lemon-Lime Soda
Ruby Red/Pink Grapefruit sliced into rounds

Mix all wet ingredients and top with slices of Grapefruit.

Honestly, it’s amazing! Enjoy!

Mr. Will

p.s. It should look like this:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Hot off the success of their Original Series House of Cards, Netflix is placing its hopes in Prison-set Series, Orange is the New Black, based on the Memoir of the same name by Piper Kerman. Starring Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman, a Brooklynite who is sent to jail for possession of a suitcase filled with drug money for her Ex-Girlfriend/international Drug Smuggler, Alex Vause (Laura Prepon). Piper must endure her 15-month sentence, dealing with a mix of personalities at the minimum-security Facility, taken away from her comfortable life and beloved Fiancé, Larry (Jason Biggs).

In Toronto today (at one of the City’s poshest Hotels) to promote Orange is the New Black were Kerman, Biggs, Prepon and Newcomer Danielle Brooks who plays the outrageous Inmate Taystee, while Schilling unfortunately fell ill, unable to be present physically for this round of Press.

PIPER KERMAN

A lovely and well-spoken Kerman addresses a room of Journalists first and if any Onlooker were to guess who in the room had served time in Prison, she likely would be last on the list. She gives us a jaw-dropping statistic, “In the U.S., Women are the fastest growing percentage of those in Prison over past 20 years; their number has grown 800%. More and more, that Person wearing that orange jumpsuit is a Woman.”

I ask her to take us back in time to 1998 when she was indicted.  We learned that it took six grueling years before finally she entered Prison in 2004. “I always knew I was going to jail. There was no doubt about it”, she recalls. “Much of the first year, I spent lying on my back thinking I’d ruined my life. After a certain point you just pick-up your head and decide it’s just best to get on with it. When finally I had to serve time, I was ready to get this over with.”.

Does Series Creator Jenji Kohan (Weeds) however, succeed at transforming her powerful Story to Television, we wonder? “Even though Piper Chapman‘s Storylines aren’t the same as my own, I think a lot of the conflict still is depicted on the Show and that is realistic.”. Make no mistake, this Series is more than just a Dramedy – it is an observation of the injustices within the U.S. Justice System.  “Different Americans are treated very differently by the Criminal Justice System”.  She adds, “Life in Prison is very intentionally hidden. I thought by telling my own Story, people would walk way with a very different sense of what goes on in Prison. The Show however, absolutely does that. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”.

LAURA PREPON

The vivacious Laura Prepon has become a household name for her work on massively popular Sitcom, That ’70s Show, as Donna Pinciotti.  After a brief stint starring on NBC‘s Are You There, Chelsea?, the Actress actually was in Germany when she received her 14 hours notice that she landed her Role in Orange is the New Black and that she was soon to begin filming in New York.  Almost completely unrecognizable as what  she calls a “manipulative, international drug-smuggling Lesbian”, I ask her about her dramatic transformation and how her look was achieved.

“I actually wanted to be more tatted, but Jenji had a specific thing she wanted. There was this one tattoo of a Woman on my arm and I was like, ‘Really, Jenji??’. Every time I had to put it on, it wouldn’t stick and it’s because she (the Woman in the tattoo) knows we hated her!”, she kids. “The Rockabilly look took a while to figure out, but once we did, we were good”. But how does one stand out and define themselves among an immensely-talented Cast all wearing that same thing? “I rolled-up my sleeves, had my black eyeliner which Alex got through the bartering system and my glasses”, Prepon divulges about her customized look.

Torontonians certainly haven’t forgotten about Prepon‘s portrayal of Serial Killer Karla Homolka in 2006’s Karla. Once again playing a Criminal in this new Series, she distinguishes between the two. “Karla was an evil Individual and so was her Husband. Alex on the other hand is a good person. She’s wily, smart and does what she does to survive. She runs an international Drug Ring, but she’s good at what she does”, she explains. “I never want to get complacent in a role. I always want to push myself as an Actress. I’m  proud of my work in Karla.“.

Although she long has been against the idea of Nudity, she always told herself she’d make an exception if it were done as tastefully as in  Stephen Frears’ Dangerous Liaisons. Opportunity came knocking in last year’s Comedy, Lay the Favourite, helmed by that one and she agreed for the first time ever to appear nude on-screen.  Once again in Orange is the New Black, she learned that disrobing would be required telling us, “Jenji and I had a conversation and she assured me it wouldn’t be gratuitous. It actually would  have looked weird if I were hiding. So as long as it’s not gratuitous, I’m okay with it.”.

DANIELLE BROOKS

Danielle Brooks might be a Newcomer, but she has been hard at work honing her talents as a Graduate of The Juilliard School.  And if her recently being cast in the third season of HBO‘s Girls is any indication, the disarming young Actress is onto something huge. On her experience working with this brilliant Ensemble she says, “A lot of the time we didn’t stay in our Trailers, we stood around watching each other on-set learning.”. She admits to being a huge Fan of Co-Star Natasha Lyonne (like Biggs, known best for American Pie) who stars as fiery Inmate Nicky Nichols.  “Natasha is my Homegirl. She can be really chill and a ball of fire. I’ve got mad love for her and I’ve been following her Career long before this.”.

On her outrageous Character Taystee she explains, “She is a Child of the System who found comfort being in Prison. There are people whose lives outside are actually harder than being on the inside. She winds up becoming the Leader of the Black Whack and in her mind runs this place.”.

Many will be surprised that Academy Award Winner Jodie Foster and former Teen Heartthrob Andrew McCarthy each directed episodes of Orange is the New Black in its first Season. On that experience, Brooks admits  “They know the lingo which Actors like. They’ve been been doing it for years and have an eye for the Craft. Jodie was quiet and soft-spoken, while Andrew knew exactly what he wanted and we had to do it! Michael Trim was just awesome.”.

JASON BIGGS

Perhaps the liveliest of the four Talents today, American Pie Star Biggs‘ arrival at the Junket drew the most smiles. “Hi, F*ckers!”, he greets us, before poking fun at his own Masturbation scenes in Orange is the new Black, drawing laughter from the Journalists. “Would anyone like me to demonstrate it for you?”.

His role in the Series is perhaps a bit more subdued that what we are accustomed to from him as Schilling‘s likeable Fiancé, Larry. On prepping to create a sweet and believable chemistry between him and his Co-Star, he says in a deadpan voice, “Well, we had to have sex a couple times…”.  He was joking of course, adding “Taylor is just so easy to be around and an amazing Scene Partner. She is gonna win every Award and deserves all the recognition she is getting.”.

He recalls the first scene they shot together, “It was me dropping her off at Prison, hugging her and saying goodbye. I don’t do emotional, serious stuff. I was nervous. And with anyone else I would’ve been less confident – way more nervous.”.  Biggs continues, “She couldn’t have been more supportive for me as an Actor. I only knew this Girl for two weeks and felt really sad dropping her off at this fake Prison.”.

With a Cast filled with female Criminals, there is somewhat of a gender reversal in Orange is the New Black.  “Larry’s the Good Guy, the more conservative of the two. He’s aware of her Crazy Girl past… he’s attracted to that, but realizes she’s ostensibly changed.”. On Larry‘s biggest challenge in being apart from Piper, he believes “We knew over the course of a Season, one of the things in play would be the strain on their relationship. A consequence of her being away is that obviously there’s something to play with. How much of a Rock can he be to her over this 15 month period? Introducing Alex to the mix, what does that do? He’s definitely tested.”.

And tested these complex Characters are indeed in the juicy and addictive Orange is the New Black. The complete first Season is now available on Netflix in its 13-episode entirety.

Listen to the complete Toronto Junket in full below:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Our 2013 has been made. Pop Royalty Lady Gaga confirmed last night at an intimate Dinner in New York City, dates for new Music and ventures after an extended wait prolonged by her need for Hip Surgery in February.

Gaga‘s fourth Disc ArtPop, is slated for a November 11, 2013 release and will be available for pre-order on September 1, 2013.  Accompanying the Album’s release is an App combining Music, Art, Fashion and Technology. Basically, Gaga is owning it and and we won’t even have a say about it.

The debut Single from Artpop will be released in approximately five weeks, on August 19, 2013.

Mark those calendars!

(Photo credit: Universal Music)

Founded in 2006 by Megastar Justin Timberlake and his Best Friend Trace Ayala, Fashion Label William Rast is set to debut at The Bay in Toronto and the Duo are set to ring-in the occasion with an appearance at the Queen Street location on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 4:00 PM.  The Line collaborated in late 2010 with Discount Retailer Target in the U.S. for an exclusive Collection.

The Store Tweeted earlier this evening about the Appearance and although we’re unsure if it’s an Autograph Signing or simply an appearance, Timberlake appears to have a gap in his schedule that day as he co-headlines with Jay-Z on their The Legends of Summer Tour with a Show  at Rogers Centre the following night, giving him an opportunity to promote the Line.  Furthermore, this is an ultra-rare chance for Toronto Fans to see Timberlake up-close!

More details to come…

More on William Rast here.

(Photo credit: The Hudsons Bay Co.)

Based on the Book by Jeff Delaney, Warner Bros. has just released this amazing looking Trailer for Action/Fantasy, Seventh Son.

Official Synopsis:

In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind once more. Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges), the last of the Falcon Knights, had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), many years ago. But now she has escaped and is seeking vengeance. Summoning her followers of every incarnation, Mother Malkin is preparing to unleash her terrible wrath on an unsuspecting world. Only one thing stands in her way: Master Gregory. In a deadly reunion, Gregory comes face to face with the evil he always feared would someday return. He has only until the next full moon to do what usually takes years: train his new apprentice, Tom Ward (Ben Barnes) to fight a dark magic unlike any other. Man’s only hope lies in the seventh son of a Seventh Son.

Seventh Son also stars: Kit Harington, Djimon Honsou, Jason Scott Lee, Olivia Williams, Antje Traue and more; Sergey Bodrov directs.

Watch the Trailer below:

Warner Bros. releases  Seventh Son on January 17, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

At long last, a Trailer has arrived for Saving Mr. Banks, and if this isn’t bait for an Oscar, I don’t know what is!

Chronicling Walt Disney‘s 20-year struggle to bring Author P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins to the big screen, the Disney (I know, how meta!) Drama stars Tom Hanks as the famed Animator and Emma Thompson as Travers; John Lee Hancock directs.

Saving Mr. Banks also stars: Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Annie Rose Buckley, Ruth Wilson, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffiths and Kathy Baker.

See the official Synopsis below:
When Walt Disney’s Daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite Book, P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins, he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood Machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the Adaptation.

For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls-out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman Brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.

It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing Films in Cinematic History.

See the Trailer below:

Saving Mr. Banks gets a Limited Release on December 13, 2013 and a Wide Release December 20, 2013, making this a prime choice for Families this Christmas!

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)