22-year-old Tom Odell holds a distinction which Adele, Emeli Sandé and Jessie J – he was named the Critics’ Choice at the BRIT Awards just last week! In addition, the BBC have named him on their prestigious Sound of 2013 Poll. Despite only having an EP out, Songs from Another Love, Odell already is making a splash with the Video for his latest Single, the big and sweeping Hold Me, already garnering  almost half a million views already. A full-length Disc, Long Way Down, is slated for a released this Spring.

We know Taylor Swift in the v. least is a Fan…

Check-out the Video for Hold Me below:

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

Those of us in Toronto have been loving Spanish Fashion Retailer Zara for several years now, so it was a bit of an eye-opener to learn that they currently have only eight locations in Ontario, meaning many Canadians haven’t been able to access their Fashions, looking-on in Fashion Envy.

The amazing news is that the Zara Canada Online Store is launching on March 6, 2013 meaning that Canadians everywhere can now can step-up their Wardrobes with the Retailer’s European Flare at the click of a mouse!

Check-out Zara Canada‘s Online Store right here!  Excited to do a bit of Spring Shopping!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We loved Give Your Heart a Break and we adored Skyscraper. Demi Lovato may have given our hearts a break but now she’s full-on giving us a Heart Attack – the name of her brand new Single.  The Suspex-produced Track is the first to be released from the Teen Idol’s fourth studio Disc, due in-stores later this year.  The mid-tempo Electro-Pop Production goes pretty much the same direction Katy Perry and Mariah Carey have gone with their recent releases, and Lovato really separates herself from the rest, reaching some incredible notes here.

In less than a day, the Track already debuts right at the top of the U.S. iTunes Singles Chart, although we await its actual position on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart when that is officialized next Thursday.  Really love that she’s showing longevity beyond her Disney Days as a real force in Pop Music. That Voice cannot be ignored.

Heart Attack wasn’t to be released till early March, but an early leak resulted also in its early release.

See the Official Artwork:

Listen to Heart Attack below:

From the Creators of Ice Age and Rio comes the star-studded Epic from 20th Century Fox. The Animated Feature follows a Teen Girl who finds herself transported into the Forest, where she joins forces with a variety of Characters to save the World. Epic features the voice work of Amanda Seyfried, Jason Sudeikis, Steven Tyler, Josh Hutcherson, Judah Friedlander, Colin Farrell, Pitbull, Beyoncé, Aziz Ansari and recent double Oscar Winner, Christoph Waltz.

Epic follows a positive new wave of young Female-fronted Animated Action Adventures and the time couldn’t be better with Disney‘s Brave  just winning Animated Feature at the Oscars on Sunday night and going on to gross a massive $535-million worldwide.  Fans already are drawing visual and thematic parallels to The Spiderwick Chronicles and Avatar. And while The Hangover 3 will be catering to an R-Rated Audience, Epic offers Families an option this Victoria Day at the Movies.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Finally! Our hearts were broken when we heard the Toronto-filmed Carrie Remake was getting pushed to a Fall release, but alas we recognize the benefit of releasing around Halloween in terms of marketability and demand. This brand new Still, release exclusively to Empire Magazine, of a bloody Chloë Moretz is not only getting us real excited, but also giving us serious Flashbacks of Sissy Spacek in her epic 1976 performance – not that a lot of us were around then yet.

For those who haven’t seen or read Stephen King‘s Carrie, it centers around a socially awkward and sheltered Teen Girl who discovers she has Telekinetic Powers.  With her Peers plotting to humiliate her at the forthcoming Prom, they just might find out the price of going a bit too far with the Prank.

See the brand new Still below:

For now, we will have to snack on this Teaser, but it shouldn’t be long before we get the official Trailer.

“Like” Carrie on Facebook here.

Sony Pictures releases on October 18, 2013.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

After making a huge splash at the Box Office internationally, Academy Award Best Animated Feature Nominee Wreck-It Ralph, soon will hit stores! In a groundbreaking move, Disney will be debuting the HD Digital and HD Digital 3D Versions early on February 12, 2013.   For the rest of us who aren’t quite technologically there yet, the Video-on-Demand, DVD and DVD/Blu-ray Combo Packs  (two and four-disc versions) will see a release on March 5, 2013.

Wreck-it Ralph centers around Video Game Villain Ralph (John C. Reilly), who is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer), the “Good Guy” Star of their Game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he’s tired of playing the role of a Bad Guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of Video Games to prove he’s got what it takes to be a Hero. On his quest, he meets the tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch) from the first-person action Game Hero’s Duty. But it’s the feisty Misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) from the candy-coated Cart Racing Game, Sugar Rush, whose world is threatened when Ralph accidentally unleashes a deadly Enemy that threatens the entire arcade. Will Ralph realize his dream and save the day before it’s too late?

The four-disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition for Wreck-it Ralph includes:

• Bit by Bit: Creating the Worlds of Wreck-It Ralph – Fans of the Film will get a look at five new worlds created for Wreck-It Ralph. The short takes viewers into Game Central Station with the Artists who brought Sugar Rush, Hero’s Duty and Fix-it Felix Jr. to life.

• Alternate & Deleted Scenes – Four separate scenes are highlighted with an Introduction and optional Audio Commentary from Director Rich Moore.

• Video Game Commercials –Viewers can check out the commercials created for the Video Games featured in the Film – Fix-It Felix Jr., Sugar Rush, Hero’s Duty and Fix-it Felix Hammer.

• Paperman – This animated Short Film played in theaters before “Wreck It Ralph”. It tells the Story of a young Man in an office who sees the Girl of his dreams in a skyscraper window across the street. But how can he get her attention?

• Disney Intermission: The Gamer’s Guide to Wreck-It-Ralph – When the film is paused, Host Chris Hardwick appears on screen to guide Viewers through a series of 10 video Segments offering an inside look at the many Video Game references, Disney references and other hidden surprises featured in the Film.

Watch the Trailer below:

 Double your chances by clicking “Share” on this Facebook Post or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://tinyurl.com/av63ude  Enter to win a WRECK-IT RALPH ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION via @MRWILLW! In-stores 3/5/13!

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment)

Hollywood united once again for the biggest night in Film, the 85th annual Academy Awards, held at newly-coined Dolby Theatre (formerly Kodak Theatre) in Los Angeles.  Hosted (and Nominee) by Funnyman Seth McFarlane, there were several moments of biting humour where he  drew “ooh”s, followed by “hahahaha”s, including everything from  jokes about Chris Brown and Rihanna to nine-year-old Nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, whom he said “in 15 years will be of age to date George Clooney“.  The highlight of his Opening Speech  included dancing by Charlize Theron and Channing Tatum and a cynical William Shatner, where we saw a hilarious Sock Puppet Re-enactment of Best Picture Nominee Flight. In addition, the sometimes Crooner showed-off  his singing chops including an inappropriate Duet with Kristin Chenoweth as the credits rolled, poking fun at the Losers.

Winning top honours tonight was Ben Affleck-directed Argo, which solidified its place in the race for Best Picture with a gain in momentum of late, with wins at major Oscars pre-cursor ceremonies including  the Critics’ Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Directors Guide Awards. The Film also won Editing and Adapted Screenplay earlier in the evening and despite noticeably being left-out  in the Directing race this year, a fast-talking Affleck sorta addressed his snubbing by saying, “You can’t hold grudges and it doesn’t matter how you get knocked down in life as all that matters is that you  get up.”. The Drama had the distinction of debuting here at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September, when we were lucky enough to see Affleck and the Cast here in the City.

It should come as no surprise to many that Daniel Day-Lewis went on to win his third  Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in Best Picture Contender, Lincoln.  The private British-Irish Actor in 1989 won for My Left Foot and also in 2007 for There Will Be Blood.  In his Acceptance Speech, he showed his funny side, joking “Steven (Spielberg) originally wanted to cast Meryl (Streep) in the role of Lincoln“, accepting his Award from a fellow three-time Winner in Streep, acknowledging what a versatile Actress she is.

Winning Best Actress was 22-year-old Jennifer Lawrence, who looked stunning in her Dress designed by Dior Haute Couture, winning for her work in Rom-Com, Silver Linings Playbook.  Tripping up the stairs while accepting her Award, she humbly said “You’re all standing just because you felt bad I fell down”.  Lawrence became the second youngest Actress ever to win the Award, behind only a then 21-year-old Marlee Matlin in Children of a Lesser God.  The Category was seen as a hotly-contested battle between her and Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty.

Christoph Waltz repeated his 2010 feat, winning Best Supporting Actor once again for his second collaboration with Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained.  The Austrian Actor  has solidified his standing  in North America as a Star with a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live just last week, completing his Awards Season sweep which also included wins at the Golden Globe Awards and also the BAFTAs.

Anne Hathaway, being the odds-on favourite to win Best Supporting Actress also was absolutely no surprise winning  her respective Category on the strength of her heartbreaking performance as Fantine in Tom Hooper‘s Les Misérables. Dressed in Prada – a decision she only made three hours prior to walking the Red Carpet which was met with mixed reviews – the New York Native has won an astonishing  43 wins  this Awards Season, with handful more to go still.

Taiwan-born Director Ang Lee became a two-time winner in the  Directing Category with his Life of Pi, after winning in 2005 with Brokeback Mountain.  Quentin Tarantino also won his second Oscar – his first being in1995 with Pulp Fiction – for his Screenplay, Django Unchained, although he  noticeably was omitted from consideration in the Directing Category.

After much buzz surrounding her appearance tonight which prevented her from appearing at the BRIT Awards the other night, International Singing Sensation Adele performed a stirring rendition of  Skyfall, co-written by her and Paul Epworth, which went on to win her an Oscar tonight for Best Original Song.   Adele among others, beat-out Host MacFarlane‘s co-written Everybody Needs a Best Friend, sung by Norah Jones, from Ted.

 See some of the stunning Fashion from the Oscars tonight, including my fave look – Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen!

For a full list of Winners, click here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Amidst these February Blahs, Moviegoers find solace in Comedy with Universal Pictures’ Identity Thief usurps the top of the Box Office once again in its third week with $14.1 million; tepid but enough to be number one this weekend and just-shy of the $100-million mark domestically.

Snitch starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, opens in second spot with $13 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films in 2,511 theatres across North America.  Reviews were mixed for the Action Flick at 54% on the Tomatometer, but audiences responded better with a B CinemaScore.

Escape from Planet Earth, the Canadian-produced Animated Feature, is in third this weekend with $11 million. Its two week tally is $35.1 million.

Holding its position at number four is Nicholas Sparks Adaptation, Safe Haven, with $10.6 million in its second week, just ahead of Horror Flick Dark Skies in number for in its debut with $9 million. Both Films are distributed by eOne Films in Canada.

Experiencing a significant slip is A Good Day to Die Hard in fifth with $10 million for 20th Century Fox. Its cumulative total for two weeks is an impressive $51 million for last week’s number one Film.

Amazingly, Silver Linings Playbook continues to show its grit in seventh spot with $6.1 million as its fate at the Oscars is set to be revealed tonight – the only Film still remaining in the Top Ten in the running for Best Picture.

Side Effects rounds-out this week’s Top Ten with $3 million in this its third week of release.

Sorta uncanny how in The Hunger Games’, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is propelled rapidly into stardom after her historic first Co-Victory with Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), but is reality now mirroring Art? It surely feels that way with Lawrence‘s v. quick silver-lined ascent to the top of the A-List in Hollywood and front of the Style Pages. And now after Oscar Winner Natalie Portman‘s Reign as the face of Miss Dior comes Lawrence‘s turn, going superglam in these just-released Promotional Photos for their Spring/Summer 2013 Campaign.

After stunning us already this Awards Season in Dior at the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice Awards, will Lawrence be making at a three-peeta (lol), donning a creation by the Fashion House again tomorrow at the 85th Academy Awards? Would seem so.

See the images below:

While in the moment of her current Media domination, this amazing -looking Promotional One-Sheet for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was just released by Lionsgate Fillms yesterday, promoting Katniss and Peeta‘s Victory Tour within the forthcoming Sequel. A Promotional Tour within a Promotional Campaign… how meta!

Check-out the Poster below:

And if you aren’t one of the 8.6 million Facebook Users who have “liked” The Hunger Games Movie Facebook Page, do it here!  Catching Fire hits theatres November 22, 2013.

(Photo credit: Dior/Lionsgate Films)

Some exciting news at last  for Toronto, which currently is going through a virtual Production Drought without a major Feature to film in the City this Winter.  The closest brush we’ve had these past couple months t a major Feature Production is Atom Egoyan‘s Queen of the Night, although a vast majority of filming for that Ryan Reynolds-starring Thriller is taking place in Sudbury. 

Locals in the 705 have marvelled at the sight of him, talented Wife Blake Lively and her cute Yorkshire Terrier Penny, including the Staff at this Sudbury Animal Clinic, who where stunned to see Lively and lucky enough to get this amazing Group Photo with her!  Sudbury Native Larissa Kozoriz admits to me that she’s still ecstatic about the experience saying,  “I’m pretty starstruck… but she is a very very nice woman.. Beautiful.. Pictures do not do her justice! Memorable moment!”.  Production continues until mid-March with hopefully some Toronto sightings to happen soon.  eOne Films will release Queen of the Night in Canada in 2014.

Universal Pictures’ The Best Man 2 might be pencilled-in for a November 2013 release date, but it so slated to film in the City between April and May.  The Sequel to the 1999 Dramedy which grossed $35 million worldwide, stars a brilliant Cast including Terrence Howard, Nia Long, Regina Hall, Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan. Malcolm Lee returns once again as Writer/Director.

Also announced recently was 3-D Action Adventure, Pompeii, from Paul W.S. Anderson, known best for his work helming installments of the Resident Evil Franchise, set to film to Toronto from late April through early July. Starring Game of Thrones‘ Kit Harington, production is slated to film at Cinespace Film Studios.  Additional Casting details to follow, but surely we’ll be seeing  lovely and sweet Mrs. Anderson herself, Milla Jovovich in-town?

Although announced incorrectly via the Ontario Media Development Corporation‘s Website that Anderson would also be directing Sci-Fi Flick Debug, it is confirmed that Actor David Hewlett is directing the Film. Production is taking place currently at Pinewood Studios, up till early March. The official Synopsis describes it as being about  “six young Computer Hackers, sent to work on a derelict Space Freighter, are forced to match wits with a vengeful Artificial Intelligence that would kill to be Human”. 

Secret Ballot Director Babak Payami will begin production on his Drama Manhattan Undying, which centers around a female Vampire who hires an Artist to paint a portrait of her so that she can see herself for the first time.  Brothers & Sisters Star Luke Grimes plays Lead in the Film, which will see its production based out of Hamilton up till late March. This has TIFF  2013/2014 written allover it.

ABC recently green-lit a new TV Pilot titled Lucky 7 which is based on a BBC Series The Syndicate, about  seven Service Station Workers from Queens who win the Lottery.  So far, Isaiah Whitlock Jr. is confirmed among the Cast and it will film between March through May in the City.

Even though his critically-panned Thriller A Dark Truth starring Eva Longoria, Forest Whitaker and Andy Garcia filmed partly in Sudbury and Toronto last year, Director Damian Lee will be returning to both locales late March through mid-April with another Thriller in A Fighting Man. Casting details to follow.

Last but not least, there may have been some doubts that CTV Medical Drama Series Saving Hope would be returning for a second season after mixed response south of the Border where it aired on NBC, but alas it is ready to begin production again mid-March through late September out in Mississauga.  Stars Daniel Gillies, Michael Shanks and Erica Durance are expected to return.

(Photo credit: Larissa Kozoriz)