Although I was crazy about them when they first surfaced in the UK back in 2008, the road to North America has been a long, slow haul for top-selling Girl Group The Saturdays. Now ready finally to release their first Single stateside, the synthy What About Us, we have before us is a brand new Video for the Track, which sees them strolling through Los Angeles and everything culminates on a Football Field.  How American!

The Track is a bit of a Grower, but the potential is there.  Curious to hear about the Girls have worked on for this Re-Introduction. My Spies do tell me a Canadian visit is forthcoming for The Saturdays!

Part of their Promotional Strategy involves a Reality Series on E!, Chasing The Saturdays, which premieres Sunday, January 20, 2013.

Watch the Video for What About Us below:

We all loved Die Young and now Ke$ha is ready to move onto her next Single – the less offensively titled, C’Mon. Co-written with the magical combination of Max Martin, Dr. Luke and Bonnie McKee, the Video for the Track just premiered and here we join the crazy and wild Songstress as she quits her job at a trashy Diner, off to party in a magical land of Groceries, Kittens and and people in Animal Suits. Fun!

C’Mon already is at number 72 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 65 on the US Billboard Hot 100.  Anxiously awaiting confirmation of a 2013 Toronto Tour Date!

Watch the Video in full below:

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

Always on the pulse, H&M released some new images today from their upcoming Campaigns featuring super-hot Georgia May Jagger and David Beckham for his collaborative Line, David Beckham Bodywear at H&M.

Beckham recently filmed what is being touted  a humorous Campaign with none other than Director former Beau of Madonna, Guy Ritchie (Snatch, Sherlock Holmes), which sees him running through the streets and gardens of Beverly Hills in his Underwear. On working with the Multimedia Empire himself, Ritchie says “For me this felt more than a Campaign – it was like directing a Short Film”. Beckham‘s latest Bodywear Collection for H&M adds red and blue trims to its current gray, white and black Roster of colours. The Campaign debuts worldwide on February 7, 2013.

Also, Jagger (Daughter of Mick and Jerry Hall) in addition to gaining much attention through her Campaign for Rimmel London and ironically Madonna & Daughter Lourdes’ Material Girl Collection, is set to explode as she models H&M’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Mansion Collection, which debuts in February. She says, “Music creates a certain mood and then people dress accordingly. I think it’s all quite closely intertwined.”. The soon-to-be 21-year-old Beauty may love Modelling, but also expresses an interest to dabble in Photography.

 See more Images below:

(Photo credit: H&M)

And if it weren’t news enough today that the Oscar Nominees were announced and also Justin Timberlake finally is returning to Music, we’re learning that Destiny’s Child are reuniting.  Sorta, at least. Beyoncé announced on her Website that Destiny’s Child will be releasing their first Collaboration in over eight years.

Love Songs, is due in stores Tuesday, January 29, 2013 via Sony Music, is a career-spanning Collection of exactly what the Title suggests. Nuclear is the lone new Track, which might be just a taste of more new Material to come in the future from the 60-million-selling Girl Group.

The Tracklisting for Love Songs is as follows:

1) Cater 2 U (2004 – Destiny Fulfilled)

2) Killing Time (1998 – Destiny’s Child)

3) Second Nature (1998 – Destiny’s Child)

4) Heaven (2002 – Simply Deep)

5) Now That She’s Gone (1999 – The Writing’s On The Wall)

6) Brown Eyes (2001 – Survivor)

7) If (2004 – Destiny Fulfilled)

8) Emotion (2001 – Survivor)

9) If You Leave (featuring Next) (1999 – The Writing’s On The Wall)

10) T­-Shirt (2004 – Destiny Fulfilled)

11) Temptation (1999 – The Writing’s On The Wall)

12) Say My Name (Timbaland remix) (2002 – This Is The Remix)

13) Love (2004 – Destiny Fulfilled)

14) Nuclear (2013 – Destiny’s Child – Love Songs)

Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge Fan of Beyoncé, but I absolutely LOVE Destiny’s Child.  I’ve been starving for that Reunion, but this will have to do for now!

Listen to Nuclear (Explicit) below:

Pre-Order Love Songs on Amazon right here.

(Photo credit: Sony Music)

He’s ready, so he says.  After a seven-year Hiatus, six-time GRAMMY Winner Justin Timberlake finally is ready to release some new Music and a Single will be premiering Monday midnight.  “I don’t want to put anything out that I feel like is something I don’t love. You just don’t get that every day. You just have to wait for it.”.

I’m thrilled for any news about JT. As long as it’s not another Movie!

Watch Timberlake‘s Teaser Video in anticipation of his new Single:

Hollywood didn’t sleep much last night as the 85th annual Academy Award Nominations were announced at 5:30 AM Pacific Time.  This year, Emma Stone and Funnyman Seth McFarlane were called-upon for announcing duties and although there were a few surprise Omissions, few will dispute that this year’s Nominees are deserving.  MacFarlane himself even received a Nomination for his Song, Everybody Needs a Friend from Ted.

This year’s Best Picture Nominees are: Amour, Argo, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Django Unchained, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty and lastly, Lincoln which leads the way with twelve Nominations. Many are concerned that snubs in the Directing Category might be predictive of a voting result here.

Directing Nominees include: Michael Haneke (Amour), Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Ang Lee (Life of Pi), David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook) and Steven Spielberg (Lincoln).  Surprise Omissions are first-ever Female Winner in the Category, Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty) and Ben Affleck who despite a v. heavy promotional Campaign, still got snubbed for Argo. Missing also is Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained.

Actor in a Leading Role is hotly-contended with Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) up against current Favourite Daniel Day-Lewis  (Lincoln), Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook), Joaquin Phoenix (The Master) and Denzel Washington (Flight). Many are surprised that John Hawkes was snubbed here while his The Sessions Co-Star Helen Hunt was recognized for her work.

Actress in a Leading Role boasts two records – youngest and oldest Actress ever to be nominated with Quvenzhané Wallis and Emmanuelle Riva holding those distinctions respectively.  Otherwise, Naomi Watts (The Impossible) is up against Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) and Favourite, Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) – these three Actresses each receiving their second-ever Nominations.

Actor in a Supporting Role for the first-time ever includes all previous Academy Award Winners: Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained), Robert DeNiro (Silver Linings Playbook), Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Master), Tommy Lee-Jones (Lincoln) and Alan Arkin (Argo).  Some are surprised that Leonardo Dicaprio got snubbed for his work in Django Unchained, in perhaps the most evenly-matched Category at this year’s Awards.

Actress in a Supporting Role recognizes some fine work this year, but through and through Anne Hathaway is likely to win it all for her bone-chilling work as Fantine in Les Misérables.  Also nominated are Amy Adams (The Master), Helen Hunt (The Sessions), Sally Field (Lincoln) and Jackie Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook).  Each of these Actresses have either been nominated for or have won at least one Academy Award prior.

As an added surprise, perhaps we can expect to see Adele performing Original Song Nominee Skyfall?

For a complete list of Nominees, click here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

First making his debut in 1981 on TV Series Simon & Simon, Giovanni Ribisi has become a Household Name with an Acting Career which has seen both diversity and longevity. At just 38-years-old, the Los Angeles Native has built a Body of Work which has defined multiple generations. My Two Dads, The Wonder Years, Friends, Saving Private Ryan, Lost in Translation, Avatar, Ted. These are just a handful of his most memorable moments and the Father of Lucia/Husband of Supermodel Agyness Deyn finds himself returning to Toronto once again to promote eagerly-awaited Gangster Squad.

The Action/Drama has Ribisi starring as Officer Conway Keller, a technically-savvy Cop whose expertise enables the LAPD to successfully bug the Phone Calls of top Mobster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn), who controlled much of Los Angeles in the late ’40s through early ’50s. The Team responsible for the fire-with-fire Takedown – The Gangster Squad – are played by Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie, Michael Peña, Robert Patrick and Ribisi.

The road to release hasn’t been an easy one at all for Warner Bros. Tragedy struck on July 20, 2012 as the Aurora, Colorado Mass Shootings had taken place during a screening of their Marquee release, The Dark Knight Rises.  Furthermore, the Trailer for Gangster Squad was slated to run prior to that Film, depicting a gratuitously violent Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Shootout. Understandably, the Scene had been deleted out of respect to the current Social Climate and all those affected by the Tragedy. Re-shoots were completed and now the Film is ready for its big debut, but one glaring question still remains.

One Journalist asks the Question on all of our minds – whether or not it is appropriate to release the gratuitously gun-violent Gangster Squad, considering that another Mass Shooting has since taken place in Newton, Connecticut? Ribisi tells a tightly-gathered group of Journalists at his Toronto Hotel, “There are some heinous crimes which have taken place”. He pauses and says, “I don’t think it’s fair to hold Hollywood accountable for this.”.  On whether or not he feels the Final Product was affected adversely by Reshoots and the deletion of the mentioned Scene, he says with unwavering certainty, “It is an even better Film”.

I asked Ribisi about preparing for the role of Officer Conway Keller, and although he was  diligent about placing himself in the mindset of the day including Chats with a 90-year-old Expert on Bugging, he insists most of his focus was poured into getting the Dynamic right with his fellow Gangster Squad mates. He tells me, “It all began in a conversation with Director Ruben Fleischer  in the beginning about Conway being the role of the Conscience and also talking about the broader picture of Values in Society, especially in contrast to today’s day and age.”. “Of course you get into the History, you read Books about the context of Los Angeles around World War II and The Great Depression, which is so interesting”, he recalls.  “The most important part though, was that Dynamic in  Conway‘s Relationship with the rest of the Guys and what they ultimately wanted to do.”.

Despite working together with an interesting mix of Personalities on Gangster Squad, including Brolin who is known for being a Prankster on-set, the Actor remembers, “We were in an Environment where we really wanted to do our best” – meaning  little time for play. As an interesting tidbit, this in fact is his fourth time he stars in a Film alongside Brolin. “He is a good Person and has a great Sense of Humour though”, Ribisi praises. Also we learned, he also spent a fair amount of time obsessing about whether or not scenes really were working, revealing “I mean you have the Actors, so the Talent definitely was there… we had  Sexy Beast Ryan Gosling!”, he adds jokingly. “Wait, did I really just say that? What is he going to think?”.

On his favourite part about making Gangster Squad, he admits that it was all about the Cars and Clothing. “People used to get dressed. They really presented themselves to the World. I guess it was A Streetcar Named Desire where they saw Marlon Brando in a T-Shirt and then T-Shirts became prominent, but before that People wore ties and hats”, he reflects. “And then there were the Cars. The 1947 Chrysler Studebaker I drove, and of course the Night Club Slapsy Maxie‘s. You walked in and saw everyone dressed to the nines… it was just amazing!”.

We’ve all seen Ribisi grow-up throughout the years, transitioning from Child Actor, now to playing Father-type Roles. Need I remind you of his unforgettable work as a Teddy Bear-obsessed Father dancing to Tiffany in 2012 Box Office Smash Ted? I ask him about his key to success in surviving the Industry. He replies, “I’ve never really thought about myself  in those terms to be honest.  I mean, that also poses the question, “What defines success?”. He adds, “But if you ask me, I haven’t accomplished my best yet.”.

Following our Chat, Ribisi  posed for a few Photos, before heading back to his Suite to freshen-up for the second-half of his busy Press Day. Although he had pondered a popular Hotspot at his Hotel, it was his loyalties to a certain Restaurant he loved last time he visited in the trendy west-end of the City determining his Dinner Plans.

Warner Bros. releases Gangster Squad on Friday, November 11, 2013.

To enter to win a Gangster Squad Prize Pack, which includes a size Large T-Shirt and two Shot Glasses, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  You should also be following on Twitter!  Canadian Readers are welcome to enter. Your deadline is February 1, 2013.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It was all about The Hunger Games, leading the way with a stellar six Wins at tonight’s People’s Choice Awards held at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The Film won top honour of Favourite Movie, Favourite Movie Franchise, Favourite On-Screen Chemistry, Favourite Movie Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Favourite Face of Heroism (Jennifer Lawrence) and Favourite Action Movie. Timed perfectly, Entertainment Weekly will be releasing a Catching Fire Preview Issue Friday featuring Interviews and Photos from the second installment of the Suzanne Collins Trilogy!  See some Photos here.

The annual Awards Show honours the Public’s Favourites in Music, Television and Music, a bit of a Teaser leading-up-to this weekend’s Golden Globe Awards, tomorrow morning’s Oscar Nominees Announcements and next month’s GRAMMYs.

Ellen DeGeneres won her 13th People’s Choice Award tonight for Favourite Daytime TV Host (Jimmy Fallon won Late Night Host) and hilariously thanking the People on her “Team” figuratively, “Melissa Etheridge, Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes…”, during her Acceptance Speech.

Meanwhile, Katy Perry and One Direction also were recognized with multiple Wins tonight – the former winning Favourite Music Following for her Fans (KatyCats), Favourite Pop Artist and Favourite Music Video (Part of Me).  The latter won Favourite Album (Up All Night) and Favourite Song (What Makes You Beautiful), although they were defeated in the voting by rival British Boy Band The Wanted for Favourite Breakout Artist.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower was awarded Favourite Dramatic Movie, while one of its Stars Emma Watson won Favourite Dramatic Actress.

Toronto also got  piece of the pie with locally-filmed Series Beauty and The Beast, winning Favourite New TV Series!

Click here for a complete list of Winners.

(Photo credit: CBS/Getty Images)

As confirmed today, Alliance Films has been acquired by Entertainment One Ltd.,  having been formed in 1984. Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and Investissement Quebec which formerly owned Alliance Films and approval was received for the Transaction by the Canadian Competition Bureau last week. The final purchase price reported is a figure of $225 million (CAN), expanding eOne‘s Film Library now to 35,000 Titles.

Although changes in Personnel would not be a surprise, Alliance Films have been a huge part of our success over the past three years and I have made many wonderful Friends there who have been nothing but supportive.  In fact, Alliance Films were the first Film Distributor to partner my then Blog, Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven for Giveaways.  I am forever indebted to them for all the kindness they have extended to my Readers and myself and I wish my Friends nothing but  success going forward in this next chapter ahead.

For more information on the Acquisition, click here.

(Photo credit: Alliance Films)

Finally, a real Star!  Danish import Nikolaj Coster-Waldau definitely has been at it for a while, but he’s making his presence felt in these parts thanks to the massive success of HBO Series Game of Thrones on which he stars as Jaime Lannister.  Coster-Waldau is in the City promoting Toronto-filmed Mama, from first-time Feature Director Andrés Muschietti, who also directed the original Short Film it is based upon.

Also starring a currently-on-Broadway Jessica Chastain, the Horror is about a Couple who take-in two Nieces who were left alone in the Forest for over five years.  The Actor tells Jennifer Valentyne on CityTV‘s Breakfast Television today, “It goes by the idea that in the Forest you can never get between the Mama Bear and her Cub.”.  He indicates that he currently is on a break, spending quality time in his native Denmark with his two Daughters after wrapping on Oblivion, which stars Tom Cruise.  The Action/Sci-Fi Flick opens in theatres this April.

The Actor was up early and ready to work, appearing on KISS 92.5‘s The Roz & Mocha Show.  Listen to the Interview in full here.

Among other interviews, Coster-Waldau will also be appearing on George Stromboulopoulous Tonight, in addition to an appearance at an Advance Screening this evening.

eOne Films releases Mama on Friday, January 18, 2013.

Watch the creepy Trailer in full below:

To enter to win a  Photo signed kindly from Coster-Waldau himself this morning, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before February 1, 2013.  All are welcome to enter!  Good luck.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)