At long last, we get a detailed look at The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey! This brand new two-and-a-half minute Trailer for the latest from looks stellar.
The Adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the Wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen Dwarves led by the legendary Warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the Goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum‘s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey stars Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage, Manu Bennett, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Barry Humphries, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott and Aidan Turner.
Watch the Trailer in full below:
Warner Bros. releases The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on December 14, 2012.
Don’t forget to visit the Official Website for The Hobbit for a total four alternate endings to the Trailer!
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)
Although she was unable to make it out to TIFF 2011 for Winnie for which she is said to deliver a strong performance, Oscar and GRAMMY Winner Jennifer Hudson is Toronto-bound at month’s end to spread a bit of goodwill. In addition to a recently-announced appearance at WE Day to help inspire change among Youth on Friday, September 28, 2012 at Air Canada Centre, she also is now slated to appear at the Bliss Ball on Saturday, September 29, 2012 in Fort York, for the SickKids Hospital Patient Amenities Fund.
Suffice it to say, she’s more than making-up for last year’s Toronto snub?
D Films will be releasing Winnie v. soon. Passes possibly to come? Stay tuned.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
With just four days till the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, I’m finally catching-up on HBO‘s Girls after having stock-piled Episodes on my PVR. The Dramedy Series is nominated for an impressive five Awards already in its first Season, already winning Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series. With my post-TIFF Cold, finally I had reason enough to sit-down lie-down and discipline myself to watch all of its first Season. One part Sex & the City, one part balls-out Judd Apatow-esque funny, the Series is a startlingly funny take on what it means to be a mid-twentysomething surviving in the City.
Touching upon group dynamics in friendships, sexual awakening, financial struggle and self-realization; the messages are universal. Teenagers and Adults alike can find something to connect with here. I wish a Series like this existed when I was in grade 12, to get a real sneak peek at what life would’ve been like seven years later.
Although they completely were overlooked in the Emmy Nominations, Girls is filled with brilliant performances from its Supporting Cast including the sex-obsessed Adam Driver, the adorable Zosia Mamet, sassy Brit-accented Jemima Kirke and the lovely improv-trained Allison Williams. The charming Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) appears late in the first Season as a delightful surprise.
As much as Girls is about the brilliant Script, Acting and Directing, it also is about the Music. The cute and kitschy (Britney, Demi, JLo, Feist, MGMT and more) Song Selection is superb and it will be interesting which Tracks make the cut for its December 11, 2012 DVD/Blu-ray release.
Plump-cheeked and porcelain 26-year-old Executive Producer Lena Dunham who also wears Actress, Creator and Writer caps, is a true National Treasure.
Although it appears v. much a Dark Horse at the Emmys this Sunday, my bets are set on HBO‘s Girls to take it all.
(Photo credit: HBO)
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada, Media Profile and Mr. Will Wong want to give Readers a chance to win Damsels in Distress. The Comedy which premiered last September at TIFF 2011 is the latest from acclaimed Director, Whit Stillman (The Last Days of Disco).
DAMSELS IN DISTRESS follows a trio of beautiful Girls who set out to revolutionize life at a grungy East Coast College – the dynamic leader Violet Wister (Greta Gerwig), principled Rose (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and sexy Heather (Carrie MacLemore). They welcome Transfer Student Lily (Analeigh Tipton) into their group, which seeks to help severely depressed students with a program of good hygiene and musical dance numbers. The girls become romantically entangled with a series of men — including slick Charlie (Adam Brody), Dreamboat Xavier (Hugo Becker) and the mad Frat Boys Frank (Ryan Metcalf) and Thor (Billy Magnussen)—who threaten the Girls’ friendship and sanity.
Bonus Features Include:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before September 29, 2012. Readers in Canada only please.
See some of the Stars of Damsels in Distress in Toronto last September here.
Damsels in Distress is available on Blu-Ray and DVD on September 25, 2012. Order it here.
(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)
Homeland Star Claire Danes was spotted out and about in Yorkville earlier today doing a quick grocery run at Pusateri’s. Without Sunglasses and dressed in a loose-fitting blue Button-Down, Danes appears to know the area well. In 2007, I ran into the Actress at the Four Seasons Hotel down the road, while she was here promoting Stardust.
The Golden Globe-winning Actress currently is expecting a Child with Husband of three years, Hugh Dancy, and he currently is in-town filming TV Series Hannibal alongside Mads Mikkelsen, who wowed audiences at TIFF 2012 with two Films, A Royal Affair and The Hunt.
With filming expected to wrap for Hannibal in February 2013, will this Danes-Dancy Baby be Toronto-born?
(Photo credit: Showtime)
It was a superb day at Woodbine yesterday with the $1-million Ricoh Woodbine Mile being run before a large, excited crowd. American invader Wise Dan won the race by three lengths, ahead of local Star Hunters Bay (owned by Frank Stronach) who in his first-ever race on the grass has solidified himself as the leader of the Older Horse division at Woodbine. European invader Cityscape (GB) from the famed Juddmonte Farm was about four lengths behind the Winner in third. The final time of the race was a decent 1:34.0, with the five-year-old Winner paying a heavily-backed $3.10, earning him a spot at Horse Racing’s Championship Day, the Breeders’ Cup this November at Santa Anita Park in California.
It was an absolute pleasure partying in the Champions Lounge with some of Toronto’s most influencial Tweeters including @Photojunkie, @TheDanLevy, @PHJoshua, @TrishCA and @RochLatinsky, as our plates were filled with deliciousness (Woodbine‘s Fried Chicken is unparalleled) and our glasses kept being filled! It was amazing also hanging with Penelope Miller – the Social Media Wiz behind America’s Best Racing, one of the most influencial Racing Sites in the World. I am happy to report that most of us broke-even or even came out ahead after a thrilling afternoon at the races. Dare I say, some of us now are expert Bettors?
The day started off with a bang with my favourite Jockey, Emma-Jayne Wilson, earning her 1,000th win aboard D’Wildcat Gold. Wilson began her career at the races in 2005 and since then she has always been a top Rider locally, never looking back. During our visit, we got to watch races from the Winner’s Circle and before the Woodbine Mile, had an opportunity to get up-close with the Contenders in the Paddock. Our Tour led in part by Track Commentator and Sweetheart Dawn Lupul (a Fan of the Blog!) also led us to the Jockeys’ Room. We also got to see their colourful Silks Room and chat with some of the Jockeys. I had a total Fanboy moment seeing Wilson order a Chocolate Milk at the Cafeteria and top American Riders Brice Blanc and Garrett Gomez watching TV!
Currently, Ontario’s Horse Racing Industry is funded heavily by revenues generated from on-track Slot Machines, but a decision has been made by the Ontario Government to end this in the face of our Deficit. Now is the time for us to be aware of the current state of the Industry:
-Up to 13,000 Horses are expected to be euthanized. Times are uncertain for Breeders, unsure whether or not to breed their Mares with Owners and potential Owners hesitant to buy not knowing for sure whether there will be races and purses available to make it worthwhile.
-6,300 jobs in the Industry could be lost
-National Traditions like the Queen’s Plate (North America’s most historic Race), Woodbine Mile and Pattison Canadian International – all important races – may suffer a grim fate
-Cuts in Purses mean less of a reason for World Class talent to make their way north to Woodbine, a devastating blow to the efforts it has made to stamp itself as one of the World’s finest Racetracks
In 2011, the Horse Racing Industry brought-in $575 million to the Province. Why are we punishing an “A-Student” with a Suspension?
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Big debut for the Resident Evil Franchise this weekend! The latest installment, titled Retribution, in the Video Game Adaptation Series was filmed in Toronto last Winter and takes the top of the Box Office this weekend with $20.5 million in North America from 3,012 theatres. And to think Billy was a part of it all, bringing smiles to Stars Milla Jovovich and Kevin Durand‘s faces on their break!
Disney‘s Finding Nemo 3-D debuts in second with $17.5 million – a far cry from the $70 million it made back when it opened originally in 2003, but in its second run still performs strong.
Meanwhile, former Champion The Possession is a distant third this weekend with $5.7 million, ahead of Western Lawless which in its third week slips to fourth spot with $4.2 million; to-date it has earned $30.3 million. The Words starring Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana, lands in seventh with $2.8 million in its second week of release. The Campaign impressively still is hanging tough in tenth spot with $2.4 million in this its sixth week of release.
Bubbly under, The Master (which just premiered at TIFF), breaks a record for highest per-theatre average with $146k from just 5 theatres. In total, it earned $730k this past weekend; mighty impressive.
After being institutionalized, Pat (Bradley Cooper) transitions back to his normal life again, staying with his Parents Dolores (Jackie Weaver) and Pat Sr. (Robert DeNiro). His ultimate goal is to reconcile with his Wife, proving to her that they can pick-up where things left off, but along the way he meets an equally troubled Woman named Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). Matters become complicated as they both get to know one another, confusing what it is that Pat really wants, as they prepare themselves with a challenge of an upcoming local Dance Competition.
David O. Russell (The Fighter) helms and writes a beautiful Piece here with rich, complex and flawed Characters, maintaining our interest and support throughout. Make no mistake though, Silver Linings Playbook is a Comedy and it is chalk full of biting humour and you will leave feeling uplifted. Its message is central and universal – with love you achieve and endure anything, no matter what you’re working against.
Oscar-nominated Lawrence‘s performance here is a true revelation, commanding our attention at all times with Tiffany‘s presence. Just wait till you see her school the Boys on Football in one scene and surely, a great deal of discipline was required to learn some of the Choreography in the Film. Cooper is endearing as a lovesick Man who at moments is unable to contain his emotions or bite his tongue – at once grating and incredibly charming.
Whether or not Silver Linings Playbook has the meatiness to win Best Picture at the Oscars remains to be seen, but on its own it surely is a Movie I’d love to see again! Alliance Films releases on November 21, 2012.
Noah Baumbach‘s Frances Ha centers around a Dance Apprentice soon approaching her 30s, questioning what it is she really wants in life. She lives day to day in a free-spirited manner, deeming herself “undateable” and having little regard for the future. Frances’ (Greta Gerwig) world falls apart after her Best Friend and Roommate Sophie (Mickey Sumner) decides to move-in with her Boyfriend Patch (Patrick Heusinger). At the same time, she is faced with the reality that she is not needed in the upcoming Holiday Season at her Dance Company. She is then forced to find herself as she moves from roommate to roommate and job to job, before ultimately hitting rock bottom.
Shot entirely in black and white, Frances Ha is highly stylized and exquisite to the eye. Gerwig‘s unconventional beauty and undeniable charisma alone are enough to colour the entire screen. Although this a modern story for the Female Underdog, truly anyone going through a rough patch in their lives can leave feeling inspiration from the Film. The stakes and rewards never are that high, but the situations are v. real and I found myself relating completely.
Sumner (Daughter of Rock Legend Sting) is a fresh face and name to look-out for and turns-in a solid performance, embodying at least one female Friend we all have in our lives. Rescue Me‘s Michael Zegen lights-up the screen, teasing us with chemistry between Gerwig and himself, even if things never come to fruition for them.
Frances Ha is a cute and elegant piece of Art, never for a moment talking down to us. Release date to be determined.
TIFF 2012 was another great Festival. The fact that Toronto plays Host to such a prestigious and glamorous event is a true testament to the level of respect the Film Industry has for our City. I am so proud to be a Torontonian and proud of my fellow Torontonians who made it all happen, from the Hot Dog Vendors who fed those of us with no time for a sit-down meal, to the Celebrity Drivers and Security Guards for keeping everyone out of harm’s way.
This year I met many Stars and my only regret is not being able to be at two places at once with the opening weekend crammed with Stars. Although this is nothing new for the Festival, let’s just say I never want to be faced with having to decide between Johnny Depp versus Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence versus Emma Watson, Tom Hanks versus Jackie Chan versus Will Smith ever again! Whomever schedules the times and locations of these Premieres certainly wasn’t a Star Spotter, that much I can say. Nightmare.
Ask Hanks, who called-out the Festival Organizers at the Press Conference for Cloud Atlas, asking: “Why do you run your celebrities through a pin like we’re bulls on the way to slaughter? It’s the narrowest kind of like entrance to a theater I’ve ever had.”. So believe me, it’s not just the Fans who are complaining – the Celebrities also have thoughts on the matter.
Thank you for being there along the way with me, tuning-in on CP24 and CTV News and reading my Posts as I dozed off on my keyboard fighting to finish that one more Blog Post at 5:00 AM. I can now look forward to catching-up on sleep once again, spotting Stars in the City at a far more reasonable pace and being Billy‘s Dad again. Oh, how I’ve missed that little Guy. And oh, how I know come January (when the Stars are sparse in the City) that I’ll be wishing it was September again!
Until next year…
xMr. Will
List of Celebrities: Vanessa Hudgens, John Krasinski, Flava Flav, Ashley Benson, Kevin Zegers, Karl Urban, Alice Englert, Derek Cianfrance, Stephen Fung, Ben Mendelsohn, Dane DeHaan, Lana Wachowski, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Glen Powell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Liana Liberato, Jessica Mauboy, June Diane Raphael, Trudie Styler, Mickey Sumner, Kristen Wiig, Sam Taylor-Wood, Aaron Johnson, Eva Mendes, Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Kevin James, Adam Sandler, Fran Drescher, Molly Shannon, Tate Donovan, Ben Affleck, Coco, Ice-T, Amy Adams, Gina Torres, Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano, Frank Grillo, Billy Bob Thornton, Michael Shannon, Viggo Mortensen, Gael Garcia Bernal, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jason Bateman, Paula Patton, Marisa Tomei, Julie Benz, Lorenza Izzo, Jacqueline MacInnes-Wood, Patrick J. Adams & Tatyana Ali, Gregory Smith, Penelope Mitchell, Abbie Cornish, Logan Lerman, Toby Irvine, Jeremy Irvine, Emile Hirsch, Chris O’Dowd, Lee Daniels, Kiowa Gordon, Alessandro Nivola, Zac Efron, Octavia Spencer and Shannon Leto.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com