There is nothing dwarf-like at all about the success of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which debuts with $85 million this weekend across North America in 4,045 theatres for Warner Bros. The Peter Jackson Fantasy Flick also sets a Box Office record for highest December weekend and biggest December opening ever (Friday – $37.5 million) and also sets a record for highest opening ever in December.
Last week’s Champ Skyfall slips to second this weekend with $7.1 million, neck-in-neck with Rise of the Guardian earning $7.0 million in third.
Disney‘s Lincoln continues to perform impeccably in fourth with $6.7 million, now it its sixth week of release. The Historical Drama no doubt got a boost from Thursday’s Golden Globe nomination announcements, where it led the way a smashing seven nominations.
Not much particularly earth-shattering on the bottom end of this weekend’s Top Ten as Wreck-It Ralph lands in seventh with $3.2 million for Disney, while Playing for Keeps earns $3 million in eighth. TIFF 2012 People’s Choice Winner Silver Linings Playbook, which received three Golden Globe nominations earlier this week, rounds things out with $2.0 million.
Casino Royale. Quantum of Solace. Clash of the Titans. The Three Musketeers. These are just some of the more recent Films in which you’ve seen Mads Mikkelsen and while out getting Breakfast with Billy early this morning, I bumped-into the brilliant Actor who looked like he was out for a walk or a jog. Mikkelsen who earlier this year won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival in May for The Hunt, currently is in Toronto filming Hannibal.
The upcoming NBC Series which centers around Criminal Profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) who seeks help from famed Psychiatrist and Cannibalistic Serial Killer Hannibal Lecter (Mikkelsen), yet at the same time becomes his greatest Nemesis. Fans of Silence of the Lambs will eat this up. In a non-Cannibal sorta way of course.
Things aren’t slowing-down any time soon for the dark, mysterious Danish Actor who has been in Toronto multiple times before for TIFF and even promoted both The Hunt and upcoming Period Drama, A Royal Affair, while filming Hannibal. I did meet the Actor back in 2009 following a Screening of the phenomenal Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, but am thrilled to have a Snap together with him. Mikkelsen was smitten with Billy, leaning-down to give him a pat on the head. Super-gracious!
Hannibal wraps in February 2013. Learn more about the Series here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Girls, Bridesmaids, Freaks and Geeks, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Superbad. These are just some of the many culturally-impacting Titles which just wouldn’t have been without the talents of Judd Apatow. Toronto was extremely fortunate last night to have welcomed the brilliant Director/Producer/Writer and fantastically-funny Actress and Wife, Leslie Mann. Although their Oscar-contending Comedy This is 40 which re-teams the Duo once again, isn’t in theatres just yet, Apatow and Mann came to create a bit of buzz for the Film which is being touted not so much as a Sequel, but more a Continuation to 2007’s Knocked Up, where we first were introduced to the Characters of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Mann).
With Opening Remarks from Canadian Comedy Legend Eugene Levy and the Evening hosted by Author/Critic and Television Personality Richard Crouse, the Canadian Film Centre‘s An Evening with Judd Apatow & Leslie Mann took place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox – an Invite-Only Affair where we got to witness in-person the charming romantic and working Chemistry between Husband and Wife. Crouse asked the Couple how they first met and apparently it wasn’t love at first sight between the two.
Watch them tell their Story below:
Hilariously, Apatow was unable to suppress his iPhone-obsession, repeatedly checking it and even taking a Call onstage from his Daughter Maude (who stars in This is 40), bringing her great embarrassment after she was told that we could all hear her amplified through the Speakers. Finally, Mann addressed the matter by telling Apatow that he was being rude, prompting him to put-away his phone.
We learned that despite the outcome being humorous usually with Apatow‘s Work, rarely does he approach filming thinking a particular scene is going to be funny. His Motto always is to present the truth and in doing so can we see the real humour in things, praising Mann especially for her uncanny ability to dig-deep in her performances.
Interestingly, the topic of Music was brought-up with it being revealed that Crouse at the age of 16 had written a Book about The Rolling Stones. Apatow told the Audience that at one point both Ben Stiller and himself had been close to collaborating with the Band on a Film and while Fanboy-ing with Stiller over their records in one room during their rehearsals here in Toronto, Mick Jagger had walked-in on them in an unforgettable moment asking, “Are you alright? Would you like some Water or anything?”. We learned also that Mann rather dislikes Live Versions of songs and is a huge Fan of Pop Music including the likes of Lady Gaga and Aretha Franklin.
Earlier in the evening, I was lucky enough to get a Snap with both Apatow and Mann who were extremely gracious. To enter to win a Signed Photo from Apatow, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before January 1, 2013. Good luck.
Universal Pictures releases This is 40 on December 21, 2012. Although I only had the chance to see a couple Clips, I can say that I was dying of laughter already! Cannot wait.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
This frickin‘ killed me! Right in-time for its release today, Jennifer Lawrence visited The Ellen DeGeneres Show and admitted that her Mom recently stole her Oscars Ballot, voted and mailed it in. Fortunately enough, Lawrence‘s Mom mailed it to the wrong address and it got returned to Sender. On whether or not she agreed with her Mom’s choices, Lawrence replied, “Uh.. no.”. Lawrence who despite being nominated for an Oscar for her work in 2010 Drama Winter’s Bone, only recently was inducted into the Academy.
Of course there is tons of Oscar buzz already for 22-year-old Lawrence who portrays a young Woman with Bipolar Tendencies in the hilarious new Comedy from David O. Russell (The Fighter), alongside Bradley Cooper. Currently still working on The Hunger Games Sequel Catching Fire in Atlanta, Lawrence was just in Toronto this past September for TIFF, where Silver Linings Playbook premiered to warm reception, winning the People’s Choice Award.
See a couple Snaps I got of the current Brunette here and here.
Read my Review of Silver Linings Playbook here.
(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)
Look who I spotted on the way home! Women (and Men) of all ages have fawned over Rob Lowe‘s handsome looks and gleaming Screen Presence. I know I have, at least! LOL The Star of Parks and Recreation, The West Wing, Brothers and Sisters and era-defining Flicks like St. Elmo’s Fire, Class and Youngblood, certainly is no Stranger to Toronto having filmed 2011 Hockey Comedy Breakaway here and having come back to support its Premiere at TIFF that year.
Work however, once again was Lowe‘s reason for visit as he was called upon to play hosting duties for the P&G Beauty & Grooming Awards held at The Carlu tonight, honouring the best in Canada’s Beauty and Grooming Industry. Believe me, he drove the Ladies crazy tonight judging by some of the Tweets under the Hashtag #PGAwards and above this, it was revealed that Lowe‘s Wife Sheryl Berkoff, actually is a Makeup Artist too, with the Award for that particular Category holding a place close to his heart.
I was lucky enough to catch Lowe just as he was leaving the Event and heading into his Denali. As expected, he was v. nice and game for a quick Photo and fortunately, I had just enough battery left of my Phone to snap it. A little blurry, but it’ll do!
Read more about the Awards here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Only in Toronto would something like this happen! Iconic Indo-Canadian Director Deepa Mehta was spotted earlier today of all places doing Groceries with her Husband Producer David Hamilton, at Whole Foods in Yorkville. As I was grinding my Coffee Beans away, I looked-over to see the Toronto Native browsing some Treats and she was more than sweet herself to stop and snap a Photo together.
Mehta, best-known for her Elements Trilogy: Fire, Earth and Water, just made a splash at TIFF 2012 with her latest Film, Midnight’s Children – currently playing in Toronto at Varsity Cinemas. “How could you not have seen it yet?”, she asks me teasingly. I promise soon, Deepa!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Just in-time for the Holidays, David Beckham launches his brand new Winter 2012 Bodywear Collection for H&M. Including in this Set are padded Longjohns, a Towel, Lounge Shorts, Henleys and a must-have Hooded Bathrobe (seen above). As is the case with any Post about David Beckham, Visuals are necessary and he has never looked better. See the Collection here. I personally own a few items from his last Collection and they are the most comfortable things ever!
Also in Toronto recently to support her Husband Aaron Johnson who was here both for TIFF 2012 and also filming Kick-Ass 2, British Artist/Director Sam Taylor-Wood (both whom I had the pleasure of meeting!) recently filmed a Campaign for H&M‘s Maison Martin Margiela Collaboration. The Collection launches Thursday, November 15, 2012 and Toronto’s Eaton Centre will be among the Stores carrying it for a limited time. Click here to watch the Video shot on a deserted Paris Street. Amaze.
(Photo credit: H&M)
Here as a surprise Guest, the amazingly talented and sweet Thandie Newton showed her support for a fantastic cause tonight at Roy Thomson Hall. The BAFTA Award-winning Actress who last visited the City during TIFF 2010 (read more here), came to deliver a Speech at the Hope Rising Fundraiser in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which hopes to turn the tides of AIDS/HIV in Sub-Saharan South Africa. Over the past 10 years, the Foundation has contributed more than $55 million to those Countries affected most by the Pandemic. Newton, who just celebrated her Birthday yesterday, was dressed in a pair of stunning, shimmery Pants and currently is at-work on TV Series Rogue.
Joining the Cause tonight were four-time GRAMMY Winner and Pop Icon Annie Lennox and three-time GRAMMY-winning Canadian Songbird Sarah McLachlan. African Diva Angélique Kidjo also was fittingly featured as one of the Evening’s Headliners. After the two-and-a-half hour Concert which had all three Performers collaborating on Lennox‘s Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves and Sweet Dreams, they each made a quiet and quick exits out of the Venue in Suburbans with their respective Entourages.
For those of you who missed the Affair, CBC Radio One has plans to air the Concert on Friday, November 30, 2012.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Although hotly-buzzed Horror Sinister burst out of the gate running on Friday, alas it is last week’s Champion Taken 2 on-top again for a second week with $22.7 million from 3,705 theatres. Despite a competitive weekend with several new Films opening, the Liam Neeson-starring Blockbuster remains victorious, banking $86 million in two weeks for 20th Century Fox.
Following right behind in second is Warner Bros.’ Argo, directed by Ben Affleck. The Drama which premiered at TIFF last month has gained strong word-of-mouth and earns a stellar 94% at Rotten Tomatoes and is considered widely a real Contender to win Best Picture at the Oscars.
Sinister finds itself in third spot with $18.3 million for Lionsgate Films/Alliance Films, from 2,527 theatres. Earning positive reviews, the Scott Derrickson Film starring Ethan Hawke tallies-in at 63% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. Made for a micro-budget of $3 million only, Sinister already is a major success based on brilliant marketing. I dare you to watch its Trailer and not get creeped-out!
Mixed Martial Arts Comedy Here Comes the Boom, starring Kevin James, opens in fifth for Sony Pictures with $12 million from 3,014 theatres, although reviews have been more mixed with a total 44% on Rotten Tomatoes. Musical-Comedy Pitch Perfect continues to do well in sixth with $8.8 million this weekend, earning $38 million overall after costing only $17 million to make.
Seven Psychopaths opens in ninth with $4.1 million for CBS Films/Alliance Films from 1,480 theatres, earning v. positive reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes). The quirky Dark Comedy which won the Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award at TIFF last month, stars Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Tom Waits and adorable Bonny the Shih Tzu. Although it admittedly is a bit of a challenge to sell to audiences, clearly is in the favourable books of the Arthouse Crowd and will expand in coming weeks, timed for Halloween.
Rounding out the Top Ten in North America is Atlas Shrugged Part 2 – not to be confused with Cloud Atlas – based on the Novel by Ayn Rand. The Film has yet to see a release in Canada, but pulled-in $1.9 million south of the Border.
We all know him from Transamerica and Gossip Girl, but now’s your chance to win a Keepsake from him. Our v. own Kevin Zegers currently is hard at work in Toronto filming The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, starring as Alec Lightwood, and although eOne Films won’t be releasing the Cassandra Clare Adaptation until August 23, 2013, here’s a little something to give you your fix till then!
Zegers was gracious enough to sign this during TIFF 2012 for me and I’d love one deserving Fan or Shadowhunter to have it.
To enter to win the Photo, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. You should also be following on Twitter here. All are welcome to enter and your deadline ins November 12, 2012.
Double your chances by Re-Tweeting the below:
.@MRWILLW wants me to win a Photo signed by #THEMORTALINSTRUMENTS Star KEVIN ZEGERS! http://tinyurl.com/9dhmd92
Good luck!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com