It is the rise of an empire, indeed! The Sequel to 300 trumps the Box Office this weekend, bringing-in an outstanding $45 million in its Debut from 3,470 theatres. By comparison, its 2007 Predecessor starring Gerard Butler, grossed $70 million, but still this is no shame considering already overseas it has brought-in $30 million over three days too. Critics gave it 43% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it an even “B” CinemaScore.

20th Century Fox‘s Animated Feature, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, in its debut garners $30 million from 3,934 theatres. Featuring the Voicework of Ty Burrell and Max Charles, the Film received a 77% rating on the Tomatometer, while Audiences similarly had great things to say, giving it a “yes” with an A CinemaScore also.

After dominating last week, Non-Stop starring Liam Neeson, slips to third spot this weekend with $15 million for Universal Pictures, just surpassing the $50-million mark in its second week of release.

The Lego Movie (which also features Neeson) continues to stand on strong footing with $11 million in its fifth week out for Warner Bros., just ahead of 20th Century Fox‘s Biblical-Drama, Son of God, with $9 million in its second week.

Frozen finds itself in seventh spot with $3 million now in its 16th week of release, undoubtedly boosted by last weekend’s Oscar win and maybe even John Travolta‘s infamous “Adele Mazeem” gaffe when introducing its Star, Idina Menzel.

12 Years a Slave also sees a post-Oscar boost following its Best Picture win, bringing-in $2.5 million for Fox Searchlight. In its 21-week run domestically, it has made over $$53 million.

Ride Along rounds-out the Top Ten for Universal Pictures with $1.9 million, showing tremendous staying power in its eighth week.

The World of Cinema Elite made their way to Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles tonight for the 86th annual Academy Awards.  Praised as both a  strong year for Red Carpet Fashion and Film with a heated battle between American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave and Gravity, among others for Best Picture, ultimately 12 Years a Slave would prevail with top honours tonight.

The Drama based on the Memoir by Solomon Northrup, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September, before going-on to sweep a litany of accolades this Awards Season including victories at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Broadcast Film Critics Association  and the Independent Spirit Awards just yesterday. In addition, to winning coveted Best Picture, it won also for Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o) and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Alfonso Cuarón‘s Gravity, which has grossed over $700 million worldwide, also premiering at TIFF this last Fall, won the most Oscars this evening, tallying-in at seven wins, primarily in technical categories including Cinematography, Score and Visual Effects. Cuarón himself went-on to win for Directing.

AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club won the important Actor and Supporting Actor Categories with Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto respectively.  Both brought along their Mothers to the Awards, the latter making a heartfelt tribute to his Mother who overcame great odds to provide for both him and his Brother.

As predicted by many, Cate Blanchett now is a two-time Oscar Winner, her first win coming for her work in 2004’s The Aviator. The Australian Actress won for her empathetic portrayal of a Woman coping with mental and addiction issues in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine.

The Fashion on the Red Carpet tonight was a huge draw as several Fans via Social Media sounded-off on the tasteful styles of Kate Hudson in Versace, Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé, Amy Adams in Gucci, Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab and perhaps the most-talked-about was a Princess-like Lupita Nyong’o in what is now being called a “Nairobi Blue” Prada Dress with a Hairband.  The light pastel blue Creation was chosen by the eventual Oscar Winner, who told Ryan Seacrest on the Red Carpet that it reminded the Kenyan Native of Nairobi.

Ellen DeGeneres once again did a bang-up job, making herself right at home with the A-List Audience, poking fun at everything from welcoming Liza Minnelli as a Female Impersonator, to some of this year’s Nominees who didn’t attend College (the Camera panned on Amy Adams nodded her head, admitting she too didn’t attend) to bringing out Pizza to some of the Evening’s famous Guests.  Meryl Streep was one of the first to help herself to a slice.  In addition, DeGeneres was out to set a record for the Most Re-Tweeted Selfie and helping her along were the likes of Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence, Jared Leto, Meryl Streep, Lupita Nyong’o, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey. Quickly, the Photo received over a million Re-Tweets (overtaking a previous Tweet from President Obama upon his Re-Election) and could’ve received more if it weren’t for reported technical difficulties likely due to the onslaught of traffic.

See it below:

See more Photos here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Ellen DeGeneres)

The domination continues!  American Hustle continues to solidify itself as a major threat to its Competitors to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards in March with a win at tonight’s Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles.  The Dramedy from acclaimed Writer/Director David O. Russell won Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture. Although there is no actual Award for Best Picture at the Ceremony, with Actors recognizing exclusively the work of their Peers, the Cast of Argo last year also won the same Honour before going-on to win at the Oscars last year.  The Ensemble Cast of American Hustle includes: Jennifer Lawrence, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner.

Also getting recognized tonight in Film Categories were: Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club (Outstanding Male Actor), Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine (Outstanding Female Actor), Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years a Slave (Outstanding Supporting Female Actor) and Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club (Outstanding Supporting Male Actor).

Winning tonight in the Television Categories were: Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad (Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama), Maggie Smith for Downton Abbey (Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama), Ty Burrell for Modern Family (Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Veep (Outstanding Female Actor in a Comedy).

The Oscars air Sunday, March 2, 2014 on CBS.

In Canada, you can watch the Screen Actors Guild Awards at 8:00 PM EST on Global Television Sunday, January 19, 2014.

Photos at Zimbio.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

And the Countdown officially begins!  The Nominees for the 86th annual Academy Awards were unveiled this morning at Samuel Goldwyn Theatre with expecting-Father Chris Hemsworth and Academy President Cheryl Isaac Boone on-hand to make the announcements.  Leading the way each with ten nominations are Gravity and  American Hustle. 12 Years a Slave certainly wasn’t far behind with nine nominations.  American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave are seen as being in close contention after each winning a Golden Globe Award this past weekend for Best Motion Picture Comedy and Drama respectively.

There was little dispute that this year’s Nominees for Best Picture this year aren’t a deserving bunch, that eclectic List including: 12 Years a Slave,  American Hustle, Her, Dallas Buyers Club, Philomena, The Wolf of Wall Street, Captain Phillips, Nebraska and Gravity.  Some are surprised the highly-buzzed Inside Llewyn Davis and Saving Mr. Banks lacked recognition from the Academy.  Canada received a Nod with Director Jean-Marc Vallée responsible for Dallas Buyers Club.

Even more heated a battle is the Category of Actor in a Leading Role, where again there are no major surprises, but the question now exactly is who will be victorious.  Up for the Oscar are: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club), Bruce Dern (Nebraska) and Christian Bale (American Hustle).

Actress in a Leading Role also again presents few surprises, although Fans of the well-receieved Saving Mr. Banks might make a case that its Star Emma Thompson was snubbed.  Nominated this year are: Amy Adams (American Hustle), Judi Dench (Philomena), Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine), Sandra Bullock (Gravity) and Meryl Streep (August: Osage County).  Indeed a tough  Category with the exception of Adams is filled by previous Winners, with Blanchett regarded as a Favourite to take it all despite her Film being released far in advance of Awards Season.

For Actor in a Supporting Role, we see repeat Nominees Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street), Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)  up against a trio of first-time Nominees in Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave), Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) and definitive Choice Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club).

The Actress in a Supporting Role Category also is an immensely-talented Group including a Newcomer in Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), in addition to Screen Veteran June Squibb (Nebraska) and previous Golden Globe Winner  Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) being recognized. Previous Winners Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) and Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) add mega-watt Starpower to the Race.  Much controversy came of Nyong’o‘s loss to Lawrence in the same Category at last weekend’s Golden Globes and this outcome will be highly-watched by Award Pundits and Fans.

Up for Directing this year are first-time Nominee Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), two-time Nominee Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity), three-time Alexander Payne (Nebraska), five-time Nominee David O. Russell (American Hustle) and eight-time Nominee/one-time Winner Martin Scorcese (The Wolf of Wall Street).

Watch the Nominations below courtesy of The Telegraph:

Click here to view a complete List of Nominees.

CBS airs the 86th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 7:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit:  The Telegraph)

Taking place at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre, the Stars electrified the Red Carpet tonight at the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards.  Honouring the year’s best in Film and Television, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association selected their most deserving, unveiled at the Ceremony, seen by many as a Precursor to the Oscars.

Hosted by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey a second time, the Funnywomen brought-out big laughs from the Celebrity-filled Audience including pokes at George Clooney on his habit of dating younger Women to Matt Damon jokingly being called a “Garbage Man” amidst the high caliber Talent which filled the room.  An aloof Julia Louis-Dreyfus, nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy,  played-up her new-found Movie Star status, donning sunglasses as the Camera panned her with Reese Witherspoon playfully trying to take a Selfie with her. Poehler after several nominations, finally won her first Golden Globe  tonight for Best Lead Actress in a TV Series Comedy with Parks and Recreation.

American Hustle walked away the big Winner tonight winning three Awards, including Best Motion Picture Comedy, Best Lead Actress in  Motion Picture Comedy (Amy Adams) and Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (Jennifer Lawrence). The ’70s-set Dramedy directed by David O. Russell, who received a Nomination in the same Category last year with Silver Linings Playbook, is garnering commercial success in addition to acclaim, exceeding the $100-million mark in North America.

12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen, regarded as a Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars next month, was awarded one single win for Best Motion Picture Drama.  The Film which received the coveted People’s Choice Award at TIFF ’13 in September.

Breaking Bad, Behind the Candelabra and Brooklyn Nine-Nine in the Television Categories each took home two Golden Globes apiece, winning Best Actor with Bryan Cranston, Michael Douglas and Andy Samberg respectively. Each Series also won Best Series in each Category: Best Television Series Drama, Best Television Mini-Series or Movie and Best Television Series Comedy.

Auteur Filmmaker Woody Allen was given lifetime achievement distinction with a Cecil B. DeMille Award despite being in absentia.  Accepting on his behalf was his Annie Hall Muse Diane Keaton whose heartfelt Speech was highlighted by song and laughter.

Red was a highlight on the Red Carpet tonight with some of the Evening’s best looks coming from eventual Winner Amy Adams in a two-toned red Valentino Number and Country-Pop Sensation Taylor Swift stunning in a cherry-red and black Dress by Carolina Herrera.  Also, Newcomer Lupita Nyong’o of 12 Years a Slave dazzled in a red caped Piece by Ralph Lauren.  Another Fresh Face, The Wolf of Wall Street Star Margot Robbie wowed in a white Gucci dress and surprisingly was overlooked for her work in the acclaimed Martin Scorcese Film.

Toronto’s Tatiana Maslany despite being nominated for Best Lead Actress in a TV Series Drama with Orphan Black, still represented our City proudly despite losing-out to a deserving Robin Wright of Netflix‘s House of Cards.  Fans avidly supported Maslany online with the Hashtag #TATIANAPOCALYPSE.

Complete List of Winners below:

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
“12 Years a Slave”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
“American Hustle”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street”

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
Alfonso Cuaron, “Gravity”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Amy Poehler, “Parks & Recreation”

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
“Frozen”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Michael Douglas, “Behind the Candelabra”

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
“The Great Beauty”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Andy Samberg, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
Spike Jonze, “Her”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Robin Wright, “House Of Cards”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Amy Adams, “American Hustle”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jon Voight, “Ray Donovan”

BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
“Ordinary Love,” “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”
Music by: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Jr., Brian Burton

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
Alex Ebert, “All Is Lost”

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
“Breaking Bad”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Elisabeth Moss, “Top of the Lake”

BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
“Behind The Candelabra”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jacqueline Bisset, “Dancing on the Edge”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Jennifer Lawrence “American Hustle”

Mr. Will and some of the 2014 Golden Globe Winners:

The Academy Awards air on CBS Sunday, March 2, 2014.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Mr. Will Wong)

The Critics have spoken!  The Toronto Film Critics Association last night gathered to determine Winners of their annual Awards, one of the earlier Pre-Cursors to the thick of Awards Season.  Winning top honours this year is The Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis, set deep within New York City’s Folk Music Scene during the early ’60s.  Its Star Oscar Isaac also nabbed Best Actor  and although he was set to walk the Red Carpet at the Film’s Canadian Premiere here in Toronto last week, alas his scheduling didn’t permit the visit.  The Brothers in 2007 had won Best Picture at the Awards also with No Country for Old Men, before going-on to sweep the Academy Awards. Inside Llewyn Davis is released by Mongrel Media in Canada, in theatres Friday.

Taking Best Actress is a well-deserving Cate Blanchett for her mesmerizing performance in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine, playing a former Socialite on a downward spiral.

Warner Bros.’ Her also received warm recognition, garnering Runner-Up in the Best Picture category and ultimately winning Best Screenplay for Director/Writer Spike Jonze.  The Film opens in Toronto this weekend.

Despite being expected to be a Favourite this Awards Season, Fox Searchlight‘s 12 Years a Slave which won People’s Choice Award at TIFF ’13,  performed respectably with Runner-Up placings for Best Picture, Best Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Best Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender) and Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o).

The actual Awards Gala will be held at The Carlu in Toronto on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, where the Winner of the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award will be announced, receiving a $100k Cash Prize.

Winners as follows:

BEST PICTURE
Inside Llewyn Davis (Mongrel Media)

     Runners-up
     Her (Warner Bros.)
     12 Years a Slave (Fox Searchlight)

BEST ACTOR
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis

     Runners-up
     Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
     Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

     Runners-up
     Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
     Greta Gerwig, Frances Ha

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

     Runners-up
     Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
     James Franco, Spring Breakers

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

     Runners-up
     Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
     June Squibb, Nebraska

BEST DIRECTOR
Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity

     Runners-up
 Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis
     Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave

BEST SCREENPLAY, ADAPTED OR ORIGINAL
Spike Jonze, Her

     Runners-up
 Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
     Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Neighboring Sounds, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho

     Runners-up
Fruitvale Station, directed by Ryan Coogler
In a World …, directed by Lake Bell

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
The Wind Rises (Touchstone Pictures)

     Runners-up
     The Croods (20th Century Fox)
     Frozen (Walt Disney Pictures)

BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
A Touch of Sin (Films We Like)

     Runners-up
     Blue Is the Warmest Color (Mongrel Media)
     The Hunt (Mongrel Media)

BMO ALLAN KING DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The Act of Killing (Films We Like)

     Runners-up
     Leviathan (Films We Like)
     Tim’s Vermeer (Mongrel Media)

ROGERS BEST CANADIAN FILM AWARD FINALISTS
The Dirties (Phase 4 Films)
Gabrielle (Entertainment One)
Watermark (Mongrel Media)

(Photo credit: Mongrel Media)

It was a memorable year indeed! Join me as I recall some of 2013’s brightest moments in Celebrity, Film and Music with a Toronto twist! As a true Connoisseur of Pop Culture, I certainly was  spoiled with several delights this year on all three fronts.  Toronto  witnessed what could well be the strongest years this City ever has seen in terms of Star Power. Also, as an experienced Digital Photographer of sorts, I am sharing some of my favourite Snaps taken around the City this year too. If you’re a #NOFILTER kinda Guy or Gal, I apologize! A few of them are Horse-related, spending many of my weekends at scenic Woodbine Racetrack, my fave Place since Childhood to escape and recharge from the City.  Come Wongsters, let us walk down this luminous Memory Lane together!

TOP TEN SONGS OF 2013

2013 was solid for Pop Music  and I was thrilled to hear a return to great, strong melodies. What a year it was for Miley Cyrus who not only wowed us with We Can’t Stop, but slayed us hard with Wrecking Ball!  Coming in like a Wrecking Ball she managed to turn all eyes her way in a year which saw Albums released from some Marquee names like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and more. Lana Del Rey put us in a state of euphoria this Spring with her chilling Ballad for The Great Gatsby, Young & Beautiful.  Flawless and timeless.  Mariah Carey and Miguel provided much of the Soundtrack for my early Summer with their gorgeous Collabo #Beautiful, while Robin Thicke undisputedly had the Song of Summer 2013 with Blurred Lines.  His Album of the same name easily is my favourite Disc of 2013.

1. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
2. Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautitul
3. Mariah Carey ft. Miguel – #Beautiful
4. Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
5. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
6. Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines
7. Capital Cities – Safe and Sound
8. Katy Perry – Roar
9. Icona Pop – I Love It
10. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love

Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2013

I don’t recall a year in recent memory where the Films were quite as strong as this year.  It is as if Filmmakers have studied critiques, knew precisely what to avoid and owned it. Time after time I’d make it out to the morning Media Screenings and just when I thought I’d seen my favourite Film of 2013, another would come along and usurp the throne.  In all, AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club would leave the strongest imprint with Jared Leto touching the core of my soul with his phenomenal performance. 12 Years a Slave left me shaken and speechless and made it really tough to decide a Fave. Saving Mr. Banks truly affected and inspired me, moving me to tears and I could never forget Cate Blanchett‘s empathic portrayal of a Woman battling her own demons in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine.  And yes, I really loved Spring Breakers.  James Franco is just on another level.

1. Dallas Buyers Club
2. 12 Years a Slave
3. American Hustle
4. Blue Jasmine
5. Saving Mr. Banks
6. Gravity
7. 42
8. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
9. Enough Said
10. Spring Breakers

Watch the Trailer for Dallas Buyers Club below:

TOP CELEBRITY MOMENTS

It was a good bloody amazing year.  My experience in New York City seeing the Met Gala is unforgettable, as a revolving door of Celebrities came my direction. I didn’t even know which way to go or who to ask first for a Photo! TIFF ’13 brought me several amazing memories finally getting to meeting one of my favourite Actresses, Nicole Kidman – not to mention getting to meeting personal Heroes Seth McFarlane, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Baz Luhrmann and several more throughout the year.  My ultimate Highlight however was finally after 15 tries, getting my Lady Gaga moment in November!

As seen top to bottom, left to right in the above Collage are:

Supermodel Cara Delevingne, Shoe Visionary Christian Louboutin, Actress Mia Wasikowska, Actor Jesse Eisenberg, Actor Kit Harington, Astronaut  Chris Hadfield, Singer/Songwriter Lorde, Singer/Songwriter Robin Thicke, Television Personality/Actress Kelly Ripa, Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart.

Director Baz Luhrmann, Actress Emma Thompson, Singer/Actress Ariana Grande, Actress Léa Seydoux, Actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, Actress Toni Collette, Singer/Songwriter Lady Gaga,  Singer Kylie Minogue, Actress Nicole Kidman, Actress/Singer Selena Gomez.

Writer/Actor Mike Myers, Comedian, Writer/Actor Seth MacFarlane, Writer/Actor Seth Meyers, Writer/Actor Jim Carrey, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actress Taylor Schilling, Singer/Songwriter/Fashion Mogul Pharrell, Television Personality/Actress Rosie O’Donnell, Kentucky Derby-winning Jockey Joel Rosario, Breeders Cup Classic-winning Jockey/Actor Gary Stevens.

Spice Girl/Actress Mel B., Actor Armie Hammer, Actress Kerry Washington, Actor Sam Rockwell, Actor Nicholas Hoult, Actor Tom Hiddleston, Actor Adam Driver, Actor Josh Brolin,  Actor Daniel Radcliffe, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actor Sam Claflin, Actress Jena Malone.

TOP SNAPS

And now the ten best Photos of 2013 snapped through my lenses (Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5):

I truly am blessed and can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for us here in this sight-filled City of Tastemakers!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Awards Season officially is here with the 71st annual Golden Globe Award nominations being announced earlier this morning by Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde and Aziz Ansari  out of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

No real surprises this year as American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave each lead the way in the Film categories with seven nominations apiece, the former up for Best Comedy or Musical and the latter up for Best Drama.  Although both Films are touted as Favourites to win in their respective categories, both likely will vie each other for Best Picture at the Oscars.  The Stars of each Film, Christian Bale (American Hustle), Amy Adams (American Hustle)  and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) are all up for Best Actor and Best Actress for their respective Comedy and Drama categories. Nebraska starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte follows closely behind with five nominations, with the former up for Best Actor, and the Film itself also being up for Best Comedy.

HBO‘s Behind the Candelabra ties with with Netflix‘s House of Cards in the Television Categories, each garnering four nominations each, although they will not be in direct competition with one another with the former up for Best Mini-Series or TV Movie and the latter in the running for Best Television Series – Drama.  Candelabra stars Michael Douglas and Matt Damon however are both vying for Best Lead Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Movie.

A now-concluded Breaking Bad received three nods for AMC and it will receive stiff competition from House of Cards in its Series and Best Actor categories especially – the latter soon to be in its second season through ground-breaking Internet-based service Netflix.

Surprising omissions this year from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, who determine the Nominees, are the lack of a Best Drama acknowledgement for Dallas Buyers Club despite its Stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto getting nods; it is thought to be in the Oscar race. Also, the excellent Saving Mr. Banks, shockingly only received one nomination for Emma Thompson as Mary Poppins Author P.L. Travers.  Many also are scratching their heads at the classifying of August: Osage Country, an emotionally-heavy Film which deals with death, addiction and mental illness within a Family, as a Comedy or Musical.  Its Stars Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts are up for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical and also Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.

The 71st annual Golden Globe Awards will be televised on NBC Sunday, January 12, 2014  at 8:00 PM EST.

 Complete List of Nominees here.

(Photo credit: eOne Films)

Not that there ever was any doubt about it, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire makes a record-setting debut for highest ever November opening for a Film with a monstrous $161.1 million this weekend across North America for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films! The record previous was held by The Twilight Saga: New Moon in 2009 with $142 million.  The Action-Fantasy, the second in the Series of four Films, opened in 4,163 theatres with an excellent A CinemaScore and equally strong reviews from Critics (89% on the Tomatometer).  By contrast, its Predecessor earned $152 million in its March 2012 debut.

In its third week, Thor: The Dark World slips to second spot with $14.1 million from 3,713 theatres for Disney.  To-date the second Film in the Thor Franchise has earned $168 million domestically.

The Best Man Holiday continues to go strong in third in its second week out for Universal Pictures, earning $12.5 million and almost surpassing the $50-million mark.

Debuting in fourth with $8.2 million from 3,036 theatres is Sperm Donor-Comedy, Delivery Man starring Vince Vaughn.   The Adaptation of TIFF ’11 Favourite Starbuck, released by Disney, didn’t do amazingly well with Critics who gave it 35% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences responded much better giving it a B+ CinemaScore.

Gravity continues to bring in the cash for Warner Bros., now in its seventh week with $3.5 million. Domestically, the Film has grossed $245 million in its eight weeks in theatres.

12 Years a Slave continues to perform well, now showing at 1,474 theatres, landing in ninth spot with $2.8 million this weekend for Fox Searchlight. To-date it has grossed almost $30 million, much of that impressively in limited release.

Dallas Buyers Club rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.7 million from 666 theatres for Focus Features/Remstar Films.  The Drama based on a true story has  a remarkable 95% on the Tomatometer and is a major Contender for Best Picture at the Oscars, having received a TIFF ’13 Premiere.

For a second straight week, Thor: The Dark World finds itself atop the Box Office, this weekend with $38.4 million from 3,841 theatres across North America.  The Action-Fantasy starring Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth, continues to power-on for Disney in its second week, although it certainly wasn’t an easy victory.

Universal Pictures’ Toronto-filmed The Best Man Holiday, a Follow-up to Malcolm Lee‘s 1999 Comedy-Drama, opens in its debut with an over-achieving $30.6 million from 2,024 theatres.   Its Predecessor in its debut managed only to muster $9 million and in its theatrical run made actually $34 million also domestically.  Reviews have been positive for the Film which stars a talented Cast including Nia Long, Terrence Howard, Harold Perrineau, Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs and Regina Hall, with Critics giving it 64% on the Tomatometer, while earning a rare and coveted A+ CinemaScore from Audiences.

CBS Films/eOne Films’ Last Vegas continues to go strong in its third week with $8.8 earned this weekend, its third week out, just ahead of Animated Feature, Free Birds in fourth with $8.3 million.

Oscar-contending 12 Years a Slave expands to 1,411 theatres, garnering $4.6 million for Fox Searchlight in eighth spot. Domestically, it has grossed $30 million in its run thus far.

About Time rounds-out the Top Ten for Universal Pictures with $3.1 million in its third week out.