For the second week in-a-row, Ride Along dominates the North American Box Office, earning $21.2 million for Universal Pictures. The Comedy starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, just crossed the $75-million mark domestically.
War-Action/Drama, Lone Survivor, shows no signs of stopping, in second spot with $12.6 million for eOne Films/Universal Pictures, repeating last week’s order of finish behind Ride Along. The Film starring and produced by Mark Wahlberg likely will surpass the $100-million mark later this week.
Animated Feature, The Nut Job, finds itself in third spot for Open Road Films/eOne Films with $12.3 million in its second week out.
Frozen continues to show amazing resilience just like the sub-zero temperatures we are experience, landing in fourth this weekend for Disney with $9 million in its tenth week of release.
I, Frankenstein debuts in fifth spot with $8.2 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, with less-than-great Reviews at 5% on the Tomatometer and a much more forgiving B CinemaScore from Audiences.
August: Osage County continues to perform solidly in eighth spot with $5.04 million for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films, now in its fifth week out.
Oscar Contender The Wolf of Wall Street continues to benefit from its Awards buzz, in ninth this weekend with $5 million for Paramount Pictures.
Rounding-out the Top Ten is Devil’s Due from 20th Century Fox, with $2.7 million.
Lone Survivor finds itself alone at the top of the Box Office this weekend, besting the competition with an impressive $38.5 million from 2,876 theatres for Universal Pictures/eOne Films. The Film, based on the Story of Hero Marcus Luttrell and made for $50 million, is well on its way to recouping its production costs quickly. Produced by and starring Mark Wahlberg, who also stars in it, the War-Drama earn an outstanding A+ CinemaScore from Audiences, while Critics gave it 73% on the Tomatometer.
Disney‘s Frozen meanwhile in its eighth week finally gets dethroned after a multi-week reign, earning $15 million this weekend. The Animated Feature just recently surpassed the $300-million mark in North America.
The Wolf of Wall Street, seems to have struck-up quite a bit of controversy surrounding its depiction of greed, corruption and chauvinism, but this isn’t stopping Moviegoers from seeing it. In its third week out, it brings-in $9 million for Paramount Pictures, placing it in third spot.
A debuting The Legend of Hercules lands in fourth iwith $8.6 million for Lionsgate Films. The Action-Fantasy which has yet to be released in Canada, garnered a paltry 2% from Critics on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore.
Former Champ The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug slips to fifth spot with $7.9 million this weekend for Warner Bros.
August: Osage County debuts in sixth spot for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films with $7.3 million, expanding well to 900 theatres across North America this weekend. The Film which is in-contention for Awards in acting categories especially for Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep, received a 65% rating on the Tomatometer.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, rounds-out the Top Ten with $5.8 million for Paramount Pictures in its fourth week.
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)
With great sadness, we must say farewell to another TIFF. And with fatigue, a limp in my right foot and great pain in my neck today after a gruelling run these past 11 days, I look back at the happy times, the regrets and what TIFF ’14 might hold. Despite all these mixed emotions, I know it won’t be long before I’m begging for more! I live for the Toronto International Film Festival – the greatest in Film Festival the World – and wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.
Here’s a look back at some of the Highlights for me of the Festival in Compiled Lists:
MR. WILL’S MOST GRACIOUS 10
Anyone who encountered these Stars up-close and personal during TIFF ’13 can vouch that they deserve a warm round of applause for the respect, appreciation and courtesy they’ve shown our City. Whether it be Jessica Chastain‘s consistent grace and humility towards her Fans, Brad Pitt‘s surprise Red Carpet appearance in which he took several Photos with Fans at the 12 Years a Slave Premiere, Hugh Jackman stopping in the rain outside the Press Conference for Prisoners to meet and great all his Supporters individually – these Stars understand exactly what the Festival is all about for us Fans!
1. Jessica Chastain
2. Sandra Bullock
3. Tom Hiddleston
4. Daniel Radcliffe
5.. Brad Pitt
6. Josh Brolin
7. Hugh Jackman
8. Jennifer Aniston
9. Nicolas Cage
10. Emma Thompson
MR. WILL’S SUCCESSFUL 6
These six Films gained a great amount of buzz and momentum coming out of TIFF ’13 in advance of their forthcoming Awards Season Best Picture Campaigns. Sadly, August: Osage Country didn’t wind up getting critical love universally (I enjoyed it much!) hoped for, but it still remains a major Contender in the Acting categories – especially for a heartbreakingly-absent Queen Meryl Streep.
1. 12 Years a Slave
2. Labor Day
3. Dallas Buyers Club
4. Prisoners
5. Gravity
6. Rush
MR. WILL’S EMERGING 5
These five up-and coming Stars caused quite a stir wherever they spotted around TIFF ’13. This time next year, expect to know them pretty much on a first name-basis.
1. Benedict Cumberbatch
2. Emilia Clarke
3. Daniel Brühl
4. Jai Courtney
5. Taylor Schilling
MR. WILL’S NAUGHTY LIST
Although we try to keep things positive here, we remain hopeful that next time these Stars visit our City, they show us a bit more Fan Appreciation – not just only when the Cameras are on – than they showed this year. Little things like picking-up a Sharpie or taking time to pose for Photos with Fans, or maybe not distancing themselves a 15 feet from the Barricades where their Fans had queued for hours to see them, would be a first step. In all fairness, some had hyper-assertive Handlers or lateness to blame.
1. Benedict Cumberbatch
2. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
3. Scarlett Johansson
4. Mila Kunis
5. Emilia Clarke
MR. WILL’S FASHIONABLE 5
These Stars certainly made a Statement whether it be out and about in our City or on the Red Carpet. I still cannot get over Kitsch‘s gray-on-gray Suit he wore at the Premiere of The Grand Seduction and certainly was a bit obsessed with Toni Collette‘s new Bangs. Julia Roberts was a Vision in her Dolce & Gabbana Dress at the Premiere of August: Osage County too, but my favourite look was Sandra Bullock at the Gravity Premiere in Narciso Rodriguez!
1. Sandra Bullock
2. Julia Roberts
3. Taylor Kitsch
4. Toni Collette
5. Jessica Chastain
And who exactly did Mr. Will got a Photo-with at TIFF ’13?
Ben Cotton, Dane Cook, Jason Reitman, Josh Brolin, Nicole Kidman, Anika Noni Rose, Bill Condon, Donnie Wahlberg, Paul Wahlberg, Jack Huston, Tom Arnold, John Torturro, Lauren Lee Smith, Sami Gayle, Mary Walsh, Saoirse Ronan, Michael C. Hall, Tye Sheridan, Katie Boland, Aaron Abrams, Kelly Rowan, Daniel Radcliffe, Taylor Schilling, Effie Exarchopoulos, Dan Stevens, Daniel Brühl, Alicia Vikander, Tom Hiddleston, deadmau5, Carice Van Houten, Tom Welling, Vanessa Paradis, Michael Bolton, Alice Cooper, Taylor Kitsch, Toni Collette, Dakota Fanning, Jai Courtney, Ciaran Hinds, Jessica Chastain, Emilia Clarke, Jared Harris, Adelaide Kane, James Lafferty, Jennifer Morrison, David Arquette, Alfre Woodard, Ryan Kwanten, Catherine O’Hara, Mark Boone Junior, Will Forte, Emma Thompson, Cara Gee, Demian Bichir, Jude Law, Tom Wilkinson, Alfonso Cuaron, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Thompson (again!), Lea Seydoux, Robert Baker, Amanda Walsh, Adam Driver, Keanu Reeves and Nicolas Cage.
To re-visit some of the amazing names that I snapped in the City over the Festival, click here.
To read some of my Reviews of the Films that premiered at TIFF ’13, click here. More Reviews to come over the next day or two as I play catch-up after all the madness.
…until next year, Wongsters!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
*Photos taken on Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5
As we enter the Halfway Point of TIFF ’13, the Starpower still is v. much alive in Toronto and I even got the chance to see a Movie amidst all my Star Chronicling, seeing Oscar-buzzed August: Osage Country this morning. Even then, I still spotted a certain Celebrity there!
Dermot Mulroney arrives at the Press Conference for August: Osage County and was kind to stop quickly for Fans after its start time was delayed.
Juliette Lewis was kindest of all, stopping for Fans before and following the August: Osage Country Press Conference earlier today, working the perimeter of the Barricades to cheers for Fans. Her performance in the Family-Drama will floor you as the fun-loving, hungry Sister to Julia Roberts and Daughter of Meryl Streep.
Ewan McGregor arrived at the Venue for August: Osage County‘s Press Conference by foot and was amazing to stop for Fans after several pleas afterward. Despite not being confirmed as of last week, the Scotsman let his Fans know he’d be visiting Toronto on his Twitter account a few days ago.
Academy Award-winning Actress Emma Thompson always has maintained her sincerity and graciousness to Fans. We spotted her arriving in Toronto tonight and although few noticed, our flags were raised right away. Thompson appears at TIFF ’13 with The Love Punch opposite Pierce Brosnan and later this year she stars in Saving Mr. Banks, as the Author of Mary Poppins, P.L. Travers.
It’s Bond himself. While seeing August: Osage Country earlier this morning at VISA Screening Room, I looked down my row and noticed a familiar face – Pierce Brosnan! The Actor who appears in The Love Punch opposite Emma Thompson, was ushered-out discreetly after the Screening, where I snapped him leaving the Venue. I later spotted him at La Bettola di Terroni having Lunch.
Anyone who’s ever lined a Red Carpet at TIFF will know that Academy Award-Nominee Jessica Chastain is amazing. She always takes the time to pose for Fans and sign Autographs and is extremely classy about it. Although we missed her last year, she definitely is back and everyone’s taking notice as one of the Best-Dressed Starlets to visit our City at the Festival. Tonight she went to see Al Pacino at Massey Hall and likely will work the Party Circuit tonight afterward.
Few have floored me at TIFF ’13 like Daniel Radcliffe. The British Star, best known for his work as Harry Potter, has consistently been kind to Fans this visit to Toronto and tonight he premiered his third and final Film of the Festival, Kill Your Darlings. We will definitely miss him indeed when he’s gone.
Although we had no idea he still was in-town after debuting his Only Lovers Left Alive earlier in the Festival, Tom Hiddleston waved goodbye to Fans before flying-out. Fret not though Toronto, as the handsome Actor best known to Fans as Loki in Thor, will be back later this year, recently replacing Benedict Cumberbatch in Guillermo del Toro‘s Crimson Peak.
The names have never been bigger. The 2013 Toronto International Film Festival will run from Thursday, September 5, 2013 – Sunday, September 15, 2013 and our City soon will host some of the biggest names in Cinema internationally. Especially outstanding this year is the Female Contingent. Thanks to Films like August: Osage County, The Railway Man,Don Jon and Labor Day, Toronto will be seeing the likes of Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet and Nicole Kidman and we couldn’t be more excited not only to see their performances, but also what they’ll be donning on our Red Carpets.
Without Film, we would have no TIFF. In addition to making it out to catch a glimpse of these A-Listers, it is important that we support the Films which give a reason for these Stars to visit our fabulous City. I’ve had the chance to preview a number of this year’s major Titles seeing a Premiere here during the Festival, some for which I wait to see still with baited breath.
Here are my 12 most notable Players premiering at TIFF ’13, which will be a major force this forthcoming Awards Season:
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY – A look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Stars Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Juliette Lewis and Abigail Breslin. Review to go live September 10th.
Screening times:
Monday September 9 – Roy Thomson Hall 6:30 PM
Tuesday September 10 – Visa Screening Room (Elgin) 11:00 AM
Trailer:
RUSH – A biography of Formula 1 champion driver Niki Lauda and the 1976 crash that almost claimed his life. Mere weeks after the accident, he got behind the wheel to challenge his rival, James Hunt. Stars Liam Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde, Natalie Dormer and Daniel Brühl; Ron Howard directs.
Screening times:
Sunday September 8 – Roy Thomson Hall at 9:30 PM
Monday September 9 – Ryerson Theatre at 12:00 PM
Trailer:
LABOR DAY – Depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry offer a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited. Stars Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin and Tobey Maguire. Review to go live September 14th.
Screening times:
Saturday September 7 – Ryerson Theatre at 6:00 PM
Sunday September 8 – TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 at 9:00 AM
Saturday September 14 – Ryerson Theatre at 6:00 PM
NO TRAILER
TRACKS – A young woman goes on a 1,700 mile trek across the deserts of West Australia with her four camels and faithful dog. Stars Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver. Review to go live the evening of September 10th.
Screening times:
Tuesday September 10 – Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 6:00 PM
Wednesday September 11 – TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 at 2:45 PM
Trailer:
DON JON – A New Jersey guy dedicated to his family, friends, and church, develops unrealistic expectations from watching porn and works to find happiness and intimacy with his potential true love. Stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore. Review to go live the evening of September 10th.
Screening times:
Tuesday September 10 – Princess of Wales at 6:30 PM
Wednesday September 11 – Ryerson Theatre at 3:00 PM
Trailer:
ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE – A story centered on two vampires who have been in love for centuries. Stars Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton. Review to go live September 5th.
Screening times:
Thursday September 5 – Ryerson Theatre at 9:00 PM
Saturday September 7 -The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema at 12:15 PM
Trailer:
THE FIFTH ESTATE – A look at the relationship between WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and his early supporter and eventual colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg, and how the website’s growth and influence led to an irreparable rift between the two friends. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Stanley Tucci, Daniel Brühl, Laura Linney and Anthony Mackie. Review to go live September 5th.
Screening times:
Thursday September 5 –Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 6:30 PM and Roy Thomson Hall at 8:00 PM
Saturday September 7 – Winter Garden Theatre at 12:30 PM
Trailer:
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB – The story of Texas electrician Ron Woodroof and his battle with the medical establishment and pharmaceutical companies after being diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1986, and his search for alternative treatments that helped established a way in which fellow HIV-positive people could join for access to his supplies. Stars Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Dennis O’Hare and Steve Zahn.
Screening times:
Saturday September 7 – Princess of Wales at 10:00 PM
Sunday September 8 – Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 11:00 AM
Trailer:
PRISONERS – A Boston man kidnaps the person he suspects is behind the disappearance of his young daughter and her best friend. Stars Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Mario Bello, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, Terrence Howard and Paul Dano. Review to go live September 13th.
Screening times:
Friday September 6 -Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 9:00 PM
Saturday September 7 – Princess of Wales at 12:00 PM
Friday September 13 -Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 2:30 PM
Trailer:
THE RAILWAY MAN – A victim from World War II’s “Death Railway” sets out to find those responsible for his torture. A true story. Stars Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård.
Screening times:
Friday September 6 – Roy Thomson Hall at 6:30 PM
Saturday September 7 – Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 11:00 AM
Thursday September 12 – Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 11:00 AM
NO TRAILER
12 YEARS A SLAVE – In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch and Paul Giamatti.
Screening times:
Friday September 6 – Princess of Wales at 6:00 PM
Saturday September 7 – Ryerson Theatre at 11:30 AM
Saturday September 14 – Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 9:00 PM
Trailer:
PHILOMENA – A world-weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman’s search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent. Stars Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.
Screening times:
Sunday September 8 – Princess of Wales at 3:30 PM
Monday September 9 -Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 11:00 AM
Don’t forget to check back as Reviews and loads of Celebrity Photos and Scoops will be posted throughout the Festival. Click here for our Reviews section and get the scoop on what we thought of these TIFF ’13 Titles!
(Photo credit: Fox Searchlight)
There is absolutely no way this isn’t going to be amazing. Based on the Award-winning Play August: Osage County, The Weinstein Co. just released this brand new Trailer for this upcoming Film Adaptation. It centers around three strong-willed Women brought back to the Midwest after a Crisis takes place, reuniting them with the dysfunctional Woman who raised them; John Wells (Shameless, ER) directs.
Take a deep breath. The Cast includes: Julia Roberts, Abigail Breslin, Juliette Lewis, Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Cooper, Sam Shepard and of course, MERYL STREEP!
August: Osage County looks to deliver tons of sass and lands in theatres November 8, 2013.
Watch the Trailer:
Those of you attending TIFF ’13 can see it first:
Monday, September 9, 2013 – Roy Thomson Hall at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 – Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 11:00 AM
(Photo/video credit: The Weinstein Co./eOne Films)
As is the case every year, Alliance Films and eOne Films are a great presence at the Toronto International Film Festival, where we get a chance to see first some of their most prized Films which see a release throughout the year thereafter. For the first time, together they are uniting as a giant force at the Festival, with an impeccable Line-up of Films headlined by the likes of Rush and August: Osage County, premiering here in just two weeks’ time!
See eOne Films‘ Complete Roster of Films at TIFF ’13 below:
12/12/12
Afflicted
Amazonia
The Art of the Steal
August: Osage County
Blue Ruin
Le Démantèlement
Enemy
The F Word
Gabrielle
The Grand Seduction
The Green Inferno
How I Live Now
Kill Your Darlings
The Love Punch
Man of Tai Chi
Mandela Long Walk for Freedom
Metallica Through the Never
One chance
Our Man in Tehran
Philomena
Rhymes for Young Ghouls
The Right Kind of Wrong
Rush
Sarah Préfère La Course
Stay
Tom à la Ferme
Tryptyque
The Unknown Known
Also today, eOneLive.com has officially launched giving Fans a chance to interact with Celebrities and Media alike, with a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes at the Distributor’s TIFF Headquarters are Intercontinental Toronto Centre! There also are chances to win Passes to Movies and some awesome Prizes!
The Website will feature:
Don’t forget to check it out!
See who’s coming to town and how you can start planning your schedule right here!
(Photo credit: eOne Films)
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