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)
Hot off its victory as the Winner of the People’s Choice Award at TIFF ’13, Steve McQueen‘s Oscar Contender 12 Years a Slave soon gets a release, starting with Toronto first. Both Fox Searchlight Canada and Mr. Will Wong would like Readers to experience first the Film everyone’s raving about emphatically!
The Screening takes place the week of October 14, 2013. Final time/venue to be announced.
Offical Synopsis:
In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon‘s chance meeting with a Canadian Abolitionist (Brad Pitt) will forever alter his life. Based on the Book by Solomon Northup.
12 Years a Slave also stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Alfre Woodard, Paul Giamatti and Lupita Nyong’o.
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Double your shot by sharing this Post via Facebook with your Friends or Re-Tweeting the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/12yearsaslave-2 @MRWILLW wants us to #win Double Passes to attend an Advance Screening in Toronto of #12YearsaSlave. Opens 10/18!
See the Trailer below:
Mr. Will and the amazing Steve McQueen himself at TIFF ’13:
Good luck.
Fox Searchlight releases 12 Years a Slave in Toronto on Friday, October 18, 2013, followed by additional Cities.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
Although we don’t know for sure, I’m almost certain this will be at TIFF ’13 this September as it would be the perfect Launching Pad for its Oscar Campaign. Everything about the Drama 12 Years a Slave says Awards and a brand new Trailer just surfaced today for it! How can we resist the Canadian connection this Story and above all, Brad Pitt playing one of us?
Official Synopsis:
12 YEARS A SLAVE is based on an incredible true Story of one Man’s fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent Slave Owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender) as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian Abolitionist (Brad Pitt) forever alters his life.
Solomon Northrup Day celebrates its 15th Anniversary on Saturday, July 20, 2013.
The Drama also stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Lupita Nyong’o, Adepero Oduye, Sarah Paulson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Alfre Woodard, Chris Chalk, Taran Killam and Bill Camp; Steve McQueen directs.
Watch the Trailer below:
Fox Searchlight releases 12 Years a Slave on October 18, 2013.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
“Have you been bad?”.
The Counselor I admit, was pretty much off my radar until today when I saw this sizzling International trailer for this latest Drama by Sir Ridley Scott. Michael Fassbender stars as a Lawyer who gets caught-up in Drug Trafficking. A fantastic Supporting Cast here includes: Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Bruno Ganz, Rosie Perez, John Leguizamo and Brad Pitt.
Watch the Teaser Trailer below:
20th Century Fox releases on October 25, 2013. TIFF 2013? Sure looks it!
(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)
Every Airplane Passenger’s worst nightmare. Check-out this high-octane Trailer for World War Z starring Brad Pitt. I cannot handle the intensity! Based on the Novel of the same name by Max Brooks, the Film centers around Gerry Lane (Pitt), a United Nations Worker circling the globe for clues that could end a Zombie Outbreak that is destroying nations around the World.
A just-in-Toronto-Mireille Enos, Bryan Cranston, David Morse, James Badge Dale and Matthew Fox also star. Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland) directs the $200 million Blockbuster.
Watch the brand new Trailer below:
Paramount Pictures releases World War Z on June 21, 2013.
(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)
“I’m living in America and in America you’re on you’re own.”.
Alliance Films & Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win Passes to see one of the most talked-about Films of 2012, KILLING THEM SOFTLY! After premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this past May, the response has been overwhelmingly positive for the Crime-Drama.
Adapted from George V. Higgins‘ Novel COGAN’S TRADE and set in New Orleans, KILLING THEM SOFTLY follows professional Enforcer, Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), who investigates a Heist that occurs during a high stakes, Mob-protected, Poker Game. The Film also stars Scoot McNairy , Ben Mendelsohn, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins and James Gandolfini.
The Screening takes place in Toronto on Thursday, November 29, 2012. To enter to win a Double Pass to see KILLING THEM SOFTLY, under this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook, please name for the Cast Member who I am seen with above. You should also be following here on Twitter. If you have restricted Privacy Settings, please ensure you leave a Twitter Handle for me to reach you back. Your deadline is Friday, November 23, 2012. Good luck!
Watch the Trailer in full below:
Alliance Films releases KILLING THEM SOFTLY on Friday, November 30, 2012.
Remember to “like” Alliance Films on Facebook here!
(Photo/video credit: Alliance Films)
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