In its third week out, INSIDE OUT climbs its way to the summit for Disney/Pixar earning $30 million over July 4th weekend from 4,158 theatres.  For consecutive weeks since its release, it has played Bridesmaid to a certain Dinosaur-themed Blockbuster. In its domestic run thus far, it has grossed $246 million.

JURASSIC WORLD after three weeks on-top slips to second spot for Universal Pictures, earning $28.9 million. In four weeks alone it has surpassed $556 million in earnings.

TERMINATOR: GENISYS opens in third spot for Paramount Pictures with $27.3 million from 3,758 theatres. Since Wednesday when it opened, the Franchise’s fifth installment has earned $42.8 million. Critics weren’t impressed giving it a 27% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences were more forgiving with a B+ CinemaScore.

MAGIC MIKE XXL opens in fourth spot with $15.2 million from 3,355 theatres for Warner Bros., after opening on Wednesday. Audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore, while Critics were on-board with a 63% rating on the Tomatometer.

TED 2 slips to fifth spot with $11.2 million in its second week out for Universal Pictures, just surpassing the $50  million mark.

ME & EARL & THE DYING GIRL continues to get strong word of mouth earning $1.3 million from 870 theatres for Fox Searchlight – good enough for ninth.

DOPE also continues to get lots of buzz through word of mouth also, rounding-out the Top Ten with $1 million from 863 theatres for Sony Pictures.

For a third straight week, it’s a JURASSIC WORLD at the Box Office!  Now in its third week out, the Blockbuster still is motoring-on with $54 million from 4,198 theatres for Universal Pictures.  By early this week, it will have surpassed the $500 million-mark domestically.

INSIDE OUT after a solid debut last week at number two, repeats the feat again for Disney/Pixar, with $52 million from 4,132 theatres. In two weeks, it has made $181 million already.

TED 2  debuts in third, unable to duplicate the great success of its Predecessor.  This Sequel debuts with $33 million from 3,429 theatres for Universal Pictures with a 42% rating on the Tomatometer.  Audiences were more partial to it with a B+ CinemaScore. By comparison, TED opened with $54 million in 2012.

MAX opens in fourth with $11 million from 2,882 theatres for Warner Bros.  The dog-centric Film starring Toronto’s Robbie Amell, opened to mixed reviews, with a 38% on the Tomatometer, but a much better A CinemaScore from Audiences, which could help in following weeks with word-of-mouth.

DOPE is in seventh spot, performing well in a limited 1,851 theatres with $2.6 million for Open Road Films/Sony Pictures.  The Film came out of Sundance with a fair amount of buzz and continues to get publicity from word of mouth.

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON in its ninth week out earns $1.5 million from 1,097 theatres for Disney/Marvel. Its tally sits at $452 million thus far.

JURASSIC WORLD continues to shatter Box Office records in its second week out for Universal Pictures, earning $106 million this weekend from 4,291 theatres. In its run so far it has made a massive $402 million domestically. also gaining the distinction of being the fastest Film ever to cross the $400 million mark in just eight days!

INSIDE OUT on any other weekend would’ve debuted on-top by a landslide, but it instead opts for a second best placing in its debut with a whopping $83 million for Disney/Pixar from 3,946 theatres. Featuring the voicework of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, the Animated Feature received a 98% on the Tomotometer, with a stellar A CinemaScore from Audiences.

Former Champ SPY is in third spot this weekend with $9.7 million earned in its third week out for 20th Century Fox. It has made $73.7 million in its run so far.

DOPE opens in fifth spot for Sony Pictures with $5.9 million from 2,002 theatres, after some Sundance buzz earlier this year. It garnered an outstanding 90% on the Tomatometer.

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON still has hanging-on to the Top Ten in eighth with $2.3 million in its eighth week out for Marvel/Disney. It has made $448 million thus far in North America.

ENTOURAGE rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.7 million in its third week out for Warner Bros.

Now in its 25th year, the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival takes place in Toronto from Thursday, May 21 through Sunday, May 31, 2015. The Festival which is comprised of Events, Parties and Films, gives a voice to an under-represented community in Cinema, promoting, producing and exhibiting Films relevant to the LGBT Community regardless or race, age or ability.

Highlighting this year’s Festival is Opening Night Gala, GRANDMA, directed by Paul Weitz and starring Lily Tomlin, Judy Greer and Laverne Cox, about three generations of Women trying to overcome their demons.  Also in the Galas and Special Presentations Program, FRESNO screens the first Saturday night of the Festival. The Film is    about a group of sisters who help each other stay out of jail after a relapse out of rehab leads to murder. Several years of unresolved issues come to light. Natasha Lyonne, Judy Greer and Aubrey Plaza star. FOURTH MAN OUT is about a guy involved with a tight-knit group of male friends, when accidentally he is outed, which changes the dynamic of their friendship completely. PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL MONOGAMIST closes the Festival with a distinct Canadian flavour, having been filmed in Toronto. It centers on a TV Producer who breaks-up with her Girlfriend, with her sights set on a Barista, only to meet the disapproval of her Family and Friends.

Other Special Guests include: Drag Queen Jinkx Monsoon, MMA Star Fallon Fox, Tab Hunter and several more.

We had the pleasure of attending the Festival’s Opening Night Party held at luxurious Malaparte at TIFF Bell Lightbox, soaking-in the fun, following the Premiere of GRANDMA. Guests enjoyed live re-enactments of iconic LGBT Films like Brokeback Mountain, snacked on Lobster Sliders, Cauliflower Tacos, Rainbow Popcorn and Macarons, among other things, while listening to spinning of Producer and DJ JD Samson of influencial Electroclash Trio, Le Tigre.  Silent Auctions were bountiful with items ranging from Sex Toys to Liquor to Experiences.

James Fanizza also was the proud recipient of the Inside Out Harold Greenberg Fund Short to Feature Award, which saw him win a prize of $10k which will help him transition his Short Film You Are Free into a Feature Film.

See some Snaps from the night:

Thematic rainbow-coloured/flavoured Popcorn at the opening night party for @InsideOutTO. #InsideOut #InsideOut2015

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 21, 2015 at 9:37pm PDT

Cowboys re-enacting #BrokebackMountain at the #InsideOut2015 opening night party. @InsideOutTO #InsideOut

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 21, 2015 at 9:36pm PDT

Best view in the City at Malaparte, @TIFF_Net Bell Lightbox. #InsideOut2015 #InsideOut @InsideOutTO A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 21, 2015 at 9:18pm PDT

A little late to the Party, but so happy to see my Cousins Sue and Wesley at the official opening night party for @InsideOutTO! #InsideOut #InsideOut2015

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 21, 2015 at 9:15pm PDT

NBD. Just partying with Icon #JDSamson of #LeTigre, who spins at the @InsideOutTO opening night party! #InsideOut2015 #InsideOut A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 21, 2015 at 9:37pm PDT

To learn more about Inside Out, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

After seeing a snippet from INSIDE OUT at the recent Disney Holiday Preview, I’m convinced both they and Pixar have a huge hit on their hands. The comedic Animated Feature had the Audience chuckling out loud. Taking a break from Heroes and Heroines, the Film from Pete Docter (Up) examines the psyche of a young girl – someone we all can relate to.

Official Synopsis:

Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley‘s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.

Watch the Trailer below:

Super-cute, right?

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release INSIDE OUT on Friday, June 19, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

Toronto rolled out the Pink Carpet for a v. special Guest tonight as the talented and equally beautiful Matt Bomer made his way in to promote HBO‘s next sure-fire Awards Season Vehicle, a Film Adaptation of TONY-winning Play, The Normal Heart.

If the thought-provoking Storyline set in the early ’80s amidst the onset of the AIDS Epidemic doesn’t move you, then maybe its Cast will. A brilliant Ensemble of Mark Ruffalo, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parsons, Jonathan Groff and Julia Roberts light-up the screen, telling a heartbreaking Tale about a Disease which some  thirty-plus years a later is still at the forefront of debate despite several educational and medical advancements.

I had the pleasure of interviewing the piercingly blue-eyed Bomer – known best for his starring role in White Collar as Neal Caffrey and for a glimpse in Magic Mike – who plays Felix, opposite Ruffalo’s Ned Weeks.  The latter is seen at the center of the Story as an Activist struggling to bring HIV/AIDS  to the political forefront, while also facing crippling internal struggle within his group of Activists at once.  Seen arriving tonight quietly also was Simon Halls, Bomer‘s Husband of three years.

Bomer tells me that he got much of his education about AIDS as a 14-year-old reading the original Play on which this Film is based. “It infuriated me growing-up in suburban Texas that nobody was doing anything about it”, he remembers. “I would’ve been honoured to tell this Story on on any medium.  The fact that we’re doing it for HBO just compounds the experience.”.

On building a passionate chemistry with Co-Star Mark Ruffalo, he has some high praise for his on-screen Lover. “Mark is just a consummate Professional and an incredible Man. We knew we had an unlimited amount of time to spend together so we kinda tried to just stay in character”, he states. “Thanks to him – I couldn’t have done it without him. He brought so much into it every day that he inspired me to do better.”.

The 24th edition of one of the World’s top LGBT Film Festivals reached a high point this year with much attention shined on the Festival in its securing an exclusive Premiere billing for the Marquee Title, The Normal Heart. On its steady ascension from a grassroots Film Festival to its lucrative partnership with TIFF, Andrew Murphy and Scott Ferguson of Inside Out explain, “It was an evolution.  It evolved as Queer Film evolved.  We’re lucky to have passionate people involved who are willing to fight for Queer Film.”.  Expect the partnership to flourish this Summer as Toronto celebrates World Pride with several Installations, Artist Talks and Screenings planned.

Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer, Author and Philanthropist Mark Tewksbury we learned has actively been involved as the Spokesperson CANFAR, which in its 27 active years has raised more than $15 million for AIDS/HIV research. This of course isn’t the first time the Organization has attached its name to a cinematic partnership. Last fall, they had organized a Charity Screening of Dallas Buyers Club, which would go on to win multiple Academy Awards.  CANFAR‘s Chris Bunting stresses the importance of partnering with a high-profile Event such as this. “They think because people are living longer, the issue has gone away. This is an opportunity for a mass audience to see a very important Film and to re-engage in discussions”, states Bunting.

(Special thanks to Wongster Maria for helping Snap the above Pic!)

See Mr. Will‘s Chat with Bomer & Friends tonight:

The Normal Heart premieres on HBO this Sunday, May 25, 2014 at 9 PM EST.

Inside Out runs at TIFF Bell Lightbox from Thursday, May 22 – Sunday, June 1, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The 24th annual INSIDE OUT Film Festival runs in Toronto from Thursday, May 22, 2014 through Sunday, June 1, 2014.  I was fortunate enough to preview some of this year’s Marquee Titles and want to tell you all about ’em!

THE NORMAL HEART

Many eyes will be on this exciting new HBO Film Adaptation of the TONY Award-winning Stageplay of the same name. Directed by American Horror Story and Glee Creator Ryan Murphy, the Drama is set in New York City, in the early ’80s at the onset of the AIDS epidemic – a time when many turned a blind eye to its seriousness.

At the center of it all is AIDS Activist Ned Weeks (Mark Ruffalo) in one of his most compelling performances to date.  His passionate relationship with Lover Felix Turner (played beautifully by Matt Bomer) is the heart and soul of the Story,  succumbing tragically too to the Disease. Julia Roberts as a wheelchair-bound Doctor Emma Brookner, is phenomenal  in her plea to raise awareness of the far-reaching effects of the Disease not just as a “Gay Cancer”.  Particularly memorable too is a poignant performance by  Joe Mantello as Mickey Marcus in one pivotal moment in the Film.

We witness the internal struggles of this Activist Group, hindered by the pressures of having to deal with the spotlight in times when AIDS stigma was epidemic as the Disease itself. At moments its Screenplay restricted by the confines of the Small Screen, the Film manages to leave a lasting impression based on the strength of its performances.  A definite major player this forthcoming Awards Season.

Friday, May 23, 2014 at TIFF BELL LIGHT BOX, 9:00 PM

THE DOG

Perhaps my favourite Film of the Festival, this Documentary centers around infamous gay New York Bank Robber John Wojtowicz, on whom the 1975 Film starring Al Pacino, Dog Day Afternoon was based.  The unlikeliest of Heroes, Wojtowicz had robbed a bank brazenly in hopes of funding his Lover’s Sex Change.

Directors Alison Berg and Frank Keraudren takes ten years’ worth of footage and interviews with the Subject himself, his endearing Mother, Ex-Wife and multiple Lovers, painting a Portrait of a Man whose wrong choices would go on to change his life forever.  We learn all about his ordeal in prison, what life was like leading-up to his 2006 death after a battle with Cancer.  Although unconventional, Wojtowicz was ahead of his time in his unwavering stance on Gay Rights, inspiring others who felt marginalized and powerless.

And you’ll never believe what happened after his Lover’s Sex Change…

Saturday, May 31, 2014 at TIFF BELL LIGHT BOX, 4:00 PM

I ALWAYS SAID YES: THE MANY LIVES OF WAKEFIELD POOLE

How does a sweet, young Jacksonville Boy with the voice of an Angel and on the verge of Broadway Stardom,  wind-up going-on to create some of the most iconic Gay Porn Films of all time?  This Documentary, directed by Jim Tushinski, gives us an in-depth look at the rise of a fascinating Man of many talents, his struggles, disappointments and a behind-the-scenes look at how with little budget – even using his own apartment as a studio space, he would helm acclaimed and pioneering Films like Boys in the Sand and Bijou.  Through candid interviews from others close to affected by his work, we learn about Poole and his bittersweet road to finding contentment.

Anyone  who’s ever struggled  in making their dream a reality will identify with some of the sentiments explored here in this well-made exploration of a Man who would go on to leave an indelible mark on the face of Gay Culture.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at TIFF Lightbox Cinema, 5:15 PM

MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE

Beyond the news reports and 2002 Biographical Film (The Laramie Project) made about Matthew Shepard, but what really do we know about one of the most talked about Gay Public Figures of all time, whose impact posthumously would change the conversation about Gay Rights forever?

This Documentary made by Shepard‘s Friend Michele Josue and narrated by her also, hits home with touching, candid interviews with his Family and Friends.  We learn about Shepard‘s own fears in coming to terms with his own sexuality – a revelation tragically which led eventually to his torture and murder.   Josue gives us a deeply humanistic perspective to  Shepard which ultimately makes us feel as though we knew him too.

Why would she revisit something so painful?  “Guilt. Confusion for not being there.  If the World knows our Matt – the real Matt – I know it wouldn’t be able to let him go either”, Josue says in her narration. A beautiful Piece which answers several questions many of us have long wanted to know.

Saturday, May 24, 2014 at TIFF Lightbox Cinema, 1:30 PM

 It’s still not too late to order Tickets for this year’s Festival!

Click here to #SEEFORYOURSELF ticket availabilities and to order online!

(Photo credit: HBO)

Now in its 24th year, the Inside Out Festival is set to take place in Toronto later this month. The Launch Party for the annual Fixture was held at The Burroughes Building tonight on Queen Street West, bringing together a Who’s-Who in the Toronto LGBT Community.  Inside Out is expected to draw 35k people out to its Screenings, Panels,  Installations, Artist Discussions and more and is known widely as one of the top five LGBT Film Festivals in the World.  Over 200 Movies and Videos are expected to be screened this year.

Receiving much attention is Director Ira Sach‘s Love is Strange, which stars a stellar Cast including John Lithgow, Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei and more, centering around two Men who decide to tie the knot.  Things go awry when one of them loses his job when their marriage is uncovered and soon they lose their home, forcing them to live separately.  The Film has the distinction of being the Festival’s Centerpiece Gala.

Many will be thrilled that HBO‘s AIDS Drama A Normal Heart starring Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parsons, Mark Ruffalo, Alfred Molina and Julia Roberts.  Bomer, known best for his work on Series White Collar,  is confirmed to be in attendance to present the Film at the Festival.

The Way He  Looks from Brazil, earns the spot of Opening Night Gala.  The Award-winning Film from Director Daniel Ribeiro is about a blind Teen Boy struggling to break free from his protective Family and Friends.

Many eyes also will be on Yves Saint Laurent, the Biopic about the revered French Fashion Designer.  The Film was just added to Inside Out‘s Lineup.

Documentary The Dog offers insight on John Wojtowicz, who attempted to rob a Brooklyn bank in order to fund his Male Lover’s Sex Change,  is garnering a significant amount of buzz, as is Matthew Shepard is a Friend of Mine, exploring further the tragic death a Male Student attacked and tortured because he was gay.

Acclaimed Tom at the Farm by Auteur Filmmaker/Actor Xavier Dolan, a major presence at the Canadian Screen Awards earlier this year, also will be screened at the Inside Out Festival.

Inside Out runs between Thursday, May 22, 2014 through Sunday, June 1, 2014. Tickets are on sale Thursday, May 8, 2014.

More details here on how to get Tickets and the official Festival Schedule.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

54 Feature Films. 116 Short Films. 31 Countries. Two World Premieres. Five International Premieres. 27 Canadian Premieres. 27 Canadian Premieres. Four Toronto Premieres. These are the key numbers for the 23rd annual Inside Out Festival, Toronto’s official LGBT Film Festival.

It was just announced that Steven Soderbergh‘s eagerly-awaited Behind the Candelabra will receive a Special Presentation at the Festival, premiering simultaneously with HBO Canada‘s live broadcast of the Film.  The Drama, based on the relationship of Entertainer Liberace (Michael Douglas) and his younger Lover Scott Thorson (Matt Damon), competes in-competition at the  Cannes Film Festival this May also.  The free Screening takes place Sunday, May 26, 2013, 9:00 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

James Franco‘s presence even will be felt with his and Travis Matthew‘s Film Interior. Leather Bar. getting a Premiere here.  The Film re-imagines 40 minutes of cut footage from the 1980 William Friedkin Film CRUISING (starring Al Pacino), done to  avoid an X rating back then.

C.O.G. based on a semi-autobiographical Essay by David Sedaris, stars Broadway and Glee Star Jonathan Groff as a Yale University Graduate traveling across America on the road to Self-Discovery.

Closing the Festival is Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth, which is about legendary Writer Alice Walker featuring Interviews with Sapphire, Sonia Sanchez, Gloria Steinem, Yoko Ono, Steven Spielberg and Danny Glover.

Inside Out runs Thursday, May 23 through Sunday, June 2, 2013.

Click here for a full Schedule and Film Descriptions.

(Photo credit: HBO)