#SPOTTED: ALLISON WILLIAMS IN TORONTO FOR HBO’S “GIRLS”

“Of the  Cast, I think she’s most likely to have a long, lasting Film Career”, The National Post‘s Shinan Govani whispers into my ear.  The “she” whom he is referring to of course is Allison Williams, Star of HBO‘s hotly-buzzed Series Girls, which sees a DVD/Blu-ray release next week – getting a bit of Promo here in Toronto.  Govani hosted an intimate In-Conversation-With in the east-end of the City tonight with the stunning Actress, who  happens  to be the Daughter of NBC Anchor Brian Williams and also a Graduate of Yale herself.

Williams who arrived fashionably late understandably after a jam-packed  day of Press which had her visit CBC, Corus and also MuchMusic for an appearance on New.Music.Live, looked nothing short of breathtaking.  Every eye in the room was glued to the Beauty, who plays the role of Marnie on the Emmy-nominated Series, penned/produced/acted by It-Girl Lena Dunham.

Fame had to wait for Williams, whose Parents insisted that she completed her Studies before entering Show Business, telling us “College delayed my attempts at the Industry. I’m  lucky and grateful.”.  On her new-found Fame, she admits that she is still grappling with that.  “No matter what age you are, it’s really tough”, says Williams. “What happens is this twist where people refer to me by my Character name – which is weird, but really isn’t considering the nature of my work”. As well, she is flattered by the Sex and the City comparisons which Girls receives much criticism for – a matter which Govani pointed-out right away as being the “Elephant in the Room”.

She reveals that she feels an instant connection to Fans who tell her they too are a “Marnie“, because she understands truly what that means.  Williams however, wouldn’t give-away too many details about whether or not Marnie and Dunham‘s Hannah will reconcile their Friendship in the forthcoming second season of the Series.  “I will say though that love is never lost”, she hints with tact as HBO Executives watched carefully.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Williams quickly, answering the one single question on everyone’s mind.  And yes, she confirms to me that her  stunning Red Dress is in fact by Oscar de la Renta.  Truly down-to-earth and well-spoken, we chatted about the amazing selection of Music heard on Girls and she tells me, “Oh, Lena normally has say over that, but I might have  helped get songs by Robyn and Ellie Goulding in”.

Season One of HBO‘s Girls is in-stores on DVD/Blu-ray on Tuesday, December 11, 2012.  Season Two of the Series premieres on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 9:00 PM.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#TORONTOBOUND: JUDD APATOW & LESLIE MANN TO VISIT FOR “THIS IS 40”

In supporting of their upcoming Oscar-contending Comedy This is 40, brilliant Comedy Powerhouse Judd Apatow and amazingly-talented Actress/Wife Leslie Mann will be making a Visit to Toronto on Monday, November 26, 2012.  The Power-Couple will be appearing at an Evening of Conversation organized by the Canadian Film Centre, along with Partners Variety, Telefilm Canada, Just for Laughs and Universal Pictures.

This is 40 follows the lives of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Mann), whom we got to know and love in Knocked Up.  Also starring in the eagerly-awaited Comedy is a superb Supporting Cast which includes: Lena Dunham, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O’Dowd, Albert Brooks, Megan Fox, Jason Segel and John Lithgow.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

 

Universal Pictures releases This is 40 on December 21, 2012.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)

#EMMYS: WILL HBO’S “GIRLS” BE THE DARK HORSE TO TAKE IT ALL?

With just four days till the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, I’m finally catching-up on HBO‘s Girls after having stock-piled Episodes on my PVR.  The Dramedy Series is nominated for an impressive five Awards already in its first Season, already winning Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series. With my post-TIFF Cold, finally I had reason enough to sit-down lie-down and discipline myself to watch all of its first Season. One part Sex & the City, one part balls-out Judd Apatow-esque funny, the Series is a startlingly funny take on what it means to be a mid-twentysomething surviving in the City.

Touching upon group dynamics in friendships, sexual awakening, financial struggle and self-realization; the messages are universal.  Teenagers and Adults alike can find something to connect with here. I wish a Series like this existed when I was in grade 12, to get a real sneak peek at what life would’ve been like seven years later.

Although they completely were overlooked in the Emmy Nominations, Girls is filled with brilliant performances from its Supporting Cast including the sex-obsessed Adam Driver, the adorable Zosia Mamet, sassy Brit-accented Jemima Kirke and the lovely improv-trained Allison Williams.  The charming Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) appears late in the first Season as a delightful surprise.

As much as Girls is about the brilliant Script, Acting and Directing, it also is about the Music.  The cute and kitschy (Britney, Demi, JLo, Feist, MGMT and more) Song Selection is superb and it will be interesting which Tracks make the cut for its December 11, 2012 DVD/Blu-ray release.

Plump-cheeked and porcelain 26-year-old Executive Producer Lena Dunham who also wears Actress, Creator and Writer caps, is a true National Treasure.

Although it appears v. much a Dark Horse at the Emmys this Sunday, my bets are set on HBO‘s Girls to take it all.

(Photo credit: HBO)