For the second week in a row, Warner Bros. finds itself on-top with the Film on everyone’s lips these days, Gravity.  The Best Picture Contender powers-on in its second week of release, earning $44.3 million this weekend – a cumulative total of $124 million in two weeks.  The Sci-Fi Flick starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney is playing in 3,660 theatres currently across North America.

Opening with almost universally-positive reviews in second spot is Captain Phillips from Sony Pictures.  Starring Tom Hanks, the Drama opens with $25 million from 3,020 theatres and an A CinemaScore, and also a stupendous 95% on the Tomatometer. Much Oscar buzz is building around Hanks’ performance here as the Captain who oversaw the Maersk Alabama Ship which was hijacked by Somali Pirates in 2009.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 slips to third in its third week for Sony Pictures, still going strong to earn $15 million this weekend. To date it has grossed almost $80 million domestically.

Machete Kills debuts in fourth spot for Open Road Films/VVS Films with $5 million this weekend, a Follow-up to the 2009 Film by Robert Rodriguez. Critics didn’t think much of the Action Flick which features Lady Gaga‘s first-ever acting role, garnering a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B- CinemaScore from Audiences.

Prisoners continues to hang tough in sixth spot, now in its fourth week of release for Warner Bros., earning $3.7 million, just surpassing the $50-million mark.  Rush slips to ninth spot with $2.3 million for Imagine/Universal Pictures/eOne Films, the Oscar Contender playing in 2,130 theatres.

Baggage Claim rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million for Fox Searchlight, now having made $18.2 million in its three-week run.

Already gaining serious Oscars Buzz especially in the acting categories, The Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis is nearing a release. The Drama is a close look at New York City’s Folk Music Scene in the ’60s through the eyes of a young Singer and it stars Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund, John Goodman and Justin Timberlake.

See the Canadian HD Trailer below:

Food and Drama together?  Sign me up for that!  Production officially  has begun in southwest France on the Culinary-Drama, The  Hundred-Foot Journey.  The Film, adapted from the Novel by Richard C. Morais, is from Participant Media and DreamWorks Studios.

In the starring role of Madame Mallory is Academy Award-Winner Helen Mirren with a Supporting Cast which includes Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon and Om Puri.  The Film is produced by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Juliet Blake, while Academy Award-nominated Lasse Hallström directs.

Official Synopsis:

In The Hundred-Foot Journey, Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) is a culinary ingénue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch. Displaced from their native India, the Kadam family, led by Papa (Om Puri), settles in the quaint Village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France. Filled with charm, it is both picturesque and elegant – the ideal place to settle down and open an Indian restaurant, the Maison Mumbai. That is, until the chilly Chef Proprietress of Le Saule Pleureur, a Michelin-starred, classical French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), gets wind of it. Her icy protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred feet from her own escalate to all out war between the two establishments – until Hassan’s passion for French haute cuisine and for Mme. Mallory’s enchanting Sous Chef, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon), combine with his mysteriously delicious talent to weave magic between their two cultures and imbue Saint-Antonin with the flavors of life that even Mme. Mallory cannot ignore. At first Mme. Mallory‘s culinary Rival, she eventually recognizes Hassan‘s gift as a Chef and takes him under her wing.

Everything about this sounds absolutely delightful and the only one thing upsetting is that this premieres before TIFF ’14, meaning it won’t have a chance of premiering here next September!

The Hundred-Foot Journey hits theatres August 8, 2014.

(Photo credit: DreamWorks Studios)

I am beyond obsessed.  Brody Ryan works at a Starbucks in the Los Angeles area.  After noticing a Customer, Model Piper Kennedy who frequented his Store, he one day got her number and in an odd way of seducing her, he sent her a Video Message of him touching his face sensually as Drake‘s latest Single Hold On, We’re Going Home, plays in the background.  

After Kennedy‘s Friend, DJ Ben Roc got his hands on the polarizingly-sensual message, he decided to post it to his Instagram account and from there, the Video has gone on to become a Viral Sensation with Parodies accumulating by the minute!

See what the Internet is freaking-out about below:

So odd.  I can’t stop staring.  Hypnotic!

All involved are getting an amazing amount of Publicity out of this – whether they want it or not – and the Hashtag #STARBUCKSDRAKEHAND has been spawned out of this brilliance, now trending the World by storm!  Even expect a dramtic spike in Album and Singles sales for Drake, big-time.

Ryan, who is an aspiring Singer/Producer/Model/Photographer already is getting booked for Interviews, embracing the sudden wave of Fame. Follow him on Twitter!

Basically, this needs to be turned into a Movie.

(Photo/video credit: Brody Ryan)

This is the most amazing thing I’ve seen all week! Miley Cyrus appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night and they premiered this amazing, amazing version of Lo-Fi Acapella Version of We Can’t Stop, featuring The Roots and Fallon himself, a la The Brady Bunch! I can’t stop watching this!

Watch it below:

If you haven’t entered my BANGERZ Giveaway yet, there’s still time to win yourself a copy of the exciting new Miley Cyrus Album, now in stores!

(Photo/video credit: NBC)

The parade of Stars in Toronto just won’t quit!  In one of the most hectic stretches of Starpower we’ve seen in quite some time in our City,  Entrepreneur and Megastar Jessica Alba, is in-town promoting HONEST  – a Line of toxin-free Household Goods, Diapers, and Bodycare Products which she co-founded with Christopher Gavigan, launched last year.

Alba began her day early, arriving for a morning full of Press at CityTV for appearances on Breakfast Television and Cityline – the latter which celebrates its 1,000th episode today –  before heading-off to CBC for another appearance.  Zipping through an array of different outfits, the Los Angeles-based Star wowed as an Entourage of Beauty Experts were on-hand eagerly ensuring she looked her absolute best.  Watch her Interview on Breakfast Television – Toronto earlier here.

On why she stands behind HONEST, Alba told Host Dina Pugliese, “It’s just not a priority for Government to update the legislation on chemicals. So we as Parents and Entrepreneurs, we get to think ‘What is the ultimate Family Brand? What do I want for my Family and think everyone deserves?'”.  She adds,  “That’s really where this idea came out of.”.

Family Products aren’t the only thing on Alba‘s Agenda though – she has a full slate of Films due out over the course of the next year including Machete Kills in which she is seen briefly; Cuban Missile Crisis-Drama Dear Eleanor; Stretch, a Thriller, in which she stars alongside Chris Pine and Patrick Wilson; and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, in which she reprises the role of Nancy Callahan.

Alba is scheduled this jam-packed Visit for appearances also on CTV‘s The Marilyn Denis Show and The Social; Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), CBC‘s Steven and Chris and KISS 92.5‘s The Roz & Mocha Show.  Now that’s what I call work!

Despite being in a rush, Alba stopped to sign a few Autographs for Fans who waited at least three hours for her.  “I don’t have time for Photos, sorry!”, she told me, staring directly at me and Billy.  I suppose this rejection shouldn’t be a surprise though, as such was the case when I spotted Alba in New York City this past May on her way to the Met Gala 🙁  One day!

To learn more about HONEST, click here.

UPDATE (October 9, 2013 – 10:00 AM EST): OMG. She did it!  “Okay, let’s do this quick!”, said Alba earlier this morning. I even posed for a Pic for her Publicist who was smitten by Billy, wanting to remember us!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

“There will be a judgement, Carrie.”

After multiple delays, finally the Toronto-filmed Carrie Remake will see a release in less than a month and if there ever was such a brilliant thing as Viral Marketing, here it is!  The Team at Sony Pictures did a bit of a Social Experiment involving Telekinesis at a Coffee Shop, terrifying the living daylights out of Patrons.  You must watch the believe it!

See it below:

LOL!

Watch the Trailer below:

Sony Pictures releases Carrie on Friday, October 18, 2013.

“Like” CARRIE on Facebook and use the Hashtag on Twitter, #WHATHAPPENEDTOCARRIE!

Mr. Will and the Cast of Carrie (past and present):

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

In a grand unveiling of an international scale, Lady Gaga premiered the Artwork for her new Disc ARTPOP earlier today.  In multiple cities around the World at 1:00 PM simultaneously, Billboards revealed the new Jeff Koons-designed Cover which apparently took almost two years to craft.  Gaga herself on Twitter called the Cover, “A real depiction of my mind through his.”.

The Cover features:

-dissected images including Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus Painting

-a Statue of Gaga by Jeff Koons, which will be unveiled at her Album Release Party, artRAVE on Sunday, November 10, 2013

–Gaga is seen cupping her breasts with a giant Koons’ blue Gazing Ball protruding between her thighs; the Ball is one of a series of new Sculptures from the Pennsylvania-born Artist.

Official Artwork below:

Those of you in Toronto hoping to get a large glimpse of the ARTPOP Billboard, may do so at Yonge-Dundas Square!

Universal Music Canada releases ARTPOP on Tuesday, November 11, 2013.

(Photo credit: Universal Music Canada)

Following the great success of his DIY Network Series The Vanilla Ice Project, ’90s rapping Sensation Vanilla Ice sets his sights on a new endeavour in VANILLA ICE GOES AMISH.  The Home Renovation Series sees the handsome Entertainer-turned-Restorer deep into an Amish Settlement in Ohio, as he upgrades their lives with ultra-modern improvements, without depending on Power Tools.  Truly, his abilities as a Craftsman are put to the test.  Along the way, Vanilla Ice bonds with locals from the Community as he adapts to their lifestyle and traditions.

I had the pleasure of reviewing a Screener for the Series and was touched by the bonding that took place and you almost cannot help but fall in love with Vanilla Ice and his disctinct Texan-Floridian Twang.  Although perhaps a bit too skimpy on the process aspect of the renovations, the Series scores big on the scale of entertaining.  You should see the Kitchen he whipped-up for an endearing Couple, the Husband surprising his Wife for her Birthday.

The handsome Vanilla Ice himself is in Toronto tomorrow on a Press Blitz for the new Series!  We had the pleasure of meeting him two years ago when he came to promote The Vanilla Ice Project and he was just awesome. More on that here!

Vanilla Ice Goes Amish premieres on Sunday, October 13, 2013 on DIY Network Canada at 10:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit: DIY Network)

Pop Music’s new It Girl is perhaps the unlikeliest of all. Alternative-Pop Sensation LORDE (nee Ella Yelich-O’Connor) might only be 16-years-old, but the New Zealand-born Singer/Songwriter already has a U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Number One Hit under her belt in Royals. And believe me, times are real tough right now the likes of Katy Perry, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga all gunning for glory with singles in heavy rotation on our Airwaves – hence, LORDE‘s feat is all the more impressive.

The luscious-locked Songstress known for her brilliant Lyrics and rich-timbered Mezzo-Soprano, arrived in the City last night after a heavy Promo Blitz in New York City last week for Debut Disc, Pure Heroine – now in stores.  She is scheduled tonight to play at Danforth Music Hall, where several Fans were seen queueing many hours in advance for a preferred spot.

Several reports from Fans around the World are consistent in that her Handler’s are extra-protective (and rightfully so) of their prized Artist with Fans  trying to access her for Autographs and Photos – only a lucky few have succeeded and it is rumoured that her Autograph currently has a value upwards of $250.   After declining requests earlier in the day at an appearance and stunning performance on 102.1 The Edge, several left empty-handed, but alas later in the day she was more than accommodating when she was spotted heading out to dinner.

A soft-spoken LORDE, dressed in an exquisitely-cut Trench Coat on a humid October Day, was sweet enough to stop to pose for Photos with Fans with a smile, expressing her appreciation for their support.  I am sure I’ll look back at this one day and remember this is the day I met the iconic LORDE;  she certinaly is headed for greatness.

Download LORDE‘s PURE HEROINE on iTunes now here!

See our Snap below: