We had the pleasure of chatting with the amazing Chloë Moretz today, following her appearance at the 2014 MuchMusic Video Awards.  Although the talented 17-year-old Actress known best for her work in KICK-ASS, Hugo and Carrie has been in Toronto many a time before to film, she actually got to go out and enjoy the City this time in addition to her Press Day.

Moretz made sure to stop-by at Hillary Clinton‘s Book Signing today at Indigo Manulife Centre.  One of the perks of being a Celebrity is bypassing queues and the Actress and her Brother Trevor were lucky enough to be able to meet the former First Lady, Secretary of State and Senator as she signed copies of her Book, Hard Choices.

See her Autograph below:

Although that piece won’t be up till August, we will tell you to watch the Trailer below for the Vancouver-filmed Romantic Drama:

I’ve seen it and loved it. Many of you might remember Funnywoman Jenny Slate from Parks & Recreation or her Stand-up Comedy, but the former Saturday Night Live Alumni is doing it on her own terms now. Her latest Film, Obvious Child, directed and written by Gillian Robespierre,  is sure to win your heart with its pure wit, charm and cuteness.

The Comedy centers around a young Woman named Donna whom after a drunken night finds herself pregnant with Max‘s (Jake Lacy) baby. Unable to bring herself to tell him, he continues trying to court her, which complicates matters because he has many of the attributes she finds desirable in a Partner.  She worries her revealing her pregnancy will change things.

Slate after a grueling weekend stranded in Dallas, made her way to Toronto today and did a round of Press on the Morning Show Circuit with visits to KISS 92.5, CP24 Breakfast, CITY‘s Breakfast Television and more!  Unfortunately a majority of her interviews scheduled for the afternoon were cancelled due to exhaustion, but she still made time for Fans tonight at a special Advance Screening of Obvious Child.  The Actress also walked the Red Carpet last night at the MuchMusic Video Awards and reportedly is smitten by Prime Ministerial Candidate Justin Trudeau, whom she ran-into at Breakfast Television!

I caught-up with Slate at a taping earlier, and despite being in a rush she made a quick exception to snap a Photo.  She’s even bubblier and cuter than imagined!  And she’s in-love reportedly with my Billy too!

See our Snap:

Watch the Trailer for OBVIOUS CHILD below:

Fox Searchlight release OBVIOUS CHILD on Friday, June 20, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/A24 Films)

No other Internet-based Series has taken the World by storm like ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK! The Series which we were so excited about last year recently has returned again for a second Season via Netflix and everyone we know is binge-watching it.

Stars Taylor Schilling and Uzo Aduba, the former playing the Lead Role of Piper Chapman, the latter playing Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren, are two of the Series’ most beloved Characters.  Both were in Toronto today to promote the new Season of the Dramedy, based on the Memoir of the same name by Piper Kerman.

Starting their day early arriving via a Loading Dock at KISS 92.5 before 7:00 AM,  Fans, some who got-up earlier than 5:00 AM to see their Idols up-close, were left disappointed as the Duo and their Entourage drove-off without so much as a wave.  Schilling and Aduba then head east-bound to CTV‘s Canada AM in Scarborough, encountering traffic unfortunately, resulting in their arriving at their Global Television The Morning Show (National Edition) appearance at least twenty minutes late.  When leaving, their Entourage once again opted for a hidden entrance, leaving Fans who came supportive with Posters and 8×10s from the Show, saddened at the snubs.

On the contrary, Media Reports found the Duo warm and friendly, many praising an unrecognizable Aduba particularly as being “warm”.  Some speculate that Schilling simply was carrying-out requests from her reportedly “stern-faced” Publicist, which saw multiple local outlets, which normally are in-the-loop, denied access to the two Stars.  For the record, we have met the lovely Schilling before and found her to be kind at TIFF ’13 when she came to promote Stay.  So what gives?  Is a couple minutes out of a Press Day too much to ask for at this stage in the game for the Fans?

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK Season Two is now available for streaming via Netflix Canada.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Hot on the heels of last night’s MuchMusic Video Awards, the 25th annual SOCAN Awards honouring accomplishments across multiple genres in Canadian Music. Held by the Waterfront at the Westin Harbour Castle, some of the Country’s most accomplished Musical Acts, Songwriters, Producers, Lyricists and more came out to celebrate their peers.

The likes of Dragonette, Ovi, Serena Ryder, Tom Cochrane, Carly Rae Jepsen, Gowan, Johnny Reid, Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), Mia Martina, Walk off the Earth, Magic, Josh Ramsay (Marianas Trench), Kardinal Offishall and more were in attendance, the Star of the evening was Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Gordon Lightfoot, who graciously walked the Red Carpet, taking his time fielding media questions. “Thank you for appreciating my music”, he was overheard saying. “I love to work!”.

The Belle of the Ball certainly was a recently back-from-Broadway (she starred in Cinderella) Jepsen who is working on her second major label album. “I’d have to say some of Tegan and Sara‘s stuff”, she says when asked which Canadian Song she wishes she had written.  She and the Team of Tavish Crowe and Josh Ramsay received the International Achievement Award for their Smash, Call Me Maybe.

Hip-Hop Megastar Drake also was honoured with the Global Inspiration Award, helping spark the careers of dozens of Songwriters, Beat-Makers and Producers.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

“Let’s go back one more time and show them what’ were made of.”.

In what is being touted as Michael Keaton‘s big Comeback, BIRDMAN‘s official Teaser Trailer was released earlier this week and it looks just absolutely phenomenal. We can only hope it gets a Premiere at TIFF ’14 en route to what looks like an Awards Season Campaign.

In several ways mirroring reality, the new Film by Alejandro González Iñárritu, has a former Action Star who looks to make a comeback on Broadway. As all of us know, Keaton reached the pinnacle of his success in the late ’80s portraying Batman, but things certainly have been a lot more quiet since.

Watch the Trailer below:

Fox Searchlight release BIRDMAN on Friday, October 17, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

NOTE: FINAL NUMBERS TO COME

It was a battle of the Sequels this weekend at the Box Office and prevailing just like its Predecessor was Sony Pictures’ 22 Jump Street which brought in $62 million. By comparison, the first Film in the Franchise opened back in 2012 with $36 million, this time around doubling its take.  Critics have been kind, giving the Action-Comedy a great 83% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences also responded strongly with an A-CinemaScore.

A valiant second is How to Train Your Dragon 2 for 20th Century Fox, opening with $52 million at the Box Office!  The Film which got a bit of a boost recently from Star America Ferrera‘s Red Carpet incident involving a Prankster at Cannes, got great reviews from Critics tallying 92% on the Tomatometer, and an equally strong A CinemaScore. Its 2010 Predecessor by comparison debuted with $41 million, easily besting the performance of that one.

Disney’s Maleficent continues to ride high in its third week with $20 million this weekend, normally enough for the number one spot some weekends, but good enough for third against the current slate of Blockbuster releases.

The Fault in our Stars opened atop the Box Office last weekend, but slips to fourth spot this weekend with $19 million for 20th Century Fox. It already has grossed $85 million across North America.

Edge of Tomorrow in its second week out accounts for the fifth spot at the Box Office with $16 million for Warner Bros., cumulatively earning $56 million domestically.

X-Men: Days of Future Past finds itself in sixth spot with $9 million for 20th Century Fox also in its its fourth week out, just surpassing the $200 million mark this week in these parts.

Chef rounds out the Top Ten with $2.1 million in its sixth week out in a limited number of theatres. To date, it has grossed $14 million.

Some of Italian Cinema’s most influencial names came out to support the third annual Italian Contemporary Film Festival tonight at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Following the Festival’s Opening Night Gala Presentation of The Best Offer, starring Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess and Donald Sutherland, the likes of Director Paolo Genovese, DJ Tony Monaco, Producer Andrea Iervolino, Actress Vittoria Puccini, Actor Nick Mancuso, Philanthropist/Socialite Lady Monika Bacardi (yes, THAT Bacardi) and American Star Stephen Baldwin graced the Red Carpet. The elite room of guests clinked champagne flutes, toasting the momentous occasion, enjoying a sumptuous catered Buffet Dinner, before dancing the night away to some soulful grooves.

It was announced this evening that Iervolino and Bacardi would be launching together AMBI Canada, the latter serving as Honourary President for the Canadian branch of the Film Distribution Company which focuses on backing high-budget international Films with Hollywood names.

Arriving fashionably late after several delays with his New York flight, anticipation grew rampant for a dapper Baldwin –  in purple pinstripes over pink – and he did not disappoint, making the rounds with Guests, with an uncanny ability of remembering names. In fact, he came over to say “hi” to my friend Dawn and I, striking-up a conversation, nick-naming us “The Beauty (Dawn), The Bodyguard (me), The Business (his Buddy) and THE BALDWIN“!  Charmer. He is scheduled early tomorrow to do the Morning Show circuit.

The Festival, which launched tonight, runs across Toronto, Vaughan, Hamilton, Montreal and Quebec City through June 20, 2014. Danny Glover, in town filming currently, also will lend his vote of confidence, making an appearance in support of AIC and AMBI Canada‘s 2047 Sights of Death (Baldwin also stars) which has its World Premiere tonight at the Festival.

For more details on the 2014 Italian Contemporary Film International, visit here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Model/Actress/Director and Spokesperson Shenae Grimes-Beech needs little introduction as Toronto long has been proud of its Homegirl. The Star of 90210 and Degrassi: The Next Generation has kept busy with a string of work including recently Toronto-filmed Final Exam, in which she stars opposite Pretty Little Liars’ Keegan Allen.

Grimes-Beech is in Toronto right now, carrying out duties as Spokesperson for Montreal-originated Annabelle Cosmetics. Tonight, she celebrates her Collaboration with the Company at an exclusive Party with Beauty Bloggers on Bay Street.

Appearing on City‘s Breakfast Television and Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), she maintained her poise despite the miserable rains, looking flawless with her peach-coloured locks tied neatly into a bun.  Note how she is wearing her Jacket – arms-free – a trend we noticed on It-Girl Nicola Peltz, Star of Transformers: Age of Extinction, the other day in Toronto too!

After exploding onto the Pop Music scene in the early ’00s, Aaron Carter certainly knows a thing or two about surviving the often cruel Entertainment World. Known best for his Hits Aaron’s Party (Come Get It), That’s How I Beat Shaq and I Want Candy and platinum-selling Albums, the younger Brother of Backsteeet Boy, Nick Carter, for a good duration had an entire demographic of Pre-Teens at his mercy.

After some highs and lows and honest attempts to revive his Career, the Star is now leveraging success on his own terms. And his truest Fans have been loyal and he knows it.

Currently on tour after a successful run with his After Party Tour last year which saw him play smaller club venues across North America, Carter made a quick visit to KISS 92.5 earlier today on the Roz & Mocha Show.

Fans waiting outside in the rain were rewarded as he took a few minutes to stop and say “hi”, graciously thanking everyone individually for waiting for him. He even complimented me on my Cardigan!

Carter plays Lee’s Palace tonight. More details here on how you can get Tickets!

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The third edition of the Italian Contemporary Film Festival kicks-off this Thursday, June 12 and runs through Friday, June 20, 2014 throughout Toronto, Vaughan, Hamilton, Quebec City and Montreal!  We had a chance to preview a couple of the Festival’s Marquee Titles including the Opening Night Gala, THE BEST OFFER which stars Geoffrey Rush, Donald Sutherland, Jim Sturgess and Sylvia Hoeks and BLAME FREUD, a Box Office Smash in Italy.

THE BEST OFFER
Geoffrey Rush delivers one of his best performances in recent years as a Master Auctioneer named Virgil who becomes obsessed with a mysterious Heiress, Claire (Hoeks), who hires him to auction off some high-end Art and Antiques. The two form an unlikely bond with the help of Robert (Sturgess), who is enlisted to take mechanical parts among Claire‘s inherited belongings, building an Automaton. All the while, Virgil’s Friend Billy (Sutherland) secretly helps him acquire a collection of Master Paintings, which could jeopardize everything he has worked for. Meticulously-stylized and undeniably suspenseful, the Film with its patient precision handling from Director Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) is a fittingly prestigious kick-off to the Festival.

Watch the Trailer:

BLAME FREUD

Originally titled Tutta colpa di Freud, this Romantic-Comedy from Paolo Genovese, offers a light-hearted Alternative at the Italian Contemporary Film Festival. The Tale about a Father’s wish for his three Daughters to find love with only the top percentile of Men, is a celebration of love in all its forms, giving validity to the statement that love just happens.  One by one we see his Daughters veer off on their own tangents, while he too finds himself falling for someone he’d never have guessed he would!  The right combination of charming, scandalous and stimulating to the eyes, make Blame Freud an obvious choice to see at the Festival!

See the Trailer below: