After making a splash at TIFF ’13, eOne Films releases Our Man in Tehran in theatres.  The Documentary co-directed by the Toronto Duo  Larry Weinstein and Drew Taylor, reveals via first-hand Interviews with those involved, new information about the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979 – which we’ve all come to know about a bit better in 2013 Academy Award Best Picture, Argo.

I had the pleasure of catching-up with Taylor, who as an aside has a Ph.D. and also the distinction formerly of playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, during the Film Festival. Would you believe that Ben Affleck himself had e-mailed offering to narrate the Documentary? “That totally would’ve defeated the purpose of what we were trying to accomplish”, he tells me about the Film which promises a more accurate Snapshot of the events that took place leading-up to the rescue of six Hostages with the help of then-Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor in what would go on to be known as the “Canadian Caper“.

Perhaps we’ll hear from our new Batman in the DVD release?

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Our Man in Tehran is now playing at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

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

As announced previously, Disney‘s Live-Action Adaptation of Cinderella was being developed and now production officially is underway in London at Pinewood Studios and various other locations throughout England. The v. first Still from the Film was just released and believe me, it’s Cinderella like we’ve never seen her before!

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, who already has brought the Studio much success with Thor, has nothing but praise for the Film’s two Stars.  “With Lily James we have found our perfect Cinderella. She combines knockout beauty with intelligence, wit, fun and physical grace. Her Prince is being played by Richard Madden, a young actor with incredible power and charisma. He is funny, smart and sexy and a great match for Cinderella“, says Branagh in a Statement.

Cinderella also stars Cate Blanchett (Stepmother Lady Tremaine), Helen Bonham Carter (Fairy Godmother), Sophie McShera (Stepsister Drisella), Holliday Grainger (Stepsister Anastasia) and Stellan Skarsgård (Arch Grand Duke).

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures releases Cinderella on March 13, 2015.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

After a lot of teaseing, Madonna finally has unveiled her Secret Project, co-directed with Photographer Steven Klein – the Duo most famously collaborating on her W Magazine Spreads.

The 17-minute Short Film shot in Black & White, is a partnership between the Queen of Pop, BitTorrent and Vice Media in support of fostering Free Speech around the World.  In a Statement released last week Madonna says, “My goal is to show by the example of secretprojectrevolution my creative commitment to inspire change in the world through artistic expression.”. “I hope my film and other submissions to Art for Freedom will be a call to action and give people a place to voice their own creative expression to help fight oppression, intolerance and complacency.”. It examines the concept of  our own “Personal Prisons”.

Screenings were/are scheduled around the World in the following Cities/Times:

London – September 23
1) 9PM – Exhibition Road: Exhibition Road London SW7 2DD
2) 10PM – Gerrard Place/Chinatown: Chinatown London WC2H 7PR
3) 11PM – Tate Modern: Holland St, London SE1 9TG
4) MIDNIGHT – Shoreditch High St Station: London E1 6GY

Los Angeles – September 23
1) 9PM – Hillhurst Ave
2) 10PM – 6060 Wilshire Blvd
3) 11PM – 652 N La Peer Dr
4) Midnight – 1855 Main St

Toronto – September 23
1) 9PM – 9 Trinity St # 200
2) 10PM – 317 Dundas St W
3) 11PM – 327 Bloor St W
4) Midnight – 273 Bloor St W

New York – September 23
1) 306 West 31st Street
2) 11 W 53rd Street

Berlin – September 23
1) 9PM – Oranienburger Straße 60
2) 10PM – Galeria Kaufhof – Alexanderplatz 9
3) 11PM – Friedrichstraße 43-45
4) Midnight – Stralauer Platz

Paris – September 24
1) 10PM – Trocadero, – 1 Place du Trocadero 75016 Paris
2) 10:50PM – Palais de Tokyo, 13 Avenue du President Wilson, 75116 Paris
3) 11:40PM – Igor Stravinsky, 23 Rue Saint-Merri 75004 Paris
4) 12:30AM – Pantheon, Place du Pantheon

Watch the Secret Project in full below:

HBO’s Behind the Candelabra walked away the big Winner at the 65th annual Primetime Emmy Awards tonight, handed out at Nokia Theatre tonight in Los Angeles.  The Ceremony was hosted by Neil Patrick-Harris who entertained the Audience with song, dance and laughter.

With 15 nominations and a total eleven wins, the TV Movie directed by Steven Soderbergh  won top honours of Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series.  In addition to wins in several other categories like Outstanding Single-Camera Editing, Sound Mixing, Hair, Prosthetic Makeup, in addition to the coveted Outstanding Lead Actor in TV Movie or Mini-Series, Michael Douglas was recognized for his widely-praised portrayal of Liberace.  Upon accepting his Award, he was sure to thank his Wife Catherine Zeta-Jones (recently separated) and also his Co-Star Matt Damon, stating to him, “You really deserve half of this. You want the bottom or you want the top?”, poking fun at their on-screen Gay Romance.

Winning for Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series respectively were ABC‘s Modern Family (this year receiving its 57th Emmy nomination and fourth consecutive win in the Category) and AMC‘s Breaking Bad (its first win in four nominations in the Category).

Breaking ground, Netflix Original Series House of Cards was recognized as the first-ever Internet-based Series to win an Emmy, victorious in the Category of Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series.  It also won for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series and Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series too.  Its two Stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright however, despite being nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress in a Drama Series, each lost in their categories to Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom) and Claire Danes (Homeland).

Recently passing away, both Cory Monteith and James Gandolfini each were honoured by their Co-Stars at the Awards with heartfelt Tributes tonight, the former by Jane Lynch and the latter, Edie Falco.

For a complete list of Winners, click here.

(Photo credit: CBS/Associated Press)

Those of you who’ve frequented the Food Truck Circuit in the Greater Toronto Area surely by now know of Fidel Gastro‘s famous Pad Thai Fries.  Lisa Marie, situated at Queen x Bathurst gives us expanded options from their Food Truck Menu Offerings in a style of dining called Cicchetti (like Tapas sorta) – great for sharing in groups of Friends.

The dimly-lit Space, with Elvis-inspired decor also features a Shop at the back with their signature  Soups (Kimchi Caesar, anyone?), Marinated Meats and Pickles, maybe perhaps drowned in bit too loud ’70s-inspired Soul and Disco.  Chatting with Friends was a bit of a challenge amidst all the noise.

The Menu highlight certainly is the Sugo, which I learned all about when celebrating one of my dearest Friends Josh‘s Birthday.  The Dish served with pieces of freshly-baked Bread, consists of a variety of slow-cooked Ground Beef, Brisket and Pork Belly in a Tomato Sauce. Although I’m mostly a Vegetarian, even I had to make it a Meat Day to try it.  It is like a heartier and luxe Sloppy Joe. It was a Hit for all.

The Alabama Tailgaters on Skewers (Bacon-wrapped Grass-fed Carpaccio with Aged Cheddar and Kimchi) are outstanding and a Smoked Duck Mini Pizza was melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  The Hoisin Turkey Wing perhaps was a bit too heavy on the sweet, brown Sauce, but nonetheless cooked to tenderness.

The Dessert Menu featured a French Toast Offering with Banana and a Peanut Butter Creme (as Elvis would’ve loved) which despite sounding delectable, couldn’t be accommodated due to the amount of Food consumed during the Main Course.  Next time.

Those of you going on Tuesday nights get a chance to sample the entire Cicchetti Menu for less than $80.  Bring a few Friends.

Lisa Marie is situated at 638 Queen Street West.  Website here.

More Photos:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Yet once again she steals the whole darn show!  Miley Cyrus performed in Las Vegas yesterday at the iHeartRadio Festival and all eyes were on the 20-year-old Megastar as she shocked in a revealing white dress with a Fishnet Top and Pasties, leaving little to the imagination.  Earlier in the day she performed the same Track in a revealing Corset-Bra and Short-Shorts during an outdoor performance.

 She performed her latest Single, Wrecking Ball overcome with emotion late in the Song bringing herself to tears, with mascara running down her face in the wake of the recent announcement she no longer is engaged to Actor Liam Hemsworth.

Watch the Performance below:

Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, Mega-Producer, Fashion Mogul and Entrepreneur Pharrell is in Toronto today to promote his Billionaire Boys Club Fashion Line’s 10th Anniversary via a Pop-Up Shop at High Fashion Retailer, Holt Renfrew.  Available exclusively at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre location, the Shop is curated by Pharrell himself and features installations of some of his most coveted items, including those 2005 Louis Vuitton “Millionaire” Sunglasses we all wanted so bad.  The Shop also features exclusive Holt Renfrew x BBC Sweaters and T-Shirts for Men and Women.

Pharrell appears today at Holt Renfrew – Yorkdale Shopping Centre between 2-3 PM in Q&A, hosted by CTV‘s eTalk Personality Tanya Kim and you too can see him in-person as he discusses his Career, Life and of course, Fashion.

I had the pleasure of spotting Pharrell earlier and in perhaps one of the most “chillaxed” vibes I’ve ever witnessed, his amazingly-nice Bodyguard asked, “What do you want?”.  Gesturing for a Photo, he replied “A Photo?  Alright. That won’t be a problem.”.  Moments later, Pharrell kindly came out with his Entourage and threw a Handsign for the Camera as he posed in his Sunglasses and Fedora.  Definitely one of my most highly-sought-after Photos-with a Celebrity.  Ever.  The Hitmaker responsible for Summer 2013 Smashes Blurred Lines and Get Lucky, is amazing and a real Example.

See our Snap:

We spotted Pharrell‘s Blurred Lines Collaborator Robin Thicke this Summer in Toronto too. More on that here.

You must watch deadmau5‘s Coffee Run Video with Pharrell, as the new Icons filmed their Chat in the former’s Car during his visit here. They go on about Cars, Tim Hortons’, Technology and more:

“Like” Billionaire Boys Club on Facebook here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Billionaire Boys Club)

Yet another number one debut for Hugh Jackman!  Prisoners is the second Film in-a-row of the Australian-born Star after another big debut this July with Wolverine and after it premiered at TIFF ’13 to resoundingly positive reviews earlier this month, the 18+ Crowd flocked to the Movies this weekend to see this R-rated Thriller. Jake Gyllenhaal who happened to top the Box Office this weekend last year with End of Watch, also stars. The Film opened with a stellar $21.4 million for Warner Bros., from 3,260 theatres.  Made for $46 million, it likely will recover its production costs rather quickly and earned an A- CinemaScore from Audiences and also a v. solid 80% on the Tomatometer.

After a monstrous debut last week, Insidious: Chapter 2 slips to second spot this weekend with $14.5 million for FilmDistrict/eOne Films.  In two weeks, the Horror has grossed a spiffy $60 million.

In third this weekend is Comedy, The Family, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert DeNiro with $7 million in this its second week out for Relativity Media and eOne Films. The Luc Besson Film in total has earned $25.1 million thus far domestically.

Debuting in fourth is Teen-Dance Flick, Battle of the Year, with $5 million from 2,008 theatres.  Critics didn’t give it much love with a paltry 6% on the Tomatometer, while audiences loved with, giving it an A- CinemaScore; it was made for $20 million.

We’re the Millers is showing astounding resilience for Warner Bros., still hanging-on to the Top Ten in sixth spot with $4.6 million.  The Comedy has earned over $138 million now in North America in its seven weeks in theatres.

The Butler also is proving to be a Stayer in seventh spot with $4.3 million in its sixth week of release, a cumulative total of 106 million for The Weinstein Co. and eOne Films.

Planes from Disney, rounds out the Top Ten with $2.8 million in its seventh week, now grossing over $86 million in North America.

It certainly was a star-studded night in Toronto as the 15th annual Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards Show was held at Elgin Theatre.  The Ceremony honours Canadians who have made significant contributions in the Arts, Sports, Science and Innovation.  The Event was preceded by a Red Carpet which shut-down a section of Yonge Street beforehand.

Honourees this year include:

Bob Ezrin
Terry Fox
Victor Garber
Craig & Marc Kielburger
Oscar Peterson
Christine Sinclair
Alan Thicke

Presenters and Performers also added much Starpower to the Affair including the likes of  Mike Myers (just here last week for TIFF ’13 with Documentary Supermensch), Martin Short, Carly Rae Jepsen, Jacob Hoggard (Hedley), David Foster, Joanna Kerns, Alice Cooper and several more.   Cooper even performed a Medley of his mega-hit School’s Out for Summer together with Pink Floyd‘s The Wall.

Global Television airs the 2013 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards Show on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 8:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

42 Things  and 10 Days. The Just for Laughs Comedy Festival takes over Toronto for the next 10 days and among the Funnymen and Funnywomen in the City this year are the likes of Aziz Ansari, Mila Kunis, Seth McFarlane, Seth Green, Janeane Garofolo, Sarah Silverman and several more.

Saturday Night Live Alumni Colin Quinn is one of the first to arrive in the City and he promoted his appearance tonight at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre earlier today at Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition).  Watch his appearance here.

Before heading off in his cab, at one point accidentally heading into someone else’s cab on Bloor Street, the amazingly-nice Quinn stopped for Photos with Fans outside the Shaw Media Building.  The Brooklynite jokingly said “No!” to me after asking for a Photo before obliging kindly some Snaps.

For more on the Just for Laughs Festival, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Carol Rosegg)