First making his debut in 1981 on TV Series Simon & Simon, Giovanni Ribisi has become a Household Name with an Acting Career which has seen both diversity and longevity. At just 38-years-old, the Los Angeles Native has built a Body of Work which has defined multiple generations. My Two Dads, The Wonder Years, Friends, Saving Private Ryan, Lost in Translation, Avatar, Ted. These are just a handful of his most memorable moments and the Father of Lucia/Husband of Supermodel Agyness Deyn finds himself returning to Toronto once again to promote eagerly-awaited Gangster Squad.

The Action/Drama has Ribisi starring as Officer Conway Keller, a technically-savvy Cop whose expertise enables the LAPD to successfully bug the Phone Calls of top Mobster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn), who controlled much of Los Angeles in the late ’40s through early ’50s. The Team responsible for the fire-with-fire Takedown – The Gangster Squad – are played by Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie, Michael Peña, Robert Patrick and Ribisi.

The road to release hasn’t been an easy one at all for Warner Bros. Tragedy struck on July 20, 2012 as the Aurora, Colorado Mass Shootings had taken place during a screening of their Marquee release, The Dark Knight Rises.  Furthermore, the Trailer for Gangster Squad was slated to run prior to that Film, depicting a gratuitously violent Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Shootout. Understandably, the Scene had been deleted out of respect to the current Social Climate and all those affected by the Tragedy. Re-shoots were completed and now the Film is ready for its big debut, but one glaring question still remains.

One Journalist asks the Question on all of our minds – whether or not it is appropriate to release the gratuitously gun-violent Gangster Squad, considering that another Mass Shooting has since taken place in Newton, Connecticut? Ribisi tells a tightly-gathered group of Journalists at his Toronto Hotel, “There are some heinous crimes which have taken place”. He pauses and says, “I don’t think it’s fair to hold Hollywood accountable for this.”.  On whether or not he feels the Final Product was affected adversely by Reshoots and the deletion of the mentioned Scene, he says with unwavering certainty, “It is an even better Film”.

I asked Ribisi about preparing for the role of Officer Conway Keller, and although he was  diligent about placing himself in the mindset of the day including Chats with a 90-year-old Expert on Bugging, he insists most of his focus was poured into getting the Dynamic right with his fellow Gangster Squad mates. He tells me, “It all began in a conversation with Director Ruben Fleischer  in the beginning about Conway being the role of the Conscience and also talking about the broader picture of Values in Society, especially in contrast to today’s day and age.”. “Of course you get into the History, you read Books about the context of Los Angeles around World War II and The Great Depression, which is so interesting”, he recalls.  “The most important part though, was that Dynamic in  Conway‘s Relationship with the rest of the Guys and what they ultimately wanted to do.”.

Despite working together with an interesting mix of Personalities on Gangster Squad, including Brolin who is known for being a Prankster on-set, the Actor remembers, “We were in an Environment where we really wanted to do our best” – meaning  little time for play. As an interesting tidbit, this in fact is his fourth time he stars in a Film alongside Brolin. “He is a good Person and has a great Sense of Humour though”, Ribisi praises. Also we learned, he also spent a fair amount of time obsessing about whether or not scenes really were working, revealing “I mean you have the Actors, so the Talent definitely was there… we had  Sexy Beast Ryan Gosling!”, he adds jokingly. “Wait, did I really just say that? What is he going to think?”.

On his favourite part about making Gangster Squad, he admits that it was all about the Cars and Clothing. “People used to get dressed. They really presented themselves to the World. I guess it was A Streetcar Named Desire where they saw Marlon Brando in a T-Shirt and then T-Shirts became prominent, but before that People wore ties and hats”, he reflects. “And then there were the Cars. The 1947 Chrysler Studebaker I drove, and of course the Night Club Slapsy Maxie‘s. You walked in and saw everyone dressed to the nines… it was just amazing!”.

We’ve all seen Ribisi grow-up throughout the years, transitioning from Child Actor, now to playing Father-type Roles. Need I remind you of his unforgettable work as a Teddy Bear-obsessed Father dancing to Tiffany in 2012 Box Office Smash Ted? I ask him about his key to success in surviving the Industry. He replies, “I’ve never really thought about myself  in those terms to be honest.  I mean, that also poses the question, “What defines success?”. He adds, “But if you ask me, I haven’t accomplished my best yet.”.

Following our Chat, Ribisi  posed for a few Photos, before heading back to his Suite to freshen-up for the second-half of his busy Press Day. Although he had pondered a popular Hotspot at his Hotel, it was his loyalties to a certain Restaurant he loved last time he visited in the trendy west-end of the City determining his Dinner Plans.

Warner Bros. releases Gangster Squad on Friday, November 11, 2013.

To enter to win a Gangster Squad Prize Pack, which includes a size Large T-Shirt and two Shot Glasses, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  You should also be following on Twitter!  Canadian Readers are welcome to enter. Your deadline is February 1, 2013.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It was all about The Hunger Games, leading the way with a stellar six Wins at tonight’s People’s Choice Awards held at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The Film won top honour of Favourite Movie, Favourite Movie Franchise, Favourite On-Screen Chemistry, Favourite Movie Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Favourite Face of Heroism (Jennifer Lawrence) and Favourite Action Movie. Timed perfectly, Entertainment Weekly will be releasing a Catching Fire Preview Issue Friday featuring Interviews and Photos from the second installment of the Suzanne Collins Trilogy!  See some Photos here.

The annual Awards Show honours the Public’s Favourites in Music, Television and Music, a bit of a Teaser leading-up-to this weekend’s Golden Globe Awards, tomorrow morning’s Oscar Nominees Announcements and next month’s GRAMMYs.

Ellen DeGeneres won her 13th People’s Choice Award tonight for Favourite Daytime TV Host (Jimmy Fallon won Late Night Host) and hilariously thanking the People on her “Team” figuratively, “Melissa Etheridge, Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes…”, during her Acceptance Speech.

Meanwhile, Katy Perry and One Direction also were recognized with multiple Wins tonight – the former winning Favourite Music Following for her Fans (KatyCats), Favourite Pop Artist and Favourite Music Video (Part of Me).  The latter won Favourite Album (Up All Night) and Favourite Song (What Makes You Beautiful), although they were defeated in the voting by rival British Boy Band The Wanted for Favourite Breakout Artist.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower was awarded Favourite Dramatic Movie, while one of its Stars Emma Watson won Favourite Dramatic Actress.

Toronto also got  piece of the pie with locally-filmed Series Beauty and The Beast, winning Favourite New TV Series!

Click here for a complete list of Winners.

(Photo credit: CBS/Getty Images)

As confirmed today, Alliance Films has been acquired by Entertainment One Ltd.,  having been formed in 1984. Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and Investissement Quebec which formerly owned Alliance Films and approval was received for the Transaction by the Canadian Competition Bureau last week. The final purchase price reported is a figure of $225 million (CAN), expanding eOne‘s Film Library now to 35,000 Titles.

Although changes in Personnel would not be a surprise, Alliance Films have been a huge part of our success over the past three years and I have made many wonderful Friends there who have been nothing but supportive.  In fact, Alliance Films were the first Film Distributor to partner my then Blog, Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven for Giveaways.  I am forever indebted to them for all the kindness they have extended to my Readers and myself and I wish my Friends nothing but  success going forward in this next chapter ahead.

For more information on the Acquisition, click here.

(Photo credit: Alliance Films)

Finally, a real Star!  Danish import Nikolaj Coster-Waldau definitely has been at it for a while, but he’s making his presence felt in these parts thanks to the massive success of HBO Series Game of Thrones on which he stars as Jaime Lannister.  Coster-Waldau is in the City promoting Toronto-filmed Mama, from first-time Feature Director Andrés Muschietti, who also directed the original Short Film it is based upon.

Also starring a currently-on-Broadway Jessica Chastain, the Horror is about a Couple who take-in two Nieces who were left alone in the Forest for over five years.  The Actor tells Jennifer Valentyne on CityTV‘s Breakfast Television today, “It goes by the idea that in the Forest you can never get between the Mama Bear and her Cub.”.  He indicates that he currently is on a break, spending quality time in his native Denmark with his two Daughters after wrapping on Oblivion, which stars Tom Cruise.  The Action/Sci-Fi Flick opens in theatres this April.

The Actor was up early and ready to work, appearing on KISS 92.5‘s The Roz & Mocha Show.  Listen to the Interview in full here.

Among other interviews, Coster-Waldau will also be appearing on George Stromboulopoulous Tonight, in addition to an appearance at an Advance Screening this evening.

eOne Films releases Mama on Friday, January 18, 2013.

Watch the creepy Trailer in full below:

To enter to win a  Photo signed kindly from Coster-Waldau himself this morning, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before February 1, 2013.  All are welcome to enter!  Good luck.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

I’m so winning an Oscar for Best Background Performer Ever (!!) for my most powerful  work on Guillermo del Toro‘s Blockbuster Pacific Rim.  Can you find me?  Thanks to Sin Dai for sending this over!

This Scene will be one of the more memorable moments of the Film with Idris Elba delivering a powerful Speech rallying the Troops to fight an invasion of Earth-shattering Aliens.

Just six more months.  Warner Bros. releases Pacific Rim on July 13, 2013.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

A little One Direction to brighten-up your day! The Boys are back doing what they do best on their latest Single, Kiss You. The super-fun Video directed by Vaughan Arnell (Spice Girls’ Say You’ll Be There) for the Track was just unleashed today and I just had to do a double-take there. Is that facial hair I see on Zayn? Are they really surfing in their Trunks? Skiing? In Sailor Outfits??  The joys of Greenscreen! Knowing and delivering exactly what their screaming Fans want.

Watch the Video in full below:

Kiss You has peaked at number 61 on the Canadian Hot 100 and likely will continue to climb after this!

(Photo credit: Sony Music)

Here’s a great cause worth supporting! Created in memory of Laurie Jean Chant-Sammy, who passed away in 2004 from Breast Cancer, Birthday Breast Fest is now into its fifth year. The Event is in support of Princess Margaret Hospital‘s Breast Cancer Research and Treatment programs.

Birthday Breast Fest will feature many local Talents including: Rob Testa, THE iDENTiTY CRiSiS, Carmen Corcoz, Papa Dukes and the Truth, Jef Kearns, L’Rock, Shawn Kirkpatrick, Wendy Descollines, Oriana, Juice Jones, Tha Nazdaq, Jhyve and the JUNO®-nominated group Sky Terminal.

The Event takes place Saturday, February 9, 2013 at Hard Rock Cafe (279 Yonge Street, at Dundas Street), starting at 8:30 PM.  Admission is $15.00 and Tickets will be available at the door too.

Get your Tickets in advance here.

This is going to be so deep, dark and delicious!  Beautiful Creatures is poised to make an impact in the never-too-crowded  field of Young Adult- Fiction Adaptations and following the massive success of the Harry Potter Franchise, Warner Bros. has its sights set on this first Film based upon Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia’s Novel to whet the thirsts of a demographic which will not be ignored.

The Cast is superb and the Director Richard LaGravanese (P.S. I Love You, Freedom Writers) knows the way straight to heart.  The Drama-Fantasy stars Alice Englert, Thomas Mann, Emmy Rossum, Emma Thompson, Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis and Alden Ehrenreich.

Beautiful Creatures centers around Lena (Englert) who moves to the town of Gatlin, catching the eye of a bored Ethan (Ehrenreich).  He gets more than he bargained for as Lena‘s secret dark powers are unleashed, posing potential danger to others and herself.

Check-out these new Character Posters for the Film below:

Watch the Trailer below:

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D murders the competition this weekend at the Box Office, kicking-off with a bang on Friday night with $10.2 million. Although slipping noticeably throughout the weekend, the Horror Remake starring Alexandra Daddario and Trey Songz still lands on-top with $23 million for Lionsgate Films/VVS Films, from 2.654 theatres across North America. Rising Star Daddario recently was in Toronto and we caught-up with her. Click here for more.

After menacing in second last weekend Django Unchained still is going strong in its third week with $20.1 million for The Weinstein Co./Alliance Films, keeping The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey behind in third with $17.5 million for Warner Bros., after a successful three weeks in-a-row at number one.

Les Misérables slips to fourth this weekend with $16.1 million, for Universal Pictures, at once surpassing the $100 mark domestically.

Parental Guidance meanwhile still continues to hang-on top the Top Five after a valiant fight, earning $10.1 million this weekend, giving Moviegoers some much-needed funny fare aside from some of the heavier-hearted options out right now.

Judd Apatow‘s This is 40 meanwhile continues to perform steadily, landing in seventh with $8.6 million, closing-in on the $60 million mark, keeping Best Picture Contender Lincoln at bay with $5.2 million in eighth.

Despite a relatively quiet promotional campaign, Gus Van Sant‘s latest Promised Land enters quietly in tenth with $4.6  million. Its Script was penned by its Stars, Matt Damon and John Krasinski.

Bubbling under, The Impossible, based on true story of a Family which survived 2004‘s devastating Tsunami while on vacation in Thailand, debuts in ninth spot with $2.76 million from 572 theatres and is set to expand next week to bigger numbers.  Naomi Watts is expected to gain an Oscar nomination Thursday for her powerful performance as Maria Belon in the Film from Focus Features/eOne Films.

Best Picture Frontrunner Zero Dark Thirty, which stars the currently-on-Broadway Jessica Chastain is seeing an enormous amount of buzz for in the Oscars Race, earning an impressive $2.75 in just 60 theatres! The Drama about the hunt for Osama bin Laden, finally sees a wide release next Friday.

So I’ve been pondering V̶e̶g̶a̶n̶i̶s̶m Vegetarianism a lot of late and although I’ve tried it on two occasions – each time  spanning the course of a year, I really am considering making a change to my lifestyle once again.  One, there are obvious health benefits to doing so. Secondly, there are ethical reasons. Thirdly, there is the Environment. A global increase in meat consumption is adversely impacting our climate and the Planet we live in.

Now I don’t think I could ever go full-on Vegan, but Vegetarian I could do.  We all have an individual responsibility and this doesn’t necessarily mean cutting meat completely out of our diets to save the World, but simply the first step is just being aware.  Something as simple as one Meatless Day a week can improve our health and the health of our Planet.  Learn more about the Meatless Monday Initiative here.

My good Friend Dawn – a full-on Vegan – and I have fallen in love with The Hogtown Vegan (834 Bloor Street West, at Ossington), located in Toronto’s The Annex.  Their specialty is Comfort Foods prepared in Vegan form and although I know the true spirit of Vegan Eating is diluted by wolfing-down flavoury, savoury Chilli “Cheese” Fries, Hogtown Wings, Unchicken & Waffles and Pulled Unpork Sandwiches (all seen above), I really love the Food here and I am stoked to try everything on the Menu.  In simply a meal or two there, I have been inspired to examine healthier eating patterns and recently have had a series of trial Meatless Days. Although I know it’s totally subjective,  I honestly do feel much less lethargic the days I’m not consuming Meat.  Legit.

Although I’m still on the fence which route I plan to go (who knows, maybe I’ll just wind-up being a Meat Eater who enjoys Meatless Days!), I’m ready to make a change – even if just a small one – starting with myself.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)