After being institutionalized, Pat (Bradley Cooper) transitions back to his normal life again, staying with his Parents Dolores (Jackie Weaver) and Pat Sr. (Robert DeNiro). His ultimate goal is to reconcile with his Wife, proving to her that they can pick-up where things left off, but along the way he meets an equally troubled Woman named Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). Matters become complicated as they both get to know one another, confusing what it is that Pat really wants, as they prepare themselves with a challenge of an upcoming local Dance Competition.
David O. Russell (The Fighter) helms and writes a beautiful Piece here with rich, complex and flawed Characters, maintaining our interest and support throughout. Make no mistake though, Silver Linings Playbook is a Comedy and it is chalk full of biting humour and you will leave feeling uplifted. Its message is central and universal – with love you achieve and endure anything, no matter what you’re working against.
Oscar-nominated Lawrence‘s performance here is a true revelation, commanding our attention at all times with Tiffany‘s presence. Just wait till you see her school the Boys on Football in one scene and surely, a great deal of discipline was required to learn some of the Choreography in the Film. Cooper is endearing as a lovesick Man who at moments is unable to contain his emotions or bite his tongue – at once grating and incredibly charming.
Whether or not Silver Linings Playbook has the meatiness to win Best Picture at the Oscars remains to be seen, but on its own it surely is a Movie I’d love to see again! Alliance Films releases on November 21, 2012.
Noah Baumbach‘s Frances Ha centers around a Dance Apprentice soon approaching her 30s, questioning what it is she really wants in life. She lives day to day in a free-spirited manner, deeming herself “undateable” and having little regard for the future. Frances’ (Greta Gerwig) world falls apart after her Best Friend and Roommate Sophie (Mickey Sumner) decides to move-in with her Boyfriend Patch (Patrick Heusinger). At the same time, she is faced with the reality that she is not needed in the upcoming Holiday Season at her Dance Company. She is then forced to find herself as she moves from roommate to roommate and job to job, before ultimately hitting rock bottom.
Shot entirely in black and white, Frances Ha is highly stylized and exquisite to the eye. Gerwig‘s unconventional beauty and undeniable charisma alone are enough to colour the entire screen. Although this a modern story for the Female Underdog, truly anyone going through a rough patch in their lives can leave feeling inspiration from the Film. The stakes and rewards never are that high, but the situations are v. real and I found myself relating completely.
Sumner (Daughter of Rock Legend Sting) is a fresh face and name to look-out for and turns-in a solid performance, embodying at least one female Friend we all have in our lives. Rescue Me‘s Michael Zegen lights-up the screen, teasing us with chemistry between Gerwig and himself, even if things never come to fruition for them.
Frances Ha is a cute and elegant piece of Art, never for a moment talking down to us. Release date to be determined.
TIFF 2012 was another great Festival. The fact that Toronto plays Host to such a prestigious and glamorous event is a true testament to the level of respect the Film Industry has for our City. I am so proud to be a Torontonian and proud of my fellow Torontonians who made it all happen, from the Hot Dog Vendors who fed those of us with no time for a sit-down meal, to the Celebrity Drivers and Security Guards for keeping everyone out of harm’s way.
This year I met many Stars and my only regret is not being able to be at two places at once with the opening weekend crammed with Stars. Although this is nothing new for the Festival, let’s just say I never want to be faced with having to decide between Johnny Depp versus Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence versus Emma Watson, Tom Hanks versus Jackie Chan versus Will Smith ever again! Whomever schedules the times and locations of these Premieres certainly wasn’t a Star Spotter, that much I can say. Nightmare.
Ask Hanks, who called-out the Festival Organizers at the Press Conference for Cloud Atlas, asking: “Why do you run your celebrities through a pin like we’re bulls on the way to slaughter? It’s the narrowest kind of like entrance to a theater I’ve ever had.”. So believe me, it’s not just the Fans who are complaining – the Celebrities also have thoughts on the matter.
Thank you for being there along the way with me, tuning-in on CP24 and CTV News and reading my Posts as I dozed off on my keyboard fighting to finish that one more Blog Post at 5:00 AM. I can now look forward to catching-up on sleep once again, spotting Stars in the City at a far more reasonable pace and being Billy‘s Dad again. Oh, how I’ve missed that little Guy. And oh, how I know come January (when the Stars are sparse in the City) that I’ll be wishing it was September again!
Until next year…
xMr. Will
List of Celebrities: Vanessa Hudgens, John Krasinski, Flava Flav, Ashley Benson, Kevin Zegers, Karl Urban, Alice Englert, Derek Cianfrance, Stephen Fung, Ben Mendelsohn, Dane DeHaan, Lana Wachowski, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Glen Powell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Liana Liberato, Jessica Mauboy, June Diane Raphael, Trudie Styler, Mickey Sumner, Kristen Wiig, Sam Taylor-Wood, Aaron Johnson, Eva Mendes, Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Kevin James, Adam Sandler, Fran Drescher, Molly Shannon, Tate Donovan, Ben Affleck, Coco, Ice-T, Amy Adams, Gina Torres, Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano, Frank Grillo, Billy Bob Thornton, Michael Shannon, Viggo Mortensen, Gael Garcia Bernal, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jason Bateman, Paula Patton, Marisa Tomei, Julie Benz, Lorenza Izzo, Jacqueline MacInnes-Wood, Patrick J. Adams & Tatyana Ali, Gregory Smith, Penelope Mitchell, Abbie Cornish, Logan Lerman, Toby Irvine, Jeremy Irvine, Emile Hirsch, Chris O’Dowd, Lee Daniels, Kiowa Gordon, Alessandro Nivola, Zac Efron, Octavia Spencer and Shannon Leto.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Zac Efron is one of the final Stars to leave Toronto with TIFF 2012 rapidly coming to an end tomorrow. The Actor was extremely late for his flight back to Los Angeles earlier today and still was nice enough to accommodate Fans with a Bodyguard keeping him safe from harm. With less than 40 minutes left till his flight, Efron successfully made it aboard his flight – prompting the question of whether or not Celebrities get preferential treatment if they are late to board.
Watch a Clip I captured of Efron:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
1. Bruce Willis actually signing an Autograph for once – Press Conference for Looper. Believe me, he rarely does it! His younger Co-Star Joseph Gordon-Levitt certainly could learn a lesson or two from that, getting booed after turning-down Fans yet again.
2. Vanessa Hudgens & Austin Butler arriving in Toronto together for Spring Breakers.
3. Kristen Stewart at the On the Road Premiere. Smiling! A great regret of mine for not bothering to queue toe Red Carpet for her as she was extremely generous with Fans that day.
4. Garrett Hedlund is a star on the rise; he is seen here at On the Road Premiere.
5. Karl Urban at the Premiere for Dredd 3-D. Is he perhaps Action Cinema’s most underrated Actor?
6. Joss Whedon walking to TIFF Bell Lightbox for some Photos. Several Fanboys and Fangirls got their biggest wish come true meeting the Director as he walked to and from Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
7. Lana Wachowski debuts herself as a Woman at the Cloud Atlas Press Conference. Yes, you know who she is. Think: The Matrix.
8. Jennifer Lawrence at the Press Conference for Silver Linings Playbook. Easily the Festival’s biggest “It Girl”. Few got their Photos with her, but The Hunger Games Star did her best to sign every Autograph she could.
9. Tom Hanks at Cloud Atlas Press Conference. That is all.
10. Halle Berry being gracious to Fans working her way into ever corner of the queue, signing Autographs at Cloud Atlas Press Conference. I am floored by her beauty and kindness.
11. John Hawkes at the Premiere for The Sessions, for which he is gaining a tremendous amount of Oscar buzz with. He declined me a Photo but still was nice about it, as he was rushed off into his vehicle.
12. Patrick Schwarzenegger at the Premiere for his first Film, The Writers. Yes, I met a Schwarzenegger!! Was Arnold even this handsome at his age?
13. Lily Collins at the Premiere for The Writers. Love her Balmain Dress; favourite Dress at TIFF 2012 – no doubt.
14. Pierce Brosnan at the Premiere for Love Is All You Need. As classy and kind as you’d imagine.
15. Kristen Wiig at the Premiere for Imogene. Incredibly gracious on the Carpet, but don’t bug her when she’s not working. My #1 Person to Meet at TIFF 2012 and it happened! And it was epic! Hilarious seeing myself shouting for her on the Carpet later that day on the news!!
16. Bradley Cooper and Ryan Gosling together in one Photo. How can one .jpg contain that much hotness? Photo taken at Party for The Place Beyond the Pines where Gosling was spotted bringing his Mom, Donna. Aww!
17. Eva Mendes at the Party for The Place Beyond the Pines. Whatever Ryan Gosling has done to her, she needs to keep doing as she was in great spirits that night. Mendes was incredibly friendly to Fans this year and she has never looked more glamorous doing it. I want to squeal every time I look at my Photo with her.
18. Elle Fanning at the Premiere for Ginger & Rosa. Stunning and sweet young Lady who happens to be the little Sister of Dakota. She is said to have been v. emotional after seeing Film for the first time and apparently cried on-stage during the Q&A.
19. Christina Hendricks at the Premiere for Ginger & Rosa. Stunning. Just absolutely stunning. The Mad Men Star declined Photos that night, but after a bit of persistence she did it and I will never forget! Thanks to Friend and Reader Laura for snapping this!
20. Adam Sandler at the Press Conference for Hotel Transylvania being awesome with Fans surprisingly. You just can never tell with Comedians. He’s always been a favourite of mine and I’d never have guessed I’d have gotten a Photo with him!
21. Selena Gomez at the Press Conference for Hotel Transylvania. I have never heard so much shrieking. Ever.
22. Ben Affleck at the Press Conference for Argo, which although got mixed reviews at Venice Film Festival, was loved by many in Toronto. A great Guy who is equally talented as a Director as he is an Actor and wonderful to his Fans. He definitely is one of my greatest highlights of TIFF 2012.
23. Bryan Cranston at the Press Conference for Argo. A true Gentleman who hopefully will come back to film in Toronto again and be welcomed with open arms as he’s just an amazing Guy!
24. Darren Criss at a Photo Call for Imogene. Some Glee Fans had great experiences with him, some not so much especially after arriving so late to the Premiere for the Film that he had little time for Fans.
25. Paul Thomas Anderson at the Press Conference for The Master – the one Film which already is being touted as a clear favourite to win Best Picture this year.
26. Amy Adams at the Press Conference for The Master. They don’t come much nicer than her. One of my fondest memories of TIFF 2012 was meeting her. One of America’s greatest Actresses and believe me, I’ve waited year after year for her to come.
27. Ziyi Zhang at the Roy Thomson Hall Premiere for Dangerous Liaisons. Absolute perfection.
28. Michael Shannon at the Press Conference for The Iceman; a bona fide Actor’s Actor on the verge of an Oscar whether it be this year or another year. Incredibly humble and generous with Fans, taking the time to fulfill every request thrown his way that day.
29. Kristin Scott Thomas leaving her Hotel after promoting No. Brilliant Actress, who is every bit as classy and kind as you’d imagine. Will she ever age?!
30. Marisa Tomei at Red Carpet for Inescapable at Roy Thomson Hall. Tomei was in great spirits at the Carpet, signing many Autographs and believe it or not, doing some Photos with Fans. I even got one (minus the fact that she moved quickly after posing!). A rarity for the Oscar-winning Actress!
31. Octavia Spencer at Red Carpet for Smashed. Charismatic Actress who although vocal with Fans and generous with Autographs at Ryerson Theatre, was photo-shy, declining Photos with Fans leaving them disappointed as she entered the venue.
32. Aaron Johnson at Premiere for Anna Karenina. Unquestionably talented Actor who is on the verge of becoming Hollywood’s next It Boy. Currently in Toronto filming Kick-Ass 2; lovely meeting his Wife, Sam Taylor-Wood who was a bit taken a back when I asked her for a Snap.
33. Paula Patton leaving her Hotel for Premiere of Disconnect. She was one of the sweetest Celebrities to have graced the City this Festival; extremely giving, friendly and just beautiful to the eye.
34. Chris Evans aka Captain America, at Press Conference for The Iceman. The Hunk has catapulted to the top after much persistence and dedication. Although he typically doesn’t sign Autographs, Fans were delighted by his generosity that day.
35. Penelope Cruz at Press Conference for Twice Born. Always a thrill to see this brilliant Spanish Actress, who has left her mark in Hollywood with a string of Oscar-worthy performances.
36. Chris O’Dowd at Premiere for The Sapphires. The lovable Funnyman spent a good amount of time with Fans as his Premiere with cigarette in-mouth, while earlier Harvey Weinstein milled about in the background, going in and out of VISA Screening Room checking audience reactions. One of the few Films which I saw an Audience give a standing ovation to outside the Theatre.
37. Zoe Kazan at the InStyle Magazine Party. You’ve definitely seen her before but just didn’t know her name. This humble and sweet Actress was spotted with her equally amazing Partner Paul Dano, taking Photos with several Fans. Currently in-town filming The F Word opposite Daniel Radcliffe, it’s quite possible we’ll be seeing her on the Red Carpet herself at TIFF 2013! While most Actresses opted for fluffy frocks and slinky dresses, she kept it cool and casual.
38. Johnny Depp at Premiere for West of Memphis. Although I physically wasn’t at this event, I did see Depp earlier in the day at the Press Conference for the Documentary, failing to fire a proper Snap of him as he hopped straight into his vehicle. He apparently was generous with Autographs upon arrival, although few who were persistent enough managed a Snap together with him. Thanks to my loyal Reader and Friend Sheetal for sending this in!
39. Gwyneth Paltrow at Premiere for Thanks for Sharing. Fans who lined the Carpet at Ryerson Theatre were in awe how kind this Oscar-winning Actress was with Fans. It definitely was one of my biggest regrets of the Festival, just missing her both arriving and leaving, but thanks again to Sheetal, I have a beautiful Snap to show you. Paltrow was in a great hurry to fly-out after walking the Red Carpet quickly.
40. Jeremy Irvine at the InStyle Magazine Party. I adore this Irish-born Actor v. much after having seen him in War Horse – the one single Movie which made me cry so hard my face hurt, last year. I’ll be the first to admit he’s a bit more reserved and quiet than I’d have imagined but still a great Guy. I also got to meet his younger Brother Toby, who is just breaking into Cinema appearing in Dickens Adaptation Great Expectations together. Thanks to my amazing Reader and Friend Nicole who generously sent this Snap over after my Camera failed to fire!
41. Zac Efron at Afterparty for The Paperboy. One of the Films I am most excited to see this year is this latest effort from Precious Director, Lee Daniels. The number one question I received on Twitter this Festival definitely was “Do you have any idea where Zac is staying?”. Everywhere he went there was chaos as that was the case at his Afterparty at Bloke and Forth, with Fans crowding to meet him, resulting in him having to be escorted-in prematurely.
42. Logan Lerman at The Writers Premiere. One of the biggest breakout Stars of TIFF 2012 is this Star of Percy Jackson. Praise has been universal for his other Film at the Festival, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, with Critics and Sir Paul McCartney singing the praises of the Novel Adaptation. He’s definitely an Oddball, but a good Guy.
It’s been an absolute blast making it through another TIFF together. Thank you all for your encouragement, Re-Tweets and kind words. Can’t wait till next year already! *bow*
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Additional Photos: Sheetal Nanda/Nicole Divitcoff/Laura Cordero)
Perhaps this can be called his most daring performance to date. Hearththrob Zac Efron reportedly was amazingly kind to Fans on the Red Carpet for his latest effort, The Paperboy at VISA Screening Room earlier this evening. I spotted the dapper Efron at the Afterparty for the Film where he made every effort to take Photos with Fans, but after a bit of pushing and shoving, everything had to be curtailed as he was ushered-in by a team of Bodyguards.
Efron spent a bit of time in New York City following last weekend’s Premiere of At Any Price, flying back in last night to promote The Paperboy.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Precious Director Lee Daniels comes into TIFF 2012 with a world of buzz for The Paperboy, and although the response hasn’t been as ecstatic this time around, Star Zac Efron has shown his vote of confidence in the Film, coming out to promote it. Daniels was touched that I admitted how much Precious changed my life and told me I was v. sweet. Regardless, I’m still excited to see this one when it hits theatres next month!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
The moment many of us have been waiting for. Disney has just released this stunning new Trailer for Lincoln. The Biopic which takes place at the end of the Civil War, centers around one of the greatest Presidents ever and his efforts to getting rid of Slavery in America.
This Best Actor Category is going to be awful tough, especially after seeing this thrilling display from Day-Lewis.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada releases Lincoln on November 9, 2012 in Toronto and nationwide on November 16, 2012.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
The Countdown is on to Sunday’s $1-million Ricoh Woodbine Mile at Woodbine Racetrack! Canada’s Olympic Gold Medal Trampolinist Rosie MacLennan even came out to join-in on the fun, as Post-Positions were drawn for the Race’s nine Competitors. Meet all your Contenders here!
I spent the morning on the Backstretch with some equine Friends, including previous Woodbine Mile Winner and remarkable Champion, Rahy’s Attorney, who soon will begin a second career at Woodbine as a Track Pony. After spending much time at the Farm recovering from a career-ending injury, the eight-year-old looks superb still and I got to watch him do a quick jog before heading back into his stall.
Although they aren’t competing in the Race, I fell in-love with the lovely Ardara, who at three-years-old just began her Career with a decent fourth-place finish this Summer. Her Trainer Carolyn Costigan who is in no rush with her, has high hopes with her Champion’s Pedigree. As you can see above, we hit it off rather well after I gifted her with some Peppermint Candies, getting rewarded back with a big, minty kiss!
I also got to meet Costigan‘s diminutive Star two-year-old Filly, Nancy O (Ire), who after a workout this morning, was all focused on winding down, grazing on some grass. Sweetheart.
I also got to hang with Breeder’s Cup Runner-Up Excaper, who went from bored to excited after a few Peppermints, bobbing his head up and down approvingly. On the way out, I ran into Turf Veteran Musketier (Ger), playing with his giant Teddy Bear in his own little fenced-in VIP Area. If that doesn’t melt your heart, I don’t know what will.
Although all five $25 Gift Cards I had up for grabs in my Party with Mr. Will at Woodbine Contest are all accounted for, I do hope to see you at Woodbine on Sunday for some post-TIFF fun and maybe we can even win a little cash to replenish our wallets!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Academy Award-winning Actress Penélope Cruz is every bit as charming in-person as she is on the big screen. Although, rushed upon arrival of her new Romantic Drama Twice Born, she did promise to come out and sign some Autographs afterward. Unfortunately though, she first agreed to taking a Photo before her Handler advised there was no time left and then she later told me she had to go. Heartbreak!
Cruz‘s Husband Javier Bardem also currently is in-town doing promotion for his Documentary, Sons of the Clouds: The Last Colony.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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