“I did not kill my Wife. I am not a Murderer.”
The first official Teaser Trailer for David Fincher‘s GONE GIRL at long last has surfaced and if this doesn’t say Awards Season, then I don’t know what does! Set to Elvis Costello‘s She (covered by Richard Butler of The Psychadelic Furs), this intriguing Trailer leaves much to the imagination, capturing perfectly the chaos surrounding the speculation that Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) has murdered his Wife of five years (Rosamund Pike).
Based on Gillian Flynn‘s Best-selling Thriller, GONE GIRL stars both Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris and Rosamund Pike.
Watch the Trailer:
20th Century Fox release GONE GIRL on Friday, October 3, 2014. TIFF Punters would say this is angled perfectly for a TIFF ’14 Premiere. What do you say?
(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)
Based on Gillian Flynn‘s Best-Seller, David Fincher‘s GONE GIRL is set to rivet Audiences this Fall and we’re hoping with fingers crossed it gets a Toronto Premiere at TIFF ’14! The Thriller centers on a Woman disappearing mysteriously on the day of her Wedding Anniversary, boasting a Cast which includes Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Missi Pyle, Scoot McNairy, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Fugit and Tyler Perry.
The above Still featuring a v. intense-looking Affleck raising awareness about his missing Wife (Pike) was just released to build a bit of anticipation for the Film, which hits theatres Friday, October 3, 2014 via 20th Century Fox.
(Photo credit: 20th Century Fox)
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)
HUGE NEWS! After much speculation whom would win the coveted role of Bruce Wayne in Zack Synder‘s upcoming Superman-Batman Mashup Film speculated to film in Toronto early 2014, Warner Bros. has confirmed that Ben Affleck is set to star opposite Henry Cavill!
Synder said in a Statement: “(Affleck) has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a Man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned Crime Fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne,” said Snyder. “I can’t wait to work with him.”.
This upcoming Blockbuster builds upon a fantastic working relationship Warner Bros. has developed with Affleck, him having directed and starred in critical and commercial successes The Town and Argo, the latter which earlier this year won Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
More to come and we couldn’t agree more with this choice! Remember that time we met him at TIFF ’12?
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Hollywood united once again for the biggest night in Film, the 85th annual Academy Awards, held at newly-coined Dolby Theatre (formerly Kodak Theatre) in Los Angeles. Hosted (and Nominee) by Funnyman Seth McFarlane, there were several moments of biting humour where he drew “ooh”s, followed by “hahahaha”s, including everything from jokes about Chris Brown and Rihanna to nine-year-old Nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, whom he said “in 15 years will be of age to date George Clooney“. The highlight of his Opening Speech included dancing by Charlize Theron and Channing Tatum and a cynical William Shatner, where we saw a hilarious Sock Puppet Re-enactment of Best Picture Nominee Flight. In addition, the sometimes Crooner showed-off his singing chops including an inappropriate Duet with Kristin Chenoweth as the credits rolled, poking fun at the Losers.
Winning top honours tonight was Ben Affleck-directed Argo, which solidified its place in the race for Best Picture with a gain in momentum of late, with wins at major Oscars pre-cursor ceremonies including the Critics’ Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Directors Guide Awards. The Film also won Editing and Adapted Screenplay earlier in the evening and despite noticeably being left-out in the Directing race this year, a fast-talking Affleck sorta addressed his snubbing by saying, “You can’t hold grudges and it doesn’t matter how you get knocked down in life as all that matters is that you get up.”. The Drama had the distinction of debuting here at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September, when we were lucky enough to see Affleck and the Cast here in the City.
It should come as no surprise to many that Daniel Day-Lewis went on to win his third Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in Best Picture Contender, Lincoln. The private British-Irish Actor in 1989 won for My Left Foot and also in 2007 for There Will Be Blood. In his Acceptance Speech, he showed his funny side, joking “Steven (Spielberg) originally wanted to cast Meryl (Streep) in the role of Lincoln“, accepting his Award from a fellow three-time Winner in Streep, acknowledging what a versatile Actress she is.
Winning Best Actress was 22-year-old Jennifer Lawrence, who looked stunning in her Dress designed by Dior Haute Couture, winning for her work in Rom-Com, Silver Linings Playbook. Tripping up the stairs while accepting her Award, she humbly said “You’re all standing just because you felt bad I fell down”. Lawrence became the second youngest Actress ever to win the Award, behind only a then 21-year-old Marlee Matlin in Children of a Lesser God. The Category was seen as a hotly-contested battle between her and Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty.
Christoph Waltz repeated his 2010 feat, winning Best Supporting Actor once again for his second collaboration with Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained. The Austrian Actor has solidified his standing in North America as a Star with a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live just last week, completing his Awards Season sweep which also included wins at the Golden Globe Awards and also the BAFTAs.
Anne Hathaway, being the odds-on favourite to win Best Supporting Actress also was absolutely no surprise winning her respective Category on the strength of her heartbreaking performance as Fantine in Tom Hooper‘s Les Misérables. Dressed in Prada – a decision she only made three hours prior to walking the Red Carpet which was met with mixed reviews – the New York Native has won an astonishing 43 wins this Awards Season, with handful more to go still.
Taiwan-born Director Ang Lee became a two-time winner in the Directing Category with his Life of Pi, after winning in 2005 with Brokeback Mountain. Quentin Tarantino also won his second Oscar – his first being in1995 with Pulp Fiction – for his Screenplay, Django Unchained, although he noticeably was omitted from consideration in the Directing Category.
After much buzz surrounding her appearance tonight which prevented her from appearing at the BRIT Awards the other night, International Singing Sensation Adele performed a stirring rendition of Skyfall, co-written by her and Paul Epworth, which went on to win her an Oscar tonight for Best Original Song. Adele among others, beat-out Host MacFarlane‘s co-written Everybody Needs a Best Friend, sung by Norah Jones, from Ted.
See some of the stunning Fashion from the Oscars tonight, including my fave look – Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen!
For a full list of Winners, click here.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
Some of you might recall that my dear Friend Jonathan Godfrey, a fellow Film Aficionado has pitched-in a few Reviews here of late. He thought of the brilliant idea of us combining our perspectives together for you all to read right in time for the 85th annual Academy Awards. As it turns out, we have rather different opinions on how we feel the Oscars will unfold. We both live for Oscars Day and these would be our choices if we were given Ballots by the Academy…
SUPPORTING ACTRESS & ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Jonathan Godfrey: Ladies first, I am a Gentleman after all. And when it comes to the fairer sex I must admit my fondness for Anne Hathaway, however when it comes to this year’s Best Supporting Actress, she is not my Flagbearer. Helen Hunt is, and the sexuality she exudes in The Sessions makes her so.
Mr. Will: Although I would agree that the brazen and physically-correct Helen Hunt was superb in The Sessions, it was Hathaway who devastated me most as Fantine in Les Misérables. In fact her performance was so good that if the Academy would allow it, she could well have won Actress in a Leading Role this year. The last two-thirds of Les Misérables never could match that level of intensity it had when she was on-screen. Mark my words, it will be a Hathaway Sweep this Awards season, completed by an Oscar win here. Anne, I’m still on for Soy Lattes and Salon Day some time. Text me, A-Hath!
Jonathan Godfrey: As for Actress in a Leading Role, my choice is far more mainstream. Jennifer Lawrence is unforgettable in Silver Linings Playbook, and such an impression should be adequately awarded.
Mr. Will: Inasmuch as I love J-Law – and I really do – I really just don’t think she’s earned it yet. When you measure her performance here against recent Winners like Natalie Portman in Black Swan, Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby/Boys Don’t Cry, Charlize Theron in Monster or Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady, her Silver Linings Playbook work just doesn’t stack-up to that caliber. I’m so sorry to say it – don’t Katniss me with a Crossbow! I also would hate to see her peak this early in her career as I think her best work is still ahead of her. The Oscars Curse can be detrimental, ask Mira Sorvino. Therefore, my vote goes to the effervescent Jessica Chastain. Her stone-cold performance as Maya in Zero Dark Thirty in my opinion, dug that extra layer deeper and left an impression with me long after I left the theatre. Kudos also to a then six-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis who wowed me in Beasts of the Southern Wild, a born natural. Naomi Watts I adore, starting off so strong in The Impossible, but alas it is her role which didn’t give her as much to work with after she fell ill for most of the Film.
SUPPORTING ACTOR & ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jonathan Godrey: My choices here are for the pair of Chaps who star opposite each other in The Master. Yes, I was one of those Oddballs impressed by that haunting theological treatise. And so I believe Philip Seymour Hoffman to be Supporting Actor, and Joaquin Phoenix the Actor in a Leading Role. Color me crazy (a suitable shade), for that Film drove me to madness (its own indelible mark).
Mr. Will: Odd, indeed! The Master was this year’s Tree of Life for me. Although sartorially exquisite, it went completely over my head. I appreciate Phoenix‘s daringness and Hoffman‘s conviction here, but it is Christoph Waltz who lit-up the Screen for me in Django Unchained, giving us a performance equally brilliant to the one he gave us in 2009’s Inglourious Basterds. This Man fascinates me: his range, his ability to command a scene and his working chemistry with Quentin Tarantino is just explosive. And can I say what an injustice it is that Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t get recognized?
As for Actor in a Leading Role I begrudgingly have to say the incomparable Daniel Day-Lewis is the odds-on choice. And I say “begrudgingly” because I know how Hugh Jackman gave it his all in Les Misérables, finally getting that long-overdue Academy acknowledgment. In any other year it could’ve been him.
COSTUME DESIGN, PRODUCTION DESIGN & ORIGINAL SCORE
Jonathan Godfrey: Though I do not believe I am qualified to comment on every Technical category, I do wish to talk about a few. It may be Paul Delgado’s first nomination, but he is deserving of the gold for Costume Design nonetheless. The Wardrobe he stitched for Les Misérables is inspiring, so is Sarah Greenwood & Katie Spencer’s work on Anna Karenina. To them the aesthetic award of Best Production Design is given easily. They made the stage a character of its own, a truth too often overlooked. Lastly, may Mychael Danna take the Oscar for Original Score in Life of Pi. We Torontonians must stick together.
Mr. Will: I tend to agree with you Jonathan, despite our v. different opinions in the Acting categories. In any given year there are several Nominees in categories such as Short Film – Animated or Short Film – Live Action which we unfortunately don’t get an opportunity to evaluate. In terms of Costume Design, Colleen Atwood has built her own legacy and her work for Snow White and The Huntsman cannot be overlooked as a possible Dark Horse, but yes, the Costumes in Anna Karenina were stunning – a Film defined by its Fashion. I do think though that Les Misérables has more fuel in its tank at this point in Awards Season. I’d give the upper hand to Delgado here for his work in the Musical.
As for Production Design, I’m inclined to say that the Duo of Eve Stewart & Anna Lynch-Robinson for Les Misérables also will be awarded. Hard to believe they made us believe we were amidst the June Rebellion in France all within the confines of a few Soundstages. As for Original Score, I love John Williams as does the Academy making him the choice, although Thomas Newman for Skyfall might give him a run for his money.
I also would like to commend the phenomenal Makeup and Hairstyling in the under-appreciated Hitchcock. You go, Howard Berger, Peter Montagna & Martin Samuel! Anyone who can turn Sir Anthony Hopkins so believably into such a widely-recognizable Icon deserves a round of applause in my books.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY, ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY & DIRECTING
Jonathan Godfrey: Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin cannot go unmentioned for Adapted Screenplay. Theirs is a story of life, its beauty and opposing struggle. Beasts of the Southern Wild is absolutely brilliant and so is Amour. Thus, for Original Screenplay the statue goes to Michael Haneke. However, as much as I am torn in denying Haneke the Award for Directing, it nevertheless goes to a worthy Opponent. Benh Zeitlin took home the honours at Sundance for Beasts, and here he shall have them again. His Film reminds the World that life is in the living.
Mr. Will: Argo was my fave Film of 2012, so I am pretty much rooting for Chris Terrio to be awarded Adapted Screenplay for his enthralling, humanistic and detailed work. For Original Screenplay, my heart is with Tarantino for Django Unchained; an unparalleled Storyteller, in a league of his own.
As for Directing, it still to this day does not sit well with me that Ben Affleck so cruelly was overlooked for Argo. The Golden Globes, BAFTAs, DGAs and Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards got it right. The Academy, not so much. That being said, the legendary Steven Spielberg is as deserving as he’s ever been for Lincoln, drawing phenomenal performances all around from his superior-caliber Cast, paying a fitting tribute to a Man who changed our World.
BEST PICTURE
Jonathan Godfrey: Beasts of the Southern Wild is my selection for Best Picture. All of the Nominees are deserving of the honour this year, and I believe Les Misérables and Amour to be especially so. That said, Beasts remains my choice, one I have been debating for weeks on-end. In time, I shall see if the Academy agrees with me, and I do not worry if they don’t. I’m happy to have seen all of the nominated Films, and to have enjoyed them in turn. I hope those interested do the same, and come to their own honest conclusions.
Mr. Will: Although I walked away from Zero Dark Thirty thinking for sure it was this year’s Best Picture, I’ve seen both Silver Linings Playbook and Argo gain a huge amount of momentum over the past few weeks, particularly the latter. To be honest, I think Argo is peaking at the right moment to take it all, especially with Affleck‘s snubbing reminding the Academy how badly they’ve messed-up failing to recognize his work as a Director. Argo, it is.
And thank you so much Jonathan for generously sharing your thoughts with us. You definitely have a unique perspective and offer a refreshing take! I do think you’re terribly wrong about Hathaway though and you know it!
ABC airs the 85th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 7:00 PM EST.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
The accolades continue to pour-in for Argo, which won top honours today including Best Picture and Best Director (Ben Affleck) at the EE BAFTA Awards, held at London’s Royal Opera House. Acclaimed Actor Stephen Fry filled hosting duties. The Drama also won Best Editing, further drawing attention to the Academy‘s snubbing of Affleck at this year’s forthcoming Oscars in the Directing category.
Winning British Film at the Awards this year was Skyfall, the latest in the James Bond Franchise. Composer Thomas Newman also won Original Music too for the connections of the Film.
Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables also took home an impressive four Awards including shoe-in Anne Hathaway for her work as Fantine. The Film also won Best Hair and Makeup, Production Design and Sound also.
Perhaps the biggest Shocker to come out of the EE BAFTA Awards was 85-year-old Actress Emmanuelle Riva‘s win for Amour, which also won Best ForeignFilm. The Category was seen widely as a match between Zero Dark Thirty‘s Jessica Chastain and Silver Linings Playbook‘s Jennifer Lawrence, further evincing what a wide-open affair this year’s Oscars really is. Not so surprisingly, Daniel Day-Lewis was honoured for his work in Lincoln.
Picking-up the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award this year is Juno Temple who is making a splash stateside in titles like Dirty Girl, Killer Joe and The Dark Knight Rises.
See all the Winners here.
See some of the Fashion from the BAFTAs at Vogue UK here.
e! will be airing the BAFTAs at 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PAC tomorrow, February 11, 2013.
(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)
Approximately 160 Nominees gathered to attend the annual Luncheon in advance of the 85th Academy Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel today in Los Angeles. The Event, considered a Rite of Passage for Hollywood’s Elite, is highlighted by a Nominees Group Portrait. Attending this year included the likes of Ben Affleck, Jessica Chastain, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway, Naomi Watts and several more.
According the Oscars Producer Craig Zadan, a focus this year will be placed on eliminating small time-consuming lags, which consistently drive the Ceremony into Overtime and just generally everyone watching into Panic Mode. He says, “You start adding up those 30 seconds, and you have an accumulation of time that you can use for Entertainment. So that’s what we’re doing. We’re learning a lot about the things that we don’t need in the show. The main goal is to honor the Nominees and the Winners.”.
This remains to be seen as hopefully we won’t have to deal with the embarassing sight of the Orchestra playing as Hathaway forcefully zips her way through that one Speech she’s waited her whole life to make!
The Oscars air on ABC Sunday February 24, 2013 at 7:00 PM EST.
(Photo credit: @TheAcademy)
The 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were held tonight at The Shrine in Los Angeles, as one of the final major Awards Ceremonies leading up to next month’s Oscars. The Awards, which allow Actors to honour their v. own, recognize both Film and Television Performers. As is the case with the SAG Awards, what makes it unique is that their is now Best Picture Award as the Ceremony honours performances strictly. This year, Dick Van Dyke was the honourary Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Winning top honours tonight was Argo for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, which is making it seem increasingly likely as a real Best Picture Candidate at the Oscars, considering its Motion Picture – Drama win at the Golden Globes a couple weeks back. Actor/Director Ben Affleck, who was a noticeable omission from the Directing Category at the Oscars, delivered a heartfelt and funny Speech, remembering to thank Wife Jennifer Garner: “I wanna thank my Wife, who I love, and my Kids, and Warner Brothers, who I love, but not as much.”. The Ensemble Cast from Argo includes: Clea Duvall, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Victor Garber, Scoot McNairy, Kerry Bishé, Tate Donovan and more.
Lincoln also continues to be a major presence this Awards Season with Daniel Day-Lewis solidifying his case for Best Actor at the Oscars with a win for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture. This counts as his third win at the Awards, after previously having won in 2003 and 2008 for Gangs of New York and There Will Be Blood. In what was a competitive Category, Tommy Lee Jones too was awarded Supporting Actor, Film for his work in Lincoln too after having been defeated by Christoph Waltz a couple weeks ago at the Golden Globes.
Jennifer Lawrence, who despite recovering from Pneumonia still ventured-out in her Dior Couture (same label as her Golden Globes Dress), pulled-off a surprise upset over an Alexander McQueen-clad Jessica Chastain, with her spirited work in Silver Linings Playbook. While accepting the Award, even Katniss herself couldn’t avoid a slight Wardrobe Malfunction with her dress appearing to tear at the knees, although it was later confirmed via Dior that in fact this was part of the design.
Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway won Supporting Actress, Film for her stunning performance in Les Misérables, her first ever SAG Award and just one of many won of late. The Actress stunned in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, daring in a black Dress which drew some parallels to her scandal-inducing Tom Ford Dress worn at the New York City Premiere for the Film in December.
Now into its final Season, 30 Rock nabbed two Awards for Actor and Actress in Television Series, Comedy with both Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey respectively, while the Cast of Modern Family for a third time won Ensemble Cast, Comedy, Television Series. ITV British Import Downton Abbey won Ensemble Cast, Drama, Television Series.
For Television Movie or Miniseries, both Film Veterans Kevin Costner and Juliane Moore were victorious for their work in History’s Hatfields and McCoys and HBO‘s Game Change respectively. Claire Danes also continues her domination this Awards Season, winning for her work on Showtime‘s Homeland for Actress, Television Series, Drama, while Cranston won Actor Award, Television Series, Drama for AMC’s Breaking Bad (making him a double-Winner also for Argo), beating-out Danes’ Co-Star Damian Lewis who won at the Golden Globes.
Toronto Viewers tonight were inconvenienced by technical glitches, delaying the broadcast of the SAG Awards on Global Television. Finally at approximately 9:00 PM the issue was resolved, but not without Torontonians first being so outraged that they took to Twitter to vent so much that the Station trended. Bad Publicity can be good too perhaps.
Read Global Television‘s Tweets about the glitches below:
See some of the best looks from the SAG Awards tonight including my favourite, Chastain and Seyfried in Zac Posen:
Complete List of Winners here.
(Photo credit: Getty Images/Warner Bros.)
Unbelievably, Ben Affleck’s Argo finds itself at number one with $12.5 million on a really tepid Weekend, climbing steadily to the summit since its debut three weeks ago. The Drama which is seen widely as a Frontrunner for Best Picture, still is showing in 2,855 theatres across North America. To-date it has earned $61.5 million domestically.
Mega-Opus Cloud Atlas, despite gaining high marks for Artistic Merit, alas debuts below expectations in second with $9.5 million for Warner Bros. Critics gave it favourable Reviews, tallying 61% on the Tomatometer. The Film with a Cast of Megastars including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant, Hugo Weaving and several more, was made for a budget of $102 million.
Former number one Hotel Transylvania still is going strong into Halloween with $9 million in its fifth week – enough to land it in third this weekend for Sony Pictures, just ahead of last week’s Champion Paranormal Activity 4, which happens also to be in fourth with $8.6 million.
Silent Hill: Revelation 3-D which debuts in fifth with $8.5 million, from 2,933 theatres for Open Road/Alliance Films. The Horror which was filmed in Toronto, earned only 7% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.
Rounding-out the Horror Contingent is Sinister, which still hanging-tough in ninth with $5 million in its third week. Pitch Perfect rounds out the Top Ten for Universal Pictures with $4.2 million.
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