We’re past the halfway point at TIFF ’16 and things begin to slow down to another gear after today. Premieres around the City tonight include DEEPWATER HORIZON which sees Mark Wahlberg, Kate Hudson and Kurt Russell walk the Red Carpet at Roy Thomson Hall. Meanwhile, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA which continues to gain Oscar momentum, brings Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams to the Carpet at Princess of Wales Theatre. Megastar Justin Timberlake also presents Documentary JT AND THE TENNESSEE KIDS at Roy Thomson Hall also.
Casey Affleck, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
Kyle Chandler, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
Â#KyleChandler at #TIFF16 for #ManchesterbytheSea. #MongrelatTIFF
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Matt Damon, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
Mark Wahlberg, DEEPWATER HORIZON
#TIFF16: #MarkWahlberg who quickly made an appearance for the #DeepwaterHorizon afterparty.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Gina Rodriguez, DEEPWATER HORIZON
With the beautiful and gracious #GinaRodriguez. #DeepwaterHorizon #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Kurt Russell, DEEPWATER HORIZON
Â#KurtRussell at Premiere for #DeepwaterHorizon. #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Kate Hudson, DEEPWATER HORIZON
Director Peter Berg, DEEPWATER HORIZON
ÂWith #DeepwaterHorizon Director #PeterBerg. #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Virginia Madsen, BURN YOUR MAPS
Director Morgan Spurlock, RATS
Jason Momoa, THE BAD BATCH
Suki Waterhouse, THE BAD BATCH
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
We got a huge surprise tonight during the Super Bowl as the latest installment of the BOURNE franchise got a quick unveiling! See this high-octane new Teaser for JASON BOURNE!
Synopsis:
Matt Damon returns to his most iconic role in Jason Bourne. Paul Greengrass, the director of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, once again joins Damon for the next chapter of Universal Pictures’ Bourne franchise, which finds the CIA’s most lethal former operative drawn out of the shadows.
Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel, Tommy Lee Jones and Julia Stiles also star.
See the Spot:
Universal Pictures Canada release JASON BOURNE on Friday, July 29, 2016.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
The 73rd annual GOLDEN GLOBE Awards took place tonight at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  After a strong performance at the Box Office this weekend in North America, partly Canadian-made (Calgary, British Columbia) THE REVENANT would dominate the Awards, winning Motion Picture Drama.  It also received recognition with victories for Director, Motion Picture by Alejandro González Iñárritu and also its star Leonardo DiCaprio taking Actor, Motion Picture Drama.
THE MARTIAN, which had a Premiere at TIFF ’15 this past September in Toronto, also was a big winner tonight. In addition to a win for Motion Picture Comedy (which had many baffled about its categorization), also saw its star Matt Damon win for Actor, Motion Picture Comedy. Â The Star soon will be in Toronto to film Downsizing this spring.
MR. ROBOTÂ was awarded two Golden Globes tonight for TV Series Drama and Supporting Actor –Â TV Series, a well-deserved win for veteran Christian Slater. Â
MOZART IN THE JUNGLE likewise would win TV Series Comedy and Star Gael Garcia Bernal, Actor – TV Series Comedy.
Jennifer Lawrence won her third (in the past four years) Golden Globe tonight for Actress, Motion Picture Comedy, for her portrayal of Miracle Mop creator Joy Mangano in JOY.  In the Drama category, Brie Larson would win Actress, Motion Picture Drama for her work in Toronto-made ROOM.
Kate Winslet won her fourth Golden Globe tonight in the Supporting Actress, Motion Picture category for her work in STEVE JOBS.  Film industry icon Sylvester Stallone also would receive a long-overdue Golden Globe for his work in CREED, the latest in the storied Rocky franchise.  The star-studded audience would give him a standing ovation after a career which has spanned over 45 years.
Lady Gaga gave a big shock winning Best Actress in a Limited TV Series or Movie for AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL. Â “I wanted to be an actress before a singer, but music came to me first”, she told the audience, comparing the feeling of winning to being Cher in Moonstruck.
Taraji P. Henson caused quite a stir after winning Actress in a TV Series Drama, EMPIRE. Â Her outspoken character Cookie Lyons came out a bit as she was rushed along to finish her acceptance speech quickly. Â “I’ve waited 20 years for this – you gonna have to wait”, she replied. Â After arriving on-stage, she also told someone to step off the train on her dress.
Receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award was Denzel Washington, who appeared on-stage with his family and despite needing his reading glasses, refused them.
Classic Hollywood looks would prevail on the Red Carpet tonight, with Actresses opting for elegance. Â Favourite looks included a custom gold Calvin Klein dress on Brie Larson, Jennifer Lawrence in a hip and back-revealing red Dior piece, Amy Adams in a blood-orange Versace number and Lady Gaga channeling Marilyn Monroe in a black Versace dress also. Â Cate Blanchett and Co-Star Rooney Mara delivered a bit more edge with tassels and lace in Givenchy and Alexander McQueen respectively.
As for the gents, Ryan Gosling would reign king in a sharp white Ralph Lauren tuxedo outshining his ultra-famous The Big Short Co-Star Brad Pitt. Â Rami Malek, star of Mr. Robot also looked perfect in a Dior suit.
 Click here to see the complete list of Winners!
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
Since Suicide Squad and TIFF, Toronto hasn’t caught much of a break in terms of starpower. That is about to change soon. Â While a slew of TV Series and Pilots continue to film in the City, we will be plenty excited to know that A-List names like Reese Witherspoon, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, Neil Patrick Harris and Samuel L. Jackson are making their way north over the next few months. Â That’s right! Â Kicking-off 2016 proper!
DOWNSIZING, to be released via Paramount Pictures, is the latest endeavour for Oscar-nominated Director Alexander Payne who rocked our world with Sideways (2000) and The Descendants (2004). Â Matt Damon will star as an Omaha man who joins the many others who opt to undergo a procedure which reduces them to a fraction of their size. Â They then are moved-off to communities with many others like themselves. Â Reese Witherspoon who worked with Payne in Election, Jason Sudeikis and Neil Patrick Harris also star. Â Expect a late 2017 release, which means you guessed it… OSCARS and what could be a debut at TIFF ’17! Â Filming runs April through July.
For those who like a bit more of a punch, the latest installment in the XXX franchise, THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE begins production in February through May and once again stars megastar Vin Diesel in the titular role.  Samuel L. Jackson returns and appearing also is MMA star Conor McGregor.  After Xander Cage (Diesel) is left for dead, he miraculously finds his way back and is sent on a new assignment by hander Augustus Gibbons (Jackson).
Production is to be based out of Pinewood Studios in Toronto for both Films.
After selling to Europacorp during TIFF in September for a cool $17 million, gun control drama Miss Sloane, starring future Oscar winner Jessica Chastain also is pegged for a late winter start date. Chastain stars as a lobbyist who goes up against Washington to pass through gun legislation.  The Hollywood Reporter reports a March start date, while the Directors Guild of Canada report filming could start as early as February.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Although the rain repeatedly held us back, we gained a bit of star-spotting momentum midday. Here’s some snaps from the rain-filled first Saturday of the Festival! Â Brrr.
Matt Damon. Lightning strikes twice and despite hearing rumours he was flying back to Europe to film the latest Bourne installment, we can confirm we saw him right before our eyes again heading to the Entertainment Weekly party!
More Matt.
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Joel Edgerton. The shaved-headed Australian Actor/Filmmaker is at TIFF ’15 with Black Mass, also starring Johnny Depp.
#JoelEdgerton at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Jean-Marc Vallée. We love Dallas Buyers Club and it was a great pleasure meeting finally the Canadian Filmmaker who created that masterpiece. He was represented by Opening Night Gala Demolition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
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 Dominic Sherwood, Katherine McNamara + Alberto Rosende. The three stars of upcoming Toronto-filmed TV Series Shadowhunters were out partying together at the Entertainment Weekly party earlier.
#DominicSherwood, #KatherineMcNamara + #AlbertoRosende of #Shadowhunters at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
This adorable kid will steal your hearts in Thriller, Room. Jacob Tremblay, everybody!
  Geoffrey Rush, screen legend, here this year with The Daughter.
#GeoffreyRush at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Emily Blunt. She’s done few photos with Fans oddly this year. Not sure why? She looks amazing and was out alone earlier at the Entertainment Weekly party.
  Jeff Daniels, quietly making an exit from the Entertainment Weekly party. He is here for The Martian.
#JeffDaniels at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
We love emerging talent and this young actress Danika Yarosh got lots of exposure on hit series Shameless. She is here filming Heroes Reborn, which premiered at TIFF‘s new TV Programme.
 Former TIFF Rising Star Mackenzie Davis is set for the big time and she stars in The Martian.
Canadian actress #MackenzieDavis at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #TheMartian A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Bryan Cranston. The Trumbo star will wow you bigtime with his performance in that TIFF ’15 selection.
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Our George Kozera attended the Premiere of He Named Me Malala by Davis Guggenheim at Ryerson Theatre and the response was unanimously positive for the Documentary. A Skype session with young activist Malala Yousafzai herself was held in the Q&A.
#DavisGuggenheim’s #HeNamedMeMalala gets fantastic reaction at Ryerson Theatre tonight. #TIFF15 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF40 (photo via George Kozera). A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Because Jessica.
Eddie Redmayne at TIFF ’15 for The Danish Girl. Johnny Depp showed-up to his Premiere in support of partner Amber Heard who has a supporting role in the Film!
#EddieRedmayne at #TIFF15 for #TheDanishGirl. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Toronto’s Emmanuelle Chriqui at TIFF ’15 for The Steps.
Luke Evans at TIFF ’15 for High-Rise.
#LukeEvans at #TIFF15 for #HighRiseMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Sarah Gadon at the In-Style Magazine party, TIFF ’15.
Patrick Stewart, who stars in Green Room at TIFF ’15, blowing Fans a kiss.
#PatrickStewart blowing a kiss. #GreenRoomMovie #TIFF15 #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Harry Potter star ClĂ©mence PoĂ©sy at TIFF ’15 for The Ones Below.
Potential James Bond, Idris Elba at TIFF ’15 for Beasts of No Nation.
#IdrisElba at #TIFF15 for #BeastsofNoNation. #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival #Netflix
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Ben Foster at TIFF ’15 for The Program, a Film about the Lance Armstrong scandal.
Michael Shannon at TIFF ’15 for Freeheld.
#MichaelShannon at #TIFF15 for #FreeheldMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Susan Sarandon at TIFF ’15 for About Ray.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
 We’re officially kicking into high gear at TIFF ’15 and it was a majorly star-studded day in the City with a couple marquee premieres taking place tonight, Our Brand is Crisis and The Martian!
See who we spotted today! Exciting!
Julianne Moore was at TIFF Bell Lightbox bright and early for an In-Conversation-With and she is gearing-up to promote the superb fact-based drama Freeheld which has her in-contention for Awards Season once again. We spotted her co-star Ellen Page last night!
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We love our Canadian talent and Callum Keith Rennie, here for Sudbury-filmed Chet Baker Biopic Born to be Blue, was spotted outside the NKPR IT Gift Lounge!
With #CallumKeithRennie, at #TIFF15 for #BorntobeBlue. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Jessica Chastain is just the nicest. Fans never leave wanting more after she’s spent some time with them. Here she was at the Press Conference for The Martian.
Matt Damon is a highlight this year for us and we’re super-excited to see him in The Martian.
#MattDamon at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Community star and rapper Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover at TIFF for The Martian.
#DonaldGlover at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF # #ChildishGambino #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Matt Damon + Mr. Will. Finally!
Sebastian Stan drew a lot of fandemonium today and rightfully so. He’s delightful. Excited to see him in The Martian.
#SebastianStan at Press Conference for #TheMartian. #TIFF15 #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
George Clooney produces Our Brand is Crisis and showed-up unannounced at its Premiere at Princess of Wales Theatre.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Sandra Bullock stunned in a daring black number at the Our Brand is Crisis Premiere. How do you feel about her dramatic eyes?
#SandraBullock stunning at the #OURBRANDISCRISIS Premiere, #TIFF15. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
George + Sandra.
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)
I absolutely love the level of detail Jimmy Kimmel puts into making his Show funny and this week alone he had two stellar moments including two Parody-type Music Videos which got me laughing!
Officially number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 this week, Robin Thicke and Pharrell joined-in on the fun with Kimmel and Sidekick Guillermo, with a hilarious re-shot take on Blurred Lines. You won’t believe what they spell with those balloons! I love how annoyed Thicke looks the whole time.
Watch below:
Three months ago, White House Down Co-Stars Jamie Foxx and new Dad Channing Tatum were on the Show, the former simply declaring “Channing is the best!”. They made an entire Music Video (appropriate for late-night viewing) and Track poking-fun at our Tatum-obsessed Society. Suggestively vulgar, they bring-on the laughs with the help of Miley Cyrus, Olivia Munn, Gabourey Sidibe, Matt Damon and more! Kimmel even gets all confused not knowing what the Song really is about.
Watch below:
They absolutely nail it in this softly-focussed Trailer for Behind the Candelabra, the upcoming HBO Film about World-renowned Pianist/Vocalist Liberace and his young Lover Scott Thorson. I must admit I am obsessed with Michael Douglas’ prosthetics and cannot erase the sight of Matt Damon in a bikini, coming out of a pool!
Now at long last you too can be mesmerized!
Watch below:
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HBO airs Behind the Candelabra on Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 9:00 PM EST.
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(Photo/video credit: HBO)
After several delays, it would appear that the release of Behind the Candelabra (formerly known as Liberace) is finally before us. Based on the Memoir by legendary Vocalist/Pianist Wladziu Valentino Liberace‘s much younger Lover, Scott Thorson, the HBO Movie dishes on the scandal and extravagance behind their relationship.
Starring Michael Douglas in the titular role, the Actor originally signed-on in 2008 to star in the Film, although delays ensued due to his battle with Cancer. Matt Damon plays Thorson, in addition to a strong Supporting Cast which includes Scott Bakula, Paul Reiser and Rob Lowe. If that weren’t enough, Steven Soderbergh helms what looks to be this year’s Game Change – and we know many Primetime EMMYsand Golden  Globes that won.
With the help of Prosthetics, Michael Douglas goes through the most amazing transformation of all and it is reported that Damon had a special Tanning Technician visit his home regularly to gear-up for his role.
Although we’re still waiting on the Trailer, Entertainment Weekly gets a Sneak Peek for the Movie with both Damon and Douglas on the cover of their current Issue.
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Click here for more on that.
HBO airs Behind the Candelabra on May 26, 2013.
(Photo credit: Entertainment Weekly)
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