AMAZING describes perfectly this new second Trailer for Netflix‘s LEMONY SNICKET’S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS.

Synopsis:
Based on the internationally best-selling series of books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) and starring Emmy and Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, A Series of Unfortunate Events recounts the tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans — Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose evil guardian Count Olaf will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance. The siblings must outsmart Olaf at every turn, foiling his many devious plans and disguises, in order to discover clues to their parents’ mysterious death. The eight-episode series is a Netflix original production, executive produced by Emmy Award winner Barry Sonnenfeld and Daniel Handler, and premieres January 13, 2017 only on Netflix. 

See the Trailer:

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Since Suicide Squad and TIFF, Toronto hasn’t caught much of a break in terms of starpower. That is about to change soon.  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.  That’s right!  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).  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.  They then are moved-off to communities with many others like themselves.  Reese Witherspoon who worked with Payne in Election, Jason Sudeikis and Neil Patrick Harris also star.  Expect a late 2017 release, which means you guessed it… OSCARS and what could be a debut at TIFF ’17!   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)

The key to man’s heart is his stomach and that’s something Neil Patrick Harris knows for sure.  Did you know that his husband, David Burtka in addition to be a star of the stage and TV, is a chef?

The dapper Burtka, whose acting credits include American Horror Story and How I Met Your Mother, is in Toronto today showing-off his culinary expertise for Nespresso Canada and we caught-up with him earlier today at The Morning Show where appeared on the staple’s Toronto edition to promote the luxury coffeemakers.

Billy loves Burtka and gave him smooch earlier when we met.

See our Snap:

With chef and actor #DavidBurtka. Husband of #NeilPatrickHarris in #Toronto today at @MorningShowTo showing off his #cooking skills.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Nov 17, 2015 at 7:35am PST

Follow Burtka on Twitter where he often shares his culinary creations here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The 87th annual Academy Awards Luncheon was held earlier today at the Beverly Hilton and in keeping with annual tradition, this year’s Nominees, along with Ceremony  Host Neil Patrick Harris, grouped together for a Class Photo.  Among the Nominees in attendance were the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Clint Eastwood, Emma Stone, Rosamund Pike, Julianne Moore, Reese Witherspoon, Eddie Redmayne, Bradley Cooper and several more.

See the Class of 2015 (photo via Rebecca Keegan):

Oprah, Clint and 150 or so fellow Oscar nominees at today’s luncheon

A photo posted by Rebecca Keegan (@that_rebecca) on Feb 2, 2015 at 2:40pm PST

We adore this Photo of this year’s Lead Actress Nominees getting friendly:

Voting for The Academy still is underway with the fate of this year’s Nominees to be unveiled live on ABC Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 7:00 PM EST!

(Photo: Oscars.org/Rebecca Keegan)

“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)

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)