We’re all awaiting the release of Saving Mr. Banks, at this stage a major Contender for Best Picture at the Oscars based on buzz alone. Telling the Story of how Walt Disney persauded P.L. Travers to have her classic Novel Mary Poppins adapted to the Big Screen and the 20-year-long struggle involved with that, Disney releases the Drama on December 13, 2013 in limited release, expanding the following week on December 20, 2013.

Starring in the Film are: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Annie Rose Buckley, Ruth Wilson, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffiths, Kathy Baker and Colin Farrell.

See the brand new official Artwork for Saving Mr. Banks below:

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

At long last, a Trailer has arrived for Saving Mr. Banks, and if this isn’t bait for an Oscar, I don’t know what is!

Chronicling Walt Disney‘s 20-year struggle to bring Author P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins to the big screen, the Disney (I know, how meta!) Drama stars Tom Hanks as the famed Animator and Emma Thompson as Travers; John Lee Hancock directs.

Saving Mr. Banks also stars: Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Annie Rose Buckley, Ruth Wilson, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffiths and Kathy Baker.

See the official Synopsis below:
When Walt Disney’s Daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite Book, P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins, he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood Machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the Adaptation.

For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls-out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman Brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.

It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing Films in Cinematic History.

See the Trailer below:

Saving Mr. Banks gets a Limited Release on December 13, 2013 and a Wide Release December 20, 2013, making this a prime choice for Families this Christmas!

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

So pretty much everyone on the Internet is raving about Justin Timberlake‘s fantastic fifth time hosting Saturday Night Live and despite the dependency on lewd humour, there never was a dull moment as he charmed his way through Pre-taped/Live  Sketches and Performances of his latest two Singles.

Timberlake started off tonight with a Cold Open, doing a parody of Elton John performing Candle in the Wind in memory of recently-deceased Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez.  “Goodbye Hugo C…”, he sang.  The Actor/Singer/Songwriter/Entrepreneur was joined also by Saturday Night Live Veterans, who like him previously hosted five times including Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Chevy Chase,  Martin Short, Candace Bergen, Steven Martin and Dan Aykroyd.   The latter two even came back to reprise their roles as the sleazy Festrunk Brothers in a Dating Game Sketch enticing Vanessa Bayer, while  Timberlake and Andy Samberg  too tried seducing her with some raunchy ’90s-inspired R&B.  Think Dick in a Box, but like a fivesome.

Also brought back  was his Liquorville Sketch, which prior saw him perform alongside Lady Gaga.  This time around he dressed-up as a giant piece of Tofu promoting Veganism, with his own takes of Chic‘s Le Freak, Rihanna‘s We Found Love, Vanilla Ice‘s Ice Ice Baby with Vegan-friendly Lyrics.He capped it all off with his own take on Internet Viral Sensation The Harlem Shake but instead, The Vegan Shake.  Amazing!

Watch it below:

With his third solo Disc The 20/20 Experience due later this month, Timberlake made us remember why it is we love him so with stunning renditions of Suit & Tie (joined on-stage by Jay-Z) and Mirrors, both drawing loud cheers, sounding impeccable backed by The Tennessee Kids Band.

Just when we thought the laughs weren’t big enough, a Video Sketch of a fictitious Series with Nasim Pedrad titled She’s Got a Dick, where Timberlake‘s Character has to come to terms with the Woman he loves having some “surprise” male anatomy.  Keenan Thompson also appears on the Sketch curiously questioning Timberlake about its size.

Full Videos will be up on Global Television‘s Website tomorrow for Canadian Viewers.

We’ve got an exciting Justin Timberlake Giveaway coming this week.  Stay tuned for more!

(Photo credit: NBC)

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)

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)

It’s rare we get a chance to see a true Icon, so needless to say it is a thrill just to even see him up-close.  My Childhood memories consist largely of Tom Hanks Movies from Big to A League of their Own, to Oscar-winning turn in Forrest Gump.  Hanks showed his true Star Power yesterday arriving at the Press Conference for Cloud Atlas, signing only a select few Autographs for Fans and simply throwing a satisfying wave to Fans on way out.

The Actor may or may not have had a few select words to say about how TIFF is organized.  Check-out his quote from Vanity Fair here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)