I opened my eyes and there was a naked man wearing my leather jacket eating a Fudgesicle in front of my bed. I know it sounds funny … but it was horrifying.
—Nicolas Cage at the press conference for his new film Trespass [Reuters]
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QUOTED: Nicolas Cage on his hilarious, horrifying home invasion
Today at TIFF: Hysteria gala presentation, The Day midnight madness screening and more
Our daily roundup of opening galas, parties and screenings.
• 10 a.m. The Story of Film: An Odyssey free screening at the AGO
• 6:30 p.m. A Happy Event gala presentation at Roy Thomson Hall
• 8 p.m. Hysteria official cast dinner with Maggie Gyllenhaal at the Roosevelt Room
• 9 p.m. The Day official cast party with Dominic Monaghan at FStop
• 9:30 p.m. Hysteria gala presentation at Roy Thomson Hall
• 11:59 p.m. The Day midnight madness presentation at Ryerson Theatre
QUOTED: Johnny Rotten on his real feelings about the Queen
I think she’s quite charming. I loved the Queen mum more, though.
— Johnny Rotten on how he really feels about Queen Elizabeth II [Toronto Star]
SPOTTED: Steve McQueen at the Spoke Club
Another tip from the Spoke Club’s cultural curator: Steve McQueen, director of the Michael Fassbender/Carey Mulligan pic Shame, dined at the King West club with TIFF co-director Cameron Bailey last night.
Find this story on our Star Spotting Map, where we plot the locations of celebrities spotted around Toronto.
RED CARPET POLL: Did Madonna act like a bigger diva at Venice or at TIFF?
Madonna walking the red carpet at TIFF (Image: Christopher Drost)
Madonna has been accused of some, let’s say, unbecoming behavior recently. First, there was hydrangea-gate (a scandal so egregious it has already received the so, so tired “-gate” status). While promoting her thus far poorly received film W.E., which she wrote and directed, at the Venice Film Festival, the Material Girl received a flower—a hydrangea—from a fan. Madonna promptly dumped it on the ground, proclaiming, “I absolutely loathe hydrangeas. He obviously doesn’t know that.”
Then, earlier this week at TIFF after walking the red carpet for the same movie, Madonna allegedly told eight volunteers backstage to turn and face the wall lest they see Madge pass by on her way to the press conference (naturally, Madonna’s publicist denied the reports yesterday evening). When we first heard about the (alleged) incident we assumed it was a delusional act of self-importance. But then we remembered a certain Bible passage (her name is Madonna, after all): quoth the Lord to Moses, “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live…Thou shalt see my back parts.” So, perhaps the Queen of Pop was just protecting those volunteers from her blinding radiance.
Loading ...The Weekender: Private Lives, Queen West Art Crawl and six other events on our to-do list
Rakim, the Queen West Art Crawl and Private Lives
1. PRIVATE LIVES
This 1930s comedy by Noël Coward is responsible for about three quarters of romantic comedies today. Just look at the plot: divorced couple Elyot and Amanda and their respective new partners find themselves on vacation at the same hotel on (wait for it) the French Riviera. Campy, banter-laden shenanigans ensue, naturally. Kim Cattrall and Paul Gross star as the lovely ex-couple, which sounds just about perfect. Sept. 16 to Oct. 30. $35–$175. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
2. STIFFED! FILM FESTIVAL Read the rest of this entry »
TIFF wraps up this weekend but that won’t stop this indie film fest from trying to steal its thunder just a little. The filmmakers featured at this one-day event have three things in common: they’re all Canadian, they’ve all recently directed a short film and they were all passed over for a screening at TIFF. Sept. 18. $15. The Annex Wreck Room, 794 Bathurst St., stiffedfilmfest.com.
TIFF PHOTO GALLERY: Jennifer Garner and Olivia Wilde walk the red carpet for Butter
The gala presentation of Butter at Roy Thomson Hall last night was all about the ladies. Little Yara Shahidi kicked off the proceeds at the most packed and frenetic red carpet since Madge walked here on Monday, and she was downright adorable, giggling at the barrage of flashes and the demands of fans who claimed to have been lining the barricades since 5 a.m. Ashley Greene came next in a swish knee-length silver number, but was—dare we say it—outshone by Olivia Wilde, who was stunning in a floor-length white and gold gown (we’re not sure if it was intentional, but she did appear to be channelling Diane Kruger’s character in Troy). The only fellas worth mentioning at this affair were director Jim Field Smith and writer Jason Micallef. Sadly, Hugh Jackman couldn’t make it to the Big Smoke for this year’s festival, but Alicia Silverstone helped make up for it, although we figure it must be annoying to still be signing eight-by-10s of herself as Cher Horowitz from Clueless. Of course, Jennifer Garner also graced the red carpet, sporting two of this year’s most popular accessories: epically high heels and a baby bump. See our photo gallery, after the jump.
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TIFF PHOTO GALLERY: Adam Brody, Greta Gerwig and Analeigh Tipton join Whit Stillman at the red carpet for Damsels in Distress
Adam Brody, Greta Gerwig, Analeigh Tipton and Carrie MacLemore on the red carpet for Whit Stillman’s new film (Image: Lia Grainger)
The wind whipping down Yonge Street yesterday afternoon wreaked havoc on the hemlines of the Damsels in Distress ladies, in the most delightful way. Carrie MacLemore was the first to arrive, her flouncy grey knee-length frock bouncing in the breeze, and seemed quite tickled to be walking the carpet for her feature film debut. Mumblecore queen Greta Gerwig strolled by in black and didn’t pose for a single solo shot (earning a few enemies in the photo pit) while a very slender Analeigh Tipton playfully blew kisses at the cameras in a long, sheer number. Adam Brody cut a dashing figure in a skinny black suit with a matching tie and curls, and the man of the hour, director Whit Stillman—this is his first film since The Last Days of Disco in 1998—played down the buzz by posing only briefly for a group photo. But if anything says a film is one to watch, it’s the arrival of Roger Ebert and his wife Chaz at the premiere. Ebert, who has undergone many serious surgeries for thyroid cancer over the past decade, seemed in good spirits, smiling for photographers, who for once didn’t yell for eye contact, but rather whispered hushed thank-yous to the legendary critic.
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The Burroughes party brings Butter’s stars—hello, Jennifer Garner (with baby bump) and Olivia Wilde—not butterfaces
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It was ladies’ night at the Burroughes VitaminWater party for Butter, where the film’s stars Jennifer Garner, Ashley Greene, Olivia Wilde and Alicia Silverstone all came out before their premiere at Roy Thompson Hall. The film is about a Midwest U.S. town’s annual butter carving contest (don’t knock it—Toronto is also known to carve butter at the Royal Winter Fair), so naturally there was a butter sculptor. The carver, in what we’re sure is regulation costume for such an event, wore the shortest skirt we’ve ever seen outside of the Brass Rail, complete with a very low-cut top, which of course served as a beacon for the suits in attendance. Get a close up of Butter’s knockout stars in a gallery after the jump.
Today at TIFF: Starbuck gala presentation and Trespass after party with Nicolas Cage
Our daily roundup of opening galas, parties and screenings.
• 6:30 p.m. Starbuck gala presentation at Roy Thomson Hall
• 7 p.m. Festival Music House with the Arkells and Hey Rosetta at The Mod Club
• 9 p.m. Jeff Who Lives at Home special presentation at the Elgin Theatre
• 9:30 p.m. Trespass gala presentation at Roy Thomson Hall
• 11:00 p.m. Trespass after-party at the Soho Metropolitan Hotel
QUOTED: Whit Stillman, trying to avoid the question
Can we make this the last question? Actually, can we make the previous question the last question?
— Director Whit Stillman cheekily responding to a query about his writing process at the talkback following the North American premiere of Damsels in Distress
SPOTTED: Scott Speedman at the Alliance Films/Ben Sherman Lounge
Our TIFF eyes and ears are telling us that Scott Speedman, whom you may remember best from his days as the hunky Ben Covington on Felicity, was at the Intercontinental’s Alliance Films/Ben Sherman Lounge earlier today. Speedman was born in London, England but grew up in Toronto and recently shot The Moth Diaries in Sault Ste. Marie, so it’s no wonder he was overheard discussing his favourite haunts in the Sault.
Find this story on our Star Spotting Map, where we plot the locations of celebrities spotted around Toronto. Send us your tips: tips@torontolife.com
Venice vs. TIFF fashion showdown, Madonna edition
Her Royal Majesty the Queen of Pop—that’s right, ladies and gentlemen, Madonna—screened her second directorial feature at both the Venice and Toronto film festivals this year, and, of course, walked the red carpet at each one. Her film, W.E., goes back and forth in time, exploring a pair of relationships: Wallis Simpson and Prince Edward VIII’s affair in wartime England and a contemporary romance between a married woman and a Russian-American security guard. While the movie juxtaposes the two love stories, we’d rather juxtapose Madonna’s outfit choices. Madge was black-tie ready in Venice with a custom-made floor-length grey gown covered in red butterflies by Italian designer Vionnet. In Toronto, Madonna went with a classic but much more pared-down look: a black Tom Ford dress with lace overlay (offset by her dramatic red lips). For our part, we prefer her ensemble for the Toronto screening: clean lines and a lack of insects just works. What do you think?
Loading ...(Images: Madonna at Venice—Ian Gavan/ Getty Images Entertainment/ Getty Images; Madonna at TIFF—Christopher Drost)
TIFF PHOTO GALLERY: Glenn Close on the red carpet for the gala presentation of Albert Nobbs
Glenn Close with daughter Annie Starke (Image: Jason Merritt/ WireImage)
Glenn Close is in town promoting her latest flick, Albert Nobbs, directed by Rodrigo Garcia. The film is dear to Close’s heart: she first starred in the off-Broadway production of The Singular Life of Albert Nobbs in 1982, whereupon she become obsessed with her role as a 19th-century woman who lived her life as a male butler in Dublin. Since starring in the play, Close has worked to bring Albert Nobbs to film, finally shooting the movie last winter in Ireland. Close starred, produced, and co-wrote the script with Man Booker winner John Banville. And yet, the red carpet premiere last night felt a little sparse. Close was there in all her glory, as was her daughter Annie Starke and co-star Janet McTeer, but rising star Mia Wasikowska, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Brendan Gleeson, all in the film, were notably absent. See our photo gallery, after the jump.
TIFF PHOTO GALLERY: Madonna looks good, but behaves badly, at the red carpet gala for her new film, W.E.
(Image: Christopher Drost)
Madonna was the picture of elegance as she walked the red carpet at last night’s gala presentation of W.E., a film she wrote and directed. Joining her were the movie’s stars Andrea Riseborough and Abbie Cornish and, randomly, socialite Suzanne Rogers. Absent, however, were the flick’s James D’Arcy and Oscar Isaac, who chose to attend the Ten Year premiere instead. We have to admit we were disappointed in the lack of man candy on display and surprised, frankly, that Isaac skipped the premiere (one should know never to disappoint Madge like that). Either way, the three ladies (Madonna, Riseborough and Cornish) looked ravishing in their red carpet wear. As for the treatment of the TIFF volunteers on hand, that’s another story entirely. See our photo gallery, after the jump.
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