Ringing in Spring: Film, Music & Macarons

Yesterday not only marked the first day of Spring, but also National Macaron Day in Paris. Toronto was definitely up to the challenge, serving up a beautiful 19 degrees of sunny weather and Nadege Patisserie served up its usual delicious delicacies:

Along with this wonderful weather and parisian delights, this week is also Canadian Music Week, accompanied by CMW's Film Fest 12 beginning today until March 24th. Check out the lineup of music-inspired special screenings and documentaries from some of the industry's hottest new artists, directors and composers. 

The event kicks-off tonight with: 

7:00PM | UNDER AFRICAN SKIES

(Canadian Premiere)
Director: Joe Berlinger
Music: Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and more.
2012 | 102 minutes | U.S.A.
@ TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West)BUY ADVANCE TICKETS

9:45PM | ANDREW BIRD: FEVER YEAR

Toronto Premiere
Director: Xan Aranda
Music: Andrew Bird
2011 | 81 minutes | U.S.A.
@ TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West)
BUY ADVANCE TICKETS

Box Office, Reviews: May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favour

Depends are on. Tickets booked. Yes, folks i'm so excited I could pee my pants - ONE WEEK until the Hunger Games. Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard all about the books, the story, the trilogy and now the movies. 

With 80 weeks atop the NY Times Bestseller's list, the first instalment of Suzanne Collins' trilogy is set to do big numbers at the box office - selling more pre-sale tickets than any other movie in U.S. movie-ticket site Fandango.com's 12-year history. 

I'm a huge fan of the novels so my fingers are crossed that the film does the book justice and thus far the buzz has been good, it looks promising... So check out the Hunger Games in theatres March 23. 

On another note, Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence has been keeping my hopes alive with her gorgeous premier garbs. She looked stunning in the Prabal Gurung gold cut-out gown at the LA Premier. 

The Oscar-Nominee and semi-newby to the red carpets has been doing it right since her 2011 Oscar apprance. She always looks gorgeous, but still fun and age-appropriate something that many young starlets don't seem to get. 

May the odds continue to be in her favour!

Lawrence in Calvin Klein at the 2011 Oscars

Preview Perfection + Poster: Moonrise Kingdom

I don't know about you, but I'm so ready for Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom to hit the screens. Today, the first posters were released exclusively on Moviefone. And they are A+DORABLE.

I love it. The painted imagery captures exactly the nostalgic emotion the preview exerts... not to mention the long list of actors whose performances are likely to gain some Oscar attention.

If you haven't seen this adorably hilarious preview then take a few moments to do so. And try to avoid the urge of packing up a PB&J and running away with your true love.

Moonrise Kingdom is scheduled to hit theatres May 25, 2012. 

I say Billy you say Crystal

A little late on my review - but can I get a wha wha, for Billy's return to the Academy Awards! I have to say he may not have been the most hilarious of the evening (Chris Rock and Emma Stone took the cake for me - ok Jim Rash's Angelina impression did) BUT Crystal does add a dose of nostalgia to the event, something I find comforting amidst an award season full of over-the-top dance numbers and fake exorcisms.

His opening skit brought me back to the year of the Titanic, my first memory of watching the Oscars at the age of 9. His jokes - while not always getting a rise from the room - were tasteful, charming and oh so Crystal: "Nothing can take the sting out of the word's economic problems like watching rich people give each other golden statues." 

Billy makes me feel like that 9 year old girl (especially with the Bieber incorporation), mesmerized by the magic of movies, comforted and ok I will admit a tad bored. 

I thought the "magic of the movies' theme was well carried out, in the vignettes, Cirque performance and Crystals bits. Some presenters really shined - Rock, Stone, Bullock and my Bridesmaids ladies lifted the night. 

All in all I was entertained, rarely surprised (except Meryl's win over Viola, which was semi-disappointing, but Hey its Meryl Streep) and obviously I cried.. you'll learn that's not much of a rarity. 

My two fave - tear jerker - moments have to be fellow canuck Christopher Plummer's acceptance for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the 'Beginners.' This was a great film and Plummer was heartbreakingly witty and oh so loveable. 

Also, Asghar Farhadi's poignant acceptance for 'A Seperation' as best Foreign Language Film. 

As far as the red carpet goes, I wasn't gobsmacked by anything (outside of Angelina's leg) but here's some of my fave looks from the evening:

    Stacy Keibler in Marchesa

  Rooney Mara in Givenchy

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

Pharrell Williams in Lanvin