Sarah Hyland
What she’s wearing: The Modern Family actress showed up to the 6th Annual Power of Youth Event in Los Angeles, California in a floral Zimmermann dress.
Why we love it: The draping on the bottom half takes this floral dress to the next level since it adds a contrasting texture to the look. The draping technique continues to the back of the dress making for a pleasant surprise when Hyland turns around — it goes from sweet floral dress to a total knockout stunner! She paired it with Brian Atwood shoes in a cobalt colour and a matching Kotur clutch that both bring out the blues in the dress.
Takeaway: Pick a floral dress with interesting design elements instead of just basing your choice on the print itself. If you took away the print from this dress and remade it into a solid fabric, the dress would still be hot.
Kate Middleton
What she’s wearing: The Duchess of Cambridge arrived in the Solomon Islands in a bright geometric Jonathan Saunders dress during her royal tour of Southeast Asia.
Why we love it: If only everybody looked like this while getting off a plane! Then again, there’s usually not a red carpet waiting for you on the tarmac when you get off. We’re suckers for bold geometric prints and this dress has that in spades! Plus it’s in a unique colour combination of aqua, forest-green, and white, which makes it stand out and makes it fun. She accents the look with cream accessories: the heels, the clutch and hat (the Brits sure do love a good hat!).
Takeaway: When wearing bold prints, accessorize with neutral items to minimize the in-your-face quality of the bold print. The neutral accessories will really let the print stand out.
Emma Watson Read more…
When I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower in Grade 9, I was a slightly awkward freshman just like Charlie, trying to make friends and get involved in school. Even though I didn’t deal with the same problems as the book’s protagonist, there were evidently times when I felt alone.
The book’s author, Stephen Chbosky, knows these feelings all to well. On hand to present Perks’ film adaptation at TIFF (which Chbosky also directed), he reminded everyone in the theatre they should never feel lonely. “I’m so proud to be sitting in a room with 1200 people. Whether you like this movie at the end of the day or you don’t, just know that no one in this room is alone.”
His book gathered a cult following when it was released in 1999 and still resonates with many young people who deal with the universal challenges of growing up.
Plot:
The film stars Logan Lerman as Charlie, a bright yet awkward teen about to enter his freshman year of high school. Having spent time at the hospital to deal with the recent suicide of his best friend Michael, Charlie decides to cope with his loneliness by writing anonymous letters.
Hopeful for the upcoming school year, Charlie’s reserved and introverted nature initially makes it difficult for him to make friends. But once he meets the eccentric Patrick (Ezra Miller) and his beautiful stepsister Sam (Emma Watson), he’s soon introduced to a new world featuring mix-tapes, parties, sex, drugs and alcohol.
As things begin to look up for Charlie, curveballs continue to be thrown his way. He fights his growing feelings for Sam and struggles to push away unresolved memories of the past, all while realizing his friends have problems of their own too.
Things I loved:
The cast
The chemistry between actors is crucial in a coming of age story that focus a great deal on love and friendship, and the film couldn’t have chosen better leads. While Watson may forever be known as “that girl from Harry Potter,” it’s nice to see her tackle a more challenging role like Sam, a troubled girl who sleeps with boys for validation. Although she experiences a few challenges with her American accent, Watson flawlessly depicts Sam’s insecurities about getting into university while trying hard not to be Charlie’s dream girl.
However, it’s Lerman and Miller who shine in the movie. While Miller steals scenes as the cynical and sarcastic Patrick, Lerman hits all the right notes by providing a heart-wrenching performance that’ll make you tear up. Also appearing, are Paul Rudd and Nina Dobrev as Charlie’s English teacher Bill and his sister Candace.
The Soundtrack
Featuring songs such as The Smiths’ “Asleep” to 80s hits such as Midnight Runners’ “Come on Eileen” and New Order’s “Temptation ‘87”, the songs in this film will either take you back to another decade or make you want to create your own mix-tapes.
How it stays true to the novel (includes photos from the premiere below!) Read more…
By Sophall Duch
If you’re the major fashion fanatic we think you are, then you know this past week has been INSANE, what with New York Fashion Week, Fashion’s Night Out, the MTV Video Music Awards, the Toronto Film Festival and more. It’s fashion overload and we love it! If you want to check out some of the best looks from the MTV VMAs, take a look here. As for the rest, here we go!
Emma Watson
What she wore: The British actress showed up in this sleeveless black and blue-embroidered floral peplum Erdem dress at the TIFF premiere of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Why we love it: This look proves florals aren’t just for spring and summer and can work into the fall season as well. The embroidered floral detail pop off this white mini is on trend with its hints of cobalt — a major colour for the fall season. The lace yoke (the part of the dress at the collarbone and shoulders) is also on trend for the fall, so expect to see lace yokes in a lot of upcoming looks.
Takeaway: Invest in cobalt pieces for your wardrobe. This hue has been popular for a while now but is making a huge splash in the fall runway season. If you’re not a fan of showing cleavage, then lace or sheer yokes are a good fashion technique to keep covered while not looking too demure.
Nina Dobrev
What she wore: The Canadian actress wore a stunning red Reem Acra cocktail dress to the LA premiere of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Why we love it: The vibrant red-orange colour is a surefire way to stand out. Unlike her co-star Emma Watson’s dress at the TIFF premiere, this dress shows off Dobrev’s cleavage while still working in the embroidered lace detail in the sleeves. This dress manages to mix two trends, lace and cutouts, in a fun and stylish way.
Takeaway: If you’re not a fan of long-sleeve dresses (because let’s be honest sometimes long-sleeve dresses look older) using cutouts, lace, or other sheer fabrics keeps things youthful while getting to show some skin in a fun and strategic way.
Ashley Benson Read more…
Selena Gomez provided my favourite insight during the Q&A portion of TIFF’s Spring Breakers premiere. She said: “It’s really hard to find a teen movie that tells the truth and shows what’s raw and real.”
I can’t say I personally know anyone my age that funds their hedonist exploits by robbing and threatening to blow the f*cking heads off customers at fast food joints with booze-filled water guns. But director Harmony Korine is painting a broader portrait of a selfish, Jersey Shore-loving generation that becomes young, wild and free completely disillusioned during their “break from reality.” And we sure as hell all know college kids like that.
Plot
Faith (Selena Gomez) is a Jesus-thumping undergrad who is disillusioned by the banality of her life. She eagerly follows her childhood friends, played by Hudgens, Pretty Little Liars’ Ashley Benson and Korines’ wife Rachel, on their illegally funded spring break vacation to Florida.
While Faith is encouraged by her “spiritual retreat” — even wishing to make her pause from reality infinite — her fun is over when the ladies land in jail and meet a cornrowed hustler named Alien (James Franco). Just as Faith’s spring break vacation ends, it just gets started for her thrill-seeking friends.
Three things I loved
The cast
The film isn’t for the faint of heart, nor is it necessarily for Gomez and Hudgens’ fans. The Disney stars smoke bongs and dance alongside breast-baring partiers during their violent and sexual retreat. Teen idol haters might be pleasantly surprised by all the actresses’ adaptability, particularly during some raunchy scenes with Benson, Hudgens and Franco, that couldn’t have been comfortable to shoot… for the girls anyway.
Direction (and see photos from the premiere below)
These kids are double threats because they’re super adorable — like I want to pinch their cheeks adorable — and they’re talented. Stars Academy’s Myles and Kolton covered Jason Mraz’ “I Won’t Give Up” with nothing but a guitar, ukelele and their voices.
Myles recently starred as as Billy in Billy Elliot The Musical on Broadway and has appeared in videos with Walk Off The Earth — band members include his step-dad Ryan Marshall and his uncle Gianna. Kolton also puts everybody’s lacklustre childhood’s to shame as he recently starred as Simba in Lion King The Musical and will be appearing in a TIFF film.
These guys are adorable but we can tell they’re going to be charmers when they grow up too. Stick around until the end to see them goofing around and having fun.
Watch it here:
Things look chipper when Brent asks Holly to prom but the upbeat music and slapstick jokes go on too long. You know something bad is going to happen. Our villain is Lola “Princess” who desperately wants to go to prom with her high school crush Brent. She even buys a Molly Ringwald-style pink dress for the occasion.
But she’s devastated when Brent asks Holly instead so she and her dad kidnap him and create a creepy makeshift prom in her basement, complete with torture devices. Lola promises to avenge the heartbreak she feels by stabbing Holly in the heart.
It’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets Sixteen candles. If you’re a not a fan of horror movies, this is a movie you might want to skip before prom.
Though the movie came out three years ago at TIFF, it’s being released in the U.S. on July 1.
Watch the trailer here:
Our beloved television comedy stars Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother) and Ed Helms (The Office) share the big screen for the upcoming indie film, Jeff, Who Lives At Home.
Directed by Jay and Mark Duplass who have received a lot of hype from their last film Cyrus with John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill and Marissa Tomei – but this could likely seal their mainstream success. It continues Duplass’ theme of family dysfunction with Segel as a naive mopey slacker named Jeff living in his mother’s basement searching for the meaning of life. He reconnects with his brother Pat (Helms) who soon discovers that his wife is having an affair – meanwhile, their mother (Susan Sarandon) is depressed. Holy dramedy, Batman!
It looks to be in the same vain as Helms’ Cedar Rapids or Segel’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall rather than their other efforts – it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to great reviews and is due in theatres nationwide on March 16th.
If you’re looking for another heartthrob-worthy performance from Ryan Gosling, you won’t be getting much of that in Drive.
But nevertheless, you won’t be able to keep your eyes off him.
In Drive, Gosling is mysterious and riveting and the only name available for his character is Driver.
A Hollywood stunt driver and mechanic by day, Driver serves as a wheelman for night time heists.
In early scenes of the movie, he’s helped by his boss and mentor Shannon (played by Malcolm in the Middle’s Bryan Cranston) who gives him a Chevy Impala to drive his clientele around to do their dirty deeds.
All goes well until he gets involved with his neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her young son Benicio. When her husband Standard (Oscar Isaac) is released from prison, Irene and Benicio’s safety is at risk.
Gosling’s ‘Driver’ tries to save the situation by helping Standard steal money from a pawn shop. But when the heist goes awry, it’s up to ‘Driver’ to take things in his own hands.
Fresh from Nicolas Winding Refn’s Best Director win at the Cannes Film Festival, Drive is an excellent action-drama thriller packed with violence and exciting car chases. Much like the style of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Pulp Fiction, the film is filled with blood and gore. Though the movie lacks dialogue, Refn somehow makes it work through the film’s characters’ actions and expressions.
While Gosling is supported by a talented cast that includes the likes of Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks, Mulligan and Cranston, he holds his own playing the violent and badass Driver. And while there isn’t much that can be learned about the Driver, you’ll somehow still be swooning over him as he tries to save the day in order to protect the girl he’s fallen for.
Drive may not be for everyone due to its violence and gore, but it’s definitely a film worth watching. With a retro ’80s-inspired score and beautiful shots of the Los Angeles streets and skylines, it will keep the audience jumping in their seats from all the adrenaline and tension that arises from the film.
Glazing the city of Toronto in celebrity magic for one week in September, the Toronto International Film Festival has always boasted the ability to create a buzz and shed the spotlight on industry newbies.
Such is the case for Toronto native Mike Lobel -widely formally known as Jay Hogart from Degrassi: The Next Generation- who is experiencing his first induction into TIFF this year with the rock n’ roll comedy vampire-flick Suck.
For those caught up in the TIFF frenzy, cinephiles and TIFF enthusiasts alike may have missed The Necessities of Life, which was the audience favourite at the Montreal World Film Festival.
Ce qu’il faut pour vivre or The Necessities of Life was named the most popular film at the festival, an award voted on by the audience and the most popular Canadian film. The film won a special Grand Jury Prize.
Ce qu’il faut pour vivre or The Necessities of Life is by Quebec filmmaker Benoît Pilon. His film, set in the 1950s, is about an Inuit man who is flown to a Quebec hospital to recover from tuberculosis. While there, the Inuit man meets a young Inuit boy and the film explores their relationship in adjusting to non-traditional Inuit life.
Another Canadian winner was Jean-François Lévesque, whose NFB short Le Noeud Cravate (The Necktie) won best short film and best Canadian short film.
A Japanese film, Okuribito, by director Yojiro Takita, won the top prize.
Celebrity watchers, get your cameras ready.
The final programming announcements for September’s Toronto International Film Festival were unveiled Tuesday and, as usual, this year’s event will attract a parade of famous faces to the city.
Brad Pitt, John Malkovich and Tilda Swinton are all expected to attend in support of their new movie, “Burn After Reading.” The Coen brothers-directed film was one of 11 gala screenings just added to the festival lineup.
Meanwhile, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Dakota Fanning and Alicia Keys will be on hand to promote their movie, “The Secret Life of Bees,” based on Sue Monk Kidd’s 2003 novel.
And look for The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White to walk the red carpet for the premiere of “It Might Get Loud.” The documentary explores the history of the electric guitar and puts a spotlight on the three rock musicians.
In total, organizers announced the names of 500 guests who are expected to attend the festival. They range from Hollywood A-listers (Charlize Theron, Spike Lee) to international stars (Preity Zinta, Wong Kar Wai).
The last-minute lineup additions bring the number of films that will be screened to 312. They come from 64 countries and include 237 features.
As previously reported, the festival will open with “Passchendaele,” Canadian actor-filmmaker Paul Gross’s First World War drama.
It will close with “Stone of Destiny,” a Scottish heist comedy based on a true story.
The 33rd annual Toronto International Film Festival runs from Sept. 4 to 13.
Documentaries exploring the Nigerian film industry, India’s first female police officer and the Dungeons and Dragons universe are just some of the films that will make their debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.
TIFF organizers announced the 26 non-fiction films on Tuesday.
Among the films are A Time To Stir, a four-hour documentary examining the 1968 Columbia University student strike, a biographical film called I Bring What I Love about Senegalese singer Ndour and Food Inc., which draws upon the writings of Eric Schlosser’s best-selling novel, Fast Food Nation.
The Toronto International Film Festival takes place Sept. 4-13.
andPOP’s Toronto International Film Fest (TIFF) Coverage continues with coverage from the ET Canada red carpet. Featuring interviews with Paul Haggis, Wes Chatham, Natalie Brown, Ruby Dhalla and more.
Check out this coverage and more on our video player.
Brampton-born Michael Cera will star as Nick Twisp in the film adaptation of the 1993 C.D. Payne novel Youth in Revolt: the Journals of Nick Twisp.
The story’s heavy use of black humour, camp and overt portrayals of teen sexuality make it a perfect fit for Cera, 19, whose charmingly awkward comedic talents were showcased in the cult hit show Arrested Development and this summer’s blockbuster hit Superbad.
The film will follow 14-year-old Nick as he deals with his parents’ imminent divorce by setting his sights on his dream girl Sheeni Saunders, hoping that she’ll be the one to take his virginity.
Cera can be seen next in Juno, alongside fellow Canadian talent Ellen Page. The quirky comedy premiered to rave reviews at this month’s Toronto International Film Festival, being called “This year’s Little Miss Sunshine.” A must see, Juno will have a limited release in late 2007.
Until then, get your Cera fix by checking out the Juno trailer, his hysterical summer project “Clark and Michael”, and his indie band, The Long Goodbye.
Fancy cars, expensive meals, private assistants, public relations, personal shoppers, and of course free stuff, free stuff, FREE STUFF. Toronto sure knows how to treat the stars when they pass through town, and the Toronto International Film Festival is the perfect time to turn up the hospitality.
NKPR Inc. is a Toronto based public relations firm that offers a full scale of marketing services for a number of different clients. Founded in 2002 by Natasha Koifman, the firm hosted the “IT Lounge” for this year’s TIFF stars. The “IT Lounge”, a spot where celebrities can be showered with free gifts, snacks and services, was located on the second floor of Canada’s top rated hotel, The Windsor Arms, in ritzy downtown Yorkville.
Nestled quietly on Thomas Street, just off Bloor, stars made their way, by appointment, to the “IT” gift lounge to loot at their leisure. NKPR only requested the attendance of the finest retailers and products that Toronto has to offer for this year’s gift gala.
“The IT Lounge provides a great venue for introducing new brands and products to the market. We’ve searched long and hard to assemble this exciting collective of “IT” items and we can’t wait to finally unveil them,” says Koifman of the event.
In addition to showering the hottest stars with remarkable gifts this year, NKPR offered the celebrities a chance to take part in some gift giving themselves. This year, the firm partnered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, which currently serves 1200 children, and over 500 wait listed. Celebrities were given the chance to donate their gifts to the foundation in order to raise money for the children. “[Big Brothers and Big Sisters] is a cause that we believe in,” says Koifman, “and we are very excited to partner with them this year.”
Which star-worthy products were celebs eager to pocket this past week?
Trove Clothing, a brand new Canadian line is a product that follows the “credo of comfort and fashion as one”. The unisex line features creative and edgy designs that were a real hit with the TIFF traffic. ESPRIT clothing also showcased some fresh pieces from this season, which are inspired by some of the trends of the 60’s. Also, Right Hand Gal, one of Tinsel Town’s choice jewellery lines, added a little glitz to the showroom featuring a two-sided diamond pendant called the “Love My Planet” piece. With concerns about the environment high on the minds of some big names in Hollywood, this stunning piece was a hot pick due to the aesthetic appeal, and it’s valuable message. Too Faced Cosmetics, popular on the sets of The View, Desperate Housewives and American Idol, were available as well.
In addition to looking good, the “IT Lounge” understands that feeling good is important too. Jamieson Laboratories offered a body essentials bag that included an assortment of 12 natural healthcare products to keep the stars feeling their healthiest throughout the festival. All natural skincare line, Moor Allure Naturals gifted their multi-piece daily skincare system to keep the stars glowing. In addition, i|m offered their high quality hair brushes and accessories to celebrities at the lounge. Hollywood power couple David and Victoria Beckham generously donated bottles of their fragrances to the event, and even A-list tykes were considered by Taf Toys, Comfy Keyboards and EARTHCHILD Clothing.
Heart Chocolate, Fiji Water and Twin Fin Wines were in abundance for the lucky superstars to nibble and sip as they passed by the gift stations, and delicious snacks were prepared by the hotel’s renowned chef Stephan Ricci.
Like all other good things, this too must come to an end. The “IT Lounge” closed its doors for another year on Sept. 13, only to begin preparations for next year’s festival. Disappointed stars that didn’t get their gifts in time will just have to wait for 2008. Just like Christmas – TIFF only comes once a year.
Stunned TIFF director Laurie Lynd is disappointed to see the reaction over his movie “Breakfast With Scot” that showed at the Toronto International Film Festival this past week.
Tom Cavanaugh, a Canadian actor, plays the role of a sports broadcaster who used to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs – who is gay. Due to the presence of homophobia in the realm of professional sports, he decides to keep his homosexuality a secret. Eventually, however, he is found out and this film tells his story.
It was anticipated that the movie would be well received by film buffs, as well as hockey fans. However, the Internet has been abuzz with negativities regarding the film, and it has been reported the Lynd has even received hate mail.
According to CBC online, both the NHL and the Leafs supported the making of this movie, and gave permission to use their official logos in the film. A member of the team’s management, John Lashway, told the CBC that agreeing to support the film “was an easy decision,” for a number of reasons, but primarily because the Leafs’ “have fans from all kinds of lifestyles, so it just made sense for us.”
Will the movie flop or fly at the box offices? Director Lynd hopes that the saying “all press is good press” will help the numbers, and that the reaction generated by the public will have people curious enough to go see what the film is all about for themselves.
