The F Word Red Carpet Premiere With Daniel Radcliffe

Red carpets are always a fun affair. As a journalist, they’re not as glamorous as instagram pictures may make it seem (try waiting an hour or two for talent who never arrive on time, therefore making you miss the first ten minutes of the movie screening and having to sit in the first row… or third, if you’re lucky).

But it’s always a great experience and incredible opportunity I could never pass up. I mean, the other day I had the chance to meet Daniel Radcliffe. Harry Potter IN DA FLESH. Who might I add, is a lot shorter than I pegged him to be.

Post Harry Potter, this talented actor starred in an Irish-Canadian rom-com that was filmed here in Toronto two years ago, The F Word (or What If? for American audiences) a movie that is not about the actual F word that first popped into your head and is instead referencing FRIEND. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival back in September, but had an official premiere this month before its theatre release on August 22nd.

Mother Nature gifted us with perfect, sunny weather for an outdoor premiere and eOne really pulled out all the stops for this red carpet.

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I’ve seen Daniel Radcliffe many times before. On the big screen while watching Harry Potter, on my laptop screen while watching Harry Potter, on my television while watching Harry Potter, and oh and in my dreams, while I dreamt that I was Harry, Hermione and Ron’s fourth best friend living the life at Hogwarts. (In reality, I’m still waiting for my acceptance letter or at least Hagrid to come barging into my house to tell me my parents have been hiding those owl-delivered letters all along). But nothing compares to seeing Dan in real life. Of course, as a journalist, the number one rule is that your fan-girl can never show. No screaming, no jumping around. Just very subtle eyeball bulging at the sight of one of your favourite actors IN DA FLESH.

Just take a look at how close he was while he was being interviewed by the media outlet before me, with this blurry photo taken on my phone WITH NO ZOOM:

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While Daniel was definitely a huge highlight, the premiere actually had a majority of its talented cast in attendance including Meghan Park (Secret Life of the American Teenager), director Michael Dowse, screenwriter Elan Mastai and co-star Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks).

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For more pictures and the actual interviews, you’ll have to keep a look out on faze.ca.

As for the film itself, it’s definitely something you should check out when it’s released in theatres in August. The big screen has been lacking rom-coms in the recent years and this is one that isn’t afraid to poke fun at it’s genre. It’s realistic, it’s funny, it’s dirty (in a make-you-laugh way) and Daniel Radcliffe got to keep his British accent. 4 out of 5 stars!

-@Naomi_ML

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Alex Bilodeau makes his way to Hudson’s Bay in Toronto

Hudson’s Bay on Queen Street in Toronto looked much like it would on Boxing Day with tons and tons of people crowding the area on April 1, 2014. However while great deals were present as always, what drew so many people to their flagship store was Alexandre Bilodeau, the two-time winning Olympic freestyle skier.

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As the face of the Sochi 2014 HBC Team Canada collection, it was only fitting that the 26-year-old Montreal native came out to speak about his Olympic experience and meet and greet fans. He also brought along two of his closest friends—gold medals from Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. Dressed in red and white with shirts that proudly read Canada and many of HBC’s Olympic gear including the famed toque and mittens, fans lined up early for the chance at snapping a #selfiewithalex and his medals. Also present was Hudson’s Bay Company president, Liz Rodbell who spoke with Alex in front of the excited crowd before the selfie session.

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“It’s been very busy but there’s a lot of challenges in front of me,” said Alex. “I’m going to finish my studies in Accounting, it’s a bit boring compared to skiing in the Olympics but I have a great passion for it, and there’s a lot of changes, I’m also getting married this summer.”
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Though he may be putting his professional skiing career behind him, Alex definitely left his mark as an athlete. In his final World Cup race, he snagged the title of most World Cup medals by a Canadian with an impressive 19 wins.  After winning gold in the men’s moguls at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, he made history by becoming the first Canadian to win a gold medal at an Olympic Games held in Canada. And in February at the Olympics in Sochi, Alex became the first man to ever successfully defend the men’s Olympic moguls crown.

Congrats to Alex, be sure to keep up with his future endeavors by following him on Twitter @ABilodeau_Ski.

–@Naomi_ML

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Red Carpet Premiere

The Canadian red carpet premiere of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was not your regular night at the movies. As soon as I walked into the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto I found myself face to face with a fully uniformed peacekeeper who stood his ground, unmoving, as I gawked at what I was seeing. Ten seconds later it finally clued in that there were loud “boom” “boom” boom” sounds constantly playing over the loud chatter of excited Hunger Games fans. As I made my way up the stairs (which were of course lined with even more peacekeepers) I finally saw the source of the sounds: men dressed in “district” gear banging on bongos. It was definitely an experience in itself.

I was fortunate enough to snag a spot on the red carpet thanks to my amazing internship, with stars Jena Malone who plays Johanna Mason and Sam Clafin who takes on the role of Finnick Odair. Look below for the pictures I took on the red carpet!

As for the film itself, the critics are right, “The good news is that the new edition is a better crafted film than its predecessor.” I’ve been a fan of the books long before a film was announced, and to be honest the first film did not meet my standards. I thought the characters were well cast and Jennifer Lawrence needs to be my best friend, but overall the film felt like it had a Twilight-like feel to it. Which is in no way a good thing. With a completely new director for the sequel, Catching Fire blew away my expectations and I’m glad Francis Lawrence is here to stay for the remaining two movies. Expect a lot of action, adventure, more developments in the love triangle that involves Katniss, Peeta and Gale and of course a huge cliffhanger ending that’ll make you want to invent a time machine and fast forward to November 2014.

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I would love to hear your thoughts/comments on Catching Fire! Let me know what you’re looking forward to seeing in the movie, or what you loved/hated!

–@Naomi_ML

 

 

 

Faze Magazine’s Be Extraordinary Event + Giveaway

What I love about Faze, (the company I’ve been interning at for the past year and a half) is that they don’t only create great magazines for teens and young adults in Canada, but they also host amazing events for girls in Toronto! Every live Faze event usually includes celebrity guests and performers, hair and make-up stations, inspiring public speakers and of course prizes and swag bags! Their last event, on November 3, had an added super-fun element: a fashion show! Students who aspire to be stylists from school’s in the Greater Toronto Area put together a number of different looks for varying occasions. From the concertgoer to life of the party to the athlete, every style was covered!

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Each look was judged by a panel of professionals including celebrity stylist and make-up artist Paul Venoit, fashion industry expert Gail McInnes, Degrassi star Jessica Tyler, fashion designer Cara Cheung, fashion expert Annie-Claude Touzin and Faze superstylist Carolee Custus.

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While the fashion show was a sight to see, singers and musicians including Vita Chambers, Tyler Shaw and Max Rivers gave performances that were amazing to hear.

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You may enter a Faze event empty handed but that’s definitely not how you leave. With so many amazing on-stage prizes ($400 Sennheiser headphones, hello!) every girl is bound to feel like it’s Christmas already. Upon leaving, attendees were also handed amazing swag bags with some of the hottest products.

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Luckily for you readers, I’m giving away a SUPER swag bag, valued at over $75 that consists of not only Faze swag from this event but events that passed.

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This amazing swag bag worth over $75 contains:
-Your choice of a copy of Faze Magazine (choose from Shay Mitchell, Ed Sheeran, Cody Simpson, Marianas Trench, Austin Mahone, Olly Murs and Shawn Desman)
-Covergirl flamed out mascara, shadow pot eyeshadow and smoochies lip balm
-New York Color curling mascara, duo eyeliner, liquid lipshine, city proof lipgloss, IndividualEyes eyeshadow, Sun n’Bronze bronzing powder, Smooth Skin perfecting primer and Color Wheel mosaic face powder
-2 imPRESS press-on manicure sets
-BCBGeneration key chain
-Goody clip-in hair chain
-2 So…? body fragrances in Kiss Me and Fab
-Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom body lotion
-Almay intense i-color shadow stick
-Forever 21 earrings
-Charlotte Russe necklace
-Mod de Dim tights
-Broadway real life nails
-Fashion Diva nail kit

Entering is easy and takes two simple steps. Contest open worldwide. No purchase necessary.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more pictures from Faze’s Be Extraordinary event be sure to check out their website faze.ca.