The irony of tonight’s Divergent Toronto Advance Screening is that Fans were anything but unalike. Whether they call themselves Initiates or Priorities, they were united in their ardent support for what has been pegged the next breakout Young Adult Franchise. Following in the footsteps of The Twilight Saga and The Hunger Games Series, this first Adaptation of Veronica Roth‘s best-selling Trilogy, not only is led by two of Hollywood’s brightest Rising Stars in Theo James and Academy Award Nominee Shailene Woodley, but it also boasts an impressive Supporting Cast which includes Tony Goldwyn, Miles Teller, Jai Courtney, Maggie Q, Ansel Elgort and the always phenomenal Kate Winslet.
Taking place at Scotiabank Theatre, tonight’s Premiere saw a multitude of Media and Fans waiting on Divergent‘s two Stars in a later scheduled start time than normal. After flying-in from the Chicago leg of their Press Tour, both James and Woodley were greeted with a cool, collective cheer amidst this pestering Extreme Cold Alert. The former brought forth pure British sophistication to this side of the Atlantic in a smart three-piece Suit, while the latter sported proudly her new Pixie locks, pairing a green sweater over a button-down and shimmery black pants – reminding us indeed we were at a Red Carpet Affair. Fans demanded hugs from their Hero and Heroine and some were lucky enough to get theirs!
Divergent centers around 16-year-old Tris Prior (Woodley), who like all others her age must choose which Faction she wishes to belong to, living in a Society divided by personality types. Tris decides she wants to join the Dauntless Faction, known for its bravery, but of course with this comes dangerous risks. She then learns that she’s actually Divergent, meaning she’ll never purely belong to any one distinct Faction and this could cause an issue or two.
I ask Woodley, what it is that she looks for when she chooses a role. She says, “It’s a physical reaction when I read a script. If I get butterflies, then I know it’s something to fight for”. We learned also that her Pal, Jennifer Lawrence, actually encouraged her to sign aboard the Franchise after some hesitations initially. “She definitely encouraged me to take this on – she said ‘There’s lots of beautiful things which could come from a Franchise like this!'”.
On Toronto, which she last visited in 2011 for the Toronto International Film Festival with eventual Academy Award-winning The Descendants, she tells me that this actually is a City she’s quite fond of, drawing parallels to the Big Apple. “I love Toronto and one of my Best Friends is from Ontario”, she tells us, “I spent some time here as a Child”. “The City feels like a clean New York. There’s something refreshing about it.”.
Hailing from Oxford, James with his refined talent and good looks is on the verge of major recognition stateside. On the decision to cast him in the coveted Four role opposite Woodley, he walks me through the day he discovered the news which could well change his life forever. “Well, I was working in Florida. I heard the news and looked around and there was no one to celebrate with, so I went to a bar with no one to celebrate with but myself”, he remembers. “It was Rock ‘n’ Roll!”. Things aren’t stopping any time soon for the Actor, who appears alongside Johnny Depp in London Fields and Richard Gere in Franny next.
Watch Mr. Will‘s Chats with James and Woodley below:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Christina Miguel)
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
In the early 1960s, boy-meets-girl at a party, they lose track of each other, find each other, fall in love, and then boy gets diagnosed with a crippling disease that only gives him two years to live. Such is the True Story of Jane (Felicity Jones) and Dr. Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne), and how they persevered despite the grim prognosis.
As directed by James Marsh (Oscar-winner for the documentary Man on Wire), The Theory of Everything goes through Jane and Stephen’s lives together from his first year in university, right through his major discoveries and rapidly deteriorating health. The Film’s focus is on their lives, so there is very little emphasis on Hawking’s groundbreaking scientific discoveries. As such, it feels a bit soft in many instances, never really straying from the tried-and-true Biopic formula. This does not take away from the Film, but it never really lends it the opportunity to stand out either. Marsh makes it a bit more interesting by framing nearly every scene with a faded out haze over them, and even creates authentic, aged montages in the style of Home Movies.
Redmayne is a revelation as Hawking. Not unlike Daniel Day Lewis, Redmayne literally transforms into Hawking before our eyes. He starts off happy, with a few little nuances that creep up every so often. But as the Film progresses, Redmayne ensures we feel every change and deterioration to his body. It is a devastating, near brilliant performance that is every bit as great as you have heard, and is easily an early front-runner for a Best Actor nomination. Jones is quite good as well, playing Jane more low-key and less showy than Redmayne. We feel her exhaustion and sorrow, watching her helplessly and selflessy try her best to care for her children and Hawking himself. It is an emotionally baring performance, and one Jones is all too good at playing.
eOne Films release THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING in Toronto Friday, November 7, 2014, with additional cities to follow.
THE GENTLEMEN is coming to Netflix March 7, 2024. This new Series from Guy Ritchie sees Eddie Horniman (Theo James) unexpectedly inheriting his father’s sizable country estate – only to discover it’s part of a cannabis empire. Moreover, a host of unsavory characters from Britain’s criminal underworld want a piece of the operation. Determined to extricate his family from their clutches, Eddie tries to play the gangsters at their own game. However, as he gets sucked into the world of criminality, he begins to find a taste for it.
The series is set in the world of The Gentlemen film, with a whole new cast, combining Hollywood talent and British film and TV legends. The series offers depth into this criminal world and a new story to get stuck into.
THE GENTLEMEN stars:
THEO JAMES as EDDIE HORNIMAN “The Duke”
Eddie is the second son of the Duke of Halstead, and as such, never expected to inherit a thing. That’s why he created a life for himself, excelling at Sandhurst and achieving the rank of Captain in the British Army. But when his father suddenly dies, stipulating in the will that his title and the accompanying 15,000 acres of land will go to his second rather than firstborn son, Eddie’s life makes a fundamental pivot. It’s a role he never wanted, and perhaps believed wasn’t within him, but gradually Eddie will find himself increasingly comfortable in his father’s shoes. As Eddie contends with the unexpected criminal responsibilities which come with owning this English country estate, his character will be tested like never before.
KAYA SCODELARIO as SUSIE GLASS “The Boss”
Effortlessly stylish, sardonic, and inheriting her fair share of Bobby Glass’ steeliness, Susie oversees her father’s criminal organisation on his behalf. Susie is something of a chameleon, from inner-city boxing gyms to high-society galas, there are few places she can’t seamlessly fit in. Susie uses a combination of sophistication and sophistry to iron out the usual kinks which occur in the running of Bobby’s business, but when Eddie starts making problems for her early on, she finds her patience quickly wearing thin. Susie slowly begins to see the rationale for her father’s interest in this enterprising young man, as her and Eddie’s relationship and rapport develop across the series. However, when the Glass empire comes under increasing pressure, Susie is clear where her ultimate priorities lie.
DANIEL INGS as FREDDY HORNIMAN “The Liability”
Freddy always knew he was the heir to the Halstead estate, which is why he never succeeded at anything. His life to-date has been an inconsequential stream of parties, drug-taking and embarrassing business misadventures. He is the Anti-Midas, everything he touches turns to dust and debt. When he discovers that his inheritance has been passed over to his younger brother, a fissure erupts within Freddy which no amount of cocaine can fill. Freddy is bereft of purpose and leans even harder into his impulsiveness and reactivity. But when the criminal elements at Halstead begin to infiltrate the lives of the Hornimans, a creative spark begins to flicker within Freddy: this might just be the making of him.
VINNIE JONES as GEOFF SEACOMBE “The Gamekeeper”
Geoff is the gamekeeper of Halstead Manor. He knows every inch of the estate and cares deeply for the land, as well as the assortment creatures that roam upon it. Stoic, stolid and unswervingly loyal to the Hornimans, Geoff takes a certain pride in knowing his exact place within society’s structure and is ever respectful of the line between family and staff. There is a quiet sorrow to Geoff, owing to a secret he has kept for many years, nevertheless, as Eddie learns to deal with the illicit activity on the Halstead grounds, Geoff will make himself available as an ever-present rock to the new Duke. A repository of sage wisdom and sloe gin is always to be found within the gamekeeper’s cottage.
JOELY RICHARDSON as LADY SABRINA “The Matriarch”
Sabrina Horniman, Eddie’s mother, is the Dowager Duchess of Halstead. Upstanding and honest, she exudes a chilly maternal gentility. Though she may present as a part of the typical horse-riding country set, this is a front for a more salacious past, and a caustic sense of humour. Often the smartest person in the room, but with very little need to prove it, Sabrina becomes increasingly concerned for the danger Eddie encounters as he tangles with the particulars of the criminal world. Though we sense that there are parts of Sabrina’s life of which her family are not yet aware, Sabrina is resolute in supporting all her children with a discretion learnt from years by the side of their father.
GIANCARLO ESPOSITO as UNCLE STAN “The American”
An extravagantly wealthy American, Stanley Johnston A.K.A Uncle Stan, is not your archetypal dealer and distributor of methamphetamines. Uncle Stan is obsessed with the history, iconography, and architecture of the British aristocracy. He retains a manservant, socialises with a minor European royal, and practically lives in the most exclusive gentlemen’s club in London. Stan’s fascination with all things posh might go some way to explaining his tailored interest in the new Duke of Halstead, but there are those who suspect Stan’s attack may be two-pronged: with his true goal set on securing Bobby Glass’ substantial market share.
About The Gentlemen
THE GENTLEMEN series is launching on 7th March 2024 with 8 x episodes
Creator: Guy Ritchie
Writers: Guy Ritchie and Matthew Read, with Haleema Mirza, Billy and Theo Mason Wood, Stuart Carolan and John Jackson
Directors: Guy Ritchie, Nima Nourizadeh, Eran Creevy, David Caffrey
Executive Producers: Guy Ritchie, Will Gould, Matthew Read, Frith Tiplady, Marc Helwig, Bill Block, Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies
Series Producer is Hugh Warren.
Costume Designers: LouLou Bontemps, Carly Griffith
Hair & Make-up Designer: Niamh Morrison
Production Designers: Martyn John, Linda Wilson
Supervising location Manager: Iggy (Ian) Ellis
Casting Directors: Dan Hubbard, Rory Okey
Casting: Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, Vinnie Jones, Giancarlo Esposito, Chanel Cresswell, Michael Vu, Max Beesley, Jasmine Blackborow, Harry Goodwins, Dar Salim, Pearce Quigley, Ruby Sear, Peter Serafinowicz, Ray Winstone and Guz Khan.
The series is co-produced by Netflix, Moonage Pictures and Miramax TV
Crime meets caviar! It’s time to meet a new class of criminals in the official teaser for THE GENTLEMEN, a new drama series from Guy Ritchie inspired by the original Miramax film.
Debuting today, the teaser for THE GENTLEMEN also reveals veteran actor Ray Winstone will star in the series. Ray plays Bobby Glass, a career criminal from the East End of London who founded an industrial cannabis empire.
LOGLINE:
THE GENTLEMEN sees Eddie Horniman (Theo James) unexpectedly inherit his father’s sizable country estate – only to discover it’s part of a clandestine cannabis empire. Moreover, many unsavory characters from Britain’s criminal underworld want a piece of the operation. Determined to extricate his family from their clutches, Eddie tries to play the gangsters at their own game. However, as he gets sucked into the world of criminality, he begins to find a taste for it.
________________
Ray Winstone joins a host of on-screen talent, led by Emmy-nominated The White Lotus 2 star James as The Duke of Halstead, Eddie Horniman, who finds himself embroiled in criminality after inheriting his father’s estate, and Kaya Scodelario (Crawl, The Pale Horse) who plays Susie Glass, Bobby’s effortlessly stylish and steely daughter who runs the day-to-day business of the empire.
The series also stars Daniel Ings (I Hate Suzie), Joely Richardson (Lady Chatterley’s Lover), Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels actor Vinnie Jones, Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul), Chanel Cresswell (This is England), Michael Vu, Max Beesley (Hijack), Jasmine Blackborow (Marie Antoinette), Harry Goodwins (In His Hands: The Emergence), Dar Salim (The Covenant), Pearce Quigley (Detectorists), Ruby Sear and Peter Serafinowicz (The Tick).
Multi-talented and award-winning Guy Ritchie is at the helm of the production, serving as creator, co-writer, and executive producer. Ritchie has also directed the first two episodes.
Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong
Let us immediately address the elephant in the room. Can MR. MALCOLM’S LIST survive the scrutiny of being compared to “Bridgerton”? Both are Regency period pieces set in the 1800s, with an inclusive multi-racial Cast. Each has its share of dialogue spoken with impeccable British accents, while strolling in lush gardens or exquisite rooms in stately manors or the ubiquitous Balls.
Directed by Emma Holly Jones and written by Suzanne Allain (who also wrote the Novel this is based on), the Film centers on a young woman named Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) who exacts revenge after being rejected by the highly-desired and eligible bachelor Jeremy Malcolm (Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù), who is constantly fending-off money-hungry women. He has a list of then things he looks for, and Julia fails at adequate conversation (#4 on the list) in their disastrous date at the Opera. Julia enlists her childhood friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto) to help, luring him in and deceiving him into believing she meets every single criteria on his list. When she gets him to propose to her, she turns the tables with her own list, pointing-out his inadequancies. Throw-in Julia’s cousin Lord Cassidy (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and Theo James (HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife) as Captain Henry Ossory, one of Malcolm’s associates, we enter deep into Jane Austen territory.
First-time Feature Director Emma Holly Jones tackles the material with perfunctory assurance. Though lacking the grandeur and visual flair of recent Costume Dramas, Jones’ comedic flare is substantial. Moreover, everyone in the Cast exudes the perfect amount of charm and fury with newcomer Ashton breaking the bank in an addictive, terrific performance. Old-fashioned in execution, MR. MALCOLN’S LIST must be commended for its charm and romance.
Certainly, a refreshing and frothy addition to the Summer movie slate. levelFILM release MR. MALCOLM’S LIST, now in theatres.
A new Trailer has arrived for MR. MALCOLM’S LIST featuring a phenomenal Cast that includes Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù, Freida Pinto, Theo James, Ashley Park, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and more!
Synopsis:
Finding perfection can be… complicated. Based on the novel and the short film of the same name, a young woman courts a mysterious wealthy suitor in 1800s England, unaware of his unattainable list of conditions for a future wife.
Directed by: Emma Holly Jones
Written by: Suzanne Allain
levelFILM release MR. MALCOLM’S LIST in-theatres July 1, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: levelFILM)
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Nothing says suspense like a good scandal at the United Nations. The UN Oil for Food Program was conceived with best of intentions in the wake of 9/11 with the purpose of selling Iraq’s oil in exchange for necessities which would be given to Iraqi people who otherwise would not have access to food and medicine due to UN sanctions. In what was certainly a shocking turn of events, politicians realized this do-goodery would be a great extra source of income and were soon exploiting the program for their own gain. Backstabbing for Beginners is a fly on the wall look the politics of charity.
Michael Soussan (Theo James) is a second-generation Diplomat who is above bribery, dishonesty, and frowns upon all forms of wrong doing. The saintly young man finds himself as the assistant to UN bigwig, Pasha (Sir Ben Kingsley) a former colleague of his father’s. Michael finds himself on a flight to Iraq on his second day work mere hours after being told by his new boss that there are shades of truth that don’t all need to be shared in the favour of the greater good. Once in Iraq, Michael and Pasha are set against Pasha’s nemesis, the honest Christina Dupré (Jacqueline Bisset) and translator Nashim (Belçim Bilgin).
James gamely tries to keep-up with his talented Costars but stumbles time and again when he is forced to keep the audience’s attention solo. Kingsley, on the other hand makes the most of his camp take on the Cypriot Diplomat. He leaves the audience wondering about the fine line between half-truths and lies while ensuring that no one ever fully dislikes his duplicitous Pasha.
Director Per Fly co-wrote the Script with Daniel Pyne based Soussan’s Memoir of the same name. Fly’s big twist relies on the audience buying into the shocking idea that politicians are corrupt. The underwhelming script drowns under an excessive use of voice overs that inundate the audience with exposition and constant reminders of Soussan’s unimpeachable honour.
Movies based on true stories are often a challenge for audiences who are familiar the outcome. Although the Oil for Food Scandal drew headlines in its day, it is safe to say most people have forgotten the finer details and will be drawn into the intrigue and beautiful international filming locations, including Toronto. Despite a lackluster Script, Backstabbing for Beginners is held together with consistent performances and steady direction.
eOne Films release Backstabbing for Beginners on Friday, May 4, 2018.
Filmed right here in Toronto, we were beginning to wonder what happened to this Movie! Check out the new Trailer for BACKSTABBING FOR BEGINNERS starring Theo James and Ben Kingsley.
Synopsis:
Based on a true story, an idealistic young employee working at the UN investigates the grisly murder of his predecessor and uncovers a vast global conspiracy, that may even involve his own boss, in this gripping and timely thriller.
See the Trailer:
eOne Films release BACKSTABBING FOR BEGINNERS, coming soon.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Newly married and recently pregnant couple Olivia (Dakota Fanning) and Luke (Theo James of the Divergent series) are looking for help, and find it in her parents’ philanthropist friend Franny (Richard Gere). He does not ask anything for his assistance at first, but slowly begins meddling and weeding his way into their lives in the hope of reliving past glories while ignoring his current situation.
While it starts intriguingly enough, The Benefactor becomes a complete mess of ideas by the time it concludes 90-minutes later. The trailer suggests the Film is a Thriller, but does not feature any thrilling moments. Instead, we are given a completely inconsistent tone and an inability to focus on any one idea for longer than a few minutes at a time. The main crux is on Gere’s character and his emotional instability, but everything to do with Fanning and James seems almost superfluous.
Fanning and James do adequate jobs in their small roles, but the script does not ask much of either of them. Gere on the other hand, is downright stunning as Franny. His wealth is mysterious and his intentions are even more enigmatic, but he wears his reactions and feelings like a badge of honour. Where the script falters, Gere injects a breadth of emotional intimacy and strain unlike the majority of his older and much more popular work. He continues to redefine himself as an actor with various odd and offbeat roles, and his work in The Benefactor might be some of his strongest to date.
VVS Films release THE BENEFACTOR on Blu-ray, DVD, VOD and Digital HD on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
When a disembodied voice welcomes you to the future and tells you “there’s nothing to worry about” most people would start to get suspicious. Tris Prior, however, is not most people. The Divergent Series: Allegiant marks Shailene Woodley’s penultimate return as Chicago’s dauntless heroine who, despite everything she has undergone over the course of two Movies, is just an average teenager who really wants a day off from all the responsibilities that have been thrust upon her. And if peace and quiet requires repelling off the side of a wall, walking through radiation, or getting a weird wrist tattoo then those are sacrifices she is willing to make.
With Jeanine dead, the city of Chicago stands on the precipice of mob rule. A disinterested Tris doesn’t care if Evelyn or Johanna (Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer) rule the city as long as she can convince her boyfriend Four (Theo James) to leave the Chicago and explore the world on the other side of the wall. Beyond the walls Tris finds David (Jeff Daniels), yet another adult in this world seemingly overrun with teenagers, who wants to tell Tris and her friends what to do. In a role designed mainly for the purposes of exposition David explains that Tris isn’t just different from people in the other factions – she’s better than they are: she is pure. With this shaky logic, Tris gives up samples of her DNA to the Bureau of Genetic Welfare so they can discover what makes her unique. When it turns out that David’s intentions are less than pure Tris and company must head back to Chicago to save their home from David’s evil machinations.
Under Robert Schwentke’s direction, the world created by Veronica Roth becomes somewhat cold and reliant upon poorly realized green-screen. Heavy-handed imagery plays second fiddle to a lamentable script (Noah Oppenheim, Adam Cooper, and Bill Collage), which imparts with nuggets of foreshadowed wisdom like, “Great leaders don’t seek power – they’re called by necessity.”
The Movie’s science wouldn’t pass muster at an eighth grade Science Fair but serves to move the plot along despite lackluster performances from much of the cast. Miles Teller however, is a true standout. His Peter stops short of actual mustache twirling as he snarks, wheedles, and backstabs his way to the top. While the audience is left wondering why anyone would ever trust his character, Teller chews the scenery for all it’s worth making the most of his screen time.
Allegiant strays enough from the books to necessitate a future fourth installment while still paying attention to fan demands for sufficient romantic screen time for Fourtris. Critics no doubt will nit pick the flaws of this Movie, but Allegiant wasn’t made for them; it was made for a faction much more important – the Fans.
eOne Films releases The Divergent Series: Allegiant on Friday, March 18, 2016.
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