Our Amanda Gilmore has arrived in Cannes to deliver us some coverage of the Festival, its stars and most buzzy films! The Festival is on now through May 27, 2023. Today, she attended the Press Conference for this year’s Jury, featuring some very accomplished names in the industry including Paul Dano, Brie Larson, Ruben Östlund and Julia Ducornau.

Some quotes from today, starting with Paul Dano.
Dano: “I’m so excited to be here and be surrounded by these people”. “I’ve been going every year since I was a teenager to the Cannes Festivalto see what films I wanted to seek-out, especially foreign filmmakers.”.

He also comments on the current Writers’ Strike taking place in Hollywood and both him and his wife Zoe Kazan working hard to create awareness for the cause.
Dano: “My wife is currently on the picket line with our (child) and when I get home I will join her on the picket line.”.

Julia Ducournau, Palme d’Or-winning Director of acclaimed Titane also is a jury member and comments about the Festival.
Ducournau: “I was extremely happy they let me do this”. “I don’t want to know anything about the films before I see them. You come here for open-mindedness.”.

She comments on handing on the torch and what the impact of winning a Palme d’Or can have on one’s career.
Ducournau: “Giving the Palme d’Or to someone can really change their life. It’s the Holy Grail!”.

Ruben Östlund, Director of Oscar-nominated Triangle of Sadness, speaks about being Jury President.
Östlund: “You try to crate a certain atmosphere”. “People shouldn’t be scared to say what they want.
We don’t have to be smart, we just have to have the first instinct and speak what we think.”.

He is asked what he thinks of this year’s in-competition films:
Östlund: “We’re going to keep our mouths completely shut this year.”.

Academy Award-winning Actress Brie Larson comments on her approach to work and having expectations going into see a film.
Larson: “I take the same level and care in everything. It doesn’t matter the budget, a film is a film”. “I love going into films without knowing anything”.

Remember to bookmark this link and check daily for updates, reviews and sightings from this year’s Festival!

Some sights from Cannes from Amanda:

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

The trailer is now available for Disney’s frighteningly fun adventure “Haunted Mansion,” which opens in theatres on July 28, 2023.

Directed by Justin Simien, the film features an all-star cast ensemble cast including LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon and Dan Levy, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto as The Hatbox Ghost.

Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, “Haunted Mansion” is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters. The film’s producers are Dan Lin andJonathan Eirich, with Nick Reynolds and Tom Peitzman serving as executive producers.

Today, we get a brand-new final Trailer for eagerly-awaited FAST X, the tenth film in the beloved FAST & FURIOUS franchise!

Synopsis:

Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.  

In 2011’s Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn’t know was that Reyes’ son, Dante (Aquaman’s Jason Momoa), witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price. 

Dante’s plot will scatter Dom’s family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son (Leo Abelo Perry, Black-ish) is the ultimate target of Dante’s vengeance. 

Directed by Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans, The Incredible Hulk), Fast X stars returning cast members Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Jason Statham, John Cena and Scott Eastwood, with Oscar^® winner Helen Mirren and Oscar^® winner Charlize Theron. 

The film also features an extraordinary new cast including Oscar^® winner Brie Larson as Tess, a rogue representative from the Agency; Alan Richtson (Reacher) as Aimes, the new head of the Agency who doesn’t hold the same fondness for Dom’s crew as his predecessor, Mr. Nobody; Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad) as a Brazilian street racer with a powerful tie to Dom’s past; and legendary Oscar^® winner Rita Moreno as Dom and Mia’s Abuelita Toretto. 

Fast X is produced by Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin Lin, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Samantha Vincent. The executive producers are Joseph M. Caracciolo, Jr., David Cain, Chris Morgan, Amanda Lewis and Mark Bomback. www.thefastsaga.com

MERPEOPLE explores the Mermaid culture, which actually is a booming industry! Meet this fascinating world of underwater performers in this brand-new Netflix Documentary.

Synopsis:

MerPeople dives into the fascinating world of underwater performers who have turned their love for the mystical sea creatures into real-world careers. From putting on dazzling small-town shows in Florida to the crowning of the King and Queen of the Seas in the Bahamas, this series will take you on a journey of passion and perseverance. Get ready to set sail on an unforgettable voyage and immerse yourself in a world where fantasy becomes reality.

MERPEOPLE arrives May 23, 2023 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

JURY DUTY is sure to bring the laughs and here’s a first look at this upcoming Mockumentary Sitcom ariving today on Prime Video Canada.

Synopsis:

Jury Duty is a documentary-style comedy series that chronicles the inner workings of an American jury trial through the eyes of one particular juror. What that juror doesn’t know is that the entire case is fake, everyone except him is an actor, and everything that happens — inside the courtroom and out — is carefully planned.

Created by: Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky

Jury and Litigants: Ronald Gladden, James Marsden, Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, and many more.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)

Mr. Will x Universal Pictures Home Entertainment want to give Readers a chance to win COCAINE BEAR on Blu-ray!

Synopsis:

From Director Elizabeth Banks (Charlie’s Angels, Pitch Perfect 2), comes Cocaine Bear, the “wildly entertaining” (the Mary Sue) story inspired by the time an actual bear did cocaine. The comedy-laced, high-octane film phenomenon stars Keri Russell (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), Margo Martindale (American Crime Story), and the late Ray Liotta (Goodfellas) in “a thrilling binge of adrenaline” (TheWrap). The ‘Maximum Rampage Edition,’ loaded with behind-the-scenes extras including an alternate ending, deleted scenes and gag reel, will be yours to own on Digital May 9, 2023 and Blu-ray™ and DVD May 23, 2023 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE).

Inspired by the 1985 true story of a drug runner’s plane crash, missing cocaine, and the black bear that ate it, this wild dark comedy finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound apex predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow … and blood.

‘MAXIMUM RAMPAGE EDITION’ EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES TO OWN ON DIGITAL, BLU-RAY & DVD:
Alternate Ending
Deleted & Extended Scenes
Gag Reel
All Roads Lead to Cokey: The Making of COCAINE BEAR – Meet the hilarious ensemble brought together to bring the movie of what is soon to be the world’s most famous bear to life.
UnBEARable Bloodbath: Dissecting the Kills – From rigging to special effects makeup, to some of the actors doing their own stunts, we’ll get a bears-eye view into some of COCAINE BEAR’s hilarious and gory kill scenes.
Doing Lines – Cast and filmmakers read lines from the script to COCAINE BEAR, which was a work of art unto itself.
Feature Commentary with Director/Producer Elizabeth Banks and Producer Max Handelman

FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Christian Convery, Alden Ehrenreich, Brooklynn Prince, Isiah Whitlock Jr., with Margo Martindale and Ray Liotta
Music Supervisors: Julia Michels, Julianne Jordan
Score By: Mark Mothersbaugh
Edited By: Joel Negron ACE
Production Designer: Aaron Haye
Director of Photography: John Guleserian
Executive Producers: Robin Mulcahy Fisichella, Alison Small, Nikki Baida
Produced By: Phil Lord p.g.a., Christopher Miller p.g.a., Elizabeth Banks p.g.a., Max Handelman p.g.a., Brian
Duffield p.g.a., Aditya Sood p.g.a.,
Written By: Jimmy Warden
Directed By: Elizabeth Banks

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY:
Street Date: May 23, 2023
Selection Number: 1000823431 (CDN)
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Rating: Rated R for bloody violence and gore, drug content and language throughout.
Subtitles: English, French Canadian, and Latin American Spanish
Languages/Sound: English (DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Dolby Digital 2.0 for Bonus Content), French Canadian (DTS Digital Surround 5.1), and Latin American Spanish (DTS-HD High Resolution Audio 7.1)
Run Time: 01:35:21

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:
Street Date: May 23, 2023
Selection Number: 1000823430 (CDN)
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Rating: Rated R for bloody violence and gore, drug content and language throughout.
Subtitles: English, French Canadian, and Latin American Spanish
Languages/Sound: English (Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0 for Bonus Content), French Canadian (Dolby Digital 5.1), and Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Run Time: 01:35:21

To enter for your chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet the Contest Tweet below for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

Hollywood Suite is proud to announce the return of their original documentary series A Year in Film. Premiering Thursday, May 25, 2023 the fourth season will shine a cinematic spotlight on the years 1973, 1985, 1999 and 2010. Archival material, film clips and interviews with industry insiders and critics will immerse viewers in film history and pop culture.

This season’s episodes include:

🎬 A Year in Film: 1973
Discusses The Exorcist, Serpico, Enter the Dragon, Mean Streets, Paper Moon, American Graffiti, Coffy and more.

Premieres May 25 at 9pm ET on HS70
Available on Demand May 25

🎬 A Year in Film: 1985
Discusses Back to the Future, The Breakfast Club, The Goonies, PeeWee’s Big Adventure, Blood Simple, The Peanut Butter Solution, Rocky IV and more.

Premieres May 26 at 9pm ET on HS80
Available on Demand May 26

🎬 A Year in Film: 1999
Discusses The Matrix, Cruel Intentions, Fight Club, American Beauty, The Blair Witch Project, The Sixth Sense and more.

Premieres May 27 at 9pm ET on HS90
Available on Demand May 27

🎬 A Year in Film: 2010
Discusses The Social Network, The King’s Speech, Inception, Black Swan, Boy, Winter’s Bone, True Grit and more.

Premieres May 28 at 9pm ET on HS00
Available on Demand May 28

Meticulously restored Canadian cult classic The Peanut Butter Solution will also receive its broadcast premiere on Hollywood Suite on Friday, May 26 at 9:40 pm ET, immediately following the premiere of the 1985 episode of A Year in Film. The film is also discussed in depth in an episode of the A Year in Film Podcast featuring guest Jay Baruchel.

“While it’s a children’s film, The Peanut Butter Solution is one of the most notorious films ever produced in Canada,” says Alicia Fletcher, writer and producer of A Year In Film. “I frequently encounter children of the 80s who saw this film growing up and it marked them deeply. It was made with love and frankness by legendary producer Roque Demers and director Michael Rubbo, and what makes it great is that it never shies away from the surreal hellishness of childhood. The Peanut Butter Solution is a quintessential 80s gem and Hollywood Suite is the perfect home for its recent restoration.”.

We are so excited about this! Nia Vardalos is back with a third film in her adored MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING series.

Synopsis:

From writer and director Nia Vardalos, the worldwide phenomenon My Big Fat Greek Wedding is coming back to theaters with a brand-new adventure. Join the Portokalos family as they travel to a family reunion in Greece for a heartwarming and hilarious trip full of love, twists and turns.

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 arrives September 8, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Focus Features)

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 once again finds itself on-top with $55 million in its second weekend out, taking its total to $207.9 million for Disney/Marvel.

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE also repeats in second for a Chris Pratt 1-2 finish once again, with $13.3 million from 3,800 theatres for Universal Pictures. Its total domestically, now is at $536 million.

Third goes to BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER with $7 million from 3,508 theatres for Universal Pictures/Focus Features in its debut, fittingly on Mother’s Day. Led by a Cast of heavyweights including Jane Fonda and Diane Keaton, this sequel gets 47% on the Tomatometer.

In fourth is EVIL DEAD RISE with $3.6 million from 2,621 theatres for Warner Bros., a four week run of $60 million.

ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET rounds this Top Five out with $2.3 million from 2,359 theatres for Cineplex Pictures/Lionsgate.

20th Century Studios Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see horrifying THE BOOGEYMAN!

Screenings take place as follows:

Toronto: Cineplex Yonge & Dundas May 25, 2023 at 7PM

Vancouver: International Village May 31, 2023 at 7 PM

ABOUT THE BOOGEYMAN

High school student Sadie Harper and her younger sister Sawyer are reeling from the recent death of their mother and aren’t getting much support from their father, Will, a therapist who is dealing with his own pain. When a desperate patient unexpectedly shows up at their home seeking help, he leaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on families and feeds on the suffering of its victims. “The Boogeyman,” directed by Rob Savage (“Host”) with a screenplay by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods (“A Quiet Place”) and Mark Heyman (“Black Swan”) and a screen story by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods based upon the short story by Stephen King, stars Sophie Thatcher (“Yellowjackets”), Chris Messina (“Air”), Vivien Lyra Blair (“Obi-Wan Kenobi”), Marin Ireland (“The Umbrella Academy”), Madison Hu (“Bizaardvark”), LisaGay Hamilton (“Vice”), and David Dastmalchian (“Boston Strangler”). The producers are Shawn Levy (“Stranger Things”), Dan Levine (“Arrival”), and Dan Cohen (“The Adam Project”), with John H. Starke (“Sicario”), Emily Morris (“Rosaline”), Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, Ryan Cunningham, Adam Kolbrenner (“The Tomorrow War”), and Robyn Meisinger serving as executive producers. 

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City there in the comments. For another chance, Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below:

Rules and regulations here.

NOTE: Please do not reply to third-party comments telling you that you’ve won, asking for personal banking/credit information on a link. This is not us.

20th Century Studios Canada release THE BOOGEYMAN June 2, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Studios Canada)