By Mr. Will Wong

Based on David Charlandy‘s acclaimed Novel of the same name, Clement Virgo‘s BROTHER takes us back to the ’90s in Scarborough. We meet two brothers, raised by their single mother (Marsha Stephanie Blake), and despite her best efforts to shield them, ultimately they are unable to avoid becoming a product of the violence abound, whether it be in the news or the gangs who fight for territory in their economically-depressed neighbourhood.

A mild-mannered Michael (Lamar Johnson) looks-up to his older brother Francis (Aaron Pierre), who acts as a big brother and father figure in the absence of their dad. And told in a non-linear manner, we see tragedy unfold as they and we continue to live in a time today where the value of a black life still is at the forefront of discussion.

Virgo, sans melodrama, captures a fly-on-the-wall feel with stunning Cinematography by Guy Godfree that evokes a darkness that casts a shadow over the hope of youth and coming-of-age for these young men. A beautiful, heartbreaking piece that at once looks at the strength of one family’s love in a dire place and time.

BROTHER screens at TIFF ’22 as follows:

Fri, Sep 09 IN-PERSON Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre 6:30pm

Fri, Sep 16IN-PERSON TIFF Bell Lightbox 6:00pm

By David Baldwin

High school senior Lawrence Kweller (Isaiah Lehtinen) likes movies. Scratch that, he is obsessed with movies. He watches them endlessly, riffing on his love for Stanley Kubrick to anyone who will listen. He is ambitious and just knows he is going to get into NYU’s film program where he will be taught by the likes of Todd Solondz. But this is the early 2000s – or more specifically, early 2000s era Burlington, Ontario – and Lawrence needs $90,000 to attend. So he gets a job at the local video store Sequels and quickly discovers that the movies are far different than reality.

After reading the Film’s description, I knew I was going to love I LIKE MOVIES. I just did not know just how much I would love I LIKE MOVIES. Writer/Director Chandler Levack hones in on an era of innocence and social naivety that feels so foreign in the modern day, yet rings true for someone like me whose life long obsession with film kicked off around the same time the film takes place. While I hope I was less of a pretentious asshole than Lawrence is, Lehtinen portrays the budding Cinephile brilliantly. Just thinking about him going off on why he cannot in good faith promote the new edition of Shrek on DVD is making me chuckle, as is a recurring joke around him needing to return an overdue VHS copy of Wild Things. No doubt it is this side of his personality that is going to speak to an entire generation of older Millennials.

All of that said, the Film is substantially darker than I thought it would be and does a great job of humanizing Lawrence in a way that setting the Film in the age of Social Media would have felt disingenuous. There is some genuine tragedy on display here, and watching Lehtinen weave through the tonal pivots like a seasoned professional is a truly beautiful experience. The Supporting Cast is great too, especially Romina D’Ugo as Sequels’ manager Alana. The Film does a terrific job juxtaposing her reality to Lawrence’s fantasy, and her mid-film monologue is dynamite.

While I can overlook some anachronisms (such as the updated Cineplex seating) more so than others (Tanner Zipchen as a hot customer is not a sentence I thought I would ever be writing), I think this is a fantastic directorial debut from Levack and is easily one of my favourite films of the Festival already.

Oh and shooting/framing the film in 4:3? Well played, Ms. Levack. Well played.

I LIKE MOVIES screens as follows at TIFF ’22 as follows:

Fri, Sept 9 IN-PERSON Scotiabank Theatre 6:15pm

Wed, Sept 14 IN-PERSON TIFF Bell Lightbox 6:30pm

Fri, Sept 16 IN-PERSON TIFF Bell Lightbox 9:45pm

By Amanda Gilmore

This Film tells the true story of swimming sisters Yusra (Nathalie Issa) and Sara Mardini (Manal Issa), who fled their home in war-torn Damascus to start a new life in Europe. Their goal was to make it to Germany, apply for an application to get their family to join them and earn a chance to compete in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

The Swimmers is an inspirational story that has the ability to change people’s minds. Director Sally El Hosaini brings us into the life of the sisters during their time in Syria. They go to nightclubs and compete in their local swimming competitions. However, these scenes quickly turn. At the nightclub bombs go off in the distance and while Yusra is competing a bomb lands inside the pool. The striking imagery that Hosaini creates shows us the daily, constant threat posed to the people of Syria.

The strongest part of the Film is the journey the sisters take with their cousin (Ahmed Malek). Here, audiences see the horrors refugees endure on their quests for a better life. We watch as the sisters and their cousin, along with a group of refugees, must put their trust in strangers and the dangers of their journeys. The refugee story doesn’t end when the sisters arrive in Germany. We are taken into a camp and shown how they must live there.

The chemistry between real-life sisters Nathalie and Manal brings this inspirational story to the screen. When we get to the third act, the Mardini sisters begin chasing different dreams. Yusra still lives and breathes swimming. However, Sara goes in search of her true calling. Nathalie and Manal’s real sisterhood translates into their emotionally rich intimacy on screen.

The Swimmers screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Thu, Sep 8 IN-PERSON at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre 6:00 pm

Thu, Sep 8 IN-PERSON at Roy Thompson Hall at 8:00 pm

Fri, Sep 9 IN-PERSON at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 12:00 pm

Sat, Sep 17 IN-PERSON at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre at 3:00 pm

By Amanda Gilmore

This Debut Feature from Sanaa Lathan is based on the novel by Angie Thomas of the same name. It takes place in Garden Heights and follows 16-year-old Bri (Jamila C. Gray) who dreams of becoming one of the greatest rappers of all time.

Unlike other films about aspiring musicians, this one tells the story through the eyes of a teenager. It’s a refreshing lens to see this world through. We are able to see how a teenager struggles with the pressures of providing for her family, how she deals with preconceived judgements against her family, and how she navigates the racist high school she attends.

On The Come Up is an inspiring story for young and adult audience members. It resonates with both due to the universal themes it conveys. It’s about attaining your dream while discovering your identity and living your true self. Bri gets caught up in trying to provide for her family that she turns into someone she isn’t to make money. It’s a cautionary tale for youth while being one that many adults can relate to.

The highlights of On The Come Up happen when Bri is in the rap battle ring. Watching her come up with rhymes at the moment and battling them out for the audience is a delight. These moments are matched with touching scenes between Bri and her mother Jay (Lathan). Their history is complex and Gray and Lathan gives strong performances.

On The Come Up screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Thu, Sep 8 IN-PERSON at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre at 9:30 pm

Fri, Sep 9 IN-PERSON at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 2:00 pm

Thu, Sep 15 IN-PERSON at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 2:45 pm

Sun, Sep 18 IN-PERSON at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 12:30 pm

We’re delighted to offer our Readers in Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton a chance to win Passes to DON’T WORRY DARLING: THE LIVE IMAX EXPERIENCE. Now’s your chance to see this before everyone else!

Details:

Toronto

Monday, September 19^th

7:30 PM

Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas

Montreal

Monday, September 19^th

7:30 PM

Cinéma Cineplex Forum

Vancouver

Monday, September 19^th

4:30 PM

Cineplex SilverCity Riverport Cinemas

Calgary

Monday, September 19^th

5:30 PM

Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre Chinook

Edmonton

Monday, September 19^th

5:30 PM

Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton

Synopsis:

From New Line Cinema comes “Don’t Worry Darling,” directed by Olivia Wilde (“Booksmart”) and starring Florence Pugh (Oscar-nominated for “Little Women”), Harry Styles (“Dunkirk”), Wilde (upcoming “Babylon”), Gemma Chan (“Crazy Rich Asians”), KiKi Layne (“The Old Guard”) and Chris Pine (“All the Old Knives”).

Alice (Pugh) and Jack (Styles) are lucky to be living in the idealized community of Victory, the experimental company town housing the men who work for the top-secret Victory Project and their families. The 1950’s societal optimism espoused by their CEO, Frank (Pine)—equal parts corporate visionary and motivational life coach—anchors every aspect of daily life in the tight-knit desert utopia.

While the husbands spend every day inside the Victory Project Headquarters, working on the “development of progressive materials,” their wives—including Frank’s elegant partner, Shelley (Chan)—get to spend their time enjoying the beauty, luxury and debauchery of their community. Life is perfect, with every resident’s needs met by the company. All they ask in return is discretion and unquestioning commitment to the Victory cause.

But when cracks in their idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something much more sinister lurking beneath the attractive façade, Alice can’t help questioning exactly what they’re doing in Victory, and why. Just how much is Alice willing to lose to expose what’s really going on in this paradise?

An audacious, twisted and visually stunning psychological thriller, “Don’t Worry Darling” is a powerhouse feature from director Olivia Wilde that boasts intoxicating performances from Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, surrounded by the impressive and pitch-perfect cast.

The film also stars Nick Kroll (“How It Ends”), Sydney Chandler (“Pistol”), Kate Berlant (“Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood”), Asif Ali (“WandaVision”), Douglas Smith (“Big Little Lies”), Timothy Simons (“Veep”) and Ari’el Stachel (upcoming “Respect the Jux”).

Wilde directs from a screenplay penned by her “Booksmart” writer Katie Silberman, based on a story by Carey Van Dyke & Shane Van Dyke (“Chernobyl Diaries”) and Silberman. The film is produced by Wilde, Silberman, Miri Yoon and Roy Lee, with Richard Brener, Celia Khong, Alex G. Scott, Catherine Hardwicke, Carey Van Dyke and Shane Van Dyke executive producing.

A New Line Cinema presentation, “Don’t Worry Darling” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theatres in North America on September 23, 2022 and internationally beginning 21 September 2022.

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

Rules and regulations here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

This is what we signed-up for! TIFF ’22 festivities are in full force an it was an epic Day One! This is only the start as we reach peak-TIFF Friday, Saturday and Sunday!!

Some.sightings:

BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE, Recipient of the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media at the TIFF Tribute Gala

SALLY EL HOSEINI – Director of THE SWIMMERS – Recipient of the TIFF Emerging Talent Award

THE HANDMAID’S TALE – SEASON FIVE

ON THE COME UP

WEIRD

Its only Day One and we’re already tired!

Check back daily for more sightings!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By Amanda Gilmore

El agua follows mature 17-year-old Ana (Luna Pamies) who lives with her mother (Bárbara Lennie) and grandmother (Nieve De Medina) in a small Spanish town near the Segura River. The town legend is that when the river floods every few decades it takes a woman who has recently fallen in love with it. During this hot summer, a storm is on the horizon warning of a flood. And when Ana falls in love, she begins feeling the water within her.

Director Elena López Riera shoots with realism while telling a story weaved in the surreal. The true legend López Riera uses in her narrative brings in the realist aspect. There are times when people are interviewed, Documentary style, and they speak of their experiences with the water. This feeds into the realist style she’s going for. However, these stories aid in making the surrealist aspects of the story feel natural to the narrative.

At the Film’s core is a story about gender and power. What first feels like a story of young summer love turns into a powerful coming-of-age story about a woman claiming her power. We are strapped into Ana’s summer of discovery, whether she be working at her mother’s bar or spending time with her friends and romantic interest. First-time Actor Pamies turns in a performance of a seasoned actor. Making her one to watch.

El agua screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Thu, Sep 8 IN-PERSON at Scotiabank Theatre at 6:30 pm

Sat, Sep 10 IN-PERSON at Scotiabank Theatre at 6:35 pm

A new Traser has arrived for TIFF ’22 selection, GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY – right in time for the Festival!

Synopsis:

According to Johnson, Blanc’s penchant for bombast is partly to thank for the film’s title, which pays homage to the 1968 Beatles song of the same name. “I’m always fishing for something fun that Blanc can grab onto as an overwrought metaphor that he can beat to death,” he says. “This is all in plain sight from the very start. So, the idea of glass came to me, something that’s clear. I’ll be very honest. I literally got out my iPhone and searched my music library with the word ‘glass.’ There’s got to be some good glass songs. I was like, “Oh, is it a glass fortress? Is it a glass castle? Is it a glass man?” The first thing that came up, because I’m a huge Beatles fan, is ‘Glass Onion.'”

GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY arrives December 23, 2022.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Damien Chazelle (Whiplash, La La Land) is back with the star-studded BABYLON. He will be wt TIFF ’22 for an In-Conversation! Here are some new Stills!

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

From Damien Chazelle, BABYLON is an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, with an ensemble cast including Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Jean Smart. A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

BABYLON IS ONLY IN THEATRES DECEMBER 25, 2022 (LIMITED) AND JANUARY 6, 2023 (WIDE).

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

As part of the Disney+ Day celebration, tonight at 12:00am PT, Disney+ will sunrise the concert film “BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LA” on our service around the world. “BTS: PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LA” showcases the live performance of the BTS concert held at the Los Angeles SoFi Stadium in late 2021 (Nov 27-28 & December 1-2).

The concert film is stage-focused and includes performances of the GRAMMY®-nominated, music group’s hit songs “Dynamite”, “Butter” and “Permission to Dance.” BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” are a South Korean boy band that have been capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since their debut in June 2013. BTS features RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. The film is produced by HYBE and directed by Sam Wrench and Junsoo Park.   

(Photo credit: Big Hit Entertainment)