You know her from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Scandal, Dads, The New Girl and even David Fincher‘s Oscar-nominated The Social Network. Brenda Song helped define the childhood of many a millenial and now she’s in Toronto filming her latest project, ANGRY ANGEL for ABC Freeform. Directed by Jamie Travis, the Production wraps around Labour Day.
The TV Movie began production in Toronto this week and has Song starring as a woman-turned-angel who just can’t seem to get to heaven. She finds herself caught in a love triangle and also frustrating her angel mentor played by Jason Biggs (Orange is the New Black, American Pie).
Song was spotted in Financial District tonight filming late into the night, conscientiously rehearsing a monologue as she crossed the road multiple times in the zone. The set was a lit with Christmas lights and faux snow as background talent donned their winter’s best.
We waited till she wrapped but it was well worth the wait, greeting Fans with her distinctly raspy voice, able to down a coffee even after a long day on-set.
See our Snap!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/FOX)
Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto + Vancouver to see AMERICAN MADE starring Tom Cruise! Screenings take place Wednesday, September 27, 2017!
Synopsis:
In Universal Pictures’ American Made, Tom Cruise reunites with his Edge of Tomorrow director, Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. and Mrs. Smith), in this international escapade based on the outrageous (and real) exploits of a hustler and pilot unexpectedly recruited by the CIA to run one of the biggest covert operations in U.S. history.
Based on a true story, American Made co-stars Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, E. Roger Mitchell, Jesse Plemons, Lola Kirke, Alejandro Edda, Benito Martinez, Caleb Landry Jones and Jayma Mays.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
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Universal Pictures Canada release AMERICAN MADE Friday, September 29, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
By Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
VVS Films has a ton of stuff coming out later this year and next year, and we were privileged enough to learn about some of their upcoming titles, some of which are also premiering at TIFF ’17!
Hellboy
The reboot of the Franchise that starred Ron Pearlman and directed by Guillermo del Toro now stars Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane and David Harbour. There is not too much information about this title as it was only announced a little while ago but it is hotly-buzzed.
Mile 22
Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg team-up yet again with a new team featuring Ronda Rousey and Iko Uwais in a CIA Action-Thriller.
The Happytime Murders
Melissa McCarthy stars in this Action-Comedy Thriller about a 80s television show cast of puppets getting killed off one by one.
Adrift
Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin star in this Romantic Drama about a woman who sails into a hurricane to save the man she loves.
Den of Thieves
The Film stars O’Shea Jackson Jr, Gerard Butler and Pablo Schreiber in a bank robbery that inevitably takes a wrong turn.
The Foreigner
Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan star in this Action-Thriller where one man is trying to seek vengeance for his daughters death which resulted from terrorism while the other man’s past may reveal the identity of the killer.
TIFF ’17 TITLES
I, Tonya
Margot Robbie and Sebastian Stan in the movie about Tonya Harding. This is one of the hotly-buzzed Movies coming to the festival this year as well.
Loving Pablo
Real-life couple Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz star as drug kingpin Pablo Escobar and journalist Virginia Vallejo.
Brad’s Status
Ben Stiller stars in this Comedy about a father who takes his son to tour colleges and meets-up with an old friend who makes him feel inferior about his life choices.
eOne Films x Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto to an Advance Screening of TULIP FEVER on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.
Synopsis:
In 17th Century Amsterdam, an orphaned girl (Alicia Vikander) is forcibly married to a rich and powerful merchant (Christoph Waltz) – an unhappy “arrangement” that saves her from poverty. After her husband commissions a portrait, she begins a passionate affair with the painter (Dane DeHaan), a struggling young artist. Seeking to escape the merchant’s ever-reaching grasp, the lovers risk everything and enter the frenzied tulip bulb market, with the hope that the right bulb will make a fortune and buy their freedom.
Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Jack O’Connell, Holliday Grainger, Christoph Waltz, Zach Galifianakis, Judi Dench.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. “Favourite” this Tweet on Twitter: @mrwillw for an extra chance!
eOne Films release TULIP FEVER Friday, September 1, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
By Siobhán Rich and Mr. Will Wong
Now in its 42th edition, the Toronto International Film Festival is set to go Thursday, September 7 – Sunday, September 17, 2017. Normally seen as a major precursor to Awards Season culminating in the Academy Awards, the Festival showcases several of the Films that will go on to prominence and glory in the coming months and also rare Films which may not ever be seen again outside the festival circuit. Cinema Lovers had plenty to rejoice today as the first batch of TIFF ’17 Films were announced this morning at TIFF Bell Lightbox! Several highly-buzzed Films and their stars will be gracing the Festival this year which takes over the City post-Labour Day.
International star of silver screen and television Priyanka Chopra has the honour of being this year’s TIFF Soiree Guest. The Gala is held on the Festival’s opening night. The Closing Night Gala has been unveiled as SHEIKH JACKSON starring Ahmad El-Fishawi and Ahmed Malek.
Cameron Bailey TIFF Artistic Director (sans pocket square) says, “You may have noticed we love movies in Toronto. And the world has noticed also.”. “If you’re somewhere in public and hear a titile you’re excited for, don’t squeal.”. And we certainly have much to squeal for this year!
TIFF ’17 will play host to several high-profile Films and many are talking about Angelina Jolie‘s two Films at the Festival. She serves as Director on FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER and Producer on THE BREADWINNER. Could we be seeing her this year?
Megastar George Clooney returns to TIFF with Crime Comedy SUBURBICON, this time as Director. The Film stars Matt Damon, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin and Julianne Moore.
Matt Damon stars also in Toronto-made DOWNSIZING from Alexander Payne (Sideways) which also appears at the Festival.
Margot Robbie and Allison Janney are getting tons of Oscar buzz for I, TONYA, a Biopic about disgraced Figure Skater Tonya Harding and the controversy surrounding her conspired attack against opponent Nancy Kerrigan.
SUBMERGENCE is a Thriller from Win Wenders, based on J.M. Ledgard‘s Novel of the same name and stars Academy Award-winner Alicia Vikander and James McAvoy.
Andy Serkis makes his directorial debut with romantic drama BREATHE starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy.
THE CURRENT WAR stars red-hot Tom Holland and fan favourite Benedict Cumberbatch, centering on Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse‘s competing to create a sustainable power system and marketing it to Americans.
Stars don’t come more accomplished than Glenn Close who costars with Christian Slater in THE WIFE about a woman who makes the difficult decision to leave her husband.
Elle Fanning and Maisie Williams star in the highly-anticipated biopic about the first lady of horror fiction MARY SHELLEY.
From the director of TIFF ’15’s Mustangs comes KINGS starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig about a foster family in South Central in the aftermath of the Rodney King trial.
Fans of the incredible Annette Benning will be sure to line-up early to see her in FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL co-starring Jamie Bell about a young actor who falls for his leading lady.
Starring Guy Pearce and Paul Rudd THE CATCHER WAS A SPY marks the triumphant return of Director Ben Lewin to TIFF.
Directed by Indie darling Greta Gerwig and starring Saoirse Ronan, LADY BIRD will open the Special Presentations section.
VICTORIA AND ABDUL reunites Judi Dench with her TIFF ’13 selection Philomena Director Stephen Frears.
THE SQUARE is sure to be a big with fans of Elisabeth Moss and director Ruben Östlund as they visit the issue of more courage and egocentricity.
HOSTILES brings Black Mass Director Scott Cooper back to TIFF with powerhouse actors Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike.
DISOBEDIENCE Rachel Weisz produces and stars along with Torontonian Rachel McAdams in this story about a woman returning to her Orthodox Jewish home.
THE CHILDREN ACT from the pen of Atonement Scribe Ian McEwan and starring Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci comes a Movie that feels very relatable with headlines in the UK right now.
MOM AND DAD (stars Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair) – a pair of siblings must survive the mass hysteria that ensues over 24 hours as their parents inexplicably attack them.
REVENGE (stars Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz and Jevin Janssens)
GREAT CHOICE (stars Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector) – a woman gets stuck in a Red Lobster commercial.
LET THE CORPSES TAN (Elina Löwensohn and Stéphane Ferrara), an Adaptation of the 1971 Crime Thriller by Jean-Patrick Manchette and Jean-Pierre Bastid.
Untitled Kevin Hart/Bryan Cranston Project also stars Nicole Kidman and is rumoured to be a remake of the massive 2011 hit The Intouchables.
Emma Stone, who attended last year for La La Land en route to winning an Oscar, and Steve Carrell join forces in BATTLE OF THE SEXES, based on the true story of the famed 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
Some Trailers from this year’s Films:
BORG/MCENROE (stars Shia LaBoeuf and Sverrir Gudnason) – OPENING NIGHT GALA
BATTLE OF THE SEXES (stars Emma Stone and Steve Carell)
SUBURBICON (directed by George Clooney)
MOTHER! (stars Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem)
BRAD’S STATUS (stars Ben Stiller and Austin Abrams)
THE BREADWINNER (produced by Angelina Jolie)
THE SHAPE OF WATER (stars Sally Hawkins and Michael Shannon)
BREATHE (stars Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy)
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME (stars Armie Hammer)
TIFF’s Documentary Programme also was highlighted today and some higher-profile titles include Opening Night Film GRACE JONES: BLOODLIGHT AND BAMI, BOOM FOR REAL: THE LATE TEENAGE YEARS OF JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, ERIC CLAPTON: LIFE IN 12 BARS, THE FINAL YEAR (features Barack Obama and John Kerry), THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ANDRÉ (as in André Leon-Talley), JIM & ANDY: THE GREAT BEYOND (centes on Jim Carrey and Andy Kaufman), JANE (on conservationist Jane Goodall), SAMMY DAVIS JR. I’VE GOTTA BE ME and SUPER SIZE ME 2: HOLY CHICKEN!. The Programme’s Closing Night Film is MAKALA.
UPDATE 8/9/17:
Canadian titles have been announced for TIFF ’17 and they include: Alanis Obomsawin’s Our People Will Be Healed, Alan Zweig’s There is a House Here, Simon Lavoie’s The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches (La petite fille qui aimait trop les allumettes, Mina Shum’s Meditation Park; Robin Aubert’s Les Affamés, Ingrid Veninger’s Porcupine Lake; Pat Mills’ Don’t Talk to Irene; Oscar nominee Kim Nguyen’s Eye on Juliet; Adam MacDonald’s Pyewacket; Denis Côté’s Ta peau si lisse (A Skin So Soft); and Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier’s Long Time Running.
An announcement also was made on TIFF ’17‘s Rising Stars and they are: Daniel Doheny, Mary Galloway, Théodore Pellerin and Ellen Wong.
UPDATE 8/15/17:
Some additional Galas and Special Presentations for TIFF ’17 were announced today and there definitely are some great ones including Toronto-made directorial debut for Oscar-winning Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, MOLLY’S GAME and KODACHROME from Director Mark Raso.
GALAS added include:
55 STEPS is a patients’ rights Drama starring Helena Bonham Carter and Hilary Swank.
CHAPPAQUIDDICK follows the derailment of Ted Kennedy’s political career after the death of political strategist Mary Jo Kopechne, starring Jason Clarke and Kate Mara.
THE LEISURE SEEKER follows a couple who go on an unforgettable journey in their RV of the same name as the Film’s title, starring Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland.
THREE CHRISTS stars Richard Gere and Peter Dinklage, centering on a doctor treating three paranoid schizophrenic patients, each believing they are Jesus Christ.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS added include:
THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER follows a teenager’s attempts to bring a brilliant surgeon into his dysfunctional family. It stars Nicole Kidman, Alicia Silverstone, Barry Keoghan and Colin Farrell.
KODACHROME (made in Toronto) is set in the final days of the photo development system of the same name. Stars Elizabeth Olsen, Ed Harris and Jason Sudeikis.
JOURNEY’S END stars Sam Claflin and Asa Butterfield, about a group of British officers in World War I, led a young officer who is mentally disintegrating.
I LOVE YOU, DADDY, Funnyman Louis C.K.’s first feature Film in over 16 years, also stars him as a Producer and Writer. Chloë Moretz also stars in the black and white Film.
THE FLORIDA PROJECT is about a six-year-old and her friends and their wonder-filled summer. It stars Willem Dafoe a Brooklynn Prince.
THE ESCAPE follows an ordinary woman who makes an extraordinary decision one day that changes her life. Stars Gemma Arterton and Dominic Cooper.
THE CURED is about a disease that turned people into zombies having been cured. The once-infected zombies then get rejected from society and their families. Stars Ellen Page and Sam Keeley.
LEAN ON PETE is about a boy who moves to Oregon to begin a new life and befriends a horse trainer and failing racehorse. Stars Steve Buscemi, Chloe Sevigny and Travis Fimmel.
LOVING PABLO has real-life couple Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz playing Pablo Escobar and Virginia Vallejo.
MICHAEL JACKSON’S THRILLER 3D, preceded by MAKING OF MICHAEL JACKSON’S THRILLER.
MOLLY’S GAME (made in Toronto) is about an Olympic skier who ran the most exclusive high-stakes poker game, becoming an FBI target. Stars Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba.
MARK FELT – THE MAN WHO BROUGHT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE is about the man who went by the name “Deep Throat” to help journalists uncover the Watergate Scandal. Stars Julian Morris, Liam Neeson and Diane Lane.
ON CHESIL BEACH centers on a young couple’s honeymoon, set in the ‘60s. Stars Saoirse Ronan and Billy Howle.
OUTSIDE IN has Laggies and Your Sister’s Sister Director Lynn Shelton returning to TIFF ’17 with her latest effort.
REDOUBTABLE centers on French Director Jean-Luc Godard’s romance with 17-year-old Anne Wiazemsky. From Oscar-winning Director Michel Hazanvicius.
UNICORN STORE has Oscar-winner Brie Larson making her directorial debut. She also stars in it and it is about a woman who receives a mysterious invitation which fulfills her childhood dreams.
WHO WE ARE NOW is about a woman sentenced to ten years in prison and she hires a young public defence lawyer to help her children. Stars Zachary Quinto and Emma Roberts.
What didn’t make the cut or yet get announced?
We heard a lot of great titles but not all the Movies on our Wish List were mentioned. The most anticipated and buzzed-about Movie this morning was the Denis Villeneuve-directed Blade Runner 2049. With a Canadian Director and Canadian Ryan Gosling as its star, Blade Runner 2049 seems like a strong guess for future TIFF ’17 announcements. Staying strong on the Can-Con front we were surprised not to hear Xavier Dolan’s The Death and Life of John F Donovan at today’s press conference. What is TIFF without a Movie starring Ethan Hawke? To check that TIFF Bingo box we’d like to suggest Paul Schrader’s First Reformed costarring Amanda Seyfried. Already in town for the Festival will be Julianne Moore who stars in Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck, based on the book by Hugo scribe Brian Selznick. Wonder Wheel from Director Woody Allen starring Kate Winslet (who is in town for The Mountain Between Us) and Justin Timberlake.
Stay tuned. There definitely will be more…
For more, visit the Toronto International Film Festival website here.
(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures/Fox Searchlight/Elevation Pictures)
You’ve heard us rave about it and now it’s your chance to see it! Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will are giving Readers in Toronto + Vancouver a chance to see PATTI CAKE$. Screenings take place as follows:
PATTI CAKE$ – TORONTO
Wed. Aug 23
7:00PM
Varsity
PATTI CAKE$ – VANCOUVER
Mon. Aug 28
7:00PM
International Village
Not in Toronto or Vancouver? Worry not! We also are giving Readers across Canada to win an official Prize Pack from the Movie!
Synopsis:
In a coming-of-age story straight out of Jersey, an unlikely rapper finds her voice as a one-of-a-kind hip-hop legend in the making in PATTI CAKE$, the first feature film from acclaimed commercial and music-video director Geremy Jasper. Set in gritty strip-mall suburbia, PATTI CAKE$ chronicles an underdog’s quest for fame and glory with humor, raw energy and some unforgettable beats.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate for us your City. “Favourite” this Tweet also on Twitter: @mrwillw for an extra chance!
We had the chance to chat with the star of PATTI CAKE$, Danielle Macdonald. Don’t forget to listen to and watch our chat right here!
Fox Searchlight release PATTI CAKE$ Friday, August 25, 2017 in Toronto, additional cities to follow.
(Photo/video: Fox Searchlight)
People can’t get enough of this creepy doll! ANNABELLE: CREATION debuts atop the Box Office with a smashing $36.5 million for Warner Bros. from 3,502 theatres. It gets 68% on the Tomatometer, with a B CinemaScore. This latest installment of The Conjuring Franchise still is unable to surpass its 2013 $41 million debut.
A distant second is DUNKIRK with $10.5 million in its fourth week out, a total $152 million also for Warner Bros.
Third is THE NUT JOB 2: NUTTY BY NATURE with $8 million from 4,003 theatres in its opening eOne Films/Open Road Films. It gets a B+ CinemaScore and 11% on the Tomatometer.
In its second week, THE DARK TOWER lands in fourth with $7.5 million for Sony Pictures, a two-week total of $33 million.
GIRLS TRIP edges so close to that $100-million mark in its fourth week out with $6.4 million for Universal Pictures.
THE GLASS CASTLE rounds-out the Top Ten for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films with $4.8 million in its debut from 3,502 theatres.
He’s definitely the future. 19-year-old Texas-born Singer/Songwriter Khalid has developed an ardent fan base rapidly over the past year and he’s showing no signs of stopping any time soon.
Touring in support of his U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Top Ten-charting debut disc AMERICAN TEEN, he consistently has sold-out venues, delivering his unique Alternative/Electronic twist on R&B, adorned with his smooth Texan-inflected Baritone.
He brought his American Teen tour to Toronto’s trendy Rebel on the waterfront, bringing a majority late-teen-to-twentysomething crowd to their feet. Many were seen dancing on the club’s cozy couches and shoulder-riding. The experience was enhanced by sophisticated LED visuals and a high-energy duo of back-up dancers – Khalid himself full of moves.
Dressed in a sharp gingham two-piece with pants which ripped mid-set, he left the stage momentarily but got back into the groove quickly in a “Black Creatives Matter” t-shirt and track pants.
Khalid was front and center in a high-energy, compact set highlighting his short but promising catalog of material including American Teen, Let’s Go, Location and Young Dumb and Broke, striking a deep chord with many Millennials who sang along start to finish.
We had the pleasure of meeting Khalid after his show, him taking the time to meet some of his Fans, many bearing handmade gifts and letters to him, which he looked genuinely appreciative to receive, full of hugs.
The nominee for Best New Artist at the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards, tells me he is devastated by the loss of his beloved suit, but perhaps he will retire it as a pyjama. But this isn’t an invitation to snooze… check out some of Khalid‘s Music below:
See our Snaps (hover cursor left and right to navigate slideshow):
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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video credit: Sony Music)
Some people just belong together on the big screen! Check out this new Teaser and images (above) from Venice Film Festival selection OUR SOULS AT NIGHT starring legends Jane Fonda and Robert Redford!
Synopsis:
Fifty years since playing newlyweds in Barefoot in the Park, Academy Award ® winners Robert Redford and Jane Fonda come together onscreen for the fourth time in Netflix’s Our Souls at Night, this time playing a couple who find love unexpectedly later in life.
See the Teaser:
Netflix Canada stream OUR SOULS AT NIGHT Friday, September 29, 2017 and release it in select theatres.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
Debuting atop the Box Office this weekend on a tepid weekend is Sony Pictures’ THE DARK TOWER with a $19.6 million from 3,451 theatres across North America. The Stephen King adaptation musters only a 19% from Critics on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.
Former champion DUNKIRK slips to second this weekend with $17.4 million for Warner Bros. Thus far over three weeks it has grossed $132 million domestically.
In third is Sony Pictures’ THE EMOJI MOVIE with $12.6 million in its second week out. It has earned $49.5 million thus far.
Fourth is Universal Pictures’ hit GIRLS TRIP with $11.5 million in its third week out, surpassing $85.5 million, making it the top-grossing Comedy of the Summer.
KIDNAP debuts in fifth with $10.1 million from 2,378 theatres for eOne Films/Aviron Pictures. The Thriller starring Halle Berry gets a 40% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.
DETROIT from Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow, debuts in eighth with $7.3 million from 3,007 theatres for eOne Films/now-distributor Annapurna Pictures. It gets 93% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore.
Rounding-out the Top Ten is DESPICABLE ME 3 with $5.5 million for Universal Pictures in its sixth week.
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