Check-out this brand-new Trailer for ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith!

Synopsis:
Based on the internationally bestselling novel by Jennifer Niven, All The Bright Places tells the story of Violet Markey (Elle Fanning) and Theodore Finch (Justice Smith), who meet and change each other’s lives forever. As they struggle with the emotional and physical scars of their past, they come together, discovering that even the smallest places and moments can mean something. This compelling drama provides a refreshing and human take on the experience of mental illness, its impact on relationships, as well as the beauty and lasting impact of young love.

Trailer:

ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES streams Friday, February 28, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Ben Affleck is back in THE WAY BACK, a new Sports Drama which sees his character Jack coping with Alcoholism, the loss of his marriage and accepting a new role as a basketball coach.

Synopsis:
Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) once had a life filled with promise. In high school, he was a basketball phenom with a full university scholarship, when suddenly, for reasons unknown, he walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Now years later, Jack is spiraling down, triggered by an unspeakable loss, and drowning in the alcoholism that cost him his marriage and any hope for a better life.

When he is asked to coach the basketball team at his alma mater, which has fallen far since his glory days, he reluctantly accepts, surprising no one more than himself. As the boys start to come together as a team and win, Jack may have finally found a reason to confront the demons that have derailed him. But will it be enough to fill the void, heal the deep wounds of his past, and set him on the road to redemption?

See the Trailer:

THE WAY BACK opens Friday, March 6, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

They’re back! MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU see a first look released! Check it out!

Synopsis:
This summer, from the biggest animated franchise in history and global cultural phenomenon, comes the untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain, in Minions: The Rise of Gru.

See the Trailer:

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU is in theatres this Summer.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

For the many of us who still haven’t see HAMILTON, Disney will be releasing a Film version of the 11-time TONY Award-winning Musical.

The live-capture Film breaks new ground, transporting its audience into the world of a Broadway show in a new way. The Cast in the Film will include Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award® nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.

The Film was shot in June 2016 at at The Richard Rodgers Theatre.

HAMILTON will stream on Disney+ Friday, July 3, 2020.

(Photo credit: Joan Marcus)

It was a week of celebration and we’re happy to have shared it with one of our faves of all time, the 2020 4D 1.5 Honda Accord Touring! With both Chinese New Year and my niece Jessica and now nephew-in-law Mitch‘s wedding (they’ve tied the knot after 13 years together, meeting in high school!) taking place in Niagara Falls, we had much to fête and a test drive of the Accord Touring made it all possible.

First thing’s first – the vehicle is nothing short of elegant. Its long body and sleek composition are a statement of class and we had the pleasure of driving it in a Modern Steel Metallic. One glance and you know you are starting at luxury.

The Accord Touring runs on a 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, i-VTEC® turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and operates at 192 horsepower. Our travels took us farther than ever. City, country, to the border and back to the burbs, the Accord Touring empowered us and it always reassuring knowing we can do it all on superb Fuel Economy, at 8.2 (city)/6.8 (highway)/7.6 (combined) litres per 100km. With a week of intense travelling and commuting, we spent only approximately $85 CAN on fuel which is very reasonable.

We were thrown an array of weather conditions this past week. We saw snow, rain and relentless flurries driving back from the wedding in Niagara Falls, but never once did we not feel safe. Vehicle Stability Assist was a major MVP in our travels. While we are lucky in the City and most rural areas reaping the benefit of plowed roads, we had a scary moment in particular out in the country in Caledon where we encountered a bit of slipping and sliding. Despite being mitigated by Vehicle Stability Assist, we found ourselves unable to proceed further up a small, unplowed road. With a clear head and no cars around fortunately, we reversed, went forward, reversed, applied foot to pedal and made it through the obstacle in no time to see our two namesakes Mr Will (Prince) and A Pic by Mrwill (Princess). The two met at long last. Mr Will happens to be training at the same facility where A Pic by Mrwill is enjoying her retirement as she readies for becoming a mom. Lucky me!

But above this, the Accord is jam-packed with intuitive safety features. A 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Auto high-beam, Brake Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS®), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) System, Honda LaneWatch Blind Spot Display and Lane Departure Warning, among many others. I remember last year, previewing the 2019 Honda Accord Touring and dealing with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System indicator going off in the cold weather, but that never once happened with the 2020 model.

The rear camera is definitely an asset for parking downtown or at the mall, and while snow sometimes limits our ability to utilize this, covering the camera and the car’s sensors, the Accord Touring never stops trying and lets you know when it can’t do the job, managing your expectations. Bottom line, sometimes we become so dependent on features and need to rely on our eyes and just focus.

The car is armed and ready with the HondaLink™ Assist Automatic Emergency Response System™ and Assist Automatic Emergency Response System. It has no shortage of Airbags: Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor System, SmartVent™ side airbags and an i-SRS Airbag System (front).

The 7″ colour TFT meter display with Driver Information Interface gives the Driver plenty of insights and we adore its Display Audio System with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System which believe it or not, we finally used after having depended on the Google Maps app on our phone for a long time now. It was simple to use and just as effective! The Accord Touring‘s 452-watt AM/FM Premium Audio System with MP3/Windows Media® Audio playback capability and 10 speakers including subwoofer provide for an outstanding driving experience. We adore our SiriusXM, but appreciate how simple it is to sync our Huawei P30 Pro via Bluetooth, customizing our drives with our Spotify Playlists. And let’s not forget all those charging options, including a charging plate for our phone.

In keeping with tradition, you can hear that sound system yourself!

Continuing with the direction of previous models, Climate Control is customizable for Driver and Passenger, with dual-zone options and an air-filtration system. Rear-seat heater ducts are available for those sitting at the back too. We cannot deny how much we love the seat heaters (coolers too!) and steering wheel heater on those unbearably-cold January mornings. Push-button engine starts and proximity entry make our experience that much simpler and we’re here for it!

The 2020 4D 1.5 Honda Accord Touring continues the Accord‘s history of excellence and starts at $38,976 CAN. More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

R.J. Cutler directs this Documentary about teen icon Billie Eilish, THE WORLD’S A LITTLE BLURRY.

Synopsis:

“Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry” tells the true coming-of-age story of the singer-songwriter and her rise to global superstardom. From award-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler, the Film offers a deeply intimate look at this extraordinary teenager’s journey, at just seventeen years old, navigating life on the road, on stage, and at home with her family, while writing, recording and releasing her debut album “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?”.

See the Trailer:

New Artwork:

BILLIE EILISH: THE WORLD’S A LITTLE BLURRY arrives on Apple TV+ February 26, 2021.

(Photo credit: Apple TV)

By Amanda Gilmore

This year’s Sundance Film Festival saw a wide range of films from a wide range of Filmmakers. There were some films that came into the Festival being bought, such as highly-buzzed Zola by  Sony Pictures and A24, to Palm Springs starring now Andy Samberg, now distributed by Hulu and NEON.  Winners at the Festival have been unveiled with films like MINARI and I CARRY YOU WITH ME getting top honours.

NEXT Innovator Award was chosen by a single juror this year and it was Gregg Araki.

NEXT Audience Award: I CARRY YOU WITH ME directed by Heidi Ewing

NEXT Innovator Award: I CARRY YOU WITH ME directed by Heidi Ewing

World Cinema Documentary Competition — the jury included Eric Hynes, Rima Mismar and Nanfu Wang.

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing: Mila Aung-Thwin, Sam Soko and Ryan Mullins for SOFTIE

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematography: Mircea Topoleanu and Radu Ciorniciuc for ACASA, MY HOME

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Creative Storytelling: Benjamin Ree for THE PAINTER AND THE THIEF

World Cinema Documentary Award for Directing: Iryna Tsilyk for THE EARTH IS BLUE AS AN ORANGE

World Cinema Grand Jury Prize Documentary: EPICENTRO directed by Hubert Sauper

World Cinema Documentary Audience Award: THE REASON I JUMP directed by Jerry Rothwell

The World Cinema Dramatic Competition — the jury included Alba Rohrwacher, Wagner Moura, and Haifaa Al Mansour.

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting: Ben Whishaw for SURGE

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Visionary Filmmaking: Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese for THIS IS NOT A BURIAL, IT’S A RESURRECTION

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Screenplay: Fernanda Valadez and Astrid Rondero for IDENTIFYING FEATURES (SIN SEÑAS PARTICULARES)

World Cinema Dramatic Award for Directing: Maïmouna Doucouré for CUTIES

World Cinema Grand Jury Prize World Dramatic: YALDA, A NIGHT FOR FORGIVENESS directed by Massoud Bakhshi

World Cinema Audience Award: IDENTIFYING FEATURES (SIN SEÑAS PARTICULARES) directed by Fernanda Valadez

The U.S. Documentary Competition — the jury included Rachel Rosen and Noland Walker

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Emerging Filmmaker: Arthur Jones for FEELS GOOD MAN

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact Filmmaking: Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman, and Eli Despres for THE FIGHT

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing: Tyler H. Walk for WELCOME TO CHECHNYA

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Innovation in Nonfiction Storytelling: Kirsten Johnson for DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD

U.S. Documentary Directing Award: Garrett Bradley for TIME

U.S. DocumentaryGrand Jury Prize: BOYS STATE directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine

U.S Documentary Competition Audience Award: CRIP CAMP directed by Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht

The U.S. Dramatic Competition — the jury included Ethan Hawke, Wash Westmoreland, and Rodrigo Garcia

U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast: the cast of CHARM CITY KINGS

U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Auteur Filmmaking: Josephine Decker for SHIRLEY

U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Neorealism: Eliza Hittman for NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS

The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: Edson Oda for NINE DAYS

U.S. Dramatic Directing Award: Radha Blank for THE 40-YEAR-OLD VERSION

U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize: MINARI directed by Lee Isaac Chung

U.S. Dramatic Competition Audience Award: MINARI directed by Lee Isaac Chung

Some highlights of the Festival were seeing marquee names like Taylor Swift, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Rachel Brosnahan – the latter two whom we haven’t been lucky enough yet to see at TIFF yet, but hopefully soon!

Festival Goers also are treated to some really great Pop-Ups, our favourites being the Lyft Up Lounge sponsored by Lyft and one for the upcoming film, DOWNHILL. The former talked to the Lounge’s namesake program which offers free rides to those in need, while giving out chocolate,  coffee and Impossible Burgers. Visitors got a chance to take a picture with their simulated ski lift also! The latter gave out soup, hot chocolate, coffee and even an oxygen bar were on-site to perk us up!

Catch-up on our 2020 Sundance coverage including reviews and sightings here.

(Photo credit: A24/Amanda Gilmore)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Based on the true story of businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) who, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, was sent by MI6 and CIA operatives to the Soviet Union to work with a mole Oleg (Merab Ninidze) and bring back documents.

This unflinching Political Drama pays tribute to the ordinary yet unbelievably strong and brave hero of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Director Dominic Cooke managers to bring something unique to the old Political Drama genre. The use of Lighting, Production Design and Cinematography elevates this important and heartbreaking story along with its stellar cast. Cumberbatch is at the top of his game as Wynne who teaches us that there’s humanity at the centre of every conflict, no matter how big. Jessie Buckley, who plays Wynne’s wife, gives a heartbreaking performance particularly in a scene where she finally gets to see her husband again. The rest of the Cast consisting of Ninidze, Rachel Brosnahan and more turns in memorable and powerful performances.

Ironbark screens at Sundance on Fri, Jan. 24th at 6:30 PM at Eccles, Sat, Jan. 25th at 9 AM at Eccles, Sat, Jan. 25th at 6:15 PM at Grand Theatre, Mon, Jan. 27th at 12 PM at Sundance Resort, Sat, Feb. 1st at 8:30 PM at The MARC, and Sun, Feb. 2nd at Rose Wagner Center.

BAD BOYS FOR LIFE takes the top of the Box Office a third straight week, taking $17.7 million from 3,705 theatres for Sony Pictures. This brings its run to $147.8 million domestically.

1917 earns $9.8 million from 3,987 theaters, a total $119 million for Universal Pictures.

DOLITTLE lands in fourth with $8.2 million from 3,749 theaters for Universal Pictures, a total $55.2 million in three weeks.

GRETEL & HANSEL debuts in fifth with $6.1 million from 3,007 theatres for United Artists Releasing. The Film gets 56% on the Tomatometer, with a C- CinemaScore.

THE RHYTHM SECTION debuts in eighth with $3.1 million from 3,049 theaters for Paramount Pictures, garnering 30% on the Tomatometer. It gets a C+ on CinemaScore.

THE TURNING rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.8 million from 2,571 theaters for Universal Pictures.

Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning Actress ALFRE WOODARD certainly is a veteran of the screen having produced a phenomenal résumé which includes St. Elsewhere, L.A. Law, Hill Street Blues, Scrooged, Desperate Housewives, Down in the Delta and of course, Best Picture-winning 12 Years a Slave. In addition to a celebrated career, she has been a vocal supporter in the fight against AIDS and LGBTQ rights.

Woodard made an appearance at TIFF ’19 in September for her latest, CLEMENCY which won top honours at Sundance a year ago and much more acclaim to follow. She gifted fans with another appearance tonight at TIFF Bell Lightbox in support of the Film. She did a Q&A following the Screening with TIFF’s Cameron Bailey and took her time granting Selfie requests from a sizable crowd of Fans!

See our Snap!

Clemency plays also in Toronto at The Carlton.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)