Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The Film follows an epic 1950s romance between Television Producer, Sylvie (Tessa Thompson) and Saxophone Player, Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha) whose bond is as strong as their love of Jazz.

There have been many 50s-era Romances before, but none have had those starring an African-American Cast. Sylvie’s Love does have a conventional story but done through a different perspective which gives it a fresh feel. The chemistry between Thompson and Asomugha is tangible and makes us root for their love. The Film’s Set-Design and Cinematography are beautiful which elevate the enchanting love story that unfolds before our eyes.

Sylvie’s Love screens at Sundance on Mon, Jan. 27th at 12:15 PM at Eccles, Tues, Jan. 28th at 9:15 PM at Redstone Cinema 7, Thurs, Jan. 30th at 8:30 PM at The MARC, Fri, jan. 31st at 3 PM at Library Centre, and Sat, Feb. 1st at 3:15 PM at Grand.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

David and his wife Nikki have decided to take a break from each other to figure out what they want out of life and their relationship. However, there is one problem : David doesn’t want a break.

Writer-Director Robert Machoian has made a slow-burn Drama about a marriage and family falling apart. Machoian never shies away from the hate, regret and pain one feels when they feel their loved one slipping away. That’s what makes this Film an honest portrayal of one of our worst fears: losing the ones we love. Overall, The Killing of Two Lovers is an impressive study into love and masculinity and has nuanced performances most particularly from its lead Clayne Crawford.

The Killing Of Two Lovers screens at Sundance on Mon, Jan. 27th at 12:30 PM at The Ray, Tues, Jan. 28th at 6 PM at Temple, Thurs, Jan. 30th at 3:30 PM at Redstone Cinema 1, Fri, Jan. 31st at 8:30 AM at Prospector Square, and Sat, Feb. 1st at 12:30 PM at Rose Wagner Centre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

ZOLA  brings the unique Tweet-Storm story A’ziah King posted on October 27, 2015 about how her and her friend Stefani had a falling-out.

Writer-Director Janicza Bravo visually brings the Twitter Story to screen in a creative and captivating way. The true life story is filled with crazy, unexpected twists and eccentric real-life characters. Bravo has an impeccable attention to detail and keeps the provocative aspects of the story without ever being grotesque. Although the story is predominately told through A’ziah King’s point-of-view, Bravo does her best to question the perspectives of both her and Stefani.

The story is hilarious and Bravo makes sure the audience laughs, however, there are heavy themes and questions she presents. It’s clear that things can all be fun and games until they aren’t. And Bravo balances these hysterical moments with the hard-hitting serious reality of the things these two girls were experiencing. Her entire Cast consisting of Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, Nicholas Braun and Colman Domingo cleverly and masterfully teeter between her Comedy and Drama. Yet, it’s the brilliant, energetic performances from Paige and Keough that keep the audiences wanting more.

Zola screens at Sundance on Fri, Jan. 24th at 12:15 PM at Eccles, Sat, Jan. 25th at 12:15 PM at Grand, Sat, Jan. 25th at 11:45 PM at Egyptian, Mon, Jan. 27th at 3 PM at Sundance Resort, Tues, Jan. 28th at 9:30 PM at The Ray, Wed, Jan. 29th at 11:45 AM at The Ray, and Fri, Jan. 31st at 8:30 AM at The MARC.

Some new Photos of your new recruits in TOP GUN: MAVERICK have been released! See the stars of this Summer’s most-awaited Blockbuster.

Synopsis:
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose”. Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.

DANNY RAMIREZ AS ‘FANBOY’

JAY ELLIS AS ‘PAYBACK’

LEWIS PULLMAN AS ‘BOB’

MONICA BARBARO AS ‘PHOENIX’

GLEN POWELL AS ‘HANGMAN’

MILES TELLER AS LT. BRADLEY ‘ROOSTER’ BRADSHAW

TOP GUN: MAVERICK is in theatres Friday, June 26, 2020.

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures)

Happy Year of the Rat! We hope the new year brings you good health and fortunes! Every year the Chinese Undergraduate Association at University of Toronto host an annual Spring Gala, bringing-in to Toronto some of the biggest names in Entertainment in Asia. This year, they’ve brought-in West Virginia-born Will Pan, a Singer-Songwriter and Actor who began his career as a Presenter on Channel V (like “MTV“) in Taiwan, before branching-out as an Artist. Pan at one point was an aspiring Basketball Player before choosing a career in Entertainment.

With the Corona Virus being very much at the forefront of discussion right now, extra precaution was taken with him in his Toronto arrival from Taipei for his show at Meridian Hall Thursday, January 30, 2020. including hired Security who escorted him though Toronto Pearson International Airport. Fans were more than respectful of his space, but excited, filming his arrival. Despite all that, we were able to get a quick glance into our Huawei P30 Pro from Pan who still was friendly from afar.

See our Snap:

We are delighted also to meet gifted Vocalist and Chinese Pop Songbird A-Lin who co-headlined the Gala.  The Taiwanese-born star has been nominated for numerous top awards in her native Taiwan and Hong Kong. She also has been an ardent supporter of LGBTQ rights in Taiwan.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/CUAUT)

Check-out this new Pre-Big Game TV Spot for SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: SPONGE ON THE RUN!

Synopsis:

This Memorial Day weekend, SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick Star and the rest of the gang from Bikini Bottom hit the big screen in the first-ever all CGI SpongeBob motion picture event. After SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary is snail-napped, he and Patrick embark on an epic adventure to The Lost City of Atlantic City to bring Gary home. As they navigate the delights and dangers on this perilous and hilarious rescue mission, SpongeBob and his pals prove there’s nothing stronger than the power of friendship.

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN Friday, May 22, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This exceptional Film from first-time Feature Writer-Director Edson Oda follows reclusive Will (Winston Duke) who interviews prospective candidates, who are personifications of human souls, to be born as human beings.

Nine Days is one of the most moving films to come along in years. Oda has written an excellent intelligent Script filled with lessons and reminders about how wonderfully painful life is. Its ultimate message is to hold on when things get tough because it’s the small things that make life worthwhile. His direction is nothing short of superb. With only one setting he is able to make the nearly two-hour running time fly by. The entire cast is outstanding but Duke is a showstopper. This is one of those films that will happily haunt you for a long  time decades after viewing.

Nine Days screens at Sundance on Mon, Jan. 27th at 6:30 PM at Eccles Theatre, Tues, Jan. 28th at 9 AM at The Ray, Wed, Jan. 29th at 3 PM at Sundance Resort, Thurs, Jan. 30th at 8:30 PM at Prospector Square, Fri, Jan. 31st at 6 PM at Grand Theatre, and Sat, Feb. 1st at 12 PM at Library Centre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This heartbreaking and poignant film follows Anne (Olivia Colman) who attempts to take care of her father Anthony (Anthony Hopkins) who has Dementia.

We’ve seen films about caring for ill parents before, but none anywhere close as good as Florian Zeller’s The Father. His Camerawork and Script don’t just document the memory loss Anthony is experiencing, instead, it propels you into his world. When he doesn’t know where he is and who he is with, the audiences don’t either. This Film has two jaw-dropping performances from Colman and Hopkins. Colman is, as usual, a real force who brings her vulnerability to Anne’s despair. And Hopkins gives a tour-de-force performance that will go down as one of his greatest.

The Father screens at Sundance on Mon, Jan. 27th at 3:30 PM at Eccles Theatre, Wed, Jan. 29th at 2:45 PM at The Ray, Thurs, Jan. 30th at 6:30 PM at Rose Wagner Center, and Sat, Feb. 1st at 8:45 PM at Egyptian Theatre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

I Carry You With Me follows Iván and Gerardo from the beginning of their relationship in Mexico to their life as immigrants in New York City.

Director Heidi Ewing tells the story of the power of love and the lengths people will go to for a better life. Ewing and her co-writer Alan Page Arriaga’s Script has a steady pace, the cinematography by Juan Pablo Ramírez is gorgeous and the two leads, Armando Espitia and Christian Vázquez, are mesmerizing. There is a creative change Ewing takes in the Third-Act. That creative change is one that I believe elevates the story, however, there will be many who disagree.

I Carry You With Me screens at Sundance on Sun, Jan. 26th at 12 PM at Library Center, Mon, Jan. 27th at 6 PM at Redstone Cinema 7, Tues, Jan. 28th at 3:45 PM at Broadway Centre Cinema 3, Fri, Jan. 31st at 8:30 PM at Prospector Square, and Sat, Feb. 1st at 9:30 AM at The Ray

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

When Sarah (Cristin Milioti) meets Nyles (Andy Samberg) at her younger sisters wedding the two are thrust into a surreal and unexpected interruption.

Palm Springs really is one of the best films at the Festival. The main idea, which I’m attempting to keep a secret from you, is something that has been done time and time again. However, Palm Springs takes this old trend and whips up something fresh and hilarious with it. The two leads have outstanding chemistry and there is never a dull moment from beginning to end. All involved, behind and in front of the camera, make this Film one true crowd-pleaser.

Palm Springs screens at Sundance on Sun, Jan. 26th at 3 PM at Library Centre Theatre, Mon, Jan. 27th at 11:30 PM at Prospector Square Theatre, Wed, Jan. 29th at 6:30 PM at Rose Wagner Centre, Thurs, January 20th at 6:30 PM at Eccles Theatre, and Sat, Feb. 1st at 12 PM at Redstone Cinema 7.