By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Wild Rose follows Glasgow born and raised Rose-Lynn (Jessie Buckley) who dreams of escaping to Nashville to become a country music star. It had its World Premiere in the Special Presentations Programme at TIFF ’18. In case you missed it the Film is set to release on February 8, 2019 in the UK and May 10, 2019 in the USA. As of right now there is no Canadian release date but the Film is bought by eOne Films. We were lucky enough to sit down with the star of the Film, Jessie Buckley, along with the Director Tom Harper and Writer Nicole Taylor while they were in Toronto for the Festival.

Q: Glasgow and Rose-Lynn are gritty on the outside but very colourful on the inside. How important was it to write the duality of the two and then make that duality visual?

TAYLOR: Because I’m from there it’s so hard to have any perspective on it. I have not lived there for a very long time, but it’s almost like the longer I live away from it the more respect I have for it. Just as you say, Glasgow has this reputation for being this hard-ass place but the people are so warm, and they chat away whether you want them to or not. Its like the biggest move cliche to say that the city is like a character in the Movie but this is a love letter to Glasgow. And everything I love about Glasgow, the lack as sentimentality, the humour, the way that Rose-Lynn’s mom played by Julie Waters — people just get on with it, they just isn’t no chat. I just love the city.

HARPER: For me it’s like I didn’t know much about Glasgow but obviously I have spent a lot of now for the Film. With the lead up, the locations and the casting and pre-production. It [Glasgow] was amazingly welcoming. You know when you go somewhere and make something somewhere there is always a danger, or you have this fear, that people might not want to, they might question why if you aren’t from somewhere why you would want to be there. But actually what I felt was that there was a great welcoming, like they were saying, “look at our culture, be apart of that culture, tell the stories.” And I think also because people we worked with who read the script were so warming to the Script, and loved it so much that it was sort of easy. That’s one side of it, but the other side is that the Film even though it couldn’t be set anywhere else there are a set of themes. Thematically it resonates with, I think it could be anybody anywhere. So even though in some ways it’s very specific, thematically it’s quite universal. And I think that, having been to Glasgow only a couple of time before reading the script, it didn’t stop me from immediately falling in love with Rose-Lynn and the character and identifying or empathizing with her, particularly with her struggles and hardships.

TAYLOR: You know that thing in Film where its got to be super particular but then also be universal, this couldn’t be more particular it was bloody autobiographical. I had to write this Film about this girl who couldn’t wait to leave this place. But it was so useful to have somebody who didn’t have that relationship with Glasgow, who could find and express that universal energy. Because it’s about someone who just doesn’t belong really to where they come from.

HARPER: That’s a nice way to describe our collaborative working relationship.

Q: Jessie, you have played a lot of authentic characters throughout your career what sets Rose-Lynn apart from the others?

BUCKLEY: She is just herself. With Beast or War and Peace they all have their own little mission, you know? They all have their own little thing they are trying to get something out of their life. And for Rose-Lynn it’s her courage to grab her dream. Even when she knows that the consequences of what that might be for everybody else. And it’s not only destructive to them but also to her. That bold journey of identity where she thinks she needs to go far away from who she is in order to find herself, and at the end she realizes that you can’t do that because it’s who you are is the boldest part of your dream.

eOne Films release WILD ROSE as follows:

June 21, 2019 – Toronto
July 5, 2019 – Vancouver, Montreal
July 12, 2019 – Expands

THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA delivers an Easter surprise, taking the top of the Box Office with $24.6 million from 3,372 theatres for Warner Bros. The James Wan production gets 34% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.

In second is SHAZAM! with $17.2 million week three for Warner Bros. after two weeks on-top.

BREAKTHROUGH debuts in third spot with $11 million after a Wednesday opening in 2,824 theatres. The 20th Century Fox release gets a decent 64% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

In fifth is LITTLE with $6.8 million in its second week out for Universal Pictures.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is MISSING LINK with $3.9 million in week two for United Artists Releasing/Elevation Pictures.

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see LONG SHOT, which just premiered at SXSW to rave reviews!

Screenings take place as follows on Wednesday, May 1, 2019:

Toronto

Vancouver

Calgary

Edmonton

Winnipeg

Ottawa

Halifax

One lucky winner will win this official windbreaker, like the one Seth Rogen wears in the Film:

Synopsis:
Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) is a gifted and free-spirited journalist with an affinity for trouble. Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is one of the most influential women in the world. Smart, sophisticated, and accomplished, she’s a powerhouse diplomat with a talent for…well, mostly everything. The two have nothing in common, except that she was his babysitter and childhood crush. When Fred unexpectedly reconnects with Charlotte, he charms her with his self-deprecating humor and his memories of her youthful idealism. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter, much to the dismay of her trusted advisors. A fish out of water on Charlotte’s elite team, Fred is unprepared for her glamourous lifestyle in the limelight. However, sparks fly as their unmistakable chemistry leads to a round-the-world romance and a series of unexpected and dangerous incidents.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Click Re-Tweet from this Tweet from @mrwillw for another shot!

eOne Films release LONG SHOT Friday, May 3, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see TOLKIEN in Toronto Monday, May 6, 2019. One lucky winner gets a set of collectible stills from the Film!

Synopsis:

TOLKIEN explores the formative years of the renowned author’s life as he finds friendship, courage and inspiration among a fellow group of writers and artists at school. Their brotherhood strengthens as they grow up and weather love and loss together, including Tolkien’s tumultuous courtship of his beloved Edith Bratt, until the outbreak of the First World War which threatens to tear their fellowship apart. All of these experiences would later inspire Tolkien to write his famous Middle-earth novels.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes
to see THE HUSTLE.

Screenings take place Wednesday, May 8, 2019 in TORONTO, MONTREAL (ENGLISH) and VANCOUVER.

SYNOPSIS:
In the hilarious new comedy THE HUSTLE, Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson star as female scam artists, one low rent and the other high class, who team up to take down the dirty rotten men who have wronged them.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

 THE HUSTLE is in theatres Friday, May 10, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

VVS Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Family Packs of four passes to an Advance Screenings take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019 as follows:

Toronto – Cineplex Yonge-Dundas – 10:00 am
Montreal – Cineplex Forum – 10:00 am
Vancouver – Cineplex International Village – 10:30 am

Synopsis:
The free-spirited UglyDolls confront what it means to be different, struggle with their desire to be loved, and ultimately discover that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing because who you truly are is what matters most. Featuring original music performed by Lee & Pitbull!

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

VVS Films release UGLYDOLLS Friday, May 3, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

Houston-born Singer/Songwriter/Actor/Rapper/Floutist LIZZO is on the verge of becoming an icon. Her undeniable talent had her front and center, with everyone talking about her performance these past two weekends at Coachella. Her brazen, body-positive outlook is making a believers out of everyone and her current single JUICE, quickly is impacting airwaves en route to becoming one of the biggest breakout hits of 2019.

We admit we are in love and want more. Her debut on Atlantic Records, CUZ I LOVE YOU is now out via Warner Music Canada and we can’t wait too for you to discover her. She is amazing. She lifts us up and takes us to a happy place.

Check-out some of her genius below:

JUICE

BOYS

CUZ I LOVE YOU

TEMPO (ft. MISSY ELLIOT)

FITNESS

SOULMATE

LIKE A GIRL

  Lizzo plays Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall Thursday, May 16, 2019. New date added September 19, 2019 at Rebel.

Stream it here.

Allison Williams is back after a stellar performance in 2017’s Oscar-winning GET OUT.

Synopsis:
The most buzzed-about movie at last year’s Fantastic Fest, THE PERFECTION is an elegant and terrifying suspense ride filled with unexpected twists and turns. When troubled musical prodigy Charlotte (Allison Williams) seeks out Elizabeth (Logan Browning), the new star pupil of her former school, the encounter sends both musicians down a sinister path with shocking consequences.

Overflowing with dizzying horror and sly dark humor, THE PERFECTION is directed by Richard Shepard (THE MATADOR, DOM HEMINGWAY, “Girls”), and written by Eric C. Charmelo, Nicole Snyder and Richard Shepard. The film will be released globally on Netflix Friday, May 24, 2019.

See the Trailer:

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Kicking-off this past Friday, the first of two weekends at Coachella 2019 kicked-off in Indio, California. With headliners Childish Gambino, Billie Eilish, 1975, Khalid and Ariana Grande, plenty of surprises were unveiled, including the latter’s surprise performance with ’90s Boy Band supreme, *NSYNC for a rendition of Tearin’ Up My Heart! Her star-studded set also included an appearance by Nicki Minaj despite some technical difficulties.

During the first weekend, zedd in his set brought-out Katy Perry for a performance as a surprise for their new single, 365.

See the Performance:

Check-out more here on Coachella‘s YouTube Channel 1 which includes sets by zedd, Khalid and Ariana Grande (still to be uploaded).

Sofi Tukker, CHVRCHES and more on Channel 2 here.

(Photo/video credit: Coachella/Getty)

24-year-old Singer/Songwriter Alec Benjamin is on the verge of something big and if the success of his gorgeously-moody single Let Me Down Slowly is any indication of what’s to come, be ready for a lotta Alec. The Track which also has a version featuring Toronto’s Alessia Cara while released last spring, suddenly has caught fire, just entering the Top Forty in the U.K., achieving Platinum certification in Canada and Gold in the U.S.

He’s prepping the release of his debut album for Warner Music Canada coming this fall, Narrated for You and currently is bringing his Outrunning Karma Tour to theatres in sold-out numbers. Toronto was no exception. Not bad, considering he had a false start after being released from his contract with Columbia Records not too long ago. His career quickly has regained momentum and we had the opportunity to chat with Benjamin even though he was fighting a cold, prior to his show at The Mod Club.

The Phoenix native lost access to his data and was trying to get his iPhone X to connect without luck until venue Wi-Fi came to the rescue. I ask him what Instagram and Twitter are like for someone with hundreds of thousands of followers and it’s actually pretty much the same as it is for the rest of us. You see every single “like” and comment on the former, while the latter filters and groups things a bit more. I know now, I actually got to play on his accounts.

We ask him about Elon Musk, someone he really looks up to and epically getting a Tweet back from the technology entrepreneur after suggesting to him on Twitter, the idea of eco-friendly tour buses.

Benjamin: “It was pretty cool, because I’m a huge fan of his. There’s pretty much nobody in the world doing things that he is doing. And so I feel like he’ll be one of the most influencial inventors of our time, so to know that he knows that I’m alive, that’s pretty cool.” .

Himself fighting to stay healthy, we ask Benjamin about surviving the rigours of tour life.

Benjamin: “One of the struggles of tour life logistically, not just on your body, is how I understand what the tour bus is doing to the environment and I’m not the most caused-based person, but I do care about a lot of things. It’s difficult to reconcile the environment with the necessity of day-to-day life so I have to go out and tour and go out and burn gas and fly. Sometimes I feel like a hypocrite.” .

“I thought if I could get a tour bus that was eco-friendly, that’d be great so I’m gonna Tweet Elon Musk right now.”.

We ask Benjamin about his dream collaborations after having worked with Toronto’s Alessia Cara.

Benjamin: “Definitely Elon Musk” , he says semi-kiddingly. “I just wanna make better Music on my own first.”.

Benjamin‘s Music embodies a mood all its own. We wonder what we can expect from his forthcoming debut Disc.

Benjamin: “I think this batch of songs is gonna be slightly more mature than the last. A lot of those songs I’ve been saving for a while because I had a whole batch of Music I made when I was signed to Columbia Records and subsequently I was dropped from the label. I didn’t want to lose those songs, so as I was signing a new record deal, I got those songs back. I wanted a few of those songs to have a life on Narrated for You.” .

What’s next for Alec Benjamin?
Benjamin: “I’m just gonna keep touring and writing songs. It’s a constant struggle in my life to keep making music and try to stay happy. Maybe I’m just chasing something that doesn’t even exist. I’ll play this venue and then I get to the next one and I go maybe this one, that’s the one!”.

Watch our Chat here:

Check-out some of Benjamin‘s tracks:

Let Me Down Slowly

Let Me Down Slowly (ft. Alessia Cara)

If We Have Each Other

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music Group/Mr. Will Wong)