At long last, the official Trailer for Quentin Tarantino’s ONCE UPON A TIME HOLLYWOOD!

Synopsis:
Quentin Tarantino’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The ninth film from the writer-director features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age.

Trailer:

The legacy of Disney’s DUMBO continues to last for generations beyond its original 1941 release. Visionary Filmmaker Tim Burton takes the reins in the upcoming 2019 live-action remake of the animated classic. In-town for a rare visit to promote its release was Golden Globe and EMMY Award-winning Actor, Author, Producer and Filmmaker, Danny Devito. Known for a large expansive body of work despite his diminutive frame, Devito has starred in several classics like Big Fish, Tin Men, Throw Momma from the Train, Matlida, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Terms of Endearment, Romancing the Stone, Twins and Batman Returns.

We hear Devito endured quite the wait arriving in the City the other night, which we had a chance to ask him about. There was a reported fire at Toronto Pearson International Airport, but being the true professional he is, he was ready to go bright and early for a day of Press, starting with an exclusive at CITY’s Breakfast Television.

Devito stars as Max Medici, whose circus is revived when he learns that his baby elephant born with oversized ears can actually fly. V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton) is a flashy entrepreneur with big plans, expressing interest in incorporating Dumbo into his new grand venture, Dreamland propelling the baby elephant to stardom and potential riches. That is until, it is learned Dreamland actually harbours some unsettling, dark secrets. It is up to amputee war veteran Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) along with his children Milly (Nico Parker)  and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to protect Dumbo’s best interests after he is separated from his mother, Jumbo.

See the Trailer:

There were jugglers, popcorn, cotton candy, face-painters and a even a man on stilts at the festive affair. A Snapchat filter even was deployed for the occasion. Walking the Red Carpet at the Film’s Canadian Premiere at Scotiabank Theatre were the likes of Alexandra Porat (The Launch), Kyla Young (The Marijuana Chronicles), Luke Bilyk (The Marijuana Chronicles), Dalmar Abuzeid (Anne with an E), Cindy Sampson (Private Eyes), Scott McGillivray (Income Property), Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Danielle Graham (eTalk).

We ask these notable Canadians what the legacy of Dumbo means to them:

Alexandra Porat

The Mississauga native featured on CTV‘s The Launch recently, attended the Premiere and tells us, “I think there’s a beauty in these Remakes. I’m a huge fan of something animated coming into live-action.”.

“And I think it’s also important for children to be introduced this kind of storyline. Sometimes it’s harder to watch older films. When they see the live-action, it might inspire them to watch the original. I think they’re both going to be very different and special in their own ways.”.

Luke Bilyk

The Toronto Actor known best for his work on Degrassi, just wrapped on locally-filmed The Marijuna Chronicles, based on a true story of a group of women who partook in an outlandish experiment where they were tested rigorously after marijuana use. He says, “I think one of the greatest things about these live-action Remakes of all these classics is that people born in 2001 didn’t get to experience the cartoon itself and everything it meant to us.  The young kid who’s nine or ten years old getting to watch The Lion King or Dumbo and real people get to see real actors.”.

“Not only does it spark imagination, but for little actors out there, young people who wanna start getting into this industry. They see it’s not a cartoon, you can really see that that magic can be real in real life.”.

Kyla Young

Young also stars in The Marijuana Chronicles and reveals, “I saw Dumbo for the first time when I was eight and I was so sad. I’m a crier and I was a crier when I was eight.”.

“I think it’s so awesome that someone like Tim Burton who has such a unique and twisted mind can bring this fantasy to life again in hopefully a totally new and different way.”.

Cindy Sampson

The Private Eyes Actress who stars alongside Jason Priestley, tells us “I was obsessed with Disney movies as  a kid, I loved them obviously. I’ve cried over this Movie over a hundred times already and I’m kinda hoping that I’ll make it through as an adult – strong.”.

Dalmar Abuzeid

This Anne with an E star is a fan of remaking stories. He tells us, “Well, I think there’s always something to be learned from re-telling stories especially because there’s new angles and perspectives, new things to consider when you’re telling a story.” .

“I’m part of a show, Anne with an E, re-telling a story that’s been around a really long time.  There’s something about people we recognize, figures and characters we’re familiar with, because then we’re more likely to wanna listen and take something away from their story that we’re so familiar with.”.

Scott McGillivray 

The Real Estate guru arrived at the Premiere with his family.  He states, “With everything going on in the world, it’s a very relevant topic about inclusion, people’s differences and all the things the Circus represented in the Movie.”.

“I think it’s appropriate and fun and maybe something for the kids and all of us to learn.”.

Amanda Brugel

The Actress who has been hard at work on The Handmaid’s Tale and promoting the Made Nous campaign in advance of Canadian Screen Week,  arrived also with her family. “Dumbo resonated with so many children. It was devastating to watch as a child. As a mother of two beautiful young boys, I love the story. I love how it goes into the relationship between a mother and son.”.

“Also, I like the idea to embrace who you are and what you are and the special qualities that seem odd and translate that into your real life and make it work for you.”.

Danny Devito

The icon dishes on his troubled landing in Toronto Sunday night. He says, “We were stuck in the airport for three hours last night because of a grease fire in a restaurant that was in the International Arrivals terminal of the airport. It was a comfortable and nice time, everyone was really nice. There was no alcohol. When you park at the gate, you can’t have any alcohol. I slept a bit, I read, I went on my phone and went on Twitter. I love Twitter, I love Social Media.”.

“The thing is in the original 1941 movie, there were so many great values. Talking about the others, Xenophobia, acceptance and the thing inside you that you can contribute to the world and yourself. We kept all those things.  The Animal Rights thing, we made sure to address that because we feel animals should not be imprisoned”, he adds.

We ask him also about reuniting with Tim Burton and Michael Keaton once again. “They’re like our family. Tim and I have done five movies together. Michael and I have done three. It’s really good to work with your friends.”.

See our Chats:

See some more Snaps from the Red Carpet:

Danny Devito

Amanda Brugel

Scott McGillivray + Family

Luke Bilyk x Kyla Young

Cindy Sampson

Alexandra Porat

Dalmar Abuzeid

Danielle Graham

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release DUMBO Friday, March 29, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/David Baldwin/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

All photos taken on the Nikon D3400.

The 2019 HOT DOCS Film Festival announced today 15 Special Presentations including international and world premieres. The 26th edition of the Festival runs April 25 to May 5, 2019. Documentaries include KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE, which centers on Congressperson Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sundance Award-winning ALWAYS IN SEASON.

A list of Special Presentations:

ADVOCATE
D: Rachel Leah Jones, Philippe Bellaiche | P: Joëlle Bertossa, Paul Cadieux | Canada, Israel, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland | 2019 | 105 min | Canadian Premiere

As one of the few Israeli human-rights lawyers willing to defend Palestinians, Lea Tsemel has been defying hostility and vitriol from the public and press for nearly 50 years to fight for clients in a stacked system.

ALWAYS IN SEASON
D: Jacqueline Olive | P: Jacqueline Olive, Jessica Devaney | USA | 2019 | 88 min | International Premiere

The unresolved case of a Black teen found hanging from a swing set in North Carolina in 2014 is the lens through which this searing doc examines the lingering trauma of more than a century of lynching and continued racial violence.

ASSHOLES: A THEORY
D: John Walker | P: Ann Bernier, Annette Clarke, John Walker | Canada | 2019 | 81 min | North American Premiere

Inspired by the New York Times bestselling book, this lively philosophical investigation into the rise of asshole behaviour across the world asks: What does it mean to be an asshole, and more importantly, how do we stop their proliferation?

BUDDY
D: Heddy Honigmann | P: John Appel | Netherlands | 2018 | 86 min | Canadian Premiere

Master documentarian Heddy Honigmann turns her eye for authenticity and genuine interview to the complex relationships between service dogs and their owners. Witness canine humanity and life-altering trust at work in this observational marvel.

THE CORPORATE COUP D’ETAT
D: Fred Peabody | P: Peter Raymont | Canada | 2018 | 90 min | Canadian Premiere

Piercing insights from journalist Chris Hedges and philosopher John Ralston Saul dissect America at a troubling crossroads, exposing Trump’s MAGA doctrine as a symptom of a broken democracy where power now lies with corporations, not citizens.

THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY
D: Petra Costa | P: Joanna Natasegara | Brazil | 2019 | 112 min | Canadian Premiere

Featuring unprecedented access to former Brazilian presidents Dilma Rousseff and Lula da Silva, the personal and political brilliantly combine in this unflinching exploration of one of the most dramatic and polarizing periods in Brazilian history.

GAZA
D: Garry Keane, Andrew McConnell | P: Paul Cadieux, Brendan J. Byrne | Canada | 2018 | 90 min | Canadian Premiere

Fully blockaded and home to almost two million people, the Gaza Strip is portrayed in the news as the world’s largest open-air prison—but this rare immersion into everyday Palestinian life reveals the pressures of occupation and the humanity straining to flourish.

HUMAN NATURE
D: Adam Bolt | P: Sarah Goodwin, Meredith Desalazar, Elliot Kirschner | USA | 2019 | 107 min | Canadian Premiere

In a brave new world in which science fiction collides with fact and DNA sequences can be edited with ease, this provocative examination forces us to reconsider what it means to be human.

KILLING PATIENT ZERO
D: Laurie Lynd | P: Corey Russell | Canada | 2019 | 100 min | World Premiere

Skilfully revealing the homophobia behind the headlines, this doc traces the devastating impact of the 1980s AIDS epidemic and clears the name of the Québécois flight attendant who was infamously known as “patient zero.”

KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE
D: Rachel Lears | P: Rachel Lears, Robin Blotnick, Sarah Olson | USA | 2019 | 85 min | International Premiere

This rollercoaster ride follows four progressive women—including Bronx bartender Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—behind the scenes and in the streets as they grind through long-shot grassroots campaigns for Congress during the 2018 US midterms.

N. SCOTT MOMADAY: WORDS FROM A BEAR
D: Jeffrey Palmer | P: Jeffrey Palmer, Youngsun Palmer | USA | 2018 | 85 mins | International Premiere

The life and career of Pulitzer Prize–winning Kiowa author N. Scott Momaday, one of Native America’s most celebrated literary figures, is explored in this spiritual journey through the expansive landscapes of the West and New Mexico.

NOTHING FANCY: DIANA KENNEDY
D: Elizabeth Carroll | P: Elizabeth Carroll, Dan Braun, Gina Abatemarco | USA | 2019 | 82 min | International Premiere

Dubbed “the Mick Jagger of Mexican cooking,” a 96-year-old firebrand chef who’s spent her career celebrating the country’s regional cuisines rushes to solidify her hard-earned legacy in the face of her own mortality.

PUSH
D: Fredrik Gertten | P: Margarete Jangård | Sweden | 2019 | 92 min | North American Premiere

As skyrocketing housing prices and stagnant incomes squeeze families out of cities worldwide, a newly appointed UN specialist from Ottawa travels from Toronto to Barcelona to London and beyond, fighting to have affordable housing recognized as a human right.

TOXIC BEAUTY
D: Phyllis Ellis | P: Peter Raymont, Barri Cohen | Canada | 2019 | 90 min | World Premiere

Cancer, diabetes, developmental delays and more—the cosmetics industry’s ugly secrets are exposed through exclusive interviews with scientists, whistleblowers and consumer survivors who raise pressing questions about risks, regulations and the true cost of beauty.

THE TRIAL OF RATKO MLADIC
D: Henry Singer, Rob Miller | P: Henry Singer, Rob Miller, Ida Bruusgaard | UK, Norway | 2018 | 100 min | Canadian Premiere

Accused of horrific war crimes, the “Butcher of Bosnia” finally faces a verdict in the biggest trial since Nuremberg. Embedded with both the prosecution and defense, this courtroom thriller reveals the troublingly nuanced Serbian–Bosnian conflict that still rages on.

UPDATE 3/12/19: ADDITIONAL SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ADDED:

AMERICAN FACTORY

D: Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert | P: Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert, Jeff Reichert, Julie Parker Benello | USA | 2019 | 115 min | International Premiere

When an abandoned General Motors factory in Ohio is reopened by a Chinese billionaire, the local blue-collar employees clash with modern Chinese innovations in this Sundance award-winner co-directed by this year’s Outstanding Achievement Award recipient Julia Reichert.

ASK DR. RUTH

D: Ryan White | P: Rafael Marmor, Ryan White, Jessica Hargrave, Christopher Leggett | USA | 2019 | 100 min | International Premiere

Do we have anything left to learn from 90-year-old sex therapist Dr. Ruth? In this revealing look at a true trailblazer, she revisits the painful memories of her early life in Germany and the playful milestones of her career as America’s most candid sex ed teacher.

COLD CASE HAMMARSKJÖLD

D: Mads Brügger | P: Arno Becker, Andreas Rocksén, Bjarte Mørner Tveit | Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Belgium | 2019 | 127 min | Canadian Premiere

Was it accident or assassination when a UN Secretary General’s plane crashed en route to peace talks for the Congo Crisis? In this probe into the 1961 tragedy, sinister new evidence draws the director into a discovery more horrific than he imagined.

FRAMING JOHN DELOREAN

D: Don Argott, Sheena M. Joyce | P: Tamir Ardon, Nick Spicer, Don Argott, Sheena M. Joyce | USA | 2019 | 109 min | International Premiere

Car design guru, genius entrepreneur or brilliant criminal—who was the real John DeLorean? Narrative recreations starring Alec Baldwin punctuate revealing interviews with the enigmatic automaker’s inner circle to elegantly parse the man from the scandalous myth.

GORDON LIGHTFOOT: IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND

D: Joan Tosoni, Martha Kehoe | P: Joan Tosoni, Martha Kehoe | Canada | 2018 | 90 min | World Premiere

From a rural Ontario childhood to Greenwich Village of the ’60s, stadium tours of the ’70s and beyond, vivid archival footage helps chart the career of the legendary songwriter as he reveals the inspiration behind his lyrics and longevity.

I LOVE YOU, NOW DIE: THE COMMONWEALTH VS. MICHELLE CARTER

D: Erin Lee Carr | P: Andrew Rossi | USA | 2019 | 140 min | International Premiere

This two-part HBO docu-series dives past the headlines and into the ethical morass of the case of Michelle Carter, who faces the prospect of jail time after coercing her boyfriend into suicide via text, blowing open troubling questions of how we communicate in the digital age.

MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL

D: Stanley Nelson | P: Nicole London, Stanley Nelson | USA, UK | 2019 | 113 min | International Premiere

Never-before-seen footage and studio session outtakes reconstruct the rich inner life of one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time, along with new interviews from the artists he inspired, including Quincy Jones and Carlos Santana.

MYSTIFY: MICHAEL HUTCHENCE

D: Richard Lowenstein | P: Maya Gnyp, John Battsek, Sue Murray, Mark Fennessy, Richard Lowenstein, Lynn-Maree Milburn, Andrew de Groot | Australia | 2019 | 104 min | Canadian Premiere

The enigmatic frontman of wildly popular Australian rock band INXS, who died tragically in 1997, is remembered by the women in his life, including revealing interviews with famous girlfriends Kylie Minogue and Helena Christensen.

ONE CHILD NATION

D: Nanfu Wang, Jialing Zhang | P: Nanfu Wang, Jialing Zhang, Julie Goldman, Christoph Jörg, Christopher Clements, Carolyn Hepburn | USA | 2019 | 89 min | Canadian Premiere

Through vérité footage and raw interviews, this fearless, Sundance Award–winning exposé unmasks the wrenching costs to millions of families of China’s infamous 1979 “one-child policy,” introduced to curb population growth and boost sweeping economic development.

OUR GODFATHER

D: Mark Franchetti, Andrew Meier | P: Mark Franchetti, Andrew Meier | UK, Russia | 2018 | 93 min | World Premiere

The family of a high-ranking Sicilian mob boss comes out of 30 years of hiding to tell the gripping tale of how he helped convict over 400 Mafiosi—and became the most hunted witness in US criminal history.

PICTURE CHARACTER

D: Ian Cheney, Martha Shane | P: Jennifer Lee, Ian Cheney, Martha Shane | USA | 2019 | 84 min | International Premiere

Explore the evolution of emojis, the colourful and creative pictorial language that surged from a simple set of icons to a swiftly evolving linguistic phenomenon that is reshaping how we communicate with one another.

QUIET STORM: THE RON ARTEST STORY

D: Johnny Sweet | P: Colleen Dominguez, Omar Michaud, Johnny Sweet | USA | 2019 | 116 min | International Premiere

Following an infamous on-court brawl, Ron Artest became the most maligned athlete in sports. This distinctly American biography follows him from his childhood in Queens to his turbulent NBA years to his reinvention as inspiring mental health advocate Metta World Peace.

THE REST

D: Ai Weiwei | P: Ai Weiwei | Germany | 2018 | 78 min | North American Premiere

From Chinese artist and political activist Ai Weiwei comes a powerful work that follows the daily lives of refugees in Europe as they hang in limbo between a disintegrating humanitarian aid system and intensifying nationalism.

STIEG LARSSON: THE MAN WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE

D: Henrik Georgsson | P: Mattias Nohrborg, Fredrik Heinig | Sweden | 2018 | 99 min | Canadian Premiere

This compelling look at the Swedish journalist, whose The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series shot to wild posthumous fame, delves into his lesser-known but more significant contribution: fearlessly researching and exposing Neo-Nazism in his own country and beyond.

WILLIE

D: Laurence Mathieu-Leger | P: Laurence Mathieu-Leger, Bryant McBride | USA, Canada | 2018 |

89 min | World Premiere

In the midst of the American civil rights movement, Willie O’Ree became the first Black player to skate in the NHL. An inspiration to many, the remarkable story of this recent Hall of Fame inductee’s courage and resilience transcends the sport.

XY CHELSEA

D: Tim Travers Hawkins | P: Julia Nottingham, Thomas Benski, Lucas Ochoa, Isabel Davis | UK | 2019 | 91 min | Canadian Premiere

After her 35-year prison sentence is commuted by President Obama, former military intelligence analyst and whistleblower Chelsea Manning prepares to leave a military prison and transition to her new life as a free woman.

UPDATE 3/19/19: A total 234 Films from 56 countries have been announced and finalized for this year’s Festival, of which 54% are from female Filmmakers. The Scotiabank Big Ideas Series will feature Ai Weiwei (The Rest); biochemist and leading figure in the “CRISPR revolution” Jennifer Doudna (Human Nature); Willie O’Ree, the first Black hockey player to play in the NHL (Willie); beloved Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot (Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind); and whistleblower Deane Berg, Dr. Daniel Cramer of the Harvard Cancer Center and Dr. Ami Zota of George Washington University (Toxic Beauty).

Tickets will be open to the public Tuesday, March 26 at 11:00 a.m. More details here: http://hotdocs.ca.

(Photo/video credit: Hot Docs)

More productions are taking flight in Toronto and this time around we see Eva Longoria behind the lens directing a The CW Pilot GLAMOROUS! The Series starring Brooke Shields, Pierson Fodé, Peyton List and Ben J. Pierce. The Pilot centers on a gender-nonconfirming teen (Pierce) who lands a gig at a cosmetics company after criticizing their products on YouTube. We spotted stars Fodé (Bold and the Beautiful), who has been nominated twice for an EMMY and List (Mad Men, 90210) working-out earlier after a reading in the afternoon and they were nice enough to stop for some Fans on the street. The Pilot wraps end of March.

Fodé

List

Netflix Feature LET IT SNOW continues to film in and around the City and we welcome back Spider-Man Reboot Franchise star Jacob Batalon, who appears in the upcoming Holiday flick. Batalon appears to have been out shopping for glasses earlier and was amazing to several fans who spotted him on the streets. He just filmed Romantic-Comedy EVERY DAY here in 2017.

Batalon

We also saw his Co-Star Miles Robbins (Blockers) out and about too and he also was gracious to stop for a wave! LET IT SNOW wraps end of March as well.

Robbins

Australian talent Liv Hewson has gained a lot of recognition for their work starring on Netflix‘s Santa Clarita Diet, on which they star as Abby Hammond. Hewson also has been in and out of Toronto working on Let it Snow and just this weekend enjoyed Montreal. They also will be seen later this year in eagerly-awaited Fair and Balanced, which centers on the experience of various female FOX NEWS personnel starring Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron.

Hewson

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By David Baldwin and Mr. Will Wong

Now in its 19th year Toronto Comicon takes place at Metro Toronto Convention Centre this weekend bringing together fans of Sci-Fi, Anime, Cosplayers, Gaming, Comics and more in one extravaganza.  Toronto Comicon year after year has given fans a chance to connect with their favourite idols with Panels, Autograph Signings and Photo Ops. Known as one of the most exciting events each spring in Toronto, the event this year was headlined by several stars including Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), Jaleel White (Family Matters), Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy), Jonathan Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings), Corbin Bernsen (The Punisher) and several more!

Funko Pop! vinyl collectibles, rare editions of comic books and the opportunity to get one-of-a-kind commissioned pieces by Artists, continue to be a huge draw at the three-day affair. Truly Toronto Comicon is a mecca of all things adored.

Our David Baldwin had the opportunity to sit-in on a couple high-profile Panels for Ron Perlman and Dan Fogler.

PERLMAN

Golden Globe Award winner Ron Perlman has had a celebrated career in Film and Television, including unforgettable performances on Television Series Beauty and the Beast and originating the titular role in a soon-to-be rebooted Hellboy. He delighted fans on Saturday afternoon with a lively Q&A session. He set the tone for the nearly hour-long discussion by taking the stage and immediately greeting the audience with “Sup motherfuckers?” He later apologized to everyone who brought their children with them, but did not change his casual demeanour. He says that “99% of the roles I’ve played, I’ve really loved” and likens that passion for his roles to his mantra of “Don’t say yes unless you really love the person you’re playing.”.

While he enjoyed talking about his popular roles (“Sons of Anarchy was larger than life”) and his close relationship with honourary Torontonian and Oscar-winning Director, Guillermo del Toro (going so far as to praise Pan’s Labyrinth as a “masterpiece” and calling it the “quintessential del Toro movie”), Perlman did not hesitate to get very candid with the audience. Upon hearing an audience question about his time on the ill-fated 1996 remake of The Island of Dr. Moreau, he flat-out said “We should have never made that movie,” and said that acclaimed Director Jean-Jacques Annaud saved his life and career more than once when he was “going to quit acting”. He also let the audience in on a very telling secret: “I’m not a big fan of watching my own stuff. I just do it and move on to the next thing.”.

Perlman next year can be seen in Paul W.S. Anderson‘s eagerly-awaited Monster Hunter.

FOGLER

Despite landing a breakout role in 2016’s blockbuster Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the first of a few slated Films in the Franchise, Dan Fogler long has been honing his craft. Fashionably-late for his own Panel today, he was exactly as animated and wild a personality as you might expect: “I like acting in front of people.” In his discussion, he detailed how much joy it brings him to get to play roles in the likes of Fanboys, the Fantastic Beasts series and The Walking Dead saying the roles “speak to the little nerd in me.” He even went so far as to say that his work on Fanboys specifically gave him the “invitation to act like a kid again.”.

Fogler went the extra mile during the Q&A portion, handing-out comic books and memorabilia to each audience member who asked a question (and in a rather wonderful touch, personally delivered memorabilia and hugged an audience member in a wheelchair). He riffed on his time working with Christopher Walken on Balls of Fury (telling the audience Walken’s method of dialogue delivery: “It’s all about slow, medium, fast”) and reminisced about his inspirations, saying that after discovering that Voice Actor Mel Blanc was playing and creating voices for multiple Looney Tunes characters, “I want to do that!”. Fogler even tried his hand at Sign Language, poorly attempting to sign-out “Say hello to my little friend” to his on-stage interpreter.

The Brooklyn native currently can be seen on AMC’s The Walking Dead as Luke.

Check-out some more sights of 2019 Toronto Comicon:

Ron Perlman

Dan Fogler

Jaleel White

Jonathan Rhys-Davies

Tommy Flanagan

Corbin Bernsen

John De Lancie

Cosplay

Cool, rare stuff

Also, CAPTIVE STATE is in theatres this weekend. Don’t forget to check-out this need little installation where you can star in your own Poster for the Film!

You still have one more day left to check-out 2019 Toronto Comicon as it wraps Sunday, March 17, 2019!

More here.

Missed it? Don’t worry, Fan Expo Canada is coming this Summer. More details here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/David Baldwin)

For a second straight week CAPTAIN MARVEL dictates the Box Office, taking top spot with $69.7 million from 4,310 theatres for Disney. This brings its two week tally in North America to $266.6 million.

WONDER PARK lands in second with $16.7 million from 3,838 theatres for Paramount Pictures. The Animated Feature gets 29% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

Teen Romance FIVE FEET APART opens in third with $13.3 million for CBS Films/eOne Films from 2,803 theatres. It gets 53% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

NO MANCHES FRIDA 2 debuts with $4.2 million from 472 theatres for Sony Screen Gems, placing it sixth in its debut.

CAPTIVE STATE opens in seventh with $3.1 million from 2,548 theatres for Focus Features/Universal Pictures. It gets 47% on the Tomatometer and a C- CinemaScore.

GREEN BOOK rounds the Top Ten with $1.3 million in its 18th week out for Universal Pictures, a total $82.6 million grossed across North America for the Best Picture winner.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This Documentary chronicles the working life of legendary US Photographer Jim Marshall, particularly his iconic photos in music history.

Director Alfred George Bailey has compiled an immense amount of intimate details about Jim Marshall by interviewing his close friends. Bailey never shies away from the unflattering parts of who Marshall was. Instead, he displays both Marshall’s good and bad, resulting in a complete portrait of this iconic Photographer. Like Marshall, this Documentary is captivating and documents both music history and moments in US history.

Show Me The Picture: The Story of Jim Marshall screens at SXSW on March 15 at 4:45PM at Stateside Theatre and March 16 at 2:15PM at Alamo Ritz 2.

The Cast and Director of SHAZAM received a warm welcome back today, taking over Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square! In town to ring-in the Blockbuster directed by David F. Sandberg and also a world exclusive Fan Event at the hotspot, were stars Zachary Levi (Shazam), Mark Strong (Dr. Thaddeus Sivana), Asher Dov Angel (Billy Batson) and Jack Dylan Grazer (Freddy Freeman).

The affair saw fans queueing as early as this morning for a chance to be up-close to the stars, who just a year ago filmed the Production in the City at various locations including Pinewood Studios. The group did the rounds in the City today making several stop-offs including visits to the CN Tower, Bell Media Headquarters, Corus and CITY‘s Breakfast Television, before hitting up the Red Carpet.

Shazam, based on the DC Comics character of the same name, centers on a 14-year-old orphan named Billy who is taken-in by an adoptive family, after fleeing many times from others. Once again he finds himself struggling to fit-in with their five other adopted children. One day, he is taken on a subway ride where he encounters a wizard who transforms him into a superhero. He soon realizes his purpose is to prevent the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana from taking away the power bestowed upon him, which could cause mass destruction to the world. Billy finds himself turning to his new-found family when he least expects it.

See the Trailer:

Toronto Mayor John Tory had the honour of handing a plaque to Sandberg commemorating Shazam‘s contribution to the City, including a remarkable $55 million in spending as a result of the Film. Tory just returned this weekend from the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas and tells us, “They think it’s cool a movie like Shazam was produced here. And so that helps us to grow the city to make it a great place to live,  for show business and entertainment and a place that welcomes people who are innovative.”.

Mark Strong who plays the Film’s villain, has made numerous Films here in the past and says, “You know that when you come here to make a movie, you know you’re getting the best possible people. I’ve made some really good friends over the things that I’ve done.”.

David F. Sandberg, who shifts from the Horror genre after having made films like Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation, reveals that this was his first time shooting outside of Los Angeles. “It could’ve been a little warmer but other than that, the crews were amazing and really impressed me”, he says. “It was such a great city to shoot in and spend the better part of last year.”.

Zachary Levi is no stranger to Toronto, having filmed TV Series Heroes Reborn here. He states “I’ve been blessed to work here a couple times and this certainly is the biggest thing I’ve gotten to do. Every time I’ve gotten to appreciate the city more and more. Everyone knows the food scene here is fantastic – so kudos to that. This really is Hollywood North. There’s so much talent in this area and around this area.”. He adds, “Really big movies have been made in Toronto, so it’s really cool you’ve allowed us to Shazamify this whole area and bring this fun activation to the fans.”.

Jack Dylan Grazer, plays the adopted brother and best friend of the Film’s central character, Billy. He also filmed both IT and IT: Chapter Two in and around the City. Grazer who attended with his mother, says “I’ve spent a lot of time in Toronto in the summer when it’s beautiful and not so freezing! I’ve spend time in Port Hope and the interiors – I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I’m thankful I had this opportunity.”.

Asher Dov Angel who plays the younger version of Levi‘s character, recalls “It’s been an incredible experience. This was my first time in Toronto ever. The food’s really good, the people are really nice and getting to work with these guys is amazing.”.

He jokes (or maybe not) about a potential sequel being made here. We’ll soon see!

See our Recap of the Fan Event and Premiere:

Zachary Levi

Mark Strong

David F. Sandberg

Jack Dylan Grazer x Asher Dov Angel

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

In the early 00’s 16-year-old Catholic school girl, Alice (Natalia Dyer), goes onto an AOL chatroom that turns racy and discovers masturbation and becomes immediately guilt-ridden.

Everything about Yes, God, Yes is completely enthralling to watch. The direction and script by Karen Maine tells a beautiful story of self-discovery and accepting yourself regardless of what your religion states. It comes as no surprise that the ensemble for this Film won the SXSW Special Jury Recognition for Best Ensemble. And they are led by the powerful leading performance of Dyer who makes a star-making turn as Alice.

Yes, God, Yes screens at SXSW on March 8 at 9 PM at Stateside, March 9 at 6 PM at Alamo Lamar C and March 14 at 11:30 AM at Alamo Lamar D.

Fetching top price at Sundance earlier this year, Mindy Kaling-written and starring LATE NIGHT sees its Trailer debut!

Synopsis:

Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) is a pioneer and legendary host on the late-night talk-show circuit. When she’s accused of being a “woman who hates women,” she puts affirmative action on the to-do list, and—presto!—Molly (Mindy Kaling) is hired as the one woman in Katherine’s all-male writers’ room. But Molly might be too little too late, as the formidable Katherine also faces the reality of low ratings and a network that wants to replace her. Molly, wanting to prove she’s not simply a diversity hire who’s disrupting the comfort of the brotherhood, is determined to help Katherine by revitalizing her show and career—and possibly effect even bigger change at the same time.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release LATE NIGHT Friday, June 7, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)