Eight episode series TURN UP CHARLIE, the passion project of People Magazine’s reigning Sexiest Man Alive, Idris Elba, is that ray of light we need amidst out winter doldrums. The American production filmed in the UK, surfaces on Netflix in March.

The Comedy centers on former one hit wonder-turned-DJ, the titular Charlie (Elba), who still is figuring it out in life, sharing a living space with his aunt. Struggling to make ends meet, he encounters a change of luck when his best friend David (JJ Field) and wife Sara (Piper Perabo) return from the U.S. and entrust him as the nanny of their problematic daughter Gabrielle (Frankie Hervey). Charlie just may have find his soul mate in tough-talking Gabrielle, who inspires him with the honesty he needs to hear to get his life in order.  In the meantime, we get laughs at the expense of Elba‘s self-deprecation.

This is Idris Elba like you’ve never seen, getting a challenge in lighter fare, giving the real-life DJ and Musician a chance to stretch his wings in showing us a different side to his creativity.  Both Charlie and Gabrielle grow in different ways from one another and to be honest, it is a quick watch making these eight episodes highly-digestible.  We even foresee the series going a bit further and Perabo‘s Sara gives Turn Up Charlie a sense of familiarity that is warm. Keep your eyes peeled for some cameos including Craig David!

Learn more about TURN UP CHARLIE here. It streams Friday, March 19, 2019 on Netflix.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

We are onto Day Two of SXSW and it feels as though things are just taking flight!

We started our day at The Daily Show‘s Presidental Twitter Library for Donald J. Trump. This was one hell of an experience. As soon as you walk in there are caricatures of people Trump has given unique nicknames. As you walk through the wide lobby and go into different rooms there are many of his famous Tweets, and also some of his deleted ones. Nothing compares to the back room where there is a golden toilet that guests can sit on and get their photo taken. One unique, and hilarious, addition to this event is the startling alarm that blares whenever Trump actually publishes a new Tweet. The Daily Show has truly raised the bar high making this a memorable experience for Festival-goers at SXSW.

We then headed over to the Hilton Hotel where the ACLU was holding the Making Change On and Off The Screen Featured Session. On hand to talk was the Executive Director of the ACLU Anthony Romero, Actress Amber Heard, Author and Top Chef Host Padma Lakshmi, and Actor and Director Ike Barinholtz. Heard, Lakshmi and Barinholtz spoke about what it means to be ACLU Ambassadors in Women’s Rights, Immigration Rights and Voter Rights respectively. A big topic the four were speaking about was how everyone can be an Activist in the world today. “Everyone has the power to start a revolution,” Heard said. When it came to speaking about the change that has happened in Hollywood since the #MeToo Movement began Barinholtz said he sees change happening. “I think Showbiz is heading in the right direction,” he affirmed. After the hour-long discussion fans rushed up to the stage to take photos with Heard who was more than willing to spend time with fans.

Then it was time to hit the red carpets and premieres of some of the biggest movies at the Festival. First up was The Beach Bum, which is the latest Film for Director Harmony Korine. Two surprise appearances on the Red Carpet and at the Q&A following the Film were from Martin Lawrence and Jimmy Buffett, who both act alongside Matthew McConaughey. McConaughey and Isla Fisher were front and center at the Premiere. Review here.

The last Premiere of the night at The Paramount was Long Shot, starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen who were both in attendance. When guests first got into the theatre they were handed a complimentary concession token worth $10. Director Jonathan Levine, Rogen and Theron introduced the Film and contributed to a short Q&A following because they had another surprise in store for the audience. That surprise was that Boyz II Men were there and performed for all of us! They sang two songs, the second was “I’ll Make Love To You” with the band give roses to the women in the audience. The audience went absolutely insane. It appeared like Rogen and Theron enjoyed the performance also, as both were singing to the music. When the performance was over guests left the venue and realized another treat was in store. They gave everyone a jacket that is identical to the one Rogen wears in the Film. Review here.

It was a very eventful day, one we would love to relive all over again! We can only look forward to tomorrow which will be another eventful day. There are more Pop-Ups to be seen and Olivia Wilde will be making her directorial debut with Booksmart which will have its World Premiere tomorrow night. Check back for more!

Check out our gallery of the day below. Hover cursor right to move forward:

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Recently unemployed journalist Fred (Seth Rogen) reunites with his first crush, now Secretary of State Charlotte (Charlize Theron). When Charlotte decides to run for President she hires Fred to be her Speech Writer and the two fall for each other.

Long Shot is a hilarious Film with a bunch of heart. The Filmmakers have interwoven social rights issues, particularly on gender biases, into their Comedy. Making this an entirely entertaining Film that also has important, topical messages throughout. Theron is given a role that displays a different kind of vulnerability than we have seen her exhibit before, and she shines. Overall, this Film is a joy from start to finish.

Long Shot screens at SXSW on March 9 at 9:30 PM at The Paramount Theatre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The Beach Bum follows the hilarious misadventures of Moondog (Matthew McConaughey).

Writer-Director Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers) has yet again created a thrill ride of a Film but this time he’s all about finding bliss. He has an amazing Cast with an outrageously-funny lead performance by McConaughey. What makes The Beach Bum great is that there is an important message to be learned through Moondog’s madness, and it’s an important one.

The Beach Bum screens at SXSW on March 9 at 6PM at The Paramount Theatre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Vai is a Portmanteau Feature Film made by nine female Filmmakers from Pacific countries and follows one woman’s journey from childhood to adulthood.

This Film tells a beautiful story of finding one’s empowerment through embracing the culture and community we come from. It’s entirely unique in its nine different voices the story is told from and seven Pacific countries it’s filmed in. Although it is a different Actress throughout each period in Vai’s life, the Script, direction, and acting come together seamlessly never confusing the audience.

Vai screens at SXSW on March 8 at 6PM at Alamo Ritz 2, March 10 at 3:30PM at Alamo Lamar C, and March 13 at 4:45PM at Alamo Ritz 2.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This Documentary follows 2018 Nobel Prize winning scientist Jim Allison and his visionary quest to find a cure to Cancer by prompting a patients own immune system into defeating their disease.

The most essential element in any Documentary is finding an interesting person and compelling enough a story. Breakthrough has got those two key ingredients along, with a talented Filmmaker to bring this aspiring and hopeful story to the world. This Film tells Allison’s story in an entertaining and educational way.

Breakthrough screens at SXSW on March 9 at 1:45PM at Atom Theatre at Austin Convention Centre, March 12 at 7:45PM at Alamo Lamar D, and March 14 at 8:45PM at Zach Theatre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Salvage follows a group of residents from Yellowknife, who salvage what they can from one of the last and largest open garbage dumps in North America.

This beautiful Documentary captures the spirit of Yellowknife and the townspeople through their unique outlook on salvaging. Director Amy C. Elliot educates the audience on how salvaging can help us reduce the amount of waste in the world, and in turn, create a healthier earth. She has found funny and heartwarming people that each highlight a different reason behind their salvaging. Therefore, changing the way we all view the items we consume and throw away.

Salvage screens at SXSW on March 8 at 5:45PM at Alamo Ritz 1, March 12 at 8:45PM at Alamo Lamar E, and March 13 at 7:45PM at Alamo Ritz 1.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Go Back To China follows spoiled rich girl Sasha Li (Anna Akana) who has recently blown through half of her million dollar trust fund. When her father (Richard Ng) cuts her off completely, she is forced to go back to China and work at the family toy business to earn her trust fund back.

This semi-autobiographical Film is a comedic and heartfelt story about finding who you are by knowing where you come from. Writer-Director Emily Ting has a steady pace that focuses on character development and an emotional family story, resulting in a fresh take on this familiar genre. It’s also a great showcase for the talented Akana who commands the screen with an impressive starring role.

Go Back To China screens at SXSW on March 9 at 2PM at Stateside Theatre, March 10 at 11:15AM at Alamo Lamar B, and March 15 at 2:15PM at Alamo Lamar B.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Dana (Nöelle Schönwald) has been working as a prostitute to raise money to help with her daughter’s illness. When she sees a chance to break free from the mafia boss who exploits her, she takes her chance. But will she escape?

Director-Screenwriter Gabriela Calvache takes an unflinching look at human trafficking. She tells the story through Dana’s experiences: resorting to drugs to escape from her reality and being beaten whenever she doesn’t follow orders. Then there’s the world inside the mafia boss’s house, which houses many women from children to adults. Nöelle Schönwald carries the Film with intensity and shines brightest in the scenes leading up to the finale.

La Mala Noche screens at SXSW on March 9 at 4:45PM at Alamo Ritz 2, March 11 at 2PM at Alamo Lamar C, and March 14 at 10:45AM at Alamo Ritz 2.

Productions are in flight again around Toronto, utilizing our snowy conditions. Taking advantage of a snow-free afternoon, several stars in town working enjoyed milder weather for once.

LET IT SNOW

Filming for Netflix Feature Let it Snow has been underway and it stars a talented, young up-and-coming Cast including Odeya Rush, Kiernan Shipka, Liv Hewson, Shameik Moore and Isabela Moner. Based on the Book by John Green, Lauren Myracle and Maureen Johnson, the Romantic-Comedy centers on a group of people brought together by a snowstorm on Christmas Eve.

We spotted Matthew Noszka (Star), Moner (seen next in Dora The Explorer), Shipka (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Rush (Lady Bird) and Moore (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) out and about.

The Production wraps end of March.

SPINNING OUT

Spinning Out centers on a figure skater on the comeback trail as a Pairs skater, after sustaining an injury. The Netflix Series wraps in May and we spotted stars Willow Shields  (The Hunger Games) and Evan Roderick (Arrow) earlier out and about. The Series stars Kaya Scodelario (The Maze Runner) and January Jones (Mad Men) also.

LOCKE AND KEY

This Netflix Series based on Joe Hill’s Comic Book Series, is about three siblings brought together after their father’s gruesome murder. They discover a set of keys which must be used against an evil creature looking to hold power and possess the keys. Connor Jessup (American Crime), Jackson Robert Scott (It) and Emilia Jones (Brimstone) star. We spotted Laysla de Olivera out, and she appears next in Toronto-made Code 8 starring cousins Robbie and Stephen Amell, which also is set to stream on Netflix. Executive Producer Andy Muschietti (It, It: Chapter Two) is no stranger to Toronto having directed both Blockbusters here.

Production wraps in June.

FALLING
Green Book star Viggo Mortensen makes his directorial debut in Falling, which sees a conservative father who moves in with his gay son and his family in Los Angeles. Veteran Actor Lance Henriksen has been at work in Toronto, being greeted personally by his Co-Star and Director at the airport upon arrival.

The Production wraps late April.

THE HANDMAID’S TALE
Golden Globe and Primetime EMMY winner Elisabeth Moss certainly is a busy woman, currently filming season three of dystopian Drama THE HANDMAID’S TALE till April. Moss was just at SXSW in Austin promoting Jordan Peele‘s upcoming Film, US.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)