If there’s one Film coming out of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival with a lot of buzz, that would be THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO. The Drama directed by Joe Talbot centers on a man searching for home in a city that seems to have left him behind. It stars Co-Writer Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors, Rob Morgan, Thora Birch, Danny Glover and Finn Wittrock. Our Amanda Gilmore spotted Fails, Majors and Morgan causing a commotion with autograph seekers after the Film receive a warm reception last night at the Festival.  A24 distributes the Film, while Brad Pitt‘s Plan B Entertainment produces. We hear there were 100+ people on-standby to screen the Film tonight!

Biographical Sports Dramedy FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY which is based on the true story of WWE star Paige is a surprise addition to the Festival, set to premiere tomorrow.  Paige who is played in the February release by Florench Pugh, was spotted about and about with Pugh. Many are wondering if Dwayne Johnson might be making an appearance at Sundance now too!

While we know Wendi McLendon-Covey mostly for her comedic work, she comes to Sundance with IMAGINARY ORDER. The Drama sees an obsessive-compulsive suburban mom’s sexual and moral unravelling and fans went wild for the star who was seen out doing press.

Oscar-nominated Chiwetel Ejiofor makes his directorial debut with THE MAN WHO HARNESSED THE WIND, based on the Novel by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. Ejiofor also writes the Adaptation and stars in the the Drama. Amanda spotted him out being very giving to fans!

She speaks  highly of THE FAREWELL which sees breakout star of Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, Awkwafina, stretch her dramatic wings. Check-out her review here. The Film sold for $7 million to A24.

And of course, she was lucky enough to get into a screening of hotly-buzzed EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE starring Zac Efron! He really is that good in it we’re hearing. More here.

Some Snaps from Amanda:

Jonathan Majors, The Last Black Man in San Francisco

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

When a family finds out that the matriarch of their family, Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen), has terminal stage four lung cancer, they travel from America and Japan to pay their last respects. However, the Chinese tradition is to keep this news from Nai Nai until it is absolutely necessary to tell her. This is difficult for her granddaughter, Billi (Awkwafina), who cares deeply for Nai Nai and expresses all of her emotions.

The Farewell is perfect showcase for the amazing talent that is Awkwafina. She gets her chance to shine in a lead character role, displaying a wide range of emotions that cement her career ahead after a fantastic 2018 which included Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean’s 8. This is based on a true story and is beautifully brought to the screen from Writer-Director Lulu Wang. It’s loaded with Comedy and rich Drama that will touch anyone lucky enough to see it.

The Farewell screens at Sundance on Fri., Jan 25 at 12:15PM at Eccles PC, Sat., Jan 26 at 1PM at Redstone 2 PC and 9:15PM at Grand SLC, Tues., Jan 29 at 9:15PM at Sundance Resort, Wed., Jan 30 at 12PM at Library PC, and Fri., Feb 1 at 8:30AM at Egyptian PC.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The Nightingale takes place in 1825 on the British colony of Van Diemen’s Land, which is now known as Tasmania, Australia. The Film follows the story of a young Irish convict, Clare (Aisling Franciosi), who is serving time in order to be given her ticket to go back home by British officer Hawkins (Sam Claflin). One night, Hawkins and fellow officers, under his directives, commit horrific acts of violence against Clare, her husband, and their newborn child. This sets her out on a hunt, with the help of Aboriginal guide Billy (Baykali Ganambarr), through the wilderness to find them and exact her revenge.

This is a harrowing effort for Writer-Director Jennifer Kent (The Babadook). Kent never shies away from the traumatizing acts these men repeatedly carry-out. She forces the audience to watch with great anxiety and feel every ounce of pain Clare is experiencing. It isn’t only Kent‘s pays meticulous attention to details in creating an atmosphere. Her focus is the injustice the indigenous people and women convicts faced. We get a balanced view between Clare’s perspective and that of the Aboriginal People, particularly Billy, who helps her track down the men who savagely attacked her family.

The entire Cast is great, with a breakthrough performance from Franciosi, who we have previously seen in BBC’s The Fall. She is a powerhouse who never seems to run out of steam. She displays every range of emotion from pain, happiness, confusion, fear and rage without having to say a word. Claflin is unlike any other character we’ve ever seen from him. He disappears into the sinister Hawkins, giving one of his most frightening and memorable performances to date.

The Nightingale screens at Sundance on Fri., Jan 25 at 8:30PM at The MARC PC, Sat., Jan 26 at 6:30PM at Rose Wagner SLC, Mon., Jan 28 at 11:30PM at Prospector Square PC, and Wed., Jan 30 at 12PM at The Ray PC.

The 2019 Sundance Film Festival officially is at its peak point and the starpower has lit-up Park City. Stars continue to pour-in to present their Films at the Festival and drawing the most fandemonium today was Zac Efron who stars as serial killer Ted Bundy in EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE. Debuting new bleach-blonde hair, Efron had security flanking him tight as fans tried getting close to him. Amanda Gilmore, who is at Sundance on assignment for us, tells us the commotion was so great that his Co-Star Lily Collins almost couldn’t get into her vehicle. Their Film premieres tonight.

Daniel Radcliffe is at Sundance to present TV Series MIRACLE WORKERS, which will air on TBS in the U.S.and has him starring as an angel alongside Steve Buscemi who most stop the world from destruction and make two people fall in love. Amanda reports Radcliffe was gracious with fans, stopping for selfies and autographs amidst the crowding.

We are hearing Writer/Director Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) is coming back strong with Midnight Programme selection THE NIGHTINGALE about a young Irish woman (Aisling Franciosi) who chases after a British officer (Sam Claflin) after to exact revenge on a violent act he committed on her family. Review here.

See some of the talent Amanda spotted today:

Zac Efron, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

Stay tuned. We’ve got lots more to report and more reviews to come.

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

GLASS sees it through at the top of the Box Office a second consecutive week with $16.6 million from 3,844 theatres for Universal Pictures, a two week tally of $71.1 million.

THE UPSIDE still is showing no signs of going downhill, in second with $11.1 million in its third week, a total $62 million for STX Entertainment/Elevation Pictures.

In third is THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING with $7.1 million from 3,521 theatres for 20th Century Fox.  It gets a fantastic 86% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

In fourth is AQUAMAN with $7 million for Warner Bros., bringing its gross to $316 million domestically over six weeks.

SERENITY debuts in ninth with $4.2 million for Elevation Pictures/Avion Pictures from 2,561 theatres. It gets 22% on the Tomatometer and a D+ CinemaScore.

ESCAPE ROOM rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.6 million for Sony Pictures, a total $47.2 million over four weeks.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

After The Wedding follows Isabel (Michelle Williams), who runs an orphanage in India. When the orphanage is in need of money she receives a substantial donation, but it comes with a catch. Isabel will have to travel to New York City and meet a successful business woman (Julianne Moore) to convince her she deserves the money. However, when she arrives she is forced to examine her past.

The Film is the American remake of Susanne Bier’s Oscar-nominated Film of the same name. This time around, Director Bart Freundlich (Moore‘s real-life husband) decided to make the two leads women, rather than Bier’s male leads. This results in a refreshing take on the original story while allowing for substantial performances from Williams and Moore. Both women are a force in their individual scenes, yet when they are together the fireworks ignite. Their performances and this tender family story make for an impactful viewing experience.

After The Wedding screens at Sundance on Thurs., Jan 24 at 5:30PM at both Eccles PC and The Ray PC, Fri., Jan 25 at 9AM at Eccles PC and 9:15PM at The Grand SLC, Sat., Jan 26 at 9PM at Resort Sundance, Wed., Jan 30 at 5:30PM at  Prospector PC, and Sat., Feb 2 at 5:30PM at The MARC PC.

It was a star-studded second day at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and our Amanda Gilmore was out and about capturing all the excitement in between her screenings.

She tells us TROOP ZERO is the one to look out for next Awards Season as the feel-good Film produced by and starring Viola Davis premiered to rousing reception. Check out her Review here.

She also saw the Adaptation of popular Richard Wright Novel, NATIVE SON which sees Best Picture-winning Moonlight star Ashton Sanders back in the spotlight again. Her thoughts on the Film here.

Real-life couple Director Bart Freundlich and Oscar winner Julianne Moore team-up on a Remake of Danish film AFTER THE WEDDING, which also stars Michelle Williams. Amanda‘s review here.

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Amanda‘s Recap:

Throughout the day there were second screenings from films that premiered last night and into the afternoon and evening their were new premieres to come. One of those premieres was Shia LaBeouf’s screenwriting debut Film, which is semi-autobiographical, Honey Boy. When the Film finished, there was a strong applause and since then it has been on our radar. Another Film that premiered tonight was Screenwriter and Actor Mindy Kaling’s Late Night. This Film follows a female Late Night Talk Show Host, which is definitely something topical right now. It is one of the hardest tickets to get at this year’s Festival. Kaling has been a steady force within the industry since her days on The Office. Now IMDb has given Kaling the STARMeter Award today.

Out on Main Street, many stars were found walking, doing press and hitting some parties. Some people spotted today were Mindy Kaling, Nick Robinson, Julianne Moore, Jada Pinkett Smith, Malin Åckerman, Billy Crudup and more.

A majority of these actors opted to walk down the street to each of their interviews rather than taking a vehicle. And a lot of them took their time to stop for fans on the street even though a lot were running around to their next interviews.

Tonight also was the Sundance Kickoff Party that we were lucky enough to attend. The atmosphere was filled with high energy and conversations about the best films viewed so far. After overhearing conversations it is clear that many people loved Troop Zero, while others had a lot to say about Documentaries.

Check-out some of the awesome star sightings by Amanda in and around the hub of the Festival:

Ashton Sanders, Native Son

There is still a lot of Festival left! Tomorrow Zac Efron will be in town to premiere his Ted Bundy Biopic, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, which just dropped its Trailer today. There is a lot of hype surrounding it so far at Sundance. There will be some star power hitting the Midnight Programme tomorrow night with Dakota Johnson and Armie Hammer’s new film Wounds. It is sure to be a day full of excitement and we look forward to bringing you all the latest, so stay tuned.

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Troop Zero follows young alien believing Christmas (Mckenna Grace) as she rallies a group of child outcasts to join her in becoming a Birdie. None of them wants to be apart of the group, including their troop mama (Viola Davis), yet they agree when they hear they might have the chance to make a recording for NASA. This recording will be sent into outer space so that other life forms, if they exist, can hear them. All they have to do is win enough badges to become a Birdie and win the Birdie Jamboree.

This Film is the feel-good movie of this Festival. It has everything a great movie has and more. The tight, heartwarming and funny Script, written by Lucy Alibar, is a winner. Then there are the tremendous performances by the entire Cast. Grace is a superb force that further cements her rapidly-emerging career. Davis is at her best as the fearless and caring troop mama. Then there is Alison Janney who plays principal and rival troop mama Miss Massey. Janney undeniably is loveable which in turn makes this villain of a character funny and layered. The entire Cast work perfectly together, including the young cast, to bring this beautiful and endearing story to life. This is the Film that people will be talking about for the entire year.

Troop Zero screens at Sundance on Fri., Feb 1 at 6:30PM at Eccles PC, Sat., Feb 2 at 8:30PM at Prospector Square Theatre PC, and Sun., Feb 3 at 6:30PM at Rose Wagner SLC.

It’s Zac Efron like you’ve never imagined! EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE premieres at Sundance and here’s the brand-new Trailer!

Synopsis:
A chronicle of the crimes of Ted Bundy from the perspective of Liz, his longtime girlfriend, who refused to believe the truth about him for years.

Starring: Zac Efron, Lily Collins, Kaya Scodelario, Jeffrey Donovan, Angela Sarafyan, Dylan Baker, Brian Geraghty, Haley Joel Osment, James Hetfield, with Jim Parsons and John Malkovich

See the Trailer:

VVS Films release EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE 2019.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

After a rousing reception at TIFF ’18, WILD ROSE gets pencilled in for a proper release! Check out the new Trailer!

Synopsis:
Rose-Lynn Harlan, played by BAFTA Rising Star nominee Jessie Buckley (Beast), is bursting with raw talent, charisma and cheek. Fresh out of jail and with two young kids, all she wants is to get out of Glasgow and make it as a country singer in Nashville. Her mum Marion (Julie Walters) has had a bellyful of Rose-Lynn’s Nashville nonsense. Forced to take responsibility, Rose-Lynn gets a cleaning job, only to find an unlikely champion in the middle-class lady of the house (Sophie Okonedo). Directed by Tom Harper, Wild Rose is an uplifting story with an original soundtrack about family, dreams and reality, and three chords and the truth.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release WILD ROSE May 2019.

(Photo/video credit: One Films)