#SXSW: “THE END OF US”

Review by David Baldwin Nick (Ben Coleman) and Leah (Ali Vingiano) have been growing apart when we first meet them. One evening, Leah decides she has finally had enough and breaks up with Nick. She wants him to move out of the home they share, but the morning after brings a new unforeseen hiccup – a statewide stay-at-home order called due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the broken- up couple is stuck living together, unsure of what the future holds for themselves and whatever remains of ... Read more

#SXSW: “EXECUTIVE ORDER”

By Amanda Gilmore In a dystopian near-future Brazil, an authoritarian government orders all citizens of African descent to move to Africa. This creates chaos that results in Antônio (Alfred Enoch) being separated from his pregnant partner Capitu (Taís Araujo). Although Antônio isn’t aware that Capitu is still in Rio de Janeiro with an underground resistance movement, he stays in their apartment and refuses to leave the country without her. At ... Read more

#SXSW: “THE OXY KINGPINS”

By Amanda Gilmore This informative Documentary uncovers the story of how a network of pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and retailers worked together to create the opioid crisis. Co-Directors Brendan FitzGerald and Nick August-Perna dive deep into the corruption from people at the top to the victims. We get to hear from people who illegally sold oxycontin, a lawyer attempting to hold the corporations accountable and one recovering addict. Through these ... Read more

#SXSW: “POTATO DREAMS OF AMERICA”

By Mr. Will Wong Directed and written by Wes Hurley, this autobiographical Dark Comedy details his journey from a child fleeing the USSR with his mail order bride mother, to the United States. The Film through its central character Potato (Tyler Bocock), looks at his sexual identity and awakening with quirky humour as he goes through high school trying to conceal this part of his life from his adoptive father and homophobic schoolmates. It also examines the American fetishization of ... Read more

#SXSW: “INTRODUCING, SELMA BLAIR”

By Mr. Will Wong Rachel Fleit directs this heartfelt and intimate portrait of the talented Selma Blair. After going public with her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2018, the Actress known for her roles in Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, Hellboy and many more fan favourites, has lived her life as an open book as she bravely battles against the illness. Just picked-up by Discovery + in the U.S., the Film first will premiere at SXSW this week and without giving too much away, it grapples ... Read more

#SXSW: SXSW 2021 FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW

SXSW 2021 kicks-off March 16 and runs through March 20, 2021 this year. Team Mr. Will is thrilled to bring you coverage virtually this year, giving you the scoop on some of the hottest titles to premiere at the Festival. The Film Festival component of SXSW includes digital Premieres, Screenings, and Q&As, a total 75 films, 84 short films, 30 special events, 5 episode premieres, 6 episodic pilots and more. Here are some of Team's most anticipated titles of SXSW 2021 which should be on your ... Read more

#SXSW: “SHOW ME THE PHOTO: THE STORY OF JIM MARSHALL” REVIEW

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 ... Read more

#SXSW: “YES, GOD, YES” REVIEW

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 ... Read more

#SXSW: “SWORD OF TRUST” REVIEW

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong When Cynthia (Jillian Bell) is left with a sword as her sole inheritance after her grandfather dies, she and her girlfriend Mary (Michaela Watkins) try to sell it for a lot of money by saying it's proof of the South winning the Civil War. Director Lynn Shelton has crafted a Film that studies how people will believe anything, no matter how absurd, if they want to. She uses the extremely far-right as her believers. They believe that this sword and the ... Read more

#SXSW: “THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong After Casey (Jesse Eisenberg) gets brutally beaten on a suburban street he decides to learn how to defend himself by taking karate classes. Writer-Director Riley Stearns has created a dark-comedy with dead-pan humour that makes for one fun ride. There are funny shocking twists that happen throughout which continue the story along, however, it really is Eisenberg who masters the Film. He's completely committed no matter what happens in each scene and he's in ... Read more