With the Oscars soon to come, it perhaps is time to shed some light on the lesser-recognized talents on Film’s biggest night – the Short Films. In the running this year for Oscar Gold this year include Buzkashi Boys and Curfew, both distributed internationally by Ouat Media. The two Pieces paint a picture of the grim realities of life in the contemporary World, in opposite Hemispheres.
CURFEW
Curfew – directed, written and acted by Shawn Christensen (Writer of 2011’s Abduction) – centers around a Man named Richie whom while at the lowest point in his life ready to end it all, gets an urgent call from his Sister Maggie (Kim Allen) to babysit his estranged Daughter Sophia (Fatima Ptacek). Despite finding it difficult to connect with his strictly-regimented Daughter, over the span of the night she gets answers to questions she’s always wanted to know, while he sees a glimmer of hope and gains a renewed purpose in life through the complex, smart and endearing Sophia.
Christensen who equally is adept as a Writer as he is an Actor, examines Circumstance and Choice in Curfew. Although it generally paints a cold, cynical World through the eyes of a Protagonist who has faced his share of disappointment, its message is an uplifting one of hope. We all need somebody and we all need something to live for if not ourselves.
Watch the Trailer here.
Order it on iTunes here.
BUZKASHI BOYS
Set in modern Afghanistan, Buzkashi Boys directed by Sam French, follows two young Boys determined to escape their grim lives in a war-torn Country. Rafi (Fawad Mohammadi) and Ahmad (Jawanmard Paiz) are Best Friends, who dream of becoming Buzkashi Players – the Country’s National Sport, which is similar to Polo but with a headless goat. The former is under pressure from his Father (Wali Talash) to follow his footsteps in becoming a Blacksmith, much to his chagrin. Ahmad is a Street Child whom after one day after deciding to steal a horse, causes Rafi‘s world to unravel – a sobering realization of the realities of life.
Beautifully shot under the watchful eye of Duraid Munajim, Buzkashi Boys is set against a gray landscape, perfectly encapsulating the endless cycle of hopelessness they have been born into. Sparsely-written yet remarkably reflective still, it is almost impossible not to feel a compelling need for change without the Film ever feeling manipulative.
Watch the Trailer here.
Both Curfew and Buzkashi Boys are a part of The Oscar Nominated Short Films of 2013: Live Action, playing currently a TIFF Bell Lightbox.
The amazing Katherine LaNasa might be a familiar face. She’s built a solid Career based on Television and Film Work, including turns on NYPD Blue, Judging Amy, Justice and Two and a Half Men. More recently, she starred in 2012 Box Office Hit The Campaign as Cam Brady’s (Will Ferrell) delightfully funny Wife, Rose. Later this year she will be seen in Thriller The Frozen Ground alongside John Cusack, 50 Cent and Nicolas Cage. The Film is based on true events surrounding the Hunt for Alaskan Serial Killer Robert Hansen.
LaNasa currently stars in NBC‘s Deception as Sophia Bowers. The Primetime Soap stars Argo Alumni Victor Garber and Tate Donovan, while Meagan Good plays the starring Role of Joanna, a Detective who finds herself welcomed into the wealthy Family of her Best Friend, Vivian who dies mysteriously of an Overdose.
I caught-up with the lovely LaNasa (just at TIFF last September for Jayne Mansfield’s Car) whose Actor Husband Grant Show (Melrose Place) was by her side, as she exited Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition). The still-handsome Show was nice enough to offer to take a Snap of us and after chatting with his Wife, I noticed her posing with an injured Middle Finger, which was dressed colourfully in a Cast and Ribbon. “This is my Gay Pride Finger, do you like it?”, she asks. I joked back, “Yes, I totally feel represented!”, which she laughed at before heading into her SUV. She revealed that she hurt her Finger filming the Season Finale of Deception recently. Now that’s really digging into your Role! Champ.
LaNasa is in Toronto the entire week Co-Hosting the popular Program between 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM EST.
Global Television airs Deception Monday nights at 9:00 PM EST/PAC. Click here for more.
Follow LaNasa on Twitter here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/NBC)
Canadian-born Actor/Musician Bruce Greenwood has solidified his standing as a certified Screen Veteran, having built a long and lasting career with work in some of Hollywood’s biggest Blockbusters all the way to the smaller Canadian Indies. You’ve seen him in National Treasure: Book of Secrets, I, Robot, Double Jeopardy, Super 8 and Star Trek, but he’s long been at it, making his screen debut back in 1982’s First Blood starring Sylvester Stallone. You’ve also seen him in Atom Egoyan‘s The Sweet Hereafter.
Greenwood who was born in Noranda, Quebec and is based out of Los Angeles, returned to Toronto today once again for a round of Press in support of the DVD/Blu-ray release of Flight. The Drama which has him starring alongside Denzel Washington, is up for two Oscars including Writing and Best Actor, seeing a release tomorrow. Amazon‘s got it available for only $14.99!
The Actor was up and at ’em early today, appearing on multiple editions of City‘s Breakfast Television from Toronto to Vancouver, before heading-off for more appearances, including a visit to CBC for George Stromboulopoulos Tonight.
Thrilled to get a Snap with the still-lookin’-great Greenwood who has a busy 2013 ahead with the release of The Place Beyond the Pines (March), Star Trek Into Darkness (May) and another re-teaming with Egoyan in Devil’s Knot (TIFF 2013?!!?). Another Thriller Wildlike does not yet have a scheduled date.
Watch Greenwood‘s Interview on Breakfast Television Toronto right here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Several Films are coming out of Sundance Film Festival in Park City this year with Oscar potential/buzz and winning the Audience Award, U.S. Drama is The Weinstein Co.’s Fruitvale, produced by Forrest Whitaker’s Significant Productions and OG Project. The Film from first-time Director Ryan Coogler, Fruitvale centers around Oscar Grant, who was shot to death on January 1, 2009 after Police responded to fight which took place aboard a Train in the Bay Area. Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Durand and Chad Michael Murray star in what is looking possibly like a TIFF 2013 Title. The Sessions which won the same Award last year also en route to premiering at TIFF 2012, while Helen Hunt who starred in the Film went on to receive an Oscar nomination in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her work.
The Weinstein Co. also is gaining a fair amount of buzz with Lovelace, the Biopic about Pornstar Linda Lovelace starring Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Sharon Stone, Juno Temple, James Franco and Wes Bentley. The Hollywood Reporter already is calling it, “smartly done”. Variety however has a more mixed reaction, but still feel the Film “goes down smooth”, despite its’ “Movie of the Week Melodrama”.
Watch this Clip below:
CBS Films also acquired Toy’s House, which on paper is reminiscent of Stand By Me, about three teenage Boys who try to make a life in the Wilderness. The Comedy stars Breakout Stars Nick Offerman, Allison Bride, Moises Arias and Nick Robinson.
Kill Your Darlings perhaps is the Beat Generation Film which those disappointed by On the Road, are waiting for. The Film centers around a Murder investigation surrounding three Icons of the era, Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe), William S. Burroughs (Ben Foster) and Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan). Variety praises the Drama, but admits “the Picture’s Pansexual content and intellectual focus will limit its specialty-market reach, but it should court a small, discerning audience.“. The Hollywood Reporter raves about Up-and-Comer DeHaan most, stating that he is a “febrile, magnetic presence, making no mystery of why Ginsberg, Kammerer and Kerouac would be so drawn to fickle Carr.”. Strong possibility we might see this one a TIFF 2013.
Ain’t Them Bodies Saints has gained lots of praise, the Drama starring Casey Affleck as an Outlaw who escapes prison to find his Wife (Rooney Mara) and Daughter, whom he has yet to meet. Variety feels that the Film is “too lyrical for mainstream expectations… but a powerful Indie Player”. Likewise, The Hollywood Reporter says “this is an out-and-out Art Film”. IFC Films releases in the U.S.
jOBS possibly is the most hotly-buzzed Flick to screen at Sundance this year and although reviews still are scarce for the Biopic of Apple Founder Steve Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher, The Hollywood Reporter states, “Regardless of his outsized stature, their ability to keep the movie frequently engaging is an indication of their studious dedication to the Project.”. Open Road Films releases in the U.S. on April 13, 2013, commemorating Apple‘s 37th Anniversary. (UPDATE 3/16/13: It has been confirmed that this date is now postponed to allow for a proper promotional strategy).
Watch the Teaser Trailer below:
Last year’s Sundance Film Festival spawned Beasts of the Southern Wild, which currently is nominated for four Oscars including Best Actress, Best Directing, Best Writing and Best Picture.
(Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.)
“I don’t know who I really am inside. I don’t know what I’ll be”.
Mr. Will Wong is thrilled to give Readers in OTTAWA, VANCOUVER and TORONTO a chance to attend the Advance Screening of the awesome BEAUTIFUL CREATURES! Screenings take place Wednesday, February 6, 2013.
A supernatural Love Story set in the South, Beautiful Creatures tells the tale of two star-crossed Lovers: Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich), a young Man longing to escape his small town, and Lena (Alice Englert), a mysterious new Girl. Together, they uncover dark secrets about their respective Families, their History and their Town.
Oscar® Nominee Richard LaGravenese (The Fisher King, P.S. I Love You) directs from his Adaptation of the first Novel in the best-selling Series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. The Film stars Alden Ehrenreich (Tetro), Alice Englert (Ginger & Rosa), Academy Award® Winner Jeremy Irons (Reversal of Fortune), Oscar® Nominee Viola Davis (The Help, Doubt), Emmy Rossum (TV’s “Shameless), Thomas Mann (Project X) and Academy Award® Winner Emma Thompson (Howard’s End, Sense and Sensibility). Rounding out the cast are Eileen Atkins, Margo Martindale, Zoey Deutch, Tiffany Boone, Rachel Brosnahan, Kyle Gallner, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Sam Gilroy.
Watch the Official Trailer in full below:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before February 2, 2013. Remember to indicate which City you’d like Passes for – Toronto, Ottawa or Vancouver – and if you have restricted Privacy Settings, please ensure you provide your Twitter account for me to reach you back at.
Double your chances by Re-Tweeting the below:
http://tinyurl.com/ah85b7p Enter to win a Double Pass to an Advance Screening of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES for TOR/OTT/VAN via @MRWILLW!
At last one of my fave Films of 2012 sees a release and I’m thrilled that together with VVS Films and Touchwood PR, we’re giving Readers a chance to own it. Premiering this past September at TIFF, End of Watch went on soon after to top the Box Office in North America and Critics responded overwhelmingly. The Film from David Ayer – Writer of Training Day – stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as young Los Angeles Police Officers who discover a secret that makes them the target of the Country’s most dangerous Drug Cartel. The riveting Action-Thriller also stars Anna Kendrick, Cody Horn and America Ferrera.
Watch the Trailer below:
End of Watch hits stores on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 in both standard DVD and DVD/Blu-ray Combo Packs.
The DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack includes:
-Deleted Scenes
-Audio Commentary with Writer/Director David Ayer
-Special Featurettes (Fate with a Badge, In the Streets, Women on Watch, Watch your Six, Honours, Alternate Ending)
Click here to order your DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack for just $18.97 (CAN) on Amazon today.
To enter to win, Canadian Readers can click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before January 23, 2013. Re-Tweet the below to double your chances:
http://tinyurl.com/acq7gln @MRWILLW wants me to win an END OF WATCH DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack. In stores 1/22. RT to win!
Read my Review for End of Watch right here.
(Photo credit: VVS Films)
Toronto hasn’t seen this much action since TIFF! Next Monday will be a day of epic proportions as the Stars descend upon the City for two of February’s most anticipated Films. I’ve been super-excited about 50/50 Director Jonathan Levine‘s Warm Bodies for quite some time now and the Adaptation of the Isaac Marion Zombie Novel will see both Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy) and Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four) here Monday, January 21, 2013. The Duo will be at MuchMusic‘s New.Music.Live to promote the February 1, 2013 release for eOne Films. Frozen Yogurt Chain Yogurty’s is giving away Prize Packs and Passes to a Private Screening. Details here.
If that weren’t exciting enough, equally-Hotties Josh Duhamel (Win a Date with Tad Hamilton) and Julianne Hough (Rock of Ages) will be promoting Safe Haven that same day and they are expected to walk the Red Carpet for the Canadian Premiere of the Romantic-Thriller later that night. The Adaptation of the Bestselling Nicholas Sparks Novel also will see the two Actors doing a round of Press earlier in the day in support of the February 14, 2013 release for Entertainment One‘s Alliance Films. Tickets for the Premiere will be made available via KISS 92.5 and also the Alliance Films Facebook Page.
I had the pleasure of meeting both Leading Ladies, Palmer and Hough, back in 2011 and they are both as gracious and lovely as they appear. We are blessed to host them once again and without a doubt, both Films are expected to perform massively.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
First making his debut in 1981 on TV Series Simon & Simon, Giovanni Ribisi has become a Household Name with an Acting Career which has seen both diversity and longevity. At just 38-years-old, the Los Angeles Native has built a Body of Work which has defined multiple generations. My Two Dads, The Wonder Years, Friends, Saving Private Ryan, Lost in Translation, Avatar, Ted. These are just a handful of his most memorable moments and the Father of Lucia/Husband of Supermodel Agyness Deyn finds himself returning to Toronto once again to promote eagerly-awaited Gangster Squad.
The Action/Drama has Ribisi starring as Officer Conway Keller, a technically-savvy Cop whose expertise enables the LAPD to successfully bug the Phone Calls of top Mobster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn), who controlled much of Los Angeles in the late ’40s through early ’50s. The Team responsible for the fire-with-fire Takedown – The Gangster Squad – are played by Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie, Michael Peña, Robert Patrick and Ribisi.
The road to release hasn’t been an easy one at all for Warner Bros. Tragedy struck on July 20, 2012 as the Aurora, Colorado Mass Shootings had taken place during a screening of their Marquee release, The Dark Knight Rises. Furthermore, the Trailer for Gangster Squad was slated to run prior to that Film, depicting a gratuitously violent Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Shootout. Understandably, the Scene had been deleted out of respect to the current Social Climate and all those affected by the Tragedy. Re-shoots were completed and now the Film is ready for its big debut, but one glaring question still remains.
One Journalist asks the Question on all of our minds – whether or not it is appropriate to release the gratuitously gun-violent Gangster Squad, considering that another Mass Shooting has since taken place in Newton, Connecticut? Ribisi tells a tightly-gathered group of Journalists at his Toronto Hotel, “There are some heinous crimes which have taken place”. He pauses and says, “I don’t think it’s fair to hold Hollywood accountable for this.”. On whether or not he feels the Final Product was affected adversely by Reshoots and the deletion of the mentioned Scene, he says with unwavering certainty, “It is an even better Film”.
I asked Ribisi about preparing for the role of Officer Conway Keller, and although he was diligent about placing himself in the mindset of the day including Chats with a 90-year-old Expert on Bugging, he insists most of his focus was poured into getting the Dynamic right with his fellow Gangster Squad mates. He tells me, “It all began in a conversation with Director Ruben Fleischer in the beginning about Conway being the role of the Conscience and also talking about the broader picture of Values in Society, especially in contrast to today’s day and age.”. “Of course you get into the History, you read Books about the context of Los Angeles around World War II and The Great Depression, which is so interesting”, he recalls. “The most important part though, was that Dynamic in Conway‘s Relationship with the rest of the Guys and what they ultimately wanted to do.”.
Despite working together with an interesting mix of Personalities on Gangster Squad, including Brolin who is known for being a Prankster on-set, the Actor remembers, “We were in an Environment where we really wanted to do our best” – meaning little time for play. As an interesting tidbit, this in fact is his fourth time he stars in a Film alongside Brolin. “He is a good Person and has a great Sense of Humour though”, Ribisi praises. Also we learned, he also spent a fair amount of time obsessing about whether or not scenes really were working, revealing “I mean you have the Actors, so the Talent definitely was there… we had Sexy Beast Ryan Gosling!”, he adds jokingly. “Wait, did I really just say that? What is he going to think?”.
On his favourite part about making Gangster Squad, he admits that it was all about the Cars and Clothing. “People used to get dressed. They really presented themselves to the World. I guess it was A Streetcar Named Desire where they saw Marlon Brando in a T-Shirt and then T-Shirts became prominent, but before that People wore ties and hats”, he reflects. “And then there were the Cars. The 1947 Chrysler Studebaker I drove, and of course the Night Club Slapsy Maxie‘s. You walked in and saw everyone dressed to the nines… it was just amazing!”.
We’ve all seen Ribisi grow-up throughout the years, transitioning from Child Actor, now to playing Father-type Roles. Need I remind you of his unforgettable work as a Teddy Bear-obsessed Father dancing to Tiffany in 2012 Box Office Smash Ted? I ask him about his key to success in surviving the Industry. He replies, “I’ve never really thought about myself in those terms to be honest. I mean, that also poses the question, “What defines success?”. He adds, “But if you ask me, I haven’t accomplished my best yet.”.
Following our Chat, Ribisi posed for a few Photos, before heading back to his Suite to freshen-up for the second-half of his busy Press Day. Although he had pondered a popular Hotspot at his Hotel, it was his loyalties to a certain Restaurant he loved last time he visited in the trendy west-end of the City determining his Dinner Plans.
Warner Bros. releases Gangster Squad on Friday, November 11, 2013.
To enter to win a Gangster Squad Prize Pack, which includes a size Large T-Shirt and two Shot Glasses, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. You should also be following on Twitter! Canadian Readers are welcome to enter. Your deadline is February 1, 2013.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Based upon the Novel of the same name by Jack Kerouac, On the Road finally will see a release after having been in-the-making for many years now. Filmed in Montreal and having premiered at TIFF 2012, the Film has some deep Canadian roots, especially considering that the Author himself, portrayed here by Sam Riley (Control) as his Alter-Ego Sal Paradise, was born to French-Canadian Parents.
The Story follows the wild and reckless Friendship between Sal and fellow Author Neal Cassady‘s Alter-Ego Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund). The two travel coast-to-coast without much money at all as Dean goes from one Lover, Marylou (Kristen Stewart), to another in Camille (Kirsten Dunst), while Sal is an aspiring young Writer, hungry for inspiration as he works towards completing a Novel. Set in the late ’40s, the two Friends meet several others along their Journey who would eventually go on to achieve greatness including Poet Allen Ginsberg, known as Alter-Ego Carlo Marx (Tom Sturridge). Fueled by Freedom, Alcohol, Drugs, Jazz and Sex – many varieties of the latter actually – we see these two young Men together inseparably and also drifting apart as life pulls them in separate directions.
Like the cadence and unpredictability of Jazz, Director Walter Salles captures beautifully the spontaneity of his Characters. Throughout this wild ride, we grow along the way with Sal and Dean, also feeling remorse for their mistakes. Shining brightest of all here is Hedlund who bares his soul finally after showing some flashes in brilliance in Tron 3D and Country Strong (yes, I sat through both with high hopes!), absolutely irresistible at every turn, humanizing someone so tragically flawed and perhaps, unlikeable. I walked away not feeling judgmental, but more sympathetic – the mark of a strong performance. Riley also holds his own amongst an immensely talented Ensemble, as does Sturridge as the hopelessly lovelorn Ginsberg. Kristen Stewart and Kirsten Dunst regretfully are under-utilized and under-written, as a result falling flat.
Alliance Films release On the Road in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal on January 18, 2013 and opens in Ottawa on February 15, 2013, giving Moviegoers an edgier alternative.
2012 was a memorable year for Music, with several standouts in Music and Film. I was busier than ever chasing Stars in the City, with several Celebrities having good reason to visit Toronto this year, including one of the most star-studded TIFFs in recent memory. Let’s take a walk down Memory Lane in honour what I feel were the most memorable Films, Pop Songs and personal Celebrity Encounters!
Top Ten Movies of 2012
1. Argo
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
3. Django Unchained
4. Ted
5. Silver Linings Playbook
6. The Hunger Games
7. End of Watch
8. The Sessions
9. Les Misérables
10. Rock of Ages
Top Ten Singles of 2012
1. Brokenhearted – Karmin
2. What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger) – Kelly Clarkson
3. Madness – Muse
4. Midnight City – M83
5. We are Young – fun. ft. Janelle Monáe
6. Dance Again – Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull
7. Skyfall – Adele
8. Wide Awake – Katy Perry
9. Starships – Nicki Minaj
10. Gangnam Style – PSY
Top Celebrity Encounters of 2012
Steven Tyler, Paula Abdul, Sheena Easton, Alanis Morissette, Nelly Furtado, Carly Rae Jepsen, PSY, The Wanted, One Direction, Ed Sheeran, fun., Karmin, Emeli Sandé, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Quentin Tarantino, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Robin Williams, Jon Voight, Malcolm McDowell, Viggo Mortensen, Matt Dillon, Andrew McCarthy, Rob Lowe, Linda Hamilton, Ben Affleck, Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Joe Manganiello, Aaron Johnson, Ben Whishaw, Dane DeHaan, Joel Kinnaman, Daniel Radcliffe, Josh Hutcherson, Zac Efron, Logan Lerman, Jeremy Irvine, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Michael Shannon, Patrick Wilson, John Krasinski, Adam Sandler, Tracy Morgan, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Mann & Judd Apatow, Allison Williams, Meg Hilty, Lisa D’Amato, Cobie Smulders, Zoe Kazan & Paul Dano, Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Mélanie Laurent, Marisa Tomei, Eva Mendes, Lily Collins, Alice Englert, Elle Fanning, Kristin Scott Thomas, Christina Hendricks, Kim Kardashian, Seann William Scott, Stephen Amell, Ricki Lake, Connie Chung, Jacky Cheung, George Takei, Mike Smith, Rosie Napravnik, Frankie Dettori, Andy Roddick & Brooklyn Decker and Jeremy Lin.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com