Marty (Colin Farrell) is a Screenwriter strapped for inspiration, finding himself entangled in a fatal web after his Friend Billy (Sam Rockwell) kidnaps the beloved Shih Tzu Bonny of dangerous Criminal, Charlie (Woody Harrelson). Things spiral dangerously out of control as Charlie closes-in on solving the mystery of who kidnapped his Dog at all costs, sparing lives if need be, while inspiration is being thrown at Marty from all directions at a pace he can’t quite handle. Joining-in on the journey is Hans (Christopher Walken), a reformed Man with good intentions. Ultimately, Martin McDonagh’s (In Bruges) Seven Psychopaths becomes more than just a story about a Man and his search for his Dog, but more so a funny clash of quirky personalities, violent tempers and blazing guns.
This Winner of the TIFF 2012 Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award is perhaps one of the more violent Films in recent memory which oddly at once has peaceful undertones. What makes Seven Psychopaths unique is that the Movie itself becomes the actual Story and we never are quite sure where these twists and turns will lead us. Somewhat Tarantino-esque, minus some of the extravagance, the Comedy is a look at the meaninglessness of Violence, told through the superb work of its Ensemble Cast, including Scene-stealer Rockwell who makes Psychopathic look fun and well-meaning, while Walken, Farrell and adorably doe-eyed Bonny the Shih Tzu (yes, she has a Facebook Fanpage!) balance perfectly the Chaos with their Reason and Humanity.
This might go over a few heads, but those who will love it will be wildly entertained and maybe even find it bloody cute. Alliance Films releases Seven Psychopaths on October 12, 2012.
Chronicling the Mission by a NAVY SEALS Team which led to the killing of Osama bin Laden, Kathryn Bigelow‘s Zero Dark Thirty was just about on everyone’s Wish List to premiere at TIFF 2012. Although it wasn’t to be, we see good reason why this has been kept under wraps as really it looks that good a Film.
Jason Clarke‘s Monologue is perfect, paired over this intense two minutes and fifteen seconds.
Watch the brand-new Trailer in full below:
Sony Pictures releases Zero Dark Thirty on December 19, 2012. This Oscars Race just got real.
(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)
Beautiful, remarkably talented and most of all, sweet as pie, Australian Actress Abbie Cornish always makes my day! Check-out this lovely note she jot for me today after stopping by for a quick visit at the RoboCop Set here in Toronto!
I was lucky enough to get a Snap with Cornish not only at TIFF 2011, but also last month again as she was so gracious with Fans at Windsor Arms Hotel’s InStyle Magazine Party. Cornish truly is a Class Act and I am so excited about where her Career is going after falling in love her after seeing her performance in Bright Star and also the superb Limitless.
Just last week, the stunning Cornish attended the Los Angeles Premiere for Seven Psychopaths, which had premiered at TIFF 2012 and without skipping a beat, she’s now back in Toronto and ready to work again!
Follow Cornish on Twitter here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Oh yeah, HIM! Israeli-born, but now American-based Actor Oded Fehr is a familiar face to many Resident Evil Fans, but those of you who followed Cult Hit Charmed, might also have a fond memory or two of him. Currently in Toronto filming Covert Affairs, in which he stars in the recurring role of Eyal Lavin, Fehr was spotted out earlier this evening grabbing some Indian Cuisine after a day at work. On the well-received Series, he plays a Mossad Operative who is an Ally of Annie (Piper Perabo).
Surprised to be recognized, Fehr was super-nice to to stop for a quick Snap after a long day. “Nice Camera!”, he said after spotting my Olympus E-PL2! We got to talking about some of his famous Neighbours staying in his vicinity and he tells me two words about the Cast of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, “Nice Kids!”.
The Actor recently made an appearance at TIFF 2012 for the Red Carpet Premiere of Inescapable, alongside Marisa Tomei, Joshua Jackson and Alexander Siddig.
Covert Affairs currently is in its third season on Showcase in Canada, while news of a fourth season with 16 episodes being green-lit just was announced two weeks ago.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Is she this year’s Uggie? Bonny the Shih Tzu has only been acting since she was 10 months old (equivalent to 13 human years), but this little Lady is already stamping herself as a Star on the rise. Bonny stars in TIFF 2012 Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award Winner Seven Psychopaths, stealing the show from her famous Co-Stars Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, Tom Waits, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Gabourey Sidibe and Olga Kurylenko. The Dark Comedy has her starring as the Canine Companion to a dangerous Criminal (Harrelson), getting kidnapped by troubled Actor and Dog Thief, Rockwell. Before we know it, the stakes are raised and no lives are spared to get Bonny back.
Was fame written in the stars for Bonny? The adorable tri-coloured Shih Tzu actually is a Rescue Dog, now owned by the Performing Animal Troupe, a Movie Animal Company. She is trained currently by Claire Dore who praises her incredible focus and ability to tune things out around her.
Okay Miss Bonny, we’d like to see you tune this out! My little Boy Billy is just smitten with you and had one question to ask:
Alliance Films releases Seven Psychopaths on October 12, 2012.
“Like” Bonny the Shih Tzu on Facebook!
UPDATE: It appears there is a romance looming! Billy received this reply from Bonny on Facebook:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Kevin Winters – Getty Images)
The 13th Annual Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival kicks-off next week in Toronto, running between Wednesday, October 10 through Sunday, October 14, 2012. With 70 Canadian and International Films being showcased this year, Movie Lovers have a chance to connect with Filmmakers who are bringing to light the issues impacting us on a global scale. Galas, Child & Youth Programs, Industry Series, Panels and Screenings (some free even!) highlight the Festival.
Here are some of the Films to look-out for:
LOST RIVERS – Caroline Bâcle (CAN) World Premiere, Opening Night Gala Presentation
Planet in Focus’ 2010 Green Pitch Winner Lost Rivers delves into the often overlooked rich-history of rivers within Canada and around the World. Once flowing through nearly every developed city in the world, rivers provided the infrastructure upon which modern metropolises were built. In this adventurous and revelatory look into the disappearance and recent resurfacing of these historic waterways, Lost Rivers leads us down the drain into vast underground museums of urban development.
CHASING ICE – Jeff Orlowski (USA) Canadian Premiere, Closing Night Gala Presentation
James Balog, National Geographic Photographer and Founder of the Extreme Ice Survey—an innovative, long-term photography project that merges art and science—sets out with his posse of young explorers to the Arctic with the aim of giving a “visual voice” to the planet’s changing ecosystems. Setting up their high-tech time-lapse cameras in sub-zero temperatures, the adventurers come face to face with their own mortality and the all-too-real signs of climate change. Balog and his team capture the magnificent glaciers in motion through film and photography in a way that has never been seen before and, with the alarming rate of glacial recession, is likely to never be seen again. With breathtaking images of a land that is rapidly shifting, Chasing Ice is a must-see film that takes us to the precipice of a disappearing world and proposes a challenge for change.
NORTHWORDS – Geoff Morrison (Canada) Toronto Premiere
Northwords is a new transmedia documentary project that is hosted by Shelagh Rogers, the Voice of CBC Radio’s popular book show The Next Chapter. The project follows a group of Canada’s finest writers as they travel to awe-inspiring Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Labrador to explore, have adventures and create new works that add to the continuing story of the north.
TRASHED – Candida Brady (UK) Canadian Premiere, Special Presentation
Academy Award-winning Actor Jeremy Irons pulls up his Wellies to cross littered beaches in Lebanon, inspect prison compost heaps in Yorkshire and investigate a state-of-the-art recycling plant in San Francisco on his voyage of discovery about the garbage we create, every hour of every day, across the planet. Journeying from Iceland to Indonesia, Irons speaks to Scientists, Politicians and ordinary Citizens whose health and livelihoods have been affected by pollution.
FUTURE WEATHER – Jenny Deller (USA) Canadian Premiere
When her single mom runs off to California to pursue her dream of becoming a make-up artist for the stars, Lauduree (Perla Haney-Jardine, Kill Bill Vol. 2, Untraceable), an eighth grader passionate about the environment, clings to her rural home and a science experiment she hopes will help slow climate change. During this troubled time, Lauduree is forced to come to terms with her relationships with the other women in her life: Ms. Markovi, the Science Club Teacher she idolizes (Lili Taylor, Six Feet Under, I Shot Andy Warhol) and Greta, her caustic grandmother superbly played by Amy Madigan (Gone Baby Gone, Field of Dreams).
Click here for a full list of Films complete with Trailers and click here to buy Tickets!
(Photo credit: Blenheim Films)
Fox Searchlight Canada and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win a Double Pass to see acclaimed Dramedy THE SESSIONS, which comes out of TIFF 2012 with rave reviews!
Based on the poignantly optimistic autobiographical writings of California-based Journalist and Poet Mark O’Brien, THE SESSIONS tells the story of a Man (John Hawkes) who lived most of his life in an iron lung who is determined – at age 38 – to lose his Virginity. With the help of his Therapist (Helen Hunt) and the guidance of his Priest (William H. Macy), he sets out to make his dream a reality.
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before Sunday, October 21, 2012. Please specify which City you would like Passes for. If you have Privacy Settings enabled on Facebook, please ensure you include some way for me to reach you back. Good luck!
Release dates for THE SESSIONS are as follows, with Advance Screenings scheduled the same weeks respectively:
Toronto: October 26th
Vancouver: November 2nd
Calgary: November 16th
Edmonton/Ottawa: November 21st
Watch the Trailer below:
See my Snaps of Helen Hunt and John Hawkes, who recently were in-town for TIFF 2012!
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
With attentions turned to her Ginger & Rosa Co-Stars Christina Hendricks and Elle Fanning, this Actress went under the radar of many at TIFF 2012, but I had my eyes peeled! Make no mistake, she is going to be a major Star this time next year. Alice Englert is the Daughter of brilliant Director Jane Campion and Filmmaker Colin Englert, hailing from New Zealand. She will be starring as Lena in the upcoming Film Adaptation of Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl‘s Beautiful Creatures.
The Story centers around Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich) who meets the mysterious Lena, both of them uncovering v. dark secrets about their Families. Beautiful Creatures stars also Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emma Thompson, Emily Rossum and Kyle Gallner. Thrilled also to see Thomas Mann (Project X) advance to this next step of his Career – was amazing getting to chat with him last year as he was in-town!
Warner Bros. releases Beautiful Creatures right in-time for Valentine’s Day on February 13, 2013.
Watch the Trailer below:
I don’t think I’ve posted it yet, but here’s my Snap with Englert from TIFF 2012:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Bros.)
After a few weak weekends in a row, Moviegoers finally showed their Box Office support this weekend with a big debut for Sony Pictures’ Hotel Transylvania. The Animated Feature starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez and Kevin James debuts with $43 million from 3,349 theatres across North America. The Film debuted at TIFF just a few weeks back. See my Snaps with the Cast here!
Sony Pictures/Alliance Films earned big numbers from Action-Thriller, Looper, starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the Film also receiving a Premiere here at TIFF a couple weeks back as the Opening Night Gala. It earns $21.2 million from 2,992 theatres, making it a Sony Pictures Top Two in the U.S., opening with resoundingly strong reviews at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Last week’s number one Film End of Watch continues to perform well in third with $8 million, tallying at a two-week total of $25.9 million, exceeding all expectations for Open Road and VVS Films with a $7 million budget. Trouble with the Curve and Thriller The House at the End of the Street follow closely behind in fourth and fifth with $7.5 million and $7.1 million respectively.
Musical-Comedy Pitch Perfect, debuts in sixth impressively with $5.2 million from only 335 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Film is Anna Kendrick‘s second film in the Top Ten along with End of Watch this weekend, and it likely will expand to bigger numbers in coming weeks.
Best Picture Candidate The Master showing in 856 theatres only, continues to perform fairly well with $2.71 million in ninth spot for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films, while Won’t Back Down starring Maggie Gyllenhaal (two Gyllenhaals in the Top Ten) and Viola Davis, rounds out the Top Ten for 20th Century Fox with $2.7 million from 2,515 theatres.
Adapted from Stephen Chbosky‘s popular Novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower easily is my favourite Film of 2012 thus far. Driven by some superb performances from an immensely-talented young Ensemble Cast, fronted by Logan Lerman as High School Freshman Charlie, the Coming of Age Drama will have you wishing you were young forever. Also wearing Director and Screenwriter’s Cap, Chbosky delivers an authentic and heartfelt range of emotions, touching upon themes of love, loss and friendship, told through a trio of three beautifully-written and complex Characters.
Dealing with his own set of personal issues, including the loss of a dearly-loved Aunt and Best Friend, Charlie transitions into High School life with the help of spunky High School Seniors, Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson). With the friendship of these Step-Siblings, he breaks out of his introverted shell, discovering what it means to feel acceptance for the first time in his life as an Outsider. With a cloud of uncertainty dwelling over their Friendship as Patrick and Sam transition into Adulthood, Charlie finds himself caught-up in Patrick‘s own struggles in dealing with his secret romance with a High School Jock, at once falling helplessly in-love with Sam, whose affections belong to another. As the School Year rapidly approaches an end, we wonder what will become of Charlie once his support network seems inevitably to disappear?
I will be the first to admit I was floored by Lerman’s performance here, attacking the complexities and subtleties demanded of his deeply-troubled Charlie. He embodies perfectly the highs and lows of being a young Adult, drawing us into his World as Wallflowers in his life. Watson transcends her v. public perception as being Hermione and is absolutely radiant here. One beautifully captured scene which sees her standing in the wind as she is driven through a tunnel, is a vivid memory soon to stamp itself upon the Public Psyche. Quirky Miller, who wowed us last year in Thriller We Need to Talk About Kevin, will blow you away once again in a daring and daunting assignment here.
I was deeply affected by The Perks of Wallflower. Anyone who ever has faced adversity in their life or felt they didn’t belong will find comfort in this refreshingly honest bit of a Masterpiece. Yes, I’ll be seeing this one twice. eOne Films releases – now in theatres.
Click here to see my Snap with Logan Lerman at TIFF 2012.
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