After debuting prolifically last year to raves at the Cannes and Toronto International Film Festivals, Rust and Bone surfaces on Home Video. The French-Belgian Drama is hot on the success of much recognition this Awards Season at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Rust and Bone centers around a young Man named Alain (Matthias Schoenaerts), a jobless Single Father with a passion for Kickboxing, who struggles to make ends meet and be present as a Father for his young Boy, Sam (Armand Verdure). One night at a Night Club, he meets Killer Shark Trainer Stéphanie (Marion Cotillard) who engages in a brawl, all bloodied. The two for a special bond although tragically, she suffers a horrific accident at work which results in her legs being amputated. Alain continues meeting others casually, complicating his relationship with Stéphanie further. As Alain delves seriously into his passion for Kickboxing, his goals for success are further derailed by yet another misfortune involving Sam, making him re-evaluate his priorities in life and love.
Nothing can be taken away here from Cotillard‘s magnificent performance once again in this subtle Film from Director/Writer Jacques Audiard. She says so little, but expresses so much in her pensiveness completely committed whether it be evoking a nosebleed to navigating Prosthetics. Alain‘s transition from a Party Guy to a Father and a Man happens seamlessly and Schoenaerts, who soon will be introduced to North Americans with a bevvy of releases to come, really giving it his all physically and emotionally. Those expecting a big Climax will leave disappointed with Audiard trading Drama for Realism, letting the Story unfold on its own as it does in life. Rust and Bone is about beauty being born out of Tragedy, told with a Masculine edge.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases Rust and Bone in DVD/Blu-ray on March 19, 2013. Order it here.
No surprises here! The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 reigns for a third consecutive week on traditionally what is known as a post-U.S. Thanksgiving slump at the Box Office. The final installment in the Franchise earns $17.2 million this weekend for Summit Entertainment/eOne Films, from 4,008 theatres across North America – now grossing over $253 million in its domestic Run.
Skyfall certainly is no slouch and continues to perform exceedingly well even in its fourth week , hanging-on in second spot with $17 million for Sony Pictures, ahead of a resilient Lincoln in third with $13.3 million fod Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Animated Feature Rise of the Guardians lands in fifth with $13.2 million for Paramount Pictures, just ahead of 20th Century Fox’s Life of Pi 3-D lands in fifth spot in its second week with $11.4 million.
Killing Them Softly which received positive feedback at Cannes in May opens in 2,424 theatres for The Weinstein Co./Alliance Films with $6.8 million, which is slightly below expectations, but yet also expected on a weekend where Titles opening wide traditionally haven’t done well.
The extremely well-reviewed (90% at Rotten Tomatoes) Silver Linings Playbook in its second week of release in only 371 theatres earns $3.1 million.
Casino Royale. Quantum of Solace. Clash of the Titans. The Three Musketeers. These are just some of the more recent Films in which you’ve seen Mads Mikkelsen and while out getting Breakfast with Billy early this morning, I bumped-into the brilliant Actor who looked like he was out for a walk or a jog. Mikkelsen who earlier this year won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival in May for The Hunt, currently is in Toronto filming Hannibal.
The upcoming NBC Series which centers around Criminal Profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) who seeks help from famed Psychiatrist and Cannibalistic Serial Killer Hannibal Lecter (Mikkelsen), yet at the same time becomes his greatest Nemesis. Fans of Silence of the Lambs will eat this up. In a non-Cannibal sorta way of course.
Things aren’t slowing-down any time soon for the dark, mysterious Danish Actor who has been in Toronto multiple times before for TIFF and even promoted both The Hunt and upcoming Period Drama, A Royal Affair, while filming Hannibal. I did meet the Actor back in 2009 following a Screening of the phenomenal Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, but am thrilled to have a Snap together with him. Mikkelsen was smitten with Billy, leaning-down to give him a pat on the head. Super-gracious!
Hannibal wraps in February 2013. Learn more about the Series here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
“I’m living in America and in America you’re on you’re own.”.
Alliance Films & Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win Passes to see one of the most talked-about Films of 2012, KILLING THEM SOFTLY! After premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this past May, the response has been overwhelmingly positive for the Crime-Drama.
Adapted from George V. Higgins‘ Novel COGAN’S TRADE and set in New Orleans, KILLING THEM SOFTLY follows professional Enforcer, Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), who investigates a Heist that occurs during a high stakes, Mob-protected, Poker Game. The Film also stars Scoot McNairy , Ben Mendelsohn, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins and James Gandolfini.
The Screening takes place in Toronto on Thursday, November 29, 2012. To enter to win a Double Pass to see KILLING THEM SOFTLY, under this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook, please name for the Cast Member who I am seen with above. You should also be following here on Twitter. If you have restricted Privacy Settings, please ensure you leave a Twitter Handle for me to reach you back. Your deadline is Friday, November 23, 2012. Good luck!
Watch the Trailer in full below:
Alliance Films releases KILLING THEM SOFTLY on Friday, November 30, 2012.
Remember to “like” Alliance Films on Facebook here!
(Photo/video credit: Alliance Films)
After making a splash at the Cannes, New York and Toronto International Film Festivals, Lee Daniels’ (Precious) second Effort, The Paperboy is now ready for release. Based on Peter Dexter‘s Novel of the same name, Daniels gathers together an A-List Ensemble Cast which includes Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, John Cusack, David Oyelowo and Macy Gray. Its Story centers around ambitious Writers Ward (McConaughey) and Yardley (Oyelowo), both working on a Piece which could clear the name of convicted Killer, Hillary (Cusack).
At a loss for direction in his life, Ward‘s strapping younger Brother Jack (Efron) and Seductress Charlotte (Kidman) find themselves aiding the Cause, but matters become rather complicated with Jack falling for Charlotte who is many years his senior and also she is madly in-love with Hillary, maintaining and long-distance relationship with him through letters during his Incarceration. The Story unravels for each of these Characters after Hillary‘s impending release from Prison, with each of them pondering Choices and Consequences. Above this, we wonder whether or not an innocent Man really has deservedly been freed or not.
Daniels draws some fantastic performances here and most impressive of all is Kidman who absolutely transforms in a way we’ve never quite seen before, letting loose completely as a Woman who understands fully the value of her own Sexuality and its power over the Men around her. Expect her name to be in top contention come Awards Season as it rightfully should be. Gray also delivers some refreshing sass as a Housekeeper and in addition to Kidman‘s Charlotte, she plays somewhat of a Mother Figure to our Protagonist Jack, adding to the ever-present Oedipal theme in the Film. Efron and McConaughey also must be credited for daring to try something quite different than anything they’ve ever done, while Cusack delivers his best foot forward late, absolutely terrifying when unleashed.
If The Paperboy could be faulted for one thing, it would be that it struggles to find its Voice, with multiple Tonal Shifts throughout the Film. Admittedly the humorous moments are plentiful here, somewhat clashing with its stronger Dramatic overtones. Ultimately this should have been a sex-obsessed Drama, yet it shifts to a Thriller late and as a Viewer, this is slightly off-putting. Nonetheless, my eyes were glued to the Screen and I found myself drawn-in completely to the fascinating Melodrama and outstanding Performances. A Disco-heavy Soundtrack fits the mood and washed-out aesthetic of the Movie.
D Films releases The Paperboy on October 20, 2012.
The Toronto International Film Festival traditionally is a good indicator of the Films we can expect to be in-contention come Awards Season, which concludes with the Oscars. In fact, six out of seven recent Best Picture Winners saw their debuts at TIFF including: Crash, The King’s Speech, Slumdog Millionaire, No Country for Old Men, The Hurt Locker and The Artist. This raises the question – will the next Best Picture Winner also be premiering at TIFF 2012? Bet on it. Here are a few early Contenders premiering at TIFF 2012 nabbing serious buzz coming into the Festival and some of these just may even have a real fighting chance Sunday, February 24, 2013 at the Oscars.
ARGO – A CIA Specialist helps six Americans who have found shelter at the home of Canadian Ambassador during the Iranian Revolution. Stars Ben Affleck, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, Victor Garber, Clea Duvall and Taylor Schilling. Affleck also directs. Warner Bros. releases October 12, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 7, 2012 at Roy Thomson Hall – 6:30 PM, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at VISA Screening Room – 11:00 AM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at VISA Screening Room – 3:00 PM.
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK – A former Teacher who was institutionalized, returns home to reconcile matters with his Ex-Girlfriend. He meets a mysterious Woman with her own set of problems. Stars Bradley Cooper, Julia Stiles and Jennifer Lawrence. David O. Russell (The Fighter) directs. Already hearing Oscar buzz from Insiders about Lawrence here. Alliance Films releases November 21, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Roy Thomsom Hall at 6:30 PM and Sunday, September 9, 2012 at VISA Screening Room at 11:00 AM.
THE MASTER – A Drama set in the ’50s about a Man whose Faith-based Organizations begin to catch-on with the help of his Right-hand Man. Stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix. Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) directs. Alliance Films releases on October 12, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 7, 2012 at Princess of Wales Theatre – 9:00 PM, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 3:15 PM and Sunday, September 16, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 6:00 PM.
THE SESSIONS – A Man with an iron Lung enlists the help of a Sex Therapist and Priest to help him lose his Virginity. Stars Helen Hunt, William H. Macy and John Hawkes; Ben Lewin directs. Fox Searchlight releases October 26, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Sunday, September 8, 2012 at VISA Screening Rom at 2:30 PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at VISA Screening Room at 2:30 PM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre.
THE PAPERBOY – A Reporter returns to his Hometown in Florida to investigate the case of a Man on Death Row. Stars John Cusack, Matthew McConnaughey, Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron; Lee Daniels (Precious) directs. D Films releases on October 19, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 14, 2012 at VISA Screening Room – 6:00 PM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre – 6:00 PM.
THE HUNT – A Danish Film about a Kindergarten Teacher is falsely accused of Child Abuse. Stars Mads Mikkelsen (who won Best Actor at Cannes in May for this) and Thomas Bo Larsen; Thomas Vinterberg directs. Screens at TIFF: Monday, September 10, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 9:15 PM and Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 3:00 PM. Opens in theatres October 25, 2012 via Mongrel Media.
FRANCES HA – A young Dance Teacher lives her life with unaccountable joy and lightness, but aims to be so much more than what she is. Stars Greta Gerwig, Adam Driver and Mickey Sumner; Noah Baumbach directs this Film which recently won the hearts of Critics at the Venice Film Festival. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 7, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre – 9:30PM, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Winter Garden Theatre – 12:00 PM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Bloor HotDocs Cinema – 6:15 PM.
DREDD 3D – Set in a futuristic World where Violence is fought with Violence, a Trainee aspires to become a Judge – who act also as Jury and Executioners. Stars Olivia Thirlby, Karl Urban and Lena Headey; Pete Travis directs. Screens at TIFF: Thursday, September 6, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre – 11:59 PM and Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas – 12:30 PM. Opens in theatres via Alliance Films on Friday, September 21, 2012.
Of course, as is the case with previous TIFFs, there always is a Dark Horse or two to emerge out of the clouds. Surely we’ll also be hearing about The Reluctant Fundamentalist, A Song for Marion and Hyde on Hudson Park? We soon shall see…
(Photo credit: Alliance Films)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com