By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
We are onto Day Two of SXSW and it feels as though things are just taking flight!
We started our day at The Daily Show‘s Presidental Twitter Library for Donald J. Trump. This was one hell of an experience. As soon as you walk in there are caricatures of people Trump has given unique nicknames. As you walk through the wide lobby and go into different rooms there are many of his famous Tweets, and also some of his deleted ones. Nothing compares to the back room where there is a golden toilet that guests can sit on and get their photo taken. One unique, and hilarious, addition to this event is the startling alarm that blares whenever Trump actually publishes a new Tweet. The Daily Show has truly raised the bar high making this a memorable experience for Festival-goers at SXSW.
We then headed over to the Hilton Hotel where the ACLU was holding the Making Change On and Off The Screen Featured Session. On hand to talk was the Executive Director of the ACLU Anthony Romero, Actress Amber Heard, Author and Top Chef Host Padma Lakshmi, and Actor and Director Ike Barinholtz. Heard, Lakshmi and Barinholtz spoke about what it means to be ACLU Ambassadors in Women’s Rights, Immigration Rights and Voter Rights respectively. A big topic the four were speaking about was how everyone can be an Activist in the world today. “Everyone has the power to start a revolution,” Heard said. When it came to speaking about the change that has happened in Hollywood since the #MeToo Movement began Barinholtz said he sees change happening. “I think Showbiz is heading in the right direction,” he affirmed. After the hour-long discussion fans rushed up to the stage to take photos with Heard who was more than willing to spend time with fans.
Then it was time to hit the red carpets and premieres of some of the biggest movies at the Festival. First up was The Beach Bum, which is the latest Film for Director Harmony Korine. Two surprise appearances on the Red Carpet and at the Q&A following the Film were from Martin Lawrence and Jimmy Buffett, who both act alongside Matthew McConaughey. McConaughey and Isla Fisher were front and center at the Premiere. Review here.
The last Premiere of the night at The Paramount was Long Shot, starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen who were both in attendance. When guests first got into the theatre they were handed a complimentary concession token worth $10. Director Jonathan Levine, Rogen and Theron introduced the Film and contributed to a short Q&A following because they had another surprise in store for the audience. That surprise was that Boyz II Men were there and performed for all of us! They sang two songs, the second was “I’ll Make Love To You” with the band give roses to the women in the audience. The audience went absolutely insane. It appeared like Rogen and Theron enjoyed the performance also, as both were singing to the music. When the performance was over guests left the venue and realized another treat was in store. They gave everyone a jacket that is identical to the one Rogen wears in the Film. Review here.
It was a very eventful day, one we would love to relive all over again! We can only look forward to tomorrow which will be another eventful day. There are more Pop-Ups to be seen and Olivia Wilde will be making her directorial debut with Booksmart which will have its World Premiere tomorrow night. Check back for more!
Check out our gallery of the day below. Hover cursor right to move forward:
(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)
Toronto rolled-out the Blue Carpet tonight at the Canadian Premiere of DC Comics’ long-awaited AQUAMAN. Taking over Scotiabank Theatre, the event saw Cosplayers and contest winners come out for a chance to meet stars Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Get Down).
The Duo, in-town for a day of Press tomorrow, walked the Carpet an hour early. Wilson, who plays the titual character’s half-brother Orm and Abdul-Mateem who plays Black Manta, took their time to chat with Media and meet Fans. Wilson did not disappoint stopping for Selfies and Autographs, accommodating as many as he could. The Film has seen a whirlwind promotional tour spanning the globe including a Los Angeles Premiere last week and a Premiere in Australia tomorrow.
The Conjuring Franchise Producer Peter Safran, who also is one of the Producers behind AQUAMAN, also made a surprise appearance. He also produces upcoming DC Comics Adaptation Shazam, with star Zachary Levi making a quiet entrance. The Actor currently is in Toronto filming re-shoots for that Film.
Synopsis:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, “Aquaman,” starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king.
See the Trailer:
See some Snaps from the Blue Carpet:
Warner Bros. Canada release AQUAMAN Friday, December 21, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Bros.)
Mr. Will wants to give Readers a chance to see AQUAMAN at the advance screening on December 17 . Screenings take place as follows:
MONTREAL ENGLISH
Screening details:
Monday, December 17th 2018
Show Time: 7:00PM
Cinema Banque Scotia Montreal
977 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
Montreal Quebec, H3B 4W3
OTTAWA
Screening details:
Monday, December 17th 2018
Show Time: 7:00PM
Cineplex Lansdowne
325 Marche Way #107
Ottawa ON, K1S 5J3
WINNIPEG
Screening details:
Monday, December 17th 2018
Show Time: 7:00PM
SilverCity St. Vital
1225 St Mary’s Road #160
Winnipeg MB, R2M 5E5
CALGARY
Screening details:
Monday, December 17th 2018
Show Time: 7:00PM
Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
6455 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary AB, T2H 0K4
EDMONTON
Screening details:
Monday, December 17th 2018
Show Time: 7:00PM
Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
8882 170 St Suite: #3030
Edmonton AB, T5T 4M2
HALIFAX
Screening details:
Monday, December 17th 2018
Show Time: 7:00PM
Scotiabank Theatre Halifax
190 Chain Lake Dr.
Halifax NS, B3S 1C5
Synopsis:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, “Aquaman,” starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance! Please ensure you’re following!
AQUAMAN is in theatres December 21!
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)
By Mr. Will Wong
And in a blink of an eye, another TIFF has passed and this one had us working right to the finish line! It’s only after the fact that we have a moment to take it all in how much we went through. We estimate double our average in Celebrity Snaps this year. That’s how star-studded TIFF ’18 was. It was that kind of a year!
We had the pleasure of previewing several of this year’s Awards Season contenders and we are waiting with baited breath to see A STAR IS BORN and GREEN BOOK, both outstanding, duke it out for Oscars glory in coming months. We loved both, are thrilled the latter was honoured with the People’s Choice Award at the Festival, but something about the former makes our heart sing. We cannot stop thinking about it or its Soundtrack. It takes a magical Film to do that.
Let’s relive some of my favourite star-studded moments of the Festival, as lensed through the Nikon D3400. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without this amazing camera which worked amazingly-well with our Blackberry Key 2 in terms of file transmission to ensure we were able to get our photos uploaded and edited within moments for you all to enjoy! The clarity of these snaps speak for themselves.
A STAR IS BORN Press Conference
We will never stop taking our signature Celebrity Selfies and TIFF ’18 was unforgettable even if we saw many returning faces. We wouldn’t have been camera-ready without the right gear and depending on each scenario, sometimes the Blackberry Key 2 worked best for those Selfies, sometimes the Nikon D3400 worked better. What matters is that more often than not, we got the snap! And many we did.
Here’s some of our faves!
Alexander Skarsgård
Amandla Stenberg
Amber Heard
Anthony Ramos
Boyd Holbrook
Cara Delevingne
Chris Pine
Claire Foy
Daniel Kaluuya
Elizabeth Debicki
Gwendoline Christie
Hari Nef
Jacob Tremblay
Jamie Dornan
Jamie Lee Curtis
John David Washington
Julianne Moore
Kelly Marie Tran
Lady Gaga
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Margaret Qualley
Olivia Munn
Parker Sevak
Peter Sarsgaard
Quincy Jones
Riz Ahmed
Ryan Gosling
Steve Carell
Steven Yeun
Timothée Chalamet
Trevante Rhodes
Troye Sivan
Zhang Yimou
In case you missed our Television appearances during TIFF ’18 this is our first year hitting-up the three big media giants: Global, CITY and CP24 (Bell Media). Thrilled! Our brand continues to thrive as a Festival go-to and we are so happy for the recognition.
CP24 with George Lagogianes
Breakfast Television with Winston Sih
Until next year. We’re already ready!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Her Smell tells the story of a self-destructive female Punk Rock musician, Becky Something (Elisabeth Moss), who seems determined to alienate those around her and threatens the success of her band. This is the fourth feature for Director Alex Ross Perry and will have its World Premiere in the Platform Programme at TIFF ’18.
Moss gives an all-or-nothing performance as Becky. It’s a demanding performance that most actors wouldn’t dare to take-on, let alone execute perfectly. Perry’s direction takes the audience on a punk rock ride and challenges the depth to which they are willing to watch. Overall, it’s one hell of a ride that you will be happy you took.
Her Smell screens at TIFF on Sunday, September 9 at 5:45 PM at Winter Garden Theatre, Tuesday, September 11 at 12 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox, and Friday, September 14 at 9:15 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
By Mr. Will Wong
Toronto is “gaga” for A STAR IS BORN at TIFF ’18 as the Film saw two screenings tonight as part of the Festival’s Galas Programme. Stars Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Anthony Ramos, Sam Elliott and Dave Chappelle were at the Press Conference for the Oscar contender bright and early this morning!
While the Festival was particularly front-loaded this year, we look forward to a bit of a breather these next couple days, before we start focusing on seeing Films at the Festival!
See who we saw!
A STAR IS BORN – Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Anthony Ramos, Sam Elliott and Dave Chappelle
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WIDOWS – Colin Farrell, Steve McQueen Daniel Kaluuya, Robert Duvall, Cynthia Erivo, Brian Tyree Henry, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki and more
HER SMELL – Elisabeth Moss, Cara Delevingne, Amber Heard, Agyness Deyn
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS – Elizabeth Olsen and Mamoudou Athie
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BURNING – Steven Yeun
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With #StevenYeun at his #TIFF18 Premiere for Burning. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
THE PUBLIC – Jeffrey Wright
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#JeffreyWright at #TIFF18 for #ThePublic. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
QUINCY – Quincy Jones
A FAITHFUL MAN – Lily Rose Depp, Louis Garrel
FIRST MAN – Damien Chazelle
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Academy Award winner #DamienChazelle (#Whiplash, #LaLaLand) is back at #TIFF18 with #FirstMan.
JASON REITMAN’S THE BREAKFAST CLUB LIVE READ – Aaron Paul, Bel Powley, Jesse Eisenberg, Christina Hendricks, Steve Zissis, Richard E Grant and Robert Wuhl
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
We’re a bit slower to start this year, but thrilled still to spot some marquee names at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, making their way in! Power Couple Aaron (Nocturnal Animals) and Sam Taylor-Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey) are at the Festival for the latter’s adaptation of James Frey‘s bestseller, A MILLION LITTLE PIECES. The former also is here for Opening Night Gala, THE OUTLAW KING. While they were held back for quite some time, they were all smiles, relieved to make they way out. Love everything about this couple!
We love Amber Heard (The Danish Girl) and it was a lovely surprise seeing her arrive incognito in sunglasses, which she later took off once spotted! She is here for HER SMELL, starring alongside Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale) who plays a self-destructive Rocker! Heard also will speak at an event for L’Oréal on Friday, celebrating the power of women!
Bonus sighting! Fans of Marvel’s Jessica Jones will recognize right away Erin Moriarty, in-town filming Series, THE BOYS.
We don’t know about you, but we’re so ready for our favourite time of the year! We’ve been out doing the rounds and doing lots of Press ourselves. In case you missed it, here’s our segment on CP24 on LIVE AT NOON!
Up next are an appearance on Breakfast Television Friday morning right before 7 AM! Tune-in or PVR it!
We caught wind of Chris Pine flying-in today for The Outlaw King also, while earlier in the day The Predator stars Trevante Rhodes, Olivia Munn and Boyd Holbrook all were spotted around the City.
Hoping we pick-up the pace a bit more tomorrow for Day One of TIFF ’18!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
We absolutely loved MAGIC MIKE, hence we are even more pumped about MAGIC MIKE XXL for all the obvious reasons! Although Gregory Jacobs takes over direction from Steven Soderbergh here, this looks to be every bit as sultry and entertaining as the first. This new Poster for perhaps one of the most anticipated Sequels in quite some time, cleverly places the words “COMING” right in Channing Tatum‘s nether-regions. Calm down, now Ladies…
Official Synopsis:
Three years after Mike retired from stripping, he bumps into his former Kings of Tampa friends, who appear burned out from performing.
Ken (Matt Bomer), Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello) and Tito (Adam Rodriguez) collectively decide to throw in the towel and leave Myrtle Beach with a bang. While on the road to their final shows in Jacksonville and Savannah, the crew reunites with old friends, pick up a few new girls and a few new dance moves along the way.
Amber Heard, Andie MacDowell and Elizabeth Banks join the Cast.
See the Poster:
See the brand new Trailer. We’re getting major Flashdance vibes from the beginning of it!
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release MAGIC MIKE XXL on Canada Day, Wednesday, July 1, 2015!(Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)
VVS Films, Touchwood PR and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win a MACHETE KILLS Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack with an ultra-rare Signed Poster from Machete himself, Danny Trejo!
Official Synopsis:
Machete is conscripted into the services of the U.S. Government by the President himself in order to hunt down a madman revolutionary and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war and anarchy across the planet.
The star-studded MACHETE KILLS stars Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Amber Heard, Jessica Alba, Sofia Vergara, Charlie Sheen, Lady Gaga and Mel Gibson. Yes, you read right. This is Lady Gaga‘s acting debut and her performance cannot be missed!
Official Artwork:
Watch the Trailer below:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Share with your Friends on Facebook and double your chances! Contest is open to Readers within Canada only.
Good luck.
VVS Films release MACHETE KILLS on DVD, Blu-ray, Digital Download and Video-on-Demand Tuesday, January 21, 2014.
Official Website: machetekills.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vvsfilms
Twitter Hashtag: #MacheteKills
(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)
VVS Films, Touchwood PR and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers across Canada a chance to see MACHETE KILLS, the eagerly-awaited follow-up to Robert Rodriguez‘s 2009 Cult Classic MACHETE.
I’ve seen it – I laughed, I gasped, I loved! Review coming soon!
Official Synopsis:
Machete is conscripted into the services of the U.S. Government by the President himself in order to hunt down a madman revolutionary and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war and anarchy across the planet.
The star-studded MACHETE KILLS stars Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Amber Heard, Jessica Alba, Sofia Vergara, Charlie Sheen, Lady Gaga and Mel Gibson. Yes, you read right. This is Lady Gaga‘s acting debut and her performance cannot be missed!
See the amazing Trailer below:
Official Artwork below:
Run of Engagement Passes will be available in Toronto only. Advance Screenings take place in October 9, 2013: Ottawa (Coliseum) and October 10, 2013: Calgary (Sunridge Spectrum), Winnipeg (Silver City – St. Vital), Vancouver (Scotiabank Theatre).
To enter, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Share on Facebook or Re-Tweet the below to double your shot:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/machetekills @MRWILLW wants us to #win Double Passes to see #MACHETEKILLS across Canada. In theatres 10/11!
Good luck, Amigos y Amigas!
VVS Films release MACHETE KILLS across Canada on Friday, October 11, 2013.
(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)
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