What would you tell your younger self? Toronto’s Megan Park directs MY OLD ASS, which premiered at Sundance and Inside Out ’24 to raves! Today we get to see the new Trailer! Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release in theatres this September.
In this fresh coming-of-age story, an 18th birthday mushroom trip brings free-spirited Elliott (Maisy Stella) face-to-face with her wisecracking 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza).
But when Elliott’s “old ass” starts handing out warnings about what her younger self should and shouldn’t do, Elliott realizes she has to rethink everything about family, love, and what’s becoming a transformative summer.
Amazon MGM Studios and Indian Paintbrush present, A LuckyChap Production.
Written and Directed by Megan Park
Starring Maisy Stella, Percy Hynes White, Maddie Ziegler, Kerrice Brooks and Aubrey Plaza
Produced by Tom Ackerley, Margot Robbie, Josey McNamara, Steven Rales
Executive Produced by Daniel Bekerman, Bronte Payne, Megan Park
By Mr. Will Wong
Yet another whacky time at SXSW! Jeff Baena & Actress Alison Brie team-up to co-write Comedy SPIN ME ROUND, with the former also directing. The Film centers on a group of high- performers at an Italian-American restaurant chain get invited to attend an educational retreat in Florence, Italy and get way more than what they bargained for!
Amber (Brie) has worked at her restaurant as a manager for nine years and hopes secretly that this retreat will help her find love. Her last boyfriend left her in severe debt, leaving her to work this job. She’s incredibly-drawn to the face of the chain Nick Martucci (Alessandro Nivola) who will be on the retreat as well. And wouldn’t you know it, he is attracted to her too! Kat (Audrey Plaza), his assistant, tries to warn her of his ways and she finds herself confused between this looming affair and being subjected to this horribly mundane retreat.
The interesting thing about SPIN ME ROUND is that the Film begins like many other Retreat Comedies we’ve seen, with a clash of personality types, including Deb (Molly Shannon), the larger-than-life one in the group who seems to get in the way. But as things progress in the Second Act, we begin to realize that like this retreat, this Film isn’t quite what we signed-up for. Is this a Horror? By the Final Act, chaos ensues, but we’re here for it as it makes the Comedy memorable. We cannot unsee this, and yay, justice for pigs!
Brie is just great in the leading role as our eyes into this wild escape and through it all, the story has a strong feminist message that deviates from the standard Rom-Com fare. Nivola is entertaining and irresistibly greasy, though his allure makes it easy to see why Amber is so torn at times. Plaza is wonderful, though hardly seen enough in Kat’s chill. And Shannon of course is a hoot, perpetually self-absorbed in Deb‘s world, while others simply are living in it!
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself craving some Olive Garden after this!
SPIN ME ROUND streams at SXSW ’22 as follows:
Mar 12, 20226:15pm—7:59pm
Mar 14, 9:00am CDT – Mar 16, 9:00am CDT9:00am—10:44am
Mar 15, 20224:15pm—5:59pm
Mar 15, 20229:00pm—10:44pm
Mar 16, 20224:00pm—5:44pm
By David Baldwin
Emily (Aubrey Plaza) has a checkered past and her debts are mounting up. With prior arrests and charges on her record, well-paying jobs are hard to come by. When a friend at her catering job gives her a number to help with money, Emily lands herself in the middle of a credit card scam that proves to be just as lucrative as it is dangerous.
EMILY THE CRIMINAL is one of the most intense and thrilling movies of this year’s Festival. Full stop. First-time feature Writer/Director John Patton Ford has created one hell of a debut Feature, anchored by an unforgettable and unpredictable performance from Plaza. We know how strong and bold of an Actor she is, and she goes all in on that persona with Emily. She knows what she wants, and she will not let anyone stand in the way of her achieving her goals – even when her careless actions put her in immediate danger. The sheer raw brutality on display here will keep you on the edge of your seat, lending a gritty aura that hovers over the Film like a washed out haze. The feeling of dread and fear is palpable, and even with a second half turn slowing things down, you simply cannot look away from the dystopic world Emily inhabits.
Supporting turns from Theo Rossi (of Sons of Anarchy) and scene-stealer Gina Gershon are great, but they stand no chance of competing with Plaza. She is captivating and genuinely electric. You want her to succeed, even when she is or at least should be failing. Her harsh New Jersey accent is still ringing in my ears. I cannot wait for more people to experience this terrifying ride, and am looking forward to this being another stop on Plaza’s road to mega stardom.
EMILY THE CRIMINAL screens at Sundance as follows:
PREMIERE Jan 24 5:15 PM EST Available Until Jan 24 8:15PM EST
SECOND SCREENING Jan 26 10:00AM EST Available Until Jan 27 10:00AM EST
Check-out this Cast, Aubrey Plaza, Hugh Grant, Josh Hartnett and Jason Statham in a hilarious Spy-Action-Comedy! See the new Trailer for OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE.
Synopsis:
In the film, super spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant). Reluctantly teamed with some of the world’s best operatives (Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone), Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world.
Elevation Pictures release OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE, coming soon.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
While the 2020 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS didn’t see a clean sweep for any particular Film, what made it most unique was the split of awards among deserving titles which may have been overseen on other circuits. Taking home top honours at this year’s Awards, held once again at Santa Monica Pier, was Lulu Wang‘s THE FAREWELL. The Film won Best Feature and Best Supporting Actress with Zhao Shuzhen, who sadly was unable to celebrate due to the Coronavirus situation in China. Wang‘s partner Barry Jenkins was with her to support her, showing his pride backstage.
UNCUT GEMS which surprisingly for many failed to garner an Academy Award nomination, performed very well at the Spirit Awards, rewarding Best Director to Co-Directors The Safdie Brothers and also Best Male Lead (Adam Sandler). Sandler gave a spirited speech delivered completely as a different character, before thanking his family, while the Safdie Brothers both delivered a comical speech which saw them talking over one another.
Much like the rest of Awards Season, Renée Zellweger took home Best Female Lead for her work in JUDY, marking her first Spirit Award win after three nominations. Returning Host Aubrey Plaza delivered an opening number, a version of Judy Garland‘s Get Happy with hilarious lyrics, delivering the chuckles once again.
Watch it here:
MARRIAGE STORY also saw recognition with the Film’s team being awarded the Robert Altman Award, along with its Director/Writer Noah Baumbach who was also awarded Best Screenplay. Baumbach gave thanks to his partner Greta Gerwig, telling the audience “Even though she made a Movie (Little Women) too expensive to be here, she is just as independent as any of us.”. This was Baumbach‘s first Spirit Award.
Watch Film Independent’s YouTube Channel for more clips and speeches here.
We were thrilled once again to partner with Hollywood Suite, exclusive Canadian Broadcaster of the Awards!
See some of our star-studded Snaps. Navigate Albums by selecting the right arrow.
So happy to be here with the Team from @hollywoodsuite: @camfess and Alicia Fletcher! The Blue Carpet starts soon and broadcast 5 PM ET. #SpiritAwards pic.twitter.com/1ovx6iUoSu
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) February 8, 2020
While Awards Season is about to conclude with the Academy Awards taking place tomorrow, we’ll look back at this year’s Spirit Awards as an unforgettable one!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Film Independent)
Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a Run-of-Engagement Pass for two to see CHILD’S PLAY. Winners also get a collectible pin.
Synopsis:
A mother gives her son a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of its more sinister nature. The Film stars Aubrey Plaza, Gabriel Bateman, Brian Tyree Henry and features the voice talent of Mark Hamill as Chucky. The film is directed by Lars Klevberg and written by Tyler Burton Smith.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate there your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!
Elevation Pictures release CHILD’S PLAY Friday, June 21, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
Now in their 34th year, the FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS took place in Santa Monica this past weekend, celebrating the achievement in Independent Film over the past year. Taking top honours was Barry Jenkins’ IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, winning Best Feature. The Adaptation of the Novel by James Baldwin also was awarded Best Director and Supporting Actress, Regina King who the next day, would win an Oscar for the same performance.
As is consistent with most of this Awards Season, we’ve seen a split in the recognition of Films and the Spirit Awards were on-trend. CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? and SUSPIRIA received two awards each, the former winning for Best Supporting Actor, Richard E. Grant and Best Screenplay, Jeff Whitty and Nicole Holofcener. Grant shared some inspiring words about his experience playing Jack Hock, himself having seen several of his friends die victims of HIV. He dedicated his award in memory of those who passed away as a result of the disease.
The Cast of SUSPIRIA received the prestigious Robert Altman Award, honouring its Female Ensemble including Chloë Grace-Moretz, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth, Dakota Johnson and more. Its Cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom also was awarded for her work.
Hosted by Aubrey Plaza, the audience were treated to her expletive-filled dead-pan humour where several including Netflix nor even THE FAVOURITE Director Yorgos Lanthimos (equating the sound of his name to a Harry Potter spell, “You just shout Yorgos Lanthimos and someone gets fingered in a corset!”) were safe from her jokes. Kidding aside, she points out that 60% of Director nominees at the Spirit Awards this year were women, stating “Don’t get too excited, in this case 60% just means three women, but calling it 60% makes it sound way scarier to your uncles.”. On the growing phenomenon of Films getting digital releases over theatrical, she says, “I truly believe people should see movies how they’re meant to seen in the theatres.”.
Plaza‘s amazing Opening Monologue
Not only did Best Actress winner Glenn Close rule at the Awards, she and her adorable Havanese dog Pip charmed on the Blue Carpet, she dressed in a shimmery pink lamé suit, before getting her own private dinner hosted by Chanel at STK. Pip also attended.
The Cast of Suspiria also ruled the Blue Carpet with Mother Suspiriorum herself, Dakota Johnson, leading the charge and giving her time generously to fans who queued on the sand for a chance to see the stars.
See some of our Snaps:
Glenn Close x Pip
Aubrey Plaza
Barry Jenkins and “If Beale Street Could Talk” Team
Joaquin Phoenix
Josh Hamilton, Elsie Fisher x Bo Burnham
Jon Hamm
Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth and the ladies of Suspiria
Chloë Grace Moretz x Riley Keough
John Waters
Ray Romano x Mark Duplass
Yalitza Aparicio x Javier Bardem
Taraji P. Henson x Shangela
You also cannot miss Shangela’s daring performance
Finn Wolfhard
Carey Mulligan x Zoe Kazan
Kiki Layne
Jeff Witty x Nicole Holofcener
Debra Granik
Toni Collette
Regina Hall
Regina King
Morgan Neville
Boots Riley
Richard E. Grant
Viggo Mortensen
Alfonso Cuarón
Alfonso Cuarón with Thomasin McKenzie
Complete list of winners here.
We attended together with our friends at Hollywood Suite, the exclusive broadcaster of the Spirit Awards and will never forget this amazing journey. Their Cam Maitland did an awesome job interviewing talent on the Blue Carpet which will air at later points. You can subscribe via your television provider at $6 per month, plus basic cable. Hollywoodsuite.com.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Photos taken on the Nikon D3400.
We were all traumatized by Chucky growing-up and here’s a chance for him to terrify a new generation. Check-out the new Trailer for CHILD’S PLAY!
Synopsis:
A contemporary re-imagining of the 1988 horror classic, Child’s Play follows Karen (Aubrey Plaza), a single mother who gifts her son Andy (Gabriel Bateman) a Buddi doll, unaware of its more sinister nature.
See the Trailer:
Elevation Pictures release CHILD’S PLAY Friday, June 21, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
Mr. Will and levelFILM want you to win on DVD, a copy of the complex and resonant ABOUT ALEX!
Synopsis:
The twenty-something centric dramedy boasts a stellar cast of young stars including Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), Max Greenfield (New Girl), Jason Ritter (Parenthood), Maggie Grace (Taken, Lost), Jane Levy (Suburgatory), Max Minghella (The Social Network) and Nate Parker (Non-Stop).
Hailed by CinemaBlend as “The Big Chill for Millennials“, About Alex is the story of seven college friends who reunite over a three-day weekend, after one of them has an emotional breakdown. When the friends get together to keep an eye on Alex (Ritter), the weekend that ensues will renew old crushes and resentments, shine light on bad decisions, and ultimately push friendships and relationships to the brink as the group tries to speculate when the simple life of their college years turned so muddy and complex.
The sometimes irreverent, sometimes poetic, and always moving, About Alex is the first feature film from writer/director Jesse Zwick and is an honest look at the changing nature of adult friendship in the Facebook/Twitter generation.
See 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 to increase your chances!
Good luck.
Mr. Will and the Cast of ABOUT ALEX:
levelFILM release ABOUT ALEX, now on DVD!
(Photo/video credit: levelFILM)
Elevation Pictures and Mr. Will want to take Toronto Readers to see part-Comedy/Horror/Romance, LIFE AFTER BETH starring Aubrey Plaza! Up for grabs are Run-of-Engagement Passes to watch at your convenience.
Synopsis
A young man’s recently deceased girlfriend mysteriously returns from the dead, but he slowly realizes she is not the way he remembered her.
LIFE AFTER BETH also stars Dane DeHaan, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Matthew Gray Gubler, Alia Shawkat and Anna Kendrick!
Watch the Trailer:
Enter to win by clicking “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook!
Good luck, Willionaire$!
Elevation Pictures release LIFE AFTER BETH on Friday, September 5, 2014 at The Royal.
(Photo/video credit: A24 Films/Elevation Pictures)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com