Toronto got another special surprise last night thanks to the amazingness that is THE FAREWELL! DC Comics’ TITANS star Ryan Potter together with the organization GOLD OPEN, bought-out last night’s 8:40 PM screening of the Film at The Varsity in Toronto, bringing his Co-Stars out to enjoy the Film. Fans in attendance received the best surprise ever!

In attendance were:

Minka Kelly

Alan Ritchson

Teagan Croft

Joshua Orpin

Chelsea Zhang

Conor Leslie

Ryan Potter

We are too lucky to be blessed by this Film! The Cast were all so nice to us! Kelly was so sweet, she loved my H&M flamingo shirt, nudging Leslie, who supported the Film a second time, to check it out!

The Cast whom have been working on season two of Titans in Toronto, dealt with a bit of sadness losing a crew member last week, which halted production.  Production has begun once again it’s great to see them all bonding together right now. The tragedy altered plans for them to make an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con last week, a key opportunity for them to connect with their Fandom. And I don’t think they realized how hungry Toronto fans have been to meet them!

See our Snaps!

Minka Kelly

Alan Ritchson

Teagan Croft

Joshua Orpin

Chelsea Zhang

Ryan Potter

If you haven’t seen outstanding The Farewell starring Awkwafina yet, it expands to more cities this weekend across Canada.

See the Trailer:

What a turnout! Toronto’s own Simu Liu, known best for his work on Kim’s Convenience, got a hero’s welcome home tonight. Just this weekend at San Diego Comic-Con, it was unveiled that he was cast in Marvel‘s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Tings, in the titular role. The Film has him starring as the first ever Asian male superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

To support his Shang-Chi Co-Star Awkwafina in her acclaimed new Film directed by Lulu Wang, The Farewell, he invited his fans on Social Media to a free 9:30 PM screening tonight of the Movie of the Cineplex Varsity. The theatre is pulling-in the highest ticket sales for  The Farewell in North America, in addition to already beating Avengers: Endgame‘s per-theatre average!

I’ve never seen a crowd like this ever at this theatre and I’ve been going here for years! Fans crowded both levels of Manulife Centre, queueing for a chance at a free ticket, courtesy of Liu and Gold Open, a movement which supports Asian-Americans in Film, buying-out theatres entirely. The movement was instrumental in helping propel CRAZY RICH ASIANS to #1 at the Box Office in North America last year.

Showing their support for Liu were the stars of DC Comics’ Titans, Ryan Potter and Conor Leslie!

See some Snaps!

Simu Liu

Ryan Potter

Conor Leslie

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

One of the biggest hits to come out of Sundance earlier this year was Lulu Wang’s sophomore Feature, THE FAREWELL. The semi-biographical story centers on Billi (Awkwafina), a Chinese-American woman who learns that her grandmother (Zhao Shuzhen) is dying and ventures to China with her family to see her one last time. One catch, her family refuses to let her grandmother know that she’s dying. The Film delicately examines Billi navigating her cultural duality and beloved grandmother’s mortality.

The buzz is feverish for the Film, which has seen in its limited opening, surpassing the per-screen average take by Avengers: Endgame. This, and also its rare feat of 100% on the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes. The Rush Line tonight was filled with people hoping just for a chance to see the Film after it sold-out rapidly. The line coiled three times around the Box Office at the venue, with only a handful of people lucky enough to get in.   Appearing in Toronto tonight for a special screening at TIFF Bell Lightbox, Wang who happens to call acclaimed Filmmaker Barry Jenkins her partner, came to introduce the Film to a Canadian audience for the first time ever with a Q&A moderated by TIFF’s Cameron Bailey.

We had the pleasure of being among the first to see this masterpiece, which features an outstanding and authentic performance by Awkwafina, whose Billi is struggling to make sense of her two conflicting worlds, all while trying to find her own identity at age 30. It is impossible not to be affected by the love Billi shows for her grandmother, played phenomenally by Zhao, but also the tough love she receives from her mother (Diana Lin).  The story connects universally to anyone who’s ever straddled two identities or tried to make sense of their confusion.

See the Trailer:

Wang talks about Billi’s character and how she adapted it to the Film’s star, Awkwafina.
Wang: “I never intended her to be me. It was never like I was recreating myself on-screen. I wanted Billi to be a conduit for the audience. And also just for any Asian-American, immigrant American who feels caught in two worlds. She’s this vessel that takes us through this journey of navigating her American culture and her family’s culture.”.

Awkwafina truly transforms into Billi, speaking much less Chinese than Wang does. Wang tells us how she navigates this.

Wang: “When I met Awkwafina, she spoke a lot less Chinese than I did, so I was little nervous about that. She felt so quintessentially American, she’s your typical New Yorker. I changed the role of Billi in the Script to fit Awkwafina. I had Billi intentionally ask ‘What’s going on, dad? What did they say?’. I had her give some kind of hints that while she might understand some things, she doesn’t understand all things.”.

Wang who cites Mike Leigh as her biggest filmmaking inspiration, talks about the tone of the Film, which while dramatic, also is funny and heartfelt at once.

Wang: “It’s a lot harder to teach an actor Comedy than it is to pull a dramatic performance out of a comedic actor. I think that’s why so many comedic actors make successful turns because Comedians tend to be fairly dark people who use humour as a survival mechanism.”.

“Nora (Awkwafina) told me she grew-up cracking jokes because her mother died at age four and she was raised by her Chinese grandma, so there was a lot of awkwardness in her family. So she realized she had this superpower to crack a joke to dissipate the tension.”.

“I could feel she was tense. And she said, ‘I’m just very uncomfortable’. I said ‘Great, because Billi‘s uncomfortable, so use that. I know it’s a terrible thing for a Director to say, ‘Use it!’.  I told her, ‘I said I know your instinct is to dissipate the tension by cracking a joke, but on this set you can’t because I haven’t written any jokes for Billi. So you have to channel all that tension through Billi and let us feel it on-screen.’. Once she settled into that it was so powerful and so seamless.”.

See some Snaps:

If you missed the sold-out TIFF Bell Lightbox screening of THE FAREWELL, you get a second chance to see Wang at a special Q&A following the 7:00 PM screening of the Film in Toronto at The Varsity, Friday, July 19, 2019. The Film expands to other cities Friday, July 26, 2019.

It’s Awkwafina like you’ve never seen her. THE FAREWELL won huge raves at Sundance and we can’t wait to see it! The Film now has a Canadian release date!

Synopsis:
In this funny, uplifting tale based on an actual lie, Chinese-born, U.S.-raised Billi (Awkwafina) reluctantly returns to Changchun to find that, although the whole family knows their beloved matriarch, Nai-Nai, has been given mere weeks to live, everyone has decided not to tell Nai Nai herself. To assure her happiness, they gather under the joyful guise of an expedited wedding, uniting family members scattered among new homes abroad. As Billi navigates a minefield of family expectations and proprieties, she finds there’s a lot to celebrate: a chance to rediscover the country she left as a child, her grandmother’s wondrous spirit, and the ties that keep on binding even when so much goes unspoken. With The Farewell, writer/director Lulu Wang has created a heartfelt celebration of both the way we perform family and the way we live it, masterfully interweaving a gently humorous depiction of the good lie in action with a richly moving story of how family can unite and strengthen us, often in spite of ourselves.

See the Trailer:

VVS Films release THE FAREWELL Friday, July 19, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

If there’s one Film coming out of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival with a lot of buzz, that would be THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO. The Drama directed by Joe Talbot centers on a man searching for home in a city that seems to have left him behind. It stars Co-Writer Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors, Rob Morgan, Thora Birch, Danny Glover and Finn Wittrock. Our Amanda Gilmore spotted Fails, Majors and Morgan causing a commotion with autograph seekers after the Film receive a warm reception last night at the Festival.  A24 distributes the Film, while Brad Pitt‘s Plan B Entertainment produces. We hear there were 100+ people on-standby to screen the Film tonight!

Biographical Sports Dramedy FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY which is based on the true story of WWE star Paige is a surprise addition to the Festival, set to premiere tomorrow.  Paige who is played in the February release by Florench Pugh, was spotted about and about with Pugh. Many are wondering if Dwayne Johnson might be making an appearance at Sundance now too!

While we know Wendi McLendon-Covey mostly for her comedic work, she comes to Sundance with IMAGINARY ORDER. The Drama sees an obsessive-compulsive suburban mom’s sexual and moral unravelling and fans went wild for the star who was seen out doing press.

Oscar-nominated Chiwetel Ejiofor makes his directorial debut with THE MAN WHO HARNESSED THE WIND, based on the Novel by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. Ejiofor also writes the Adaptation and stars in the the Drama. Amanda spotted him out being very giving to fans!

She speaks  highly of THE FAREWELL which sees breakout star of Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, Awkwafina, stretch her dramatic wings. Check-out her review here. The Film sold for $7 million to A24.

And of course, she was lucky enough to get into a screening of hotly-buzzed EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE starring Zac Efron! He really is that good in it we’re hearing. More here.

Some Snaps from Amanda:

Jonathan Majors, The Last Black Man in San Francisco

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

When a family finds out that the matriarch of their family, Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen), has terminal stage four lung cancer, they travel from America and Japan to pay their last respects. However, the Chinese tradition is to keep this news from Nai Nai until it is absolutely necessary to tell her. This is difficult for her granddaughter, Billi (Awkwafina), who cares deeply for Nai Nai and expresses all of her emotions.

The Farewell is perfect showcase for the amazing talent that is Awkwafina. She gets her chance to shine in a lead character role, displaying a wide range of emotions that cement her career ahead after a fantastic 2018 which included Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean’s 8. This is based on a true story and is beautifully brought to the screen from Writer-Director Lulu Wang. It’s loaded with Comedy and rich Drama that will touch anyone lucky enough to see it.

The Farewell screens at Sundance on Fri., Jan 25 at 12:15PM at Eccles PC, Sat., Jan 26 at 1PM at Redstone 2 PC and 9:15PM at Grand SLC, Tues., Jan 29 at 9:15PM at Sundance Resort, Wed., Jan 30 at 12PM at Library PC, and Fri., Feb 1 at 8:30AM at Egyptian PC.

Mr. Will wants to give readers a chance to win a copy of CRAZY RICH ASIANS on Blu-Ray Combo Pack!

Synopsis:

Jon M. Chu (“Now You See Me 2”) directed the contemporary romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians,” based on the acclaimed worldwide bestseller by Kevin Kwan. The story follows New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick’s family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life. It turns out that he is not only the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families but also one of its most sought-after bachelors.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

 CRAZY RICH ASIANS is in stores Tuesday, November 20, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)

One of the this summer’s most eagerly-awaited escapes at the Movies is almost before us and in-town today to ring-in the occasion are some of the stars of CRAZY RICH ASIANS!

The Warner Bros. Canada release, adapted from Kevin Kwan’s critically-acclaimed and best-selling Novel of the same name, looks to quench the thirsts of those looking for something juicy. Stars Awkwafina (Ocean’s 8), Ken Jeong (The Hangover Trilogy) and Nico Santos (2 Broke Girls) did the rounds this morning, gracing Toronto’s television sets with their magnetic personalities and they will be walking the Red Carpet tonight at TIFF Bell Lightbox at the Canadian Premiere for the Film. Directed by Jon M. Chu, it also stars Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding and Constance Wu, the latter in the starring role as Rachel Chu, a New Yorker who learns suddenly that her boyfriend is extremely wealthy and is flown to Singapore for his best friend’s wedding, only to meet his disapproving mother.

See the Trailer:

Among the interviews the Cast did earlier today were Global’s The Morning Show (National Edition). Check-out their chat:

Travelling in a Mercedes Sprinter with a sizable entourage, the Cast were amazingly-friendly! And they may have made time for some Smoke’s Poutine also during the day! Who wouldn’t be giddy? Did you know Awkwafina also will be back to host the 2018 iHeartRadio MMVAs next month too?

Audiences at the packed Premiere were split into two theatres and delivered a spirited introduction from the Cast with the help of TIFF Artistic Director Cameron Bailey.  The Trio had nothing but love for the City!

See the Intro:

CRAZY RICH ASIANS is everything I wished it would be. And even crazier! What a sumptuous feast for the eyes, equal parts a complicated web of emotions as it is a luxurious escape. Phenomenal performances from a talented Cast whom all bring their A-Game. Constance Wu is fantastic in this breakout role, as is screen legend Michelle Yeoh. If you couldn’t get enough of Awkwafina in Ocean’s 8, you will be delighted by her comedy again here. Gemma Chan is a gem waiting to be discovered by stateside audiences. The Film totally gets the experience of being a product of immigrant parents and honours the importance of traditions and family values. Fans of Kevin Kwan‘s bestselling novels will be overjoyed, new hearts will be won.

See our Snaps!

Awkwafina

Ken Jeong

Nico Santos

Warner Bros. Canada release CRAZY RICH ASIANS Friday, August 15, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Global Television/Mr. Will Wong/Warner Bros. Canada)

And of course, some Selfies!

Mr. Will wants to give readers a chance to attend an advance screening of CRAZY RICH ASIANS, based on the best-selling novel by Kevin Kwan! Screenings take place on Monday, August 13, 2018, in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal English, Calgary and Halifax!.

Synopsis:

Jon M. Chu (“Now You See Me 2”) directed the contemporary romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians,” based on the acclaimed worldwide bestseller by Kevin Kwan. The story follows New Yorker Rachel Chu (Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick’s family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life. It turns out that he is not only the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families but also one of its most sought-after bachelors.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

 CRAZY RICH ASIANS is in theatres August 15!

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)

Umm. How ever did we live without OCEAN‘S 8? We present to you the brand new Teaser for this all-female, star-studded installment in the Heist Series!

Synopsis:

The tide has turned and it’s a whole new “Ocean’s” when a group of 8 plan and execute a heist in New York. The film stars Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson and Awkwafina.

Teaser:

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release OCEAN’S 8 Friday, June 8, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)