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)
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