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Brendan Fraser

#OSCARS: “EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE” DOMINATES 2023 OSCARS

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE dominated the 95th Academy Awards tonight with seven wins, including Best Picture, Actress in a Leading Role (Michelle Yeoh), Directing (The Daniels), Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan), Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis), Original Screenplay (The Daniels) and Editing. Going into the night, the Film has the distinction of being the most awarded Film in history and further added to the tally. Yeoh made history as the first ever Asian woman to win Actress in a Leading Role.

It was a banner year for Canada also with Toronto’s Sarah Polley taking home Adapted Screenplay for WOMEN TALKING. Many were expecting her to be nominated also for Directing also, but this continued the trend of industry veterans dominating the Academy Awards this year and Polley began her career acting at the age of four.

Toronto’s Daniel Roher took Documentary for his film NAVALNY, which premiered at Sundance and Hot Docs last year to much acclaim, as a springboard to its Oscars success.

Brendan Fraser who is of French-Canadian heritage, as expected would take Actor in a Leading Role for his compelling transformation in Darren Aronofsky‘s THE WHALE, joking on-stage “This is what it’s like in the Multiverse!” a nod to EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE.

Complete list of winners:

BEST PICTURE

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Avatar: The Way of Water”

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Elvis”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

“The Fabelmans”

“Tár”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

“Triangle of Sadness”

“Women Talking”

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Angela Bassett, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

Hong Chau, “The Whale”

Kerry Condon, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

Stephanie Hsu, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Brendan Gleeson, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Brian Tyree Henry, “Causeway”

Judd Hirsch, “The Fabelmans”

Barry Keoghan, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

“All Quiet on the Western Front,” Germany *WINNER

“Argentina, 1985,” Argentina

“Close,” Belgium

“EO,” Poland

“The Quiet Girl,” Ireland

DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)

“The Elephant Whisperers” *WINNER

“Haulout”

“How Do You Measure a Year?”

“The Martha Mitchell Effect”

“Stranger at the Gate”

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

“All That Breathes”

“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”

“Fire of Love”

“A House Made of Splinters”

“Navalny” *WINNER

ORIGINAL SONG

“Applause” from “Tell It like a Woman”

“Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick”

“Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” *WINNER

“This Is A Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” *WINNER

“Marcel the Shell With Shoes On”

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”

“The Sea Beast”

“Turning Red”

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”

“Living”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

“Women Talking” *WINNER

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

“The Fabelmans”

“Tár”

“Triangle of Sadness”

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Austin Butler, “Elvis”

Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Brendan Fraser, “The Whale” *WINNER

Paul Mescal, “Aftersun”

Bill Nighy, “Living”

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Cate Blanchett, “Tár”

Ana de Armas, “Blonde”

Andrea Riseborough, “To Leslie”

Michelle Williams, “The Fabelmans”

Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

DIRECTOR

Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

Steven Spielberg, “The Fabelmans”

Todd Field, “Tár”

Ruben Ostlund, “Triangle of Sadness”

PRODUCTION DESIGN

“All Quiet on the Western Front” *WINNER

“Avatar: The Way of Water”

“Babylon”

“Elvis”

“The Fabelmans”

CINEMATOGRAPHY

“All Quiet on the Western Front” *WINNER

“Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths”

“Elvis”

“Empire of Light”

“Tár”

COSTUME DESIGN

“Babylon”

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” *WINNER

“Elvis”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once”

“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Avatar: The Way of Water”

“The Batman”

“Elvis”

“Top Gun: Maverick” *WINNER

ANIMATED SHORT FILM

“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” *WINNER

“The Flying Sailor”

“Ice Merchants”

“My Year of Dicks”

“An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It”

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

“An Irish Goodbye” *WINNER

“Ivalu”

“Le Pupille”

“Night Ride”

“The Red Suitcase”

ORIGINAL SCORE

“All Quiet on the Western Front” *WINNER

“Babylon”

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once”

“The Fabelmans”

VISUAL EFFECTS

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Avatar: The Way of Water” *WINNER

“The Batman”

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

FILM EDITING

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Elvis”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

“Tár”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“The Batman”

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Elvis”

“The Whale” *WINNER

Some amazing fashion moments tonight from the Red Carpet:







(Photo credit: Getty Images)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A RUN-OF-ENGAGEMENT PASS TO SEE “THE WHALE”

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a Run-of-Engagement Pass to see THE WHALE. These can be used anywhere in Canada at a Cineplex theatre.

Synopsis:

A reclusive English teacher (Brendan Fraser) living with severe obesity attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Please indicate your City in the comments. Re-Tweet the below also for another chance!



Rules and regulations here.

Note: Winners will only be contact via a direct message from our official account. Do not respond to third-party comments or messages asking you for your personal information.

Elevation Pictures is releasing THE WHALE in theatres everywhere December 21, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE WHALE” (CANADIAN TRAILER)

After resounding praise at Venice and TIFF, THE WHALE surfaces with a new Canadian Trailer. The latest masterpiece from Darren Aronofsky arrives in theatres this December via Elevation Pictures. Definitely one of our favourites of ’22. Cannot wait to see this again!

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures/A24)

#TIFF22: 2022 TIFF TRIBUTE GALA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Taking place last night at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, the TIFF Tribute Gala honored those who made a significant impact through their work in the Festival this year. Honorees range in tenure and stature and it was a star-studded affair!

2022 TIFF Tribute Award recipients:

Ensemble My Policeman
TIFF Tribute Award for Performance presented by Polestar


Sam Mendes
TIFF Ebert Director Award


Brendan Fraser
TIFF Tribute Award for Performance presented by IMDbPro



Hildur Guðnadóttir
TIFF Variety Artisan Award


Sally El Hosaini
TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM


Michelle Yeoh
TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award presented by BVLGARI



Buffy Sainte-Marie

Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media presented by Participant

(Photo/video credit: TIFF)

#TIFF22: “THE WHALE”

By Mr. Will Wong

Darren Aronofsky‘s THE WHALE is as hefty in heart as its tragic hero, Charlie, played to masterful perfection in a performance of a lifetime by comeback kid Brendan Fraser.

Charlie is an online professor whom after losing his partner, has spiraled into obsessive eating and severe obesity. With just days left to live, he is out to reconcile his relationship with estranged daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink). Ellie harbours deep anger and resentment towards her dad and agrees only to meet him on the condition of a financial incentive and help with her failing grades.

Through the arrival of a stranger at his door in Thomas (Ty Simpkins) and best friend/caretaker Liz (Hong Chau), we get glimpses into Charlie‘s heartbreaking grief, answering questions for us how he has gotten to his present state and why he left behind his wife and daughter.  As Charlie’s health continues to deteriorate quickly, he needs to know that he’s done one thing right and that he lived authentically, which seems improbable with everything around and within him crumbling.

Aronofsky once again delivers a compelling, visceral story that tapes right into the core and essence of what our hero truly is. THE WHALE tore us apart and left us in tears.  Not enough can be said about Fraser‘s precise performance. Every wheeze, arduous plop on the couch and attempt to get up off the couch, or struggle to reach things, feel all so real. Beneath all that, we feel the race against time and his urgency to make sense of his tortured life. Simply put, Fraser is unforgettable and he helps us reach a deep level of connection with Charlie that helps us see past the “disgusting”.

The Film assembles a sublime Ensemble and we were floored by Sink‘s commanding presence, serving two dashes of cruelty per every bit of pain in Ellie. Academy Award nominee Chau is every bit as important a part of the story, defeated in her attempts to save Charlie but still unconditionally loving of him and protective of him.

THE WHALE changed us and maybe ruined us for any other Films we still have to see at the Festival or the rest of the year. It screens at TIFF ’22 as follows:

Sun, Sep 11 IN-PERSON Royal Alexandra Theatre 5:30pm

Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON Scotiabank Theatre Toronto 11:30am

#TIFF22: BRENDAN FRASER TO BE HONOURED AT 2022 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Brendan Fraser is on the verge of a major comeback! The star of TIFF ’22 selection THE WHALE will receive the TIFF Tribute Award for Performance for his outstanding performance in The Whale. The TIFF Tribute Awards presented by BVLGARI will return to an in-person gala fundraiser during the 47th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, September 11 at Fairmont Royal York Hotel. The TIFF Tribute Award for Performance is presented by IMDbPro.

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Fraser has received recognition for his work by both critics and his peers. Known for playing Rick O’Connell in The Mummy trilogy, Fraser has gone on to star in many projects in both television and film. Fraser will make his return to Toronto with Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale, which will have its North American Premiere at this year’s Festival.

“Brendan Fraser gives a performance of staggering depth, power, and nuance in The Whale,” said Bailey, TIFF CEO. “This former Torontonian has been an action star, a screen comic, and a romantic lead. We’re thrilled to welcome him home as the actor behind one of the finest performances of the year.”

Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale tells the story of a reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption. The A24 film is based on the acclaimed play by Samuel D. Hunter and also stars Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton. It is being distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures.

The TIFF Tribute Award for Performance presented by IMDbPro to Fraser is one of two acting awards being handed out. These two awards recognize an outstanding performance by either an individual or ensemble in the now gender-neutral acting category. Fraser joins the recently announced recipients of the TIFF Tribute Award for Performance presented by Polestar, the ensemble of My Policeman. Past recipients honoured in the prestigious acting category were Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch in 2021; Kate Winslet and Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2020; and Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix in 2019.

Also joining the list of 2022 TIFF Tribute Award honourees Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Sam Mendes who will be receiving the TIFF Ebert Director Award. The TIFF Tribute Awards have served as an awards-season bellwether, with past honourees such as Chastain, Hopkins, Phoenix, Roger Deakins, Taika Waititi, and Chloé Zhao going on to win awards on the international stage. Once again, the TIFF Tribute Awards honour the film industry’s outstanding contributors and their achievements, recognizing leading industry members, acting talent, directorial expertise, new talent, and a below-the-line artist and creator. The Awards gala event also serves as TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser to support TIFF’s Every Story fund, which promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in film and TIFF’s core mission to transform the way people see the world through film. More information on the event and honourees will follow in the coming weeks.

#SPOTTED: FAN EXPO CANADA 2019 HIGHLIGHTS

By Amanda Gilmore, George Kozera + Mr. Will Wong

Signalling the end of Summer, Fan Expo Canada returned to Metro Convention Centre once again this past weekend, converging the worlds of Sci-Fi, Anime, Horror, Gaming, Comics and Cosplay together into one giant celebration. Fan Expo Canada celebrated its 25th year anniversary and they did it bigger and better than ever with several notable guests in attendance including John Travolta, Jeff Goldblum, Zachary Levi, Karl Urban, Peter Capaldi, Brendan Fraser and more!

Highly-touted Cast reunions highlighted the affair including that of Saved by the Bell, Smallville, Blade Runner, The Goonies and more. The likes of Pamela Anderson, David Harbour, Kristen Kreuk, Jason Momoa also were slated but had other commitments preventing them from making it.

Fans found themselves with many events, panels, photo ops, autograph signings, screenings, panels and even LGBTQ+-inclusive matchmaking events to attend all the way through Fan Expo Sunday wherein previous years, Saturday normally is the busiest day.

The event brought-in an estimated 129,000+ people from around the world.

 

Some Highlights from Fan Expo Canada 2019:

 

COSPLAY

 

RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT EXHIBIT

In addition to rate pieces from Star Wars, Back to the Future, Indiana Jones and more, a huge draw at the Exhibit was a travelling, growing ball made from the hair of 600+ people around the world!

 

SAVED BY THE BELL Panel with Elizabeth Berkley, Mark-Paul Gosselaar x Mario Lopez

Stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley talk about their time on the 90s morning TV staple. They reveal while Berkley was filming a certain “Las Vegas movie”, the Cast were watching the O.J. Simpson chase while filming their own Vegas movie. Berkley and Lopez admitted they were nice to Dustin Diamond, Gosselaar not so much! Berkley says she had the most fun filming the Series’s fantasy sequences.

So awesome hearing them do the Show’s signature Bayside cheer!

 

JEFF GOLDBLUM

The screen veteran known for his work in the Jurassic Park franchise, returns to the City he filmed The Fly! He reveals he spent seven hours in makeup a day, that his wife, Olympian Emilie Livingston is from here too! His new Disney+ series The World According to Jeff Goldblum, premieres November.

And he reveals his new Album on Decca will feature surprise vocalists! He even had the room singing “O Canada“! 🇨🇦

 

TEEN TITANS GO Panel with Tara Strong x Greg Cipes

The two Voice Actors joked around and Cipes brought his dog Wingman with him to the Panel and the dog stole the show, drinking out of Strong‘s water cup.

When asked what their advice is for their young fans, Strong said to “Choose kindness.”. Cipes said “Never give up on everything you ever wanted.”.

Strong advises also it is important for voice actors to have an acting background and admits she is very “physical” behind the mic.

Cipes cites Robin Williams as his biggest influence.

 

BLADE RUNNER – Sean Young x Edward James Olmos

Young made some candid revelations from her experience in Hollywood,  telling the audience “Never make a Director feel bad for hitting on you”.

On recent reboot Blade Runner 2041, she admits “At 2 hours and 51 minutes, I thought it was much weaker than the original.”.

On working with Sir Ridley Scott, she says “He made me smoke cigarettes to lower my voice. He was very manipulative towards the ladies.”.

Olmos admits, “At the time he (Harrison Ford) was first announced, I thought he was miscast. All I thought was Han Solo.”.

 

ZACHARY LEVI

Levi, unlike others, didn’t require a Moderator and Morgan Hoffman obliged kindly. He stood-up his entire Panel even, fielding fan questions directly.

One fan got to do a magic trick, one got to sing a song from Disney‘s Tangled with him even!

He imparted a bit of inspiration, telling fans, “We all are worthy of occupying space in this world.”.

On Toronto-made Box Office and critical hit Shazam!, he admits the most fun thing for him was getting to act like a 14-year-old. He says also, “The weather was cold but the costume did not keep me warm.”.

 

JOHN TRAVOLTA

The screen icon talked about his new film THE FANATIC and how much he loves when fans talk to him. He  two also reveals  that two fans broke into his house with the intention of only meeting him. There was no ill will.

He admits he never thought Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction would ever become as popular as they had. He always believed Grease was going to be huge and said he was the one that only wanted Olivia Newton-John as Sandy.

 

THE GOONIES Panel – Sean Astin, Corey Feldman x Ke Huy Quan

Feldman tells fans about his affinity for our country, “I love Canadians so much, I married one!”. He is referring to wife, model Courtney Anne Mitchell.

On the famous water slide seen in the Film, he states “We only got to go down the water slide twice. It was the stunt doubles who did the rest!”.

 

BRENDAN FRASER

The star of Encino Man and The Mummy arrived straight from Johannesburg where he is filming currently. He asks the audience if they want another Mummy movie and they gave him a resounding cheer!

He advises Universal Pictures that the key ingredient is fun when making these movies. He currently can be seen in popular series DOOM PATROL.


 

Other notables:

 

Jack Quaid, star of Amazon Prime‘s THE BOYS


 
Peter Capaldi, star of DOCTOR WHO


 
Mia Farrow, iconic star of Rosemary’s Baby and Golden Globe Award winner
 

For more on FAN EXPO CANADA, visit here.

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/George Kozera/Amanda Gilmore)

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