bryan cranston
#CANNES: “ASTEROID CITY” REVIEW
By Amanda Gilmore
Visionary Director Wes Anderson delivers a witty Sci-Fi about loneliness.
Asteroid City is about a TV show broadcast about a play that’s about people visiting a place called Asteroid City. Yes, you read the correctly. In typical quirky Anderson fashion, he brings us into this story through a character telling a story. In so doing, he delivers layers of themes that merge into one universal look at humanity.
Anderson first introduces us to a black-and-white TV Show with a story being told by a Broadcast Host played brilliantly by Bryan Cranston. He tells us about a playwright (Edward Norton) who was in search of a cast to perform in his new play that had yet to have a name — ahem…it becomes titled Asteroid City. Anderson then pulls back the curtain and brings us into the play, broken down with title card Acts and Scenes, and the familiar world of vibrant colour we’ve come to expect from the visionary arrives.
The play is about Augie (a fantastic Jason Schwartzman) who’s driving to Asteroid City with his son Woodrow (Jake Ryan) and three daughters. Woodrow is going to be awarded a medal at the Junior Stargazer convention in the town. When they arrive, Augie informs his children that their mother passed away three-weeks prior. This is the first indication of a slightly darker tone for Anderson even while being in this enchanting colourful world. He examines themes such as grief, loneliness and slight apathy.
While in a diner in-town, Augie and Woodrow meet actress Midge Campbell (Scarlett Johansson) and her daughter (Grace Edwards). Johansson excels in this quirky role that we rarely get to see her play. Her character is quite meta as she’s an actress who’s playing an actress in the play Asteroid City.
Augie and Midge slowly build a kinship as they often meet in the windows of their adjoining rentals. Angie runs lines with Midge as she rehearses for her next big role. Frustrated that he isn’t giving much emotion, Augie finally confesses. He hasn’t been feeling much of anything since his wife’s death. This leads Midge to tell him to use that grief and put it into the character.
For all of the spectacular visuals in Asteroid City, this is the most beautiful thing Anderson has delivered. This is a small but powerful message of how art can help channel emotional pain. He cements this theme when we return to black and white. As the actor playing Augie steps backstage and out on a balcony. He runs into the actress (Margot Robbie) who was going to play his wife before they decided to kill off her character. With only this scene, Robbie captivates as she delivers a monologue about the grief of losing the role but the fact that she’s now at a different production just next door. Things end but you need to feel and work through the emotions to move forward.
Anderson’s packed in quite an Ensemble that whom knock it out of the park. He also delivers on the Sci-Fi front. With a few scenes that are such fun that you’ll be craving more.
Asteroid City screens at Cannes ’23:
Tue May 23 at 7PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Wed May 24 at 8:30AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Wed May 24 at 8:30AM at AGNÈS VARDA THEATRE
Wed May 24 at 2:30PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Wed May 24 at 4PM at CINEUM IMAX
Thu May 25 at 2PM at CINEUM AURORE
Sat May 27 at 3:15PM at AGNÈS VARDA THEATRE
#FIRSTLOOK: TRAILER FOR “THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN”
Check-out this heartwarming new Trailer for THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN featuring a star-studded Voice Cast, coming soon to Disney+!
Synopsis:
An adaptation of the award-winning book about one very special gorilla, Disney’s “The One and Only Ivan” is an unforgettable tale about the beauty of friendship, the power of visualization and the significance of the place one calls home. Ivan is a 400-pound silverback gorilla who shares a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall with Stella the elephant, Bob the dog, and various other animals. He has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, it touches something deep within him. Ruby is recently separated from her family in the wild, which causes him to question his life, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be. The heartwarming adventure, which comes to the screen in an impressive hybrid of live-action and CGI, is based on Katherine Applegate’s bestselling book, which won numerous awards upon its publication in 2013, including the Newbery Medal.
The film stars: Sam Rockwell as the voice of Ivan; Angelina Jolie as the voice of Stella; Danny DeVito as the voice of Bob the dog; Helen Mirren as the voice of Snickers the poodle; Brooklynn Prince as the voice of Ruby; Ramon Rodriquez as the mall employee George; Ariana Greenblatt as George’s daughter Julia; Chaka Khan as the voice of Henrietta the chicken; Mike White as the voice of Frankie the seal; Ron Funches as the voice of Murphy the rabbit; Phillipa Soo as the voice of Thelma the parrot; and Bryan Cranston as Mack, the mall’s owner.
THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN streams on Disney+ Friday, August 21, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN “BREAKING BAD: THE COMPLETE SERIES” ON BLU-RAY
One thing’s clear. After all this time, fans still are crazy about BREAKING BAD! Sony Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win BREAKING BAD: THE COMPLETE SERIES on Blu-ray! The Collection is a $110 CAN value and one lucky Reader will win it all!
Synopsis:
Breaking Bad follows protagonist Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a chemistry teacher who lives in New Mexico with his wife (Anna Gunn) and teenage son (RJ Mitte) who has cerebral palsy. White is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of two years left to live. With a new sense of fearlessness based on his medical prognosis, and a desire to secure his family’s financial security, White chooses to enter a dangerous world of drugs and crime and ascends to power in the world. The series explores how a fatal diagnosis such as White‘s releases a typical man from the daily concerns and constraints of normal society and follows his transformation from mild family man to a kingpin of the drug trade.
Trailer:
Official Product:
To enter to win this amazing prize, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. You can double-up your chances by clicking “share” on this Post via @mrwillw on Twitter. You must be following on both channels.
Rules and regulations here.
BREAKING BAD: THE COMPLETE SERIES is now in stores.
Buy it here.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE UPSIDE”
Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advanced Screening of THE UPSIDE! Screenings are as follows:
Toronto:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018
Vancouver:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018
Ottawa:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018
Calgary:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018
Halifax:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018
Edmonton:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018
Winnipeg:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City! Share this Tweet via @mrwillw for an extra chance!
Elevation Pictures release THE UPSIDE Friday, January 11, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
#INTERVIEW: DACRE MONTGOMERY, NAOMI SCOTT + LUDI LIN ON “POWER RANGERS”
Re-imagining the wildly-popular ’90s children’s series from Saban Entertainment, the return to the big screen of upcoming blockbuster POWER RANGERS is an eagerly-awaited cinematic event for several fans, new and old. Helmed by second-time feature Director Dean Israelite (Project Almanac), the Action-Fantasy brings together a promising cast of new faces and familiar characters, add to that a dash of major star power with the likes of Elizabeth Banks, Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston, starring in the Film too.
In town to promote the Film earlier this month were a trio of emerging talent in Naomi Scott (Pink Ranger/Kimberly Scott), Ludi Lin (Black Ranger/Zack Taylor) and Dacre Montgomery (Red Ranger/Jason Lee Scott), all three who could see major stardom with the potential of several sequels to come from the Film, the first in its famed franchise this 21st Century. Montgomery already has been cast in the upcoming second season of Netflix‘s massively-popular Stranger Things.
This latest Film sees five teenagers brought together by coincidence, making them the latest in line of illustrious Power Rangers. They are pitted against powerful witch Rita Repulsa (Banks) who launches an assault, in full pursuit of the Zeo Crystal, a powerful object producing enormous amounts of energy.
We chat with the Trio on the very unconventional and international casting process which went the Film which ranged from auditioning on an iPhone to reading sides for other Power Rangers and more. The Cast also tell us what Power Rangers meant to them growing-up and also what it was like to work with seasoned veterans like Banks (Scott tells us she’s “fierce”) and Cranston, the latter whom we learned actually was added late to the Film.
See our Chat below:
Our Snap with Scott, Lin and Montgomery:
See the Trailer for POWER RANGERS:
eOne Films release POWER RANGERS Friday, March 24, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/eOne Films)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “POWER RANGERS”
eOne Films x Mr. Will want to take Readers to an Advance Screening of POWER RANGERS! Screenings take place as follows:
Toronto
Wed March 22
Scotiabank Toronto
7:00 PM
Vancouver
Wed March 22
Marine Gateway
7:00 PM
Winnipeg
Wed March 22
St. Vital
7:00 PM
Halifax
Wed March 22
Scotiabank Halifax
7:30 PM
Victoria
Wed March 22
Silvercity Victoria
7:00 PM
Synopsis:
In the small town of Angel Grove, five teenagers (Dacre Montgomery, RJ Cyler, Ludi Lin, Naomi Scott, Becky G) who are treated like outcasts by their peers find themselves in a strange cave with colorful, glowing coins. When they fall into the water, they’re amazed to find their bodies are glowing, each in a different color.
The next morning they discover that they all have super strength. The kids who once bullied them are surprised to find the five teens are invincible. In order to find out how and why this happened, the five teens decide to go back to the cave where it all began. There they encounter a voice that informs them they are the Power Rangers and they must defeat an evil alien named Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks).
Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click like on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your city there! For an extra shot, “favourite” this Tweet on Twitter: @mrwillw.
eOne Films release POWER RANGERS Friday, March 24, 2017.
Also stay tuned for our upcoming Chat with the cast of POWER RANGERS!
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
#REVIEW: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “TRUMBO”
eOne Films + Mr. Will want to take you to see one of our favourite films of TIFF ’15, TRUMBO! Screenings take place in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Victoria, Winnipeg, Halifax and Ottawa on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Synopsis:
Blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo’s (Bryan Cranston) successful career comes to a grinding halt because of his political beliefs.
The controversy shines an even brighter light on Hollywood and pits Trumbo in a fight against the U.S. government.
Trumbo also stars John Goodman, Alan Tudyk, Elle Fanning, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Michael Stuhlbarg and Louis C.K.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and indicate for me your city. Click “share” from there for an extra chance to Tweet out the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/trumbo @MRWILLW wants us to #win advance passes to see #TRUMBO. Out 11/27.
G’luck.
eOne Films release TRUMBO on Friday, November 27, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films/Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF15: “TRUMBO”
Often the danger of the Festival Circuit is that some are too quick to jump the gun and proclaim “Oscar!“. Such isn’t the case when speaking to Bryan Cranston‘s phenomenal performance in Jay Roach’s (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents) Trumbo. Not enough is known about two-time Academy Award Winner Dalton Trumbo‘s courageous battle. An ardent Communist, the Writer found himself and his some of his closest comrades under great scrutiny for their beliefs, blacklisted by Hollywood’s most powerful studios and the U.S. government, eventually doing time in prison even.
Prior to his death in 1976, Trumbo had built a legacy in Hollywood, writing classics like Roman Holiday and The Brave One, initially however under aliases after his name had been boycotted by the most powerful in the industry. True to his beliefs and unwavering integrity, we witness Trumbo‘s valiant battle against the government, Hollywood and his personal struggles within his own circle of friends and family.
If you think you’ve been wowed by Cranston‘s top caliber television work, his portrayal of Trumbo will absolutely floor you in this all-in transition to the big screen. Expect him front and center in the Awards Season scramble. Also starring in the Film is a brilliant supporting cast including a long-absent Diane Lane as Trumbo‘s wife Cleo, up-and-coming Elle Fanning as Trumbo‘s eldest daughter Nikola, Louis C.K. in a convincing dramatic turn as confidant Arlen Hird, a superb Helen Mirren as the antagonizing Hedda Hopper, a fiery John Goodman as Frank King and fantastic show by New Zealand’s Dean O’Gorman as Kirk Douglas.
eOne Films release TRUMBO and you can see it at TIFF ’15:
Sat Sep 12 9:00 PM
VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)
Sun Sep 13 9:00 AM
ISABEL BADER THEATRE
#TIFF15: DAY 3 SPOTTINGS – EDDIE REDMAYNE, TOM HIDDLESTON, SUSAN SARANDON, SARAH SILVERMAN, LUKE EVANS, EMMANUELLE CHRIQUI, BRYAN CRANSTON, JESSICA CHASTAIN, EMILY BLUNT, MATT DAMON, GEOFFREY RUSH, DANIKA YAROSH, DOMINIC SHERWOOD, KATHERINE MCNAMARA + MORE!
Although the rain repeatedly held us back, we gained a bit of star-spotting momentum midday. Here’s some snaps from the rain-filled first Saturday of the Festival! Brrr.
Matt Damon. Lightning strikes twice and despite hearing rumours he was flying back to Europe to film the latest Bourne installment, we can confirm we saw him right before our eyes again heading to the Entertainment Weekly party!
More Matt.
Joel Edgerton. The shaved-headed Australian Actor/Filmmaker is at TIFF ’15 with Black Mass, also starring Johnny Depp.
#JoelEdgerton at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Jean-Marc Vallée. We love Dallas Buyers Club and it was a great pleasure meeting finally the Canadian Filmmaker who created that masterpiece. He was represented by Opening Night Gala Demolition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
Dominic Sherwood, Katherine McNamara + Alberto Rosende. The three stars of upcoming Toronto-filmed TV Series Shadowhunters were out partying together at the Entertainment Weekly party earlier.
#DominicSherwood, #KatherineMcNamara + #AlbertoRosende of #Shadowhunters at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
This adorable kid will steal your hearts in Thriller, Room. Jacob Tremblay, everybody!
Geoffrey Rush, screen legend, here this year with The Daughter.
#GeoffreyRush at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Emily Blunt. She’s done few photos with Fans oddly this year. Not sure why? She looks amazing and was out alone earlier at the Entertainment Weekly party.
Jeff Daniels, quietly making an exit from the Entertainment Weekly party. He is here for The Martian.
#JeffDaniels at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
We love emerging talent and this young actress Danika Yarosh got lots of exposure on hit series Shameless. She is here filming Heroes Reborn, which premiered at TIFF‘s new TV Programme.
Former TIFF Rising Star Mackenzie Davis is set for the big time and she stars in The Martian.
Canadian actress #MackenzieDavis at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #TheMartian A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Bryan Cranston. The Trumbo star will wow you bigtime with his performance in that TIFF ’15 selection.
Our George Kozera attended the Premiere of He Named Me Malala by Davis Guggenheim at Ryerson Theatre and the response was unanimously positive for the Documentary. A Skype session with young activist Malala Yousafzai herself was held in the Q&A.
#DavisGuggenheim’s #HeNamedMeMalala gets fantastic reaction at Ryerson Theatre tonight. #TIFF15 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF40 (photo via George Kozera). A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Because Jessica.
Eddie Redmayne at TIFF ’15 for The Danish Girl. Johnny Depp showed-up to his Premiere in support of partner Amber Heard who has a supporting role in the Film!
#EddieRedmayne at #TIFF15 for #TheDanishGirl. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Toronto’s Emmanuelle Chriqui at TIFF ’15 for The Steps.
Luke Evans at TIFF ’15 for High-Rise.
#LukeEvans at #TIFF15 for #HighRiseMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Sarah Gadon at the In-Style Magazine party, TIFF ’15.
Patrick Stewart, who stars in Green Room at TIFF ’15, blowing Fans a kiss.
#PatrickStewart blowing a kiss. #GreenRoomMovie #TIFF15 #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Harry Potter star Clémence Poésy at TIFF ’15 for The Ones Below.
Potential James Bond, Idris Elba at TIFF ’15 for Beasts of No Nation.
#IdrisElba at #TIFF15 for #BeastsofNoNation. #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival #Netflix
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Ben Foster at TIFF ’15 for The Program, a Film about the Lance Armstrong scandal.
Michael Shannon at TIFF ’15 for Freeheld.
#MichaelShannon at #TIFF15 for #FreeheldMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Susan Sarandon at TIFF ’15 for About Ray.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#SPOTTED: GARETH EDWARDS IN TORONTO FOR “GODZILLA”
The praise already is pouring in for Gareth Edwards’ upcoming Reboot of GODZILLA. Toronto was lucky enough to host a Premiere for the Action-Adventure filmed in British Columbia and coming-in to support the Blockbuster was none other than the Director himself!
Those of you who have walked by Yonge x Elm Streets these past few days might have noticed an eye-popping disaster-themed installation courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Canada. The smokey street-level Exhibit which had Torontonians Instagramming away, simulates a Subway crashing into the concrete and a Helicopter on-the-scene.
Following a round of Interviews in the rain, Edwards was a great sport greeting Fans, regardless of the weather and fielding Media questions before heading-off to the Premiere at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas. The Film sees the Father-Son Duo of Scientist Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston) and his Son, Lieutenant Ford Brody (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) teaming to investigate the Janjira collapse. Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche, Ken Watanabe, David Strathairn and Elizabeth Olsen round-out an extremely talented Cast.
See the Trailer below:
See some Snaps of the Festivities:
In case you were wondering, the Installation will be around till this Sunday, so don’t forget to check it out and use the Hashtag #GodzillaTO!
Our Review of GODZILLA is right here.
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release Godzilla this Friday, May 16, 2014.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)
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