By Amanda Gilmore

AM I OK? is a touching Comedy and an ode to female friendship.

The Film follows inseparable Los Angeles best friends Lucy (Dakota Johnson) and Jane (Sonoya Mizuno). When Jane’s new promotion requires her to move to London, Lucy confesses her long-held secret: She likes women. In the lead up to their impending separation, we follow as Jane prepares for her big move and Lucy searches for her first sexual experience with a woman.

What sets AM I OK? apart is that it depicts the coming-of-age of two women in their 30s. Co-Directors Stephanie Allynne and Tig Notaro along with Screenwriter Lauren Pomerantz have created a brilliant Comedy that flawlessly captures friendship, love and self-discovery.

It’s refreshing to see a coming-out story for a 30-something. Lucy’s journey is endearing and Johnson knocks it out of the park. She approaches Lucy with a delicate fragility that guides her along in her sexual awakening. She shares a genuine chemistry in scenes with Kiersey Clemons, who plays her romantic interest and co-worker. Clemons gives a strong performance as the indecisive Brittany. And Mizuno gives a superb performance as the compassionate and headstrong Jane, who appears to have it all together, but is harbouring her anxieties within after she is given a opportunity to go overseas on a promotion.

The Screenplay gives us these two separate stories, while keeping Lucy and Jane‘s friendship at the forefront. This works because Johnson and Mizuno have such a palpable chemistry that feels entirely organic. Additionally, the Supporting Cast bring impactful comedic performances. Molly Gordon plays the outgoing Kat, a co-worker of Jane’s, who just irritates Lucy. And Notaro does double duty with a hilarious cameo.

AM I OK? screens virtually at Sundance:
Premiere: Jan. 24 at 4PM EST

Second Screening: Jan. 26 at 10AM EST (available for 24hrs)

By Mr. Will Wong

Writer/Director/Actor Cooper Raiff is at Sundance with his third Feature CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH, performing all three duties with equal dexterity. What he’s crafted here is sure to be one of the biggest breakout hits of the Festival. The Film is a sensitive, beautiful and touching coming-of-age story about a 22-year-old man named Andrew, still figuring life out after his girlfriend goes off to Barcelona.

When we meet Andrew, he moves back in with his mom (Leslie Mann), stepdad Greg (Brad Garrett) and little brother David (Evan Assante). He works a mundane job at Meat Stick, a Corndog shop, and after attending a Bar Mitzah with David, his charm makes him a hot commodity with all the local Jewish moms, and he soon finds himself with a hosting gig. He meets Domino (Dakota Johnson) and her daughter Lola (Vanessa Burghardt), who is on the Autism spectrum and finds himself striking a real connection with the two. Though she is further along in life than he, Andrew finds himself falling for Domino (and she for him too), although she is engaged to be married to Joseph (Raul Castillo). He finds himself at a bit of an impasse figuring it all out and where he fits, as life is about to pull him potentially in several different ways.

Raiff does a superb job in his acting, writing and direction, giving us a full portrait of Andrew. He is a brother, a confidante, a boyfriend and though he is frustrated at times how things aren’t going in his favour or that he hasn’t put it all together yet, we never lose sight of his good heart. He views life with an observant understanding. This is balanced perfectly by elements of humour, lightheartedness and undercurrent of bittersweet emotions which Andrew experiences. This level of care and detail doesn’t just stop at Andrew. We see those around him for who they are and are asked what they want.

This Ensemble of Actors gel together just perfectly. Johnson, whom also serves as Producer, builds upon her impressive catalog of work here as Domino, giving us a quiet chaos and her chemistry with Raiff is electric even if ultimately their relationship is on platonic terms. Mann is effective as Andrew‘s supportive mother, even if his disapproval of her partner Greg provides several of the Film’s most memorable jokes. Promising young talent Assante brings out a nurturing warmth in Andrew, winning us over. And of course, the casting of newcomer Burghardt really punctuates how they got it all right with this Film casting an Autistic actress – a really fantastic on-screen debut that educates as much as it entertains.

This empathic journey of growth proves to be a rewarding one that delivers the laughs as much it is good for the soul, and we’ll be thinking about for some time. Beyond ecstatic for the world to get to know this Film.

CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH screens at Sundance as follows:

• PREMIEREJAN. 23  4:45PM EST Available Until Jan. 23 7:45PM EST 
• SECOND SCREENING JAN. 25  10:00AM EST Available Until Jan. 26 10:00AM EST

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a Digital Download of TIFF ’19 selection, OUR FRIEND! This stars Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson and Jason Segel!

Synopsis:

After receiving life-altering news, a couple finds unexpected support from their best friend, who puts his own life on hold and moves into their family home, bringing an impact much greater and more profound than anyone could have imagined.

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK!. Re–Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an additional chance!

Rules and regulations here.

OUR FRIEND is on Digital and On-Demand Friday, January 22, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

After premiering at TIFF ’19, heart-breaking OUR FRIEND finally is ready for release. We don’t know about you but we can’t get enough Dakota Johnson!

Synopsis:

Nicole (Dakota Johnson) and Matthew Teague (Casey Affleck), faced with Nicole‘s impending death, see their best friend (Jason Segel) move in to help them out.

Directed by: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Casey Affleck and Jason Segel

See the Trailer:

Elevation Pictures release OUR FRIEND in theatres and on-demand January 22, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of acclaimed THE HIGH NOTE on Blu-ray™!

Synopsis:

The High Note follows a superstar singer (Tracee Ellis Ross – who shows off her own vocals for the original songs in the film) and her personal assistant (Dakota Johnson) as they both aspire for more despite the industry trying to keep them in place. 

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance! You must be following.

Rules and regulations here.

THE HIGH NOTE is available on Blu-ray™/DVD Tuesday, August 11, 2020.

order now:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson star in THE HIGH NOTE!  Check-out the new Trailer!

Story:

Set in the dazzling world of the LA music scene comes the story of Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), a superstar whose talent, and ego, have reached unbelievable heights. Maggie (Dakota Johnson) is Grace’s overworked personal assistant who’s stuck running errands, but still aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. When Grace’s manager (Ice Cube) presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever.

See the Trailer:

Focus Features release THE HIGH NOTE May 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Focus Features)

TIFF ’19 officially has kicked into high gear and you won’t believe the star power we witnessed!

Check it out. Hover right on each album to navigate.

HUSTLERS – #SheInspiresMe Panel

SEBERG – Press Stop

SYNCHRONIC – Press Stop

THE FRIEND – Press Stop

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#TIFF19: With the Cast of #TheFriend – #DakotaJohnson, #JasonSegel, #IsabellaKai + #JakeOwen. The Cast rolled around town in #LandRovers.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2019 at 9:09am PDT

COLOR OUT OF SPACE – Press Stop

SOUND OF METAL – Press Stop

 

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#TIFF19: My biggest crush, #RizAhmed who is at #TIFF for #SoundofMetal. Stay tuned for @davemabaldwin’s chat with him and Co-Star #OliviaCooke! Ahmed just received the #IMDb Star Meter Award!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2019 at 8:29am PDT

KNIVES OUT – Press Stop

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#TIFF19: With the Cast of #KnivesOut – #JamieLeeCurtis, #DonJohnson (whose daughter Dakota also is at #TIFF), #ToniCollette, #KatherineLangford, #JaedenMartell, #ChristopherPlummer + #ChrisEvans. #HuaweiP30Pro

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2019 at 10:38am PDT

JOJO RABBIT – Press Stop

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#TIFF19: The Cast and Director of #JojoWabbit! With #TaikaWaititi, #StephenMerchant + #ThomasinMcKenzie. #HuaweiP30Pro

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2019 at 10:09am PDT

THE LIGHTHOUSE – Press Stop

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

After Nicole (Dakota Johnson) is diagnosed with cancer, her friend Dane (Jason Segel) moves in to help her and her husband Matthew (Casey Affleck) with her appointments and treatments, taking care of their kids and keeping the house in order. And what is initially planned as a short multi-week stay quickly extends into many months.

The Friend is based on a true story, so that alone makes the emotional turmoil this family endures that much more devastating. While some scenes are heavy-handed, the core ensemble of Johnson, Affleck and especially Segel all deliver terrific work. But the Film around them is a mess. It jumps back and forth around timelines much too often, rarely stopping before jumping back into some part of the present. These flashbacks should be developing the characters better, but they seem to function only to piece together a vaguely coherent backstory. They share some facts with us, but keep others enigmatic (although one needless gut punch gets a lot of focus). I understand the struggle of not knowing what to cut, but feel like there was some pertinent information left out that could have taken The Friend from just being good to being truly great. Make sure you bring the tissues.

THE FRIEND screens during TIFF at the following times:

Friday September 6, 6:00pm @ Princess of Wales [World Premiere]
Saturday September 7, 2:30pm @ Princess of Wales

leveFILM x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of SXSW Audience Award winner THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON in Toronto and Vancouver. Screenings take place as follows:

Toronto:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 @ 7PM
Cineplex Varsity Cinemas

Vancouver:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 @ 7:30PM
Cineplex International Village

Synopsis:
When Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome, runs away from the nursing home where he lives, he sets off on a modern Mark Twain adventure as he chases his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. The Film stars Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

levelFILM release THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON Friday, August 23, 2019 in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa & Winnipeg.

(Photo/video credit: levelFILM)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Zak is a 22-year-old male with Down Syndrome who escapes from the retirement home he is forced to be in, in the hopes of meeting his Wrestling hero.

This Film has an enormous amount of heart with one of the most touching stories. The Script is tight with some of the richest characters who have been cast to perfection. The Cast includes Dakota Johnson, Thomas Haden Church, John Hawkes, Bruce Dern and the anchor of the Film Zack Gottsagen who plays Zak. However, the most moving performance is from Shia LaBeouf. He’s completely dedicated and extremely authentic in a different role than we have seen him in before.

The Peanut Butter Falcon screens at SXSW on March 9 at 8 PM at Atom Theatre, March 12 at 4:45 PM at Alamo Lamar D and March 13 at 5:15 PM at Stateside.