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
Parks and Recreation Star Adam Scott has been quiet of late and we’re thrilled to have him back! The dapper Funnyman last graced our city in 2011 walking the Red Carpet for Dramedy Friends With Kids. After premiering at Sundance to positive reception, his latest Comedy THE OVERNIGHT now is set for release.
The Film centers on a young family who relocate to L.A. They meet another mysterious young family and decide to go on a playdate which takes a turn to the interesting and revealing. Everyone is talking about the prosthetics. Jason Schwartzman and Taylor Schilling star also.
Scott has a busy day ahead doing promotion for The Overnight and in the 6 AM hour was at Breakfast Television where Fans say that despite being quiet, was very kind. He arrived at The Morning Show in the 8 AM hour and was all smiles.
See the Trailer:
Scott‘s Interview on CP24 Breakfast:
Our Snap (with Billy!!):
The Archive release THE OVERNIGHT in select cities Friday, June 26, 2015 with additional cities to follow.
More here.
(Photo/video credit: The Archive/Mr. Will Wong)
Mr. Will Wong and Fox Searchlight (Canada) want to give Readers in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary a chance to see Wes Anderson’s latest Masterpiece THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL before everybody else! We’ve seen it and absolutely we were enchanted! Check back soon for our glowing Review.
Screenings take place tentatively:
Toronto: Week of March 10
Vancouver: Week of March 10
Calgary: Week of March 17
Official Synopsis:
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary Concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars; and Zero Moustafa, the Lobby Boy who becomes his most trusted Friend. The Story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting; a raging battle for an enormous Family Fortune; a desperate chase on motorcycles, trains, sleds, and skis; and the sweetest confection of a love affair — all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.
Star-studded THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL stars: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson and Owen Wilson.
See the Trailer below:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook and state your City. You are encouraged to share via Social Media and you can increase your chances by Re-Tweeting the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/thegrandbudapesthotel @MRWILLW wants us to enter to #win Advance Passes to see #THEGRANDBUDAPESTHOTEL in #Calgary #Toronto and #Vancouver!
Fox Searchlight (Canada) release THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL on Friday, March 14, 2014 in Toronto, Friday, March 21, 2014 in Edmonton, Montréal, Québec and Friday, March 28, 2014 in- Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, Victoria, Kitchener. Mark your calendars!
Mr. Will & The Cast of The Grand Budapest Hotel:
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight/Mr. Will Wong)
Taking place Sunday, November 3, 3013, the first-ever YouTube Music Awards will take place in New York City at Pier 36! Performers at the star-studded Awards include the likes of Eminem, Lady Gaga, Avicii, M.I.A., Arcade Fire and several more. Funnyman Jason Schwartzman and Musician Reggie Watts will host the Event.
Nominees for six categories were announced earlier today and they include:
Video of the Year:
· Barack Obama vs Mitt Romney – Epic Rap Battles Of History
· Demi Lovato – Heart Attack
· Girls’ Generation – I Got A Boy
· Justin Bieber (feat. Nicki Minaj) – Beauty And A Beat
· Lady Gaga – Applause
· Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Mary Lambert) – Same Love
· Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
· One Direction – Best Song Ever
· PSY – Gentleman
· Selena Gomez Come & Get It
Artist of the Year
‣ Eminem
‣ Epic Rap Battles of History
‣ Justin Bieber
‣ Katy Perry
‣ Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
‣ Nicki Minaj
‣ One Direction
‣ PSY
‣ Rihanna
‣ Taylor Swift
Response of the Year
‣ Boyce Avenue (feat. Fifth Harmony) – Mirrors
‣ Jayesslee – Gangnam Style
‣ Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonix – Radioactive
‣ ThePianoGuys – Titanium/ Pavane
‣ Walk Off the Earth (feat. KRNFX) – IKnew You Were Trouble
YouTube Phenomenon
‣ Diamonds
‣ Gangnam Style
‣ Harlem Shake
‣ I Knew You Were Trouble
‣ Thrift Shop
YouTube Breakthrough
‣ Kendrick Lamar
‣ Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
‣ Naughty Boy
‣ Passenger
‣ Rudimental
Innovation of the Year
‣ Anamanaguchi -ENDLESS FANTASY
‣ Atoms For Peace – Ingenue
‣ Bat For Lashes – Lilies
‣ DeStorm – See Me Standing
‣ Toro Y Moi – Say That
Fans around the World now can vote here!
You can stream a Series of Shows from Seoul, Tokyo, Moscow, London and Rio kicking-off the Awards on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 5:00 AM EST.
(Photo credit: Universal Music)
At long last, a Trailer has arrived for Saving Mr. Banks, and if this isn’t bait for an Oscar, I don’t know what is!
Chronicling Walt Disney‘s 20-year struggle to bring Author P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins to the big screen, the Disney (I know, how meta!) Drama stars Tom Hanks as the famed Animator and Emma Thompson as Travers; John Lee Hancock directs.
Saving Mr. Banks also stars: Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Annie Rose Buckley, Ruth Wilson, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffiths and Kathy Baker.
See the official Synopsis below:
When Walt Disney’s Daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite Book, P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins, he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood Machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the Adaptation.
For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls-out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman Brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.
It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing Films in Cinematic History.
See the Trailer below:
Saving Mr. Banks gets a Limited Release on December 13, 2013 and a Wide Release December 20, 2013, making this a prime choice for Families this Christmas!
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
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