#TIFF19: “DEERSKIN”

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Georges’ (Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin) life is in upheaval. He separated from his wife and has just spent a comically ridiculous amount of money for a deerskin coat. He loves and admires the coat – so much so that he starts talking to it, and slowly becomes unhinged from reality.

If you watched Writer/Director Quentin Dupieux’s previous film Rubber – about a tire that kills people – you probably have an idea for what kind of trip you are in for with Deerskin. The Film is part narrative, part experimental avant garde piece on identity and mental illness. It is delightfully absurd right from the start, setting the tone immediately but never letting on what direction it is moving in next. It is a bit of a slow-burn at first and seems determined to test the audience’s patience. But once Dupieux unpacks all of his wacky ideas, all bets are off and you will not be able to look away. And in the middle of everything is Dujardin, who goes all in with his positively bonkers performance. He is keenly aware of how outrageous the Film is, and plays into each moment recklessly and fearlessly.

Just make sure you leave your coat at home when you see it. You can thank me later.

DEERSKIN screens during TIFF at the following times:

Thursday September 12, 9:00pm @ Ryerson Theatre
Friday, September 13 @ 9:15pm @ Scotiabank Theatre
Sunday September 15, 6:30pm@ Scotiabank Theatre

#TIFF14: DAY 7 RECAP – The second annual Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film, JEAN DUJARDIN + MORE

It was amazing today finally getting a chance to enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation during the day before heading out to cover an Event I’m particularly proud to support.  The second annual Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film took place at Birks (Manulife Centre), drawing a large crowd of Onlookers and Fans in the dedicated Fanzone area, even with the onset of rain.

The Event honours Female Directors and Actors who have had an outstanding year at home and abroad, as selected by a Jury of Media and Entertainment Specialists. Recognized this year were as follows: Jennifer Baichwal; Ric Esther Bienstock; Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu (co-directors of Uvanga); and Nancy Florence Savard, as well as Actors Anne Dorval; Tatiana Maslany; Sophie Nélisse; Molly Parker; and Cobie Smulders.

The Cocktail Reception saw the Recipients awarded on-stage and among them, Maslany who is riding a career high right now based on the success of internationally-acclaimed series Orphan Black not only garnering her a Critics Choice Award, but also a Golden Globe nomination. Just earlier this year, we witnessed her win a Canadian Screen Award also (more here).

Walking the Red Carpet this afternoon were a bevvy of Canadian Talent including Justin Kelly (Maps to the Stars), Shannon Kook (Empire of Dirt), Julia Sarah Stone (Wet Bum), Katie Boland (The Master), Katie Noland (Pawn Sacrifice), Sophie Desmarais (Sarah Prefers to Run), Ben Lewis & Lauren Collins (Zero Recognition), Eric Johnson (Smallville), Steven Lund (Bitten), Natalie Brown (The Strain), Warren Sonoda (Swearnet), Amanda Brugel (Sex After Kids), Peter Keleghan (Sex After Kids) and an expecting Erica Durance (Saving Hope), among many more.

See some of the Talent here:

In other news, we spotted the Academy Award-winning Actor Jean Dujardin, best known in these parts for his phenomenal performance in The Artist. The French Star is getting ready to premiere his new Film, Action-Thriller The Connection at TIFF ’14. He is every bit as amazing I imagined he’d be!

And on a separate note, we spotted Mike Tyson – not in town for TIFF ‘14 per say, but here to perform his One-Man Show MIKE TYSON: THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH at Air Canada Centre. He may have raised a few eye brows earlier with rampage on CP24 earlier today. More on that here.

Although the names certainly are fewer at this stage of the Festival, do expect a couple big names here tomorrow!

Be following here for up-to-the minute updates and sightings!

Twitter: @MRWILLW
Instagram: @MRWILLWONG

All Photos captured on the NIKON D3300 and communicated via the Samsung Galaxy Tab S.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO SEE MARTIN SCORCESE’S “THE WOLF OF WALL STREET” IN TORONTO STARRING LEONARDO DICAPRIO

Mr. Will Wong and Paramount Pictures want to take you to an Advance Screening in Toronto to one of this year’s most hotly-buzzed Films, Martin Scorcese‘s THE WOLF OF WALL STREET starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey!  Screening takes place Thursday, December 19, 2013 at Scotiabank Theatre.

Official Synopsis:

Revered Filmmaker Martin Scorsese directs the story of New York Stockbroker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio).   From the American dream to corporate greed, Belfort goes from penny stocks and righteousness to IPOs and a life of corruption in the late ’80s.  Excess success and affluence in his early twenties as founder of the Brokerage Firm Stratton Oakmont warranted Belfort the Title – The Wolf of Wall Street.

Money.  Power.  Women.  Drugs.  Temptations were for the taking and the threat of authority was irrelevant.  For Jordan and his Wolf Pack, modesty was quickly deemed overrated and more was never enough.

Watch the positively mesmerizing Trailer:

Official Artwork:

 

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Also state your City and  tell me your favourite Scorcese Flick and why! Share on Facebook and double your chances or Re-Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/wolfofwallstreet @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to the Advance Screening of #THEWOLFOFWALLSTREET! In theatres Christmas!

Paramount Pictures release THE WOLF OF WALL STREET on Christmas Day.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE WOLF OF WALL STREET” TRAILER

Sold! Martin Scorcese and Leonaro DiCaprio team-up again and the results are winning in this brand new Trailer for The Wolf of Wall Street. Based on a true Story and Memoir by Jordan Belfort, the Drama centers on a New York Stockbroker to cooperate in a large Securities Fraud Case involving corruption on Wall Street.  The Ego. There is no one who could pull this off like Leo. Nobody.

Rob Reiner, Spike Jonze, Jean Dujardin, Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey and Kyle Chandler star also.

Watch the Trailer below:

 

Paramount Pictures releases on November 15, 2013. Please, oh please, let this premiere at TIFF 2013!

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)