Sony Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see TIFF ’22 selection DEVOTION starring Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell and Joe Jonas.

Screenings take place as follows:

TORONTO – Monday, 11/21, 7PM @ Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas

VANCOUVER – Monday, 11/21, 7PM @ Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas

Synopsis:

Devotion, an aerial war epic based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the harrowing true story of two elite US Navy fighter pilots during the Korean War. Their heroic sacrifices would ultimately make them the Navy’s most celebrated wingmen.

Directed by: JD Dillard

Screenplay by: Jake Crane & Jonathan A. H. Stewart

Based on the book by: Adam Makos

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and in the comments there, indicate your City. Re-Tweet the below for an additional chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Sony Pictures Canada release DEVOTION November 23, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

We proudly present the new Canadian Trailer for CREED III, the latest in this riveting series, this time around with star Michael B. Jordan direting.

Synopsis:

From Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures comes “Creed III,” with Michael B. Jordan making his directorial debut and returning in the role of Adonis Creed in the third installment of the hit franchise. The film also stars Tessa Thompson (“Creed” franchise, “Passing”), Jonathan Majors (“Da 5 Bloods,” “Lovecraft Country”), Wood Harris (“Creed” franchise, “Blade Runner 2049”), Florian Munteanu (“Creed II,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), newcomer Mila Kent, and Phylicia Rashad (“Creed” franchise, “Soul”).

Jordan directs from a screenplay by Keenan Coogler (“Space Jam: A New Legacy”) & Zach Baylin (“King Richard”), from a story by Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”) and Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin. It is produced by Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Elizabeth Raposo, Jonathan Glickman and Sylvester Stallone. The executive producers are Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, Nicolas Stern and Adam Rosenberg.

Jordan is joined behind the camera by director of photography Kramer Morgenthau (“Creed II,” “Thor: The Dark World”), production designer Jahmin Assa (“mid90s,” “Angelyne”), editor Tyler Nelson (“The Batman,” “Rememory”), costume designer Lizz Wolf (“Creed II,” “Pacific Rim: Uprising”), with a score by composer Joseph Shirley (“Jackass Forever,” “The Book of Boba Fett”).

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Presents A Chartoff-Winkler Production, “Creed III,” which will be distributed in North America by MGM and internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in territories beginning March 1, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

By David Baldwin

Ensign Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors, the future big bad of the MCU) is an outsanding pilot and the US Navy’s first black Aviator in history. Sadly, the racist troops around him do not think much of this incredible achievement. Enter Lieutenant Tom Hudner (Glen Powell) who joins Brown’s squadron just before they are deployed to fight in the Korean War. Hudner wants to get close to his new Wingman, but Brown is suspicious of his motivations.

The true story of Brown and what happened to him before, during and after Korea is incredible. That story is the beating heart of DEVOTION, and is the exact reason why the Film feels so disappointing and uninteresting. It merely goes through the motions telling the story and embellishing facts along the way, never really stopping for any moments of introspection or even reactions to some of the tragic things that happen. It is not given the love and attention it needs, and feels so callously put together rather than being a powerful story of Heroism and the strength of the human spirit. This is a story that deserves to be told, yet feels like it could and should have been done better. The flight scenes are great (even if they will unfavourably be compared to the ones in Top Gun: Maverick), the sound is top-notch as is the look of the Film. But if we are not really caring about the characters or the story, then why do any of these technical achievements matter?

All of that said, Majors is very good in the role of Brown. He feels a little stifled in some scenes, yet still manages to do an admirable job carrying the film under the weight of the lackluster script. Powell is wonderful as always, and supporting turns from Thomas Sadoski, Joseph Cross, Joe Jonas and especially Christina Jackson (playing Brown’s firecracker of a wife Daisy) are all well-done. I just wish they were all in a better movie.

DEVOTION screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON Cinesphere IMAX Theatre 6:00pm

Wed, Sep 14 IN-PERSON Cinesphere IMAX Theatre 9:00pm

Thu, Sep 15 IN-PERSON Cinesphere IMAX Theatre 5:30pm

An outstanding Cast highlights THE HARDER THEY FALL, coming soon to Netflix. A look at the brand-new Trailer.

Synopsis: When outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) discovers that his enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is being released from prison he rounds up his gang to track Rufus down and seek revenge. Those riding with him in this assured, righteously new school Western include his former love Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz), his right and left hand men — hot-tempered Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi) and fast drawing Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler)—and a surprising adversary-turned-ally. Rufus Buck has his own fearsome crew, including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield), and they are not a group that knows how to lose. Directed by Jeymes Samuel, written by Samuel and Boaz Yakin, produced by Shawn Carter, James Lassiter, Lawrence Bender and Jeymes Samuel, and featuring a red hot soundtrack and a stunning all-star cast, including Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, R.J. Cyler, Damon Wayans Jr., Deon Cole with Regina King and Idris Elba revenge has never been served colder.

THE HARDER THEY FALL is in select theatres October 22, 2021 and on Netflix November 3, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

An incredible Cast star in THE HARDER THEY FALL, from Executive Producer Jay-Z!

Synopsis:

When outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) discovers that his enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is being released from prison he rounds up his gang to track Rufus down and seek revenge. Those riding with him in this assured, righteously new school Western include his former love Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz), his right and left hand men — hot-tempered Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi) and fast drawing Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler)—and a surprising adversary-turned-ally. Rufus Buck has his own fearsome crew, including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield), and they are not a group that knows how to lose. Directed by Jeymes Samuel, written by Samuel and Boaz Yakin, produced by Shawn Carter, James Lassiter, Lawrence Bender and Jeymes Samuel, and featuring a red hot soundtrack and a stunning all-star cast, including Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, R.J. Cyler, Damon Wayans Jr., Deon Cole with Regina King and Idris Elba revenge has never been served colder.

THE HARDER THEY FALL arrives on Netflix and in select theatres this Fall.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Spike Lee is back with DA 5 BLOODS, coming soon to Netflix! See the new Trailer!

Synopsis:
From Academy Award® Winner Spike Lee comes a New Joint: the story of four African American Vets — Paul (Delroy Lindo), Otis (Clarke Peters), Eddie (Norm Lewis), and Melvin (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.) — who return to Vietnam. Searching for the remains of their fallen Squad Leader (Chadwick Boseman) and the promise of buried treasure, our heroes, joined by Paul‘s concerned son (Jonathan Majors), battle forces of Man and Nature — while confronted by the lasting ravages of The Immorality of The Vietnam War.

See the Trailer:

DA 5 BLOODS streams on Netflix Friday, June 12, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

In case it wasn’t on your radar, CAPTIVE STATE hits theatres next month and looks riveting! Check-out its new Trailer:

Synopsis:
After 10 years of occupation, some chose cooperation, others chose resistance. Set in a Chicago neighbourhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force, CAPTIVE STATE explores the lives on both sides of the conflict – the collaborators and the dissidents.

Cast: John Goodman, Ashton Sanders, Jonathan Majors, Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly), Vera Farmiga

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures Canada release CAPTIVE STATE Friday, March 15, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Jimmie Fails (Jimmie Fails) has one dream in life: to reclaim the Victorian house his family once lived in and grandfather built. When Jimmie and his only friend Montgomery (Jonathan Majors) find out the current owners of the house have moved out, they squat there and recreate the home Jimmie once knew.

The Last Black Man In San Francisco is the astonishing first feature debut of Director Joe Talbot. The Film is a sophisticated examination of gentrification and the effects it has on communities and individuals. Through focusing on one man’s story, the real-life story of Jimmie Fails, the themes are specific and therefore become universal. Fails, in playing a fictionalized version of himself, is enthralling to watch. His subtle performance adds texture to the already flawless Script and direction, while Majors gives a breakout performance as Fails’ supportive Playwright best friend. This is an essential viewing experience and will be watched and revisited years from now.

The Last Black Man In San Francisco screens at Sundance on Jan 26 at 12:15PM at Eccles PC, Jan 27 at 9:30PM at Redstone 1 PC, Jan 31 at 6PM at Library Theatre SLC, Feb 1 at 8:30PM at Prospector PC, and Feb 2 at 8:45AM at Library PC.

If there’s one Film coming out of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival with a lot of buzz, that would be THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO. The Drama directed by Joe Talbot centers on a man searching for home in a city that seems to have left him behind. It stars Co-Writer Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors, Rob Morgan, Thora Birch, Danny Glover and Finn Wittrock. Our Amanda Gilmore spotted Fails, Majors and Morgan causing a commotion with autograph seekers after the Film receive a warm reception last night at the Festival.  A24 distributes the Film, while Brad Pitt‘s Plan B Entertainment produces. We hear there were 100+ people on-standby to screen the Film tonight!

Biographical Sports Dramedy FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY which is based on the true story of WWE star Paige is a surprise addition to the Festival, set to premiere tomorrow.  Paige who is played in the February release by Florench Pugh, was spotted about and about with Pugh. Many are wondering if Dwayne Johnson might be making an appearance at Sundance now too!

While we know Wendi McLendon-Covey mostly for her comedic work, she comes to Sundance with IMAGINARY ORDER. The Drama sees an obsessive-compulsive suburban mom’s sexual and moral unravelling and fans went wild for the star who was seen out doing press.

Oscar-nominated Chiwetel Ejiofor makes his directorial debut with THE MAN WHO HARNESSED THE WIND, based on the Novel by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. Ejiofor also writes the Adaptation and stars in the the Drama. Amanda spotted him out being very giving to fans!

She speaks  highly of THE FAREWELL which sees breakout star of Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, Awkwafina, stretch her dramatic wings. Check-out her review here. The Film sold for $7 million to A24.

And of course, she was lucky enough to get into a screening of hotly-buzzed EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE starring Zac Efron! He really is that good in it we’re hearing. More here.

Some Snaps from Amanda:

Jonathan Majors, The Last Black Man in San Francisco