If there’s one film I’m most excited about, I’d say it would be this. The new Trailer for MAY DECEMBER, has just arrived.
Details:
DIRECTOR: Todd Haynes
SCREENPLAY BY: Samy Burch
STORY BY: Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik
PRODUCERS: Natalie Portman, Sophie Mas, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon, Grant S. Johnson, Tyler W. Konney, Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell
EXEC. PRODUCERS: Madeleine K. Rudin, Thomas K. Richards, Lee Broda, Jeff Rice, Jonathan Montepare, Samy Burch, Alex Brown, Thorsten Schumacher, Claire Taylor
KEY CAST: Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, Charles Melton
LOGLINE: Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, a married couple (Julianne Moore, Charles Melton) buckles under the pressure when an actress (Natalie Portman) arrives to do research for a film about their past.
Release schedule for MAY DECEMBER is as follows:
Opens New York Film Festival This Friday, September 29, 2023
In Select Theaters November 17, 2023 (US & Canada)
On Netflix December 1, 2023 (US & Canada)
We cannot wait to see this but are thrilled we finally get a teaser for MAY DECEMBER, which premiere at Cannes to raves.
LOGLINE:
Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, a married couple (Julianne Moore, Charles Melton) buckles under the pressure when an actress (Natalie Portman) arrives to do research for a film about their past.
DIRECTOR: Todd Haynes
SCREENPLAY BY: Samy Burch
STORY BY: Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik
PRODUCERS: Natalie Portman, Sophie Mas, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon, Grant S. Johnson, Tyler W. Konney, Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell
EXEC. PRODUCERS: Madeleine K. Rudin, Thomas K. Richards, Lee Broda, Jeff Rice, Jonathan Montepare, Samy Burch, Alex Brown, Thorsten Schumacher, Claire Taylor
KEY CAST: Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, Charles Melton
Opens New York Film Festival on September 29, 2023
In Select Theatres November 17, 2023
On Netflix December 1, 2023 (US & Canada)
By Amanda Gilmore
Director Todd Haynes’ campy Dark Comedy May December is a sharp look at trauma and a critique of Hollywood’s invasive nature.
Actress Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman) travels to Savannah, Georgia to research her newest role. It’s for a biographical Film of a notorious tabloid romance between Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton) that happened 20 years prior. Lucky for Elizabeth, Gracie (who she’s going to portray) has invited her into the now-married couple’s home. But when the Actress begins asking personal questions to get to the heart of her character, it forces the couple to confront their past.
Haynes’ tempered direction infuses camp humour into an unsettling story. Gracie and Joe began their affair twenty years prior. Gracie was a fully-formed adult with children and a husband, while Joe was in seventh grade. Their relationship shocked the news when they were caught in the stockroom of the pet store they both worked at. Gracie went to prison where she discovered she was pregnant with Joe’s child. Now, 20 years later, they’re married and share three children.
When Elizabeth arrives, it’s clear there are cracks in the marriage. Gracie spends her time anxious, often sobbing in bed in the middle of the night. Additionally, she controls Joe, treating him more like one of her children than her husband. In her fifth collaboration with Haynes, Moore is at her most mysterious ever. Balancing Gracie on the fine line between neurotic fragility and savagery.
May December critiques not only Gracie for her stomach-churning crime. It’s an examination of Hollywood’s invasive nature of these stories. Even the Cinematography by Christopher Blauvelt is hazy and feels glamorous like an old Hollywood film. Elizabeth inserts herself into the lives of Gracie, Joe, their children and their extended family. She has invasive questions without remorse for the effect they cause. Portman is in top form as the Actress whose true motivations become clearer the more people she meets who are impacted by the affair.
This theme becomes ever more prominent once Elizabeth tells Joe that she’s doing all this for the “story”. That’s when it hits Joe that Elizabeth never cared about him. She doesn’t even look at him as human. He’s just a character that Hollywood is going to use to earn profit and accolades. Melton is a revelation as he goes toe-to-toe with the caliber of talent he is placed alongside. His performance is heartbreaking as a — still — young man whose unaddressed trauma is turning into crippling stress and anxiety.
Haynes’ camera observes his characters, allowing the audience to become the judge and jury to Gracie and Elizabeth. The only character who can walk away with a clean conscious is Joe, who both women are traumatizing in different ways. With the diligent pacing of the script by Samy Burch, each character slowly unravels like one of the monarchs Joe cares for. Well, all but Gracie who remains an enigma.
May December screens at Cannes ’23:
Sat May 20 at 10:30PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Sun May 21 at 9AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Sun May 21 at 11AM at AGNÈS VARDA THEATRE
Sun May 21 at 6:15PM at CINEUM IMAX
Sun May 21 at 7PM at LICORNE
Mon May 22 at 11AM at CINEUM AURORE
Tue May 23 at 11AM at CINEUM SCREEN X
…
A new official Trailer has surfaced for A24 and Apple TV+‘s SHARPER starring Sebastian Stan and Julianne Moore.
Synopsis:
Starring Julianne Moore, “Sharper” unfolds within the secrets of New York City, from the penthouses of Fifth Avenue to the shadowy corners of Queens. Motivations are suspect and expectations are turned upside down when nothing is as it seems.
“Sharper” is directed by Benjamin Caron and features a star-studded ensemble cast led by Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith, newcomer Briana Middleton and John Lithgow. The film is produced by Jessica Switch and Erik Feig of Picturestart along with Julianne Moore, Bart Freundlich, Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, and written by Gatewood and Tanaka. Julia Hammer and Amy Herman serve as executive producers.
Director: Benjamin Caron
Cast: Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith, Brianna Middleton, Darren Goldstein and John Lithgow
Writer: Brian Gatewood, Alessandro Tanaka
Producers: Erik Feig, Jessica Switch, Julianne Moore, Bart Freundlich, Brian Gatewood, Alessandro Tanaka
Exec. Producers: Julia Hammer, Amy Herman
“Sharper” will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on February 17, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)
By David Baldwin
Ziggy (Finn Wolfhard) is a high school student who performs original Folk tunes online for his worldwide audience of 20,000 people. His overbearing mother Evelyn (Oscar-winner Julianne Moore) runs a shelter for domestic abuse survivors. Despite the greatness of their shared memories, they do not get along and only interact in passing. With Ziggy’s time taken-up trying to become more politically savvy to impress a girl, Evelyn takes to one of the shelter’s new residents who reminds her of Ziggy, and who she desperately wants to help succeed in the future.
First-time Writer/Director Jesse Eisenberg (yes, it is who you are thinking of) adapts his award-winning Audible Original podcast to mixed effect here. It has dashes of humour sprinkled throughout, and a well-composed look that shows how much Eisenberg has learned from his contemporaries over his two plus decades of acting. The characters feel lived in and the performances from just about everyone are good, with Wolfhard standing in as an obvious avatar for his Director (even down to his inflections and mannerisms). Where WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD stumbles is in how inconsequential all of Ziggy and Evelyn’s actions feel, and how their narcissistic qualities obscure many of the more interesting things happening in the margins. Why did Eisenberg feel the need to make all of the supporting characters so much more interesting than the two leads? What is he trying to say about these characters and their journeys? I felt like the Film does not answer either of these questions, and just over-convolutes its overarching message and obvious conclusion.
Eisenberg shows promise as a Writer and Director with WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD. I just hope he makes his next project less dry, and have a whole lot more purpose.
WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD screens at Sundance as follows:
PREMIERE Jan 20 7:30PM EST Available Until Jan 20 10:30PM EST
SECOND SCREENING Jan 22 10:00AM EST Available Until Jan 23 10:00AM EST
We’re lucky to have even have had the chance to partake in any star-spotting this year given the circumstances we’ve been in! And even though what we got was a reduced version of TIFF ’21 this year, we’re still thrilled that talent still came through, while production on various Series and Films also continued around town this year. And as always we’re happy to go as close as the talent want to get, ensuring safety first. One day we’ll look back and call this our “Masked Era”.
While this is only a fraction of the quantity of star sightings we’ve had in the past, we did our best to do what we do safely. Some exciting names still passed through Toronto in 2021 and we were there!
I’d have to say it was epic that Toronto’s Simu Liu exploded onto the international stage as a mega star for his work in Marvel Studios’ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Not only was it amazing catching-up in person – he actually remembered my name – we also got a quick interview with him! Other names like Rebecca Ferguson, whom we’ve admire for quite a while, came through for TIFF ’21 and we’re glad we finally got to meet her properly! And when do we not get excited to see Jessica Chastain in-town? One of our highlights was getting a Selfie with Mila Kunis, whom we love, together with beanie bright and early in the AM? While concerts were scaled back quite a bit this year, we’re happy to have met some emerging names on the international scene who actually happen to be Canadian, like Mustafa the Poet and BBNo$! And how cool was it that hot off his venture into space, earning him the distinction of oldest person ever to go to space, William Shatner came to Toronto for Fan Expo Limited Edition?
Let’s take a walk down memory lane!
See some of our favourite star sightings of 2021, in no particular order!
While we will wait a bit for these case counts to go down, we look forward to Toronto being the star-studded City it once was once again!
Mr. Will
Press has begun for many of the Films premiering at TIFF ’21 and since Red Carpets aren’t public this year, we have to use a bit more creativity getting that snap! No worries, we’re managing!
We spotted the Cast of DEAR EVAN HANSEN out and about today as they did the rounds and captured a few lovely moments among Ben Platt, Julianne Moore, Danny Pino, Nik Dodani and Director Stephe n Chbosky!
We also were thrilled to attend the Premiere of Clint Bentley‘s JOCKEY which had won much acclaim at Sundance, winning Clifton Collins Jr. the award for Best Actor. Collins and Bentley were at TIFF ’21 today to premiere the Film at Scotiabank Theatre, giving the audience to understand an authentic story about the world of Horse Racing and what it’s like to be an aging athlete. Bentley tells the audience he is actually from a family involved very much with the industry. Don’t forget to check our running TIFF ’21 link here for the Review.
We also finally saw Pablo Larrain‘s SPENCER starring Kristen Stewart and were floored! So much detail and a super portrayal of Diana by Stewart. While our Review is coming shortly, here is a short thread on Twitter I Tweeted:
#TIFF21: Can we talk about #Spencer for a second? #KristenStewart pic.twitter.com/HnsQqLL4lS
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) September 10, 2021
We are positively exhausted. Going to rest-up early for along day ahead including the TIFF Tribute Gala bright and early!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
By Mr. Will Wong
While many Broadway plays have been given the Big Screen treatment, not all have succeeded. Fortunately, Stephen Chboksy‘s DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the real deal!
The deeply-heartfelt coming-of-age story centers on Evan (Ben Platt) who finds himself caught in a spiraling lie after a classmate’s family confuses him aa their son’s secret best friend. The problem is they were never actually friends.
The Musical explores the aftermath of a tragic loss, how we construct the truths we want and at what cost this comes. And ultimately what it means to find your own truth.
Headlined by an outstanding reprised performance by role-originating Platt, the Film is a visceral journey. The odd thing is while many read the humour as Comedy, I could feel his Evan‘s deep anxiety and pain, which was truly palpable.
Supporting turns from Amy Adams, Julianne Moore and Kaitlyn Dever are deeply-affecting. The glue that binds it all is that mesmerizing Soundtrack by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul.
Chbosky ambitiously covers a lot of ground but nails it! Fans are going to love this wonderful translation.
DEAR EVAN HANSEN screens at TIFF ’21:
Thu, Sep 09
IN-PERSON
Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
Premium
5:30pm
Thu, Sep 09
IN-PERSON
Roy Thomson Hall
Premium
7:00pm
Thu, Sep 09
RBC Lakeside Drive-In at Ontario Place
8:30pm
Thu, Sep 09
DIGITAL PREMIERE SCREENING
digital TIFF Bell Lightbox
Premium
Availability: Canada
9:00pm
We are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see DEAR EVAN HANSEN! The Film is the TIFF ’21 Opening Night Gala! Screenings take place on September 22, 2021 in the following cities:
Toronto: Cineplex Cinemas Varsity, 7:00 pm
Montreal: Scotiabank Theatre, 7:00 pm
Synopsis:
The breathtaking, generation-defining Broadway phenomenon becomes a soaring cinematic event as Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Ben Platt reprises his role as an anxious, isolated high schooler aching for understanding and belonging amid the chaos and cruelty of the social-media age.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Wonder), the film is written for the screen by the show’s Tony winner Steven Levenson with music and lyrics by the show’s Oscar®, Grammy and Tony-winning songwriting team of Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman).
See the Trailer:
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an extra chance. You must be following.
Enter for your chance to #win Advance Passes to see #TIFF21 selection #DearEvanHansen in Toronto and Montreal!https://t.co/Vl03VEkCOY pic.twitter.com/Ouj2jYzg2S
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) September 9, 2021
Rules and regulations here.
Univeraal Pictures Canada release DEAR EVAN HANSEN September 24, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
TIFF ’21 Opening Night Gala DEAR EVAN HANSEN is a highlight for many and here is a new Featurette which asks its stars about its theme of being found.
Synopsis:
The breathtaking, generation-defining Broadway phenomenon becomes a soaring cinematic event as Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Ben Platt reprises his role as an anxious, isolated high schooler aching for understanding and belonging amid the chaos and cruelty of the social-media age.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Wonder), the film is written for the screen by the show’s Tony winner Steven Levenson with music and lyrics by the show’s Oscar®, Grammy and Tony-winning songwriting team of Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman).
Universal Pictures Canada release DEAR EVAN HANSEN in theatres September 24, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
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