Karen Gillan
#TIFF24: “THE LIFE OF CHUCK” REVIEW – PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER
By Nicholas Porteous
After Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, Mike Flanagan teams-up with Stephen King once again, but The Life of Chuck is not a spooky spool to make you crawl under the sheets and cover your eyes. On the contrary. It’s a movie about embracing the entirety of your existence. Even if you aren’t Tom Hiddleston. And it’s as much an end-of-the-world story as it is a toe-tapping dance picture. Our story begins with “Act Three”, as the world appears to be coming to an end. Don’t worry–acts two and one are next! Chiwetel Ejiofor and Karen Gillan are forced to reckon with an existential dread reminiscent of the pandemic, but infinitely worse. On top of this, a mysterious, unknown entity–“Chuck” (Tom Hiddleston) has been popping up all over town. Does he have anything to do with the apocalypse? I won’t say another word, but the answer may surprise you in the best possible way. In this particular narrative climate, we’ve been conditioned to expect some kind of Damon Lindelof-esque, clever unraveling of all the threads that a mystery box story might present up front. The Life of Chuck is a warm, welcome counterpoint to this kind of storytelling.
Acts one and two are all about Chuck, and his connection to the ‘ending’. Were you aware Tom Hiddleston can dance? The spoiler I can’t resist blowing: he’s as good at dancing as he is at being Loki. If I can levy any criticism toward Chuck, I’d say it is occasionally guilty of sentimentality, and using obvious music cues. The movie knows how moving it is from the jump, and it’s not wrong, but I would have appreciated less tipping of those delicate emotional scales.
Chuck will almost certainly reward multiple viewings, if only for its Where’s Waldo-like smattering of hidden cues and messages that all wrap around and breathe meaning into its profound message. The more I think about it, the better it gets.
The Life of Chuck screens at TIFF ’24:
Friday, September 13th at 12:35 PM at Scotiabank Theatre
Saturday, September 14th at 6:15 PM at TIFF Lightbox
Sunday, September 15th at 6:30 PM at Scotiabank Theatre
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE CALL OF THE WILD”
We are thrilled to give Readers in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE CALL OF THE WILD starring Harrison Ford! Screenings take place Thursday, February 13, 2020.
Synopsis:
Adapted from the beloved literary classic, THE CALL OF THE WILD vividly brings to the screen the story of Buck, a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life is turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. As the newest rookie on a mail delivery dog sled team–and later its leader–Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime, ultimately finding his true place in the world and becoming his own master. As a live-action/animation hybrid, THE CALL OF THE WILD employs cutting edge visual effects and animation technology in order to render the animals in the film as fully photorealistic–and emotionally authentic–characters.
Cast:
Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens, Omar Sy, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford, Colin Woodell
Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post over at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Indicate your City there in your entry in the comments. Share this Post on Facebook for an extra chance or Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw!
Rules and regulations here.
THE CALL OF THE WILD is in theatres Thursday, February 20, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
© 2020 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE CALL OF THE WILD”
Harrison Ford is back in THE CALL OF WILD. Just released is this new Trailer for the stunning new Adventure!
Synopsis:
Adapted from the beloved literary classic, 20th Century Fox’s THE CALL OF THE WILD vividly brings to the screen the story of Buck, a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life is turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. As the newest rookie on a mail delivery dog sled team–and later its leader–Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime, ultimately finding his true place in the world and becoming his own master.
As a live-action/animation hybrid, THE CALL OF THE WILD employs cutting edge visual effects and animation technology in order to render the animals in the film as fully photorealistic–and emotionally authentic–characters. Directed by Chris Sanders from a screenplay by Michael Green, based on the novel by Jack London, the film was produced by Erwin Stoff, with Diana Pokorny serving as executive producer and Ryan Stafford as co-producer and visual effects producer. THE CALL OF THE WILD stars Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens, Omar Sy, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford and Colin Woodell.
See the Trailer:
Walt Disney Studios Canada release THE CALL OF THE WILD Friday, February 20, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: “JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE”
The new Trailer for JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE has just surfaced and we can’t wait for its holiday release!
Synopsis:
In the brand new adventure Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the tables are turned as four teenagers in detention are sucked into the world of Jumanji. When they discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of, they are immediately thrust into the game’s jungle setting, into the bodies of their avatars, played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan. What they discover is that you don’t just play Jumanji -Jumanji plays you. They’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, or they’ll be stuck in the game forever…
See the Trailer:
Sony Pictures Canada release JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Friday, December 20, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)
#SPOTTED: CHAD COLEMAN, SHANNEN DOHERTY, KAREN GILLAN, AARON ASHMORE, GRANT BOWLER + MORE AT 2015 TORONTO COMICON
Fans of Comics, Anime, Gaming, Sci-Fi and Horror all united together for a three-day Extravaganza this weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre! In a rare opportunity for Fans to get dressed-up and connect with some of their greatest Idols intimately, the spirit of Toronto COMICON still is v. much alive, drawing over 30,000 people to the Venue’s South Building.
Highlighting Toronto COMICON this year were recognizable names including SHANNEN DOHERTY (90210 and Charmed), CHAD COLEMAN (The Walking Dead), KAREN GILLAN (Dr. Who), TERRY FARRELL (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), GRANT BOWLER (Defiance), AARON ASHMORE (Killjoys), JAMIE MURRAY (Defiance), AMBER BENSON (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), TOMMIE-AMBER PIRIE (Pretend We’re Kissing, Bitten), KRISTIAN BRUUN (Orphan Black), The Cast of SAILOR MOON and more.
Fans had the opportunity to attend Q&A Sessions, getting a chance to ask their Idols their long-burning questions and among the hotly-attended were Sessions with Cast Members of ORPHAN BLACK and DEFIANCE, both Series which shoot here in the City.
Coleman proved to be rather popular at this year’s Event, drawing long lines for Photo Ops and Autographs, while also taking the time to work the Morning Show circuit in the City, including visits to Global Television‘s The Morning Show and KISS 92.5‘s The Roz & Mocha Show.
Being an avid Supporter of Toronto COMICON, we were delighted to hear that our Idol Doherty would be coming this year and would not miss the chance for a rare Photo Opportunity with the Actress known best for her star-making Roles as Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Prue Halliwell on Charmed. We’ve been waiting since the ’90s for this moment, and here it came!
It made our day seeing LEGENDOHERTY herself, full of smiles and visibly in a good place. We’re glad she got a chance finally to see how much we love her here in Toronto – her legacy still going strong this many years later!
In case you missed out on the fun, you’ll be pleased to know that Toronto COMICON goes on one more day and for ticketing information, please visit their official Website here!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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