By Mr. Will Wong

16 women where killed in Boston, Massachussetts throughout the ’60s and if it weren’t for the groundbreaking female journalists at the Boston Record American, the common connection among these deaths might not have ever been found. Matt Ruskin writes and directs the compelling BOSTON STRANGLER, coming March 17, 2023 to Disney+ in Canada.

The Historical Drama recounts the struggles that Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley) and Jean Cole (Carrie Coon) faced in their efforts to break the story at the publication for which they worked, having to overcome sexism, while also uncovering a web of corruption that kept the killer at large. These female journalists also put their own safety at risk when their identities became attached to their reporting.

So thrilled to join a virtual junket with the Director/Writer and Cast of BOSTON STRANGLER. In-attendance were:

• Keira Knightley (as Loretta McLaughlin)
• Carrie Coon (as Jean Cole)
• Alessandro Nivola (as Detective Conley)
• Chris Cooper (as Jack MacLaine)
• Matt Ruskin (Director)

The Cast and Crew are asked what drew them to this project.

Ruskin: “I had always heard about the Boston Strangler, but I really didn’t know anything about the case. And then, several years ago, I started reading all that I could and discovered this incredibly-layered murder mystery that was full of twists and turns. And, in many ways, was as much a story about the city at the time. And so, I was just completely gripped by the case. And when I discovered these reporters, Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole, I found out that they were one of the first reporters to connect the murders. And they actually gave the Boston Strangler his name during the course of their reporting. I felt like that was a really compelling way to revisit this case.”.

Knightley: “Well, I think for me, I had heard of the Boston Strangler. I really didn’t know anything about it. So I really came to it from Matt’s wonderful Script. And I just thought it was a really interesting way of telling the story of a serial killer but through the point-of-view of these two female journalists. And the fact that you’ve kinda got a case where most people didn’t know that it was two women who broke the story, that they’ve largely sort of been erased from the history of this case, I thought was really interesting.”.

Coon: “Yes, that was the most shocking part of it for me, that these women were so integral to breaking the case and to forcing the police departments to share information. And their names are never mentioned in association with it. That was really shocking to me. And then, their stories of how they became journalists, as individuals, they were very compelling, very moving stories. It certainly echoed the lives of the women in my world who grew up in the Midwest. My mother was a nurse. One of my grandmothers was a teacher, and the other was a homemaker. And those were the opportunities available to women aside from secretary. So Jean’s fight to become a journalist at all was very moving to me. And then, of course, I had seen Crown Heights, which Matt had made, and I think of him as a really, deeply moral Filmmaker. And I knew that his interest in this story was feminist. You know?”.

Knightley is asked what impressed her most about the nature of these female journalists’ investigation.

Knightley: “Well, I think for me, this whole film is really a love song to female investigative journalists. And really highlights how important it is to have women in position of power in storytelling because it was these two women that really went, ‘This is an important story. This is information that needs to be in the public in order to keep women of Boston safe.’ And I think, largely, it was a story that had been, at that point, ignored by the male establishment. And I don’t know that their male colleagues would have seen the importance of it. So I think it’s wonderful to be part of something that is really highlighting how important it is to have as many good female journalists as you possibly can for the safety of our communities.”.

Chris Cooper actually has only a couple degrees of separation from the real Loretta McLaughlin.

Cooper: “I was lucky enough to rub shoulders with Eileen McNamara, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who worked on the Boston Globe in the ’70s and ’80s. Loretta was a mentor to Eileen, and Eileen directed me to exactly what I needed. And a little bit unorthodox, I followed Jack Maclaine, the character. Jack was never too interested in these murders, you know? And it was complete embarrassment for the Boston Police. They didn’t seem to be pursuing it that much. But Eileen directed me to source material that was so specifically for the ’60s newsroom, what happens politically, you know, just terminology I wanted to know about, hierarchy within the paper. That’s where my interest, and that’s where my research led me.”.

Alessandro Nivola comments on his character Detective Conley and his connection to the story and Loretta.

Nivola: “Yeah, I mean, I think the character is pissed off that the police department isn’t dealing with sort of more modern techniques of forensic psychology and that they’re not interested, seemingly, in connecting these murders. And so he does what’s kind of a desperate move in reaching out to her or, you know, agreeing to talk to her, because he’s probably the son of a cop. He’s probably the grandson of a cop. And so, you know, he’s facing, potentially, you know, betraying the department and casting >the department in a bad light by having, you know, it be perceived that the media is driving the case forward instead of the police department. But he does it because he’s just, like, totally obsessed with the case, and the only other person that he encounters who’s also totally obsessed with the case is her. And so, you know, I think, in that way, they feel like they are kind of cut from the same cloth. He’s probably also attracted to her and enjoys those encounters.”.

Ruskin talks about the importance of filming this Film in Boston.

Ruskin: “Yeah, I think one of the reasons I wanted to film the Movie in Boston was to be able to bring in a lot of the local talent. There’s an extraordinary theater world and scene in Boston and just a very deep pool of talent of local actors. So it’s great to be able to bring them in and allow some people to speak with their, you know, Boston accents. And I would just add to that, in this case, it’s not as much about class as it is just about as a generational thing, you know? Like Loretta’s parents came over from Ireland, so for her, she grew up in a house that didn’t have Boston accents. They were just trying to assimilate. So some of it is, you know, how long you’ve been in the [college?].”.

Disney+ Canada streams BOSTON STRANGLER beginning Friday, March 17, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Disney+)

Boston Strangler” from 20th Century Studios and writer/director Matt Ruskin premieres March 17, 2023, exclusively on Disney+ in Canada. The trailer for the true-crime thriller about the trailblazing reporters who broke the story of the notorious Boston Strangler murders of the 1960s is available now.

“Boston Strangler” stars two-time Oscar® nominee Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game,” “Pride & Prejudice”), Emmy® nominee Carrie Coon (“Fargo,” “The Gilded Age”), Alessandro Nivola (“Amsterdam”), David Dastmalchian (“Dune”), Morgan Spector (“Homeland”), Bill Camp (“Joker”), and Academy Award® winner Chris Cooper (“Adaptation”). Written and directed by Matt Ruskin (“Crown Heights”), the film is produced by Ridley Scott (“The Martian”), Kevin J. Walsh (“House of Gucci”), Michael Pruss (“American Woman”), Josey McNamara (“Promising Young Woman”), and Tom Ackerley (“I, Tonya”), with Michael Fottrell (“The Fate of the Furious”) and Sam Roston serving as executive producers. Sam Roston is overseeing for Scott Free and Bronte Payne for LuckyChap.

The film follows Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley), a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, who becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders. As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague and confidante Jean Cole (Carrie Coon), yet the duo finds themselves stymied by the rampant sexism of the era. Nevertheless, McLaughlin and Cole bravely pursue the story at great personal risk, putting their own lives on the line in their quest to uncover the truth.

“Boston Strangler,” 20th Century Studios true-crime thriller from writer-director Matt Ruskin about the trailblazing reporters who broke the story of the notorious Boston Strangler murders of the 1960s, will premiere March 17, 2023, exclusively on Disney+ under the Star banner in Canada.

“Boston Strangler” stars two-time Oscar® nominee Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game,” “Pride & Prejudice”), Emmy® nominee Carrie Coon (“Fargo,” “The Gilded Age”), Alessandro Nivola (“Amsterdam”), David Dastmalchian (“Dune”), Morgan Spector (“Homeland”), Bill Camp (“Joker”), and Academy Award® winner Chris Cooper (“Adaptation”). Written and directed by Matt Ruskin (“Crown Heights”), the film is produced by Ridley Scott (“The Martian”), Kevin J. Walsh (“House of Gucci”), Michael Pruss (“American Woman”), Josey McNamara (“Promising Young Woman”), and Tom Ackerley (“I, Tonya”), with Michael Fottrell (“The Fate of the Furious”) and Sam Roston serving as executive producers. Sam Roston will oversee for Scott Free and Bronte Payne for LuckyChap.

The film follows Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley), a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, who becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders. As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague and confidante Jean Cole (Carrie Coon), yet the duo finds themselves stymied by the rampant sexism of the era. Nevertheless, McLaughlin and Cole bravely pursue the story at great personal risk, putting their own lives on the line in their quest to uncover the truth.  

ABC Audio, a division of ABC News, will release a true crime companion podcast about the Boston Strangler ahead of the film’s debut on Disney+. The three-part narrative series will be hosted by award-winning journalist and former Boston Globe reporter Dick Lehr, who knew Loretta McLaughlin and has reported on the Boston Strangler case. The podcast will delve into the backstories and tragic fate of the victims linked to the Boston Strangler case and explore why these half-century-old killings remain the subject of so much fascination. It will be available for free on all major podcast platforms.  

By Amanda Gilmore

We’ve seen many Films about Christmas, but none quite like this. It’s Christmas Day and also the last living night for humans on Earth. The Government and Scientists have proclaimed that poison will sweep across the world, wiping out humanity. A group of upper-class friends decide to spend their last Christmas and night together at a cosy house in the English Countryside. They are part of the fortunate who get to choose between taking a Government-approved ‘exit’ pill or letting the poison take them.

Silent Night takes on the challenge of the Dramedy. Feature-Debut Writer-Director Camille Griffin successfully navigates these tonal changes with control and ease. Her Script is laced with deep themes on climate change and wealth. Typically with apocalyptic-type films, it’s zombies or aliens who are to blame for the end of the world. However, Griffin blames the more likely culprit, climate change. In a powerful scene set around the dinner table, Art (Roman Griffin Davis) informs the guests that this is happening because the Earth is sick of consuming the garbage we have given it. The theme of wealth is highlighted in regards to the ‘exit’ pill. In one scene, Simon (Matthew Goode) informs his son, Art, how they’re lucky to be given the pill as others weren’t.

Additionally, it’s through wealth that we get these comedic, self-absorbed yet lovable characters. Griffin has assembled a strong cast consisting of Keira Knightley, Goode, Griffin Davis, Annabelle Wallis, Lily-Rose Depp, Sope Dirisu, Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Lucy Punch. Each is perfectly cast for their respected characters but Wallis and Griffin Davis are standouts. 

Wallis is hilarious as self-centred Sandra. She believes everyone is in love with her yet yearns for the love of her only daughter. She truly knocks it out of the park. Then there is young Griffin Davis, who you’ll remember from Jojo Rabbit. Here he plays a cheeky, intelligent boy who is frightened to be facing his death. Both Knightley and Goode give touching performances as parents spending their last night with their children.

Overall, Silent Night is a delightful British Dramedy that turns the traditional Christmas Film on its head.

Silent Night screens at TIFF ’21:

Thu, Sep 16 at 7 PM at Roy Thompson Hall

Fri, Sep 17 at 5 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

Sat, Sep 18 at 7 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

Review by Amanda Gilmore

This heartbreaking animated feature tells the remarkable true story of Charlotte Salomon (voiced by Keira Knightley), a young German-Jewish artist who painted a masterpiece she titled Life? or Theatre? during World War II.

What makes Charlotte stand out is it’s a World War II story centred on the life of an individual and her artistic work. Screenwriters Erik Rutherford and David Bezmozgis follow Charlotte over the course of 10 years, from the time she was 16, experiencing the rise of Nazi Germany, to 26, when she died in Auschwitz. In doing so, they have shown one woman’s heartbreaking story that also depicts living during this time. She was refused her education, had to flee Germany and lost those she loved. Along the way, we are taken on Charlotte’s discovery of her family’s history and the impact it had on her decision to paint Life? or Theatre?.

All of this is brought to life with beautiful animation from Canadian filmmakers Eric Warin and Tahir Rana. They make the strong decision to show Charlotte’s life as an animated feature. In doing so, they are able to show her work and depict her short life in a similar art form to the one she loved. Additionally, the choice of animation results in this Film being a World War II story accessible to children. There are some scenes that skew more to adult viewing, but overall, there is a lot to learn from Charlotte for children and adults alike.

Knightley brings Charlotte’s compassion and determination in her voice work for the English version (Marion Cotillard voices the French version). They are joined by a star-studded cast consisting of Brenda Blethyn, Jim Broadbent, Sam Claflin, Henry Czerny, Eddie Marsan, Helen McCrory, Sophie Okonedo and Mark Strong.

Overall, Charlotte is a beautifully animated feature that tells the heartbreaking story of its subject. It depicts Charlotte’s talent, resilience, determination and compassion while being a study on familial mental health and living during World War II.

Charlotte screens at TIFF ’21:

Mon, Sep 13 at Princess of Wales at 6 pm

Mon, Sep 13 on the digital TIFF Bell Lightbox at 9 pm

Mon, Sep 13 for its Canadian Satellite Screening at Galaxy Cinemas Moose Jaw at 9 pm

Fri, Sep 17 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 11 am

Fri, Sep 17 on the digital TIFF Bell Lightbox at 3 pm

Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto a chance to see THE AFTERMATH Monday, March 18, 2019.

Synopsis:

THE AFTERMATH is set in postwar Germany in 1946. Rachael Morgan (Keira Knightley) arrives in the ruins of Hamburg in the bitter winter, to be reunited with her husband Lewis (Jason Clarke), a British colonel charged with rebuilding the shattered city. But as they set off for their new home, Rachael is stunned to discover that Lewis has made an unexpected decision: They will be sharing the grand house with its previous owners, a German widower (Alexander Skarsgård) and his troubled daughter. In this charged atmosphere, enmity and grief give way to passion and betrayal.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Post from @@mrwillw for an extra chance.

Fox Searchlight release THE AFTERMATH Friday, March 22, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Official Secrets tells the true story of British Secret Service Officer Katherine Gun (Keira Knightley). She released a private emailed memo about an illegal joint US-UK spying operation on the UN Security Council, leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Writer-Director Gavin Hood has made a compelling Film about the inspiring Gun. Gavin depicts Gun as an ordinary woman who was able to do something extraordinary by putting herself and those around her in harms way to expose the truth. Hood has gathered an ensemble of talented actors consisting of Knightley, Matt Smith, Matthew Goode, Ralph Fiennes and more. All add richness to the inspiring people involved.

Official Secrets screens at Sundance on Jan 28 at 6:30PM at Eccles PC, Jan 29 at 8:45AM at PC Library PC, Feb 2 at 9:30PM at The Ray PC, and Feb 3 at 12:30PM at Rose Wagner SLC.

17-year-old Mackenzie Foy already has built an outstanding resume of work including starring roles in blockbusters Interstellar, The Conjuring and The Twilight Saga. She’s in Toronto for the first time ever today to promote her breakout starring role in Disney’s THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS and she even made time to meet some special young talents in celebration of the Film!

Donning her favourite colour purple, the Actress did the rounds today including CITY‘s Breakfast Television, Global‘s The Morning Show and CP24 Breakfast, Foy also stopped by at Union Station to visit an installation perfect for an Instagram-obsessed Toronto inspired by one of the Film’s four realms. We caught-up with Foy as she visited The National Ballet of Canada, meeting a group of students who will rotate the roles of Misha and Marie at the school’s holiday production of The Nutcracker.

Foy, herself an athlete learning Taekwondo, took her time chatting with the students asking for advice on dancing and stretching, kidding that the kids were the real deal when meanwhile she was just “the movie version”. She took a moment to hug the youngsters before heading-off to her next destination, making it a special moment for them.  They will be seeing the Film shortly!

Synopsis:
All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston, and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.

See the Trailer:

See some Snaps:

Don’t forget also to check-out while it lasts, THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS Instagram experience. Details here.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Ottawa and a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS on Monday, October 29, 2018.

Synopsis:
All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world.

It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets.

Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS Friday, November 2, 2018.

©Disney

Don’t forget to check-out THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS installation in Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto and Calgary! More here.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

If you’re stoked for THE NUTRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS, here’s an amazing opportunity across Canada to experience it with a super-cool Photo Op for your Instagram!

From Monday, October 22 to Sunday, November 4, 2018, you can join-in on the fun!

VANCOUVER Waterfront Station, 601 West Cordova St.

THE LAND OF SWEETS is delicious with its gumdrop décor framed by candy cane trees. With bright, bold saturated colousrs, this realm just screams yummy—even theground is made of chocolate.

ARTIST: Tyler Towes
Tyler has worked as a professional mural artist since the year 2000 (and a street artist for longer). With his childhood friend, he co-founded a business calledCanadian Murals in 2002 and continued as a solo artist in 2011. Since its inception Canadian Murals has completed well over 100 public works of art for cities, municipalities, and businesses that are enjoyed across Canada.

Instagram: @canadianmurals Facebook: Canadianmurals CanadianMurals.com

MONTREAL St James Cathedral, 463 Saint-Catherine St. W

THE LAND OF SNOWFLAKES is a stunning winter wonderland with ice castles and alpine villages set against a white-peaked mountain backdrop.

ARTIST: Monk-E

French-Canadian born in the province of Quebec, Monk-e is a self-thought visionary urban artist, multilingual poet and globe-trotter. Rooted in the world of graffitiand contemporary urban art since 1996, he renamed his art form under the term Calligraffiti Alchimographic.

CALGARY Chinook Centre, 6455 Macleod Trail

THE LAND OF FLOWERS is both fragrant and colourful with flowers that explode to life.

ARTIST: Curtis Van Charles

Curtis Van Charles is best known for his paintings of animals playfully jumping above the horizon such as his piece ‘Grizzlies in the Foothills.’ Throughhis work, Van Charles narrates an authentic adventure through the wilderness near his home in the Canadian Rockies where he finds inspiration for his large-scale mixed media artworks.

Instagram : @vancharlesart Facebook: @curtisvancharles

TORONTO Union Station, York Concourse

THE FOURTH REALM is a dark and ominous island suffering deep battle scars, with spooky forests carpeted with a velvety red colour inspired by traditional toadstools.

ARTIST: Bruno Smoky

The artist Bruno, also known as “Smoky” has dedicated his life to visual art. Since his childhood, drawing and creativity was always part of his daily routine.In 2004, he began painting on walls with spray paint in Brasilandia where he grew up, a precarious neighbourhood of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Smoky has gained international and professional recognition through his artistic journeys throughout Brazil, Chile, the DominicanRepublic, Venezuela, Argentina, Canada, Paraguay, Sweden, England, the Netherlands, Germany and the USA.

Facebook: @Brunosmoky Instagram @brunosmoky Twitter: @brunosmoky

Synopsis:

All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to herat godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gangof mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston, and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS Friday, November 2, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)