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)

While it isn’t out for a year, we get this beautiful First Look at THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS to get us into the Holiday spirit!

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. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy and featuring a special performance by Misty Copeland, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.

See the Teaser:

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)

Universal Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to take Readers in select cities to see the gripping star-studded Thriller, EVEREST! Screenings take place in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton on Wednesday, September 16, 2015.

Synopsis:

Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Everest documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Their mettle tested by the harshest elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival.

The epic adventure stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Artwork:

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. In the comments, indicate your City and tell me about your worst ever snowstorm. You may click “share” from there for an extra chance or Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/everest @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #EVERESTMovie. In theatres 9/18!

G’luck, Willionaire$!

Universal Pictures Canada release EVEREST on Friday, September 18, 2015 and everywhere in IMAX Friday, September 25, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Elevation Pictures and Mr. Will want you to get-in on a Film which has Critics and Audiences in overwhelming agreement of its greatness! THE IMITATION GAME premiered here at TIFF ’14 to resoundingly positive response winning the People’s Choice Award. Although it’s been in theatres in limited release for a bit, we want you to experience what is definitively a Contender at the Academy Awards!  Also, we want you to win a copy of Alan Turing: The Enigma, on which the Film is based and if this weren’t enough how about a super-rare authentic signed Photo from BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH himself?

Official Synopsis:
In THE IMITATION GAME, Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Alan Turing, the genius British mathematician, logician, cryptologist and computer scientist who led the charge to crack the German Enigma Code that helped the Allies win WWII. Turing went on to assist with the development of computers at the University of Manchester after the war, but was prosecuted by the UK government in 1952 for homosexual acts which the country deemed illegal.

THE IMITATION GAME also stars Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Mark Strong and Allen Leech.

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook!  Click “share” on this Post from there and get an extra chance.  You also may Re-Tweet the below for another opportunity also:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/theimitationgame @MRWILLW wants us to #win a #THEIMITATIONGAME Prize Pack!

 Good luck, Willionaire$!

A glance at that Cumberbatch Autograph:

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2014 at 8:28am PDT

Mr. Will + The Cast of The Imitation Game:

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jan 1, 2015 at 5:31pm PST

Elevation Pictures release THE IMITATION GAME, now in theatres.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)