#TIFF20: “ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI”

By Mr. Will Wong

Following-up on her Oscar-winning work in If Beale Street Could Talk, Regina King makes her Feature directorial debut at TIFF ‘ 20 with ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI, which though set in the past, still asks very timely questions facing the world today.

The Film is set one night in February 1964 uniting real-life friends and icons Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir) as they celebrate the former’s win in the boxing ring, crowning him Heavyweight Champion of the World. What ensues is hard-hitting dialogue which digs deep into some of the issues facing their community and where they stand in the big picture as important figures.

Based on Kemp Powers‘ Play of the same name, King is working with some tremendous talent with this Ensemble and with these great minds within the confines of a swanky hotel room, discussions get intense, heated and at once humorous. Clay is about to be renamed Muhammad Ali and is about the announce to the world that he has converting to Islam, but not without some hesitation. Brown after a successful career in Football, is about to accept a role in a Western film which would lead to a successful acting career with high-paying roles. Cooke navigates his world as a Pop Star, but is longing to sing about something more meaningful. Malcolm X as a prominent figure of the Civil Rights movement and Spokesman for the Nation of Islam, is about to get assassinated.

The Film poses some thought-provoking discussion within the Black community about how the world is perceived differently between those who are light-skinned versus dark-skinned; what it means for a Black Entertainer to be paid well when it comes at the cost of their dignity and their community; or what it means to be revered publicly, but not to be welcome into someone’s home because of the colour of one’s skin.

One poignant scene in particular has Ben-Adir‘s Malcolm X in a chilling plea to his brothers that still resonates to this day amidst the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. He states that there is no more room for standing on the fence anymore with black people dying on the streets every day. “Either you stand on this side with us or that side against us”, he says. Another moment in the Film talks to White Privilege and how a black person is expected to feel indebted to a white person who wasn’t horrible to them. This falls in-line with the current thought that it isn’t enough to be “nice” and that what is required is that we be actively be Anti-Racist.

King succeeds largely in this superb first Feature, giving us a tightly-written and directed Film which while set almost 60 years ago today, has some uncannily-relevant messaging that needs to be revisited today.

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI screens TIFF ’20 as follows:

Fri, Sep 11
Visa Skyline Drive-In at CityView
7:45pm

Sun, Sep 13
Online at Bell Digital Cinema
Streaming in Canada. Available from:
6:00pm

Wed, Sep 16
TIFF Bell Lightbox
4K

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “HAMILTON”

Here’s your first look at HAMILTON, coming soon to Disney+!

Synopsis:

An unforgettable cinematic stage performance, the filmed version of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” combines the best elements of live theatre, film and streaming to bring the cultural phenomenon to homes around the world for a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Hamilton” is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, “Hamilton” has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.

Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, the film transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and direction by Thomas Kail, “Hamilton” is inspired by the book “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow and produced by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller, with Sander Jacobs and Jill Furman serving as executive producers. Filming was produced by RadicalMedia. The 11-time-Tony Award®-, GRAMMY Award®-, Olivier Award– and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical stars: Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Jonathan Groff as King George; Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton; and Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton.

See the Trailer:

HAMILTON arrives on Disney+ Friday, July 3, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#NEWMUSIC: SIA – “TOGETHER” FROM “MUSIC”

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Sia, who just released the first single from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to MUSIC, which she wrote and directed! The Film starring Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom, Jr. The Film centers on an autistic teen cared for by her drug-dealing older sister.

 

Check-out TOGETHER below:

 

MUSIC is in theatres this September via Universal Pictures.

 

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

#FIRSTLOOK: “HAMILTON” THE FILM OF THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION

For the many of us who still haven’t see HAMILTON, Disney will be releasing a Film version of the 11-time TONY Award-winning Musical.

The live-capture Film breaks new ground, transporting its audience into the world of a Broadway show in a new way. The Cast in the Film will include Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award® nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.

 

The Film was shot in June 2016 at at The Richard Rodgers Theatre.

HAMILTON will stream on Disney+ Friday, July 3, 2020.

 

(Photo credit: Joan Marcus)

#SPOTTED: STARS IN TORONTO FOR FALL 2014/MID-SEASON 2015 SHAW MEDIA UPFRONTS

The 2014 Canadian Upfronts are in full swing and Shaw Media truly upped their game this year unveiling their upcoming Fall and 2015 Mid-Season Lineups.  Heavy on its focus on new American programming for its Global Television, over 50 new Programs also were picked-up on their Specialty Networks (i.e. Showcase, History, HGTV, Food, Slice, DTour and Lifetime).

A litany of Talent representing a wide array of Shaw Media programming, appeared at Elgin Theatre today to celebrate the occasion.

 

Among the new Series being acquired were:

Partners

Mulaney

Madam Secretary

Border Security

Constantine

Stalker

A to Z

Bad Judge

Gracepoint

State of Affairs

Outlander

Dominion

Satisfaction

The Red Tent

The Hunt

Down East Dickering

Pawnography

Biker Battleground Phoenix

Houdini

UFO X-Files

Mummies Alive

Dino Hunt

Texas Rising

Reno Rookies

Mike’s Ultimate Garage

House Hunters International Renovation

Sold on the Spot

The Jennie Garth Project

My Big Family Renovation

Lakefront Bargain Hunt

Vacation House for Free

Ellen’s Design Challenge

Custom Built

The Expendables

Carnival Eats

Food Truck Face Off

Farmhouse Rules

Chopped: Ultimate Chopped Champions Tournament

Chopped Teens

Great Canadian Cookbook

The Singles Project

Extreme Guide to Parenting

Handsome Devils

Ladies of London

Million Dollar Listing Miami

Online Dating Rituals of the American Male

See No Evil

Southern Charm

Ghost Adventures: Aftershock

Border Security Australia

Hotel Secrets & Legends

Resort Rescue

Little Women: LA

Deliverance Creek

Un-Real

In attendance today were: Kevin Zegers, Orlando Jones (Sleepy Hollow), Megan Boone (The Blacklist), Ryan Eggold (The Blacklist), Matt Ryan (Constantine), Charles Barnett (Chicago Fire), Jesse Lee Soffer (Chicago P.D.), Dillon Casey (Remedy), Sara Canning (Remedy), Enrico Colantoni (Remedy), Missy Peregrym (Rookie Blue), Charlotte Sullivan (Rookie Blue), Susur Lee (Chopped Canada), Leslie Odom Jr. (State of Affairs), in addition Shaw‘s fine roster of Talent including personalities like Cheryl Hickey, John Catucci, Leslie Roberts, Antony Robart, Roz Weston and several more.

For more information on Shaw‘s upcoming 2014 Fall/2015 Mid-Season Lineup, click here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)