While this might be our last day at the Festival, it certainly wasn’t our least! The Premiere for Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS took place last night, and the Junket today. The Film not only received a ten-minute standing ovation, but above this, has received the approval of Elvis Presley’s family – and there can be no higher honour. Amanda tells us the Film is told more through the lens of Elvis‘ Manager Colonel Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks.
From the junket for Baz Luhrmann‘s ELVIS:
And also Claire Denis’ STARS AT NOON, set in 1984 Nicaragua, about a Businessman and Journalist who find themselves in trouble and trying to escape.
Thanks for checking-out our coverage. Our Amanda Gilmore‘s thoughts on ELVIS here!
(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore/Mr. Will Wong)
Margaret Qualley stars in upcoming Series MAID. Here’s your first look at this adaptation of Stephanie Land‘s Memoir.
Synopsis: Inspired by the New York Times best-selling memoir, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land, MAID follows the story of Alex, a single mother who turns to housecleaning to — barely — make ends meet as she escapes an abusive relationship and overcomes homelessness to create a better life for her daughter, Maddy. Seen through the emotional yet humorous lens of a desperate but determined woman, this series is a raw and inspiring exploration of a mother’s resilience. |
MAID arrives October 1, 2021 on Netflix.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a Digital Download of MY SALINGER YEAR starring Margaret Qualley (Once Upon A Time…. in Hollywood).
Synopsis:
In New York City in the late ‘90s, Joanna (Margaret Qualley) is a young aspiring writer who lands a day job at J.D. Salinger’s literary agency. While her eccentric, old-fashioned boss Margaret (Sigourney Weaver) assigns her to answer Salinger’s voluminous fan mail, Joanna struggles to find her own voice.
See the Trailer:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for a chance also!
Enter for a chance to #win a free Digital Download of MY SALINGER YEAR starring Margaret Qualley.https://t.co/Le3HyZICEn pic.twitter.com/RknOFYJM6K
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) March 15, 2021
Rules and regulations here.
MY SALINGER YEAR is available now digitally and on-demand via Mongrel Media.
(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
This Biopic follows Jean Seberg (Kristen Stewart) in a particular time in her life: in the late 60s and early 70s as she has become a target of the FBI’s due to her support and contributions to the Black Panther Movement.
Usually Biopics tell a story of the entire life of their subjects, however, this screenplay focuses on a short moment and succeeds in displaying who she was. Within this is a story of a woman who stood up and aligned herself with what she knew was right: equality. Stewart is the heart of the Film and completely merges into Seberg. The audience sees Seberg as a fiery presence in the beginning, but slowly she unhinges due to the horrible things the FBI was targeting her with. And Stewart is there unraveling Jean’s inner psyche with empathetic vulnerability.
Seberg screens at TIFF on Sat, Sep 7 at Ryerson Theatre at 6 PM, Mon, Sep 9 at 11:45 PM, and Sat, Sep 14 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 6:15 PM.
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Native Son is based on the Novel of the same name written by Richard Wright. It follows Big (Ashton Sanders), who copes with racism on the daily in Chicago. His life begins to shift as he gets a job as a chauffeur for a wealthy white family.
The Film showcases a great Ensemble who get rich, complex characters to play. Two performances that stand out the most are from Kiki Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk) and Margaret Qualley (Novitiate). Each woman commands every scene they are in even when placed against a standout performance by Sanders who made a huge impression in Oscar-winning Moonlight.
Changes were made in the Film’s adaptation to connect with a contemporary audience which might be divisive for fans of the source material. The Film makes a statement which makes it a Film of the now.
Native Son screens at Sundance on Thurs., Jan 24 at 9PM at Eccles PC, Fri., Jan 25 at 9:30AM at The Ray PC and 9PM at Tower SLC, Sat., Jan 26 at 12PM at Resort Sundance, Wed., Jan 30 at 6PM at PC Library PC, and Thurs., Jan 31 at 11:45PM at Egyptian PC.
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