Maria Bello
#FIRSTLOOK: “BEEF”
By Mr. Will Wong
If like me, you love seeing stories where picture-perfect worlds crumble, BEEF is here to satisfy your hunger. The ten-episode A24 Series stars Funnywoman Ali Wong as Amy Lau, a businesswoman who married into an iconic Art family. Her world unravels one day when she gets into a road rage incident with Danny Cho (Steven Yeun) and both their lives subsequently spiral out of control.
While we saw this idea in 2020’s Unhinged, BEEF travels its own course as we delve into each side of the fight with these adults facing a lifetime of consequences after their missteps. Amy decides to vandalize Danny’s truck and sabotages his business online, but winds-up meeting his little brother Paul (Young Manzino) and forms an unlikely secret bond with him which if uncovered, could further destroy both the brothers’ already strained relationship and also Amy‘s marriage to George (Joseph Lee).
As the stylishly-shot Series progresses, we quickly learn that both Amy and George already actually have broken lives and toxic habits of their own. Did this road rage incident really ruin their lives or did it just uncover things in their lives that really needed to be confronted head-on?
Writer Lee Jung Sin, Jake Schreier (Robot & Frank, Paper Towns) and Hikari (Tokyo Vice) share directing duties here and draw a wide range of emotions from this talented Ensemble. We never have thought of Ali Wong as a dramatic actress but she is perfect here in Amy‘s more nuanced moments, just as when she’s full-on raging. Yeun embodies Danny‘s lostness and desire to find himself, even though he can’t help but be drawn to trouble. A joy also seeing Maria Bello back as the larger-than-life Jordan, whom Amy spends much of the Series stressed-out striking a deal with, which could secure the future of her family’s legacied business. Did we mention Ashley Park (Emily in Paris) also stars in a Supporting Role as a meddling neighbour?
We weren’t quite sure where the Series was gonna go, but it proves a funny, twisty and worthwhile watch. BEEF arrives April 6, 2023 on Netflix.
#TIFF22: “THE WOMAN KING” TO PREMIERE AT 2022 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Another exciting Premiere has been announced for TIFF ’22! Viola Davis stars in THE WOMAN KING, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Secret Life of Bees, Love & Basketball). Actress Maria Bello had a hand in co-creating the Story!
Synopsis:
The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for…
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the story is by Maria Bello and Dana Stevens and the screenplay by Dana Stevens. Produced by Cathy Schulman, Viola Davis, Julius Tennon and Maria Bello, Peter McAleese serves as executive producer. The film stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and John Boyega. The action drama is co-financed by Entertainment One (eOne).
Sony Pictures Canada release THE WOMAN KING September 16, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW FEATURETTE FOR “EVERY DAY”
We’re hearing amazing things about Toronto-made EVERY DAY which is about to hit theatres soon. Directed by Michael Sucsy (The Vow) and based on the Novel by David Levithan, the Film stars Angourie Rice, Maria Bello, Debby Ryan and Justice Smith.
Synopsis:
Every Day tells the story of Rhiannon (Angourie Rice), a 16-year old girl who falls in love with a mysterious soul named “A” who inhabits a different body every day. Feeling an unmatched connection, Rhiannon and A work each day to find each other, not knowing what or who the next day will bring. The more the two fall in love, the more the realities of loving someone who is a different person every 24 hours takes a toll, leaving Rhiannon and “A” to face the hardest decision either has ever had to make.
See a brand-new Featurette:
Elevation Pictures release EVERY DAY Friday, February 23, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
#SPOTTED: ANGOURIE RICE IN TORONTO FILMING “EVERY DAY”
Based on the Novel of the same name by David Levithan, Every Day currently is filming here in Toronto. Directed by Michael Sucsy, the Film centers on a 16-year-old girl named Rhiannon (Angourie Rice) who falls in love with a spirit who travels body to body, living a different life every day.
Sucsy is no stranger to filming in the City, his romantic drama The Vow made here back in 2010.
Every Day stars also Justice Smith (Paper Planes), Jacob Batalon (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Debby Ryan (The Suite Life on Deck) and Maria Bello (A History of Violence).
We spotted the Film’s Australian-born star Rice, whose profile continues to rise with roles in acclaimed films over the past year like Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled and Shane Black‘s The Nice Guys. Like her Co-Star Batalon, she can be seen currently in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Every Day wraps early August and will be handled by Metro Goldwyn Mayer (Sony Pictures) in the U.S.
See our Snap:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#FIRSTLOOK: TRAILER FOR “MCFARLAND” STARRING KEVIN COSTNER + MARIA BELLO
If there’s anyone who belongs in a Sports Drama, it’s Kevin Costner. Have you seen this brand new Trailer for MCFARLAND, based on the inspiring true story of Coach Jim White‘s against the odds transformation a group of under-privileged students into a cross-country Championship Team.
Official Synopsis:
Inspired by the 1987 true story, “McFarland” follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic. With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream.
See the Trailer:
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release MCFARLAND on Friday, February 20, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
#TIFF13: “PRISONERS”
ALl I have to say is that it’s about time Maria Bello got cast in Movies again! One of the Films entering TIFF ’13 with the most buzz is Thriller, Prisoners, which centers around an investigation in the disappearance of two girls. Hugh Jackman stars as a Boston Man who takes matters into his own hands when he thinks he’s found the Man behind the disappearance of his Daughter and her Best Friend.
Directed by our v. own Denis Villeneuve (Incendies), Prisoners also stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, Paul Dano,Viola Davis and of course, Maria Bello. Phenomenal Cast.
Watch the Trailer below:
Warner Bros. releases Prisoners on September 20, 2013. It debuts at TIFF ’13 on Saturday, September 7. 2013.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)
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