Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of LONGLEGS!

Screenings take place as follows:

VANCOUVER

Location: Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver

Date: Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024

Time: 7:00 PM

CALGARY

Location: Scotiabank Theatre Chinook

Date: Monday, July 8th, 2024

Time: 7:00 PM

TORONTO

Location: Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Date: Monday, July 8th, 2024

Time: 7:00 PM

Synopsis: In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree.

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe and Blair Underwood. 

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City in the comments. Tag a friend who you’d like to bring along with you. Enter as many times as you wish. You can also enter on your IG and X accounts as well!

Rules and regulations here.

Elevation Pictures release LONGLEGS in theatres July 12, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

You’ve got the teeth of the hydra upon you. LONGLEGS arrives July 12, 2024 via Elevation Pictures.

Starring Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt

Written and Directed by Oz Perkins

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Review by David Baldwin

Paul Matthews (Oscar winner Nicolas Cage) is a tenured professor longing to sell his idea for a book that he just has not found the time to write. He wants to be seen as someone important, yet typically shuffles around in the background anonymously. All of that changes when Paul starts randomly showing up in people’s dreams – at first in a totally innocuous way, and then something slightly more provocative.

Saying anything else would ruin the wild, certifiably unhinged ride that is DREAM SCENARIO. Each pivot the Film takes is more frenzied and outrageous than the next. I sat there with my eyes wide, unsure of whether I should be laughing or be terrified. Writer/Director Kristoffer Borgli taps into both of those emotions exceptionally, and then proceeds to skewer social media, viral memeification, influencer marketing and monetization, and cancel culture with reckless abandon. Nothing and no one are safe here from his ruthlessness. I would have liked to see him addressing choice semiotic messages and allusions a bit more, though I am pleased he did not drift too far into the weeds with the concept and how it plays out. The way Borgli stitches every moment together is a thing of beauty, specifically in the unique cutaway dream gags where we see just what Paul is doing in the dreams (which range from tranquil to full blown nightmare fuel clearly inspired by another figure who pops up in dreams). Borgli wisely does not attempt to explain how or why it is happening either, and despite a razor sharp turn in the Third Act, keeps things moving along at a terrific pace. I had not watched Sick of Myself, Borgli’s debut feature, prior to this but after watching DREAM SCENARIO, it has jumped up to the top of my post-TIFF watchlist.

The supporting players Borgli has assembled here are rock solid no matter their importance to the story, with Julianne Nicholson, Michal Cera and especially Dylan Gelula as the clear standouts. All of that said, did you really keep reading to hear about the supporting cast or are you wondering how Cage does? The short answer is that he is absolutely brilliant and this is easily one of his top three best performances of the last decade. He navigates the highs and lows of Paul’s viral stardom with precision and the occasional knowing glance. The performance allows for to showcase both sides of his acting style – quiet and reserved nuance and bonkers over-the-top madness. The Film also allows him to dig down deep in the belly, allowing his more emotional and intimate scenes to really pop off the screen.

Cage may look ridiculous as this schlubby professor, but the strength of his performance and Borgli’s eviscerating the culture is anything but.

DREAM SCENARIO screens at TIFF ’23:

Saturday, September 9 at 5:30 PM at Royal Alexandra Theatre

Sunday, September 10 at 3:00 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toront

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see RENFIELD!

Advance screenings will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2023 in:

Toronto: Cineplex Yonge and Dundas at 7 pm
Montreal: Cineplex Forum at 7 pm
Vancouver: Scotiabank Theatre at 7 pm

Synopsis:

Evil doesn’t span eternity without a little help.

In this modern monster tale of Dracula’s loyal servant, Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, X-Men franchise) stars as Renfield, the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss, Dracula (Oscar® winner Nicolas Cage). Renfield is forced to procure his master’s prey and do his every bidding, no matter how debased. But now, after centuries of servitude, Renfield is ready to see if there’s a life outside the shadow of The Prince of Darkness. If only he can figure out how to end his codependency.

Renfield is directed by Chris McKay (The Tomorrow War, The LEGO Batman Movie) from a screenplay by Ryan Ridley (Ghosted series, Rick & Morty series), based on an original idea by The Walking Dead and Invincible creator Robert Kirkman.

The film co-stars Awkwafina (The Farewell, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings), Ben Schwartz (Sonic, The Afterparty) and Adrian Martinez (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Focus) and Emmy winner and Oscar® nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Saddam, House of Sand and Fog).

Renfield is produced by Skybound Entertainment partners Robert Kirkman and David Alpert (The Walking Dead, Invincible), co-presidents Bryan Furst (Daybreakers) and Sean Furst (Daybreakers) and by Chris McKay. McKay’s producing partner Samantha Nisenboim (co-producer, The Tomorrow War) will executive produce.

Genre: Horror Comedy

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez and Shohreh Aghdashloo

Director: Chris McKay

Screenplay By: Ryan Ridley, based on an original idea by Robert Kirkman

Producers: Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst, Sean Furst, Chris McKay

Executive Producers: Samantha Nisenboim

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and in the comments, tell us your City! Re-Tweet the Tweet embedded below for another chance!

Rules and regulations here.

NOTE: Do not respond to comments from third-party accounts telling you you’ve won and to provide your personal banking information.

RENFIELD is in theatres April 14, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

By David Baldwin

It is the 1870s and Will Andrews (Fred Hechinger of The White Lotus and the Fear Street Trilogy) has just dropped out of Harvard. He is looking to experience more of what life has to offer and travels West to the titular Butcher’s Crossing in Kansas. He desperately wants to go on a buffalo hunt, yet cannot join any hunter’s party. That is until he meets Miller (Nicolas Cage), who claims he knows of a remote valley in the Colorado Rockies, untouched by hunters and teeming with buffalo. Will finances the hunt off this very promise, and as you might expect, gets more than he bargained for.

Days later and I am still perplexed by BUTCHER’S CROSSING. It looks absolutely stunning, doing its very best to accurately depict what the Old West looked like (without relying on extensive CGI to help). The outstanding vistas, the hand built buildings, the costumes, the horses, I could go on and on. It all looks outstanding and really goes a long way in depicting the time period the Film takes place during. The Script could have used some of that high-level attention to detail, rather than the plethora of themes, allusions and metaphors it gets bogged down by. Are we watching a movie about loneliness, despair, obsession and/or the effects of Icarus flying too close to the sun? Or, as the credits spontaneously suggest, is it about buffalo and animal preservation? I am completely unsure and it seems like the Film itself feels the same way.

Supporting turns from Xander Berkeley, Jeremy Bobb and especially Oscar-nominee Paul Raci (of TIFF’19 selection Sound of Metal) are all solid, and Hechinger does a great job as the audience surrogate. He holds his own against everyone on-screen and continues to prove his worth as an emerging talent to watch out for. Of course, they all are standing in the shadow of Cage, who brings a God-like gravitas and charisma to every one of his scenes. He has an edginess to himself and gloriously unleashes his inner Cage-Rage a handful of times. It is not exactly Earth-shattering work, but seeing Cage in his element is worth the price of admission all on its own.

Also – I am not sure just how much buffalo skinning is too much buffalo skinning, but BUTCHER’S CROSSING could have done with substantially less of it. So prepare yourself in advance should you choose to venture in.

BUTCHER’S CROSSING screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Fri, Sep 9 IN-PERSON Roy Thomson Hall 9:30pm

Sat, Sep 10 IN-PERSON Scotiabank Theatre 1:00pm

Sat, Sep 17 IN-PERSON Scotiabank Theatre 5:30pm

Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT. This is a must-see for Nicolas Cage fans!

Screenings are as follows on Wednesday, April 20, 2022:

• Toronto: Scotiabank Toronto at 7:00 PM
• Montreal (English Version): Cineplex Forum at 7:00 PM 
• Ottawa: Cineplex Cinemas Lansdowne at 7:00 PM 
• Vancouver: Scotiabank Vancouver at 7:00 PM
• Calgary: Scotiabank Chinook at 7:00 PM
• Edmonton: Scotiabank Edmonton at 7:00 PM
• Winnipeg: SilverCity St. Vital at 7:00 PM
• Halifax: Scotiabank Halifax at 7:00 PM

Synopsis:

Nicolas Cage stars as… Nick Cage in the action-comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal). Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative (Tiffany Haddish) and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones. With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nick Cage.

Directed by: Tom Gormican 

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Pedro Pascal, Sharon Horgan, Ike Barinholtz, Alessandra Mastronardi, Jacob Scipio, Lily Sheen, with Neil Patrick Harris, and Tiffany Haddish 

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City of choice. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

Mongrel Media release THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT April 22, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media) 

The semi-biographical THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT pokes fun at Nicolas Cage and his fight to revive his celebrated career.

Synopsis:

Nicolas Cage stars as… Nick Cage in the action-comedy “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.” Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal). Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative (Tiffany Haddish) and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones. With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nicolas Cage.

Mongrel Media release THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT April 22, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

Just say his name and we’re there. NICOLAS CAGE. Check-out this new bloody Trailer for WILLY’S WONDERLAND.

Synopsis:

A quiet loner (Nicolas Cage) finds himself stranded in a remote town when his car breaks down. Unable to pay for the repairs he needs, he agrees to spend the night cleaning Willy’s Wonderland, an abandoned family fun center. But this wonderland has a dark secret that the “The Janitor” is about to discover. He soon finds himself trapped inside Willy’s and locked in an epic battle with the possessed animatronic mascots that roam the halls. To survive, he must fight his way through each of them.

See the Trailer:

VVS Films release WILLY’S WONDERLAND as follows:

April 27, 2021 – Digital and VOD (available in English and French)

May 18, 2021 – DVD and Blu-ray

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

A ruthless banker, aptly named Hero (Nicolas Cage), sits in a cell in the treacherous frontier city of Samurai Town. He gets a chance to seek redemption when he’s hired by the despicable Governor (Bill Moseley) to find one of his missing employees (Sofia Boutella), who he considers his adopted granddaughter. But this journey isn’t going to be easy. The granddaughter is being held a prisoner of the Ghostland, a place no one escapes from. And if Hero doesn’t bring her back within 5 days, the leather suit he’s forced to wear will detonate.

Popular Japanese Filmmaker Sion Sono creates a post-apocalyptic Western that’s just the right kind of bonkers. He’s working off a Script by Co-writers Aaron Hendry and Reza Sixo Safai that tells a mythical journey filled with ghosts, gunslingers and more. One of the greatest scenes happens toward the end. The main fight sequence, that’s expertly shot, is entertaining, funny, and has some splashes of gore. The Film is perfect for a midnight audience and a match for Cage.

The heightened performance style Cage has become known for, labelled Cage Rage by fans, thrives in Prisoners of the Ghostland. His acting matches Sono’s vision and atmosphere. The script offers many characters to give unhinged performances. That extends to some of the lesser-explored female characters working for The Governor. These actors make an impact with great delivery of one-liners and reaction shots.

Although people might come for Cage, they stay for the talented Boutella. She’s written and thought to be the damsel character, but by the end, she becomes a hero for herself and a friend under the Governor’s rule. It’s wonderful to watch her go from voiceless to a sword-wielding fighter. This is refreshing to see in a film where the main character’s name is Hero. But then again, Prisoners of the Ghostland is a mixed bag that is liberated of genre conventions.

Overall, this isn’t going to be a film every audience will love. But it’s an entertaining, wacky ride that is visually stunning thanks to Sono’s creative vision.

Prisoners of the Ghostland screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 31 at 9 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): February 2 at 10 AM (EST)

January 2021 is so loaded with content to watch, we had to create a second volume of recommendations! See our thoughts on some things you might find interesting to stream!

HUMOUR RESOURCES (CBC)

I first got my introduction to charismatic Jon Dore when he was a correspondent on Canadian Idol. We’re going wayyyy back. Since then, he’s continued to tour, had a show on The Comedy Network and appeared on Sitcoms like How I Met Your Mother.

He’s back with a new Just for Laughs-produced Series, HUMOUR RESOURCES, which has him taking on the role of the Human Resources Manager of Comedy where he interviews fellow Comedians under the context of a virtual chat to discuss their “performance”, effectively doubling the Series as a mock talk show. This, while he navigates fictional situations in his life with his stepdaughter Emma and partner Christina at home. Interestingly, this was created just recently amidst the pandemic.

The talent featured is actually quite impressive including chats with the likes of Sarah Silverman, Tom Green, Nikki Glaser, Scott Thompson, Ronny Chieng, Debra DiGiovanni and several more. Episodes are 30 minutes and there are six for you to enjoy.

We felt he could’ve played-up the deadpan HR Manager bit even more, as the subjects sometimes feel unsure of the context. It might’ve been even funnier that these Comedians get grilled with more sternness. Regardless, Dore has a good idea and this is a quick, fun watch. You can stream now on CBC Gem here.

THE HISTORY OF SWEAR WORDS (NETFLIX)

We can’t get enough Nicolas Cage! The History of Swear Words is a six-episode Docu-Series hosted by the Oscar winner, tracing the etymology of curse words like “fuck”, “shit”, “pussy”, “dick” , “bitch” and “damn”. With the help of a panel of Comedians including Nick Offerman, Sarah Silverman, Nikki Glaser, London Hughes and more, we get a briefing of how these words have evolved over time. In some instances taking on negative connotations, but in some instances we see how words like “bitch” and “shit” have been reclaimed as terms with positive connotations. While we feel the deep dive could’ve been even deeper, this is entertaining enough a watch and insightful enough as a conversation piece. The History of Swear Words streams now on Netflix.

WANDAVISION (DISNEY+)

We haven’t been so excited for a new Series in quite some time! This nine-episode Series transports Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) in the world of classic television Sitcoms as we explore their chemistry over their course of the Series as they try to be a normal American family. Olsen particularly is a standout just absolutely nailing the diction, tone and speech of the eras she’s placed in. While we struggled to understand how exactly this all ties in with Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it all becomes clearer piece by piece with small connections scattered. We’ve never seen anything quite like this and we’re certain this will be back for more! Can’t wait for you to discover it. First two episodes stream on Disney+ Friday, January 15, 2021.

COBRA KAI (NETFLIX)

If you’re like me, you adored The Karate Kid franchise as a kid, but I’m not sure why I was so reluctant to give Cobra Kai a try. In fact, I let three seasons pass by before finally giving it a shot. The Series reunites rivals Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio) whom 30+ years later find their feud ignited as adults. Daniel is a successful car dealership owner with a great home and family. Johnny has a bit of a drinking problem, coming out of a failed marriage with a strained relationship with his son Robby (Tanner Buchanan). He is hoping to revive Cobra Kai, but is struggling financially and winds up mentoring a bullied and frail teen named Miguel (Xolo Maridueña). Johnny hasn’t forgotten how Daniel got in the way of his dream girl Ali (Elisabeth Shue) and he is out to avenge his loss in their last match back in 1984. Daniel also hasn’t forgotten some of the ill philosophies that Cobra Kai stands for and this awakens his passion again for Martial Arts. Things get complicated when Daniel’s daughter Samantha (Mary Mouser) and Miguel fall for one another, but then Robby seeks Daniel’s guidance as a fighting mentor. And this is enough to fuel three seasons worth of ass-kicking drama.

While the dialogue is shockingly a slap in the face at progressiveness at times, its Writers are fully aware what they are doing and it is little wonder why Cobra Kai is connecting with audiences right now in need of catharsis and a release of aggression during this pandemic. Aside from this, it feels nostalgic and its Soundtrack which often nods to the original era of the franchise help take us back there. Its decision to see this from the side of Johnny Lawrence is an inspired and ballsy move which has paid dividends. All three seasons of COBRA KAI are available now on Netflix.

TIGER (HBO)

This two-part Documentary by Co-Directors Matthew Hamachek and Matthew Heineman about golf icon Tiger Woods, documents his rise from a very age under the guidance of his father Earl. Though archived footage we see first-hand how his father had prophesied his son’s greatness into existence. The Film isn’t afraid to examine their estrangement from one another as Woods‘ star rose and also some of the problems in their family life. Following the death of his father, the second-half of the Documentary details Woods‘ public downfall around 2009 when he found himself at the center of a scandal where it was exposed he had been involved in multiple extra-marital affairs, losing his wife and several sponsorship deals. One of the women he had been involved with, Rachel Uchitel who had felt her side of the story on the matter had yet to be told, agrees to sign-on to speak in the Documentary. From here we witness his rise again. TIGER examines cause and consequence in Wood’s life and also the relationships that came to define him. The first half is available now on Crave with the HBO add-on, with the second half arriving January 18, 2021.

BLING EMPIRE (NETFLIX)

If you loved Crazy Rich Asians, these characters are actually the real deal! Set in glamorous L.A., we follow the lives of a circle of friends. This eight-episode series is none short of juicy as we see dueling Queen Bees Christine (founder of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc and wife of Dr. Gabriel Chu) and the mysterious Anna (heiress to an arms empire) fire friendly shots at one another. Kevin (a model) is our eyes into this world as he tries to grapple with his wealthy friends’ excess, while at once trying to make sense of his own Korean-American identity. He was adopted by an American family at a young age, not knowing his biological parents and their story. He is best friends with the flamboyant Singaporean fashionista Kane, who sits in the chair of the judgy onlooker who also helps give us insight into this world. Kelly is in a bit of a toxic relationship which her friends disapprove of, though sometimes she doesn’t know what’s best for her. Kim is a world-renowned DJ on a search for her estranged father. Cherie is expecting a second child, but her partner is stalling on the marriage proposal still. There’s a bit of betrayal that keeps the show moving along, but none detrimental that these characters sever ties – just the way we want it. We’re thrilled for you to discover this fun escape which never loses sight beneath the gloss of its deeper meaning about finding one’s identity.

BLING EMPIRE arrives Friday, January 15, 2021 on Netflix.

NIGHT STALKER: THE HUNT FOR A SERIAL KILLER (NETFLIX)

This honestly was so horrifying I had to take breaks and turn on the lights. This four-part Series documenting a serial killer who tormented Los Angeles one summer in the mid-80s. He was random about who he preyed on – neither children nor the elderly were safe from this sinister predator who sent detectives on a restless chase before he ultimately was captured. We learn about the roadblocks and obstacles the two lead detectives faced trying to keep clues classified, as media threatened to destroy their case divulging too much information to the public.
This is outstanding storytelling which gave me major anxiety, but also beneath this is a story about how the investigation tore one detective apart from his family as the Night Stalker‘s crimes circled closer and closer to their home. We also get first-hand accounts from some victims and family who made the grizzly discovery of his victim’s bodies. We felt an overwhelming feeling of grief for these victims and their families, whose lives were altered forever after the summer of ’85. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but if true crime is your thing, this was done very well.

LOCKED DOWN (HBO MAX/CRAVE)

While originally intended to be a much larger production when it was announced September 2020, the ongoing Pandemic had forced this to alter its course and we wonder what would’ve came of it otherwise. This Heist-Comedy from Director Doug Liman (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Edge of Tomorrow) clocks-in at two hours but truly could’ve been told in a fraction of that as it spends much of its time exploring the work lives and romantic falling-out between its two central characters Linda (Anne Hathaway) and Paxton (Chiwetel Ejiofor). The couple are on the verge of separation but the lockdown forces them to remain together longer and they devise a plan to steal a jewel valued at £6 million at Harrod‘s. Only in its Final Act do things pick-up outside of what feels like a lot of video conference calls and time spent within the confines of their shared flat, and they venture to Harrod’s to carry out the heist. And this is where LOCKED DOWN goes from okay to great, with Hathaway shining yet again, this time taking a bit more of an active role in a crime than her posh prima donna in Ocean’s Eight. This is smart and witty, but admittedly feels a bit long. If you’re willing to sit through it, you’ll be rewarded. LOCKED DOWN streams now on Crave with HBO add-on.

In case you missed our last volume of recommendations, you can catch them here.

(Photo credit: Netflix/CBC/Disney/HBO)