By David Baldwin

Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) is found gravely injured by the crew of a ship stuck in thick ice. They bring him on board to tend to his wounds and are suddenly attacked by The Creature (Jacob Elordi), a man shrouded in cloth and tattered clothes. They quickly realize he’s not there for them – he’s there for Frankenstein.

Of course, if you know anything about FRANKENSTEIN, you know there is so much more to this story and this is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. This particular story, adapted from the legendary novel by Mary Shelley, has long been a passion project of Oscar-winning Writer/Director Guillermo del Toro. And after many decades of waiting, he has finally made what might be his most epic and visually sumptuous film to date. 

To watch FRANKENSTEIN is to be transported to another time and place, with a rich, lived-in and highly detailed feel. Sure, there may be some CGI assists all over the frame (likely to cover up that he filmed this in Toronto!). But make no mistake, the set design here is very real and harkens back to a time when grandiose spectacles like this were the norm and not the exception. Those sets are complimented by fabulous costume design, a moody, operatic score from Oscar-winning Composer Alexandre Desplat, beautifully grotesque makeup and bloody gore effects and…well, you get the picture. Visually, FRANKENSTEIN is truly stunning.

While Isaac is stellar as always and Elordi puts in some real work as The Creature (although not enough to make me forget I am looking at a “Hot” Frankenstein), the rest of the Cast are not afforded the time to really hone their characters into anything other than plot devices. Worse, the film feels too long and often overindulgent. The passion del Toro has for the project is apparent from the jump. But that same passion gets in the way of elements that could have been excised or better finessed. Much like many of del Toro’s previous projects, FRANKENSTEIN is absolutely spectacular to look at and not so spectacular narratively.

FRANKENSTEIN screens at TIFF ‘25:

Mon. Sept 8 at 6:00 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Tues. Sept 9 at 11:30 AM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Wed. Sept 10 at 5:30 PM at TIFF Lightbox

Thurs. Sept 11 at 11:15 AM at TIFF Lightbox

Fri. Sept 12 at 6:00 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Sat. Sept 13 at 11:30 AM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Sun. Sept 14 at 9:00 AM at TIFF Lightbox

FRANKENSTEIN is set to arrive on Netflix November 2025, following its debut at TIFF ’25! Today we get new stills!

DIRECTOR: Guillermo del Toro
SCREENPLAY BY: Guillermo del Toro
BASED ON: ‘Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.’ by Mary Shelley
PRODUCERS: Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, Scott Stuber
CAST: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, David Bradley, Lars Mikkelsen, Christian Convery, with Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz

LOGLINE: Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro adapts Mary Shelley’s classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

By Justin Waldman

Disney+‘s latest Limited Series gives audiences a first time look at a brand- new Marvel character, Moon Knight. This is the first time that Marvel has given audiences a show that introduced a main character into the MCU via a show instead of a film. Moon Knight needs the span of a series to flesh-out his character and ideology, which might have been lost amongst the shorter runtime of a film. We get almost six hours to know his character and understand his powers.

The Series centers on Marc Spector/Steven Grant (Oscar Isaac), a worker at a museum in London, there is nothing exciting or particularly interesting about his character at first. That is until he comes home, and we see him shackle himself to his bed as he has a tendency to sleep walk and wander off. This is where things take a turn for the weird, as he becomes a completely different person and is somehow in Europe fighting mercenaries.

As the Show continues, we find out that Marc/Steven are actually a symbiote in essence for a Moon God named Khonshu (F. Murray Abraham) and he is really Moon Knight, a protector of secrets who ensures that evil does not reign supreme. Without giving away too much, Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke) who is an assistant to the Egyptian god Ammit, who weighs peoples’ good and bad through touch, and if it turns out they’re evil (or are going to commit a heinous act) he kills them in the name of Ammit.

What works really well in Moon Knight are the performances from both Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke. Both manage to deliver on the chaos and passion their respective characters face, and even with the jarring aspects of the Show, they manage to hold our attention and make us crave more. Isaac plays in essence, three separate characters and delivering one of the most specific British accents, manages to deliver some sheer joy and unintentional chuckles. He captures Moon Knight‘s essence and makes him an unstoppable force. Hawke is quite possibly the most menacing he’s ever been on-screen. He proves that he can be terrifying and rather unnerving in his portrayal of Arthur Harrow but this captivates the audience and wants you to indulge further into the character and have a lingering sense of fear.

Moon Knight is risky for Marvel. It is unconventional and pushes the boundaries of what audiences are expecting from their properties. It almost feels hyperbolic to say that this is unlike any Marvel property audiences have seen thus far, because it is such a cliché to state that, however Moon Knight is unlike anything we’ve seen by Marvel. It refuses to adhere to linear storytelling. While there is a lot going on at times especially when switching between Mark and Steven, the risks paid off. It seems that going to smaller Filmmakers is the direction the Studio is going with, and honestly this innovation continues to help them thrive with their best output yet. Taika Waititi‘s Thor Ragnarok is a prime example of that, but so is the choice to have aboard Series Directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. If this is the future of Marvel, investing in creative minds and letting them shine, and we will continue to get things like Moon Knight that break the mold, then it is a very promising future ahead.

MOON KNIGHT streams on Disney+ Wednesdays at 12am PT/3am ET starting with Episode One on Wednesday March 30^th, 2022.

Check-out the Big Game TV Spot for Marvel Studios‘ MOON KNIGHT to premiere tonight!

Synopsis:

The story follows Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, who becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life. Steven discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.

“Moon Knight” stars Oscar Isaac, Ethan Hawke and May Calamawy. Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Grant Curtis, Brad Winderbaum, Oscar Isaac, Mohamed Diab and Jeremy Slater are the executive producers, with Trevor Waterson and Rebecca Kirsch serving as co-executive producers. Jeremy Slater is the head writer.

Moon Knight debuts exclusively on Disney+ March 30, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

Oscar Isaac stars in Marvel Studios’ MOON KNIGHT! Your first glance at the Trailer for this Series arriving March.

Synopsis:

The series follows Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, who becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life. Steven discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt. 

“Moon Knight” stars Oscar Isaac, Ethan Hawke and May Calamawy. Mohamed Diab and the team of Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead directed the episodes. Jeremy Slater is the head writer, and Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Mohamed Diab, Jeremy Slater and Oscar Isaac are the executive producers. Grant Curtis, Trevor Waterson and Rebecca Kirsch serve as co-executive producers.

Marvel Studios’ MOON KNIGHT arrives March 30, 2022 on Disney+.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Cineplex passes to see THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2!

Synopsis:

Everyone’s favorite spooky family is back in the animated comedy sequel, The Addams Family 2. In this all new movie we find Morticia and Gomez distraught that their children are growing up, skipping family dinners, and totally consumed with “scream time.” To reclaim their bond they decide to cram Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester and the crew into their haunted camper and hit the road for one last miserable family vacation. Their adventure across America takes them out of their element and into hilarious run-ins with their iconic cousin, IT, as well as many new kooky characters. What could possibly go wrong?

Cast: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Kroll, Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, Wallace Shawn, with Snoop Dogg as ‘IT’, with Bette Midler and Bill Hader.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Universal Pictures Canada release THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 Friday, October 1, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

By Mr. Will Wong

We are thrilled to have attended an exclusive unveiling of the new Trailer for DUNE, coming to theatres this October. As part of the event, select Media got to preview approximately 20 minutes of this Fall’s most eagerly-awaited cinematic event.

We got a sense of the world that Canadian Director Denis Villeneuve had built for this Film and the central themes the Film explores. Our first impression is that the Film goes to even darker, more intense places than we might have thought initially. The Film explores life on the planet Dune, inhabited originally by the Arrakis. Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) acts as steward of the land, which is the source of the world’s most valuable substance called Spice, which can extend lives, provide great enlightenment and fast travel. Sandworms make the task rather challenging for them and with Leto‘s son and heir Paul (Timothée Chalamet) in line for succession, we see him doubting his ability to carry-on his father’s legacy as he becomes fixated seeing Chani (Zendaya), an Arraki native, in his dreams. Which side will Paul and his Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), his father’s concubine, take?

The central themes of right to land and resources eerily is coming to the forefront at an opportune time, as we reflect on and confront some uncomfortable truths right here in Canada.

Celebrated Composer Hans Zimmer has the important role of crafting the world this Film takes place in with Villeneuve through music and sound. He notes that a primary focus of the Film was to draw strength to the powerfulness and richness of the female characters. “We spent months defining sounds, creating new sounds and pushing the envelope, doing crazy experiments with crazy instruments”, says Zimmer. “Denis and I are trying to invite the audience to come experience something and have their own personal experience. That was for us the reason to make this Film.”.

New Trailer:

Warner Bros. Canada release DUNE October 22, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)

Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain star in SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE, coming this Fall from HBO! A new Teaser has just surfaced.

Synopsis:

Jessica Chastain, Oscar Isaac, and a reimagining of a classic. Scenes from a Marriage, an HBO Original limited series based on the acclaimed drama from Ingmar Bergman, premieres this September on HBO Max.

(Photo/video credit: HBO)

Some new Character Posters from STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER for you to get excited about!

Synopsis:

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Chris Terrio & J.J. Abrams and the story is by Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow and J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio, based on characters created by George Lucas. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in theatres on December 19.   

See them all:

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER opens in theatres on December 19, 2020.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE ADDAMS FAMILY! Screenings take place as follows:

TORONTO // Cineplex Cinemas Queensway & VIP
MONTREAL // Cineplex Cinemas Forum
VANCOUVER // Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver
CALGARY // Cineplex Odeon Eau Claire Market Cinemas
EDMONTON // Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton

Synopsis:
Get ready to snap your fingers!

The first family of Halloween, the Addams Family, is back on the big screen in the first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, the Addams Family redefines what it means to be a good neighbour.

Cast: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Snoop Dogg as “IT”, with Bette Midler and Allison Janney.

Also starring Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Tituss Burgess, Jenifer Lewis, Elsie Fisher, Aimee Garcia

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 Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

Universal Pictures Canada release THE ADDAMS FAMILY Friday, October 11, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)