By Mr. Will Wong
DEAD RINGERS pushes boundaries daringly in the same spirit that David Cronenberg would approve. This new six-episode Prime Video Limited Series, based on the great Canadian’s groundbreaking 1986 feature, stars Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz in dual roles as New York City’s well-known twins Elliot and Beverly Mantle. Together, the twins break the rules, but it isn’t without reason. When it comes to women’s health, their care and rights pre and post-natally, they are here to challenge antiquated practices and standards. They aren’t entirely heroes though in the classic sense. They use each other’s identities to deceive and they literally share everything – no secrets. So what happens when one finds love and the other no longer is everything to the other?
Canada’s Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Nest) has a knack for exploring stories from the eyes of complex female characters, and is tasked with directing three of the six episodes here. Others behind the lens include a directing team packed with talent: Karyn Kusama (Girlfight, Destroyer), Lauren Wolkstein (The Strange Ones) and also Toronto’s own Karena Evans (Firecrackers).
Make no mistake, the Series is not for the light-hearted. True to Cronenberg form, this is very much a Psychological Thriller with Body Horror elements. It looks and feels like the 1988 original as well, cold, dark and gray. It’s graphic, bold and the Mantle Sisters are unflinching and can take it as well as they can dish it. That being said, so much of the Series weighs on the strength of Weisz’s superb work, effectively characterizing each sister so convincingly that we forget they’re played by the same Actor.
DEAD RINGERS arrives April 21, 2023 on Prime Video.
Today, Prime Video announced the premiere date and released first-look images of Rachel Weisz (Disobedience, The Favourite, Black Widow) as OBGYN twins Beverly and Elliot Mantle for the highly anticipated psychological thriller Dead Ringers. Weisz also serves as an executive producer. The limited series is created, written, and executive produced by Emmy-nominated writer and playwright Alice Birch (Normal People, Succession, The Wonder). All six episodes premiere April 21, 2023 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
A modern take on David Cronenberg’s 1988 thriller starring Jeremy Irons, Dead Ringers will feature Rachel Weisz playing the double-lead roles of Elliot and Beverly Mantle, twins who share everything: drugs, lovers, and an unapologetic desire to do whatever it takes—including pushing the boundaries of medical ethics—in an effort to challenge antiquated practices and bring women’s health care to the forefront. The series’ ensemble cast includes Britne Oldford (The Umbrella Academy, American Horror Story: Asylum) as Genevieve, Poppy Liu (Hacks, Better Call Saul) as Greta, Michael Chernus (Severance, Orange is the New Black) as Tom, Jennifer Ehle (Zero Dark Thirty, Saint Maud) as Rebecca, and Emily Meade (The Deuce, The Leftovers) as Susan.
Filmmaker Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Nest, The Iron Claw) directed the first two episodes and co-directed the last episode of the series. Durkin also serves as an executive producer. The directing team also includes Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body, Girlfight), Karena Evans (P-Valley, Snowfall), and Lauren Wolkstein (A Friend of the Family, Y: The Last Man).
Dead Ringers is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Annapurna Television. Alice Birch, who is the series showrunner, serves as an executive producer alongside Rachel Weisz for Astral Projection, Stacy O’Neil, Sue Naegle, and Sean Durkin. Ali Krug is the executive producer for Annapurna Television. Erica Kay, Anne Carey, and Polly Stokes also serve as executive producers. James G. Robinson, David Robinson, and Barbara Wall executive produced for Morgan Creek.
(Photo credit: Prime Video)
We are thrilled to give our Readers in Calgary and Edmonton a chance to attend a special Advance Screening of Marvel’s BLACK WIDOW! The Screening takes place as follows:
7:00PM
Wednesday July 7
Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
7:00PM
Wednesday July 7
Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
Synopsis:
Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour portrays Alexei/The Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz is Melina. The feature film is directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Kevin Feige, “Black Widow”—the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. On the comments there please indicate your City. Note this contest is open to Calgary and Edmonton only at this time. You also can Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance.
Calgary & Edmonton! We’ve got your first chance to see BLACK WIDOW in theatres first!
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) June 29, 2021
How: https://t.co/6CRiGgQYzM pic.twitter.com/V3VsAHLkps
You must be following.
Rules and regulations here.
BLACK WIDOW is in theatres and Disney+ with Premier Access July 9, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Marvel)
Some new Character Posters have arrived for BLACK WINDOW!
Synopsis:
Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour portrays Alexei/The Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz is Melina. The feature film is directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Kevin Feige, “Black Widow”—the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
BLACK WIDOW arrives on Disney+ with Premier Access and in theatres July 9, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
Nominations for the 91st annual Academy Awards were announced this morning and the race still very much is wide-open without a clean-cut choice for Best Picture… and no host set for ceremony itself.
Tying at ten nods apiece are Alfonso CuarĂłn‘s ROMA and Yorgos Lanthimos’ THE FAVOURITE. Best Picture nominees include:
Best Picture
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
Roma
A Star Is Born
Vice
Continuing on its Golden Globes success, we see Bohemian Rhapsody continue to be a major force into the Oscars with Rami Malek up for the highly-competitive Best Actor alongside Bradley Cooper, Viggo Mortensen, Willem Dafoe and Christian Bale.
The Best Actress category also is hotly-contested with screen veteran Glenn Close up against Lady Gaga, Melissa McCarthy, Olivia Colman and aboriginal Mexican Actress Yalitza Aparicio, who stars in ROMA.
Marina de Tavira who also stars in ROMA, pops-up as a bit of a surprise candidate for Best Supporting Actress. The category also includes favourite Regina King, Amy Adams, plus The Favourite Co-Stars and previous Oscar winners, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.
Best Supporting Actor sees Mahershala Ali in contention with Adam Driver, Richard E. Grant, Sam Rockwell after a snub at the Golden Globes, Sam Elliott for A STAR IS BORN.
Many are shocked that after a presence in the Directing category most of Awards Season, that Bradley Cooper was omitted in the Oscars race for his directorial debut in A STAR IS BORN. Up for Best Directing are Spike Lee, Adam McKay, Pawel Pawlikowski, Yorgos Lanthimos and favourite Alfonso CuarĂłn.
Another noticeable omission is Morgan Neville’s Mr. Rogers Documentary WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? which has been present through much of the season. Nominated for Best Documentary are Free Solo, Hale County, This Morning, This Evening, Minding the Gap, Of Fathers and Sons and RBG.
The Animated Feature category sees Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse pitted against Incredibles 2, Isle of Dogs, Mirai and Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Toronto’s Domee Shi is up for Animated Short with Disney•Pixar’s BAO.
Complete list of Nominees are here.
The 91st annual Academy Awards air February 24, 2019, 8:00 PM EST on ABC.
(Photo credit: Fox Searchlight)
Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Vancouver a chance to win a THE FAVOURITE Prize Pack!
Prize Pack Vancouver includes:
T-shirt, poster and playing cards.
Artwork:
Synopsis:
In the early 18th century, with England and France at war, a frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne as her close friend Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead, while tending to Anne‘s ill health and mercurial temper.
When new servant Abigail Masham (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail, who has aristrocratic roots, under her wing. This gives Abigail the hope that she’ll be able to regain her social position if things go well. As the politics of war take up Sarah‘s time and concentration, Abigail steps in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Please specify your City! Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for extra chance!
Fox Searchlight release THE FAVOURITE as follows:
December 7th – TorontoÂ
December 21 – Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Victoria, Winnipeg, Halifax (wide)
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
Nominations were unveiled this morning for the 76th edition of the Golden Globe Awards from the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Coming out of nowhere to lead the tally was Adam McKay’s VICE, which still has yet to open in theatres. The Dick Cheney Biopic starring Christian Bale, comes out ahead with six nods, including Motion Picture – Comedy, Actor in a Comedy and Director.
Not far behind with five nominations, is Bradley Cooper’s Box Office and commercial success A STAR IS BORN which sees the Film nominated for Motion Picture – Drama and himself cross-nominated for Director and Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. Already a Golden Globe winner, Lady Gaga gets recognition again for her performance, up for Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Very shockingly, Sam Elliott didn’t get a nod for Supporting Actor after a win in the National Board of Review Awards last week.
THE FAVOURITE and GREEN BOOK, the latter which won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and also Best Picture at the National Board of Review Awards, likewise get five nominations. All three stars of the former are up for Actress in Motion Picture – Comedy (Olivia Colman) and Supporting Actress (Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz). Both stars of the latter are up for awards also in the category of Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy (Viggo Mortensen) and Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali).
In Television categories, we saw AMERICAN CRIME STORY: THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE validated with four nominations including Best Limited Television Series, Actor in a Limited Series (Darren Criss), Actor in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series (Edgar Ramirez) and Actress in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series (Pénélope Cruz).
There is a six-way tie between BARRY, THE KOMISNKI METHOD, HOMECOMING, SHARP OBJECTS, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL and A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL.
Click here for complete list of Nominees.
Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh host the Golden Globe Awards, which air January 7, 2018, 8:00 PM EST on NBC.
(Photo credit: eOne Films)
We have an inkling this will be a major force this Awards Season. See the new Teaser for THE FAVOURITE, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Lobster).
Synopsis:
Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots. As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.
See the Teaser:
Fox Searchlight release THE FAVOURITE Friday, November 23, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see MY COUSIN RACHEL in Vancouver Monday, June 5, 2017 and Toronto and Ottawa on Wednesday, June 7, 2017!
Synopsis:
A dark and layered romance, MY COUSIN RACHEL tells the story of a young Englishman who plots revenge against his mysterious and beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. His feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling helplessly and obsessively in love with her.
Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. For an extra chance, “Re-Tweet” this Tweet on Twitter via: @mrwillw.
Fox Searchlight release MY COUSIN RACHELÂ Friday, June 9, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
Premiering at TIFF ’16, Elevation Pictures + Mr. Will want you to attend an Advance Screening of DENIAL Monday, October 3, 2016.
Screenings take place in the following cities:
Toronto
Date: October 3rd
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Varsity (55 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON, M4W 1A5)
Vancouver
Date: October 3rd
Time: 7:00pm
Location: 5th Ave (2110 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6J 3H6)
Calgary
Date: October 3rd
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Eau Claire (200 Barclay Parade SW #200, Calgary, AB T2P 4R5)
Edmonton
Date: October 3rd
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Scotiabank Edmonton (#3030, 8882-170 Street, Edmonton, AB, T5T 4M2)
Victoria
Date: October 3rd
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Odeon Victoria (780 Yates Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1L4)
Ottawa
Date: October 3rd
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Scotiabank Ottawa (2385 City Park Dr, Gloucester, ON K1J 1G1)
Winnipeg
Date: October 3rd
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Grant Park (1120 Grant Ave Unit 127, Winnipeg, MB R3M 2A6)
Halifax
Date: October 3rd
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Park Lane (5657 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS, B3J 3R4)
Synopsis:
Based on the acclaimed book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier, DENIAL recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt’s (Academy Award® winner Rachel Weisz) legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (BAFTA nominee Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system, in cases of libel, the burden of proof is on the defendant, therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team, led by Richard Rampton (Academy Award® nominee Tom Wilkinson), to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Click “share” from there for an extra chance!
Elevation Pictures release DENIAL Friday, October 7, 2016 in select cities.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com