How INHERENT VICE has remained off our radars this long is a bit of a mystery, but brilliant Director Paul Thomas Anderson‘s latest effort is about to be seen next month at the New York Film Festival, where it is set to debut. Seen in this just-released still is a barely-recognizable Reese who must be applauded for re-inventing herself. Fall 2014 is slated with a triple-punch from the Oscar Winner with WILD, THE GOOD LIE and now THIS! Joaquin Phoenix always makes our day and it’s awesome seeing him in something more on the comedic side here.
Official Synopsis:
When private eye Doc Sportello’s ex-old lady suddenly out of nowhere shows up with a story about her current billionaire land developer boyfriend whom she just happens to be in love with, and a plot by his wife and her boyfriend to kidnap that billionaire and throw him in a loony bin…well, easy for her to say.
It’s the tail end of the psychedelic `60s and paranoia is running the day and Doc knows that “love” is another of those words going around at the moment, like “trip” or “groovy,” that’s being way too overused—except this one usually leads to trouble.
With a cast of characters that includes surfers, hustlers, dopers and rockers, a murderous loan shark, LAPD Detectives, a tenor sax player working undercover, and a mysterious entity known as the Golden Fang, which may only be a tax dodge set up by some dentists… Part surf noir, part psychedelic romp—all Thomas Pynchon (who wrote the Novel which the Film is based upon).
First of all, did we read right? ERIC ROBERTS?! Who not too long ago was in Toronto filming Suits?!? Can we say career resurgence??! This looks positively too good to be true.
Secondly, can we name the Cast? Look at this: Joaquin Phoenix, Katherine Waterston, Reese Witherspoon, Jena Malone, Owen Wilson, Benicio Del Toro, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short and Josh Brolin. The last time we see Phoenix and Witherspoon on-screen together, Oscars got handed out…
See the brand-new Trailer:
Was that Josh Brolin ordering a Pancake in Japanese? That’s how you know you’ve found a Winner!
Warner Bros. releases INHERENT VICE on Friday, December 12, 2014.
(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)
It was a great TIFF ’14. I admit things were looking a bit scary with a smaller-than-expected Celebrity Guest List initially and lack of confirmations, but the Festival truly brought its A-Game and this indeed was one for the books! I distinctly remember feeling a bit of panic on the first Friday of the Festival trailing far off the pace I’m normally at, nabbing only a handful of Celeb Snaps. Once the Festival picked-up by the weekend, I found myself barely able to hang-on! What a wild ride!
Many will attribute the shift in pace of the Festival due to the well-publicized guideline changes set this year, making it impossible for any Studios/Filmmakers to premiere at TIFF within its first four days had it premiered elsewhere on the North American Festival Circuit. This in turn created room for several star-studded In-Conversation-Withs as part of the Festival’s Mavericks Programme with the likes of Denzel Washington & Antoine Fuqua, Richard Gere, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Juliette Binoche. We felt the pinch, believe me. This however is a Statement the Festival must make to secure its exclusivity and maintain its place as an important Fixture for Films on the Award Trail.
We loved seeing the Publicity Machine at work before our eyes. Stars in previous years who were on the inaccessible side, suddenly became warm to Fans. On the contrary though, we noticed a few Stars who normally are friendly and accessible become tough to access this TIFF. We’re looking at you, Channing. It always is a true testament to how much the Stars believe in their product when they are willing to bring it!
We also are not surprised that THE IMITATION GAME (review here) was awared the Grolsch People’s Choice Award. Upon seeing it in advance of the Festival, we knew the Film had that something special and this will be the Film that makes Benedict Cumberbatch a household name in North America. How it shall fare this Awards Season remains to be seen, but given its Oscar-bagging connections – The Weinstein Co. – it should do just fine!
Our Contributors Jonathan Godfrey, David Baldwin, Justin Waldman and myself also might also have a thing or two to say about other deserving Contenders which premiered here at TIFF, which might not have gotten recognition. Baldwin has the highest praise for Eddie Redmayne‘s performance in The Theory of Everything (review here), while Godfrey still is singing the patriotic praises of the “cosmic” Maps to the Stars (review here). Waldman has a place in his heart for the overlooked Mommy (review here) and Pride (review here) – both which he feels will be Awards Season Candidates. I myself was spellbound by the meditative slow-burn of Foxcatcher (review here) and the devastatingly-good Whiplash (review here). Never discount Jake Gyllenhaal too as his self-starring and produced Nightcrawler was a bit of a Hit among Fans (review here)! And although we didn’t see it, Chris Rock‘s triumphant return Top Five had multiple Studios in a bidding war for distribution rights.
… and now for some Lists!
MR. WILL‘S TOP TIFF ’14 MOMENTS
1. Meeting Tom Hardy
2. Meeting Bill Murray
3. Meeting Benedict Cumberbatch x 2
4. Epic Reese Witherspoon Photo Op (after six tries prior)
5. Meeting Steve Carell
6. Meeting Melissa McCarthy
7. Ansel Elgort saying he had to get a Selfie with Mr. Will, followed by comment from him on Instagram.
8. Mr. Will‘s Epic Hat Fail, blocking Jennifer Garner‘s beautiful face
9. Meeting Miles Teller/J.K, Simmons WHIPLASH Combo
10. John Travolta‘s Fan Buffet outside The Forger Press Junket
MOST FAN-FRIENDLY CELEBS AT TIFF ’14
1. John Travolta
2. Tom Hardy
3. Reese Witherspoon (we are shocked!)
4. Benedict Cumberbatch
5. Chris Evans
CELEBS WHO OWNED TIFF ’14
1. Bill Murray
2. Al Pacino
3. Benedict Cumberbatch
4. Anna Kendrick
5. Steve Carell
SURPRISE! CELEBS
1. Melissa McCarthy
2. Kristen Bell
3. Chris Pine
4. Elizabeth Banks
5. Cara Delevingne
LEAST-ACCESSIBLE CELEBS
1. Robert Downey Jr.
2. Tina Fey
3. Keira Knightley
4. Denzel Washington
5. Kate Winslet
CELEBS WHO MADE THE MOST OF TIFF ’14
1. Chris Evans
2. Steve Carell
3. Benedict Cumberbatch
4. Jon Stewart
5. Bill Murray
BUZZMETER
1. Benedict Cumberbatch
2. Eddie Redmayne
3. Miles Teller
4. Felicity Jones
5. Ansel Elgort
FILMS TO LOOK-OUT FOR AWARDS SEASON FROM TIFF ’14
1, The Imitation Game
2. St. Vincent
3. The Theory of Everything
4. Foxcatcher
5. Whiplash
And last but not least, we must thank our wonderful Supporters throughout TIFF who make it all possible.
CP24 & Bell Media: Thank you for continuing to provide and support me with an Outlet to share my greatest passion with Ontarians at my favourite time of year. I look forward to working together again TIFF ’15!
H&M Canada: Everything I wear is H&M. Your Cardigans and Jackets were perfect for the indecisive hot-cold of TIFF ’14. Your clothing gives me confidence and comfort. Thank you.
Nikon Canada: Although I am still mastering my Nikon D3300 admittedly, many of my Photos were another level of fantastic. Capturing Photos in 24MP has given my Pictures a depth, clarity and level of detail which I’ve never before achieved. In the words of Joel McHale (at the Festival with Adult Beginners), “Are you sure this is the best Camera to take a Selfie with?” *SNAP* “I guess it is!”.
Novotel Centre Toronto: I am happy to have called you my home once again TIFF ’14. Billy and I miss our amazingly cozy bed and we appreciate the Puppy Welcome Package. This shows the level of attentiveness you have for your Clients. To be only minutes away from the thick of it all: the Movies, Parties and Celebrities and be able to crash in my Hotel Room for a quick recharge when I was in dire need of it was an absolute luxury I will not take for granted. The in-and-our privileges of your Parking Lot were a blessing as was the reliable Wi-Fi. The Staff always are accommodating, understanding and friendly. Without a doubt, I can recommend Novotel Centre Toronto as the place to stay during TIFF.
Samsung Canada: Communication is key to my Brand during TIFF and having access to the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Tab S this year ensured I always was able to stay in touch and charged. When there was the ever rare lull in my day, I could whip-out my Devices and prep my Photos and Blog Posts, ensuring that I could actually spend precious time in my Hotel Room sleeping versus working. This meant so much to me and I basically cannot imagine my life without a Galaxy Tab S. Really!
Ford Canada: I have never experienced luxury like a LINCOLN MKZ. The Panoramic Roof was a dream. The 6-Speed SelectShift® was absolute state-of-the-art. The massaging chairs were decadent. The THX® II Certified Audio System was symphonic. The customizable interior lighting let me changing colours according to my mood. The Lincoln MKZ‘s concern for my safety with frequent alerts kept me focused on the road. Did I mention it’s awful easy on the eyes? I will never forget the TIFF in which Billy and I rolled in that silky, smooth Lincoln!
Out There with Melissa DiMarco: We always have a blast at Melissa’s Out There VIP Interview Studio and Hospitality Suite! Thank you for keeping Team Mr. Will fed and hydrated with your delectable goodies and thank you for embracing my Willionaire$!
NKPR IT LOUNGE: We are thrilled to have experienced the goodness enjoyed by the likes of Julianne Moore, Robert Pattinson, John Cuasack, Justin Long, Jena Malone, Felicity Jones and several more! Thank you also for giving my Willionaire$ a taste of that Celeb Life with your generosity!
Touchwood PR: We love you and appreciate the Golden Tickets my Readers and I have been given thanks to your kindness. We value your friendship and are excited about what’s next to come!
Rock-It Promotions: We are honoured by some of the plum opportunities we were given this TIFF and we look forward to building our relationship with you in the future!
Shinan Govani: We are so proud to call you a Friend. You are one of TIFF‘s most omnipresent Stars. We continue to look-up to you and your profound influence on our thriving Celebrity Culture.
We hope you had a blast on our Digital Journey this TIFF ’14 and we can’t wait to do it all over.
Stick around, we’re at this year-round.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
It was yet another action-packed day at TIFF ‘14 with several Stars doing the rounds. Although it is no longer the crazy bustle of the weekend, there still is much left with many more Stars to see as we reach the half-way point of the Festival.
The Press Conference for Shawn Levy’s This is Where I Leave You consumed most of our morning, the Drama about a Family of Siblings who are forced to live under one roof again after the passing of their Father.
Tina Fey (This is Where I Leave You)
Abigail Spencer (The Forger, This is Where I Leave You)
Jane Fonda (This is Where I Leave You)
Throughout the day, we caught up with the Cast of The Keeping Room, an American Civil War-set Drama about Wives left behind to fend for themselves against Rogue Soldiers.
Brit Marling (The Keeping Room)
Hailee Steinfeld (The Keeping Room)
Sam Worthington (The Keeping Room and Cake)
We are on Cloud Nine today particularly after getting our own Photo Op with double Oscar-Contender Reese Witherspooon who gave her all for Fans today prior to attending her Press Conference for The Good Lie. She did back-t0-back Press Junkets and was just as lovely for her Fans at the Wild Conference.
Reese Witherspoon (Wild, The Good Lie)
Corey Stoll (This is Where I Leave You and The Good Lie)
Emmanuel Jal (The Good Lie)
Earlier this evening, we checked-out to the Red Carpet Premiere for Comedy Adult Beginners, about an Entrepreneur whose World crumbles after an accident, moving back-in with Family in the Suburbs.
Rose Byrne (Adult Beginners and This is Where I Leave You)
Bobby Cannavale (Adult Beginners)
Joel McHale (Adult Beginnners)
Nick Kroll (Adult Beginners)
Mark Duplass (Adult Beginners)
Although we’ve met the talented Jena Malone before, it still made us happy to see her out and about during the day, completing a Photo Shoot.
Foxcatcher already is primed for a loaded Awards Season Campaign Trail and many are claiming it could well win Best Picture early next year. Its Stars drew an ecstatic reaction earlier from Fans who lined the street for a sneak peek at its Stars.
Channing Tatum
Steve Carell
In case you missed it, we’re giving away a signed CHANNING TATUM Photo!
Details here: http://facebook.com/mrwillwongblog
All Photographs taken on the NIKON D3300 and communicated via the Samsung Galaxy S5.
We’re half-way there, Willionaire$!
Don’t forget to be following:
Twitter: @mrwillw
Instagram: @mrwillwong
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
It absolutely is our favourite time of the year again and announced this morning is the official list of Talent coming to Toronto for TIFF ’14! We look forward to seeing plenty of returning names – some just here last year like the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Kate Winslet – and also plenty of Stars from years past making their way back here once more!
Among the names attending TIFF ’14 this year include:
Jon Stewart, Martin Scorcese, Richard Gere, Andrew Garfield, Viggo Mortensen, Gael Garcia Bernal, James Franco, Jane Fonda, Chloë Moretz, Brit Marling, Laura Dern, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vanessa Redgrave, Vera Farmiga, Al Pacino, Tina Fey, Haley Joel Osment, Robert Pattinson, Ansel Elgort, Alice Eve, Sam Rockwell, Amanda Seyfried, Michael Shannon, Dax Sheppard, Robert Duvall, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Hailee Steinfield, Justin Chatwin, Method Man, Jennifer Connelly, Bobby Cannavale, Kuoth Wiel, Cassie Williams, Danny Webb, Dominic West, Jung Woo-Sung, John Boylan, Sam Worthington, Tye Sheridan, Andrew Scott, Timothy Spall, Alan Rickman, Connie Britton, Reese Witherspoon, Evan Bird, Zhao Wei, Han Ye-Ri, Melissa Benoist, Haley Bennett, Sonja Bennett, John Travolta, Julianne Moore, Isaach De Bankolé, Dan Stevens, Jason Bateman, Corey Stoll, Xavier Dolan, Peter Stormare, Ben Schnetzer, Abigail Spencer, Ellen Barkin, Bill Pullman, Charlotte Aubin, Kate Winslet, Ryan Reynolds, Rene Russo, Roger Waters, Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Loreto Aravena, Tobey Maguire, Aubrey Plaza, Tobey Maguire, Gemma Arterton, Juliette Binoche, Zhang Yimou, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, Rose Byrne, Channing Tatum, Chris Evans, Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Mark Ruffalo, Bill Murray, Daniel Barber, Liam Aiken, Mike Leigh, Olivier Assayas, Richard LaGravenese, Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Anna Kendrick, Morgan Freeman, Benicio del Toro, Michael Douglas, Rosario Dawson, Chris Rock, John Cusack, Benedict Cumberbatch, Octavia Spencer, Keira Knightley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Kevin Costner, Anthony Mackie, Patricia Clarkson, J.K. Simmons, Miles Teller, Priyanka Chopra, Daniel Bruhl, Michael Winterbottom, Justin Chon, Steve Carell, Gong Li, Hayden Christensen, Tory Kittles, Jordana Brewster, Holliday Grainger, Max Irons, Lone Scherfig, Sam Claflin, Douglas Booth, Paul Bettany, Daniel Barnz, Noah Baumbach, Barry Avrich, Jennifer Aniston, Akon, Nick Kroll, Holly Hunter, Catherine Keener, Greta Gerwig, Omar Sy Jennifer Garner, Salma Hayek, Kevin Smith, Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Faye Marsay, Bill Nighy, Justin Long, Christopher Plummer, Marton Csokas, David Cronenberg, Sarah Gadon, Tom Schilling, Tom Hardy and more!
TIFF also will be hosting a series of In-Conversations-With as part of their Mavericks Programme. Joining-in are the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Denzel Washington, Richard Gere, Juliette Binoche, Jon Stewart, Dan Savage, Julie Taymor and several more!
As is the case always, it’s sometimes not just who’s coming – it’s who they’re bringing. Don’t be surprised if Jennifer Garner brings Husband Ben Affleck along and be warned if Andrew Garfield brings Emma Stone along!
Who’s on our list of Must-Meets? Plenty! We hope finally to get a positive moment with Reese Witherspoon and Kate Winslet! Excited about Martin Scorcese, J.K. Simmons, Bobby Cannavale, Miles Teller, Corey Stoll, Tobey Maguire, Rose Byrne, Michael Douglas and newer names like Max Irons and Douglas Booth, that’s for sure. And did we read TINA FEY!?!? Finally! AND WHERE IS TOM HARDY?!?!
The list is always subject to surprise and no-shows as we know all too well!
Visit the official TIFF Website for more.
TIFF ’14 runs September 3 – 14, 2014.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Based on the best-selling Memoir, WILD is set to make a splash this forthcoming Awards season. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée who brought us Academy Award-winning DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, the Film is a chronicle of one woman, Cheryl Strayed, and her 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent catastrophe.
Expect this to be at TIFF ’14. Will this be the Film to get Witherspoon her second Oscar?
Official Artwork:
Watch the official brand-new Trailer here.
Fox Searclight release WILD this Fall.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searclight)
If you loved THE BLIND SIDE (we did!!!!), THE GOOD LIE certainly will be right up your alley. With two Oscar Contenders – the other one being WILD – attached to her name, this Fall looks to see the rise again of one of America’s Sweethearts, Reese Witherspoon!
Official Synopsis:
They were known simply as “The Lost Boys.” Orphaned by the brutal Civil War in Sudan that began in 1983, these young victims traveled as many as a thousand miles on foot in search of safety. Fifteen years later, a humanitarian effort would bring 3600 lost boys and girls to America. In “The Good Lie,” Philippe Falardeau, (writer and director of the Oscar®- nominated Foreign Language film “Monsieur Lazhar”) brings the story of their survival and triumph to life. Sudanese actors Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal, and newcomer Nyakuoth Weil, many of whom were also children of war, star alongside Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon and Corey Stoll.
Watch the Trailer below:
Official Artwork:
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release THE GOOD LIE on Friday, October 3, 2014 in limited release.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)
At long last the TIFF ’13 Guest List has been announced and among the Marquee names we can expect to see in Toronto in two weeks are phenomenal! Although speak of Brad Pitt and George Clooney making appearances here didn’t amount to much more than rumour, this year the Female Contingent shines brightest with several of Hollywood’s A-List set to present their latest Oscar Vehicles here.
Among the Celebrities expected this year are:
Emilia Clarke, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Tom Felton, Chris Hemsworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew McConaughey, Daniel Radcliffe, Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Sarah Gadon, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, James Franco, Marion Cotillard, Mike Myers, Emma Thompson, Kristen Wiig, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Amy Poehler, Keanu Reeves, Kate Winslet, Adam Driver, Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Owen Wilson, Ralph Fiennes, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Gyllenhaal, JudeLaw, Jessica Chastain, Jai Courtney, Mila Kunis, Pierce Brosnan, Sandra Bullock, Jason Bateman, Zac Efron, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Colin Firth, Idris Elba, Ed Harris, Michael C. Hall, Annette Benning, James McAvoy, Liam Neeson, Steven Soderbergh, Ben Foster, Anton Yelchin, Maria Bello, Jennifer Garner, Nicolas Cage, Daniel Brühl, Tom Hiddleston, Jack Huston, Hugh Jackman, Jessica Lange, Melissa Leo, Adam Levine, Catherine O’Hara, Kurt Russell, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Berenger, Tom Wilkinson, Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Clive Owen, Zach Galifianakis, Emily Watson, John Hawkes, Alan Rickman, Toni Collette, Josh Brolin, Alice Cooper, Tiger Chen, Rebecca Hall, Will Forte, Kevin Zegers, Taylor Kitsch, Juliette Binoche, Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Thandie Newton, Terrence Howard, James Hetfield, Thomas Haden Church, Tim Robbins, Glenn Close, Dakota Fanning, Philip Glass and several more!
Keep checking back here as the Toronto International Film Festival makes additions as we get closer to Thursday, September 5, 2013 when TIFF ’13 kicks-off! The Festival runs till Sunday, September 15, 2013.
The official Schedule has been announced and you can now start planning your Festival right here. Download the Official Schedule right here!
Single Tickets go on sale on Sunday, September 1, 2013 on TIFF‘s Website here.
Things are about to get real exciting around here! Happy TIFF, indeed!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Fox Searchlight announced earlier today that Reese Witherspoon will be starring the Film Adaption of Best-Selling Novel WILD, which helped launch Oprah’s Book Club 2.0. This looks to perhaps be the most challenging Role for the Actress since her Academy Award-winning turn as June Cash in Walk the Line. Oscar-nominated Nick Hornby who wrote High Fidelity and An Education‘s Screenplays will be helming the Feature. Witherspoon also will be serving as one of its Producers.
Official Synopsis:
With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her Mother, Cheryl Strayed has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. WILD powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her.
Think Eat, Pray, Love but in the wild and less Yoga. I kid!
The Film begins production this Fall.
(Photo credit: Lionsgate Films)
International Superstar Michael Bublé next week will release his eighth Studio Disc To Be Loved and to ring-in the occasion, Warner Music Canada and Mr. Will Wong want to give Canadian Readers a chance to win a Copy! The Album not only features Covers of Standards which we’ve come to love him for, but also four Original Tracks!
Check-out the amazing Track Listing below:
You Make Me Feel So Young
It’s a Beautiful Day
To Love Somebody
Who’s Lovin You
Something Stupid with Reese Witherspoon
Come Dance With Me
Close Your Eyes
After All with Bryan Adams
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You with Naturally 7
To Be Loved
You’ve Got A Friend In Me
Nevertheless (I’m in love with you) with The Puppini Sisters
I Got It Easy
Young At Heart
Yes, you read right. Reese Witherspoon and Bryan Adams are featured!
Official Artwork below:
To enter to win a Copy, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before April 23, 2013. Double your chances by sharing this Post on Facebook or Re-Tweeting the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/bublecdgiveaway @MRWILLW wants me to #win a Copy of #MichaelBuble‘s #ToBeLoved. In stores 4/22/13! #contest #giveaway
Good luck.
I spotted Buble here in Toronto last month once again and he’s just as nice as we remember! See him throw you a wave here!
Warner Music Canada releases To Be Loved on Tuesday, April 22, 2013.
Pre-Order To Be Loved here.
(Photo credit: Warner Music)
Everybody loves a bit of Bublé! Canadian Crooner Michael Bublé has just released his brand new Single, the cheery It’s a Beautiful Day. On the Track, we hear him veer away from the Jazz Standards, sounding more Pop than ever. The Vocals however are unmistakably him and we can never say “no” to a big, brassy Horn section. Lots of fun and surely to become one of those Songs you will hear looped at least three times on the Adult Contemporary Station during that two-hour-long wait at your Doctor’s Office.
Bublé will be performing the Track at the JUNOs, which he also will be hosting on April 21, 2013.
Bublé’s fifth Studio Disc To Be Loved, gets an April 22, 2013 release via Warner Music Canada. It is said the Album will feature a Duets with Bryan Adams and Reese Witherspoon!
Official Artwork below:
Listen to the Track below:
(Photo/audio credit: Warner Music)
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