By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The 2019 Sundance Film Festival kicked-off today with its opening day Press Conference.

Founder Robert Redford started the Press Conference thanking the Press who have come out for the past 34 years and revealing that he’d be taking more of a behind-the-scenes role going forward. “Having done this for…God, it’s 34 years now since the Festival started. I think we are at a point where, I can move on to a different place. Because the thing I’ve missed over the years is being able to spend time with the Films, and the Filmmakers, and to see their work, and to enjoy their work, and be apart of their community. But I don’t think the Festival needs a whole lot of an introduction now. I think it kind of run on its own course, and I’m happy for that. So let me just say, I am grateful you are here. I want to give a shoutout to people I don’t think get enough credit, and that’s the volunteers.”. This was met but a loud round of applause from the Press, of which more than ever before are from underrepresented groups. “They are volunteers, they don’t get paid. They stand outside in the cold and they welcome people and usher them this way and that way. And I just think they deserve a lot of credit for that. I honour them, so thanks for that.”. After this, he introduced Executive Director Keri Putnam before exiting the stage.

Putnam was very excited to kick off the Festival tonight stating that the Programmers have picked a lot of great films. She reminded the audience that the Sundance Film Festival is a non-profit event. She stated there is a common misconception that this is a separate part of the Sundance Institute, “and that is not true.”. She continued that the Festival is here to support Filmmakers and be a supportive platform for their work. She said there are a lot of different narratives at this year’s Festival: some that will spark joy and others that with cause discomfort. “Art can’t spark conversation if it’s playing it safe,” she concluded before introducing the panel for the Press Conference.

Festival Director John Cooper, Director of Programming Kim Yutani, and select Programmers were on the Panel to talk about what makes this Festival so special. One of the points John Cooper made was that each Programmer and Director contribute to every Programme. Therefore, there is a diverse range of films in every Programme. Yutani said they brought on even more Programmers this year which helped make for a bigger range of films. The one aspect of the Festival they are most proud of is the International Films they are showcasing this year. They stated they have spent years making connections with international Filmmakers to bring great movies to Sundance. They are also proud of the 45 Documentaries they are showcasing this year. Stating that in the time we live in, watching Documentary is crucial to understanding different views.

Some of the Films playing at the Festival tonight include After The Wedding, starring Michelle Williams and Julianne Moore. It’s the American remake of Susanne Bier’s Academy Award nominated Danish Film of the same name. The Film follows Isabel who travels to find the woman who donated a substantial amount of money to her orphanage to thank her, however, she finds a connection that sends her on a journey to her past. The Opening Night Documentary of the day is The Inventor: Out For Blood In Silicon Valley about Elizabeth Holmes‘ revolutionary medical invention that scammed a lot of high-profile people.

The 2019 Sundance Film Festival runs January 24 through February 4, 2019. Follow us for our coverage on the most buzzed Films and faces to come out of the Festival as we update daily here and on our Social channels.

Follow Amanda @gilmoreamanda

Follow us @mrwillw

(Photo credit: Sundance)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This Film is based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford), who has spent most of his life robbing banks, in prison or escaping from prison. The Film takes place when he is in his seventies and still can’t resist the urge to rob banks, because it’s the one thing that always puts a smile on his face. The Old Man & The Gun will have its international Premiere at TIFF ’18 and has received rave reviews from other Festivals this season.

Writer-Director David Lowery takes the Crime-Drama genre and puts a fresh spin on it. Shooting on 16MM film, The Old Man & The Gun gives the perfect amount of nostalgia for the old-school crime movies, however, his use of dialogue and camera techniques makes this Film feel fresh and new. Lowery has gathered a group of talented Actors, such as Redford, Sissy Spacek and Casey Affleck (who is arguably at his best as Detective John Hunt), who elevate his already rich Script.

The Old Man & The Gun screens at TIFF on Monday, September 10 at 8 PM at Elgin Theatre, Tuesday, September 11 at 1 PM at Elgin Theatre, Thursday, September 13 at 6 PM at Ryerson Theatre, and Friday, September 14 at 6 PM at Princess of Wales.

Right in time for Awards Season, THE OLD MAN & THE GUN gets a confirmed release date which suggests it just might be as great as it looks.

Synopsis:

THE OLD MAN & THE GUN is based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford), from his audacious escape from the San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public. Wrapped up in the pursuit are Detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck) who becomes captivated with Forrest for his commitment to his craft, and a woman (Sissy Spacek) who loves him despite his chosen profession. David Lowery (Pete’s Dragon, A Ghost Story) writes and directs.

Another Still:

This definitely looks like a TIFF ’18 contender, yes?

Fox Searchlight release THE OLD MAN & THE GUN Friday, October 5, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

It’s only day one of the Sundance Film Festival here in Utah and the excitement is already building. To kick everything off Sundance President and Founder Robert Redford, Executive Director Keri Putman and Director John Cooper were all on hand at today’s Press Conference in the early afternoon.

The Trio talked about what’s new about this year’s Festival and how Sundance has grown since its inception. They were also faced with questions surrounding the #MeToo Movement and how the Festival is changing following the sexual misconduct allegations.

Redford stated that he is excited about the change that is happening within the industry. While Cooper talked about a Code of Conduct that has been introduced for every individual that attends Sundance as well as a help hotline.

Tonight also marked the start of the first screenings of the Festival. Buddy Comedy Blindspotting from Carlos López Estrada was the opening U.S Drama Film while Kailash was the opening U.S Documentary Film, about the creation of a global movement to end child slavery.

Stay tuned for more as update you with dailies from the Festival!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

Some people just belong together on the big screen! Check out this new Teaser and images (above) from Venice Film Festival selection OUR SOULS AT NIGHT starring legends Jane Fonda and Robert Redford!

Synopsis:
Fifty years since playing newlyweds in Barefoot in the Park, Academy Award ® winners Robert Redford and Jane Fonda come together onscreen for the fourth time in Netflix’s Our Souls at Night, this time playing a couple who find love unexpectedly later in life.

See the Teaser:

Netflix Canada stream OUR SOULS AT NIGHT Friday, September 29, 2017 and release it in select theatres.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

After wowing audiences at TIFF ’15, we want to know if you’re ready to handle TRUTH. eOne Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers to ad Advance Screening of what surely will be a contender this upcoming Awards Season. Screenings take place Thursday, October 29, 2015 in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax and Victoria.

Official Synopsis:
TRUTH is an independent feature film based on the book “Truth and Duty” by Mary Mapes. In the vein of “All The President’s Men” and “The Insider”, it is the incredible true story of Mary Mapes (played by Cate Blanchett), an award-winning CBS News Journalist and Dan Rather’s producer, who broke the Abu-Ghraib prison abuse story, among others.

The film chronicles the story Mapes and Rather uncovered that a sitting US president may have been AWOL from the United States National Guard for over a year during the Vietnam War. When the story blew up in their face, the ensuing scandal ruined Dan Rather’s career, nearly changed a US Presidential election, and almost took down all of CBS News in the process.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and state your city. You may click “share” from there for an extra chance or Tweet out the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/truth @mrwillw wants us to #win Advance Passes to see #TRUTHMovie. Out 10/30.

G’luck Willionaire$!

eOne Films release TRUTH on Friday, October 30, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

Based on the Mary Mapes book Truth and Duty, in TRUTH Cate Blanchett plays Mapes, a CBS news producer, who along with Dan Rather (Robert Redford), uncover allegations that George W. Bush may have been AWOL from the U.S. National Guard for over a year during the Vietnam War. Four documents were presented as authentic in a 60 Minutes broadcast aired by CBS on Sept. 8, 2004, less than two months before the 2004 election, but it was later determined that CBS had failed to authenticate the documents. The ensuing scandal ruined Rather’s career (he retired six months after), Mapes was fired and many senior CBS executives were asked to resign.

Movies based on real life events that are still fresh in everyone’s memories are difficult for filmmakers to actualize as there are no elements of surprise – we already know how the story ends. TRUTH (like ARGO) brilliantly succeeds largely due to the chemistry between and the outstanding work by the two leads. Blanchett sizzles and Redford is grace and strength incarnate. Matching them along the way are beautifully realized performances from Dennis Quaid, Elizabeth Moss, Topher Grace and, especially Bruce Greenwood and David Lyons.

It’s always great to see Redford in politically charged movies and TRUTH is the perfect ending to his trifecta that includes ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN and THE CANDIDATE.

eOne Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers across Canada to see A WALK IN THE WOODS. Screenings take place in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax, Victoria on Monday, August 31, 2015.

Synopsis:
In this new comedy adventure, celebrated travel writer, Bill Bryson (Academy Award winner Robert Redford), instead of retiring to enjoy his loving and beautiful wife (Academy Award winner Emma Thompson), and large and happy family, challenges himself to hike the Appalachian Trail – 2,200 miles of America’s most unspoiled, spectacular and rugged countryside from Georgia to Maine. The peace and tranquility he hopes to find, though, is anything but, once he agrees to being accompanied by the only person he can find willing to join him on the trek – his long lost and former friend Katz (Academy Award nominee Nick Nolte), a down-on-his-luck serial philanderer who, after a lifetime of relying on his charm and wits to keep one step ahead of the law – sees the trip as a way to sneak out of paying some debts and sneak into one last adventure before its too late. The trouble is, the two have a completely different definition of the word, “adventure”. Now they’re about to find out that when you push yourself to the edge, the real fun begins.

A WALK IN THE WOODS stars Robert Redford, Nick Nolte and Emma Thompson.

See the Trailer:

Official Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and remember to state your City.

G’luck, Willionaire$!

eOne Films in theatres A WALK IN THE WOODS on Wednesday, September 2, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Our v. own Jonathan Godfrey is out and about in Park City, Utah making us proud covering for the first time ever the Sundance Film Festival.  Always an early Pre-Cursor of what we can expect in the forthcoming Awards Season and also TIFF here in Toronto, we’re anxious to hear some of Jonathan‘s Picks and Sightings!

Earlier today he attended the Opening Panel for Sundance 2015 attended by Festival Founder an Film Icon Robert Redford.  Addressing a packed crowd, Redford says “Sundance is where nature meets art, and where artists, in nature, find a voice all their own.”.

The likes of Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Lauren Dern, Mindy Kaling, Taylor Schilling, Elijah Wood, Emma Roberts, Nichoulas Hoult and more are expected to grace the Festival this year!

Sundance Film Festival runs from Thursday, January 22 – Sunday, February 1, 2015.

(Photo credit: Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong)

As if we need a reason to look at Chris Evans!  Marvel Studios have just released this brand new Trailer for Captain America: The Winter Soldier and here we see Steve Rogers (Evans) trying to adjust to a normal life, but before he knows it, he’s back in action yet again and out to save the World!

Official Synopsis:

After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

Cast includes: Robert Redford, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp, Hayley Atwell and Chris Evans.

Watch the Trailer below:

Official Artwork below:

Captain America: The Winter Soldier hits theatres April 4, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Studios)