By Mr. Will Wong
Carey Williams makes his Feature directorial debut EMERGENCY and Sundance ’22, based on his 2018 Short Film of the same name. We appreciate where Williams is going in making a statement about what it means to be a Black person in America today in the face of the scrutiny they receive from others and law enforcement.
The Film centers on best friends Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins) and Sean (R.J. Cyler). The former loves to party and vape, while the latter is very driven in his studies, aiming to do his post-grad at Princeton. Their friendship faces a serious test one night as they attend a party together, but an unexpected trip back to their residence has them finding an unconscious intruder Emma (Maddie Nichols) in their home. In a panic what to do in fear of how this might look to the police, they take matters into their own hands. Along the way, her sister Maddy (Sabrina Carpenter) and friends believe she might be in danger and are in pursuit of Kunle and Sean. From here, Kunle and Sean face the consequences of perception and it does a number on them and their friendship.
Writer K.D. Dávila and Williams have their heart in the right place giving us an empathetic look into the world of a young Black person and if you walk away feeling that things truly are messed-up, then the Film effectively has done its job. It is troubling that someone with as bright a future as Watkins‘ Kunle could have their future taken away from them based on a misunderstanding. Cyler in particular is great as the free-spirited Sean, while the talented Carpenter isn’t given enough to work with, in Maddy‘s one-dimensional “Karen“. Tonally, the Film takes a while to figure out what it wants to be, following loosely a Goldilocks prototype, starting as a Teen Adventure Comedy, but ultimately delivering what is a very serious message, and this admittedly threw us for a bit of a loop.
Emergency is set to hit theatres May 20, 2022 and debuts on Prime Video on May 27, 2022.
Screening times at Sundance:
We’ve been wondering about this one! Filmed in Toronto last spring, we’ve pumped finally to see a Trailer for dance flick WORK IT starring Sabrina Carpenter!
Synopsis:
When Quinn Ackerman’s admission to the college of her dreams depends on her performance at a dance competition, she forms a ragtag group of dancers to take on the best squad in school…now she just needs to learn how to dance. Starring Sabrina Carpenter, Liza Koshy, Keiynan Lonsdale, Drew Ray Tanner, with Michelle Buteau and Jordan Fisher.
See the Trailer:
WORK IT streams on Netflix Friday, August 7, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
20th Century Fox Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to an Advance Screening of TIFF ’18 selection, THE HATE U GIVE!
Screening takes place in:
TORONTO
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
7:00PM
Scotiabank Theatre
MONTREAL – ENGLISH
Wednesday, October 10
7:00PM
Cinema Banque Scotia
MONTREAL – FRENCH
Wednesday, October 17
7:00PM
Starcite Montreal
VANCOUVER
Wednesday, October 10
7:00PN
Scotiabank Vancouver
Synopsis:
Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) attends a private prep school with mostly white kids, but lives in a poor, black neighborhood. One night, her best friend Khalil (Algee Smith) drives her home from a party and they’re stopped by police. Khalil is told to get out of the car and when he does, the cop shoots him dead. Shocked and horrified, Starr doesn’t know what to do. Her family always tries to avoid the police, who always seem to be targetting black people.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
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20th Century Fox Canada release THE HATE U GIVE Friday, October 19, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox Canada)
By Mr. Will Wong
Day two of TIFF ’18 has gone exceedingly-well and we’re happy to deliver you some of that starpower we witnessed around the City! While stars of breakout hit CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet, were busy promoting their latest projects around town, one thing’s clear – fans still very much are in love with these two actors. Everywhere I went, new faces were asking where they could find Chalamet, walking around proudly displaying their memorabilia from the Film.
While we caught wind of BEAUTIFUL BOY stars Steve Carell and quietly entering and exiting their hotel, followed by a dinner at Sotto Sotto Thursday night, they were out in full force today and we’re thrilled to have snapped them, taking-in that adoration and excitement for the Drama based on a true story and memoirs from a father and son who went through the rigors of addiction and rose above. Fans not only queued hours on the Red Carpets at the Elgin and Roy Thomson Hall to see them, they also waited at the back of the theatre for a chance to see them exit too.
We once again were blessed by Queen Julia Roberts‘ presence this year, promoting not one but two projects – a new Amazon Series titled HOMECOMING and her latest Film, BEN IS BACK which is said to place her in prime contention for an Oscar as a mother who must stop her family from falling into shambles after her son (Lucas Hedges) resurfaces and she realizes he’s still in harm’s way. Fans queued hours to see her at Ryerson Theatre and got exactly what they asked for as she graced the Red Carpet, signing several autographs.
HOMECOMING was developed by Sam Esmail, who happens to be married to SHAMELESS star Emmy Rossum and we got a pleasant surprise spotting her tonight!
We still remember fondly the last time Dev Patel was at TIFF with LION and we loved that Film so much. Excitement is just as high for his two TIFF ’18 Films, HOTEL MUMBAI and THE WEDDING GUEST. We spotted his MUMBAI Co-Stars Armie Hammer and Jason Isaacs out too!
DONNYBROOK premiered at Winter Garden Theatre tonight and stars Frank Grillo, Jamie Bell and up-and-comer Margaret Qualley (daughter of Andie McDowell). It centers on two men from very different worlds, competing in a bare-knuckle brawl.
We cannot conceal our excitement for the adaptation of Angie Thomas’ THE HATE U GIVE and we are delighted by chance to have come across a few cast members: Sabrina Carpenter, Issa Rae and Lamar Jones.
Others we spotted around town, including Jude Law at TIFF ’18 for VOX LUX, which saw Natalie Portman arriving a bit late for, plus legend Danny Glover, who is at the Festival with The Old Man & The Gun, plus up-and-comer RJ Cyler (Power Rangers):
We were up and at ’em early and so honoured to appear on Breakfast Television with Winston Sih! In case you missed it, you can watch it again here:
More to come tomorrow!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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