sam rockwell
#TIFF15: DAY 10 SPOTTINGS – SAM ROCKWELL, ANNA KENDRICK, MAX LANDIS + MICHAEL EKLUND
What a way to wrap-up TIFF ’15 a high note! Despite almost not making it across the border in time for her Mr. Right Premiere, Anna Kendrick would not disappoint fans tonight after missing her Press Conference completely. Premiering twice – at Princess of Wales Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall – fans had a chance to connect with the stars of the Comedy!
Max Landis. This funnyman arrived at the Roy Thomson Hall Red Carpet for Mr. Right with a red nose!
Michael Eklund. This Canadian-born Actor also stars in Mr. Right and arrived with former Miss Universe Canada, Elena Semikina.
Sam Rockwell. This brilliant Actor was amazingly-generous with fans, more so than normal. Definitely not a stranger to the City. Commend him for stepping-up while Anna Kendrick had border woes.
#SamRockwell at #TIFF15 for Closing Night Gala, #MrRightMovie. #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Anna Kendrick always draws a crowd. After many issues crossing the border, she kept her promise on Twitter she’d see her fans at her Premiere.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Until, next year!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF15: “MR. RIGHT”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Director Paco Cabezas takes the incredible screenplay from Max Landis (American Ultra, Chronicle) and creates absolute magic with the incredibly quirky fun romantic action comedy Mr. Right. Both Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick were certainly right in taking on this project as it is beyond entertaining.
We meet Martha (Anna Kendrick) who’s just gotten out of a relationship after her boyfriend cheated on her very blatantly. On a trip to the store one day shortly after she runs into Mr. Right (Sam Rockwell) who originally comes off incredibly-creepy and disturbing. However after his consistent persistence, Martha agrees to go on a date with him. The two get talking and right out of the gate he admits that he kills people, however Martha thinks he is just kidding and being ridiculous. The two proceed to fall for one another, until Martha begins to think that he actually is a psychopath and starts to become wary of him. However, this is where the Film gains its charm.
What makes Mr. Right work incredibly well aside from a brilliant absurdist script, is the chemistry that Rockwell and Kendrick have together. They are able to sell it so perfectly that it feels natural and not artificial making every scene they’re in together that much better. The comedy also exceeds extraordinarily well due to this incredible dynamic.
Mr. Right is an absolute delight from start to finish and is the perfect way to end off an incredible TIFF ’15. Make sure to make one of the three screenings during the end of the festival.
#FIRSTLOOK: GIL KENAN’S “POLTERGEIST” FIRST TRAILER
Filmed in and around Toronto, Gil Kenan’s POLTERGEIST had almost fallen off our radar until this new Trailer scared the living daylights out of us!
Official Synopsis:
Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi and director Gil Kenan reimagine and contemporize the classic tale about a family whose suburban home is invaded by angry spirits. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and take the youngest daughter, the family must come together to rescue her.
Watch the Trailer:
20th Century Fox release POLTERGEIST on Friday, July 24, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “LAGGIES” IN TORONTO, VANCOUVER + MONTREAL
Mr. Will and VVS Films want to take Readers in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa to an Advance Screening of official TIFF ’14 Selection, LAGGIES! The Toronto Screening takes place 10/22, while Vancouver and Montreal take place on 10/29.
Official Synopsis:
Overeducated and underemployed, 28 year old Megan (Keira Knightley) is in the throes of a quarterlife crisis. Squarely into adulthood with no career prospects, no particular motivation to think about her future and no one to relate to, Megan is comfortable lagging a few steps behind – while her friends check off milestones and celebrate their new grown-up status. When her high-school sweetheart (Mark Webber) proposes, Megan panics and– given an unexpected opportunity to escape for a week – hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year old Annika (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Annika’s world-weary single dad Craig (Sam Rockwell).
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Re-Tweet to double your chances or just share this Post with your Friends on Facebook!
http://www.mrwillwong.com/laggies @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #LAGGIES in #Toronto, #Montreal and #Vancouver!
Good luck, Willionaire$!
Official Artwork:
See the Trailer:
https://twitter.com/vvs_films
https://www.facebook.com/vvsfilms
VVS Films release LAGGIES in Toronto on Friday, October 24, 2014, Friday, October 31, 2014 in Vancouver and Montreal, with additional cities to follow.
(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)
#TIFF14: OFFICIAL LIST OF STARS ANNOUNCED
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)
#EDITORSNOTE: MR. WILL’S 2013 TOP TENS!
It was a memorable year indeed! Join me as I recall some of 2013’s brightest moments in Celebrity, Film and Music with a Toronto twist! As a true Connoisseur of Pop Culture, I certainly was spoiled with several delights this year on all three fronts. Toronto witnessed what could well be the strongest years this City ever has seen in terms of Star Power. Also, as an experienced Digital Photographer of sorts, I am sharing some of my favourite Snaps taken around the City this year too. If you’re a #NOFILTER kinda Guy or Gal, I apologize! A few of them are Horse-related, spending many of my weekends at scenic Woodbine Racetrack, my fave Place since Childhood to escape and recharge from the City. Come Wongsters, let us walk down this luminous Memory Lane together!
TOP TEN SONGS OF 2013
2013 was solid for Pop Music and I was thrilled to hear a return to great, strong melodies. What a year it was for Miley Cyrus who not only wowed us with We Can’t Stop, but slayed us hard with Wrecking Ball! Coming in like a Wrecking Ball she managed to turn all eyes her way in a year which saw Albums released from some Marquee names like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and more. Lana Del Rey put us in a state of euphoria this Spring with her chilling Ballad for The Great Gatsby, Young & Beautiful. Flawless and timeless. Mariah Carey and Miguel provided much of the Soundtrack for my early Summer with their gorgeous Collabo #Beautiful, while Robin Thicke undisputedly had the Song of Summer 2013 with Blurred Lines. His Album of the same name easily is my favourite Disc of 2013.
1. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
2. Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautitul
3. Mariah Carey ft. Miguel – #Beautiful
4. Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
5. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
6. Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines
7. Capital Cities – Safe and Sound
8. Katy Perry – Roar
9. Icona Pop – I Love It
10. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love
Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
TOP TEN FILMS OF 2013
I don’t recall a year in recent memory where the Films were quite as strong as this year. It is as if Filmmakers have studied critiques, knew precisely what to avoid and owned it. Time after time I’d make it out to the morning Media Screenings and just when I thought I’d seen my favourite Film of 2013, another would come along and usurp the throne. In all, AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club would leave the strongest imprint with Jared Leto touching the core of my soul with his phenomenal performance. 12 Years a Slave left me shaken and speechless and made it really tough to decide a Fave. Saving Mr. Banks truly affected and inspired me, moving me to tears and I could never forget Cate Blanchett‘s empathic portrayal of a Woman battling her own demons in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine. And yes, I really loved Spring Breakers. James Franco is just on another level.
1. Dallas Buyers Club
2. 12 Years a Slave
3. American Hustle
4. Blue Jasmine
5. Saving Mr. Banks
6. Gravity
7. 42
8. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
9. Enough Said
10. Spring Breakers
Watch the Trailer for Dallas Buyers Club below:
TOP CELEBRITY MOMENTS
It was a good bloody amazing year. My experience in New York City seeing the Met Gala is unforgettable, as a revolving door of Celebrities came my direction. I didn’t even know which way to go or who to ask first for a Photo! TIFF ’13 brought me several amazing memories finally getting to meeting one of my favourite Actresses, Nicole Kidman – not to mention getting to meeting personal Heroes Seth McFarlane, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Baz Luhrmann and several more throughout the year. My ultimate Highlight however was finally after 15 tries, getting my Lady Gaga moment in November!
As seen top to bottom, left to right in the above Collage are:
Supermodel Cara Delevingne, Shoe Visionary Christian Louboutin, Actress Mia Wasikowska, Actor Jesse Eisenberg, Actor Kit Harington, Astronaut Chris Hadfield, Singer/Songwriter Lorde, Singer/Songwriter Robin Thicke, Television Personality/Actress Kelly Ripa, Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart.
Director Baz Luhrmann, Actress Emma Thompson, Singer/Actress Ariana Grande, Actress Léa Seydoux, Actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, Actress Toni Collette, Singer/Songwriter Lady Gaga, Singer Kylie Minogue, Actress Nicole Kidman, Actress/Singer Selena Gomez.
Writer/Actor Mike Myers, Comedian, Writer/Actor Seth MacFarlane, Writer/Actor Seth Meyers, Writer/Actor Jim Carrey, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actress Taylor Schilling, Singer/Songwriter/Fashion Mogul Pharrell, Television Personality/Actress Rosie O’Donnell, Kentucky Derby-winning Jockey Joel Rosario, Breeders Cup Classic-winning Jockey/Actor Gary Stevens.
Spice Girl/Actress Mel B., Actor Armie Hammer, Actress Kerry Washington, Actor Sam Rockwell, Actor Nicholas Hoult, Actor Tom Hiddleston, Actor Adam Driver, Actor Josh Brolin, Actor Daniel Radcliffe, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actor Sam Claflin, Actress Jena Malone.
TOP SNAPS
And now the ten best Photos of 2013 snapped through my lenses (Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5):
I truly am blessed and can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for us here in this sight-filled City of Tastemakers!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#SPOTTED: SAM ROCKWELL IN TORONTO FOR “POLTERGEIST”
Easily one of Hollywood’s finest working Actors today, Sam Rockwell’s Career has been defined by unconventional role choices, often veering to the quirky and off-center. At once, there are few who can play such roles with depth and dimension as he. Time and time again he has mesmerized Moviegoers with his spirited and compassionate portrayals, whether it be Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Moon, Matchstick Men or this year’s amazing Water Park-Comedy, The Way, Way Back.
Although this certainly isn’t his first time in Toronto, having attended TIFF on multiple occasions in recent years for Films like Conviction and Seven Psychopaths, the Actor currently is hard at work in a Remake of 1982 Horror Classic, Poltergeist. Rockwell takes-on the renamed role of Eric Bowen, originally played by Craig T. Nelson, in the Story about a Family haunted by Ghosts in their home. The upcoming release, directed by Gil Kenan, also stars Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris and Jane Adams.
The Social Media-shy Actor just celebrated his 45th Birthday in Toronto last weekend, spotted out for pre-Birthday Drinks, and he appeared to be off to the Gym today solo with Knapsack in-tow earlier. We spotted him last weekend also, out and about with flowers in-hand, perhaps for a visiting longtime Actress Girlfriend, Leslie Bibb?
Rockwell was more-than-kind, giving us an ultra-rare Photo Op (believe me, we tried in previous years!) and we made sure to wish him a Happy Belated Birthday, which he was appreciative of the gesture. Basically, we love Sam Rockwell and he stands as one of our all-time Favourites, so this moment was extra-special! He is everything I imagined he’d be.
Poltergeist, due for a 2014 release via 20th Century Fox, continues to film in Toronto through early December.
See our Snap:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Fox Searchlight)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com