Truly we are blessed to work with an outstanding Team whom we wouldn’t be able to do it without. While you will see many Year’s Best Lists pop-up around this time of year, what makes our Team unique is that we genuinely are paying Filmgoers like you. These are real opinions without the critical pretension, of individuals who know a lot about Film and individuals who live and breathe Film. We all work day and night jobs like all of you, juggling screenings and junkets into our crazy schedules for the love of Film.
We thank David Baldwin, Jonathan Godfrey, SiobhĂĄn Rich, Amanda Gilmore and Justin Waldman for their amazing work on the daily!
We thank you for joining us on our adventures throughout the year and hope you’ll be around as we share our thoughts with you on the upcoming 2018 slate.
From our family to yours!
DAVE BALDWIN
The real world may have been a complete nightmare in 2017, but the celluloid world was nothing short of incredible. Each month gifted us with exceptional films that continually surpassed any and all expectations. While there were some terrible stinkers sprinkled throughout, 2017 will go down as a banner year for cinema. There was something for everyone, from blockbusters to indies to everything in-between, and it was incredibly hard to narrow down a list of just 10 of those films. I could easily list 10-20 more genuinely outstanding pictures — it was really that great of a year. And while there is a dark cloud over Hollywood right now, I’d like to think this yearâs films prove that we are finally moving in the right direction instead of reliving the past.
1. The Shape of Water
2. The Big Sick
3. Baby Driver
4. Ingrid Goes West
5. Get Out
6. Call Me By Your Name
7. Raw
8. The Disaster Artist
9. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
10. I, Tonya
JONATHAN GODFREY
The Red Turtle
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Trainspotting 2
mother!
Ghost in the Shell
Blade Runner 2049
Alien Covenant
Justice League
Your Name.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
These are the movies that moved me the most this year. Many of them performed poorly with regards to revenue and reviews. Nevertheless, I enjoyed them deeply, and in my own way. They are all passion projects that were beautiful to behold. So much so that I donât have an overall âfavourite.â I have âfavourites,â and I canât wait to find ten more in 2018.
SIOBHĂN RICH
The Big Sick
Call Me By Your Name
Donât Talk to Irene
Foxtrot
Get Out
Girls Trip
Ladybird
Loveless
The Post
Shape of Water
Split
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
I found it incredibly difficult to narrow down my list this year. Presented as always in alphabetical order, this list does not include Logan, Wonder Woman or Baby Driver but does include a movie that was criminally left off TIFFâs list for Canadaâs Top Ten. I included a comedy that had people falling off their seats and one that reflects what my family looks like. I also snuck in some early favourites to balance out my top two foreign films from TIFF ’17 and a late entry which blew me away. Finally, I rounded out my top twelve with a few hits from TIFF that will definitely be making a comeback during Oscar season.
AMANDA GILMORE
Lady Bird
Call Me By Your Name
The Florida Project
Get Out
A Ghost Story
Dunkirk
The Shape Of Water
The Disaster Artist
Mudbound
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
My Top Ten are in no particular order. In my Top Ten there are Films that I found unique, told honest depictions of the human condition and/or pushed the boundaries of filmmaking. All the Films showcase outstanding acting, writing and direction done by all involved. These Films are in my Top Ten because no matter what time they came out throughout 2017 they have stayed with me until the end. And will probably stay with me throughout the years to come. Hope you enjoyed them if you have seen them. And I hope you seek out the ones you haven’t!
JUSTIN WALDMAN
2017 has been one roller coaster of a year for Hollywood, or Christopher Plummer being in like every movie (ha!). However if you can look past all the horrible things that have plagued Hollywood this year, there are plenty of quality films that hit the silver screen this year. In absolutely no particular order here at my top ten movies for 2017.
The Big Sick
Logan/Wonder Woman
Lady Bird
Call Me By Your Name
Get Out
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
The Disaster Artist
The Post
The Shape of Water
Logan Lucky
These films all possess something to them that made them stand out this year, whether it be the subject matter, the performances, the unexpected fantastic ride it took you on, each of these 11 movies gave me something this year. As well they all have massive re-watch value and are endlessly delights to watch.
For Mr. Will‘s Best-Of 2017 including Movies, Music and Celeb Spottings, click here!
WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES sure isn’t ‘monkeying’ around! The Action/Fantasy is all business at the Box Office, taking-in $57.5 million from 4,022 theatres in its debut for 20th Century Fox. It gets a 94% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore from audiences. 2014’s DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES still holds the franchise best with a $72 million opening.
In second is SPIDER-MAN HOMECOMING, last week’s number one Film. It earns $47.4 million its second week out in 4,348 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $210 million earned domestically.
In third is DESPICABLE ME 3 with $19.2 million for Universal Pictures. Over three weeks it has grossed $188 million in North America.
BABY DRIVER is in fourth this weekend with $8.7 million from 3,043 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $73 million made over three weeks.
THE BIG SICK expands to 2,597 theatres for Lionsgate Films/Elevation Pictures, taking $7.4 million in its fourth week out. It has made $15.8 million thus far.
Toronto-made WISH UPON might not be getting a Canadian release, but it opens in seventh in the U.S. with $5.6 million from 2,250 theatres. It gets 20% on the Tomatometer and a C- CinemaScore.
THE HOUSE rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.8 million for Warner Bros. in its third week out with $23 million tallied in total.
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING spins a web on its competition, climbing to the top of the Box Office in its debut for Sony Pictures. It earns $119 million from 4,348 theatres and gets a 95% on the Tomatometer, plus a fantastic A CinemaScore. The franchiseâs record still belongs to Spider-Man 3 (2007) which opened with $151 million.
In second is DESPICABLE ME 3 with $37.4 million from 4,535 theatres in its second week out for Universal Pictures. Thus far it has grossed a healthy $152.5 million domestically.
BABY DRIVER continues to be bankable for Sony Pictures with $12.5 million from 3,226 theatres in its second week out, a total $56 million over two weeks.
In fourth is the v. lasting WONDER WOMAN with $10.6 million for Warner Bros. from 3,091 theatres in its sixth week. Thus far it has earned $369 million in North America and looks like itâll be around for a bit longer in the Top Ten.
In fifth is CARS 3 for Disney with $6.2 million, a total $134 million tally over four weeks.
THE BIG SICK expands to 326 theatres this weekend in earns an impressive $3.2 million for Elevation Pictures/Lionsgate Films. Over three weeks, the semi-autobiographical Rom-Com has made $6.4 million already in limited release. Critics have given it 97% on the Tomatometer.
THE BEGUILED rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.4 million from 941 theatres for Universal Pictures/Focus Features in its third week out, a total $7.4 million over three weeks.
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
After ten years of marriage and multiple projects together, Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon are still very much in love. They finish each otherâs sentences, have similar thoughts and opinions, and have no trouble cutting off each otherâs answers. When we get the opportunity to interview the pair during a recent press day in Toronto for their critically acclaimed Film The Big Sick, they are sitting together on a couch that could seat three comfortably. But with how close they are sitting together, thereâs no room for a third.
The semi-autobiographical Film revolves around the relationship between Kumail (Nanjiani) and Emily (Zoe Kazan). They are happily dating, but Kumail is harbouring a secret — his strict Muslim parents are keen on him entering into an arranged marriage with a Muslim woman. Emily has very little time to process this news, as she lands in the hospital with a severe lung infection. This emergency only gets worse, leading Kumail to rethink everything about their relationship and his relationship with his parents.
Despite having iconic Comedy Producer Judd Apatow on-board from the beginning, the writing process was anything but easy. The pair would bring drafts of their screenplay to Apatow for approval, and he âwould rip it to shreds and send us off on our way,â says Gordon. âAnd then after three years, he was like âOkay, I think we can get a director nowâ.â When asked about how much of the Filmâs story happened in real life, the pair laugh and give different answers. Gordon settled the debate quickly â claiming the Film being 60% factual. âThe broad strokes are pretty accurate to what happened,â Nanjiani says. âBut the specifics and some of the characterizations and the order of events, thatâs the stuff we changed.â
Having lived the events of the Film, Nanjiani and Gordon recalled certain moments in their lives quite differently. âIn doing press, I found out that our relationship before I got sick was way more casual than I thought. Thatâs something Iâve been discovering thatâs been super fun,â Gordon mentions. âI donât regret saying it all,â Nanjiani says with a laugh. âEvery time we found in writing this that we would have a disagreement about how we experienced some from our past. We tried to fold both perspectives into the Movie.â While their emotions would range from âThat was a really happy memoryâ to âNo that was a horrible memoryâ, Nanjiani was quite happy with the end result it had on the screenplay: âI think it made for a much more complicated dynamic between the main characters.â
While the appreciation and gratitude for Apatow was evident throughout our conversation (âWeâd never written a movie before and Judd getting behind us and helping us through this has been very excitingâ Nanjiani says), the pair also praised the Filmâs female lead, Kazan. Gordon explains that after watching her audition, she felt âshe was absolutely right for the part. I donât really know what would have happened if I really wanted her and other people didnât.â Nanjiani adds, âShe has that really fun, funny side, but sheâs also a very, very serious person who takes herself serious.â
For all of the enthusiasm the pair shared about the writing and casting process, both Nanjiani and Gordon were more apathetic when asked about the Filmâs take on religion and culture. âWe didnât think that we really wanted to say anything with this Movie. We just wanted to tell our story,â Nanjiani explains. âIf weâre writing a personal story thatâs about us and [religion] is something that is part of that story, not having it in there just felt disingenuous.â Gordon was a little more direct in how she felt: âItâs just another aspect of the story.â
Religious and cultural apprehensions aside, the pair are satisfied with all of the work that went into making The Big Sick. âWe wrote this Movie for three years with no money, no plan, no guarantee that it would ever become a thing. And we worked our asses off,â Gordon says. âIt was really, really great to make a movie where we could pour in everything that we think about,â Nanjiani mentions. âItâs pretty great to be a part of a Movie where we can be proud of every character.â And if the spectacular limited US box office results from this past weekend are any indication, The Big Sick may just become the breakout Comedy of the summer.
Elevation Pictures release THE BIG SICK in select theatres starting Friday, June 30, 2017 and across Canada on Friday, July 14, 2017.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Real-life couple Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon have turned their love story into the Film known as The Big Sick, which was a huge hit at Sundance earlier this year. Â After getting a limited release in the U.S. this past weekend where it is getting huge raves including endorsements from the likes of Amy Schumer, the Film soon is set to open here in Canada.
The Film centers around Nanjiani, a Comedian, known best for his work on HBO‘s Silicon Valley, who meets Emily V. Gordon (played by Zoe Kazan) one night at one of his gigs. With a looming romance and his parents set on an arranged marriage for him, things change when a medical emergency forces Kumail to spend time with Emily‘s parents.  It also explores the comedy in the couple’s cultural differences. The semi-autobiographical Film is directed by Michael Showalter and co-written by the couple, while Judd Apatow produces.
In addition to press today, Nanjiani and Gordon present the Film at a special advanced screening in Toronto followed by a Q&A. We spotted them earlier upon a visit to KISS 92.5 and they were amazing to stop for a quick photo – Billy included – and they were excited that I’ll be at the screening!
Our David Baldwin chats with the couple today, so stay tuned for that! Can’t wait to see it.
Elevation Pictures release THE BIG SICK in select cities Friday, June 30, 2017 and across Canada on Friday, July 14, 2017.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of THE BIG SICK! Screenings take place as follows:
Toronto
Date: June 26, 2017
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Scotiabank Theatre (259 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3M6)
Vancouver
Date: June 28, 2017
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Scotiabank Theatre (900 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 3G5)
Calgary
Date: July 5, 2017
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Scotiabank Theatre Chinook (6455 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0K4)
Edmonton
Date: July 5, 2017
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton (WEM – 8882 170 St NW #3030, Edmonton, AB T5T 4M2)
Winnipeg
Date: July 5, 2017
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg – Polo Park (1485 Portage Ave #100, Winnipeg, MB R3G 0W4)
Ottawa
Date: July 5, 2017
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa (3090 Carling Ave, Nepean, ON K2B 7K2)
Halifax
Date: July 5, 2017
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane (5657 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS B3J 3R4)
Victoria
Date:Â July 5, 2017
Time:Â 7:00pm
Location:Â Odeon Victoria (780 Yates St, Victoria, BC V8W 1L4)
Synopsis:
Based on the real-life courtship between Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, THE BIG SICK tells the story of Pakistan-born aspiring comedian Kumail (Nanjiani), who connects with grad student Emily (Kazan) after one of his standup sets. However, what they thought would be just a one-night stand blossoms into the real thing, which complicates the life that is expected of Kumail by his traditional Muslim parents.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. “Re-Tweet” this Tweet at @mrwillw for an extra chance!
Elevation Pictures release THE BIG SICK Friday, July 14, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com