By Mr. Will Wong
Following-up on the Best Picture-winning success of Moonlight, Director and Writer Barry Jenkins brings to TIFF ’18 his much-awaited Adaptation of James Baldwin‘s 1973 Novel, IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK. Just as relevant then as it is today, Harlem-set love story examines racial profiling, wrongful incarceration and injustice.
The stunningly-shot Story centers on young lovers Tish (Kiki Layne) and Fonny (Toronto’s Stephan James) who learn they are expecting a child. Divided by the justice system which sees Fonny imprisoned for a rape he didn’t commit. It is here we witness the strength of familial bonds and determination to overcome the worst case scenario as Tish and Fonny‘s love must withstand the rigours of dire circumstance. Brace yourself for some gorgeous Cinematography and outstanding work from veteran Regina King as Tish‘s mother Sharon. While it didn’t quite touch our core quite like Moonlight, Jenkins’ unique ability to pace a scene and tell a story is remarkable.
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK screens Sunday, September 9, 6 PM at Princess of Wales Theatre VISA Screening Room and Monday, September 10, 11 AM at Princess of Wales Theatre VISA Screening Room.
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Widows follows four women who take up their deceased husbands’ next heist. It will have its World Premiere at TIFF ‘18 in the Galas Programme and is the follow-up Film to Director Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave.
This Film is different from McQueen‘s previous Films, however it still hits all those important messages and has complex, layered characters that have made his Films so special. His Script, which he co-wrote with Gillian Flynn, has four rich female leads that are all unforgettable. Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez and Cynthia Erivo as spectacular fireworks that explode on the screen. This one is not to be missed.
Widows screens at TIFF on Saturday, September 8 at 9:30 PM at Roy Thompson Hall, Thursday, September 13 at 9:30 PM at Princess Of Wales and Sunday, September 16 at 6 PM at Elgin Theatre.
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
After dominating the TV landscape with This Is Us, Writer/Director Dan Fogelman has the big screen in his sights as he presented the World Premiere of Life Itself at TIFF. The Film is a multi-generational story revolving around two families and how they cope with tragedy, happiness and everything in-between.
Having watched This Is Us, I was prepared for melodrama, lengthy monologues and sheer moments of emotional devastation. All of these elements are accounted for over the course of Life Itself multiple times over, with some being a lot less effective than others. But what sets it apart from the popular Series is the pitch-black humour and surprisingly vulgar Script. Both are honest, unflinching and at times, shocking. The problem with all of this is that Fogelman never nails down a proper tone, which makes some scenes come off more awkward than they do genuine. The cast takes it in stride though, committing to every ludicrous plot turn Fogelman throws at them. Just be sure to bring a Kleenex box when you watch it.
Life, Itself screens on Saturday, September 9 at 6:30 PM at Roy Thomson Hall and 8:00 PM at Elgin Theatre, and Monday, September 10 at 9:30 AM at Elgin Theatre.
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Director David Gordon Green unleashed Halloween and Michael Myers on TIFF audiences for the World Premiere earlier tonight, forty years after Director John Carpenter’s legendary Film. Despite that forty-year time gap, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) still is haunted by the murders committed by Myers (Nick Castle) to her family and friends. She has spent that time training and preparing for his return, praying he will be set free so she can take her revenge. And after Myers escapes from a bus crash and starts murdering local citizens, Laurie just might get her wish.
Halloween is a total blast from start to finish, full stop. Green and Co-Writer Danny McBride (yes, that Danny McBride) pay homage to the original Film and add plenty of references and endlessly entertaining in-jokes. But more importantly, they deliver a satisfying Sequel that feels very much in vein of the series, but still feels like a unique entry that builds and improves upon the existing foundations set in Carpenter’s legendary Film. They also deliver some of the gnarliest kills and most gruesome violence of the series – and this is a franchise that had Rob Zombie at the helm for a short period of time.
The scares are abundant, the score (co-written by Carpenter) is spectacular and the Supporting Cast is great in their roles. But the Film belongs to Curtis. She is a certified bad bitch who is not to be messed with, and she owns every moment she appears on-screen. And while there is nuance to some of her early scenes, the later scenes where she faces off against Michael Myers play out just as amazing as you hoped they would.
Halloween screens on Saturday, September 9 at 11:30 PM at Elgin Theatre and 11:59 PM at Winter Garden Theatre [World Premiere].
By Mr. Will Wong
We don’t recall a more explosive first Saturday at TIFF in recent memory! Several stars were out and about on Day Three of the Festival and your jaw will drop who we saw!
A STAR IS BORN – Lady Gaga
THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT – Alexander Skarsgård and Jesse Eisenberg
GLORIA BELL – John Turturro and Julianne Moore
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THE FRONT RUNNER – Hugh Jackman and Jason Reitman
HALLOWEEN – Jamie Lee Curtis
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🤞🖖#JamieLeeCurtis at #TIFF18 for #Halloween! #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
LIFE ITSELF – Annette Bening, Olivia Cooke and Mandy Patinkin
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – Stephan James, Kiki Layne and Barry Jenkins
PAPI CHULO – Matt Bomer
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#MattBomer at #TIFF18 for #PapiChulo. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
WILD ROSE – Jessie Buckley and Mary Steenburgen
THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER – Maggie Gyllenhaal
THE SISTERS BROTHERS – Riz Ahmed
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#RizAhmed at #TIFF18 for #TheSistersBrothers. #torontointernationalfilmfestival #TIFF
WIDOWS – Viola Davis and Daniel Kaluuya
INSTYLE MAGAZINE PARTY – traditionally the hottest party at the Festival!
THE HATE U GIVE – Amandla Stenberg
BEAUTIFUL BOY – Timothée Chalamet
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS – Kelly Marie Tran
(Photo credit: David Baldwin/Mr. Will Wong)
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Giant Little Ones follows two high school best friends whose friendship rapidly dissipates after something that happens after a party one night. It’s a Canadian Film and will have its World Premiere at TIFF ‘18 in the Special Presentations Programme.
Writer-Director Keith Behrman creates a steady pace to let the message and story unfold. He also captures what being in high school today looks and feels like. It also offers a great subtle performance by up-and-coming lead actor Josh Wiggins.
Giant Little Ones screens on Sunday, September 9, at 3:45 PM at Elgin and Monday, September 10, at 6:45PM at Scotiabank 4.
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Through Black Spruce follows the uncle and sister of a missing Indigenous woman. Her sister goes off to Toronto to find out what happened to her, while her uncle protects the rest of his family in Moosenee. and their quest to find out what happened to her. The Film is a Canadian film based on the novel by Joseph Boyden and it’s having its World Premiere at TIFF.
The Film thrives is displaying the missing and murdered Indigenous women issue Canada has been and continues to, experience. Tanaya Beatty, who plays Annie, the sister of the missing woman, is superb in her quest to learn about her sister, her disappearance, and herself.
Through Black Spruce screens Saturday, September 8 at 8:45PM at Winter Garden Theatre and Tuesday, September 11 at 9:45 PM at Scotiabank 4.
Photos and Words Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Hotel Mumbai had its Press Conference at the TIFF Bell Lightbox today. The Film depicts the terrorist attack that happened in Mumbai in 2008 and follows the victims and those who survived. Actors Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Jason Isaacs, Nazanin Boniadi, Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Anupam Kher were on hand along with Director Anthony Maras to talk about the film.
When asked about what the actors think the main takeaway from the Film is they all concluded that it was the message of inclusivity. Jason Issacs said “we are told we are divided by race and so on…but when the extential threat happens, the divides don’t exist.”.
Armie Hammer continued on with the theme of people coming together no matter how different they are. He also spoke to how the men who carried out the attack weren’t two dimensional in the Film, which was something that drew in to the Film. “The Script was dripping with humanity,” he said.
Hotel Mumbai screens at TIFF on Friday, September 7 at 6 PM at Princess Of Wales Theatre, Sunday, September 9 at 10 PM at Scotiabank 1 and Saturday, September 15 at 9:30 PM at Winter Garden Theatre.
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Rose-Lynn Harlan (2017 TIFF Rising Star Jessie Buckley) has always dreamed of becoming a country music star in Nashville, Tennessee. However, achieving her life’s dream seems like an impossible feat considering she is currently living in Glasgow, is a convicted criminal and a single mother of two. Wild Rose will have its World Premiere at TIFF in the Special Presentations category.
What make’s this Film stand out from other Country Music films is that it takes place somewhere you would never associate Country Music with, and it also has an unconventional lead character. Screenwriter Nicole Taylor has written a complex and authentic protagonist. And bonafide chameleon Jessie Buckley explodes Rose-Lynn on the screen like the most beautiful firework show.
Wild Rose will screen at TIFF Saturday, September 8 at 9:30 PM at Ryerson Theatre and Monday, September 10 at 3:15 PM at Scotiabank 1.
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Freaks follows a daughter (Lexy Kolker) who is kept captive to her house by her oppressive father (Emile Hirsch). When she finally breaks free from his restraints she realizes why he had protected her for years. It is a Canadian Film that will have its World Premiere at TIFF ’18 in the Discovery Programme.
This Film is a wild mix of genres (Sci-Fi, Thriller and Family Drama) which leads audiences on the thrilling ride of never knowing which direction it’s going to turn. It also has hilarious, layered and mysterious performances from Bruce Dern, Emilie Hirsch and young up-and-coming actress Lexy Kolker.
Freaks screens on Saturday, September 8 at 9:30 PM at Scotiabank 2, Monday, September 10, at 9:45 PM at Scotiabank 4, and Sunday, September 16 at 6:45 PM at Scotiabank 14.
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