We’re sad and in ways glad to see TIFF ’15 ending and although we love the excitement, it’s nice to get back to normal again. We worked ourselves into the ground and got quite ill, but we’re fighting it. We believe in transparency and admit this wasn’t the most exciting Festival in memory, but we had fun and look forward to TIFF ’16.  With rain drowning-out a lot of the fun on the Festival’s three busiest days, fans were forced to make the most out of the situation and in these times we see truly who the champs of Hollywood truly are!
Whether it be Tom Hardy or George Clooney braving the wet for fans, few can argue that it’s absolutely worth the labour and effort for that one moment of connection.
Let’s look back at my highlights of TIFF ’15!
To say this was a chore is an understatement. I love Brie Larson and if she doesn’t know that by now then it’s time to invest in a billboard. Â This Selfie took nine tries dating back to 2013. Prior to TIFF ’15, many were asking who she was. Now that the festival is over, people are googling. Â She is amazing in Room, but I’ve enjoyed her work long before that. Â Expect her to be in the thick of the Best Actress race this Awards Season. Worth it? Totally.
Happy to see the #bae, #TomHardy. Nicest man of #TIFF15. #TIFF #TIFF40 #LEGENDMovie #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
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Analeigh Tipton. I’ve been singing her praises for years and all it is gonna take for this former America’s Next Top Model contestant to get that one breakout role and I’m confident you too will fall in love with the statuesque stunner. She was here for a supporting role in Ryan Reynolds‘ Film Mississippi Grind.
The talented and lovely #AnaleighTipton, at #TIFF15 with #MississippiGrind. One of my favourite young actresses. She promised me a #selfie three years ago and did it! Do you believe she once was a contestant on #ANTM? #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#ShiaLaBeouf at #TIFF15 for #ManDown. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Arrived 6:50 AM and that’s the closest I could get to #JohnnyDepp. #BlackMass #TIFF15 #Tiff40 #Toronto #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Kevin Bacon. Can’t knock this champ. He met everyone and even accommodated me for a Selfie at the Black Mass Press Conference. Unsure why this pic is so pixelicious. Oh well, I tried! LOL
Beyond thrilled to meet #LukeEvans! At #TIFF15 for #HighRiseMovie. #Tiff40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
 Handsome #TomHiddleston at the post-party for #HighRiseMovie at Byblos. #TIFF15 #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300  A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#EddieRedmayne hugging #ToniCollette. #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF15 #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
 #EddieRedmayne at #TIFF15 for #TheDanishGirl. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300  A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#BenFoster at #TIFF15 with #TheProgram. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #LanceArmstrong #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
 #BryanCranston at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300  A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#EmilyBlunt at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#JessicaChastain at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Oops! I did it again. #MattDamon at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Finally. After six years of trying, it happened. #MattDamon + me. #TIFF15 #TheMartian #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 Â A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With Queen #JulianneMoore. At #TIFF15 for #FreeheldMovie. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
This one I’m extra-happy about! Finally a Selfie with #EllenPage, who slayed it in #FREEHELDMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF15 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #Xmen #NikonD3300 Â A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#SebastianStan at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #CaptainAmerica #WinterSoldier #BuckyBarnes #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#KateMara at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 Â A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on My second time getting a and the man needs to up his Selfie Game. He is superb in . Nominee we’re thinking for sure.
#BenicioDelToro at #TIFF15 for #Sicario. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#JoshuaJackson here to support #DianeKruger at #TIFF15 for #DisorderMovie. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #NikonD3300 Â A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Morning from #DianeKruger and me. She is at #TIFF15 with #DisorderMovie. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#SalmaHayek at #TIFF15 for #SeptembersofShiraz. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With the v. stunning #AnyaTaylorJoy, at #TIFF15 with #TheWitch. Rave reviews coming into #TIFF. #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With legendary #JeremyIrons, at #TIFF15 with #TheManWhoKnewInfinity. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TIFF15 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#DrewBarrymore at #TIFF15 for #MissYouAlready. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rock icon #KeithRichards at #TIFF15 with #UndertheInfluenceMovie. #TheRollingStones #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
It’s like time stood still for a moment between #NataliePortman and I. #TIFF15 #TIFFSoiree #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on . Huge fan of and her work in the Trilogy. She was in a foot cast for crying out loud. She tells me she broke her leg.. She is here for French Comedy.
The formidable #JulieDelpy, at #TIFF15 with #Lolo. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #LoloMovie #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on None of us had any idea was showing-up as Producer of , starring . He walked the entire carpet, greeting fans as it was about to rain. I got sick waiting in the cold dampness, but well worth it.
Nick Robinson. This Jurassic World star was here for Rob Reiner‘s latest, Being Charlie. Certainly one to look-out for this next while.
#GeorgeClooney + #SandraBullock at the #OURBRANDISCRISIS Premiere, #TIFF15. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
And now to thank our partners for TIFF ’15 whom we couldn’t have done it without. We did it bigger and better than ever this year! We won’t forget appearing on CBC’s Metro Morning, ITV’s Good Morning Britain, CTV News and CP24 and if you learned of us through these appearances, welcome and please stick around!  We go hard year-round,  not just TIFF!
Wrapping up #TIFF15 coverage at @CP24 with these two Media icons, Stephen LeDrew and @richardcrouse. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Thank you to the following. I couldn’t have done TIFF ’15 with their generosity and support!
Thank you @novotelnorthamerica Downtown Centre! We couldn’t have done #TIFF15 without your hospitality and convenience. It means so much that Billy had a cozy, pet-friendly home away from home, where I could check in on him quickly from all the action! #TIFF40 #Novotel A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Â
Thrilled to be reunited with the @fordcanada Focus Titanium #TIFF15! Luxurious lifesaver! #Ford #FordFocus #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Hanging in the #CTV Green Room waiting for the Prime Minister to finish his speech. Here to talk #TIFF15! Many greats have chilled here like Taylor Swift for example! Do you like my doughnut shirt? Just one of a bunch of cool things I’ll be wearing thanks to H&M Canada! #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #samsunggalaxys6 Â A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Our Contributors team-up to preview their top #TIFF15 Picks! Link in Bio! #TorontoFilmFestival #Toronto #TIFF #TIFF40 #TheSix #Review #Movie A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
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I do it for the fans. #TIFF15 #TIFF40 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
TIFF ’16, bb.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
With stars Departure-bound at the Airport, we still have a few here to visit as TIFF ’15 approaches an end. Â We’re still excited though nonetheless and hope you are too! Â See who we spotted today…
Analeigh Tipton. I first wrote a blog post about this former America’s Next Top Model finalist after being wowed by her in an advanced screening of Crazy.Stupid.Love. Â Her sweet, delightful awkwardness is irresistible and I have loved seeing her star gradually rise these past few years. Â Tipton is here for gambling drama Mississippi Grind starring alongside Sienna Miller, Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendohlson, premiering tonight at Roy Thomson Hall. She promised me a Selfie after getting yanked away at the Damsels in Distress premiere here a few years ago and she kept her promise today. She looked AMAZING.
Charlie Kaufman.  This Filmmaker is getting tons of acclaim for his TIFF ’15 entry Anomalisa and it was recently announced the stop-motion animated feature was picked-up by Paramount Pictures. It just won the Grand Jury Prize a Venice too. Here he is after a morning screening today, stopping to sign some autographs.  Photo via our Dave Baldwin.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Salma Hayek. Â We love this beauty and are grateful to have met her last year at TIFF. Â She is here for Septembers of Shiraz, starring opposite Adrien Brody and was even see kissing fans yesterday after completing press.
#SalmaHayek at #TIFF15 for #SeptembersofShiraz. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Diane Kruger. We’ve longed to meet this incredibly-talented woman for so long now and are pleased to have met her and get a Selfie today as she quietly started her day of press this morning. Â She stars in both Sky and Disorder, premiering at TIFF ’15 today and tomorrow respectively. And for those curious, no Joshua Jackson.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Writer/Director Paul Gross went great lengths to make his World War I Film Passchendaele stack up next to its American counterparts. He takes what he learned and extends it to the modern and significantly more intense Hyena Road – chronicling a group of soldiers trying to construct a highway link in Afghanistan. The Film dazzles with fierce and near breathless action scenes, punctuated by surprisingly extreme violence.
But the Film gets bogged down by too much political nonsense and focus on a mysterious character not so ironically called The Ghost (an infuriatingly-unsubtitled Neamat Arghandabi). Worse, the Film quickly stops being about the titular road, and never quite finds its footing with underdeveloped subplots and thin characterizations. When Gross is not offering lengthy narrations, he shines as a hardened intelligence officer. But it is Rossif Sutherland (son of Donald and half-brother of Kiefer) who steals the show as both a sniper and the Film’s moral compass.
Elevation Pictures release Hyena Road and it screens at TIFF ’15 Monday September 14 at 9:30PM at Roy Thomson Hall and Tuesday September 15 at 1:30PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong
Touted as the first gangster movie directed by a woman in 40 years, BEEBA BOYS, from acclaimed, Oscar-nominated Deepa Metha, mixes guns, bhangra beats, cocaine, interracial romance and traditional family values with brutal violence and culture clashes. Set in Vancouver, it tells the story of Indo-Canadian, Jeet Johar (played by Bollywood star Randeep Hooda) and his gang of foul-mouth, outrageously-flashy and colourfully-dressed frat boyish friends who want to take over the drug and arms scene. At face value, other than the intense Jeet, they could be mistaken for a motley crew of misfits, but no one should ever cross their way.
While in prison waiting to be acquitted for murder, Jeet meets Nep (a multi-layered performance from Toronto based actor Ali Momen) and asks him to join his gang as they plot to take over the turf of a respected old school businessman. At his murder trial, Jeet cruises and ultimately winds up with a pretty Polish manicurist. To have a white, preferably blonde, girlfriend gives male Indo-Canadian gangsters status; just another trophy and possession as important as the latest BMW or Rolex.
Metha’s mastery with the camera and exquisite eye for detail is all there to see on screen. Sadly, BEEBA BOYS fails to make the mark on many levels due to a script lacking originality. The screenplay is unable to make it out the shadows of SCARFACE, the F-Bombs and pop culture chats between the gangsters echo PULP FICTION.  There is a plot twist near the end, so ridiculously contrived, it elicits groans from this audience member. Despite a brilliant cameo performance from a manbunned Paul Gross and a stellar job by Ali Momen, BEEBA BOYS regretfully is not Deepa Metha’s finest moment.
Mongrel Media release BEEBA BOYS, screening at TIFF ’15:
Sun Sep 13 6:30 PM
ROY THOMSON HALL
Mon Sep 14 2:30 PM
SCOTIABANK 1
Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
Legend is sure to be beloved by both critics and audiences alike, and the reason is simple: Tom Hardy.
Tom Hardy plays brothers Ronnie & Reggie Kray, England’s notorious twin gangsters. In the 1950/60’s the Kray Twins operated a criminal empire known as “The Firm.” Throughout their criminal career their notoriety was often coupled with adoration, and this Film about their rise and fall gives us insight into the fascination.
Well constructed, written, and cast, Legend is an excellent addition to the Gangster Cinema genre. It is also exemplary of Hardy‘s talents. His abilities as a leading man, and a character actor are on display throughout the Film, and for Festival attendees you can see for yourselves starting this Saturday.
Elevation Pictures release LEGEND and it screens at TIFF ’15:
Sat  Sep 12 9:30 PM
ROY THOMSON HALL Â Â
Sun  Sep 13 11:00 AM
VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN) Â
Sat  Sep 19 9:15 PM
PRINCESS OF WALES Â Â
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
From director Adam Salky comes I Smile Back which brings a powerhouse performance from the brilliant Sarah Silverman, but unfortunately lacks conviction in all other categories.
The Movie focuses on Laney (Sarah Silverman) and her completely destructive life style, whether it be in the form of drugs or adultery, Laney finds something to throw her into trouble. Well her husband, Bruce (Josh Charles) is either blissfully ignorant or indifferent to Laney’s adultery he never seems to bat much of an eye towards it. However when her drug addiction becomes too much, he forces her into rehab to get her life together.
The problems with I Smile Back do not fall in any way on Silverman who is absolutely phenomenal, but rather the story itself. The Movie makes the audience believe that the story is going to focus on Laney’s recovery and adventures while in rehab instead of her very quick arrival and departure as she tries to re-assimilate with her life. With this trajectory for the story it proves to be far less engaging that anticipated and steers off the roads into familiar territory for movies that deal with addiction.
I Smile Back features Sarah Silverman in her strongest and most thought provoking role yet, but the rest of the Film cannot carry itself unfortunately without her.
I Smile Back premieres at TIFF ’15 on Wednesday, September 16th at 7 pm at the Princess of Wales Theatre, a second screening Thursday, September 17th at 1pm at the Winter Garden Theatre and a third screening Saturday, September 19th at 6:45 pm at The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.
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.
Sat Sept.12 5pm
Elgin Theatre
Sun Sept.13 7:45pm
Scotiabank
Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong
Of the many irrational fears I live with on a daily basis, INTO THE FOREST touches on two of them: an extended continent-wide power failure (a major plot point) and chainsaws (a smaller, yet significant plot point). Based on the beloved novel by the same name, Writer/Director Patricia Rozema takes us deep into a British Columbian forest where sisters Nell (Ellen Page) and Eva (Evan Rachel Wood) live with their father, Robert (Callum Keith Rennie) in a beautifully-furnished, technologically advanced home miles away from civilization when the apocalyptic moment occurs. As they quickly go into survival mode, we see the family dynamics. Whereas the father has a calming effect on his daughters, Nell, an academic with a history of partying hard, is somewhat selfish and Eva, a dancer, is obsessive and more of a loner. When tragedy befalls the father, the sisters are left alone to battle the environment, dwindling supplies and not knowing who or what will come next.
INTO THE FOREST succeeds on so many levels. It is the most sensuously filmed I have seen this year. Cinematographer Daniel Grant’s work is accomplished, menacing and breath-taking. Director Patricia Rozema has a history of bringing out the best in actresses. Ellen Page and Evan Rachel Wood sky-rocket. They bring out the best in each other in two very demanding roles with intensity, fervour and love. I was completely mesmerized watching these very talented performers.
It’s been over 15 years when Patricia Rozema feature length movie, Mansfield Park, graced the Festival. As much as I enjoyed that one, I loved INTO THE FOREST and hope it won’t be another 15 years when she returns.
Elevation Pictures release INTO THE FOREST, which screens at TIFF ’15:
Sat Sep 12 8:30 PM
WINTER GARDEN THEATRE
Mon Sep 14 2:15 PM
TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 2
Films have visited gambling addiction in the past like Owning Mahony and The Gambler, but Mississippi Grind from Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, goes a bit deeper into the psyche of our down-and-out hero Gerry, thanks to a flawless performance by Australian talent Ben Mendelsohn.
The story follows a pair of gamblers, the lucky Curtis (Ryan Reynolds) who seems to bring to Gerry good fortunes whenever he’s around. Already in serious debt, Gerry hopes to make good with his wife Dorothy (Robin Weigert), on a panicked mission to pay back his gambling debt. Meanwhile, Curtis seeks commitment from a long-distance flame Simone (Sienna Miller), who just might be the one. His need to go about his own path however could impact Gerry detrimentally.
Mississippi Grind may lag in its developing stages, but Mendelsohn manages to keep us focussed in what looks imminently looks like a train about to derail. Despite a trail of hits and misses in his recent repertoire, Reynolds is cast perfectly as the gutsy and sensitive Curtis, completing a perfect Exactor with Mendelsohn.
See Mississippi Grind, to be released via VVS Films, at TIFF:
Wed  Sep 16 6:30 PM
ROY THOMSON HALL Â
Thu  Sep 17 12:00 PM
VISAÂ SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN) Â
Sat  Sep 19 3:00 PM
VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)
Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong
Every now and then I will see a movie so perfect that I want to scream from the rooftop or grab strangers by the lapels and urge them to see it. BROOKLYN is perfection personified!
Set in 1952, it tells the compelling story of Ellis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), who leaves her widowed mother and older sister in Ireland to start a new life in America where she ultimately meets and falls in love with Tony (a blistering, compelling, career-making performance from Emory Cohen). As their relationship progresses, Ellis must return to Ireland briefly for tragic reasons and is reacquainted with Jim (Domhnall Gleeson) and is immediately smitten with him. Torn between 2 lovers and 2 countries, what will Ellis do?
Peppered with outstanding supporting performances by a multinational and outstanding cast that includes Julie Walters, Canada’s own Jessica Pare and Jim Broadbent, BROOKLYN is a brilliant blend of comedy and drama that will have you reaching for the tissues to wipe away copious tears elicited from laughter, sadness and joy. I adore this movie and don’t be surprised if it wins the TIFF People’s Choice Award.
You can see it at TIFF ’15:
Sun Sept.13 6pm Elgin Theatre
Mon Sept.14 11am Elgin Theatre
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