The Critics have spoken! Every year we look forward to what our friends at the Toronto Film Critics Association have deemed their 2019 Best-ofs and today, several of their selections including Best Picture have been decided. Top honours goes to Bong Joon-Ho‘s brilliant PARASITE taking both Best Picture, Director and Foreign-Language Film. The quirky, genre-bending Thriller placed runner-up for Screenplay.

For the first time ever, all three Finalists for Best First Feature are films by female Filmmakers.

See additional winners and Finalists for the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award, a $100,000 prize below.

BEST PICTURE
Parasite (MK2)
Runners-up
The Irishman (Netflix)
Marriage Story (Netflix)

BEST ACTOR
Adam Driver, Marriage Story (Netflix)
Runners-up
Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems (Netflix)
Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory (Mongrel Media)

BEST ACTRESS
Lupita Nyong’o, Us (Universal)
Runners-up
Renée Zellweger, Judy (eOne)
Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story (Netflix)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Sony)
Runners-up
Willem Dafoe, The Lighthouse (VVS Films)
Joe Pesci, The Irishman (Netflix)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Laura Dern, Marriage Story (Netflix)
Runners-up
Florence Pugh, Little Women (Sony)
Julia Fox, Uncut Gems (Netflix)

BEST DIRECTOR
Bong Joon-ho, Parasite (MK2)
Runners-up
Martin Scorsese, The Irishman (Netflix)
Noah Baumbach, Marriage Story (Netflix)

BEST SCREENPLAY, ADAPTED OR ORIGINAL
The Irishman by Steven Zaillian from the book by Charles Brandt (Netflix)
Runners-up
Parasite by Bong Joon-ho (MK2)
Marriage Story by Noah Baumbach (Netflix)

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Booksmart directed by Olivia Wilde (eOne)
Runners-up
Atlantics directed by Mati Diop (Netflix)
Queen & Slim directed by Melina Matsoukas (eOne)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Missing Link (Laika)
Runners-up
Toy Story 4 (Disney/Pixar)
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (Universal)
Frozen 2 (Disney)

BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
Parasite (MK2)
Runners-up
Pain and Glory (Mongrel Media)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (MK2)

ALLAN KING DOCUMENTARY FILM AWARD
American Factory (Netflix)
Runners-up
Apollo 11 (Elevation Pictures)
The Cave (Mongrel Media)

ROGERS BEST CANADIAN FILM AWARD FINALISTS
The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open directed by Kathleen Hepburn and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (levelFilm)
Antigone directed by Sophie Deraspe (Maison 4:3)
Firecrackers directed by Jasmin Mozaffari (levelFilm)

Additional winners to be announced January 8, 2020.

(Photo credit: MK2)

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Canadian Readers a chance to win a copy of US on Blu-ray!

Synopsis:
After sending shockwaves across contemporary culture with his directorial debut, GET OUT, Academy Award®-winning visionary Jordan Peele returns with another original nightmare.

Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, US stars Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (Black Panther’s Winston Duke), and their two children (Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway.

After spending a tense beach day with their friends, Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. US pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves.

Writer and director Peele produces for his Monkeypaw Productions alongside Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, and Ian Cooper.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK.  Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance to win!

US is in stores Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment/Universal Pictures)

SHAZAM! is a well-meant winner at the Box Office this weekend, nabbing top spot for Warner Bros. with $53.7 million, from 4,259 theatres. The latest adaptation from DC Comics, gets universal acclaim with 91% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore to match.

Debuting in second spot and not disgraced in a reboot of Stephen King’s PET SEMATARY with $24 million from 3,585 theatres for Paramount Pictures. It gets 61% on the Tomatometer and a C+ CinemaScore from Audiences.

In third is last week’s champ, Disney’s DUMBO with $18.5 million from 4,259 theatres. Over two weeks, it has made $76.5 million domestically.

In fourth is US with $14.5 million for Universal Pictures, a total $151.3 million gross across North America in three weeks.

BEST OF ENEMIES starring Taraji P. Henson opens in sixth with $4.9 million for STX Entertainment, from 1,705 theatres. It will be expanding to Canada shortly for Elevation Pictures. It gets 50% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD rounds things out in tenth with $2 million for Universal Pictures, a total $156.7 million grossed over seven weeks.

DUMBO flies in its debut for Disney, taking-in $44 million from 4,259 theatres. The live-action Adaptation of the animated classic, gets 51% on the Tomatometer and and A- CinemaScore.

US slips to second spot with $33.6 million in its second week, still performing brilliantly. Over two weeks, the Jordan Peele Horror makes $128.2 million for Universal Pictures.

CAPTAIN MARVEL lands in third with $20.2 million for Disney, a total $353.5 million over four weeks.

FIVE FEET APART is in fourth with $6.3 million, a total $35.9 million over three weeks for CBS Films/eOne Films.

HOTEL MUMBAI expands to 924 theatres for Bleecker Street Films/VVS Films, with $3.4 million. The TIFF ’18 selection gets 74% on the Tomatometer.

THE BEACH BUM opens in tenth with $1.8 million from 1,015 theatres for NEON/VVS Films. The Matthew McConaughey starrer which just premiered at SXSW, gets 50% on the Tomatometer.

US impacts huge upon debut with a stellar $68.5 million for Universal Pictures from 3,741 theatres. The sophomore directorial effort by Jordan Peele sets a record opening for original Horror Film. The record previously was held by 2018’s A QUIET PLACE with its $50.2 million bow. It gets a B CinemaScore and 94% score on the Tomatometer.

In second is CAPTAIN MARVEL still performing strongly with $34.5 million for Disney/Marvel, from 4,278 theatres. In its domestic run thus far it has made $320.9 million over three weeks.

In third is FIVE FEET APART with $9 million for eOne Films/CBS Films. Over two weeks it grosses $26.7 million domestically.

WONDER PARK lands in fourth of $7.9 million, a total $28.3 million made in two weeks for Paramount Pictures.

Highly-acclaimed GLORIA BELL expands to 654 theatres, taking-in $1.7 million for A24 Films/VVS Films. Starring Julianne Moore, the Film gets 94% on the Tomatometer.

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL rounds-out the Top Ten with $1 million, a total 83.7 million made over six weeks in North America for 20th Century Fox.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

We are on Day Three of the SXSW Festival and the majority of our day was spent walking around some pretty great installations.

The first one we attended was a fan art installation for Jordan Peele‘s Us. The moment you walk in, you’re faced with the costumes the Actors wore and the soon to be iconic scissors they use. You are then given a card that gets you one free download for the Soundtrack of the Film. They also treat guests to two drinks as they walk around the Exhibit. The Art is stunning to look and even more amazing considering it is Fan Art based on its Trailer alone.

Then we headed to Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens exhibit, taking place over an entire outdoor parking lot, and had quite the queue to get in. Once inside, you are given a free umbrella and tote bag that displays the Show’s title. As you walk around, Top 40 music is blared from Drake, Ariana Grande, Cardi B as you are treated to free chicken and pork, drinks, beers and wines. There is an area for people to get their hair and nails done, once again for complimentary, and a huge floor chess board for people to use. However, one of the greatest parts for us was getting to see the adorable puppies they had for guests to pet and swoon over! It is hands down one of the best times I’ve experienced so far this SXSW. It’s also certainly put the new show Good Omens, starring David Tennant and Martin Sheen, on our must-see list with all its hype. Check out the Trailer if you don’t believe us!

When it came to the evening, the Premieres started down at the Stateside and Paramount Theatres. The first of the evening was Netflix‘s The Highwaymen, starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner. Word has it that Willie Nelson and Matthew McConaughey came to the Premiere also.

Next was Adopt A Highway, it’s a Blumhouse Production and stars Ethan Hawke, Betty Gabriel and more. While fans were waiting to catch a glimpse of Hawke from outside the theatre, they were surprised by two actors who were waiting to go in. Both André Holland (Moonlight) and Sterling K. Brown (This is Us) were outside Stateside Theatre talking on the sidewalk. When fans noticed it was them, they formed a crowd circling around them. Both were very patient and took Selfies with any fans who asked.

The final Premiere of the night was Booksmart, which is the directorial debut for Olivia Wilde. Nearly everyone in the Cast was on-stage for the affair. When they arrived at the Red Carpet, many were friendly with the fans, but none more so than Wilde and her partner, Jason Sudeikis who stars in the Film too. Both came over immediately from exiting their vehicle and took time with fans. It was an extra special night for Wilde as she was celebrating her birthday. When she came on-stage to intro the Film, the SXSW team surprised her with a cake and the entire audience serenaded her with Happy Birthday. When the Film was over, the audience gave a standing audience with loud cheers. It’s true, Wilde‘s first Feature is a beautiful and near-perfect coming-of-age story. Review here.

There are no signs of SXSW slowing down as there are even more Red Carpet Premieres are taking place tomorrow. There will also be some Panels consisting of Jason Blum, Ethan Hawke, Aidy Bryant and Elizabeth Banks. So stay tuned!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Today was the official start of the 2019 SXSW Festival and it didn’t disappoint.

The day began with a bunch of conferences from those in the Tech world, like Pricilla Chan, to those in the Film industry, such as Busy Phillips. Earlier in the day Chan spoke about the work and impact the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is doing. Later on in the afternoon, Phillips sat down and had a talk with her close friend Hillary Kerr. The two spoke about the career Phillips has had and her new late-night talk show Busy Tonight which airs on E! Network.

But the main event for the day was the World Premiere and Opening Night Film Us directed and written by Jordan Peele. For films at SXSW, people typically begin lining-up about two hours in advance, at most. However, for Us, the line began a whopping six hours in advance. By the time that two-hour mark hit, it was a guessing game of if you were going to get in or not. Thankfully, we made it in and it was worth the wait. We were also treated to many Cast and Crew being there, such as Jordan Peele, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. All stayed after the show for a Q&A. To know more about this anticipated Film, make sure to check out our Review here.

Film isn’t the only thing of focus at SXSW, they also have a wide selection of Television events. Tonight was the What We Do In The Shadows Premiere and Executive Producers Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement were on hand to introduce the upcoming FX Series based on their cult classic Mockumentary. They were quick to put on quite the two-man show for the audience. Each made jokes about turning their Film into a TV show. Waititi also spoke of Toronto during his hilarious banter with Clement. Waititi said the show takes place in Staten Island, even if it looks like Toronto. This was in reference to the Vampires on the show living on Staten Island, but production taking place in Toronto.

At the end of the night, 6th Street was bright with the glow of lights coming from the restaurants and bars. There was a smell of street food wherever you walked with the sounds of after parties and students heading out for the weekend in the background.

Day Two has more marquee premieres with The Beach Bum and Long Shot. We received word that Matthew McConaughey and Isla Fisher will be on hand for the former and that Seth Rogen and Charlie Theron will be here for Long Shot Premiere. There are also some pop-up events and conferences featuring Amber Heard and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. So keep checking back here for more updates as we go!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Us follows a family on vacation who soon realize they are being hunted by a family, who look exactly like them.

Writer-Director Jordan Peele’s follow-up to the spectacular Get Out is a suspenseful, frightening and at once stylish piece. Once again Peele has crafted an entirely unique Film, for the second time in a row, that will shock and stick with viewers long after the credits roll.

His phenomenal Cast, who are playing two characters each, are a mix of seasoned Actors and those who are just getting their start. Lupita Nyong’o has reached new heights as the unrelenting Adeline and her doppelganger. Winston Duke gets to show his range with a comedic and layered performance. Elisabeth Moss is a standout as the liquor-infused family friend. And the two Actors who steal the show are Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex as the children and their twisted doppelgangers. The many twists and beautiful dual imagery that’s displayed throughout proves that Peele is an undeniable talent.

Us only has one screening at SXSW and that is on March 8 at 6:30 PM at The Paramount Theatre.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

SXSW 2019 is beginning tomorrow in Austin, Texas and will run until March 17. It’s once again celebrating all things Film, Music and Comedy. The Festival runs from March 8-17.

SXSW is known to showcase some marquee titles that star heavyweight talent. It appears that this year SXSW will be putting its entire support behind the Horror film genre because both the Opening and Closing Film are sure to scare audiences. One of the highest profile Films this year is the Opening Night Film, US. This is the second Feature Film for Writer-Director Jordan Peele and stars Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. We have word that all those we have named will be on hand for the World Premiere tomorrow at the Paramount Theatre. Pet Sematary has been chosen as the Closing Night Film and stars Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow and more.

Other Must-Sees which are having their World Premieres at SXSW are Long Shot starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron, Good Boys starring Canadian Jacob Tremblay, The Beach Bum starring Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher and Zac Efron, The Highwaymen starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner, Booksmart which is the directorial debut of Actress Olivia Wilde, and Stuber starring Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani. All those Films are apart of the Headliners section of the Film Festival and are expecting big Red Carpet arrivals. One close-to-home Film we should have our eyes on is Run This Town, which is the Toronto-filmed movie about the late Mayor Rob Ford. It stars Ben Platt, Nina Dobrev, Scott Speedman and Damien Lewis as Rob Ford.

Something that sets the SXSW‘s Film Festival apart from others is its Keynote Speakers and Featured Sessions. These panels and talks provide insight into many different industries and social issues. This year some noteworthy mentions are Jason Blum, Ethan Hawke, Jodie Foster, Amber Heard, Busy Phillips, Elizabeth Banks, Gwyneth Paltrow, Henry Winkler, Kathy Griffin, Trevor Noah and more. There are also some political officials set to speak at sessions during the Festival such as Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Elizabeth Warren, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and more.

Tomorrow is when things will be kicking into full swing, check back here for all the latest from SXSW.

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give readers a chance to see US at an advance screening!

Screenings take place in Toronto + Montreal on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.

Synopsis:
After sending shockwaves across contemporary culture with his directorial debut, GET OUT, Academy Award®-winning visionary Jordan Peele returns with another original nightmare.

Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, US stars Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (Black Panther’s Winston Duke), and their two children (Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway.

After spending a tense beach day with their friends, Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. US pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves.

Writer and director Peele produces for his Monkeypaw Productions alongside Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, and Ian Cooper.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance to win!

US is in theatres Friday, March 22, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)