viola davis
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN “THE WOMAN KING” ON BLU-RAY
Hot off its #1 success at the Box Office, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of THE WOMAN KING on Blu-ray.
Synopsis:
The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for.
To enter for a chance to win a copy, please click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet the Contest Tweet below for an extra chance.
Enter for a chance to #win a copy of #TheWomanKing starring Viola Davis, on Blu-ray!
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) November 22, 2022
Details: https://t.co/VsxAvVo6XG pic.twitter.com/J9oNksljcf
Rules and regulations here.
THE WOMAN KING will be available on Digital November 22, 2022 and on DVD and Blu-ray on December 13, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
#TIFF22: “THE WOMAN KING” TO PREMIERE AT 2022 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Another exciting Premiere has been announced for TIFF ’22! Viola Davis stars in THE WOMAN KING, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Secret Life of Bees, Love & Basketball). Actress Maria Bello had a hand in co-creating the Story!
Synopsis:
The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for…
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the story is by Maria Bello and Dana Stevens and the screenplay by Dana Stevens. Produced by Cathy Schulman, Viola Davis, Julius Tennon and Maria Bello, Peter McAleese serves as executive producer. The film stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and John Boyega. The action drama is co-financed by Entertainment One (eOne).
Sony Pictures Canada release THE WOMAN KING September 16, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: “MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM” TRAILER
A new Trailer has just surfaced for MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM starring Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman.
Synopsis:
Tensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey (Academy Award® winner Viola Davis). Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of her music. As the band waits in the studio’s claustrophobic rehearsal room, ambitious trumpeter Levee (Chadwick Boseman) — who has an eye for Ma’s girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry — spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives.
Adapted from two-time Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson’s play, MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM celebrates the transformative power of the blues and the artists who refuse to let society’s prejudices dictate their worth. Directed by George C. Wolfe and adapted for the screen by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, the film is produced by Fences Oscar® nominees Denzel Washington and Todd Black. Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Michael Potts, Taylour Paige and Dusan Brown co-star alongside Grammy® winner Branford Marsalis’ score.
See the Trailer:
MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM arrives on Netflix December 18, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
#FIRSTLOOK: “MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM” NEW STILLS
New stills have surfaced from Chadwick Boseman‘s final Film, MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, coming to Netflix this December!
Synopsis:
Tensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey (Academy Award® winner Viola Davis). Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of her music. As the band waits in the studio’s claustrophobic rehearsal room, ambitious trumpeter Levee (Chadwick Boseman) — who has an eye for Ma’s girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry — spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives.
Adapted from two-time Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson’s play, MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM celebrates the transformative power of the blues and the artists who refuse to let society’s prejudices dictate their worth. Directed by George C. Wolfe and adapted for the screen by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, the film is produced by Fences Oscar® nominees Denzel Washington and Todd Black. Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Michael Potts, Taylour Paige and Dusan Brown co-star alongside Grammy® winner Branford Marsalis’ score.
See some stills:
MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM arrives on Netflix Friday, December 18, 2020.
(Photo credit: Netflix)
#SUNDANCE: DAY 2 SIGHTINGS AT THE 2019 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
It was a star-studded second day at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and our Amanda Gilmore was out and about capturing all the excitement in between her screenings.
She tells us TROOP ZERO is the one to look out for next Awards Season as the feel-good Film produced by and starring Viola Davis premiered to rousing reception. Check out her Review here.
She also saw the Adaptation of popular Richard Wright Novel, NATIVE SON which sees Best Picture-winning Moonlight star Ashton Sanders back in the spotlight again. Her thoughts on the Film here.
Real-life couple Director Bart Freundlich and Oscar winner Julianne Moore team-up on a Remake of Danish film AFTER THE WEDDING, which also stars Michelle Williams. Amanda‘s review here.
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Amanda‘s Recap:
Throughout the day there were second screenings from films that premiered last night and into the afternoon and evening their were new premieres to come. One of those premieres was Shia LaBeouf’s screenwriting debut Film, which is semi-autobiographical, Honey Boy. When the Film finished, there was a strong applause and since then it has been on our radar. Another Film that premiered tonight was Screenwriter and Actor Mindy Kaling’s Late Night. This Film follows a female Late Night Talk Show Host, which is definitely something topical right now. It is one of the hardest tickets to get at this year’s Festival. Kaling has been a steady force within the industry since her days on The Office. Now IMDb has given Kaling the STARMeter Award today.
Out on Main Street, many stars were found walking, doing press and hitting some parties. Some people spotted today were Mindy Kaling, Nick Robinson, Julianne Moore, Jada Pinkett Smith, Malin Åckerman, Billy Crudup and more.
A majority of these actors opted to walk down the street to each of their interviews rather than taking a vehicle. And a lot of them took their time to stop for fans on the street even though a lot were running around to their next interviews.
Tonight also was the Sundance Kickoff Party that we were lucky enough to attend. The atmosphere was filled with high energy and conversations about the best films viewed so far. After overhearing conversations it is clear that many people loved Troop Zero, while others had a lot to say about Documentaries.
Check-out some of the awesome star sightings by Amanda in and around the hub of the Festival:
Ashton Sanders, Native Son
There is still a lot of Festival left! Tomorrow Zac Efron will be in town to premiere his Ted Bundy Biopic, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, which just dropped its Trailer today. There is a lot of hype surrounding it so far at Sundance. There will be some star power hitting the Midnight Programme tomorrow night with Dakota Johnson and Armie Hammer’s new film Wounds. It is sure to be a day full of excitement and we look forward to bringing you all the latest, so stay tuned.
(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)
#SUNDANCE: “TROOP ZERO”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Troop Zero follows young alien believing Christmas (Mckenna Grace) as she rallies a group of child outcasts to join her in becoming a Birdie. None of them wants to be apart of the group, including their troop mama (Viola Davis), yet they agree when they hear they might have the chance to make a recording for NASA. This recording will be sent into outer space so that other life forms, if they exist, can hear them. All they have to do is win enough badges to become a Birdie and win the Birdie Jamboree.
This Film is the feel-good movie of this Festival. It has everything a great movie has and more. The tight, heartwarming and funny Script, written by Lucy Alibar, is a winner. Then there are the tremendous performances by the entire Cast. Grace is a superb force that further cements her rapidly-emerging career. Davis is at her best as the fearless and caring troop mama. Then there is Alison Janney who plays principal and rival troop mama Miss Massey. Janney undeniably is loveable which in turn makes this villain of a character funny and layered. The entire Cast work perfectly together, including the young cast, to bring this beautiful and endearing story to life. This is the Film that people will be talking about for the entire year.
Troop Zero screens at Sundance on Fri., Feb 1 at 6:30PM at Eccles PC, Sat., Feb 2 at 8:30PM at Prospector Square Theatre PC, and Sun., Feb 3 at 6:30PM at Rose Wagner SLC.
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “WIDOWS”
20th Century Fox Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to Toronto, Vancouver + Montreal to see Steve McQueen‘s WIDOWS! He’s the same Director who brought us Shame and 12 years a Slave!
TORONTO
Thursday, November 1 at 7:30 PM
Scotiabank Theatre
MONTREAL – English
Thursday, November 1 at 7:00 PM
Cinema Banque Scotia
MONTREAL – French
Wednesday, November 14 at 7:00 PM
Starcite Montreal
VANCOUVER
Thursday, November 1 at 7:00 PM
International Village
SYNOPSIS:
From Academy Award®-winning director Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) and co-writer and bestselling author Gillian Flynn (“Gone Girl”) comes a blistering, modern-day thriller set against the backdrop of crime, passion and corruption. “Widows” is the story of four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities. Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, tensions build when Veronica (Oscar® winner Viola Davis), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) take their fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms. “Widows” also stars Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Daniel Kaluuya, Lukas Haas and Brian Tyree Henry.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate there your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!
20th Century Fox Canada release WIDOWS Friday, November 16, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)
#TIFF18: “WIDOWS” REVIEW
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.
#TIFF18: “WIDOWS” PRESS CONFERENCE
Words and Photo by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
The highly anticipated Film Widows held its Press Conference today at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Director Steve McQueen, Writer Gillian Flynn, Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debiki, Michelle Rodriguez, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Daniel Kaluuya, Brian Tyree Henry and Composer Hans Zimmer were all on hand to talk their new heist Film.
Widows takes place in the south side of Chicago and follows four women who take up their deceased husbands’ next heist. The hot topic of the conference was the female empowerment and race relation messages. “This Film shows what happens in public and private,” McQueen said about the depiction of race relations in America.
Colin Farrell spoke more on the topic of how the female characters are much better than the males when it comes to their moral compasses. “The men are fighting for scrapes and the women are fighting for their souls,” he passionately stated.
It comes as no surprise that Davis loves to delve deep into complicated and powerful female characters, and her role in Widows is no different. “I love kicking ass,” she laughed.
Widows screens at TIFF on Saturday, September 8 at 9:30 PM at Roy Thomson Hall, Thursday, September 13 at 9:30 PM at Princess Of Wales and Sunday, September 16 at 6 PM at Elgin Theatre.
#TIFF18: DAY THREE – LADY GAGA, JAMIE LEE CURTIS, JULIANNE MOORE, VIOLA DAVIS, TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET, MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY, AMANDLA STENBERG + MORE
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)
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