Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

From director Adam Smith comes a complicated Family Drama, Trespass Against Us which begs the question to what lengths we will go to for our family. What makes this TIFF ’16 selection stand out are the lead performances from Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson.

The story focuses on the dynamic between Chad (Michael Fassbender) and Colby (Brendan Gleeson) as they live in a deserted part of town with the rest of the family in trailers and Colby sends them on missions to cause havoc and break the law in town. It truly is a family affair, but Chad always seems to be the go to guy for big jobs and general mayhem. When enough becomes enough, Chad tries to leave the family but Colby is not a force to be reckoned with. The overarching question is, can Chad manage to escape his father and siblings to protect his family or will he forever be stuck with the hand he was dealt?

Trespass Against Us truly is a great addition to TIFF ’16 with its powerhouse performances from both Fassbender and Gleeson making this one of many must-see Films at the Festival.

It screens on Friday, September 9, 2016 at 10 PM at Princess of Wales and Saturday September 10, 2016 at 11:45 AM at the Bloor Hot Docs Theatre.

How do you make a story about the process behind the leaking of documents one that engages and rivets? Oliver Stone does just this, delivering perhaps his greatest work in quite some time in Snowden.

The story still fresh on our minds, Joseph Gordon-Levitt gets deep into the psyche of whistleblower/traitor (however you stand on the matter) Edward Snowden as we witness his rise as a young man within the Central Intelligence Agency, where he learns that the privacy and fundamental rights of Americans are threatened when he is made aware that the big eight telecommunication corporations in the U.S. store and make accessible the activities of Americans to the National Security Agency.

Despite the government denying this, Snowden struggles with himself in a battle between conscience and career before deciding famously to leak several highly-classified documents, which prove exactly what the U.S. government didn’t want the world to know.

Gordon-Levitt is front and center in a masterful performance where from certain angles and in certain frames, we truly feel we are witnessing the real Snowden. The story plays from several angles, looking at his struggle with health, love, the government and also himself and on most levels he nails this portrait of a man both revered and misunderstood.

 SNOWDEN  screens at TIFF Friday, September 9, 2016 at 9 PM Roy Thomson Hall, Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 12:00 PM Roy Thomson Hall and Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 9:45 AM Scotiabank Theatre.

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Where does one start with Oliver Stone? The man has made some incredible Films and fortunately hia newest effort, Snowden it falls in this category.

Joseph-Gordon Levitt stars as Edward Snowden the man who single-handedly took down the National Security Agency. Snowden was one of the youngest recruits to the NSA and took it upon himself to make it known through the leaking of highly-classified documents proving the government had access to our communication devices. However, how does Snowden go about his noble feat while protecting himself and the ones he loves, including Lindsay Mills (Shailene Woodley) his girlfriend?

What makes Snowden so facinating is the amount of detail the Film reveals about Snowden’s journey, even if it feels disjointed at times with its non-linear approach. The Film falls flat slightly within the Third Act in what should be Snowden‘s intense escape from prosecution. However the performances from both Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley are remarkable.

SNOWDEN screens Friday, September 9, 2016 at 9:30 PM at Roy Thomson Hall and Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 12:00 PM at Roy Thomson Hall.

It was a  massively star-studded second day in Toronto and Team Mr. Will had a bit better luck after a bit of a slow start to TIFF ‘ 16!  Newly-minted Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio had King Street shut down as he walked the Red Carpet with grace for Global Warming Documentary BEFORE THE FLOOD, signing a whole lot of autographs for Fans who queued hours to see him in a rare visit to the City!  Later on in the day, Joseph Gordon-Levitt faced the Media and Fans at the Premiere for his Award Season vehicle, SNOWDEN at Roy Thomson Hall. Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway brought a sizable crowd to Ryerson Theatre to see her latest effort, COLOSSAL at its World Premiere. While immersed in controversy of late, THE BIRTH OF NATION, starring, written and directed by Nate Parker got two Premieres tonight around town and its run at TIFF ’16 just might be the publicity it needs to get itself back on the right path.

Leonardo DiCaprio, BEFORE THE FLOOD

 

Leo. #LeonardoDiCaprio #TIFF16 #BeforetheFlood

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 12:18pm PDT

More #LeonardoDiCaprio. #BeforetheFlood #TIFF16

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 12:39pm PDT

Anne Hathaway, COLOSSAL

 

Amazing Anne. #AnneHathaway #Colossal #TIFF16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 4:44pm PDT

Anne. #TIFF16 #COLOSSAL #AnneHathaway

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 11:50am PDT

Douglas Booth, THE LIMEHOUSE GOLEM

 

#DouglasBooth at #TIFF16 for #TheLimehouseGolem. Spotted at Byblos.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:55pm PDT

Bel Powley, CARRIE PILBY

 

Breakout star #BelPowley, star of #CarriePilby. #TIFF16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:53pm PDT

Melanie Lynskey + Jason Ritter, CARRIE PILBY

 

Real life couple #JasonRitter + #MelanieLynskey at #TIFF16 for #CarriePilby.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:52pm PDT

Vanessa Bayer, CARRIE PILBY

 

#SNL’s #VanessaBayer at #TIFF16 with #CarriePilby.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:50pm PDT

David Oyelowo, A UNITED KINGDOM + QUEEN OF KATWE

 

#DavidOyelowo at #TIFF16 with #QueenofKatwe + #AUnitedKingdom.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:09pm PDT

Sandra Oh, CATFIGHT + WINDOW HORSES

 

#SandraOh at #TIFF16 with #Catfight and #WindowHorses.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:09pm PDT

Anne Heche, CATFIGHT

 

#AnneHeche at #TIFF16 with #Catfight.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:14pm PDT

Sam Underwood + Valorie Curry – Curry is here for both BLAIR WITCH + AMERICAN PASTORAL

 

With #SamUnderwood + #ValorieCurry. #TIFF16 #TheFollowing #AmericanPastoral

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:16pm PDT

Chadwick Boseman, MESSAGE FROM THE KING

 

With #ChadwickBoseman, at #TIFF16 with #MessagefromtheKing. #BlackPanther #Marvel

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:14pm PDT

Nolan Funk – here to enjoy TIFF

 

Morning coffee with #NolanFunk. #TIFF16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:18pm PDT

Melissa Leo, SNOWDEN

 

#AcademyAward winner #MelissaLeo at #TIFF16 with #Snowden.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 10:21pm PDT

Ruth Negga, LOVING

 

Two Direction: with one of #TIFF16’s biggest breakout stars, #RuthNegga. She stars in highly-talked-about #LovingFilm.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 6:54pm PDT

Bryce Dallas Howard, BLACK MIRROR

 

Not a great pic, but #BryceDallasHoward showing #MichaelFassbender a bit of support at his Premiere for #TrespassAgainstUs. #TIFF16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 10:45pm PDT

Shailene Woodley, SNOWDEN

 

#ShaileneWoodley makes a quiet entrance in a stunning gown. She is at #TIFF16 with #Snowden.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2016 at 10:46pm PDT

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Sweeping both the Audience Award – U.S. Dramatic and Grand Jury Prize – U.S. at Sundance, Nate Parker takes his tour-de-force The Birth of a Nation north en route to what should be a major player this coming awards season.

The story centers on Nat Turner (Parker), the trusted slave of Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), who is intent on helping his family regain its former strength after losing his father. Able to read, Nat is enlisted to help preach obedience from the bible to other slaves, but as he and his master embark on their journeys together, he witnesses the inhumane treatment of his fellow black men and women. This drives him to question his own beliefs and his world unravels after he is impacted personally by the inhumanities of slavery. In the name of justice and honour, Nat leads his comrades in  a very violent rebellion against their enslavers.

Make no mistake, The Birth of a Nation in addition to educating us about this not well-known-enough moment in American history, very much is a starmaking vehicle for Parker who quietly has treaded away in the trenches, now ready to unleash what should be a profitable venture for Fox Searchlight with its record-setting investment made after Sundance. Parker is mesmerizing start to finish as we see Nat‘s story progress and his world crumble. Supporting turns from Colman Domingo as fellow slave Hark Turner and Armie Hammer, in a role unlike anything we’ve seen him in thus far, are noteworthy. Aja Naomi King from How To Get Away With Murder is barely-recognizable in a subdued performance as Nat‘s wife, Cherry.

Despite being a period piece, a thoughtfully-conceptualized soundtrack intensifies the experience and makes the experience fresh. This admittedly also disconnects the audience from the moment also, while dialogue at moments fails to capture the period in which the story is set.

The Birth of a Nation will be seen and not forgotten, although whether or not it shakes its audience like recent predecessor, the phenomenal 12 Years a Slave, remains to be seen.

It screens at TIFF Friday, September 9, 2016 at 8:00 PM Winter Garden Theatre and 9:00 PM VISA Screening Room, Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 12:00 PM Roy Thomson Hall and Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 3:00 PM Princess of Wales Theatre.

Paul Verhoeven’s eclectic career has won him legions of Fans in both the mainstream and Arthouse worlds. The Basic Instinct helmer continually has pushed the envelope with several bright spots in his career like Starship Troopers, Total Recall, RoboCop and we actually “got” Showgirls and are unafraid to admit it.

He returns with French psycho-sexual Thriller Elle, which after drawing several raves at Cannes, now makes its way to Toronto where it should make a splash.

Centering on video game company executive Michèle (Isabelle Huppert) who mysteriously gets attacked, she makes it a mission to find her assailant after failing to get the help of police. He edges-in dangerously close, ready to attack again at any moment and the suspense at time becomes unbearable.

Cleverly-crafted, we find ourselves mesmerized by the effortless cool of Michèle in what is an unforgettable performance by the legendary Huppert. We navigate through her complex world of lies, secrecy and seduction. All the while she must consolidate her strained familial relationships with her mother, son and her imprisoned father, while we learn more about her deep, dark past.

ELLE screens at TIFF ’16 Friday, September 9, 2016 at 5:30 PM VISA Screening Room and Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 9:00 AM TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Ewan McGregor tries his hand at directing by adapting Philip Roth’s Novel American Pastoral and the Movie works incredibly-well. There are some downfalls, like a slow-burning Third Act, but for a directorial debut, this is remarkable.

The Movie takes place in 1968 and centers on a family consisting of Merry (Dakota Fanning), Dawn (Jennifer Connelly) and Seymour ‘Swede’ Levov (Ewan McGregor) and how their lives turn upside down when their daughter starts devoting herself to a radical political cause. . However it is not that she just simply believes in another political affiliation, it is the extremes she goes to that sends her family in a downward spiral, destroying everything they have built.

What works in American Pastoral are the powerhouse performances from both McGregor and Fanning respectively as the father who will stop at nothing to find his daughter and the defiant daughter who must stand her ground in the name of what she feels is right. The Film is sure to generate a conversation.

American Pastoral screens at TIFF:

Friday, September 9, 2016 6:30 PM at Princess of Wales Theatre

Saturday, September 10, 2016 10:00 AM at VISA Screening Room

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

After getting burned quite badly by his highly decisive High-Rise at last year’s Festival, I was a little skeptical to give Director Ben Wheatley’s Midnight Madness opener Free Fire a chance this year.

But I am very glad I did – because I freaking loved every moment of it.

Wheatley’s stylish and wildly unpredictable ode to ‘70s Crime-Thrillers is a blast from start to finish, rarely slowing down to breathe over the course of its 90-minute running time. What starts as a typical weapons deal devolves into a bloody, merciless and quick-witted Mexican standoff inside a sprawling abandoned warehouse. Everyone is in it for themselves, even turning on each other, hoping to be the last one standing to leave with a briefcase full of money.

The character set-up is minimal before chaos erupts, but each cast member seems to slide perfectly into their role. I have never seen Armie Hammer have as much fun or look nearly as cool under pressure as he does here. Sharlto Copley is pure manic insanity, continuing his string of standout, nonsensical character performances. Cillian Murphy is never afforded the time to cut loose, surprisingly staying narrow and calculating throughout. And fresh off her Oscar-winning turn in Room, Brie Larson turns heads as the only female in this room – who is just as lethal and desperate as the rest.

Free Fire is a lot of bloody fun, and the kind of genre film that audiences at Midnight Madness are going to go crazy for. Do not miss out.

FREE FIRE screens at TIFF ’16 on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 11:59 PM and
Friday, September 9, 2016 at 11:30 AM at the Ryerson Theatre.

TIFF ’16 officially has begun and as the stars begin to make their way into the City, Team Mr. Will has begun spotting them! We’re off to a bit of a shaky start, but expect us back in top form again by the weekend! While the Opening Night Gala, The Magnificent Seven took place both at Princess of Wales Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall including the likes of Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Chris Pratt, recent Oscar winner Brie Larson, Sharlto Copley and more kicked-off the Midnight Madness Programme at Ryerson Theatre with the Premiere for Free Fire!

While these bigger marquee names graced the Red Carpets, Team Mr. Will spotted these names quietly rolling into town for the festivities on Day 1.

Laura Vandervoort

 

A newly brunette #LauraVandervoort plans to take in a few Movies at #TIFF16 including #GordonPinsent Doc #TheRiverofMyDreams.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 8, 2016 at 5:55pm PDT

Jason Ritter, CARRIE PILBY

 

The delightful #JasonRitter, son of #JohnRitter, at #TIFF16 with #CarriePilby.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 8, 2016 at 5:52pm PDT

Aunjanue Ellis, THE BIRTH OF A NATION

 

#AunjanueEllis at #TIFF16 with #TheBirthofANation.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 8, 2016 at 5:51pm PDT

Mark Boone Junior, THE BIRTH OF A NATION

 

#TheBirthofANation star #MarkBoone arrives for #TIFF16. #SonsofAnarchy

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 8, 2016 at 7:53pm PDT

Barry Jenkins, MOONLIGHT

 

Director #BarryJenkins is gaining a lot of traction with his #TIFF16 selection, #MOONLIGHT. Expect big things to come of this one at the Festival.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 8, 2016 at 8:32pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong & Team)

Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong

I am about to ask you to trust me to tell you something so astounding and odd that at first it will seem somewhat unbelievable. Trust me on this because I would not lie or steer you wrong: there is a 162 minute German, subtitled Movie at TIFF that you simply MUST see. Please don’t run away or scoff because I would not lie about the brilliance Writer/Director Maren Ade’s Film Toni Erdmann.

Winfried Conradi (Peter Simonischek) and his daughter Ines (Sandra Hüller) don’t understand each other. He wants her to learn to be happy and she wishes he would learn to grow up. He “likes to make jokes” and she thinks “happiness is a strong word.” In order to find a place in his daughter’s life he becomes Toni Erdmann: a gregarious stranger with bad teeth and an even worse wig. The people in Ines’ life know he’s fake and slightly off-key but they accept this strange man into their circle more willingly than they do Winfried; and to her own amazement, so does Ines.

This unconventional comedy will have you reassessing everything you thought you knew about German Cinema. This oddly-sentimental Film will you have you laughing and smiling for days.

Toni Erdmann screens:

Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 5:30 PM Ryerson Theatre
Friday, September 9, 2016 at 12:15 PM TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 1