Just two days left of TIFF ’15, it’s only midday and we’re shocked how many stars still are milling about doing press.  See who we’ve spotted this afternoon!

Keith Richards.  The Rolling Stones rock legend made a spirited entrance at his Press Conference for Documentary Under the Influence, drawing lots of cheers.  He’s got a jam-packed day with his Premiere tailgating the conference!

Rock icon #KeithRichards at #TIFF15 with #UndertheInfluenceMovie. #TheRollingStones #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 17, 2015 at 11:54am PDT

  Cynthia Nixon. This one’s for all my Mirandas!  I adore Sex and the City and made it a point of finding the gorgeous actress!  She’s here for James White, premiering at Ryerson Theatre tonight.

For all my Mirandas. With #SexandtheCity star #CynthiaNixon. She is at #TIFF15 with #JamesWhite. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 17, 2015 at 11:35am PDT

Christopher Abbott also is with Nixon promoting James White and we caught-up while he was having a smoke break.

With #JamesWhite star #ChristopherAbott. #TIFF15 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF40 #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 17, 2015 at 11:34am PDT

Dev Patel is no stranger to TIFF and he’s actually grown to be a handsome, stylish young man, no?  The Chappie star is here for The Man Who Knew Infinity.

With #TheManWhoKnewInfinity star #DevPatel. #TIFF15 #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 17, 2015 at 11:34am PDT

Jeremy Irons always has been a goal of ours to meet and today he was kind to do a roll down of his window for Photos. Note, the legend doesn’t do Selfies, so he made a bit of an exception.  He also is here for The Man Who Knew Infinity.

With legendary #JeremyIrons, at #TIFF15 with #TheManWhoKnewInfinity. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TIFF15 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 17, 2015 at 11:37am PDT

Joshua Jackson came out to support Diane Kruger tonight at her Roy Thomson Hall Premiere for Disorder.

#JoshuaJackson here to support #DianeKruger at #TIFF15 for #DisorderMovie. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 17, 2015 at 6:50pm PDT

The lovely Diane Kruger heading from a private dinner to her big premiere tonight. Love the colours on her dress!

#DianeKruger headed to the premiere for her #TIFF15 Film, #DisorderMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 17, 2015 at 6:53pm PDT

‘(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We’re huge fans of Guillermo del Toro and are thrilled to present to you a chance to see first his latest masterpiece, CRIMSON PEAK, which was made in Toronto! Screenings take place in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton on Wednesday, October 14, 2015.

Synopsis:
Legendary Pictures’ Crimson Peak, a co-production with Universal Pictures, is a haunting gothic horror story directed by the master of dark fairy tales, Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy series, Pacific Rim), written by del Toro & Matthew Robbins and starring Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam and Jim Beaver.

In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author Edith Cushing is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds…and remembers.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Tell me whom Edith should choose, the childhood friend or the mysterious outsider. Also remember to indicate your city.

G’luck Willionaire$!

Universal Pictures Canada release CRIMSON PEAK on Friday, October 16, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

With stars Departure-bound at the Airport, we still have a few here to visit as TIFF ’15 approaches an end.  We’re still excited though nonetheless and hope you are too!  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.  Her sweet, delightful awkwardness is irresistible and I have loved seeing her star gradually rise these past few years.  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.

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 Sep 16, 2015 at 3:06pm PDT

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.

Director #CharlieKaufman at #TIFF15 with #Anomalisa. His film was bought by Paramount Pictures! Photo credit: @davemabaldwin.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 16, 2015 at 4:01pm PDT

Salma Hayek.  We love this beauty and are grateful to have met her last year at TIFF.  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 Sep 16, 2015 at 12:20pm PDT

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.  She stars in both Sky and Disorder, premiering at TIFF ’15 today and tomorrow respectively. And for those curious, no Joshua Jackson.

 

Morning from #DianeKruger and me. She is at #TIFF15 with #DisorderMovie. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300

 

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 16, 2015 at 8:30am PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

TIFF ’15 is starting to wind its way down and although the star power might not be where it was this past weekend, there still is plenty to be excited about.  Today we caught-up with the casts of Man Down, Room and Anomalisa.

David Thewlis. The English actor gained much popularity with a younger generation for his work on the Harry Potter franchise as Remus Lupin. He is at TIFF ’15 with Anomalisa, a stop-motion animated feature directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson. The Film won a Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival recently.

With the incredible #DavidThewlis, at #TIFF15 with #Anomalisa. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 15, 2015 at 1:17pm PDT

Tom Noonan. The tall American actor also is here for Anomalisa, known best for his work in  Manhunter and Heat.

With #TomNoonan, at #TIFF15 with #Anomalisa. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 15, 2015 at 1:17pm PDT

Shia LaBeouf.  The controversial actor was a big hit with fans at TIFF ’15, generously stopping to greet fans at the Red Carpet of his Film Man Down, at Roy Thomson Hall.

#ShiaLaBeouf at #TIFF15 for #ManDown. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 15, 2015 at 3:27pm PDT

Jacob Tremblay.  This young Canadian talent is mesmerizing in Room, which debuted to phenomenal response this evening at Princess of Wales Theatre.

This boy is a remarkable actor. Thanks for the photo @iamjaketremblay! #RoomTheMovie #TIFF40 #TIFF15 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #JacobTremblay #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 15, 2015 at 3:33pm PDT

Joan Allen. The TONY-winning, Oscar-nominated actress is here also for Room, gracious enough to stop for fans at the Red Carpet.

With the lovely #JoanAllen, at #TIFF15 with #RoomTheMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 15, 2015 at 3:29pm PDT

Brie Larson.  This talented young actress this past weekend at TIFF ’15 was honoured with the IMDB Star Meter Award, normally given to an actor who shows a lot of promise and buzz. She is garnering tons of acclaim for her breakout role in Room.  We loved her Red Carpet look tonight and are even thrilled after many tries, finally getting that Selfie moment with her!

My perfect photo of @brielarson at #THEROOMMOVIE’s #TIFF15 Premiere. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #BrieLarson #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 15, 2015 at 3:36pm PDT

My #TIFF15 made. The one star I absolutely had to get a Selfie with, #BrieLarson. Please go see #RoomTheMovie. Riveting. Heartbreaking. Joyous. Emotional. Our faces touched and she gave me a genuine moment of thanks. I am willing to put my last dollar that this will be a force Awards season. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 15, 2015 at 3:39pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Youth, the new film from Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino, is a Film about nostalgia and the fear of an uncertain future. Fred (Michael Caine), a former composer who wants nothing to do with his past glory, and Mick (Harvey Keitel), a director trying desperately to put together his next picture, are vacationing together at a Swiss resort. They are in the twilight of their lives, people watching at the hotel and dealing with the fallout of their children’s divorce.

There is not much to Youth on the on-set (and surely not when describing it), but the film is both hilarious and moving. It is a bit slower paced in the second half, but Sorrentino seems to care more for its exquisite visuals – which will go down as some of the best of the year. This truly is a film to marvel at for its details.

Caine is terrific and I do not remember the last time Keitel put in a performance this great. I could watch them banter for hours. Supporting turns from Paul Dano as a hotel guest and Rachel Weisz as Caine’s daughter Lena are both well done, but Jane Fonda steals the show as Mick’s lead actress Brenda. She has an extremely limited amount of screen-time, but she arrives like a bat out of hell and chews up every piece of scenery the Film has. She is like a jolt of electricity, giving the Film a shot to the heart and the true reality that shows just how fragile nostalgia can be. Expect Oscar to be calling a number of names this January.

Fox Searchlight Pictures release Youth and has one last screening at TIFF’15 on Friday, September 18 at 3:00 pm at Princess of Wales.

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Much like director Jeremy Saulnier’s previous film Blue Ruin, Green Room is the very definition of a slow-burn thriller. A punk rock band perform at a small venue run by Neo-Nazis, and witness an act of violence. Now they are trapped and their chances of survival are fleeting.

It feels excruciating at first with its lengthy set-up, but once Green Room gets moving, it becomes downright relentless. The Film is a nightmare wrapped inside another terrifying nightmare, forgoing its staggered laughs for increasingly vicious violence. I am not one to have an aversion to blood and gore, but I found myself grimacing more than once with some of the horrific things that happen to people here, good or bad. Anton Yelchin, Alia Shawkat, Imogen Poots, Saulnier regular Macon Blair and a scary-good Patrick Stewart all give great performances, but the real star is the incredible tension Saulnier envelopes you in right until the very end.

Green Room has completed its screenings at TIFF’15.

By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

Dancing to the infectious beats laid down by guest DJ, Oscar-nominated, uber talented director Jean-Marc Vallée (at TIFF ’15 with DEMOLITION), the homegrown crowd at the DIRECTORS GUILD OF CANADA party themed The Canada Party feasted on specialty donuts from Tim Hortons (my favourite was the beer glazed Bob & Doug and the Don Cherry and Chocolate donut was pretty snazzy looking) and were all genuinely happy to be there to mingle with friends and co-workers.

The FIFTH SOCIAL CLUB was the perfect venue for this intimate soiree where the women were dressed to kill and thrill and even the gents went out of their way to look spiffy!  Above this it was packed with local talent including breakout star Jacob Tremblay of Room, Aaron Abrams, David Sutcliffe, Callum Keith Rennie, Kristian Bruun, Amanda Brugel, Kristin Booth and several more.

See some Snaps!

Our George Kozera had so much fun at the #TIFF15 #TheCanadaParty! Exciting new #TimHortons flavours unveiled and director #JeanMarcVallee DJing! #TIFF40

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 10:33pm PDT

(Photo credit: George Kozera)

Although we’re at the half-way mark at TIFF ’15, we’re nowhere near done!  The Town is set to be electrified at Princess of Wales Theatre as the eagerly-awaited Premiere for BLACK MASS shuts down a portion of Entertainment District with Johnny Depp making his way to the Red Carpet.

See some of the stars we spotted today!

Kevin Bacon.  The veteran actor was amazing today at the Press Conference for Black Mass, quite literally stopping for every single Fan in-waiting.  There’s a reason why he’s adored and we saw it today.

#KevinBacon at #TIFF15 for #BlackMass. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 11:43am PDT

Dakota Johnson already has been catapulted to stardom in a big way starring in the Film Adaptations of the Fifty Shades of Grey series, but Black Mass is what will solidify her standing as a serious Actress. She was wonderful today stopping for Fans. A huge Fan of hers, I even slipped myself in for a Selfie amidst the commotion!

Awkward selfies with #DakotaJohnson, at #TIFF15 for #BlackMass. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #FIFTYSHADESOFGREY #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 11:45am PDT

And of course, who doesn’t love Johnny Depp?  After a late arrival, he delivered his promised and went around the lined circle of Friends, stopping for Autographs as security cautiously tossed any clipboards thrust towards his face.   The cheers were deafening for the King of Cinema and the reviews are fantastic for his performance as gangster Whitey Bulger in Black Mass.

#JohnnyDepp at #TIFF15 for #BlackMass. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 11:44am PDT

A more accurate snapshot of the Johnny madness.

Arrived 6:50 AM and that’s the closest I could get to #JohnnyDepp. #BlackMass #TIFF15 #Tiff40 #Toronto #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 2:34pm PDT

Actual #JohnnyDepp madness. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF15 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 3:07pm PDT

Joel Edgerton greeting Fans for Black Mass.

#JoelEdgerton for #BlackMass, #TIFF15 #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 2:35pm PDT

  Julianne Nicholson at the Black Mass Press Conference, v. gracious.

  #JulianneNicholson at #TIFF15 for #BlackMass. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 2:37pm PDT

Nick Robinson is one to look out for. The young Actor made a huge splash this summer in Jurassic World and is here for Rob Reiner‘s Being Charlie.

#NickRobinson of #JurassicWorld at #TIFF15 for #BeingCharlie. #TIFF40 #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 11:43am PDT

Cary Elwes’ visit comprised of two reasons TIFF ’15 including a live-read of The Princess Bride as his original character, presented by Jason Reitman and also the Film Being Charlie.

#CaryElwes at #TIFF15 for a live reading of #ThePrincessBride and #BeingCharlie. #Tiff40 #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 2:47pm PDT

Common is a man of many talents – acting just one of them. He and iconic Director Rob Reiner were out doing press earlier today for Being Charlie.

#RobReiner + #Common at #TIFF15 for #BeingCharlie. #TIFF40 #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 11:42am PDT

Joan Allen is fantastic in Thriller, ROOM which premieres Tuesday night TIFF ’15.  Here she is at a Press Conference earlier for the Film.  Film star Brie Larson unfortunately has been v. private this entire trip not interacting at all with fans. What gives?

#JoanAllen for #RoomTheMovie at #TIFF15. #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 2:36pm PDT

John Slattery. We’ve long loved this Mad Men star and were ecstatic to run into him on our way home tonight. He was here for the Premiere of well-received drama, Spotlight.

Dream meeting #JohnSlattery of #MadMen at #TIFF15. He is here for #SpotlightMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 10:07pm PDT

AP McCoy. The 20-time champion jockey in the UK, made a rare appearance here in Toronto for the first-ever screening of his BBC Documentary, Being AP. He revealed that he made the Documentary for his two-year-old son who will never know him as a jockey following his retirement earlier this year.

With #APMcCoy, subject matter of #BEINGAP! Thrilled #TIFF15 is supporting films about #HorseRacing! #TIFF40 #TIFF #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #TonyMcCoy #TorontoFilmFestival #OfftotheRaces

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 6:24pm PDT

Kate Winslet just stunning at the TIFF ’15 Premiere for The Dressmaker at Roy Thomson Hall.

#KateWinslet at the #TIFF15 premiere for #TheDressmaker. Photo credit: Catherine Dennis. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 10:51pm PDT

Liam Hemsworth at the TIFF ’15 Premiere for The Dressmaker.

#LiamHemsworth at the #TIFF15 Premiere for #TheDressmaker. Photo credit: Catherine Dennis. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 10:52pm PDT

(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 Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Julie Deply consistently has been force on-screen and behind the scenes, and on her newest outing Lolo, she proves once again magnificence. The Movie focuses on the dynamic of a struggling workaholic and her attention-seeking, manipulative son. With some truly hysterical and genuinely affecting moments as well, Lolo certainly will lift you up.

Violette (Julie Delpy) is on a spa retreat with her friend, Ariane (Karen Viard) who convinces her to finally put herself onto the dating field and talk to an awkwardly-cute man at the retreat, Jean-René (Dany Boon). Their relationship blossoms and turns from a one night fling to a steady relationship, well until Violette brings Jean-René home only to find out that her son Lolo (Vincent Lacoste) is there too, out to do everything and anything in his power to break them apart.

Lolo works so incredibly well because of the dynamics between the characters as well as the mischievous ways we witness Lolo try to sabotage his mother’s relationship. While crude, there is an undeniable charm here which keeps us invested. As well, the performances from the ensemble are extraordinary – this definitely exceeded this Reviewer’s expectations.

LOLO premieres TIFF ’15 on Friday, September 18th at 6:30 pm at Roy Thomson Hall, with a second screening on Saturday, September 19th at 12:30 pm at Isabel Bader Theatre and a third screening on Sunday, September 20th at 9:15 am at Scotiabank Theatre 2.