By Amanda Gilmore

Cinematographer Sean Price Williams (Good Time) steps into the Director’s chair and delivers the engrossing The Sweet East.

It follows Lillian (Talia Ryder) who’s craving more excitement in her life. While on a high school trip to Washington, D.C. an opportunity arises to get a first glimpse of the wider world. This takes her on a road trip across the cities and woods of the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. Along the way she runs into many different personalities.

The Sweet East plays out like Alice In Wonderland, but is set in present-day America. Lillian initially begins her road trip odyssey by travelling through a glass mirrored door in a karaoke bar. From there she begins the journey that takes her across different ‘worlds’, just as Alice does. She hops across these worlds and experiences different parts of modern-day America. Some may argue that these different realms resemble different cults operating within the country today. Those people wouldn’t be far off. One of the most memorable stops on Lillian’s journey is when she meets Lawrence (Simon Rex) at what can only be considered a white nationalist gathering.

Director Williams and Screenwriter Nick Pinkerton know what the preconceptions of Lawrence will be, as they are what Lillian’s preconceptions are. But Pinkerton and Williams are more concerned with delivering complex characters. Ones who are deeply flawed but will surprise you and make you see them in different lights. For instance, no matter how many times Lillian attempts to seduce Lawrence, his morals won’t allow him to indulge.

Rex gives a controlled, nuanced performance as a white nationalist (who idealizes Nazis and has Hitler’s Autobiography in his house) with set morals on the sexual front. Sure, he considers and romanticizes the idea of being with Lillian. Yet, he’ll never give in to those desires.

As Lillian travels through each ‘world’ it becomes clear that Williams and Pinkerton are delivering a critique on present-day America. Each ‘world’ delivers a different point of American idealism, possibly none more so than when she happens to run into Producer Matthew (Jeremy O. Harris) and Director Molly (Ayo Edebiri) in New York City who demands she is in their film. This clearly plays into the belief in the American Dream. Lillian comes from no film background but because of her look, this duo MUST have her play their lead role. Harris and Edebiri are outstanding and share a magnetic chemistry that demands to be witnessed.

With a subject such as this, you’d assume The Sweet East is a dark Drama. However, it’s actually a delightful witty Comedy. There is perfect comedic timing from the entire Cast and the precision with which the Script is carried out, in the steady hands of Williams, makes for a singular viewing experience.

At the heart of the Film is Lillian played by insurmountable upcoming talent Ryder, who some will know from her powerful performance in Never Rarely Sometimes Always. She commands each frame of the Film in a true star-making role. The Sweet East is really about a teenage girl going on a gritty road trip through the East of America. Most thrilling is that Lillian is never naive or gullible. Ryder plays her with full control of her own circumstances and uses her own devices to get herself out of sticky situations. 

The Sweet East screens in part of the Director’s Fortnight sidebar of Cannes ’23 on:

Thu May 18 at 12PM at THÉÂTRE CROISETTE

Thu May 18 at 8:45PM at THÉÂTRE CROISETTE

Fri May 19 at 9AM at LICORNE

Fri May 19 at 11:30AM at ARCADES 1

Fri May 19 at 4:30PM at ALEXANDRE III

By Amanda Gilmore

Sean Penn’s latest is one brutal look into the lives of paramedics in East New York. It follows Ollie (Tye Sheridan) a rookie on the job. At the scene of a shooting, Ollie meets veteran EMT Rut (Penn). From there the two become paired up for Ollie’s first year on the job. Leading to the young paramedic getting a crash course in lifesaving techniques while working with the grizzled New York City veteran.

Black Flies is a raw look at the daily working life of paramedics in Brooklyn. Director Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire doesn’t spare us of just how brutal the job is. And the responsibility it carries — these people are carrying patients’ lives in their hands. It’s a tough and uncomfortable watch as it plays out like a Horror Film about a descent into hell. We watch three different paramedics at different points in their careers.

Ollie is at the very beginning and wants to save people’s lives. He’s shocked at the cruelty and inhumanity he sees every day. Sheridan, who also produces, turns in his greatest performance to date as an EMT attempting to maintain his morality while watching his colleagues lose theirs. There’s enough background given to Ollie that makes us invested in his journey. We hope he holds onto the light.

Rut has been at this for a long time and is at the point of snapping. Penn turns-in a captivating performance as a veteran paramedic who’s basically on his way out. He shows the audience the true struggle of making quick tough decisions. Then there’s Micheal C. Pitt’s character who has already snapped. He tells Ollie that they are the ones who play God as soon as the ambulance doors shut. Stating he decides who lives if he believes they are worthy of it.

Although it’s necessary to have a character who has already hit their breaking point, there are times this character feels like a distraction from the main purpose of the Film. Because Black Flies feels like its intention is to be a love letter to paramedics. The true heroes. Another distraction is the romantic storyline given to Ollie which doesn’t add anything substantial to the narrative.

Black Flies is a Film about the realities and the horror that Paramedics face every day and the mental toll the job takes.

Black Flies screens at Cannes ’23:

Thu May 18 at 10:30PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Fri May 19 at 11:30AM at LICORNE

Fri May 19 at 11:45AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Fri May 19 at 2PM hat CINEUM IMAX

Sat May 20 at 1PM at CINEUM SCREEN X

Sun May 21 at 9PM at AGNÈS VARDA THEATRE

…

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone of the generation who was affected by Disney‘s 1989 animated classic, THE LITTLE MERMAID. The release of its live-action adaptation directed by Rob Marshall finally is before us after a five-plus year labour of love getting it readied and after having seen it myself, I can say without a doubt fans will adore it. Spectacular visuals, affecting song and superb performances from its Ensemble sweep you away into Ariel’s (Halle Bailey) world as she must choose between leaving her family behind for love, after meeting Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) whose life she saves.

One of the Film’s stars, our very own Jacob Tremblay returned to Toronto to walk the Blue Carpet. The Vancouver-born star who got his big break mesmerizing us in Toronto-made and Oscar-winning “Room” certainly is growing-up quickly, now 16-years-old. Tremblay plays Flounder in the Film, one of Ariel’s confidantes and a key part of the story in her overcoming the villainous Sea Witch Ursula, played by Melissa McCarthy.

We had the joy of reuniting again with Tremblay, having followed his career from the start.

We ask Tremblay about his fondest memories of the City.

Tremblay: “I really like visiting the Aquarium and what was really cool was one time I got to go to a Blue Jays game. That was a really cool experience.”.

The comraderie shared between him, Awkwafina who plays Scuttle the Seagull and Daveed Diggs who plays Sebastian the Crab is so palpable and a key component to the Film’s success. We ask him about the bonding process and actually having the luxury of doing voice work in-studio.

Tremblay: “Well yeah, you’re right. We were able to do it literally right before COVID happened, so getting to work with everyone was really cool and it was really great having the ability to just riff off one another when we were recording altogether. It definitely helped the performance a lot.”.

We ask him on a personal level what The LIttle Mermaid means to him.

Tremblay: “I don’t even remember watching it for the first time because I had been so young when I was shown it. These songs have been on replay for most of my childhood. This Movie was definitely a family favourite of ours and I watched it a bunch. Being able to part of the live-action is very exciting for me.”.

Tremblay‘s Wonder Co-Star Millie Davis also came out to show support and walk the Carpet with him!

Some Snaps from the night:

Walt Disney Studios Canada release THE LITTLE MERMAID Friday, May 26, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada/Mr. Will Wong)

We get new Character Posters from SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE!

Synopsis:
Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar®-winning Spider-Verse saga, Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters the Spider Society, a team of Spider-People charged with protecting the Multiverse’s very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must set out on his own to save those he loves most. Anyone can wear the mask – it’s how you wear it that makes you a hero.

Directed by:
Joaquim Dos Santos
Kemp Powers
Justin K. Thompson

Written by:
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller & David Callaham

Based on the MARVEL Comics.

Produced by:
Avi Arad
Amy Pascal
Phil Lord
Christopher Miller
Christina Steinberg

Executive Producers:

Bob Persichetti
Peter Ramsey
Rodney Rothman
Aditya Sood
Brian Michael Bendis

Cast:
Shameik Moore
Hailee Steinfeld
Brian Tyree Henry
Luna Lauren Velez
Jake Johnson
Jason Schwartzman
Issa Rae
Karan Soni
with Daniel Kaluuya
and Oscar Isaac

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE is in theatres June 2, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

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THEATRE CAMP hits theatres this July and here’s a new look at the Trailer for this Sundance and SXSW selection!

Synopsis:

Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon star in the original comedy THEATER CAMP as Amos and Rebecca-Diane – lifelong best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in upstate New York. When clueless tech-bro Troy (Jimmy Tatro) arrives to run the property (into the ground), Amos, Rebecca-Diane and production manager Glenn (Noah Galvin) band together with the staff and students, staging a masterpiece to keep their beloved summer camp afloat. Cast: Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Ben Platt, Jimmy Tatro, Patti Harrison, Nathan Lee Graham, Ayo Edebiri, Owen Thiele, Alan Kim, Alexander Bello, Bailee Bonick, Kyndra Sanchez, Donovan Colan, Vivienne Sachs, Quinn Titcomb, Caroline Aaron, Amy Sedaris

Searchlight Pictures release THEATER CAMP July 14, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Searchlight Pictures)

Premiering soon at Cannes, today we get a Trailer for Martin Scorsese‘s KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON! We will have a review soon!

Synopsis:

At the turn of the 20th century, oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation, who became some of the richest people in the world overnight. The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder. Based on a true story and told through the improbable romance of Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), “Killers of the Flower Moon” is an epic western crime saga, where real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal. Also starring Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is directed by Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese, based on David Grann’s best-selling book.

Hailing from Apple Studios, “Killers of the Flower Moon” was produced alongside Imperative Entertainment, Sikelia Productions and Appian Way. Producers are Martin Scorsese, Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas and Daniel Lupi, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Rick Yorn, Adam Sommer, Marianne Bower, Lisa Frechette, John Atwood, Shea Kammer and Niels Juul serving as executive producers. 

Director:  Martin Scorsese                  

Cast:       Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, Lily Gladstone, 

Tantoo Cardinal, Cara Jade Myers, JaNae Collins, Jillian Dion, William 

Belleau, Louis Cancelmi, Tatanka Means, Michael Abbot Jr., Pat Healy, 

Scott Shepard, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson 

Writers: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese

Producers: Martin Scorsese, Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Daniel Lupi 

Exec. Producers:  Leonardo DiCaprio, Rick Yorn, Adam Somner, Marianne Bower, Lisa Frechette, John Atwood, Shea Kammer, Niels Juul

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

By Amanda Gilmore

Director Kore-eda Hirokazu pleas for acceptance with this powerful film about morals.

It’s hard to explain what Monster is truly about due to the hidden story within the central narrative. The most straightforward summary would be that Monster is about a young boy, Minato (Soya Kurosawa), who begins acting strange. His single mother Saori (Sakura Ando) begs to get the truth from her only son. He tells her that his teacher Mr Hori (Eita Nagayama) has been harassing him. Saori demands answers from Mr Hori and the Principal, but is Minato telling the full truth?

That overview doesn’t do the narrative the justice it deserves, because of the deeply nuanced script from Yûji Sakamoto. He’s broken down the story into three points of view. Each one tells a different part of the same central story — Minato’s behaviour drastically declines and he claims it’s due to his teacher’s harassment.

The first POV focuses on the story Minato tells his mother. We follow Saori as she demands that action be taken against Mr Hori for what he’s done to her boy. Hirokazu’s most recent Films (Palme d’Or winning Shoplifters and last year’s Broker) have revolved around the theme of family, and what constitutes a family. This first act brings out this theme again but in a different form. This time it’s a single mother, who recently lost her husband, fighting for their son. Ando delivers a commanding performance that captures the nurturing mother and the fierce mama bear that lives within.

It’s once we get to the second POV that the theme of the family begins to shed. The focus is on Mr Hori. These POV changes aren’t first person, but rather Hirokazu placing focus on that character living through the same events. In the first part, we are taking Minato’s word for it just as his mother is. Here, we are seeing behind the curtain what Mr. Hori actually did. We begin to realize there are cracks in the young boy’s story. And we’re gifted a red herring about Minato being a bully to classmate Eri (Hinata Hiiragi).

Sakamoto and Hirokazu play with the timelines of each POV and control when crucial information is revealed, keeping the audience guessing where the story will go. It isn’t until the final POV, that of Minato, that we are given the full side of the story. Like how Eri and Minato are really close friends. They spend their time outside of school with each other, playing games in an abandoned train car in the forest. They find a family with each other.

There will be some who will call this third act a twist, however, it’s really revealing Minato’s truth in a mysterious and secretive way. It mirrors the fact that Minato believes he has to lie to keep himself safe. It plays into the overarching theme of Monster which is a cry for acceptance. More importantly, the negative mental impact inflicted on those scared to live their truth due to the lack of acceptance.

Monster screens at Cannes ’23:

Wed May 17 at 7PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Thu May 18 at 8:30AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Thu May 18 at 11AM at AGNÈS VARDA THEATRE

Thu May 18 at 11:15AM at CINEUM IMAX

Thu May 18 at 9:30PM at LICORNE

Fri May 19 at 5:15PM at CINEUM AURORE

20th Century Studios, New Regency and Entertainment One have released the trailer and poster for their epic sci-fi action thriller “The Creator,” which opens in theatres September 29, 2023. Directed by Gareth Edwards (“Rogue One,” “Godzilla”), the film stars John David Washington (“Tenet”), Gemma Chan (“Eternals”), Ken Watanabe (“Inception”), Sturgill Simpson (“Dog”), newcomer Madeleine Yuna Voyles and Academy Award® winner Allison Janney (“I, Tonya”). The film’s screenplay is by Gareth Edwards and Chris Weitz, from a story by Edwards. The producers are Gareth Edwards, p.g.a., Kiri Hart, Jim Spencer, p.g.a. and Arnon Milchan. The executive producers are Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer, Natalie Lehmann, Nick Meyer and Zev Foreman.

Amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, Joshua (Washington), a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife (Chan), is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war… and mankind itself. Joshua and his team of elite operatives journey across enemy lines, into the dark heart of AI-occupied territory… only to discover the world-ending weapon he’s been instructed to destroy is an AI in the form of a young child.

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced yesterday at The Walt Disney Company’s Upfronts Presentation that the iconic “Indiana Jones” movies and series will be available to stream on Disney+ starting May 31, 2023. Fans can stream “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” and the television series “The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones” before the final installment of the beloved franchise, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” opens exclusively in theatres June 30.

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”

In this first installment of the series, which was nominated for eight Academy Awards® including Best Picture and won four, archeologist-adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is tasked by Army Intelligence to track down an invaluable staff that is the key to locating the Ark of the Covenant, which is being sought by the Nazis.

“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”

After fleeing a nightclub shooting and being dropped out of an abandoned plane, Professor Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), singer Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw) and 12-year-old Short Round (Ke Huy Quan) find themselves in a starving Indian village who blame their plight on the loss of three mystical stones that have always brought the village prosperity. Jones vows to return the stolen rocks — which brings him and his unlikely cohorts face-to-face with a deadly cult.

“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”

There’s nothing more exciting than trying to keep up with the Joneses in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” Indy’s Nazi enemies are back and have kidnapped his father, Professor Henry Jones, Sr. (Sean Connery), in their effort to locate the sacred Holy Grail. Following a trail from America to Venice to the deserts of the Middle East, it’s up to Indy (Harrison Ford) to save his father, save the Grail and save the day in this non-stop, action-packed adventure the whole family will treasure.

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”

Famed archaeologist/adventurer Dr. Henry Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is called back into action when he becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls.

“The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones”

At the dawn of the 20th century, Indiana Jones (Sean Patrick Flanery) discovered the world. From globetrotting family expeditions as a 9-year-old to the battlefields of World War I as a teenager, Indy’s experiences shaped the heroic, whip-cracking archaeologist he would become. At every turn, Indy encounters history in the making, meeting true-life activists, soldiers, writers, artists, and thinkers who helped influence the world we live in today.

Finally, we get this official Trailer for MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING PART ONE! This is in theatres July 12, 2023.

Synopsis:

In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

DIRECTED BY
Christopher McQuarrie

WRITTEN BY
Christopher McQuarrie & Erik Jendresen

BASED ON THE TELEVISION SERIES CREATED BY
Bruce Geller

PRODUCED BY
Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY
David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Tommy Gormley, Chris Brock, Susan E. Novick

STARRING
Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Mariela Garriga, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Frederick Schmidt, Cary Elwes, Mark Gatiss, Indira Varma, Rob Delaney

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)