By Amanda Gilmore

This latest effort from Auteur David Cronenberg takes place sometime in the future when the human species has adapted to a synthetic environment. In doing so, the human body undergoes new transformations and mutations. Saul (Viggo Mortensen) is a man whose organs metamorphosis. This leads him and his partner Caprice (Léa Seydoux) to put on performance art shows where she operates on him, removing one of these mysterious organs at a time. However, a mysterious underground group believe that Saul’s ever-growing insides might just be the next step toward evolution.

Cronenberg opens with a young boy searching the ocean as a rotted shipwreck is just off the coast. It’s clear something has happened to Earth due to climate change. His mother warns him to not eat anything he finds. From her urgent, disgusted tone it’s clear he does this a lot. Soon we watch as he eats a plastic garbage bin. It’s a powerful opening to a film that works best as a commentary on climate change.

The impact of this climate change has caused the human body to transform in order to survive. However, this has led the species to feel no pain. As mentioned in the Film, pain acts as a warning sign. This brings into question how one can survive without it. The hollowness that comes with these characters causes them to crave something to feel.

The surgeries, and performance art, act as a substitute for sex in Crimes of the Future. As Kristen Stewart’s character Timlin explains: “Surgery is the new sex.” Stewart steals the show with her portrayal of the mousey Timlin. Particularly, in her advances upon Saul. It’s a shame she’s underused. But this statement is true as we see when watching Caprice (a daring and captivating performance from Seydoux) perform the surgeries on Saul. The look of desire and lust spreads across her face as she controls the procedure.

This theme of sex throughout the Film directly correlates to the idea of reproduction that continuously comes up. The evolution of humans won’t happen if no one is reproducing. One scene has Caprice unzip a part of Saul’s stomach and perform what is akin to oral sex. It’s as though Cronenberg is asking: how will the human race continue if they don’t procreate? They can adapt all they want, but without procreating the species will cease to exist.

The stylistic world Cronenberg and his Production Design team have created brings us into this futuristic world. The bed Saul sleeps in resembles a cocoon. He eats in a chair shaped like a skeleton that constantly moves. When he’s getting operated on, the machine looks like he’s in an incubator. This world and Cronenberg’s vision are fully realized.

There are Subplots that Cronenberg explores in the Film. He touches on how the Government police human bodies. They don’t want the characters to stray from the natural transformation their bodies are going through. This is the significance and the young boy from the beginning and the underground group who are attempting to perform surgeries to progress the human body. This Subplot is an intriguing one and we wish we had more time spent to evaluate it.

Crimes of the Future does have its share of queasy moments, however, it might not be as nauseating as was promised. The gruesome aspects come from the operations Caprice performs on Saul. Although, even then these scenes aren’t horrific – unless you are terrified of organs. The brutal aspects come more from the child. These two segments of the Film aren’t for the faint of heart, but they do tie everything together.

Crimes of the Future screens at Cannes ’22:

Mon, May 23 at 9:30 PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Tue, May 24 at 12:00 PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Tue, May 24 at 7:00 PM at LICORNE

Tue, May 24 at 7:30 PM at SALLE BAZIN

Wed, May 25 at 12:30 PM at CINEUM IMAX

Thu, May 26 at 9:30 AM at CINEUM AURORE

The 2022 Cannes Film Festival might have started a week ago, but the excitement continues to build as David Cronenberg’s CRIMES OF THE FUTURE premiered tonight. In attendance were none other than Kristen Stewart, whom our Amanda Gilmore spotted at the Press Junket and Photo Call earlier in a pink Chanel suit. Also in attendance were Léa Seydoux, Scott Speedman and Viggo Mortensen.

The Horror centers on a Performance Artist couple Caprice (Léa Seydoux) and Saul Tenser (Viggo Mortensen), whom publicly showcase the metamorphosis of his organs in avant-garde performances. Timlin (Kristen Stewart), an investigator from the National Organ Registry, obsessively tracks their movements, which is when a mysterious group is revealed… Their mission – to use Saul’s notoriety to shed light on the next phase of human evolution.

The Horror received both walkouts and a standing ovation, divisive as Cronenberg expected. CRIMES OF THE FUTURE arrives in theatres June 3, 2022 via Sphere Films.

Also spotted around town were Jamie Foxx, seen enjoying the French Riviera on a yacht.

Canada’s Nina Dobrev and Shaun White also were spotted around town at both the Top Gun: Maverick Premiere last week, and a Fundraiser for Ukraine, the With Love for Peace Gala.

Review here for CRIMES OF THE FUTURE.

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore/Mr. Will Wong)

In advance of its Premiere at Cannes, comes this brand new Trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS! Our Amanda Gilmore will be seeing it and sharing her thoughts later this week. Stay tuned!

Synopsis:

From Oscar-nominated visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama “Elvis”, starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks. The film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks). The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).

Starring alongside Hanks and Butler, award-winning theatre actress Helen Thomson (“Top of the Lake: China Girl,” “Rake”) plays Elvis’s mother, Gladys, Richard Roxburgh (“Moulin Rouge!” “Breath,” “Hacksaw Ridge”) portrays Elvis’s father, Vernon, and DeJonge (“The Visit,” “Stray Dolls”) plays Priscilla. Luke Bracey (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “Point Break”) plays Jerry Schilling, Natasha Bassett (“Hail, Caesar!”) plays Dixie Locke, David Wenham (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, “Lion,” “300”) plays Hank Snow, Kelvin Harrison Jr. (“The Trial of the Chicago 7,” “The High Note”) plays B.B. King, Xavier Samuel (“Adore,” “Love & Friendship,” “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) plays Scotty Moore, and Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”) plays Jimmie Rodgers Snow.

Also in the cast, Dacre Montgomery (“Stranger Things,” “The Broken Heart Gallery”) plays TV director Steve Binder, alongside Australian actors Leon Ford (“Gallipoli,” “The Pacific”) as Tom Diskin, Kate Mulvany (“The Great Gatsby,” “Hunters”) as Marion Keisker, Gareth Davies (“Peter Rabbit,” “Hunters”) as Bones Howe, Charles Grounds (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Camp”) as Billy Smith, Josh McConville (“Fantasy Island”) as Sam Phillips, and Adam Dunn (“Home and Away”) as Bill Black.

To play additional iconic musical artists in the film, Luhrmann cast singer/songwriter Yola as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, model Alton Mason as Little Richard, Austin, Texas native Gary Clark Jr. as Arthur Crudup, and artist Shonka Dukureh as Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release ELVIS in theatres June 24, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

Review by Amanda Gilmore

Fashion Model-Celebrity couple Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean) are having problems…money problems. The main issue is that they have too much of it, which causes issues when it comes to bill time. The truth is, Yaya makes more than Carl but she’ll never pay. While in this rut in their relationship, Yaya’s influencer status gets them a free trip on a yacht. It’s there they meet their fellow uber-wealthy, upper-class, white privileged passengers. However, when they hit a stormy, turbulent night these rich elite are left stranded on an island.

Writer-Director Ruben Östlund’s latest is a biting, hilarious Satire on the privileged. He does this in three parts. The first is entirely focused on Carl and Yaya. As the bill sits on their table, Yaya becomes engrossed in her phone until Carl offers to pay. This results in one of the longest fights over money on-screen. Östlund, with the help of the brilliant Dickinson and Dean, creates an engrossing argument on Feminism and currency. It’s a hilarious section in this smart Film that sets the theme of money and hierarchy. Additionally, it shows a different side to Dickinson that allows him to show off his comedic side, which he excels at.

Once we arrive in the second part, we are introduced to a range of characters. Such as an elderly couple who sells grenades and Russian fertilizer magnate Dimitriy (played by the incomparable Zlatko Buric). It’s in this section that the majority of the hysterical moments happen. The things these characters say to each other and the staff on board (which resemble those from the Reality Show Below Deck) are shocking. It’s in this section that Östlund’s themes come through.

He touches on the privilege that comes along with having wealth in comparison to those who work on the yacht. The edits show the jarring difference in the lives of the passengers and employees. Triangle of Sadness through and through is a riot, however, there is one segment that remains a standout.

It takes place between the Captain (Woody Harrelson), a drunk who spends a lot of time in his cabin, and Dimitriy. As the yacht rocks during the Captain’s dinner and passengers are projectile vomiting everywhere (yes, there are some serious, although uproarious scenes in this second part) the two exchange quotes. Captain spews Socialism quotes while Dimitriy is an advocate for Capitalism. Harrelson and Buric are outrageously funny. Could easily watch them as these characters for days on end.

The Final Act of Östlund’s unmissable Satire has the rich stranded and incapable of providing the necessities to survive. Remember, they pay people to take care of them. But lucky, or unlucky, for them there is one capable crew member who survived — Abigail (Dolly De Leon). Onboard she was the cleaning manager but on this island, she becomes the boss. It’s a perfect way to sum up all of Östlund’s themes. Having the upper-class succumb to someone they believe is below them. De Leon not only runs the island, but she steals the entire third act and runs away with it.

Triangle of Sadness is unforgettable, nailing every beat and then some. The Ensemble Cast has impeccable comedic timing. This is not to be missed.

Triangle of Sadness screens at Cannes ’22:

Sat, May 21 at 6:00 PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Sun, May 22 at 8:30 AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Sun, May 22 at 1:00 PM at SALLE AGNÈS VARDA

Sun, May 22 at 9:30 PM at LICORNE

Mon, May 23 at 11:45 PM at CINEUM IMAX

Tue, May 24 at 9:30 AM at CINEUM AURORE

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This impressive First-Feature Debut by Co-Directors Riley Keough and Gina Gammell follows two Oglala Lakota boys on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Bill (Jojo Bapteise Whiting) is a 23-year-old trying to make some money. When he finds an abandoned poodle, he starts his own dog breeding business. While Matho (Ladainian Crazy Thunder) is a 12-year-old desperate for his father’s approval. When the unexpected happens, Matho sees no other way but to follow in his father’s footsteps. Bound by their shared search for belonging, they grapple with identity, family, and loss, as they navigate their unique paths to manhood.

Keough and Gammell observe their endearing characters navigate reservation life. Although this is more of a character-driven piece, it’s more captivating than plot-focused narratives. Their two storylines give a ranged look at what these young men need to do to survive in a world that’s abandoned them. The Co-Directors use the two interlocking storylines as a way to give an authentic look into the lives of those on reservations.

Bill is a go-getter who’s trying to start his own business. His drive to succeed is infectious. Additionally, he’s a goofball who wants to get the mother of one of his children back. His endearing quality is that things never quite go right in his romantic life. Bapteise Whiting gives a star-making performance. We see the struggle he’s lived through, his desire to succeed and the bond that grows between him and his Poodle.

Matho’s story is much darker. He’s forced to act beyond his years due to his home life. He’s surrounded by a particular style of living and only wants his father’s approval. In seeking that, it backfires and his father kicks him out of the house. Forcing this 12-year-old to provide for himself, leads him right down the life his father led. Crazy Thunder gives a heartbreaking performance as the young boy who’s trying to find a way to survive.

The Co-Directors and Writers, with the help of Co-Writers Franklin Sioux Bob and Bill Reddy, bring in Native American beliefs through the use of the American Buffalo. The Lakota believe the American buffalo is a symbol that one does not have to struggle to survive if the right action is joined by the right prayer. The American buffalo is witnessed by both Bill and Matho at different moments. This, in addition to the editing by Affonso Gonçalves and Eduardo Serrano, brings these two young men together.

War Pony screens at Cannes ’22:

Sat, May 21 at 2:15 PM at SALLE DEBUSSY

Sun, May 22 at 8:30 AM at SALLE DEBUSSY

Sun, May 22 at 12:00 PM at CINEUM AURORE

Mon, May 23 at 11:30 AM at LICORNE

Mon, May 23 at 1:15 PM at CINEUM SCREEN X

Toronto’s Mae Martin continues to see their star rise. After serving as a Writer on the Baroness Von Sketch Show, you know Mae from acclaimed Netflix Series FEEL GOOD which garnered them a BAFTA Award nomination. Martin in addition to being seen in the current second season of THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, is currently touring with their Comedy Show “SAP“, which brought them to The Danforth Music Hall, playing a packed house two nights at the venue.

See the Trailer for Season Two of THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT:

Have loved Martin‘s work for some time now and am thrilled to see them thriving. Martin was so kind to stop for photos after their Show, and even brought-out special musical guest Donovan Woods, also from Toronto.

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

For a third straight weekend Marvel’s DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS takes the #1 spot at the Box Office in North America, with $30 million from 4,534 theatres. Over three weekends it has grossed a stellar $340.5 million.

Second in its debut is DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA with $18 million from 3,820 theatres for Focus Features/Universal Pictures. It gets 85% on the Tomatometer. Its Predecessor film opened in 2019 with $31 million.

Third is THE BAD GUYS which has been quite resilient in the Top Five, with $5.7 million from 3,705 theatres for Univerrsal Pictures. Over dive weekends, it has grossed a total $73.9 million.

Fourth spot goes to SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 with $3.9 million, a total $181 million over seven weekends for Paramount Pictures.

In fifth is MEN from Director Alex Garland, bringing-in $3.3 million in its opening weekend for A24/VVS Films. It gets 76% on the Tomatometer.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Adam (Tawfeek Barhom) has a close-knit bond with his family and community in his fishing village in Egypt. Everyone is happy for him when he gets the opportunity to ultimate privilege to study at the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, the epicentre of power of Sunni Islam. However, near the start of his education, the highest-ranking Religious Leader dies. Following his death, an informant for the Government is murdered on campus. Soon, Adam is brought in as a new informant and is at the centre of the religious and political elite.

Boy From Heaven is a tense thriller about the separation between religion and politics. We are thrust into this world where the Government is attempting to get a new religious leader who will be in their back pockets. Writer-Director Tarik Saleh does a great job of opening up this world for us. We understand the world and stakes. Additionally, he breaks down the lust for power the Government desires and the corrupt lengths they will go to get it.

The conflict throughout is immense. We have the societal aspect of it, where the country is wondering who will be their next religious leader. We have the Government attempting to gain control of their head of religion. We have those within the religion trying the best they can to expose the Government. And we have Adam, a young man who is forced to be an informant. The immense layers of conflict make for a riveting thriller.

What makes us invested in this story isn’t solely the conflict, but this young man we follow. We are invested in Adam from the beginning. He’s an innocent that has unfortunate luck and gets himself caught up in this spider’s web. Adam is an intelligent young man that has the ability to manipulate others into believing his deception. Additionally, he is a young man who is scared and desperately wants out of his situation. It’s a powerful performance from Barhom who is captivating throughout.

Boy From Heaven screens at Cannes ’22:

Fri, May 20 at 4 PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Sat, May 21 at 11:15 AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Sat, May 21 at 11:30 am at LICORNE

Sat, May 21 at 2 PM at SALLE AGNÈS VARDA

Sun, May 22 at 11:30 AM at CINEUM IMAX

Mon, May 23 at 9:30 PM at CINEUM AURORE

Thu, May 26 at 9:00 AM at ARCADES 1

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Scholar Alithea (Tilda Swinton) has always been content in her solitude. But that might change when she goes on a trip to Istanbul. While at a local shop, she finds a small glass vase. Back in her hotel, a fantastical being called a Djinn (Idris Elba) breaks free from that tiny vase. In return for his freedom, he offers Althea three wishes but they have to be her life’s deepest desires.

Visionary Writer-Director George Miller is back with this Fantasy-Romance Film. His style is on full display as we follow Alithea in her story which is told like a fairy tale. Three Thousand Years of Longing does carry a lot of narration. There’s the voice-over work from Alithea along with the stories Djinn tells of his prior failed attempts at freedom. Normally, this much narration would hinder a Film. However, Miller’s stylistic Direction makes it entertaining.

Through all of the visual spectacle found in Three Thousand Years of Longing, there is a tender story of finding love in unique circumstances. Additionally, Miller is telling a story about the importance of telling one’s life story. He does this through Alithea and Djinn. She is adamant she’s lived a life of pleasant solitude and doesn’t believe she has a deep desire. Instead, she takes an interest in Djinn’s three thousand years trapped by a magician’s curse.

It’s the stories Djinn tells that draw Alithea to him. Learning about his prior passions, heartbreaks and longings makes her fall for him. Swinton, as usual, is spellbinding. She brings a comedic layer to Alithea that resonates with the audience. Elba is the perfect choice as this Djinn yearns for freedom. He brings humanity to this fantastical being. The chemistry between the two gets stronger as the story progresses. This isn’t a fault, it’s a strength. It shows the progression in their feelings for one another.

Three Thousand Years of Longing has an important message on freedom and love: that it can’t be forced.

Three Thousand Years of Longing screens at Cannes ’22:

Fri, May 20 at 7:00 PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Say, May 21 at 6:30 PM at CINEUM IMAX

It’s been a minute since we’ve been to BYBLOS Uptown (2537 Yonge Street), but quickly did we realize what we missed! This Eastern Mediterranean mecca of elegance, offers a sophisticated and elevated dining experience, identical to its celebrated location downtown on Duncan St. Take that elegant charm and add a bit of live music to the mix, and you have a wonderful way to cap-off a long work week the right way!

Launching just a few weeks back, the lounge upstairs at the Yonge Street hotspot now has live music with Toronto-based Jazz band The Sonny Balcones featured. And they are amazing, with lots of applause heard throughout their three-hour set 5-8 PM.

Add to this ambience some beautiful cocktails and shareable plates, and you have an amazing night out.

Can we recommend enough the Pineapple-based BIRDS OF PARADISE Cocktail? This is pure refreshment over crushed ice and a sprig of mint.

Dishes are meant to be split among friends and we were left mesmerized by flavour. The Beef Tartare is a balanced plate of flavours: tart and savoury with a bit of heat, featuring toum + mint + capers + sumac + kohlrabi + zhug + pickled chili + sesame lavash.

The Menu’s Pide selections are enticing and we tried the Black Truffle & Cheese, which was heaven with every decadent bite containing mozzarella + feta + akawi + oregano + black truffle on a flatbread.

Turkish Manti Dumplings are dumplings like we’ve never had. Spiced beautifully with a bit of Sumach, they sit in a sauce of eggplant + yogurt sauce + date molasses. You definitely want an extra flatbread to dip.

And just when we thought this Menu couldn’t be any more flavourful, the best was saved for last – Dessert. Byblos‘ Blood Orange Pavlova, highlighted by cardamom + orange sumac marmalade + blood orange curd. Simple perfection.

Flavours and sounds we won’t soon forget! Follow BYBLOS TORONTO on Instagram for more.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Byblos