#FIRSTLOOK: NETFLIX VALENTINE’S DAY PROGRAMMING OPTIONS

Netflix is you one-stop for Valentine’s Day programming options! They’ve even created some secret codes to make it easier for you to sort by genre, for every type of love.

It’s super easy, just type in netflix.com/browse/genre/[add code number] to your web browser and then let the love (or lack thereof) flow: 

• Feel-good Romantic Movies – 35714
• Gal Pal TV Shows – 1143288
• Love and Dating Reality TV – 81233168 
• Love Hurts – 2708690
• LGBTQ+ Romance – 3329
• Movies for Hopeless Romantics – 81495
• Quirky Romance – 36103
• Romantic Dramas based on Books – 7940
• Romantic Favorites – 502675
• Romantic Love Triangle Movies – 76385
• Romantic Tearjerkers – 9257
• Romantic Teen Comedies – 3186
• Steamy Romance – 29281
• Twisted Romance – 81236278

You also can update your Netflix profile icons to Bridgerton characters as well, right in time for Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

(Photo credit: Netflix)

#INTERVIEW: “FLORA & ULYSSES”

Based on Kate DiCamillo‘s award-winning Novel “Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures“, FLORA & ULYSSES arrives later this month on Disney+.

Flora (Matilda Lawler) is a ten-year-old comic book lover and she’s dealing with her parents George (Ben Schwartz) and Phyllis (Alyson Hannigan) separating. She rescues a squirrel and names it Ulysses, but realizes that it has superpowers. Her keeping Ulysses is a point of contention between her parents. George is in favour of it and Phyllis, a Writer, is against the idea finding the squirrel is impeding with her creativity and career. Ulysses proves to be more than meets the eye and just might be one thing missing in this family’s life.

See the Trailer:

We had the pleasure of attending the international Press Junket for FLORA & ULYSSES. In attendance were the Cast, Director and Author of the Novel on which the Film is based, including:

Alyson Hannigan
Ben Schwartz
Danny Pudi
Kate DiCamillo (Author)
Lena Khan (Director)
Matilda Lawler

Alyson Hannigan (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, How I Met Your Mother) admits she doesn’t like watching herself, but since her daughters Satyana and Keeva were so excited about this, she watched it together with her family.

Hannigan: “They’ve been asking since the day we wrapped, so it’s been a very, very long wait and we got to see it early. They were so excited! From the moment it started, I sorta forgot that I was even a part of it. Watching them, they were so happy – like laugh out loud, beyond belly laughs! I paused because I was worried they were gonna miss the next scene. My husband and I kept looking at each other saying, ‘It’s so good!’. It was such a new experience not being so critical of myself going ‘Oh, I should’ve done it like that!’ – you know that Actor thing – and just being engrossed in this wonderful Movie.”.

Danny Pudi (DuckTales, Community) plays Miller, the Film’s villain who is in pursuit of Ulysses. He talks to some of the Physical Comedy required of him in the Film, including getting attacked by a cat.

Pudi: “It was a lot of letting go. This was my second time working with Lena, I worked with her on a film called The Tiger Hunter and I put it in my contract that I get to work with her on every film for the rest of her career. She told me this would be a complete departure, there’d be a lot of Physical Comedy involved. I love Physical Comedy and I thought it was going to be really fun diving into this world.”.

“In terms of physicality, they would give me pillows to put under my shirt, sometimes this weird, headless, squirrel mushy doll to simulate what the VFX squirrel would look like, then there was a lot of run, dance, jerk your head around and move your body and it was like dance, just letting go. It looked like I was getting electrocuted a lot. Eventually we found something that looked like I was getting attacked by a cat. Thankfully, I’ve been attacked by a few animals in my life so I used that as prep work.”.

Author DiCamillo talks about the story’s comic book influences.

DiCamillo: “I am a comic book fan but not a traditional comic book fan. What I grew-up with and what I love is Charlie Brown and Peanuts. And I actually still read a Peanuts cartoon every morning. It shaped my childhood and still shapes my sensibility. When I was writing the Book, I had Flora love comic book superheroes. When I turned it in, it didn’t have a superhero in it. My Editor said I’d have to make-up a superhero and I thought I couldn’t do that, but then I did. Then I went back and did some prep work reading-up on superheroes. I did it kinda backwards.”.

DiCamillo is asked how different the Film is from her Novel.

DiCamillo: “It’s not my first experience having my book turned into a movie (She also wrote “The Tale of Despereaux“). You kinda think that’s different and this is different, but that kinda went out the window. I read Brad Copeland’s Script and I liked it a lot, but when I watched the Movie, I watched it as my eight-year-old self. I didn’t compare it to the book or anything. I felt what happened between the Script, the Cast and directing is that the themes of the book are amplified. The heart is even bigger and the wackiness is even bigger. The power of connection has been amplified. Whatever’s different is more and better.”.

FLORA & ULYSSES has a playful energy to it and the Cast are asked how much of the Film was improved versus scripted.

Schwartz: “The Script that Brad wrote was so good. When Lena gives us room to play, it’s always within the boundaries of what that scene is and only if it heightens the emotion or Comedy of the scene, without bringing it somewhere else. Matilda and I improvised a couple times, which was very exciting. We sang a whole song which I believe is still in the Movie.”.

Pudi: “First of all, Ben and I have a lot of history over the past three years fighting as brothers (on DuckTales) so that was very helpful. It was very easy to tase him with a tranquilizer gun. The Script was so good, the world was so fully realized that we’d just play around when we were chasing each other.”.

Schwartz: “Danny’s a straight-up action villain in this. I’m very excited about this!”.

Pudi: “I showed- up to set with twirly mustache thinking they were gonna love this. I’m gonna villain it up! And as soon as I showed up, Lena says ‘Shave it!'”.

Matilda is so incredible. My first scene with her I was like a villain, and she had so much emotion behind her in her eyes. I felt like I was an evil person and I felt so bad, but I also was taken aback, I was in awe of her power on-screen. It was so exciting for me to just be a part of this world.”.

FLORA & ULYSSES reunites Schwartz and Pudi along with their DuckTales Co-Stars Bobby Moynahan and Kate Micucci. Director Khan is asked if this was intentional, along with other “Easter Eggs” in the Film.

Khan: “Yeah, you know after we got the first couple, I said, let’s just go with it! Bobby’s reading a DuckTales comic at the beginning. You then see more ducks with the different colours of their collars matching the colours of Danny‘s office. After a while, we realized that the best gold mine in all of Television is DuckTales.”.

“There’s comic book world references for those who are into those. There’s a lot of DuckTales. There’s a lot of Alyson Hannigan love from the past. There’s Buffy hidden in the background, there’s different books of Kate‘s that are hidden throughout, just lots of treats everywhere.”.

How challenging was it working with computer-generated animals? What were the challenges working with a character who’s not there?

Lawler: “Lena, you were kinda my squirrel at some points. You had this little stuffed animal squirrel that you would pretend was doing the scenes, so I could get an idea of what it would be like. During most of the scenes, I had this grey, creepy rat-like thing that was really creepy and some other times there wasn’t anything and I had to pretend like there was something there when there was nothing. So it was definitely interesting and challenging.”.

Hannigan talks about her process getting into her role and also recalls the furthest extent she’s ever gone into Method Acting.

Hannigan: “I remember having a lot of fun working out the awkward entrance with Ben. Do we hug, do we shake hands? That was really fun to do. I love anything where I get to be awkward. I could’ve just done that all day. Everything we did was just different. I think at one point I felt Ben‘s nose.”.

Schwartz: “There could a weird Supercut of us just trying to say hello to each other.”.

Hannigan: “I guess I’m not as ‘method’ as I should be. I tried a lot of lollipops for this role. Before Buffy, I did a show called Touched by an Angel playing a teen who was going to going to give-up her baby for adoption. It was a drama. So to prepare for the birthing scene, the Doctor on-set said they had a woman who is about to give birth and that I could watch. I was like ‘Uh, okay!?’. I was maybe 20. So I walk into this room and this woman is like in the final stages of labour. And the Doctor was like ‘Come on!” and I’m meeting this stranger, watching her give birth and it was incredible. She also made it look so easy as it wasn’t as dramatic as it should be for a TV Show. She lied. She made it look real easy. And I started bawling and was like “Bye!”. It was like her sixth child!”.

FLORA & ULYSSES arrives on Disney+ Friday, February 19, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: DISNEY BIG GAME 2021 PREVIEWS – “RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON” AND “THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER”

True to form, Disney unleash their heavyweights during the Big Game and premiering tonight were some sneak peeks at some anticipated new releases which we can enjoy from home with Disney+!

Check them out!

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON

 In Select Theatres and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLIDER

On Disney+ March 19, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: SUPER BOWL 2021 TV COMMERCIALS BEST-OF

It’s that time of year again and we’re just like you, we love seeing what those millions of dollars in ad budgets garnered for the Super Bowl! Here is a compilation of our favourites this year.

If you’re enjoying the Big Game at home tonight, enjoy! May the best team win!

Pepsi starring The Weeknd

Cadillac starring Winona Ryder and Timothée Chalamet

GM starring Will Ferrell

CHEETOS with Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher and Shaggy

M&M’s starring Dan Levy

DOORDASH starring Daveed Diggs

Our favourite spot didn’t involve celebrities. As always, Budweiser always nails it even if they didn’t have a formal TV Spot this year. Grab a tissue.

BUDWEISER

The Super Bowl airs 6:30 PM ET on TSN and CTV.

(Photo/video credit: Budweiser/Cheetos/DoorDash/M&M’s/Cadillac/GM/Pepsi)

#FIRSTLOOK: WHAT TO WATCH FEBRUARY 2021 – “THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY”, “RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE UK”, “SELENA + CHEF”, “FIREFLY LANE”, “THE DIG”, “FINDING ‘OHANA”, “WENDY WILLIAMS: THE MOVIE”, “FLACK”, “I’M YOUR WOMAN”, “FRAMING BRITNEY SPEARS”

We’re in lockdown and there has been no shortage of new releases to occupy our time with. See some of the Films, Series and Movies that we think you might be interested in February!

THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY (HULU)

Lee Daniels (Precious) directs and produces this compelling Montreal-filmed Biopic about legendary Jazz vocalist Billie Holiday, based on the Novel  Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari.  The story follows the FBI, led by Harry Anslinger (Garrett Hedlund), and their pursuit of Holiday (Andra Day) on drug charges in their war against drugs. This was seen as an attack on Holiday in preventing her from performing live one of her signature songs “Strange Fruit” which talks to the Black community being lynched, reflecting the American government in a poor light. The Film makes no mistake about its portrayal of Holiday and her demons, tracing back to her childhood where she was forced into prostitution, to her many failed relationships and also her dependency on drugs. Daniels offers us the sympathy that Holiday got posthumously and the Film’s greatest treat is Day who embodies Holiday‘s spirit whether she is singing or taking us down her troubled path. Trevante Rhodes (Moonlight) plays Jimmy Fletcher, America’s first black federal agent tasked with investigating Holiday, but also falling for her and her him. While the Film could have been told a bit more concisely exploring failed romances, ultimately its examination of the Black community being targeted unjustly by the justice system is where it leads us to and sadly something happening in the ’40s still rings true today. THE UNITED STATES vs. BILLIE HOLIDAY arrives on Hulu February 26, 2021 and it is no coincidence it was scheduled around Awards Season.

SOME KIND OF HEAVEN (MK2 | MILE END)

Lance Oppenheim debuted this first Feature at Sundance 2020 to acclaim and if Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) signing-on to produce this Documentary is any indication, he’s headed to bright places – pardon the pun. This Film is set in a sunny Florida retirement community called The Villages, dubbed a “Disneyland for Retirees”, or as one of its subjects calls it, “a waiting room to heaven”. The community is constructed to help remind its residents of a happier time in their lives and most of them appear happy on the surface, we do meet a few subjects in the Film who take us a layer deeper. We meet a couple dealing with the husband’s drug use, which lands him in legal trouble; and a widow looking for romance; and a man looking for a wealthy older women to take care of him. Oppenheim despite being a young, emerging Filmmaker is able to get his subjects to trust him and open-up a very personal level about some harsher realities these seniors are living through. Perhaps this shiny, happy community isn’t necessarily the nirvana it’s painted out to be. This is a fascinating meditation about life and love at a stage which often isn’t explored in Film. MK2 | MILE END release SOME KIND OF HEAVEN Friday, February 12, 2021 in theatres and on virtual cinema.

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE UK SEASON 2 (CRAVE)

Okay, while we admit we’re a bit spoiled by the production values and next-level costumes on the American version of this Series, the UK is now onto Season 2 of the fan favourite Series, calling BBC its home on the other side of the Atlantic. And to be honest, we are enjoying this spinoff! Among the challenges this season the Queens are tasked with, is a mock Musical called RATS – imagine a rodent-filled version of CATS – and while there is a bit of cattiness to be found among the contestants, they admittedly are a little less argumentative on this version of the Series. These Queens are quirky and campy and love some of the Celebrity Guest Judges they’ve brought on this season including Elizabeth Hurley and Graham Norton! New episodes arrives Thursday on Crave.

SELENA + CHEF SEASON 2 (CRAVE)

We initially were on the fence about this Series. I mean what could Selena Gomez teach us about cooking? But after giving this a chance, we actually loved it. Each week we follow this global Pop superstar as she learns under some of America’s top chefs. All this is recorded from her home and during the Pandemic. We share more of our thoughts on this Series here. New episodes arrive Thursdays on Crave with the HBO add-on.

FIREFLY LANE (NETFLIX)

Initially when I saw the Trailer for this I expected it maybe to be a bit safe, but this Vancouver-filmed Series starring Katherine Heigl as TV Personality Tully Hart and Sarah Chalke as Kate Mularkey, her best friend is actually great and has a bit of grit to it. Tully is the pretty, successful one who has no problem getting male attention, while Kate is recently-separated and looking to get back into the work force. Lacking confidence, Tully helps Kate land a job at work but as the Series progresses, we learn about their past through younger versions of themselves, played well by Ali Skovby (Tully) and Roan Curtis (Kate) . Tully, though she appears to have everything, has a lot of underlying sadness and is holding some deep secrets. And gradually, we see Kate come out of her shell after heartbreak, while dealing with some challenges with her teen daughter. Love the nostalgic throwback Soundtrack and references to the ’80s, which adds to the mood. This is one-part BFF Comedy, one-part Drama (complete with love triangle) about how we are shaped by our pasts. FIREFLY LANE arrives on Netflix Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

THE DIG (NETFLIX)

Simon Stone (The Daughter) directs this Drama which takes place at the onset of World War II. Edith Perry (Carey Mulligan) is a widow who hires Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) to excavate large burial mounds on her property. Much to Basil‘s surprise, he finds what is a ship of national importance. Catching wind of this, an Archaeologist from Cambridge, Charles Phillips (Ken Stott) takes over the dig by order of the government, leaving Edith in a battle to maintain her rights to decide the fate of the find since it is on her property. Her fears are that the find will be placed in the British Museum and with an impending war, it could fall into wrongful hands. While grappling with her declining health, Edith must ensure that Basil gets due credit for his discovery and that the treasure is given its due honour. Stone does a wonderful job drawing us into this story, a slow-burning but engaging look at the process and people involved in preserving and protecting what is now known as the most impressive medieval grave to be discovered in Europe. Carey is superb whether it be asserting Edith or as a mother protecting her son from hurt as she faces her own mortality, and Fiennes is easy to root of in his humble display of Basil. THE DIG streams now on Netflix.

FINDING ‘OHANA (NETFLIX)

Jude Weng makes her Feature directorial debut here and gets beautiful Hawaii to work with as a backdrop in telling this story of two siblings, Pili (Kea Peahu) and Ioane (Alex Aiono), brought from New York City to Oahu by their mother (Kelly Hu) to take care of their grandfather (Branscombe Richmond) who faces the risk of losing the home he built. While the kids resent being there, it isn’t long before they find things to love. Ioane falls for a local girl in Hana (Lindsay Watson), while Pili finds a journal which eludes to there being a valuable treasure hidden within the island’s dangerous caves. Buddy Casper (Owen Vaccaro) joins them on this adventure where they learn themselves just how beautiful Hawaii and its culture are, but most of all, Pili and Ioane learn the importance of family after having felt distant from their mother in their time in New York as she struggles to make ends meet. While the Film veers more to a younger audience, adults might find a bit of nostalgia as the Film feels a bit like a reimagination of The Goonies, further solidified by an appearance from Ke Huy Quan who starred in that classic. FINDING ‘OHANA streams now on Netflix.

WENDY WILLIAMS: THE MOVIE (LIFETIME)

TV and Radio Personality Wendy Williams has built a brand as an outspoken girl next door and Lifetime movie WENDY WILLIAMS: THE MOVIE documents her rise, struggles and betrayals. Darren Grant (Empire, Soundtrack) directs this chaotic recounting of some of the much-publicized drama Williams has gone through. The Movie doesn’t shy from matters like ex-husband Kevin Hunter (Morocco Omari) secretly having an affair and child with another woman; her battle with drug addiction; that time she collapsed live on air dressed as the Statue of Liberty; and also her difficulty conceiving a child. This is meant to illustrate Williams as someone strong, who has overcome adversity, but the chaotic energy that dominates the Film somehow detracts from this even despite star Ciera Payton‘s best efforts to channel Williams authentically. We were hoping for something that gave us more of Williams’ vulnerability and just how exactly she overcame adversity, but unfortunately we never quite get this as this Movie, which is executive produced by Williams, is more concerned with showing than telling. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t entertaining though! WENDY WILLIAMS: THE MOVIE airs on Lifetime. Check here for showtimes.

FLACK (AMAZON PRIME VIDEO)

While the UK already has known about this Series, we’re just getting around to discovering the juiciness that is FLACK. The idea is original in this Anna Paquin-produced series, which also has her int he starring role as Robyn, an American Publicist who relocated to London. We are a part of her world which never has a dull moment as she navigates her famous clients’ lives, cleaning-up their sometimes catastrophic messes. We also meet those around her, including her no-nonsense boss Caroline (the brilliant Sophie Okonedo), her icy best friend and co-worker Eve (Lydia Wilson) and an intern Melody (Rebecca Benson). The Series also explores her relationship with her sister Ruth (Genevieve Anderson) as they both grieve the loss of their mother. Robyn also is dealing with her own vices and we see her power over others and also some of the destruction she causes, all while professionally helping others maintain their images. At only six episodes, we only wish there were more for us to savour. There isn’t one weak link in this Cast, some phenomenal performances take these shocking storylines and make them believable and enthralling. Season One of FLACK is available now on Amazon Prime Video.

I’M YOUR WOMAN (Amazon Prime Video)

Julia Hart co-writers and directs this fantastic flick produced by and starring Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). The ’70s-set story centers on Jean (Brosnahan), a young woman who suddenly becomes a mother and is whisked away from the life she knows, to be on the run after her husband Eddie (Bill Heck) betrays his partners-in-crime. A mysterious man named Cal (Arinzé Kene) takes her away but we realize that those in search of her husband, also are in pursuit of her. Much of the Film’s first two acts are suspenseful and engrossing, with the final act taking a different turn as some long-burning questions are uncovered and Jean begins to find her own voice. Clocking-in at over two hours, I’M YOUR WOMAN takes us on a dangerous and dark ride and we’re glad we were aboard. Brosnahan as always is superb and luckily we can enjoy this at home at Amazon Prime Video now!

FRAMING BRITNEY SPEARS (Hulu/FX)

This Documentary answers at long last why Britney Spears still is stuck in a Conservatorship with her father Jamie controlling her finances still, despite being long over her meltdown. The New York Times explore in great detail the lead-up to Spears‘ need to have her father take control over her affairs, tracing the beginning of her celebrity up to her troubled past where she almost lost it all. She has been very cryptic on the matter with puzzling Social Media posts which read like a cry for help. In spite of this, we see her informed fans step-up with the #FreeBritney movement, demanding the Pop icon be able to decide her own fate, turning her finances over to Bessemer Trust according to Spears‘ wishes. And she refuses to work rightfully until the matter is resolved. The Film by Samantha Stark interviews subjects who were close to her and those who adore her, piecing together possibly how Spears might feel despite her not formally being involved with the project. This is a must-watch for fans of Spears and Pop Culture, giving us a layer of depth in a matter which has been trivialized far too often.

Some of our recent reviews including THE LITTLE THINGS, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, PALMER, JIU JITSU, PENGUIN BLOOM, MALCOLM & MARIE, THE WHITE TIGER, WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS and more here.

Coming later this month on Netflix is the highly-intriguing CRIME SCENE: THE VANISHING AT THE CECIL HOTEL which explores the Los Angeles Hotel’s history of horror, including the death of a Vancouver woman. We’re shaking.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix/Hulu/Crave)

#NEWMUSIC: CARDI B – “UP”

It’s Cardi B’s world and we’re all living in it! The icon is back with her new Video, UP directed by Tano Muiño. The Track is the second single off her upcoming sophomore disc. We love this!

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF “LOVE STORY” ON BLU-RAY™

Ranked #9 by the AFI as The Greatest Love Story of All Time, Paramount Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to own this classic on Blu-ray™ in honour of the Film’s 50th anniversary.

Synopsis:

Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw both received Oscar® nominations* for their starring roles in the timeless, unmatched tale from the heart.  Harvard students Oliver (O’Neal) and Jenny (MacGraw) come from opposite backgrounds, but they share a chemistry they cannot deny—and a love they can’t ignore. Despite Oliver’s wealthy father threatening to disown him, the young couple marries and begins to build their new life together. But fate has other plans, and soon Oliver and Jenny face a crisis only the strongest of loves can endure. 

To commemorate the film and its stars, Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw will be honoured by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce February 12, 2021 at 11:30 PM PST. Steam it live on walkoffame.com.

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for another chance!

Named one of the @AmericanFilm Institute's Top 10 Love Stories of all time, LOVE STORY celebrates its 50th anniversary. Your chance to #win a copy on Blu-ray!

Be sure to tune-in 2:30 PM ET 2.12 at https://t.co/yV3KvmOSpI as its stars get honoured.https://t.co/g5KKs3SlcD pic.twitter.com/fDS4xeYE8Q

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) February 3, 2021

Rules and regulations here.

Paramount Home Entertainment release LOVE STORY, in stores now.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Home Entertainment)

#FIRSTLOOK: 2021 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Nominees for the 78th annual Golden Globe Awards have been announced and Netflix show its dominance with a total 42 nominations this year, which could come as no surprise as releases continue to be geared at-home amidst the pandemic.

One of the greatest highlights of the awards are that in the category of Best Director – Motion Picture, three of the five nominees are female Directors, in an age where diversity and inclusion are a focus in Hollywood. Black-led films like Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Judas and the Black Messiah, The United States vs. Billie Holiday and One Night in Miami also are making their presence felt appearing in several categories.

Notable omissions including critically-acclaimed MINARI, absent in Motion Picture and Acting categories, after the Hollywood Foreign Press Association drew criticism for relegating it to Foreign Language Film category despite being an American-produced film which contains substantial English dialogue. HBO‘s acclaimed I MAY DESTROY YOU also was seen as a contender, more recently the Independent Spirit Awards, but was missing on the list of nominees.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host the festivities, to air at the end of the month.

Nominees are as follows:

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy

“Emily in Paris” (Netflix)

“The Flight Attendant” (HBO Max)

“The Great” (Hulu) 

“Schitt’s Creek” (CBC) 

“Ted Lasso” (Apple TV Plus) 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama

Jason Bateman (“Ozark”) 

Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) 

Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)

Al Pacino (“Hunters”) 

Matthew Rhys (“Perry Mason”) 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television 

Cate Blanchett (“Mrs. America”) 

Daisy Edgar-Jones (“Normal People”)

Shira Haas (“Unorthodox”) 

Nicole Kidman (“The Undoing”) 

Anya Taylor-Joy (“The Queen’s Gambit”) 

Best Director – Motion Picture

Emerald Fennell, “Promising Young Woman” (Focus Features)

David Fincher, “Mank” (Netflix) 

Regina King, “One Night in Miami” (Amazon Studios) 

Aaron Sorkin, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix) 

Chloé Zhao, “Nomadland” (Searchlight Pictures) 

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy 

Maria Bakalova (“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”) 

Kate Hudson (“Music”)

Michelle Pfeiffer (“French Exit”) 

Rosamund Pike (“I Care a Lot”)

Anya Taylor-Joy (“Emma”) 

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”) 

Chadwick Boseman (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”)

Anthony Hopkins (“The Father”) 

Gary Oldman (“Mank”) 

Tahar Rahim (“The Mauritanian”)

Best Television Series – Drama 

“The Crown” (Netflix)

“Lovecraft Country” (HBO Max) 

“The Mandalorian” (Disney Plus) 

“Ozark” (Netflix)

“Ratched” (Netflix)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama 

Olivia Colman (“The Crown”) 

Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve”)

Emma Corrin (“The Crown”) 

Laura Linney (“Ozark”) 

Sarah Paulson (“Ratched”) 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television 

Bryan Cranston (“Your Honor”)

Jeff Daniels (“The Comey Rule”) 

Hugh Grant (“The Undoing”) 

Ethan Hawke (“The Good Lord Bird”) 

Mark Ruffalo (“I Know This Much Is True”) 

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy 

Sacha Baron Cohen (“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”) 

James Corden (“The Prom”)

Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton”) 

Dev Patel (“The Personal History of David Copperfield”) 

Andy Samberg (“Palm Springs”)

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) 

Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”) 

Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”) 

Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”) 

Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young Woman”) 

Best Motion Picture – Drama 

“The Father” (Sony Pictures Classics) 

“Mank” (Netflix) 

“Nomadland” (Searchlight Pictures) 

“Promising Young Woman” (Focus Features) 

“The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix) 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture

Sacha Baron Cohen (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”) 

Daniel Kaluuya (“Judas and the Black Messiah”) 

Jared Leto (“The Little Things”)

Bill Murray (“On the Rocks”) 

Leslie Odom, Jr. (“One Night in Miami”) 

Best Original Score – Motion Picture 

“The Midnight Sky” (Netflix) – Alexandre Desplat 

“Tenet” (Warner Bros.) – Ludwig Göransson 

“News of the World” (Universal Pictures) – James Newton Howard 

“Mank” (Netflix) – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross 

“Soul” (Pixar) – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy 

Lily Collins (“Emily in Paris”)

Kaley Cuoco (“The Flight Attendant”) 

Elle Fanning (“The Great”) 

Jane Levy (“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”) 

Catherine O’Hara (“Schitt’s Creek”) 

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television 

“Normal People” (Hulu/BBC) 

“The Queen’s Gambit” (Netflix) 

“Small Axe” (Amazon Studios/BBC) 

“The Undoing” (HBO) 

“Unorthodox” (Netflix) 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television 

John Boyega (“Small Axe”) 

Brendan Gleeson (“The Comey Rule”) 

Dan Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”) 

Jim Parsons (“Hollywood”)

Donald Sutherland (“The Undoing”) 

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy 

“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (Amazon Studios) 

“Hamilton” (Walt Disney Pictures) 

“Palm Springs” (Neon) 

“Music” (Vertical Entertainment)

“The Prom” (Netflix) 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture 

Glenn Close (“Hillbilly Elegy”) 

Olivia Colman (“The Father”) 

Jodie Foster (“The Mauritanian”)

Amanda Seyfried (“Mank”) 

Helena Zengel (“News of the World”)

Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language 

“Another Round” (Samuel Goldwyn Films) 

“La Llorona” (Shudder) 

“The Life Ahead” (Netflix) 

“Minari” (A24) 

“Two of Us” (Magnolia Pictures)

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture 

“Promising Young Woman” (Focus Features) 

“Mank” (Netflix) 

“The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix) 

“The Father” (Sony Pictures Classics) 

“Nomadland” (Searchlight Pictures) 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy 

Don Cheadle (“Black Monday”)

Nicholas Hoult (“The Great”) 

Eugene Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”) 

Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”) 

Ramy Youssef (“Ramy”) 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television 

Gillian Anderson (“The Crown”) 

Helena Bonham Carter (“The Crown”) 

Julia Garner (“Ozark”) 

Annie Murphy (“Schitt’s Creek”) 

Cynthia Nixon (“Ratched”)

Best Original Song – Motion Picture

“Fight for You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah” (Warner Bros.) – H.E.R., Dernst Emile II, Tiara Thomas 

“Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix) – Daniel Pemberton, Celeste

“Io Si (Seen)” from “The Life Ahead” (Netflix) – Diane Warren, Laura Pausini, Niccolò Agliardi 

“Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami” (Amazon Studios) – Leslie Odom Jr, Sam Ashworth 

“Tigress & Tweed” from “The United States vs. Billie Holliday” (Hulu) – Andra Day, Raphael Saadiq

Best Motion Picture – Animated 

“The Croods: A New Age” (Universal Pictures) 

“Onward” (Walt Disney Pictures) 

“Over the Moon” (Netflix) 

“Soul” (Walt Disney Pictures) 

“Wolfwalkers” (Cartoon Saloon) 

The Golden Globes air on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 8 PM ET.

#SUNDANCE: “THE WORLD TO COME”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

In eighteenth-century upstate New York, Abigail (Katherine Waterston) is grieving the loss of her daughter. She begins keeping track of her mundane rural life and interactions with her husband, Dyer (Casey Affleck), by journaling. Her grief slowly begins to alleviate when Tallie (Vanessa Kirby) and her husband Finney (Christopher Abbott) move into a neighbouring cabin.

Director Mona Fastvold creates a beautiful film that depicts grief and love. She works from the Script, written by Ron Hansen and Jim Shepard, that shows life as a settler in the eighteenth-century. Through these four characters, the Film is filled with the knowledge of the oppression and expectations of women during the time. Fastvold perfectly captures this life with stunning shots of candlelit cabins and breathtaking landscapes.

A lot of the speech in The World to Come is from the narration of Abigail. As she keeps her journal, the audience hears her hidden emotions and desires. It’s difficult to execute heavy narration on-screen but Fastvold, Hansen, Shepard and the powerful voice work from Waterston make it an asset. It’s used as a way to get exposition across swiftly and it’s delivered emotionally by Waterston.

This sweeping romance is a captivating watch due to the stellar performances from its ensemble. Waterston is brilliant as the restrained Abigail. She has the ability to show both Abigail’s sorrow alleviating and her love blossoming for Tallie through each interaction. Kirby gives a commanding performance as the confident and direct Tallie. The use of her stature and voice is captivating. Waterston and Kirby work perfectly together and have powerful chemistry.

Additionally, The World to Come takes a look male fragility during the eighteenth-century. They do this primarily through the character of Finney. His anger is targeted towards Tallie due to her not doing household ‘duties’ and producing a child. As this was expected of women at the time, Finney becomes enraged by Tallie. And furthermore, when Tallie desires to spend more time with Abigail than him. Abbott is brilliant in this dislikable role.

The World to Come screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: February 2 at 3 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): February 3 at 10 AM (EST)

#SUNDANCE: SUNDANCE 2021 AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Though Sundance had to adjust to the pandemic, they were able to offer a slew of content in their program. It screened 71 Features, 50 Shorts, 4 Indie Series, and 14 New Frontier Projects.

Some films were lucky enough to be bought ahead of the Festival, such as Together Together, The Most Beautiful Boy in the World and Prisoners of the Ghostland. And some were acquired following their Sundance debut, such as Feature films CODA, Flee, Jockey and Cryptozoo. The former sold of a record-smashing $25 million to Apple Studios. Along with Documentaries Ailey and Playing With Sharks. Make sure you keep an eye out in the future for these titles.

Tonight was the Awards Ceremony hosted by Patton Oswald. Some presenters included Alison Brie and Diego Luna. Check out the list of winners below.

U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION

Grand Jury Prize: CODA

Audience Award: CODA

Directing: Siân Heder (CODA)

Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: Ari Katcher and Rya Welch (On The Count of Three)

Special Jury Award for Acting: Clifton Collins Jr (Jockey)

Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble: CODA

U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

Grand Jury Prize: Summer of Soul… (Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

Audience Award: Summer of Soul… (Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

Directing: Natalia Almada (Users)

Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award: Kristina Motwani and Rebecca Adorno (Homeroom)

Special Jury Award for Emerging Filmmaker: Parker Hill and Isabel Bethencourt (Cusp)

Special Jury Award for Non-Fiction Experimentation: Theo Anthony (All Light, Everywhere)

WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION

Grand Jury Prize: Hive

Audience Award: Hive

Directing Award: Blerta Basholli (Hive)

Special Jury Award for Acting: Jesmark Scicluna (Luzzu)

Special Jury Award for Creative Vision: One For The Road

WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

Grand Jury Prize: Flee

Audience Award: Writing With Fire

Directing Award: Hogir Hirori (Sabaya)

Special Jury Award: Verite Filmmaking: President

Special Jury Award: Impact for Change: Writing With Fire

OTHER AWARDS

NEXT Audience Award: Ma Belle, My Beauty

NEXT Innovator Award: Cryptozoo

Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize: Son of Monarchs

SHORT AWARDS:

Short Film Grand Jury Award: Lizard

Short Film Jury Award: US Fiction: The Touch of the Master’s Hand

Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction: Bambirak

Short Film Jury Award: Nonfiction: Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma

Jury Prize for Animation: Souvenir Souvenir

Special Jury Award for Screenwriting: Serhat Karaaslan (The Criminals)

Special Jury Award for Acting: Breanna Gibson (Wiggle Room)

(Photo credit: Sundance)