By Justin Waldman

I just want to start this review stating that I am a True Crime afficionado. Documentaries, Mini-Series and Movies just gets me excited. I’m not a Sociopath, I swear! Now when you add Mormons to the mix and the Cast de la Casts, there really is nothing more one person could ask. Everything about the first two-thirds of Under the Banner of Heaven feels like a continuation of True Detective, especially in the vein of its Season One. There is so much to uncover and discover throughout this Show that you will not be able to pull yourself away from the screen and will have to watch it all in one swift go.

The Show focuses on Detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield) who is a Mormon Detective investigating the grizzly death of Brenda Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones), which causes him to start questioning his faith in his religion. However, the family at the height of this gruesome murder is very anti-government and will do anything to make sure they don’t have to answer to any branch of the government, even if it means finding out who murdered one of their own. Throughout the Show, Ron Lafferty (Sam Worthington), Dianna (Denise Gough), Dan (Wyatt Russell), Allen (Billy Howle), Matilda (Chloe Pirrie), Robin (Seth Numrich), Samuel (Rory Culkin) and Doreen (Megan Leitch) are all butting-heads with the local police department and Jeb, which starts to strain on his wife, Rebecca (Adelaide Clemens).

The Storyline in Under the Banner of Heaven isn’t quite linear, but instead tells three different stories over different timelines (a few years) and these stories intercut with each other – which gets confusing at times. However, the main Storyline of who killed Brenda Lafferty is the most compelling story that shines throughout. Since this is True Crime, and if you read the 2003 Book of the same name, you might already know how this ends, but that never seems to cause issues as every moment is as captivating as the last.

Moreover though, the performances in Under the Banner of Heaven are truly exceptional. Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Wyatt Russell and Daisy Edgar-Jones are all incredible throughout their performances. Garfield delivers a performance with such passion and heart that is almost akin to his performance on stage in Angels in America. Edgar-Jones plays the innocent woman who just fell for the wrong person in the wrong family perfectly to a tee, while Worthington and Wyatt play the sinister characters excellently.

There is so much to admire and to enjoy within Under the Banner of Heaven if true crime subject matters are something one is into. With the pacing and mystery (if one allows there to be one) present, every moment is more gripping than the last as one tries to piece together who is responsible. The brilliant performances throughout this Mini-series as well, bring it all together and this is one of the most compelling things we’ve seen on Television in recent memory. Under the Banner of Heaven is must-see TV and provides some career highlights for its plethora of brilliant performances.

UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN arrvies Wednesday, June 8, 2022 on Disney+.

(Photo credit: Disney)

Dwayne Johnson stars in BLACK ADAM, coming to theatres this October. See the new Trailer about this latest superhero to hit the big screen in the DC Universe!

Synopsis:

Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.

Johnson stars alongside Aldis Hodge (“City on a Hill,” “One Night in Miami”) as Hawkman, Noah Centineo (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”) as Atom Smasher, Sarah Shahi (“Sex/Life,” “Rush Hour 3”) as Adrianna, Marwan Kenzari (“Murder on the Orient Express,” “The Mummy”) as Ishmael, Quintessa Swindell (“Voyagers,” “Trinkets”) as Cyclone, Bodhi Sabongui (“A Million Little Things”) as Amon, and Pierce Brosnan (the “Mamma Mia!” and James Bond franchises) as Dr. Fate.

Collet-Serra directed from a screenplay by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, screen story by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, based on characters from DC.  Black Adam was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck.  The film’s producers were Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia and Dany Garcia, with Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter, Chris Pan, Eric McLeod, Geoff Johns and Scott Sheldon

  “Black Adam” smashes into theatres and IMAX internationally beginning 19 October 2022 and in North America on October 21, 2022.  It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

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

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Screening Passes to see THE BLACK PHONE.

Screenings take place as follows:

• Toronto: Yonge & Dundas at 7 PM
• Montreal: Scotiabank Theatre at 7 pm 
• Vancouver: Cineplex International Village at 7 pm

Synopsis:

The phone is dead. And it’s ringing.

Director Scott Derrickson returns to his terror roots and partners again with the foremost brand in the genre, Blumhouse, with a new horror thriller. Finney Shaw, a shy but clever 13-year-old boy, is abducted by a sadistic killer and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use. When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer’s previous victims. And they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney.

Starring four-time Oscar® nominee Ethan Hawke in the most terrifying role of his career and introducing Mason Thames in his first ever film role, The Black Phone is produced,

directed, and co-written by Scott Derrickson, the writer-director of Sinister, The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Marvel’s Doctor Strange. 

The film’s screenplay is by Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill (Doctor Strange, Sinister franchise), based on the award-winning short story by Joe Hill from his New York Times bestseller 20th Century Ghosts. The film is produced by Derrickson & Cargill’s Crooked Highway and presented by Universal and Blumhouse. Jason Blum, Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill are producers on the film, which is executive produced by Ryan Turek and Christopher H. Warner.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. You also can Re-Tweet the Contest Tweet below for another chance! Please remember to indicate your City.

Rules and regulations here.

NOTE: Do not accept their party messages and friend requests asking for your personal information. Winners will be contacted only by this official account.

Universal Pictures Canada release THE BLACK PHONE in theatres June 24, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

A new Trailer has arrived for THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL, based on the best-selling Series by series by Soman Chainani.

Synposis:
In the village of Gavaldon, two misfits and best friends, Sophie (Sophia Anne Caruso) and Agatha (Sofia Wylie), share the unlikeliest of bonds. Sophie, a lover of fairy tales, dreams of escaping her ordinary village life, while Agatha, with her grim aesthetic, has the makings of a real witch. Then one night under a blood red moon, a powerful force sweeps them away to the School for Good and Evil — where the true story of every great fairy tale begins. Yet something is amiss from the start: Sophie is dropped into the School for Evil, run by the glamorous and acid-tongued Lady Lesso (Charlize Theron), and Agatha in the School for Good, overseen by the sunny and kind Professor Dovey (Kerry Washington). As if navigating classes with the offspring of Cinderella, Captain Hook, and the dashing son of King Arthur (Jamie Flatters) wasn’t hard enough, according to the Schoolmaster (Laurence Fishburne), only true love’s kiss can change the rules and send the girls to their rightful school. But when a dark and dangerous figure (Kit Young) with mysterious ties to Sophie reemerges and threatens to destroy the school and the rulebook entirely — the only way to a happy ending is to survive the fairytale first.

Coming soon to Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

20th Century Studios have released a new Trailer for intense upcoming Thriller PREY! Dan Trachtenberg (“The Boys”) directs.

Synopsis:

Set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, “Prey” is the story of a young woman, Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior. She has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains, so when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries.

“Prey” is directed by Dan Trachtenberg, written by Patrick Aison (“Jack Ryan,” “Treadstone”), and produced by John Davis (“Jungle Cruise,” “The Predator”), Jhane Myers (“Monsters of God”), and Marty Ewing (“It: Chapter Two”), with Lawrence Gordon (“Watchmen”), Ben Rosenblatt (“Snowpiercer”), James E. Thomas, John C. Thomas and Marc Toberoff (“Fantasy Island”) serving as executive producers. 

PREY will stream August 5, 2022 on Disney+ under the Star banner in Canada.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Studios Canada)

A new Poster and Trailer have been unviled for BULLET TRAIN starring Brad Pitt!

Synopsis:
In Bullet Train, Brad Pitt stars as Ladybug, an unlucky assassin determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug’s latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe – all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives – on the world’s fastest train. From the director of Deadpool 2, David Leitch, the end of the line is only the beginning in a wild, non-stop thrill ride through modern-day Japan.

Sony Pictures Canada release BULLET TRAIN August 5, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)

Disney+ has announced a release date for an upcoming collection of five Shorts, centering on Baby Groot. I AM GROOT arrives on Disney+ later this Summer.

Synopsis:

There’s no guarding the galaxy from this mischievous toddler! So get ready as Baby Groot takes center stage in his very owns series, exploring his glory days growing up—and getting into trouble—among the stars.

Vin Diesel, who is the voice of Groot in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise, voices Baby Groot. The writer/director is Kirsten Lepore, and the executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum and James Gunn.

I AM GROOT arrives August 10, 2022 on Disney+.

(Photo credit: Disney)

Austin’s Gabriel Luna is in Toronto working on an upcoming Arnold Schwarzenegger TV Series titled “UTAP” (title subject to change) for Netflix. The eight-episode Series (at 60 minutes each) also stars Jay Baruchel, Monica Barbaro, Fortune Feimster and more, with Schwarzenegger not only starring-in but also serving as Executive Producer. The Series centers on a father (Schwarzenegger) and daughter (Barbaro) who both secretly work for the C.I.A., and upon them learning of the other’s involvement with the agency, they have to work together as partners.

Luna, known for his memorable work in Terminator: Dark Fate (starring alongside Schwarzenegger), True Detective and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., stars in the new Series as “Boro,” an incredibly charismatic, Oxford-educated businessman, who’s chosen to apply those skills to a career in the illegal arms trade.

So amazing seeing Luna out and about grabbing dinner in the west-end. Despite playing some badasses on-screen, he is the nicest! So gracious! Have been hoping to run into him forever. Absolutely cannot wait to see this new Series, which happens to be Schwarzenegger‘s debut in a TV Series!

See our Snaps:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The 30th edition of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival (TJFF) is celebrating a return to the cinema where it all began at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema with a special “Blue Carpet” Opening Night at the Ontario premiere of PLAN A by the Paz Brothers.  The “Blue Carpet” will be hosted by none other than TJFF’s Artistic Director and co-founder Helen Zukerman.  Two musical highlights include live performances at the ROCK CAMP screening with former Fantasy Rock ‘N’ Roll campers, along with The Mamaliga Klezmer Band’s live musical accompaniment for the recently discovered and restored silent film BROKEN BARRIERS.

Notable local and international guests joining the celebrations in person are: 

• Doron Paz and Yoav Paz (PLAN A);
• Founder Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp, David Fishof (ROCK CAMP); 
• Director Julia Mintz (FOUR WINTERS); 
• Director David Hoffert, producers Paul Hoffert, Brenda Hoffert and Jeff Preyra, as well as family of Leo Spellman (THE RHAPSODY); 
• Director Mano Khalil (NEIGHBOURS)
• The Mamaliga Klezmer Band (BROKEN BARRIERS)
• Marilyn Lightstone (Honouring Marilyn Lightstone)

Special Guests & In-Person Events
*Opening Film with a Special “Blue Carpet” Event
PLAN A, dirs. Doron Paz and Yoav Paz (Germany/Israel)
Based on Dina Porat’s book Vengeance and Retribution are Mine, a group of Holocaust survivors seek revenge and plan to kill millions of Germans by poisoning Nuremberg’s water supply. Stars Michael Aloni (Shtisel), Syliva Hoeks (Bladerunner 2049) and August Diehl (Hidden Life).
Guests in attendance: Directors Doron Paz and Yoav Paz.

ROCK CAMP, dirs. Renée Barron and Douglas Blush (United States)
Music fans are given the chance to live out their musical fantasies at the annual Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas. Campers are mentored by counsellors, including Roger Daltrey, Gene Simmons and Alice Cooper as they prepare for a live performance with their idols.
Guests in attendance: David Fishof, Founder of Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp. Screening followed by performances from Fantasy Rock ‘N’ Roll Canadian campers.

Centrepiece Film – Documentary
*David A. Stein Award Winner
FOUR WINTERS: A STORY OF JEWISH PARTISAN RESISTANCE AND BRAVERY, dir. Julia Mintz (United States)
Four Winters celebrates the 25,000 Jewish partisans who escaped into the forests of Eastern Europe to resist the Nazis, carrying out deadly acts of sabotage, staging ambushes and waging clandestine warfare. Featuring interviews with five of the last surviving partisans, two of whom (Faye Schulman and Sara Ginaite) raised families in Toronto.
Guest in attendance: Director Julia Mintz.

THE RHAPSODY, dir. David Hoffert (Canada)
At 99, late composer Leo Spellman, a Polish-Canadian Holocaust survivor, sets out on a journey toward artistic liberation. Through his journey to bring his lost musical masterpiece to the stage, his tale of survival is revealed through his secret wartime diary read by actor Stephen Fry, animation, and interviews with family and colleagues. The film also showcases the powerful performance of his composition at the Ashkenaz Festival in Toronto at which he was present.
Guests in attendance: Director David Hoffert, producers Paul Hoffert, Brenda Hoffert and Jeff Preyra, as well as family of Leo Spellman.

Closing Film
NEIGHBOURS (Nachbarn), dir. Mano Khalil, (Switzerland/France)
Winner of the Grand Prize at the Mons International Film Festival, the semi-autobiographical story by director Mano Khalil highlights the plight of the Kurdish people through the eyes of a sensitive child. 
Guest in attendance: Director Mano Khalil.

Special Musical Event:

BROKEN BARRIERS (Khavah) dir. Charles E. Davenport
Long thought lost but recently discovered and restored by the National Center for Jewish Film, this 1919 silent film is the first American cinematic adaptation of Sholem Aleichem’s  Tevye stories, famously brought to life in Fiddler on the Roof. This film focuses not on Tevye the milkman, but on daughter Khavah, who falls in love with the gentile boy Fedka.
Live Musical Accompaniment by The Mamaliga Klezmer Band

Free In-Person Canadian Archival Series Events: 

Honouring Marilyn Lightstone
From a working class Jewish family in Montreal, Marilyn Lightstone emerged as one of Canada’s foremost actors. TJFF honours her lengthy career as an actor, writer and producer including the free screening of: FROM ANCIENT EGYPT TO THE HIT PARADE: A MARILYN LIGHTSTONE SCRAPBOOK (1967-2021). This event is part of a larger tribute to Marilyn Lightstone, with 4 additional titles available online to viewers across Canada.
Free Screening at Zoomer Hall, ZoomerPlex
Guest in attendance: Marilyn Lightstone.

Jack + Zero:
A special screening series honouring two performing legends of American theatre, film and television – Jack Gilford and Zero Mostel, including a free outdoor screening of A FUNNY THINGS HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (1966). This event is part of a larger archival series called, Jack + Zero, with 4 additional titles available online to viewers across Canada. 
Free Outdoor Screening at Lipa Green Grounds

TJFF will screen over 70 titles from 16 countries. Films will screen in person from June 9 to 15 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, Innis Town Hall, Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, and Leah Posluns Theatre, with more films available through the TJFF Virtual Cinema in Ontario from June 16 to June 26. Further in person screenings, including closing night, will also take place June 23-26, 2022.

More here.

STRANGE WORLD stars Jake Gyllenhaal and here is your first look at the Teaser Trailer for this Fall release from Disney.

Synopsis:

Jake Gyllenhaal (“The Guilty,” “Spider-Man: Far from Home”) lends his voice to Searcher Clade, the son of a steadfast explorer. The original action-adventure journeys deep into an uncharted and treacherous land where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades, a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest—and by far— most crucial mission. Helmed by Don Hall (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Raya and the Last Dragon”) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer “Raya and the Last Dragon”), and produced by Roy Conli  (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Tangled”), “Strange World” releases November 23, 2022.

A new Poster:

Walt Disney Studios Canada release STRANGE WORLD November 23, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)