How epic! HALFTIME is a Documentary about Jennifer Lopez as she geared-up for her unforgettable Super Bowl Halftime Performance! The Documentary will open Tribeca Film Festival this year, followed by a release on Netflix! Here is your first look at the Trailer.

Synopsis:
“HALFTIME” offers an intimate peek behind the curtain revealing the grit and determination that makes Jennifer Lopez the icon she is, from her performances onscreen and on stages around the world, to her Super Bowl Halftime show, to the recent Presidential inauguration. The documentary focuses on an international superstar who has inspired people for decades with her perseverance, creative brilliance and cultural contributions. And it’s only the beginning. “HALFTIME” serves as the kickoff to the second half of Lopez’s life, as she lays bare her evolution as a Latina, a mother, and an artist, taking agency in her career and using her voice for a greater purpose.

HALFTIME will make its World Premiere as the opening night film for the Tribeca Festival on June 8, 2022 and will then release globally on Netflix June 14, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

It’s a new era at DOWNTON ABBEY and in-town to promote the latest Film in the dearly-beloved Franchise are Kevin Doyle, who plays butler Joseph Molesley and Raquel Cassidy who plays maid Phyllis Baxter. Will these two finally seal the deal in this latest chapter after years of flirtation?

In DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA, directed by a returning Simon Curtis, we see a Film Crew wish to make a silent film at Downton and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) decides to stay behind to supervise. Soon we find the staff and Lady Mary growing increasingly invested in this Film, as she befriends director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy), who struggles to get the project completed, as Silent Films continue to decline in popularity. Meanwhile, Violet (Maggie Smith) who is unwell, learns that she has inherited a villa from a man she once had been romantically-involved with, which opens-up a series of questions, particularly in son Robert (Hugh Bonneville) about his identity. Butler Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier) strikes an unexpected friendship with Movie Star Guy Dexter (Dominic West), and Cora Crowley (Elizabeth McGovern) is battling a mysterious illness.

A brand-new Trailer out in time for the Film’s release:

So many juicy story lines, with a generous dash of wit, and also the lingering feeling that times are changing with Downton begins to see some of its gradeur fade. DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA is a pure joy. And believe me, you don’t need to have watched the Series or this Film’s predecessor for that matter to enjoy it!

Doyle and Cassidy did a day of press out of Scotiabank Theatre, where they also surprised fans at a Special Advance Screening of the Film, moderated by our friend Bonnie Laufer. And *Spoiler Alert* they talk about their characters’ relationship together and filming through the Pandemic.

Some Snaps from the evening:

Last week, we were so fortunate to get to attend a Macaron-making class with Toronto institution Le Dolci in celebration of DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA‘s release. Of course, with the Movie being set partly in France, it would only make sense!

Some highlights from our night here:

Universal Pictures Canada/Focus Features release DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA May 20, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Focus Features/Mr. Will Wong)

We know how much you loved the first season, so it’s a treat that Season Two of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING is already back! Here’s a glimpse of the new Teaser Trailer!

Synopsis:

Following the shocking death of Arconia Board President Bunny Folger, Charles (Steve Martin, “Father Of The Bride”), Oliver (Martin Short, “The Morning Show”) & Mabel (Selena Gomez, “The Dead Don’t Die”), race to unmask her killer. However, three (unfortunate) complications ensue – the trio is publicly implicated in Bunny’s homicide, they are now the subjects of a competing podcast, and they have to deal with a bunch of New York neighbors who all think they committed murder.

ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING arrives June 28, 2022 on Disney+.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

You might recall last month we shared an update about Canadian-made Prime Video Series THE LAKE starring Orphan Black‘s Jordan Gavaris, Madison Shamoun and Julia Stiles! Here’s your first look at the Trailer, in advance of its Premiere at the Inside Out Festival!

Synopsis:

The series follows Justin (Gavaris) as he returns from living abroad after a break-up with his long-term partner, in the hope of reconnecting with the biological daughter that he gave up for adoption in his teens. His plans to create new memories with his city-loving daughter Billie (Shamoun) at the idyllic lake from his childhood go awry when he finds out his father left the family cottage to his “picture-perfect” stepsister, Maisy-May (Stiles). Additional cast include Terry Chen, Jon Dore, Carolyn Scott, Natalie Lisinka, Travis Nelson, Jared Scott and Declan Whaley. The series is produced by AMAZE and written and executive produced by Julian Doucet.

The Lake will launch exclusively on Prime Video on June 17, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video)

The Vaughan International Film Festival (VFF) runs Monday, June 20th to Thursday, June 23rd, 2022, now in its tenth year! The Festival is comprised of two nights of international film blocks. Screening at Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan, the lineups will be composed of 16 films from 10 different countries, including France, Pakistan, Greece, Italy, and Estonia. Both nights will conclude with a networking afterparty at Chop Steakhouse & Bar.

On the closing night of the festival, the VFF Awards will take place at the Terrace Banquet Centre. VFF announced that their first-ever Awards host–TV and radio personality Rick Campanelli– will be returning for this year’s Awards show. Rick previously hosted the first four VFF Awards, from 2013 to 2016.

In honour of the festival’s special year, VFF announced a brand-new award that will be presented this year: the Decennium Award. This award will be given to the festival’s best film from the past decade. Short-listed films include Shawn Christensen’s Oscar-winning film Curfew and last year’s After Class, written and directed by Charles Xiuzhi Dong. The list will be narrowed down to 5 nominees which will be presented at this year’s VFF Awards.

Nominations for five other film categories were also revealed at the Spring Launch. VFF’s 2022 nominees are:

Best Cinematography:
Khalid Mohtaseb, Censor of Dreams
Ali Lavarimonfared, Dribble
Alberto Balazs, Sandstorm

Best Actor:
Damian Bonnard, Censor of Dreams
Mehdi Mokarian, Dribble
Christian Petaroscia, Inverno (Timo’s Winter)
Giulio Beranek, Inverno (Timo’s Winter)

Best Actress:
Allie Dunbar, The Bubble
Parizae Fatima, Sandstorm
Ana Villa, Distancias

Best Director:
Beth Evans, The Bubble
Giulio Mastromauro, Inverno (Timo’s Winter)
Seemab Gul, Sandstorm

Best Film:
The Bubble (Canada)
Sandstorm (Pakistan)
Distancias (Spain)

VFF’s 2022 industry recognition recipients exemplify how passion and creativity can lead to an acclaimed career in the industry. The Sandra Piccolo Trailblazer Award will be given to Hollywood audio professional and 2-time Emmy-winner Frank Morrone, while the Independent Leadership Award will be given to internationally renowned Canadian actress, Kim Roberts. They will be bestowed these recognitions on the VFF awards night. 

This year’s recipients of VFF’s $1000 scholarships include Kyle Yu and Vickie Shie from Alexander Mackenzie High School and Marc Nadon from Notre Dame College School. 

VFF’s 2022 student film judging panel was composed of various members and colleagues of the Entertainment Industry Professionals Mentoring Alliance (EIPMA), a US-based organization that strives to foster emerging talent. Some of these judges included versatile Sound Supervisor and President of EIPMA Bernard Weiser (Ted Lasso, The Hurt Locker), Oscar-winning Sound Designer and UCLA Graduate School Educator Cecelia Hall (Top Gun, Hunt for Red October), and Picture Editor and Documentary Producer Sharidan Sotelo (Mr. Robot, Breaking Bad).

The judging panel’s selection for Best Student Film will be announced at VFF’s Student Screening Block on Tuesday, June 21, taking place at YCDSB Centre for the Arts, located at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School. The lineup will spotlight 16 films from 10 different high schools across the GTA. The winning student will receive a $2,000 bursary towards their school’s arts program.

For more information about this year’s schedule and tickets, visit vaughanfilmfestival.com.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Final Cut is a Zombie Horror-Comedy and a love letter to the challenges of Filmmaking.

It follows Remi (Romain Duris) a struggling Director who has only scratched the surface of Filmmaking. When he’s approached to make a French remake of a beloved classic Japanese Zombie flick, he takes the opportunity. Unbeknownst to Remi, he’s just accepted this most stressful directing gig. Not only does he need to shoot it in one take, as it will be viewed live on a new streaming platform, but he’s also dealing with jaded technicians and uninvolved actors. However, things get complicated when filming is disrupted by the real living dead. In front of the camera, everything looks relatively normal. But behind it, the crew is in chaos attempting to save the Film.

Writer-Director Michel Hazanavicius (Academy Award-winning The Artist) on one level brings us a new Zombie Horror-Comedy, yet transcends the limited audience of that genre by broadening it’s scope to explore the love and struggle of Filmmaking. It is apparent right away that Remi has a real passion for Filmmaking right at the start. This is a do-or-die situation for him and for anyone is all-in about their career, it’s easy to sympathize and relate. Duris is outstanding. His energy is unparalleled and he excels in this comedic performance. His natural charisma makes the audience cheer for him even if he’s ultimately making one of the worst Zombie films ever.

The Supporting Cast give hilarious performances. Bérénice Bejo plays Nadia, an Actress who takes her roles too seriously. She delivers some of the most outrageous one-liners with unwavering conviction, making for scene-stealing moments. Finnegan Oldfield plays Raphaël, an Actor who believes he’s better than he actually is. And rounding-out the Principal Cast is the brilliant Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz. She might have the most challenging role as her character is a bad Actress. Her strong comedic timing makes her achieve this and her performance is a testament to how very talented she is.

Final Cut has an impactful opening and first act that leaves ample mystery. We are left wondering what is going on. Hazanavicius uses this as a device to grab a hold of us. In the middle, we are given some answers. Even though it’s in this section that the Film lags, Hazanavicius’ Script gives film references that true Cinephiles will get. In the final 30 minutes, we are given all the answers to our questions. The situations we watch this Cast and Crew get into are hysterical.

Fans of the original Japanese Cult Classic One Cut of the Dead, will get a reference that is highlighted at the midway mark. In this scene, Remi sits studying the original Japanese Film he is supposed to remake. Hazanavicius uses the original One Cut of The Dead that Final Cut is based on, making for a fun, meta homage to the cult classic.

Final Cut screens at Cannes ’22:

Tue, May 17 at 7PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Tue, May 17 at 11:30PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Wed, May 18 at 11AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Wed, May 18 at 2PM at SALLE AGNÈS VARDA

Thu, May 19 at 11:30AM at LICORNE

Thu, May 19 at 4PM at CINEUM IMAX

Fri, May 27 at 9:40PM at ARCADES 1

Following the success of MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, Paramount+ announced today that upcoming Series RABBIT HOLE starring and produced by Kiefer Sutherland, has begun production in Toronto!

Synopsis:

In RABBIT HOLE, nothing is what it seems when John Weir, a master of deception in the world of corporate espionage, is framed for murder by powerful forces with the ability to influence and control populations.

RABBIT HOLE introduces a dynamic cast including Charles Dance (“Game of Thrones”) as Dr. Ben Wilson, Meta Golding (“Empire”) as Hailey Winton, Enid Graham (“Mare of Easttown”) as Josephine “Jo” Madi, Jason Butler Harner (“Ozark”) as Valence, Walt Klink (“Arctic Circle”) as The Intern and Rob Yang (“Succession”), who was recently announced as Edward Homm.

Sutherland serves as executive producer for RABBIT HOLE, alongside writer-directors John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (“This Is Us,” “WeCrashed”), Charlie Gogolak (“The Sinner,” “WeCrashed”), Suzan Bymel (“Designated Survivor”) and Hunt Baldwin (“Longmire,” “The Closer”).

The series will be available exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. later this year and will also be available on Paramount+ internationally in Canada, Australia, U.K., Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The 2022 Cannes Film Festival, now in its 75th edition, has officially begun and we’re so thrilled to be a part of the festivities this year! Our Amanda Gilmore is on-foot out on the French Riviera as the Festival runs today through May 28, 2022.

Canada certainly is making its presence felt and even has its own Festival Village! Canada Tent set-up, the Pavillion having been absent for two years. Our Country is represented by CRIMES OF THE FUTURE (David Cronenberg) – which also will be getting a Canadian Premiere in June at TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX – and FALCON LAKE (Charlotte Le Bon).

Academy Award winner Forrest Whitaker in addition to producing Documentary For the Sake of Peace, is receiving an honourary Palme d’Or as well. He says this is the first time he has ever felt internationally-recognized as an Artist!

The Festival’s Jury Conference featured some deep talent with names like Deepika Padukone, Rebecca Hall, Noomi Rapace, Jasmine Trinca, Asghar Farhadi, Ladj Ly, Jeff Nichols and Joachim Trier.

Some key quotes from the Panel conducted in both French and English. A recurring theme with the Jury is their humility and love of Cinema, helping spotlight talent versus “judging” and “critiquing”, which is refreshing.

Noomi Rapace: “It’s a dream come true. Thank you. Thank you for having me.”.

Rebecca Hall: “Not here was no hesitation it was obviously a tremendous honour.”. On bring a Juror, the Actress/Director says, “I don’t like the word judge…There is a huge responsibility, but also a creative responsibility.”.

Deepika Padukone: “We made a promise to each other that we won’t burden ourselves with the responsibility.”. The Bollywood icon tells the room, “Cinema is such a powerful tool and medium it has the ability to impact people’s lives.”.

Joachim Trier: “Together we will have some really interesting and difficult conversations.”. The Director of acclaimed THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD also reveals, “I’m looking forward to watching 21 movies.”.

Jeff Nichols: “I once waited tables at the American Pavilion and someone tipped me a ticket and I was blown-away by how beautifully this Festival honours Filmmakers.”. Nichols, excited like Trier about seeing some movies says, “I guarantee you I will watch every single one of these films with the same energy and awe as when I was 21. “.

A view of the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière Red Carpet:

The famed Theatre Debussy Red Carpet:

TOP GUN: MAVERICK also will get is eagerly-awaited Premiere tomorrow night. See this amazing installation set-up to celebration the Blockbuster!

Bookmark this link and check daily as we will be bringing you your latest Reviews from Cannes!

So excited to deliver you our coverage on the world stage!

(Photo credit: Amanda GIlmore for Mr. Will Wong)

Alaqua Cox stars as Marvel Studios’ ECHO, which is coming next year to Disney+. Production for the upcoming Series is now udnerway in Atlanta! Cox will star as Maya Lopez, whom you might remember from Marvel Studios’ HAWKEYE last year.

Synopsis:

Streaming exclusively on Disney+ in 2023, the origin story of Echo revisits Maya Lopez, whose ruthless behavior in New York City catches up with her in her hometown. She must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward. “Echo” also stars Chaske Spencer (“Wild Indian,” “The English”), Tantoo Cardinal (“Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Stumptown”), Devery Jacobs (FX’s “Reservation Dogs,” “American Gods”) and Cody Lightning (“Hey, Viktor!” “Four Sheets to the Wind”), with Graham Greene (“1883,” “Goliath”) and Zahn McClarnon (“Dark Winds,” FX’s “Reservation Dogs”).

Episodes of the series are directed by Sydney Freeland (Navajo) and Catriona McKenzie (Gunaikurnai). Executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Stephen Broussard, Richie Palmer, Marion Dayre and Jason Gavin (Blackfeet). Co-executive producers are Amy Rardin, Sydney Freeland, Christina King (Seminole) and Jennifer Booth.

(Photo credit: Disney)

Chris Hemsworth is back this Summer in Netflix‘s SPIDERHEAD. The new Trailer has just been released for this FIlm from Director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick)

Synopsis:

In a state-of-the-art penitentiary run by brilliant visionary Steve Abnesti (Chris Hemsworth), inmates wear a surgically attached device that administers dosages of mind-altering drugs in exchange for commuted sentences. There are no bars, no cells, or orange jumpsuits. In Spiderhead, incarcerated volunteers are free to be themselves. Until they’re not. At times, they’re a better version. Need to lighten up? There’s a drug for that. At a loss for words? There’s a drug for that, too. But when two subjects, Jeff (Miles Teller) and Lizzy (Jurnee Smollett), form a connection, their path to redemption take a twistier turn, as Abnesti’s experiments start to push the limits of free will altogether. Based on The New Yorker short story by George Saunders, SPIDERHEAD is a genre-bending and darkly funny psychological thriller directed by Joseph Kosinski (TRON: Legacy, Top Gun: Maverick) and written by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick (Deadpool, Zombieland).

SPIDERHEAD arrives June 17, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)