Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see I STILL BELIEVE. Screenings take place in:

Toronto
Cineplex Yonge & Dundas
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Vancouver
Cineplex Scotiabank Vancouver
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:30PM

Montreal
Cineplex Scotiabank Montreal
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Calgary
Cineplex Scotiabank Chinook
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Edmonton
Cineplex Scotiabank Edmonton
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Ottawa
Cineplex Scotiabank Ottawa
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Halifax
Cineplex Scotiabank Halifax
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Winnipeg
Cineplex Scotiabank Winnipeg
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Synopsis:
One love can change your life. One life can change the world. From the creators of I Can Only Imagine comes an inspiring love story for the ages. Rediscover the wonder of love in I STILL BELIEVE, based on the real-life story of chart-topping singer Jeremy Camp.

Starring KJ Apa, Britt Robertson, Shania Twain, and Gary Sinise, I STILL BELIEVE is directed by The Erwin Brothers, from a screenplay by Jon Erwin & Jon Gunn, based on the book by Jeremy Camp, and produced by Kevin Downes, John Erwin, and Andrew Erwin.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Tell us which City you are in. Click “share” from there for an extra chance or Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw.

Rules and regulations here.

Mongrel Media release I STILL BELIEVE Friday, March 13, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

We present the brand-new official Trailer for long-awaited COMING 2 AMERICA!

Synopsis:

Set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York – where it all began.

See the Trailer:

COMING 2 AMERICA arrives on Amazon Prime Video March 5, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Amazon Prime Video)

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG runs away with the top spot again this weekend with $26.6 million from 4,198 theatres for Paramount Pictures, bringing it’s it’s  already to $101 million heading into its second week.

THE CALL OF THE WILD opens in second spot with $23 million from 3,752 theatres for 20th Century Fox/Disney. It gets 64% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore for NEON/MK2.

BIRDS OF PREY perches in third with $7.6 million, a three-week total of $73.1 million for Warner Bros.

BAD BOYS FOR LIFE is in fourth, still going strong with $5.4 million for Sony Pictures, a total $190 million earned domestically.

BRAHMS: BOY II debuts in fifth with $5.2 million from 2,151 theatres for STX Entertainment/Elevation Pictures. It gets 9% on the Tomatometer and a C- CinemaScore.

Best Picture winner PARASITE rounds it all out with $4 million from 1,803 theatres.

Running February 20 – 23, 2020, the Pendance Film Festival returns once again in its third edition at TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX and AGO‘s JACKMALL HALL! Giving a platform to innovative storytellers, the Festival features films, short films, special screenings, conferences, workshops, and panels. Expect lots of hidden gems which have gone through a stringent approval process.  Our Team have been lucky enough to get a sneak preview of some of the Films playing at the Festival.  See their thoughts below:

SAINT FRANCES

Review by Justin Waldman 

First-time feature Director Alex Thompson teams-up with first-time Writer/Actress Kelly O’Sullivan to bring a story of love, compassion, understanding and family to life in the beautifully-crafted Saint Frances. The Film stars O’Sullivan and feels a lot like Jason Reitman’s Tully but lays it on a little thicker, while being more poignant and captivating. Saint Frances is a beautiful take at what life can bring you in the most unexpected ways.

The Film focuses on Bridget (Kelly O’Sullivan) after she aborts an accidental pregnancy and befriends the six year old girl Frances (Ramona Edith Williams) whom she is tasked with babysitting as she is trying to get her life in order and escape her dead-end job. What she never expected was to create a bond with Frances’ mothers and to create an undeniable bond with Frances herself that will carry on for a lifetime. The story is truly touching and redefines some clichés, especially those regarding millennials.

O’Sullivan’s Script and Thompson’s direction brings Saint Frances to life along with great performances by O’Sullivan herself and that of her young Co-Star Ramona Edith Williams. The two lead actresses are remarkable as their on-screen chemistry is something truly special.

Saint Frances plays Pendance Film Festival on Saturday February 22, 2020 at 9:30 PM.

THE SHORT HISTORY OF THE LONG ROAD 

By Amanda Gilmore

Teenager Nola (Sabrina Carpenter) and her father Clint (Steve Ogg) have been living out of a van for as long as she can remember. When tragedy strikes, Nola finds herself at a crossroads: One leading to a continued life on the road or one where she integrates herself into a society she has never known.

This heartfelt coming-of-age film is a love letter to living on the road while also examining the importance of relationships and socialization. However, the Film could have been a grittier look at the subject. This is because every obstacle that Nola finds herself faced with seems to have a quick and easy solution. Writer-Director Ani Simon-Kennedy creates a steady pace and a central character to root for. And Carpenter is striking onscreen expressing the anxiety, fear, thrill and happiness that comes along with the freedom of Nola‘s age and lifestyle.

The Short History of the Long Road screens at Pendance on Saturday, February 22 at 4 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

THE LAST TREE

By Amanda Gilmore 

Femi (Sam Adewunmi) spent his childhood in the English countryside with his foster mother (Denise Black). When Femi’s biological mother (Gbemisola Ikumelo) comes back for him the two move to south London. Thrusting a child and teenage Femi into this new world that he has to learn to navigate.

This semi-autobiographical film by Writer-Director Shola Amoo tells a specific yet universal coming-of-age story. With each scene, Amoo examines the influence of the community in which we live effects and shapes us. He does this while also examining the lasting emotional scars our parents give us from birth. Through these two themes, the audience is brought on the moving and beautiful journey Femi is on and empathizes with him in his darkest moments. The Cinematography by Stil Williams is gorgeous, particularly in the scenes of Femi’s childhood playing in the English countryside. And talented newcomer Adewunmi is a powerful force with a magnetic presence. He’s definitely one-to-watch.

The Last Tree screens at Pendance on Saturday, February 22, 1 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

STRAIGHT UP

By George Kozera

After two disastrous romantic attempts with guys, STRAIGHT UP opens with a whippet-fast monologue from Todd telling his two closest friends that, despite loving cashmere sweaters and Legally Blonde, he may really not be gay and that he could meet a girl who will see his flamboyance as more “metro/hipster”. His first heterosexual tryst ends in a hilarious, never-saw-that-coming event. Rory is an inept waitress/aspiring Actress with a penchant for inappropriate jokes and observations. Todd and Rory meet in the self-help section of a library and a relationship is born.

As Todd, James Sweeney (who also co-produced, wrote and directed this Movie) creates a character filled with neuroses, unapologetic intelligence and off-kilter humour and is brilliantly and equally matched with Windsor, Ontario native, Katie Findlay’s performance as Rory. The chemistry between these two talented big screen newcomers is perfection personified as are their rapid-fire exchanges.

Anchored with stellar supporting performances from Tracie Thoms, Betsy Brandt, Russell Park and James Scully as Ryder, STRAIGHT UP is Pop Culture-savvy, uniquely filmed with a glorious Score and, I’m afraid to admit, had me laughing out loud consistently and often. It touches on topics about relationships, love, sexuality and friendships with intelligent insights. Sweeney is a name to watch for as I see great things coming from him in the future. It’s been a long time since I loved a gay-themed movie this much. See STRAIGHT UP. That’s an order!!

STRAIGHT UP screens at the TIFF Bell Lightbox as part of the on February 21, 8:00 PM.

More on the 2020 Pendance Film Festival here.

(Photo/video credit: )

Vancouver Rockers THEORY OF A DEADMAN are in Toronto in support of their seventh Studio Disc SAY NOTHING. The Band comprised of Tyler Connolly, Dave Brenner, Dean Back and Joey Dandeneaualso recently embarked on their Canadian Tour which began end of January before expanding to the U.S. in April. They play Toronto’s REBEL on February 27, 2020.

We spotted the Band out doing Press in the A.M. and they were amazingly nice to take time to stop for fans in the cold.

Tyler Connolly

Dean Back

Dave Brenner

Joey Dandeneau

Check-out their new Album here on multiple platforms.

Their video for WORLD KEEPS SPINNING also is out now:

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music/Mr. Will Wong)

After resounding commercial and critical success, HAMILTON finally has arrived in Toronto at Ed Mirvish Theatre now through May 17, 2020.  The Musical centering around America’s founding father Alexander Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda, has been setting the world on-fire since its debut off-Broadway at The Public Theatre in New York back in 2015.  Since then it has won a whopping 11 TONY Awards and Pullitzer Prize with an inclusive, modern way of telling American history through Hip-Hop and R&B.  The Production makes its way now in Toronto – known as the Phillip Ty our – with a Touring Cast led by Joseph Morales in the leading role. Morales will be in Toronto till end of March, when the role will be taken over by a new star.  As expected, ticket sales have  been feverish with Torontonians resorting to a daily digital lottery in hope of tickets.

See some of this talented Cast!

Joseph Morales as Alexander Hamilton

Jared Dixon as Aaron Burr

Stephanie Jae Park as Eliza

Marcus Choi as King George

Elijah Malcomb as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton

Desmond Sean Ellington as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison

Ta’Rea Campbell as Angelica

Darilyn Castillo as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds

Warren Egypt as Lafayette/Jefferson

Aaron Albano – Swing

Trevor Miles – Ensemble

DeMarius Copes – Ensemble

Conroe Brooks – Standby

Jonathan Christopher – Ensemble

Gabe Hyman – Swing

More here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It was amazing night celebrating Amazon Prime Video’s gritty new Series, HUNTERS. The gripping Series produced by Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us) is set late ’70s in New York City. We are taken to a violent underworld where Holocaust survivors and Nazis are out for blood, settling unfinished business. As a once-again brilliant Al Pacino‘s character Meyer Offerman says, “The best revenge is revenge” and the Series sets-out to do that, exacting catharsis through bloody, gory revenge.

The Series feels authentic to the era and we meet several fascinating characters including Jonah played beautifully by Logan Lerman, out to avenge the loss of his grandmother. We meet also Detective Millie Morris (Jerrika Hinton) who is hot on the trail of a murder spree, ready to uncover some dark secrets she might not be prepared for.

Hunters is a must-watch and applause was loud after a screening at The Danforth Music Hall tonight. Kudos to Aamazon Prime Video for outdoing themselves on a great bash, inspired by the surroundings where HUNTERS is set. The fun, festive ’70s bash took us right into the streets of New York, complete with graffiti, cops, break dancers, pretzels, candied nuts and hot dogs. ET Canada’s Morgan Hoffman hosted the evening which saw guests leaving with collectible puzzles from the Series.

In case you haven’t seen it, here is a Trailer to HUNTERS:

Some Snaps from the night. Click right to navigate album:

 

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Fresh-off her wins at the BBC Music Awards where she was named as The Sound of 2020 and also a BRIT Award for Rising Star, we introduce you to American-born, British Singer-Songwriter CELESTE. The 25-year-old who hails from Brighton, has a beautiful gift of a voice that maneuvers over Soul, Jazz and R&B in a deeply-emotive way that we haven’t really heard since the likes of Adele first emerging.

Check-out a couple of her Tracks below.

STRANGE

STOP THIS FLAME

We’re eager to hear more!

For now, you can follow Celeste on Instagram here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

Sophia Lillis stars in Netflix‘s I’M NOT OKAY WITH THIS based on the popular graphic novel.

SYNOPSIS:
I Am Not Okay With This is an irreverent origin story that follows a teenage girl who’s navigating the trials and tribulations of high school, all while dealing with the complexities of her family, her budding sexuality, and mysterious superpowers just beginning to awaken deep within her. From director/EP of The End of the F***ing World Jonathan Entwistle and the producers of Stranger Things comes a new series based on the Charles Forsman graphic novel.

See the Trailer:

I’M NOT OKAY WITH THIS streams Friday, February 26, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Nominees were announced today for the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards. Leading all nominees is SCHITT’S CREEK with 26 nominations with nods for Best Comedy Series; Best Writing, Comedy; and Best Direction, Comedy, as well as multiple acting nominations in Best Lead Actor, Comedy; Best Lead Actress, Comedy; Best Supporting Actress, Comedy; and Best Supporting Actor, Comedy. The  Series about a bankrupt wealthy family left with only one asset, an ugly town, has continued to gained critical acclaim over its six seasons, garnering an international following.

Leading the Film nominees is SONG OF NAMES, up for Achievement in Art Direction / Production Design, Achievement in Costume Design, and Achievement in Visual Effects. The Film is about a man’s journey to find his childhood best friend, a violin prodigy who goes missing.

Awards across 141 categories will be distributed over a series of galas on Canadian Screen Week – March 23 – 29, 2020.

The Broadcast Gala airs and streams on CBC and CBC GEM Sunday, uarch 29, 2020 at 8 PM ET.

(Photo credit: CBC)