While the 2020 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS didn’t see a clean sweep for any particular Film, what made it most unique was the split of awards among deserving titles which may have been overseen on other circuits. Taking home top honours at this year’s Awards, held once again at Santa Monica Pier, was Lulu Wang‘s THE FAREWELL. The Film won Best Feature and Best Supporting Actress with Zhao Shuzhen, who sadly was unable to celebrate due to the Coronavirus situation in China. Wang‘s partner Barry Jenkins was with her to support her, showing his pride backstage.

UNCUT GEMS which surprisingly for many failed to garner an Academy Award nomination, performed very well at the Spirit Awards, rewarding Best Director to Co-Directors The Safdie Brothers and also Best Male Lead (Adam Sandler). Sandler gave a spirited speech delivered completely as a different character, before thanking his family, while the Safdie Brothers both delivered a comical speech which saw them talking over one another.

Much like the rest of Awards Season, Renée Zellweger took home Best Female Lead for her work in JUDY, marking her first Spirit Award win after three nominations. Returning Host Aubrey Plaza delivered an opening number, a version of Judy Garland‘s Get Happy with hilarious lyrics, delivering the chuckles once again.

Watch it here:

MARRIAGE STORY also saw recognition with the Film’s team being awarded the Robert Altman Award, along with its Director/Writer Noah Baumbach who was also awarded Best Screenplay. Baumbach gave thanks to his partner Greta Gerwig, telling the audience “Even though she made a Movie (Little Women) too expensive to be here, she is just as independent as any of us.”. This was Baumbach‘s first Spirit Award.

Watch Film Independent’s YouTube Channel for more clips and speeches here.

We were thrilled once again to partner with Hollywood Suite, exclusive Canadian Broadcaster of the Awards!

See some of our star-studded Snaps. Navigate Albums by selecting the right arrow.

While Awards Season is about to conclude with the Academy Awards taking place tomorrow, we’ll look back at this year’s Spirit Awards as an unforgettable one!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Film Independent)

While our trip to Los Angeles started off with some hitches – namely an extremely slow Customs check making us miss our flights – we cannot be stopped!  Our first day in L.A. true to form has been amazing and in addition to taking-in some of the awesome bites, we saw tons of stars last night!

We interviewed Chef Giada De Laurentiis a few years back and she kept telling us it was mandatory to try Chef Roy Choi‘s Korean-inspired Tacos at KOGI TAQUERIA and while we’ve been back a few times, we never got around to it till now. Forget hotel check-in, we had Beef Short Rib Tacos and Carnitas Kimchi Fries on our mind! A joy finally getting to try this.

When viewing these albums, hover right on the arrow to navigate further!

Several pre-Oscars parties are taking place around town and among the top bashes to be at, were the William Morris Endeavor bash at a private residence in Beverly Hills and also the Tom Ford Fashion Show! Being an acclaimed Filmmaker himself, the timing was brilliant merging his worlds together at once Oscars weekend.

Tom Ford Fashion Show – this was attended by several A-Listers like Renée Zellweger, J-Lo, Jason Momoa, Kate Hudson, Lil Nas X and more.  See who we got snaps with!

WME Bash – this party is situation at a private mansion and it seems everyone in town went to it. As it got a bit chaotic I only got to get a few snaps, including several Presenters and Nominees at Sunday’s Academy Awards.

Amidst the bustle we still managed to get a few Snaps. We’re so thrilled we got to meet rising star Julia Fox who rocked our world in UNCUT GEMS! While The Academy got it wrong, we’re glad to see it up for multiple FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS! Stream it now on Netflix.

A trip to L.A. is never complete without IN-N-OUT and it was a delight making it in just before they closed at 2 AM to get my burger and fries, Animal Style! The Police literally had to kick me and my friends out!

We need our coffee as we are up and it early, but don’t forget to follow us at @HollywoodSuite on Twitter and Instagram for our coverage of the FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS! The Awards air live 5 PM ET and then on-repeat on Hollywood Suite in Canada! We’re thrilled to be in attendance at the Awards and bringing you a bit of BTS (not the Boy Band)!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

BIRDS OF PREY AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN in its debut with $33 million from 4,236 theatres for Warner Bros. It gets 82% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore. Despite all its success, it is said that this Film made for $84.5 million is falling short of expectations, with projections ranging from $50 million+ opening weekend.

In second is three-week champ BAD BOYS FOR LIFE with $10.3 million, tallying at $154.3 million domestically for Sony Pictures.

1917 lands third with $8 million still riding off the high of its Oscars buzz, a total $123.5 grossed in North America for Universal Pictures.

DOLITTLE gets $5.9 million in fourth, a run of $57 million for Universal Pictures.

LITTLE WOMEN rounds things out with $1.8 million for Sony Pictures.

Check-out this brand-new Trailer for ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith!

Synopsis:
Based on the internationally bestselling novel by Jennifer Niven, All The Bright Places tells the story of Violet Markey (Elle Fanning) and Theodore Finch (Justice Smith), who meet and change each other’s lives forever. As they struggle with the emotional and physical scars of their past, they come together, discovering that even the smallest places and moments can mean something. This compelling drama provides a refreshing and human take on the experience of mental illness, its impact on relationships, as well as the beauty and lasting impact of young love.

Trailer:

ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES streams Friday, February 28, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Ben Affleck is back in THE WAY BACK, a new Sports Drama which sees his character Jack coping with Alcoholism, the loss of his marriage and accepting a new role as a basketball coach.

Synopsis:
Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) once had a life filled with promise. In high school, he was a basketball phenom with a full university scholarship, when suddenly, for reasons unknown, he walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Now years later, Jack is spiraling down, triggered by an unspeakable loss, and drowning in the alcoholism that cost him his marriage and any hope for a better life.

When he is asked to coach the basketball team at his alma mater, which has fallen far since his glory days, he reluctantly accepts, surprising no one more than himself. As the boys start to come together as a team and win, Jack may have finally found a reason to confront the demons that have derailed him. But will it be enough to fill the void, heal the deep wounds of his past, and set him on the road to redemption?

See the Trailer:

THE WAY BACK opens Friday, March 6, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

They’re back! MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU see a first look released! Check it out!

Synopsis:
This summer, from the biggest animated franchise in history and global cultural phenomenon, comes the untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain, in Minions: The Rise of Gru.

See the Trailer:

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU is in theatres this Summer.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

For the many of us who still haven’t see HAMILTON, Disney will be releasing a Film version of the 11-time TONY Award-winning Musical.

The live-capture Film breaks new ground, transporting its audience into the world of a Broadway show in a new way. The Cast in the Film will include Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award® nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.

The Film was shot in June 2016 at at The Richard Rodgers Theatre.

HAMILTON will stream on Disney+ Friday, July 3, 2020.

(Photo credit: Joan Marcus)

It was a week of celebration and we’re happy to have shared it with one of our faves of all time, the 2020 4D 1.5 Honda Accord Touring! With both Chinese New Year and my niece Jessica and now nephew-in-law Mitch‘s wedding (they’ve tied the knot after 13 years together, meeting in high school!) taking place in Niagara Falls, we had much to fête and a test drive of the Accord Touring made it all possible.

First thing’s first – the vehicle is nothing short of elegant. Its long body and sleek composition are a statement of class and we had the pleasure of driving it in a Modern Steel Metallic. One glance and you know you are starting at luxury.

The Accord Touring runs on a 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, i-VTEC® turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and operates at 192 horsepower. Our travels took us farther than ever. City, country, to the border and back to the burbs, the Accord Touring empowered us and it always reassuring knowing we can do it all on superb Fuel Economy, at 8.2 (city)/6.8 (highway)/7.6 (combined) litres per 100km. With a week of intense travelling and commuting, we spent only approximately $85 CAN on fuel which is very reasonable.

We were thrown an array of weather conditions this past week. We saw snow, rain and relentless flurries driving back from the wedding in Niagara Falls, but never once did we not feel safe. Vehicle Stability Assist was a major MVP in our travels. While we are lucky in the City and most rural areas reaping the benefit of plowed roads, we had a scary moment in particular out in the country in Caledon where we encountered a bit of slipping and sliding. Despite being mitigated by Vehicle Stability Assist, we found ourselves unable to proceed further up a small, unplowed road. With a clear head and no cars around fortunately, we reversed, went forward, reversed, applied foot to pedal and made it through the obstacle in no time to see our two namesakes Mr Will (Prince) and A Pic by Mrwill (Princess). The two met at long last. Mr Will happens to be training at the same facility where A Pic by Mrwill is enjoying her retirement as she readies for becoming a mom. Lucky me!

But above this, the Accord is jam-packed with intuitive safety features. A 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Auto high-beam, Brake Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS®), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) System, Honda LaneWatch Blind Spot Display and Lane Departure Warning, among many others. I remember last year, previewing the 2019 Honda Accord Touring and dealing with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System indicator going off in the cold weather, but that never once happened with the 2020 model.

The rear camera is definitely an asset for parking downtown or at the mall, and while snow sometimes limits our ability to utilize this, covering the camera and the car’s sensors, the Accord Touring never stops trying and lets you know when it can’t do the job, managing your expectations. Bottom line, sometimes we become so dependent on features and need to rely on our eyes and just focus.

The car is armed and ready with the HondaLink™ Assist Automatic Emergency Response System™ and Assist Automatic Emergency Response System. It has no shortage of Airbags: Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor System, SmartVent™ side airbags and an i-SRS Airbag System (front).

The 7″ colour TFT meter display with Driver Information Interface gives the Driver plenty of insights and we adore its Display Audio System with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System which believe it or not, we finally used after having depended on the Google Maps app on our phone for a long time now. It was simple to use and just as effective! The Accord Touring‘s 452-watt AM/FM Premium Audio System with MP3/Windows Media® Audio playback capability and 10 speakers including subwoofer provide for an outstanding driving experience. We adore our SiriusXM, but appreciate how simple it is to sync our Huawei P30 Pro via Bluetooth, customizing our drives with our Spotify Playlists. And let’s not forget all those charging options, including a charging plate for our phone.

In keeping with tradition, you can hear that sound system yourself!

Continuing with the direction of previous models, Climate Control is customizable for Driver and Passenger, with dual-zone options and an air-filtration system. Rear-seat heater ducts are available for those sitting at the back too. We cannot deny how much we love the seat heaters (coolers too!) and steering wheel heater on those unbearably-cold January mornings. Push-button engine starts and proximity entry make our experience that much simpler and we’re here for it!

The 2020 4D 1.5 Honda Accord Touring continues the Accord‘s history of excellence and starts at $38,976 CAN. More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

R.J. Cutler directs this Documentary about teen icon Billie Eilish, THE WORLD’S A LITTLE BLURRY.

Synopsis:

“Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry” tells the true coming-of-age story of the singer-songwriter and her rise to global superstardom. From award-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler, the Film offers a deeply intimate look at this extraordinary teenager’s journey, at just seventeen years old, navigating life on the road, on stage, and at home with her family, while writing, recording and releasing her debut album “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?”.

See the Trailer:

New Artwork:

BILLIE EILISH: THE WORLD’S A LITTLE BLURRY arrives on Apple TV+ February 26, 2021.

(Photo credit: Apple TV)

By Amanda Gilmore

This year’s Sundance Film Festival saw a wide range of films from a wide range of Filmmakers. There were some films that came into the Festival being bought, such as highly-buzzed Zola by  Sony Pictures and A24, to Palm Springs starring now Andy Samberg, now distributed by Hulu and NEON.  Winners at the Festival have been unveiled with films like MINARI and I CARRY YOU WITH ME getting top honours.

NEXT Innovator Award was chosen by a single juror this year and it was Gregg Araki.

NEXT Audience Award: I CARRY YOU WITH ME directed by Heidi Ewing

NEXT Innovator Award: I CARRY YOU WITH ME directed by Heidi Ewing

World Cinema Documentary Competition — the jury included Eric Hynes, Rima Mismar and Nanfu Wang.

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing: Mila Aung-Thwin, Sam Soko and Ryan Mullins for SOFTIE

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematography: Mircea Topoleanu and Radu Ciorniciuc for ACASA, MY HOME

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Creative Storytelling: Benjamin Ree for THE PAINTER AND THE THIEF

World Cinema Documentary Award for Directing: Iryna Tsilyk for THE EARTH IS BLUE AS AN ORANGE

World Cinema Grand Jury Prize Documentary: EPICENTRO directed by Hubert Sauper

World Cinema Documentary Audience Award: THE REASON I JUMP directed by Jerry Rothwell

The World Cinema Dramatic Competition — the jury included Alba Rohrwacher, Wagner Moura, and Haifaa Al Mansour.

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting: Ben Whishaw for SURGE

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Visionary Filmmaking: Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese for THIS IS NOT A BURIAL, IT’S A RESURRECTION

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Screenplay: Fernanda Valadez and Astrid Rondero for IDENTIFYING FEATURES (SIN SEÑAS PARTICULARES)

World Cinema Dramatic Award for Directing: Maïmouna Doucouré for CUTIES

World Cinema Grand Jury Prize World Dramatic: YALDA, A NIGHT FOR FORGIVENESS directed by Massoud Bakhshi

World Cinema Audience Award: IDENTIFYING FEATURES (SIN SEÑAS PARTICULARES) directed by Fernanda Valadez

The U.S. Documentary Competition — the jury included Rachel Rosen and Noland Walker

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Emerging Filmmaker: Arthur Jones for FEELS GOOD MAN

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact Filmmaking: Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman, and Eli Despres for THE FIGHT

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing: Tyler H. Walk for WELCOME TO CHECHNYA

U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Innovation in Nonfiction Storytelling: Kirsten Johnson for DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD

U.S. Documentary Directing Award: Garrett Bradley for TIME

U.S. DocumentaryGrand Jury Prize: BOYS STATE directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine

U.S Documentary Competition Audience Award: CRIP CAMP directed by Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht

The U.S. Dramatic Competition — the jury included Ethan Hawke, Wash Westmoreland, and Rodrigo Garcia

U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast: the cast of CHARM CITY KINGS

U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Auteur Filmmaking: Josephine Decker for SHIRLEY

U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Neorealism: Eliza Hittman for NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS

The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: Edson Oda for NINE DAYS

U.S. Dramatic Directing Award: Radha Blank for THE 40-YEAR-OLD VERSION

U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize: MINARI directed by Lee Isaac Chung

U.S. Dramatic Competition Audience Award: MINARI directed by Lee Isaac Chung

Some highlights of the Festival were seeing marquee names like Taylor Swift, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Rachel Brosnahan – the latter two whom we haven’t been lucky enough yet to see at TIFF yet, but hopefully soon!

Festival Goers also are treated to some really great Pop-Ups, our favourites being the Lyft Up Lounge sponsored by Lyft and one for the upcoming film, DOWNHILL. The former talked to the Lounge’s namesake program which offers free rides to those in need, while giving out chocolate,  coffee and Impossible Burgers. Visitors got a chance to take a picture with their simulated ski lift also! The latter gave out soup, hot chocolate, coffee and even an oxygen bar were on-site to perk us up!

Catch-up on our 2020 Sundance coverage including reviews and sightings here.

(Photo credit: A24/Amanda Gilmore)