Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers across Canada a chance to win a copy of GOOD BOYS on Blu-ray!

Synopsis:
After being invited to his first kissing party, 12-year-old Max (Jacob Tremblay; Room) is panicking because he doesn’t know how to kiss. Eager for some pointers, Max and his best friends Thor (Brady Noon, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire) and Lucas (Keith L. Williams, Fox’s The Last Man On Earth) decide to use Max’s dad’s drone – which Max is forbidden to touch – to spy on a teenage couple making out next door. But when things go ridiculously wrong, the drone is destroyed. Desperate to replace it before Max’s dad (Will Forte, The Last Man on Earth) gets home, the boys skip school and set off on an odyssey of epically bad decisions involving some accidentally stolen drugs, frat-house paintball, and running from both the cops and two terrifying teenage girls (Molly Gordon; Life of the Party and Midori Francis; Ocean’s Eight).

BONUS FEATURES ON BLU-RAY, DVD & DIGITAL:
• UNRATED ALTERNATE ENDING
• UNRATED DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES
o Turtle vs. Tortoise
o Benji Don’t Like That
o Customer Service
o Ball Pit Shenanigans
o Tracking Molly
o Stealing a Glance
o Upsell Fail
o Max Explodes
o Best Friends
o Traffic Jam
o First Kiss Heartbreak
• GAG REEL
• BOYS FOR REAL – A look into the casting process and real-life friendships that evolved on-set.
• WELCOME TO VANCOUVER – Watch as Jacob Tremblay shows off some of his favorite things about his home town.
• A FINE LINE – Hear filmmakers and cast discuss how the film’s stars delivered such colorful dialogue
• without necessarily knowing what the words mean.
• ASK YOUR PARENTS – Cast and filmmakers talk about how they were able to navigate
• adult questions from curious child actors.
• BAD GIRLS – Molly Gordon and Midori Francis discuss how they were able to ramp up the mean, and how Annabelle was able to raise the comedy stakes.
• GUEST STARS – Take a closer look at some of the hilarious guest stars that lent their unique talents to the film.
• FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR & CO-WRITER GENE STUPNITSKY AND PRODUCER & CO-WRITER LEE EISENBERG

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City on the comments there. Re-Tweet this from @mrwillw for another chance!

 Contest rules and regulations here.

GOOD BOYS is in stores Tuesday, November 12, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

Some new Character Posters from STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER for you to get excited about!

Synopsis:

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Chris Terrio & J.J. Abrams and the story is by Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow and J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio, based on characters created by George Lucas. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in theatres on December 19.   

See them all:

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER opens in theatres on December 19, 2020.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)

Harrison Ford is back in THE CALL OF WILD. Just released is this new Trailer for the stunning new Adventure!

Synopsis:
Adapted from the beloved literary classic, 20th Century Fox’s THE CALL OF THE WILD vividly brings to the screen the story of Buck, a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life is turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. As the newest rookie on a mail delivery dog sled team–and later its leader–Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime, ultimately finding his true place in the world and becoming his own master.

As a live-action/animation hybrid, THE CALL OF THE WILD employs cutting edge visual effects and animation technology in order to render the animals in the film as fully photorealistic–and emotionally authentic–characters. Directed by Chris Sanders from a screenplay by Michael Green, based on the novel by Jack London, the film was produced by Erwin Stoff, with Diana Pokorny serving as executive producer and Ryan Stafford as co-producer and visual effects producer. THE CALL OF THE WILD stars Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens, Omar Sy, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford and Colin Woodell.

See the Trailer:

Walt Disney Studios Canada release THE CALL OF THE WILD Friday, February 20, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)

By George Kozera x Mr. Will Wong

A major critical success coming out of TIFF ’19, Director/Writer Trey Edward Shults and Actor Kevin Harrison Jr. reunite in WAVES. The two collaborated in 2017’s It Comes at Night and the two returned to Toronto in support of this gorgeously-shot two-part Drama which follows a family before and after a tragedy. The Film shifts from the perspective of the son Tyler (Harrison) who is on the verge of big things, to the soft-spoken daughter Emily (recent Gotham Award-winning Canadian Actress Taylor Russell).

See the Trailer:

Scored by Academy Award winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Waves is as stunning visually as it is sonically. Shults is asked about the importance of Music in this Film.

Shults: “Scorsese makes the best Soundtrack Films out of anyone. For me, I love a lot of Soundtrack Films like Goodfellas, Boogie Nights, American Graffiti and Dazed and Confused. That was always in the DNA of this. I think Music is another part of the world of the Film, so it was important having a Soundtrack that hopefully feels honest to these characters and their world. I consider this a Soundtrack Film, with the purpose of getting you closer to Tyler and Emily‘s world.”.

Our George Kozera asks whether there was a piece of Music that Shults really wanted, but couldn’t get clearance for.

Shults: “Shockingly no. We got so, so, so blessed. I embedded so much of the Music into this Script that you could press play and pause as you were reading it – just to set the tone from the beginning, we’re getting Kanye, Frank Ocean, Radiohead and everything in-between. I based it on personal tastes and being set in high school, Music then really got me through a lot of personal things. I was really music-hungry.”.

“That helped me a lot because I could write letters to these artists and tell them what the Movie means to me and why their songs work so well with the Film.”.

Harrison is asked about his involvement not only as an Actor, but in developing the Script together with Shults.

Harrison: “When I worked on Gully, that Director (Nabil Elderkin) let me get really in there, so I had a tease of what it could be like, but never in this capacity. Trey and I met at a coffee shop and he told about the two parts of the Movie, which part I wanted to choose and tailored the role for me.  We had fun conversations about life, so by the time I got the Script he would ask me my thoughts on the character and dialogue, what would be said and what wouldn’t be said. It’s really incredible collaborating that way and it really helps you as an Actor in that the performance feels like you’ve really lived in it. I don’t have to try so hard to hit the marks, hit beats and try to execute things. I could just breathe.”.

Shults isn’t shy about taking inspiration from Wong Kar Wai‘s 1994 classic, Chungking Express exploring two arches and the concept of Dichotomy in Waves.

Shults: “The Movie is about the dichotomy in our lives, the good and bad of human beings, of family, of relationships, your loved ones, highs and lows of love and everything in-between. We are literally structuring the narrative in the dichotomy between a male and female, and between a brother and sister, while understanding how tragedy can transpire, but finding the healing and growth on the other side.”.

“We wondered if it was gonna work and the girl playing Emily – Taylor – really had to be amazing or the whole Movie collapses. She’s the best.”.

George Kozera notes how impressed he was with Harrison‘s performance and how Tyler‘s interactions varied uniquely between him and his father, mother, sister and girlfriend. He asks how much of this was instinctive, in the Script or based on his input.

Harrison: “In my life I interact differently with everybody. I’m close to my sisters and I’m different with my dad and mom. And I think it was important to be specific about who brings Tyler comfort, security, safety and who violates those safe spaces. Alexis (Euphoria‘s Alexa Demie) was his best friend and at the end of the day if he was going to tell anyone what’s going on in his life, it would be her. But then there’s this version of it where he has this bravado, this need to provide and what would a man do based on what his dad would do.”.

“When I think of my dad, there is this fear of disappointing him and disappointing myself. There’s this push-and-pull of living-up to the expectations that he has of me, and living-up to my own expectations, so I’m never really on the same plain as him. When you look at Tyler‘s relationship with his mother, he lost his biological mother and then had Catharine (Hamilton star Renée Elise Goldsberry) come into the picture. She’s there for him – this sounds weird – but they’re the real couple and have this unspoken relationship where we raised Emily together. Because Tyler’s dad – how present was he truly and how emotionally available was he? So we had to map this in the Script and there were a million things I had to ask Trey about and spent too many hours on to make sure we knew this boy wasn’t just reactive. He’s thoughtful, complex and has a life of his own. He just doesn’t always express it to the best of his ability.”.

Drew Daniels’ (Euphoria, It Comes at Night) exquisite Cinematography is intimate, taking us right into the emotions and mindspaces of these characters.  Harrison and Shults are asked about its role in Waves.

Harrison: “Because I worked with Trey before, I understood what it would look like. This time I came way more prepared and ready to go. He would put what the Aspect Ratio would be in the Script, that way you have an awareness if you’re doing too much or little. But we still had freedom to play and not be restricted by the camera. I was always able to be honest. I was able to be a human being and know that he’d just capture it and I trusted him in that way.”.

Shults: “A Film like this lives and dies by its performances, so if we ever get to the point where a camera goes too far where we are getting in the way of the performances, then we have failed. We try to prepare, but also be ready to adapt.”.

Elevation Pictures release WAVES Friday, November 22, 2019.

By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

The annual Cinefranco Film Festival is the Mecca for all those, like myself, who love and gravitate towards French language cinema and don’t have many opportunities to see them on a big screen with English subtitles. Founded 22 years ago by the charismatic Marcelle Lean, the festival offers outstanding movies from France, Quebec and Morocco to name just a few. I recently had the honour of having lunch with the dynamic Ms. Lean to discuss this year’s fest and see some of the films that will be showing this year from November 22-30 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema.

Marcelle Lean’s enthusiasm and knowledge of cinema is infectious and hearing the issues attaining rights for films to be screened at Cinefranco (such as this year’s offering of the Cannes winner by the Dardenne brothers, LE JEUNE AHMED) fascinating. When asked if there was theme for this year’s Festival, Ms. Lean replied that many movies centered on the concept of family. She fought diligently, and succeeded, to get the rights to films she was impressed with and spoke passionately about some of the movies that be at this year’s Festival, which include the Closing Film from Quebec, ANTIGONE, the funny coming-of-age Comedy VENISE N’EST PAS EN ITALIE from France and MADE IN CHINA, also from France.

From what I have seen so far, and those that I definitely want to see during the fest, CINEFRANCO 2019 offers an outstanding array of French language diverse gems that will appeal to all with francophone sensibilities!

UN AMOUR IMPOSSIBLE
Spanning five decades and narrated by the daughter of the lead characters, Rachel and Philippe (played brilliantly and ferociously by Virginie Efira and Niels Schneider respectively) this unabashed love story transcends the genre. Romantic and sensual then shocking and heartbreaking, it is powerful and evocative. And it’s a must-see.

EDMOND
Set in 1897 against a background of Parisian architectural glories (the Moulin Rouge, Le Comedie Francais), this charming, madcap romp about the creation of the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac is wildly funny and entertaining. The performances by everyone in EDMOND is captivating and letter A perfect as is the glorious cinematography. You will be hard pressed not to be in tears by the end of this Movie and applaud as vigorously as the audience does in this movie when Cyrano ends. I loved it.

L’ADIEU A LA NUIT
Showcasing Catherine Deneuve’s best performance since 8 WOMEN and featuring a primarily all Arab cast, the compelling drama touches on a variety of themes that include religious extremism and rhetoric as well as unwavering faith and familial love. Set on a horse farm, replete with cherry blossom trees, the visuals (which include La Deneuve wearing flannel plaid shirts!) are stunning and the story line is brisk and persuasive.

PERILS
A rarity, as it is a French language movie set in Toronto, the Film’s Creator, Jean-Marc Lariviere, effectively and efficiently tackles a number of thought provoking issues (that include the recent war in Syria and refugees) in its scant 27 minute running time. This is a respectable achievement.

DERIVE
Set in the Montreal area, this contrived and, at times, overwrought family melodrama that include a mysterious death of a parent and two teenaged girls coping with various issues may stretch the limits of interest, but there is no denying the commendable, naturalistic performances by all involved.

LE MYSTERE HENRI PICK
When a novel, allegedly written by a dead pizza maker with no history of writing, becomes a bestseller, television literary critic becomes obsessed of uncovering what he feels is a conspiracy to fool the public. It is a standard issue mystery movie laced with comedic incidences but watching veteran actor, Fabrice Luchini, with his OCD ticks is sheer joy.

More on Cinefranco 2019 here including line-up and how to get tickets.

Sony Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Run-of-Engagement Passes to see THE GRUDGE. One grand prize winner will also get a $50 Cineplex Gift Card and Run-of-Engagement Passes to see THE GRUDGE at their convenience.

Synopsis:
Directed by Nicolas Pesce, THE GRUDGE stars Andrea Riseborough, Demián Bichir, John Cho, Betty Gilpin with Lin Shaye and Jacki Weaver. With a screenplay by Nicolas Pesce and a story by Nicolas Pesce and Jeff Buhler, THE GRUDGE is based on the film “Ju-On: The Grudge” written and directed by Takashi Shimizu. THE GRUDGE is produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Taka Ichise and is executive produced by Nathan Kahane, Erin Westerman, Brady Fujikawa, Andrew Pfeffer, Roy Lee, Doug Davison, John Powers Middleton and Schuyler Weiss.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

Sony Pictures Canada release THE GRUDGE Friday, January 3, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

Check-out the brand new Trailer for SPIES IN DISGUISE, in theatres this Christmas!

Synopsis:
Twentieth Century Fox presents a Blue Sky Studios production, “Spies in Disguise,” an animated spy comedy adventure set in the slick, high-octane, globe-trotting world of international espionage. Super spy Lance Sterling (Will Smith) and scientist Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave and debonair. Walter is…not. But when events take an unexpected turn, this unlikely duo is forced to team up for the ultimate mission that will require an almost impossible disguise-transforming Lance into the brave, fierce, majestic…pigeon. Walter and Lance suddenly have to work as a team, or the whole world is in peril.

See the Trailer:

Mark Ronson x Anderson .Paak have teamed-up from THEN THERE WERE TWO, a Track from the Film’s Soundtrack. Check it out here:

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)

TIFF ’19 selection FORD v FERRARI takes the top of the Box Office with $28 million from 3,528 theatres for Disney. The James Mangold Drama starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, gets 92% on the Tomatometer and an A+ CinemaScore.

In second is CHARLIE’S ANGELS with $12 million from 3,452 theatres in its opening for Sony Pictures. The Reboot from Elizabeth Banks, gets 58% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

In third is last week’s champ MIDWAY with $9 million for Lionsgate Films/Elevation Pictures. Since its release, it has grossed $34.4 million.

PLAYING WITH FIRE is in fourth with $7 million, a total of $22.1 in its second week for Paramount Pictures.

THE GOOD LIAR opens in eighth with $6 million for Warner Bros., a 62% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore for the Thriller starring Ian McKellen and Helen Mirrren.

TERMINATOR: DARK FATE rounds things out with $4.9 million for Paramount Pictures, a total $52.5 since its opening.

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see CATS. Screenings take place as follows:

Screenings: Wed. Dec 18

TORONTO // Cineplex Yonge and Dundas @ 7:00PM
VANCOUVER // Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver @ 7:00PM
MONTREAL // Cinema Banque Scotia Montreal @ 7:00PM
CALGARY // Cineplex Odeon Eau Claire Market Cinemas @ 7:00PM
EDMONTON // Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton @ 7:00PM

Synopsis:
Oscar®-winning director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, Les Misérables, The Danish Girl) transforms Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-shattering stage musical into a breakthrough cinematic event.

Cats stars James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson and introduces Royal Ballet principal dancer Francesca Hayward in her feature film debut.

Featuring Lloyd Webber’s iconic music and a world-class cast of dancers under the guidance of Tony-winning choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, In the Heights), the film reimagines the musical for a new generation with spectacular production design, state-of-the-art technology, and dance styles ranging from classical ballet to contemporary, hip-hop to jazz, street dance to tap.

The film also stars Robbie Fairchild (Broadway’s An American in Paris), Laurie Davidson (TNT’s Will), hip-hop dance sensation Les Twins (Larry and Laurent Bourgeois), acclaimed dancer Mette Towley (featured in videos for Rihanna and Pharrell Williams’ N.E.R.D.), Royal Ballet principal dancer Steven McRae, and rising-star singer Bluey Robinson.

Universal Pictures presents a Working Title Films and Amblin Entertainment production, in association with Monumental Pictures and The Really Useful Group. Cats is produced by Debra Hayward, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Tom Hooper. The screenplay is by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot, Rocketman) and Hooper, based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot and the stage musical by Lloyd Webber. Cats is executive produced by Lloyd Webber, Steven Spielberg, Angela Morrison and Jo Burn.

One of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, the stage musical “Cats” received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it played for 21 years and earned the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. In 1983, the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ran for an extraordinary 18 years. Since opening in London in 1981, “Cats” has continuously appeared on stage around the globe, to date having played to 81 million people in more than fifty countries and in nineteen languages. It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

CATS is in theatres Friday, December 20, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see 1917. Screenings take place as follows:

Screenings: Wed. Dec 18

TORONTO //  Cineplex Cinemas Varsity and VIP @ 7:00PM

Screenings: Wed. Jan 8

VANCOUVER // Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver @ 7:00PM    

MONTREAL // Cinema Banque Scotia Montreal @ 7:00PM

Synopsis:
Sam Mendes, the Oscar®-winning director of Skyfall, Spectre and American Beauty, brings his singular vision to his World War I epic, 1917.

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield (Captain Fantastic’s George MacKay) and Blake (Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers—Blake’s own brother among them.

1917 is directed by Sam Mendes, who wrote the screenplay with Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Showtime’s Penny Dreadful).

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

1917 is out Christmas Day in Toronto and across Canada Friday, January 10, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)