IT: CHAPTER TWO scares audiences a second straight week, taking $40.1 million from 4,570 theatres across North America. This brings its two-week total to $153.1 million for Warner Bros.

TIFF ’19 selection HUSTLERS debuts huge for STX Entertainment, making it the studio’s best opening yet with $32.5 million from 3,250 theatres. It gets 87% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.

ANGEL HAS FALLEN is in third with $4.3 million, a total $60.3 million grossed over four weeks for Lionsgate Films/VVS Films.

THE GOLDFINCH, which also premiered at TIFF ’19, debuts in seventh with $2.7 million from 2,540 theatres for Warner Bros. It gets 24% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON rounds things out with $1.8 million for levelFILM and Roadside Attractions.

We’ve made it! TIFF ’19 closes with a bang and Priyanka Chopra-Jonas gave us a dash of starpower. Now she was here last weekend but flew-in to join Director Shonali Bose, plus Co-Stars Farhan Akhtar, Rohit Saraf for The Sky is Pink, premiering at both Elgin Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall.

See our Snaps. Hover cursor right to navigate slideshow.

While Closing Night Gala Radioactive takes place tomorrow night, we are wrapped! We hope you had a blast in our adventures and enjoyed our reviews and coverage as well! This definitely was one of our favourite TIFFs of all time. TIFF ’20 certainly has big shoes to fill!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

When Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein) gets hired as a Critic for a London music magazine she beings changing who she is.

Director Coky Giedroyc and Screenwriter Caitlin Moran have made a quirky coming-of-age film about a loveable and flawed girl. The Film succeeds due to Moran’s Script which is full of hilarious British quips, heartbreaking reality and candid lessons. The most impressive and refreshing aspect as the Film is the character progression of Johanna. She is responsible for unleashing her worst self and she is solely responsible for building herself back up. Moran and Giedronyc have allotted enough time and essential reasoning to Johanna’s transformation and because of this everything Johanna does, no matter how cruel, has a purpose in her journey. It’s because of this and the perfect casting of Feldstein that causes the audience to sympathize and route for her. By now we know Feldstein is a force on the big screen and she brings her ever-charming presence once again. And joining her on-screen are memorable cameos from Chris O’Dowd, Emma Thompson and Alfie Allen.

How To Build A Girl screens at TIFF on the following days:

Saturday, September 7 at Ryerson Theatre at 12 PM

Sunday, September 8 at Scotiabank Theatre at 7:15 PM

Friday, September 13 at Scotiabank Theatre at 6 PM

Review by Mr. Will Wong

Western  Stars is quintessential viewing for fans of The Boss. The Documentary co-directed by music icon Bruce Springsteen and Thom Zimny gives fans a gorgeous intimate visual and sound experience on the ideas and concepts behind his latest studio album.  The Documentary was recorded in his 100-year-old barn with a 30-piece orchestra and his band, including partner Patti Scialfa.

We get a get a glimpse into Springsteen’s journey and the life lessons he has accrued, getting candid. He even talks about having hurt the people he loved but having grown since. He jokes how years ago he was singing about cars and still to this day this remains a metaphor despite changed contexts. Springsteen speaks about his music with an assured wisdom he only could impart at this stage in his celebrated career and we’re glad he did. Western Stars brings us up- close and personal to a personable legend.

Western Stars manages in a transcendent  way to capture the magic of Springsteen’s artistry and the magnestism which has kept his fan base loyal for years.

WESTERN STARS screens at TIFF:
Thu, Sep 12
Roy Thomson Hall
9:30pm

Fri, Sep 13
Winter Garden Theatre
11:00am

Sat, Sep 14
Scotiabank Theatre
8:45pm

Review by Mr. Will Wong

Lucy in the Sky centers on an astronaut’s successful journey into space and the aftermath of this when she re-evaluates her life.  We witness Lucy‘s (Natalie Portman) unravelling as she loses her perspective on the world after she accomplishes the mission. She becomes unhinged, losing her inhibitions and what ensues is a downward spiral from which we can’t keep our eyes off.

The Drama-Thriller is Noah Hawley‘s directorial debut. While it is an ambitious task telling this story, which starts on solid footing in its First Act, before turning tonally into the unpredictable, he manages to maintain our interest as we witness Lucy‘s fall from grace.

Portman cannot be faulted as she is fully committed to making us see the world through Lucy’s eyes and she does it in a compelling way. However, even she – a master of her craft – is unable to resuscitate the Film’s implausabilities and unevenness, where we never see developed fully, Jon Hamm‘s Mark nor Lucy‘s husband Drew (Dan Stevens). And this was better needed to pave the way for her eventual path.

Lucy in the Sky screens at TIFF:

Wed, Sep 11
Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
9:00pm

Thu, Sep 12
Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
2:30pm

Fri, Sep 13
Elgin Theatre
1:00pm

Sun, Sep 15
Scotiabank Theatre
5:45pm

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Martin Eden (Luca Marinelli) is an uneducated working-class sailor who falls in love with educated upper-class Elena (Jessica Cressy). To make her see him the same way he sees her he attempts to remake himself into a Writer.

Director Pietro Marcello adapts the Jack London Novel of the same name in an inspiring unconventional way. It’s clear from the beginning that Marcello is making a politically charged film, and one of which he is entirely on one side of. This is a specific story of a man whose trying to make something more of himself. Yet when achieving those ambitions they begin to conflict with his ideals. It’s in this grappling that one tremendous performance from Marinelli comes alive. Marcello flips between his own Super 16mm shot narrative with archival footage which emphasizes the political and social elements of his Film.

Martin Eden screens at TIFF on the following days:

Wednesday, September 11 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 6 PM

Thursday, September 12 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 6 PM

Saturday, September 14 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 9:15 AM

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Georges’ (Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin) life is in upheaval. He separated from his wife and has just spent a comically ridiculous amount of money for a deerskin coat. He loves and admires the coat – so much so that he starts talking to it, and slowly becomes unhinged from reality.

If you watched Writer/Director Quentin Dupieux’s previous film Rubber – about a tire that kills people – you probably have an idea for what kind of trip you are in for with Deerskin. The Film is part narrative, part experimental avant garde piece on identity and mental illness. It is delightfully absurd right from the start, setting the tone immediately but never letting on what direction it is moving in next. It is a bit of a slow-burn at first and seems determined to test the audience’s patience. But once Dupieux unpacks all of his wacky ideas, all bets are off and you will not be able to look away. And in the middle of everything is Dujardin, who goes all in with his positively bonkers performance. He is keenly aware of how outrageous the Film is, and plays into each moment recklessly and fearlessly.

Just make sure you leave your coat at home when you see it. You can thank me later.

DEERSKIN screens during TIFF at the following times:

Thursday September 12, 9:00pm @ Ryerson Theatre
Friday, September 13 @ 9:15pm @ Scotiabank Theatre
Sunday September 15, 6:30pm@ Scotiabank Theatre

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Sisters Mary Beth (Morgan Saylor) and Priscilla (Sophie Lowe) think they got away with a violent crime in their small fishing village of Easter Cove, Maine until a local brothel owner (Margo Martindale) becomes suspicious and confronts the girls with an ultimatum.

Small town crime films usually lack originality, however, Co-Directors Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy bring a new edge to the genre. This atmospheric film advances above those that came before due to the complicated and often troubled female characters. Those characters are made even more complex thanks to a talented cast consisting of Saylor, Lowe, Martindale, and June Squibb. An honourable mention goes to scene-stealer Will Brittain playing the good-boy cop.

Blow The Man Down screens at TIFF on Thu, Sep 12 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 8:30 PM, Sat, Sep 14 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 4 PM, and Sun, Sep 15 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 9:15 AM.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

In this fictionalized reimagining of the Patty Hearst affair, a political activist (Hong Chau) helps take care of a group of wanted fugitives including a well-known heiress (Sarah Gadon).

At the core of American Woman is a captivating story about political activism and the extremes some go to with their beliefs. These enthralling themes are all here, however, there’s no mystery about the fate of the characters because the opening scene reveals where they end up. What does keep the audience engaged is the cast, particularly the mysterious Jenny played by Chau and the shifty Pauline played by Gadon.

American Woman screens at TIFF on Thu, Sep 12 at Roy Thompson Hall at 6:30 PM, Thu, Sep 12 at Elgin Theatre at 8 PM, and Sat, Sep 14 at Scotiabank Theatre at 7 PM.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

When Kendra’s (Kerry Washington) bi-racial son doesn’t come home one night she spends the night inside a police station hoping to find out what happened to him.

American Son is based upon the Broadway Play written by Christopher Demos-Brown and brought to the screen with the same Cast and Director. The Play and Script both touch on important themes of race relations and police brutality in an eloquent intimate way. Washington’s performance of one mother’s anxiety and fear for her son is one that will break your heart.

American Son screens at TIFF on Thu, Sep 12 at Winter Garden Theatre at 6 PM, Fri, Sep 13 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 3:15 PM, and Sat, Sep 14 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 9:15 PM.