More productions are taking flight in Toronto and this time around we see Eva Longoria behind the lens directing a The CW Pilot GLAMOROUS! The Series starring Brooke Shields, Pierson Fodé, Peyton List and Ben J. Pierce. The Pilot centers on a gender-nonconfirming teen (Pierce) who lands a gig at a cosmetics company after criticizing their products on YouTube. We spotted stars Fodé (Bold and the Beautiful), who has been nominated twice for an EMMY and List (Mad Men, 90210) working-out earlier after a reading in the afternoon and they were nice enough to stop for some Fans on the street. The Pilot wraps end of March.

Fodé

List

Netflix Feature LET IT SNOW continues to film in and around the City and we welcome back Spider-Man Reboot Franchise star Jacob Batalon, who appears in the upcoming Holiday flick. Batalon appears to have been out shopping for glasses earlier and was amazing to several fans who spotted him on the streets. He just filmed Romantic-Comedy EVERY DAY here in 2017.

Batalon

We also saw his Co-Star Miles Robbins (Blockers) out and about too and he also was gracious to stop for a wave! LET IT SNOW wraps end of March as well.

Robbins

Australian talent Liv Hewson has gained a lot of recognition for their work starring on Netflix‘s Santa Clarita Diet, on which they star as Abby Hammond. Hewson also has been in and out of Toronto working on Let it Snow and just this weekend enjoyed Montreal. They also will be seen later this year in eagerly-awaited Fair and Balanced, which centers on the experience of various female FOX NEWS personnel starring Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron.

Hewson

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By David Baldwin and Mr. Will Wong

Now in its 19th year Toronto Comicon takes place at Metro Toronto Convention Centre this weekend bringing together fans of Sci-Fi, Anime, Cosplayers, Gaming, Comics and more in one extravaganza.  Toronto Comicon year after year has given fans a chance to connect with their favourite idols with Panels, Autograph Signings and Photo Ops. Known as one of the most exciting events each spring in Toronto, the event this year was headlined by several stars including Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), Jaleel White (Family Matters), Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy), Jonathan Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings), Corbin Bernsen (The Punisher) and several more!

Funko Pop! vinyl collectibles, rare editions of comic books and the opportunity to get one-of-a-kind commissioned pieces by Artists, continue to be a huge draw at the three-day affair. Truly Toronto Comicon is a mecca of all things adored.

Our David Baldwin had the opportunity to sit-in on a couple high-profile Panels for Ron Perlman and Dan Fogler.

PERLMAN

Golden Globe Award winner Ron Perlman has had a celebrated career in Film and Television, including unforgettable performances on Television Series Beauty and the Beast and originating the titular role in a soon-to-be rebooted Hellboy. He delighted fans on Saturday afternoon with a lively Q&A session. He set the tone for the nearly hour-long discussion by taking the stage and immediately greeting the audience with “Sup motherfuckers?” He later apologized to everyone who brought their children with them, but did not change his casual demeanour. He says that “99% of the roles I’ve played, I’ve really loved” and likens that passion for his roles to his mantra of “Don’t say yes unless you really love the person you’re playing.”.

While he enjoyed talking about his popular roles (“Sons of Anarchy was larger than life”) and his close relationship with honourary Torontonian and Oscar-winning Director, Guillermo del Toro (going so far as to praise Pan’s Labyrinth as a “masterpiece” and calling it the “quintessential del Toro movie”), Perlman did not hesitate to get very candid with the audience. Upon hearing an audience question about his time on the ill-fated 1996 remake of The Island of Dr. Moreau, he flat-out said “We should have never made that movie,” and said that acclaimed Director Jean-Jacques Annaud saved his life and career more than once when he was “going to quit acting”. He also let the audience in on a very telling secret: “I’m not a big fan of watching my own stuff. I just do it and move on to the next thing.”.

Perlman next year can be seen in Paul W.S. Anderson‘s eagerly-awaited Monster Hunter.

FOGLER

Despite landing a breakout role in 2016’s blockbuster Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the first of a few slated Films in the Franchise, Dan Fogler long has been honing his craft. Fashionably-late for his own Panel today, he was exactly as animated and wild a personality as you might expect: “I like acting in front of people.” In his discussion, he detailed how much joy it brings him to get to play roles in the likes of Fanboys, the Fantastic Beasts series and The Walking Dead saying the roles “speak to the little nerd in me.” He even went so far as to say that his work on Fanboys specifically gave him the “invitation to act like a kid again.”.

Fogler went the extra mile during the Q&A portion, handing-out comic books and memorabilia to each audience member who asked a question (and in a rather wonderful touch, personally delivered memorabilia and hugged an audience member in a wheelchair). He riffed on his time working with Christopher Walken on Balls of Fury (telling the audience Walken’s method of dialogue delivery: “It’s all about slow, medium, fast”) and reminisced about his inspirations, saying that after discovering that Voice Actor Mel Blanc was playing and creating voices for multiple Looney Tunes characters, “I want to do that!”. Fogler even tried his hand at Sign Language, poorly attempting to sign-out “Say hello to my little friend” to his on-stage interpreter.

The Brooklyn native currently can be seen on AMC’s The Walking Dead as Luke.

Check-out some more sights of 2019 Toronto Comicon:

Ron Perlman

Dan Fogler

Jaleel White

Jonathan Rhys-Davies

Tommy Flanagan

Corbin Bernsen

John De Lancie

Cosplay

Cool, rare stuff

Also, CAPTIVE STATE is in theatres this weekend. Don’t forget to check-out this need little installation where you can star in your own Poster for the Film!

You still have one more day left to check-out 2019 Toronto Comicon as it wraps Sunday, March 17, 2019!

More here.

Missed it? Don’t worry, Fan Expo Canada is coming this Summer. More details here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/David Baldwin)

For a second straight week CAPTAIN MARVEL dictates the Box Office, taking top spot with $69.7 million from 4,310 theatres for Disney. This brings its two week tally in North America to $266.6 million.

WONDER PARK lands in second with $16.7 million from 3,838 theatres for Paramount Pictures. The Animated Feature gets 29% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

Teen Romance FIVE FEET APART opens in third with $13.3 million for CBS Films/eOne Films from 2,803 theatres. It gets 53% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

NO MANCHES FRIDA 2 debuts with $4.2 million from 472 theatres for Sony Screen Gems, placing it sixth in its debut.

CAPTIVE STATE opens in seventh with $3.1 million from 2,548 theatres for Focus Features/Universal Pictures. It gets 47% on the Tomatometer and a C- CinemaScore.

GREEN BOOK rounds the Top Ten with $1.3 million in its 18th week out for Universal Pictures, a total $82.6 million grossed across North America for the Best Picture winner.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This Documentary chronicles the working life of legendary US Photographer Jim Marshall, particularly his iconic photos in music history.

Director Alfred George Bailey has compiled an immense amount of intimate details about Jim Marshall by interviewing his close friends. Bailey never shies away from the unflattering parts of who Marshall was. Instead, he displays both Marshall’s good and bad, resulting in a complete portrait of this iconic Photographer. Like Marshall, this Documentary is captivating and documents both music history and moments in US history.

Show Me The Picture: The Story of Jim Marshall screens at SXSW on March 15 at 4:45PM at Stateside Theatre and March 16 at 2:15PM at Alamo Ritz 2.

The Cast and Director of SHAZAM received a warm welcome back today, taking over Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square! In town to ring-in the Blockbuster directed by David F. Sandberg and also a world exclusive Fan Event at the hotspot, were stars Zachary Levi (Shazam), Mark Strong (Dr. Thaddeus Sivana), Asher Dov Angel (Billy Batson) and Jack Dylan Grazer (Freddy Freeman).

The affair saw fans queueing as early as this morning for a chance to be up-close to the stars, who just a year ago filmed the Production in the City at various locations including Pinewood Studios. The group did the rounds in the City today making several stop-offs including visits to the CN Tower, Bell Media Headquarters, Corus and CITY‘s Breakfast Television, before hitting up the Red Carpet.

Shazam, based on the DC Comics character of the same name, centers on a 14-year-old orphan named Billy who is taken-in by an adoptive family, after fleeing many times from others. Once again he finds himself struggling to fit-in with their five other adopted children. One day, he is taken on a subway ride where he encounters a wizard who transforms him into a superhero. He soon realizes his purpose is to prevent the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana from taking away the power bestowed upon him, which could cause mass destruction to the world. Billy finds himself turning to his new-found family when he least expects it.

See the Trailer:

Toronto Mayor John Tory had the honour of handing a plaque to Sandberg commemorating Shazam‘s contribution to the City, including a remarkable $55 million in spending as a result of the Film. Tory just returned this weekend from the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas and tells us, “They think it’s cool a movie like Shazam was produced here. And so that helps us to grow the city to make it a great place to live,  for show business and entertainment and a place that welcomes people who are innovative.”.

Mark Strong who plays the Film’s villain, has made numerous Films here in the past and says, “You know that when you come here to make a movie, you know you’re getting the best possible people. I’ve made some really good friends over the things that I’ve done.”.

David F. Sandberg, who shifts from the Horror genre after having made films like Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation, reveals that this was his first time shooting outside of Los Angeles. “It could’ve been a little warmer but other than that, the crews were amazing and really impressed me”, he says. “It was such a great city to shoot in and spend the better part of last year.”.

Zachary Levi is no stranger to Toronto, having filmed TV Series Heroes Reborn here. He states “I’ve been blessed to work here a couple times and this certainly is the biggest thing I’ve gotten to do. Every time I’ve gotten to appreciate the city more and more. Everyone knows the food scene here is fantastic – so kudos to that. This really is Hollywood North. There’s so much talent in this area and around this area.”. He adds, “Really big movies have been made in Toronto, so it’s really cool you’ve allowed us to Shazamify this whole area and bring this fun activation to the fans.”.

Jack Dylan Grazer, plays the adopted brother and best friend of the Film’s central character, Billy. He also filmed both IT and IT: Chapter Two in and around the City. Grazer who attended with his mother, says “I’ve spent a lot of time in Toronto in the summer when it’s beautiful and not so freezing! I’ve spend time in Port Hope and the interiors – I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I’m thankful I had this opportunity.”.

Asher Dov Angel who plays the younger version of Levi‘s character, recalls “It’s been an incredible experience. This was my first time in Toronto ever. The food’s really good, the people are really nice and getting to work with these guys is amazing.”.

He jokes (or maybe not) about a potential sequel being made here. We’ll soon see!

See our Recap of the Fan Event and Premiere:

Zachary Levi

Mark Strong

David F. Sandberg

Jack Dylan Grazer x Asher Dov Angel

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

In the early 00’s 16-year-old Catholic school girl, Alice (Natalia Dyer), goes onto an AOL chatroom that turns racy and discovers masturbation and becomes immediately guilt-ridden.

Everything about Yes, God, Yes is completely enthralling to watch. The direction and script by Karen Maine tells a beautiful story of self-discovery and accepting yourself regardless of what your religion states. It comes as no surprise that the ensemble for this Film won the SXSW Special Jury Recognition for Best Ensemble. And they are led by the powerful leading performance of Dyer who makes a star-making turn as Alice.

Yes, God, Yes screens at SXSW on March 8 at 9 PM at Stateside, March 9 at 6 PM at Alamo Lamar C and March 14 at 11:30 AM at Alamo Lamar D.

Fetching top price at Sundance earlier this year, Mindy Kaling-written and starring LATE NIGHT sees its Trailer debut!

Synopsis:

Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) is a pioneer and legendary host on the late-night talk-show circuit. When she’s accused of being a “woman who hates women,” she puts affirmative action on the to-do list, and—presto!—Molly (Mindy Kaling) is hired as the one woman in Katherine’s all-male writers’ room. But Molly might be too little too late, as the formidable Katherine also faces the reality of low ratings and a network that wants to replace her. Molly, wanting to prove she’s not simply a diversity hire who’s disrupting the comfort of the brotherhood, is determined to help Katherine by revitalizing her show and career—and possibly effect even bigger change at the same time.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release LATE NIGHT Friday, June 7, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

When Cynthia (Jillian Bell) is left with a sword as her sole inheritance after her grandfather dies, she and her girlfriend Mary (Michaela Watkins) try to sell it for a lot of money by saying it’s proof of the South winning the Civil War.

Director Lynn Shelton has crafted a Film that studies how people will believe anything, no matter how absurd, if they want to. She uses the extremely far-right as her believers. They believe that this sword and the hilariously-random story Cynthia and Mary are spewing about it, is true, simply because it plays into their beliefs. It’s a highly-intelligent Film that boasts all around amazing performances from Bell, Watkins, Jon Bass and a knock-out performance from Marc Maron.

Sword of Trust screens at SXSW on March 8 at 9:15 PM at ZACH Theatre, March 11 at 9 PM at Atom Theatre, and March 13 at 2:30 PM at Alamo Lamar D.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

After Casey (Jesse Eisenberg) gets brutally beaten on a suburban street he decides to learn how to defend himself by taking karate classes.

Writer-Director Riley Stearns has created a dark-comedy with dead-pan humour that makes for one fun ride. There are funny shocking twists that happen throughout which continue the story along, however, it really is Eisenberg who masters the Film. He’s completely committed no matter what happens in each scene and he’s in a role he seems destined to play. The Supporting Cast, including Imogen Poots and Alessandro Nivola are perfectly cast.

The Art of Self-Defense screens at SXSW on March 10 at 2:45 PM at The Paramount Theatre, March 12 at 11 AM at Atom Theatre,
March 14 at 10:30 PM at Alamo Lamar A, and March 15 at 7:45 PM at Stateside.

The new Trailer for AVENGERS: ENDGAME has just debuted following-up of Thanos’ destructive snap. Surely you didn’t think that was it, did you? Captain Marvel also surfaces here!

Synopsis:
The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to twenty-two films, “Avengers: Endgame.”

See the Trailer:

Marvel Entertainment Canada release AVENGERS: ENDGAME Friday, April 26, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Entertainment Canada)