Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The Beach Bum follows the hilarious misadventures of Moondog (Matthew McConaughey).

Writer-Director Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers) has yet again created a thrill ride of a Film but this time he’s all about finding bliss. He has an amazing Cast with an outrageously-funny lead performance by McConaughey. What makes The Beach Bum great is that there is an important message to be learned through Moondog’s madness, and it’s an important one.

The Beach Bum screens at SXSW on March 9 at 6PM at The Paramount Theatre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Vai is a Portmanteau Feature Film made by nine female Filmmakers from Pacific countries and follows one woman’s journey from childhood to adulthood.

This Film tells a beautiful story of finding one’s empowerment through embracing the culture and community we come from. It’s entirely unique in its nine different voices the story is told from and seven Pacific countries it’s filmed in. Although it is a different Actress throughout each period in Vai’s life, the Script, direction, and acting come together seamlessly never confusing the audience.

Vai screens at SXSW on March 8 at 6PM at Alamo Ritz 2, March 10 at 3:30PM at Alamo Lamar C, and March 13 at 4:45PM at Alamo Ritz 2.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This Documentary follows 2018 Nobel Prize winning scientist Jim Allison and his visionary quest to find a cure to Cancer by prompting a patients own immune system into defeating their disease.

The most essential element in any Documentary is finding an interesting person and compelling enough a story. Breakthrough has got those two key ingredients along, with a talented Filmmaker to bring this aspiring and hopeful story to the world. This Film tells Allison’s story in an entertaining and educational way.

Breakthrough screens at SXSW on March 9 at 1:45PM at Atom Theatre at Austin Convention Centre, March 12 at 7:45PM at Alamo Lamar D, and March 14 at 8:45PM at Zach Theatre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Salvage follows a group of residents from Yellowknife, who salvage what they can from one of the last and largest open garbage dumps in North America.

This beautiful Documentary captures the spirit of Yellowknife and the townspeople through their unique outlook on salvaging. Director Amy C. Elliot educates the audience on how salvaging can help us reduce the amount of waste in the world, and in turn, create a healthier earth. She has found funny and heartwarming people that each highlight a different reason behind their salvaging. Therefore, changing the way we all view the items we consume and throw away.

Salvage screens at SXSW on March 8 at 5:45PM at Alamo Ritz 1, March 12 at 8:45PM at Alamo Lamar E, and March 13 at 7:45PM at Alamo Ritz 1.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Go Back To China follows spoiled rich girl Sasha Li (Anna Akana) who has recently blown through half of her million dollar trust fund. When her father (Richard Ng) cuts her off completely, she is forced to go back to China and work at the family toy business to earn her trust fund back.

This semi-autobiographical Film is a comedic and heartfelt story about finding who you are by knowing where you come from. Writer-Director Emily Ting has a steady pace that focuses on character development and an emotional family story, resulting in a fresh take on this familiar genre. It’s also a great showcase for the talented Akana who commands the screen with an impressive starring role.

Go Back To China screens at SXSW on March 9 at 2PM at Stateside Theatre, March 10 at 11:15AM at Alamo Lamar B, and March 15 at 2:15PM at Alamo Lamar B.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Dana (Nöelle Schönwald) has been working as a prostitute to raise money to help with her daughter’s illness. When she sees a chance to break free from the mafia boss who exploits her, she takes her chance. But will she escape?

Director-Screenwriter Gabriela Calvache takes an unflinching look at human trafficking. She tells the story through Dana’s experiences: resorting to drugs to escape from her reality and being beaten whenever she doesn’t follow orders. Then there’s the world inside the mafia boss’s house, which houses many women from children to adults. Nöelle Schönwald carries the Film with intensity and shines brightest in the scenes leading up to the finale.

La Mala Noche screens at SXSW on March 9 at 4:45PM at Alamo Ritz 2, March 11 at 2PM at Alamo Lamar C, and March 14 at 10:45AM at Alamo Ritz 2.

Productions are in flight again around Toronto, utilizing our snowy conditions. Taking advantage of a snow-free afternoon, several stars in town working enjoyed milder weather for once.

LET IT SNOW

Filming for Netflix Feature Let it Snow has been underway and it stars a talented, young up-and-coming Cast including Odeya Rush, Kiernan Shipka, Liv Hewson, Shameik Moore and Isabela Moner. Based on the Book by John Green, Lauren Myracle and Maureen Johnson, the Romantic-Comedy centers on a group of people brought together by a snowstorm on Christmas Eve.

We spotted Matthew Noszka (Star), Moner (seen next in Dora The Explorer), Shipka (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Rush (Lady Bird) and Moore (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) out and about.

The Production wraps end of March.

SPINNING OUT

Spinning Out centers on a figure skater on the comeback trail as a Pairs skater, after sustaining an injury. The Netflix Series wraps in May and we spotted stars Willow Shields  (The Hunger Games) and Evan Roderick (Arrow) earlier out and about. The Series stars Kaya Scodelario (The Maze Runner) and January Jones (Mad Men) also.

LOCKE AND KEY

This Netflix Series based on Joe Hill’s Comic Book Series, is about three siblings brought together after their father’s gruesome murder. They discover a set of keys which must be used against an evil creature looking to hold power and possess the keys. Connor Jessup (American Crime), Jackson Robert Scott (It) and Emilia Jones (Brimstone) star. We spotted Laysla de Olivera out, and she appears next in Toronto-made Code 8 starring cousins Robbie and Stephen Amell, which also is set to stream on Netflix. Executive Producer Andy Muschietti (It, It: Chapter Two) is no stranger to Toronto having directed both Blockbusters here.

Production wraps in June.

FALLING
Green Book star Viggo Mortensen makes his directorial debut in Falling, which sees a conservative father who moves in with his gay son and his family in Los Angeles. Veteran Actor Lance Henriksen has been at work in Toronto, being greeted personally by his Co-Star and Director at the airport upon arrival.

The Production wraps late April.

THE HANDMAID’S TALE
Golden Globe and Primetime EMMY winner Elisabeth Moss certainly is a busy woman, currently filming season three of dystopian Drama THE HANDMAID’S TALE till April. Moss was just at SXSW in Austin promoting Jordan Peele‘s upcoming Film, US.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Alyssa and Maksim work to preserve the treasures of the world’s most important seed bank in war-torn Russia. This seed bank holds the key to their country’s food supply.

Director and Writer Jessica Oreck has created a unique Film about a true story she sets it in the future. This technique draws parallels between the past and present. She does all this while shooting in beautiful black and white.

One Man Dies A Million Times screens at SXSW on March 9 at 2PM at Alamo Ritz 2, March 11 at 3PM at Alamo Lamar D, and March 15 at 4:30PM at Alamo Ritz 2.

Despite lots of controversy and several smear campaigns on the internet, CAPTAIN MARVEL prevails atop the Box Office with a spectacular $160 million from 4,310 theatres in its debut this weekend for Disney. The International Women’s Day release featuring for the first time ever a female superhero in the starring role, gets 79% on the Tomatometer and also an A CinemaScore.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD lands in second with $15.2 million for Universal Pictures, a three week total of $120 million.

A MADEA FAMILY FUNERAL is in third this weekend with $11.3 million, a total $45.2 million for Lionsgate Films/Elevation Pictures.

THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART finds itself in fourth with $3.7 million, a five week total of $97 million for Warner Bros.

WHAT MEN WANT rounds things out in tenth with $1 million, a five week total of $51.9 million domestically for Paramount Pictures.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Today was the official start of the 2019 SXSW Festival and it didn’t disappoint.

The day began with a bunch of conferences from those in the Tech world, like Pricilla Chan, to those in the Film industry, such as Busy Phillips. Earlier in the day Chan spoke about the work and impact the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is doing. Later on in the afternoon, Phillips sat down and had a talk with her close friend Hillary Kerr. The two spoke about the career Phillips has had and her new late-night talk show Busy Tonight which airs on E! Network.

But the main event for the day was the World Premiere and Opening Night Film Us directed and written by Jordan Peele. For films at SXSW, people typically begin lining-up about two hours in advance, at most. However, for Us, the line began a whopping six hours in advance. By the time that two-hour mark hit, it was a guessing game of if you were going to get in or not. Thankfully, we made it in and it was worth the wait. We were also treated to many Cast and Crew being there, such as Jordan Peele, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. All stayed after the show for a Q&A. To know more about this anticipated Film, make sure to check out our Review here.

Film isn’t the only thing of focus at SXSW, they also have a wide selection of Television events. Tonight was the What We Do In The Shadows Premiere and Executive Producers Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement were on hand to introduce the upcoming FX Series based on their cult classic Mockumentary. They were quick to put on quite the two-man show for the audience. Each made jokes about turning their Film into a TV show. Waititi also spoke of Toronto during his hilarious banter with Clement. Waititi said the show takes place in Staten Island, even if it looks like Toronto. This was in reference to the Vampires on the show living on Staten Island, but production taking place in Toronto.

At the end of the night, 6th Street was bright with the glow of lights coming from the restaurants and bars. There was a smell of street food wherever you walked with the sounds of after parties and students heading out for the weekend in the background.

Day Two has more marquee premieres with The Beach Bum and Long Shot. We received word that Matthew McConaughey and Isla Fisher will be on hand for the former and that Seth Rogen and Charlie Theron will be here for Long Shot Premiere. There are also some pop-up events and conferences featuring Amber Heard and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. So keep checking back here for more updates as we go!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)