Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

After stunning Venice and Telluride, Bradley Cooper has brought the highly-anticipated A Star is Born to TIFF. Jackson Maine (Cooper) is a Country Singer whose best years are behind him. He’s become an alcoholic and drug addict. Ally (Lady Gaga) is an incredible singer at a drag club. The two meet by chance, become lovers and start writing music together. But the pressures of the tour and the rising tide for Ally may signal some big changes for in the future.

In a word, A Star is Born is spectacular. Cooper (who acts as Producer, Co-Writer, Director and Star of the Film) has created a spectacle of beauty and sure-fire Oscar-nominee. He relies too often on slow-motion and overuses all manner of close-up, but his directorial debut is solid and assured. His acting is just as great (channeling his inner Sam Elliot), and is only topped by Gaga. She dives deep into what truly makes Ally tick, leaving her on-stage persona at the door, delivering a strong, resilient woman that is unmatched by so many. Elliot is pretty great as well and Dave Chappelle shows-up for a particularly memorable arch in the second act.

But the Music is what really kicks every scene up a notch. It is composed and sung magnificently. While they both get plenty of time and songs to shine, the showstopping Finale from Gaga is the Film’s clear standout. They even cue in when it’s appropriate to clap.

A Star is Born screens on Sunday, September 9 at 6 PM, Roy Thomson Hall and 7:30 PM at Elgin Theatre. Monday, September 10 at 9:15 AM at TIFF Bell Lightbox and Friday, September 14 at 6:45 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

In the near future, the villainous Finnegan (Monica Bellucci) has found a way to unleash demonic spirits through an addictive app on people’s phones. She wants to eat all of their souls, and the internet is her most efficient option. With the fate of the world (or at least Australia) at risk, a group of Nekromancers must turn to unlikely sewage-waste worker turned hero Howard North (Ben O’Toole) to save the day.

Nekrotronic is campy and silly enough to earn its spot in this year’s Midnight Madness line-up, but it never seems sure of itself. It wants to be Sam Raimi’s version of Ghostbusters, but is unable to commit to the right balance of Comedy and Horror. Sure it has some laughs and plenty of gnarly violence, but it also has long spurts of wasted exposition, endless world building and Bellucci sucking the life out of everything around her, figuratively and literally. She’s better than this, and she makes certain that you remember it.

NEKROTRONIC screens during at the following times: Friday, September 7, 11:59 PM, Ryerson Theatre [World Premiere] and  Sunday, September 9, 4:00 PM, Scotiabank Theatre.

By Mr. Will Wong

Day two of TIFF ’18 has gone exceedingly-well and we’re happy to deliver you some of that starpower we witnessed around the City! While stars of breakout hit CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet, were busy promoting their latest projects around town, one thing’s clear – fans still very much are in love with these two actors. Everywhere I went, new faces were asking where they could find Chalamet, walking around proudly displaying their memorabilia from the Film.

While we caught wind of BEAUTIFUL BOY stars Steve Carell and quietly entering and exiting their hotel, followed by a dinner at Sotto Sotto Thursday night, they were out in full force today and we’re thrilled to have snapped them, taking-in that adoration and excitement for the Drama based on a true story and memoirs from a father and son who went through the rigors of addiction and rose above. Fans not only queued hours on the Red Carpets at the Elgin and Roy Thomson Hall to see them, they also waited at the back of the theatre for a chance to see them exit too.

 

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The Cast of #BeautifulBoy at #TIFF18: #TimotheeChalamet, #SteveCarell and #AmyRyan. My fourth pic with Tim! He remembered me right away and high-fived me! #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2018 at 11:58am PDT

We once again were blessed by Queen Julia Roberts‘ presence this year, promoting not one but two projects – a new Amazon Series titled HOMECOMING and her latest Film, BEN IS BACK which is said to place her in prime contention for an Oscar as a mother who must stop her family from falling into shambles after her son (Lucas Hedges) resurfaces and she realizes he’s still in harm’s way. Fans queued hours to see her at Ryerson Theatre and got exactly what they asked for as she graced the Red Carpet, signing several autographs.

 

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Queen Julia Roberts at #TIFF18 for Amazon Series #Homecoming and #BenisBack. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2018 at 2:37pm PDT

HOMECOMING was developed by Sam Esmail, who happens to be married to SHAMELESS star Emmy Rossum and we got a pleasant surprise spotting her tonight!

 

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You never know who you’ll see at #TIFF, including #Shameless star #EmmyRossum! #TIFF18 #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2018 at 7:22pm PDT

We still remember fondly the last time Dev Patel was at TIFF with LION and we loved that Film so much. Excitement is just as high for his two TIFF ’18 Films, HOTEL MUMBAI and THE WEDDING GUEST. We spotted his MUMBAI Co-Stars Armie Hammer and Jason Isaacs out too!

 

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Always a joy seeing #DevPatel, back at #TIFF with #HotelMumbai which premiered tonight! He also has #TheWeddingGuest at #TIFF18. Co-star #JasonIsaacs also was a delight! #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2018 at 6:50pm PDT

 

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Armed and ready! Loved seeing #ArmieHammer back at #TIFF for #HotelMumbai! Always time for a group pic! #torontointernationalfilmfestival #TIFF18

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2018 at 8:05pm PDT

DONNYBROOK premiered at Winter Garden Theatre tonight and stars Frank Grillo, Jamie Bell and up-and-comer Margaret Qualley (daughter of Andie McDowell). It centers on two men from very different worlds, competing in a bare-knuckle brawl.

 

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The Cast of #Donnybrook at #TIFF18: #FrankGrillo, #MargaretQualley (daughter of Andie McDowell) and #JamieBell. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2018 at 6:23pm PDT

We cannot conceal our excitement for the adaptation of Angie Thomas’ THE HATE U GIVE and we are delighted by chance to have come across a few cast members: Sabrina Carpenter, Issa Rae and Lamar Jones.

 

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Pleasure meeting some of the Cast of #TheHateUGive including: #SabrinaCarpenter (who made me crack-up), #IssaRae and #LamarJohnson! #TIFF #TIFF18 #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2018 at 7:02pm PDT

Others we spotted around town, including Jude Law at TIFF ’18 for VOX LUX, which saw Natalie Portman arriving a bit late for, plus legend Danny Glover, who is at the Festival with The Old Man & The Gun, plus up-and-comer RJ Cyler (Power Rangers):

We were up and at ’em early and so honoured to appear on Breakfast Television with Winston Sih! In case you missed it, you can watch it again here:

More to come tomorrow!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Phoenix follows young teenager Jill (Ylva Thedin Bjørkaas) who has watched her mother’s (Maria Bonnevie) substance abuse and depression rapidly escalate. After a tragic incident, Jill is forced to mature way beyond her years and take care of her little brother, Bo (Casper Falck-Løvås). This is the first feature for Writer-Director Camilla Strøm Henriksen and will be making its World Premiere at TIFF in the Discovery Programme.

Camilla Strøm Henriksen has crafted a compelling first Feature about the effects that mental illness and substance abuse have on the affected and their family. She does this through the atmospheric setting and by telling the story through the eyes of teenage Jill.

Phoenix screens at TIFF on Friday, September 7 at 9:15 PM at Scotiabank 11, Sunday, September 9 at 9 AM at TIFF Bell Lightbox 4, and Saturday, September 15 at 12:30 PM at Scotiabank 9.

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Marie-Claire (Brigitte Poupart) is a professor of dermatology, researching skin cells and how they are affected by sexuality. She has an open relationship with her husband, so she is able to take part in the experiments with multiple participants. But when a student issues a complaint against another professor, Marie-Claire’s carefully cultivated life begins to unravel.

Les Salopes is an intriguing and frank portrayal of a woman very much in control of her sexuality. Poupart spends much of the Film bare, physically and emotionally, giving a raw and intimately transfixing performance that runs circles around her castmates. But the problem with the Film is that the central conflict does not start until nearly an hour in, and is barely resolved quickly afterwards. A curve ball involving her daughter Katou (Romane Denis, genuine and heartbreaking) should strengthen the Film and its #MeToo politics, but much like other elements here, is barely afforded any time to really develop.

LES SALOPES, OR THE NATURALLY WANTON PLEASURE OF SKIN screens at the following times:

Friday, September 7, 7:00 PM, Scotiabank Theatre [World Premiere] and Sunday, September 9, 12:00 PM, Jackman Hall.

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Sharkwater Extinction is the followup to late Rob Stewart’s 2006 Documentary Sharkwater, about the industry behind Shark Fin Soup. What makes this install ent more somber is that Stewart passed-away before filming had wrapped. This is the legacy that he is leaving behind, a powerful, passionate, eye-opening way to remember him.

What makes Sharkwater Extinction such a great and powerful Documentary is that it shows that since the 2006 events that Sharkwater brought to light, unfortunately not all that much has changed. Yes, there are laws in place but the profits are so great that governments and citizens don’t care. The Documentary is beautifully-s, and truly haunting as it brings to light how truly endangered sharks really are, moreover now than ever before.

Sharkwater Extinction premieres on Friday September, 7 at  Roy Thomson Hall, 2 PM.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

MOUTHPIECE is the newest Film from Canadian Director Patricia Rozema and is adapted from the two-woman Play by Amy Nostbakken and Norah Sadava. It follows Cassandra (Amy Nostbakken and Norah Sadava) in the aftermath of her mother’s death and her struggle coming to terms with her life and the life of her mother. It will have its World Premiere in the Special Presentations Programme at TIFF.

It’s rare to see the whole facet of what it means to be a female entirely laid out in a Film but the combination of Rozema, Nostbakken and Sadava do that. This Film is a touching exploration of how women from multiple generations get socialized. Not only that, but how people think of them and how they think about themselves.

MOUTHPIECE screens Thursday, September 6 at 9:15 PM at Winter Garden Theatre, Friday, September 7 at 12:45 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 and Saturday, September 15 at 6 PM at Jackman Hall.

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Controversial Documentarian Michael Moore returns to TIFF with the highly anticipated pseudo-sequel, Fahrenheit 11/9. The Documentary chronicles the events that lead-up to Donald Trump becoming the President of the United States, while also skewering the American political system and the Water Crisis in Moore’s hometown of Flint, Michigan.

As expected, Fahrenheit 11/9 is Moore’s most incendiary and powerful film since his Palme d’Or-winning Doc Fahrenheit 9/11. The film is surprisingly balanced in its criticisms of the Trump administration, and often takes more time to address issues with the Democrats than with the Republicans. But while it is frequently-entertaining and downright heartbreaking to watch in some scenes (and a not so subtle call to arms against corruption and injustice), Moore never seems to know what to focus in on – drifting-in and out of longwinded topics recklessly. And as fascinating as the Flint Water Crisis story is, it feels like it was shoehorned in-between his main talking points about Trump and the American political system.

Fahrenheit 11/9 screens on Thursday, September 6 at 8:45 PM at Ryerson Theatre [World Premiere] and Saturday, September 8 at 5:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre.

By Mr. Will Wong

It was an action-packed Day One at TIFF ’18! We had a blast doing the rounds including an appearance on Global News Toronto with Farah Nasser, plus a stop-off at NKPR‘s famed gifting lounge where Rolling Stone will be doing their portraits this year!

Check-out our segment!

It was an intense day but we were game snapping stars of the Opening Night Gala THE OUTLAW KING, a Netflix Film starring Chris P,ine and Aaron Taylor-Johnson! The stars did doubke-duty walking the carpets at Princess of Wales Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall, super-gracious!

The Midnight Madness Programme kicked-off woth Shane Black’s THE PREDATOR Reboot, drawing a starstudded bunch including Boyd Holbrook, Olivia Munn, Keegan-Michael Key, Jake Busey, Trevante Rhodes and more!

One of TIFF ’18‘s biggest breakout stats in John David Washington, son of Denzel who mesmerizes in MONSTERS AND MEN. You might recognize him from BALLERS.

Chloë Grace Moretz, Maika Monroe and Isabelle Huppert dazzled ay their Premiere of GRETA, making time for fun. Thanks to our Amanda Gilmore for the Snap!

Some Can-Con for you. Toronto’s Patrick J. Adams, formerly of SUITS, was spotted back in town for CLARA. Stephan James stars in IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, the latest by Barry Jenkins who directed Best Picture, MOONLIGHT, at TIFF a couple years back!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore/Mr. Will Wong)

Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

There is a common thread throughout all the movies that Oscar-winning Quebec Writer/Director Denys Arcand puts his unique stamp on: the characters are well-read, intelligent to a fault and socially conscious. THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE is no different.

Pierre-Paul (Alexandre Landry) is a shy, academic and socially awkward delivery truck driving young man who spends his money and time helping the homeless living in Montreal. When he accidentally arrives at the tail end of a robbery and massacre, he spies on two huge bags, filled to the brim with cash, totalling in the millions, and stashes them in his truck. After a dalliance with Montreal’s most expensive escort, Aspasie (newcomer Maripier Morin) and meeting-up with a recently released from jail ex-biker who is a financial wizard (a ponytailed Remy Girard), the Trio devise a plan on how to best use this money to benefit the disenfranchised. All the while, they are being pursued by the police and assassins trying to recover the money. THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE is a sly and insightful indictment on how money rules everything.

THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE screens Thursday, September 6, 6:00 PM, Elgin Theatre and Friday, September 7, 9:45 AM, TIFF Bell Lightbox.