Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards were announced at 8:22 AM ET in Los Angeles with Andy Serkis and Tiffany Haddish filling hosting duties. Leading the way with 13 nominations is Guillermo del Toro’s Toronto-made Romance-Fantasy The Shape of Water with 13 nominations including Best Picture, Directing, Lead Actress (Sally Hawkins), Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer), Original Screenplay and more.

Martin McDonagh‘s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which like The Shape of Water is distributed by Fox Searchlight and winning the People’s Choice Award at TIFF ’17, is seen as the Best Picture favourite. It comes hot-off a win for Motion Picture Drama at the Golden Globes and three Screen Actors’ Guild Award wins earlier this month. It gets seven nods including Directing, Lead Actress (Frances McDormand), Supporting Actor (Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell), Directing and Original Screenplay, among others.

While there was uproar that Greta Gerwig was omitted from Directing honours at the Globes, the Academy shows their respect for the Lady Bird Helmer in light of the #MeToo and #TimesUp initiatives at the forefront of discussion. Rachel Morrison also becomes the first woman ever to get a Cinematography nod at the Oscars for Mudbound.

Director Jordan Peele like Gerwig finds Oscars recognition with his first Feature, the Horror Get Out. The Film sees Daniel Kaluuya up for Leading Actor and Peele up for Original Screenplay.

Being in the news much of late with allegations of sexual misconduct, James Franco was omitted from the list despite great acclaim for his The Disaster Artist. The Film centering around “the worst Movie ever made”, The Room, does get a nod for Adapted Screenplay. Others are expressing discontent Armie Hammer for Call Me By Your Name and Wonder Woman were disregarded.

Singer Mary J. Blige gets her first Oscar nomination as an Actress (Supporting) for her work in Mudbound.  She also is up for Original Song with Mighty River from that Netflix release.

Canada gets recognized with Canadian-produced Animated Feature The Breadwinner, in which Angelina Jolie produced. Many thought her First They Killed My Father would get a Foreign Language Film nod but alas it missed.

See more of this year’s Nominees below:

Best Picture

Leading Actor

Leading Actress

Directing

Supporting Actress

Supporting Actor

Documentary

Animated Feature

Foreign Language Film

Original Song

Adapted Screenplay

Original Screenplay

 The Academy Awards air 8 PM ET on Sunday, March 4, 2018 on ABC.

(Photo credit: The Academy)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

On day five at the Sundance Film Festival the weather cleared up and people flocked to the cinemas.

There were two major Premieres tonight. One was for Ophelia and the other Beirut. Ophelia follows the same storyline as the play Hamlet but told through the Ophelia’s perspective. It has a huge Cast consisting of Daisy Ridley, Naomi Watts, Clive Owen, Tom Felton and George McKay.  Beirut is about a U.S diplomat who is called back to Beirut by CIA Operatives after fleeing Lebanon in 1972. It stars Rosamund Pike and Jon Hamm.

There were also plenty of screenings happening in Park City tonight and plenty of buzz surrounding certain Films. The Tale about a woman remembering her first sexual experience and the lies she told herself about it, staring four-time Golden Globe winner Laura Dern, is garnering major buzz around the Festival. Two other Films that have screened and impressed audiences have been Eighth Grade and We The Animals. Eighth Grade follows a girl in her final year of middle school. And We The Animals is about three young boys coming of age while pushing against the volatile love of their parents. Look out for those three Fims throughout the year because they are sparking the most interest at Sundance, so far. Perhaps we will see them even at TIFF?

The final week of the festival is upon us, with plenty of more Films to see. Check back as we continue delivering Reviews of the most buzzed Titles.

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Burden is the true life story of Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund) who opens a KKK Museum in South Carolina with fellow Klan members. When he falls in love with Judy (Andrea Riseborough) he makes the choice to leave the KKK and gets taken in by an African-American Reverend (Forest Whitaker).

What makes Burden a standout is that its told through the perspective of a previous Klan member. Writer-Director Andrew Heckler is unforgiving in his depiction of the horrifying acts which the Klan members practice. But also balances the KKK members’ ideals and the African-American ideals equally which entices the story.

Burden also sees Hedlund’s greatest performance to date. His performance is fearless and all-in. Hedlund physically changes his posture, walk and accent to become Burden. There’s also an incredible Ensemble consisting of Tom Wilkinson as the terrifying KKK leader, Riseborough as the passionate single mother and Whitaker as the conflicted Reverend.

Burden screens at Sundance Jan. 21 at 6:15PM at PC Library, Jan. 23 at 12PM at Eccles PC, Jan. 25 at 9:15PM at The MARC PC, Jan. 26 at 9PM at SLC Library, and Jan. 27 at 8:30AM at The Egyptian PC.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Sorry To Bother You follows Telemarketer Cassius Green (Keith Stanfield) in an alternate present-day version of Oakland, California. When he finds the key to success he gets thrusted into a macabre universe. This Film is out-of-this-world greatness. Writer-Director Boots Riley crafts an ambitiously bonkers satire.

Sorry To Bother You is the most unique Film is years. The entire Ensemble Cast makes this outrageous Comedy set in a realistic world no matter how crazy the story becomes. Stanfield is a powerful force and roots this off-the-wall Film and causes the audience to sympathize with the most outlandish scenarios. But the real show stealer is Armie Hammer as themanic drug-addicted CEO. Hammer is at his best in a role that is furthest from anything he’s played before.

Sorry To Bother You screens at Sundance Jan. 20 at 6PM at PC Library, Jan. 21 at 9:15PM at The Grand SLC, Jan. 22 8:30AM at Prospector PC, Jan. 24 at 12:15PM at Eccles PC, Jan. 26 5:30PM at The MARC PC, and Jan. 27 at 3PM at Sundance Resort.

It seems like everyone’s doing these celebrity or artistic figure comparison photos of late but what happens when you compare the actual voice actors of upcoming INCREDIBLES 2 with their animated characters?

You’ll see! For fun, DISNEY•PIXAR did these side-by-sides of their talent.

HELEN PARR (voice of Holly Hunter), known in the Superworld as Elastigirl, hung up her Supersuit to raise the family with husband Bob, leaving their crime-fighting days behind them. But when she’s tapped to lead a campaign to bring the Supers back into the spotlight, she finds she can still bend, stretch and twist herself into any shape needed to solve the trickiest of mysteries. In short, she’s still got it. That’s good news, too, because a new villain is emerging—unlike any they’ve ever seen before.

BOB PARR (voice of Craig T. Nelson) cherishes his days as Mr. Incredible—a popular Super with mega-strength and the power to singlehandedly take out the bad guys. Ever since Supers were outlawed, Bob’s been mostly lying low, raising the family alongside his wife Helen. But when she’s called on to stretch her Super skills and hopefully change the public perception of Supers for the better, Bob must manage the household on his own, which calls for a completely different set of super powers.

VIOLET PARR (voice of Sarah Vowell), the firstborn of the Parr clan, is an introverted and intelligent 14-year-old teen that doesn’t quite fit in with the normal crowd. Socially awkward, outspoken and sarcastic, Violet plays her teenager role to perfection—all while secretly mastering her superpowers of invisibility and creating force fields. A Super at heart, Violet can’t help her urge to fight crime alongside her family.

DASHIELL PARR (voice of Huckleberry “Huck” Milner) is a 10-year-old boy—restless, relentless, curious—though his remarkable power of Super speed certainly sets him apart. Dash sports a hearty sense of adventure and a boundless supply of energy. He’d love nothing more than to show off his special skills and fight a few bad guys along the way—and doesn’t understand why he has to keep his powers a secret.

LUCIUS BEST (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) is not only Bob’s best friend, he’s a fellow-former Super who’s so chill, he can make ice with the point of a finger. But even when he’s not fighting crime as Frozone, Lucius is all about style. He has a quick wit and a cool, can-do attitude—and he wouldn’t think twice about breaking out his Supersuit if it could help bring Supers out of hiding.

EDNA “E” MODE (voice of Brad Bird) possesses impeccable design sense, a keen understanding of cutting-edge technology and an unmatched skillset. A creative visionary, she longs for the return of Supers so she can once again create functional yet edgy Supersuits. The petite and powerful fashionista treats her clients like family, dahling, but sticks firmly to her long-held assertion: No capes!

WINSTON DEAVOR (voice of Bob Odenkirk) leads a world-class telecommunications company alongside his genius sister, Evelyn. Ultra-wealthy, savvy and suave, Winston goes big in everything he does—including his infatuation with Supers. He has been a supporter of Supers returning—all he needs is a hero (or three) to help him change public perception and bring them back into the sunlight.

EVELYN DEAVOR (voice of Catherine Keener), the brilliant brainchild behind her brother Winston’s telecommunications company, knows her way around tech. She loves tinkering with tech, and has never met a problem she can’t solve.

VOYD (voice of Sophia Bush) is a young, overeager “wannabe” Super and a mega-fan of Elastigirl. Her superpower is the ability to divert and manipulate objects around her by creating voids that allow the objects to appear and disappear, and shift in space.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release INCREDIBLES 2 Friday, June 15, 2018.

(Photo credit: DISNEY•PIXAR)

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to give our young Readers a chance to see EARLY MAN! Advance Screenings take place Saturday, February 10, 2018 in the followig cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax. Passes will be rewarded in packs of four only.

Synopsis:
This animated comedy is set during prehistoric times, when creatures such as woolly mammoths roamed the earth. Neanderthal Dug (Eddie Redmayne) and his sidekick Hognob unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) and his Bronze Age City in an attempt to save their home.

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Richard Ayoade, Mark Williams, Timothy Spall

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK! Kindly indicate your City in the comments there.

eOne Films release EARLY MAN Friday, February 16, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

It’s day four of the Sundance Film Festival and we are in full flight!

There were many Premieres once again tonight in Park City. I Think We’re Alone Now takes place during an apocalypse where a recluse feels the threat of companionship when finding out there is a second survivor. It stars Peter Dinklage and Elle Fanning. BLAZE is the reimagining of the life of Blaze Foley who was the unsung songwriting legend of the Texas Outlaw Music Movement. It is written and directed by Ethan Hawke and stars recent Golden Globe winner Sam Rockwell, Edgar Arreola and Alia Shawkat. Come Sunday follows pastor Carlton Pearson during a crisis in faith where he risks everything when he questions the Church Doctrine, it is based on true events. It stars Chiwetel Ejifor, Jason Segel and Danny Glover. The Happy Prince is set during Oscar Wilde’s final days. It is starring, written and directed by a long-absent Rupert Everett and stars Colin Firth and Emily Watson. The Miseducation of Cameron Post takes place in 1993 and follows a girl who is sent to a Conversion Therapy Centre when she is caught kissing another girl. It stars Chloë Grace Moretz and Sasha Lane. And Piercing which is a twisted love story about a married man who goes away on a business trip with the intent of murdering a prostitute, who also has plans of her own. It stars Christopher Abbot and Mia Wasikowska.

Down on Main Street in Park City, there were tons of stars out getting lunch, attending parties and press stops. Some of the stars spotted out on the street were Joan Jett, Idris Elba, Debra Messing, John Cho, Joel McHale, Chloë Grace Mortez and more. It was also a special day for Bill Skarsgård (It), who is at the Festival with Assassination Nation, he received the IMDb StarMeter Award.

This wraps-up the first weekend of the Festival. But there is still an entire week ahead with more stars coming into Park City and plenty more Films to be screened.

See some stars out and about today! Hover cursor left and right to navigate slideshow:

#Sundance star sightings by our @GilmoreAmanda! The Festival is now in high gear! Swipe left! 1. #IdrisElba 2. #JimParsons 3. #ChloeMoretz 4. #DebraMessing 5. #JohnCho 6. #JoelMcHale 7. #BenFoster 8. #JoanJett

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 21, 2018 at 6:02pm PST

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Human Affairs tell the story of a 20-year-old (Julie Sokolowski) who decides to be a surrogate for an artistic couple (Kerry Condon and Dominic Fumusa).

The Film is written delicately by Charlie Birns who write an endearing script about the joy and complications both the surrogate and surrogate parents experience. They also layers each of the characters and humanize them in their darkest moments. Yet, if not for the talented ensemble cast consisting of Condon, Fumusa and Sokolowski who bring complex characters to life.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Wildlife is set in 1960s Montana and follows a family, through the eyes of the son, 14-year-old Joe (Ed Oxenbould). His father, Jerry (Jake Gyllenhaal) has recently been fired from his job and decides to leave his family to fight a forest fire near the Canadian border. This leaves his mother, Jeanette (Carey Mulligan) to take care of their home which sends her into an adventure of her own.

Paul Dano’s directorial debut is hauntingly beautiful. Dano and Zoe Kazan co-write a captivating and heartbreaking depiction of a family slowly falling apart. Yet, it’s Dano’s strong ability to use the camera as a lens to help us see through Joe’s eyes, projecting his pain onto the audience. Dano also uses little camera movement, which lets his remarkable Cast shine.

Oxenbould’s phenomenal performance  is at the level  of a seasoned veteran, bringing to life a young, confused and shattered Joe.  The incomparable Gyllenhaal expresses all facets of the male ego without saying many words. His depiction of Jerry is the stuff of wonder. Mulligan is exquisite, delivering a fiery and fearless performance as the scared and heartbroken Jeanette. All of Jeanette’s flaws are on full display and Mulligan relishes in her imperfection. She is hypnotic and gives one of the best performances to date.

Wildlife screens at Sundance on Jan. 20 at 3:30PM at Eccles PC, Jan. 21 at 6:30PM at Redstone 1 PC, Jan. 22 at 9:30PM at Rose Wagner SLC, Jan. 26 at 5:30PM at Prospector PC, and Jan. 27 at 8:30AM at Prospector PC.

Chinese New Year falls on February 16, 2018 marking the Year of the Dog. Those born under this sign often possess important traits like loyalty, bravery and honesty. But do you wonder how your own sign falls in relation to the dog?

If we are celebrating your actual corresponding year, a general rule of thumb is that this isn’t your luckiest due to a conflict called “Fan Tai Sui”. While misfortunes are unavoidable, there are always recommendations your forecast gives you to reduce the struggle.

Did you know Donald Trump is a dog?

Also remember, it is bad luck to bathe and shower on Chinese New Year day. It is best to shower or bathe the night before. My Mom says so.

Keeping with tradition, we love sharing your annual Chinese Horoscopes with you and after going through several, we love the simplicity of these two we found this year!

The Chinese Zodiac  is easy to understand and breaks down how your year will look in quarters. We love that it explains how the quarters look if you are single vs. paired. It also tells you clearly which sign you belong to by your year of birth.

Your Chinese Astrology while not as in-depth as The Chinese Zodiac‘s Horoscope gives some useful recommendations like auspicious numbers, colours, etc. in addition to your forecast.

Whatever sign you are, we wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous Chinese New Year!

Mr. Will x billy