By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

It’s day two here at Sundance Film Festival and the momentum is building quickly. Main Street in Park City is buzzing with parties day and night. One of the main hotspots was the Sundance TV Kickoff Party where we spotted the likes of Terry Crews and Dominic Cooper. Moments after, a much in-the-news Ashley Judd was seen in the vicinity stopping for a Selfie.

It isn’t only the parties that are warming-up a snowy Park City, it’s also the starpower. Several Red Carpets took place including American Animals, a Heist Thriller starring Evan Peters and Barry Keoghan; Don’t Worry He Wont Get Far On Foot directed by Gus Van Sant (Milk, Elephant) and starring Jonah Hill and Joaquin Phoenix about a disabled rights Activist John Callahan who turns to drawing after becoming paralyzed; Lizzie starring Producer Chloe Sevigny and Kristen Stewart which is said to be Beautiful Creatures-like and based on the Borden Family murders; and Mandy starring Nicolas Cage as a man hunting a religious sect which killed his wife, all premiered tonight in Park City.

See the Teaser for the new Van Sant Film below:

Wait until you get to know John Callahan.

Get your first look at Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot​, starring Joaquin Phoenix, @JonahHill​, Rooney Mara and Jack Black​. Directed by Gus Van Sant.

In select theaters May 11. #DWHWGFOF pic.twitter.com/Sigc28D7V4

— Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot (@dontworrymovie) January 16, 2018

Sevigny at Sundance with Lizzie:

Chloe Sevigny is premiering her flick #Lizzie at #Sundance! https://t.co/MHWQtk74ju

— JustJared.com (@JustJared) January 20, 2018

Salt Lake City also is booming with that Sundance spirit! It saw a Premiere for You Were Never Really Here which stars Sundance “It Boy” Phoenix. This is the Film for which he won Best Actor at Cannes last year, premiering at The Grand Theatre. Director Lynne Ramsay was in attendance.

 Stay tuned for more!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Blindspotting tells the tale of Collin (Daveed Diggs) in his final three days of parole and his hotheaded best friend Miles (Rafael Casal).

What is special about Blindspotting is that it tackles the issues of race relations in a unique way. The script, written by Diggs and Casal, flips back and forth between Comedy and Drama. One minute audiences will be laughing at the Buddy Comedy it seems to be, but then hit hard with the reality of race relations in America. Not only does Diggs and Casal do a great job of writing the script but also breathing life into their fully developed characters. There isn’t a second where you don’t believe the two haven’t been friends their entire lives. And you feel for them just as much as you question their mistakes. Top the script and performances off with energetic direction from Carlos Lopez Estrada and this is a Film not to be missed.

Blindspotting screens at Sundance on Jan. 18 at 5:30PM at Eccles PC, Jan. 19 at 9:30AM at The Ray PC, Jan. 20 at 9:15PM at The Grand SLC, Jan. 24 at 6PM at PC Library and Jan. 25 11:45PM at The Egyptian PC.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Sweet Country follows the story of Aboriginal Sam (Hamilton Morris) who in an act of defending himself and his wife kills a white man which has forced them to flee.

Director Warwick Thornton crafts a thrilling and heartbreaking western that is visually stunning to watch. And the tight script written by Steven McGregor and David Tranter has many twists and in-depth character development that captivates viewers from beginning to end. Sweet Country is an important film because it accurately depicts the violence and mistreatment of Aboriginal people. Thornton never shies away from the cruelty that his Aboriginal characters are faced with. Top that off with stunning performances from the entire Ensemble Cast and this is a Film that should not be missed.

Sweet Country screens at Sundance on Jan. 19 at 2:30PM at The Egyptian PC, Jan. 20 at 9:30PM at the Rose Wagner SLC, Jan. 22 at 11:30PM at Prospector PC, and Jan. 27 at 2:30PM at The MARC PC.

The excitement MEOWnts! Fans of Cult Classic SUPER TROOPERS will be delighted to know that a Sequel is on its way to us!

See the Trailer:

Fox Searchlight release SUPER TROOPERS 2 you guessed it… Friday, April 20, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Manivald follows the story of a retired mother and her living-at-home 33-year-old son who fall in love with the same wolf.

This animated short may seem like a drama but it’s executed as a Comedy. The use of animated animals brings a humour to the story that wouldn’t be attainable if the characters were humans. Yet, there is also a strong moral to the story about finding oneself that is uplifting and endearing. This is an animated Short Film with adult humour that will shock and make you laugh.

Manivald screens at Sundance under the Animation Spotlight category on Jan. 19 at 6:30PM at Redstone 1 PC, Jan. 20 at 6PM at Broadway 6 SLC, Jan. 21 at 6PM at Temple PC, and Jan. 25 at 8:30PM at Egyptian PC.

Things are taking-off quickly for Ottawa-based Duo EWXJF. Comprised of Composer/Instrumentalist Elijah Woods and Lyricist/Vocalist Jamie Fine, the pair gained popularity overnight being selected for a push on CTV‘s The Launch. After meeting via a friend after Woods heard Fine‘s vocals on a Track, the two have multiplied their talents, accounting for the “x” in their name.

The six-episode Series see new emerging Artists being mentored by some of Music’s biggest icons including Shania Twain, Jennifer Nettles, Fergie, Ryan Tedder, Alessia Cara and Boy George, getting a chance at working with a world-renowned Producer and also a release of that Track within 48 hours.

The Series is brought to us by Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw) and Eureka Productions (The Biggest Loser, MasterChef). Borchetta accompanied the Duo on their Press Tour in Toronto which saw them at Bell Media Headquarters yesterday and Corus today where they appeared on Global Television’s The Morning Show (National Edition).

See the Interview:

WATCH: @ewxjfmusic launched their single #AintEasy this week. But was it easy to come up with their name? pic.twitter.com/MLUWNYu4Ct

— The Morning Show (@MorningShowCA) January 19, 2018

Originally-penned for Camila Cabello‘s Disc CAMILA, EWXJF‘s debut single AIN’T EASY is produced by OneRepublic‘s Ryan Tedder and already has reached #1 on the iTunes Canada Chart.

We were lucky to get a Selfie with the Duo and Borchetta earlier. They were incredibly-gracious, thanking me for my support.

Our Snap:

So cool meeting #EWXJF who on CTV’s #TheLaunch, were selected to get their Ryan Tedder-produced Single #AintEasy released. It alredy has gone to #1 in Canada on iTunes! Scott Borchetta, the man behind Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts) even joined the Selfie!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 19, 2018 at 8:35am PST

Check-out AIN’T EASY:

THE LAUNCH airs Wednesdays 9 PM on CTV.

(Photo credit: Big Machine Records/Mr. Will Wong)

We adore Kylie Minogue. The Australian Dance Diva provided much of our Soundtrack of the early ‘2000s with Classics FEVER and LIGHT YEARS.

While she’s put out several releases since then, we admit we’ve been hit or miss with some misguided veers to the Urban direction and an edgier sound.

New Single DANCING from upcoming 14th Album GOLDEN. This puts her back where we love her best, uplifting, hooky Dance-Pop. Minogue pens along with, Amy Wadge and Sky Adams whose collaborations recently include work with Ed Sheeran on his ÷ Disc.

Listen:

Warner Music Canada release GOLDEN Friday, April 6, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: BMG)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

It’s only day one of the Sundance Film Festival here in Utah and the excitement is already building. To kick everything off Sundance President and Founder Robert Redford, Executive Director Keri Putman and Director John Cooper were all on hand at today’s Press Conference in the early afternoon.

The Trio talked about what’s new about this year’s Festival and how Sundance has grown since its inception. They were also faced with questions surrounding the #MeToo Movement and how the Festival is changing following the sexual misconduct allegations.

Redford stated that he is excited about the change that is happening within the industry. While Cooper talked about a Code of Conduct that has been introduced for every individual that attends Sundance as well as a help hotline.

Tonight also marked the start of the first screenings of the Festival. Buddy Comedy Blindspotting from Carlos López Estrada was the opening U.S Drama Film while Kailash was the opening U.S Documentary Film, about the creation of a global movement to end child slavery.

Stay tuned for more as update you with dailies from the Festival!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

For those of you home this Sunday night, CBC has a fascinating Documentary which looks at gender roles in the animal kingdom. Do humans have it backwards?

Synopsis:
Mommy Wildest is a compelling, intimate portrait of three animal families where it’s the females that rule and mother who knows best. We enter the lives of fierce lion sisters, majestic elephant grandmothers, and regal baboon mothers who form sisterhoods to raise their families.

See the Trailer:

More here: http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/m/episodes/mommy-wildest

MOMMY WILDEST airs 8 PM ET on CBC Sunday, January 21, 2018.

(Photo credit: CBC)

Skyrocketing to fame on popular ABC Series CASTLE starring as Kate Beckett, Hamilton-born Actress Stana Katic has made a name for herself internationally. The People’s Choice Award-winning University of Toronto Alumni returns home to promote her latest project, Amazon Series ABSENTIA which will air in Canada on Showcase.

The Series sees her starring as an FBI Agent who must reclaim her identity after being presumed dead and being a prime suspect in a string of murders.

Katic did the rounds including Global Television’s The Morning Show (National Edition) and ET Canada, after which she participated in a Live Chat with Fans, fielding questions online from her ardent fan base.

The elegant Star posed for photos in front of a display for her new Series and took a minute between interviews to take Selfies and sign autographs. She started first by introducing herseld and asking for our names.

See our Snap:

#StanaKatic, star of #CASTLE, returns to her hometown of #Toronto for new Amazon Series #ABSENTIA. Series airs on Showcase in Canada 1.21.18 and streams 2.2.18 on @AmazonPrime.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 17, 2018 at 6:40am PST

See the Trailer:

Showcase premiere ABSENTIA Sunday, January 21, 2018 9 PM ET and it will stream on Amazon Prime Friday, February 2, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Amazon Prime)