Toronto! We’ve got your chance to win passes to the Toronto Premiere of RUN THIS TOWN with Toronto’s Nina Dobrev, Mena Massoud and Director Ricky Tollman in attendance. The Premiere takes place Tuesday, March 3, 2020 and will have a Q&A.

Synopsis:
Naive, young Toronto newspaper reporter Bram (Ben Platt) finds himself doing desk work instead of breaking hard-hitting stories, until he accidentally finds scandalous information about the city’s controversial mayor, . Rob Ford (Damian Lewis) Bram attempts to pry information from Ford‘s aides, Ashley (Nina Dobrev) and Kamal (Mena Massoud), who are trying to cover Ford’s tracks and spin the story.

Trailer:

Artwork:

Elevation Pictures release RUN THIS TOWN Friday, March 6, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

You need to see this!! Completely unrecognizable, Taylor Swift stars in and directs the Video for new single, THE MAN. The Track is the latest off her stellar Disc, LOVER. Channeling her best Wolf of Wall Street, Taylor questions double standards as a man herself in some amazing costume and makeup. Note that she OWNS the Track too.

See the Trailer:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Group)

Check-out this first look at RUMBLE featuring an amazing Voice Cast!

SYNOPSIS:
In a world where monster wrestling is a global sport and monsters are superstar athletes, teenage Winnie seeks to follow in her father’s footsteps by coaching a loveable underdog monster into a champion.

Cast: Will Arnett, Terry Crews, Geraldine Viswanathan, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, Tony Danza, Becky Lynch, Susan Kelechi Watson, Stephen A. Smith, Jimmy Tatro, Ben Schwartz and Michael Buffer

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release RUMBLE Friday, January 21, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

We’re giving Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE WAY BACK starring Ben Affleck. Screenings take place as follows:

EDMONTON
Screening details:
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
8882 170 St Suite: #3030
Edmonton AB, T5T 4M2

CALGARY
Screening details:
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
6455 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary AB, T2H 0K4

OTTAWA
Screening details:
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa
2385 City Park Drive
Ottawa Ontario, K1J 1G1

WINNIPEG
Screening details:
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg
817 St. James Street
Winnipeg MB, R3G 3L3

HALIFAX
Screening details:
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Halifax
190 Chain Lake Dr.
Halifax NS, B3S 1C5

Synopsis:
Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) once had a life filled with promise. In high school, he was a basketball phenom with a full university scholarship, when suddenly, for reasons unknown, he walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Now years later, Jack is spiraling down, triggered by an unspeakable loss, costing him his marriage and any hope for a better life.

When he is asked to coach the basketball team at his alma mater, which has fallen far since his glory days, he reluctantly accepts, surprising no one more than himself. As the boys start to come together as a team and win, Jack may have finally found a reason to confront the demons that have derailed him. But will it be enough to fill the void, heal the deep wounds of his past, and set him on the road to redemption?

Academy Award winner Ben Affleck (“Argo,” “The Accountant”) stars in “The Way Back,” directed by Gavin O’Connor (“The Accountant,” “Warrior”).

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Indicate also your city. Click “share” for an extra chance or Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw.

Rules and regulations here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)

We’re thrilled to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see Disney and Pixar‘s ONWARD. Screenings take place on Wednesday March 4, 2020 in the following cities:

Screening Location:
Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver
Scotiabank Theatre Chinook (Calgary)
Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg
Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa

Synopsis:
When teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt) get an unexpected opportunity to spend one more day with their late dad, they embark on an extraordinary quest aboard Barley’s epic van Guinevere. Like any good quest, their journey is filled with magic spells, cryptic maps, impossible obstacles and unimaginable discoveries. But when the boys’ fearless mom Laurel (voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfus) realizes her sons are missing, she teams up with a part-lion, part-bat, part-scorpion, former warrior – aka The Manticore (voice of Octavia Spencer) – and heads off to find them. Perilous curses aside, this one magical day could mean more than any of them ever dreamed. Directed by Dan Scanlon and produced by Kori Rae, Disney and Pixar’s “Onward” opens in theatres on March 5, 2020.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Share this Post from there or Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

ONWARDS is in theatres Thursday, March 5, 2020.

Facebook: @WaltDisneyStudiosCanada

Twitter: @DisneyStudiosCA

Instagram: @disneystudioscanada

#PixarOnward

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

©2020 DISNEY/PIXAR

Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see I STILL BELIEVE. Screenings take place in:

Toronto
Cineplex Yonge & Dundas
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Vancouver
Cineplex Scotiabank Vancouver
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:30PM

Montreal
Cineplex Scotiabank Montreal
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Calgary
Cineplex Scotiabank Chinook
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Edmonton
Cineplex Scotiabank Edmonton
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Ottawa
Cineplex Scotiabank Ottawa
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Halifax
Cineplex Scotiabank Halifax
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Winnipeg
Cineplex Scotiabank Winnipeg
Wednesday, March 11th – 7:00PM

Synopsis:
One love can change your life. One life can change the world. From the creators of I Can Only Imagine comes an inspiring love story for the ages. Rediscover the wonder of love in I STILL BELIEVE, based on the real-life story of chart-topping singer Jeremy Camp.

Starring KJ Apa, Britt Robertson, Shania Twain, and Gary Sinise, I STILL BELIEVE is directed by The Erwin Brothers, from a screenplay by Jon Erwin & Jon Gunn, based on the book by Jeremy Camp, and produced by Kevin Downes, John Erwin, and Andrew Erwin.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Tell us which City you are in. Click “share” from there for an extra chance or Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw.

Rules and regulations here.

Mongrel Media release I STILL BELIEVE Friday, March 13, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

We present the brand-new official Trailer for long-awaited COMING 2 AMERICA!

Synopsis:

Set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York – where it all began.

See the Trailer:

COMING 2 AMERICA arrives on Amazon Prime Video March 5, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Amazon Prime Video)

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG runs away with the top spot again this weekend with $26.6 million from 4,198 theatres for Paramount Pictures, bringing it’s it’s  already to $101 million heading into its second week.

THE CALL OF THE WILD opens in second spot with $23 million from 3,752 theatres for 20th Century Fox/Disney. It gets 64% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore for NEON/MK2.

BIRDS OF PREY perches in third with $7.6 million, a three-week total of $73.1 million for Warner Bros.

BAD BOYS FOR LIFE is in fourth, still going strong with $5.4 million for Sony Pictures, a total $190 million earned domestically.

BRAHMS: BOY II debuts in fifth with $5.2 million from 2,151 theatres for STX Entertainment/Elevation Pictures. It gets 9% on the Tomatometer and a C- CinemaScore.

Best Picture winner PARASITE rounds it all out with $4 million from 1,803 theatres.

Running February 20 – 23, 2020, the Pendance Film Festival returns once again in its third edition at TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX and AGO‘s JACKMALL HALL! Giving a platform to innovative storytellers, the Festival features films, short films, special screenings, conferences, workshops, and panels. Expect lots of hidden gems which have gone through a stringent approval process.  Our Team have been lucky enough to get a sneak preview of some of the Films playing at the Festival.  See their thoughts below:

SAINT FRANCES

Review by Justin Waldman 

First-time feature Director Alex Thompson teams-up with first-time Writer/Actress Kelly O’Sullivan to bring a story of love, compassion, understanding and family to life in the beautifully-crafted Saint Frances. The Film stars O’Sullivan and feels a lot like Jason Reitman’s Tully but lays it on a little thicker, while being more poignant and captivating. Saint Frances is a beautiful take at what life can bring you in the most unexpected ways.

The Film focuses on Bridget (Kelly O’Sullivan) after she aborts an accidental pregnancy and befriends the six year old girl Frances (Ramona Edith Williams) whom she is tasked with babysitting as she is trying to get her life in order and escape her dead-end job. What she never expected was to create a bond with Frances’ mothers and to create an undeniable bond with Frances herself that will carry on for a lifetime. The story is truly touching and redefines some clichés, especially those regarding millennials.

O’Sullivan’s Script and Thompson’s direction brings Saint Frances to life along with great performances by O’Sullivan herself and that of her young Co-Star Ramona Edith Williams. The two lead actresses are remarkable as their on-screen chemistry is something truly special.

Saint Frances plays Pendance Film Festival on Saturday February 22, 2020 at 9:30 PM.

THE SHORT HISTORY OF THE LONG ROAD 

By Amanda Gilmore

Teenager Nola (Sabrina Carpenter) and her father Clint (Steve Ogg) have been living out of a van for as long as she can remember. When tragedy strikes, Nola finds herself at a crossroads: One leading to a continued life on the road or one where she integrates herself into a society she has never known.

This heartfelt coming-of-age film is a love letter to living on the road while also examining the importance of relationships and socialization. However, the Film could have been a grittier look at the subject. This is because every obstacle that Nola finds herself faced with seems to have a quick and easy solution. Writer-Director Ani Simon-Kennedy creates a steady pace and a central character to root for. And Carpenter is striking onscreen expressing the anxiety, fear, thrill and happiness that comes along with the freedom of Nola‘s age and lifestyle.

The Short History of the Long Road screens at Pendance on Saturday, February 22 at 4 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

THE LAST TREE

By Amanda Gilmore 

Femi (Sam Adewunmi) spent his childhood in the English countryside with his foster mother (Denise Black). When Femi’s biological mother (Gbemisola Ikumelo) comes back for him the two move to south London. Thrusting a child and teenage Femi into this new world that he has to learn to navigate.

This semi-autobiographical film by Writer-Director Shola Amoo tells a specific yet universal coming-of-age story. With each scene, Amoo examines the influence of the community in which we live effects and shapes us. He does this while also examining the lasting emotional scars our parents give us from birth. Through these two themes, the audience is brought on the moving and beautiful journey Femi is on and empathizes with him in his darkest moments. The Cinematography by Stil Williams is gorgeous, particularly in the scenes of Femi’s childhood playing in the English countryside. And talented newcomer Adewunmi is a powerful force with a magnetic presence. He’s definitely one-to-watch.

The Last Tree screens at Pendance on Saturday, February 22, 1 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

STRAIGHT UP

By George Kozera

After two disastrous romantic attempts with guys, STRAIGHT UP opens with a whippet-fast monologue from Todd telling his two closest friends that, despite loving cashmere sweaters and Legally Blonde, he may really not be gay and that he could meet a girl who will see his flamboyance as more “metro/hipster”. His first heterosexual tryst ends in a hilarious, never-saw-that-coming event. Rory is an inept waitress/aspiring Actress with a penchant for inappropriate jokes and observations. Todd and Rory meet in the self-help section of a library and a relationship is born.

As Todd, James Sweeney (who also co-produced, wrote and directed this Movie) creates a character filled with neuroses, unapologetic intelligence and off-kilter humour and is brilliantly and equally matched with Windsor, Ontario native, Katie Findlay’s performance as Rory. The chemistry between these two talented big screen newcomers is perfection personified as are their rapid-fire exchanges.

Anchored with stellar supporting performances from Tracie Thoms, Betsy Brandt, Russell Park and James Scully as Ryder, STRAIGHT UP is Pop Culture-savvy, uniquely filmed with a glorious Score and, I’m afraid to admit, had me laughing out loud consistently and often. It touches on topics about relationships, love, sexuality and friendships with intelligent insights. Sweeney is a name to watch for as I see great things coming from him in the future. It’s been a long time since I loved a gay-themed movie this much. See STRAIGHT UP. That’s an order!!

STRAIGHT UP screens at the TIFF Bell Lightbox as part of the on February 21, 8:00 PM.

More on the 2020 Pendance Film Festival here.

(Photo/video credit: )

Vancouver Rockers THEORY OF A DEADMAN are in Toronto in support of their seventh Studio Disc SAY NOTHING. The Band comprised of Tyler Connolly, Dave Brenner, Dean Back and Joey Dandeneaualso recently embarked on their Canadian Tour which began end of January before expanding to the U.S. in April. They play Toronto’s REBEL on February 27, 2020.

We spotted the Band out doing Press in the A.M. and they were amazingly nice to take time to stop for fans in the cold.

Tyler Connolly

Dean Back

Dave Brenner

Joey Dandeneau

Check-out their new Album here on multiple platforms.

Their video for WORLD KEEPS SPINNING also is out now:

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music/Mr. Will Wong)