The most wonderful thing about this time of year is that we get to catch-up on TV. While we spend much of the year seeing theatrical releases, we regret missing some great Television so these past few weekends we’ve found out what the buzz is all about with some recent Golden Globe Award winners and nominees, plus also some new releases. Without going too much into detail, we’ll give you our thoughts on some shows that absolutely are worth your while! We hope you get some inspiration in your own winter watching!

THE MORNING SHOW (APPLE TV+)

This ten-episode Drama Series starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston helped launch subscription service Apple TV+ back in December. It surfaces in a timely manner as we enter this post-#MeToo era, exploring the aftermath of taking action on Sexual Misconduct in the workplace and healing some aged wounds. It definitely veers on the melodramatic and is a bit too passionate for its own good, but no one can deny the phenomenal work here by Witherspoon and Aniston, who play-up dueling female competitor tropes. It takes a while to get going, but proves worthwhile the deeper you go.

YOU – SEASON TWO (NETFLIX)

Joe (played masterfully by Penn Badgley) comes back as Will in the second season of this failed Lifetime Series which gained a massive following after surfacing on Netflix. Serial killing and stalking has never been as seductive as this and although You is all sorts of wrong, we were just as obsessed with this season which manages to be just as messed-up as its predecessor. Joining the Cast is Victoria Pedretti (The Haunting of Hill House) as Love and in her Will finally has met his match. James Scully is grating and unpredictable as Love‘s twin brother, but what Psychological Thriller is complete without an unstable twin? Teen Actress Jenna Ortega as a wise-beyond-her-years Ellie and Carmela Zubado as Delilah are welcome additions to the Cast and Gotham‘s Robin Lord Taylor is unrecognizable in a surprise turn as a hacker who knows too much, also named Will. You Season 2 quashes the perception that follow-ups and sequels suck.

THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL – SEASON THREE (AMAZON PRIME VIDEO)

Season three of this Golden Globe and Primetme EMMY Award-winning Series continues putting its star Midge (Rachel Brosnahan) front and center and she once again proves outstanding. The eight-episode season sees her character supporting Singer Shy Baldwin (LeRoy McClain) on-tour and we see her go from Las Vegas to Miami fighting to win herself some new fans. All the while, she navigates her split from ex-husband Joel (Michael Zegen) and custody of their children. Her eccentric parents (Marin Hinkle and Tony Shalhoub) shine also as they cope with having to downsize and sell their beloved family home. We also see charismatic manager Susie (Alex Borstein) cope with her gambling addiction and balancing  having to oversee Midge‘s career and that of competing funnywoman Sophie Lennon (Jane Lynch). Things get a bit messy and we’re here for it, leaving us on a bit of a cliffhanger.

FLEABAG – SEASON 1&2 (AMAZON PRIME)

I admit it, I zipped through this quick watch and wasn’t sold on Season One at all. I didn’t get it. I found Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) grating and irresponsible, feeling little empathy for her. Season Two took this Series to a high point and I absolutely got it! I enjoy Waller-Bridge’s ability with lightning-fast ability to break the Fourth Wall with us and soon I found myself connected intimately with her. And “Hot Priest” (Andrew Scott) is so worth the wait and her bond with on-screen sister Claire (Sian Clifford) make this all so magical. Here for this, and sad there won’t be a third season.

DON’T F**K WITH CATS: HUNTING AN INTERNET KILLER (NETFLIX)

I am a bit queasy with True Crime stuff and remember as a kid torturing myself watching Unsolved Mysteries alone at home and being messed-up for days after. Repeat weekly and you’ll understand why I have issues. The three-part Netflix series centers on the capture of Canadian murderer Luka Magnotta with the help of some savvy internet crime solvers hot on his trail, piecing the clues which took authorities on an international manhunt.  Especially eery that some of this hits close to home with Toronto being where Magnotta once lived and their insistence on looping over and over real footage of Magnotta murdering kittens, with the gory bits kept off-screen.  It is hard not to get caught-up in Mark Lewis‘ relentlessly-intense storytelling and the access he gets us whether it be Magnotta‘s mother or his actual interrogation after being caught and brought back to Canada.

KILLER INSIDE: INSIDE THE MIND OF AARON HERNANDEZ (NETFLIX)

While we know only bits and pieces of disgraced Football star Aaron Hernandez‘s story, this three-part Docu-Series gives us some insight to the circumstances surrounding his conviction and eventual suicide. Director Geno McDermott takes us on a gripping ride as we go right inside the courtroom and literally right into Hernandez’s brain as we see the impacts of his Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. We also get never-seen-before interviews with those from his past including a lover, suggesting that Toxic Masculinity and a deep-fear of his sexuality being uncovered may have played a role in his downfall as well. We found ourselves asking more questions than before we started and get the bigger picture in this great American tragedy.

SPINNING OUT (NETFLIX)

Filmed right here in Toronto, this Figure Skating Drama series takes bits from Black Swan, bits from Riverdale and mixes it into the world of competitive Figure Skating. The Series sees fallen Kat (Kaya Scodelario) make her way to a comeback, this time as a Pairs Skater, but not without some domestic drama. Scodelario navigates the mental struggles her character faces and handles the athleticism of her role with prowess. While the Series is not without its melodrama and goes the route of scandal for shock value more than it needed, there is enough to go on to keep fans engaged for ten episodes.

EUPHORIA (HBO)

While it’s not for everyone, this hyper-sexualized Drake-produced Teen Drama Series explores some of the issues facing teens today. Several topics like drugs, toxic masculinity, same-sex relationships, being transgender are taboo still but Sam Levinson isn’t afraid to go there and for that we applaud this fresh take on the genre. These eight episodes are shocking and hypnotic and this is Zendaya‘s big moment, delivering a phenomenal breakthrough performance as central character Rue, a teen girl battling drug addiction. We were unable to keep our eyes off of newcomer model/actress Hunter Schafer, who possesses an ethereal beauty and magnetism, making her a name to look-out for. We cannot wait for Season Two, which is rumoured to begin production soon.

SEX, EXPLAINED (NETFLIX)

Janelle Monáe narrates this quick watch which gives adults a quick five-episode refresher on Sex Education, a spin-off of Netflix‘s Explained series. A vast array of taboo topics are explored with a diverse group of participants talking about things like attraction, fetishes, birth control and childbirth. New data is thrown at us quickly giving new insight into matters which have impacted humans since the beginning of time. Fun and informative.

SUCCESSION – SEASONS 1 & 2 (HBO)

Never before have we hated characters as much as The Roys in HBO‘s critical hit Succession and we kinda love it! And the fact that we couldn’t stop zipping-through 20 episodes is a testament to how masterfully-crafted it is. The second season of the Drama centering on an ailing patriarch of a media empire and his thirsty children who are eager to assume the throne, finished airing in the fall. While we were a bit late catching-on, we are seeing many people on the same boat who too are learning what Succession is all about after its Best Television Series – Drama win at the Golden Globes. We despise this Family, played with gusto by an Ensemble including 60-year screen veteran Brian Cox in the patriarch role, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin. We want them to basically go to hell and go bankrupt in the process! Give us season three!

THE CIRCLE (NETFLIX)

We listened to the recommendations of our friends on Social Media and began streaming this 12-episode Reality Series based on a British series of the same name. And we were seriously annoyed!  The Series takes a group of millennial men and women, putting them together in one building in Manchester and they are to interact only via a Social Media portal where some of them are “catfishing”. Some are exactly as they present themselves to one another via their portal profiles. They compete for a prize of $100k, but must avoid being eliminated by Influencers who earn that title each episode and are given the power to decide who gets eliminated or “blocked”. They never get see each other except for the eliminated entrant at the end of each episode getting to meet one player of their choice. Sometimes there are major shocks when the eliminated player realizes the one person they chose to meet, looks nothing like the person whom they projected themselves as on the portal. While we appreciate the Series’ premise of encouraging people to let their true selves shine and stop judging one another by their appearances, it all feels forced and we aren’t sure it accomplishes exactly that through some of the artifice and all the “Yo Bruh!”.  That being said, we vowed to stop watching after episode one but found ourselves finishing season one quickly, powered by our sheer drive to want to throw things and scream at our TV.

CHEER (NETFLIX)

We were so genuinely-touched and invested in this six-episode Docu-Series by Greg Whiteley, which just got released on Netflix. We know nothing about Cheerleading but quickly found ourselves in-love with these Corsicana Community College athletes who are competing for glory at the NCA College Nationals in Daytona. The heart and soul of the Series is Coach Monica Aldama, whom despite having business acumen has chosen a career in Cheerleading, running a tight ship, leading the college to victory many times in the past and its standing as the best in class. We see how these young adults, many who come from troubled pasts, have found themselves in Cheerleading, under Aldama‘s meticulous guidance. The setbacks are painstaking and we see  how much danger these athletes put themselves through in the name of perfection and loyalty to the enchanting Aldama. These are compelling stories and the thrills are tear-inducing, making us sad we had to say goodbye at the end of it.

Let us know what you’re planning to see!

(Photo/video credit: HBO/Netflix/Amazon Prime)

If you love FRESH OFF THE BOAT, this is totally up your alley. Eddie Huang is back and directs for the first time in BOOGIE.

Synopsis:

From acclaimed writer, producer and restaurateur Eddie Huang comes his directorial debut BOOGIE, the coming-of-age story of Alfred “Boogie” Chin, a basketball phenom living in Queens, New York, who dreams of one day playing in the NBA. While his parents pressure him to focus on earning a scholarship to an elite college, Boogie must find a way to navigate a new girlfriend, high school, on-court rivals and the burden of expectation.

Huang, who wrote the best-selling Fresh Off the Boat: A Memoir, both directed and wrote the screenplay for Boogie starring Taylor Takahashi, Taylour Paige, Pamelyn Chee, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Alexa Mareka, Mike Moh, Perry Yung, and Pop Smoke.

See the Trailer:

Focus Features release BOOGIE Friday, March 5, 2021.

(Photo credit: Focus Features)

BAD BOYS FOR LIFE behaves very well, taking top spot at the Box Office with $59.3 million from 3,775 theatres for Sony Pictures. The third Film in the Franchise reuniting Martin Lawrence and Will Smith, comes almost 25 years after the first which surfaced in 1995, garnering positive reviews with 75% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore from Audiences.

DOLITTLE debuts in second spot with $23 million from 4,155 theatres for Universal Pictures. Based on Hugh Lofting‘s Novels, this Adaptation was made for $175 million. The Film starring Robert Downey Jr. gets 19% on the Tomatometer from Critics and a B CinemaScore.

1917 lands in third after its #1 last weekend, with $22.3 million for Universal Pictures. This brings it to four week run of $81.9 million domestically.

LITTLE WOMEN is in seventh with $6,4 million from 2,503 theatres for Sony Pictures, continuing to benefit from its Oscar buzz.  This brings its run to $84.9 million in North America.

FROZEN 2 is in tenth spot with $3.5 million, a nine week total of $465.9 million for Disney.

Premiering at TIFF ’19, audiences soon can enjoy Disappearance at Clifton Hill. The Film directed by Albert Shin, stars Downton Abbey‘s Tuppence Middleton.

Synopsis:
When Abby (Middleton) returns home following the death of her mother she becomes obsessed with fragmented memories of a kidnapping she claims to have witnessed as a child. Abby’s younger sister (Gross), Laure’s tense relationship with her sibling is tested as Abby’s obsession grows out of control.

See the Trailer:

Elevation Pictures release DISAPPEARANCE AT CLIFTON HILL Friday, February 28, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Set to premiere at SXSW, THE LOVEBIRDS sees the launch of its Trailer. The Comedy stars Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani.

SYNOPSIS:
A couple (Issa Rae & Kumail Nanjiani) experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme – and hilarious – circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.

Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release THE LOVEBIRDS Friday, April 3, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE RHYTHM SECTION on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

Synopsis:
Three years after her family dies in a plane crash, Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively)—who was also supposed to be on the flight—is told that the crash was in fact an act of terror. Now knowing the truth she searches for a way to find the closure she needs in her life. When she gets the chance to become a clandestine operative she takes it and begins her transformation from a disparate woman needing to repair her life, to a harbinger of vengeance.

When information arises about the terrorists who are responsible Stephanie leaps into action in a globe-trotting affair that will push her to her limits, sparing no expense or thought on the costs of her vendetta.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

Paramount Pictures Canada release THE RHYTHM SECTION Friday, January 31, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Hot off its scores at the Golden Globe Awards and six nominations at the Oscars, Bong Joon Ho’s PARASITE is about to hit stores!

BLU-RAY, DVD & DIGITAL BONUS FEATURES:
• Q&A with Director Bong Joon Ho

Artwork:

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, you must be in Canada. Click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

PARASITE is in stores on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, January 28, 2020 and on 4K Ultra HD Digital now!

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

A new Featurette has surfaced to get us pumped for Marvel’s BLACK WIDOW, featuring Academy Award Best Supporting Actress nominee Scarlett Johansson. This looks back at Natasha Romanoff‘s ten-year legacy on-screen.

Synopsis:
In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller “Black Widow,” Natasha confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.

See the Trailer:

BLACK WIDOW is in theatres and on Disney+ with Premier Access Friday, July 29, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Entertainment Canada)

This year’s Oscars nominations were unveiled this morning, hosted by John Cho and Issa Rae. Coming out on-top is Todd Phillips’ JOKER leading the class of 2020 with 11 nods including Best Picture, Director and Lead Actor. It is followed closely by a three-way tie with 10 nominations each between Martin Scorsese‘s THE IRISHMAN, Quentin Tarantino‘s ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD and Sam Mendes’ 1917.

While Films up for Best Picture largely centered on the male perspective, Greta Gerwig‘s LITTLE WOMEN still managed to get a nod despite she not being up for her directorial work.

The largest snubs this year is the omission of Films like The Safdie Brothers’ UNCUT GEMS and Lulu Wang‘s THE FAREWELL, which were critical darlings. The latter especially, which saw Awkwafina win Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy last weekend at the Golden Globes. Both she and the Film failed to garner nominations. The same applies to ROCKETMAN star Taron Egerton who won last week for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy. Jennifer Lopez also failed to get recognition in the Best Supporting Actress category for her work in HUSTLERS.

Complete list of nominees are below:

Best Picture
“Ford v Ferrari” (Disney/Fox)
“The Irishman” (Netflix)
“Jojo Rabbit” (Fox Searchlight)
“Joker” (Warner Bros.)
“Little Women” (Sony)
“Marriage Story” (Netflix)
“1917” (Universal)
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (Sony)
“Parasite” (Neon)

Best Director
Martin Scorsese (“The Irishman”)
Todd Phillips (“Joker”)
Sam Mendes (“1917”)
Quentin Tarantino (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”)
Bong Joon Ho (“Parasite”)

Best Actor
Antonio Banderas (“Pain and Glory”)
Leonardo DiCaprio (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”)
Adam Driver (“Marriage Story”)
Joaquin Phoenix (“Joker”)
Jonathan Pryce (“The Two Popes”

Best Actress
Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”)
Scarlett Johansson (“Marriage Story”)
Saorise Ronan (“Little Women”)
Charlize Theron (“Bombshell”)
Renee Zellweger (“Judy”)

Supporting Actor
Tom Hanks (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”)
Anthony Hopkins (“The Two Popes”)
Al Pacino (“The Irishman”)
Joe Pesci (“The Irishman”)
Brad Pitt (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”)

Supporting Actress
Kathy Bates, “Richard Jewell”
Laura Dern (“Marriage Story”)
Scarlett Johansson (“Jojo Rabbit”)
Florence Pugh (“Little Women”)
Margot Robbie (“Bombshell”)

Adapted Screenplay
Taika Waititi (“Jojo Rabbit”)
Steve Zaillian (“The Irishman”)
Anthony McCarten (“The Two Popes”)
Greta Gerwig (“Little Women”)
Todd Phillips and Scott Silver (“Joker”)

Best Original Screenplay
Rian Johnson (“Knives Out”)
Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story”)
Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns (“1917”)
Quentin Tarantino (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”)
Bong Joon Ho and Han Jin Won (“Parasite”)

Animated Feature
“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World””
“I Lost My Body”
“Klaus”
“Missing Link”
“Toy Story 4”

International Feature Film
“Corpus Christi”
“Honeyland”
“Les Miserables”
“Pain and Glory”
“Parasite”

Best Documentary
“American Factory”
“The Cave”
“Edge of Democracy”
“For Sama”
“Honeyland”

Best Cinematography
“The Irishman”
“Joker”
“The Lighthouse”
“1917”
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”

Best Costume Design
“The Irishman”
“Jojo Rabbit”
“Joker”
“Little Women”
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”

Film Editing
“Ford vs. Ferrari”
“The Irishman”
“Jojo Rabbit”
“Joker”
“Parasite”

Makeup and Hairstyling
“Bombshell”
“Joker”
“Judy”
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”
“1917”

Original Score
“Joker”
“Little Women”
“Marriage Story”
“1917”
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”

Original Song
I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away,” “Toy Story 4”
“I’m Gonna Love Me Again,” “Rocketman”
“I’m Standing With You,” “Breakthrough”
“Into the Unknown,” “Frozen 2”
“Stand Up,” “Harriet”

Production Design
“The Irishman”
“Jojo Rabbit”
“1917”
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”
“Parasite”

Sound Editing
“Ford v Ferrari”
“Joker”
“1917”
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’

Sound Mixing
“Ad Astra”
“Ford vs. Ferrari”
“Joker”
“1917”
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”

Visual Effects
“Avengers: Endgame”
“The Irishman”
“The Lion King”
“1917”
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”

Documentary (Short Subject)
“In the Absence”
“Learning to Skateboard in a War Zone If You’re a Girl”
“Life Overtakes Me”
“St. Louis Superman”
“Walk Run Cha-Cha”

Short Film (Animated)
“Daughter”
“Hair Love”
“Kitbull”
“Memorable”
“Sister”

Short Film (Live Action)
“Brotherhood”
“Nefta Football Club”
“The Neighbor’s Window”
“Saria”
“A Sister”

The Oscars air Sunday, February 9, 2020 at 8 PM ET on ABC.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

Hot off its Golden Globe wins this past weekend, 1917 expands to 3,434 theatres this weekend for Universal Pictures, taking top spot at the Box Office with $34 million. The Sam Mendes war flick gets 89% on the Tomatometer and also an A- CinemaScore. Looks like momentum is peaking right in-time for Monday’s Oscar nominations.

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER still is going strong in second with $17.3 million for Disney, a tally of $477 million domestically in its run so far.

Third spot goes to JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL which still continues to perform for Sony Pictures with $13 million, a total $255 million gross over five weeks.

LIKE A BOSS debuts in fourth spot with $12 million in 3,078 theatres for Paramount Pictures. The Comedy sees 21% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

JUST MERCY opens in sixth with $10.5 million from 3,275 theatres for Warner Bros. It gets 82% on the Tomatometer and an exceptional A+ CinemaScore.

UNDERWATER debuts in ninth with $6 million from 2,791 theatres for 20th Century Fox/Disney. 

SPIES IN DISGUISE rounds-out the Top Ten with $5.2 million for 20th Century Fox/Disney.