Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Boy Erased follows Jared (Lucas Hedges) who is a son of a Baptist Pastor (Russell Crowe) in a small town. When Jared gets ousted to his parents his father tells him he can either attend a gay Conversion Therapy Program or be exiled from their family. Boy Erased is the second Feature for Actor-Director Joel Edgerton and will have its World Premiere TIFF ‘18 in the Special Presentations Programme.

Lucas Hedges lands a career-defining role as Jared as he displays a wide range of emotion in his often subtle performance. Nicole Kidman, who plays Jared’s mother, gives a complex and perfect performance. With Boy Erased, it is obvious that Edgerton has clear vision and message when he makes his Films, and we need more of them.

Boy Erased screens Tuesday, September 11 at 9 PM at Princess Of Wales, Wednesday, September 12 at 2:30 PM at Princess Of Wales and Saturday, September 15 at 12 PM at Roy Thompson Hall.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Léo (2015 TIFF Rising Star Karelle Tremblay) is an angst-ridden teenager reaching the final end of high school in her small, industrial Quebec town. She dreams of life outside of the sleepy town that doesn’t self-fulfill her, however, often surprises her. The Fireflies Are Gone will be having its North American Premiere at TIFF in the Contemporary World Cinema Programme.

Like previous Films directed and written by Sébastien Pilote, The Fireflies Are Gone depicts the struggles people living in changing rural Quebec towns are facing. What sets this one apart from his previous works is the magnetic performance from Karelle Tremblay, who plays Léo with equal amounts malaise and curiosity.

The Fireflies Are Gone screens at TIFF  Tuesday, September 11 at 6:30 PM at Scotiabank 13 and Wednesday, September 12 at 4:15 PM at Scotiabank 4.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Non-Fiction follows Parisian publisher Alain (Guillaume Canet), who is looking into changing his current publishing ways for a new media landscape, and his successful actor-wife Serena (Juliette Binoche). It is coming to TIFF in the Special Presentations Programme for its Canadian Premiere after playing the Venice Film Festival to rave reviews.

Writer-Director Olivier Assayas has crafted a powerful Script about the ever-changing media and how it ultimately changes the interactions and personalities of us in the process. Canet and Binoche are cast perfectly as husband and wife who have slowly changed their feelings towards each other just as media slowly has changed us.

Non-Fiction screens Tuesday, September 11 at 4:30 PM at Elgin Theatre and Wednesday, September 12 at 9:30 AM at TIFF Bell Lightbox 1.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Hotel Mumbai depicts the terrorist attack that happened at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai in 2008, and the victims and survivors of that attack. This is the feature directorial debut for Anthony Maras and it will have its World Premiere at TIFF ’18.

The Film has an impressive ensemble cast consisting of Dev Patel, Armie Hammer and Nazanin Boniadi to name a few. Then there is the skillful Director from Maras who brings an equal amount of love and hate to the Film. There are tender scenes are love and devotion between family, friends, co-workers and even strangers. Then there are the violent and often hard-to-watch moments of terror.

Hotel Mumbai screens on Friday, September 7 at 6 PM at Princess Of Wales, Sunday, September 9 at 9:45 PM and 10 PM at Scotiabank, and Saturday, September 15 at 9:30 PM at Winter Garden Theatre.

Review by  Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Her Smell tells the story of a self-destructive female Punk Rock musician, Becky Something (Elisabeth Moss), who seems determined to alienate those around her and threatens the success of her band. This is the fourth feature for Director Alex Ross Perry and will have its World Premiere in the Platform Programme at TIFF ’18.

Moss gives an all-or-nothing performance as Becky. It’s a demanding performance that most actors wouldn’t dare to take-on, let alone execute perfectly.  Perry’s direction takes the audience on a punk rock ride and challenges the depth to which they are willing to watch. Overall, it’s one hell of a ride that you will be happy you took.

Her Smell screens at TIFF on Sunday, September 9 at 5:45 PM at Winter Garden Theatre, Tuesday, September 11 at 12 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox, and Friday, September 14 at 9:15 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This Film is based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford), who has spent most of his life robbing banks, in prison or escaping from prison. The Film takes place when he is in his seventies and still can’t resist the urge to rob banks, because it’s the one thing that always puts a smile on his face. The Old Man & The Gun will have its international Premiere at TIFF ’18 and has received rave reviews from other Festivals this season.

Writer-Director David Lowery takes the Crime-Drama genre and puts a fresh spin on it. Shooting on 16MM film, The Old Man & The Gun gives the perfect amount of nostalgia for the old-school crime movies, however, his use of dialogue and camera techniques makes this Film feel fresh and new. Lowery has gathered a group of talented Actors, such as Redford, Sissy Spacek and Casey Affleck (who is arguably at his best as Detective John Hunt), who elevate his already rich Script.

The Old Man & The Gun screens at TIFF on Monday, September 10 at 8 PM at Elgin Theatre, Tuesday, September 11 at 1 PM at Elgin Theatre, Thursday, September 13 at 6 PM at Ryerson Theatre, and Friday, September 14 at 6 PM at Princess of Wales.

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

With Mid90s, Oscar-nominee Jonah Hill makes the leap from acting to writing/directing. The Film revolves around 13-year-old Stevie (Sunny Suljic), trying to fit in and find his place in the world. His Mom Dabney (Katherine Waterston) is not the best parent and his older brother Ian (Lucas Hedges) is constantly beating and abusing him. With no friends to turn to, Stevie starts hanging out at a local skate shop and makes friends with a crew of older skateboarders – who may be inspiring a few wrong impressions.

Hill’s directorial debut is far from perfect, but is admirable and notable. The look and nostalgic feel of the Film is spot-on, and the loud Sondtrack (complete with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Score) is magnificent. And while the casting is great overall, Suljic’s performance is absolutely brilliant as the precocious, impressionable and quietly hilarious Stevie. My main gripe is that outside of one deeply emotional scene involving Stevie and older skateboarder Ray (Na-kel Smith), there are too few genuine coming-of-age moments. Hill hints at them (and some deeper, darker closeted demons), but he never elaborates or goes into any sort of depth. It all just feels like a big lead up to nothing much at all. I wanted to learn more about these kids and Stevie’s family life. And with a running time of 84-minutes, there was definitely some time that could have been spent on it.

Also, does it horrify anyone else that a film set in the 1990s is now considered a period piece?

Mid90s screens on Sunday, September 9 at 9:15 PM at Ryerson Theatre [World Premiere], Monday, September 10 at 2:45 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox and Friday, September 14 at 6:00 PM at Ryerson Theatre.

By Mr. Will Wong

As TIFF ’18 reaches its halfway mark, we still are buzzing with starpower, but this is nearing the calming point of the Festival! One big dilemma – it wouldn’t stop raining today which affected our mobility, but we still tried our best! Marquee titles like A MILLION LITTLE PIECES, based on the Bestseller by James Frey, DESTROYER for which Nicole Kidman once again is getting Oscars buzz and of course FIRST MAN starring Ryan Gosling, all debuted this evening. See who we spotted out and about today!

DIAMOND TRIBUTE
We were so honoured once again to be on the jury for the BIRKS DIAMOND TRIBUTE honouring the accomplishments of Canadian Women in Film. Held at Ricardo’s, the event saw Writers, Producers, Actresses and Directors honoured for their body of work. Honourees this year include: Christa Dickenson, Nettie Wild, Susan Coyne, Stella Megie, Jeanne Leblanc, Pascale Bussières, Tantoo Cardinal, Eva Hartling and Jean-Christophe Bedos.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Proud to be a part of this jury honouring the accomplishments of Canadian Women in Film, the Birds Diamond Tribute. L to R: Christa Dickenson, Nettie Wild, Susan Coyne, Stella Megie, Jeanne Leblanc, Pascale Bussières, Tantoo Cardinal, Eva Hartling, Jean-Christophe Bedos. Photo: @gettyimages

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2018 at 1:18pm PDT

PARIS HILTON x CHRIS ZYLKA

 

View this post on Instagram

 

So awesome meeting the inventor of the Selfie herself, #ParisHilton who admits she teared-up watching #TheLifeandDeathofJohnFDonovan starring her love, #ChrisZylka! Sending love to all the haters! 😘 #TIFF18 #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2018 at 8:01pm PDT

A PRIVATE WAR – Jamie Dornan x Rosamund Pike

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#JamieDornan x #RosamundPike at #TIFF18 for #APrivateWar. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2018 at 1:41pm PDT

A MILLION LITTLE PIECES – Aaron Taylor-Johnson

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Another “It Boy” of #TIFF18, #AaronTaylorJohnson! He’s now promoting Sam Taylor-Johnson’s #AMillionPieces, an adaptation of James Frey’s Bestseller. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2018 at 2:06pm PDT

WHAT THEY HAD – Hillary Swank, Robert Forster

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Double #AcademyAward winner #HillarySwank at #TIFF18 for #WhatTheyHad. Also spotted, #RobertForster. #torontointernationalfilmfestival #TIFF

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2018 at 2:04pm PDT

GREEN BOOK – Mahershala Ali

 

View this post on Instagram

 

When Oscar winner #MahershalaAli is “yes yes” and Security is “no no” . He is here for #GreenBook. Also #LindaCardellini!! 😍 #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival #TIFF18

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2018 at 1:55pm PDT

ROMA – Alfonso Cuáron

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Director #AlfonsoCuaron (Gravity) getting much Oscar buzz for his Netflix Film, #Roma. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2018 at 1:50pm PDT

WHERE HANDS TOUCH – Amandla Stenberg, Abbie Cornish, Amma Asante x George Mackay 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#AbbieCornish is always a gem! She, #AmandlaStenberg, #GeorgeMackay and Director #AmmaAsante at #TIFF18 for #WhereHandsTouch. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2018 at 1:49pm PDT

SHADOW – Zhang Yimou x Ryan Zheng

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Now here is a legend, iconic Chinese Director #ZhangYiMou returns to #TIFF for his latest, Shadow. Star #RyanZheng also is at the Festival. #torontointernationalfilmfestival #TIFF

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2018 at 1:39pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Karyn Kusama’s fifth Feature may be one of the strongest ones yet. Destroyer is a powerful female-driven detective Crime-Thriller amplified by Kidman’s incredible performance. The Movie switches between the past and present effortlessly, delivering one incredible and shocking ending as well.

The Movie focuses on Erin (Nicole Kidman) as she enters a crime scene that ties back to her undercover days, where she is now determined to bring in the crime boss she tried taking down Silas (Toby Kebbell). While the story is compelling and captivating, the performance from Nicole Kidmashow-stopping and arguably one of her best performances to date. TIFF is known for Oscar movies, and Destroyer, especially Kidman’s performance, may be in serious talk come February.

Destroyer screens on Monday, September 10 at Winter Garden Theatre, 9:30 PM,  with an extended Q&A, Wedensday, September 12 at 1:30 PM at the Elgin, and Saturday, September 15 at 9:45 PM, TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Matt (Jeff Gladstone) is fragile and suicidal. He just found out his wife Lori (Colleen Rennison) is cheating on him and that she just so happens to be pregnant. As his life begins to crumble, his mother Marion (Gabrielle Rose) and sister Jess (Camille Sullivan) attempt to keep him from breaking any further, all while trying to forge ahead with their own love lives.

It may not sound like much of a Romantic Comedy, but veteran TIFF director Bruce Sweeney does his very best to keep the proceedings as darkly-comedic, quirky and vaguely romantic as possible. There is some genuine heart and raw emotion on display here (mostly from Sullivan), but the focus is disjointed and all over the place for the first two-thirds of the Movie. Once everything starts to come together in the third and Sweeney does away with all the superfluous characters, Kingsway really comes into its own and becomes a genuine slice of Canadiana. I just wish it got there faster.

KINGSWAY screens Monday, September 10, 7:15 PM, Jackman Hall [World Premiere], Thursday, September 13, 5:45 PM, Scotiabank Theatre and Saturday, September 15, 9:00AM, Scotiabank Theatre.