Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong

This poetic look at life and death is helmed by New Wave master Wim Wenders. Led by James Franco, the Film tells the tale of Tomas. Tomas is a spirited young writer who feels himself afflicted on all angles. One day, while racked in mental anguish, Tomas accidentally runs a child over with his car… and from there we watch the years go by.

Wenders saga covers the twelve years that follow the tragedy. Rachel McAdams and Charlotte Gainsbourg accompany Franco in the act, and do so with beauty and grace.

Shot in 3D, the Film expresses its depth in interesting ways, making this a must see TIFF movie. However, for those of you unable to attend, Wenders latest will be in theatres this Fall.

Mongrel Media release EVERY THING WILL BE FINE and it plays at TIFF ’15:

Fri  Sep 11 7:30 PM

TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 1  

Sun  Sep 13 9:45 AM

TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 2 

 We’re officially kicking into high gear at TIFF ’15 and it was a majorly star-studded day in the City with a couple marquee premieres taking place tonight, Our Brand is Crisis and The Martian!

See who we spotted today! Exciting!

Julianne Moore was at TIFF Bell Lightbox bright and early for an In-Conversation-With and she is gearing-up to promote the superb fact-based drama Freeheld which has her in-contention for Awards Season once again. We spotted her co-star Ellen Page last night!

With Queen #JulianneMoore. At #TIFF15 for #FreeheldMovie. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 9:49am PDT

We love our Canadian talent and Callum Keith Rennie, here for Sudbury-filmed Chet Baker Biopic Born to be Blue, was spotted outside the NKPR IT Gift Lounge!

With #CallumKeithRennie, at #TIFF15 for #BorntobeBlue. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 9:50am PDT

Jessica Chastain is just the nicest. Fans never leave wanting more after she’s spent some time with them. Here she was at the Press Conference for The Martian.

#JessicaChastain at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. Everybody leaves satisfied with Jessica. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 12:47pm PDT

Matt Damon is a highlight this year for us and we’re super-excited to see him in The Martian.

 

#MattDamon at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival

 

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 10:55am PDT

Community star and rapper Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover at TIFF for The Martian.

#DonaldGlover at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF # #ChildishGambino #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 10:53am PDT

Matt Damon + Mr. Will. Finally!

 

Finally. After six years of trying, it happened. #MattDamon + me. #TIFF15 #TheMartian #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300

 

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 12:49pm PDT

Sebastian Stan drew a lot of fandemonium today and rightfully so. He’s delightful. Excited to see him in The Martian.

#SebastianStan at Press Conference for #TheMartian. #TIFF15 #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 10:52am PDT

George Clooney produces Our Brand is Crisis and showed-up unannounced at its Premiere at Princess of Wales Theatre.

 

#GeorgeClooney surprises at the #OURBRANDISCRISIS Premiere, #TIFF15. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival

 

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 4:06pm PDT

Sandra Bullock stunned in a daring black number at the Our Brand is Crisis Premiere. How do you feel about her dramatic eyes?

#SandraBullock stunning at the #OURBRANDISCRISIS Premiere, #TIFF15. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 4:06pm PDT

George + Sandra.

 

#GeorgeClooney + #SandraBullock at the #OURBRANDISCRISIS Premiere, #TIFF15. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival

 

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 4:05pm PDT

Films have visited gambling addiction in the past like Owning Mahony and The Gambler, but Mississippi Grind from Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, goes a bit deeper into the psyche of our down-and-out hero Gerry, thanks to a flawless performance by Australian talent Ben Mendelsohn.

The story follows a pair of gamblers, the lucky Curtis (Ryan Reynolds) who seems to bring to Gerry good fortunes whenever he’s around. Already in serious debt, Gerry hopes to make good with his wife Dorothy (Robin Weigert), on a panicked mission to pay back his gambling debt. Meanwhile, Curtis seeks commitment from a long-distance flame Simone (Sienna Miller), who just might be the one. His need to go about his own path however could impact Gerry detrimentally.

Mississippi Grind may lag in its developing stages, but Mendelsohn manages to keep us focussed in what looks imminently looks like a train about to derail. Despite a trail of hits and misses in his recent repertoire, Reynolds is cast perfectly as the gutsy and sensitive Curtis, completing a perfect Exactor with Mendelsohn.

See Mississippi Grind, to be released via VVS Films, at TIFF:

Wed  Sep 16 6:30 PM

ROY THOMSON HALL  

Thu  Sep 17 12:00 PM

VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)  

Sat  Sep 19 3:00 PM

VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)

Named after an actual group of investigative journalists at The Boston Globe, Spotlight gives us the true story and detailed process that led to the prosecution of a group of priests in a shocking abuse scandal in the Boston Archdiocese, placing sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests at the forefront of the media. These journalists were lauded and awarded a Pullitzer Prize for their work in this partly-Toronto-filmed drama.

We meet Michael (Mark Ruffalo), Matt (Brian d’Arcy James) and Sacha (Rachel McAdams) who report to a chain of editors in Walter (Michael Keaton), Ben (John Slattery) and Marty (Liev Schreiber) who become growingly-invested in the investigation, encountering first-hand the procedural and systemic challenges in getting access to buried information with the Catholic Church being so powerful in Boston.

Spotlight shines in its attention to detail and while the Tom McCarthy Film is a great piece of filmmaking and while it very well explains the team’s struggle, it more would have made an impact with a bit more focus on the victims’ damaging impacts as while it truly captivates, it affect emotionally as it should. Ruffalo and Keaton excel in their roles in this important piece, which gets a release via eOne Films.

You can screen it at TIFF:

Mon Sep 14 6:00 PM
PRINCESS OF WALES

Tue Sep 15 11:30 AM
VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)

Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

Every now and then I will see a movie so perfect that I want to scream from the rooftop or grab strangers by the lapels and urge them to see it. BROOKLYN is perfection personified!

Set in 1952, it tells the compelling story of Ellis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), who leaves her widowed mother and older sister in Ireland to start a new life in America where she ultimately meets and falls in love with Tony (a blistering, compelling, career-making performance from Emory Cohen). As their relationship progresses, Ellis must return to Ireland briefly for tragic reasons and is reacquainted with Jim (Domhnall Gleeson) and is immediately smitten with him. Torn between 2 lovers and 2 countries, what will Ellis do?

Peppered with outstanding supporting performances by a multinational and outstanding cast that includes Julie Walters, Canada’s own Jessica Pare and Jim Broadbent, BROOKLYN is a brilliant blend of comedy and drama that will have you reaching for the tissues to wipe away copious tears elicited from laughter, sadness and joy. I adore this movie and don’t be surprised if it wins the TIFF People’s Choice Award.

You can see it at TIFF ’15:

Sun Sept.13 6pm Elgin Theatre
Mon Sept.14 11am Elgin Theatre

We’ve only just begun! TIFF ’15 officially has kicked-off and we’re out spotting every one we can! See who was spotted around town today!

Chiwetel Ejiofor for The Martian. The Academy Award nominee for 12 Years a Slave is back this year in Ridley Scott‘s latest.

#ChiwetelEjiofor at #TIFF15 with #TheMartian.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

Odessa Young. Be on the lookout for this talented Australian actress who stars alongside Miranda Otto and Geoffrey Rush in The Daughter.

Rising Star #OdessaYoung at #TIFF15 with #TheDaughter. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

Marilyn Lima. This young actress makes her debut in Bang Gang at TIFF ’15.

Rising star #MarilynLima at #TIFF15 with #BangGang.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

The brilliant Josh Brolin, everyone. He is at TIFF ’15 with the highly-buzzed Sicario.

#JoshBrolin at #TIFF15 for #Sicario. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

The radiant Jessica Chastain at TIFF once again with Ridley Scott‘s The Martian.

#JessicaChastain at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

Veteran actor Sean Bean at TIFF with The Martian.

#SeanBean at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

Emily Blunt +John Krasinski. Blunt is getting tons of early Oscar buzz for her performance in Sicario from Canadian Director Denis Villeneuve.

#JohnKrasinski + #EmilyBlunt at #TIFF15 for #Sicario. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

Benicio del Toro at TIFF ’15 with Sicario. Expect warranted Awards Season buzz.

#BenicioDelToro at #TIFF15 for #Sicario. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

Patrick Stewart at TIFF ’15 for Green Room.

#PatrickStewart at #TIFF15 with #GREENROOM. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

Breaking Bad star Dean Norris at TIFF ’15 for Remember.

#BreakingBad’s #DeanNorris at #TIFF15 with #RememberMovie. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

Emily Blunt, stunning. Light makeup.

#EmilyBlunt at #TIFF15 for #Sicario. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:21pm PDT

The brilliant Helen Mirren all smiles, at TIFF ’15 for Trumbo, a Biopic about writer Dalton Trumbo.

#HelenMirren at #TIFF15 for #Trumbo. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

Handsome Captain America: The Winter Soldier star Sebastian Stan at TIFF for The Martian.

#SebastianStan at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #CaptainAmerica #WinterSoldier #BuckyBarnes

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:59pm PDT

Kate Mara at TIFF for The Martian. Cute Pixie Cut, right?

#KateMara at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

Veteran Michael Pena at TIFF for The Martian.

The talented #MichaelPena at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 7:31pm PDT

Greg Grunberg at TIFF ’15 for Heroes Reborn, making a debut in the Festival’s new TV Programme.

#GregGrunberg at #TIFF15 for #HeroesReborn! #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 7:30pm PDT

Ellen Page, who slays it in Into the Forest + Freeheld, premiering at TIFF ’15.

This one I’m extra-happy about! Finally a Selfie with #EllenPage, who slayed it in #FREEHELDMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF15 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #Xmen

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 7:32pm PDT

One of the greatest surprises to come out of TIFF ’15 is BFF-Dramedy MISS YOU ALREADY. Director Catherine Hardwicke already has shown us flashes of her brilliance in her career and to this day we still are mesmerized by her 2003 effort Thirteen, before going on to achieve blockbuster success with Twilight.

This Film centers on two best friends in flashy Milly (Toni Collette) and confidante Jess (Drew Barrymore) and their inseparable bond. After Milly is diagnosed with breast cancer, their friendship reaches a turning point, which impacts the lives of each other’s families. Despite seemingly having it all, Milly begins to question what it is she wants in the face of her mortality and Jess tries balancing being a friend to Milly with her own family life as she looks to conceive a child after some struggle.

Miss You Already explores with great detail and compassion the heartbreaking ripple effect of terminal illness on family and friends. Toni Collette is superb, capturing Milly as someone who is complex, flawed and hungry to live. Barrymore complements perfectly and is wonderful in Jess’ journey to find herself as her own person.

There will not a pair of dry eyes in the house. MISS YOU ALREADY is deeply-affecting as it is joyously a celebration of friendship and life.

eOne Films release and it plays at TIFF ’15:

Sat  Sep 12 3:30 PM

ROY THOMSON HALL    

Sun  Sep 13 8:45 AM

THE BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

The Lobster is straight-up the most absurd and bat-shit crazy Movie I have seen in a very long time. Right from the Film’s wordlessly strange opening, Co-Writer/Director Yorgos Lanthimos takes you on a relentlessly-unpredictable ride that is unlike anything you will ever expect. And I loved every minute of it.

In the near future, single people like David (Colin Farrell) are sent to a hotel to find a partner. They have 45-days to accomplish this task, or else they are turned into an animal. Lanthimos goes a little deeper with the rules and conditions, but suffice to say, his deadpan-satirical depiction and dissection of love and marriage is not going to sit well with everyone. But this shocking, wildly unique and preposterously hilarious film is easily one of the best of the year.

Farrell is at his hysterical best here, giving a real poignancy to David despite how ridiculous the Film around him becomes. Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly, Ben Whishaw, Léa Seydoux, Jessica Barden, Olivia Colman and just about everyone who inhabits the Wes Anderson-themed hotel from hell are all aces. Relative unknown Angeliki Papoulia (who starred in Lanthimos’ Films Alps and Dogtooth) is among the most memorable as a Heartless Woman who will make you laugh just as hard as she will repulse every fibre of your being.

The Lobster screens Friday September 11 at 3:00PM at Princess of Wales and Saturday September 12 at 4:45PM at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.

Every once in a while we get the opportunity to see a Film at TIFF which leaves us shaken and in all honesty, the last one that affected me that deeply was 12 Years a Slave, going-on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Sicario, the latest from celebrated Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, is a Film which deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as that contemporary Steve McQueen classic.

Sicario takes us on a riveting ride with Kate Macy (Emily Blunt) as she accepts a joint-government mission in Juarez, Mexico to uncover the identity of a mysterious drug lord, whom caused  the death of her colleagues in an operation turned fatal in Arizona. The true reason why she is chosen is somewhat of a mystery. She meets mercenary Alejandro (Benicio del Toro) who doesn’t appear to be working  for the U.S. government and with a purpose none to clear other than it being eluded to that something shameful has happened to him. Kate reports to Matt (Josh Brolin), who also is careful not to unveil too much, clearly withholding information.

We go underground into dark tunnels of Juarez, unsure whom to trust at any turn on a mission in which several liberties are taken much to the disapproval of a by-the-book Kate. Actions are taken and only explained after, keeping us invested fully along the way with burning questions.

Villeneuve accomplishes a great triumph in storytelling with Sicario, a devastatingly-good Thriller. Blunt acts as our eyes in this dangerous, corrupt underworld, a real presence in all her vulnerability. An armed and fearsome del Toro aims with precision, delivering his best work in quite some time.

eOne Films release SICARIO, which is sure to make a great impact come awards season. During TIFF ’15, it screens as follows:

SICARIO
Fri Sep 11 10:00 PM
PRINCESS OF WALES

Sat Sep 12 11:00 AM
VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

In Robert Eggers’ first attempt at writing and directing a Feature, he manages to wow audiences with his haunting and eerie debut, The Witch. The Movie comes across as a Brothers Grimm-like Fairy Tale, before they became Disney-fied, embracing the dark and disturbing in this suspenseful Horror that will deeply satisfy a crowd that has been looking for a good scare.

The Movie focuses on a family as they have to go through their lives after a strange encounter with a witch, something that leaves several of the children affected in horrifying ways. The parents, Katherine (Kate Dickie) and William (Ralph Ineson) believe that the witch is in fact their oldest daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) despite their being a very dark and ominous factor to their billy goat, Black Philip (Wahab Chaudhry).

What makes The Witch completely unsettling is the elements that Eggers takes from similarly-styled movies such as The Shinning, this resemblance of a rather normal life thrown in super-powers outside our comprehension, to create a supernatural thriller. The soundtrack also helps play an important part in the creation of this deeply-unnerving Film. The Witch is an absolute must-see for any Horror fanatic.

Elevation Pictures release THE WITCH, which premieres on Friday, September 18th at 6:15 pm at Ryerson Theatre and has a second screening Saturday, September 19th at 9:15 pm at the Bloor Hot Docs Theatre.