Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Go Back To China follows spoiled rich girl Sasha Li (Anna Akana) who has recently blown through half of her million dollar trust fund. When her father (Richard Ng) cuts her off completely, she is forced to go back to China and work at the family toy business to earn her trust fund back.

This semi-autobiographical Film is a comedic and heartfelt story about finding who you are by knowing where you come from. Writer-Director Emily Ting has a steady pace that focuses on character development and an emotional family story, resulting in a fresh take on this familiar genre. It’s also a great showcase for the talented Akana who commands the screen with an impressive starring role.

Go Back To China screens at SXSW on March 9 at 2PM at Stateside Theatre, March 10 at 11:15AM at Alamo Lamar B, and March 15 at 2:15PM at Alamo Lamar B.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Dana (Nöelle Schönwald) has been working as a prostitute to raise money to help with her daughter’s illness. When she sees a chance to break free from the mafia boss who exploits her, she takes her chance. But will she escape?

Director-Screenwriter Gabriela Calvache takes an unflinching look at human trafficking. She tells the story through Dana’s experiences: resorting to drugs to escape from her reality and being beaten whenever she doesn’t follow orders. Then there’s the world inside the mafia boss’s house, which houses many women from children to adults. Nöelle Schönwald carries the Film with intensity and shines brightest in the scenes leading up to the finale.

La Mala Noche screens at SXSW on March 9 at 4:45PM at Alamo Ritz 2, March 11 at 2PM at Alamo Lamar C, and March 14 at 10:45AM at Alamo Ritz 2.

Productions are in flight again around Toronto, utilizing our snowy conditions. Taking advantage of a snow-free afternoon, several stars in town working enjoyed milder weather for once.

LET IT SNOW

Filming for Netflix Feature Let it Snow has been underway and it stars a talented, young up-and-coming Cast including Odeya Rush, Kiernan Shipka, Liv Hewson, Shameik Moore and Isabela Moner. Based on the Book by John Green, Lauren Myracle and Maureen Johnson, the Romantic-Comedy centers on a group of people brought together by a snowstorm on Christmas Eve.

We spotted Matthew Noszka (Star), Moner (seen next in Dora The Explorer), Shipka (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Rush (Lady Bird) and Moore (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) out and about.

The Production wraps end of March.

SPINNING OUT

Spinning Out centers on a figure skater on the comeback trail as a Pairs skater, after sustaining an injury. The Netflix Series wraps in May and we spotted stars Willow Shields  (The Hunger Games) and Evan Roderick (Arrow) earlier out and about. The Series stars Kaya Scodelario (The Maze Runner) and January Jones (Mad Men) also.

LOCKE AND KEY

This Netflix Series based on Joe Hill’s Comic Book Series, is about three siblings brought together after their father’s gruesome murder. They discover a set of keys which must be used against an evil creature looking to hold power and possess the keys. Connor Jessup (American Crime), Jackson Robert Scott (It) and Emilia Jones (Brimstone) star. We spotted Laysla de Olivera out, and she appears next in Toronto-made Code 8 starring cousins Robbie and Stephen Amell, which also is set to stream on Netflix. Executive Producer Andy Muschietti (It, It: Chapter Two) is no stranger to Toronto having directed both Blockbusters here.

Production wraps in June.

FALLING
Green Book star Viggo Mortensen makes his directorial debut in Falling, which sees a conservative father who moves in with his gay son and his family in Los Angeles. Veteran Actor Lance Henriksen has been at work in Toronto, being greeted personally by his Co-Star and Director at the airport upon arrival.

The Production wraps late April.

THE HANDMAID’S TALE
Golden Globe and Primetime EMMY winner Elisabeth Moss certainly is a busy woman, currently filming season three of dystopian Drama THE HANDMAID’S TALE till April. Moss was just at SXSW in Austin promoting Jordan Peele‘s upcoming Film, US.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Alyssa and Maksim work to preserve the treasures of the world’s most important seed bank in war-torn Russia. This seed bank holds the key to their country’s food supply.

Director and Writer Jessica Oreck has created a unique Film about a true story she sets it in the future. This technique draws parallels between the past and present. She does all this while shooting in beautiful black and white.

One Man Dies A Million Times screens at SXSW on March 9 at 2PM at Alamo Ritz 2, March 11 at 3PM at Alamo Lamar D, and March 15 at 4:30PM at Alamo Ritz 2.

Despite lots of controversy and several smear campaigns on the internet, CAPTAIN MARVEL prevails atop the Box Office with a spectacular $160 million from 4,310 theatres in its debut this weekend for Disney. The International Women’s Day release featuring for the first time ever a female superhero in the starring role, gets 79% on the Tomatometer and also an A CinemaScore.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD lands in second with $15.2 million for Universal Pictures, a three week total of $120 million.

A MADEA FAMILY FUNERAL is in third this weekend with $11.3 million, a total $45.2 million for Lionsgate Films/Elevation Pictures.

THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART finds itself in fourth with $3.7 million, a five week total of $97 million for Warner Bros.

WHAT MEN WANT rounds things out in tenth with $1 million, a five week total of $51.9 million domestically for Paramount Pictures.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Today was the official start of the 2019 SXSW Festival and it didn’t disappoint.

The day began with a bunch of conferences from those in the Tech world, like Pricilla Chan, to those in the Film industry, such as Busy Phillips. Earlier in the day Chan spoke about the work and impact the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is doing. Later on in the afternoon, Phillips sat down and had a talk with her close friend Hillary Kerr. The two spoke about the career Phillips has had and her new late-night talk show Busy Tonight which airs on E! Network.

But the main event for the day was the World Premiere and Opening Night Film Us directed and written by Jordan Peele. For films at SXSW, people typically begin lining-up about two hours in advance, at most. However, for Us, the line began a whopping six hours in advance. By the time that two-hour mark hit, it was a guessing game of if you were going to get in or not. Thankfully, we made it in and it was worth the wait. We were also treated to many Cast and Crew being there, such as Jordan Peele, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. All stayed after the show for a Q&A. To know more about this anticipated Film, make sure to check out our Review here.

Film isn’t the only thing of focus at SXSW, they also have a wide selection of Television events. Tonight was the What We Do In The Shadows Premiere and Executive Producers Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement were on hand to introduce the upcoming FX Series based on their cult classic Mockumentary. They were quick to put on quite the two-man show for the audience. Each made jokes about turning their Film into a TV show. Waititi also spoke of Toronto during his hilarious banter with Clement. Waititi said the show takes place in Staten Island, even if it looks like Toronto. This was in reference to the Vampires on the show living on Staten Island, but production taking place in Toronto.

At the end of the night, 6th Street was bright with the glow of lights coming from the restaurants and bars. There was a smell of street food wherever you walked with the sounds of after parties and students heading out for the weekend in the background.

Day Two has more marquee premieres with The Beach Bum and Long Shot. We received word that Matthew McConaughey and Isla Fisher will be on hand for the former and that Seth Rogen and Charlie Theron will be here for Long Shot Premiere. There are also some pop-up events and conferences featuring Amber Heard and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. So keep checking back here for more updates as we go!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Us follows a family on vacation who soon realize they are being hunted by a family, who look exactly like them.

Writer-Director Jordan Peele’s follow-up to the spectacular Get Out is a suspenseful, frightening and at once stylish piece. Once again Peele has crafted an entirely unique Film, for the second time in a row, that will shock and stick with viewers long after the credits roll.

His phenomenal Cast, who are playing two characters each, are a mix of seasoned Actors and those who are just getting their start. Lupita Nyong’o has reached new heights as the unrelenting Adeline and her doppelganger. Winston Duke gets to show his range with a comedic and layered performance. Elisabeth Moss is a standout as the liquor-infused family friend. And the two Actors who steal the show are Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex as the children and their twisted doppelgangers. The many twists and beautiful dual imagery that’s displayed throughout proves that Peele is an undeniable talent.

Us only has one screening at SXSW and that is on March 8 at 6:30 PM at The Paramount Theatre.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

SXSW 2019 is beginning tomorrow in Austin, Texas and will run until March 17. It’s once again celebrating all things Film, Music and Comedy. The Festival runs from March 8-17.

SXSW is known to showcase some marquee titles that star heavyweight talent. It appears that this year SXSW will be putting its entire support behind the Horror film genre because both the Opening and Closing Film are sure to scare audiences. One of the highest profile Films this year is the Opening Night Film, US. This is the second Feature Film for Writer-Director Jordan Peele and stars Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. We have word that all those we have named will be on hand for the World Premiere tomorrow at the Paramount Theatre. Pet Sematary has been chosen as the Closing Night Film and stars Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow and more.

Other Must-Sees which are having their World Premieres at SXSW are Long Shot starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron, Good Boys starring Canadian Jacob Tremblay, The Beach Bum starring Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher and Zac Efron, The Highwaymen starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner, Booksmart which is the directorial debut of Actress Olivia Wilde, and Stuber starring Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani. All those Films are apart of the Headliners section of the Film Festival and are expecting big Red Carpet arrivals. One close-to-home Film we should have our eyes on is Run This Town, which is the Toronto-filmed movie about the late Mayor Rob Ford. It stars Ben Platt, Nina Dobrev, Scott Speedman and Damien Lewis as Rob Ford.

Something that sets the SXSW‘s Film Festival apart from others is its Keynote Speakers and Featured Sessions. These panels and talks provide insight into many different industries and social issues. This year some noteworthy mentions are Jason Blum, Ethan Hawke, Jodie Foster, Amber Heard, Busy Phillips, Elizabeth Banks, Gwyneth Paltrow, Henry Winkler, Kathy Griffin, Trevor Noah and more. There are also some political officials set to speak at sessions during the Festival such as Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Elizabeth Warren, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and more.

Tomorrow is when things will be kicking into full swing, check back here for all the latest from SXSW.

20th Century Fox Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of BREAKTHROUGH in Toronto. Screening is as follows:

TORONTO
Saturday, April 6
10:00AM
Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Eglinton

MONTREAL
Saturday, April 6
10:00AM
Cinema Forum

VANCOUVER
Saturday, April 6
10:00AM
Scotiabank Vancouver

WINNIPEG
Saturday, April 6
10:00AM
Scotiabank Winnipeg

Synopsis:

BREAKTHROUGH is based on the inspirational true story of one mother’s unfaltering love in the face of impossible odds. When Joyce Smith’s adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake, all hope seems lost. But as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific prediction. From producer DeVon Franklin (Miracles from Heaven) and adapted for the screen by Grant Nieporte (Seven Pounds) from Joyce Smith’s own book, BREAKTHROUGH is an enthralling reminder that faith and love can create a mountain of hope, and sometimes even a miracle.

Cast: Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, Sam Trammell and Dennis Haysbert

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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20th Century Fox Canada release BREAKTHROUGH Friday, April 17, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)

For the first time ever in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we get not only a female-led Film, but also one set in the ’90s. Captain Marvel stars Academy Award winner Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, centering on her journey as one of the most powerful superheroes in the universe. She realizes her true self amidst a war between two races of aliens, a galactic battle which reaches earth.

The Film directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck stars Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Rune Temte, Algenis Perez Soto, Mckenna Grace, with Annette Bening, with Clark Gregg, and Jude Law.

British Actress Lashana Lynch graced the Red Carpet at Toronto’s Scotiabank Theatre tonight, a beauty in black, speaking to local press at the Canadian Premiere of Captain Marvel. Known best stateside for her work on Shonda Rhimes’ Still Star-Crossed, Lynch for several years has been auditioning for roles in the MCU. Finally the right role had surfaced for her and she stars as Maria Rambeau, best friend and Co-Pilot to Larson’s Danvers, a prominent role particularly late in the Film.

Joining her on the Carpet were Canadian athletes  including Paralympian Sprinter Marissa Papaconstantinou, Halfpipe Snowboarder Calynn Irwin and CTV‘s Ben Mulroney. Lynch‘s proud best friend Adoma who lives in Toronto, also was at her side posing for a photo op.

The tagline for Captain Marvel is “higher, further and faster.” . We ask both Papaconstantinou and Irwin about this philosophy in their disciplines and also about their favourite MCU superheroes.

Marissa Papaconstantinou

“‘Higher, further and faster’ makes me want to further push the limits. I’ve been in Track & Field for a really long time and I’ve experienced a lot of things at a very young age, but I guess the main goal this year is to get on the podium. That’s definitely what I’m gonna be looking for this year.”.

On her favourite Marvel superheroes, she reveals, “I love Black Panther and Captain America!”.

Calynn Irwin

“As a Halfpipe Snowboarder, we’re constantly striving to go ‘higher, further and faster’, so that goes to the core for my discipline in Snowboarding. ‘Higher’ means pushing yourself that little bit more ‘further’ and that little bit ‘faster’, so at the end of the day you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.”.

Like Papaconstantinou, she says “I loved Captain America“.  She also divulges her not-so-secret crush, “Thor… gotta love Chris Hemsworth!”.

Lashana Lynch

We ask Lynch about the toughest thing about her role, which saw her working closely with mothers who also are pilots, and airmen.  She recalls, “The greatest challenge was making sure I honour and respect the military. They don’t often get the light shone on them and I just wanted to do them justice. Treat their world well and that they get their chance to shine! Maria and Carol are two very strong women and I thinking they represent the military well.”.

Lynch also is a huge Marvel fan, listing for us her personal favourites. “Black Widow, Shuri, Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man is cool. Let’s just say all the women!”.

It’s not every day one gets a breakout role alongside an Oscar winner. We ask her about building that chemistry with her on and off-screen buddy Larson. “Oh, it was natural, we didn’t really have to really work to create a friendship on screen or anything like that. We both want to represent women in Cinema in the best form and we both want to shine a light on how representation needs to take a shift in 2019. We had the chance to connect together, hang-out and have a one-on-one conversation as women on-screen. It felt really special and really organic.”.

Marvel Entertainment Canada release CAPTAIN MARVEL Thursday, March 7, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)