#SPOTTED: “IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK” TAKES TOP HONOURS AT INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

Now in their 34th year, the FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS took place in Santa Monica this past weekend, celebrating the achievement in Independent Film over the past year. Taking top honours was Barry Jenkins’ IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, winning Best Feature. The Adaptation of the Novel by James Baldwin also was awarded Best Director and Supporting Actress, Regina King who the next day, would win an Oscar for the same performance.

As is consistent with most of this Awards Season, we’ve seen a split in the recognition of Films and the Spirit Awards were on-trend. CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? and SUSPIRIA received two awards each, the former winning for Best Supporting Actor, Richard E. Grant and Best Screenplay, Jeff Whitty and Nicole Holofcener. Grant shared some inspiring words about his experience playing Jack Hock, himself having seen several of his friends die victims of HIV. He dedicated his award in memory of those who passed away as a result of the disease.

The Cast of SUSPIRIA received the prestigious Robert Altman Award, honouring its Female Ensemble including Chloë Grace-Moretz, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth, Dakota Johnson and more. Its Cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom also was awarded for her work.

Hosted by Aubrey Plaza, the audience were treated to her expletive-filled dead-pan humour where several including Netflix nor even THE FAVOURITE Director Yorgos Lanthimos (equating the sound of his name to a Harry Potter spell, “You just shout Yorgos Lanthimos and someone gets fingered in a corset!”) were safe from her jokes. Kidding aside, she points out that 60% of Director nominees at the Spirit Awards this year were women, stating “Don’t get too excited, in this case 60% just means three women, but calling it 60% makes it sound way scarier to your uncles.”.  On the growing phenomenon of Films getting digital releases over theatrical, she says, “I truly believe people should see movies how they’re meant to seen in the theatres.”.

 

Plaza‘s amazing Opening Monologue

 

Not only did Best Actress winner Glenn Close rule at the Awards, she and her adorable Havanese dog Pip charmed on the Blue Carpet, she dressed in a shimmery pink lamé suit, before getting her own private dinner hosted by Chanel at STK. Pip also attended.

The Cast of Suspiria also ruled the Blue Carpet with Mother Suspiriorum herself, Dakota Johnson, leading the charge and giving her time generously to fans who queued on the sand for a chance to see the stars.

 

See some of our Snaps:

 

Glenn Close x Pip

 

Aubrey Plaza

 

Barry Jenkins and “If Beale Street Could Talk” Team

 

Joaquin Phoenix

 

Josh Hamilton, Elsie Fisher x Bo Burnham

 

Jon Hamm

 

Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth and the ladies of Suspiria

 

Chloë Grace Moretz x Riley Keough

 

John Waters

 

Ray Romano x Mark Duplass

 

Yalitza Aparicio x Javier Bardem

 

Taraji P. Henson x Shangela

 

You also cannot miss Shangela’s daring performance

 

 

Finn Wolfhard

 

Carey Mulligan x Zoe Kazan

 

Kiki Layne

 

Jeff Witty x Nicole Holofcener

 

Debra Granik

 

Toni Collette

 

Regina Hall

 

Regina King

 

Morgan Neville

 

 

Boots Riley

 

Richard E. Grant

 

Viggo Mortensen

 

Alfonso Cuarón

 

Alfonso Cuarón with Thomasin McKenzie

 

Complete list of winners here.

We attended together with our friends at Hollywood Suite, the exclusive broadcaster of the Spirit Awards and will never forget this amazing journey. Their Cam Maitland did an awesome job interviewing talent on the Blue Carpet which will air at later points. You can subscribe via your television provider at $6 per month, plus basic cable. Hollywoodsuite.com.

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

 

Photos taken on the Nikon D3400.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “FIVE FEET APART”

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see FIVE FEET APART starring Riverdale‘s Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson!

Screenings are as follows:

Toronto – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas
Vancouver – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Vancouver
Calgary – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Chinook
Edmonton – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Edmonton
Winnipeg – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Winnipeg
Ottawa – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Ottawa
Halifax – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Halifax
St. John’s – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank St. John’s
Hamilton – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Cineplex Hamilton
London – Monday March 11 – 7pm at SilverCity London
Waterloo – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Galaxy Waterloo

Synopsis:

Stella Grant (Haley Lu Richardson) is every bit a seventeen-year-old: she’s attached to her laptop and loves her best friends. But unlike most teenagers, she spends much of her time living in a hospital as a cystic fibrosis patient. Her life is full of routines, boundaries and self-control — all of which is put to the test when she meets an impossibly charming fellow CF patient named Will Newman (Cole Sprouse).

There’s an instant flirtation, though restrictions dictate that they must maintain a safe distance between them. As their connection intensifies, so does the temptation to throw the rules out the window and embrace that attraction. Further complicating matters is Will’s potentially dangerous rebellion against his ongoing medical treatment. Stella gradually inspires Will to live life to the fullest, but can she ultimately save the person she loves when even a single touch is off limits?

 

See the Trailer:

 

Artwork:

 

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

 

eOne Films release FIVE FEET APART Friday, March 15, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

#OSCARS: WINS TOP HONOURS AT 2019 ACADEMY AWARDS

The 91st annual Academy Awards took place tonight at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Taking top honours was GREEN BOOK winning Best Picture, a total three Oscars. The TIFF ’18 People’s Choice Award winner directed by Peter Farrelly, also received Best Original Screenplay.

Bohemian Rhapsody took home the most Oscars this evening, victorious in Sound Mixing, Sound Editing and Film Editing. Rami Malek won Best Actor for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody bringing the Biopic’s win tally to four. Olivia Colman took home Best Actress for her work in The Favourite, springing a mild upset. Supporting Actor went to Mahershala Ali who nabbed his second award in the category for Green Book. Regina King won Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk. Directing went to ROMA Helmer Alfonso Cuarón, whose lifetime total at the Awards now is at ten.

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper stole the show with a touching performance of Shallow from A Star is Born before the audience. The song later went on to win Original Song, accepted by Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt.

 

Despite being host-less this year, the show got an introduction from a trio of funnywomen in Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph, preceded by a medley of hits from Queen, fronted by Adam Lambert.

Toronto’s Domee Shi won Animated Short for Pixar‘s BAO which played before INCREDIBLES 2 in its theatrical run.

Some winning looks a this evening included: Gemma Chan in Valentino
Lady Gaga in Alexander McQueen
Michelle Yeoh in Elie Saab
Regina King in Oscar de la Renta
Bradley Cooper in Tom Ford
Glenn Close in Carolina Herrera
Melissa McCarthy in Brandon Maxwell

 

Click here for a complete list of winners.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/ABC)

#BOXOFFICE: “DRAGON” BREATHES FIRE IN DEBUT

Capping-off aa successful Franchise, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD lands on-top with $60 million from 4,295 theatres for Universal Pictures. It gets 91% on the Tomatometer and takes over top spot for an opening for the Franchise, besting 2014’s second installment, which bowed at $49 million.

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL slips to second spot with $11.1 million from 3,802 theatres in its second week out for 20th Century Fox, a total $59.7 million made over two weeks.

THE LEGO MOVIE: THE SECOND PART lands in third woth $9.6 million, a total $83.2 million for Warner Bros. in three weeks.

FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY debuts in fourth with $7.7 million from 2,711 for Universal Pictures. It gets 91% on the Tomatometer.

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC finds itself in fifth with $7.4 million for Warner Bros., totalling $33.6 million over two weeks.

RUN THE RACE bottoms-out the Top Ten with $2.2 million from 853 theatres for Roadside Attractions. It gets 40% on the Tomatometer.

#HORSERACING: THE 2019 GREENWOOD STAKES AT WOODBINE

One of the biggest fashion events of the season, will be back once again Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Woodbine Racetrack!

A sister to Vancouver’s Deighton Cup, Toronto’s own Greenwood Stakes is a fabulous excuse for Toronto’s fashionable set to experience world-class Horse Racing and be seen!

 

Details:
When: Saturday, May 25, 2019
Where: Woodbine Racetrack – 555 Rexdale Blvd, Toronto
Time: 12 – 5 p.m.
Race Post Time: 1 p.m.
Price: Tickets start at $75
Dress Code: Derby attire

 

In addition to amazing music, cocktails, food and photo ops, the day will be highlighted by the inaugural running of the $125k Greenwood Stakes a six-furlong stakes races for horses three-years-old and up.

We had fun last year and even spotted some stars! More here.

Tickets nn sale March 6; available online at https://www.greenwoodstakes.com.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “POMS”

This looks adorable! Check-out the new Trailer for POMS!

Synopsis:
POMS is an uplifting comedy about a woman (played by Diane Keaton) who moves into a retirement community and starts a cheerleading squad with her fellow residents, including Pam Grier and Jacki Weaver.

Zara Hayes directed the script by Shane Atkinson. Alisha Boe, Phyllis Somerville, Charlie Tahan, Bruce McGill, Rhea Perlman and Celia Weston also star.

See the Trailer:

 

eOne Films release POMS May 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “WONDER PARK”

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see WONDER PARK. The Screening takes place Wednesday, March 13, 2019 in Montreal.

Synopsis:
Wonder Park tells the story of a magnificent amusement park where the imagination of a wildly creative girl named June comes alive. One magical day, June is running through the woods to find her way home where she discovers an old rollercoaster car and climbs inside. She suddenly finds herself in Wonderland, an amusement park she had created in her mind and put aside. All of her rides and characters are brought to life but are falling into disarray without her. Now, with the help of her fun and lovable park characters, June will have to put the wonder back in Wonderland before it is lost forever.

Cast: Jennifer Garner, Matthew Broderick, John Oliver, Mila Kunis, Kenan Thompson, Ken Jeong, Norbert Leo Butz, Brianna Denski, Ken Hudson Campbell

 

See the 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!

Paramount Pictures release WONDER PARK Friday, March 15, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN BLU-RAY COPIES OF “THE LITTLE MERMAID” + “RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET”

Two new Disney In-Home releases to tell you all about, Willionaires! THE LITTLE MERMAID and RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET both on February 26, 2019.

 

THE LITTLE MERMAID

In honour of its 30th anniversary, two-time Academy Award®-winner (Best Original Score and Best Original Song “Under the Sea,” 1989) “The Little Mermaid,” dives into the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection with all-new bonus features and a sing-along mode. The magical, musical tale of mermaid princess Ariel — along with loveable sidekicks Sebastian and Flounder, and the love-to-hate sea witch Ursula — is shore to make a splash with all generations when it comes home for the first time.

Trailer:

Tech Specs:
Blu-ray feature film + bonus
DVD feature film + bonus
Digital copy of feature film
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Sound: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA / French-Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital / Latin Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Running Time: 82 minutes
Rating: G
Blu-ray: For Region A use (Americas, East and Southeast Asia, U.S. territories, Bermuda) only
DVD: For Region 1 use (US and Canada) only

 

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET

In the hilarious, highspeed sequel to 2012’s Oscar®-nominated “Wreck-It Ralph,” video-game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) risk it all by traveling to the expansive, fast-paced world of the internet in an action-packed attempt to save Vanellope’s game Sugar Rush.

Tech Specs:
Blu-ray feature film + bonus
DVD feature film + bonus
Digital copy of feature film
Aspect Ratio: 1.39:1
Sound: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital / French-Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital / Latin Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English ESL, English SDH, Latin Spanish, French-Canadian
Running Time: 112 minutes
Rating: PG
Blu-ray: For Region A use (Americas, East and Southeast Asia, U.S. territories, Bermuda) only
DVD: For Region 1 use (US and Canada) only

 

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. On there tell me which title you are entering to win or if you’re entering for both. You may click “share” from there for an extra chance or Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw too! Open to Canadian Readers only.

 

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: “CAPTAIN MARVEL” POP-UPS COMING TO TORONTO + VANCOUVER!

Who’s pumped for CAPTAIN MARVEL? Fans in Toronto and Vancouver are in for a lucky treat as a ’90s-inspired Video Store Pop-Up in celebration of the Movie are coming soon!

TORONTO:
277 QUEEN STREET WEST
FRIDAY, MARCH 1
12 PM – 7PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 & SUNDAY MARCH 3
10 AM – 6PM

Hashtag: #CAPTAINMARVELTO

 

VANCOUVER:
METROTOWN MALL – 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
(ground floor near Muji and the Bay)

FRIDAY MARCH 1 & SATURDAY MARCH 2
10 AM – 9 PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 3
11 AM – 7 PM

Hashtag: #CAPTAINMARVELVAN

WHAT: Marvel Studios is inviting Canadians to race against time in an immersive scavenger hunt inside Stanley Video, a 90’s video rental store. Consumers have to find the DVD titles that are answers to a series of clues. Teams have 5 minutes to complete the game. Successful teams have the chance to win a collector “Captain Marvel” pin plus premiere screening passes and Garage gift cards.

Synopsis:
Set in the 1990s, Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel” is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that follows the journey of Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes. While a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom.

The film 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.

 

 

Captain Marvel is in theatres Friday, March 7, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “ROCKETMAN”

We’ve all been waiting for it and it looks every bit dazzling! Check-out the Trailer for Elton John Biopic, ROCKETMAN starring Taron Egerton!

Synopsis:
The only way to tell his story is to live his fantasy. ✨ Taron Egerton is Elton John in #Rocketman, in theatres May 31. Watch the new trailer now!

ROCKETMAN is an epic musical fantasy about the uncensored human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years, starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard.

 

See the Trailer:

 

Paramount Pictures Canada release ROCKETMAN Friday, May 31, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)