Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to an Advance Screening of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD!

Screenings take place:
Toronto confirmed: Wed Feb 20 7:00 PM
Montreal confirmed: Wed Feb 20 7:00 PM
Vancouver confirmed: Wed Feb 20 7:00 PM
Edmonton confirmed: Wed Feb 20  7:00 PM

Synopsis:

Now chief and ruler of Berk alongside Astrid, Hiccup has created a gloriously chaotic dragon utopia. When the sudden appearance of female Light Fury coincides with the darkest threat their village has ever faced, Hiccup and Toothless must leave the only home they’ve known and journey to a hidden world thought only to exist in myth. As their true destines are revealed, dragon and rider will fight together—to the very ends of the Earth—to protect everything they’ve grown to treasure.

Cast: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett, Kit Harington, Craig Ferguson, F. Murray Abraham

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Tell us in the comments there, who you’ll be bringing to see this Family Day week release! Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra shot.

Universal Pictures Canada release HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD  Friday, February 22, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Official Secrets tells the true story of British Secret Service Officer Katherine Gun (Keira Knightley). She released a private emailed memo about an illegal joint US-UK spying operation on the UN Security Council, leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Writer-Director Gavin Hood has made a compelling Film about the inspiring Gun. Gavin depicts Gun as an ordinary woman who was able to do something extraordinary by putting herself and those around her in harms way to expose the truth. Hood has gathered an ensemble of talented actors consisting of Knightley, Matt Smith, Matthew Goode, Ralph Fiennes and more. All add richness to the inspiring people involved.

Official Secrets screens at Sundance on Jan 28 at 6:30PM at Eccles PC, Jan 29 at 8:45AM at PC Library PC, Feb 2 at 9:30PM at The Ray PC, and Feb 3 at 12:30PM at Rose Wagner SLC.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Honey Boy is the impressive screenwriting debut of Shia LaBeouf and is an autobiographical depiction of his relationship as a child actor with his emotionally and physically-abusive, alcoholic father.

This is an emotionally-driven film that features enormously-powerful, layered performances from its three leads. First and most memorable is LaBeouf in the role as his own father. He throws himself into this portrayal even further than his prior work making this standout. Then there is Noah Jupe, who plays LaBeouf as a 12-year-old child actor. Jupe’s performance is truly heartbreaking and his scenes with LeBeouf are raw. Finally, there is Lucas Hedges as LaBeouf in his 20s. Hedges becomes the PTSD effected Shia during his stay at a court-ordered rehab. There is no trace of Hedges because he captures LaBeouf stance, walk and voice inflections.

Honey Boy screens at Sundance on Jan 25 at 3:30PM AT Eccels PC, Jan 26 at 12:15PM at Grand SLC and 10PM at Redstone 2, Jan 27 at 9:15PM at Ray PC, and Feb 2 at 11:30AM at The MARC PC.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile follows infamous serial killer Ted Bundy (Zac Efron), his relationship with Liz (Lily Collins), and the trials in which he was charged across multiple states for numerous savage murders.

This Film is a captivating watch from beginning to end thanks to Michael Werwie’s writing and steady direction by Joe Berlinger, who also directed Netflix‘s The Bundy Tapes. Enough time is spent on each important moment in Bundy’s trials, escapes and romantic relationships, which give a balanced look into the life of this complex serial killer. The Film is also an amazing showcase for Efron and Collins. Efron is stunning as Bundy and gives his best performance to date. He not only is convincing physically, but embodies his charm and wit, often making it hard to fall for him. Then there is Collins who gives a powerful performance as the tormented Liz. She evokes both the love Liz had for Bundy along with the doubt and regret which followed that love.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile screens at Sundance on Sat., Jan 26 at 9:45PM at Eccles PC, Sun., Jan 27 at 8:30AM at The MARC PC, Tues., Jan 29 at 6:30PM at Rose Wagner SLC, Wed., Jan 30 at 6PM at Resort Sundance, and Sat., Feb 2 at 12:15PM at Eccles PC.

If there’s one Film coming out of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival with a lot of buzz, that would be THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO. The Drama directed by Joe Talbot centers on a man searching for home in a city that seems to have left him behind. It stars Co-Writer Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors, Rob Morgan, Thora Birch, Danny Glover and Finn Wittrock. Our Amanda Gilmore spotted Fails, Majors and Morgan causing a commotion with autograph seekers after the Film receive a warm reception last night at the Festival.  A24 distributes the Film, while Brad Pitt‘s Plan B Entertainment produces. We hear there were 100+ people on-standby to screen the Film tonight!

Biographical Sports Dramedy FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY which is based on the true story of WWE star Paige is a surprise addition to the Festival, set to premiere tomorrow.  Paige who is played in the February release by Florench Pugh, was spotted about and about with Pugh. Many are wondering if Dwayne Johnson might be making an appearance at Sundance now too!

While we know Wendi McLendon-Covey mostly for her comedic work, she comes to Sundance with IMAGINARY ORDER. The Drama sees an obsessive-compulsive suburban mom’s sexual and moral unravelling and fans went wild for the star who was seen out doing press.

Oscar-nominated Chiwetel Ejiofor makes his directorial debut with THE MAN WHO HARNESSED THE WIND, based on the Novel by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. Ejiofor also writes the Adaptation and stars in the the Drama. Amanda spotted him out being very giving to fans!

She speaks  highly of THE FAREWELL which sees breakout star of Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, Awkwafina, stretch her dramatic wings. Check-out her review here. The Film sold for $7 million to A24.

And of course, she was lucky enough to get into a screening of hotly-buzzed EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE starring Zac Efron! He really is that good in it we’re hearing. More here.

Some Snaps from Amanda:

Jonathan Majors, The Last Black Man in San Francisco

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

When a family finds out that the matriarch of their family, Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen), has terminal stage four lung cancer, they travel from America and Japan to pay their last respects. However, the Chinese tradition is to keep this news from Nai Nai until it is absolutely necessary to tell her. This is difficult for her granddaughter, Billi (Awkwafina), who cares deeply for Nai Nai and expresses all of her emotions.

The Farewell is perfect showcase for the amazing talent that is Awkwafina. She gets her chance to shine in a lead character role, displaying a wide range of emotions that cement her career ahead after a fantastic 2018 which included Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean’s 8. This is based on a true story and is beautifully brought to the screen from Writer-Director Lulu Wang. It’s loaded with Comedy and rich Drama that will touch anyone lucky enough to see it.

The Farewell screens at Sundance on Fri., Jan 25 at 12:15PM at Eccles PC, Sat., Jan 26 at 1PM at Redstone 2 PC and 9:15PM at Grand SLC, Tues., Jan 29 at 9:15PM at Sundance Resort, Wed., Jan 30 at 12PM at Library PC, and Fri., Feb 1 at 8:30AM at Egyptian PC.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The Nightingale takes place in 1825 on the British colony of Van Diemen’s Land, which is now known as Tasmania, Australia. The Film follows the story of a young Irish convict, Clare (Aisling Franciosi), who is serving time in order to be given her ticket to go back home by British officer Hawkins (Sam Claflin). One night, Hawkins and fellow officers, under his directives, commit horrific acts of violence against Clare, her husband, and their newborn child. This sets her out on a hunt, with the help of Aboriginal guide Billy (Baykali Ganambarr), through the wilderness to find them and exact her revenge.

This is a harrowing effort for Writer-Director Jennifer Kent (The Babadook). Kent never shies away from the traumatizing acts these men repeatedly carry-out. She forces the audience to watch with great anxiety and feel every ounce of pain Clare is experiencing. It isn’t only Kent‘s pays meticulous attention to details in creating an atmosphere. Her focus is the injustice the indigenous people and women convicts faced. We get a balanced view between Clare’s perspective and that of the Aboriginal People, particularly Billy, who helps her track down the men who savagely attacked her family.

The entire Cast is great, with a breakthrough performance from Franciosi, who we have previously seen in BBC’s The Fall. She is a powerhouse who never seems to run out of steam. She displays every range of emotion from pain, happiness, confusion, fear and rage without having to say a word. Claflin is unlike any other character we’ve ever seen from him. He disappears into the sinister Hawkins, giving one of his most frightening and memorable performances to date.

The Nightingale screens at Sundance on Fri., Jan 25 at 8:30PM at The MARC PC, Sat., Jan 26 at 6:30PM at Rose Wagner SLC, Mon., Jan 28 at 11:30PM at Prospector Square PC, and Wed., Jan 30 at 12PM at The Ray PC.

The 2019 Sundance Film Festival officially is at its peak point and the starpower has lit-up Park City. Stars continue to pour-in to present their Films at the Festival and drawing the most fandemonium today was Zac Efron who stars as serial killer Ted Bundy in EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE. Debuting new bleach-blonde hair, Efron had security flanking him tight as fans tried getting close to him. Amanda Gilmore, who is at Sundance on assignment for us, tells us the commotion was so great that his Co-Star Lily Collins almost couldn’t get into her vehicle. Their Film premieres tonight.

Daniel Radcliffe is at Sundance to present TV Series MIRACLE WORKERS, which will air on TBS in the U.S.and has him starring as an angel alongside Steve Buscemi who most stop the world from destruction and make two people fall in love. Amanda reports Radcliffe was gracious with fans, stopping for selfies and autographs amidst the crowding.

We are hearing Writer/Director Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) is coming back strong with Midnight Programme selection THE NIGHTINGALE about a young Irish woman (Aisling Franciosi) who chases after a British officer (Sam Claflin) after to exact revenge on a violent act he committed on her family. Review here.

See some of the talent Amanda spotted today:

Zac Efron, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

Stay tuned. We’ve got lots more to report and more reviews to come.

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

GLASS sees it through at the top of the Box Office a second consecutive week with $16.6 million from 3,844 theatres for Universal Pictures, a two week tally of $71.1 million.

THE UPSIDE still is showing no signs of going downhill, in second with $11.1 million in its third week, a total $62 million for STX Entertainment/Elevation Pictures.

In third is THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING with $7.1 million from 3,521 theatres for 20th Century Fox.  It gets a fantastic 86% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

In fourth is AQUAMAN with $7 million for Warner Bros., bringing its gross to $316 million domestically over six weeks.

SERENITY debuts in ninth with $4.2 million for Elevation Pictures/Avion Pictures from 2,561 theatres. It gets 22% on the Tomatometer and a D+ CinemaScore.

ESCAPE ROOM rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.6 million for Sony Pictures, a total $47.2 million over four weeks.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

After The Wedding follows Isabel (Michelle Williams), who runs an orphanage in India. When the orphanage is in need of money she receives a substantial donation, but it comes with a catch. Isabel will have to travel to New York City and meet a successful business woman (Julianne Moore) to convince her she deserves the money. However, when she arrives she is forced to examine her past.

The Film is the American remake of Susanne Bier’s Oscar-nominated Film of the same name. This time around, Director Bart Freundlich (Moore‘s real-life husband) decided to make the two leads women, rather than Bier’s male leads. This results in a refreshing take on the original story while allowing for substantial performances from Williams and Moore. Both women are a force in their individual scenes, yet when they are together the fireworks ignite. Their performances and this tender family story make for an impactful viewing experience.

After The Wedding screens at Sundance on Thurs., Jan 24 at 5:30PM at both Eccles PC and The Ray PC, Fri., Jan 25 at 9AM at Eccles PC and 9:15PM at The Grand SLC, Sat., Jan 26 at 9PM at Resort Sundance, Wed., Jan 30 at 5:30PM at  Prospector PC, and Sat., Feb 2 at 5:30PM at The MARC PC.