Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

You Were Never Really Here follows traumatized veteran Joe (Joaquin Phoenix) whose job of tracking down a missing girl goes bad and a conspiracy is uncovered.

Phoenix is a force of nature as the tormented and violent Joe. With minimal dialogue Phoenix is forced the used his expressions and body language to display what Joe is feeling. And the range he displays in this Film is a tremendous feat. From being a caring son taking care of his mother, to a broken man still traumatized from his childhood and war, and then the killing machine he becomes to save missing girls.

The character of Joe is written unapologetically by Writer-Director Lynne Ramsey who also directs the Film with fearlessness. What also makes You Were Never Really Here special is that Ramsey has crafted a Hitman Thriller that is a character study, rather than one solely about violence.

You Were Never Really Here screens at Sundance on Jan. 19 at 9:15PM at The Grand SLC, Jan. 21 at 8:30PM at The MARC PC, Jan. 23 at 11:45PM at The Egyptian PC, and Jan. 27 at 6PM at PC Library.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Beast is a compelling Thriller about a young woman (Jessie Buckley) who falls for a mysterious outsider (Johnny Flynn) who becomes a suspect in a series of violent murders.

Writer-Director Michael Pearce crafts an ambitious and impressive first Feature. He creates steady suspense throughout with his direction until the explosive climax. Pearce writes extremely complex characters that swerve in and out of protagonists and antagonists.

These characters evolve over the course of the Film due to the tremendous cast. Buckley is a magnetic force playing the perplexing Moll who brings her character from quiet and refrained to assertive and uninhibited effortlessly. While Flynn makes his Pascal a humorous, mysterious and often questionable man. The pairing of Buckley and Flynn is golden and enhances the compelling script.

Beast screens at Sundance on Jan. 19 at 6PM at Tower SLC, Jan. 22 at 3PM at Sundance Resort, Jan. 23 at 6PM at PC Library, and Jan. 27 at 10PM at Redstone 2 PC.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Kailash tells the inspiring story of Kailash Satyarthi who had made it his life’s mission to end child slavery. The Documentary follows the work of Satyarthi from the beginning stages up until last year. But what makes this Doc so special is that it also tells us first-hand the stories of survivors of Child Slavery.

Director Derek Doneen balances facts, Kailash’s life and the lives of children equally. This Documentary educates and will affect heavily its audience. Leaving them inspired to make change themselves.

Kailash screens at Sundance on Jan. 18 at 5:30PM at The MARC PC, Jan. 19 at 9AM at PC Library, Jan. 19 at 9PM at Sundance Resort, Jan. 20 at 12:30PM at Rose Wagner SLC, Jan. 24 at 12PM at Temple PC, and Jan. 25 at 9:30PM at Redstone 1 PC.

JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is showing no signs of stopping! It stays on-top a third straight week with $20.8 million from 3,704 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $317 million grossed domestically over five weeks.

In second in its debut is 12 STRONG with $15.4 million from 3,002 theatres for Warner Bros. Starring Michael Shannon and Chris Hemsworth, the post-9/11 Drama gets a 56% on the Tomatometer but an A CinemaScore.

In third also is another new release in DEN OF THIEVES with $13.5 million from 2,432 theatres for STX Entertainment/VVS Films. It gets a 38% score on the Tomatometer  and a B+ CinemaScore.

Oscar Contender THE POST is in fourth for 20th Century Fox with $12.4 million. Over five weeks it has grossed $45 million in North America.

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN lands in fifth with $10.9 million showing longevity, having made $113 million in its run this far for 20th Century Fox.

FOREVER MY GIRL makes its debut rounding-out the Top Ten with $4.1 million from 1,115 theatres for Roadside Attractions/Elevation Pictures. It gets 18% on the Tomatometer.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

It’s day two here at Sundance Film Festival and the momentum is building quickly. Main Street in Park City is buzzing with parties day and night. One of the main hotspots was the Sundance TV Kickoff Party where we spotted the likes of Terry Crews and Dominic Cooper. Moments after, a much in-the-news Ashley Judd was seen in the vicinity stopping for a Selfie.

It isn’t only the parties that are warming-up a snowy Park City, it’s also the starpower. Several Red Carpets took place including American Animals, a Heist Thriller starring Evan Peters and Barry Keoghan; Don’t Worry He Wont Get Far On Foot directed by Gus Van Sant (Milk, Elephant) and starring Jonah Hill and Joaquin Phoenix about a disabled rights Activist John Callahan who turns to drawing after becoming paralyzed; Lizzie starring Producer Chloe Sevigny and Kristen Stewart which is said to be Beautiful Creatures-like and based on the Borden Family murders; and Mandy starring Nicolas Cage as a man hunting a religious sect which killed his wife, all premiered tonight in Park City.

See the Teaser for the new Van Sant Film below:

Wait until you get to know John Callahan.

Get your first look at Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot​, starring Joaquin Phoenix, @JonahHill​, Rooney Mara and Jack Black​. Directed by Gus Van Sant.

In select theaters May 11. #DWHWGFOF pic.twitter.com/Sigc28D7V4

— Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot (@dontworrymovie) January 16, 2018

Sevigny at Sundance with Lizzie:

Chloe Sevigny is premiering her flick #Lizzie at #Sundance! https://t.co/MHWQtk74ju

— JustJared.com (@JustJared) January 20, 2018

Salt Lake City also is booming with that Sundance spirit! It saw a Premiere for You Were Never Really Here which stars Sundance “It Boy” Phoenix. This is the Film for which he won Best Actor at Cannes last year, premiering at The Grand Theatre. Director Lynne Ramsay was in attendance.

 Stay tuned for more!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Blindspotting tells the tale of Collin (Daveed Diggs) in his final three days of parole and his hotheaded best friend Miles (Rafael Casal).

What is special about Blindspotting is that it tackles the issues of race relations in a unique way. The script, written by Diggs and Casal, flips back and forth between Comedy and Drama. One minute audiences will be laughing at the Buddy Comedy it seems to be, but then hit hard with the reality of race relations in America. Not only does Diggs and Casal do a great job of writing the script but also breathing life into their fully developed characters. There isn’t a second where you don’t believe the two haven’t been friends their entire lives. And you feel for them just as much as you question their mistakes. Top the script and performances off with energetic direction from Carlos Lopez Estrada and this is a Film not to be missed.

Blindspotting screens at Sundance on Jan. 18 at 5:30PM at Eccles PC, Jan. 19 at 9:30AM at The Ray PC, Jan. 20 at 9:15PM at The Grand SLC, Jan. 24 at 6PM at PC Library and Jan. 25 11:45PM at The Egyptian PC.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Sweet Country follows the story of Aboriginal Sam (Hamilton Morris) who in an act of defending himself and his wife kills a white man which has forced them to flee.

Director Warwick Thornton crafts a thrilling and heartbreaking western that is visually stunning to watch. And the tight script written by Steven McGregor and David Tranter has many twists and in-depth character development that captivates viewers from beginning to end. Sweet Country is an important film because it accurately depicts the violence and mistreatment of Aboriginal people. Thornton never shies away from the cruelty that his Aboriginal characters are faced with. Top that off with stunning performances from the entire Ensemble Cast and this is a Film that should not be missed.

Sweet Country screens at Sundance on Jan. 19 at 2:30PM at The Egyptian PC, Jan. 20 at 9:30PM at the Rose Wagner SLC, Jan. 22 at 11:30PM at Prospector PC, and Jan. 27 at 2:30PM at The MARC PC.

The excitement MEOWnts! Fans of Cult Classic SUPER TROOPERS will be delighted to know that a Sequel is on its way to us!

See the Trailer:

Fox Searchlight release SUPER TROOPERS 2 you guessed it… Friday, April 20, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Manivald follows the story of a retired mother and her living-at-home 33-year-old son who fall in love with the same wolf.

This animated short may seem like a drama but it’s executed as a Comedy. The use of animated animals brings a humour to the story that wouldn’t be attainable if the characters were humans. Yet, there is also a strong moral to the story about finding oneself that is uplifting and endearing. This is an animated Short Film with adult humour that will shock and make you laugh.

Manivald screens at Sundance under the Animation Spotlight category on Jan. 19 at 6:30PM at Redstone 1 PC, Jan. 20 at 6PM at Broadway 6 SLC, Jan. 21 at 6PM at Temple PC, and Jan. 25 at 8:30PM at Egyptian PC.

Things are taking-off quickly for Ottawa-based Duo EWXJF. Comprised of Composer/Instrumentalist Elijah Woods and Lyricist/Vocalist Jamie Fine, the pair gained popularity overnight being selected for a push on CTV‘s The Launch. After meeting via a friend after Woods heard Fine‘s vocals on a Track, the two have multiplied their talents, accounting for the “x” in their name.

The six-episode Series see new emerging Artists being mentored by some of Music’s biggest icons including Shania Twain, Jennifer Nettles, Fergie, Ryan Tedder, Alessia Cara and Boy George, getting a chance at working with a world-renowned Producer and also a release of that Track within 48 hours.

The Series is brought to us by Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw) and Eureka Productions (The Biggest Loser, MasterChef). Borchetta accompanied the Duo on their Press Tour in Toronto which saw them at Bell Media Headquarters yesterday and Corus today where they appeared on Global Television’s The Morning Show (National Edition).

See the Interview:

WATCH: @ewxjfmusic launched their single #AintEasy this week. But was it easy to come up with their name? pic.twitter.com/MLUWNYu4Ct

— The Morning Show (@MorningShowCA) January 19, 2018

Originally-penned for Camila Cabello‘s Disc CAMILA, EWXJF‘s debut single AIN’T EASY is produced by OneRepublic‘s Ryan Tedder and already has reached #1 on the iTunes Canada Chart.

We were lucky to get a Selfie with the Duo and Borchetta earlier. They were incredibly-gracious, thanking me for my support.

Our Snap:

So cool meeting #EWXJF who on CTV’s #TheLaunch, were selected to get their Ryan Tedder-produced Single #AintEasy released. It alredy has gone to #1 in Canada on iTunes! Scott Borchetta, the man behind Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts) even joined the Selfie!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 19, 2018 at 8:35am PST

Check-out AIN’T EASY:

THE LAUNCH airs Wednesdays 9 PM on CTV.

(Photo credit: Big Machine Records/Mr. Will Wong)