#REVIEW: “THE DUFF”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
From Director Ari Sandel and Screenwriter Josh Cagan comes the latest Teen-Comedy to sweep the nation! What makes The DUFF all kinds of wonderful is that it combines the familiar essence of great Films in the Genre, like John Hughes' Classics, Mean Girls and Easy A. The DUFF like those mentioned Movies also carries a positive message which transcends all else and that message is simple, be yourself and love yourself for who you ...
Read more
#REVIEW: “50 SHADES OF GREY”
Believe the hype. Fifty Shades of Grey was destined to be a calculated success from the start, everything from its perfect choice of Director in Sam Taylor-Johnson, down to its deliberately-hushed marketing and Valentine's Day release, effectively scaring away its competition from a same slot release. I will start by saying I have yet to turn a page in the sensual Trilogy's literary incarnation, but that in no way hindered my sheer enjoyment of the first in what surely will be a massive Film ...
Read more
#REVIEW: “THE LAST FIVE YEARS”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Writer/Director Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You) delivers his first-ever Musical, The Last Five Years with absolute success. The beautiful Drama soars high thanks to a phenomenal pair in Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan. As the Story shifts in time, we find ourselves swept away through the happiness and resentment in Cathy and Jamie's compelling Love Story. The Film surely is not your happy-go-lucky type of Romance, but it certainly ...
Read more
#REVIEW: “KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE”
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
The titular Kingsman are a group of covert English Spies who defend against the World's most terrible threats. For no explainable reason, they are all codenamed after the Knights of the Roundtable. After losing one of their own, the Members are given the opportunity to choose one candidate to train and compete to become the next Member. Galahad (Colin Firth) chooses the troubled street youth Eggsy (Taron Egerton) as his Candidate. And as Eggsy begins ...
Read more
#REVIEW: “REVENGE OF THE GREEN DRAGONS”
I can stomach gore and certainly can stomach sexuality on-screen, but nothing prepared me for the frenzy of violence in TIFF '14 Selection, Revenge of the Green Dragons, which now sees a Video-on-Demand release. The pedigree certainly is there with Martin Scorcese as Executive Producer, helmed by the Man behind the critically and commercially-lauded Infernal Affairs Trilogy, Andrew Lau; Andrew Loo co-directs. Something ultimately is missing though in this gun-firing, knife-stabbing ...
Read more
#REVIEW: “JUPITER ASCENDING”
Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
The Greeks had it right from the start. When you’re telling a Story filled with big ideas, you must keep the Narrative simple. The central Character acts as guide through a world of ineffable wonders. Youthful Listeners follow with ease, and many see the forest for the trees. There’s something for everyone, but for some there is more, it depends on how open you are to receive it.
I say that to say this, Mythology of all kinds help guide us ...
Read more
#REVIEW: “SEVENTH SON”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Seventh Son, a Movie that has been sitting on the shelf for longer than any Movie truly should have, finally sees the light of day. Unfortunately, the question has to be asked why the Movie ever left the dusty shelf it was left on years ago. The Film struggles to find itself, its Story feeling at times too familiar and at times unintentionally-funny that the Audience cannot muster enough to remain captivated.
The Film inspired by Joseph Delaney's ...
Read more
#REVIEW: “SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: SPONGE OUT OF WATER”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants is back and this time he comes to the shore. SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water is the second Movie in the beloved animated Franchise, made more in the spirit of the newer episodes of the Series, versus its earlier Era dating back to the late '90s. Any Child or die-hard Fan of the Television Series will rejoice and find themselves in-love with this Film, although we're not certain the ...
Read more
#REVIEW: “LOVE, ROSIE”
We've always had high hopes for Lily Collins, lovable Daughter of Soft-Rock King Phil Collins. And she actually knows it, thanking me personally for being one of the first people in Canada to recognize her after a chance run-in in Yorkville a few summers ago. Our hopes were dashed when The Mortal Instruments, fronted by Collins herself, under-performed at the Box Office and eventually what was to be a massive Franchise would never have life beyond a first installment. We recall LOVE, ROSIE ...
Read more
#REVIEW: “BLACK OR WHITE”
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
After the sudden death of his Wife, alcoholic Elliot (Kevin Costner) is left to care for his Grandchild Eloise (Jillian Estell) on his own, her Mother having died in childbirth. Eloise's Father Reggie (Andre Holland) is a drug addict and mostly absent Parent, while his Mother Rowena (Octavia Spencer) is very much a part Eloise's life. So much so that she initially argues for dual custody of Eloise, and when Elliot refuses, she takes him to court.
With ...
Read more