#REVIEW: “NIGHTCRAWLER”
Set somewhere on the darkest street corners of Los Angeles is Jake Gyllenhaal-produced and starring Thriller Nightcrawler, documenting a directionless yet ambitious man’s rise to the top of world of Crime Journalism. Operating in a Paparazzi/TMZ-like fashion, Lou Bloom (Gyllenhaal) stumbles upon his true calling in life by accident and once he forces his way in, he isn’t leaving at any expense. He strikes an exclusive deal with News Producer Nina (Rene Russo), barely staying afloat in ...
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#REVIEW: “BIRDMAN”
The buzz behind Writer/Director Alejandro González Iñárritu's BIRDMAN (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) certainly is deafening as we enter Awards Season, but just how good is it you ask?
The Showbiz Satire centers around Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), a former Superhero Franchise Star who struggles to re-invent himself, directing and starring in a Play on Broadway titled What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, produced by his Best Friend Jake (Zach Galifianakis). Taking us ...
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#REVIEW: “OUIJA”
Review by Myra Rehman for Mr. Will Wong
The attraction towards the Ouija Board that was introduced in the 1800’s has grown significantly throughout the ages across cultures. It is a mystery as to how and when it came to be, for many, as this legitimate medium of connecting with the unknown, the dark and mysterious spirit world. Come now, let’s be honest, we all secretly believe in it a little! This phenomenon has never quite gone out of style as the curious human nature conveniently pushes ...
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#REVIEW: “YOUNG ONES”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Writer/Director Jake Paltrow certainly has big shoes to fill, coming from a talented Family, and his newest Film, Young Ones tells a captivating Story of a Town that has been stripped of its water and as a result, their fight to survive. The Story focuses on the Holm Family as well as one lone Boy, whose Family was deprived of their duties on the Supply Run, and now Flem Lever (Nicholas Hoult) has to save his Family.
The Film is told in three ...
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#REVIEW: “ST. VINCENT”
After a successful premiere at TIFF '14, Theodore Melfi-written-and-directed Comedy St. Vincent now sees a well-deserved wide release for all to enjoy. We've always had a soft spot for Films about second chances and flawed Heroes, hence the Film on paper won us over already.
Vincent (Bill Murray) is a retired Vietnam Vet whose daily regimen involves drinking in copious amounts at the local Watering Hole, visiting the local Strip Club where his pregnant sorta-Lover Daka (Naomi Watts) dances, ...
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#REVIEW: “LOW DOWN”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
When it comes to Biopics based on Musicians of the sixties and seventies, the name Joe Albany doesn’t exactly jump out at you and as is the case with such Films, finding an Audience outside the Artist's most ardent Fanbase is something of a challenge.
Low Down from Director Jeff Preiss is told from the perspective of Albany’s (John Hawkes) Daughter, Amy-Jo (Elle Fanning) and captures their life together with him as a struggling Jazz Musician. We ...
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#REVIEW – “JOHN WICK”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
First-time Director Chad Stahelski has a fantastic first time outing with up-and-coming Screenwriter Derek Kolstad in John Wick. In the last 20 or so years, Cinema has continuously tried to recreate the on screen gold that was the 80s-Action genre. These Movies were usually stylistically appealing with a heavy hand in violence, where Story came second and entertainment came first and foremost. Thankfully, aside from the stylization throughout John ...
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#REVIEW: “LAGGIES”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Director Lynn Shelton has some great work to her name, more recently starring in Safety Not Guaranteed and of course directing well-received Your Sister’s Sister. She brings something fresh to the game with her wonderfully-quirky new Film Laggies, which is an unusual take on the Coming of Age story. The Movie stars some formidable talent in Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz and Sam Rockwell.
The Movie focuses on Megan (Keira Knightley) and her ...
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#REVIEW: “THE BOOK OF LIFE”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
The Toronto Connection certainly is there. Honourary Torontonian Guillermo del Toro loves our City and serving the role of Producer on The Book Of Life, his aesthetic influence on its Art Direction is unmistakable with occasional echoes of his Masterpiece, Pan’s Labyrinth seen in this latest Film from Writer and first-time Director, Jorge R. Gutierrez. Upon initial viewing, it is understandable why there are Awards Season rumblings ...
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#REVIEW: “THE BEST OF ME”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Let's face it - Nicholas Sparks Adaptations just are not for everyone, and as much as we hate to admit it, beautiful The Notebook raised the bar high in the ever-fading Romance Genre. However, as someone who has seen almost every single Film Adaptation of his, I can say this is one of my Favourites. The Best Of Me, directed by Michael Hoffman (The Last Station), is a beautiful Story that truly captures what it means to be in love, to lose love, ...
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