By David Baldwin

Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) is a brilliant and obscenely wealthy architect who can harness time itself and has grand plans for the future of New Rome (which not so inconspicuously looks like what we call New York). His latest project which he dubs Megalopolis has made him a thorn in the side of the city’s mayor Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito). The animosity the pair have for one another is further exacerbated when Cesar falls in love with Cicero’s daughter Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel of Game of Thrones and the Fast franchise).

That description only hints at the wonder and madness housed within MEGALOPOLIS, legendary Oscar-winning Writer/Director Francis Ford Coppola’s long-gestating passion project that has become one of the most-talked-about films of the year. I was not quite sure what to make of the film and days after seeing it, am still very much speechless when it comes to describing my feelings about the final product.

What I can say is this: MEGALOPOLIS is big, bold, brash filmmaking that is uncompromised in terms of vision and scope. It is unlike anything you will likely ever see and stands in sharp contrast to any “epic” film made over the past fifty years. The dialogue can become rather dicey even at the best of times, but Coppola’s grasp of the Film’s visual language is staggeringly unique and often downright beautiful. It deftly blends practical with artificial and practically explodes with its use of vivid colours and sumptuous costuming. For better or worse, we will never see a film like this come out of the American cinema system ever again. Full stop.

That may sound like typical festival hyperbole, but no film can even come close to matching the audacity of MEGALOPOLIS. Like what other film can boast about containing chariot races, Shia LeBeouf dressed in ancient Roman drag, and Jon Voight commenting on the size of his “boner”? What other film stops dead in order for someone to pop out of the audience and literally speak to Adam Driver on-screen for an extended period of time? I am not kidding about any of this – it all happens and somehow these are not the most ludicrous examples of what Coppola was able to sneak into this film.

Acting wise, everyone is all over the map putting in ranging from subtle, controlled work to wildly animated, over-the-top insanity. Everyone is committed to the bit here and to Coppola’s incredible vision. For my money, the clear standout is Aubrey Plaza, who plays the scheming TV personality Wow Platinum (yes, that is seriously her character’s name). She commands the screen with every breath and overshadows nearly everyone with her certifiably deranged performance. It may border on being a little too campy, but in a movie like this, fits in rather snuggly alongside every other crazy thing around her and needs to be seen to be believed.

MEGALOPOLIS screens at TIFF’ 24:

Monday, September 9 at 9:30PM at Roy Thomson Hall

Tuesday, September 10 at 8:00PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to a Toronto Advance Screening of FERRARI

Screening Details:

TORONTO – Monday, December 18th at 7:00 PM, Cineplex Cinemas Varsity and VIP

Synopsis:

It is the summer of 1957. Behind the spectacle of Formula 1, ex-racer Enzo Ferrari is in crisis. Bankruptcy threatens the factory he and his wife, Laura built from nothing ten years earlier. Their volatile marriage has been battered by the loss of their son, Dino a year earlier. Ferrari struggles to acknowledge his son Piero with Lina Lardi. Meanwhile, his drivers’ passion to win pushes them to the edge as they launch into the treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy, the Mille Miglia. In theatres this Christmas.

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Rules and regulations here.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

FERRARI is in theatres this Christmas. Here’s a brand new Trailer for the Holiday release from Michael Mann, starring Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz.

Synopsis:

It is the summer of 1957. Behind the spectacle of Formula 1, ex-racer Enzo Ferrari is in crisis. Bankruptcy threatens the factory he and his wife, Laura built from nothing ten years earlier. Their volatile marriage has been battered by the loss of their son, Dino a year earlier. Ferrari struggles to acknowledge his son Piero with Lina Lardi. Meanwhile, his drivers’ passion to win pushes them to the edge as they launch into the treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy, the Mille Miglia.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

We know you’re excited about this one because we are! See the new official Trailer for Noah Baumbach‘s WHITE NOISE starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig! Also below, some new Artwork for the Film.

Logline: At once hilarious and horrifying, lyrical and absurd, ordinary and apocalyptic, White Noise dramatizes a contemporary American family’s attempts to deal with the mundane conflicts of everyday life while grappling with the universal mysteries of love, death, and the possibility of happiness in an uncertain world.

CAST: Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, Don Cheadle, Raffey Cassidy, Sam Nivola, May Nivola, Lars Eidinger, Andre Benjamin, Jodie Turner-Smith

Artwork:

WHITE NOISE is coming soon to Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see an Advance Screening of HOUSE OF GUCCI! We’re beyond excited about this, we’ve waited so long for this!

Screenings take place as follows:

Toronto

• Monday, November 22, Cineplex Varsity, 7:00 PM

Montreal

• Monday, November 22, Scotiabank Theatre, 7:00 PM

Synopsis:

House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family empire behind the Italian fashion house of Gucci. Spanning three decades of love, betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately murder, we see what a name means, what it’s worth, and how far a family will go for control.

Lady Gaga (A Star is Born), Adam Driver (Star Wars), and Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club) unite under the direction of critically acclaimed director Ridley Scott (Alien).

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. In the comments there, indicate your City. You also may Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an additional chance.

Rules and regulations here. You must be following.

NOTE: Winners absolutely will not be contacted from any other account. Please do not accept friend requests from others requesting your personal information.

Universal Pictures Canada release HOUSE OF GUCCI November 24, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

The wait has been excruciating almost, but here’s a new glimpse at HOUSE OF GUCCI to tie us over till later next month!

Synopsis:

The Gucci family had it all. She wanted more. Watch the new #HouseOfGucci trailer now, starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Al Pacino, and directed by Ridley Scott. Only in theaters This Thanksgiving.

(Photo/video credit: MGM)

This is the one Film we absolutely cannot miss. While we are waiting to see if it does the Festival circuit, here is a glimpse at the first Trailer set to Blondie‘s “Heart of Glass” and we are mesmerized! Lady Gaga‘s transformation is astonishing!

Synopsis:

House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family empire behind the Italian fashion house of Gucci. Spanning three decades of love, betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately murder, we see what a name means, what it’s worth, and how far a family will go for control.

Universal Pictures Canada release HOUSE OF GUCCI November 24, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: MGM)

Just premiering at Cannes to rave reviews, the quirky ANNETTE from Director Leos Carax is coming soon. Critics are calling it “provocative”, “dreamy” and “exhilarating”. A huge year for Adam Driver with this and House of Gucci arriving also this Fall.

Synopsis:

Los Angeles, today. Henry (Adam Driver) is a stand-up comedian with a fierce sense of humor who falls in love with Ann (Marion Cotillard), a world-renowned opera singer. Under the spotlight, they form a passionate and glamorous couple. The birth of their first child, Annette, a mysterious little girl with an exceptional destiny, will turn their lives upside down. A film by visionary director Leos Carax (Holy Motors), with story and music by Ron & Russel Mael of The Sparks, this original musical is a journey of passion, love, and fame.

ANNETTE arrives in theatres August 6, 2021 via MK2 | MILE END. It arrives on Amazon Prime Video August 20, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Amazon Prime Video)

Some new Character Posters from STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER for you to get excited about!

Synopsis:

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Chris Terrio & J.J. Abrams and the story is by Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow and J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio, based on characters created by George Lucas. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in theatres on December 19.   

See them all:

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER opens in theatres on December 19, 2020.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)

TIFF x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto a chance to win Run-of-Engagement Passes to see TIFF ’19 selection, MARRIAGE STORY.

Synopsis:
Revisiting some of the themes that made his Oscar-nominated TIFF 2005 selection The Squid and the Whale so resonant, writer-director Noah Baumbach digs deep into divorce with Marriage Story. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson deliver some of their richest work as a couple whose once enviable union crumbles under the weight of mounting resentments and divergent needs.

Charlie (Driver) is a playwright who wants to stay in New York. Nicole (Johansson) is an actor who’s landed a coveted television role that requires her to relocate to Los Angeles. Their geographical dispute tests an already strained relationship. As Marriage Story begins, the couple’s divorce is already underway, with each enlisting legal squads deploying various tactics.

Yet Baumbach’s elegant narrative goes back and forth through time, showing how Charlie and Nicole fell in love and built a life together alongside a detailed, blow-by-blow chronicle of their marital dismantling.

Baumbach‘s wise script goes from Bergmanesque drama, to dark comedy, to surges of suspense, and is complemented by the intimate 35mm camerawork of Robbie Ryan (who also shot Baumbach‘s The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)), and by the precise, lived-in performances not only of Driver and Johansson, but also of Laura Dern, Alan Alda, and Ray Liotta.

Marriage Story may have an ironic title, but its divorce proceedings double as a moving post-mortem. Sometimes our most profound life choices begin to cohere only in retrospect.

See a Trailer:

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Contest rules and regulations here.

MARRIAGE STORY opens at TIFF Bell Lightbox Friday, November 22, 2019.

(Photo credit: Netflix)