Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

As Theatre Director Charlie (Adam Driver) and Actress Nicole’s (Scarlett Johansson) marriage begins to fall apart, they try to find ways to keep their family together.

Director-Writer Noah Baumbach has made his masterpiece. This is a Film that will have a substantial impact on anyone who has been in love and will stay with you for years. Baumbach’s Script is written to perfection timed evenly between characters, so audience members get a balanced view on divorce. We simply sit back and watch this once loving couple completely unravel through their separation. This artistic couple is brought to life through the incredible talent of Driver and Johansson. Driver is meticulous as the straight-forward and quick-witted Charlie. And Johansson is exceptional as the passionate and self-discovering Nicole.

Marriage Story screens at TIFF on Sun, Sep 8 at Winter Garden Theatre at 5:30 PM, Mon, Sep 9 at Princess of Wales at 11:30 AM, Fri, Sep 13 at Princess of Wales at 6 PM, and Sat, Sep 14 at Princess of Wales at 2:45 PM.

Visionary Jim Jarmusch (Broken Flowers, Paterson) brings us his latest effort, THE DEAD DON’T DIE featuring one or the most eclectic Casts ever!

Synopsis:
THE DEAD DON’T DIE – the greatest zombie cast ever disassembled starring Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Danny Glover, Caleb Landry Jones, Rosie Perez, Iggy Pop, Sara Driver, RZA, Selena Gomez, Carol Kane, Austin Butler, Luka Sabbat and Tom Waits. Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch.

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures Canada release THE DEAD DON’T DIE Friday, June 14, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The Report follows the real-life story of Senate staffer Daniel Jones (Adam Driver) who was tasked with leading an investigation into the CIA‘s Detention and Interrogation Program following 9/11. The purpose of the investigation was to find out if the torture acts performed under the Program were in fact, illegal.

This Film is one of the most compelling viewing experiences at Sundance this year with its fascinating story and timely relevance. Writer-Director Scott Z. Burns has written a solid and tight Script that depicts the exhausting efforts and challenges Jones faced, along with many crucial aspects of the 6,700-page document he wrote. Fresh off his multiple award nominations this year, Driver gives the finest and most driven performance of his career as Jones. His subtle yet expressive performance leaves a heavy impact. And Annette Bening is a marvel as the weight-on-her-shoulders Senator Dianne Feinstein.

The Report screens at Sundance on Jan 26 at 3:45PM at Eccles PC, Jan 27 at 9AM at Eccles PC, Jan 30 at 6:30PM at Rose Wagner SLC, Jan 2 at 3:30PM at Eccles PC, and Feb 3 at 3PM at Tower SLC.

Right in time for one this year’s biggest cinematic events, an Exhibit for STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is about to land in Toronto. The Pop-Up takes place at Bell Media Headquarters on 277 Queen Street West from DECEMBER 8 – 17, 2017 11-7 PM. The Exhibit closes 3:00 PM on the 13th. There is no charge to attend.

Including life-size replicas of Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, BB-8, The Praetorian Guard and the Executioner First Order Stormtrooper, the experience gives fans also a chance to purchase a special limited edition T-Shirt. A special Photo-Op will be available for Fans with the X-Wing Ship.

A first look at the Pop-Up. Hover cursor over left and right to navigate slideshow.

A true #StarWars fan’s dream come true at the #TheLastJediTO Pop-Up, opening tomorrow through 12.17.17 11 AM to 7 PM. It closes at 3 PM on the 13th. Swipe left to see some of the goodies inside. You also can buy one of two limited edition T-Shirts. 1. Porg 2. Lightsaber 3. Praetorian Guard 4. Executioner First Order Storm Trooper 5. Kylo Ren 6. BB-8 7. Kylo Ren’s Lightsaber 8. Captain Phasma 9. Porg x Mr. Will 10. 299 Queen Street West, Bell Media Headquarters

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🎅 (@mrwillwong) on Dec 7, 2017 at 11:46am PST

Special guests, giveaways and more will be announced daily.

Remember to follow WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES CANADA for daily updates.

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Official Hashtag: #THELASTJEDITO

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, Friday, December 15, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to take you to see Steven Soderbergh‘s LOGAN LUCKY!  Screenings take place in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax and Victoria on Wednesday, August 16, 2017.

Synopsis:

Trying to reverse a family curse, brothers Jimmy (Channing Tatum) and Clyde Logan (Adam Driver) set out to execute an elaborate robbery during the legendary Coca-Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Cast: Channing Tatum, Riley Keough, Adam Driver, Seth MacFarlane, Daniel Craig, Hilary Swank, Katherine Waterston, Sebastian Stan, Katie Holmes, Jack Quaid, David Dennman, Brian Gleeson, Jim O’Heir

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City.  Click “share” from there for an extra chance or Re-Tweet this Tweet at @mrwillw.

G’lucky.

eOne Films release LOGAN LUCKY Friday, August 18, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

This is Daniel Craig like you’ve NEVER seen him. All all-star cast highlights LOGAN LUCKY! Check-out this brand-new Trailer!

Synopsis:
Trying to reverse a family curse, brothers Jimmy (Channing Tatum) and Clyde Logan (Adam Driver) set out to execute an elaborate robbery during the legendary Coca-Cola 600 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release LOGAN LUCKY Friday, August 18, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Paramount Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto and Montreal a chance to see first, Martin Scorcese‘s SILENCE. Screenings take place as follows:

Toronto (Thursday January 5th) – Cineplex Cinemas Varsity & VIP @ 7:00PM

Montreal (Wednesday January 4th) – Cinéma Cineplex Forum @ 7:00PM

Synopsis:
Martin Scorsese’s SILENCE tells the story of two Christian missionaries (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) who face the ultimate test of faith when they travel to Japan in search of their missing mentor (Liam Neeson) – at a time when Christianity was outlawed and their presence forbidden.  The celebrated director’s 28-year journey to bring  Shusaku Endo’s 1966 acclaimed novel to life will be in theaters this Christmas.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City.

Paramount Pictures Canada release SILENCE Friday, January 6, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong

Everyone goes through phases in their lives when they allow themselves dream and to be more than the box society has prepared for them: they embrace their identities as anarchists, heroes, poets, or artists. It is only when outside forces conspire to suggest that reality should be free of symbolism or poetry that people begin to forget their dreams and accept settling.

Paterson (Adam Driver at his finest) is a former Marine from Paterson, New Jersey. Every day he wakes up next to wife Laura (Golshifteh Parahani) before heading off to drive Bus 0936 – the Paterson 23 – where he listens in on the stories of the people on his route. After work, he heads home and eats the bizarre meal wife has dreamed up before taking Marvin the dog for a walk that ends a local bar where he continues his day of quiet observation. This mightn’t seem like a thrilling life but the poet in Paterson seeks contentment in the people who populate the periphery of his life.

If Michael Bay is a Director of big moments and even bigger explosions, then Writer/Director Jim Jarmusch is the opposite: his Movies are defined by a series small moments that seemingly add up to nothing but when taken as a whole mean Everything. His camera frames each scene as if to highlight the poetry of everyday life while never interfering in the subtle interactions captured in its lens.

The internal rhymes and beats of Paterson will reinforce the notion that Jarmusch-y should be an official adjective in the Cinematic dictionary. It is brilliant filmmaking punctuated by outstanding performances and a must see at this year’s TIFF.

Paterson screens:
Monday, September 12, 2016 at 3:15 PM Ryerson Theatre
Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 9:00 AM TIFF Bell Lightbox 2

We’ve had our eye on this one for a while.  After getting lots of love at TIFF ’13 and a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Picture to boot, Director Michael Dowse (Goon) returns with the charming Romantic Comedy, THE F WORD.   The Title decidedly will be known as What If in other territories.

The Film, made in Toronto, centers around Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), who becomes infatuated with a Girl named Chantry (Zoe Kazan), only to discover that she’s already dating another Man, causing their relationship to be put in the doomed “friend zone”. We’ve all been there, right?

Rafe Spall, Megan Park, Mackenzie Davis and Adam Driver also star.

Watch the official Trailer, which just surfaced this past weekend:

Mr. Will and The Cast of The F Word:

eOne Films release The F Word on Friday, August 1, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films/Mr. Will Wong)

It was a memorable year indeed! Join me as I recall some of 2013’s brightest moments in Celebrity, Film and Music with a Toronto twist! As a true Connoisseur of Pop Culture, I certainly was  spoiled with several delights this year on all three fronts.  Toronto  witnessed what could well be the strongest years this City ever has seen in terms of Star Power. Also, as an experienced Digital Photographer of sorts, I am sharing some of my favourite Snaps taken around the City this year too. If you’re a #NOFILTER kinda Guy or Gal, I apologize! A few of them are Horse-related, spending many of my weekends at scenic Woodbine Racetrack, my fave Place since Childhood to escape and recharge from the City.  Come Wongsters, let us walk down this luminous Memory Lane together!

TOP TEN SONGS OF 2013

2013 was solid for Pop Music  and I was thrilled to hear a return to great, strong melodies. What a year it was for Miley Cyrus who not only wowed us with We Can’t Stop, but slayed us hard with Wrecking Ball!  Coming in like a Wrecking Ball she managed to turn all eyes her way in a year which saw Albums released from some Marquee names like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and more. Lana Del Rey put us in a state of euphoria this Spring with her chilling Ballad for The Great Gatsby, Young & Beautiful.  Flawless and timeless.  Mariah Carey and Miguel provided much of the Soundtrack for my early Summer with their gorgeous Collabo #Beautiful, while Robin Thicke undisputedly had the Song of Summer 2013 with Blurred Lines.  His Album of the same name easily is my favourite Disc of 2013.

1. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
2. Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautitul
3. Mariah Carey ft. Miguel – #Beautiful
4. Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
5. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
6. Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines
7. Capital Cities – Safe and Sound
8. Katy Perry – Roar
9. Icona Pop – I Love It
10. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love

Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2013

I don’t recall a year in recent memory where the Films were quite as strong as this year.  It is as if Filmmakers have studied critiques, knew precisely what to avoid and owned it. Time after time I’d make it out to the morning Media Screenings and just when I thought I’d seen my favourite Film of 2013, another would come along and usurp the throne.  In all, AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club would leave the strongest imprint with Jared Leto touching the core of my soul with his phenomenal performance. 12 Years a Slave left me shaken and speechless and made it really tough to decide a Fave. Saving Mr. Banks truly affected and inspired me, moving me to tears and I could never forget Cate Blanchett‘s empathic portrayal of a Woman battling her own demons in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine.  And yes, I really loved Spring Breakers.  James Franco is just on another level.

1. Dallas Buyers Club
2. 12 Years a Slave
3. American Hustle
4. Blue Jasmine
5. Saving Mr. Banks
6. Gravity
7. 42
8. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
9. Enough Said
10. Spring Breakers

Watch the Trailer for Dallas Buyers Club below:

TOP CELEBRITY MOMENTS

It was a good bloody amazing year.  My experience in New York City seeing the Met Gala is unforgettable, as a revolving door of Celebrities came my direction. I didn’t even know which way to go or who to ask first for a Photo! TIFF ’13 brought me several amazing memories finally getting to meeting one of my favourite Actresses, Nicole Kidman – not to mention getting to meeting personal Heroes Seth McFarlane, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Baz Luhrmann and several more throughout the year.  My ultimate Highlight however was finally after 15 tries, getting my Lady Gaga moment in November!

As seen top to bottom, left to right in the above Collage are:

Supermodel Cara Delevingne, Shoe Visionary Christian Louboutin, Actress Mia Wasikowska, Actor Jesse Eisenberg, Actor Kit Harington, Astronaut  Chris Hadfield, Singer/Songwriter Lorde, Singer/Songwriter Robin Thicke, Television Personality/Actress Kelly Ripa, Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart.

Director Baz Luhrmann, Actress Emma Thompson, Singer/Actress Ariana Grande, Actress Léa Seydoux, Actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, Actress Toni Collette, Singer/Songwriter Lady Gaga,  Singer Kylie Minogue, Actress Nicole Kidman, Actress/Singer Selena Gomez.

Writer/Actor Mike Myers, Comedian, Writer/Actor Seth MacFarlane, Writer/Actor Seth Meyers, Writer/Actor Jim Carrey, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actress Taylor Schilling, Singer/Songwriter/Fashion Mogul Pharrell, Television Personality/Actress Rosie O’Donnell, Kentucky Derby-winning Jockey Joel Rosario, Breeders Cup Classic-winning Jockey/Actor Gary Stevens.

Spice Girl/Actress Mel B., Actor Armie Hammer, Actress Kerry Washington, Actor Sam Rockwell, Actor Nicholas Hoult, Actor Tom Hiddleston, Actor Adam Driver, Actor Josh Brolin,  Actor Daniel Radcliffe, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actor Sam Claflin, Actress Jena Malone.

TOP SNAPS

And now the ten best Photos of 2013 snapped through my lenses (Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5):

I truly am blessed and can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for us here in this sight-filled City of Tastemakers!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)