By Mr. Will Wong
Based on Thomas Mallon‘s 2007 novel of the same name, FELLOW TRAVELERS is an epic Hhistorical Romance limited series consisting of eight episodes. The love story spanning three decades, centers on Hawk (Matthew Bomer) and Tim (Jonathan Bailey) set against the backdrop in the height of McCarthyism where homosexuals and communists alike were hunted and persecuted for being “un-American”, resulting in many being wrongly accused and having their lives ruined. So already we have established that Hawk and Tim, both with careers in politics, must embark on their relationship in secrecy and the stakes are high.
The Series jumps eras, giving us a glimpse into the battles Hawk and Tim have endured as they navigate the intensity of their romance being uncovered, to an era of over-indulgence in the ’70s, ultimately to the onset of the AIDS epidemic. And while it is never in doubt that these two men love one another deeply, they are pulled in separate directions and ultimately they reunite once again, but over the course of the Series’ eight episodes, we unpack the complex emotions as these two loverd are pulled apart by circumstance and reunited by undying love.
If I could compare FELLOW TRAVELERS to anything, it parallels some of the emotions explored in the classic BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, but where it stands on its own is its deeper exploration of the eras and backdrops against which this romance is set. While it is a romance, it also is a Horror on ways, the resonanting fear of the truth being uncovered in clandestine love, and the mortifying consequences. Trickling down further, it also explores the consequences of avoiding consequences.
The Series is a perfect vehicle to showcase our brilliant two leads who fill the screen with a palpable chemistry. Bomer approaches Hawk with a sense of mystery, harbouring his flowing undercurrent of thoughts and emotions. Bailey allows Thomas‘ emotions to rise to the surface. It must also be said the love scenes are charged with immense eroticism, as we explore the dominant and passive dynamics between these two men in the bedroom, versus their dynamic when they are public-facing and forced to conceal their love.
Our leads are supported by a talented Supporting Cast including Broadway’s Jelani Alladin as Marcus and Noah J. Ricketts as Frankie, who also in tangent, are navigating a forbidden romance, but also having to confront racism also. Allison Williams always is a captivating presence as Lucy. We just wish she got a bit more to work with, a casualty of Hawk and Tim‘s romance, serving to help Hawk keep-up appearances and avoid suspicion as a single man in a time where him not having a wife was a red flag.
FELLOW TRAVELERS is a compelling ‘eras tour’ of its own that proves affecting and rewarding. It streams now on Paramount+, with new episodes arriving weekly.
Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to GET OUT, from the mind of Jordan Peele!
Screenings take places as follows:
Toronto Wed Feb 22 7:00 PM Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
Montreal Wed Feb 22 7:00 PM Cineplex Montreal Forum
Edmonton Wed Feb 22 7:00 PM Cineplex Cinemas South Edmonton
Vancouver Wed Feb 22 7:00 PM Cineplex International Village
Calgary Wed Feb 22 7:00 PM Landmark Shawnessy
Synopsis:
In Universal Pictures’ Get Out, a speculative thriller from Blumhouse (producers of The Visit, Insidious series and The Gift) and the mind of Jordan Peele, when a young African-American man visits his white girlfriend’s family estate, he becomes ensnared in a more sinister real reason for the invitation. Now that Chris (Daniel Kaluuya, Sicario) and his girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams, Girls), have reached the meet-the-parents milestone of dating, she invites him for a weekend getaway upstate with Missy (Catherine Keener, Captain Phillips) and Dean (Bradley Whitford, The Cabin in the Woods). At first, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter’s interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead him to a truth that he could have never imagined.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
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G’luck.
Universal Pictures Canada release GET OUT Friday, February 27, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
A brand new Teaser Trailer has just been released for the upcoming third season of HBO‘s Girls. Told through a series of Instagram Photos and Robert ToTeras’ Track Break Out The Boom Boom, we see lots of smiles and happy times on the Beach among the Cast. Is that Hannah‘s (Lena Dunham) scorned Ex-Roommate Elijah (Andrew Rannells) we see making a return? Love that.
Watch the Trailer below:
Season Three of Girls is set to air January 2014.
(Photo/video credit: HBO)
Beyond excited! I’m packing-up and heading out to New York City for a few days to capture the Festivities at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which always has been a dream of mine to experience. Like the rest of us I won’t be inside, but still I’ll be admiring the Fashion from the outside and sure to snap lots of Photos and hopefully meet some of my Idols! The theme this year is Punk and hosting is Rooney Mara, while Beyoncé will act as Honourary Chair.
Things will be a bit quiet for the next couple days, but be sure to check back upon my return for what surely will be lots of excitement! Expected this year are the likes of Amanda Seyfried, Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Gwyneth Paltrow, Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, Rihanna, Florence Welch, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lawrence, Cara Delevingne, Kanye West and several, several more.
If you’d like to join-in on the fun at watch the Met Gala Red Carpet, be sure to stream it live 7:00 PM EST on Monday, May 6, 2013. Click here to Vogue‘s Live Streaming.
See you when I’m back! I’ll be uploading Photos on my Instagram and Twitter in the interim, so check there for the latest!
(Photo credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
“Of the Cast, I think she’s most likely to have a long, lasting Film Career”, The National Post‘s Shinan Govani whispers into my ear. The “she” whom he is referring to of course is Allison Williams, Star of HBO‘s hotly-buzzed Series Girls, which sees a DVD/Blu-ray release next week – getting a bit of Promo here in Toronto. Govani hosted an intimate In-Conversation-With in the east-end of the City tonight with the stunning Actress, who happens to be the Daughter of NBC Anchor Brian Williams and also a Graduate of Yale herself.
Williams who arrived fashionably late understandably after a jam-packed day of Press which had her visit CBC, Corus and also MuchMusic for an appearance on New.Music.Live, looked nothing short of breathtaking. Every eye in the room was glued to the Beauty, who plays the role of Marnie on the Emmy-nominated Series, penned/produced/acted by It-Girl Lena Dunham.
Fame had to wait for Williams, whose Parents insisted that she completed her Studies before entering Show Business, telling us “College delayed my attempts at the Industry. I’m lucky and grateful.”. On her new-found Fame, she admits that she is still grappling with that. “No matter what age you are, it’s really tough”, says Williams. “What happens is this twist where people refer to me by my Character name – which is weird, but really isn’t considering the nature of my work”. As well, she is flattered by the Sex and the City comparisons which Girls receives much criticism for – a matter which Govani pointed-out right away as being the “Elephant in the Room”.
She reveals that she feels an instant connection to Fans who tell her they too are a “Marnie“, because she understands truly what that means. Williams however, wouldn’t give-away too many details about whether or not Marnie and Dunham‘s Hannah will reconcile their Friendship in the forthcoming second season of the Series. “I will say though that love is never lost”, she hints with tact as HBO Executives watched carefully.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Williams quickly, answering the one single question on everyone’s mind. And yes, she confirms to me that her stunning Red Dress is in fact by Oscar de la Renta. Truly down-to-earth and well-spoken, we chatted about the amazing selection of Music heard on Girls and she tells me, “Oh, Lena normally has say over that, but I might have helped get songs by Robyn and Ellie Goulding in”.
Season One of HBO‘s Girls is in-stores on DVD/Blu-ray on Tuesday, December 11, 2012. Season Two of the Series premieres on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 9:00 PM.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Girls! Girls! Girls! Toronto cannot get enough of them! Star of HBO’s Breakout Hit Girls, Allison Williams, will be visitng Toronto on December 4, 2012 to promote both the upcoming second Season of the Lena Dunham-created Series, and also the release of its first Season on DVD on December 11, 2012. Judd Apatow who also serves as Executive Producer on that Series, coincidentally will be in the City next Monday to promote his Oscar Contender, This is 40 along with Wife and Star, Leslie Mann.
Williams who is the Daughter of NBC Anchor, Brian Williams and also a Graduate of Yale and former Miss West Virginia, stars as Marnie in the Series and is scheduled to do a variety of Press and also an In-Conversation-With hosted by our beloved Friend Shinan Govani, in the east-end of the City during her Visit. I definitely will be there to bring Highlights of the Evening and couldn’t be more thrilled with the Series rapidly becoming a personal Fave!
(Photo credit: HBO)
With just four days till the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, I’m finally catching-up on HBO‘s Girls after having stock-piled Episodes on my PVR. The Dramedy Series is nominated for an impressive five Awards already in its first Season, already winning Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series. With my post-TIFF Cold, finally I had reason enough to sit-down lie-down and discipline myself to watch all of its first Season. One part Sex & the City, one part balls-out Judd Apatow-esque funny, the Series is a startlingly funny take on what it means to be a mid-twentysomething surviving in the City.
Touching upon group dynamics in friendships, sexual awakening, financial struggle and self-realization; the messages are universal. Teenagers and Adults alike can find something to connect with here. I wish a Series like this existed when I was in grade 12, to get a real sneak peek at what life would’ve been like seven years later.
Although they completely were overlooked in the Emmy Nominations, Girls is filled with brilliant performances from its Supporting Cast including the sex-obsessed Adam Driver, the adorable Zosia Mamet, sassy Brit-accented Jemima Kirke and the lovely improv-trained Allison Williams. The charming Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) appears late in the first Season as a delightful surprise.
As much as Girls is about the brilliant Script, Acting and Directing, it also is about the Music. The cute and kitschy (Britney, Demi, JLo, Feist, MGMT and more) Song Selection is superb and it will be interesting which Tracks make the cut for its December 11, 2012 DVD/Blu-ray release.
Plump-cheeked and porcelain 26-year-old Executive Producer Lena Dunham who also wears Actress, Creator and Writer caps, is a true National Treasure.
Although it appears v. much a Dark Horse at the Emmys this Sunday, my bets are set on HBO‘s Girls to take it all.
(Photo credit: HBO)
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