The 89th annual Academy Awards took place tonight at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and in a shock of a finale, MOONLIGHT would win coveted Best Picture. Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway would make a not-soon-to-be-forgotten gaffe of announcing LA LA LAND and Best Picture, which eventually was corrected. Beatty clarified on-stage he had in fact received the envelope for Emma Stone, Best Actress. The acclaimed Barry Jenkins coming of age Film also would win for Adapted Screenplay and Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali).
In an era where inclusion and diversity are at the forefront of discussion, Ali becomes known as the first ever Muslim Actor to win an Oscar. Noted this year was an increased presence of talent whether it be Presenters or Nominees, of various ethnicities.
After dominating Awards Season, Damien Chazelle‘s LA LA LAND would sweep in several categories including Production Design, Cinematography, Original Score, Original Song, Directing and Actress (Emma Stone). Chazelle has the distinction of at age 32 being the youngest to ever win Best Directing.
Jimmy Kimmel filled hosting duties this year, delivering his signature brand of biting humour (much directed to a running friendly feud with Matt Damon) which drew big laughs and at once awkward silence when he joked about O.J. Simpson deserving an extra piece of bologna tonight after OJ: MADE IN AMERICA won Best Documentary.
The night reached a comedic high point where Kimmel told the audience that he had planned for a bus full of random tourists to visit Kodak Theatre without their knowing. Much to their surprise, they were greeted by a front row of Hollywood Who’s-Who which included the likes of Emma Stone, Meryl Streep, Ryan Gosling, Denzel Washington, Mahershala Ali and several more!
.@jimmykimmel bringing tourists into the #oscars was pretty Fresh. pic.twitter.com/xetZUSL0pd
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) February 27, 2017
Accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award just earlier this year, three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep stole the show tonight right from the get-go without even speaking with Kimmel poking fun about Donald Trump‘s statement that she was over-rated getting the audience to giver her a standing ovation as the “highly-overrated Meryl Streep“.
‘Highly overrated’ Meryl Streep gets standing ovation at #Oscars after being slammed by Trump https://t.co/K3lOQiFiE5 pic.twitter.com/FTI72LIq5u
— People Magazine (@people) February 27, 2017
The iconic Actress has appeared much in the news of late after Fashion Designer Karl Lagerfeld claimed to Women’s Wear Daily that Streep refused a dress from Chanel after she was denied monetary compensation for donning the label’s creation. Streep vehemently has denied the accusation, issuing a statement: “I do not take this lightly, and Mr. Lagerfeld’s generic ‘statement’ of regret for this ‘controversy’ was not an apology. He lied, they printed the lie, and I am still waiting.”.
The other acting categories went to heavy favourites. Casey Affleck won Best Actor for MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for her work in stage-to-film Adaptation FENCES.
Canada was represented well, with Montreal’s Sylvain Bellemare winning Best Sound Editing for ARRIVAL. The Best Picture-nominated Film also saw our Denis Villeneuve receive a nomination for Directing.
As always the evening’s fashion is a huge part of the spectacle and here are some of the evening’s winning looks!
(Photo/video credit: Oscars/Getty Images)
As anticipated, LA LA LAND leads the 89th Academy Award nominations which were announced at 8:30 AM EST in Los Angeles. The Musical, hot off seven Golden Globe wins garnered a whopping 14 nominations including Best Picture, Actress (Emma Stone), Best Actor (Ryan Gosling), Directing (Chazelle), Writing (Chazelle) and more. It also has two nods for Original Song with Audition and City of Stars. Chazelle in a statement today said, “I am thrilled that the Academy is celebrating the work of Emma and Ryan, who brought these characters to life with such humanity and depth, and also the work of my college roommate Justin who created the beautiful music.”.
Up for Best Picture are:
ARRIVAL
FENCES
HACKSAW RIDGE
HELL OR HIGH WATER
HIDDEN FIGURES
LA LA LAND
LION
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
MOONLIGHT
We had the pleasure of running promotions in 2016 for seven out of nine of these nominations and would like to congratulate our friends at these Canadian companies who distribute these Films: Elevation Pictures (Moonlight, Hacksaw Ridge), 20th Century Fox Canada (Hidden Figures), Paramount Pictures Canada (Arrival, Fences), VVS Films (Hell or High Water), Mongrel Media (Manchester by the Sea) and eOne Films (Lion, La La Land).
MOONLIGHT, seen widely as LA LA LAND‘s biggest threat for Best Picture, garners the second-most nods, tallying-in at a total of eight. The Film directed by up-and-comer and nominee Barry Jenkins has been a major force this Awards Season, a powerful response to an outcry of the prestigious awards lacking diversity.
This year, we see a total six black actors nominated including Viola Davis (Fences), Denzel Washington (Fences), Ruth Negga (Loving), Mahershala Ali (Moonlight), Naomie Harris (Moonlight) and Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures). We also see an Actor of English-Indian descent nominated for Supporting Actor, Dev Patel (Lion). FENCES, starring an all-black cast, gets four nominations, while HIDDEN FIGURES, fronted by three black female principal actors, gets three nominations.
Davis, seen widely as the favourite in the Supporting Actress category stated, “Thank you to the Academy for recognizing this extraordinary, important film and my work in it. Thank you Denzel for being at the helm!”.
Although Canada’s submission for Foreign Language Film IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD missed the final shortlist, Canadians have plenty to be proud of with a total eight nominations, according to a congratulatory Press Release from Telefilm Canada:
Howard Barish, co-producer (13th), Documentary (Feature)
Sylvain Bellemare (Arrival), Sound Editing
Bernard Gariépy Strobl and Claude La Haye (Arrival), Sound Mixing
Ryan Gosling (La La Land), Actor in a Leading Role
Shawn Levy, co-producer (Arrival), Best Picture
Theodore Ushev (Blind Vaysha), Short Film (Animated), National Film Board of Canada
Patrice Vermette (Arrival), Production Design
Denis Villeneuve (Arrival), Directing
Some surprises from today’s announcements include a nod for three-time winner Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins) in the Lead Actress category and Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic) getting his second nomination today for Lead Actor. Many are surprised that despite getting recognized for Best Picture, ARRIVAL star Amy Adams did not garner a nod for Actress in a Leading Role with two strong performances this year – the other being NOCTURNAL ANIMALS – being a major force all Awards Season. Newcomer and a soon to be on Broadway Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) finds himself among great company for Supporting Actor.
Streep in a humorous visual statement, had this to say about her recognition:
Hilarious. Meryl Streep’s visual statement from @eOneFilms for her #FlorenceFosterJenkins nomination. pic.twitter.com/FANFWXG5kw
— MR. WILL WONG (@mrwillw) January 24, 2017
The 2017 Academy Awards air on ABC Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 7 PM EST.
(Photo credit: Oscars)
What I love most about working with Team Mr. Will is that we really are connected on a deep level as true lovers of Film. We all at some point were that passionate fan who queued hours in rush lines at Festivals or fought valiantly to win a contest to an Advance Screening. Despite our eclectic tastes, we work with open minds and are a judgment-free zone. We read each other’s reviews, learn and grow from one another. Although it sometimes is a great challenge splitting titles among our team, it always is love and somehow always works out in the end. We’re Filmgoers just like you with lives, jobs and school, but no matter what there always is time for our greatest passion, Film.
Whether it be Jon Godfrey‘s artistic and aesthetic sensibility, David Baldwin‘s great attunement to detail, George Kozera‘s energy and wit, Justin Waldman‘s infectious passion for Sci-Fi and Animation, Siobhán Rich‘s vast knowledge and versatility or Amanda Gilmore‘s fresh on-the-pulse perspective, we all have a unique voice that comes together in harmony as a rich, complex chord.
See our Team’s Ten Best-Of 2016 Lists.
Which speak loudest to you? Which inspire you to expand your cinematic horizons?
Mr. Will
SIOBHÁN RICH (@Typo_Eh)
This has been such a great year for Film I would have preferred to submit a Top Twenty list. My alphabetical Top Ten leaves off the fantastic Animated Movie The Red Turtle, Mark Duplass’ touching Black and White Film Blue Jay, the brilliant Documentary Tower, and great Oscar hopefuls like Nocturnal Animals, Twentieth Century Women and A Monster Calls. So, if those got left off my list imagine how great these ten Movies are!
Angry Indian Goddesses
Cameraperson
Everybody Wants Some!!
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Kubo and the Two Strings
Loving
Moonlight
Paterson
Toni Erdmann
The Women’s Balcony
JON GODFREY (@Skot_Somers)
Instead of explaining each Film, I’ll explain my method for making this list. I’ve been doing this for many years now, and I’ve grown honest enough with myself to know that what I like may not be for everyone. Be that as it may, in the last twelve months these are the Films that left the greatest impression on me. These are the Films I enjoyed on the big screen, or at home on TV. These are the Films I lost myself in, or enjoyed with the people I love. These are the Films that made me feel like a kid again, or helped me grow as a man. For me, these have been the Ten Best Films of 2016.
1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
2. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
3. Loving
4. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
5. Eight Days a Week
6. Shin Godzilla
7. Moonlight
8. Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
9. Knight of Cups
10. Warcraft
DAVID BALDWIN (@DaveMABaldwin)
When I look back at 2016, it is hard to believe how wild and chaotic a year it has been. While there were dozens of genuinely terrific Films, there were an immense amount of disappointments. I may be getting increasingly harder to please at the Movies, but the Top Ten Films for me this year challenged my expectations and each had a profound affect that have lasted long after the credits finished rolling.
1. Swiss Army Man
2. Nocturnal Animals
3. Arrival
4. La La Land
5. O.J.: Made in America
6. Zootopia
7. Hell or High Water
8. The Nice Guys
9. Moana
10. The Edge of Seventeen
JUSTIN WALDMAN (@DubsReviews)
This Top Ten list is in no particular order, but also self-explanatory. You have everything from must see blockbusters to small little things from brilliant Directors like Charlie Kaufman. While there may be some gigantic titles like that small space Indie about a galaxy far far away that everyone and their pets are seeing, but the small indies and the underrated Comedies must make my Top Ten list. 2016 was incredible, and these ten Movies are some of the best of the best.
Anomalisa
Bad Moms
The Edge of Seventeen
Deadpool
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Kubo and the Two Strings
La La Land
Loving
Moana
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
AMANDA GILMORE (@GilmoreAmanda)
The Top Ten Movies I have chosen for 2016 are varied from one another. There is a Film for everyone on this list. My list includes the most important Films from multiple genres and storylines.
1. La La Land
2. Moonlight
3. Arrival
4. Manchester By The Sea
5. Nocturnal Animals
6. 10 Cloverfield Lane
7. Zootopia
8. Jackie
9. Elle
10. Don’t Breathe
GEORGE KOZERA (@PartyG)
2016 may not have been a banner year for Movies for me personally, but since seeing it at TIFF ’16, I am still obsessed with Director Damien Chazelle’s musical masterpiece, followed closely by the most compelling Documentary I have seen since Hoop Dreams. Indie features, outstanding performances by female veterans (Meryl Streep and Sally Field), and an exciting new voice in Canadian Cinema rocked my world in 2016.
1. La La Land
2. OJ: Made in America
3. Closet Monster
4. Moonlight
5. Manchester by the Sea
6. Love and Friendship
7. Deadpool
8. Captain Fantastic
9. Florence Foster Jenkins
10. Hello, My Name is Doris
The Team Mr. Will 2016 Holiday Selfie
(L to R: Jon, Amanda, Dave, Siobhán + Justin)
…and of course we can’t forget George + our official Team Mascot, “Princess” (@APicByMrWill)
Mr. Will‘s own 2016 Best-Ofs? Click here for those!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/eOne Films/Elevation Pictures/Fox Searchlight/Universal Pictures/The Orchard/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada/ESPN Films)
As anticipated, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY debuts dominantly this weekend with $152.2 million from 4,157 theatres for Disney. Despite equally strong reviews from Critics with 84% on the Tomatometer, getting an A CinemaScore from Audiences also, it cannot best last year’s STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS‘ record-setting $247 million opening. This however, makes ROGUE ONE the second-highest opening ever for a Film in December.
MOANA makes it a Disney Double, placing second with $12.5 million, a total of $162.7 million over four weeks domestically.
OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY lands in third this weekend with $7.9 million for Paramount Pictures, a total $31 million over two weeks.
COLLATERAL BEAUTY lands in fourth with $7.2 million from 3,028 theatres for Warner Bros. Critics gave it a harsh 14% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences loved the Holiday Drama with an all-star cast including Kate Winslet, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren and Will Smith, with an A- CinemaScore.
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA expands to 1,208 theatres for Mongrel Media/Roadside Attractions, good enough for sixth with $4.1 million.
LA LA LAND also expands in its second week to just 200 theatres, earning a whopping $4.1 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. This looks great for the Oscar contender which continues its expansion in coming weeks. It gets a Canadian release Christmas Day in select cities.
ARRIVAL is in ninth with $2.9 million for Paramount Pictures, a total $86.6 million now in six weeks.
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS rounds-out the Top Ten with 1,246 theatres for Universal Pictures with $1.4 million. In five weeks it has made $8.8 million.
For a third straight week Disney‘s MOANA takes the top of the Box Office, earning $18.8 million this weekend from 3,875 theatres. In its domestic run thus far, it has grossed $145.3 million.
In second in its debut is Paramount Pictures’ OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY with $16.8 million from 3,210 theatres. The Holiday Comedy with an all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon and T.J. Miller, gets a B CinemaScore from Audiences and a 44% on the Tomatometer from Critics.
FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM lands in third this weekend with $10 million for Warner Bros., just shy of the $200 million-mark over four weeks.
ARRIVAL shows amazing momentum now in its fifth week with $5.2 million for Paramount Pictures, earning $82 million across North America in five weeks.
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS expands to 1,262 theatres for Universal Pictures this weekend, making $3.6 million, a total $6.7 million over four weeks and a second Film for Amy Adams in the Top Ten this weekend in addition to ARRIVAL.
Oscar Contender MANCHESTER BY THE SEA expands to 368 theatres, bringing-in $3,1 million for Mongrel Media/Roadside Attractions. In four weeks it has tallied $8.2 million.
HACKSAW RIDGE rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.3 million for Elevation Pictures/Lionsgate Films, a total $60.8 million in six weeks.
Bubbling under is Oscar favourite LA LA LAND which plays in limited engagement in five theatres to earn an excellent $850k for eOne Films/Liosngate Films.
For a second straight week, MOANA tops the Box Office for Disney, with $29.6 million from 3,875 theatres. In two weeks it has made $121 million domestically, getting a break from competitors with no new wide releases slated.
Former champ FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM is in second with $16.8 million for Warner Bros., tallying $181.3 million over three weeks.
ALLIED lands in third with $7.3 million for Paramount Pictures in its second week, almost passing the $30-million mark.
ARRIVAL is in fourth with $7.1 million also for Paramount Pictures. In its four weeks out it has made $71 million.
BAD SANTA 2 is in eighth in its second week out with $3.1 million for eOne Films/Broad Green Pictures. It has made $15 million in its run so far.
Oscar contender MANCHESTER BY THE SEA rounds out the Top Ten with $2.2 million from only 156 theatres. It has made $4.3 million over three weeks for Mongrel Media/Roadside Attractions.
FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM is much the best at the Box Office this weekend, debuting with $76 million for Warner Bros. in 4,144 theatres across North America. Penned by Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling and directed by Potter director David Yates, this first installment in the Franchise fares well critically with an 76% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore, boding well for some word of mouth. Some are concerned these numbers are not strong enough to propel a Franchise, although we think they are just being diffficult! We mustn’t forget the international appeal of Rowling…
In second is 20th Century Fox‘s TROLLS with $16.9 million in its third week, totalling $115 million in its domestic run.
DOCTOR STRANGE finds itself in third with $16.3 million for Marvel/Disney in its third week, bringing its tally to $180.6 million for the Benedict Cumberbatch-starring superhero flick.
ARRIVAL lands in fourth with $11.2 million for Paramount Pictures, bringing the Oscar contender’s two-week total to $42.8 million.
HACKSAW RIDGE is in sixth with $6.4 million in its third week, a total of $42.5 million grossed for Elevation Pictures/Lionsgate Films.
THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN opens in eighth for STX Entertainment/VVS Films with $4.8 million from 1,945 theatres. The TIFF ’16 selection and coming-of-age Dramedy starring Oscar nominee and Popstar Hailee Steinfeld, gets a whopping 95% on the Tomatometer and an A-CinemaScore.
SHUT IN rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.6 million in its second week out for EuropaCorp and VVS Films.
For a second straight week, DOCTOR STRANGE holds the top spot at the Box Office for Marvel/Disney with $43 million from 3,882 theatres. Over two weeks, the Blockbuster starring Benedict Cumberbatch has grossed $153 million in North America alone.
In second spot is 20th Century Fox‘s TROLLS with $34.8 million from 4,066 theatres. Over two weeks it has made $93.7 million domestically.
ARRIVAL debuts in third spot for Paramount Pictures with a solid $23.4 million. Debuting at TIFF ’16 and starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, the Denis Villeneuve Film gets a strong 93% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.
ALMOST CHRISTMAS debuts in fourth for Universal Pictures with $15.3 million from 2,376 theatres. It gets 44% on the Tomatometer from Critics and inversely an A- CinemaScore from Audiences.
The Horror SHUT IN starring Naomi Watts debuts in seventh for EuropaCorp. with $3.8 million from 2,886 theatres. It gets 0% on the Tomatometer and a C CinemaScore.
INFERNO rounds out the Top Ten with $3.2 million for Sony Pictures. In three weeks it has made $31 million in North America.
Paramount Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to take Readers to see TIFF ’16 selection, ARRIVAL. Screenings take place in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.
Synopsis:
When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team – led by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) – are brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers – and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity
Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City!
Paramount Pictures Canada release ARRIVAL on Friday, November 11, 2016.
(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)
The weekend might be over but you wouldn’t know it if you were at TIFF! Day Five perhaps is the grandest one yet with the Festival’s most anticipated title making its debut here after a huge splash in Venice, Damien Chazzelle‘s LA LA LAND starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. The duo are set to walk the Red Carpet tonight at Roy Thomson Hall. Miles Teller (who coincidentally worked with Chazzelle on his first Film, WHIPLASH) also is set to make a case for Best Actor in BLEED FOR THIS, which debuts tonight at Princess of Wales Theatre. Down the road, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner are set to walk the Carpet for Denis Villeneuve‘s Sci-Fi romp ARRIVAL at Roy Thomson Hall.
See the names we spotted today in the City!
Ryan Gosling, LA LA LAND
#RyanGosling at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Emma Stone, LA LA LAND
With the mesmerizing #EmmaStone at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
John Legend, LA LA LAND
#JohnLegend at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Rosemarie DeWitt, LA LA LAND
#RosemarieDeWitt at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Director Damien Chazzelle, LA LA LAND
J.K. Simmons, LA LA LAND
Amy Adams, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS + ARRIVAL
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
Because I needed another. #AaronTaylorJohnson #TIFF16 #NocturnalAnimals
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Oscar Isaac, THE PROMISE
Richard Gere, NORMAN: THE MODERATE RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF A NEW YORK FIXER
Mark Wahlberg, DEEPWATER HORIZON
Marky Mark. He was spotted at #Wahlburgers today! #TIFF16 #DeepwaterHorizon
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Marky Mark. #TIFF16 #MarkWahlberg #DeepwaterHorizon #Wahlburgers 🍔
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Ethan Hawke, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN + MAUDIE
#EthanHawke at #TIFF16 for #TheMagnificentSeven + #Maudie.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Aaron Eckhart, BLEED FOR THIS
Miles Teller, BLEED FOR THIS
#MilesTeller at #TIFF16 for #BleedforThis.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Dave Matthews out enjoying TIFF
Lennox Lewis out enjoying TIFF
Boxing icon #LennoxLewis at #TIFF16.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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