Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

When an ex-convict (Ethan Hawke) gets released from prison after 21 years for a petty crime he finds a baby in a dumpster which gives him a new lease on life.

First-time feature film Director and Writer Logan Marshall Green delves into the impacts of the three strike rule America used to have. He examines the psychological and societal impacts prison can have on those who’ve been newly-released. It focuses on one man in particular who is played captivatingly and to raw emotion by Hawke.

Adopt A Highway screens at SXSW on March 10 at 8:30 PM at Stateside, March 11 at 6 PM at Satellite Venue, March 13 at 5:30 PM at Rollins Theatre, and March 14 at 11 PM at Alamo Lamar E.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

It’s day four of the SXSW Festival and things are still moving a mile a minute. We attended two different Panels today that consisted of Actors and Producers of some of our favourite movies.

The first talk was from Ethan Hawke and Jason Blum who are here promoting their newest Film together called Adopt A Highway. It follows an ex-convict who finds a child in a dumpster and changes his life. The two spoke about working on prior projects together, such as Sinister and The Purge, and how Adopt A Highway is different from those. Blum stated that 80 per cent of the Films Blumhouse produces are of the Horror genre, while 20 per cent aren’t. His newest Film falls in the 20 per cent category. He said that he makes sure he really loves the content and the people working on the project if it is going to be outside of the Horror genre. The two also spoke about their long-time friendship, which even got Blum teary-eyed.

The second Panel was for the star and Executive Producer of the new Hulu show, Shrill. Aidy Bryant stars as Annie, a woman who wants to change her life but never her figure.  Elizabeth Banks serves as Executive Producer and also  attended the Panel. Banks had a lot to talk about in regards to the Show and her career from starting out as an actress to now producing and directing some of the most successful Film and TV Shows. “I am here for the revolution, that is women making more content,” she proudly pronounced to a huge round of applause. Banks also spoke about her upcoming Charlie’s Angels Film which she is directing, producing, writing and acting in! She said she doesn’t want to give too much away, but is really excited for it.

Then the Film Premieres began down at The Paramount Theatre once again tonight. First up was the newest Film from Director Chris Morris called The Day Shall Come. It stars Anna Kendrick, Danielle Brooks, Jim Gaffigan, Marchánt Davis and more. Before the Film started, the stars arrived and each spent time with their fans.

The final Film of the night was Good Boys which has a lot of Canadian talent attached to it. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg produced the Film and Canada’s golden boy Jacob Tremblay stars in it. The Trailer for the Film also dropped today, and for those of you who have seen it, then you know this Film is going to be funny. And we can confirm it is the funniest Film we have seen at SXSW and in a while! The audience constantly was laughing or having “aww” moments during Good Boys. The boys charmed the audience in-person also in their Q&A.

Things begin to slow down a bit starting tomorrow as the Festival’s Awards Ceremony honouring those titles in competition, will take place in the evening.

This looks thrilling. Check-out the new Trailer for STOCKHOLM starring Ethan Hawke, Noomi Rapace and Mark Strong!

Synopsis:
STOCKHOLM is based on the absurd but true story of a 1973 bank heist and hostage crisis documented in the 1974 New Yorker article “The Bank Drama” by Daniel Lang. The film follows Lars Nystrom, (Ethan Hawke) who dons a disguise to raid a central Stockholm bank. He then takes hostages in order to spring his pal Gunnar (Mark Strong) from prison. One of the hostages includes Bianca (Noomi Rapace), a wife and mother of two. Negotiations with detectives hits a wall when (at the request of the Prime Minister) the police refuse to let Lars leave in a getaway car with the hostages. As hours turn into days, Lars alternates between threatening the hostages and making them feel comfortable and secure. The hostages develop an uneasy relationship with their captor, which is particularly complex for Bianca, who develops a strong bond with Lars as she witnesses his caring nature. This connection gave rise to the psychological phenomenon known as “Stockholm Syndrome.”

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release STOCKHOLM.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

As Awards Season kicks into high gear, the 2018 Toronto Film Critics Association Awards were held tonight, honouring the year’s best in Cinema as decided by that esteemed Association. Taking place at the Four Seasons Hotel, the site of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association‘s InStyle Magazine Bash at TIFF, Film Critics and industry celebrated what was a stellar year both critically and commercially in Film, seeing a record $11.8 billion grossed at the Box Office in North America last year.

Honoured tonight were the best in Canadian and International Cinema with previous winner Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier’s ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH winning the Association’s Rogers Best Canadian Film Award. Given a hefty prize of $100k, the Duo decided spontaneously to split the money with runners-up MAISON DU BONHEUR Director Sofia Bohdanowicz and AVA Director Sadaf Forough, whom also received $5,000 from Rogers Communications.

Other winners announced tonight include Director Molly McGlynn who won the $10,000 Stella Artois Jay Scott Prize for an Emerging Artist for her debut, MARY GOES ROUND which premiered at TIFF ’18 to raves.

Native Canadian Trailblazer Tantoo Cardinal also was awarded the $50,000 Technicolor Clyde Gilmour Award for her achievements in Canadian Cinema, presented by fellow First Nations Actress Tanaya Beatty (The Twilight Saga). Cardinal chose to donate the funds to First Nations Filmmaker Darlene Naponse, who directed FALLS AROUND HER in which Cardinal stars.

Director Morgan Neville was given the $5,000 RBC Allan King Documentary Film Award for Mr. Rogers Pic, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?.

Genevieve Citron was named recipient of the inaugural TFCA Emerging Critic Award, a $1,000 prize.

Announced earlier were double Golden Globe-winning ROMA for Best Picture and Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón), plus Ethan Hawke for Best Actor in First Reformed and Olivia Colman for Best Actress in The Favourite. Regina King won Best Supporting Actress for her work in If Beale Street Could Talk, doubling-up with her Golden Globes success this past weekend and Steve Yeun won Best Supporting Actor for his work in Best Foreign-Language Film winner, BURNING.

More winners here.

TIFF Creative Director Cameron Bailey filled hosting duties this year and Presenters included Don McKellar, Traci Melchor, Rick Mercer and more.

It was our first time ever attending the TFCA Awards, courtesy of our friends at Hollywood Suite and GAB Communications, and we are so honoured to celebrated with our peers and idols.

See some Snaps:

Alfonso Cuarón

Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier

Tantoo Cardinal

Darlene Naponse

Rick Mercer

Don McKellar

Cameron Bailey

Molly McGlynn

Genevieve Citron

Traci Melchor

Richard Crouse

George Pimentel

Some faces of the TFCA including President Peter Howell and Vice President/Secretary Johanna Schneller

Our hardworking friends in the Film industry get a night out!

Our friends at GAB Communications and Hollywood Suite:

All photos taken on the NIKON D3400.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to take Readers to an Advance Screening of Luc Besson’s VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS! 3D Screenings take place as follows:

Toronto
Wed July 19
Yonge & Dundas
7:00 PM

Vancouver
Wed July 19
Scotiabank Vancouver
7:00 PM

Winnipeg
Wed July 19
Scotiabank Winnipeg
7:30 PM

Edmonton
Wed July 19
Scotiabank Edmonton
7:00 PM

Calgary
Wed July 19
Chinook
7:00 PM

Ottawa
Wed July 19
Scotiabank Ottawa
7:30 PM

Halifax
Wed July 19
Scotiabank Halifax
7:00 PM

Victoria
Wed July 19
Silvercity Victoria
7:00 PM

Synopsis:
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS is the visually spectacular new adventure film from Luc Besson, the legendary director of The Professional, The Fifth Element and Lucy, based on the ground-breaking comic book series which inspired a generation of artists, writers and filmmakers. In the 28th century, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are a team of special operatives charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two embark on a mission to the astonishing city of Alpha-an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence and cultures with each other. There is a mystery at the center of Alpha, a dark force which threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.

Cast: Cara Delevingne, Dane Dehaan, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman ,Herbie Hancock, Kris Wu and Rutger Hauer.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet on Twitter: @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Bon chance.

Stay tuned for our chat with Besson on his exciting new Film soon!

eOne Films release VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS Friday, July 21, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

After a warm reception at TIFF ’16, MAUDIE now will see a release! Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a MAUDIE Prize Pack which includes an official colouring book and also Run-of-Engagement Passes to see it across Canada.

Synopsis:
Academy Award® nominees Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky, Blue Jasmine) and Ethan Hawke star in the true story of Maud Lewis, who overcame the physical challenge of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to become one of Canada’s premier folk artists.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. “Favourite” this Tweet on Twitter: @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Mongrel Media release MAUDIE Friday, April 14, 2017 – Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Friday, April 21, 2017 – Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal, Victoria, Winnipeg.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

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. Definite Oscar contender.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

#RyanGosling at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:59pm PDT

Emma Stone, LA LA LAND

 

#EmmaStone is mind-blowingly great in #LaLaLand! Oscars here she comes!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:30am PDT

With the mesmerizing #EmmaStone at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 1:14pm PDT

John Legend, LA LA LAND

 

#JohnLegend at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:21am PDT

#JohnLegend at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:59pm PDT

Rosemarie DeWitt, LA LA LAND

 

#RosemarieDewitt at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

#RosemarieDeWitt at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:58pm PDT

Director Damien Chazzelle, LA LA LAND

 

Brilliant director/writer #DamienChazelle at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:57pm PDT

J.K. Simmons, LA LA LAND

 

#JKSimmons at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:56pm PDT

Amy Adams, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS + ARRIVAL

 

#AmyAdams at #TIFF16 for #Arrival and #NocturnalAnimals. Just lovely.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS

 

Because I needed another. #AaronTaylorJohnson #TIFF16 #NocturnalAnimals

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 9:10am PDT

Oscar Isaac, THE PROMISE

 

#OscarIsaac at #TIFF16 for #ThePromise.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 8:53am PDT

Richard Gere, NORMAN: THE MODERATE RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF A NEW YORK FIXER

 

#RichardGere at #TIFF16 with #NormanMovie.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 11:47am PDT

Mark Wahlberg, DEEPWATER HORIZON

 

Marky Mark. He was spotted at #Wahlburgers today! #TIFF16 #DeepwaterHorizon

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:57am PDT

Marky Mark. #TIFF16 #MarkWahlberg #DeepwaterHorizon #Wahlburgers 🍔

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 11:25am PDT

So awesome meeting this Willionaire who stopped to ask me for a selfie and told me she does #TIFF16 because of me! So touched. And look how karma rewarded her one minute later! #MarkWahlberg 🍔

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 11:29am PDT

Ethan Hawke, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN + MAUDIE

#EthanHawke at #TIFF16 for #TheMagnificentSeven + #Maudie.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:49pm PDT

Aaron Eckhart, BLEED FOR THIS

#AaronEckhart at #TIFF16 for #BleedforThis.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:50pm PDT

Miles Teller, BLEED FOR THIS

#MilesTeller at #TIFF16 for #BleedforThis.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:51pm PDT

Dave Matthews out enjoying TIFF

#DaveMatthews hangin’ out at #TIFF16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:51pm PDT

Lennox Lewis out enjoying TIFF

Boxing icon #LennoxLewis at #TIFF16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:52pm PDT

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Elevation Pictures + Mr. Will want to take you to see Toronto-filmed Thriller, REGRESSION starring Ethan Hawke and Emma Watson!  Screenings take place on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 in Toronto at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas.

Synopsis:
Minnesota, 1990. Detective Bruce Kenner (Ethan Hawke) investigates the case of young Angela (Emma Watson), who accuses her father, John Gray (David Dencik), of an unspeakable crime. When John unexpectedly and without recollection admits guilt, renowned psychologist Dr. Raines (David Thewlis) is brought in to help him relive his memories and what they discover unmasks a horrifying nationwide mystery.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Click “share” from there for an extra chance!

G’luck.

Elevation Pictures release REGRESSION on Friday, April 15, 2016 in Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Winnipeg + Montreal and Friday, April 22, 2016 in Saskatoon. Rated 14A.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Chet Baker for many of this generation might not ring a bell, but Robert Budreau-directed Biopic Born to be Blue soon will have something to say about that. Filmed in Sudbury, the Drama starring Ethan Hawke showcases the actor at his best, for the first time showcasing his own musical abilities.

Set just as Baker is about to embark on an against-the-odds-comeback and told partly through a series of flashbacks, we learn about the iconic trumpeter/singer’s rise and fall as a result of his heroin dependency. Just as a Film is about to put into production about his life story, he meets stunning Carmen Ejogo, cast in the role of his ex-wife. We witness the challenges Baker faces, hitting rock bottom – always one misstep from landing back in prison – and the series of events leading to his eventual comeback including the passionate romance between him and x. We also get a glimpse at the strained relationship between Baker and his father, a failed musician.

Born to be Blue despite being a story of overcoming the odds never masks the fact that the true demon is Baker‘s addiction and despite being inspirational, tonally we never forget the deep sadness he lives through which helped birth his acclaimed music.  Powerful performances by Hawke and Ejogo topline the Film which could well have enough legs to propel itself into awards season for a mention.

eOne Films release Born to be Blue, which screens at TIFF ’15:

Sun Sep 13 2:00 PM
WINTER GARDEN THEATRE

Mon Sep 14 9:00 AM
THE BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA

Remstar Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto and Vancouver to see TIFF ’14 Selection, GOOD KILL starring Ethan Hawke, Zoe Kravitz, January Jones and Jake Abel. The Film screens on Thursday, May 14, 2015 in both Cities.

Official Synopsis:

Major Thomas Egan is a U.S. Air Force pilot who started flying drones when plane pilots became less needed. The movie action starts when Egan is already disillusioned with his drone flying activity, due to the lack of flight-related thrills and to the limited ability to control collateral damage during airstrikes. He further starts to question the ethics of his occupation when running missions for the CIA involving double tap, the indiscriminate killing of groups of people in Yemen, a country not at war with the USA, etc.

Watch the Trailer:

To enter to win, simply click like on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook.   You may click “share” from there for an extra chance!

Remstar Films release GOOD KILL on Friday, May 15, 2015.

Mr. Will + Ethan Hawke

#EthanHawke and me. #TIFF14 #GoodKill #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2014 at 10:08pm PDT

    Mr. Will + Jake Abel

#JakeAbel at #TIFF14 for #THEGOODKILL. #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2014 at 1:08am PDT

(Photo/video credit: Remstar Films)