The finish line is in sight for TIFF ’23 but we’re still out and about! We spotted Ava DuVernay doing the rounds earlier! The history-making Oscar-nominated BAFTA and Primetime Emmy winner looked stunning earlier and was so lovely to stop for a snap! Her film ORIGIN was a late add to the lineup at TIFF ’23.
Shortly after, we saw Oscar-nominated Actress Salma Hayek Pinault arriving to her Red Carpet for SABOR DE LA NAVIDAD. In a rush to get to her interviews, she didn’ stop at the barricade for her fans. She serves as Executive Producer for the Film.
Also, a huge joy witnessing Chloe Domont‘s feature directorial debut FAIR PLAY. This is definitely one of the best things I’ve seen so far at TIFF ‘23. Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor play a couple who after getting engaged, live through a power struggle when one of them gets promoted at work. So wonderful seeing Domont at the Roy Thomson Hall Premiere tonight.
Please seeing Viggo Mortensen still here for THE DEAD DON’T HURT.
And last but not least, our friends at Elevation Pictures celebrated their 10th Birthday and it was a bustling party at their building on Richmond Street. They had a whopping 14 films at the Festival! Several noticables, including Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard were there.
(Photo/video credit Mr. Will Wong)
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win a GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE Prize Pack!
Synopsis:
From director Jason Reitman and producer Ivan Reitman comes the next chapter in the original Ghostbusters universe. In Ghostbusters: Afterlife, when a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather, an original Ghostbuster, left behind. The film is written by Gil Kenan & Jason Reitman.
This amazing Prize Pack is loaded, including:
1 Blu-ray copy of GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE
1 Pin Badge
1 Stretch Phone Case
1 Stay Puft Squishy Phone Mascot
1 Phone Ring Holder/Stand
1 Plate Keyring
1 Water Bottle
1 Stationary Set
1 Light Up Notebook
1 Glow-In-The-Dark Sticker Set
1 Wall License Plate
1 Stay Puft Squishy
1 Tote Bag
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an extra chance.
Enter for your chance to #win a #GhostbustersAfterlife Prize Pack!
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) January 27, 2022
How: https://t.co/jDgXhnQ3E4 pic.twitter.com/k1WjNK2b0E
Rules and regulations here.
NOTE: Do not accept friend requests from third party accounts asking you to provide your personal information. Winners will be reached only by our official account above. Be careful and guard your personal information.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment release GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE on Blu-ray and DVD February 1, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)
By David Baldwin
Ziggy (Finn Wolfhard) is a high school student who performs original Folk tunes online for his worldwide audience of 20,000 people. His overbearing mother Evelyn (Oscar-winner Julianne Moore) runs a shelter for domestic abuse survivors. Despite the greatness of their shared memories, they do not get along and only interact in passing. With Ziggy’s time taken-up trying to become more politically savvy to impress a girl, Evelyn takes to one of the shelter’s new residents who reminds her of Ziggy, and who she desperately wants to help succeed in the future.
First-time Writer/Director Jesse Eisenberg (yes, it is who you are thinking of) adapts his award-winning Audible Original podcast to mixed effect here. It has dashes of humour sprinkled throughout, and a well-composed look that shows how much Eisenberg has learned from his contemporaries over his two plus decades of acting. The characters feel lived in and the performances from just about everyone are good, with Wolfhard standing in as an obvious avatar for his Director (even down to his inflections and mannerisms). Where WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD stumbles is in how inconsequential all of Ziggy and Evelyn’s actions feel, and how their narcissistic qualities obscure many of the more interesting things happening in the margins. Why did Eisenberg feel the need to make all of the supporting characters so much more interesting than the two leads? What is he trying to say about these characters and their journeys? I felt like the Film does not answer either of these questions, and just over-convolutes its overarching message and obvious conclusion.
Eisenberg shows promise as a Writer and Director with WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD. I just hope he makes his next project less dry, and have a whole lot more purpose.
WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD screens at Sundance as follows:
PREMIERE Jan 20 7:30PM EST Available Until Jan 20 10:30PM EST
SECOND SCREENING Jan 22 10:00AM EST Available Until Jan 23 10:00AM EST
TIFF NEXT WAVE 2021 kicks-off later this week, running Friday, February 12-15, 2021. Celebrating youth-oriented films and programming, the Festival adapts to a virtual format this year, allowing for safe, pyjama-comfort enjoyment right from home!
In addition to an In Conversation With… Finn Wolfhard, there also will be an Opening Night Party. The Young Creators Co-Lab which allows young Filmmakers a chance to connect with professional Filmmakers for tips. There also will be several new films to screen including TIFF ’20 breakout hit BEANS by Tracey Deer. Did you know also that Emma Seligman, who directed acclaimed TIFF ’20 selection SHIVA BABY is TIFF Next Wave alumni? You can see that Film’s star Rachel Sennot in Next Wave selection, TAHARA.
Our Justin Waldman (@DubsReviews) got to preview some of the most-anticipated titles of the Festival and here are some of his thoughts.
Death of Nintendo has a lot right going for it, including ’90s nostalgia. The Movie focuses on a group of teenage boys living in Manila, taking place before the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, with a heavy dose of Nintendo throwback, as this group comes into their own identity.
The Film focuses on Paolo (Noel Comia Jr), Kachi (John Vincent Servilla), and Gilligan (Jiggerfelip Sementilla) who are all friends trying to come into their own. At once, they are escaping their own individual issues whether they be problems at home, heartbreak, or not being satisfied with what they have. Everyone is trying to overcome their own personal issues/demons. Their greatest escape is playing Nintendo and being able to escape into their own world, something we might know a thing or two about right now.
Death of Nintendo has some excellent performances from its trio of leads. The universally relatable story by Valerie Castillo Martinez and direction from Raya Martin help these stories excel. The future looks bright for everyone featured here. Death of Nintendo does fall into some coming of age tropes, but the high points are definitely worth the journey.
DEATH OF NINTENDO premieres at TIFF Next Wave Friday, February 12, 2021.
Leonie Krippendroff’s Berlin-set Feature Cocoon takes place in the summer of ’18 with themes of exploration, discovery, and change. The Film boasts some fantastic performances from its Cast. This is a beautiful story of self-discovery.
Nora (Lena Urzendowsky) follows her sister Jule (Lena Klenke) around, along with her friend Aylin (Elina Vildanova). Nora endures a horrific accident in school. Retreating to the bathroom in complete embarrassment, she meets Romy (Jella Hasse) and discovers that she feels for Romy, realizing she isn’t interested in boys and vying for their attention, like Jule and Aylin.
Cocoon is metaphoric of the awakening Nora goes through, but also applies to the breakout performances in this Film. There is something so genuine and captivating about Urzendowsky and Hasse’s work that transcends the screen.
COCOON premieres at TIFF Next Wave Saturday, February 13, 2021.
There are a lot of uncomfortable things that occur in this directorial Feature debut from Olivia Peace and first Screenplay by Jess Zeidman. However, Tahara handles some serious subject matter with a bit of levity and comedy, making it a bit tragic, comedic, yet undeniably brilliant.
Tahara takes place in Rochester, NY at a funeral service/Hebrew school. It revolves around a few friends, love interests and classmates as they mourn the passing of their fellow classmate. The Film focuses on Hannah (Rachel Sennott) and Carrie (Madeline Grey DeFreece) as they explore their sexual abilities with each other, so Hannah can make a move on Tristan (Daniel Taveras). Carrie and Hannah realize there might be more to their friendship than initially thought, and things become awkward between them.
Both Sennott and DeFreece deliver fantastic performances with a great, emotion-filled comedic punch. Their chemistry also breaks the tension of the backdrop of the story, losing a classmate at such a young age. Zeidman’s Script delivers, with Peace’s direction focused. This is a must-see!
TAHARA premieres at TIFF Next Wave Friday, February 12, 2021.
Just announced, Rachel Sennott will appear on TIFF‘s Instagram Live 7:30 PM ET February 12, 2021, discussing her career and her Comedy. More details here.
More on TIFF NEXT WAVE including tickets, here.
(Photo credit: TIFF)
By Amanda Gilmore
It’s clear that Vancouver-born actor Finn Wolfhard is a talented guy. At the young age of 17, he’s a successful musician and actor, solidifying his career through performances as Mike in Stranger Things and Richie in IT. But now he’s making his transition from in front of the camera to behind it. His Short Film Night Shifts, which he wrote and directed, premiered at Fantasia Festival 2020 and has been garnering buzz. It’s about two old friends connecting unexpectedly during a convenience store hold-up. With a running time of four minutes, Wolfhard is able to garner nostalgia for lost friendships through whip-smart direction and hilarious dialogue. Today he sat down on a Zoom chat with fellow Canadian filmmaker Jay Baruchel to talk about his leap from actor to writer-director. Wolfhard’s cast of the film, Malcolm Sparrow-Crawford, Artoun Nazareth and Billy Bryk, also came in half-way through to talk about their experience. Below are some highlights.
Wolfhard on 2020 and career so far:
“It’s easily the weirdest year of my young life so far. I’ve gotten very lucky to have the career I’ve had so far.”
Wolfhard on advice from Shawn Levy (I Am Not Okay With This, Stranger Things):
“Just because you have an idea, doesn’t mean that it’s the idea.”
Wolfhard on his directorial debut, Night Shifts:
“Last year I was shooting the new Ghostbusters. And I was talking to Jason Reitman about making movies and he said, ‘Well, write a Short, it’s the best thing you can do’.”. He asked himself, “What was the most uncomfortable situation you could have with a friend from high school? And I was like oh, I know, a robbery!”. “I wanted it to be fast, I wanted it to be in and out. We shot it in 12 hours. We had fun.”
Baruchel on Night Shifts:
“It’s really, really smooth and confident and restrained. It doesn’t feel like a first Movie, man.”.
Wolfhard on Crowdfunding for Night Shifts:
“I feel like I’m very happy and very, very, very surprised that I can get on Social Media and people will give it to me. And then I feel terribly guilty. I don’t know it’s incredible. I started giving incentives, like a signed prop or something.”.
Wolfhard on his Cast:
“I’d met Artoun and Billy on the set of Ghostbusters, they are both in that. I’ve known Malcolm since I was a baby.”
Bryk on Ghostbusters and Night Shifts:
“Artoun and I, it was pretty much the first movie we did. It was this insane experience and we really got to know everybody. And then we all got together again for this.”
Favourite mments from set:
Nazareth:
“So many prop chip bags. So many fake chips it was awesome. That was amazing.”.
Sparrow-Crawford:
“It was a fun, fun time…it was a bunch of dudes being guys.”.
Bryk:
“There was one line in the Movie that got cut that Finn and I thought was funny…and one guy in the back laughed.”.
Wolfhard:
“I want to do this for the rest of my life. I think it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Wolfhard on a possible Feature Film:
“Billy and I are writing a Script (for a Feature Film)…it’s a Comedy-Slasher Movie.”
Finn on Director Inspirations:
“Wes Anderson is big for me…Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are huge for me. Also, Spike Jones, PTA (Paul Thomas Anderson).”.
“Putting characters into situations that are serious but add Comedy…If I can blend that with magical realism, then that would be awesome.”.
The entire Cast, along with Wolfhard also talked about having an actual attempted robbery happen at the convenience store they were filming at overnight. When the attempted robber entered the store, they didn’t know what to do, so Nazareth raised his fake gun up. By some miracle this made the actual robber leave the store. They were laughing about the scenario.
See the Chat:
Night Shifts will be available on-demand for Fantasia Fest Aug 20 – Sept 2, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Fantasia Fest)
Something to get you in the mood for Halloween! Check-out the new Trailer for THE TURNING!
Synopsis:
For more than 100 years, a deeply haunting tale has been passed down to terrify audiences. Next January, DreamWorks Pictures’ The Turning takes us to a mysterious estate in the Maine countryside, where newly appointed nanny Kate is charged with the care of two disturbed orphans, Flora and Miles. Quickly though, she discovers that both the children and the house are harboring dark secrets and things may not be as they appear.
Inspired by Henry James’ landmark novel, the haunted-house thriller is directed by spellbinding visualist Floria Sigismondi (The Runaways, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale) and stars Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate, The Martian), Finn Wolfhard (It, Netflix’s Stranger Things), newcomer Brooklynn Prince (The Florida Project) and Joely Richardson (Red Sparrow, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).
See the Trailer:
Universal Pictures Canada release THE TURNING Friday, January 20, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE ADDAMS FAMILY! Screenings take place as follows:
TORONTO // Cineplex Cinemas Queensway & VIP
MONTREAL // Cineplex Cinemas Forum
VANCOUVER // Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver
CALGARY // Cineplex Odeon Eau Claire Market Cinemas
EDMONTON // Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
Synopsis:
Get ready to snap your fingers!
The first family of Halloween, the Addams Family, is back on the big screen in the first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, the Addams Family redefines what it means to be a good neighbour.
Cast: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Snoop Dogg as “IT”, with Bette Midler and Allison Janney.
Also starring Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Tituss Burgess, Jenifer Lewis, Elsie Fisher, Aimee Garcia
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 Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!
Rules and regulations here.
Universal Pictures Canada release THE ADDAMS FAMILY Friday, October 11, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
Enter for a chance to win Advance Screening Passes to see TIFF ’19 selection, THE GOLDFINCH! Screenings take place as follows:
VANCOUVER
Screening details:
Monday, September 9 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Cineplex International Village
88 West Pender, 3rd Floor
Vancouver BC, V6B 6N9
EDMONTON
Screening details:
Monday, September 9 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
8882 170 St Suite: #3030
Edmonton AB, T5T 4M2
OTTAWA
Screening details:
Monday, September 9 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa
2385 City Park Drive
Ottawa ON, K1J 1G1
CALGARY
Screening details:
Monday, September 9 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
6455 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary AB, T2H 0K4
WINNIPEG
Screening details:
Monday, September 9 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg
817 St. James Street
Winnipeg MB, R3G 3L3
HALIFAX
Screening details:
Monday, September 9 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Halifax
190 Chain Lake Dr.
Halifax NS, B3S 1C5
Synopsis:
The last time 13-year-old Theo Decker saw his mother, she was gliding away from him into another gallery of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Seconds later, a terrorist bomb exploded destroying priceless pieces of art…and shattering Theo’s life forever. The tragedy changes the course of his life, sending him on a stirring odyssey of grief and guilt, reinvention and redemption, friendship and even love.
Throughout the turbulent years, as he grows into adulthood, Theo secretly clings to a single, precious object—his one tangible connection to the mother he lost on that terrible day— a priceless painting of a tiny bird chained to its perch. The Goldfinch.
A beautifully wrought coming-of-age story, intimate in its emotion and sweeping in its design, “The Goldfinch” is the film adaptation of Donna Tartt’s globally acclaimed and beloved bestseller of the same name. The novel, which won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, spent more than 30 weeks on The New York Times Best Sellers list.
Directed by BAFTA Award winner John Crowley (“Brooklyn”), the film features a multigenerational cast led by Ansel Elgort (“Baby Driver”) as Theo Decker and Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman (“The Hours,” “Big Little Lies”) as Mrs. Barbour. The film also stars Oakes Fegley (“Pete’s Dragon”) as Young Theo, Aneurin Barnard (“Dunkirk”) as Boris, Finn Wolfhard (“Stranger Things,” “IT”) as Young Boris, with Sarah Paulson (“The Post,” “American Crime Story”) as Xandra, Luke Wilson (“The Royal Tenenbaums”) as Larry, and Jeffrey Wright (HBO’s “Westworld”) as Hobie.
“The Goldfinch” is produced by Nina Jacobson (“The Hunger Games” films, “American Crime Story”) and Brad Simpson (“World War Z,” “American Crime Story”). Mari Jo WinklerIoffreda, Kevin McCormick, Sue Kroll and Courtenay Valenti served as executive producers. The screenplay is by Oscar nominee Peter Straughan (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”), based on the novel by Tartt.
Rounding out the main ensemble cast are Ashleigh Cummings (“Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”) as Pippa, Willa Fitzgerald (“Little Women”) as Kitsey Barbour, Aimee Laurence (“Chicago P.D.”) as Young Pippa, Denis O’Hare (“American Horror Story”) as Lucius Reeve, and Boyd Gaines (2014’s “Driving Miss Daisy”) as Mr. Barbour.
The behind-the-scenes creative team included Oscar-winning director of photography Roger Deakins (“Blade Runner 2049”), Oscar-nominated production designer K.K. Barrett (“Her”), editor Kelley Dixon (“Breaking Bad”), and costume designer Kasia Walicka Maimone (“Bridge of Spies”). The music is by Trevor Gureckis (“Bloodline”).
“The Goldfinch” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Amazon Studios, a Color Force Production, a John Crowley Film. Slated for release on September 13, 2019, it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures. “The Goldfinch” has been rated R for drug use and language.
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 or Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!
THE GOLDFINCH hits theatres Friday, September 13, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)
You’ve never seen the THE ADDAMS FAMILY like this! Presenting the new Teaser Trailer for the upcoming Halloween release!
Synopsis:
Get ready to snap your fingers! The Addams Family is back on the big screen in the first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, the Addams Family redefines what it means to be a good neighbor.
Directed By: Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan
Cast: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll with Bette Midler and Allison Janney
See the Teaser Trailer:
Artwork:
Universal Pictures Canada release THE ADDAMS FAMILY this Halloween.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
My how fast they grow! Check-out the Season Three Trailer for Netflix‘s STRANGER THINGS!
See the Trailer:
Premiering July 4. Only on Netflix.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
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