By Amanda Gilmore

Actor James McAvoy makes his directorial debut with this true story that’s stranger than fiction.

Silibil N’ Brains, a.k.a. Gavin Bain (Séamus McLean Ross) and Billy Boyd (Samuel Bottomley) are a Scottish rap duo from Dundee trying to make it big. The only issue is that no one takes these two thick-accented white dudes seriously in the rap game. So they hatch a plan: they’ll pretend to be hard-partying MCs from Southern California. Against all odds, they pull it off. But will they get away with it? And if so, how much of themselves do they lose in the process?

Archie Thomson and Elaine Gracie’s script tells the story of two young men who lose themselves in their own fabrications. McAvoy never loses sight of this in his vision. Showing the authentic streets of Dundee and then the sun-soaked milieu of California. He directs with passion and love for these two local Dundee boys, who have tried everything to live their dreams. Additionally, he perfectly cast himself as the duo’s money-hungry, fast-talking agent.

The heart and soul of California Schemin’ is the co-leads. Ross and Bottomley are loaded with charisma and vibrancy that keep us enthralled in this story. It is one that we’ve seen before. A musical performer risks everything to make it big. Then, when they do, they party hard and lose sight of themselves. Then they get on the path of rediscovery again. But there is something so magnetic about these two leads that keeps us invested throughout. Hey…maybe it’s those charming Scottish accents!

California Schemin’ screens at TIFF ’25:

Sat. Sept 6 at 3:00 PM at TIFF Lightbox

Sun. Sept 7 at 8:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sat. Sept 13 at 3:30 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sun. Sept 14 at 8:50 AM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of SPEAK NO EVIL!

Advance screenings for SPEAK NO EVIL will be held Monday, September 9 at 7 pm in: 

·         Toronto: Cineplex Yonge & Eglinton

·         Montreal EN: Cinema Banque Scotia

Synopsis: 

When an American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, what begins as a dream holiday soon warps into a snarled psychological nightmare.

From Blumhouse, the producer of The Black Phone, Get Out and The Invisible Man, comes an intense suspense thriller for our modern age, starring BAFTA award-winner James McAvoy (Split, Glass) in a riveting performance as the charismatic, alpha-male estate owner whose untrammeled hospitality masks an unspeakable darkness.

Speak No Evil stars Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate, Halt and Catch Fire) and SAG award-winner Scoot McNairy (Argo, A Quiet Place Part II) as American couple Louise and Ben Dalton, who, along with their 11-year-old daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler; The Good Nurse, Riverdale), accept the weekend-holiday invitation of Paddy (McAvoy), his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi; Game of Thrones, The Fall) and their furtive, mute son Ant (newcomer Dan Hough).

Written for the screen and directed by James Watkins, the writer-director of Eden Lake and the award-winning gothic ghost story The Woman in Black, Speak No Evil is based on the screenplay of the 2022 Danish horror sensation Gæsterne, written by Christian Tafdrup and Mads Tafdrup. That film earned 11 Danish Film Awards nominations, the Danish equivalent of the Oscars.

Speak No Evil is produced by Jason Blum (Five Nights at Freddy’s, M3GAN) for Blumhouse and by Paul Ritchie (McMafia, The Ipcress File) and is executive produced by Beatriz Sequeira for Blumhouse, Jacob Jarek and Christian Tafdrup.

Cast: James Mcavoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough And Scoot Mcnairy

Written For The Screen And Directed By: James Watkins

Based On The Screenplay By: Christian Tafdrup And Mads Tafdrup

Producers: Jason Blum, Paul Ritchie

Executive Producers: Beatriz Sequeira, Jacob Jarek, Christian Tafdrup

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. In the comments, tell us which city you’re in. Click “like” on this Post on our X or IG accounts for an extra chance. Tag a friend you’d bring with you!

Rules and regulations here.

SPEAK NO EVIL is only in theatres September 13, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

See James McAvoy embrace darkness in this new Featurette for September 13, 2024 release, SPEAK NO EVIL!

Synopsis:

When an American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, what begins as a dream holiday soon warps into a snarled psychological nightmare. 

From Blumhouse, the producer of The Black Phone, Get Out and The Invisible Man, comes an intense suspense thriller for our modern age, starring BAFTA award-winner James McAvoy (Split, Glass) in a riveting performance as the charismatic, alpha-male estate owner whose untrammeled hospitality masks an unspeakable darkness. 

Speak No Evil stars Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate, Halt and Catch Fire) and SAG award-winner Scoot McNairy (Argo, A Quiet Place Part II) as American couple Louise and Ben Dalton, who, along with their 11-year-old daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler; The Good Nurse, Riverdale), accept the weekend-holiday invitation of Paddy (McAvoy), his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi; Game of Thrones, The Fall) and their furtive, mute son Ant (newcomer Dan Hough).

Written for the screen and directed by James Watkins, the writer-director of Eden Lake and the award-winning gothic ghost story The Woman in Black, Speak No Evil is based on the screenplay of the 2022 Danish horror sensation Gæsterne, written by Christian Tafdrup and Mads Tafdrup. That film earned 11 Danish Film Awards nominations, the Danish equivalent of the Oscars. 

Speak No Evil is produced by Jason Blum (Five Nights at Freddy’s, M3GAN) for Blumhouse and by Paul Ritchie (McMafia, The Ipcress File) and is executive produced by Beatriz Sequeira for Blumhouse, Jacob Jarek and Christian Tafdrup. 

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Cast: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough and Scoot McNairy 

Written for the Screen and Directed by: James Watkins 

Based on the screenplay by: Christian Tafdrup and Mads Tafdrup 

Producers: Jason Blum, Paul Ritchie 

Executive Producers: Beatriz Sequeira, Jacob Jarek, Christian Tafdrup 

When an American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, what begins as a dream holiday soon warps into a snarled psychological nightmare. Universal Pictures Canada release in theatres September 13, 2024.

From Blumhouse, the producer of The Black Phone, Get Out and The Invisible Man, comes an intense suspense thriller for our modern age, starring BAFTA award-winner James McAvoy (Split, Glass) in a riveting performance as the charismatic, alpha-male estate owner whose untrammeled hospitality masks an unspeakable darkness.

Speak No Evil stars Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate, Halt and Catch Fire) and SAG award-winner Scoot McNairy (Argo, A Quiet Place Part II) as American couple Louise and Ben Dalton, who, along with their 11-year-old daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler; The Good Nurse, Riverdale), accept the weekend-holiday invitation of Paddy (McAvoy), his wife Ciara (Aisling Franciosi; Game of Thrones, The Fall) and their furtive, mute son Ant (newcomer Dan Hough).

Written for the screen and directed by James Watkins, the writer-director of Eden Lake and the award-winning gothic ghost story The Woman in Black, Speak No Evil is based on the screenplay of the 2022 Danish horror sensation Gæsterne, written by Christian Tafdrup and Mads Tafdrup. That film earned 11 Danish Film Awards nominations, the Danish equivalent of the Oscars.

Speak No Evil is produced by Jason Blum (Five Nights at Freddy’s, M3GAN) for Blumhouse and by Paul Ritchie (McMafia, The Ipcress File) and is executive produced by Beatriz Sequeira for Blumhouse, Jacob Jarek and Christian Tafdrup.

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Cast: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough and Scoot McNairy

Written for the Screen and Directed by: James Watkins

Based on the screenplay by: Christian Tafdrup and Mads Tafdrup

Producers: Jason Blum, Paul Ritchie

Executive Producers: Beatriz Sequeira, Jacob Jarek, Christian Tafdrup

Fresh off its appearance at Comic-Con comes this brand-new Trailer for IT CHAPTER TWO!

Synopsis:

Evil resurfaces in Derry as director Andy Muschietti reunites the Losers Club—young and adult—in a return to where it all began with “It Chapter Two.”

The film is Muschietti’s follow-up to 2017’s critically acclaimed and massive worldwide box office hit “IT,” which grossed over $700 million globally. Both redefining and transcending the genre, “IT” became part of the cultural zeitgeist as well as the highest-grossing horror film of all time.

Because every 27 years evil revisits the town of Derry, Maine, “It Chapter Two” brings the characters—who’ve long since gone their separate ways—back together as adults, nearly three decades after the events of the first film.

See the Trailer:

Warner Bros. Canada release IT CHAPTER TWO Friday, September 6, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

Only because 2017’s IT messed us up good, we’re here to ruin your sleep cycle in 2019 as well. Check-out the creepy new Teaser for Toronto-made IT CHAPTER TWO from Director Andy Muschietti.

Synopsis:
Because every 27 years evil revisits the town of Derry, Maine, “It Chapter Two” brings the characters—who’ve long since gone their separate ways—back together as adults, nearly three decades after the events of the first film.

Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain (“Zero Dark Thirty,” “Mama”) stars as Beverly, James McAvoy (“Split,” upcoming “Glass”) as Bill, Bill Hader (HBO’s “Barry,” “The Skeleton Twins”) as ”) as Mike, Jay Ryan (TV’s “Mary Kills People”) as Ben, James Ransone (HBO’s “The Wire”) as Eddie, and Andy Bean (“Allegiant,” Starz’ “Power”) as Stanley. Reprising their roles as the original members of the Losers Club are Jaeden Martell as Bill, Wyatt Oleff as Stanley, Jack Dylan Grazer as Eddie, Finn Wolfhard as Richie, Sophia Lillis as Beverly, Chosen Jacobs as Mike, and Jeremy Ray Taylor as Ben. Bill Skarsgård returns in the seminal role of Pennywise.

See the Trailer:

Warner Bros. Canada release IT CHAPTER TWO Friday, September 6, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Canadian Readers a chance to win a GLASS Prize Pack! The pack includes all Films from the Unbreakable Franchise and cool, rare promo items like exclusive headphones, fingerless gloves, tattoos and popcorn! We will deliver to your door!

Synopsis:
GLASS is a grounded-in-reality, comic-book thriller where the heroes and villains are people first. The thrilling culmination to the trilogy that started with Unbreakable and Split, stars James McAvoy (Split, Atonement), Samuel L. Jackson (Hitman’s Bodyguard, Avengers Franchise), Bruce Willis (Unbreakable, Die Hard), Sarah Paulson (Ocean’s Eight, “American Horror Story”) and Anya-Taylor Joy (Split, The Witch). Go inside the mind of master of suspense M. Night Shyamalan to uncover the connections and references that bring the three films together in one universe. Experience more than sixty minutes of never-before-seen features elaborating on his process and artistic vision including an in-depth look at the making of the film, deep insights on the characters, a never-before-seen alternate opening, and deleted scenes.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and indicate there your City. You also can “like” this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance! Canadian Readers only please.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment release GLASS Tuesday, April 16, 2019 on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD. It is released on Digital Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend and advanced screening of GLASS! Screenings take place as follows:

TORONTO, MONTREAL, VANCOUVER

January 16, 2019 7 PM

Synopsis:
From Unbreakable, Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn as does Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, known also by his pseudonym Mr. Glass. Joining from Split are James McAvoy, reprising his role as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the multiple identities who reside within, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the only captive to survive an encounter with The Beast.

Following the conclusion of Split, Glass finds Dunn pursuing Crumb’s superhuman figure of The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the shadowy presence of Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men. Joining the all-star cast are Unbreakable’s Spencer Treat Clark and Charlayne Woodard, who reprise their roles as Dunn’s son and Price’s mother, as well as Golden Globe Award winner Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story series).

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Tell us in the comments which of Kevin Wendell Crumb‘s many personalities is your favourite. Share this Post from Facebook or Re-Tweet this contest Tweet from @mrwillw for another shot!

Universal Pictures Canada releases GLASS Friday, January 18, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

After earning over $700 million worldwide, 2017’s IT became one of the highest-grossing Horror movies of all time. Production on IT: CHAPTER 2 began a week ago in and around Toronto just like its Predecessor, including overnight shoots at Mandarin Restaurant in Mississauga, before moving back to its base at Pinewood Studios.

While the Film is expected to remain faithful to Stephen King‘s source material and the original 1990 TV Movie, surely returning Director Andy Muschietti will have a few a scares up his sleeve for us! It: Chapter 2 films through October and we can expect to see the clouded clown return to torment the Loser’s Club, now grown-up 27 years later, bringing them back to the cursed town of Derry.

The original cast of kids, most who have been in Toronto briefly these past couple weeks, will reprise their roles in this upcoming installment and in this Film will be seeing their adult versions:

Beverly … Jessica Chastain
Bill … James McAvoy
Stanley … Andy Bean
Richie … Bill Hader
Ben … Jay Ryan
Eddie …James Ransone
Mike … Isaiah Mustafa

Bill Skarsgård who was terrifying as Pennywise the Clown, also returns.

It – pardon the pun – was an amazing weekend and we caught wind they were in Yorkville for a night of relaxation after an overnight shoot the night prior. They were recreating this iconic scene in which Pennywise gives the Losers’ Club an ominous message after reuniting at a Chinese restaurant:

Chastain, McAvoy, Hader, Mustafa, Ransone, Ryan, Muschietti and his sister Bárbara, a Producer on the Film, plus friends thankfully had a far less mortifying meal at upscale Japanese it-spot Kasa Moto followed by libations at Amber and late-night Karaoke. Will Arnett, Vinay Virmani and more also were spotted out in the vicinity, giving Yorkville back a bit of its past starpowered lustre.

See our Snaps! I am luckiest guy in the world!!

Chastain, McAvoy, Muschietti, Ryan

Chastain, Bárbara Muschietti (Producer), Ransone

Mustafa 

Muschietti

Hader

Ransone

While we’ve met Chastain a dozen-plus times in our travels and Film Festival romps, this was the most memorable meeting yet! She is the kindest, most giving actor in Hollywood today and hasn’t changed since her meteoric rise. Basically, we don’t deserve her! We’re just happy to see her thriving, having fun and that her peers love and respect her as much as we do!

We admit we still are horrified after seeing IT last fall. Every rustle of the leaves to every time Pennywise surfaced and flashed his teeth shook us to the core. Oddly, it was equally emotional too as I’m sure many were affected by the fact that the Losers’ Club were outcasts just like us, with very real problems of their own whether it be  Beverly and her abusive father or Bill grieving the painful loss of his little brother.

We are beyond thrilled about seeing the 2019 follow-up, slated for a post-Labour Day release just like the first chapter.

Are you ready to float, Losers?

🤡🎈

(Photo credit: Warner Bros./Mr. Will Wong)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Submergence is the newest Film from Wim Wenders and follows two lovers (Alicia Vikander and James McAvoy) whose careers force them oceans apart.

The performances from Vikander and McAvoy anchor this Film both individually and together. Their magnetic chemistry is essential to believing these characters are willing to spend months apart just for a moment together again. The sets are stunning and Wenders shoots the ocean romantically finding beauty in the vast water. Unfortunately, Submergence in its script, fails to captivate beginning to end.

Submergence screens at TIFF on Sept. 10 at Elgin at 6:15 PM and Sept. 11 at TBLB1 at 3 PM.