jason reitman
#TIFF24: “SATURDAY NIGHT” REVIEW
By Amanda Gilmore
Director Jason Reitman pays joyful homage to Lorne Michaels and his troupe of young comedians who changed television forever with the smash-hit Saturday Night Live.
SATURDAY NIGHT depicts what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first taping on October 11, 1975. Reitman and his Co-Writer Gil Kenan capture the frenetic energy and stress at 50 Rockefeller on the 17th floor the night that made history. This hectic atmosphere is elevated by the outstanding score by Jon Batiste who developed it after working and witnessing what happened on set each day. He captures the anxiety, joy and playfulness those comedians felt and managed to fit it all into his Score.
The Script is fast-paced, which brings us right into the madness of putting on a live program, and is loaded with witty jokes, each of which are delivered by the ensemble cast with impeccable timing. Reitman has cast each of these beloved people to perfection. His idea to focus on a collective ensemble rather than any one individual is genius. It parallels the collective unit of the cast members working on SNL both past and present.
If there was a primary character Reitman focuses on it would be Michaels, for obvious reasons. This beloved Canadian changed television forever. He swung big and he didn’t know if he was going to stick the landing. Gabriel LaBelle’s performance allows for the anxiety and stress to be brimming just below the surface of the restrained and calm demeanour Michaels is known for. Other notable performances come from Cory Micheal Smith as Chevy Chase, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd and Matt Wood as John Belushi. Each get their own moment to shine and show just how charismatic they and those they portray are. And finally there’s Rachel Sennott as Writer Rosie Shuster. She’s got a magnetic energy on the screen and the intimate moments she shares with Labelle are strong.
Overall, SATURDAY NIGHT is a hilarious, fun, entertaining Film that captures the moment a dreamer took a huge chance and won.
SATURDAY NIGHT screens at TIFF ’24:
Tue, Sept 10 at 5 PM at Royal Alexandra Theatre
Wed, Sept 11 at 3 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
Fri, Sept 13 at 3 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
Sat, Sept 14 at 9 AM at Scotiabank Theatre
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “SATURDAY NIGHT” FROM JASON REITMAN
SATURDAY NIGHT, a film about Saturday Night Live’s origins from Jason Reitman, plays exclusively In Movie Theaters October 11, 2024 – from Sony Pictures Canada.
Synopsis:
At 11:30pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, Saturday Night is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count down the minutes in real time until we hear those famous words…
Directed by:
Jason Reitman
Written by:
Gil Kenan & Jason Reitman
Produced by:
Jason Blumenfeld
Peter Rice
Jason Reitman
Gil Kenan
Executive Producers:
Erica Mills
JoAnn Perritano
Cast (in order of appearance):
Gabriel LaBelle
Rachel Sennott
Cory Michael Smith
Ella Hunt
Dylan O’Brien
Emily Fairn
Matt Wood
Lamorne Morris
Kim Matula
Finn Wolfhard
Nicholas Braun
Cooper Hoffman
Andrew Barth Feldman
Kaia Gerber
Tommy Dewey
Willem Dafoe
Matthew Rhys
J.K. Simmons
Also rounding out the ensemble cast are Jon Batiste and Naomi McPherson.
#TIFF22: JASON REITMAN’S LIVE READ RETURNS FOR 2022 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Toronto International Film Festival® today revealed that Jason Reitman’s Live Read will return to the Festival for an all-star event featuring a surprise cast. This year, the Montreal-born filmmaker will present a surprise screenplay in honour of his father, Ivan Reitman.
The live read is a unique event in which classic movie scripts are read by contemporary actors. A beloved film will be performed for audiences in a one-take read-through with Reitman narrating stage direction on Friday, September 9 at 3pm in the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre. This year’s cast and film title will be announced in the coming weeks.
“The Jason Reitman Live Read delivers the pure nostalgia we love about our favourite movies, but charged with the excitement of live performance,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO. “This year we’re honoured to host one of his father’s movies for our audience. We can’t wait to see this event unfold!”
TIFF has previously welcomed Reitman and all-star casts for live table reads of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights, Alan Ball’s American Beauty, John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club, and William Goldman’s The Princess Bride.
Jason Reitman created Live Read in October 2011, in collaboration with Elvis Mitchell, for the film society of Los Angeles County Museum of Arts (LACMA). The hit series featured The Breakfast Club (Jennifer Garner and Aaron Paul), The Apartment (Steve Carell and Natalie Portman), The Princess Bride (Paul Rudd), Shampoo (Bradley Cooper and Kate Hudson), The Big Lebowski (Seth Rogen), and Reservoir Dogs, which featured an all-African American cast including actors Laurence Fishburne and Terrence Howard.
For more information, please see tiff.net. Tickets to Jason Reitman’s Live Read 2022 will be available to purchase starting September 3 for TIFF Members and September 5 for the public, subject to availability.
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A “GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE” PRIZE PACK
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)
#TIFF18: ” THE FRONT RUNNER” PRESS CONFERENCE
Photo and Words by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Ahead of its Canadian Premiere, TIFF held the Press Conference for The Front Runner. In attendance were Producer Helen Estabrook, Writers/Executive Producers Matt Bai and Jay Carson, Writer/Producer/Director Jason Reitman and Star Hugh Jackman. The Film, based on a true story, chronicles the fallout from reporters discovering and detailing the private life of Democratic Party Leader front running candidate Gary Hart (Jackman).
The Film has been in development for many years now, with the recent American Presidential Election not having any effect on the Film. “We were drawn to the story before we [lived] in the world today. It made it more relevant to us,” Reitman says. And while the ripped from the headlines plot may seem incredibly timely, the Film’s goal aims a lot higher. “The Film is always asking what do we want to know, and what should we know,” Reitman said, echoing the opinions of Bai and Carson and reminding us that news outlets did not report on political candidates’ personal lives before these stories broke out about Hart. Jackman, having met Hart while preparing for the Film suggests that had he been elected, “It’d be a very different world today if it had happened.”
The Front Runner‘s date was recently moved to Tuesday November 7, Election Day for public officials in the United States. Reitman was pretty empathic on his hope with the move: “First thing: vote. Second thing: see our Movie.”
The Front Runner screens Saturday, September 8 at 6:30 PM at Ryerson Theatre, Sunday, September 9 at 12:30 PM at Elgin Theatre, Friday, September 14 at 1:00PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox and Saturday, September 15 at 6:00 PM at Ryerson Theatre.
#TIFF18: DAY FOUR – BRADLEY COOPER, LADY GAGA, CARA DELEVINGNE, QUINCY JONES, AMBER HEARD + MORE
By Mr. Will Wong
Toronto is “gaga” for A STAR IS BORN at TIFF ’18 as the Film saw two screenings tonight as part of the Festival’s Galas Programme. Stars Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Anthony Ramos, Sam Elliott and Dave Chappelle were at the Press Conference for the Oscar contender bright and early this morning!
While the Festival was particularly front-loaded this year, we look forward to a bit of a breather these next couple days, before we start focusing on seeing Films at the Festival!
See who we saw!
A STAR IS BORN – Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Anthony Ramos, Sam Elliott and Dave Chappelle
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WIDOWS – Colin Farrell, Steve McQueen Daniel Kaluuya, Robert Duvall, Cynthia Erivo, Brian Tyree Henry, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki and more
HER SMELL – Elisabeth Moss, Cara Delevingne, Amber Heard, Agyness Deyn
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS – Elizabeth Olsen and Mamoudou Athie
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BURNING – Steven Yeun
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With #StevenYeun at his #TIFF18 Premiere for Burning. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
THE PUBLIC – Jeffrey Wright
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#JeffreyWright at #TIFF18 for #ThePublic. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
QUINCY – Quincy Jones
A FAITHFUL MAN – Lily Rose Depp, Louis Garrel
FIRST MAN – Damien Chazelle
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Academy Award winner #DamienChazelle (#Whiplash, #LaLaLand) is back at #TIFF18 with #FirstMan.
JASON REITMAN’S THE BREAKFAST CLUB LIVE READ – Aaron Paul, Bel Powley, Jesse Eisenberg, Christina Hendricks, Steve Zissis, Richard E Grant and Robert Wuhl
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF18: DAY THREE – LADY GAGA, JAMIE LEE CURTIS, JULIANNE MOORE, VIOLA DAVIS, TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET, MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY, AMANDLA STENBERG + MORE
By Mr. Will Wong
We don’t recall a more explosive first Saturday at TIFF in recent memory! Several stars were out and about on Day Three of the Festival and your jaw will drop who we saw!
A STAR IS BORN – Lady Gaga
THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT – Alexander Skarsgård and Jesse Eisenberg
GLORIA BELL – John Turturro and Julianne Moore
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THE FRONT RUNNER – Hugh Jackman and Jason Reitman
HALLOWEEN – Jamie Lee Curtis
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🤞🖖#JamieLeeCurtis at #TIFF18 for #Halloween! #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
LIFE ITSELF – Annette Bening, Olivia Cooke and Mandy Patinkin
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – Stephan James, Kiki Layne and Barry Jenkins
PAPI CHULO – Matt Bomer
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#MattBomer at #TIFF18 for #PapiChulo. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
WILD ROSE – Jessie Buckley and Mary Steenburgen
THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER – Maggie Gyllenhaal
THE SISTERS BROTHERS – Riz Ahmed
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#RizAhmed at #TIFF18 for #TheSistersBrothers. #torontointernationalfilmfestival #TIFF
WIDOWS – Viola Davis and Daniel Kaluuya
INSTYLE MAGAZINE PARTY – traditionally the hottest party at the Festival!
THE HATE U GIVE – Amandla Stenberg
BEAUTIFUL BOY – Timothée Chalamet
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS – Kelly Marie Tran
(Photo credit: David Baldwin/Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF18: “THE FRONT RUNNER” REVIEW
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
After debuting at Teluride last week, Toronto favourite Jason Reitman has brought his second film of the year, The Front Runner, to TIFF for its Canadian premiere. The Film tells the story of US Senator Gary Hart (Hugh Jackman), a one-time presidential hopeful in the three weeks leading up to the Democratic National Convention. Hart is the front runner to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States, but when the Miami Herald uncovers an extramarital affair, it will change the way the news reports on politics.
The Front Runner is downright fascinating in how it examines how news is reported, while asking deeper questions about morality and ethics. Reitman is at the height of his directorial powers here, shooting sweeping one-take shots with ease and focusing on an ever-growing ensemble of incredible talent — with Jackman in one of his most electric roles to date. The newsroom scenes are particularly terrific, but once the affair is uncovered, the film seems to get bogged down in mundane melodrama and begins to dramatically deflate. By the time the Film ends, it becomes completely devoid of energy and importance, and never seems to answer the question of why we should care about the moment when the news cycle was irrevocably changed forever. And if that was not disappointing enough, the Film criminally underutilizes Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons, which is quite simply unacceptable.
The Front Runner screens Saturday, September 8 at 6:30PM at Ryerson Theatre, Sunday, September 9 at 12:30PM at Elgin Theatre, Friday, September 14 at 1:00PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox and Saturday, September 15 at 6:00PM at Ryerson Theatre.
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “TULLY”
Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of TULLY in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Dates are as follows:
TORONTO Monday April 30 7:00 PM Cineplex Yonge & Eglinton
MONTREAL Wednesday May 2 7:00 PM Cineplex Montreal Forum
VANCOUVER Wednesday May 2 7:00 PM Cineplex International Village
Synopsis:
Marlo (Charlize Theron) lives with her husband, two young children and a newborn baby. Even though she has a sympathetic husband, she’s overwhelmed by the seemingly endless chores that go with being a wife and mother. When her brother suggests she get a nanny, she hesitates, not wanting to let a stranger into the house.
However, when it all seems to be getting the better of her, Marlo changes her mind. Tully (Mackenzie Davis), the nanny who arrives, turns out to be surprisingly warm and thoughtful, taking care not only of Marlo’s children, but of Marlo too.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City under this Post there. Tell us in the comments there about a friend who got your life in order and if you’ll be bringing them to the Screening if you win! Click “share” from this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance.
Universal Pictures Canada release TULLY Friday, May 4, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO SEE “MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN” IN TORONTO, MONTREAL + OTTAWA
After winning much praise at TIFF ’14, Jason Reitman‘s MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN is about ready to see a release! Paramount Pictures Canada and Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto (October 1, 2014), Montreal (October 8, 2014) and Ottawa (October 14, 2014) to an Advance Screening!
Official Synopsis:
“MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN” follows the story of a group of high school teenagers and their parents as they attempt to navigate the many ways the internet has changed their relationships, their communication, their self-image, and their love lives. The film attempts to stare down social issues such as video game culture, anorexia, infidelity, fame hunting, and the proliferation of illicit material on the internet. As each character and each relationship is tested, we are shown the variety of roads people choose – some tragic, some hopeful – as it becomes clear that no one is immune to this enormous social change that has come through our phones, our tablets, and our computers.
MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN stars Ansel Elgort, Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Judy Greer, Rosemarie DeWitt, Emma Thompson, J.K. Simmons, Dean Norris and Dennis Haysbert.
We caught-up with the Cast of MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN at TIFF ’14! See some Snaps here.
Watch the Trailer:
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