By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Francis Lee’s latest takes us to 19th-century Dorset. It follows real-life Palaeontologist Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) as she searches the coastline for marine fossils. She spends her days alone, walking the shore and helping at her mother’s tiny shop. Soon she finds her solitary life becomes upended when she’s asked by another Palaeontologist to care for his melancholic wife, Charlotte (Saoirse Ronan). In need of the money, she agrees. Gradually, Mary and Charlotte grow close.

Lee does an amazing job shooting the Film in a show-don’t-tell way. There is limited dialogue throughout. Instead, he creates scenes where the weather, objects and characters actions speak volumes. This becomes integral in escalating visually the blossoming love between Mary and Charlotte. In the First Act, Mary is rightfully angry and curt, while Charlotte is mourning the loss of her child. The beautiful coast’s weather parallels their emotions. There are overcast skies and violent waves attacking the coastline. As they spend time together, the clouds clear and the waters calm.

Ammonite is more than a period-Romance. Lee focuses on the work of the incredible Mary and the theme of women taking ownership of their work. During the 19th-century, no Scientific Society would take-in a woman. No matter how hard and astounding Mary’s work was, she was excluded. However, there were male Scientists who were interested in learning from her, being the best in her field. But in the end, they knew she was in need of money. So, they would pay her for what she found and put their names on it. In focusing on this, Lee enhances his Script with a love story involving ownership and class.

Mary loved and lived for her work. It didn’t matter that in doing so, she wouldn’t be part of the upper-class. However, Charlotte is part of the upper-class. It’s here that conflict arises in their relationship. So many times, we have witnessed a forbidden same-sex romance. Although that is at play here, Ammonite focuses on their differing upbringings and that divides them no matter how badly they want to be together. Once again, Lee shows us this instead of telling us. He places his characters on opposite sides of Mary’s glassed sea-creature on display inside the British Museum.

With the talent of Winslet and Ronan in the Film’s lead roles, we are expecting greatness, and they do not disappoint. Winslet is always dynamite. Here, she gives one of her strongest performances. She encapsulates the anger Mary has for having to sell her work and her vulnerability when falling in love with Charlotte. Ronan gives a performance like we’ve never seen from her before. She’s strongest in portraying Charlotte’s grief and her desperation to keep Mary close to her. Their raw emotion feels authentic and honest, especially in their love scenes that are shot meticulously and delicately. And with minimal screen time, Fiona Shaw captivates as a previous love of Mary’s.

While at times it lags a little, this period-Romance which fuses Gender Politics and Classism, is made-up for with stellar performances, particularly by Winslet.

Ammonite screens at TIFF ’20 as follows:

Official TIFF ’20 selection AMMONITE gets its first official Trailer. We know many of you like us are excited about this!

Synopsis:

1840s England, acclaimed but overlooked fossil hunter Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) and a young woman (Saoirse Ronan) sent to convalesce by the sea develop an intense relationship, altering both of their lives forever.

See the Trailer:

AMMONITE is in theatres this November via Elevation Pictures.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Amazing news! Disney+ has just announced that we will be seeing a new adaptation of the classic BLACK BEAUTY on the service later this year!

Synopsis:

Black Beauty is a wild mustang born free in the American west. When she is captured and taken away from family, her story intertwines with that of 17-year old Jo Green, similarly grieving over the loss of her parents. The two slowly develop a bond that is built on love, respect and mutual healing. “Black Beauty” features Oscar® winner Kate Winslet (“The Reader”) as the voice of “Black Beauty” and stars Mackenzie Foy (“Interstellar”) as Jo Green; Iain Glen (“Game of Thrones”) as John Manly; and Claire Forlani (“Meet Joe Black”) as Mrs. Winthorp.

First look:

(Photo credit: Disney)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Terminally-ill matriarch Lily (Susan Sarandon) invites her family and close friend to her home for one final gathering.

Blackbird has a lot of emotional impact and a captivating story at its core about assisted-suicide. In using multiple characters, Screenwriter Christian Torpe is able to give a well-balanced view on this often tough topic. Those characters are brought beautifully to the screen by the impeccable Sarandon, along with scene-stealing and at times comedic Kate Winslet, and the captivating Mia Wasikowska.

Blackbird screens at TIFF on Fri, Sep 6 at Roy Thompson Hall at 9:30 PM, Sat, Sep 7 at Roy Thompson Hall at 12 PM, and Fri, Sep 13 at Princess of Wales at 3 PM.

Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to take you to see Woody Allen’s latest, WONDER WHEEL. You are up for a Prize Pack which includes a Run-of-Engagement Pass for two, plus a digital download of his recent Film Café Society.

Synopsis:

WONDER WHEEL tells the story of four characters whose lives intertwine amid the hustle and bustle of the Coney Island amusement park in the 1950s: Ginny (Kate Winslet), an emotionally volatile former actress now working as a waitress in a clam house; Humpty (Jim Belushi), Ginny’s rough-hewn carousel operator husband; Mickey (Justin Timberlake), a handsome young lifeguard who dreams of becoming a playwright; and Carolina (Juno Temple), Humpty‘s long-estranged daughter, who is now hiding out from gangsters at her father’s apartment.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Canadian Readers only, please.

Mongrel Media release WONDER WHEEL Friday, December 8, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

20th Century Fox has just released the new Trailer for what well could be an Award Season highlight, THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US.

Synopsis:
Stranded after a tragic plane crash, two strangers must forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote snow covered mountain. When they realize help is not coming, they embark on a perilous journey across hundreds of miles of wilderness, pushing one another to endure and discovering strength they never knew possible. The film is directed by Academy Award nominee Hany Abu-Assad and stars Academy Award winner Kate Winslet and Golden Globe winner Idris Elba.

See the Trailer:

20th Century Fox Canada release THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US Friday, October 20, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)

Elevation Pictures + Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win TRIPLE 9 on DVD!

Synopsis:
When a bank-robbing crew of corrupt cops and ex-Special Forces soldiers is forced to attempt a nearly impossible heist for a ruthless mobster, they decide their only hope of survival is to distract the entire Atlanta police force with a “999” — cop code for “officer down.” TRIPLE 9 is an action-packed thriller starring Oscar®-nominees Woody Harrelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Winslet and Casey Affleck, along with Aaron Paul, Gal Gadot and Anthony Mackie.

Trailer:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK.  Canadian Readers only please.

Elevation Pictures release TRIPLE 9 on Blu-ray, DVD & On Demand Tuesday, May 31, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

The 73rd annual GOLDEN GLOBE Awards took place tonight at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  After a strong performance at the Box Office this weekend in North America, partly Canadian-made (Calgary, British Columbia) THE REVENANT would dominate the Awards, winning Motion Picture Drama.  It also received recognition with victories for Director, Motion Picture by Alejandro González Iñárritu and also its star Leonardo DiCaprio taking Actor, Motion Picture Drama.

THE MARTIAN, which had a Premiere at TIFF ’15 this past September in Toronto, also was a big winner tonight. In addition to a win for Motion Picture Comedy (which had many baffled about its categorization), also saw its star Matt Damon win for Actor, Motion Picture Comedy.  The Star soon will be in Toronto to film Downsizing this spring.

MR. ROBOT was awarded two Golden Globes tonight for TV Series Drama and Supporting Actor – TV Series, a well-deserved win for veteran Christian Slater.  

MOZART IN THE JUNGLE likewise would win TV Series Comedy and Star Gael Garcia Bernal, Actor – TV Series Comedy.

Jennifer Lawrence won her third (in the past four years) Golden Globe tonight for Actress, Motion Picture Comedy, for her portrayal of Miracle Mop creator Joy Mangano in JOY.  In the Drama category, Brie Larson would win Actress, Motion Picture Drama for her work in Toronto-made ROOM.

Kate Winslet won her fourth Golden Globe tonight in the Supporting Actress, Motion Picture category for her work in STEVE JOBS.  Film industry icon Sylvester Stallone also would receive a long-overdue Golden Globe for his work in CREED, the latest in the storied Rocky franchise.  The star-studded audience would give him a standing ovation after a career which has spanned over 45 years.

Lady Gaga gave a big shock winning Best Actress in a Limited TV Series or Movie for AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL.  “I wanted to be an actress before a singer, but music came to me first”, she told the audience, comparing the feeling of winning to being Cher in Moonstruck.

Taraji P. Henson caused quite a stir after winning Actress in a TV Series Drama, EMPIRE.  Her outspoken character Cookie Lyons came out a bit as she was rushed along to finish her acceptance speech quickly.  “I’ve waited 20 years for this – you gonna have to wait”, she replied.  After arriving on-stage, she also told someone to step off the train on her dress.

Receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award was Denzel Washington, who appeared on-stage with his family and despite needing his reading glasses, refused them.

Classic Hollywood looks would prevail on the Red Carpet tonight, with Actresses opting for elegance.  Favourite looks included a custom gold Calvin Klein dress on Brie Larson, Jennifer Lawrence in a hip and back-revealing red Dior piece, Amy Adams in a blood-orange Versace number and Lady Gaga channeling Marilyn Monroe in a black Versace dress also.  Cate Blanchett and Co-Star Rooney Mara delivered a bit more edge with tassels and lace in Givenchy and Alexander McQueen respectively.

As for the gents, Ryan Gosling would reign king in a sharp white Ralph Lauren tuxedo outshining his ultra-famous The Big Short Co-Star Brad Pitt.  Rami Malek, star of Mr. Robot also looked perfect in a Dior suit.

 Click here to see the complete list of Winners!

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

ALBERTA, YOU ARE THE APPLE OF OUR EYE! Universal Pictures + Mr. Will want to give Readers in Calgary and Edmonton a chance to see the heavily-buzzed STEVE JOBS first on Monday, October 19, 2015.

Official Synopsis:

Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter.

Steve Jobs stars Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen and Jeff Daniels, while Danny Boyle directs.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and indicate your city. Also tell me which Apple product greatest impacted your life.

Universal Pictures Canada release STEVE JOBS on Friday, October 23, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Okay, we get it. Some of us weren’t happy with Steve Jobs Biopic, jOBS.  This however looks the part.  Universal Pictures have just released this Teaser for upcoming JOBS, out this Fall.  And if we’re lucky enough we just might see it do the Festival Circuit.  TIFF ’15, anyone?

Official Synopsis:

Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter.

Steve Jobs is directed by Academy Award® winner Danny Boyle and written by Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin, working from Walter Isaacson’s best-selling biography of the Apple founder. The producers are Mark Gordon, Guymon Casady of Film 360, Scott Rudin and Academy Award® winner Christian Colson.

Michael Fassbender plays Steve Jobs, the pioneering founder of Apple, with Academy Award®-winning actress Kate Winslet starring as Joanna Hoffman, former marketing chief of Macintosh. Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple, is played by Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels stars as former Apple CEO John Sculley.

The film also stars Katherine Waterston as Chrisann Brennan, Jobs’ ex-girlfriend, and Michael Stuhlbarg as Andy Hertzfeld, one of the original members of the Apple Macintosh development team.

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures Canada release STEVE JOBS on Friday, October 9, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)