In all a very fulfilling and successful TIFF ’24 for us! This will be the final daily of the Fest for us and we hope you had fun! Some sightings from Day Nine:
•Lucy Liu
•Steven Soderbergh
•Callina Liang
•Chris Sullivan
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
By Nicholas Porteous
We open on a particularly bland overhead shot as a car pulls into a driveway. It’s a reserved choice to serve as the opening for Steven Soderbergh‘s latest–but wait. The camera twists and turns and hovers down the stairs, revealing an empty house and an anxious realtor (Julia Fox–be warned: this is her only scene). There’s clearly something more to this strange, drifting perspective. Indeed, there’s a Presence in this house. A ghost. And for whatever reason, among the family of new occupants in this otherwise lovely abode, their young daughter Blue (captivating newcomer Callina Liang) shares some kind of connection with the spirit.
What follows is entirely from the ghost’s perspective, and it turns out to be a fantastic parameter for Soderbergh to play within. How does a non-speaking entity reveal its motivations? What kind of phantom are we dealing with here? And how will a family contend with the unknown force? You won’t hear another word about the plot from me, but if you’re looking for a good little ghost story, you’ve come to the right place. Presence is another small-scale, experimental gem from Soderbergh that moves at a clip and kept me intrigued–both as a narrative and as a technical act of storytelling–for its lean, 85-minute runtime.
David Koepp‘s Screenplay is occasionally guilty of tripping over the line into schlock and cheese, which plays at odds with Soderbergh’s relatively naturalistic approach. But all in all, Presence is a brilliant blend of family dramedy and supernatural suspense, anchored by a strong ensemble–featuring Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan as spiritually discordant parents–that imbues the camera with a perfectly calibrated sense of fear and wonder. Presence could be considered a minor work from a master Filmmaker, but its slender format and otherworldly themes have staying power. Don’t let this one pass you by.
Presence screens at TIFF ’24:
Friday, September 13 at 6:15 PM at The Princess of Wales Theatre
Saturday, September 14 at 7:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre
Today we get a new Tease for Steven Soderbergh’s PRESENCE, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year. Cast includes Julia Fox and Lucy Liu!
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
By Amanda Gilmore
It’s been 35 years since Director Steven Soderbergh has had a Feature film at Sundance. All those years ago he brought Sex, Lies and Videotape which won the Audience Award: Dramatic in 1989. He’s been back since with his TV Show The Girlfriend Experience in 2009.
However, his big return follows a family that moves into a suburban home. Shortly after moving in, their daughter Chloe (Callina Liang), still grieving the sudden death of her best friend, senses a supernatural spirit within.
Soderbergh always finds new ways to use the camera. He was the first established Director to shoot films with an iPhone. Additionally, he always finds new ways to bring audiences into a story. He’s back at it again with Presence. This time around he’s used the camera to tell this story through an entirely new —and inventive— perspective. His camera is the ghost’s perspective. Thus, putting a whole new spin on the Haunted House genre.
Screenwriter David Koepp’s Script mixes multiple genres. It begins as a Domestic Drama. We see this family in all its dysfunction. It’s most fascinating seeing the mother (a fantastic Lucy Liu) who favours her son over her daughter. As the story progresses, it leans more into the ghost and Haunted House subgenres. It succeeds at every turn because of Soderbergh’s choice of perspective.
Presence screens at Sundance ’24:
Jan 19 at 9:45 PM at Library Centre Theatre
Jan 20 at 9:00 AM at Egyptian Theatre
Jan 21 at 9:00 PM at Rose Wagner Centre
Jan 23 at 8:00 PM at Eccles Theatre
Jan 27 at 2:30 PM at Redstone Cinemas – 1
Jan 28 at 11:00 AM at Magaplex Theatres at The Gateway – Theatre 1/2/3
Shazam‘s affinity with Toronto knows no limits! 2019’s SHAZAM! exceeded all expectations both critically and commercially and though its followup wasn’t filmed in Toronto like its predecessor, it still gets the red carpet treatment with a special fan screening, brought to us by Audi Canada, being held tonight at Scotiabank Theatre. Shouts of “Shazam!” could be heard throughout the theatre, fans ecstatic for this rare, exciting opportunity.
Stars Zachary Levi, who reprises the titular role in SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS and Lucy Liu, who is introduced to us as Kalypso in the Franchise, descended upon Toronto, giving fans something to be excited about as we enter March Break!
In this Sequel, we reunite with Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and his fellow foster kids, who are navigating being everyday teenagers, but also having adult version Superhero alter-egos. We meet the Daughters of Atlas, who arrive on earth looking to reclaim back the magic that was taken from them. Billy and his family are forced to battle for their own superpowers, and save the world.
Our pair of stars dazzled on the Red Carpet before heading into the special screening to do an introduction. Name a more dapper duo! I dare you!
Some Snaps and highlights from the night:
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS March 17, 2023.
We’ll never forget SHAZAM! taking over Toronto when it premiered back in 2019. More on that here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
This actually looks entertaining! Jacki Weaver stars in STAGE MOTHER arriving later this week digitally!
Synopsis:
Stage Mother follows the conservative, Texas church choir director Maybelline as she inherits her recently deceased son’s drag club. To the surprise of her conservative husband and community, she moves to San Francisco to save the club from bankruptcy. In this raucous, racy new environment, she begins to open up and find new meaning, becoming a maternal figure to the club’s flamboyant performers …until a surprise visit threatens to upend her new life.
Cast includes: Jacki Weaver (The Disaster Artist, Silver Linings Playbook), Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels, Kill Bill, Elementary), Adrian Grenier (Entourage) and Canadian actor Allister MacDonald (Splinters).
See the Trailer:
Film Mode Entertainment and Momentum Pictures release STAGE MOTHER digitally Friday, August 21, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Momentum Pictures)
Who doesn’t love a Fairies? Add Natasha Bedingfield to the mix and it’s fair to say we’ve got a win! We love Natasha Bedingfield!! Director of upcoming Animated Feature The Pirate Fairy, Peggy Holmes, says about the decision to have the Singer represent the inner-voice of the Film’s Heroine Zarina, “We felt Natasha’s voice so perfectly spoke to Zarina’s Character, we asked her to also perform our Original Song Who I Am, which was written for The Pirate Fairy.”.
Official Synopsis:
From the world of Peter Pan comes The Pirate Fairy, a swashbuckling new adventure about Zarina (voice of Christina Hendricks), a smart and ambitious dust-keeper Fairy who’s captivated by Blue Pixie Dust and its endless possibilities. When Zarina’s wild ideas get her into trouble, she flees Pixie Hollow and joins forces with the scheming pirates of Skull Rock, who make her Captain of their Ship. Tinker Bell (voice of Mae Whitman) and her Friends must embark on an epic Adventure to find Zarina, and together they go sword-to-sword with the Band of Pirates led by a Cabin Boy named James (voice of Tom Hiddleston), who’ll soon be known as Captain Hook himself.
The Pirate Fairy also features the voices of Lucy Liu, Raven-Symoné, Megan Hilty and Anjelica Huston.
Hear Natasha Bedingfield‘s Who Am I:
The Cast of The Pirate Fairy & Mr. Will:
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada releases The Pirate Fairy on Friday, April 1, 2014.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Giving just a taste of what’s to come at the Oscars next month, the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards took place tonight at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. As originally thought, the Race to next month’s Oscars is just as wide-open as ever based on tonight’s results. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association awarded top Honours to Argo for Motion Picture – Drama, when many thought Zero Dark Thirty or Lincoln would be victorious. To further illustrate the drastic differences between the HFPA‘s tastes and that of the Academy, Ben Affleck shocked many in failing to garner a mention for Best Director when Oscar Nominees were unveiled this past Thursday. To put this into context, Affleck‘s win tonight for Motion Picture – Director had him defeating previous Oscar Winners Kathryn Bigelow and even past Cecil B. DeMille Award Winner, Steven Spielberg. Nonetheless, with Argo nabbing two key Awards, in addition to Django Unchained winning Original Screenplay and Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Christoph Waltz) and Les Misérables also winning an impressive three Awards: Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Actor in a Musical or Comedy (Hugh Jackman) and Supporting Actress in a Musical or Comedy (Anne Hathaway), these three Best Picture Nominees definitely cannot be ruled-out.
Jodie Foster, a six-time Golden Globe Nominee herself, was honoured with the Cecil B. DeMille Award this year, raising quite a few eyebrows with her v. candid Speech which for the first time publicly had her addressing her Sexuality. “I’m just gonna put it out there loud and proud, so I’m gonna need your support on this. I am single. Yes I am”, she said with a bit of nervousness. “I already did my coming-out a thousand years ago in the Stone Age in those very quaint days when a fragile young Girl would open-up to Family and Friends”. On her longevity as an Actress Foster says, “There are a few secrets to keeping your Psyche intact over such a long career – love people and stay beside them.”.
As predicted, Jessica Chastain and Daniel Day-Lewis won respectively for Best Actress and Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. This is the second time Chastain has been nominated, her first Nomination coming with 2011’s The Help. Also this is the sixth time the reclusive Day-Lewis has been nominated and his second time winning the prestigious Award. He won in 2008 for There Will Be Blood.
Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman earned his first-ever Golden Globe for Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, with Les Misérables; he received his first nomination back in 2002 for Kate & Leopold. Jackman edged-out Bradley Cooper, a first-time Nominee for his work on Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Winner Silver Linings Playbook. Both Actors will vie with Day-Lewis at next month’s Oscars for the coveted Best Actor Award.
The Hunger Games Star Jennifer Lawrence, won her first Golden Globe for Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her work in Silver Linings Playbook. “What can I say? I beat Meryl!”, she joked upon accepting her Award from hilarious Anchorman 2 Duo, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell. “JLaw” as she likes to be called, received her first Golden Globe in 2010 for Breakthrough Role in Winter’s Bone.
Three-time Golden Globe Nominee Anne Hathaway was seen widely as a heavy Favourite to win for Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and did not disappoint for her work in Les Misérables. Defeating an exceptionally-talented Group including Helen Hunt, Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams and Sally Field, Hathaway likely will take home Best Supporting Actress next month also. The New York Native’s Acceptance Speech was full of compliments, giving nods to Co-Host Tina Fey, using a word she made famous, “Blarg!” and also praising Field for her Oscar-winning work in Norma Rae.
Despite some heavy competition, two-time Golden Globe Nominee and now two-time Winner Waltz rose above all to win Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his spirited turn in Django Unchained. With the exception of Co-Star Leonardo DiCaprio, he will be up against Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tommy Lee Jones and Alan Arkin again next month at the Oscars in the same Category.
In the Television categories, HBO‘s Sarah Palin-inspired Game Change and Showtime Drama Series Homeland walked away the big Winners. The former won for Mini-Series or Motion Picture for Television, in addition to Stars Julianne Moore and Ed Harris each winning Actress and Supporting Actor respectively. The latter garnered four nominations this year, including Television Series – Drama. New Mom Claire Danes, who won last year for Actress in a Television Series – Drama repeated the feat again this year, while Co-Star Damian Lewis won the Award for Actor. HBO‘s Breakout Hit Girls despite falling short at the Primetime Emmy Awards late last year, would not be refused tonight winning Television Series – Comedy and also its Writer and Star Lena Dunham winning Actress in a Television Series – Comedy. Coincidentally or not, Season Two of the Series premiered tonight.
As always, Fashion is a huge part of the Festivities and especially stunning on the Red Carpet tonight were Hathaway donning an elegant white Chanel Dress. Chastain rarely disappoints and tonight she chose Calvin Klein as her Clothier of choice, looking Classic Hollywood and Katharine Hepburn-esque. Lawrence also drew a lot of attention for her red Dior Couture Dress cinched with a thematically-appropriate gold belt, as did Foster in a navy Armani Number. Lucy Liu who currently stars in TV Series Elementary, may have drawn some mixed responses for her floral Carolina Herrera Dress, but she gets big points here for the inspired Look. Also, hilariously snappy Co-Hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler graced the Carpet in Wife and Husband Outfits, Fey looking particularly amazing in L’wren Scott. Of the Gentleman, no one can deny that Leonardo DiCaprio was King of the Ball in Tom Ford!
For a complete list of Winners, click here.
(Photo credit: @GoldenGlobes)
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