By Amanda Gilmore
Indy (Harrison Ford) is back and once again is in a race against time. This time around he’s attempting to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a former Nazi who works for NASA.
Director James Mangold has kept intact what’s made this franchise which Steven Spielberg built and made so popular but added his own flair. For those familiar with his most recent films, such as Ford v Ferrari and Logan, you’ll see the shift. And just like in prior entries, the action sequences are fast-paced humour-induced joy rides.
The thrilling opening of Dial is set back in the ’40s during WWII. A younger Indy (Ford but using de-ageing technology) finds himself on a train full of Nazis attempting to retrieve an old relic. When he realizes it’s fake, his pal Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) discovers that the Dial of Destiny is on-board. The two set their mission to steal the dial from the Nazis and Jürgen before it gets placed in Hitler’s hands. As expected Mikkelsen is fantastic as the villain. He plays Jürgen with a sense of superiority that intrigues him. He’s truly a masterclass in acting, excelling in the many franchise villain roles he’s taken.
After that scene, we jump forward to 1969. Unlike prior entries, Dial shows us a scruffy, aged Indiana Jones. We’re introduced to this seasoned version of him in his small New York City apartment. While music blares in the background, he bangs on his neighbour’s door to keep the noise down.
This different version of the beloved hero is inspiring. Ford looks like he’s having the time of his life back in one of his most treasured characters. He does give off the grumpiness that you’d expect Indy at 80 to have. But that’s where the zealous Helena evens him out. Waller-Bridge comes in with the ambition and energy that Indy used to have. She brings out that spirit in our beloved character again. Waller-Bridge is magnetic as Helena and nearly steals the entire show.
As this is the final entry in a cherished franchise there are always going to be people who are disappointed. Disappointed they have to say goodbye and disappointed that it didn’t end the way they expected or wanted it to. There will be some who feel that way about Dial. But overall, it’s a really fun and entertaining time at the cinema while paying homage to the Films that came before it.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny screens at Cannes ’23:
Thu May 18 at 7PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Fri May 19 at 8:30AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Digital Downloads of RIDERS OF JUSTICE starring Mads Mikkelsen!
Synopsis:
RIDERS OF JUSTICE follows recently-deployed Markus, who is forced to return home to care for his teenage daughter after his wife is killed in a tragic train accident. But when a survivor of the wrecked train surfaces claiming foul play, Markus begins to suspect his wife was murdered and embarks on a mission to find those responsible.
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Tweet below for an extra chance.
Enter for a chance to #win a Digital Download of RIDERS OF JUSTICE.
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) April 30, 2021
How: https://t.co/eznEsr61yU pic.twitter.com/pKI6BHLL1K
Rules and regulations here.
Mongrel Media release RIDERS OF JUSTICE Friday, May 21, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)
Fan Expo Canada 2015 took place in Toronto this weekend at Metro Convention Centre, drawing at least 127k to the venue as fans were given a rare opportunity to connect with their Pop Culture favourites! Now in its 21st year, the bonanza gives fans a chance at meeting their favourite Artists, Cosplayers, Actors, in addition to screenings, purchasing rare merchandise and playing new games first. Photo Ops, Autograph Signings and Panels were held throughout the weekend, allowing a generous window of opportunity to connect. Installations were on display for upcoming Films like The Little Prince, The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 2, The Hateful Eight and more. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Drawing a large crowd this year were Harry Potter stars Rupert Grint, Tom Felton and The Phelps Twins. Fans also got a chance to see new faces at the Expo like Boxing legend Mike Tyson, Jenna Coleman (Dr. Who), Tyler Hoechlin (Teen Wolf), Christian Slater (Mr. Robot), Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal), Neve Campbell (Scream), Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Robin Lord-Taylor (Gotham), Danny Trejo (Machete), Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter), plus returning fan favourite Norm Reedus (The Walking Dead).
As a friendly reminder this year, signs were displayed stating “Cosplay is not consent” promoting a vibe of respect among attendees, many whom utilize Fan Expo as an opportunity to fulfill their wildest fantasies of role playing as a more extraordinary version of themselves.
Our Team, including Justin Waldman, Christine Miguel and myself sat-in on a few of the Panels! Some of the more memorable quotes to come out of Fan Expo Canada 2015:
MING-NA WEN
She later jokingly publicly asked George Lucas about potentially casting her in one of the upcoming new Star Wars spinoffs or as she kidded, “whoring herself out”.
TOM FELTON
THE PHELPS TWINS
MADS MIKKELSEN
JASON MOMOA
And some Photo Ops, because like you, we’re fans too!
Jason Momoa
Via @jdubs5121: #MadsMikkelsen at @fanexpocanada, “I’ve never seen a #Bond film in my life. I had no idea what I was getting into (for #CasinoRoyale)”. #Hannibal star recently cast in #RogueOne. #StarWars #FanExpo #FanExpoCanada Thanks Marc Levy for the pic! A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Brandi Cyrus (yes, Miley‘s big sis)
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rupert Grint
With gorgeous #AgentsofShield star #MingNaWen at @FanExpoCanada. #MULAN #FanExpo #FanExpoCanada A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
The Phelps Twins
Tom Felton
With #ChristianSlater, in #Toronto for #FanExpoCanada and new Showcase series, #MrRobot. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Danny Trejo
Christine had a chance to sit-in on a screening and panel of ADVENTURE TIME (review here) with voice talents Jeremy Shada and Tom Kenny, which can be seen on The Cartoon Network in Canada. Learn more here.
Learn all about FAN EXPO CANADA here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Christine Miguel/Marc Levy/Justin Waldman)
Casino Royale. Quantum of Solace. Clash of the Titans. The Three Musketeers. These are just some of the more recent Films in which you’ve seen Mads Mikkelsen and while out getting Breakfast with Billy early this morning, I bumped-into the brilliant Actor who looked like he was out for a walk or a jog. Mikkelsen who earlier this year won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival in May for The Hunt, currently is in Toronto filming Hannibal.
The upcoming NBC Series which centers around Criminal Profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) who seeks help from famed Psychiatrist and Cannibalistic Serial Killer Hannibal Lecter (Mikkelsen), yet at the same time becomes his greatest Nemesis. Fans of Silence of the Lambs will eat this up. In a non-Cannibal sorta way of course.
Things aren’t slowing-down any time soon for the dark, mysterious Danish Actor who has been in Toronto multiple times before for TIFF and even promoted both The Hunt and upcoming Period Drama, A Royal Affair, while filming Hannibal. I did meet the Actor back in 2009 following a Screening of the phenomenal Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, but am thrilled to have a Snap together with him. Mikkelsen was smitten with Billy, leaning-down to give him a pat on the head. Super-gracious!
Hannibal wraps in February 2013. Learn more about the Series here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Homeland Star Claire Danes was spotted out and about in Yorkville earlier today doing a quick grocery run at Pusateri’s. Without Sunglasses and dressed in a loose-fitting blue Button-Down, Danes appears to know the area well. In 2007, I ran into the Actress at the Four Seasons Hotel down the road, while she was here promoting Stardust.
The Golden Globe-winning Actress currently is expecting a Child with Husband of three years, Hugh Dancy, and he currently is in-town filming TV Series Hannibal alongside Mads Mikkelsen, who wowed audiences at TIFF 2012 with two Films, A Royal Affair and The Hunt.
With filming expected to wrap for Hannibal in February 2013, will this Danes-Dancy Baby be Toronto-born?
(Photo credit: Showtime)
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