The 89th annual Academy Awards took place tonight at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and in a shock of a finale, MOONLIGHT would win coveted Best Picture. Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway would make a not-soon-to-be-forgotten gaffe of announcing LA LA LAND and Best Picture, which eventually was corrected. Beatty clarified on-stage he had in fact received the envelope for Emma Stone, Best Actress. The acclaimed Barry Jenkins coming of age Film also would win for Adapted Screenplay and Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali).
In an era where inclusion and diversity are at the forefront of discussion, Ali becomes known as the first ever Muslim Actor to win an Oscar. Noted this year was an increased presence of talent whether it be Presenters or Nominees, of various ethnicities.
After dominating Awards Season, Damien Chazelle‘s LA LA LAND would sweep in several categories including Production Design, Cinematography, Original Score, Original Song, Directing and Actress (Emma Stone). Chazelle has the distinction of at age 32 being the youngest to ever win Best Directing.
Jimmy Kimmel filled hosting duties this year, delivering his signature brand of biting humour (much directed to a running friendly feud with Matt Damon) which drew big laughs and at once awkward silence when he joked about O.J. Simpson deserving an extra piece of bologna tonight after OJ: MADE IN AMERICA won Best Documentary.
The night reached a comedic high point where Kimmel told the audience that he had planned for a bus full of random tourists to visit Kodak Theatre without their knowing. Much to their surprise, they were greeted by a front row of Hollywood Who’s-Who which included the likes of Emma Stone, Meryl Streep, Ryan Gosling, Denzel Washington, Mahershala Ali and several more!
.@jimmykimmel bringing tourists into the #oscars was pretty Fresh. pic.twitter.com/xetZUSL0pd
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) February 27, 2017
Accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award just earlier this year, three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep stole the show tonight right from the get-go without even speaking with Kimmel poking fun about Donald Trump‘s statement that she was over-rated getting the audience to giver her a standing ovation as the “highly-overrated Meryl Streep“.
‘Highly overrated’ Meryl Streep gets standing ovation at #Oscars after being slammed by Trump https://t.co/K3lOQiFiE5 pic.twitter.com/FTI72LIq5u
— People Magazine (@people) February 27, 2017
The iconic Actress has appeared much in the news of late after Fashion Designer Karl Lagerfeld claimed to Women’s Wear Daily that Streep refused a dress from Chanel after she was denied monetary compensation for donning the label’s creation. Streep vehemently has denied the accusation, issuing a statement: “I do not take this lightly, and Mr. Lagerfeld’s generic ‘statement’ of regret for this ‘controversy’ was not an apology. He lied, they printed the lie, and I am still waiting.”.
The other acting categories went to heavy favourites. Casey Affleck won Best Actor for MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for her work in stage-to-film Adaptation FENCES.
Canada was represented well, with Montreal’s Sylvain Bellemare winning Best Sound Editing for ARRIVAL. The Best Picture-nominated Film also saw our Denis Villeneuve receive a nomination for Directing.
As always the evening’s fashion is a huge part of the spectacle and here are some of the evening’s winning looks!
(Photo/video credit: Oscars/Getty Images)
As anticipated, LA LA LAND leads the 89th Academy Award nominations which were announced at 8:30 AM EST in Los Angeles. The Musical, hot off seven Golden Globe wins garnered a whopping 14 nominations including Best Picture, Actress (Emma Stone), Best Actor (Ryan Gosling), Directing (Chazelle), Writing (Chazelle) and more. It also has two nods for Original Song with Audition and City of Stars. Chazelle in a statement today said, “I am thrilled that the Academy is celebrating the work of Emma and Ryan, who brought these characters to life with such humanity and depth, and also the work of my college roommate Justin who created the beautiful music.”.
Up for Best Picture are:
ARRIVAL
FENCES
HACKSAW RIDGE
HELL OR HIGH WATER
HIDDEN FIGURES
LA LA LAND
LION
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
MOONLIGHT
We had the pleasure of running promotions in 2016 for seven out of nine of these nominations and would like to congratulate our friends at these Canadian companies who distribute these Films: Elevation Pictures (Moonlight, Hacksaw Ridge), 20th Century Fox Canada (Hidden Figures), Paramount Pictures Canada (Arrival, Fences), VVS Films (Hell or High Water), Mongrel Media (Manchester by the Sea) and eOne Films (Lion, La La Land).
MOONLIGHT, seen widely as LA LA LAND‘s biggest threat for Best Picture, garners the second-most nods, tallying-in at a total of eight. The Film directed by up-and-comer and nominee Barry Jenkins has been a major force this Awards Season, a powerful response to an outcry of the prestigious awards lacking diversity.
This year, we see a total six black actors nominated including Viola Davis (Fences), Denzel Washington (Fences), Ruth Negga (Loving), Mahershala Ali (Moonlight), Naomie Harris (Moonlight) and Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures). We also see an Actor of English-Indian descent nominated for Supporting Actor, Dev Patel (Lion). FENCES, starring an all-black cast, gets four nominations, while HIDDEN FIGURES, fronted by three black female principal actors, gets three nominations.
Davis, seen widely as the favourite in the Supporting Actress category stated, “Thank you to the Academy for recognizing this extraordinary, important film and my work in it. Thank you Denzel for being at the helm!”.
Although Canada’s submission for Foreign Language Film IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD missed the final shortlist, Canadians have plenty to be proud of with a total eight nominations, according to a congratulatory Press Release from Telefilm Canada:
Howard Barish, co-producer (13th), Documentary (Feature)
Sylvain Bellemare (Arrival), Sound Editing
Bernard Gariépy Strobl and Claude La Haye (Arrival), Sound Mixing
Ryan Gosling (La La Land), Actor in a Leading Role
Shawn Levy, co-producer (Arrival), Best Picture
Theodore Ushev (Blind Vaysha), Short Film (Animated), National Film Board of Canada
Patrice Vermette (Arrival), Production Design
Denis Villeneuve (Arrival), Directing
Some surprises from today’s announcements include a nod for three-time winner Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins) in the Lead Actress category and Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic) getting his second nomination today for Lead Actor. Many are surprised that despite getting recognized for Best Picture, ARRIVAL star Amy Adams did not garner a nod for Actress in a Leading Role with two strong performances this year – the other being NOCTURNAL ANIMALS – being a major force all Awards Season. Newcomer and a soon to be on Broadway Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) finds himself among great company for Supporting Actor.
Streep in a humorous visual statement, had this to say about her recognition:
Hilarious. Meryl Streep’s visual statement from @eOneFilms for her #FlorenceFosterJenkins nomination. pic.twitter.com/FANFWXG5kw
— MR. WILL WONG (@mrwillw) January 24, 2017
The 2017 Academy Awards air on ABC Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 7 PM EST.
(Photo credit: Oscars)
For a third straight week, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY dominates the Box Office with $50.8 million from 4,157 theatres across North America. In its North American run it has made $441 million thus far for Disney. This makes it 2016’s second-highest grossing Film, behind FINDING DORY (also, Disney) which earned $486.3 million this year.
SING continues to be highly bankable for Universal Pictures, in second with $42.5 million from 4,209 theatres. In its two-week run, it has made $179 million already domestically.
PASSENGERS is in third this weekend for Sony Pictures with $15.5 million, a total of $65 million over two weeks.
MOANA is in fourth with $10.4 million for Disney, a six week total of $212.8 million.
FENCES is performing strongly, placing fifth with $$9.9 million for Paramount Pictures from 2,301 theatres, totaling $32 million over three weeks. It has an impeccable 95% score on the Tomatometer, with an A- CinemaScore.
LA LA LAND is in sixth with $9.4 million from only 750 theatres across North America. It has made $36.8 million already as it continues to expand over four weeks.
WHY HIM? is in seventh with $8.6 million for 20th Century Fox, a total $35.7 million in two weeks.
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.9 million, a total $29.3 million in seven weeks.
As anticipated, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY debuts dominantly this weekend with $152.2 million from 4,157 theatres for Disney. Despite equally strong reviews from Critics with 84% on the Tomatometer, getting an A CinemaScore from Audiences also, it cannot best last year’s STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS‘ record-setting $247 million opening. This however, makes ROGUE ONE the second-highest opening ever for a Film in December.
MOANA makes it a Disney Double, placing second with $12.5 million, a total of $162.7 million over four weeks domestically.
OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY lands in third this weekend with $7.9 million for Paramount Pictures, a total $31 million over two weeks.
COLLATERAL BEAUTY lands in fourth with $7.2 million from 3,028 theatres for Warner Bros. Critics gave it a harsh 14% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences loved the Holiday Drama with an all-star cast including Kate Winslet, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren and Will Smith, with an A- CinemaScore.
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA expands to 1,208 theatres for Mongrel Media/Roadside Attractions, good enough for sixth with $4.1 million.
LA LA LAND also expands in its second week to just 200 theatres, earning a whopping $4.1 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. This looks great for the Oscar contender which continues its expansion in coming weeks. It gets a Canadian release Christmas Day in select cities.
ARRIVAL is in ninth with $2.9 million for Paramount Pictures, a total $86.6 million now in six weeks.
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS rounds-out the Top Ten with 1,246 theatres for Universal Pictures with $1.4 million. In five weeks it has made $8.8 million.
For a third straight week Disney‘s MOANA takes the top of the Box Office, earning $18.8 million this weekend from 3,875 theatres. In its domestic run thus far, it has grossed $145.3 million.
In second in its debut is Paramount Pictures’ OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY with $16.8 million from 3,210 theatres. The Holiday Comedy with an all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon and T.J. Miller, gets a B CinemaScore from Audiences and a 44% on the Tomatometer from Critics.
FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM lands in third this weekend with $10 million for Warner Bros., just shy of the $200 million-mark over four weeks.
ARRIVAL shows amazing momentum now in its fifth week with $5.2 million for Paramount Pictures, earning $82 million across North America in five weeks.
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS expands to 1,262 theatres for Universal Pictures this weekend, making $3.6 million, a total $6.7 million over four weeks and a second Film for Amy Adams in the Top Ten this weekend in addition to ARRIVAL.
Oscar Contender MANCHESTER BY THE SEA expands to 368 theatres, bringing-in $3,1 million for Mongrel Media/Roadside Attractions. In four weeks it has tallied $8.2 million.
HACKSAW RIDGE rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.3 million for Elevation Pictures/Lionsgate Films, a total $60.8 million in six weeks.
Bubbling under is Oscar favourite LA LA LAND which plays in limited engagement in five theatres to earn an excellent $850k for eOne Films/Liosngate Films.
For a second straight week, MOANA tops the Box Office for Disney, with $29.6 million from 3,875 theatres. In two weeks it has made $121 million domestically, getting a break from competitors with no new wide releases slated.
Former champ FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM is in second with $16.8 million for Warner Bros., tallying $181.3 million over three weeks.
ALLIED lands in third with $7.3 million for Paramount Pictures in its second week, almost passing the $30-million mark.
ARRIVAL is in fourth with $7.1 million also for Paramount Pictures. In its four weeks out it has made $71 million.
BAD SANTA 2 is in eighth in its second week out with $3.1 million for eOne Films/Broad Green Pictures. It has made $15 million in its run so far.
Oscar contender MANCHESTER BY THE SEA rounds out the Top Ten with $2.2 million from only 156 theatres. It has made $4.3 million over three weeks for Mongrel Media/Roadside Attractions.
We’re past the halfway point at TIFF ’16 and things begin to slow down to another gear after today. Premieres around the City tonight include DEEPWATER HORIZON which sees Mark Wahlberg, Kate Hudson and Kurt Russell walk the Red Carpet at Roy Thomson Hall. Meanwhile, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA which continues to gain Oscar momentum, brings Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams to the Carpet at Princess of Wales Theatre. Megastar Justin Timberlake also presents Documentary JT AND THE TENNESSEE KIDS at Roy Thomson Hall also.
Casey Affleck, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
Kyle Chandler, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
#KyleChandler at #TIFF16 for #ManchesterbytheSea. #MongrelatTIFF
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Matt Damon, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
Mark Wahlberg, DEEPWATER HORIZON
#TIFF16: #MarkWahlberg who quickly made an appearance for the #DeepwaterHorizon afterparty.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Gina Rodriguez, DEEPWATER HORIZON
With the beautiful and gracious #GinaRodriguez. #DeepwaterHorizon #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Kurt Russell, DEEPWATER HORIZON
#KurtRussell at Premiere for #DeepwaterHorizon. #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Kate Hudson, DEEPWATER HORIZON
Director Peter Berg, DEEPWATER HORIZON
With #DeepwaterHorizon Director #PeterBerg. #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Virginia Madsen, BURN YOUR MAPS
Director Morgan Spurlock, RATS
Jason Momoa, THE BAD BATCH
Suki Waterhouse, THE BAD BATCH
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
In real life very few situations end with a tidy bow and the words “happily ever after.” Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan takes this notion to heart in the Movie Manchester By the Sea as his characters must reconcile past sorrows if they want survive the tragedies of today.
Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is quietly enduring his life when he learns his beloved brother Joe (Kyle Chandler) has died of congestive heart failure. At the reading of Joe’s will, Lee is horrified to learn that he has been given guardianship of his 16-year-old nephew, Patrick (Lucas Hedges). As the two struggle to find common ground, the audience slowly learns the truth behind Lee’s painful past and why he is so reluctant to stay in the seaside town.
With a Supporting Cast that boasts Matthew Broderick, Gretchen Mol and Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea suffers from no shortage of heavy-hitters. That said, the best part of the Movie is Casey Affleck who captures Lee’s tortured soul in a way that is never played for melodrama, but rather fleshed out with unexpected subtlety and nuance.
With plenty of hopeful Oscar buzz already surrounding this Movie, Manchester By the Sea is sure to be a hot ticket during TIFF ’16.
Manchester by the Sea screens at TIFF:
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 6:00 PM Princess of Wales
Wednesday, September 14, 2016 11:30 AM Visa Screening Room
It’s our favourite time of the year and the team at MR. WILL WONG are excited to share with you their insights as to what you should be seeing at TIFF ’16! It’s impossible to believe we’re literally two days away from the world’s greatest Film Festival!
Mr. Will (@mrwillw)
La La Land
Elle
Personal Shopper
Loving
Denial
The electric buzz coming out of Venice for LA LA LAND is certainly warranted and we cannot wait for you to discover the genius that is Damien Chazelle‘s dazzling sophomore effort. We also were mesmerized by Isabelle Huppert‘s work in Paul Verhoeven‘s dark and twisty ELLE. Kristen Stewart mesmerized us in PERSONAL SHOPPER in what is a career-best performance. We haven’t yet seen LOVING, but believe the buzz and can’t wait to be floored by Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton‘s performances. We also cannot deny we were moved by Rachel Weisz‘s phenomenal work in DENIAL and although people aren’t talking about it as much as some of the other marquee titles, do not let this one slip off your radar. Honourable mention also to UNA starring Ben Mendelsohn and Rooney Mara (we adore her!) which also is getting quite a bit of buzz and acclaim out of Telluride. We will let you know as soon as we see it!
Let’s see what the rest of the Team have to say…
Siobhán Rich (@Typo_Eh)
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
La La Land
Nelly
Paterson
Toni Erdmann
If you’re only going to see five Movies at TIFF this year you should try and make them well rounded choices. Toni Erdmann is a brilliant Foreign Film that will leave you smiling long after you leave the theatre. Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson is a beautiful character study starring Adam Driver. No Film curation would be complete with a Documentary and you can’t go wrong with Director Steve James. Abacus: Small Enough to Jail is an interesting David & Goliath story centering around the 2008 financial crisis. Checking off both the Vanguard and all important Canadian boxes is Anne Émond’s Biopic Nelly, which explores the life a writer from Québec. Finally, for a fun pick that will leave all your friends envious: La La Land. This hugely buzzed-about Musical staring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is an early favourite for People’s Choice winner. My bonus pick is Jeff Nichols’ Loving about a couple in Virginia who fought to overturn the State’s ban on interracial marriage.
Have a great TIFF ’16!
David Baldwin (@DaveMABaldwin)
La La Land
I absolutely adored and championed Damien Chazelle’s Oscar-winning Whiplash after seeing it during TIFF ’14. I was immediately on board for anything he had in store for his follow-up. I was excited after hearing it was a Musical, but became infinitely more excited when I found out it would team-up Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone again. No matter what happened, this was the only ticket I absolutely NEEDED at this year’s Festival.
The Birth of a Nation
Nate Parker’s directorial debut about a slave uprising in the 1830s was the toast of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. It was destined for Oscar glory at that time, but now it is being talked about for a whole other despicable reason. It was on my radar from before, but the controversy that is plaguing its release is just making me more interested in watching it. TIFF promises extended talks after the Film for its first two screenings, but are they going to happen?
Headshot
I look back at some years going to TIFF and immediately regret missing out on some great Films. Skipping-out on The Raid back in 2011 was a terrible mistake, and one I made sure I did not repeat when I heard Indonesian action star Iko Uwais was returning to Midnight Madness with his new Film Headshot. I did not even stop to read what the Film was about and still have very little clue. I just know that watching it at Midnight is going to be a blast.
Nocturnal Animals
Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams are two of the best actors working in Hollywood right now. Putting them together under the direction of Fashion Designer-turning-Filmmaker Tom Ford? Well that can only be a truly special kind of Film, and if the buzz out of Venice is to be believed, we are in for a sumptuous treat. And if it is anything like Ford’s A Single Man, it is destined for greatness.
Bleed for This
Miles Teller is one of the very few actors who I will watch anything in, no matter what. When I watched the trailer for Bleed for This during the summer, I knew this would be another great performance from the young actor. And seeing him paired with the likes of Aaron Eckhart, Katey Sagal and the great Ciarán Hinds makes for an unmissable event.
Justin Waldman (@DubsReviews)
Oh where to begin with the most wonderful time of the year? And no I am not talking about Christmas. Well I lied, I sort of am TIFFmas is here and there are plenty of highly-anticipated Films coming to the Festival this year and without further yammering, here are my top five in no particular order.
La La Land
Nocturnal Animals
Arrival
Free Fire
Paterson
All of these Films have elements to them that make me incredibly-excited for them. Whether that be Actors, Directors or general concept behind each one of these Movies, these have me anticipating TIFF ’16.
Jon Godfrey
American Honey
American Pastoral
A United Kingdom
The Handmaiden
The Red Turtle
What I love most about Film Festivals are the Movies. What I love most about TIFF is its international flavors. Like the city the Festival of Festivals is set in, TIFF Films are from multiple cultures and feature endless perspectives. Though two of my picks have “America” in their title, both are helmed by Directors from the United Kingdom. A United Kingdom is directed by an English woman of Ghanaian decent, and discusses interracial marriage. Then there’s The Handmaiden, set in Japan occupied Korea and dressed like Victoria’s England. Lastly, The Red Turtle, is a Dutch drawn Film co-produced by Japan’s Studio Ghibli… and it’s also my top pick 😉 All my picks look at this world with wonder, and come from around this wonderful world.
Amanda Gilmore (@GilmoreAmanda)
La La Land
Anything Damien Chazelle makes I will run to see! Plus it has the added bonus of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. It’s a Musical! It is one of the most talked about Films of the year.
Manchester By The Sea
Casey Affleck is a marvel to watch in everything he does, that is reason alone to see this. But this year he is getting Oscar buzz for his performance! It’s a quiet Film with a lot of heart.
Loving
This is the most talked about film coming out of film festivals. It’s got Oscar written all over it! The story is one of the more powerful and important ones at the Festival.
Burn Your Maps
This is a small Film that many aren’t talking about. Jacob Tremblay (Room) stars as the lead which is enough reason to go. It’s the Film no one talks about before the Festival, but everyone will hear about it after.
Nocturnal Animals
I’m a sucker for Jake Gyllenhaal. I’m a sucker for Amy Adams. The plot is strange and dark. It’s directed by Tom Ford (A Single Man) and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
George Kozera (@PartyG)
La La Land
Denial
It’s Only the End of the World
Arrival
American Pastoral
From a sun-drenched, most innovative Musical in decades (LA LA LAND) to the darkness of a soul who dismisses the reality of the Holocaust in a court room Drama (DENIAL); from offerings by two Canadian Auteurs who have yet to fail to impress (Xavier Dolan‘s IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD and Denis Villeneuve‘s ARRIVAL) to a heartbreaking Family Drama based on a Philip Roth Novel (AMERICAN PASTORAL), TIFF ’16 is poised to be the best Festival yet!
TIFF ’16 takes place between Thursday, September 8, 2016 through Sunday, September 18, 2016. Check back right here and bookmark for up-to-minute star sightings and Reviews of the most buzzed Films at the Festival!
Be sure to be following on Social Media also:
Twitter: @mrwillw
Instagram: @mrwillwong
Snapchat: mrwillwong
Facebook: @mrwillwongblog
Many raves are coming in about MANCHESTER BY THE SEA and several already are calling this a Best Picture contender even before its TIFF Premiere!
Synopsis:
In Manchester by the Sea, the latest Film from award-winning writer and director Kenneth Lonergan, the life of a solitary Boston janitor is transformed when he returns to his hometown to take care of his teenage nephew. The story of the Chandlers, a working-class family living in a Massachusetts fishing village for generations, Manchester by the Sea is a deeply poignant, unexpectedly funny exploration of the power of familial love, community, sacrifice and hope.
After the death of his older brother Joe (Kyle Chandler), Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is shocked to learn that Joe has made him sole guardian of his nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). Taking leave of his job, Lee reluctantly returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea to care for Patrick, a spirited 15-year-old, and is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife Randi (Michelle Williams) and the community where he was born and raised. Bonded by the man who held their family together, Lee and Patrick struggle to adjust to a world without him.
See the Trailer:
Mongrel Media release MANCHESTER BY THE SEA Friday, November 25, 2016.
(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com