This looks simply mesmerizing. Auteur Terrence Malick‘s SONG TO SONG premiered last night at SXSW in Austin and believe it or not Malick himself made a rare appearance. Read DEADLINE‘s coverage for more on that. The Film of course is set in Austin so it was only fitting it got a Premiere at the Festival.

Synopsis:
In this modern love story set against the Austin, Texas music scene, two entangled couples—struggling songwriters Faye (Rooney Mara) and BV (Ryan Gosling), and music mogul Cook (Michael Fassbender) and the waitress whom he ensnares (Natalie Portman)—chase success through a rock ‘n’ roll landscape of seduction and betrayal.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

While early reviews aren’t so promising, we cannot deny our intrigue. Here’s what Critics are saying so far:

Peter Debruge, Variety: “It pains me to say it, but Malick might want to consider another lengthy hiatus.”.

John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: “Suffice to say that Song to Song is not designed to win back onetime admirers who felt Malick‘s To the Wonder and Knight of Cups drowned in their own navels.”.

Joe McGovern, Entertainment Weekly: “In terms of content and meaningfulness, Terrence Malick‘s Song to Song is the cinematic equivalent of a Trump press conference.”.

eOne Films release SONG TO SONG in Canada, date TBA.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to take Readers to see TIFF ’16 selection TRESPASS AGAINST US at participating Cineplex Event Cinemas this and next weekend!

Synopsis:

Trespass Against Us centers on three generations of the Cutler family, a close-knit clan of nomads living an outlaw existence in their own anarchic corner of Britain’s most affluent countryside. Chad Cutler (Michael Fassbender) is the heir apparent to the family patriarch, his bullying father Colby (Brendan Gleeson), and has been groomed to spend his life hunting, stealing and tormenting local law enforcement. But with his own son Tyson (Georgie Smith) coming of age and his wife Kelly (Lyndsey Marshal) pushing him to stand up to Colby, Chad finds himself locked in a battle for the future of his young family.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City in the comments.

Elevation Pictures release TRESPASS AGAINST US Friday, January 27, 2017 on-demand and in select theatres:

Halifax / Park Lane
Ottawa / South Keys
Toronto / Yonge & Dundas
Calgary / Eau Claire
Vancouver / Park

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

From director Adam Smith comes a complicated Family Drama, Trespass Against Us which begs the question to what lengths we will go to for our family. What makes this TIFF ’16 selection stand out are the lead performances from Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson.

The story focuses on the dynamic between Chad (Michael Fassbender) and Colby (Brendan Gleeson) as they live in a deserted part of town with the rest of the family in trailers and Colby sends them on missions to cause havoc and break the law in town. It truly is a family affair, but Chad always seems to be the go to guy for big jobs and general mayhem. When enough becomes enough, Chad tries to leave the family but Colby is not a force to be reckoned with. The overarching question is, can Chad manage to escape his father and siblings to protect his family or will he forever be stuck with the hand he was dealt?

Trespass Against Us truly is a great addition to TIFF ’16 with its powerhouse performances from both Fassbender and Gleeson making this one of many must-see Films at the Festival.

It screens on Friday, September 9, 2016 at 10 PM at Princess of Wales and Saturday September 10, 2016 at 11:45 AM at the Bloor Hot Docs Theatre.

After setting the world of cinema on fire with his all-in 2008 debut Hunger, Irish-German actor Michael Fassbender quickly has risen to the ranks among Hollywood’s top leading men. The striking star has challenged himself with great aptitude in roles so demanding, alas the Academy could not resist, garnering him a nomination for his portrayal of technology icon Steve Jobs earlier this year.

TIFF ’16, the Festival’s 41st edition, rolled out the Red Carpet for Fassbender at its TIFF Bell Lightbox Headquarters, him headlining its annual Soirée. The London-trained star spoke with TIFF Artistic Director Cameron Bailey before an intimate audience which included notable names Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deepa Mehta, Kristian Bruun and several TIFF Rising Stars. He reflected on his most memorable roles and collaborations with Writer/Director Steve McQueen, both whom have paired together through three widely-acclaimed Films: Hunger, Shame and Best Picture-winning 12 Years a Slave. All three Films premiered at TIFF.

He is back this year with Trespass Against Us for Elevation Pictures, in which he stars alongside Brendan Gleeson. The Film examines the tensions between travelers versus settlers and a son’s attempt to escape the outlaw life of a criminal clan.

Does Fassbender like to watch his own Films?

He describes the process of seeing his own Films rather “horrifying” but admits, “I kinda get off on it.”. He doesn’t plan to sit through his performance in Trespass Against Us.

On his experience working with Director Andrea Arnold, he admits to being a bit of a slow learner as she would pass him his lines the night before. “She likes to create chaos and is brilliant at capturing it, whereas some Directors like to create chaos and can’t do the same.”. “Magic moments are ones that can’t be planned. It’s like the black lines between a photograph which get captured by a camera – they make us fall in love with a story.”.

How does Fassbender compare the experience of acting on stage versus camera?

He says, “It’s about finding the pace of the day when filming and pacing yourself accordingly. Filming is much like sprinting, whereas theatre is more like a marathon.”.

On filming big-budget Blockbusters like Prometheus and X-Men, he breaks down how much slower a process that is versus the smaller-budget Films he’s made in his repertoire.

“On a big budget shoot, we go through maybe two pages of dialogue a day. Everyone has to be in-sync as a machine – it’s quite impressive.”.  He adds, “It took 25 days on the other hand to make Shame and an unbelievable 35 days to make 12 Years a Slave.”.

Playing Erik Lehnsherr in the X-Men Franchise, he sheds some light on his own superpowers.

“I’m a great Powernapper. I mustn’t be without a superpower! I can just lie down on stage if it comes to that. When I’m tired I just have to sleep.”.

How exactly did the magical Steven McQueen-Michael Fassbender partnership begin?

Fassbender admits, “He actually hated me at first and thought I was arrogant”. The Casting Director of Hunger convinced him to let me read again for the much-talked-about 17-minute-long scene between his Bobby and the Priest. He was offered the role shortly after that.

He equates collaborating with McQueen and Team to making music, describing it “like riffing back and forth”.

Bailey asked Fassbender about the physicality he brings to his roles in how he fully transforms every time.

“Pub Theatre (performing the likes of Resevoir Dogs) and doing pantomimes is how I started where we used body as expression,” he recalls. During his time in London, which saw him dropping-out six months before graduation, he studied movement within space and ballet.

“Shoes and costumes give me that extra layer to get into character.  It all starts from feet up.”.

With already this much accomplished we wonder what’s left for Fassbender to conquer?

The Thespian would love to do Comedy. “I spoke to Seth Rogen (his Steve Jobs Co-Star) about it after throwing a blueberry at him over dinner!”.

Trespass Against Us premieres TIFF ’16 on Friday, September 9, 2016 at Princess of Wales Theatre at 10:00 PM.

Fassbender at the TIFF Soirée:

 Shohreh Aghdashloo + Alma Parvizian

TIFF Rising Star Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama + Cameron Bailey

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong + Team)

Now in its third year, the annual TIFF Soirée quickly has become one of the City’s marquee events. The Party, which this year kicks off the 41st edition of the world’s greatest Film Festival, TIFF, takes place once again at TIFF Bell Lightbox.  Academy Award nominee Michael Fassbender follows the footsteps of Al Pacino and Natalie Portman to take the stage before a select few journalists, VIPs glamorous Soirée guests Wednesday, September 7, 2016 to reflect on his meteoric rise to fame. A fabulous cocktail party under the stars is to follow.

Fassbender, a graduate of London’s prestigious Drama Centre, has riveted audiences with acclaimed work in Films like Hunger, Shame, 12 Years a Slave, the X-Men Franchise and of course his Oscar-nominated work in 2015’s Steve Jobs. He next can be seen in Alien: Covenant, Assassin’s Creed, The Snowman and this month in The Light Between Oceans.

With tickets starting at $300, you too can be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hosting Packages also are available, but time is limited.  For more details on this year’s TIFF Soirée, click here.

Fassbender has long been on our radar as one to watch and we’ll never forget meeting him the first time!

DreamWorks Pictures + Mr. Will want to take Readers to see THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS, based on the best-selling Novel by M.L. Stedman and starring Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender. Screenings take place on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 in Toronto, Waterloo, Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal (English only), Calgary, Winnipeg and Edmonton.

Synopsis:
DreamWorks Pictures’ “The Light Between Oceans” is a heart-breaking drama about fate, love, moral dilemmas and the lengths to which one couple will go to see their dreams realized.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Click “share” from there for an extra chance.

DreamWorks Pictures release THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS on Friday, September 2nd.

(Photo/video credit: DreamWorks Pictures)

©2016 STORYTELLER DISTRIBUTION CO., LLC

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)

Taking place at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre, the Stars electrified the Red Carpet tonight at the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards.  Honouring the year’s best in Film and Television, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association selected their most deserving, unveiled at the Ceremony, seen by many as a Precursor to the Oscars.

Hosted by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey a second time, the Funnywomen brought-out big laughs from the Celebrity-filled Audience including pokes at George Clooney on his habit of dating younger Women to Matt Damon jokingly being called a “Garbage Man” amidst the high caliber Talent which filled the room.  An aloof Julia Louis-Dreyfus, nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy,  played-up her new-found Movie Star status, donning sunglasses as the Camera panned her with Reese Witherspoon playfully trying to take a Selfie with her. Poehler after several nominations, finally won her first Golden Globe  tonight for Best Lead Actress in a TV Series Comedy with Parks and Recreation.

American Hustle walked away the big Winner tonight winning three Awards, including Best Motion Picture Comedy, Best Lead Actress in  Motion Picture Comedy (Amy Adams) and Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (Jennifer Lawrence). The ’70s-set Dramedy directed by David O. Russell, who received a Nomination in the same Category last year with Silver Linings Playbook, is garnering commercial success in addition to acclaim, exceeding the $100-million mark in North America.

12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen, regarded as a Frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars next month, was awarded one single win for Best Motion Picture Drama.  The Film which received the coveted People’s Choice Award at TIFF ’13 in September.

Breaking Bad, Behind the Candelabra and Brooklyn Nine-Nine in the Television Categories each took home two Golden Globes apiece, winning Best Actor with Bryan Cranston, Michael Douglas and Andy Samberg respectively. Each Series also won Best Series in each Category: Best Television Series Drama, Best Television Mini-Series or Movie and Best Television Series Comedy.

Auteur Filmmaker Woody Allen was given lifetime achievement distinction with a Cecil B. DeMille Award despite being in absentia.  Accepting on his behalf was his Annie Hall Muse Diane Keaton whose heartfelt Speech was highlighted by song and laughter.

Red was a highlight on the Red Carpet tonight with some of the Evening’s best looks coming from eventual Winner Amy Adams in a two-toned red Valentino Number and Country-Pop Sensation Taylor Swift stunning in a cherry-red and black Dress by Carolina Herrera.  Also, Newcomer Lupita Nyong’o of 12 Years a Slave dazzled in a red caped Piece by Ralph Lauren.  Another Fresh Face, The Wolf of Wall Street Star Margot Robbie wowed in a white Gucci dress and surprisingly was overlooked for her work in the acclaimed Martin Scorcese Film.

Toronto’s Tatiana Maslany despite being nominated for Best Lead Actress in a TV Series Drama with Orphan Black, still represented our City proudly despite losing-out to a deserving Robin Wright of Netflix‘s House of Cards.  Fans avidly supported Maslany online with the Hashtag #TATIANAPOCALYPSE.

Complete List of Winners below:

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
“12 Years a Slave”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
“American Hustle”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street”

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
Alfonso Cuaron, “Gravity”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Amy Poehler, “Parks & Recreation”

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
“Frozen”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Michael Douglas, “Behind the Candelabra”

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
“The Great Beauty”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Andy Samberg, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
Spike Jonze, “Her”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Robin Wright, “House Of Cards”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Amy Adams, “American Hustle”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jon Voight, “Ray Donovan”

BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
“Ordinary Love,” “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”
Music by: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Jr., Brian Burton

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
Alex Ebert, “All Is Lost”

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
“Breaking Bad”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Elisabeth Moss, “Top of the Lake”

BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
“Behind The Candelabra”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Jacqueline Bisset, “Dancing on the Edge”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Jennifer Lawrence “American Hustle”

Mr. Will and some of the 2014 Golden Globe Winners:

The Academy Awards air on CBS Sunday, March 2, 2014.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Mr. Will Wong)

Hot off its victory as the Winner of the People’s Choice Award at TIFF ’13, Steve McQueen‘s Oscar Contender 12 Years a Slave soon gets a release, starting with Toronto first. Both Fox Searchlight Canada and Mr. Will Wong would like Readers to experience first the Film everyone’s raving about emphatically!

The Screening takes place the week of October 14, 2013. Final time/venue to be announced.

Offical Synopsis:
In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon‘s chance meeting with a Canadian Abolitionist (Brad Pitt) will forever alter his life. Based on the Book by Solomon Northup.

12 Years a Slave also stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Alfre Woodard, Paul Giamatti and Lupita Nyong’o.

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Double your shot by sharing this Post via Facebook with your Friends or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/12yearsaslave-2 @MRWILLW wants us to #win Double Passes to attend an Advance Screening in Toronto of #12YearsaSlave. Opens 10/18!

See the Trailer below:

Mr. Will and the amazing Steve McQueen himself at TIFF ’13:

Good luck.

Fox Searchlight releases 12 Years a Slave in Toronto on Friday, October 18, 2013, followed by additional Cities.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)