LOGAN shreds its competition to take the top of the Box Office with a monstrous $81 million opening for 20th Century Fox. Playing it 4,071 theatres across North America, the final Wolverine Film starring Hugh Jackman receives an outstanding 93% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore. Despite an outstanding performance in its debut, it still is behind 2009’s X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, which opened with $85 million, although it should be noted that was a PG-13 release and this latest installment is R-rated, setting a record for highest-ever opening for a Film of that rating in March, a record held previously by 300.
In second this weekend is GET OUT from Universal Pictures, which last weekend debuted on-top. It earns a stellar $26.5 million in its second week out, a two-week tally of $76.3 million.
Faith-based Film THE SHACK opens in third with $15.3 million from 2,888 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. It gets 16% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.
THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE is in fourth with $11.1 million for Warner Bros. Over four weeks it has made $148 million domestically.
BEFORE I FALL debuts in sixth for Open Road Films/Elevation Pictures with $4.6 million from 2,346 theatres. The Sundance selection gets a respectable 68% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.
LA LA LAND rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.1 million after last weekend’s Oscars mis-announcement debacle where it was named Best Picture, only or it to be clarified the award actually went to MOONLIGHT. LA LA LAND over 13 weeks has earned $145 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. MOONLIGHT also gets a boost from last weekend’s Oscars exposure placing eleventh, expanding back to 1,564 theatres and earning $2.2 million. It has grossed $25 million over 20 weeks of release for A24 Films/Elevation Pictures.
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)
What I love most about working with Team Mr. Will is that we really are connected on a deep level as true lovers of Film. We all at some point were that passionate fan who queued hours in rush lines at Festivals or fought valiantly to win a contest to an Advance Screening. Despite our eclectic tastes, we work with open minds and are a judgment-free zone. We read each other’s reviews, learn and grow from one another. Although it sometimes is a great challenge splitting titles among our team, it always is love and somehow always works out in the end. We’re Filmgoers just like you with lives, jobs and school, but no matter what there always is time for our greatest passion, Film.
Whether it be Jon Godfrey‘s artistic and aesthetic sensibility, David Baldwin‘s great attunement to detail, George Kozera‘s energy and wit, Justin Waldman‘s infectious passion for Sci-Fi and Animation, Siobhán Rich‘s vast knowledge and versatility or Amanda Gilmore‘s fresh on-the-pulse perspective, we all have a unique voice that comes together in harmony as a rich, complex chord.
See our Team’s Ten Best-Of 2016 Lists.
Which speak loudest to you? Which inspire you to expand your cinematic horizons?
Mr. Will
SIOBHÁN RICH (@Typo_Eh)
This has been such a great year for Film I would have preferred to submit a Top Twenty list. My alphabetical Top Ten leaves off the fantastic Animated Movie The Red Turtle, Mark Duplass’ touching Black and White Film Blue Jay, the brilliant Documentary Tower, and great Oscar hopefuls like Nocturnal Animals, Twentieth Century Women and A Monster Calls. So, if those got left off my list imagine how great these ten Movies are!
Angry Indian Goddesses
Cameraperson
Everybody Wants Some!!
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Kubo and the Two Strings
Loving
Moonlight
Paterson
Toni Erdmann
The Women’s Balcony
JON GODFREY (@Skot_Somers)
Instead of explaining each Film, I’ll explain my method for making this list. I’ve been doing this for many years now, and I’ve grown honest enough with myself to know that what I like may not be for everyone. Be that as it may, in the last twelve months these are the Films that left the greatest impression on me. These are the Films I enjoyed on the big screen, or at home on TV. These are the Films I lost myself in, or enjoyed with the people I love. These are the Films that made me feel like a kid again, or helped me grow as a man. For me, these have been the Ten Best Films of 2016.
1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
2. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
3. Loving
4. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
5. Eight Days a Week
6. Shin Godzilla
7. Moonlight
8. Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
9. Knight of Cups
10. Warcraft
DAVID BALDWIN (@DaveMABaldwin)
When I look back at 2016, it is hard to believe how wild and chaotic a year it has been. While there were dozens of genuinely terrific Films, there were an immense amount of disappointments. I may be getting increasingly harder to please at the Movies, but the Top Ten Films for me this year challenged my expectations and each had a profound affect that have lasted long after the credits finished rolling.
1. Swiss Army Man
2. Nocturnal Animals
3. Arrival
4. La La Land
5. O.J.: Made in America
6. Zootopia
7. Hell or High Water
8. The Nice Guys
9. Moana
10. The Edge of Seventeen
JUSTIN WALDMAN (@DubsReviews)
This Top Ten list is in no particular order, but also self-explanatory. You have everything from must see blockbusters to small little things from brilliant Directors like Charlie Kaufman. While there may be some gigantic titles like that small space Indie about a galaxy far far away that everyone and their pets are seeing, but the small indies and the underrated Comedies must make my Top Ten list. 2016 was incredible, and these ten Movies are some of the best of the best.
Anomalisa
Bad Moms
The Edge of Seventeen
Deadpool
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Kubo and the Two Strings
La La Land
Loving
Moana
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
AMANDA GILMORE (@GilmoreAmanda)
The Top Ten Movies I have chosen for 2016 are varied from one another. There is a Film for everyone on this list. My list includes the most important Films from multiple genres and storylines.
1. La La Land
2. Moonlight
3. Arrival
4. Manchester By The Sea
5. Nocturnal Animals
6. 10 Cloverfield Lane
7. Zootopia
8. Jackie
9. Elle
10. Don’t Breathe
GEORGE KOZERA (@PartyG)
2016 may not have been a banner year for Movies for me personally, but since seeing it at TIFF ’16, I am still obsessed with Director Damien Chazelle’s musical masterpiece, followed closely by the most compelling Documentary I have seen since Hoop Dreams. Indie features, outstanding performances by female veterans (Meryl Streep and Sally Field), and an exciting new voice in Canadian Cinema rocked my world in 2016.
1. La La Land
2. OJ: Made in America
3. Closet Monster
4. Moonlight
5. Manchester by the Sea
6. Love and Friendship
7. Deadpool
8. Captain Fantastic
9. Florence Foster Jenkins
10. Hello, My Name is Doris
The Team Mr. Will 2016 Holiday Selfie
(L to R: Jon, Amanda, Dave, Siobhán + Justin)
…and of course we can’t forget George + our official Team Mascot, “Princess” (@APicByMrWill)
Mr. Will‘s own 2016 Best-Ofs? Click here for those!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/eOne Films/Elevation Pictures/Fox Searchlight/Universal Pictures/The Orchard/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada/ESPN Films)
2016 certainly was one for the books. I admit feeling terribly guilty every time someone claimed how horrible the year was when I secretly felt otherwise! Whether it be the amazing Films I saw, singling-out LA LA LAND, which I will say is the one of the finest to be released in the past decade, or songs on the radio – we love a return to strong melancholy melodies – the year gave us many memories to hold on to. And to think we used to scoff at Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and The Weeknd … now they’re on repeat on our Spotify account.
If there was a big name in town, we were there and this will be defined as the year we met our faves Gwyneth Paltrow, James Corden, Anne Hathaway, Taraji P. Henson, Rooney Mara and Emma Stone. We admit, we’re a bit mortified we’ll run out of heroes to meet!
And let’s not forget my love of horses. My travels to New York and California brought me together with icons like California Chrome, Beholder, Lady Eli and star of tomorrow, Classic Empire – the early favourite for May’s Kentucky Derby. My favourite horsey moment though? Meeting “Princess” aka A Pic by MrWill, my own namesake, for the first time back in February! I will miss her as she enjoys the sun and sand in Florida this winter, but look forward to her being a tough machine in the spring after her winter training.
Join me on a walk down memory lane one more time! And check back this weekend as we check-in with Team Mr. Will including Justin Waldman, Jon Godfrey, Dave Baldwin, Siobhán Rich, Amanda Gilmore + George Kozera as they give us their Best-Ofs!
TOP TEN FILMS
TOP SONGS
CELEBRITY
Elizabeth Banks
J.J. Abrams
With #StarWars #TheForceAwakens’ #JJAbrams, last night in #LosAngeles.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
James Corden
Steven Spielberg
I touched #StevenSpielberg. That’s gotta count for something! #LosAngeles #LA
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rebecca Hall
Taryn Manning
With my love #TarynManning. She was so sweet!! Have waited since the early 2000s for this!
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Alessia Cara
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Alex Trebek
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Victoria Justice
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Kevin Hart
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Emma Stone
With the mesmerizing #EmmaStone at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Ryan Gosling
#RyanGosling at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Damien Chazelle
Brilliant director/writer #DamienChazelle at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Anne Hathaway
Gwyneth Paltrow
So this happened. #GwynethPaltrow #HoltRenfrew #juiceBEAUTY
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Jessica Chastain
The best. #JessicaChastain #IndependentSpiritAwards #Oscars #AcademyAwards
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
My fave, #JessicaChastain – the nicest celeb of all time. #MetGala #MetBall
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rooney Mara
Verklempt that I met my #1!! #AcademyAward Nominee #RooneyMara + me. #Oscars
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Casey Affleck
Rami Malek
With #MrRobot star #RamiMalek at #TIFF16 with #BustersMalHeart
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rachel Weisz
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Taraji P. Henson
Yes!!! Cookie Time!! #TarajiPHenson #TIFF16 #HiddenFigures #Empire
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Jacob Tremblay
My favourite!!! #JacobTremblay back at #TIFF16 for #BurnYourMaps.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Gina Rodriguez
With the beautiful and gracious #GinaRodriguez. #DeepwaterHorizon #TIFF16 #nikond3300
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Isabelle Huppert
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Kate Hudson
My girl #KateHudson. At her fitness wear shop, #Fabletics.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Mahershala Ali
#HouseofCards star #MahershalaAli at #TIFF16 with #MOONLIGHT.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Chadwick Boseman
With #ChadwickBoseman, at #TIFF16 with #MessagefromtheKing. #BlackPanther #Marvel
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Charlie Cox
Mark Hamill
#MarkHamill, b*tches. #StarWars #LukeSkywalker #FanExpo #FanExpoCanada
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Riz Ahmed
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Lupita Nyong’o
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Suicide Squad: Will Smith, David Ayer + Margot Robbie
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Jason Statham
With handsome as hell #JasonStatham, at #MetGala. #MetBall #NYC
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Robert Pattinson
Anthony Bourdain
With culinary icon #AnthonyBourdain, appearing tomorrow night at Sony Centre!
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rick Astley
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
“DeepVeer” – Ranveer Singh x Deepika Padukone
#Bollywood! This is for you!! #DeepVeer #DeepikaPadukone #RanveerSingh
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Ruby Rose
Charlie Puth
Selena Gomez
Daya
With our favourite new Popstar, #Daya! She was in Toronto for #BigTicketSummer! #NikonD3300
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Penny Oleksiak
With Canada’s pride and joy, #PennyOleksiak, Gold medal Olympian! #Olympics #Olympics2016
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Milo Ventamiglia
Anthony Mackie
Team @mrwillw with a Selfie snapped by none other than #AnthonyMackie! Talented actor at #Triple9 Premiere tonight. pic.twitter.com/PNAqUsEKT8
— MR. WILL WONG (@mrwillw) February 24, 2016
HORSES
California Chrome
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Beholder
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Songbird
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Catch a Glimpse
Catch a Glimpse totally misses me. #BC16 #BreedersCup
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Dartmouth
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Classic Empire
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
The Pizza Man
P.s. He delivers! #ThePizzaMan wins the Northern Dancer Stakes! #WOMile #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Tepin
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Mutakayyef
Sir Dudley Digges
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Lexie Lou
Miss Katie Mae
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Lady Eli
Flintshire
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Frosted
Arrogate
Conquest Enforcer
Snuggles with #ConquestEnforcer. Catch him #QP16 day!
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
A Pic by MrWill
“Princess” (@APicByMrWill) makes her 3rd start Friday at @WoodbineRacing! Her latest. https://t.co/P6aOwL6mfo pic.twitter.com/VaOhNuEgQS
— MR. WILL WONG (@mrwillw) August 2, 2016
See you ’17!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
It never truly feels like Awards Season until the 74th Golden Globe Awards nominations are known and with that being said, it’s official! We’re ready for that gold! Nominees were announced at 5:00 AM EST this morning and as expected Oscar frontrunner La La Land finds itself on-top with a total seven nods including Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical and Director for 31-year-old visionary Damien Chazelle. Moonlight is close behind in second with six nominations, many seeing it likely to take Best Motion Picture – Drama. The two Films will likely face-off for Best Picture when Oscar nominations are announced Tuesday, January 24, 2017.
In the Television categories, FX’s The People v. O.J. Simpson: An American Crime Story dominates with five nominations, with new series like Netflix’s The Crown, HBO’s Westworld and NBC’s This is Us making their presence felt with three nods apiece.
While many industry experts are predicting an Oscar win for 28-year-old Emma Stone, who previously was nominated for 2014’s Birdman, Awards Season thus far has started a bit rocky for the La La Land star who took home Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, but failed to win at last night’s Critics’ Choice Awards. Important Critics Associations like the Washington DC Area Film Critics and Toronto Film Critics Associations chose Natalie Portman (Jackie) and Sandra Hüller (Toni Erdmann) respectively.
Many also are surprised that while Portman gets a Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama nomination for Jackie, the Film itself isn’t up for Best Motion Picture Drama. While it still has yet to open, but has screened for select Critics, Martin Scorcese‘s passion project Silence also failed to garner a nod, although its presence might be felt at the Oscars. While faring well at the Box Office and critically, both Finding Dory and The Secret Life of Pets failed to get Best Animated Feature Film nods. Strong performances from past Golden Globe winners Taraji P. Henson (Empire), Rebecca Hall (Christine), Jake Gyllenhaal (Nocturnal Animals) and Tom Hanks (Sully) also weren’t recognized this time around.
A complete list of Nominees can be found here.
The 74th annual GOLDEN GLOBES AWARDS air on NBC Sunday, January 8, 2017, 8:00 PM EST.
(Photo credit: eOne Films)
On a tepid weekend at the Movies, INFERNO delivers a moderate flame in its debut for Sony Pictures. This third installment in the Dan Brown Novel Adaptation Series opens with $15.5 million from 3,576 theatres. By contrast, the first installment, THE DA VINCI CODE opened in 2006 with $77 million. Audiences gave it a solid B+ CinemaScore, although Critics were harsh with a 20% on the Tomatometer.
After a number one debut last weekend, TYLER PERRY’S BOO! A MADEA HALLOWEEN slips to second with $15 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. Over two weeks it has made $50.2 million.
JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK is in third this weekend with $9.4 million. over two weeks, it has grossed $39.5 million for Paramount Pictures.
THE ACCOUNTANT continues to be bankable for Warner Bros., in fourth now in its third week out with $8.3 million. In total it has grossed $61 million domestically.
STORKS finds itself in ninth for Warner Bros. with $2.6 million, earning $68 million over six weeks.
Rounding out the Top Ten is Bollywood title AI DIL HAI MUSHKIL with $2.4 million from 302 theatres.
Bubbling under is A24/Elevation Pictures‘ MOONLIGHT which has garnered universal acclaim on the Festival circuit. It earns $886k from 36 theatres across North America, a very healthy average of $24.6k per theatre.
Elevation Pictures + Mr. Will want to take Readers to see TIFF ’16 selection and People’s Choice winner at the Atlantic Film Festival, MOONLIGHT.
Screenings take place in the following cities:
Toronto – October 24th
Vancouver – November 2nd
Ottawa – November 8th
Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Halifax – November 9th
Synopsis:
MOONLIGHT chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighbourhood of Miami.
Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City!
Elevation Pictures release MOONLIGHT on Friday, October 28, 2016 in Toronto and in additional cities thereafter.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
We are rarely the same people as children that we are as teenagers or adults. Outside forces like time, family, and even social status shape our world views and mold our characters. In writer/director Barry Jenkin’s brilliant new Film, Moonlight, we witness how seemingly small actions and insights change one boy’s life at childhood, adolescence, and finally adulthood.
When Juan (Mahershala Ali) first happens upon 9-year-old Little (Alex R. Hibbert), he has just escaped bullies who chased him into an abandoned apartment. The silent Little is reticent to share his name let alone the truth about his crackhead mother Paula (Naomie Harris). In this world where everyone is bigger than he is, Little’s only friend is Kevin (Jaden Piner).
At age 16 Kevin (Jharrel Jerome) is still Chiron’s (Ashton Sanders) only friend. Efforts to push aside his childhood nickname are met with derision as his sexuality is challenged daily by the same bullies he once ran from. With his mentor Juan dead, Chiron has no one to guide him when the pressures of life finally come to a head.
During the Final Act we meet a very different man. Having faced tough consequences from his actions as a teenager, Black (Trevante Rhodes) is now a drug dealer in Atlanta, Georgia. Out of the blue Kevin (André Holland) reaches out to him and the two attempt to bridge the distance that time and life experiences have wedged between them.
The true brilliance of Moonlight is its casting. Each actor brings something new to the character while still maintaining the same heart. Black is still as uncomfortable with words as Little was and as wary of betrayal as Chiron. Yet despite the similarities, Rhodes adds new nuances to the role making it his own.
Based on the play by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Moonlight is a painfully beautiful modern tragedy. A frontrunner to win the TIFF ’16 Platform competition, no one will leave the theatre unmoved by this Film.
Moonlight screens at TIFF:
Saturday, September 10, 2016 8:30 p.m. Winter Garden
Sunday, September 11, 2016 9:00 a.m. TBLB1
Saturday, September 17, 2016 3:15 p.m. TBLB1
TIFF ’16 officially is in high flight and we aren’t stopping! Around tonight will be the likes of Natalie Portman and Lily-Rose Depp (daughter of Johnny) walking the Red Carpet for PLANETARIUM at Roy Thomson Hall. Down the road also will be real-life couple Naomi Watts and Liam Schreiber walking the Carpet at Princess of Wales Theatre for their Film, THE BLEEDER, set in the Boxing world. French Cinema also was front and center tonight at the annual UniFrance TIFF Bash as heavyweights including the likes of icons Isabelle Huppert and Paul Verhoeven came out to to celebrate. Tonight also is the biggest bash in the City, the In Style Magazine Party put-on by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and it never is a disappointment!
See some of the names we saw out and about today, but stay tuned throughout the day for more sightings!
Liev Schreiber, THE BLEEDER
Liev. #RayDonovan #LievSchreiber #TheBleeder #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Naomi Watts, THE BLEEDER
Rooney Mara, UNA + LION
Goddess #RooneyMara at #TIFF16 with #Una + #Lion.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Dev Patel, LION
#DevPatel at #TIFF16 with #LionMovie.
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Elisabeth Moss, THE BLEEDER
#MadMen’s #ElisabethMoss at #TIFF16 for #TheBleeder.
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Oliver Stone, SNOWDEN
Oliver. #TIFF16 #OliverStone #Snowden #NikonD3300
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With #OliverStone. #Snowden #TIFF16
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Zachary Quinto, SNOWDEN
#ZacharyQuinto at #TIFF16 for #Snowden.
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Mahershala Ali, MOONLIGHT
#HouseofCards star #MahershalaAli at #TIFF16 with #MOONLIGHT.
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Bingbing Fan, I AM NOT MADAME BOVARY
Selfie with China’s highest paid actress, #FanBingBing, at #TIFF16 with #IAmMadameBovary.
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Joel Edgerton, LOVING
Ruth Negga, LOVING
Ricky Whittle out enjoying TIFF
Kathryn Hahn out enjoying TIFF
#BadMoms star #KathrynHahn at #TIFF16.
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Haley Bennett, The Magnificent Seven
Aaron Taylor Johnson, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
#AaronTaylorJohnson at #TIFF16 for #NocturnalAnimals.
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Michael Shannon, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
#MichaelShannon at #TIFF16 with #NocturnalAnimals. Love the Hawaiian theme.
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Uzo Aduba, AMERICAN PASTORAL
Colman Domingo, THE BIRTH OF A NATION
#ColmanDomingo at #TIFF16 with #TheBirthofaNation.
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Nate Parker, THE BIRTH OF A NATION
Tom Felton, A UNITED KINGDOM
#TomFelton at #TIFF16 for #AUnitedKingdom.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Nicole Kidman, LION
Pharrell, HIDDEN FIGURES
Octavia Spencer, HIDDEN FIGURES
Taraji P. Henson, HIDDEN FIGURES
It’s COOKIE TIME, B*TCHES! Worst selfie ever but happy as hell I met #TarajiPHenson. #Empire #TIFF16
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Sasha Lane, AMERICAN HONEY
Timothy Spall, DENIAL
With #JeffreyTambor at #TIFF16 with #Transparent.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Ewan McGregor, AMERICAN PASTORAL
Jeffrey Tambor, TRANSPARENT
With #JeffreyTambor at #TIFF16 with #Transparent.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Isabelle Huppert + Paul Verhoeven
Jean-Paul Salomé, Isabelle Huppert + Piers Handling
Jean-Paul Salomé, Isabelle Huppert + Piers Handling have a moment at Unifrance #TIFF16 Bash.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Olivier Assayas + Isabelle Huppert
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Karolina Gruszka, MARIE CURRIE, THE COURAGE OF KNOWLEDGE
#KarolinaGruszka, star of #MarieCurrie Biopic #CourageofKnowledge at Unifrance Bash. #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Kristian Bruun (3-WAY)
#OrphanBlack star #KristianBruun at the Unifrance #TIFF16 Bash.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Amanda Brugel
“Room” star #AmandaBrugel at the Unifrance Bash. #TIFF16
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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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