The great Nick Fury returns for one last time in Marvel Studios’ SECRET INVASION. He’s back and he’s a wanted man. Samuel L. Jackson reprises the role of Nick Fury – now a remarkable fourteenth appearance -in this upcoming Disney+ Series, coming June 21, 2023.

So thrilled to join a press junket with the Cast and Creators of Marvel Studios’ SECRET INVASION. Joining us today were:

Samuel L. Jackson tells us where we find him at in SECRET INVASION as we enter the fifth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Jackson: “This is my second appearance post-‘Snap’ and he’s kinda been gone for a while. He’s a little tired, a little vulnerable coming back to earth because he’s been summoned. And we’ll see what happens. He’s got a bad knee now.”.

Ben Mendelsohn retuns as Talos. We get to see his family and where he is in the present day. The Actor has the distinction of having appeared in the Spider-Man franchise, in addition to Captain Marvel.

Mendelsohn: “We find Talos in a difficult time. It’s a bad time. And Nick‘s been away a bit.”.

Jackson: “Yeah but if I hadn’t been away you wouldn’t have had that other job.”.

Mendelsohn: “Yeah, that’s actually true. I got to do a lot of things while he’s been away.”.

Cobie Smulders returns as Maria Hill, a long-recurring role in the MCU and she tells us where her character is at in SECRET INVASION.

Smulders: “Working with Sam is my favourite thing. He laughs, but it’s true. So it was really exciting to come back. But speaking of strain, I think the relationship is quite strained. She’s been calling and he hasn’t been answering.”.

Don Cheadle returns as Rhodey and comments on the first post-Stark-era in the MCU. This leads to his next project in the MCU, Armor Wars.

Cheadle: “I think we’re just finding out what’s happening with Rhodey as the Series goes on. He’s in a different role and we see him more as a political animal than we have in the past. We’ve seen him as a military man but now he’s in ways a right-hand of the President. A special envoy in that regard, but I’m looking forward to getting under the hood of who he is, seeing how this relationship with Nick Fury and the other Cast members evolves.”.

Kevin Feige tells us how exactly SECRET INVASION fits into Phase Five of the MCU.

Feige: “It’s present day MCU is what we’re calling it. It exists along the timeline the shows come out in. So post She-Hulk, post Blip and this exact present day in the MCU.”.

“There’s story points see over the course of the Series. Jonathan came into my office years ago when we were thinking about the kind of shows we wanted to do on Disney+. We thought about translating the story lines of SECRET INVASION in the comics into a darker, grittier Spy Show, which we hadn’t done. We love to do different genres for everything. This was an attempt to dive back into things we touched upon in The Winter Soldier, Captain America 2 but hadn’t in a while. And really delving into the tone of a Spy Show and seeing a different dynatmic between Fury and Talos in our ’90s Action Movie, Captain Marvel.

Jackson talks about finally unlifting a bit of mystery in Nick Fury.

Jackson: “The more you find out about him, the more you like him. It’s just like peeling the onion, and having a good time. You meet people I know and I’ve never had an in-depth scene with Don so that was like Manna. I’ve been waiting to do this for years. It was wonderful to do and have that abrasive thing and it’s great to have that relationship where I assumed it was that. And we go to his house. What kind of furniture does Nick Fury have? Does he have an island in his kitchen? Can he cook? Cooking with Fury!”.

Emilia Clarke tells us about what attracted her to joining the MCU here as G’iah.

Clarke: “All the people sitting right here. Who on earth would not want to be sitting right here with all these incredible people? Even just a single one of these people on their own is enough. Altogether, it’s completely undeniable.”.

Academy Award winner Olivia Colman also joins the MCU and is a scene-stealer. She talks about her character Sonya Falsworth’s and her relationship with Nick Fury.

Colman: “She works for MI6, she likes wearing red and she’s quite funny and potentially a little bit not that nice sometimes.”.

“I can’t really think of Nick and Sonya. I’m just so excited to meet Samuel L. Jackson! They have a lovely friendship although she does like do bully you with her heavies. It doesn’t strike me as much of a friendship, but they’ve got history. They trust each other I think, but maybe they don’t. I’ve already blown it. I won’t be invited back to another Press Conference. I can’t tell you anything about it, you’ll just have to wait and see!”.

Marvel Studios’ SECRET INVASION arrives June 21, 2023 on Disney+ Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Studios/Disney)

Searchlight Pictures x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see TIFF ’22 selection, EMPIRE OF LIGHT from visionary Director Sam Mendes.

Screenings take place as follows Wednesday, December 7, 2022:

• Toronto: Cineplex Varsity at 7:30 pm
• Montreal: Cineplex Forum at 7:30 pm 
• Vancouver: Fifth Avenue at 7:00 pm 

Synopsis:

From Academy Award®-winning director and writer Sam Mendes, EMPIRE OF LIGHT is a moving drama about the power of human connection during turbulent times. Set in and around a faded old cinema in an English coastal town in the early 1980s, it follows Hilary (Olivia Colman) a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward), a new employee who longs to escape this provincial town in which he faces daily adversity. Both Hilary and Stephen find a sense of belonging through their unlikely and tender relationship and come to experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate in the comments there your City. Re-Tweet the Contest Tweet below for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Searchlight Pictures release EMPIRE OF LIGHT in theatres December 9, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Searchlight Pictures)

We have an official Trailer fo TIFF ’22 selection EMPIRE OF LIGHT starring Olivia Colman, from Director Sam Mendes.

Synopsis:

Set in an English seaside town in the early 1980s, EMPIRE OF LIGHT is a powerful and poignant story about human connection and the magic of cinema, from Academy Award®-winning director Sam Mendes.

Cast: Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Tom Brooke, Tanya Moodie, Hannah Onslow, Crystal Clarke, Toby Jones, Colin Firth

Searchlight Pictures release EMPIRE OF LIGHT December 9, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Searchlight Pictures)

By Amanda Gilmore

Set in the 1980s in a seaside town in England, Empire of Light follows Hilary (Olivia Colman) and Steven (Michael Ward) who work at The Empire picture house. Hilary has worked at the movie theatre for a long time, however, Steven is a new employee. The two share a connection and begin a relationship that changes them both.

Writer-Director Sam Mendes gives us a love letter to Cinema through the love story blossoming between his two characters. The Empire picture house is one we don’t often see anymore. For instance, it has the bright lights of a marquee on the outside. Inside, it looks more like a theatre rather than a cinema. This picture house, and the love story, is beautifully captured by the immense talent of revered Cinematographer Roger Deakins.

The Empire is the backdrop of the connection Hilary and Steven have. It’s one based on respect, care and empathy. The two are experiencing life differently. Hilary lives a repetitive, mundane life. Oh, and she’s never seen a movie before. While Steven has his whole life ahead of him and desires to go to college. As their relationship goes on, we notice that they are struggling with more than we thought.

Hilary has been dealing with mental health issues. She recently sought help and returned to work. However, she came off her medication and begins to relapse. Colman, once again, gives a breathtaking performance. Steven is dealing with racism and nationalism happening. He gets assaulted both verbally and physically. Ward is a revelation as the empathetic, patient Steven. Colman and Ward have undeniable chemistry. Although the audience is aware that this relationship won’t last due to their life experiences, we still root for them because the connection they share changes them both for the better.

Empire of Light screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre at 3:00 pm

Tue, Sep 13 IN-PERSON at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre at 3:00 pm

Sat, Sep 17 IN-PERSON at Royal Alexandra Theatre at 5:00 pm

Academy Award winner Olivia Colman stars in THE LOST DAUGHTER, in theatres and on Netflix later this year! See the new Trailer for the Film which just premiered at the New York and London Film Festival.

Some new Stills:

THE LOST DAUGHTER is in select Theaters December 17, 2021 and on Netflix December 31, 2021.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Premiering at TIFF ’21, here is your first glance at Eva Husson’s MOTHERING SUNDAY starring Odessa Young, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth and Olivia Colman.

Synopsis:

On a warm spring day in 1924, house maid and foundling Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young) finds herself alone on Mother’s Day. Her employers, Mr and Mrs Niven (Colin Firth and Olivia Colman), are out and she has the rare chance to spend an afternoon of abandon with her secret lover, Paul (Josh O’Connor), the boy from the manor house nearby who is Jane’s long-term love despite the fact that he’s engaged to be married to another woman, a childhood friend and daughter of his parents’ friends. But events that neither can foresee will change the course of Jane’s life forever.

(Photo/video credit: Lionsgate Films)

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a Digital Download of Academy Award-nominated THE FATHER starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman.

Synopsis:

A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. As he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality.

Trailer:

To enter for a chance to win, click “Like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

Elevation Pictures release THE FATHER digitally and on-demand Friday, March 26, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Some gorgeous new stills have surfaced from Netflix’s THE CROWN Season 4. You won’t believe your eyes! The costumes and make-up are astounding!

Synopsis:

As the 1970s are drawing to a close, Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) and her family find themselves preoccupied with safeguarding the line of succession by securing an appropriate bride for Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor), who is still unmarried at 30. As the nation begins to feel the impact of divisive policies introduced by Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson), tensions arise between her and the Queen which only grow worse as Thatcher leads the country into the Falklands War, generating conflict within the Commonwealth. While Charles’ romance with a young Lady Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin) provides a much-needed fairytale to unite the British people, behind closed doors, the Royal family is becoming increasingly divided.

See some stills:

THE CROWN Season 4 arrives on Netflix November 15, 2020.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Review by Mr. Will Wong

While many Films before have tackled the issue of Dementia and father-daughter relations, we have yet to see it treated as delicately and with as much sympathy as this. Florian Zeller co-written and directed THE FATHER left us mesmerized and devastated at once.

Anne (Olivia Colman) is ready to move on with her life and desires to move to Paris. Her father Anthony (Anthony Hopkins) has been able to take care of himself for quite some time but now is battling Dementia. Anne takes him in to live with her and her husband Paul (Rufus Sewell). This causes strain on their marriage and it becomes increasingly-difficult for her to achieve balance in her life as she navigates Anthony‘s unpredictable mental and emotional spirals where he finds himself sometimes being vulnerable, sometimes confused or often downright cruel.

Based on Zeller‘s Play, Le Père, this Film Adaptation co-written by Christopher Hampton has an innovative way of making us see the world through Anthony‘s eyes. The narrative weaves in and out of truths and distortions, blurring our sense of time as Anthony confuses faces and facts, but in the end giving us a complete picture and history through unravelling the present.

This Film showcases some phenomenal performances including those by its Oscar-winning leads, Colman and Hopkins. Indisputably, the Film belongs to Hopkins who is compelling, commanding our attention whether he is full of fervour fighting to keep his home, dancing with joy or tenderly reminiscing about his other daughter Lucy. He is overbearing, yet we cannot resist. Colman exercises great restraint where Anne is constantly being done-to, her father’s Dementia stripping layer upon layer off her until she is raw and tormented, no longer sure what to do. We feel deeply for her and when we aren’t as one with Anthony, we are bearing all the weight she carries.

THE FATHER bravely confronts head-on an uncomfortable discussion surrounding care for the elderly which many of us have or will face at some point in our lives. It does so remarkably with an acute awareness of the taxing toll that comes with it on both sides of the matter.

THE FATHER screens at TIFF ’20 as follows:

Mon, Sep 14
RBC Lakeside Drive-In at Ontario Place
9:00pm

Tue, Sep 15
Online at Bell Digital Cinema
Streaming in Canada

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This heartbreaking and poignant film follows Anne (Olivia Colman) who attempts to take care of her father Anthony (Anthony Hopkins) who has Dementia.

We’ve seen films about caring for ill parents before, but none anywhere close as good as Florian Zeller’s The Father. His Camerawork and Script don’t just document the memory loss Anthony is experiencing, instead, it propels you into his world. When he doesn’t know where he is and who he is with, the audiences don’t either. This Film has two jaw-dropping performances from Colman and Hopkins. Colman is, as usual, a real force who brings her vulnerability to Anne’s despair. And Hopkins gives a tour-de-force performance that will go down as one of his greatest.

The Father screens at Sundance on Mon, Jan. 27th at 3:30 PM at Eccles Theatre, Wed, Jan. 29th at 2:45 PM at The Ray, Thurs, Jan. 30th at 6:30 PM at Rose Wagner Center, and Sat, Feb. 1st at 8:45 PM at Egyptian Theatre.