Peter Sarsgaard
#TIFF23: “MEMORY” REVIEW
By Mr. Will Wong
Writer/Director Michel Franco (Sundown) returns to TIFF with his latest effort, MEMORY, a beautiful story about two broken souls who come together under unlikely circumstances.
Silvia (Jessica Chastain) is working on staying sober, raising her teenage daughter and her dayjob at an adult daycare. After joining her sister (Merritt Wever) at a high school reunion, she sees Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) who inexplicably decides to follow her home. But there’s definitely more than meets the eye and feeling bad for him after he is found sleeping on the street outside her home, she is drawn to taking care of him. At once, she must navigate the resurfacing of her mother (Jessica Harper) from whom she is estranged. Silvia and Saul both realize that they actually have a lot more in common than realized, but at once this also could jeopardize their looming bond with one another.
We’ve been craving stories about human connection, especially after the past few years and the ever-changing way in which humans interact from a distance. Franco gets to the core of his two leads and the more we learn about them, the more heartbroken we are for them. The Film is filled with heartfelt compassion, exploring the deep and crippling impact that unresolved trauma can have. MEMORY doesn’t quite go the way we think it is at the start, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Sarsgaard is devastatingly good, capturing Saul’s essence as he navigates his early-onset Dementia, vulnerable and confused, yet at times sharp as a knife. He gives us his all and having lived with a parent who had Dementia I can say the condition is captured truthfully. Chastain always delivers and she shines, especially late when she is forced to confront her mother.
MEMORY screens at TIFF ’23:
Tuesday, September 12
Royal Alexandra Theatre
Premium
5:30 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
6:15 PM
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#TIFF23: DAY SIX SIGHTINGS – JESSICA CHASTAIN, PETER SARSGAARD, MICHEL FRANCO, OREN KINLAN, JOHN CARNEY AND CHRISTOS NIKOU
As TIFF ’23 begins to wind down, we enjoyed a much more leisurely pace today. Any time Jessica Chastain comes to town, we show up just like she always shows up for her fans. Despite only having four minutes to greet her fans, who lined the street outside Royal Alexandra Theatre for Michel Franco‘s MEMORY, she made the most of it, walking the line interacting with everyone. She is just absolutely lovely and still despite her stature and success, THE NICEST CELEBRITY ON THE PLANET. Her care and compassion for her supporters is unparalleled and we hope she never changes. Exemplary.
Was great seeing her Co-Star Peter Sarsgaard, fresh off his win in Venice for his performance in the Film for Best Actor, which sees two high school friends reunited, with things take a concerning turn when Sarsgaard‘s character follows Chastain‘s character home.
The Cast and Director head over to Margo on King West for post-premiere celebrations. The newly-launched hotspot situated inside members-only club, Clio.
Another high-profile film to premiere tonight was John Carney’s FLORA AND SON which won raves earlier this year in Sundance. The Film centers on a single mother looking to bond with her son over music lessons. In town for the debut at Roy Thomson Hall were Carney his one of the Film’s breakout stars, Oren Kinlan.
Filmed right here in Toronto, Director/Writer Christos Nikou’s FINGERNAILS got a full circle moment at Princess of Wales Theatre where the Sci-Fi Romance premiered. He dedicated the Premiere in memory of his friend, late TIFF Programmer Ravi Srninivasan, who generously gave him his Raptors season tickets while filming in the City. Both this and Flora and Son arrive later this year on Apple TV+, both getting celebrated with a pre-party at Ace Hotel.
We’re pretty much wrapping-up our star sighting content and look forward to quite a few screenings these next few days! Keep checking back for our Team’s reviews!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “DOPESICK”
Coming this November to Disney+ on Disney+ Day, here is the new Trailer for DOPESICK, starring Michael Keaton!
The eight-episode series stars Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, Will Poulter, John Hoogenakker, with Kaitlyn Dever and Rosario Dawson.
DOPESICK arrives on Disney+ November 12, 2021.
(Photo/video credit: Disney+)
#TIFF18: HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
By Mr. Will Wong
And in a blink of an eye, another TIFF has passed and this one had us working right to the finish line! It’s only after the fact that we have a moment to take it all in how much we went through. We estimate double our average in Celebrity Snaps this year. That’s how star-studded TIFF ’18 was. It was that kind of a year!
We had the pleasure of previewing several of this year’s Awards Season contenders and we are waiting with baited breath to see A STAR IS BORN and GREEN BOOK, both outstanding, duke it out for Oscars glory in coming months. We loved both, are thrilled the latter was honoured with the People’s Choice Award at the Festival, but something about the former makes our heart sing. We cannot stop thinking about it or its Soundtrack. It takes a magical Film to do that.
Let’s relive some of my favourite star-studded moments of the Festival, as lensed through the Nikon D3400. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without this amazing camera which worked amazingly-well with our Blackberry Key 2 in terms of file transmission to ensure we were able to get our photos uploaded and edited within moments for you all to enjoy! The clarity of these snaps speak for themselves.
A STAR IS BORN Press Conference
Lady Gaga
We will never stop taking our signature Celebrity Selfies and TIFF ’18 was unforgettable even if we saw many returning faces. We wouldn’t have been camera-ready without the right gear and depending on each scenario, sometimes the Blackberry Key 2 worked best for those Selfies, sometimes the Nikon D3400 worked better. What matters is that more often than not, we got the snap! And many we did.
Here’s some of our faves!
Alexander Skarsgård
Amandla Stenberg
Amber Heard
Anthony Ramos
Boyd Holbrook
Cara Delevingne
Chris Pine
Claire Foy
Daniel Kaluuya
Elizabeth Debicki
Gwendoline Christie
Hari Nef
Jacob Tremblay
Jamie Dornan
Jamie Lee Curtis
John David Washington
Julianne Moore
Kelly Marie Tran
Lady Gaga
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Margaret Qualley
Olivia Munn
Parker Sevak
Peter Sarsgaard
Quincy Jones
Riz Ahmed
Ryan Gosling
Steve Carell
Steven Yeun
Timothée Chalamet
Trevante Rhodes
Troye Sivan
Zhang Yimou
In case you missed our Television appearances during TIFF ’18 this is our first year hitting-up the three big media giants: Global, CITY and CP24 (Bell Media). Thrilled! Our brand continues to thrive as a Festival go-to and we are so happy for the recognition.
CP24 with George Lagogianes
Breakfast Television with Winston Sih
Until next year. We’re already ready!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF18: DAY EIGHT – GWENDOLINE CHRISTIE, JOEY KING, SOPHIE COOKSON, MIREILLE ENOS, ALAN RUCK, PETER SARSGAARD, PARKER SEVAK + MORE
By Mr. Will Wong
We’re approaching the tail-end of TIFF ’18 and have loved finally getting a chance to see some Movies. We can say with confidence that A STAR IS BORN will be a huge force and will gain plenty of momentum out of the Festival as it embarks on Awards Season. We even conducted a poll on which Film our Readers think will win the coveted People’s Choice Award!
What will be your #TIFF18 People’s Choice winner?
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) September 13, 2018
Films like THE LIE, RED JOAN and THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER premiered around town tonight, plus the 25th anniversary celebration of THE JOY LUCK CLUB, hot on the success of Crazy Rich Asians!
See who we saw today!
THE LIE – Joey King, Peter Sarsgaard, Mireille Enos, Vena Sud and Alan Ruck
THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER – Parker Sevak
RED JOAN – Sophie Cookson
View this post on Instagram
The #Kingsmen star #SophieCookson at #TIFF18 for #RedJoan. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
THE JOY LUCK CLUB 25th ANNIVERSARY – Tamlyn Tomita, Kieu Chinh
IN FABRIC – Gwendoline Christie x Marianne Jean-Baptiste
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#FIRSTLOOK: TRAILER FOR “THE LOOMING TOWER”
Yet another reason to sign-up for Amazon Prime! As of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel wasn’t reason enough! Check-out the Trailer for gripping THE LOOMING TOWER, set to premiere on the streaming service next month.
Synopsis:
Tracing the rising threat of Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda, The Looming Tower takes a controversial look at how the rivalry between the CIA and FBI may have inadvertently set the stage for the tragedy of 9/11 and the war in Iraq. Premiering on Prime Video in Canada on March 1, 2018.
The Looming Tower stars Jeff Daniels (John O’Neill), Tahar Rahim (Ali Soufan), Wrenn Schmidt (Diane Marsh), Bill Camp (Robert Chesney), Louis Cancelmi (Vince Stuart), Virginia Kull (Kathy Shaughnessy), Ella Rae Peck (Heather), Sullivan Jones (Floyd Bennet) with Michael Stuhlbarg (Richard Clarke) and Peter Sarsgaard (Martin Schmidt). The Series is executive produced by Daniel Futterman (showrunner), Alex Gibney, Lawrence Wright, Craig Zisk, and Adam Rapp (brother of Anthony).
Season Two of SNEAKY PETE (Marin Ireland, Giovanni Ribisi) premieres on the Service March 9, 2018.
Amazon Prime Video’s first ever-unscripted India Prime Original Series, THE REMIX is a music competition show where DJs and singers pair up to remix songs, giving their own flavor to popular Bollywood hits. The first two episodes stream March 9, 2018.
All six episodes of THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR BOYS, based on the Book of the same name and produced by Bryan Cranston, stream on March 30, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Amazon Prime)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “JACKIE”
Awards buzz for JACKIE is deafening after a rousing premiere here at TIFF ’16. Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto + Vancouver a chance to see it first.
The Toronto screening takes place Wednesday, December 7, 2016 and the Vancouver screening takes place Monday, December 12, 2016.
Synopsis:
JACKIE is a searing and intimate portrait of one of the most important and tragic moments in American history, seen through the eyes of the iconic First Lady, then Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy (Natalie Portman). JACKIE places us in her world during the days immediately following her husband’s assassination. Known for her extraordinary dignity and poise, here we see a psychological portrait of the First Lady as she struggles to maintain her husband’s legacy and the world of “Camelot” that they created and loved so well.
Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, simply click “Like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City.
Fox Searchlight release JACKIE Friday, December 9, 2016 in Toronto and Friday, December 16, 2016 in Vancouver.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN PASSES IN TORONTO AND VANCOUVER TO SEE WOODY ALLEN’S “
Mr. Will Wong and Mongrel Media are thrilled to give Readers a chance to see Woody Allen‘s new Drama, Blue Jasmine in Toronto and Vancouver! Screenings take place Thursday, August 1, 2013 in Toronto at Varsity Cinemas and Vancouver’s Fifth Avenue Cinemas.
Starring the incomparable Cate Blanchett, this latest Film from Writer/Director Allen, centers around a Woman named Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) who is led back to San Francisco after a Crisis takes place, reconnecting her with her Sister. The brilliant Supporting Cast includes: Alden Ehrenreich, Peter Sarsgaard, Alec Baldwin, Louis C.K., Bobby Cannavale, Tammy Blanchard, Charlie Tahan and Sally Hawkins!
Watch the Trailer in full below:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook and state your City. Double your chances by sharing this Post on Facebook or Re-Tweeting the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/bluejasmine @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes across Canada to see #WoodyAllen’s #BLUEJASMINE starring #CateBlanchett. Out 8/2!
Mongrel Media releases Blue Jasmine on August 2, 2013.
(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)
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