Quentin Tarantino returned to Cannes, site of where he won the 1994 Palme d’Or with Pulp Fiction. He appeared as a guest of the Directors’ Fortnight competition, presenting a secret screening of the John Flynn classic ROLLING THUNDER. On why he chose this Film specifically, he tells the audience that he saw it opening night back in 1977 with his mom, the Film screening as part of a double-billing to ENTER THE DRAGON. He wound-up loving ROLLING THUNDER so much that he almost forgot about ENTER THE DRAGON!

Tarantino comments on political messages in his films. He spoke about how he can watch a buddy cop movie and not think about the political messages behind it, because he doesn’t know if there is one. But when I comes to the films he writes and directs, he says “If there are political messages in the film they are there because I put them there.”.

While Tarantino is known for graphic violence in his films, he does draw the line, stating, “I don’t agree with killing animals”. He adds, “I know I have seen some gruesome Horror films that didn’t have to be that way but almost always it’s not just the violence that I have a problem, with it’s usually badly done. There is an incompetent factor in there.”.

To this day, he cites Brian De Palma as his biggest influence. “I’m not gonna sign up for the most popular dude. That’s not my thing. Part of loving De Palma was getting into fights about him”. “The satire and comedy inside his thrillers even some of his action films are hysterical.”.

He also comments on re-writing history with revenge in his films. “In the case of Inglorious Basterds I didn’t think that I was going to kill Hitler at the end. That wasn’t the plan.”. “Then they’re in the theatre and I’m like ‘Hey, this is kinda working out. They actually might be successful at this. But I wrote myself in a corner…then all of a sudden a thought came to me ‘Just fucking kill him!’ and I’m like ‘Can I do that?’, then I’m like ‘Yea, it’s my story, I can do whatever the fuck I want!'”. “With Once Upon A Time in Hollywood… the reason I wrote the whole story was the save Sharon and kill those motherfuckers and have them go to the wrong house and REALLY THE WRONG HOUSE!“.

Lastly, on his tenth and final upcoming film, he is cryptic about it. “You’ll just have to wait and see…to be continued.”.

Great news, Quentin Tarantino fans! The Visionary Filmmaker has just inked a two book deal with HarperCollins, the first book to come out in 2021.

Tarantino debuts Summer 2021 with ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, a Novel which expands upon the characters Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth from his Oscar-winning Film of the same name. The Novel goes back and forward in time. A Hardcover version will be available Fall 2021.

The second book is non-fiction, titled CINEMA SPECULATION. This is said to be a deep dive into the movies of the 1970’s with a mix of essays, reviews, personal writing, and tantalizing “what if’s”.

Artwork:

We can’t wait!

(Photo credit: HarperCollins/Sony Pictures)

Sony Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see Quentin Tarantino’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD.

Screenings are as follows:

TORONTO – Wednesday, July 24, 7:30PM – Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas
VANCOUVER – Wednesday, July 24, 7:00PM – Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver
CALGARY – Wednesday, July 24, 7:00PM – Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
EDMONTON – Wednesday, July 24, 7:00PM – Cineplex Odeon South Edmonton Cinemas

Synopsis:
Quentin Tarantino’s ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The ninth film from the writer-director features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Click “share” from here for an extra chance or Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Sony Pictures Canada release ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD Friday, July 27, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

At long last, the official Trailer for Quentin Tarantino’s ONCE UPON A TIME HOLLYWOOD!

Synopsis:
Quentin Tarantino’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The ninth film from the writer-director features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age.

Trailer:

We are incredibly-honoured to host an Advance Screening for the one Film which has had Film Lovers in great anticipation for a v. long time now. eOne Films + Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers in Toronto and Vancouver a chance to see Quentin Tarantino‘s THE HATEFUL EIGHT in 70mm.  Screenings take place Monday, December 21, 2015.

Synopsis:

In THE HATEFUL EIGHT, set six or eight or twelve years after the Civil War, a stagecoach hurtles through the wintry Wyoming landscape. The passengers, bounty hunter John Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh), race towards the town of Red Rock where Ruth, known in these parts as “The Hangman,” will bring Domergue to justice. Along the road, they encounter two strangers: Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), a black former union soldier turned infamous bounty hunter, and Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins), a southern renegade who claims to be the town’s new Sheriff. Losing their lead on the blizzard, Ruth, Domergue, Warren and Mannix seek refuge at Minnie’s Haberdashery, a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass. When they arrive at Minnie’s, they are greeted not by the proprietor but by four unfamiliar faces. Bob (Demian Bichir), who’s taking care of Minnie’s while she’s visiting her mother, is holed up with Oswaldo Mobray (Tim Roth), the hangman of Red Rock, cow-puncher Joe Gage (Michael Madsen), and Confederate General Sanford Smithers (Bruce Dern). As the storm overtakes the mountainside stopover, our eight travelers come to learn they may not make it to Red Rock after all…

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook.  Click “share” from there for an extra chance or Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/thehatefuleight @MRWILLW wants us to win Passes to an Advance Screening of #TheHatefulEight. Out Christmas.

G’luck.

eOne Films release THE HATEFUL EIGHT Christmas Day.

Quentin + Mr. Will:

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 8, 2015 at 8:25am PST

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

In case you missed it, a new Teaser Trailer for Quentin Tarantino‘s new opus THE HATEFUL EIGHT, has just rolled-out.  We get an even better look at what we should be seeing this Christmas Day. All 2:20 minutes of it.

Synopsis:
In THE HATEFUL EIGHT, set six or eight or twelve years after the Civil War, a stagecoach hurtles through the wintry Wyoming landscape. The passengers, bounty hunter John Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh), race towards the town of Red Rock where Ruth, known in these parts as “The Hangman,” will bring Domergue to justice. Along the road, they encounter two strangers: Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), a black former union soldier turned infamous bounty hunter, and Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins), a southern renegade who claims to be the town’s new Sheriff. Losing their lead on the blizzard, Ruth, Domergue, Warren and Mannix seek refuge at Minnie‘s Haberdashery, a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass. When they arrive at Minnie’s, they are greeted not by the proprietor but by four unfamiliar faces. Bob (Demian Bichir), who’s taking care of Minnie’s while she’s visiting her mother, is holed up with Oswaldo Mobray (Tim Roth), the hangman of Red Rock, cow-puncher Joe Gage (Michael Madsen), and Confederate General Sanford Smithers (Bruce Dern). As the storm overtakes the mountainside stopover, our eight travelers come to learn they may not make it to Red Rock after all…

See the Teaser:

eOne Films release THE HATEFUL EIGHT Christmas Day in select theatres and everywhere Friday, January 8, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

The buzz is deafening for Quentin Tarantino‘s THE HATEFUL EIGHT but at long last we get a concrete first look at one of this winter’s most anticipated Films.

Synopsis:

Eight hard-bitten gunslingers find themselves trapped together in a way station deep in the snow-capped mountains of Wyoming.

Samuel L. Jackson, Zoë Bell, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bruce Dern, Demian Bichir and Michael Madsen star.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release THE HATEFUL EIGHT on Christmas Day in select theatres.

(Photo/video credit: The Weinstein Co.)

Hollywood united once again for the biggest night in Film, the 85th annual Academy Awards, held at newly-coined Dolby Theatre (formerly Kodak Theatre) in Los Angeles.  Hosted (and Nominee) by Funnyman Seth McFarlane, there were several moments of biting humour where he  drew “ooh”s, followed by “hahahaha”s, including everything from  jokes about Chris Brown and Rihanna to nine-year-old Nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, whom he said “in 15 years will be of age to date George Clooney“.  The highlight of his Opening Speech  included dancing by Charlize Theron and Channing Tatum and a cynical William Shatner, where we saw a hilarious Sock Puppet Re-enactment of Best Picture Nominee Flight. In addition, the sometimes Crooner showed-off  his singing chops including an inappropriate Duet with Kristin Chenoweth as the credits rolled, poking fun at the Losers.

Winning top honours tonight was Ben Affleck-directed Argo, which solidified its place in the race for Best Picture with a gain in momentum of late, with wins at major Oscars pre-cursor ceremonies including  the Critics’ Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Directors Guide Awards. The Film also won Editing and Adapted Screenplay earlier in the evening and despite noticeably being left-out  in the Directing race this year, a fast-talking Affleck sorta addressed his snubbing by saying, “You can’t hold grudges and it doesn’t matter how you get knocked down in life as all that matters is that you  get up.”. The Drama had the distinction of debuting here at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September, when we were lucky enough to see Affleck and the Cast here in the City.

It should come as no surprise to many that Daniel Day-Lewis went on to win his third  Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in Best Picture Contender, Lincoln.  The private British-Irish Actor in 1989 won for My Left Foot and also in 2007 for There Will Be Blood.  In his Acceptance Speech, he showed his funny side, joking “Steven (Spielberg) originally wanted to cast Meryl (Streep) in the role of Lincoln“, accepting his Award from a fellow three-time Winner in Streep, acknowledging what a versatile Actress she is.

Winning Best Actress was 22-year-old Jennifer Lawrence, who looked stunning in her Dress designed by Dior Haute Couture, winning for her work in Rom-Com, Silver Linings Playbook.  Tripping up the stairs while accepting her Award, she humbly said “You’re all standing just because you felt bad I fell down”.  Lawrence became the second youngest Actress ever to win the Award, behind only a then 21-year-old Marlee Matlin in Children of a Lesser God.  The Category was seen as a hotly-contested battle between her and Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty.

Christoph Waltz repeated his 2010 feat, winning Best Supporting Actor once again for his second collaboration with Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained.  The Austrian Actor  has solidified his standing  in North America as a Star with a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live just last week, completing his Awards Season sweep which also included wins at the Golden Globe Awards and also the BAFTAs.

Anne Hathaway, being the odds-on favourite to win Best Supporting Actress also was absolutely no surprise winning  her respective Category on the strength of her heartbreaking performance as Fantine in Tom Hooper‘s Les Misérables. Dressed in Prada – a decision she only made three hours prior to walking the Red Carpet which was met with mixed reviews – the New York Native has won an astonishing  43 wins  this Awards Season, with handful more to go still.

Taiwan-born Director Ang Lee became a two-time winner in the  Directing Category with his Life of Pi, after winning in 2005 with Brokeback Mountain.  Quentin Tarantino also won his second Oscar – his first being in1995 with Pulp Fiction – for his Screenplay, Django Unchained, although he  noticeably was omitted from consideration in the Directing Category.

After much buzz surrounding her appearance tonight which prevented her from appearing at the BRIT Awards the other night, International Singing Sensation Adele performed a stirring rendition of  Skyfall, co-written by her and Paul Epworth, which went on to win her an Oscar tonight for Best Original Song.   Adele among others, beat-out Host MacFarlane‘s co-written Everybody Needs a Best Friend, sung by Norah Jones, from Ted.

 See some of the stunning Fashion from the Oscars tonight, including my fave look – Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen!

For a full list of Winners, click here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Simply not getting enough of the amazing DJANGO UNCHAINED festivities tonight in Toronto last night, I went back for a double-helping in New York City, scoping-out the World Premiere of this latest Masterpiece from Quentin Tarantino. The Stars came-out in full force in support of the Film at Zeigfeld Theatre, including the likes of Olivia Wilde, John Legend, Zac Efron, 50 Cent, Zach Braff, Darren Aronofsky, Natasha Lyonne, Patrick Wilson, Liv Tyler, Jeremy Piven and oh so many more. Cast Members Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Christoph Waltz, Don Johnson and Leonardo Dicaprio joined iconic Filmmaker Tarantino, whom I was lucky enough to meet in Toronto. Stargazers didn’t even know which direction to run first as the Celebrities poured onto the Red Carpet and out of the venue after the three-hour-long Action-Drama-Western-Thriller ended after 11:00 PM.

I was even lucky enough to get to meet Oscar Winners Foxx and Waltz. Also, I was super-stoked to get Snaps with the handsome Stars Wilson and Piven. Leone has never looked better and what a pleasure it was to meet the Man (Aronofsky) who helmed one of my all-time Faves, Black Swan.

Watch some brief Clips I got of Foxx and Dicaprio arriving at the Venue:

I never leave my Readers empty-handed and got you back a little Souvenir from my Trip – a signed Photo from Quentin Tarantino himself! To enter to win it, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before January 12, 2013. All are welcome to enter!

Alliance Films releases DJANGO UNCHAINED in theatres Christmas Day.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

A Legend is before us. One night before the big Premiere of his DJANGO UNCHAINED in New York City, iconic Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino brought a Crowd out to Scotiabank Theatre tonight here in Toronto.  Journalists and Fans alike lined the Red Carpet tonight to catch a glimpse of Tarantino who hasn’t been in the City since premiering his Oscar-worthy Inglorious Basterds here back in 2009 at the same venue.

This new Action-Thriller-Drama centers around an enslaved Bounty Hunter’s revenge against the gross injustices witnessed against others – including his Wife – at the hands of a sadistic Plantation Owner. It stars a brilliant Cast including Jamie Foxx, Leonardo Dicaprio, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. Tarantino tells The Toronto Star‘s Peter Howell, “I feel shame for my Country that it happened”, on the topic of Slavery.

Measuring Fan reactions, the Filmmaker sat-in on the Screening tonight for well-over two hours before being escorted into his Escalade by two Security Guards.

Thanks to my dear Friend Keith McCalmont who was super-kind to send a Photo of Tarantino on the Carpet with another good Friend, Melissa DiMarco below.  And of course, I had to have my moment with Tarantino also, although when he reached over to grab my Camera to take a Selfie of us, the lens seemed to have been knocked out of its socket!  Oh well, if it was going to be one person whom it would be fitting to break my Camera, it definitely would be him!  Special thanks to John Vassal who was awesome to capture the moment on his Camera still!

 I’ll be out in NYC tomorrow capturing some of the Highlights at the Premiere. Wish me luck!

Alliance Films releases Django Unchained  in theatres Christmas Day.

(Photo credit: Keith McCalmont/John Vassal/Mr. Will Wong)