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)

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)

You’ve heard us sing the praises of LA LA LAND since TIFF ’16  and with just a week away till its release, we want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, courtesy of eOne Films. Critics are in-love with the Film which is sweeping Awards coast to coast. Believe me, the Soundtrack is a hot ticket, selling-out quickly in shops and online retailers!

Synopsis:

Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress who works in a coffee shop in a busy Hollywood studio lot in between auditions, keeps bumping into the disgruntled Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a dedicated yet stubborn jazz musician who dreams of opening his own jazz club one day.

The two finally get together and Mia even begins to love jazz, but she also begins to lose faith in herself when yet another audition goes wrong. Sebastian believes in her and convinces her to give it one last shot, but she feels he’s selling out when he joins a popular band as a keyboard player in an effort to make money for the two of them. Their struggles and differences drive a wedge between them.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win a copy of the LA LA LAND Soundtrack, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Readers in Canada only please.

eOne Films release LA LA LAND in select cities Christmas Day.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

While its official soundtrack isn’t out till next month we have very carefully been rationing clips from the La La Land Soundtrack since seeing it before TIFF ’16.

The full-length duet version of City of Stars by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone finally has surfaced.

Enjoy it below:

Interscope Records release LA LA LAND, the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on Tuesday, December 9, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Interscope Records)

Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

Two years after the wildly successful WHIPLASH screened at TIFF, Writer/Director Damien Chazelle returns with a reimagined twist on the Hollywood Musicals of yesteryear. Filmed in glorious Cinemascope, LA LA LAND takes the old plot chestnut (boy-meets-girl, they fall in love, complications arise), infuses it with a mostly jazz soundtrack and from the opening scene on a gridlocked Los Angeles freeway where, one by one, drivers leave their cars that aren’t going anywhere and break into an exuberant song and dance routine, we are swept away into a magical world.

The effervescent Emma Stone plays Mia, a struggling actress who dreams of success while working at a café located inside a movie studio. Sebastian (played irresistibly by Ryan Gosling) is a jazz freak who makes ends meet by tinkling the piano keys at restaurants or playing at parties as part of a cover boy band. We watch transfixed as their relationship together blossoms against a backdrop of Los Angeles never looking more beautiful in brilliant vignettes of song and dance. Their banter is witty, their chemistry is translucent.

Not since Bob Fosse reinvented the cinematic musical genre with CABARET have I seen a more ambitious and lavish example of Movie Magic. LA LA LAND feels old fashioned, but its sensibilities are audacious and the original score is the most inventive since FAME. The cinematography is breath-taking. Gosling and Stone are perfection personified. Laurels must be laid on the head and feet of Damien Chazelle. He has given us a movie of Olympian proportions.

I la la loved LA LA LAND!

LA LA LAND screens Monday, September 12, 2016 Princess of Wales Theatre at 6:15 PM, Tuesday, September 13, 2016 VISA Screening Room at 11:30 AM and Friday, September 16, 2016 TIFF Bell Lightbox 2 at 9:30 PM.

The weekend might be over but you wouldn’t know it if you were at TIFF!  Day Five perhaps is the grandest one yet with the Festival’s most anticipated title making its debut here after a huge splash in Venice, Damien Chazzelle‘s LA LA LAND starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.  The duo are set to walk the Red Carpet tonight at Roy Thomson Hall. Miles Teller (who coincidentally worked with Chazzelle on his first Film, WHIPLASH) also is set to make a case for Best Actor in BLEED FOR THIS, which debuts tonight at Princess of Wales Theatre.  Down the road, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner are set to walk the Carpet for Denis Villeneuve‘s Sci-Fi romp ARRIVAL at Roy Thomson Hall.

See the names we spotted today in the City!

Ryan Gosling, LA LA LAND

#RyanGosling at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand. Definite Oscar contender.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

#RyanGosling at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:59pm PDT

Emma Stone, LA LA LAND

 

#EmmaStone is mind-blowingly great in #LaLaLand! Oscars here she comes!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:30am PDT

With the mesmerizing #EmmaStone at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 1:14pm PDT

John Legend, LA LA LAND

 

#JohnLegend at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:21am PDT

#JohnLegend at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:59pm PDT

Rosemarie DeWitt, LA LA LAND

 

#RosemarieDewitt at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

#RosemarieDeWitt at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:58pm PDT

Director Damien Chazzelle, LA LA LAND

 

Brilliant director/writer #DamienChazelle at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:57pm PDT

J.K. Simmons, LA LA LAND

 

#JKSimmons at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:56pm PDT

Amy Adams, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS + ARRIVAL

 

#AmyAdams at #TIFF16 for #Arrival and #NocturnalAnimals. Just lovely.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS

 

Because I needed another. #AaronTaylorJohnson #TIFF16 #NocturnalAnimals

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 9:10am PDT

Oscar Isaac, THE PROMISE

 

#OscarIsaac at #TIFF16 for #ThePromise.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 8:53am PDT

Richard Gere, NORMAN: THE MODERATE RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF A NEW YORK FIXER

 

#RichardGere at #TIFF16 with #NormanMovie.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 11:47am PDT

Mark Wahlberg, DEEPWATER HORIZON

 

Marky Mark. He was spotted at #Wahlburgers today! #TIFF16 #DeepwaterHorizon

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:57am PDT

Marky Mark. #TIFF16 #MarkWahlberg #DeepwaterHorizon #Wahlburgers 🍔

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 11:25am PDT

So awesome meeting this Willionaire who stopped to ask me for a selfie and told me she does #TIFF16 because of me! So touched. And look how karma rewarded her one minute later! #MarkWahlberg 🍔

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 11:29am PDT

Ethan Hawke, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN + MAUDIE

#EthanHawke at #TIFF16 for #TheMagnificentSeven + #Maudie.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:49pm PDT

Aaron Eckhart, BLEED FOR THIS

#AaronEckhart at #TIFF16 for #BleedforThis.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:50pm PDT

Miles Teller, BLEED FOR THIS

#MilesTeller at #TIFF16 for #BleedforThis.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:51pm PDT

Dave Matthews out enjoying TIFF

#DaveMatthews hangin’ out at #TIFF16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:51pm PDT

Lennox Lewis out enjoying TIFF

Boxing icon #LennoxLewis at #TIFF16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:52pm PDT

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Now this we’re excited for!  Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone reunite on-screen this December in LA LA LAND. Not only is there the Film aspect of this, but there’s also the Music.  The first track from the Film – from the same Director as WHIPLASH – has been released, called City of Stars, which at the same time is the hashtag the Film will use.

Synopsis:

A jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) and an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) fall in love but face difficulties as they become more successful.

Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, Callie Hernandez, Sonoya Mizuno, Jessica Rothe, Tom Everett Scott and Josh Pence.

See the Trailer:

Listen to Ryan Gosling’s City of Stars:

Click here to listen on Spotify.

TIFF ’16, anyone?

(Photo/video credit: Summit Entertainment)

Paramount Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to take you to see star-studded THE BIG SHORT first!  Screenings take place in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary on Wednesday, December 16, 2015.

Synopsis:

When four outsiders saw what the big banks, media and government refused to, the global collapse of the economy, they had an idea:  The Big Short. Their bold investment leads them into the dark underbelly of modern banking where they must question everyone and everything.    Based on the true story and best-selling book by Michael Lewis (The Blind Side, Moneyball),  and directed by Adam Mckay (Anchorman, Step Brothers) The Big Short stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook only and state your city. You may click “share” from there or Tweet the below for an extra chance:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/thebigshort @MRWILLW wants us to #win Advance Passes to see #THEBIGSHORT! Out everywhere 12/23.

G’luck.

Paramount Pictures Canada release THE BIG SHORT in select cities Friday, December 18, 2015 and everywhere Wednesday, December 23, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Bale. Carell. Gosling. Pitt. Can this get any better? A new Trailer for THE BIG SHORT has just surfaced and it looks GOOD.

Synopsis:
When four outsiders saw what the big banks, media and government refused to, the global collapse of the economy, they had an idea: The Big Short. Their bold investment leads them into the dark underbelly of modern banking where they must question everyone and everything. Based on the true story and best-selling book by Michael Lewis (The Blind Side, Moneyball), and directed by Adam Mckay (Anchorman, Step Brothers). The Big Short stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt.

See the Trailer:

Release dates:
December 11, 2015 (limited release)
December 23, 2015 (wide release)

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

It absolutely is our favourite time of the year again and announced this morning is the official list of Talent coming to Toronto for TIFF ’14! We look forward to seeing plenty of returning names – some just here last year like the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Kate Winslet – and also plenty of Stars from years past making their way back here once more!

Among the names attending TIFF ’14 this year include:

Jon Stewart, Martin Scorcese, Richard Gere, Andrew Garfield, Viggo Mortensen, Gael Garcia Bernal, James Franco, Jane Fonda, Chloë Moretz, Brit Marling, Laura Dern, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vanessa Redgrave, Vera Farmiga, Al Pacino, Tina Fey, Haley Joel Osment, Robert Pattinson, Ansel Elgort, Alice Eve, Sam Rockwell, Amanda Seyfried, Michael Shannon, Dax Sheppard, Robert Duvall, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Hailee Steinfield, Justin Chatwin, Method Man, Jennifer Connelly, Bobby Cannavale, Kuoth Wiel, Cassie Williams, Danny Webb, Dominic West, Jung Woo-Sung, John Boylan, Sam Worthington, Tye Sheridan, Andrew Scott, Timothy Spall, Alan Rickman, Connie Britton, Reese Witherspoon, Evan Bird, Zhao Wei, Han Ye-Ri, Melissa Benoist, Haley Bennett, Sonja Bennett, John Travolta, Julianne Moore, Isaach De Bankolé, Dan Stevens, Jason Bateman, Corey Stoll, Xavier Dolan, Peter Stormare, Ben Schnetzer, Abigail Spencer, Ellen Barkin, Bill Pullman, Charlotte Aubin, Kate Winslet, Ryan Reynolds, Rene Russo, Roger Waters, Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Loreto Aravena, Tobey Maguire, Aubrey Plaza, Tobey Maguire, Gemma Arterton,  Juliette Binoche, Zhang Yimou, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, Rose Byrne, Channing Tatum, Chris Evans, Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Mark Ruffalo, Bill Murray, Daniel Barber, Liam Aiken, Mike Leigh, Olivier Assayas, Richard LaGravenese, Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Anna Kendrick, Morgan Freeman, Benicio del Toro, Michael Douglas, Rosario Dawson, Chris Rock, John Cusack, Benedict Cumberbatch, Octavia Spencer, Keira Knightley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Kevin Costner, Anthony Mackie, Patricia Clarkson, J.K. Simmons, Miles Teller, Priyanka Chopra, Daniel Bruhl, Michael Winterbottom, Justin Chon, Steve Carell, Gong Li, Hayden Christensen, Tory Kittles, Jordana Brewster, Holliday Grainger, Max Irons, Lone Scherfig, Sam Claflin, Douglas Booth, Paul Bettany, Daniel Barnz, Noah Baumbach, Barry Avrich, Jennifer Aniston, Akon, Nick Kroll, Holly Hunter, Catherine Keener, Greta Gerwig, Omar Sy Jennifer Garner, Salma Hayek, Kevin Smith, Eddie Redmayne,  Felicity Jones, Faye Marsay, Bill Nighy, Justin Long, Christopher Plummer, Marton Csokas, David Cronenberg, Sarah Gadon, Tom Schilling, Tom Hardy and more!

TIFF also will be hosting a series of In-Conversations-With as part of their Mavericks Programme. Joining-in are the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Denzel Washington, Richard Gere, Juliette Binoche, Jon Stewart, Dan Savage, Julie Taymor and several more!

As is the case always, it’s sometimes not just who’s coming – it’s who they’re bringing.  Don’t be surprised if Jennifer Garner brings Husband Ben Affleck along and be warned if Andrew Garfield brings Emma Stone along!

Who’s on our list of Must-Meets?  Plenty!  We hope finally to get a positive moment with Reese Witherspoon and Kate Winslet!  Excited about Martin Scorcese, J.K. Simmons, Bobby Cannavale, Miles Teller, Corey Stoll, Tobey Maguire, Rose Byrne, Michael Douglas and newer names like Max Irons and Douglas Booth, that’s for sure.  And did we read TINA FEY!?!?  Finally!  AND WHERE IS TOM HARDY?!?!

The list is always subject to surprise and no-shows as we know all too well!

Visit the official TIFF Website for more.

TIFF ’14 runs September 3 – 14, 2014.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)