While the 2020 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS didn’t see a clean sweep for any particular Film, what made it most unique was the split of awards among deserving titles which may have been overseen on other circuits. Taking home top honours at this year’s Awards, held once again at Santa Monica Pier, was Lulu Wang‘s THE FAREWELL. The Film won Best Feature and Best Supporting Actress with Zhao Shuzhen, who sadly was unable to celebrate due to the Coronavirus situation in China. Wang‘s partner Barry Jenkins was with her to support her, showing his pride backstage.

UNCUT GEMS which surprisingly for many failed to garner an Academy Award nomination, performed very well at the Spirit Awards, rewarding Best Director to Co-Directors The Safdie Brothers and also Best Male Lead (Adam Sandler). Sandler gave a spirited speech delivered completely as a different character, before thanking his family, while the Safdie Brothers both delivered a comical speech which saw them talking over one another.

Much like the rest of Awards Season, Renée Zellweger took home Best Female Lead for her work in JUDY, marking her first Spirit Award win after three nominations. Returning Host Aubrey Plaza delivered an opening number, a version of Judy Garland‘s Get Happy with hilarious lyrics, delivering the chuckles once again.

Watch it here:

MARRIAGE STORY also saw recognition with the Film’s team being awarded the Robert Altman Award, along with its Director/Writer Noah Baumbach who was also awarded Best Screenplay. Baumbach gave thanks to his partner Greta Gerwig, telling the audience “Even though she made a Movie (Little Women) too expensive to be here, she is just as independent as any of us.”. This was Baumbach‘s first Spirit Award.

Watch Film Independent’s YouTube Channel for more clips and speeches here.

We were thrilled once again to partner with Hollywood Suite, exclusive Canadian Broadcaster of the Awards!

See some of our star-studded Snaps. Navigate Albums by selecting the right arrow.

While Awards Season is about to conclude with the Academy Awards taking place tomorrow, we’ll look back at this year’s Spirit Awards as an unforgettable one!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Film Independent)

A new Featurette has surfaced to get us pumped for Marvel’s BLACK WIDOW, featuring Academy Award Best Supporting Actress nominee Scarlett Johansson. This looks back at Natasha Romanoff‘s ten-year legacy on-screen.

Synopsis:
In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller “Black Widow,” Natasha confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.

See the Trailer:

BLACK WIDOW is in theatres and on Disney+ with Premier Access Friday, July 29, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Entertainment Canada)

A new Teaser has surfaced for Marvel’s THE BLACK WIDOW!

Synopsis:
Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow in Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller “Black Widow”—the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour as Alexei aka The Red Guardian and Rachel Weisz as Melina. Black Widow is directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Kevin Feige.

See the Trailer:

BLACK WIDOW is in theatres and on Disney+ with Premier Access Friday, July 29, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Entertainment Canada)

TIFF x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto a chance to win Run-of-Engagement Passes to see TIFF ’19 selection, MARRIAGE STORY.

Synopsis:
Revisiting some of the themes that made his Oscar-nominated TIFF 2005 selection The Squid and the Whale so resonant, writer-director Noah Baumbach digs deep into divorce with Marriage Story. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson deliver some of their richest work as a couple whose once enviable union crumbles under the weight of mounting resentments and divergent needs.

Charlie (Driver) is a playwright who wants to stay in New York. Nicole (Johansson) is an actor who’s landed a coveted television role that requires her to relocate to Los Angeles. Their geographical dispute tests an already strained relationship. As Marriage Story begins, the couple’s divorce is already underway, with each enlisting legal squads deploying various tactics.

Yet Baumbach’s elegant narrative goes back and forth through time, showing how Charlie and Nicole fell in love and built a life together alongside a detailed, blow-by-blow chronicle of their marital dismantling.

Baumbach‘s wise script goes from Bergmanesque drama, to dark comedy, to surges of suspense, and is complemented by the intimate 35mm camerawork of Robbie Ryan (who also shot Baumbach‘s The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)), and by the precise, lived-in performances not only of Driver and Johansson, but also of Laura Dern, Alan Alda, and Ray Liotta.

Marriage Story may have an ironic title, but its divorce proceedings double as a moving post-mortem. Sometimes our most profound life choices begin to cohere only in retrospect.

See a Trailer:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook.

Contest rules and regulations here.

MARRIAGE STORY opens at TIFF Bell Lightbox Friday, November 22, 2019.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

We are overjoyed to give our Canadian Readers a chance to win a copy of record-shattering AVENGERS: ENDGAME on Blu-ray^TM !

Synopsis:

Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame,” the climactic conclusion to an unprecedented, 11-year cinematic journey in which the Avengers take one final stand against Thanos, delivered the biggest opening weekend in history and is currently one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

Fans who bring home “Avengers: Endgame” will gain hours of additional screen time with their favourite cast members and filmmakers who have shaped the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Bonus features include a tribute to the great Stan Lee; the tale of Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Iron Man; the evolution of Captain America; Black Widow’s dramatic story arc; directors Anthony and Joe Russo’s experience at the helm of both “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame”; the making of an epic battle scene with the women of the MCU; the creation of Bro Thor; deleted scenes; a gag reel and more.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. CLICK “share” from there or Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Canadian Readers only, please.

Walt Disney Studios Canada release AVENGERS: ENDGAME Tuesday, August 13, 2019 on DVD, 4K and Blu-ray^TM . It arrives on Digital in HD Friday, July 30, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)

The new Trailer for AVENGERS: ENDGAME has just debuted following-up of Thanos’ destructive snap. Surely you didn’t think that was it, did you? Captain Marvel also surfaces here!

Synopsis:
The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to twenty-two films, “Avengers: Endgame.”

See the Trailer:

Marvel Entertainment Canada release AVENGERS: ENDGAME Friday, April 26, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Entertainment Canada)

A power, diverse Cast highlight AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR! Check out the complete set of character Posters from this spring’s most-awaited Motion Picture event!

Synopsis:
The Avengers, including Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), along with their super hero allies, must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the evil and powerful Thanos (Josh Brolin), who’s on a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones in order to use them to bring devastation to the world and an end to the universe.

See all the Posters!

Canada, who is your favorite @Marvel Superhero? 🍁 Tell us with the Hashtag #MarvelMadness! Cast your votes at http://www.facebook.com/marvelcanada!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 3, 2018 at 5:13pm PDT

Don’t forget, votes are on for Canada’s favourite Superhero. #MarvelMadness is on! Vote at http://facebook.com/marvelcanada!

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Friday, April 27, 2018.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

Premiering during tonight’s SUPER BOWL was this exciting new look at AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR!

Synopsis:
An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.

See the Sneak Peek:

Are you ready for the ultimate showdown ever? The new Trailer for AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR at last has surfaced!

Synopsis:
An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.

See the Trailer:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Friday, May 4, 2018.

(Photo/vido credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

We just can’t get enough of Comedies about girls just having some fun! With an all-star cast, ROUGH NIGHT already looks like one of this summer’s funniest (and messiest) adventures on-screen!  I admit, we’re super curious about seeing Scarlett Johansson in a comedy.

Synopsis:
Five best friends from college (played by Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell, Ilana Glazer and Zoë Kravitz) reunite 10 years later for a wild bachelorette weekend in Miami. Their hard partying takes a hilariously dark turn when they accidentally kill a male stripper. Amidst the craziness of trying to cover it up, they’re ultimately brought closer together when it matters most.

See the Red-Band Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release ROUGH NIGHT Friday, June 16, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)