By Justin Waldman

The 2015 TriBeCa Film Festival ran from April 15-26, 2015 in beautiful Tribeca, New York and I attended for the first time ever! What originally drew me into travelling for 10 days to New York City for this incredible Film Festival co-founded by Robert DeNiro to bring people back downtown New York after the tragedies of 9/11, were the conversations, or Tribeca Talks: Director Series that was announced in the middle of March, just a mere month before the Festival. The booking and scouring to look-up Films, allow time to line up and travel, and build a schedule with no backups had begun.

The Tribeca Talks: Director Series that was just aforementioned including one hour Conversations with George Lucas moderated by Stephen Colbert, Christopher Nolan moderated by Bennett Miller, Cary Fukunaga moderated by James Schumer, and last not certainly not least, Brad Bird moderated by Janeane Garofalo. These Talks were not only incredible for their insight, but they were beyond entertaining and masterful. The 60 minutes flew-by in what felt like seconds, but the entire time was surreal, something that words cannot merely describe.

As well, the selection of seemingly endless Movies was unfathomable. There were so many great choices, and promising options, most of which turned out to be extremely fun and enjoyable while others fell short of that standard. Some of the highlights were: Leslye Headland’s Sleeping with Other People starring Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis. This Movie was absolutely hysterical as it steered from the typical Romantic Comedy norms and clichés, and provided new laughs and nuances that truly made this RomCom stand-out from the crowd. Hopefully it gets a Canadian release, and if it unfortunately does not it will be released on VOD 90 days after its opening in Cinemas. Other standouts included Man Up from Director Ben Palmer which paired Simon Pegg and Lake Bell together in an unseeingly-perfect Romantic Comedy as well. I swear I did not just see Romcoms at TriBeCa. Ashby from Director Tony McNamara is another extremely funny, brilliant, Dark Comedy featuring Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff and Emma Roberts. The Film focuses on Wolff and Rourke who is a former Assassin and how the manage to enrich one another’s life.

The TriBeCa Film Festival also features an after the Movie discussion for certain Titles, not that the new Movies don’t have Q&As but rather they take older Movies and bring back Cast and Crew for a 45 minute discussion about the Movie and some insider information regarding the Project. The one that I was lucky enough to attend was Gus Van Sant’s brilliant Good Will Hunting. Minnie Driver, Gus Van Sant and Stellan Skarsgård were in attendance for this post movie talk and included a lot of information about Robin Williams on the set. This moved most of the Audience to laughter and tears. Some of the most memorable moments were when Skarsgård revealed that the first take of the scene between Williams and Skarsgård in the bar, Robin did the entire Role in his Nicholson impersonation. Another memorable tidbit was from Driver who reveled that the focus puller was terrible and could not be fired because he was related to someone high up so he referred to him as Helen… Keller. Moments like these unknown facts are what make for great memories.

TriBeCa was an incredible experience, which offered a ton of excitement in an array of events geared to true Film Lovers. These separate ticketed events are something that would be classified as once in a lifetime. Events such as Mary J. Blige’s Documentary The London Sessions, followed by her performing a live Concert, or a showing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail followed by a Talk with Monty Python. However, the Closing Night Film was the piece DE résistance. Goodfellas’ 25th Anniversary Screening in the new 4K restoration with a post-Screening Discussion with Robert DeNiro, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino, moderated by Jon Stewart. That was a memory never to be duplicated.

TriBeCa was a delight to attend, and a Festival I cannot wait to experience again next year!

Audio from this year’s Director Series below:

Christopher Nolan

Cary Fukunaga

George Lucas

Brad Bird

(Photo credit: Justin Waldman)

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL is the uniquely funny, moving story of Greg (Thomas Mann), a high school senior who is trying to blend in anonymously, avoiding deeper relationships as a survival strategy for navigating the social minefield that is teenage life. He even describes his constant companion Earl (RJ Cyler), with whom he makes short film parodies of classic movies, as more of a ‘co-worker’ than a best friend. But when Greg’s mom (Connie Britton) insists he spend time with Rachel (Olivia Cooke) – a girl in his class who has just been diagnosed with cancer – he slowly discovers how worthwhile the true bonds of friendship can be.

See the Trailer:

Fox Searchlight Canada release ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL on Friday, June 12, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

Our v. own Jonathan Godfrey is out and about in Park City, Utah making us proud covering for the first time ever the Sundance Film Festival.  Always an early Pre-Cursor of what we can expect in the forthcoming Awards Season and also TIFF here in Toronto, we’re anxious to hear some of Jonathan‘s Picks and Sightings!

Earlier today he attended the Opening Panel for Sundance 2015 attended by Festival Founder an Film Icon Robert Redford.  Addressing a packed crowd, Redford says “Sundance is where nature meets art, and where artists, in nature, find a voice all their own.”.

The likes of Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Lauren Dern, Mindy Kaling, Taylor Schilling, Elijah Wood, Emma Roberts, Nichoulas Hoult and more are expected to grace the Festival this year!

Sundance Film Festival runs from Thursday, January 22 – Sunday, February 1, 2015.

(Photo credit: Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong)

We couldn’t be more thrilled to let you know that our v. own Jonathan Godfrey will be in Utah covering the festivities and Films of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival!  Please stay tuned and check-in as he gives us a taste of his Park City experience, getting-in on the Awards Season buzz for the coming year first!

Mr. Will

Remstar Films and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win a Double Pass to Advance Screenings of jOBS across Canada, including Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver! Screenings take place mid-August.  See first the Biopic about iconic Steve Jobs which drew raves at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Official Synopsis below:

JOBS is the incredibly powerful and true Story of the visionary who set out to change the World, and did. The Film chronicles Steve Jobs’ (Ashton Kutcher) transformation of character from the enthusiasm and self-discovery of his youth, to the personal demons that clouded his vision, and finally to the ultimate triumphs of his later life. Jobs changed the way we see the World today through his relentless drive, passion, persistence, and the force of his will, and it is through these qualities that we draw inspiration from his life. The life of Steve Jobs.

 jOBS also stars: Josh Gad, J.K Simmons, Matthew Modine, James Woods, Dermot Mulroney, Ahna O’Reilly and Lukas Haas. 

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Double your chances by sharing this Post or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/jOBS @MRWILLW wants us to #win Double Passes across Canada to see #jOBS starring #AshtonKutcher. In theatres 8/16!

Good luck.

Offical Artwork below:

See for official Canadian Trailer for jOBS right here.

Remstar Films releases jOBS on Friday, August 16, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Remstar Films)

We all know Rock Legends like The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker and Tina Turner, but often  when we hum their tunes we neglect that we’re actually singing along with their Backing Vocalists on those famous choruses. 

20 Feet From Stardom from Director Morgan Neville, follows the stories of the talented Performers who appeared on several of these Artists’ Records which have come to define Rock and Roll as we know it today.  He gathers a cross-section of Backing Vocalists over the past 50 years and we learn their sobering stories and the realities of Fame and its unsung Heroes in this fantastic Documentary which captivated audiences at the Sundance Film Festival.  I’ve seen it and loved it!

eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong want to give Toronto Readers a chance to win passes to the Advance Screening of 20 Feet from Stardom. A must-see for any Rock and Roll Fan!

To win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Double your chances by sharing on Facebook or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/20feetfromstardom  @MRWILLW wants us to win a Double Pass to the Advance Screening of Rock ‘n’ Roll Doc, #20FEETFROMSTARDOM! Out 7/5/13.

The Screening takes place at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 7:00 PM. 

Watch the Trailer below:

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Several Films are coming out of Sundance Film Festival in Park City this year with  Oscar potential/buzz and winning the Audience Award, U.S. Drama is The Weinstein Co.’s Fruitvale, produced by Forrest Whitaker’s Significant Productions and OG Project.  The Film from first-time Director Ryan Coogler, Fruitvale centers around Oscar Grant, who was shot to death on January 1, 2009 after Police responded to fight which took place aboard a Train in the Bay Area.  Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Durand and Chad Michael Murray star in what is looking possibly like a TIFF 2013 Title.  The Sessions which won the same Award last year also en route to premiering at TIFF 2012, while Helen Hunt who starred in the Film went on to receive an Oscar nomination in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her work.

The Weinstein Co. also is gaining a fair amount of buzz with Lovelace, the Biopic about Pornstar Linda Lovelace starring Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Sharon Stone, Juno Temple, James Franco and Wes Bentley.  The Hollywood Reporter already is calling it, “smartly done”.  Variety however has a more mixed reaction, but still feel the Film “goes down smooth”, despite its’ “Movie of the Week Melodrama”.

Watch this Clip below:

CBS Films also acquired Toy’s House, which on paper is reminiscent of Stand By Me, about three teenage Boys who try to make a life in the Wilderness.  The Comedy stars Breakout Stars Nick Offerman, Allison Bride, Moises Arias and Nick Robinson.

Kill Your Darlings perhaps is the Beat Generation Film which those disappointed by On the Road, are waiting for.  The Film centers around a Murder investigation surrounding three Icons of the era, Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe), William S. Burroughs (Ben Foster)  and Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan).  Variety praises the Drama, but admits “the Picture’s Pansexual content and intellectual focus will limit its specialty-market reach, but it should court a small, discerning audience.“.  The Hollywood Reporter raves about Up-and-Comer DeHaan most, stating that he is a “febrile, magnetic presence, making no mystery of why Ginsberg, Kammerer and Kerouac would be so drawn to fickle Carr.”.  Strong possibility we might see this one a TIFF 2013.

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints has gained lots of praise, the Drama starring Casey Affleck as an Outlaw who escapes prison to find his Wife (Rooney Mara) and Daughter, whom he has yet to meet.  Variety feels that the Film is “too lyrical for mainstream expectations… but a powerful Indie Player”. Likewise, The Hollywood Reporter says “this is an out-and-out Art Film”. IFC Films releases in the U.S.

jOBS possibly is the most hotly-buzzed Flick to screen at Sundance this year and although reviews still are scarce for the Biopic of Apple Founder Steve Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher, The Hollywood Reporter states, “Regardless of his outsized stature, their ability to keep the movie frequently engaging is an indication of their studious dedication to the Project.”.  Open Road Films  releases in the U.S. on April 13, 2013, commemorating Apple‘s 37th Anniversary. (UPDATE 3/16/13: It has been confirmed that this date is now postponed to allow for a proper promotional strategy).

Watch the Teaser Trailer below:

Last year’s Sundance Film Festival spawned Beasts of the Southern Wild, which currently is nominated for four Oscars including Best Actress, Best Directing, Best Writing and Best Picture.

(Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.)