The Favourite
#OSCARS: “ROMA” + “THE FAVOURITE” LEAD OSCAR NOMINATIONS
Nominations for the 91st annual Academy Awards were announced this morning and the race still very much is wide-open without a clean-cut choice for Best Picture… and no host set for ceremony itself.
Tying at ten nods apiece are Alfonso CuarĂłn‘s ROMA and Yorgos Lanthimos’ THE FAVOURITE. Best Picture nominees include:
Best Picture
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
Roma
A Star Is Born
Vice
Continuing on its Golden Globes success, we see Bohemian Rhapsody continue to be a major force into the Oscars with Rami Malek up for the highly-competitive Best Actor alongside Bradley Cooper, Viggo Mortensen, Willem Dafoe and Christian Bale.
The Best Actress category also is hotly-contested with screen veteran Glenn Close up against Lady Gaga, Melissa McCarthy, Olivia Colman and aboriginal Mexican Actress Yalitza Aparicio, who stars in ROMA.
Marina de Tavira who also stars in ROMA, pops-up as a bit of a surprise candidate for Best Supporting Actress. The category also includes favourite Regina King, Amy Adams, plus The Favourite Co-Stars and previous Oscar winners, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.
Best Supporting Actor sees Mahershala Ali in contention with Adam Driver, Richard E. Grant, Sam Rockwell after a snub at the Golden Globes, Sam Elliott for A STAR IS BORN.
Many are shocked that after a presence in the Directing category most of Awards Season, that Bradley Cooper was omitted in the Oscars race for his directorial debut in A STAR IS BORN. Up for Best Directing are Spike Lee, Adam McKay, Pawel Pawlikowski, Yorgos Lanthimos and favourite Alfonso CuarĂłn.
Another noticeable omission is Morgan Neville’s Mr. Rogers Documentary WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? which has been present through much of the season. Nominated for Best Documentary are Free Solo, Hale County, This Morning, This Evening, Minding the Gap, Of Fathers and Sons and RBG.
The Animated Feature category sees Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse pitted against Incredibles 2, Isle of Dogs, Mirai and Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Toronto’s Domee Shi is up for Animated Short with DisneyâąPixar’s BAO.
Complete list of Nominees are here.
The 91st annual Academy Awards air February 24, 2019, 8:00 PM EST on ABC.
(Photo credit: Fox Searchlight)
#EDITORSNOTE: TEAM MR. WILL’S TOP TEN PICPICKS OF 2018
It’s hard to believe another year’s passed by! 2018 certainly was a stand-out year for Cinema and Team Mr. Will true to tradition, share with you their best of 2018. If you haven’t seen some of these, it’s time to start adding to your Must-See Lists this winter!
AMANDA GILMORE (@gilmoreamanda)
It was such a great year for Film that it’s near impossible for me to choose the Top Ten. I could have easily made a Top 30 list (if it was allowed). However, I managed to squeeze in ten films, which are in alphabetical order rather than being ranked. I’ve included films from a range of genres and narratives that I’ve thought about since my first viewing.
A Star Is Born
A Quiet Place
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Black Panther
Eighth Grade
Mission Impossible: Fallout
Roma
Shoplifters
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-verse
The Favourite
JONATHAN GODFREY (@Skot_Somers)
Annihilation
First Man
Ready Player One
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
A Quiet Place
Green Book
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Legend of the Demon Cat
Mary Poppins Returns
As usual, my list consists of movies I saw on the Silver Screen within the calendar year. Theyâre organized according to release date, and are thus relieved of any hierarchy. Annihilation is the dark Sci-Fi wizardry I live for; Ready Player One is my kind of Spielberg cinema; and A Quiet Place is my top scare of 2018. Solo gave me more Star Wars; Demon Cat made this yearâs TIFF magical; and First Man is the brand of brooding Drama I adore. Fantastic Beasts 2 is dope AF; Green Book is a beautiful performance piece; and Spider-Man is the Comic Movie Iâve been waiting forever for. To wrap it all up⊠Mary Poppins Returns! She has, and it warms my heart.
DAVID BALDWIN (@DaveMABaldwin)
2018 was an incredible year for Cinema. Full stop. If anyone tells you otherwise, they did not see enough movies. Every genre fired on all cylinders, and the mid-budget and independent scenes were filled with positively exquisite Filmmaking that will go down as some of the best of the decade. And even better than that, 2018 proved the power and importance of diversity and gender in Cinema. The number of movies I genuinely liked and loved that missed my Top Ten can attest to how outstanding a year this was. But I can say with confidence that the list of films below shook me right through to my bones whether through fear, laughter, wonder, charm, thrills, or genuine emotion. And yes, I know I cheated with including a tie — but it would be a disservice to not include all of these titles on my list.
Hereditary
Assassination Nation
Wonât You Be My Neighbor?
Incredibles 2
Blindspotting
Paddington 2
Eighth Grade
Mission: Impossible â Fallout
The Hate U Give
[tie] Can You Ever Forgive Me? / Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
GEORGE KOZERA (@PartyG)
I saw 164 movies this year. It took a long time to whittle the list down to 26 movies that I considered to be the best of 2018. This was a year that brought fantastic highs that had me gasping with wonder and admiration or so bad that they had me rolling my eyes in disbelief! Whether it was one of the most original Horror movies in a long time (A Quiet Place) or a Superhero, Comic Book movie so innovative and supremely well-acted that it validated a genre many were hoping would just go away (Black Panther). It was a banner year for documentary features, musicals and an LGBTQ movie was released for the first time ever by a major Hollywood studio (Love, Simon). Dramas were rampant with stories that touched oneâs soul, though there was a lack of Comedies that were consistently funny throughout (with the exception of âGame Nightâ). All that said, I submit my pick for the best film of the year and the next nine movies (in alphabetical order) that moved, enthralled and will stay with me for years to come.
Roma
BlacKkKlansman
Cold War
The Favourite
Green Book
If Beale Street Could Talk
Lean on Pete
Leave No Trace
Mary Poppins Returns
Three Identical Strangers
JUSTIN WALDMAN (@DubsReviews)
It is time for the annual Top Ten movies I saw that I absolutely adored and loved this year. Some are best of the year, while others are the movies I had the most fun watching this year. There have been some truly incredible movies this year, and dare I say the âblockbustersâ for the most part have been fine, nothing really spectacular outside of a few gems. If you havenât seen something on this list, go out and see it. Most of these movies will appeal to the masses, enjoy yourselves. Hereâs to a 2019 with some hot titles coming out over the next few weeks, Glass anyone, and next few months, US am I right? 2019 is sure to be a stellar year
Anna and the Apocalypse
A Quiet Place
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Blindspotting
Eighth Grade
Sorry to Bother You
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse
The Favourite
Widows
Click here to read Mr. Will’s Best of 2018.
(Photo credit: Elevation Pictures/Warner Bros. Canada/VVS Films/Fox Searchlight)
#EDITORSNOTE: MR. WILL’S BEST OF 2018 LIST
2018 will go down as one of the best years in recent Cinema. While I’m not loving the current sound of what’s dominating the airwaves, there were a few Pop Gems that filled my heart and ears with joy. Those of you who are following me on Social Media know that my year was all about A STAR IS BORN. I had few expectations of it at the beginning of the year, but then came the Trailer in June and then came news of it premiering at TIFF ’18. Seeing it at the Festival, my year and life would be changed forever, single-handedly owning my two favourite realms, Music and Film. I am still not healed of the heartbreak I experience and can imagine what it’s like to be Lady Gaga or Bradley Cooper and carrying their characters with them after filming. If you still haven’t seen it, please do.
We loved the resurgence of the Musical with the likes of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Bohemian Rhapsody and Mary Poppins Returns performing v. well in numbers. The World needs a lift in spirits and these all came to save the day at the right time.
Music wise, we are ever-excited about Dua Lipa‘s blooming career and she has gifted us with several earworms which still stand the test of time at the end of year. While there wasn’t really a big single off it, Mariah Carey‘s critically-acclaimed Caution is definitely a smooth, cohesive listen. Cardi B‘s Invasion of Privacy gave us life in a big way this spring and likewise, there wasn’t one particular 2018 single which impacted us, the Album was on repeat for quite a while for us.
Here are my Best of 2018 Lists:
MUSIC
One Kiss – Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa
The Middle – zedd ft. Maren Morris
Electricity – Silk City ft. Dua Lipa
I’ll Never Love Again – Lady Gaga
Shallow – Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga
God is a Woman – Ariana Grande
Breathin – Ariana Grande
Lights Down Low – MâłX
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart – Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus
Youngblood – 5 Seconds of Summer
FILM
A Star is Born
Green Book
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Crazy Rich Asians
Ben is Back
Love, Simon
A Quiet Place
Vice
The Favourite
Mary Poppins Returns
Check-out Team Mr. Will’s Best Picpicks of 2018 here.
2018 also was my best year for Selfies ever. Will I ever stop? Why stop at something you love this much? Sorry, haters!
Adam Brody
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Trevante Rhodes
We’ve been at this game for what is approaching our tenth year and we’re showing no signs of stopping. We are indebted to you, our Readers for all the support and love you’ve shown all these years and we’ll never forget being named NOW Magazine Readers’ Choice Best Blogger this year. Thank you. To a stellar 2019!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN A “THE FAVOURITE” PRIZE PACK
Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Vancouver a chance to win a THE FAVOURITE Prize Pack!
Prize Pack Vancouver includes:
T-shirt, poster and playing cards.
Artwork:
Synopsis:
In the early 18th century, with England and France at war, a frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne as her close friend Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead, while tending to Anne‘s ill health and mercurial temper.
When new servant Abigail Masham (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail, who has aristrocratic roots, under her wing. This gives Abigail the hope that she’ll be able to regain her social position if things go well. As the politics of war take up Sarah‘s time and concentration, Abigail steps in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Please specify your City! Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for extra chance!
Fox Searchlight release THE FAVOURITE as follows:
December 7th â TorontoÂ
December 21 â Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Victoria, Winnipeg, Halifax (wide)
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
#GOLDENGLOBES: “VICE” AND “VERSACE” LEAD NOMINATIONS AT 2019 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS
Nominations were unveiled this morning for the 76th edition of the Golden Globe Awards from the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Coming out of nowhere to lead the tally was Adam McKay’s VICE, which still has yet to open in theatres. The Dick Cheney Biopic starring Christian Bale, comes out ahead with six nods, including Motion Picture – Comedy, Actor in a Comedy and Director.
Not far behind with five nominations, is Bradley Cooper’s Box Office and commercial success A STAR IS BORN which sees the Film nominated for Motion Picture – Drama and himself cross-nominated for Director and Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. Already a Golden Globe winner, Lady Gaga gets recognition again for her performance, up for Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Very shockingly, Sam Elliott didn’t get a nod for Supporting Actor after a win in the National Board of Review Awards last week.
THE FAVOURITE and GREEN BOOK, the latter which won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and also Best Picture at the National Board of Review Awards, likewise get five nominations. All three stars of the former are up for Actress in Motion Picture – Comedy (Olivia Colman) and Supporting Actress (Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz). Both stars of the latter are up for awards also in the category of Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy (Viggo Mortensen) and Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali).
In Television categories, we saw AMERICAN CRIME STORY: THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE validated with four nominations including Best Limited Television Series, Actor in a Limited Series (Darren Criss), Actor in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series (Edgar Ramirez) and Actress in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series (Pénélope Cruz).
There is a six-way tie between BARRY, THE KOMISNKI METHOD, HOMECOMING, SHARP OBJECTS, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL and A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL.
Click here for complete list of Nominees.
Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh host the Golden Globe Awards, which air January 7, 2018, 8:00 PM EST on NBC.
(Photo credit: eOne Films)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TEASER FOR “THE FAVOURITE”
We have an inkling this will be a major force this Awards Season. See the new Teaser for THE FAVOURITE, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Lobster).
Synopsis:
Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anneâs ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots. As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queenâs companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.
See the Teaser:
Fox Searchlight release THE FAVOURITE Friday, November 23, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
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