Last night's L.A. Premiere of Disney's HOPPERS!
In theatres 3.6.26.
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Mr. Will Wong
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Did you miss the NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE Pop-up at The Rivoli today? ![]()
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Great news, it's back for an encore tomorrow beginning noon till sold-out! Do not delay!![]()
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Our Justin Waldman and Nicholas Porteous checked it out and here is what to expect.![]()
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#NirvannaTheBandTheShowTheMovie is now in theatres.![]()
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Elevation Pictures ![]()
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#ntbtstm #toronto
Enter for a chance to win passes to a screening of Maggie Gyllenhaal's THE BRIDE in Montreal and Vancouver. ![]()
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"Like" this post for an entry and comment your city. Tag a friend you're bringing. Multiple entries allowed. ![]()
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Details: mrwillwong.com/thebride![]()
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Note: Do not respond to third party comments telling you that you've won. This is not us. ![]()
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*We are working on some Toronto passes. Stay tuned*
happy lunar new year!! hoping all your wishes come true in the year of the horse. 🐴❤️![]()
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beanie and Daddy![]()
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Enter for a chance to win a copy of eight-time Academy Award-nominated HAMNET, by Director Chloé Zhao.![]()
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In stores 3.3.26 in 4k UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD.![]()
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"Like" for an entry, and tag 1 friend in the comments who wants to see HAMNET. Multiple entries allowed.![]()
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Note: Do not respond to third-party comments saying that you've won. This is not us.
Chatting Toronto lunch recos and the complex edits in acclaimed Comedy-Adventure NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE, with Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol.![]()
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Elevation Pictures release #NirvannaTheBandTheShowTheMovie in theatres 2.13.26.![]()
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tiff
#TIFF17: DAY FOUR SIGHTINGS – ANGELINA JOLIE, JENNIFER LAWRENCE, JAVIER BARDEM, JULIANNE MOORE, SALLY HAWKINS + MORE!
TIFF ’17 will be remembered as one of the most electrifyingly star-studded Festivals in many years and today is exactly why!
Names don’t come any bigger than Angelina Jolie who walked her first of two Red Carpets this afternoon. She produces Animated Feature THE BREADWINNER and humbly came out to grace not only the Red Carpet but walk the line of Fans stopping for photos and autographs along Yonge Street in front of Winter Garden Theatre. We were among the lucky! What a thrill! Don’t miss her at her Premiere for well-reviewed Documentary FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER tomorrow!
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Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence also drew a large crowd at TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX for the Presser for Darren Aronofsky‘s well-reviewed mother! While there was no sign of Michelle Pfeiffer today, Javier Bardem and Ed Harris later would walk the Red Carpet after being absent at the Film’s Presser. We even got a photo with Lawrence although tragically, flashes going off would wash out the Photo! Devastation!
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THE SHAPE OF WATER continues to garner tons of Oscar buzz with Festival Creative Director Cameron Bailey touting it as his fave! We spotted its friendly cast today including two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins, winner Octavia Spencer, nominee Richard Jenkins and Doug Jones. Hawkins is getting a lot of early buzz for her work.in this Toronto-made Fantasy by Guillermo del Toro. No signs of Michael Shannon however!
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We loved seeing Julianne Moore out earlier as she promoted George Clooney‘s SUBURBICON. We didn’t see Clooney though who was snuck-in, although we hear he has been really fantastic and giving to fans at TIFF ’17!
Sam Rockwell is back at it in the City, a place which work has brought him to many times, returning to TIFF with THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI.
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Dave Franco stars alongside brother James Franco in hilarious THE DISASTER ARTIST, based on THE ROOM star Greg Sestero‘s Memoir about working on that Cult Classic! He was in a bit of a rush today but we hope to see him around tomorrow as the Film premieres then at Midnight Madness.
James McAvoy consistently delivers and we were thrilled that he was able to make it in this year as we’ve wanted to meet him since we saw The Last King of Scotland, which also premiered here back in 2006. He’s here for SUBMERGENCE and was gracious sporting a bald look for his X-Men: Dark Phoenix role which he is shooting now in Montreal.
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#TIFF17: “NOVITIATE”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Novitiate follows Cathleen (Margaret Qualley) who struggles with her faith and sexuality while training to become a nun during the Vatican II era.
The Film is an impressive first feature debut from Writer/Director Margaret Betts who assembles a powerhouse ensemble of female talent. Most notable is Qualley who delivers a breakout performance, Melissa Leo who is a terrifying Reverend Mother, and Julianne Nichols as a strong single mother who can’t understand her daughter’s need to become a nun. Betts’ skillful direction and writing give the Film a steady pace. It’s also one of the most original coming-of-age female stories seen on-screen.
Novitiate screens at TIFF on Sept. 10 at Scotiabank 1 at 5:45 PM and on Sept. 12 at Scotiabank 12 at 4 PM.
#TIFF17: “GUTLAND”
Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
Gutland is Luxembourger Govinda Van Maele’s Feature Film debut. It opens with Jens (Frederick Lau), drifting into a provincial German town. After finding work as a farm hand, Jens finds pleasure in the bed of Lucy (Vicky Krieps). Lucy is one of several local figures who introduce Jens to the dark secrets of Schandelsmillen.
The Film is beautifully-staged and brilliantly-scored. Rural landscapes are accompanied by haunting melodies, working together to enhance the eerie aura of the Film. At first Jens appears as the rogue with a troubled past, but by the end of the Second Act, it is everyone else that seems suspect. The Third Act turns everything on its head, and concludes with a memorable musical presentation that resolves the story while elevating its enigmatic nature. Expertly-acted and beautifully-presented, Gutland is the type of Indie gold that makes TIFF the “Festival of Festivals.”.
GUTLAND screens at TIFF ’17:
Sunday, September 10, 2017 6:45 PM Scotiabank 13
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 9:00 AM TIFF Bell Lightbox 3
Saturday, September 16, 2017 6:00 PM Scotiabank 9
#TIFF17: “THE BREADWINNER”
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon has received two Oscar nominations due in part to their unique hand-drawn style. In their latest Feature, The Breadwinner, they’ve moved their setting from Ireland to Afghanistan but retained all the magic of their previous films.
When the Taliban throw her father in jail, 12-year-old Parvana is forced to disguise herself as a boy to earn money for her family. One day in the marketplace, Parvana meets-up with an old classmate, Shauzia, who is also masquerading as a boy. During the day, Parvana tries to earn money to pay the baksheesh necessary to get her father out of prison. At night, she distracts her family by telling them the story of a brave warrior named Idrees and his quest to save his village and defeat the Elephant King.
The brilliant voice cast boasts no major stars but does an excellent job bringing Director Nora Twomey’s vision to life. Canadians Jeff and Mychael Danna have provided a beautiful score which compliments without overpowering the story. Despite the heavy themes, this Angelina Jolie-produced Movie is sure to resonate with both children and adults.
Elevation Pictures will screen The Breadwinner at TIFF ’17 at the following times:
Sunday, September 10 3:00 p.m. Winter Garden Theatre
Saturday, September 16 1:00 p.m. TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
#TIFF17: “BRAD’S STATUS”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
The Film follows Brad Sloan (Ben Stiller) who brings his teenaged son (Austin Abrams) to tour colleges which triggers his mid-life crisis. He starts comparing his life to those of his wealthy, successful friends and struggles with finding happiness in his comfortable suburban life.
With Brad’s Status, Writer/Director Mike White makes this mid-life crisis story different from others by inserting Brad’s narration, which helps express the Film’s message clearly. Although the message about comparing others to ourselves will only make us less happy is touching, it being incessantly relayed becomes tiring. What makes up for the repetitive message is a great performance from Stiller and the strong chemistry he and Abrams have as father and son.
Brad’s Status screens at TIFF on Sept. 9 at the Winter Garden Theatre at 8:30PM, Sept. 10 at the TBLB1 at 11:45 AM and Sept. 16 at TBLB1 at 9:30PM.
#TIFF17: “MARY SHELLEY”
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Many people credit the birth of horror to the book Frankenstein. What is often forgotten, however, is the Author of that genre-defining Book: Mary Shelley. In this eponymously-titled Movie, modern audiences are given a brief look into the life of this important literary figure.
When Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (Elle Fanning) meets Percy Bysshe Shelley (Douglas Booth) she has no idea the poet she has fallen in with is married, and by the time she does it is too late. Defying her father, she leaves with her lover in the middle of the night with only her beloved stepsister Claire (Claire Clairmont) by her side. The three live in poverty off Shelley’s earnings as a writer. A chance meeting with Lord John Byron (Tom Sturridge drowning in guyliner) eventually bring the trio to Geneva where Mary is inspired to write her first Book.
The formation of the ideas behind Frankenstein evolve on-screen in predictable fashion but the eventual discussion of the book in the Third Act will permanently alter how you see the doctor and his monster. Despite the rather florid dialogue, Saudi Arabian Filmmaker Haiffa Al-Mansour’s big budget debut is a solid Film. Led by Fanning, the strong cast makes Mary Shelley a must-see during the Festival.
Search Engine Pictures will screen Mary Shelley at the following times:
Saturday, September 09 6:30 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall
Sunday, September 10 1:30 p.m. Scotiabank Cinemas 2
#TIFF17: DAY THREE SIGHTINGS – JESSICA CHASTAIN, AARON SORKIN, STANLEY TUCCI, EMMA THOMPSON, GRETA GERWIG + MORE!
TIFF ’17 officially is switching into high gear as the starpower begins to pour over Toronto this weekend. Unlike previous years, we still are seeing a lot of action spilling into next Monday and Tuesday.
Greta Gerwig is getting tons of buzz for her work in autobiographical LADYBIRD, which she directs. We spotted the super-gracious Gerwig and Laurie Metcalf whom you remember from Sitcom Roseanne. Star Saoirse Ronan unfortunately couldn’t make it in this year despite being scheduled.
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We ❤ Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci. Together in a Movie? Yes, please! The two star troubled relationship Drama THE CHILDREN ACT and both were so lovely despite time constraints with fans!
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There is no celebrity as nice as Jessica Chastain and we are thrilled her performance in Toronto-made MOLLY’S GAME is getting raves. The Film marks the directorial debut of Oscar-winning Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Watch Chastain own the fan chaos like a boss!
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Father-Son Dramedy Brad’s Status stars Ben Stiller and fresh face Austin Abrams, directed and written by Mike White. We spotted some of them out and about earlier amidst their Press stops.
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Oscar-nominated Canuck #EllenPage is back at TIFF with zombie cure fantasy The Cured. She was amazing with fans! 🍁
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Oscar-nominated Actor Ed Harris returns to the same City he filmed TIFF ’17 selection KODACHROME.
Everybody loves Charlie Day! The Funnyman stars in equally-funny Louis C.K.’s I LOVE YOU, DADDY at TIFF ’17. While Co-Stars John Malkovich and Edie Falco weren’t quite as giving as he, Day more than made-up for it taking the time out to greet an entire line of fans at Ryerson Theatre.
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MARY SHELLEY recounts the eponymous Author’s first romance with Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and stars Elle Fanning, Douglas Booth, Maisie Williams and Bel Powley. Its stars rang-in its TIFF ’17 Premiere tonight at Roy Thomson Hall en route to a party at STORYS/RBC House. Attending by surprise was Fifty Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan, whose wife Amelia Warner oversaw the Film’s music.
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One of the best bashes of TIFF annually is the InStyle Magazine Party, brought to us by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The Party drew-out an A-List crowd, along with several up-and-comers. See some of the names who graced the Carpet!
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#TIFF17: #TonyGoldwyn at #TIFF2017 with #MarkFelt. #TIFF #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #Scandal
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#TIFF17: “LADY BIRD”
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Christine McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) is a rebel and outsider. She is in her last year of Catholic high school and insists people call her Lady Bird. She dreams of escaping her family in Sacramento, but her grades need a massive improvement.
Lady Bird is a delight from start to finish. It taps into the same adolescent angst as TIFF ’16 Closing Night Film The Edge of Seventeen, but feels a little more introspective and nostalgic – no doubt due to Gerwig’s hilarious and touching screenplay. The first-time Director shows a real knack for honing-in on great character moments – no matter how ordinary they might be. She has also assembled a terrific Cast, highlighted by magnificent performances from Laurie Metcalf and Beanie Feldstein (Jonah Hill’s younger sister!).
But Ronan is the one who is the true knockout, alternating between scathing humour and teenage melodrama with ease. She disappears into Lady Bird, giving us yet another reason to continue watching this spectacular young talent.
Lady Bird screens TIFF ’17 at the following times:
Friday, September 8 9:00 p.m. Ryerson Theatre
Saturday, September 9 7:00 p.m. Scotiabank Theatre 2
Saturday, September 16 8:45 p.m. Elgin Theatre
#TIFF17: “STRONGER”
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
The Boston Marathon bombing of April 2013 impacted many people but perhaps few so drastically as Jeff Bauman. Director David Gordon Green’s latest effort Stronger, follows Bauman on his path toward recovery and redemption.
Hailing from the working-class suburb of Chelmsford, Jeff (Jake Gyllenhaal) was standing near the marathon’s finish line ready to cheer on his on-again/off-again girlfriend Erin (Canadian Tatiana Maslany). Moments before bombing he saw a young man in a baseball cap and looked him in the eyes. When Jeff awoke in hospital the next day he learned he had lost both his legs. His mother (played by Miranda Richardson) and guilt-ridden girlfriend try to help on the road to recovery as he wrestles with PTSD and the weight of the expectations thrust upon by a nation desperate for a hero.
In order to make the audience feel more connected with Bauman and his trauma, Green relies rather heavily on close-ups but this does not detract from the stellar performances, particularly from Maslany. Although formulaic, Stronger does its best to recreate the rather unlikable Bauman and paint him as a modern, if highly flawed, hero.
eOne Films will screen Stronger at TIFF ’17 at the following times:
Friday, September 8 6:30 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall
Saturday, September 9 10:45 a.m. Winter Garden Theatre
#TIFF17: “CALL ME BY YOUR NAME”
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Coming-of-age stories are hardly anything new. Neither are stories about young men learning to accept their sexuality. What makes Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name unique is its dedication to expressing its young protagonist’s story in a way that is no way exploitative while still being completely honest about the struggles of the 17-year-old.
Elio (Timothée Chalamet) lives “somewhere in Northern Italy” with his parents (Amira Casar and Michael Stuhlbarg, whose emotional Third Act soliloquy is a highlight of the Film). Every year the Perlmans invite an American university student to study with them for the summer. This year’s guest, Oliver (Armie Hammer), has caught the attention of all the girls in the village. Stuck on the sidelines, Elio isn’t sure if he’s jealous of Oliver or the girls. As the summer draws to a close, Elio makes the first move and changes the power dynamic in his relationship with Oliver leaving both emotionally vulnerable.
Standing as a servant to the Film but never overtaking the action, the music, highlighted with original songs by Sufjan Stevens, is nothing short of perfection. Perhaps the least well known of the cast, Chalamet’s performance is astonishing even in scenes where Guadagnino’s imagery leans toward becoming too heavy-handed. Call Me By Your Name is an absolute must-see during the Festival.
Mongrel Media will screen Call Me By Your Name at TIFF ’17 at the following times:
Thursday, September 7 7:15 p.m. Ryerson Theatre
Friday, September 8 9:30 a.m. TIFF Bell Lightbox
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