No it’s not a rumour, SNOWDEN the Movie really exists and after some delays, we’re finally getting the official Trailer!

Synopsis:
Academy Award®-winning director Oliver Stone, who brought Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, Wall Street and JFK to the big screen, tackles the most important and fascinating true story of the 21st century. Snowden, the politically-charged, pulse-pounding thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley, reveals the incredible untold personal story of Edward Snowden, the polarizing figure who exposed shocking illegal surveillance activities by the NSA and became one of the most wanted men in the world. He is considered a hero by some, and a traitor by others. No matter which you believe, the epic story of why he did it, who he left behind, and how he pulled it off makes for one of the most compelling films of the year.

Watch:

Elevation Pictures release SNOWDEN Friday, September 16, 2016. TIFF ’16, anyone?

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Umm… can we go to Cannes? The lineup for the prestigious Film Festival has been revealed and this year 49 titles from 28 countries will be making their way to the Croisette May 11-12, 2016.  The Festival is seen as a precursor to some of the Films that will be seen Awards Season as contenders and also in our City, TIFF this September?

Among the highlights are Woody Allen‘s latest, Café Society, which re-teams once again Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg. The Film is about a young man in the ’30s who goes to Paris looking to work in Film, but he falls in love and is swept away by the café society. It opens the Festival.

Unlike other years, no Closing Night Film was announced. Like TIFF, they will re-screen the winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or.

American Honey from Andrea Arnold (Transparent), is a British Film about a group of young people who travel the U.S. selling magazine subscriptions and the antics they get into. Shia Labeouf and Riley Keough star.

Elle is the latest from Paul Verhoeven (Showgirls, Basic Instinct) and it centers around a video game company executive who gets attacked in her own home. She devotes her energies into finding her assailant and what results is much like an unpredictable video game.

Canada is well-represented by festival darling Xavier Dolan‘s latest, It’s Only the End of the World. It centers on a man who returns home to tell his family he’s dying. It stars Vincent Cassel, Marion Cotillard and Léa Seydoux.

Visionary Pedro Almodóvar returns to the festival circuit with his latest Julieta, which follows the life of a woman on the verge of madness and her life 30 years prior when things were grand.

Loving from Jeff Nichols follows an interracial couple who go to prison for being in love in 1958. Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton star.

Jim Jarsmusch returns with his latest, Paterson, about a bus driver who dabbles in poetry. Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Adam Driver stars.

Sean Penn directs The Last Face, starring Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem, both aid workers who fall in love in a war-torn Liberia.

Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) returns with The Handmaiden, about an heiress who falls for a thief.

Nicolas Winding Refn is developing a reputation for stylish, unconventional and polarizing Films and he returns with The Neon Demon, starring Elle Fanning as a supermodel whom is preyed upon by her rivals.

Personal Shopper stars Kristen Stewart as a young woman working as a shopper for a celebrity. Olivier Assayas directs.

Screening out of competition, meaning they are not competing for the Palme d’Or, are Jodie Foster‘s New York-filmed Money Monster starring Julia Roberts, George Clooney and Jack O’Connell. Steven Spielberg‘s eagerly-awaited Roald Dahl adaptation, The BFG also premieres. The Nice Guys by Shane Black, stars Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe – a pair of almost-cops who bend the rules surrounding a missing girl’s investigation.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

Directed by Peter Berg, and starring Mark Wahlberg, Dylan O’Brien, Kurt Russell, Kate Hudson and John Malkovich, we’re expecting big things of DEEPWATER HORIZON. Maybe even a TIFF ’16 Premiere? We’ll see! We saw the Trailer a couple months ago and are happy to share it finally with you!

Synopsis:
Based on the true events that occurred on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, the story chronicles the courage of those who worked on the Deepwater Horizon and the extreme moments of bravery and survival in the face of what would become one of the biggest man-made disasters in world history.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

Elevation Pictures release DEEPWATER HORIZON Friday, September 30, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

It seems as though everything was taking place in Toronto this weekend! While attention was focused on the NBA All-Star Weekend, TIFF also was hosting the Next Wave Film Festival for young Movie Lovers!

Closing Night Gala SING STREET marked the end of the Festival, programmed for youth by youth. The well-reviewed Sundance hit is about an Irish teen who leaves his hometown to start a band in London during the 80s.  The autobiographical Musical Comedy by Writer/Director John Carney, stars Ferdia Walsh-Peelo who is being touted as a big breakout star and a Musician in his own right. In addition to introducing his Film tonight at TIFF Bell Lightbox, Walsh-Peelo also did a Q&A, performing selections from Sing Street acoustically. He tells me outside Gabby’s, he’s used to performing with the five-piece band from the Film, so tonight was a bit unique doing it on his own.

See our Snap with Walsh-Peelo who has been in town on the coldest weekend ever to promote his Film!

So awesome meeting the insanely-talented #FerdiaWalshPeelo, star of #NextWave Closing Night Film, #SingStreet. The Musical Comedy is winning huge raves, including lotsa buzz from #Sundance!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 14, 2016 at 8:50pm PST

See the Trailer:

Elevation Pictures release SING STREET, release date to be announced.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

In honour of TIFF‘s 40th anniversary this year, TIFF Bell Lightbox is hosting an exhibition celebrating love of celebrity.

On the fourth floor of the building is an exhibition which takes place through April 2016. It is comprised of scrapbook collections of German-born Edith Nadajewsky, photographs by Russian-born Jack Pashkovsky and snaps from the Festival’s archives since its modest days to the full-fledged Red Carpet extravaganza it has become.

Long before Celeb Selfies existed, some were more modest and content just to see and admire the greats!

Never intended to be seen by a wider audience, these pieces and photographs now are available for the public to reminisce about and admire.  Snaps of literally everyone from Brad to Cher to Marilyn are displayed throughout the space.

Some Snaps of the Exhibit:

Finally had a chance to check out the “In Love with the Stars” Exhibit, 4th floor @Tiff_net Lightbox! Years of history in scrapbooks and photograps on display from #TIFF Archives, #EdithNadajewsky and #JackPashkovsky. Maybe one day TIFF will do an exhibit of my Selfies? On till April.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 4, 2015 at 9:18am PST

For more, visit here.

It would be a dream to have our thousands of Selfies on display one day at the Lightbox!  We can always dream…

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We’re sad and in ways glad to see TIFF ’15 ending and although we love the excitement, it’s nice to get back to normal again. We worked ourselves into the ground and got quite ill, but we’re fighting it. We believe in transparency and admit this wasn’t the most exciting Festival in memory, but we had fun and look forward to TIFF ’16.  With rain drowning-out a lot of the fun on the Festival’s three busiest days, fans were forced to make the most out of the situation and in these times we see truly who the champs of Hollywood truly are!

Whether it be Tom Hardy or George Clooney braving the wet for fans, few can argue that it’s absolutely worth the labour and effort for that one moment of connection.

Let’s look back at my highlights of TIFF ’15!

To say this was a chore is an understatement. I love Brie Larson and if she doesn’t know that by now then it’s time to invest in a billboard.  This Selfie took nine tries dating back to 2013. Prior to TIFF ’15, many were asking who she was. Now that the festival is over, people are googling.  She is amazing in Room, but I’ve enjoyed her work long before that.  Expect her to be in the thick of the Best Actress race this Awards Season. Worth it? Totally.

My #TIFF15 made. The one star I absolutely had to get a Selfie with, #BrieLarson. Please go see #RoomTheMovie. Riveting. Heartbreaking. Joyous. Emotional. Our faces touched and she gave me a genuine moment of thanks. I am willing to put my last dollar that this will be a force Awards season. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 15, 2015 at 3:39pm PDT

Happy to see the #bae, #TomHardy. Nicest man of #TIFF15. #TIFF #TIFF40 #LEGENDMovie #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 3:31pm PDT

#KristenStewart stunning on #TIFF15 carpet for #EqualsMovie. #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 1:30pm PDT

Analeigh Tipton. I’ve been singing her praises for years and all it is gonna take for this former America’s Next Top Model contestant to get that one breakout role and I’m confident you too will fall in love with the statuesque stunner. She was here for a supporting role in Ryan Reynolds‘ Film Mississippi Grind.

The talented and lovely #AnaleighTipton, at #TIFF15 with #MississippiGrind. One of my favourite young actresses. She promised me a #selfie three years ago and did it! Do you believe she once was a contestant on #ANTM? #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 16, 2015 at 3:06pm PDT

This boy is a remarkable actor. Thanks for the photo @iamjaketremblay! #RoomTheMovie #TIFF40 #TIFF15 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #JacobTremblay #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 15, 2015 at 3:33pm PDT

#ShiaLaBeouf at #TIFF15 for #ManDown. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 15, 2015 at 3:27pm PDT

Awkward selfies with #DakotaJohnson, at #TIFF15 for #BlackMass. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #FIFTYSHADESOFGREY #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 11:45am PDT

Arrived 6:50 AM and that’s the closest I could get to #JohnnyDepp. #BlackMass #TIFF15 #Tiff40 #Toronto #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 2:34pm PDT

Kevin Bacon. Can’t knock this champ. He met everyone and even accommodated me for a Selfie at the Black Mass Press Conference. Unsure why this pic is so pixelicious. Oh well, I tried! LOL

Strugglicious #selfie with #KevinBacon. At #TIFF15 with #BlackMass.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 8:46am PDT

Beyond thrilled to meet #LukeEvans! At #TIFF15 for #HighRiseMovie. #Tiff40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 10:30pm PDT

  Handsome #TomHiddleston at the post-party for #HighRiseMovie at Byblos. #TIFF15 #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 10:28pm PDT

#EddieRedmayne hugging #ToniCollette. #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF15 #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 10:53am PDT

  #EddieRedmayne at #TIFF15 for #TheDanishGirl. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2015 at 11:10pm PDT

#BenFoster at #TIFF15 with #TheProgram. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #LanceArmstrong #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2015 at 8:35pm PDT

  #BryanCranston at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2015 at 4:15pm PDT

#EmilyBlunt at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2015 at 4:12pm PDT

#JessicaChastain at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2015 at 4:10pm PDT

Oops! I did it again. #MattDamon at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 12, 2015 at 4:21pm PDT

Finally. After six years of trying, it happened. #MattDamon + me. #TIFF15 #TheMartian #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 12:49pm PDT

With Queen #JulianneMoore. At #TIFF15 for #FreeheldMovie. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 9:49am PDT

This one I’m extra-happy about! Finally a Selfie with #EllenPage, who slayed it in #FREEHELDMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF15 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #Xmen #NikonD3300   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 7:32pm PDT

#SebastianStan at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #CaptainAmerica #WinterSoldier #BuckyBarnes #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:59pm PDT

#KateMara at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT My second time getting a and the man needs to up his Selfie Game. He is superb in . Nominee we’re thinking for sure.

#BenicioDelToro at #TIFF15 for #Sicario. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

#JoshuaJackson here to support #DianeKruger at #TIFF15 for #DisorderMovie. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #NikonD3300   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 17, 2015 at 6:50pm PDT

Morning from #DianeKruger and me. She is at #TIFF15 with #DisorderMovie. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 16, 2015 at 8:30am PDT

#SalmaHayek at #TIFF15 for #SeptembersofShiraz. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 16, 2015 at 12:20pm PDT

With the v. stunning #AnyaTaylorJoy, at #TIFF15 with #TheWitch. Rave reviews coming into #TIFF. #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 18, 2015 at 3:12pm PDT

With legendary #JeremyIrons, at #TIFF15 with #TheManWhoKnewInfinity. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TIFF15 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 17, 2015 at 11:37am PDT

#DrewBarrymore at #TIFF15 for #MissYouAlready. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 10:59am PDT

Rock icon #KeithRichards at #TIFF15 with #UndertheInfluenceMovie. #TheRollingStones #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 17, 2015 at 11:54am PDT

It’s like time stood still for a moment between #NataliePortman and I. #TIFF15 #TIFFSoiree #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2015 at 4:53pm PDT. Huge fan of and her work in the Trilogy. She was in a foot cast for crying out loud. She tells me she broke her leg.. She is here for French Comedy.

The formidable #JulieDelpy, at #TIFF15 with #Lolo. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #LoloMovie #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 18, 2015 at 12:04pm PDT None of us had any idea was showing-up as Producer of , starring . He walked the entire carpet, greeting fans as it was about to rain. I got sick waiting in the cold dampness, but well worth it.

Nick Robinson. This Jurassic World star was here for Rob Reiner‘s latest, Being Charlie. Certainly one to look-out for this next while.

#NickRobinson of #JurassicWorld at #TIFF15 for #BeingCharlie. #TIFF40 #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 14, 2015 at 11:43am PDT

#GeorgeClooney + #SandraBullock at the #OURBRANDISCRISIS Premiere, #TIFF15. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2015 at 4:05pm PDT

And now to thank our partners for TIFF ’15 whom we couldn’t have done it without. We did it bigger and better than ever this year! We won’t forget appearing on CBC’s Metro Morning, ITV’s Good Morning Britain, CTV News and CP24 and if you learned of us through these appearances, welcome and please stick around!  We go hard year-round,  not just TIFF!

Wrapping up #TIFF15 coverage at @CP24 with these two Media icons, Stephen LeDrew and @richardcrouse. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 18, 2015 at 9:46am PDT

Thank you to the following. I couldn’t have done TIFF ’15 with their generosity and support!

My hero. Wouldn’t have been able to do #TIFF15 without the extended battery life and fast charge of the #GalaxyS6 by #Samsung. All blogging and social media (inc. editing) was done on the #SamsungGalaxyS6. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 18, 2015 at 1:38pm PDT

Thank you @novotelnorthamerica Downtown Centre! We couldn’t have done #TIFF15 without your hospitality and convenience. It means so much that Billy had a cozy, pet-friendly home away from home, where I could check in on him quickly from all the action! #TIFF40 #Novotel A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 18, 2015 at 1:52pm PDT 

Thrilled to be reunited with the @fordcanada Focus Titanium #TIFF15! Luxurious lifesaver! #Ford #FordFocus #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 9:04am PDT

“Your pics are awesome!”. Trust me, it’s not me. It’s my #NikonD3300 with my #55200mm lens + #wu1a adapter, letting me upload from camera to you instantly! All #TIFF15 photos were taken on my #Nikon. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 18, 2015 at 2:00pm PDT

Hanging in the #CTV Green Room waiting for the Prime Minister to finish his speech. Here to talk #TIFF15! Many greats have chilled here like Taylor Swift for example! Do you like my doughnut shirt? Just one of a bunch of cool things I’ll be wearing thanks to H&M Canada! #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #samsunggalaxys6   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 10, 2015 at 7:12am PDT

Your chance to #win a v. English Prize Pack, in celebration of #TIFF15! Link in Bio! #Giveaway #Contest #Toronto #TheSix #Tyrrells #Outlander #LambertandStamp #London #England #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2015 at 11:59am PDT

Our Contributors team-up to preview their top #TIFF15 Picks! Link in Bio! #TorontoFilmFestival #Toronto #TIFF #TIFF40 #TheSix #Review #Movie A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 9, 2015 at 7:41am PDT

I do it for the fans. #TIFF15 #TIFF40 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 16, 2015 at 3:39pm PDT

TIFF ’16, bb.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

With stars Departure-bound at the Airport, we still have a few here to visit as TIFF ’15 approaches an end.  We’re still excited though nonetheless and hope you are too!  See who we spotted today…

Analeigh Tipton. I first wrote a blog post about this former America’s Next Top Model finalist after being wowed by her in an advanced screening of Crazy.Stupid.Love.  Her sweet, delightful awkwardness is irresistible and I have loved seeing her star gradually rise these past few years.  Tipton is here for gambling drama Mississippi Grind starring alongside Sienna Miller, Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendohlson, premiering tonight at Roy Thomson Hall. She promised me a Selfie after getting yanked away at the Damsels in Distress premiere here a few years ago and she kept her promise today. She looked AMAZING.

The talented and lovely #AnaleighTipton, at #TIFF15 with #MississippiGrind. One of my favourite young actresses. She promised me a #selfie three years ago and did it! Do you believe she once was a contestant on #ANTM? #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 16, 2015 at 3:06pm PDT

Charlie Kaufman.  This Filmmaker is getting tons of acclaim for his TIFF ’15 entry Anomalisa and it was recently announced the stop-motion animated feature was picked-up by Paramount Pictures. It just won the Grand Jury Prize a Venice too. Here he is after a morning screening today, stopping to sign some autographs.  Photo via our Dave Baldwin.

Director #CharlieKaufman at #TIFF15 with #Anomalisa. His film was bought by Paramount Pictures! Photo credit: @davemabaldwin.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 16, 2015 at 4:01pm PDT

Salma Hayek.  We love this beauty and are grateful to have met her last year at TIFF.  She is here for Septembers of Shiraz, starring opposite Adrien Brody and was even see kissing fans yesterday after completing press.

#SalmaHayek at #TIFF15 for #SeptembersofShiraz. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 16, 2015 at 12:20pm PDT

Diane Kruger. We’ve longed to meet this incredibly-talented woman for so long now and are pleased to have met her and get a Selfie today as she quietly started her day of press this morning.  She stars in both Sky and Disorder, premiering at TIFF ’15 today and tomorrow respectively. And for those curious, no Joshua Jackson.

 

Morning from #DianeKruger and me. She is at #TIFF15 with #DisorderMovie. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300

 

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 16, 2015 at 8:30am PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Writer/Director Paul Gross went great lengths to make his World War I Film Passchendaele stack up next to its American counterparts. He takes what he learned and extends it to the modern and significantly more intense Hyena Road – chronicling a group of soldiers trying to construct a highway link in Afghanistan. The Film dazzles with fierce and near breathless action scenes, punctuated by surprisingly extreme violence.

But the Film gets bogged down by too much political nonsense and focus on a mysterious character not so ironically called The Ghost (an infuriatingly-unsubtitled Neamat Arghandabi). Worse, the Film quickly stops being about the titular road, and never quite finds its footing with underdeveloped subplots and thin characterizations. When Gross is not offering lengthy narrations, he shines as a hardened intelligence officer. But it is Rossif Sutherland (son of Donald and half-brother of Kiefer) who steals the show as both a sniper and the Film’s moral compass.

Elevation Pictures release Hyena Road and it screens at TIFF ’15 Monday September 14 at 9:30PM at Roy Thomson Hall and Tuesday September 15 at 1:30PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

Touted as the first gangster movie directed by a woman in 40 years, BEEBA BOYS, from acclaimed, Oscar-nominated Deepa Metha, mixes guns, bhangra beats, cocaine, interracial romance and traditional family values with brutal violence and culture clashes. Set in Vancouver, it tells the story of Indo-Canadian, Jeet Johar (played by Bollywood star Randeep Hooda) and his gang of foul-mouth, outrageously-flashy and colourfully-dressed frat boyish friends who want to take over the drug and arms scene. At face value, other than the intense Jeet, they could be mistaken for a motley crew of misfits, but no one should ever cross their way.

While in prison waiting to be acquitted for murder, Jeet meets Nep (a multi-layered performance from Toronto based actor Ali Momen) and asks him to join his gang as they plot to take over the turf of a respected old school businessman. At his murder trial, Jeet cruises and ultimately winds up with a pretty Polish manicurist. To have a white, preferably blonde, girlfriend gives male Indo-Canadian gangsters status; just another trophy and possession as important as the latest BMW or Rolex.

Metha’s mastery with the camera and exquisite eye for detail is all there to see on screen. Sadly, BEEBA BOYS fails to make the mark on many levels due to a script lacking originality. The screenplay is unable to make it out the shadows of SCARFACE, the F-Bombs and pop culture chats between the gangsters echo PULP FICTION.  There is a plot twist near the end, so ridiculously contrived, it elicits groans from this audience member. Despite a brilliant cameo performance from a manbunned Paul Gross and a stellar job by Ali Momen, BEEBA BOYS regretfully is not Deepa Metha’s finest moment.

Mongrel Media release BEEBA BOYS, screening at TIFF ’15:
Sun Sep 13 6:30 PM
ROY THOMSON HALL

Mon Sep 14 2:30 PM
SCOTIABANK 1

Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong

Legend is sure to be beloved by both critics and audiences alike, and the reason is simple: Tom Hardy.

Tom Hardy plays brothers Ronnie & Reggie Kray, England’s notorious twin gangsters. In the 1950/60’s the Kray Twins operated a criminal empire known as “The Firm.” Throughout their criminal career their notoriety was often coupled with adoration, and this Film about their rise and fall gives us insight into the fascination.

Well constructed, written, and cast, Legend is an excellent addition to the Gangster Cinema genre. It is also exemplary of Hardy‘s talents. His abilities as a leading man, and a character actor are on display throughout the Film, and for Festival attendees you can see for yourselves starting this Saturday.

Elevation Pictures release LEGEND and it screens at TIFF ’15:

Sat  Sep 12 9:30 PM

ROY THOMSON HALL    

Sun  Sep 13 11:00 AM

VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)  

Sat  Sep 19 9:15 PM

PRINCESS OF WALES