TIFF ’19 officially has kicked into high gear and you won’t believe the star power we witnessed!

Check it out. Hover right on each album to navigate.

HUSTLERS – #SheInspiresMe Panel

SEBERG – Press Stop

SYNCHRONIC – Press Stop

THE FRIEND – Press Stop

 

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#TIFF19: With the Cast of #TheFriend – #DakotaJohnson, #JasonSegel, #IsabellaKai + #JakeOwen. The Cast rolled around town in #LandRovers.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2019 at 9:09am PDT

COLOR OUT OF SPACE – Press Stop

SOUND OF METAL – Press Stop

 

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#TIFF19: My biggest crush, #RizAhmed who is at #TIFF for #SoundofMetal. Stay tuned for @davemabaldwin’s chat with him and Co-Star #OliviaCooke! Ahmed just received the #IMDb Star Meter Award!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2019 at 8:29am PDT

KNIVES OUT – Press Stop

 

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#TIFF19: With the Cast of #KnivesOut – #JamieLeeCurtis, #DonJohnson (whose daughter Dakota also is at #TIFF), #ToniCollette, #KatherineLangford, #JaedenMartell, #ChristopherPlummer + #ChrisEvans. #HuaweiP30Pro

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2019 at 10:38am PDT

JOJO RABBIT – Press Stop

 

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#TIFF19: The Cast and Director of #JojoWabbit! With #TaikaWaititi, #StephenMerchant + #ThomasinMcKenzie. #HuaweiP30Pro

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 7, 2019 at 10:09am PDT

THE LIGHTHOUSE – Press Stop

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

“I wanted the Film to feel evil.”

It is a rather innocuous quote, but one that perfectly describes the aura around Ari Aster’s critically-acclaimed Film Hereditary. The first-time feature Writer/Director has received unanimous praise out of both Sundance and SXSW for his Tale of a grieving family who, in the wake of their matriarch’s death, discover nightmarish secrets relating to their ancestry. Aster presented the Film at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Wednesday evening – the first Canadian public screening – and followed with a Q&A with the George Stroumboulopoulos.

And when your Film is being touted on posters as the “scariest Film since The Exorcist”, you know the audience is in for something special.

The less said about the shocks and surprises found within Hereditary, the better. For Aster, he just wanted to “make a Movie about grief and trauma.” But having watched various Oscar-type movies during his schooling at AFI and Sundance, he knew he had to make something more unique and outside the box: “It’s in me to see [those kinds of movies] and think, what’s the worst thing I can do here?” He doubled down by suggesting the whole point of Hereditary was to “make a Film that didn’t let people off the hook” for what they were involved with, suggesting not so-subtly that “everything that’s coming is inevitable.”

Another important element of Aster’s discussion with Strombo was regarding the Film’s Sound Design. Much of the sounds came directly off the pages of Aster’s Script, but his Sound Team was determined to use them in radically different ways. “We played a lot with using different speakers,” Aster says, using them to express not just the sounds on-screen, but the different emotions and feelings of the characters. He stressed that some effects – including mouth clicking that becomes progressively more horrifying – were designed to be “played in different parts of the room” at all times. As Aster recalled, listening on a conventional stereo system completely ruined the terrifying effects he was going for (and in turn, Colin Stetson’s enigmatic Score), remarking that he “wanted this sub base thing that you feel in your guts more than you hear it.”

But no matter where the conversation went (including a brief mention of how proud he was of Lead Actress Toni Collette’s “kamikaze” performance), Aster kept circling back to the feeling he was trying to evoke through every twisted frame of Hereditary. “I wanted to test your patience,” he told the packed audience, noting that “As the [characters] were suffering, the Movie is smiling.” And while he describes the Film as “sinister” and “mean-spirited”, he continues to be both shocked and delighted at the acclaim the Film keeps receiving – he just assumed he was “making a really alienating movie that made people feel bad.”

I will save my full thoughts on Hereditary for my upcoming Review but will note that I do not remember the last time I was so unsettled and unnerved watching a Movie. So skip the Trailers and start mentally preparing yourself – you will not want to miss out on this future Horror classic.

Elevation Pictures release HEREDITARY on June 8, 2018.

(Photo credit: David Baldwin)

Starring Matthew Goode x Toni Collette, the new Trailer for the Comedy, BIRTHMARKED has just surfaced for us to enjoy!

Synopsis:
Two scientists decide to raise their children (one natural, two adopted) in complete isolation as part of a large social experiment to see if they can shape their children’s personalities contrary to their genetic predisposition (a Nurture vs. Nature experiment). Eventually the children start to resist the conditioning set out by their parent’s “curriculum” and the relationship between the parents starts to deteriorate.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release BIRTHMARKED May 2018.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to see xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE, filmed right here in Toronto! Screenings take place as follows:

Screenings will take place in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa on Wednesday January 18th, 2017 at 7:00PM.

Toronto – Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas @ 7:00PM

Montreal – Cinema Banque Scotia Montreal @ 7:00PM

Ottawa – Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa @ 7:00PM

Synopsis:
The third explosive chapter of the blockbuster franchise that redefined the spy thriller finds extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) coming out of self-imposed exile and on a collision course with deadly alpha warrior Xiang and his team in a race to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. Recruiting an all-new group of thrill-seeking cohorts, Xander finds himself enmeshed in a deadly conspiracy that points to collusion at the highest levels of world governments. Packed with the series’ signature deadpan wit and bad-ass attitude, “xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE” will raise the bar on extreme action with some of the most mind-blowing stunts to ever be caught on film.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Indicate your city and click “share” from there for an extra chance!

Paramount Pictures Canada release xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Friday, January 20, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Made right here in Toronto what seems like yesterday, xXx: Return of Xander Cage will be ready to be seen in just a few more months. After Vin Diesel teased a sneak peek on his Socials the other day, now comes this brand new Trailer! And it sure sounds like a lot of buttering Xander up!

Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Friday, January 20, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

After 17 seasons in the NFL, Football icon Tony Gonzalez has found much success in the second act of his career as both a Television personality and now an Actor.  The former Tight End for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons has the distinction of playing 14 Pro Bowls!  He currently can be seen on CBS’ The NFL Today.

Gonzalez has been in and out of Toronto the past month working on his big screen debut in XXX: The Return of Xander Cage. Although little is known about his role just yet.  He was seen flying-in with Toni Collette who plays a bureaucrat in the C.I.A. Perhaps they will be filming scenes together?  He was amazingly nice to stop for a Photo as Collette head-on over to her vehicle first and he stayed behind for a couple Selfies!  Great dude!

XXX: The Return of Xander Cage continues to film in Toronto through late May.  Paramount Pictures release in January 2017.

See our Snap!

#NFL star #TonyGonzalez is in #Toronto for #XXX: #XanderCageReturns! His first ever role on the big screen!🏈

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 17, 2016 at 9:35am PDT

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Sports Illustrated)

Now this one we’re super-stoked about!  In 2003, Ong-Bak would revolutionize the way we looked at Martial Arts Films.   Thai  star Tony Jaa would become a breakout star not only in Asia, gaining legions of fans internationally with the Film being subtitled and released abroad.  Since then he has appeared in Hollywood Blockbusters like Furious 7 and Skin Trade.

After growing-up watching the likes of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li on the big screen, who would’ve known he’d go on to be as iconic as they?  Now he is set to star alongside one of his idols, Li in upcoming third installment in the XXX Franchise, The Return of Xander Cage. The Film sees Cage (Vin Diesel) return after being presumed dead, tasked on a mission which puts him face to face with dangerous Rai (Li).

Jaa is the latest cast member in the action extravaganza to arrive in Toronto after Diesel sightings were reported on King Street West last weekend, him dining at Jacob’s Steakhouse. Others including Bollywood princess Deepika Padukone and Chinese-Canadian Megastar Kris Wu already have been spotted around town.  Confirmed in the Cast are Samuel L. Jackson, Toni Collette, Ruby Rose, Conor McGregor and Nina Dobrev.

Just having celebrated his birthday a couple days back, Jaa arrived in Toronto a bit stunned by the cold weather.  Understandable as he’s coming from the tropical climate of his native Thailand.  He stopped and posed for Photos with random people detecting his immediate starpower.  “Are you famous? Can I get a picture with you?”, asked a lady from the UP Express. Of course, he obliged.  One Fan asked if he’ll  be fighting Jet Li in The Return of Xander Cage and he replied, “You’ll have to watch and see!”.

XXX: The Return of Xander Cage films in Toronto through May.

See our Snap:

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 6, 2016 at 5:34pm PST

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE, filmed in our hometown of Toronto!

Screenings will take place in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa on Wednesday January 18th, 2017 at 7:00PM as follows:

Toronto – Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas @ 7:00PM

Montreal – Cinema Banque Scotia Montreal @ 7:00PM

Ottawa – Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa @ 7:00PM

Synopsis:
The third explosive chapter of the blockbuster franchise that redefined the spy thriller finds extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) coming out of self-imposed exile and on a collision course with deadly alpha warrior Xiang and his team in a race to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. Recruiting an all-new group of thrill-seeking cohorts, Xander finds himself enmeshed in a deadly conspiracy that points to collusion at the highest levels of world governments. Packed with the series’ signature deadpan wit and bad-ass attitude, “xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE” will raise the bar on extreme action with some of the most mind-blowing stunts to ever be caught on film.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City! Click “share” from there for an extra chance!

Paramount Pictures Canada release xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Friday, January 20, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to see xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE, filmed right here in Toronto! Screenings take place as follows:

Screenings will take place in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa on Wednesday January 18th, 2017 at 7:00PM.

Toronto – Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas @ 7:00PM

Montreal – Cinema Banque Scotia Montreal @ 7:00PM

Ottawa – Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa @ 7:00PM

Synopsis:
The third explosive chapter of the blockbuster franchise that redefined the spy thriller finds extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) coming out of self-imposed exile and on a collision course with deadly alpha warrior Xiang and his team in a race to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. Recruiting an all-new group of thrill-seeking cohorts, Xander finds himself enmeshed in a deadly conspiracy that points to collusion at the highest levels of world governments. Packed with the series’ signature deadpan wit and bad-ass attitude, “xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE” will raise the bar on extreme action with some of the most mind-blowing stunts to ever be caught on film.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Indicate your city and click “share” from there for an extra chance!

Paramount Pictures Canada release xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Friday, January 20, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Rain continues to literally put a damper on TIFF ’15 Festivities, but hopefully this is the end of it!  Cloudy skies aside, Toronto continues to light-up on star power alone and here’s some stars we spotted today!

Kristen Stewart at TIFF ’15 for Equals looking amazing. Unfortunately due to lateness and the weather she didn’t’ come by to greet fans but she certainly was a vision!

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

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

Nicholas Hoult. We’ve had the handsome English Actor here many times, but it was a pleasure seeing him on the Carpet again today for Equals alongside Stewart.

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

Drew Barrymore is effortlessly-stylish as she attends a Photo Call for Catherine Hardwicke‘s tear-jerker Miss You Already.

#DrewBarrymore at #TIFF15 for #MissYouAlready. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 10:59am PDT

Can we all just take a second here and admire Toni Collette‘s amazing hair? She also was here for Miss You Already. Her performance will slay you.

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

She’s directed important Films like Twilight and Thirteen. Catherine Hardwicke is back with Miss You Already. Love her ball cap plugging the Film.

Director #CatherineHardwicke at #TIFF15 for #MissYouAlready. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 10:53am PDT

  Toni Collette + Eddie Redmayne exchange a hug. This is the beauty of the randomness that is TIFF ’15.

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

Everyone’s buzzing about Alicia Vikander‘s performance in The Danish Girl. We’re seeing it towards the end of the Festival. Can’t wait to enjoy it!

#AliciaVikander at #TIFF15 for #TheDanishGirl. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 10:52am PDT

  The lovely and gracious Eddie Redmayne, here for The Danish Girl.

#EddieRedmayne at #TIFF15 for #TheDanishGirl. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 10:52am PDT

Tom. Easily the most giving man of TIFF ’15. Hardy literally stood in the rain both last night and today at a Press Conference and greeting literally every Fan. Champ. He is here to promote Legend along with Emily Browning.

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

Tom Hiddleston looking ultra-stylish at the post-party for High-Rise.

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

Luke Evans. The handsome Welsh actor also at the post-party for High-Rise.

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

South African-born Actor Sharlto Copley out enjoying TIFF ’15!

#SharltoCopley at #TIFF15. Finally met a star as villainous as me. #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 10:31pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)