The Beatles legend Ringo Starr is in Toronto today to play Massey Hall but not first without a rare opportunity to connect with fans. His book is called Photograph, a collection of Starr‘s photographic work taken from his archives and replicated from family albums. In addition to having these photos on exhibit today at Indigo Bay Bloor, Starr engaged in a Q&A with franchise founder and cheif executive, Heather Reisman.

Despite being 15 minutes only, Starr reflected upon his career and where he is today. He reveals that he grew up impoverished in Liverpool and after a bout of tuberculosis, he became obsessed with drumming after a nurse gave him a tambourine to play with. Despite not being able to afford drums, he made it a mission to go through music shops locally, playing every chance he got. After much persistence and not saying “no” to any opportunity, he would go on to become the star he is today.

Starr‘s book aims to do some good. Proceeds from sales go to the Lotus Children Foundation.

On artists of today, he wouldn’t single-out or nominate any he is most crazy about despite Reisman‘s persistence. He did say he had a great time collaborating with Green Day. He does still listen to his old vinyl and loves blues and country, occasionally downloading off iTunes new things he hears.

“Vinyl is better for the soul and ears”, he says on his preference how to listen to music. “It’s definitely gotten more popular again as kids have nothing to rebel against.”

Learn more about Photograph by Ringo Starr here.

It was amazing being literally a foot from Starr!

.@indigogreenroom: When #TheBeatles’ #RingoStarr smiles right at you and literally is a foot away… He’s at Massey Hall tonight and did a Q&A at @indigobaybloor for #RingoStarrPhotography. #nikond3300 #55200mm #wu1a

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 20, 2015 at 11:26am PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We actually have been a little mesmerized by multi-champion Figure Skater Johnny Weir for quite some time, so we are thrilled we got to meet the fashion-forward star of the ice.

Weir currently is in on tour with Nancy Kerrigan‘s Halloween on Ice and the show stops off in Mississauga tonight at Hershey Centre.

He got tons of exposure as a fashion commentator for NBC‘s Kentucky Derby broadcast, while appearing also on popular Fashion Police as a guest panelist, where his transparency and sense of humour won him fans outside the ice rink.

Weir was amazingly nice to stop for a Selfie, all in black.  His Louis Vuitton bag was everything – complete with a puff of fur. “It’s to keep my bag from getting cold”, he joked.

See the interview here.

See our Snap:

With multi-champion figure skater and Kentucky Derby fashion commentator #JohnnyWeir. He is in #Toronto for #HalloweenonIce tonight at Hershey Centre.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 20, 2015 at 6:08am PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Few screenwriters are recognized as well as Aaron Sorkin, hence when we heard he was in town, naturally we became v. excited. If you loved The West Wing (which he created), The Newsroom, The Social Network or A Few Good Men, you already are a fan of Sorkin and you might not even have known it.

Sorkin made the rounds in Toronto today in support of Danny Boyle‘s Oscar contender, Steve Jobs, which stars Michael Fassbender in the titular role. He appeared on CITY‘s Breakfast Television (watch here) and later Global‘s The Morning Show.

We’re not sure why, but we expected him to be unapproachable, but he was amazingly nice to stop and greet fans. “Who’s that handsome guy??”, he joked as he signed an 8×10 of himself. And no word of a life he did look great!

See our Snap:

With the brilliant #AaronSorkin, who has delivered us brilliance with #TheNewsroom, #AFewGoodMen, #TheSocialNetwork and now #SteveJobs, in #Toronto today.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 20, 2015 at 6:00am PDT

Universal Pictures Canada release STEVE JOBS, in theatres everywhere Friday, October 23, 2015.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Although Awards season is well on its way, one Film consistently winning the hearts of festival goers and critics is ROOM. We have long been singing Brie Larson‘s praises and together with young Canadian talent Jacob Tremblay, you will be blown away!

Director Lenny Abrahamson is in Toronto today promoting the emotional Thriller, filmed right here in our city. He was up and at ’em early at CITY‘s Breakfast Television at 6 am and despite not having luck with him at TIFF in September, we had a quick chance to say “hi” leaving The Morning Show at Global. See the interview here.

He had a chuckle when I told him the film made me cry, shake and now potentially relapse again. Yes, it is that good!

See the Trailer:

You will not regret seeing this Film.

See our Snap:

The buzz for #RoomTheMovie continues to build feverishly! Director #LennyAbrahamson back today to the city where it all began! #RoomMovie #ROOM #DISCOVERYOURSTRONG

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 20, 2015 at 6:47am PDT

Elevation Pictures release ROOM Friday, October 23, 2015 and across Canada on Friday, October 30, 2015.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Elevation Pictures)

In case you’ve been oblivious, STAR WARS fever is kicking into high gear. The unsolicited Facebook messages where faithful readers are pawning off their significant others on me in hopes I’ll get Advance Screening Passes to see The Force Awakens….

And every Contributor on your website promises literary greatness for you just to see it first…

And I even find myself eating STAR WARS Cereal for Breakfast…

Thanks to @gatorkitten and his mommy @rubyfire1313 for this amazing #StarWars-themed breakfast all the way from Illinois!! Americans are so owning this #cereal game! #TheForceAwakens

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 19, 2015 at 8:25am PDT

p.s. They’re way better than Lucky Charms... because there are marshmallow Storm Troopers.

So apparently people are excited for this Movie, right?

Anyhow, a new Trailer finally has surfaced today for The Force Awakens which you absolutely must-see.

And of course, you must appreciate this new official Artwork!

Friday, December 18, 2015, people.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

The 78th running of the Pattison Canadian International took place at Woodbine yesterday and despite the chill, fans came out in crowds to see the thoroughbred season’s final marquee race of the 2015 racing season at the historic racetrack!  Scarves and free bets were given away to all who registered, while the third floor saw a variety of international flavours being served for one day only. And for the first time ever, a chance to win $1-million was offered to fans with Woodbine‘s Million Dollar Megapick.  At no cost at all, fans were invited to pick the exact order of finish in both the Pattison Canadian International and E.P. Taylor Stakes to win the jackpot!

Winning the $1-million-dollar headliner was American-bred and British-based CANNOCK CHASE, a four-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid owned by Rabbah Bloodstock and trained by industry icon Sir Michael R. Stoute.  Under top rider Ryan Moore, he closed late down the stretch on Woodbine‘s lush turf course to win by 1 1/2 lengths after a bit of a slow start. Finishing second was Canada’s pride and joy UP WITH THE BIRDS, who in 2013 was crowned the nation’s Horse of the Year for Sam-Son Farm.  American rider John Velazquez set the hearts of local fans a flutter as the colt surged to the lead deep in the stretch, only to be passed late.  Handled by renowned trainer Graham Motion, he now is based in the U.S., although his next steps are still being discussed. Third was English-based SHEIKHZAYEDROAD who shipped to Woodbine last year to take the Northern Dancer Stakes, reuniting with jockey Martin Lane. The winner paid $7.50 to a $2 investment and the final time 1 1/2 mile event was completed in a time of 2:29.2, about four seconds off the course record.

See the race:

Fans were treated to an amazing card of racing earlier filled with international talent, highlighted also by the $500k E.P. Taylor Stakes, restricted to fillies and mares.  The blue-blooded CURVY  was thrust into contention late in the 1 1/8 mile race on the turf course under Ryan Moore, winning for trainer David Wachman and owners Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier & Derrick Smith.  The daughter of Galileo was the race favourite and paid $6.90 to a $2 bet.

American shipper BYE BYE BERNIE under Rafael Hernandez took the $300k Grade II Nearctic Stakes, a competitive turf sprint, while another returning invader from south of the border, CACTUS KRIS, took the $150k Ontario Fashion Stakes with Huber Villa-Gomez aboard.

See some photos from the day from our Nikon D3300 lens:

CANNOCK CHASE wins the $1-million PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL

Phenomenal day at the #WOIntl. A Canuck didn’t win, but a ‘Cannock’ did! Congrats to CANNOCK CHASE who won valiantly under Ryan Moore. So proud of our UP WITH THE BIRDS who ran a phenomenal second, representing Canada so well! #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine #BetWoodbine #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 18, 2015 at 4:48pm PDT

Smashing performance by CURVY under Ryan Moore to win the $500k EP Taylor Stakes! #BetWoodbine #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #WOIntl #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 18, 2015 at 2:16pm PDT

Racing superstar RYAN MOORE after winning his third consecutive Pattison Canadian International, taking Selfies graciously in the sunset. Hmm.. wonder if he used that #OFFTOTHERACES Hashtag to win $1k?

Free scarves, bets and an international array of tastes!

#OfftotheRaces! Don’t forget to get your free bet and #WOIntl scarf on the 3rd floor if you are at @woodbineracing today! #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 18, 2015 at 10:13am PDT

Good night. A memorable #WOIntl for the books! Had amazing food, won some cash and took lotsa selfies! Until next year! #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine #The6ix #Toronto #The6 #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 18, 2015 at 5:10pm PDT

There still is a chance to win $1k by Tweeting out a Selfie of yourself at Woodbine before the end of the 2015 racing season late November, using the Hashtag #OFFTOTHERACES!

We’ll be back next Saturday night at Woodbine for Harness Racing’s biggest night, the BREEDERS CROWN! The experience will be fresh for us and we hope to see you there!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.

Not many can say they’ve been within a penny’s throw of iconic Screen star Meryl Streep for almost three hours, so it is with sheer delight I can say I’ve now experienced the Queen herself in-person.  I can only describe the feeling as being incredibly-elevating.

Three-time Academy Award winner and 19-time nominee Streep mesmerized an intimate audience at Koerner Hall tonight, reading excerpts from Philip Roth‘s meditation on death, Everyman. Streep‘s reading was paired with the Takács Quartet in an experiment where they played four pieces according to member Edward Dusinberre, which were selected based on their thematic relevance.

Under circumstances of death, Everyman centers on the moments before its protagonist’s death and in a state of reflection are the stories of those surrounding him told, painting a portrait of himself in the process. We also witness death’s unpredictability with Streep embodying these characters fluidly and ever so seamlessly.

Despite being starstruck by her great presence for the first half of the night, eventually we were drawn-in, forgetting she was before us at times,  truly becoming these characters – a master’s class in storytelling. Streep truly is awe-inspiring and the Quartet evoked both mood and introspection among us.

Streep after promoting Oscar-contender Suffragette at the BFI London Film Festival recently, made her way to Toronto and we spied white roses and Tim Hortons being brought to her tonight.  She currently is at work on Stephen Frears’ Florence Foster Jenkins.

See more snaps below:

Spending Saturday night with Queen #MerylStreep at Koerner Hall at a reading of #Everyman. No big deal. #Meryl #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 17, 2015 at 7:58pm PDT

I can say I’ve truly lived, being in the presence of #MerylStreep for a few hours. Her ability to embody characters and storytell with seamless fluidity is a thing of awe. Will never forget tonight. #Meryl #Toronto #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 17, 2015 at 8:09pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

*FINAL NUMBERS TO COME MONDAY*

Despite competition from all corners, R.L. Stine-adaptation GOOSEBUMPS lands on top in its debut with $24.5 million from 3,501 theatres across North America for Sony Pictures. Starring Jack Black, Dylan Minnette and Odeya Rush, the Film which likely will see sequels based on the success of this and the best-selling series on which it is based, gets 71% from critics on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore from Audiences.

THE MARTIAN after a two-week domination lands in second this weekend with $22 million for 20th Century Fox. It nears the $150-million-mark domestically.

Cold War drama BRIDGE OF SPIES opens in third for DreamWorks with $15.9 million from 2,811 theatres. This latest effort from Steven Spielberg starring Tom Hanks, gets a A CinemaScore and an 86% on the Tomatometer.

CRIMSON PEAK opens in fourth with $13 million from 2,984 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Toronto-shot Romance-Horror starring Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain and Charlie Hunnam from Guillermo del Toro, gets an B- CinemaScore and a 68% on the Tomatometer.

Opening in eighth is football drama WOODLAWN for PureFlix with $4.6 million from 1,553 theatres. It has yet to open in Canada, but Audiences gave it an outstanding A+ CinemaScore.

SICARIO is in ninth with $4.5 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films in its fifth week out. Thus far it has grossed $34.6 million in North America.

MAZE RUNNER: SCORCH TRIALS rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.7 million in its fifth week out for 20th Century Fox.

Danny Boyle‘s STEVE JOBS expanded to 60 theatres for Universal Pictures, earning $1.6 million this weekend, to place 11th.

The 78th running of the Grade I PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL is set to take place at Woodbine Racetrack on Sunday, October 18, 2015.  Have you marked your calendar yet?

The final marquee race in the 2015 Woodbine thoroughbred racing season is set  to go with a cast of international megastars set to make their way to Toronto for a shot at the $1-million purse money!  This is the very race in which iconic Secretariat capped-off his storied racing career in 1973, so there’s a bit of history for you.

Also scheduled is an amazing card of racing including races filled with talent including the $150k Ontario Fashion Stakes, the $500k Grade I E.P. Taylor Stakes and the $300k Grade II Nearctic Stakes so you’ll probably want to stay for a bit as the card starts just before 1:00 PM.

Nominees for the $1-million Pattison Canadian International include:

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN RUN-OF-ENGAGEMENT PASSES TO SEE “SCOUTS GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE”

• October 13, 2015
• admin
• Giveaways
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Paramount Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to give Readers across Canada to see SCOUTS GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE with Run-of-Engagement Passes!

Official Synopsis:
Three scouts and lifelong friends join forces with one badass cocktail waitress to become the world’s most unlikely team of heroes. When their peaceful town is ravaged by a zombie invasion, they’ll fight for the badge of a lifetime and put their scouting skills to the test to save mankind from the undead.

Tye Sheridan, David Koechner, Cloris Leachman¸ Halston Sage, Logan Miller, Joey Morgan, Sarah Dumont and Patrick Schwarzenegger star.

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, simply  click “like” on this Post and state your city at Mr. Will on Facebook. 

Click “share” on this Post from there for an extra chance!

Poster:

Don’t forget, you can buy tickets across Canada to the Ultimate Fan Experience taking place on October 28, 2015 across Canada!

Paramount Pictures Canada release SCOUTS GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE Friday, October 30, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

scouts guide to the zombie apocalypse