On a tepid weekend at the Box Office this Labour Day weekend, religious Drama WAR ROOM  takes the top of the Box Office in its second week out for Sony Pictures with $11.9  million, from 1,526 screens only. Despite not having opened yet in Canada, the Film continues to fare well in limited release.

In second this weekend was three-week champ STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON with $11.5 million for Universal Pictures, surpassing the $150 million-mark in North America.

A WALK IN THE WOODS starring Robert Redford and Emma Thompson debuts in third with $11 million for eOne Films/BGP Films. It gets a B CinemaScore from Audiences and a 47% on the Tomatometer.

THE TRANSPORTER REFUELED opens in fourth for Europa Corp./VVS Films with $8.8 million from 3,434 theatres. Critics gave it 18% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore.

INSIDE OUT continues to hang strong in eighth spot for Disney, with $4.3 million, now in its 14th week out domestically. By early this week it will have grossed $350 million in North America.

SINISTER 2 rounds-out the Top Ten in its third week out with $3.9 million for eOne Films/Focus Features.

Actor, Producer and Recording Artist AKON is in Toronto today promoting his upcoming five-disc opus, STADIUM.  Known best for his hits Lonely, I Wanna Love You (ft. Snoop Dogg) and Smack That (Ft. Eminem), Akon is responsible also for some of the biggest hits from artists like Lady Gaga and T-Pain.  The Senegalese star  also has spearheaded his own charity campaign, Akon Lighting Africa, bringing electricity to millions of African households. More on that here.

He made an appearance on Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), doing the rounds at KISS 92.5 and also City‘s Breakfast Television. He was here this time last year at TIFF also!

See our Snap:

With megaproducer and artist, #Akon, in #Toronto to promote 5-disc album STADIUM. #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 4, 2015 at 7:01am PDT

(Photo/video credit: Akon/Mr. Will Wong)

Fan Expo fully is in gear this weekend in Toronto, drawing a star-studded cluster of celebrities to Metro Toronto Convention Centre as they gear-up to meet their fans! In Toronto for the occasion and also to promote his hit new series, is ’90s hearththrob Christian Slater. Known best for his roles in classics like Heathers, Pump Up the Volume, True Romance, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles, the Actor is experiencing a resurgence of late. Showcase has picked-up rights to the popular Mr. Robot in Canada on which he stars alongside Rami Malek, and we were lucky to have him in town to promote the Series.

Slater made a visit to The Morning Show (National Edition) today on Global Television, before meeting Fans later today at Fan Expo.

See the Trailer for Mr. Robot below:

Mr. Robot premieres on Showcase tonight, Friday, September 4, 2015. Learn more about it here.

See our Snap:

With #ChristianSlater, in #Toronto for #FanExpoCanada and new Showcase series, #MrRobot. #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 4, 2015 at 7:01am PDT

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Showcase)

Paramount Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance in Toronto to see CAPTIVE first! The Screening takes place Wednesday, September 16, 2015.

Synopsis:
CAPTIVE, based on a miraculous true story that drew the attention of the entire nation, is the dramatic, thrilling, and spiritual journey of Ashley Smith and Brian Nichols.  After being taken hostage by Brian in her own apartment, Ashley turns to Rick Warren’s inspirational book, The Purpose Driven Life, for guidance.  In reading from the book, Ashley not only finds purpose in her own life, but helps Brian find a more peaceful resolution to a harrowing situation.

CAPTIVE stars David Oyelowo, Kate Mara, Leonor Varela, Jessica Oyelowo, with Mimi Rogers and Michael K. Williams.

See the Trailer:

Poster:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook!

Paramount Pictures Canada release CAPTIVE on Friday, September 18, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

This TIFF, be sure to check-out Elevation Pictures’ ZOOM – not to be confused with another title from the Canadian distributor also at the Festival, Room. The co-Brazilian/Canadian Fantasy is written by Toronto’s Matt Hansen and directed by Brazilian filmmaker Pedro Morelli.
Synopsis:

A cartoonist draws a comic book about a filmmaker, who shoots a film about a novelist, who writes a book about a cartoonist. In three interwoven stories, Zoom dives into a world of art and sex that sustains both pursuits — along with a sense of unfettered id.

Emma (Alison Pill) is a comic-book artist who works by day in a factory that makes sex dolls, which is messing with her head. In an attempt to get herself closer to the plastic fantasy image that surrounds her, she makes a rash decision. Then she decides she wants to reverse that choice, but it’s too late and too expensive to turn back. Fortunately, Michelle (Mariana Ximenes), the aspiring novelist writing Emma‘s story, gives her a way out. In turn, Emma controls the story of Edward (Gael García Bernal, also appearing at the Festival in Desierto), the filmmaker at the centre of the comic book she’s drawing. He’s a successful action-movie director with no shortage of confidence and an urge to make more artistically ambitious films. But, in a cruel joke, Emma takes her pen to the root of this man’s vanity, shrivelling his confidence instantly. He begins to struggle with his film about Michelle, a Brazilian model living in Toronto and trying to write a novel about a cartoonist. In a bid to escape the fashion world and immerse herself in her writing, she returns to Brazil, finding a small fishing village where the pressure to complete her novel leads her to Alice (Cláudia Ohana), a hotel owner who changes her life. Of course, the hand of Michelle‘s creator, the action-movie director who wants to be a serious auteur, is never far behind.

You can catch ZOOM during TIFF ’15 at:

Tue Sep 15 10:15 PM
SCOTIABANK 12

Wed Sep 16 9:45 PM
SCOTIABANK 12

After a phenomenal reception in the UK, NORTHERN SOUL is set to make its debut here at TIFF ’15!

Official Synopsis:

The film offers an extensive look into the underground soul music scene in the UK during the 1970s, a scene that Constantine is personally familiar with. As a much-needed escape from the realities of working class teenage life, John (Elliot James Langridge) and Matt (Josh Whitehouse) fall in love with soul music with the intentions of travelling Stateside in search of rare vintage vinyl in the pursuit of becoming DJs.

Watch the Trailer:

Poster:

See at TIFF ’15 at:
Fri Sep 18 9:00 PM
RYERSON THEATRE

Sat Sep 19 4:00 PM
SCOTIABANK 10

(Photo/video credit: Search Engine Films)

We’re super-thrilled for FAN EXPO this weekend in Toronto and it looks like they’ve saved the best for last!  Do you believe that Harry Potter star RUPERT GRINT (Ron Weasley) will be headlining the Expo this weekend?  And you finally can get your chance to buy an Autograph or Photo Op with the star!

FAN EXPO runs Thursday, September 3, 2015 through Sunday, September 6, 2015!  Online tickets have been extended a bit longer to accommodate overwhelming demand!  Click here for more.

Robin Lord-Taylor, Ming-Na Wen, Danny Trejo, Hayley Atwell, Jenna Coleman, Norman Reedus, Jason Momoa. These are just some of the major stars taking part this weekend!

See  you there!

(Photo credit: Empire Online)

Everyone is talking about THE DANISH GIRL, premiering at TIFF ’15. Could this be Eddie Redmayne‘s second consecutive Oscar win?

Synopsis:
The remarkable love story inspired by the lives of artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (portrayed by Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne [“The Theory of Everything”] and Alicia Vikander [“Ex Machina”]), directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech,” “Les Misérables”). Lili and Gerda‘s marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili’s groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.

See the new Trailer:

Universal Pictures release THE DANISH GIRL Friday, November 27, 2015 in select cities, with additional cities to follow in December.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Dear Willionaire$!

We turn 6 today. Where has the time gone? We just wanted to let you know how much your support means. It is a joy sharing with you all the things we love most and we thank you for giving back always. We read all your comments and want to know they are appreciated.  We started off as a site to showcase some of my TIFF Photos back in September 2009 and it is unbelievable the reception we’ve gotten.

We’re extremely pumped for TIFF ’15, which begins Thursday, September 9, 2015. You’ll want to be around as cover the hottest Films of the World’s greatest Film Festival and let’s not forget those stars!

Get engaged, be following on these channels:

Mr. Will on Facebook
Mr. Will on Twitter
Mr. Will on Instagram

To six more?

xMr. Will & billy

See our first-ever Blog Post below:

p.s. Good to see Billy in the TIFF spirit already!

Billy ❤ #TIFF. @tiff_net #TIFF15 #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 31, 2015 at 3:29pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Before today we had no clue a recently-in-Toronto Will Smith had this upcoming Holiday release. And now that we know about it, we can’t stop thinking about it. Just call him Dr. Will!

Synopsis:

Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known.  ‘s emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

See the new Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release CONCUSSION on Christmas Day.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)