Although I fall a little bit outside the demographic that listens to EDM and attends Digital Music festivals, its influence on the mainstream these past few years is undeniable, birthing the very current sound dominating our airwaves. Our expectations admittedly were neither here nor there for upcoming Max Joseph (Catfish) Feature WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS, a Musical Drama which centers on a young man named Cole‘s (Zac Efron) rise in the world of EDM as a DJ and Producer.  This is set against a love triangle involving him and and his own mentor, James (Wes Bentley) and girlfriend Sophie (Emily Ratajkowski). What results actually is an engaging music-driven piece about life, creation and decisions.

First-time Feature Director Joseph and stars Efron and Ratajkowki all were in Toronto recently as part of the Film’s promotional tour. Only on day four of their campaign, the Trio slipped into Toronto quietly on a night flight from Paris, doing much of their press out fittingly out of a parked tour bus.  After being held in the VIP area of an intimate  club  filled with fans eager for a glimpse of Efron, the room bumping with rhythms of Australian DJ Will Sparks, I was wrangled in with a select group of journalists onto the said bus, lit dimly with  blue lights for added club-like ambiance.  I see the three seated at the bus’ kitchen table.  All eyes migrate immediately to a stunning Ratajkowski in a revealing but certainly flattering purple dress, sipping from a water bottle, and a piercingly blue-eyed Efron all in black, preferring plenty of lemon with his water –  unphased from the aggressive work schedule which had them doing interviews well past 11:00 PM.

Efron tells us first about the process of becoming a DJ in We Are Your Friends, by no means considering himself an expert. “I had a crash course with DJ Them Jeans (Jason Stewart)  and learned to use decks to the best of my ability.  Over course of Movie, I learned about the style to making it look cool.”.  “It’s not just twisting knobs, it’s BOOM! Really twisting knobs!”, he adds. “I’m proficient at it and good at acting it.”.

At the heart and soul of the Movie undeniably is Music.  It becomes almost impossible to ignore the hypnotic synths and respect paid to the creative process here which so many other Films skip over.  Just wait till you witness the epic finale of the Film where Cole‘s masterpiece is unveiled. Joseph speaks about the processing of pairing with music scenes perfectly.

“It was a big undertaking. We got to work with Music Supervisor Randy Poster (Spring Breakers), who is a legend and a great Filmmaker beyond having great ear for music, helping me choose songs that were emotionally correct.”.  Joseph reveals, “Songs were written into script and the biggest challenge was the song at end of Film.  We went out to a few DJs and Producers, finding Pyramid discovered on Spotify.  Of all the people we reached-out to, he was first to respond – hungriest – like the French version of Cole.”. “He’s an introverted, up-and-coming young DJ. He wanted this and I flew him to L.A. and we worked for two weeks, going back and forth a year on the song.  We made the song from all the sounds in the Movie. It was hard to do and we pulled it off.”.

One of the elements of We Are Your Friends we find most fascinating is the complicated dynamic between mentor James and his protégé Cole in that despite their share of troubles in the Film, they in many ways are co-dependent.  The Film leads up to a Summer Bash which is the venue chosen for Cole to make his eagerly-awaited debut opening for James. Joseph explains, “James needs a reason to invite Cole to that party. I’d hope in that exchange people will see that  James sees something in Cole as a reflection of himself before he was jaded.”.

Ratajkowski chimes in on her character, “Sophie is the peg that holds them both up, and people can relate to that experience. Cole has a reason for being there and adds something to their relationship.”.

In many ways, the Trio already consider We Are Your Friends a great success story, even prior to its theatrical release.  Efron feels that success isn’t just based on numbers. “I would like our generation to identify with the Film in a way I did. I knew that while making the Movie, we were telling a story I felt was current and what I was going through at a certain time in my life.  It’s well-written and I hope it’s taken that way and means something to others.”.

After leaving a strong impression on us in last year’s critical and Box Office success Gone Girl, Ratajkowski still is carving her place in Hollywood as a Actress, adept equally as a Model. She admits, “I hope this is a step for my career. Sophie is a dynamic young female.  She is a love interest, but has a lot of her story to tell. I’m happy with reaction from the people who’ve seen it.”.

Joseph concludes, “I’m psyched I got paid to write a script, let alone that it went into production, got these amazing stars, get picked-up by Warner Bros. and that we’re here. That is success.”.  “If it resonates with one or two people and they came out of the theatre feeling chills or walk-out with a different bounce in step or feeling catharsis, that to me is success.”.

See the Trailer for WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS:

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS on Friday, August 28, 2015.

Join the community by “liking” #WAYF on Facebook here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

Although there wasn’t a Triple Crown winner north of the Border this year, we still had plenty to cheer for at Woodbine Racetrack yesterday. The $500k Breeders’ Stakes, the final leg of the Crown was contested over 1 1/2 miles on the Toronto oval’s internationally- renowned turf course and few could argue that the winner was deserving.

DANISH DYNAFORMER has been a warrior throughout his three-year-old campaign this year and once he got to the lead at the top of the stretch, there was no turning back as he blasted home almost eight horse lengths ahead of the field.  Reigning champion jockey Patrick Husbands who quickly has turned his season around these past few weeks, steered the colt trained by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, to the eye-popping victory.  Fans were rewarded with a return of $4.80 on a $2 investment as the race favourite, and the final time for the race was 2:29.2, about four seconds off the course record.   Conquest Boogaloo who also has been a trooper through the Triple Crown trail, rallied late to finish second and a rapidly-improving Lucky Lindy finished a game third.

Despite blistering heat, fans still came out to show their support, crowding the grandstand. Post-victory, Team Attfield were armed with ice buckets and the hose water cooled to a perfect temperature to cool down their star, DANISH DYNAFORMER. The Ontario-bred colt earlier this season won the Plate Trial, stamping him the favourite for the country’s most prestigious race, Queen’s Plate in which he finished second narrowly. A trip to Fort Erie in late July for the Prince of Wales Stakes was a rare blemish on his record and his performance in the Breeders’ Stakes would be an accurate indication of his great ability.  Keep a tab on this one – if not next season – he will be one look out for in the Pattison International, another marquee race at Woodbine, held traditionally mid-October.

Earlier on the card we saw longshot INTERPOL upset the $200k Sky Classic Stakes, defeating a talented field including division leader ARE YOU KIDDING ME (also trained by Roger Attfield), GOLDEN SABRE, ALDOUS SNOW and last year’s Belmont Derby winner, MR. SPEAKER.  Emma-Jayne Wilson piloted the win, a second stake win this weekend for the jockey who just led the Ladies’ Team to a valiant, first-of-its-kind win at Ascot in England a week prior in the Shergar Cup. Just Saturday, Wilson piloted New Zealand-bred HABIBI to win the Flaming Page Stakes, also on the lush turf course.

Some Snaps of DANISH DYNAFORMER:

Such a joyous day #OfftotheRaces celebrating the $500k #BreedersStakes, won by a deserving #DANISHDYNAFORMER, #PatrickHusbands and our friends at Team #RogerAttfield. They had ice buckets and tons of cool water ready for him in this scorching heat! #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #HorseRacing

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 16, 2015 at 9:23pm PDT

Lunch at @woodbineracing with one of my fave Willionaire$ @cupcakedawnie #BreedersStakes day! She made me yummy Cupcakes!! #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 16, 2015 at 11:34am PDT

We’re majorly excited for two-time North American Horse of the Year WISE DAN‘s return to Woodbine next month in the $1-million Ricoh Woodbine Mile on Sunday, September 13, 2015.  We hope to see you there!

For more, including how to plan your visit, click here.

This Post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Woodbine Racetrack)

Buzz has enormous for STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON, but nobody would product a debut this huge. The Musical Biopic about N.W.A. opens right at the top to staggering numbers, a $59.4 million debut from 2,757 theatres for Universal Pictures. Reviews peg the Film at 88% on the Tomatometer while Audiences gave the Film by F. Gary Gray, an A CinemaScore.

Two-week champ MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION slips to second with $17 million for Paramount Pictures. In three weeks it has grossed $138 million domestically.

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. opens in third with $13.6 million from Warner Bros., from 3,686 theatres.  Reviews for the Reboot of the TV Series of the same name have been veering to the positive with 67% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore. The Ensemble Cast landed in Toronto earlier this week in a jet-set Promo Tour. More here.

FANTASTIC FOUR lands in fourth this weekend with $7.9 million for 20th Century Fox. In two weeks it has earned $41 million.

THE GIFT is in fifth spot this weekend, in its second week out with $6.1 million for SFX Entertaiment/D Films.  Thus far it has made $23.2 million.

TRAINWRECK still is going strong in its fifth week out with $3.8 million for Universal Pictures, rounding-out the Top Ten. The Critical success is verging on the $100-million-mark in North America.

First run in 1889, the Breeders’ Stakes will take place this Sunday at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. The race, known as the third jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown will be run over 1 1/2 miles on Woodbine‘s lush turf course with a 5:13 PM EST post-time and a value of $500k.  For those of you following the story, Triple Crown veterans DANISH DYNAFORMER, CONQUEST BOOGALOO and BREAKING LUCKY will be squaring-off once again, the latter looking to capture two out of three legs of the series after an upset win late July at Fort Erie in the Prince of Wales Stakes.

Sunday’s field includes:

Obstacles the field face are that this is the only race in the Triple Crown run on the grass, the third race in six weeks for the Triple Crown veterans and most of all, the challenging 1 1/2 mile distance will be a true test of stamina for all. DANISH DYNAFORMER, SAMUEL DECHAMPLAIN, CONQUEST BOOGALOO and LUCKY LINDY all have proven themselves on the grass either having won a race or finishing within the top three against stakes company on the surface.

If you are attending Sunday, there also is an exciting race earlier on the card, the $200k Grade 2 Sky Classic Stakes which features an exciting field including Sam-Son Farm‘s ALDOUS SNOW, who won on Queen’s Plate Day in the Singspiel Stakes.  U.S. invader MR. SPEAKER comes from the reputed Phipps Stable, having won a stellar $1.06 million against top-class competition includng the Grade 1 Belmont Derby.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME is having a career season, absolutely unbeatable in a pair of Grade 2 races locally including the Eclipse and Nijinsky Stakes.

Things to keep in mind:

1. Your first bet is free!  Register on the third floor for your free bet upon arrival.
2. Parking and admission are absolutely free.
3. The first race goes-off at 1:00 PM EST.
4. You also can tune in on TSN 4:30 PM EST.

Can’t make it out Sunday? You won’t want to miss the $1-million Ricoh Woodbine Mile on Sunday, September 13, 2015, buzzed highly as two-time North American Horse of the Year WISE DAN’s big return to the races.  The racing icon has overcome multiple health issues and is fit and ready to fight against the young ones and all eyes are on him.  He in fact has won the race twice already.

If you see me, come say “hi” and remember to Tweet that Selfie of yourself at Woodbine using the Hashtag #OFFTOTHERACES for a shot at $1,000!

Easy.

Now for the fun stuff!  I want to invite one Reader for lunch and drinks at Woodbine this Sunday in celebration of the Breeders’ Stakes! You’ll even get a free betting card! All you have to do is “like” this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook by tomorrow, Friday, August 14, 2015. In the comments section, tell me why you would make an awesome lunch date!

See you at the races! The weather should be great!

To learn more, including directions how to get there, CLICK HERE.

Mr. Will and winner of the 2014 Breeders’ Stakes, AMI’S HOLIDAY:

Who’s coming to the #BreedersStakes Sunday at @woodbineracing? Final jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown! I’m with the charming Ami’s Holiday, last year’s winner. #BetWoodbine #OfftotheRaces #HorseRacing

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 13, 2015 at 6:59am PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.

Sony Pictures Canada are set to release the adaptation to WOLF TOTEM, acclaimed and best-selling novel by Jean-Jacques Annaud.

Synopsis:

A young Beijing student is sent to live among the nomadic herdsmen of Inner Mongolia. Caught between the advance of civilization from the south and the nomads’ traditional enemies – the marauding wolves – to the north; humans and animals, residents and invaders alike, struggle to find their true place in the world. Feng Shaofeng, Shawn Dou, Ankhnyam Ragchaa, Yin Zhusheng and Basen Zhabu star.

See the Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release WOLF TOTEM on Friday, September 11, 2015 in select cities.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

The buzz is deafening for Quentin Tarantino‘s THE HATEFUL EIGHT but at long last we get a concrete first look at one of this winter’s most anticipated Films.

Synopsis:

Eight hard-bitten gunslingers find themselves trapped together in a way station deep in the snow-capped mountains of Wyoming.

Samuel L. Jackson, Zoë Bell, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bruce Dern, Demian Bichir and Michael Madsen star.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release THE HATEFUL EIGHT on Christmas Day in select theatres.

(Photo/video credit: The Weinstein Co.)

Scotiabank Theatre was the place to be this evening as the stars of eagerly-awaited The Man from U.N.C.L.E. descended upon Toronto for a one-night only Red Carpet extravaganza on Richmond Street.  Fans braved the rain for what would well be a worthwhile experience as stars Henry Cavill (Man of Steel), Armie Hammer (The Social Network), Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby) and Alicia Vikander (Ex_Machina) graced the Red Carpet to ecstatic reaction. It’s been a summer of starstruck for Toronto with the Cast of of Suicide Squad driving Toronto star-crazy, but this certainly is the icing on the cake!

The slick and stylized Action-Adventure directed by Guy Ritchie (Snatch), comes with a fair amount of buzz, based on the Television Series of the same name.  Set in the ’60s, we see CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Cavill) and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin (Hammer) participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization, which is working to proliferate nuclear weapons.

The whirlwind promotional tour has taken the Ensemble from London to New York to Toronto, giving fans a rare opportunity to connect with this talented and emerging cast of superstars. Drawing the most reaction was none other than Superman himself, Cavill, dapper in a fitted navy Dunhill suit making every effort to stop for Selfies and Autographs for his legions of admirers, leaving no fan left unsatisfied. Moviegoers can look forward to seeing him next in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, in theatres March 2016.

See the Trailer for The Man from U.N.C.L.E.:

Our Review to come shortly…

Let’s more Snaps from the evening, shall we?

Henry Cavill

Okay, twist my leg won’t you! One more of #HenryCavill aka #Superman at the Toronto Premiere of #ManFromUNCLE. He’s in #Dunhill. #DawnofJustice #BatmanvSuperman

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 11, 2015 at 6:52pm PDT

Henry Cavill

#HenryCavill (#Superman) at the Toronto Premiere for #ManFromUNCLE. #BatmanvSuperman #DawnofJustice #ClarkKent

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 11, 2015 at 5:07pm PDT

Elizbaeth Debicki

#ElizabethDebicki at the Toronto Premiere for #ManFromUNCLE.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 11, 2015 at 5:04pm PDT

Alicia Vikander

#AliciaVikander at the Toronto Premiere for #ManFromUNCLE.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 11, 2015 at 5:03pm PDT

Armie Hammer

#ArmieHammer at the Toronto Premiere for #ManFromUNCLE.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 11, 2015 at 5:05pm PDT

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. on Friday, August 14, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Bros.)

Mongrel Media and Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win ROBOT OVERLORDS on Blu-ray.

Synopsis

Following an alien invasion, Earth’s inhabitants are forbidden from leaving their homes while their new Robot Overlords carry out their mysterious research. But when a band of adoptive siblings find a way to override their implants, a quest begins to find a missing father, even if it means defying an empire.  Gillian Anderson and Ben Kingsley star.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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

Mongrel Media release ROBOT OVERLORDS, now in stores.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

The competition came from every which direction. Neither Meryl nor Marvel could take it down!  For the second week in a row MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION take the top of the Box Office with $29 million for Paramount Pictures, from 3,988 theatres. In two weeks it has surpassed $108 million domestically.

FANTASTIC FOUR, a third attempt at rebooting the Franchise into Film, opens in second with $26 million for 20th Century Fox from 3,995 theatres.  This latest Adaptation starring Kate Mara, Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan failed to please critically with a 9% on the Tomatometer and a C- CinemaScore. Word is that Director/Writer Josh Trank really was displeased with what came of the Film, having originally a completely different vision for it.

THE GIFT opens in third with $12 million for D Films and STX Entertainment, from 2,503 theatres. Critics adored the Thriller with a 93% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a B CinemaScore.  Joel Edgerton stars and directs the Film.

VACATION lands in fourth spot with $9 million in its second week out, now grossing $37 million thus far for Warner Bros.

RICKI AND THE FLASH opens in seventh with $6.7 million from 1,603 theatres for Sony Pictures. The Jonathan Demme Comedy starring Meryl Streep gets a B CinemaScore from Audiences and a mixed 59% from Critics.

SOUTHPAW rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.7 million for eOne Films and The Weinstein Co.  In three weeks it has just suprassed the $40-million-mark.

It was a Country Music Fan’s dream come true a little outside of Toronto this weekend as the Boots & Hearts Festival took place for the third time in Oro-Medonte, Ontario. Among the marquee names to make it this way was Grammy-winning Singer/Songwriter Thomas Rhett. Other Acts included Brad Paisley and Eric Church. The handsome Crooner with a sparkling personality, is known best for his hits Get Me Some of That and Make Me Wanna and he also penned I Ain’t Ready to Quit for Superstar Jason Aldean and Round Here by Florida Georgia Line. Above this, he’s only 25! What have you been doing all your life?

Rhett is making the most of his time here, promoting his upcoming sophomore disc TANGLED UP which is in stores next month. He made stop-offs at Breakfast Television and The Morning Show (National Edition) and was nice to stop for minute after, and was seen walking on-foot along Bloor Street even. Among the anticipated tracks on the Disc is potential crossover hit, I Feel Good ft. Lunchmoney Lewis (co-written by Charlie Puth and Teddy Geiger, among others).

Check-out the single Crash and Burn below:

See our Snap:

With Grammy-winning Country Sensation, #ThomasRhett (@thomasrhettakins), in Toronto for #BootsandHearts. Yet another flawless #SamsungGalaxyS6 Selfie!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 10, 2015 at 6:25am PDT

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Universal Music)