eOne Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers across Canada to see A WALK IN THE WOODS. Screenings take place in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax, Victoria on Monday, August 31, 2015.

Synopsis:
In this new comedy adventure, celebrated travel writer, Bill Bryson (Academy Award winner Robert Redford), instead of retiring to enjoy his loving and beautiful wife (Academy Award winner Emma Thompson), and large and happy family, challenges himself to hike the Appalachian Trail – 2,200 miles of America’s most unspoiled, spectacular and rugged countryside from Georgia to Maine. The peace and tranquility he hopes to find, though, is anything but, once he agrees to being accompanied by the only person he can find willing to join him on the trek – his long lost and former friend Katz (Academy Award nominee Nick Nolte), a down-on-his-luck serial philanderer who, after a lifetime of relying on his charm and wits to keep one step ahead of the law – sees the trip as a way to sneak out of paying some debts and sneak into one last adventure before its too late. The trouble is, the two have a completely different definition of the word, “adventure”. Now they’re about to find out that when you push yourself to the edge, the real fun begins.

A WALK IN THE WOODS stars Robert Redford, Nick Nolte and Emma Thompson.

See the Trailer:

Official Artwork:

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

G’luck, Willionaire$!

eOne Films in theatres A WALK IN THE WOODS on Wednesday, September 2, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

We had the sheer joy of experiencing the $1.75 million 2015 Haskell Invitational in-person at Monmouth Park. With crowds reaching record attendance (60k+) and fans hoping for a chance to witness a piece of history in star entrant American Pharoah – the first horse to win the American Triple Crown in 37 years –  New Jersey Transit pulled-out all precautions needed, adding service to the Racetrack on four more routes.

The vibe was festive as several families planted themselves trackside for an exhilarating afternoon of races. Baseball caps commemorating the race were handed out, food trucks were parked and the afternoon would place the exciting undercard front and center, with jockey Paco Lopez boasting four wins.

Winners today included:

-$100k The Lady’s Secret Stakes won by Got Lucky under Paco Lopez for Hill ‘n’ Dale & P.J. Steiner,  trained Todd Pletcher.

-$150k Grade III The Winstar Matchmaker Stakes won by Casual Smile, owned by William S. Farish and trained by Chad Brown, under Abel Castellano Jr.

-$150k Grade III The Oceanport Stakes won by Heart to Heart, owned by Terry Hamilton and trained by Woodbine‘s Brian Lynch with Hothersal,  also an Ontario-bred, placing second.

-$100k The Teddy Drone Stakes won by fan favourite Wildcat Red, for Honors Stable and Jose Garoffalo, under Paco Lopez.

-$200k Grade II The Monmouth Cup won by Bradester, owned by Joseph W. Sutton, trained by Eddie Kenneally and ridden by Corey Lanerie.

This year’s renewal of the Haskell Invitational was full of star power. In addition to American Pharoah being the first American Triple Crown winner in 37 years as a primary draw, stars were scattered throughout every corner of the facility, which rings with a charm of another era. Rumours spread that Bruce Springsteen, Eli Manning, Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter were milling about, although physically we saw Bon Jovi‘s Richie Sambora and a Haskell “Riders Up” call by none other than Bill Murray! Despite the Paddock area being open much of the day to Media, a mass exodus was done prior to the Haskell, with only a select few granted access due to some of the high profile types in attendance.

At 5:45 PM EST, the main event would run, but not without Jersey darling Springsteen‘s Born to Run blaring as the field came onto the Track. Cheers were deafening for American Pharoah, an elegant, lean and unsuspecting bay colt who would capture the heart of a nation. Not to take anything away from his peers, but the man of the hour certainly was jockey Victor Espinosa, riding a late career Renaissance piloting back-to-back Kentucky Derby winners and presumably Horse of the Year honours two years in-a-row (last year with California Chrome). The race would go off without a hitch and American Pharoah would rate just off the pace before making a sweeping move into the final turn, winning effortlessly in a quick 1:47.9 for 1 1/8 miles.

See a Replay:

The post-race festivities were grand. American Pharoah would be paraded out after his victory, causing a bumpy frenzy of photography – some who came as far as Australia to cover the race. What ensued next looked like hundreds of people crammed into the compact Winner’s Enclosure as trainer Bob Baffert spoke to the Media for a minute before appearing at a Press Conference with winning owners, Zayat Stables LLC and rider, Espinoza.

The experience will not be forgotten. Let’s relive the 2015 Haskell Invitational through a series of our Photos!

Monmouth Park Walking Ring

The gorgeous Walking Ring at Monmouth Park. #Haskell2015 #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #HorseRacing

A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 9:33am PDT

Barn 12: Hotel Suite of American Pharoah

#AmericanPharoah resting up in Barn 12 for #Haskell2015 later today! #BetWoodbine #MonmouthPark #HorseRacing #GetintheGame A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 9:37am PDT

American Pharoah Merch

I mean, who wouldn’t want an #AmericanPharoah T-Shirt, right? #Haskell2015 #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine #HorseRacing #MonmouthPark

A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 10:51am PDT

Got Lucky

The secret is out! GOT LUCKY (#APIndy) steals the show in the Lady’s Secret for Todd Pletcher, under Paco Lopez! #GetintheGame #Haskell2015 #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 10:23am PDT

Mike Smith

Legendary #MikeSmith greeting fans on the #Haskell2015 Undercard. #Jockey #MonmouthPark #GetintheGame #HorseRacing

A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 9:43am PDT

Abel Castellano and Son

#AbelCastellano sharing a tender moment with his son as “God Bless America” plays. #Haskell2015 #Jockey #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #MonmouthPark A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 10:55am PDT

Paco Lopez

#PacoLopez leads #Haskell2015 Day so far with three wins! #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine #Jockey #HorseRacing

A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 11:25am PDT

Donna Brothers

The lovely #DonnaBrothers for NBC. #Haskell2015 #MonmouthPark #BetWoodbine #HorseRacing #GetintheGame A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 1:14pm PDT

Victor Espinoza

Man of the hour, #VictorEspinoza. #AmericanPharoah #Haskell2015 #MonmouthPark #Jockey #BetWoodbine Woodbine #GetintheGame

A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 1:05pm PDT

Wildcat Red

WILDCAT RED wins the Teddy Drone Stakes. #Haskell2015 #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 1:08pm PDT

Casual Smile

CASUAL SMILE (#SeatheStars) wins the Winstar Matchmaker Stakes! #Haskell2015 #GetintheGame #MonmouthPark #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame

A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 1:09pm PDT

Heart to Heart

Ahh, there’s a sight for sore eyes. We miss #HearttoHeart. Here he is heading off to run in the Oceanport Cup; #VictorEspinoza aboard. #Haskell2015 #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 2:04pm PDT

Hothersal

Eugene Melnyk Ontario-bred Hothersal finishes second to #HearttoHeart in the Oceanport. #MonmouthPark #Haskell2015 #BetWoodbine #HorseRacing #GetintheGame

A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 2:10pm PDT

Bill Murray

“Riders up!” – #BillMurray was a special celebrity guest today at #Haskell2015. #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine #MonmouthPark A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 4:07pm PDT

American Pharoah

 

Our boy, #AmericanPharoah! #Haskell2015 #HaskellInvitational #MonmouthPark #BetWoodbine #HorseRacing #GetintheGame

A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 2:32pm PDT

American Pharoah

Congratulations to #AMERICANPHAROAH, Zayat Stables LLC, Team Baffert and Victor Espinoza on a smashing (effortless too!) win in #Haskell2015! #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine #MonmouthPark A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 3:51pm PDT

Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)

So cool meeting pride of #NewJersey, #RichieSambora of #BonJovi at #Haskell2015!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 2, 2015 at 4:43pm PDT

Justin Zayat (Zayat Stables)

Congrats to @JustinZayat of Zayat Stables, which owns #AmericanPharoah. #Haskell2015 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 2, 2015 at 4:41pm PDT

Monmouth Park

Thank you for all your engagement @WoodbineRacing Fans! And congrats to @MonmouthPark on record-breaking numbers today at #Haskell2015! #BetWoodbine – Mr. Will – A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on Aug 2, 2015 at 4:21pm PDT

And of course we never leave you guys empty-handed!  How about an official 2015 Haskell Invtational program signed by Victor Espinoza, jockey of American Pharoah?

Simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook to enter. All are welcome.  G’luck.

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

Talk about a real mission impossible!  Sometimes all you need is a bit of luck on your hands.  We had the amazing pleasure of running into The Joker himself, Jared Leto today in the City.  Believe me, after many attempts to find him on the set of Suicide Squad, we’d just about given up.  Time after time we’d get a faint hand-wave seen through the tinted window of his white Yukon after some long waits overnight, sacrificing our entire weekend more than once.  And we’ve read the disappointing Fan interactions on Social Media where he simply would decline Selfies around the City and walk along in a non-caring manner. When you don’t expect it, that’s when it happens most and that’s been our Motto in life.

Sporting green Joker hair and a signature Nepal, I Love You T-shirt, showing his ardent support and spreading continued awareness for the country after a devastating earthquake back in April, we crossed paths with the Academy Award-winning Actor.  He was headed-up the Escalator, my heart raced and my ears pricked and acting on instinct, I whipped-out my Samsung Galaxy S6.  Without speaking a word, he gazed right into the lens for a quick pose, I pressed “snap” and despite reacting just a millisecond late, we managed to get a super-rare Snap with The Joker himself right side by side with us.  Our shoulders touched.  He said “yes” to the Selfie … with his eyes!!!  We’re still on Cloud Nine and appreciate any interaction with him at this point as we know first-hand how tough Leto‘s been to catch.

His acclaimed performance as transgendered Rayon was everything to us and we were sad knowing he was in-town for Dallas Buyers Club TIFF ’13 and we missed him completely!

He continued ahead of us with his Handler and as luck would have it, we were both Airport-bound Civic Day weekend – him off to see a loved one and we off to New Jersey for a super-short visit (Triple Crown Champ American Pharoah in the $1.75 million Haskell Invitational).

Suicide Squad wraps later this month in the City, before getting a release exactly a year later in August 2016 via Warner Bros.

We’ve been on it as much as we can with the Suicide Squad Cast.  Click here for more.

See our Snap:

We found the Holy Grail of #SuicideSquad! With green-haired #TheJoker himself, #JaredLeto. He totally posed for the #Selfie, but the camera reacted a millisecond slow:( On cloud nine! Read about it: http://www.mrwillwong.com

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 2, 2015 at 4:22am PDT

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

At last!  A Teaser Trailer for ZOOLANDER 2! After surfacing a bit early and then getting yanked and resurfacing, we got a quick glimpse at the Sequel we’ve all been waiting for!

See the Teaser:

Paramount Pictures Canada release ZOOLANDER 2 February  12, 2016!

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

Mission accomplished! MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE  NATION makes a smashing debut at the Box Office with $52 million from 3,956 theatres for Paramount Pictures! Compared to its Predecessors, it rates second among the popular Franchise only behind 2000’s MISSION POSSIBLE II, which opened with $57 million.  Critics adored this latest installment which places a still highly-bankable Tom Cruise opposite Swedish-born Actress Rebecca Ferguson, giving it 92% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore from Audiences.

VACATION opens in second with $14 million from 3,411 theatres for Warner Bros.  This latest installment of the National Lampoon’s Franchise is the biggest opening for the Series, which dates all the way back to 1983.  Critics gave the Comedy starring Ed Helms and Christina Applegate a 23% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

ANT-MAN in its third week out earns $12.4 million for Disney/Marvel, from 3,322 theatres. Thus far it has grossed $183 million.

MINIONS ranks fourth this weekend with $12.1 million for Universal Pictures in its fourth week out.  It has made $283 million this far domestically.

PIXELS places fifth for Sony Pictures with $10.1 million in its second week out, just ahead of TRAINWRECK with $9.7 million for Universal Pictures.

JURASSIC WORLD still is going strong, hanging-on to the Top Ten with $3.6 million in tenth spot.  In eight weeks it has banked $631 million for Universal Pictures.

VVS Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers across Canada to see NO ESCAPE! Screenings take place in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, Halifax, Winnipeg and Ottawa on Thursday, August 20, 2015.

Synopsis:
An intense international thriller, NO ESCAPE centers on an American businessman (Wilson) as he and his family settle into their new home in Southeast Asia. Suddenly finding themselves in the middle of a violent political uprising, they must frantically look for a safe escape as rebels mercilessly attack the city. Directed by John Erick Dowdle and written together with his brother Drew, NO ESCAPE stars Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan and Lake Bell.

See the Trailer:

Official Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and indicate for me your City!

VVS Films release NO ESCAPE on Friday, August 26, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

By Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Netflix has gained a reputation for salvaging quality Television Series and Films that might not have thrived on other platforms, giving them that extra bit of love they deserve. This is certainly no different for the upcoming Series, spawned from brilliant 2001 Cult Classic, Wet Hot American Summer. We aren’t quite sure how Netflix wrangled together Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler and Bradley Cooper back together once again for an outlandish reunion, but they managed to pull it off.

Wet Hot American Summer (The Movie) takes place in 1981 at Camp Firewood, on the last day of Camp – where relationships tend to fall apart, emotions rise due to camp ending, random hookups insinuate because you will not see the other person for a year, and so forth. However, the Movie indulges into something much larger, something devastating as Henry (David Hyde Pierce) and Beth (Janeane Garofalo) attempt to stop a satellite from crashing into the camp rec room and killing all the campers and camp grounds itself.

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves now though, let’s go to the first day of Camp, where Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp actually started off. In the first three episodes, we find out that Gene (Christopher Meloni) hasn’t always been the sweater-fondling, refrigerator-humping Nut Case we fell in love with in the Movie. He was actually a very kind understanding person until he is requested to call upon his Vietnam days. As well not only do we find out how Gene becomes the crazed Chef, but we finally find out why Mitch (H. Jon Benjamin) is a can of vegetables.

What makes First Day of Camp such a joyous occasion for Fans of the Film, is that the Series indulges in several aspects the Movie never touched upon. The Movie was very much a vacuum, stayed completely sealed in Camp Firewood, meanwhile First Day of Camp indulges in other aspects that were never previously touched upon. Whether that be Katie’s (Marguerite Moreau) backstory, something tied to rival Camp Tiger Claw or how Andy (Paul Rudd) never ages [that is not actually explained in the first three episodes, but how does he not age?!]

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp unfortunately doesn’t last eight glorious weeks in reality, but at least there are four hours of serious campfire bonding on our calendars.

Netflix Canada stream Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp at midnight PDT on Friday July 31, 2015.

A Featurette about the exciting Series:

(Photo/video credit: Netflix Canada)

Michael Bay Fans will be excited to see 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI, a gritty new Drama based on true events and ready to hit theatres this upcoming Awards Season! With hotly-buzzed Films coming, are John Krasinski and Emily Blunt (with TIFF ’15 Selection SICARIO) Hollywood’s new Power Couple?

Synopsis:
It is the story of the six members of a security team who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, after the attack of radical Islamist terrorists on September 11, 2012, the 11th anniversary of September 11, 2001 attacks.

13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI stars John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber, James Badge Dale and Toby Stephens.

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI on Friday, January 15, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

Recently re-named, Holiday Comedy THE NIGHT BEFORE is ready for your laughter with a hilarious new Red-Band Trailer! You might recall it being known prior as X-MAS?

Synopsis:
From Jonathan Levine, the acclaimed director of 50/50, comes the new comedy The Night Before. Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) have been friends since childhood, and for a decade, their yearly Christmas Eve reunion has been an annual night of debauchery and hilarity. Now that they’re entering adulthood, the tradition is coming to an end, and to make it as memorable as possible, they set out to find the Nutcracka Ball – the Holy Grail of Christmas parties.

See the Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release THE NIGHT BEFORE on Friday, November 25, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

The official Canadian Trailer for BRIDGE OF SPIES finally surfaced today, and while this Oscar Contender won’t be hitting theatres till this Fall, here’s good two-and-a-half-minute look at this latest effort from three-time Academy Award Winner Steven Spielberg.

Synopsis:
A dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events, DreamWorks Pictures/Fox 2000 Pictures’ “Bridge of Spies” is the story of James Donovan, a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible task to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot. Screenwriters Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen have woven this remarkable experience in Donovan’s life into a story inspired by true events that captures the essence of a man who risked everything and vividly brings his personal journey to life.

BRIDGE OF SPIES stars: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Scott Shepherd, Amy Ryan, Sebastian Koch and Alan Alda.

See the Trailer:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release BRIDGE OF SPIES on Friday, October 16, 2015.

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