Straight from the Director’s mouth, we learned an amazing bit of news today regarding the forthcoming installment of GHOSTBUSTERS from Paul Feig! And believe me, this is exactly what we had hoped for!

See the Principal Cast as per Feig:

So to recap, that’s Melissa McCarthy and Saturday Night Live Alumni Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones.

Sony Pictures release GHOSTBUSTERS on Friday, July 22, 2016.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

After making us fall in love with Happy from Despicable Me 2 last year, Pharrell is back with SQUEEZE ME from upcoming The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge out of Water! The Track reunites the Fashion and Music Icon with his roots, collaborating with N.E.R.D.  Judging by how catchy it is, I wouldn’t be surprised if this crosses over onto the Top 40!

Film Synopsis:

SpongeBob SquarePants, the world’s favorite sea dwelling invertebrate, comes ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet.

Nominees for the 2015 JUNO Awards were announced earlier today at Danforth Music Hall.  After already what has been a smashing year internationally for Toronto Band MAGIC!, it all comes back full circle as the Quartet lead the way at the 2015 JUNO Awards with five nominations including Fan Choice, Single of the Year, Breakthrough Group of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Pop Album of the Year.

Not far behind with four nominations apiece were Canadian Dance-Pop Queen Kiesza getting nods for Single of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Dance Recording of the Year and Video of the Year thanks to the success of her hit Single, Hideaway. Canadian Icon Leonard Cohen also received four nominations: JUNO Fan Choice, Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year.

Up for International Album of the Year is a star-studded list including One Direction, Sam Smith, Katy Perry, Lorde and Taylor Swift.

The Breakthrough Artist of the Year Category also boasts an eclectic mix of new Talent including massively-popular Shawn Mendes, Glenn Morrison, Jess Moskaluke, Kiesza and Mac DeMarco.

Confirmed to perform thus far at the Ceremony include Hedley, Shawn Mendes, Kiesza and The Arkells. Rush will be receiving the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award.

The 2015 JUNO Awards take place Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario.

See the complete list of Nominees here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

I recently had the pleasure of Test-Driving the HONDA CIVIC TOURING and once again the Automaker has schooled its competition with a Master’s Class in value with this spacious, sporty and elegant Sedan.  The classic retro-brown on the Vehicle I drove may not sound or look ideal on-paper, but its stunning beauty certainly needs to be witnessed in-person to be appreciated.  After having test-driven the equally-impressive 2013 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN SPORT a couple years back – my last time test-driving a Honda actually  – I will say that for the super-reasonable $25k Asking Price  for the Civic Touring, you are getting a caliber of Car well-above its listed price.  Everything down to the smart metallic-finished Switch Gear, to the sophisticated touch-screen Dashboard options suggest pure luxury.

Let’s talk about the experience of sitting in the HONDA CIVIC TOURING.  The Leather Seats are phenomenally plush, making me feel nestled-in and supported.  I appreciated the Driver’s Seat’s height adjustment which gave me an optimal view while driving, customized specifically to me.  The glamorous Moon Roof draws-in a lush ambiance and my only regret is it wasn’t warmer out to fully be able to enjoy it!

Having the need to constantly remain connected, the Vehicle catered to my every obsession with not one, but TWO USB inputs and options to connect my USB Key to enjoy my favourite Music and also charge my Phone.  The Dashboard had a litany of Audio options to personalize my listening experience with iPod, Phone, AM/FM Radio, HDMI, CD and my Fave SIRIUS XM among the options to savour.  The six-speaker Sound System was absolutely glorious and a must for any Audiophile.

The multi-angle Rear-View Camera is super-handy, giving you that extra bit of view of oncoming Pedestrians and Vehicles from all corners – although a mild Audio Alert might have made this feature a bit more optimal. Uniquely, the Camera activates also when changing lanes and making turns, giving you that extra bit of awareness to prevent that accident ever from occurring.  As well, rear-window Windshield Wipers would have been handy in these snowy conditions.

The Drive in my HONDA CIVIC TOURING literally was smooth as butter, navigating turns and bumps with great precision.  The ultra-comfy Passenger’s Seat was  Billy-approved as he snored the drive away in Doggy Dreamland! At 143 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque, its output is unquestionable.  And amidst a Snowstorm we experienced here in Toronto, I never for a moment doubted that I was safe and sound, driving along with a hitch or a slip.

And did I mention the Car’s Fuel Economy?  Literally I drove a week to and from work and even an hour north of the City on less than half-a-tank of Gas, an even bigger victory considering recent lowered gas prices. I do love that ECON button, which not only is a Fuel Saver but a Dollar Saver.

Would I drive the HONDA CIVIC TOURING again?  You bet!  I might even want to own one.

There’s gotta be a reason why the Honda Civic remains Canada’s top-selling Car 17 years in-a-row!

To learn more about some of HONDA‘s 2015 Models, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

After it being announced that Toronto-filmed Thriller REGRESSION will be getting a release later this August – dashing all hopes of it surfacing at TIFF ’15 – we get this amazing bit of news that its Star EMMA WATSON has just signed-on as Belle in Bill Condon‘s Live-Action Adaptation of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST from Disney! Details still are under-wraps but production is said to begin later this year.

(Photo credit: The Weinstein Co./Dimension Films)

Some days we don’t believe our luck!  Billy and I were out at Walmart earlier this morning doing a quick grocery run when we looked-over and our  jaws both dropped when we swore we saw Pop Megastar SHAWN MENDES and his Mom Karen down the aisle from us.  We had to do a double-take!  Immediately, we dropped our purchases and raced right to the front door just in time to catch them leaving for a Selfie.  Although Mendes, in his sunglasses and a Hoodie said he was in a rush, his Mother was kind enough to have him turn back and stop for a quick Snap!  We love her.  “What kind of Dog is he?”, he asked about Billy, to which I pointed-out, he is a Shih-Tzu.   Mendes told me his Friend has the exact same type.  Karen was smitten by Billy, stopping to pet him.

If all of this is coming out as garbled speak and you’re still  like, “Shawn Who?”, I will tell you that our Homeboy SHAWN MENDES is the next big thing in Pop Music.  The 16-year-old Singer/Songwriter got his big break with six-second VINE Videos of him performing Cover Versions.  Soon after, millions around the World would be following, leading to a deal with Island Records (Universal Music).  The likes of John Mayer, Meghan Trainor, Ed Sheeran all are raving about him, if that’s any indication of his star power.

The Shawn Mendes EP would soon be rush-released in July, reaching Top Five in both Canada and the U.S. and  2015 looks to be the year his popularity explodes after some v. careful development and handling.  After selling-out Concert Halls before Christmas with a few intimate Shows including one in Toronto at Danforth Music Hall, Mendes now is ready to hit-up additional American and European cities this Winter.  Tickets released this weekend sold-out in just minutes, with some lucky Fans getting Shawn Access Passes in the mail, confirming he’ll be meeting them rather soon.  This Fall he opens for Taylor Swift on her sold-out 1989 World Tour, making it almost impossible for him not to succeed.

It appears Mendes is about to confirm the release of his debut Disc with a visit to New York City scheduled this week and an appearance on TODAY.

We had the pleasure of seeing Mendes perform at the Universal Music Canada Parking Lot this past August and he sounded great.  We even witnessed a crazed Fan rush him on-stage despite there being hoards of Security!  More on that here.

Something Big, Mendes’ latest Single:

Surely you’ve heard Life of the Party on the Radio right?

And without further a do, our Snap:

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jan 25, 2015 at 9:50am PST

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

For a second straight week, AMERICAN SNIPER shoots straight to the top of the Box Office in North America with $18 million from 3,705 theatres for Warner Bros. In five weeks it has grossed $175 million.

THE BOY NEXT DOOR certainly isn’t shamed with a second place debut with $15.3 million from 2,602 theatres for Universal Pictures.  Critics gave it a 13% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave the Jennifer Lopez Thriller  a much better B- CinemaScore.

PADDINGTON continues to go well in third with $11.8 million from 3,355 theatres for eOne Films/The Weinstein Co. It closes-in on the $40-million mark in two weeks domestically.

THE WEDDING RINGER lands in fourth this weekend with $10.8 million for Sony Pictures in its second week out, earning a cumulative $38.9 million.

MORTECAI debuts in eighth spot with $4.6 million from 2,468 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. Critics weren’t so forgiving with a 12% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a C+ CinemaScore.

STRANGE MAGIC debuts in ninth with $4.2 million from 3,020 theatres for Disney.  Critics gave the Animated Film featuring the voices of Evan Rachel Wood, Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming an 11% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a more forgiving B- CinemaScore.

INTO THE WOODS rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.8 million for Disney, now in its fifth week out.

After blowing our minds with BIRDMAN, Director Alejandro González Iñárritu unveils a new still from upcoming Drama THE REVENANT starring Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio.  Due for a Holiday 2015 release, expect this to be at the forefront of the Awards Season race!

Official Synopsis:

Deep in the uncharted American wilderness, trapper Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is severely injured and left for dead by a traitorous member of his team, John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). With sheer will as his only weapon, Glass must navigate a hostile environment, a brutal winter, and warring Native American tribes in relentless quest to survive and exact vengeance on Fitzgerald. Based on a true story, THE REVENANT is directed and co-written by renowned filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu (“Birdman,” “Babel”).

Rumours are that filming on this has been extended, resulting in  Hardy no longer being able to commit to The Suicide Squad, set to film here this April in Toronto!

20th Century Fox Canada release THE REVENANT on Christmas Day 2015.

(Photo credit: 20th Century Fox)

Our v. own Jonathan Godfrey is out and about in Park City, Utah making us proud covering for the first time ever the Sundance Film Festival.  Always an early Pre-Cursor of what we can expect in the forthcoming Awards Season and also TIFF here in Toronto, we’re anxious to hear some of Jonathan‘s Picks and Sightings!

Earlier today he attended the Opening Panel for Sundance 2015 attended by Festival Founder an Film Icon Robert Redford.  Addressing a packed crowd, Redford says “Sundance is where nature meets art, and where artists, in nature, find a voice all their own.”.

The likes of Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Lauren Dern, Mindy Kaling, Taylor Schilling, Elijah Wood, Emma Roberts, Nichoulas Hoult and more are expected to grace the Festival this year!

Sundance Film Festival runs from Thursday, January 22 – Sunday, February 1, 2015.

(Photo credit: Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong)

We couldn’t be more thrilled to let you know that our v. own Jonathan Godfrey will be in Utah covering the festivities and Films of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival!  Please stay tuned and check-in as he gives us a taste of his Park City experience, getting-in on the Awards Season buzz for the coming year first!

Mr. Will