Soft Drink Giants Coca Cola and Pepsi will be butting heads and their weapons?  Fashion and Celebrity.  Style Icons Beyoncé and Marc Jacobs are set to make a carbonated splash soon with Ad Campaigns, the former for Pepsi, the latter for Diet Coke/Coke Light.  But who does it better and who will gain the most from these Celebrity affiliations?

Jacobs, named Creative Director at Coca Cola recently, is helping celebrate their 30th Anniversary with his limited edition Pop Cans, paying tribute to empowered Women of the 80s, 90s and 2000s.  The accompanying Ad Campaigns, true to form whether it be his Handbags or Fragrances, feature his Yoga-toned Body in all its partially-nude glory, savouring and then splashing the Diet Coke/Coke Light into the Camera, before crushing his self-designed Can presumably for Recycling?  The Cans are set to debut on February 28, 2013 in the U.S., Coca Cola Canada confirms they have no plans to carry the cans in Canada.

Beyoncé‘s reported $50-million Campaign with Pepsi comparably humbles the  Jacobs’ collaboration with Coca Cola, getting major exposure at the recent Super Bowl with the company sponsoring her much talked-about Halftime Show and just yesterday the look of her edition Warhol-inspired Pop Art Ads were unveiled. Some Fans are criticizing that the Ads don’t show her African-American heritage enough, while others are criticizing that Michelle Obama‘s v. public stance in the fight against Obesity is being disrespected with Beyoncé – who is supported v. publicly by Obamas – endorsing such a sugary Soft Drink.  Critics though, fail to acknowledge that the Pop Star’s relationship with Pepsi began back in 2001,  long before Obama being elected into the White House.  Really, who in their right mind would  $50-million?  Blue Ivy needs a College Fund.  Europeans will be first to get the limited edition Beyoncé Cans in March 2013.

See the Ads below:

(Photo credit: Coca Cola/Pepsi)

The 2013 BRIT Awards took place tonight at London’s 02 Arena and walking away with top honours tonight was last year’s Critics’ Choice Award Winner Emeli Sandé.  The Singer/Songwriter won British Album of the Year for her Disc, Our Version of Events and also won British Female Solo Artist. Meanwhile, 25-year-old Folk Artist Ben Howard was also a big Winner, victorious in the categories of British Breakthrough Artist and British Male Solo Artist, a feat accomplished last year by Crossover Sensation, Ed Sheeran.

Surprising many, Lana Del Rey was awarded International Female Solo Artist defeating the likes of Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys and Rihanna.   Meanwhile, Frank Ocean was awarded International Male Solo Artist.

22-year-old Folk Artist Tom Odell also was awarded what surely is predictive of future success as we can see from Sandé, the Critics’ Choice Award.

Hot on the heels of their four GRAMMY wins recently, The Black Keys were awarded International Group.

Click here for a complete list of Winners.

Early last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Sandé who was just visiting Toronto for the first time:

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Mr. Will Wong)

With just two months till the 2013 JUNO Awards, this year’s Nominees were announced today and dominating this year is Carly Rae Jepsen, who has made a big splash internationally with her Hit Call Me Maybe.   Jepsen is in the running to win: JUNO Fan Choice, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year.

Although he was responsible for helping her Call Me Maybe become a major Hit virally, Justin Bieber was no match for Jepsen, but certainly not disgraced. He’s up for four JUNOs this year including: Album of the Year, JUNO Fan Choice, Artist of the Yearand Pop Album of the Year.

Up for International Album of the Year this year are Mumford & Sons (Babel), Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas, Baby), Taylor Swift (Red), One Direction (Up All Night) and Maroon 5 (Overexposed), the latter coincidentally in Toronto today on-tour.

In addition to Canada’s Cream of the Crop in Music being at Regina’s Brandt Centre on JUNO Day, Megastar Michael Bublé will be performing a brand new Single that day.  Fans have been hungry for non-Christmas Music from the Crooner since his Crazy Love was released in 2009.

Complete list of Nominees click here.

Also, Sony Music Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada are teaming together to release a Compilation Disc containing this year’s Nominees, titled The JUNO Awards 2013 Nominee Compilation, in-stores March 19, 2013.  Proceeds will go to MusiCounts, Canada’s Music Education Charity.

Tracklisting below:

1.       Carly Rae Jepsen                                 Call Me Maybe

2.       Justin Bieber                                         Boyfriend

3.       Hedley                                                   Kiss You Inside Out

4.       Marianas Trench                                 Desperate Measures

5.       Metric                                                    Breathing Underwater

6.       Billy Talent                                           Surprise Surprise

7.       The Sheepdogs                                     Feeling Good

8.       Victoria Duffield                                  Shut Up and Dance

9.       Deadmau5                                            The Veldt ft. Chris James

10.    Johnny Reid                                         Dedicated to You

11.    Serena Ryder                                        Stompa

12.    Big Wreck                                             Albatross

13.    Rush                                                       Headlong Flight

14.    Leonard Cohen                                    Darkness

15.    Celine Dion                                           Parler à Mon Père 

16.    Walk Off the Earth                             Somebody That I Used to Know

17.    Hey Ocean!                                          Big Blue Wave

The 2013 JUNO Awards air Sunday, April 21, 2013 on CTV.

(Photo credit: JUNOAwards.ca)

Country Megastar Tim McGraw has descended upon Toronto and the Actor/Singer/Songwriter is here to promote his latest Disc from Universal Music, Two Lanes of Freedom, released on February 5, 2013. The hunky husband of equally-a-Megastar Faith Hill, arrived bright and early at City‘s Breakfast Television to kick-off his day-long Press Tour before returning to Las Vegas for three consecutive weeks of shows at Venetian Theatre in support of the Disc.

Despite being snuck-through a hidden entrance at the Studio as understandably there is madness wherever he goes, McGraw was absolutely amazing to come out and greet his Fans who stood out in the rain for him, braving the freeze.  Donning one of his signature Cowboy Hats and an awesome black Faux Leopard Print Scarf, McGraw certainly is a Man of confidence and style, making his devout Followers (including me!) extremely happy with Autographs and Photos, despite being rushed off to his next appearance over at CP24 Breakfast.

The Album represents a hard-fought Victory to be freed from his Record Label of 20 years, Curb Music, now being signed to U.S. Country Label Big Machine, which also features Taylor Swift on its Roster.  In his massively successful Career, he has sold over 40 million album worldwide. Debuting at number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart, Two Lanes of Freedom  has garnered some favourable reviews from the likes of Los Angeles Times, USA Today and Rolling Stone.

More Photos below:

Check-out McGraw‘s latest Single, One of those Nights below:

I always give back and want to give one Reader an authentic signed Photo from McGraw himself.  Simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before March 1, 2013 to qualify! All are welcome to enter. You should be following on Twitter!  Good luck.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video content: Universal Music)

“Food Porn” Queen Nigella Lawson is currently in Toronto in support of both her latest Book, Nigellissima: Instant Italian Inspiration available via Random House in Canada.  The stunning British Food Writer and Television Personality met hundreds of Fans at Indigo – Manulife Centre yesterday, signing copies of her Book and earlier today was at City‘s Breakfast Television cooking-up recipes from it also.

Stunning, even at 7:00 AM, Lawson stepped-out of her Mercedes and was sweet enough to stop for a Photo with me, as she was kept dry under the rain by her Handler.

Lawson also currently can be seen on ABC‘s The Taste, pairing her with Culinary Greats Anthony Bourdain, Ludo Lefebvre and Brian Malarkey, a Cooking competition all about… you guess it, taste.  The Series airs Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM EST on CTV in Canada.

Order Nigellissima: Instant Italian Inspiration here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Random House)

Now this totally made my day! Those of us in North America likely have little idea who Karen Mok is, but in Asia she is an Icon. The Hong Kong-born and British/Italian-educated Singer Actress first made her debut in 1993 as a Singer with moderate success, before branching out into Film and signing to Rock Records in Taiwan, which quickly propelled her Career.

Soon before she knew it, she was working with A-List Directors like Wong Kar Wai and at one point she even was considered for the Steven Spielberg-produced Adaptation of Memoirs of a Geisha.  Accolades have been huge for her, winning both acting and Music Awards in her native Hong Kong and Taiwan, including Best Female Artist.

I met Mok back in 1997 when she performed at Varsity Arena here in Toronto, with no idea she could speak fluent English at all, until I heard her thick British accent – she was humble and had an air of sophistication to her.  I think I may even have had a Geocities Fanpage for her at one point, which she wrote to tell me she loved!  I remember even receiving a signed Poster from her too at point… now where is it?!

Mok is now set to make her stateside debut finally in North America with her first-ever English Language Album, a Jazz Disc titled Somewhere I Belong, to be released via Universal Music.   On the Album are Cover Versions of Classics like Wicked Game, Stormy Weather, Funny Valentine and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

Click here to hear her sublime take on Chris Isaak‘s Wicked Games.

Universal Music Canada releases Somewhere I Belong on February 26, 2013.

(Photo credit: Universal Music)

After much teasing, finally  we  get the full stream of Mariah Carey‘s new Single, Almost Home – the Theme Song to Oz The Great and Powerful, co-written and produced by Norwegian Duo Stargate, who are responsible for  Beyoncé, Ne-Yo and Rihanna‘s biggest Hits.

As a die-hard Fan of Mariah‘s, my complete CD and Deluxe Editions Collection dating back to her 1990 Debut, I am rather pleased with the results. The Track sounds fresh and maybe even somewhat reminiscent of Katy Perry‘s Wide Awake – this is exactly the direction Mariah needed to head, versus the tired-sounding misfire of a Single that was Triumphant (Get ‘Em), released last August, failing to crack the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart. We’re getting a more relaxed version of Mariah, less concerned with Vocal Tricks and focused entirely on evoking an experience.

Listen to Almost Home below:

Cover Art below:

In addition to her gig on American Idol, 2013 is shaping to be a big year for Mariah, who stars in Lee Daniels’ The Butler (Precious, The Paperboy), while a 14th Studio Disc is set to be released this Spring.

Oz The Great and Powerful hits theatres March 8, 2013. Almost Home will be released next Tuesday. We’re almost there!

Buy Almost Home on iTunes here.

Mariah also is on Instagram.  Follow her here!

(Photo credit/audio content: Universal Music)

Have you ever wondered how old your Dog or Cat really is, in Human Years?  I’ve heard several guestimates – some saying it’s 7 years per 1 Human Year for Dogs.  I’ve even heard 15 years for the first Dog Year and then 7 Human Years per year thereafter.  Who has it right?

Today when visiting the Vet with Billy I found this amazingly useful Chart which gives a more accurate approximation by Medi Cal and Royal Canin.

Pet Owners, would you say this is accurate?  I’d say it seems so.

This pretty much has deterred me from ever wanting to get a large breed Dog ever. Time is too precious!

(Photo credit: Royal Canin/Medi Cal)

Interestingly enough on President’s Day/Valentine’s Day weekend, Moviegoers opted for action instead of Romance, making the latest in the long-running Die Hard Franchise, the number one Film in North America. The Action Flick starring Bruce Willis grosses $28.2 million from 3,552 theatres between Thursday through Sunday. Audiences responded well with a B+ CinemaScore for the 20th Century Fox release, while Critics panned it with 17% on the Tomatometer. The Film falls just short of its highest-grossing Live Free or Die Hard, which opened with $33 million back in 2007.

Still going strong is Universal Pictures’ Identity Thief in second spot with $27.6 million in its second week of release, from 3,165 theatres, undoubtedly helped by Critic Rex Reed‘s controversial remarks about Melissa McCarthy‘s weight giving it some added buzz.

Although it kicked-off with a bang on Valentine’s Day, Safe Haven from eOne Films/Relativity Media,  earns $25.4 million this four-day weekend.  The Romantic- Thriller starring Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough might not have fared well with Critics with an 18% rating on the Tomatometer, but audiences enjoyed it with a B+ CinemaScore. Perhaps overseas it will fare better or even it its second run on Video-on-Demand/DVD/Blu-ray.

On a weekend lacking Family-oriented choices, Escape from Planet Earth from The Weinstein Co./eOne Films grosses $20.5 million from 3,288 theatres.  The Canadian Animated Feature which contains the voice work of Jessica Alba, Ricky Gervais, Brendan Fraser, Rob Corddry and Sophia Vergara didn’t get critical love, but it does receive at B+ CinemaScore. The Film looks to be a profitable venture, made for $40 million and likely to recoup that over the next couple weeks.

Warm Bodies is proving to be a great hit with Moviegoers, earning $10.9 million in fifth this weekend for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films in this its third week out, an option for those looking for a bit of Romance but less tears than Safe Haven.

Beautiful Creatures surprisingly opens in sixth spot for Warner Bros. with only $8.5 million from 2,950 theatres and many are saying that Director/Writer Richard LaGravenese taking some liberties with this Film Adaptation have deterred Fans of the Novel. Overall audiences reacted fairly well with a B CinemaScore.

In its second week, the excellent Side Effects is in seventh spot for eOne Films/Open Road Films, earning $7.3 million for a cumulative total of $19.6 million.  This places it just ahead of Silver Linings Playbook which benefited from its Romantic appeal this weekend, earning and awesome $7.2 million in its 14th – yes you read that right – 14th week of release.  The David O. Russell Film is just fractionally shy of the $100-million mark domestically.

Best Picture Contender Zero Dark Thirty  rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.5 million this weekend in its ninth week of release.

Some of you might recall that my dear Friend Jonathan Godfrey, a fellow Film Aficionado has pitched-in a few Reviews here of late.  He thought of the brilliant idea of us combining our perspectives together for you all to read right in time for the 85th annual Academy Awards.  As it turns out, we have rather different opinions on how we feel the Oscars will unfold. We both live for Oscars Day and these would be our choices if we were given Ballots by the Academy…

SUPPORTING ACTRESS & ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Jonathan Godfrey: Ladies first, I am a Gentleman after all. And when it comes to the fairer sex I must admit my fondness for Anne Hathaway, however when it comes to this year’s Best Supporting Actress, she is not my Flagbearer. Helen Hunt is, and the sexuality she exudes in The Sessions makes her so.

Mr. Will: Although I would agree that the brazen and physically-correct Helen Hunt  was superb in  The Sessions,  it was Hathaway who devastated me most as Fantine in Les Misérables.  In fact her performance was so good that if the Academy would allow it, she could well have won Actress in a  Leading Role this year.  The last two-thirds of Les Misérables never could match that level of intensity it had when she was on-screen.  Mark my words, it will be a Hathaway Sweep this Awards season, completed by an Oscar win here.  Anne, I’m still on for Soy Lattes and Salon Day some time.  Text me, A-Hath!

Jonathan Godfrey: As for Actress in a Leading Role, my choice is far more mainstream. Jennifer Lawrence is unforgettable in Silver Linings Playbook, and such an impression should be adequately awarded.

Mr. Will: Inasmuch as I love J-Law – and I really do – I really just don’t think she’s earned it yet.  When you measure her performance here against recent Winners like Natalie Portman in Black Swan, Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby/Boys Don’t Cry, Charlize Theron in Monster or Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady, her Silver Linings Playbook work just doesn’t stack-up to that caliber. I’m so sorry to say it – don’t Katniss me with a Crossbow! I also would hate to see her peak this early in her career as I think her best work is still ahead of her.  The Oscars Curse can be detrimental,  ask Mira Sorvino.  Therefore, my vote goes to the effervescent Jessica Chastain.  Her stone-cold performance as Maya in Zero Dark Thirty in my opinion, dug that extra layer deeper and left an impression with me long after I left the theatre. Kudos also to a then six-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis who wowed me in Beasts of the Southern Wild, a born natural.  Naomi Watts I adore, starting off so strong in The Impossible, but alas it is her role which didn’t give her as much to work with after she fell ill for most of the Film.

SUPPORTING ACTOR & ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Jonathan Godrey: My choices here are for the  pair of Chaps who star opposite each other in The Master. Yes, I was one of those Oddballs impressed by that haunting theological treatise. And so I believe Philip Seymour Hoffman to be Supporting Actor, and Joaquin Phoenix the Actor in a Leading Role. Color me crazy (a suitable shade), for that Film drove me to madness (its own indelible mark).

Mr. Will: Odd, indeed! The Master was this year’s Tree of Life for me.  Although sartorially exquisite, it went completely over my head.  I appreciate Phoenix‘s daringness  and Hoffman‘s conviction here, but it is Christoph Waltz who lit-up the Screen for me in Django Unchained, giving us a performance equally  brilliant  to the one he gave us in 2009’s Inglourious Basterds.  This Man fascinates me: his range, his ability to command a scene and his working chemistry with Quentin Tarantino is just explosive. And can I  say what an injustice it is that Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t get recognized?

As for Actor in a Leading Role I begrudgingly have to say the incomparable Daniel Day-Lewis is the odds-on choice.  And I  say “begrudgingly” because I know how Hugh Jackman gave it his all in Les Misérables, finally getting that long-overdue Academy acknowledgment.  In any other year it could’ve been him.

COSTUME DESIGN, PRODUCTION DESIGN & ORIGINAL SCORE

Jonathan Godfrey: Though I do not believe I am qualified to comment on every Technical category, I do wish to talk about a few. It may be Paul Delgado’s first nomination, but he is deserving of the gold for Costume Design nonetheless. The Wardrobe he stitched for Les Misérables is inspiring, so is Sarah Greenwood & Katie Spencer’s work on Anna Karenina. To them the aesthetic award of Best Production Design is given easily. They made the stage a character of its own, a truth too often overlooked. Lastly, may Mychael Danna take the Oscar for Original Score in Life of Pi. We Torontonians must stick together.

Mr. Will: I tend to agree with you Jonathan, despite our v. different opinions in the Acting categories. In any given year there are several Nominees in categories such as Short Film – Animated or Short Film – Live Action which we unfortunately don’t get an opportunity to evaluate.  In terms of Costume Design, Colleen Atwood has built her own legacy and her work for Snow White and The Huntsman cannot be overlooked as a possible Dark Horse,  but yes, the Costumes in Anna Karenina were stunning –  a Film defined by its Fashion. I do think though that Les Misérables has more fuel in its tank at this point in Awards Season.  I’d give the upper hand to  Delgado here for his work in the Musical.

As for Production Design, I’m inclined to say that the Duo of Eve Stewart  & Anna Lynch-Robinson for Les Misérables also will be awarded.  Hard to believe they made us believe we were amidst the June Rebellion in France all within the confines of a few Soundstages. As for Original Score, I love John Williams as does the Academy making him the choice, although Thomas Newman for Skyfall might give him a run for his money.

I also would like to commend the phenomenal Makeup and Hairstyling in the under-appreciated Hitchcock.  You go, Howard Berger, Peter Montagna & Martin Samuel!  Anyone who can turn Sir Anthony Hopkins so believably into such a widely-recognizable Icon deserves a round of applause in my books.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY, ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY & DIRECTING

Jonathan Godfrey:  Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin cannot go unmentioned for Adapted Screenplay. Theirs is a story of life, its beauty and opposing struggle. Beasts of the Southern Wild is absolutely brilliant and so is Amour. Thus, for Original Screenplay the statue goes to Michael Haneke. However, as much as I am torn in denying Haneke the Award for Directing, it nevertheless goes to a worthy Opponent. Benh Zeitlin took home the honours at Sundance for Beasts, and here he shall have them again. His Film reminds the World that life is in the living.

Mr. Will: Argo was my fave Film of 2012, so I am pretty much rooting for Chris Terrio to be awarded Adapted Screenplay for his enthralling, humanistic and detailed work.  For Original Screenplay, my heart is with Tarantino for Django Unchained; an unparalleled Storyteller, in a league of his own.

As for Directing, it still to this day does not sit well with me that Ben Affleck so cruelly was overlooked for Argo.  The Golden Globes, BAFTAs, DGAs and Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards got it right. The Academy, not so much.  That being said, the legendary Steven Spielberg is as deserving as he’s ever been for Lincoln, drawing  phenomenal performances all around from his superior-caliber Cast, paying a fitting tribute to a Man who changed our World.

BEST PICTURE

Jonathan Godfrey:  Beasts of the Southern Wild is my selection for Best Picture. All of the Nominees are deserving of the honour this year, and I believe Les Misérables and Amour to be especially so. That said, Beasts remains my choice, one I have been debating for weeks on-end. In time, I shall see if the Academy agrees with me, and I do not worry if they don’t. I’m happy to have seen all of the nominated Films, and to have enjoyed them in turn. I hope those interested do the same, and come to their own honest conclusions.

Mr. Will:  Although I walked away from Zero Dark Thirty thinking for sure it was this year’s Best Picture, I’ve seen both Silver Linings Playbook and Argo gain a huge amount of momentum over the past few weeks, particularly the latter.  To be honest, I think Argo is peaking at the right moment to take it all, especially with Affleck‘s snubbing reminding the Academy how badly they’ve messed-up failing to recognize his work as a Director.  Argo, it is.

And thank you so much Jonathan for generously sharing your thoughts with us.  You definitely have a unique perspective and offer a refreshing take!  I do think you’re terribly wrong about  Hathaway though and you know it!

ABC airs the 85th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 7:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)