Several Films are coming out of Sundance Film Festival in Park City this year with  Oscar potential/buzz and winning the Audience Award, U.S. Drama is The Weinstein Co.’s Fruitvale, produced by Forrest Whitaker’s Significant Productions and OG Project.  The Film from first-time Director Ryan Coogler, Fruitvale centers around Oscar Grant, who was shot to death on January 1, 2009 after Police responded to fight which took place aboard a Train in the Bay Area.  Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Durand and Chad Michael Murray star in what is looking possibly like a TIFF 2013 Title.  The Sessions which won the same Award last year also en route to premiering at TIFF 2012, while Helen Hunt who starred in the Film went on to receive an Oscar nomination in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her work.

The Weinstein Co. also is gaining a fair amount of buzz with Lovelace, the Biopic about Pornstar Linda Lovelace starring Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Sharon Stone, Juno Temple, James Franco and Wes Bentley.  The Hollywood Reporter already is calling it, “smartly done”.  Variety however has a more mixed reaction, but still feel the Film “goes down smooth”, despite its’ “Movie of the Week Melodrama”.

Watch this Clip below:

CBS Films also acquired Toy’s House, which on paper is reminiscent of Stand By Me, about three teenage Boys who try to make a life in the Wilderness.  The Comedy stars Breakout Stars Nick Offerman, Allison Bride, Moises Arias and Nick Robinson.

Kill Your Darlings perhaps is the Beat Generation Film which those disappointed by On the Road, are waiting for.  The Film centers around a Murder investigation surrounding three Icons of the era, Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe), William S. Burroughs (Ben Foster)  and Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan).  Variety praises the Drama, but admits “the Picture’s Pansexual content and intellectual focus will limit its specialty-market reach, but it should court a small, discerning audience.“.  The Hollywood Reporter raves about Up-and-Comer DeHaan most, stating that he is a “febrile, magnetic presence, making no mystery of why Ginsberg, Kammerer and Kerouac would be so drawn to fickle Carr.”.  Strong possibility we might see this one a TIFF 2013.

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints has gained lots of praise, the Drama starring Casey Affleck as an Outlaw who escapes prison to find his Wife (Rooney Mara) and Daughter, whom he has yet to meet.  Variety feels that the Film is “too lyrical for mainstream expectations… but a powerful Indie Player”. Likewise, The Hollywood Reporter says “this is an out-and-out Art Film”. IFC Films releases in the U.S.

jOBS possibly is the most hotly-buzzed Flick to screen at Sundance this year and although reviews still are scarce for the Biopic of Apple Founder Steve Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher, The Hollywood Reporter states, “Regardless of his outsized stature, their ability to keep the movie frequently engaging is an indication of their studious dedication to the Project.”.  Open Road Films  releases in the U.S. on April 13, 2013, commemorating Apple‘s 37th Anniversary. (UPDATE 3/16/13: It has been confirmed that this date is now postponed to allow for a proper promotional strategy).

Watch the Teaser Trailer below:

Last year’s Sundance Film Festival spawned Beasts of the Southern Wild, which currently is nominated for four Oscars including Best Actress, Best Directing, Best Writing and Best Picture.

(Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.)

In anticipation of this eagerly-awaited new Netflix original Series, Mr. Will Wong wants to equip two lucky Readers with free six-month Memberships to Netflix Canada!  Readers also will win a free Netflix Canada Tote Bag and T-Shirt. Yes!

To enter to win, Readers must reside in Canada and also click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Tell me also the name of the brand new Series which you can stream a full season of, on via Netflix Canada on February 1, 2013.  Your deadline is January 29, 2013.  Good luck!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Toronto as you might know, is hosting WorldPride 2014 – deemed an international Celebration incorporating Activism, Education, History and Culture of global LGBTTIQQ2SA Communities.  The dates for the Festivities have been confirmed to take place between June 20 to 29, 2014.

On the newly-confirmed dates, Pride Toronto Co-Chair Luke Amona says, “In the interest of good planning, the new dates ensure Toronto is capable of accommodating the predicted influx in tourism for WorldPride 2014.”.

In addition to these dates being confirmed, the Theme of the Celebration has been unveiled as Rise Up!.  Yes, as in the 1983 Hit from Toronto Band, Parachute Club.  Although a Teaser Video was leaked yesterday featuring the Song, Pride Toronto stated that they will in the next few weeks be releasing a new exciting Logo and official Teaser.

In Toronto Magazine, TD Bank and Pride Toronto hosted a Gala for WorldPride 2014 last night with a Toronto Gay Who`s Who in attendance, while  in addition to the spirit of Pride, gathered for the chiseled Go-Go Boys, Cocktails and Daniel et Daniel Catering.

Oh yeah.

Click here to like WorldPride 2014 on Facebook.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The face of Television is changing and also how we consume it.  As a Kid I remember my Mom driving us to the few Chinese Shopping Malls that existed in Scarborough and she`d rent the latest TV Series from Hong Kong by-the-block.  Basically, with the exception of stopping to eat Dinner in the Kitchen, we`d spend weekends zipping through the VHS Tapes in a mad rush to get them back to the Rental Shop by Monday to avoid late fees. Trust me, we were a Family of six on a budget. Every dollar counted. What Netflix has done here not only is assume the role of Rental Shop, but they`ve also replaced by Mom`s Chrysler Plymouth by bringing the Series right into our homes and at once play the role of  the Television Network on which the Series aired.

I was one of the few lucky members of the Media who got invited to a Private Screening in the basement of a posh Hotel in Toronto, wooed with Cocktails, Appetizers and Candy in hopes possibly of helping create a bit of buzz for Netflix`s latest original Series, House of Cards.  The fact of the matter though is that the Series not only is groundbreaking from a business model standpoint, but legitimately it is Awards-worthy good.  It has been confirmed that the Series would be eligible to compete for an EMMY, but the Golden Globes still are a bit of a gray area.  Will the Hollywood Foreign Press Association incorporate Internet-based Television into their voting criteria? We`ll soon see.  Regardless, House of Cards is a Game Changer and times are a changing indeed.

Oscar-winning  Kevin Spacey teams once again with Visionary Director David Fincher after some outstanding results with 2011`s The Social Network. The former serves as both Actor and Executive Producer, while the latter of course helms this Adaptation of the British Series of the same name. Spacey is deliciously bad as Congressman Frank Underwood, with an insatiable desire to take-down the President after he is passed for the position of Secretary of State.  One by one, this House of Cards crumbles as he beguiles  his way up, revealing his inner most secret thoughts and desires in a Shakespearean-like (often funny) Soliloquies.  Equally ferocious is the chilly Robin Wright as Frank`s Wife Claire –  meticulous and manipulative.   Kate Mara (Sister of Rooney) is a true revelation after showing flashes of promise in American Horror Story, playing a young Reporter for a top Washington Newspaper who aggressively pushes  her way to Frank, gaining unparalleled access to information which of course drives her more tenured Colleagues crazy.  Theatre Star Corey Stoll also is unconventionally hot as a corrupt Congressman on the edge of downfall with several of his  shocking vices.

Netflix Canada releases the complete first Season of House of Cards on Friday, February 1, 2013.  Yes, the entire Season in one shot.

Click here for more details and to watch the Trailer.

Enter to win a free six-month Membership to Netflix Canada right here!

(Photo credit: Netflix)

It’s been about four years since we’ve seen the comedic genius of Marlon Wayans on the Big Screen, but he’s definitely back.  And if the U.S. Box Office success of his co-produced, co-written and self-starring A Haunted House is any indication, Moviegoers definitely have missed them some Marlon.

Out-of-nowhere, the Horror-Comedy which spoofs Paranormal Activity, nabbed the second spot at the Box Office in its debut behind Best Picture Contender Zero Dark Thirty.  Not even the highly-touted Gangster S ad, starring the likes of Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin could challenge this “Found Footage” Flick which like the Franchise it parodies, was made for a paltry budget – $2.5 million to be precise.  Canadians had to wait a bit longer for it, but VVS Films acquired distribution rights for A Haunted House and are releasing the crude but undeniably funny Movie this Friday, January 25, 2013.

Handsome Wayans has built a Résumé not so much on critical acclaim, but it his brilliant timing, fearlessness and smart comedic choices which have helped him connect in a big way with multiple generations.  Critics hated the likes of White Chicks, Scary Movie and Norbit – which perhaps he has gained the most exposure from – but Fans overwhelmingly have responded to  those Movies.  I don’t feel that I’m being overly generous in saying that White Chicks is a Masterpiece – a Film I still can watch nine years later and laugh at.

Toronto was lucky enough to host Wayans as he did his rounds with local Press today, including scheduled Interviews with  CP24, The Movie Network, KISS 92.5, Entertainment Tonight Canada, eTalk and New.Music.Live – the latter his only opportunity to see Fans and he was generous with them taking  several Photos with them, drawing smiles infectiously throughout the Studio.  He even surprised a female Crew member on the Show, giving her a big hug as  he burst into the Control Room.  See some Photos here!

Wayans was amazing to roll down the window of his Suburban  for Fans who waited in the freezing cold tonight.  One Fan even requested an Interview with him, which most Stars would brush-off uncomfortably, but  diplomatically he had his Handlers take down  her information before heading-off to Dinner.   I was fortunate enough to get a Snap with Wayans, getting a handshake with his Fingerless Gloves on and he even agreed to signing a Photo for my Readers.  If you’d like to enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before February 10, 2013.  Good luck!

See Wayans greet Fans below:

Watch the Trailer for A Haunted House below:

Review to follow on Friday. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Look who Re-Tweeted our Post!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Following the success of their Best Picture Contender Lincoln, Disney now sets its sights on the intriguing The Fifth Estate – not to be confused with the popular CBC Series of the same name.  The Film directed by the amazing Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn),  just began principal photography and the above Still was released today.

The Fifth Estate traces the beginnings of  controversial and game-changing Website WikiLeaks, which made its Founders famous and also re-directed the flow by which Media receive their information. Benedict Cumberbatch (Atonement, War Horse) plays  Julian Assange and Daniel Brühl (The Bourne Ultimatum, Inglourious Basterds) plays Daniel Domscheit-Berg. Laura Linney, Anthony Mackie, David Thewlis, Peter Capaldi, Dan Stevens, Alicia Vikander and Carice van Houten also star.

Disney‘s Touchstone Pictures will be releasing the Drama on November 15, 2013.  The Film is co-financed by DreamWorks Studios and Participant Media.

(Photo credit: Dreamworks Studios)

“I don’t know who I really am inside. I don’t know what I’ll be”.

Mr. Will Wong is thrilled to give Readers in OTTAWA, VANCOUVER and TORONTO a chance to attend the Advance Screening of the awesome BEAUTIFUL CREATURES!  Screenings take place Wednesday, February 6, 2013.

A supernatural Love Story set in the South, Beautiful Creatures tells the tale of two star-crossed Lovers:  Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich), a young Man longing to escape his small town, and Lena (Alice Englert), a mysterious new Girl.  Together, they uncover dark secrets about their respective Families, their History and their Town.

Oscar^® Nominee Richard LaGravenese (The Fisher King, P.S. I Love You) directs from his Adaptation of the first Novel in the best-selling Series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.  The Film stars Alden Ehrenreich (Tetro), Alice Englert (Ginger & Rosa), Academy Award^® Winner Jeremy Irons (Reversal of Fortune), Oscar^® Nominee Viola Davis (The Help, Doubt), Emmy Rossum (TV’s “Shameless), Thomas Mann (Project X) and Academy Award^® Winner Emma Thompson (Howard’s End, Sense and Sensibility). Rounding out the cast are Eileen Atkins, Margo Martindale, Zoey Deutch, Tiffany Boone, Rachel Brosnahan, Kyle Gallner, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Sam Gilroy.

Watch the Official Trailer in full below:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before February 2, 2013.  Remember to indicate which City you’d like Passes for – Toronto, Ottawa or Vancouver – and if you have restricted Privacy Settings, please ensure you provide your Twitter account for me to reach you back at.

Double your chances by Re-Tweeting the below:

http://tinyurl.com/ah85b7p Enter to win a Double Pass to an Advance Screening of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES for TOR/OTT/VAN via @MRWILLW!

Beyond thrilled! UK Super Girl Group The Saturdays just debuted their new E! Series Chasing the Saturdays and accompanying it is a brand new EP  of the same Title. Infectious brand new Single What About Us already is making a dent with its Video garnering over 2 million views on YouTube, and this five-track EP features their new Track in addition to four of their biggest Hits including: Ego, All Fired Up, Notorious and Higher (ft. Flo Rida).

Check-out the Cover for the EP below:

See some gorgeous new Snaps of The Saturdays from the EP Artwork below:

Universal Music Canada releases Chasing the Saturdays EP on January 29, 2013.

(Photo credit: Universal Music Canada)

The fun just don’t stop!  Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough graced the Red Carpet at Scotiabank Theatre tonight in celebration of Safe Haven, a Romantic Thriller adapted from the bestselling Nicholas Sparks Novel of the same name.   Its Story centers on a Woman (Hough) who arrives in Southport, North Carolina with a mysterious past.  She meets a Widower  (Duhamel) and falls in love with him passionately, only to realize that as their relationship progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to veil her deepest, darkest Secret.

A large crowd of Fans and Media lined the Red Carpet, the first ever for Alliance Films under the eOne Films Brand, and after just appearing across the road at MuchMusic‘s New.Music.Live, both Stars hurried-over to the Theatre, masking any trace of a super-quick Wardrobe Change.  The handsome on-screen Couple wowed Onlookers – Duhamel  gorgeous in a gray Suit and and Hough picture-perfect in pink, as the latter’s proud Hair Dresser admired her gorgeous creation, snapping Photos on her iPhone from the side.

Both Stars generously divided their time between Fans (believe me there were any in particular for Duhamel!) and giving quick Interviews to Media.  One Autograph Collector tells me, “Duhamel has a photographic memory. He saw me earlier in the day and told me one only, but still was a  nice Guy about it!”.

I had the absolute pleasure of  fitting in a question each with both Actors and quizzed Duhamel on his Canadian Ancestry and what it is like to be the self-proclaimed, “The 267th Most Interesting Man in the World”.    He jokes, “Well, I’ve got a lot of room to move, you know what I mean? There’s only room to move-up!”.  Duhamel also breaks-down for me exactly how much a Canadian he actually is. Meanwhile, Hough details for me what inspired her to choose a heavier Role compared to some of the more lighthearted fare we’ve seen her in so far like last year’s Rock of Ages and 2011’s Footloose Remake.  An admitted die-hard  Sparks Fan, Hough tells me, “I relate to Katie.  In my life I tend to be guarded and in my life I tend to find the joy in life, so it definitely makes sense for me to do this.”.

Following tonight’s Premiere, Duhamel and Hough were amazing to spend a bit of time chatting with Fans via a Q&A moderated by KISS 92.5‘s Taylor Kaye, where we learned that a good portion of Safe Haven actually is improvised.  Duhamel, who is married to Popstar Fergie, reveals to us also that he had her full blessing on filming love scenes with Hough, as Fergie was all for whatever would make Safe Haven a better Film.  Another interesting tidbit is that Hough actually is v. good Friends with the Villain in the Film, played by David Lyons. She commended him for making her feel comfortable enough to tackle some of the Film’s more uncomfortable moments. And before heading out for the night, Duhamel walked right over to me and gave me a high-five.  How cool is that?

See more Snaps of Duhamel and Hough I took earlier in the day right here.

Our trusty Helper Michelle, was sweet enough to help nab a couple Autographs from the beautiful Hough.  To enter to win one, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before February 22, 2013.  All are welcome to enter. Good luck!

Safe Haven opens in theatres on Valentine’s Day via eOne Films’ Alliance Films.  I admit it, I cried!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

And they’ve arrived – safe and sound.  Mega-Hotties Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough arrived quietly into Toronto last night,  up and at ’em early for a hectic Press Day for their Romantic Thriller, Safe Haven.  The Adaption of the best-selling Novel by Nicholas Sparks is set to open this Valentine’s Day via Entertainment One‘s Alliance Films in Canada.  The Film centers on Katie (Hough), a Woman who arrives in Southport, North Carolina, falling in love with Widower (Duhamel), which forces her to confront her dark, mysterious past.

Duhamel and Hough who looked a picture-perfect Duo together, appeared at KISS 92.5‘s Roz & Mocha Show (listen here) earlier today, before stopping-off at City‘s Breakfast Television (watch here), before completing a morning Trifecta capped-off at CP24 Breakfast (watch here).  The Actors will be doing an afternoon of Press out of their Hotel, before appearing on an action-packed New.Music.Live at MuchMusic, which also will see Warm Bodies Stars Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer. A Star-filled Day in the City indeed.

I caught-up with the Stars as they arrived for their Breakfast Television appearance this morning and they both were gracious to Fans stopping to sign Autographs and snap Photos despite being in a crazy rush to their next destination.  The Festivities continue at Scotiabank Theatre tonight where the Canadian Premiere of Safe Haven takes place, as Duhamel and Hough walk the Red Carpet.  We’ll be there, so stay tuned for our Interview!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)