Don’t get me wrong – I love Toronto, but my love affair with New York City has been ongoing for many years now. Life happens and priorities call, so believe it or not, it’s been about five years since I’ve been on vacation.  Feeling inspired I decided to take a Daytrip, flying-out this morning.  At the break of dawn my friend Keith was ever so kind to come pick me up and we dropped Billy off at the Boarder’s for a day.

My day was exhilarating, absorbing the hustle and bustle of the City, getting lost and finding my way again.  A day away is all it took and I feel so incredibly rejuvenated!  The Fashion, the buzzing energy, the lights -New York City brims with an unwavering confidence and extra bit of attention to detail which we all could learn from.

I indulged in Macarons from Bouchon, inhaled a Lobster Roll from The Soup Man, devoured a Rockette Red Velvet Cupcake from Magnolia Bakery, gobbled Truffles from La Maison du Chocolat and although I could’ve enjoyed any of the fine Cuisine in New York City, I chose to reunite with Toronto’s long-lost Friend, The Olive Garden, meeting-up with a Friend Jamie who also happened to be visiting coincidentally!  For once I couldn’t even finish the plate!  I also found a charming one bedroom apartment to rent overnight right in the thick of it all.

Today was a day I’ll never forget and here are some  images from my best day ever.  Enjoy.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

A Legend is before us. One night before the big Premiere of his DJANGO UNCHAINED in New York City, iconic Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino brought a Crowd out to Scotiabank Theatre tonight here in Toronto.  Journalists and Fans alike lined the Red Carpet tonight to catch a glimpse of Tarantino who hasn’t been in the City since premiering his Oscar-worthy Inglorious Basterds here back in 2009 at the same venue.

This new Action-Thriller-Drama centers around an enslaved Bounty Hunter’s revenge against the gross injustices witnessed against others – including his Wife – at the hands of a sadistic Plantation Owner. It stars a brilliant Cast including Jamie Foxx, Leonardo Dicaprio, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. Tarantino tells The Toronto Star‘s Peter Howell, “I feel shame for my Country that it happened”, on the topic of Slavery.

Measuring Fan reactions, the Filmmaker sat-in on the Screening tonight for well-over two hours before being escorted into his Escalade by two Security Guards.

Thanks to my dear Friend Keith McCalmont who was super-kind to send a Photo of Tarantino on the Carpet with another good Friend, Melissa DiMarco below.  And of course, I had to have my moment with Tarantino also, although when he reached over to grab my Camera to take a Selfie of us, the lens seemed to have been knocked out of its socket!  Oh well, if it was going to be one person whom it would be fitting to break my Camera, it definitely would be him!  Special thanks to John Vassal who was awesome to capture the moment on his Camera still!

 I’ll be out in NYC tomorrow capturing some of the Highlights at the Premiere. Wish me luck!

Alliance Films releases Django Unchained  in theatres Christmas Day.

(Photo credit: Keith McCalmont/John Vassal/Mr. Will Wong)

Unbelieveable! Skyfall, in its fifth week of release, climbs to the top of the Box Office this weekend, usurping the three-week reign of The Twlight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. Earning $10.8 million on a tepid weekend at the theatres, the latest in the James Bond Franchise has made over $261 million now domestically for Sony Pictures.

Paramount Pictures’ Rise of the Guardian rises to second spot this weekend earning $10.4 million in its third week of release, just ahead of Breaking Dawn – Part 2, which slips to third spot in this its fourth week in theatres with $8.9 million this weekend, closing-in on the $300 million mark domestically for Summit Entertainment/eOne Films.

Lincoln still continues to go strong in fourth spot for Disney with $8.8 million, with tons of Oscar buzz driving Moviegoers to the theatres to see dual Oscar Winners respectively, Sally Field and Daniel Day-Lewis.

This weekend’s sole debut in the Top Ten comes from Playing for Keeps, the Rom-Com starring Gerard Butler from FilmDistrict/VVS Films, earning $6.1 million from 2,837 theatres. Critics unfortunately weren’t charmed, tallying-in at 2% on Rotten Tomatoes.  Fans however are responding, with the Film making the grade with a B+ via CinemaScore.

The Weinstein Co.’s Killing them Softly meanwhile, rounds out the Top Ten with $2.8 million in its second week.  Reviews overall have been solid, maintaining a 76% on the Tomatometer.

He’s definitely back.  In one of those rare instances where the Filmmaker is equally as big a Star as the Cast, Toronto has one helluva reason to be excited. Iconic Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino as announced here earlier this week, will be in-town Monday, December 10, 2012 for a special Screening of his latest Masterpiece, DJANGO UNCHAINED. 

Now, Alliance Films and Mr. Will Wong want to give five lucky Readers a chance to attend the hottest ticket in town!  The Screening will be taking place at Scotiabank Theatre that night at 7:00 PM.  And yes, Tarantino will be present for the Event.

DJANGO UNCHAINED stars Jamie Foxx, Leonardo Dicaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson and Christoph Waltz, hitting theatres Christmas Day.

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Remember to follow on Twitter here also for this and oh so many exciting Giveaways!

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Remember to “like” Alliance Films on Facebook too!

(Photo credit: Alliance Films)

What better way to enjoy the Holidays than bundled-up on your couch, catching-up on some Shows and Movies you’ve been meaning to get around to forever? Netflix Canada and Mr. Will Wong want to give one lucky Canadian Reader a free six-month Subscription to Netflix, the leading online subscription service streaming unlimited TV and Movies over the Internet.

Don’t have an XBox 360, Wii or PS3? Don’t you worry! Netflix Canada generously will be providing you with an Apple TV to keep for free! There’s something for everyone – big and small – on Netflix Canada.

Catch-up on Shows and Movies like Breaking Bad, Dexter, This Means War, The Walking Dead, We Bought a Zoo, Sherlock and some of your favourite UFC Matches this Holiday Season!

To enter to win a free six-month subscription to Netflix Canada, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before Friday, December 14, 2012.

A Tweet with the following Hashtag will double your chances:

tinyurl.com/cohwh4j  @mrwillw & @netflix_ca are giving Readers a chance to win a 6-month subscription to Netflix Canada. Apple TV included!

Good luck!

For more information about Netflix Canada, click here.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

With news of Showcase Series Continuum getting renewed for a second season, Star Victor Webster currently has a bit of a break in his schedule.  Just this past May, we spotted Continuum‘s Rachel Nichols out and about as she was promoting the just-launched Series then.

After having an amazing Korean BBQ Dinner with Friends tonight, we all stepped-outside and wouldn’t you know it – we spotted the  Hunk known best for his work on Mutant X, Charmed and Castle, as he head-along for a walk down Yonge Street. Generously, he stopped  to take Photos and chat with us.

Webster soon will begin production on Horror Flick Growl in Vancouver alongside Katee Sackhoff – although it remains to be seen what exactly he is up to in the City right this moment!

UPDATE: Look who ReTweeted this Post!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Nominees for the 55th annual GRAMMY Awards were announced at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and Kanye West, Jay-Z, Frank Ocean, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons and fun. each tie for the lead with six nods apiece in what looks to be a wide-open year.

Pop Lovers fear not as some of the year’s biggest hits were recognized at tonight’s Nominations Concert, hosted by Taylor Swift and LL Cool J, including: Gotye‘s Somebody That I Used to Know being up for Record of the Year and our v. own Carly Rae Jepsen‘s Call Me Maybe being up for Song of the Year and Best Solo Pop Performance. In addition, Toronto was well-represented with Drake being up for three Awards including Best Rap Album for Take Care and Best Rap Song for The Motto and Best Rap Performance for HYFR. Meanwhile, Melanie Fiona is up for Best Traditional R&B Performance for Wrong Side of a Love Song.

Swift is nominated for Record of the Year with her smash Hit We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together and also Safe & Sound (w/The Civil Wars) in the Best Country/Duo Performance category. While fellow Nashville Native Kelly Clarkson also received major recognition, garnering nods for Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) in the important Song of the Year, Record of the Year categories, while her Disc Stronger earned nominations for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Best New Artist Nominees fun. are up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Song of the Year and Record of the Year with We Are Young (ft. Janelle Monáe), while they also are in-contention for Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year with Some Nights.

For a complete list of Nominees, click here.

The 55th annual GRAMMY Awards will be held February 10, 2013 in Los Angeles at Staples Center.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It’s that time of the year again! How can you not love Jimmy Fallon, let alone Jimmy Fallon together with Mariah Carey? The charismatic late-night TV Personality invited Mariah Carey on his Show to perform together with The Roots, a lo-fi version of All I Want for Christmas is You.  Kids. Xyolophone. Recorder. Banjo.  Hand Drums. And is that a Hair Pick I see? So absolutely charming! These Fallon Videos are guaranteed to be an American Cultural Institution.

Watch the Video below:

(Photo/video credit: NBC)

“Of the  Cast, I think she’s most likely to have a long, lasting Film Career”, The National Post‘s Shinan Govani whispers into my ear.  The “she” whom he is referring to of course is Allison Williams, Star of HBO‘s hotly-buzzed Series Girls, which sees a DVD/Blu-ray release next week – getting a bit of Promo here in Toronto.  Govani hosted an intimate In-Conversation-With in the east-end of the City tonight with the stunning Actress, who  happens  to be the Daughter of NBC Anchor Brian Williams and also a Graduate of Yale herself.

Williams who arrived fashionably late understandably after a jam-packed  day of Press which had her visit CBC, Corus and also MuchMusic for an appearance on New.Music.Live, looked nothing short of breathtaking.  Every eye in the room was glued to the Beauty, who plays the role of Marnie on the Emmy-nominated Series, penned/produced/acted by It-Girl Lena Dunham.

Fame had to wait for Williams, whose Parents insisted that she completed her Studies before entering Show Business, telling us “College delayed my attempts at the Industry. I’m  lucky and grateful.”.  On her new-found Fame, she admits that she is still grappling with that.  “No matter what age you are, it’s really tough”, says Williams. “What happens is this twist where people refer to me by my Character name – which is weird, but really isn’t considering the nature of my work”. As well, she is flattered by the Sex and the City comparisons which Girls receives much criticism for – a matter which Govani pointed-out right away as being the “Elephant in the Room”.

She reveals that she feels an instant connection to Fans who tell her they too are a “Marnie“, because she understands truly what that means.  Williams however, wouldn’t give-away too many details about whether or not Marnie and Dunham‘s Hannah will reconcile their Friendship in the forthcoming second season of the Series.  “I will say though that love is never lost”, she hints with tact as HBO Executives watched carefully.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Williams quickly, answering the one single question on everyone’s mind.  And yes, she confirms to me that her  stunning Red Dress is in fact by Oscar de la Renta.  Truly down-to-earth and well-spoken, we chatted about the amazing selection of Music heard on Girls and she tells me, “Oh, Lena normally has say over that, but I might have  helped get songs by Robyn and Ellie Goulding in”.

Season One of HBO‘s Girls is in-stores on DVD/Blu-ray on Tuesday, December 11, 2012.  Season Two of the Series premieres on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 9:00 PM.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

After opening for Coldplay on their Mylo Xyloto Tour, Welsh Import Marina and the Diamonds flew-into Toronto yesterday to kick-off the second leg of her  self-headlining The Lonely Hearts Club Tour in North America.  Filling-up the Kool Haus tonight, the 27-year-old Singer/Songwriter whose most recognizable trademark is the small heart she dons on her cheek, highlighted material from her latest Disc from Warner Music, Electra Heart.  The Disc has her collaborating with heavyweights like Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, Diplo, Stargate, Greg Kurstin, Guy Sigsworth and Cirkut, drawing comparisons in her sound to that of Katy Perry, although she recently revealed to Metro Canada that she neither feels this a compliment or an insult.  Read that Interview here.

Marina and the Diamonds is known for her generosity to Fans and she was amazing to stop and take several Snaps with Fans after finishing her Show tonight, before heading into her Tour Bus, which is Philadelphia-bound next. She was smitten particularly with one young Fan who was just eight-years-old, recording a Video of her introducing herself.

Watch Marina and the Diamonds interact below with Fans:

Preview and order Electra Heart on iTunes here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)