#PRODUCTWATCH: 2024 HONDA PASSPORT BLACK EDITION

Victoria Day usually signals the transition of Spring to Summer for us, and while we’ve seen our share of rain these past couple months, I believe we’ve made it through! We had the joy of spending this wonderful long weekend with friends and family and so thrilled to have had the 2024 Honda Passport Black Edition there for us to craft these beautiful memories!

At the heart of the 2024 Honda Passport Black Edition is a powerful 3.5-litre, 24-valve, Direct Injection, SOHC, i-VTEC® V6 engine, with 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. It boasts 9-speed automatic transmission (9AT) with Shift-by-Wire (SBW) and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. With this much power, it benefits from Eco Assist and an ECON mode, with further value and efficiency from its idling stop system. In terms of Fuel Economy, this stalwart offers 12.5/9.8/11.3 (L/100 km) City/Hwy/Combined on Regular fuel.

One of the Passport Black Editions biggest selling points also is its biggest selling feature. It is oh so spacious, with plenty of cargo to boot for your hauls and journey. It can be a fine balance choosing between utility and luxury, but the Passport Black Edition literally is both!

It comes with several refined features including seats that are leather-trimmed, 10-way power adjustment for the Driver’s seat, whil the front passenger gets 4-way. Seats have a heated option as well. Marvel in some glorious sound with its 540-watt Premium audio system, brought to life by 10 speakers including subwoofer, connecting easily via an 8″ display whether you use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. We admit we are a bit disappointed when there isn’t a wireless charging option for our phone, but the Passport Black Edition does not disappoint. There is an abundance of charging ports, front and back and we love that the Driver’s arm rest has a spacious storage component to pack away essentials for the drive.

Simply said, the Passport Black Edition is stunning. We love its one-touch power moonroof with tilt feature, and we must mention the aesthetics of having gorgeous ambient lighting in red in our night drives, matching red-black contrast of its seating.

Honda wows with its level of care for its passengers, including dual-zone climate control too. I for one like the temperature low, which some of my passengers don’t get.

Other enhancements here are auto-sensing wipers front and back, perfect for rain and a lot of rain we have seen of late! The Passport Black Edition comes with striking 20″ aluminum-alloy wheels, Berlina Black. Above this, it includes side mirrors in Gloss Black, heated, with integrated turn signal indicators and memory-linked with reverse gear tilt-down, auto-dimming and power-folding. This is perfect for parking in tight spots in the City. The addition of roof rails makes it sporty and stylish.

Safety is a priority as always with Honda. Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines make reversing and parallel parking easy. Additional active and passive safety features it comes armed with include:

Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Blind Spot Information (BSI) system, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system, LED headlights with auto-on/off (Low beam), Auto high beam headlights, HondaLink™ Assist Automatic Emergency Response System, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Intelligent Traction Management System ( Snow/Sand/Mud), Advanced front airbags, Hill Start Assist and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with Traction Control.

Some highlights from our Test Drive:

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The 2024 Honda Passport Black Edition starts at $56,076.00 CAN. More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: CASTING ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SEASON 2 OF “THE SANDMAN”

Today, Netflix announced casting for the remaining Endless members, who will appear in Season 2 of The Sandman with a new teaser. The family is now complete with the addition of Esmé Creed-Miles (she/her) as Delirium, Adrian Lester (he/him) as Destiny and Barry Sloane (he/him) as The Prodigal.

These new names round out the Endless Family as they join Tom Sturridge (he/him) as Dream, Kirby (she/her) as Death, Mason Alexander Park (they/them) as Desire and Donna Preston (she/her) as Despair who are returning from Season 1.

Additional returning cast includes: Patton Oswalt (he/him), Vivienne Acheampong (she/her), Gwendoline Christie (she/her), Jenna Coleman (she/her), Ferdinand Kingsley (he/him), Stephen Fry (he/him), Asim Chaudhry (he/him), Sanjeev Bhaskar (he/him), Vanesu Samunyai (she/her), and Razane Jammal (she/her).

#FIRSTLOOK: “YELLOWSTONE” BEGINS PRODUCTION

Paramount today announced that YELLOWSTONE, the global hit show, has started production. Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, the megahit series is currently filming in Montana. As previously announced, the series is slated to return in November 2024.

YELLOWSTONE chronicles the Dutton family who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect – the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders – an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park.

YELLOWSTONE is co-created by Oscar®-nominated screenwriter Taylor Sheridan (Wind River, Hell or High Water and Sicario) and John Linson. Executive producers include John Linson, Art Linson, Taylor Sheridan, Kevin Costner, David C. Glasser, Bob Yari, Stephen Kay, Michael Friedman, Christina Voros and Keith Cox. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

#FIRSTLOOK: BRKFREE COMING TO TORONTO JULY 2024

BRKFREE is a first-of-its-kind concept coming to the GTA that combines team skills, rapid-fire challenges, and a whole lot of fun under one massive 25,000 sq ft entertainment complex. Set to make its grand opening in July 2024, BRKFREE offers a cutting-edge social entertainment experience unlike any other. Designed with adults in mind, it features 35+ high-tech challenge rooms where teams encounter physical, mental, and skill-based challenges; a cool restaurant to fuel up on delicious shareable eats; as well as a licensed “self-pour” tap wall that dispenses wine and craft beer right from the tap!

BRKFREE is definitely not another arcade or escape room concept. It offers a curated series of immersive, live-action games, where teams have less than 5 minutes to conquer challenges against a countdown clock – adding to the excitement (and pressure)! With 35+ immersive rooms that are uniquely themed such as Cliffhanger, Submarine and Heist – half the fun is navigating and figuring out each challenge. And no matter how many times you play, the experience is always different – new players, new dynamics, and a new set of goals.

Here’s how it works: Each team of 2-4 people gets an RFID bracelet they use to enter the rooms that keeps track of the points they earn. Players spend between 3 to 5 minutes in each room, attempting to get as many points as possible, making this a fast-paced, super fun and engaging experience that emphasizes teamwork and problem-solving skills.

The ‘team’ aspect (minimum 2 participants to play) makes BRKFREE an instant bonding experience that is both wildly entertaining and perfect for team building, corporate events, date nights, get-togethers with friends, bachelor and bachelorette parties, family outings (participants under 14 require at least one accompanying adult), celebratory occasions, or just for the fun of it. It’s time to BRKFREE!

Bordering Etobicoke and Mississauga, BRKFREE will be located at 1620 Tech Avenue, Unit 4, in the neighbourhood of Dixie (Dixie Rd. and Eglinton Ave.). Sign up for the newsletter to receive updates for the Grand Opening at BRKFREE.com.

Follow @gobrkfree on IG and FB for a chance to win free passes and a group event! #BRKFREE

#BOXOFFICE: “IF” DOMINANT IN OPENING

There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it, IF directed by (and starring) John Krasinski, takes top spot at the Box Office this weekend in its debut with $30 million from 4,041 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Though Critics weren’t necessarily in love with its 50% score on the Tomatometer, audiences gave this Family Comedy an A CinemaScore.

In second is KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES with $25 million from 4,075 theatres for 20th Century Studios, a two week tally of $100.4 million domestically.

Third spot goes to THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 with $12 million for Cineplex Pictures/Lionsgate Films, garnering 13% on the Tomatometer.

THE FALL GUY is fourth with $8 million for Universal Pictures, a run of $62.5 million to date.

Rounding the Top Five out is BACK TO BLACK with $3 million from 2,010 theatres for Focus Features/Universal Pictures. The Amy Winehouse Biopic gets 36% on the Tomatometer.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW CANADIAN TRAILER FOR “HORIZON”

We get a new Trailer for HORIZON, from Kevin Costner arriving this Summer in two parts.

In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, Horizon: An American Saga explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many.  Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Kevin Costner’s ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.

HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA CHAPTER 1 is only in theatres June 28, 2024.

HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA CHAPTER 2 is only in theatres August 16, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: “FURIOSA” FAN FURY INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE TORONTO

Toronto! If you’re around this weekend, there will be an exiting activation at Roundhouse Park starting tomorrow, Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 1 PM in celebration of FURIOSA: A MAD MAD SAGA.

WHAT:

FURIOSA FAN FURY – INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

To rev up excitement for the highly anticipated theatrical release of FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA and visionary filmmaker George Miller’s upcoming visit to Toronto, Roundhouse Park across from the CN Tower has transformed into a thrilling post-apocalyptic spectacle. Fans are invited to witness the chaotic twenty-foot tall display and stop-by for the opportunity to:

· Meet and pose with the wild War Boys of the iconic MAD MAX films

· Take home exclusive merchandise

· Enter for the chance to win tickets to attend a red-carpet screening with George Miller in Toronto on May 21 and other great prizes!

· Witness wildly entertaining War Boy antics from world record holder contortionist and performer, Jared Rydelek

WHEN:

Active Hours:

Saturday, May 18

1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 19
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday May 20

1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

*The FURIOSA display will be on-site for the entirety of the long weekend, however, will only have active brand ambassadors, war boys, performers and giveaways between the hours listed above.

WHERE:

Roundhouse Park

255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3M9

(Across from the CN Tower and adjacent to The Rec Room)

About the Movie:

Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth star in Academy Award-winning mastermind George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the much-anticipated return to the iconic dystopian world he created more than 30 years ago with the seminal “Mad Max” films. Miller now turns the page again with an all-new original, standalone action adventure that will reveal the origins of the powerhouse character from the multiple Oscar-winning global smash “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The new feature from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures is produced by Miller and his longtime partner, Oscar-nominated producer Doug Mitchell (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Babe”), under their Australian-based Kennedy Miller Mitchell banner.

As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.

Taylor-Joy stars in the title role, and along with Hemsworth, the film also stars Alyla Browne and Tom Burke.

Miller penned the script with “Mad Max: Fury Road” co-writer Nico Lathouris. Miller’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes first assistant director PJ Voeten and second unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris, director of photography Simon Duggan (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “The Great Gatsby”), composer Tom Holkenborg, sound designer Robert Mackenzie, editor Eliot Knapman, visual effects supervisor Andrew Jackson and colorist Eric Whipp. The team also includes other longtime collaborators: production designer Colin Gibson, editor Margaret Sixel, sound mixer Ben Osmo, costume designer Jenny Beavan and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt, each of whom won an Oscar for their work on “Mad Max: Fury Road.”

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, A Kennedy Miller Mitchell Production, A George Miller Film, “Furiosa.” The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theatres only nationwide on May 24, 2024 and internationally beginning on May 22, 2024.

#FOOD: STELLA ARTOIS TERRACE OPENS FOR 2024 SEASON AT WOODBINE RACETRACK

The Stella Artois Terrace overlooking Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack opens for the 2024 season on Saturday, May 18, 2024 with a refreshed menu, featuring the perfect balance of wow factors and nostalgic comfort foods.

Head Chef Timothy Dunnhill joined the Woodbine Culinary team late last year. Chef Tim spent nearly a decade as an Executive Sous Chef at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, where he mastered the art of crafting food for sports fans.

“Food isn’t just an amenity at Woodbine,” Chef Tim says. “It’s part of the whole show.”

The Stella Artois Terrace provides a remarkable view of live racing from a spacious covered outdoor patio located in the centre of the Woodbine grandstand.

“We know our guests on the Stella Terrace really get into the atmosphere and make a day of their visit to the track with friends and family. That’s why we’ve focused on decadent dishes that can be shared.

While updating this menu we looked for local suppliers and considered seasonality and innovation. For the Stella Terrace we specifically thought about what interests people when they’re sitting on a patio with a Stella beer.”

The revised 2024 menu has something for everyone.

Triple Crown Seafood Tower
“When the Seafood tower comes out, It’s one of those wow moments.”

East and west coast oysters, grilled and chilled shrimp, lobster cold rolls, cod ceviche, lager steamed and chilled mussels fill a tiered platter with Stella Artois mignonette, cocktail sauce, lime and chili sauce, grilled lemon.

Stella Fondue
“Fondue is nostalgic. I can remember my parents making it in the mid-70s and now it’s made a comeback.”

Stella Artois beer and cheddar fondue is accompanied by a spread of smashed crispy garlic potatoes, roasted cauliflower, grilled asparagus, roasted portobello mushroom, mini pretzel bites, and gala apples for dipping.

Acadian Po’ Boy
“Po’ Boys are an Eastern Canadian favourite, and we’re keeping them classic.”

Crusted shrimp and lobster with Acadian remoulade, heirloom tomato, and pickled cucumber is served on a brown butter potato roll.

Compressed Watermelon Salad
“All the flavours in this one really pop. It’s just something fresh that’s nice to have on a warm summer day.”

Vodka-compressed watermelon and feta, pickled shallot, sunflower microgreens, and avocado, is tossed with pulsed mint, shallots, mustard, and orange zest.

Parma Stromboli
“This is an old school Italian-style comfort dish.”

Salami, pepperoni, provolone, and mozzarella with sundried tomato pesto and parma tomato sauce is baked in crisp rosemary dough.

Apple Cider BBQ Chicken Thighs
“We use a cooking technique on this chicken thigh called Pollo al Mattone (brick pressing), which allows for the chicken to be cooked to perfection quite efficiently.”

Grilled apple cider barbeque chicken is plated with fingerling potato salad, grilled and maple-glazed carrot and a pomegranate BBQ sauce.

Chef Tim looks forward to serving up these delectable dishes for those who may be new to visiting the track.

“I think our success lies in driving the business for people to come here and experience not just our dining but the whole experience of horse racing. Woodbine is destination dining.”

The Stella Artois Terrace opens for the season on Friday, May 17.

Make your reservations today on Open Table here: https://www.opentable.ca/r/stella-artois-terrace-at-woodbine-racetrack-toronto

#FIRSTLOOK: ADDITIONAL SEASONS OF “SHŌGUN” ORDERED BY FX

FX and the Estate of James Clavell are working to extend the critically acclaimed global hit drama Shōgun, moving forward to develop the saga with two additional seasons of the drama series.

The show’s key creative partners including Co-Creators, Executive Producers and Writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, Executive Producer Michaela Clavell, and series star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada are on board for the development. Production timing has not been locked in, but a writers’ room is being assembled and will begin this summer.

Through its first nine weeks, Shōgun has become FX’s most-watched show ever based on global hours streamed. All 10 episodes of season 1 of Shōgun, which concluded on April 23, are available to stream on Disney+ in Canada.

Shōgun has received tremendous critical acclaim, including:

“the best TV show of the year” – Esquire
“a genuine masterpiece” – TIME
“not only one of the best shows of the year but one of the best shows ever to grace the screen” – Collider
“easily one of the best shows of 2024” – Forbes
“the best show of the year by some margin” – Polygon
“the best series—with the best acting—on TV right now” – The Daily Beast
“some of the best performances of the year so far” – Paste
“FX’s Shōgun isn’t a remake – it’s a revelation…. a genuine masterpiece” – TIME
“Majestic…. Thrilling and fascinating….I never wanted to leave this world” – TV Guide

Shōgun, an original adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel, is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Producer Hiroyuki Sanada stars as “Lord Yoshii Toranaga” who is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him. When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, its English pilot, “John Blackthorne” (Cosmo Jarvis), comes bearing secrets that could help Toranaga tip the scales of power and devastate the formidable influence of Blackthorne’s own enemies — the Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants. Toranaga’s and Blackthorne’s fates become inextricably tied to their translator, “Toda Mariko” (Anna Sawai), a mysterious Christian noblewoman and the last of a disgraced line. While serving her lord amidst this fraught political landscape, Mariko must reconcile her newfound companionship with Blackthorne, her commitment to the faith that saved her and her duty to her late father.

Shōgun features an acclaimed Japanese cast, unprecedented for an American production, including Tadanobu Asano as “Kashigi Yabushige,” a notorious backstabber and close ally of Toranaga; Hiroto Kanai as “Kashigi Omi,” the young leader of the fishing village where Blackthorne’s ship was found; Takehiro Hira as “Ishido Kazunari,” a powerful bureaucrat who is Toranaga’s chief rival; Moeka Hoshi as “Usami Fuji,” a widow who must find new purpose amidst her lord’s fight; Tokuma Nishioka as “Toda Hiromatsu,” Toranaga’s trusted general and closest friend; Shinnosuke Abe as “Toda Hirokatsu” (“Buntaro”), Mariko’s jealous husband; Yuki Kura as “Yoshii Nagakado,” the brash son of Toranaga with a strong desire to prove himself; Yuka Kouri as “Kiku,” a courtesan renowned for her artistry throughout Japan; and Fumi Nikaido as “Ochiba no Kata,” the revered mother of the heir who will stop at nothing to put an end to Toranaga and his threat to her son’s power.

Shōgun is created for television by Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks, with Marks serving as Showrunner and Executive Producer alongside Michaela Clavell, Edward L. McDonnell, Michael De Luca, and Kondo. The series is produced by FX Productions.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF DISNEY & PIXAR’S “INSIDE OUT 2”

Walt Disney Studios Canada x Mr. Will are thrilled to give readres a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of Disney & Pixar‘s INSIDE OUT 2!

Screening Details

Toronto

Wednesday, June 12

7:00pm

Cineplex Cinemas Queensway

1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 6C7

Vancouver

Wednesday, June 12

7:00pm

Scotiabank Theatre

900 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3G5

Calgary

Wednesday, June 12

7:00pm

Scotiabank Theatre Chinook

6455 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0K4, Canada

Edmonton

Wednesday, June 12

7:00pm

Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton

8882 170 St NW #3030, Edmonton, AB T5T 4M2, Canada

Montreal (ENG)

Wednesday, June 12

7:00pm

Cinéma Cineplex Forum

2313 Saint-Catherine St W #101, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1N2

SYNOPSIS: 

Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as Headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety, Envy, Ennui and Embarrassment show up. “Inside Out 2” releases only in theatres June 14, 2024.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post on MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK, IG or X! Indicate in the comments your city and tag a friend in the comments who you’d like to bring. Enter as many times as you like.

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Walt Disney Studios Canada release Disney & Pixar’s INSIDE OUT 2 in theatres Friday, June 14, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)