With a standout Cast to its credit, LIFE ITSELF is due to hit theatres this fall. See the Trailer for the Film brought to us from the same man who brought us This is Us, Dan Fogelman.
Synopsis:
Life Itself centers on a couple (Oscar Isaac and Olivia Wilde) that lead a multi generational love story spanning both decades and continents, from the streets of New York to the Spanish countryside, and are all connected by a single event.
See the Trailer:
VVS Films release LIFE ITSELF Friday, September 21, 2018. Hmmm… TIFF ’18?
(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)
Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see Wes Anderson’s ISLE OF DOGS in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary! Dates are as follows:
ISLE OF DOGS – TORONTO
Wed. March 21
Cineplex Varsity
7:00PM
ISLE OF DOGS – VANCOUVER
Mon. March 26
Cineplex International Village
7:00PM
ISLE OF DOGS – CALGARY
Wed. April 4
Scotiabank Chinook
7:00PM
Synopsis:
ISLE OF DOGS tells the story of ATARI KOBAYASHI, 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi. When, by Executive Decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump, Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies to Trash Island in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture.
When a 12-year-old boy crashes his self-made airplane on the island to look for his lost dog Spot, the alpha dogs and the other dogs on the island team up to help him.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post over at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate for us your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet for an extra chance from @mrwillw.
Fox Searchlight release ISLE OF DOGS Friday, March 23, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
A major hit at Sundance, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU also debuted at SXSW this weekend to raves again.
Synopsis:
In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a macabre universe.
Cast: Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Armie Hammer, Terry Crews, Steven Yeun, Omari Hardwick, Jermaine Fowler and Danny Glover.
The new Trailer for it has just premiered and you can see it below!
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU hits theatres Friday, July 6, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Annapurna Pictures)
By Amanda Gilmore and Mr. Will Wong
Now in its sixth year, the Canadian Screen Awards Broadcast Gala caps-off a week of celebrations in Toronto honouring the Country’s very best in Film, Television and Digital Media. Held at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the Awards are an answer to Canada’s humility and need for a real star system. The Gala was hosted by Jonny Harris and Emmy Hunter.
Winning top honours this year was the Aisling Walsh Film MAUDIE based on the life of Canadian folk artist Maudie Lewis starring Ethan Hawke and Sally Hawkins. The Drama won a total seven Canadian Screen Awards tonight including Best Picture, Best Director, Supporting Actor (Hawke), Best Actress (Hawkins) and more. Walsh in what was a common theme of female empowerment and inclusion in light of the #AfterMeToo movement in Canada, tells the audience, “Every woman in this room who has dreamed of directing, writing or acting in a Film, go ahead and do it!”.
CBC‘s ALIAS GRACE scored two Canadian Screen Awards including Best Limited Series or Program and Best Actress in a Drama or Limited Series (Sarah Gadon). Based on Canadian literary icon Margaret Atwood‘s Book of the same name, tonight we saw the Author herself honoured with the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute Award. Atwood says “I am very lucky to work with the brightest talent including Sarah Polley. I am supporting #AfterMeToo (and what their actual mission is) and the Canadian Women’s Foundation.”.
Tying in the Television categories tonight were fellow CBC Series KIM’S CONVENIENCE and ANNE with two wins each. The former is a Sitcom centering on a Korean-Canadian family in Toronto and their convenience shop and it won Best Comedy Series and repeated for Best Actor in a Comedy Series (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee). The latter is based on the internationally-adored Children’s Book Series Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery and it scored for Best Drama Series and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Program or Series (R.H. Thompson).
Hochelaga, Land of Souls would take home four Canadian Screen Awards for Visual Effects, Art Direction, Cinematography and Overall Sound.
Angelina Jolie-produced Animated Feature The Breadwinner nabbed Adapted Screenplay, Music, Original Score, Sound Editing and Original Song.
Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World would win for Feature Length Documentary and Editing in Feature Length Documentary.
The Gala was a star-studded affair graced by the likes of Presenters: Kawa Ada, Shamier Anderson, Jann Arden, Adrienne Arsenault, Andrea Bang, Amanda Brugel, Billy Campbell, Nicholas Campbell, Saara Chaudry, Kim Coates, Wendy Crewson, Gerry Dee, Caroline Dhavernas, Sadaf Foroughi, Sarain Fox, Sarah Gadon, Marc-André Grondin, Allan Hawco, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Daniel Levy, Eugene Levy, Tatiana Maslany, Lisa Meeches, Amybeth McNulty, Natasha Negovanlis, Catherine O’Hara, Charles Officer, Amanda Parris, Jasmeet “JusReign” Raina, Catherine Reitman, Maxim Roy and Aurora Browne, Meredith MacNeill, Carolyn Taylor and Jennifer Whalen.
In addition to honouring the most notable Canadian productions of the past year, the Gala paid tribute to longstanding excellence. Media personality Peter Mansbridge, known as the face of CBC‘s The National, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Adrienne Arsenault. Rick Mercer received an Icon Award from adored Singer/Songwriter Jann Arden for his work on now-concluded The Mercer Report. Actor/Director Clark Johnson was awarded the Earle Grey Award, presented by his sisters Molly and Taborah.
In addition to critical merit, popularity too was awarded at the Broadcast Gala. The Golden Screen Award for TV Drama went to CBC‘s Murdoch Mysteries, while the Golden Screen Award for TV Reality Show was handed to CTV‘s The Amazing Race Canada. The Cineplex Golden Screen Award for Feature Film was given to De père en flic 2.
The Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award, decided upon by fans online went to star of Webseries Carmilla, Elise Bauman, whom last year saw her Co-Star Natasha Negovanlis win the same award.
Earlier in the week, awards were handed for Excellence in Non-Fiction Storytelling, Excellence in Creative Fiction Storytelling and Excellence in Digital and Storytelling. Also, fans got to meet up-close some of their favourite stars of the Canadian productions at Family Fan Day, including the likes of Jerry O’Connell, Allan Hawco, Amybeth McNulty, Daniel Maslany, Elise Bauman, Natasha Negovanlis, Viviane Hicks, the Cast of Kim’s Convenience and many more.
See more Photos of the night. Hover cursor left and right to navigate slideshows.
For a complete list of winners, click here.
Saara Chaudry (The Breadwinner), Billy Campbell (Cardinal), Allan Hawco (Caught), #AFTERMETOO, Caroline Dhavernas (Mary Kills People) Natasha Negovanlis (Carmilla), Elise Bauman (Carmilla) and more in the Highlight Reel below:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Amanda Gilmore)
His star is rising fast! Singapore-born and Virginia-raised, 27-year-old Actor Ross Butler has been incredibly visible appearing in back-to-back hit Netflix Series RIVERDALE and 13 REASONS WHY. The former in which he starred in the high-profile role as Reggie Mantle, later was taken over by Charles Melton as he went-on to fulfill commitments on the latter equally-acclaimed Series as Zach Dempsey.
Butler has been in Toronto on the set of DC Comics‘ SHAZAM and appears he’s hard at work getting his strong physique to the next level alongside From Dusk till Dawn star D.J. Cotrona. We ran into Butler outside a Starbucks by surprise and he was so amazingly-nice to stop for a quick Snap. His Trucker Cap was a give away as we remember seeing him in it on Social Media! He’s so tall.. and dashing!
See our Snap:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Netflix)
DJ Khaled‘s success story has long been in the making. Since releasing his debut Studio Disc in 2006, the Producer, DJ and Rapper has shown incredible longevity which has garnered him many awards, including two GRAMMY nominations.
His 2017 tenth studio disc Grateful spawned hit singles Shining ft. Beyoncé and Jay-Z and also Wild Thoughts ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 number two-charting single. Above this he was featured prominently in Pitch Perfect 3 late last year.
Father of Asahd is the title of DJ Khaled‘s 2018 disc and it is led by new single Top Off ft. Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Future.
Check it out:
A spokesperson for Weight Watchers as he supports Demi Lovato on her Tell Me You Love Me Tour at Air Canada Centre along with Kehlani, he did a surprise appearance at Roundhouse Park. Appearing together with Chef Melissa, his own personal cook, he promoted his favourite Weight Watcher’s Freestyle recipes including chocolate chip cookies, chicken lettuce wraps and more.
Braving the cold, he came out to greet hundreds of his adoring fans who swarmed him while he broadcast it on his Instagram story.
See some Snaps:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Based on Gerard Way‘s (My Chemical Romance) Comic Book Series, Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy quietly has been filming in and around Toronto since January. Set in the late ’70s, it takes place in an alternate universe where John F. Kennedy never was assassinated and centers on a team of dysfunctional superheroes who come together to solve their father’s death. They also must not let their clashing personalities get in the way and destroy everything.
The Series stars Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, Robert Sheehan, Emmy Raver-Lampman, David Castañeda and child actor Aidan Gallagher. Recent double Oscar-nominee Mary J. Blige also was added to the cast recently and we spotted her arriving on-set. Blige was last in Toronto for the TIFF ’17 Premiere of Mudbound.
Written into the Series, her character Cha Cha is said to be an unorthodox woman who can travel in time to kill targets. Filming in the City’s Dundas West area, she was spotted in a suit and bob with bangs like a Femme Fatale. She was seen with two friends/handlers enjoying a quiet pizza lunch to the sounds of Stevie Wonder at Pizza Libretto before heading back to work. One onlooker says she saw a friend scope out the restaurant before having Blige enter and she sat facing the window the entire meal.
The Set has been extremely protective of this Series, barring fans from seeing talent even out of costume. We’re really curious to see why the secrecy. Hmm…
See a quick clip of Blige:
The Umbrella Academy wraps in July 2018.
(Photo credit: S. Fernandez/Netflix/Mr. Will Wong)
No real surprises here, it’s a Disney-double at the Box Office this weekend, taking the top two spots. BLACK PANTHER takes top spot with $41 million in its third week out from 3,942 theatres. To date it has made $561 million in North America.
Debuting at number two is Disney’s A WRINKLE IN TIME with $32.7 million from 3,980 theatres. The Film by Ava DuVernay and starring Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon and newcomer Storm Reid, gets a 42% on the Tomatometer and B CinemaScore.
Opening in third is the Horror, THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT with $10.2 million from 2,141 theatres for Aviron Pictures/Elevation Pictures. It gets 35% on the Tomatometer and a C CinemaScore.
RED SPARROW is in fourth with $7.9 million for 20th Century Fox in its second week out, a two-week tally of $30 million.
GRINGO rounds-out the Top Ten with $3 million from 2,404 theatres for STX Entertainment/VVS Films. It gets 38% on the Tomatometer and a C+ CinemaScore.
Our greatest sighting yet! Following-up on the Box Office success of 2011’s Gnomeo & Juliet is SHERLOCK GNOMES. Following the disappearance of several garden gnomes, this Sequel sees Gnomeo and Juliet hiring the top detective Sherlock Gnomes to investigate.
We spotted Gnomeo and Juliet out and about doing the rounds and not surprisingly, they made time to do a little good visiting some of their biggest fans at SickKids Hospital whom definitely could’ve used a pick-me-up! We caught them warming-up for their surprise visit. We did a little choreography, hugs were exchanged and smiles were brought to the faces of those deserving.
In case you haven’t yet seen the Trailer for Sherlock Gnomes, you can see it here:
See our Boomerang:
You still have a chance to win packs of four tickets to see SHERLOCK GNOMES right here.
Paramount Pictures Canada release SHERLOCK GNOMES Friday, March 23, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures/Mr. Will Wong)
The hottest ticket in town right now isn’t a concert or a movie premiere. YAYOI KUSAMA has come to be known for her groundbreaking art, her career having spanned several decades. Even at 89 years of age, the icon is still hard at work. Known best for her mirrored installations using dot and net themes in her work, she moved from her native Japan to New York for a duration, counting among her peers the likes of Andy Warhol.
The Art Gallery of Ontario is giving Toronto a rare chance to see and experience Kusama‘s work for a limited time only, hosting the Exhibit YAYOI KUSAMA: INFINITY MIRRORS from March 3 through May 27, 2018. Tickets sold-out online quickly with the buzz being feverish, and it is estimated approximately 100,000 tickets were sold.
While capacity is monitored closely always, a new window will be opening for tickets as follows:
AGO Members: March 20, 2018 (online only, starting at 10am) and the public’s next date is Public: March 27, 2018 (online only, starting at 10am)
The Exhibit in addition to sculptures, photographs and paintings, is highlighted by six remarkable Infinity Mirror Rooms which guests can step into in groups of two to three (depending on volume) for 20 seconds and experienced exactly as Kusama intended them to be. They are presented in chronological order ranging from the 1960s through modern day. Photography is allowed with the exception of one room and your flash should be turned off.
It is little wonder that Kusama‘s Exhibit connects so perfectly with today’s Instagram-obsessed culture. It is an immersive experience which can and should be shared to many likes on Social Media, but one must remember that the purpose of this all is to enjoy and take in the meditative experience for what it is versus through a photo lens. It has hard not to leave feeling anything by enlightened and uplifted based on its sheer serene beauty and spectacle.
While tickets are without a question sold-out to INFINITY MIRRORS, a tip is to line-up at the AGO around 9:00 AM the day-of as Same-Day Rush Tickets are indeed available on a first come, first serve basis. Upon getting a voucher to buy up to two tickets ($30 each for non-members), you will be assigned a time to visit again later in the day. We got there around 9:30 AM and were assigned an 11:00 AM slot just for your reference. The Exhibit has been timed with precision to a tee and moves rather briskly once you are in.
Be sure to allot between one to two hours for the entire experience and be sure to budget aside a little bit for some super-cool merchandise from the Exhibit including t-shirts, mugs, magnets, umbrellas and more.
See more from the Exhibit here. Hover cursor left and right to navigate slideshow.
Learn more about YAYOI KUSAMA: INFINITY MIRRORS here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com