#COOKING: CLASSIC CHILI X SWEET CHEESY CORNBREAD RECIPE

Classic Chili & Sweet Cheesy Cornbread. Chili is one of those dishes that is no fuss and easy to prepare. Most of all, it is tough to botch it! Everyone’s got their own way of going about it. We’re sharing our Classic Chili recipe. Nothing fancy here in terms of add-ins, but this is hearty, hits the spot and just perfect with our Sweet Cheesy Cornbread on the side.

Chili

1 lb Extra Lean Ground Beef
1 jar of Tomato Sauce
1 can of Tomato Paste
1 can of Red Kidney Beans
1 cup of Beef Broth
1 onion, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Red Chili, seeded and minced
1 Sweet Red Pepper, seeded and minced
3 Bay Leaves
3 tsps organic raw sugar
3 tbsps Chili Powder
2 tsps Garlic Powder
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper (add more if you prefer it spicier)

Sea salt and pepper, to taste
Sour Cream (optional)
Extra shredded cheese (optional)

Sweet Cheesy Cornbread

1 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
3/4 cup Cornmeal
3/4 cup Whole Milk
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella/Cheddar mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup corn kernels
2 eggs, room temperature
3 tbsps organic raw sugar
3 tbsps organic honey
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sea salt
1 stalk green onion, minced

Instructions:

1. In soup pot, sauteé onion, garlic and red chili.
2. Add in ground beef and cook till browned on medium heat.
3. Add in sugar, bay leaves, chili power, garlic powder, cumin, black pepper, cayenne pepper and paprika, stirring evenly.
4. Add tomatoes, beans, red peppers, tomato sauce and paste, stirring evenly.
5. Add in broth, stirring evenly. Bring mixture to a boil and then simmer covered, on low heat for about two hours, stirring occasionally. Finish with salt to taste.
6. With about an hour left, pre-heat oven at 350°F. Prepare Sweet Cheesy Cornbread.
7. In large mixing bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder.
8. In separate bowl, whisk eggs, honey, milk and melted butter.
9. Fold wet mixture into dry mixture, careful not to over-mix.
10. Add in corn kernels, green onion and half of shredded cheese.
11. Transfer to greased baking pan. Top batter with rest of cheese.
12. Bake 30 minutes or till toothpick comes out clean.
13. Garnish Chili in a bowl with Sour Cream and shredded cheese and serve with Cornbread. Keep Cornbread in freezer once cooled and store in air-tight bag, thawing about an hour before serving.

Gallery:

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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#SUNDANCE: 2020 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Sundance is evolving for the 2021 festival and going predominantly virtual with limited drive-in screenings across the U.S. Although the festival is only running for seven days, its screening 71 Features, 50 Shorts, 4 Indie Series, and 14 New Frontier Projects. The Festival continues to include more diverse filmmaking voices. Of this year’s 139 films: 50% are directed by one or more women; 4% are directed by one or more non-binary individuals; 50% are directed by one or more artists of color, and 15% by one or more people who identify as LGBTQ+.

There is a lot of buzz surrounding many films screening at this year’s fest, and we are highly anticipating many of its feature film picks. Check out our Top Ten, in no particular order, programmes listed in parantheses.

CRYPTOZOO [NEXT]

Director & Screenwriter: Dash Shaw

>It’s rare Sundance includes an Animated Feature in their selection so we are expecting great things. It follows cryptokeepers who question if they should display or keep hidden the majestical beasts they find. The characters are voiced by Lake Bell, Michael Cera and Zoe Kazan just to name a few.

JOCKEY [U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION]

Director & Screenwriter: Clint Bentley

An ageing jockey in ill health attempts to win one more championship, but things turn upside down when a young jockey claims to be his son. This is Bentley’s first-feature as a director and his cast includes Clifton Collins Jr., Molly Parker and Moises Arias.

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH [PREMIERES]

Director & Co-Screenwriter: Shaka King

We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. It follows William O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield) who was offered a plea deal to infiltrate the Black Panther Party with the intent to gain intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya). It has a powerhouse supporting cast consisting of Dominique Fishback, Jesse Plemons, Ashton Sanders and more.

This arrives February 12, 2021.

LAND [PREMIERES]

Director: Robin Wright (Variety’s 2021 Directors to Watch)

Wright makes her feature-film directorial debut and stars in this poignant story of a woman searching for meaning in the American wilderness, following an unfathomable event.

This will be released February 12, 2021.

ON THE COUNT OF THREE [U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION]

Director: Jerrod Carmichael

Sundance’s synopsis of Carmichael’s (The Carmichael Show) directorial feature debut is: “Two guns. Two best friends. And a pact to end their lives when the day is done.” It’s also got one killer cast: Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, Tiffany Haddish, J.B Smoove, Lavell Crawford and Henry Winkler.

PASSING [U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION]

Director & Screenwriter: Rebecca Hall

Based on the novella by Nella Larsen, this film follows two African American women who can “pass” as white and choose to live on opposite sides of the colour line in 1929 New York. It has a stellar cast consisting of Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland, Alexander Skarsgård and Bill Camp.

PRISONERS OF A GHOSTLAND [PREMIERES]

Director: Sion Sono

Nicolas Cage and popular Japanese filmmaker Sono team up in this film that Cage has stated is his wildest yet. It follows a notorious criminal who is sent to rescue a woman who has disappeared into a dark supernatural universe.

SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED) [U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION]

Director: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson

This Film documents the Harlem Cultural Festival, which took place the same summer as Woodstock. The festival celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and culture.

VIOLATION [MIDNIGHT]

Co-Directors & Co-Screenwriters: Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli

Coming off the buzz from its TIFF premiere, this Canadian film is now travelling stateside. It follows Miriam (Sims-Fewer) whose quest for revenge is sparked when her sister and brother-in-law betray her.

A Canadian release has been confirmed for March 26, 2021 for this.

WILD INDIAN [U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION]

Director & Screenwriter: Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr. (Variety’s 2021 Directors to Watch)

Years after covering up a savage murder of a schoolmate, two men confront how their secret has shaped their lives. It stars Michael Greyeyes, Chaske Spencer, Jesse Eisenberg, Kate Bosworth, and more.

Although these films are geoblocked to the U.S, there are many free events happening virtually around the globe. Some of the events happening are: The Sundance Dailies, The Cinema Cafe, The Big Question, Awards Night and more.

SUNDANCE DAILIES

Friday, January 29–Tuesday, February 2, 9:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.

These take place every morning with Tabitha Jackson and others. Guests include: Eugenio Derbez (CODA), Rebecca Hall (Passing), Ed Helms (Together Together), Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein (How It Ends), and more.

CINEMA CAFÉ

Friday, January 29–Monday, February 1, 10:30 a.m.–11:15 a.m

These cultural conversations with fascinating subjects could go just anywhere. This year we have:

Shaka King & Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
Friday, January 29, 10:30 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
 
Sonia Manzano & Rita Moreno
Saturday, January 30, 10:30 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
 
Rebecca Hall & Robin Wright
Sunday, January 31, 10:30 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
 
Tyson Brown, Patti Harrison & Emilia Jones
Monday, February 1, 10:30 a.m.–11:15am

Friday, January 29–Monday, February 1, 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., individual slots TBA

THE BIG CONVERSATION

These conversations tackle science, art, culture, and the movements that are fueling the imaginations of today’s independent artists. Topics include LGBTQ+ film, women at Sundance, race and more.

AWARDS NIGHT

This takes place Tuesday, February 2, 6:00 p.m. and is free for all to view on the Sundance online screening platform.

For information about films, events and more head to: https://festival.sundance.org/.

Stay tuned for our continued coverage as we bring you reviews daily of the most-buzzed films throughout the Festival.

The Sundance Film Festival runs from January 28 to February 3, 2021.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN “THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN” ON BLU-RAY™

Paramount Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a Blu-ray™ copy of THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN!

Synopsis:

When SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary goes missing, a path of clues leads SpongeBob and Patrick to the powerful King Poseidon, who has Gary held captive in the Lost City of Atlantic City. On their mission to save Gary, SpongeBob and his pals team up for a heroic and hilarious journey where they discover nothing is stronger than the power of friendship.

BONUS FEATURES ON DIGITAL, BLU-RAY & DVD

• Mini-Movie – I’m Urchin You To Leave
• Campfire Songs
• Agua Music Video by Tainy & J. Balvin
• How We Do Lyric Video by Snoop Dogg and Monsta X
• Krabby Step Lyric Video by Tyga, Swae Lee & Lil Mosey
• Agua Lyric Video by Tainy & J. Balvin
• Campfire Stories
• Deleted Storyboard: Wake Up
• Deleted Storyboard: Sumo Ninja
• Camp Coral Buddies
• The Ballad of SpongeBob and Patrick!
• I ♥ Camp Coral by SpongeBob SquarePants
• Camp Arts and Crafts
• Drawing the Cutest Camper Ever
• Drawing the Cutest Snail Ever
• The Amazing Stages of Animation
• But Wait…There’s S’mores!
• The Wonders of the Patty Mobile

Artwork:

Trailer:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. For an extra chance, you can Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below as well:

Enter for your chance to #win a copy of The #SpongeBob Movie: SPONGE ON THE RUN on Blu-ray™!https://t.co/E2YNMmPXSm pic.twitter.com/FnNJvYGrsg

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) January 22, 2021

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN arrives on Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital and On Demand in Canada on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

Rules and regulations here.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN “FREAKY” ON BLU-RAY™

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of FREAKY on Blu-ray™!

Synopsis:

High school senior Millie (Kathryn Newton, Blockers, HBO’s “Big Little Lies”) is just trying to survive being the unpopular kid when she becomes The Butcher’s (Vince Vaughn, Wedding Crashers, Couples Retreat) next target. Their fateful encounter gets twisted and wake up in each other’s bodies. Now looking like a towering psychopath, Millie learns she only has 24 hours to reverse the curse and get her body back before the switch becomes permanent and she’s trapped in the form of a middle-aged maniac forever.  With some help from her friends—ultra-woke Nyla (Celeste O’Connor, Ghostbusters: Afterlife), ultra-fabulous Joshua (Misha Osherovich, The Goldfinch) and her crush Booker (Uriah Shelton, Enter the Warriors Gate)—Millie races against the clock to reverse the curse while The Butcher discovers that having a female teen body is the perfect cover for a little Homecoming killing spree.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re–Tweet this Contest Tweet below for another chance!

Enter for a chance to #win a copy of FREAKY on Blu-ray™!

Details: https://t.co/DpvXQIJ97O pic.twitter.com/qjmYku2BCb

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) January 21, 2021

Rules and regulations here.

FREAKY is available on Digital JANUARY 26, 2021 and on BLU-RAY^TM/DVD FEBRUARY 9, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF “OUR FRIEND”

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a Digital Download of TIFF ’19 selection, OUR FRIEND! This stars Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson and Jason Segel!

Synopsis:

After receiving life-altering news, a couple finds unexpected support from their best friend, who puts his own life on hold and moves into their family home, bringing an impact much greater and more profound than anyone could have imagined.

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK!. Re–Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an additional chance!

Enter for a chance to #win a Digital Download of OUR FRIEND starring Casey Affleck, Jason Segel and Dakota Johnson.https://t.co/9ii5OC8utK pic.twitter.com/uGj4YnkIWv

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) January 21, 2021

Rules and regulations here.

OUR FRIEND is on Digital and On-Demand Friday, January 22, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE MUPPET SHOW” COMING SOON TO DISNEY+

Time for some nostalgia! All five seasons of THE MUPPET SHOW will be coming soon to Disney+! See how these iconic characters got their start back in the ’70s! Over the course of its run, major stars of the era like Steve Martin, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Alice Cooper, Julie Andrews, Bernadette Peters, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Gene Kelly and Mark Hamill, all made appearances!

See the iconic Original Theme Song:

THE MUPPET SHOW arrives on Disney+ Friday, February 19, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “GREENLAND”

We know many of you love Gerard Butler saving the world, so you will be excited to know that GREENLAND is coming soon to Amazon Prime Video!

Synopsis:

In the action-packed disaster-thriller Greenland, a family fights for survival as a planet-killing comet races to Earth. John Garrity (Gerard Butler), his estranged wife Allison (Morena Baccarin), and young son Nathan make a perilous journey to their only hope for sanctuary. Amid terrifying news accounts of cities around the world being levelled by the comet’s fragments, the Garrity’s experience the best and worst in humanity while they battle the increasing panic and lawlessness surrounding them. As the countdown to global apocalypse approaches zero, their incredible trek culminates in a desperate and last-minute flight to a possible safe haven.

Trailer:

GREENLAND arrives February 5, 2021 on Amazon Prime Video.

(Photo/video credit: Amazon Prime Video)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “PIXAR POPCORN”

Did you know that today is Popcorn Day? In celebration of this, we present you the Trailer for PIXAR POPCORN, a collection of ten bite-sized Shorts.

Synopsis:

The collection of 10 mini shorts features characters from Pixar favourites like “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo,” “Cars” and “The Incredibles” in all-new, bite-size stories created by Pixar Animation Studios’ talented animators.

See the Trailer:

PIXAR POPCORN arrives on Disney+ Friday, January 22, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#HORSERACING: THANK YOU, SAM-SON FARM

Few have made a bigger impact in Canadian Horse Racing than Sam-Son Farm. The thoroughbred racing outfit originated in the ’60s under Ernie Samuel‘s vision and has carried-on to this day, with operations based in both Milton, Ontario and Ocala, Florida. Through and through, they truly are the embodiment of a Canadian success story.

Much of my childhood was spent admiring their greats, who conquered the world on the international racing stage dominating both north and south of the border. Champions Dance Smartly, Wilderness Song, Sky Classic, Ruling Angel, Regal Classic and more were my idols. And their legacies live on in their offspring today and some have stakes races named after them, paying tribute to their historic achievements and contributions.

With news surfacing last fall of their plans to begin a phased exit from the industry, I have struggled a bit processing this. One of the reasons I love Horse Racing so much, no longer will be. Surely I can’t be alone in this feeling.

Seeing 21 of their mares sell for a total $6.7 million at last week’s  January Horses of All Ages sale at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky marks the start of the end of an era. And this makes it all seem real. I’m thankful that a few of these mares were purchased by Canadian connections and am hopeful some of those bloodlines will remain within our country. Sam-Son Farm‘s bloodlines have given Canadian racing prestige and honour.

We can still expect to see their beautifully-bred horses whom either are in-training or just beginning training, at the races at least for the next bit ahead. This still gives us something to look forward to. However, the reality that we might not see those famous red and gold silks ever again at the races in a couple years, is bittersweet.

Sending our support and appreciation to all those connected with Sam-Son Farm, along with the Balaz and Samuel families in their next ventures. We are thankful for all the memories as these will live with us forever.

We present a compilation of Sam-Son Farm moments from the past decade. We even had a snap from our 110 film camera as a kid back in 1991 when Dance Smartly won the Triple Crown in Canada, and wish we had a digital camera with us in the many glory years that followed!

Thank you Sally & Malcolm Pierce, the Motion family, Janeen Lalsingh, Linda Davis, Gail Cox, Emma-Jayne Wilson and Eurico Rosa Da Silva whom are attached closely to the Sam-Son legacy, for sharing their memories with us.

There will never be another like them. Thank you, Sam-Son Farm.

Red and gold forever.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “FALLING”

Following its premiere at TIFF ’20, FALLING gets a release in Canada via Mongrel Media. See the new Trailer!

Synopsis:

John (Viggo Mortensen) lives with his partner, Eric (Terry Chen), and their daughter, Monica (Gabby Velis), in California, far from the traditional rural life he left behind years ago. His father, Willis (Lance Henriksen), a headstrong man from a bygone era, lives alone on the isolated farm where John grew up. Willis’s mind is declining, so John brings him west, hoping he and his sister, Sarah (Laura Linney), can help their father find a home closer to them. Their best intentions ultimately run up against Willis’s angry refusal to change his way of life in any way. In his directorial debut, Mortensen explores the fractures and contrasts of a contemporary family. Willis’s abrasive nature, by turns caustic and funny, is aggravated by memory loss, bringing past and present into conflict. As father and son finally confront events that have torn them apart, including their differing recollections of John’s mother, Gwen (Hannah Gross), we embark on a journey from darkness to light, from rage and resentment to acceptance and hard-won grace.

See the Trailer:

Mongrel Media release FALLING February 5, 2021 on-demand, digitally and in select theatres (TBD).

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)