Premiering at TIFF ’19, check-out the new Trailer for DOLEMITE IS MY NAME with an all-star Cast including Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes and Keegan-Michael Key.

Synopsis:
Stung by a string of showbiz failures, floundering comedian Rudy Ray Moore (Academy Award nominee Eddie Murphy) has an epiphany that turns him into a word-of-mouth sensation: step onstage as someone else. Borrowing from the street mythology of 1970s Los Angeles, Moore assumes the persona of Dolemite, a pimp with a cane and an arsenal of obscene fables. However, his ambitions exceed selling bootleg records deemed too racy for mainstream radio stations to play. Moore convinces a social justice-minded dramatist (Keegan-Michael Key) to write his alter ego a film, incorporating kung fu, car chases, and Lady Reed (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), an ex-backup singer who becomes his unexpected comedic foil. Despite clashing with his pretentious director, D’Urville Martin (Wesley Snipes), and countless production hurdles at their studio in the dilapidated Dunbar Hotel, Moore’s Dolemite becomes a runaway box office smash and a defining movie of the Blaxploitation era.

See the Trailer:

DOLEMITE IS MY NAME streams this Fall on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see READY OR NOT! Screenings take place as follows on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 7:00 PM:

TORONTO // Cineplex Yonge & Dundas
MONTREAL // Scotiabank Theatre Montreal
VANCOUVER // Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver

Synopsis:
READY OR NOT follows a young bride (Samara Weaving) as she joins her new husband’s (Mark O’Brien) rich, eccentric family (Adam Brody, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell) in a time-honored tradition that turns into a lethal game with everyone fighting for their survival.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Fox Searchlight release READY OR NOT Friday, August 21, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW takes its lead to two weeks, nabbing top spot at the Box Office once again with $28 million from 4,344 theatres for Universal Pictures. Over two weeks, it has grossed $108.1 million domestically.

In second is a debuting SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK, with $20.8 million for CBS Films/eOne Films from 3,135 theatres. It gets 80% on the Tomatometer and a C CinemaScore.

DISNEY’S THE LION KING lands in third spot this weekend with $20 million, a total $473 million over four weeks in North America.

DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD has a credible debut in fourth with $17.1 million for Paramount Pictures. It gets 81% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is in sixth in its debut for 20th Century Fox with $8.1 million from 2,765 theatres. It gets 48% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore.

THE KITCHEN opens in seventh with $5.3 million from 2,745 theatres for Warner Bros. It gets 21% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.

BRIAN BANKS rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.2 million for Bleecker Street Films from 1,240 theatres. It gets 54% on the Tomatometer. No Canadian release date set yet for this title

Visiting Saratoga Race Course has been a dream of mine for quite some time now. The picturesque racetrack in Saratoga Springs, New York, just about a six-hour drive from Toronto, boasts tons of history dating back to 1863. Every Summer, New York’s Horse Racing fans see the thrills migrate from a spring meet at Belmont Park in Elmont, to a 40-day meet at Saratoga. Here some of the sport’s finest athletes, equine and human, convene for some lucrative purses and prestige with cards jam-packed with stakes action.

While Saratoga Springs and its treasured race course possess time-honoured traditions and charms, there is an undeniable energy that keeps it feeling young and alive. The downtown strip along Broadway is filled with cute shops, restaurants, cafés, museums and theatres which while old school, very much cater to trends and tastes of today. The City’s two colleges, Skidmore and Empire State keep its spirit young. Horse Racing-inspired art and memorabilia can be seen front and center on-display at several galleries and shops, while more than a few on-trend restaurants advertise Wagyu beef in their burgers. Local artists can be heard singing and playing, a different act as you pass along a litany of watering holes, one advertising an upcoming appearance by The Hills’ Audrina Patridge. Audiences cheer and sing along, while the races from Del Mar are broadcast on  installed TVs. This is a place that nurtures Artists and their craft. Couples can be heard discussing the day’s races in-line getting Ice Cream and I wonder if this all is a dream! Horse Racing certainly is in the blood and veins of Saratogians, native and honourary even if there for just a quick visit.

My buddy Julie and I had talked about visiting Saratoga for quite some time. With my beloved dog Billy being ill for the past couple years, venturing away on long weekends became a daunting task and only after he passed away this winter, I realized that this finally might be the Summer I could make it out. It was the right time to visit.

Saratoga‘s Socialite Queen Marylou Whitney sadly had just passed away late July and much was being done to celebrate her including a Saturday that was pink-themed (her favourite colour) the re-branding of an entrance at the racetrack in her memory and also a scheduled induction to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which she never got to enjoy while here.  Above that, the Grade I Whitney Handicap was to be run this past weekend as part of the Fasig-Tipton Racing Festival, culminating in The Saratoga Sale, a high-end yearling auction Monday and Tuesday. Morale was down a bit and Saratoga Race Course had the remedy to lift it.

Saratoga‘s famed Congress Park Carousel 

Upon arriving downtown, I’m told by Julie how incredible the breakfast is at UNCOMMON GROUNDS and we spot right away going in, Horse Racing’s favourite couple, Julien & Shea Leparoux. The Café already had run-out of her favourite Blueberry Scones, but we chat with Mrs. Leparoux about the time they came to Toronto for Tepin‘s smashing win in the Woodbine Mile and all the amazing memories she has of our City where she trained once as a Disney performer. We also chat about their performing a Karaoke rendition of Shallow from A Star is Born earlier in the week at a fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. I could tell already this visit was going to be amazing and the Avocado Bagel and Green Smoothie sealed the deal.

The Leparouxs and Breakfast at Uncommon Grounds

Another sign of good things to come was Julie and I walking-up Broadway where we spotted a dog who looked exactly like her Westie, Wyatt. A few steps behind, I see a carbon copy of my Billy and we both wondered if this was a sign of some sort. I couldn’t process how much a doppelganger the Shih Tzu was, it was as if Billy had been reborn. I asked the owner if I could hold him, Milo, whom I learned was a year old, which messes-up the reincarnation theory I had in my head. Holding him filled my heart with happiness, yet also an incredible sense of longing as I miss Billy so much. I WhatsApped my mom and she couldn’t believe her eyes. See for yourself!

If anything, all of this made me realize again that I do want another dog sooner than later!

We check-in to our amazing Airbnb, which literally is five minutes from Saratoga Race Course and the downtown strip on Broadway. It had a rain shower head. It was heaven. Sorry for all the Saratoga Springs water I wasted, loitering in the shower.

Finally arriving at the track late morning, I am in awe of what I see. Row upon row of picnic tables and lawn chairs for couples, families and friends to set-up shop for an afternoon under the sun. We hear that grandstand seats and securing a table to sit at the Track is quite pricey and done by reservation – although many did pay for the luxury. As a result of this, many just camp-out, which also is great if you can find a spot in the shade. TVs displaying the races and betting stations are abundant, hence regardless, you can be part of the festivities even if you’re not trackside.

Then finally we witness the magic with our own eyes. The track is even more beautiful than imagined…

Above this, the options for food and drink are the best I’ve ever seen at the races. Shake Shack (with a limited edition Sloppy Track milkshake available at Saratoga only), Hattie’s Fried Chicken (incredible!), Fourstardave (a bar named after the race course hero – order The Sunrise!), Dunkin’ Donuts, Lobster Rolls, Tacos, Lemonade stands, Fried Dough and so many more temptations!

You also must try the Trackside Breakfast where you can enjoy a buffet up till 9:30 AM for about $20, while watching the horses jog across the Main Track.

And off they went!

We were thrilled to see veteran Macagone (pronounced Mah-kay-gen), an eight-year-old grinder whom under Jose Lezcano, set a new course record for Trainer Jason Servis, upping his bankroll to $636k from 41 starts… and winning me $100!

Bill Mott trainee Casa Creed (by Jimmy Creed) would then go on to win the Grade II National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, under Junior Alvarado, his kids cheering him on.

We were thrilled to see our friend Melanie Giddings (she worked many years for Mark Casse at Woodbine) in the Winner’s Circle as Tom’s d’Etat took the Alydar Stakes with Joel Rosario aboard, for Trainer Albert Stall Jr. Love the passion she shows for her horses!

There was never a doubt that Concrete Rose would take the $750k Saratoga Oaks and she made it look so effortless  going wire to wire with Julien Leparoux in the saddle! The George Arnold II trainee has been unstoppable this year and we caught one of her proud owners, Bo Bromagen discreetly snapping pics of her in the walking ring.

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We were up and at ’em early the next day, vowing to visit our friends on the backstretch and also beautiful Oklahoma Training Track.

Trainer Rodolphe Brisset refined his craft under the guidance of Bill Mott and he is a force to be reckoned with. We got to meet some of his well-bred stable stars.

The Black Album (FR) who just won the Toronto Cup at Woodbine. His Groom Lesley Howes also is from Canada.

Violencia won at first asking earlier this year in Florida with a huge speed figure. Assistant Trainer Austin Motley is to her left.

New Day Dawning is a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro and Ready to Act. You might remember Ready to Act competing in the Natalma Stakes at Woodbine in 2013, leading all the way only to veer-in and unseat her rider Rajiv Maragh right before the finish.

We’ve always been a fan of Norm Casse and are thrilled his own stable is taking-off, winning his first stake this Summer.  Assistant Trainer Sarah Campion is a gem and has been with him since their time under Norm‘s father, Mark and she was so nice to introduce us to some very special two-year-olds, who happen to be owned by the late Marylou Whitney including Pow Wow Prince (by Cairo Prince), Bird Map (by Liam’s Map) and Tuff Bird (by Congrats).

We have so much respect for our friend Cherie Devaux whom also is seeing the returns of her hard work since branching on her own as a Conditioner. We first met her when she was an Assistant to the world’s number one-ranked Trainer Chad Brown. She’s been in-the-money 14 out of 36 races this year with her own trainees, which is impressive. We spotted her out at the Oklahoma Training Centre with husband David Ingordo, a respected Bloodstock Agent, both fully-focused. Below that is her with one of her winners, filly Heartstrings who won first try at 39-1 odds.

Top Trainer Chad Brown’s operation is a well-oiled machine. We’re so delighted to have an opportunity to hang-out for a quick minute at his barn, which houses megastars like Bricks and Mortar, Guarana, Rushing Fall, Wow Cat (CHI), Sistercharlie (IRE), Woodbine‘s Summer Stakes winner Fog of War, and several more. Office Manager Asia Savasta kindly showed us around and it is almost impossible not to be starstruck by the caliber of talent.

The undefeated Guarana, Savasta and I

We love seeing our friends at the barn of Mark Casse as always and we’re so proud of Assistant Trainer Jamie Begg, who used to work at Woodbine under Roger Attfield. His parents Jeff & Annabel of Windways Farm, also happen to have co-owned Breeders’ Cup victress and Canadian Horse of the Year, Catch a Glimpse.

Team Casse notched two stakes scores this past weekend at Saratoga including the Fasig-Tipton De La Rose Stakes with Got Stormy and also the Grade II Adirondack Stakes with two-year-old filly Perfect Alibi (by Sky Mesa). Got Stormy faces Chad Brown‘s Uni and male opposition in this weekend’s Fourstardave.

How about this adorable photo of Got Stormy and Preakness Stakes winner War of Will showing each other some love?

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George Arnold II had a great weekend winning the Troy Stakes above the Saratoga Oaks, with Leinster. Tyler Gaffalione was aboard the win.

We are in love with Christophe Clement stablemates Disco Partner and Pure Sensation and couldn’t resist Selfies, which they happen to be really good at!

Godolphin‘s Lucullan prevailed in the Fasig-Tipton Lure Stakes under Luis Saez, for Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Super-cool seeing local outfit Sam-Son Farm represented too this past weekend with Say the Word and Zadracarta Stakes winner Desert Isle. Trainer Graham Motion and his beautiful family also graced us with their presence!

I’ll admit, one of the reasons I came to Saratoga was to see striking filly Covfefe run in the Grade I Test Stakes. Owned by LNJ Foxwoods, the super-fast daughter of Into Mischief, fought gamely to win the race over Kentucky Oaks champion Serengeti Empress. Named after a cryptic and non-sensical Tweet by Donald Trump, the Brad Cox-trainee is the gift that keeps on giving. Loved meeting her overjoyed and teary-eyed Co-Owner, the magnetic Jaime Roth en route to the Winner’s Circle!  Only in Saratoga would you run into Cox having Fish & Chips at a pub the night after!

The big winner of the day was Bob Baffert charge McKinzie, taking the $1.2 million Whitney Handicap under legendary Mike Smith in a hand ride over Bill Mott-trained Yoshida (JPN). Going-off as the choice, the four-year-old son of Street Sense defied Saratoga‘s reputation as being the Graveyard of Favourites.

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While a little bit drained from the heat and being on our feet all weekend, we had just enough left for our last day in Saratoga, the Sunday. We couldn’t leave without seeing the scenic Clare Court Jogging Track.

And also we couldn’t help but admire the track’s new building extension and its gorgeous copper roof!

In addition to it being Legends Day, where several iconic jockeys came out to sign autographs in support of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance also came out to present the first race, won by Daphne Moon (by Cairo Prince), trained by Jeremiah Englehart.

Some legends we spotted this weekend:

D. Wayne Lukas
 
Laffit Pincay
 
NYRA Announcer Larry Collmus
 
Jerry Bailey
 
Angel Cordero Jr… it took literally three asks before he did it, over two days!!
 
Richard Migliore
 

Our own Sandy Hawley and his partner Kaoru Tsuchiya-Hawley, also came out for an appearance Legends Day!

 

Some future legends:

Manny Franco
 
Chris Landeros
 
Kendrick Carmouche
 
Jamaica‘s Georgina Stergeon
 

Fools Gold took the Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes on the turf for Team Chad Brown, under Javier Castellano. She is by Medaglia d’Oro out of Woodbine-based mare Moment of Majesty. 

 

Woodbine-based filly Get Explicit, trained by Barb Minshall, ran a huge race to get second under Ricardo Santana Jr. Minshall‘s Assistant Chad Elder and Sovereign Award-winning Groom Dexter Brathwaite were present. We hear she’s being pointed for the Grade I E.P. Taylor Stakes this October at Woodbine.

 

The inaugural Saratoga Derby was taken by longshot A Thread of Blue, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Luis Saez.

 

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And lastly, this trip wouldn’t have been amazing without the amazing people! So lucky to have an awesome travel buddy in Julie who knew all the spots to hit-up and how to navigate Saratoga. And it was a blessing I went at a time so many of friends were around. Loved seeing so many smiling faces, familiar and new, who made this feel like home away from home! Thank you also to the NYRA for the warm welcome!

 

Gallop

 

Snickers

 

Ren Hakim Carothers

 

Jude Feld, Mike & Michelle Penna

 

George Hills

 

Julie, Keith McCalmont (formerly of Woodbine), Bailey Gallison and I

 

Kim, Sherrie Courtney, Acacia Courtney and I 

Alysse Jacobs & Carmen Barrera, whom we are saddened to hear had passed away yesterday – our condolences to all who were touched by her bright spirit 

Bri Mott 

Jenna Bray, Lakin and Braelyn 

Sarah Volpe & Juan Bernardini Calderon – please remember to support our GoFundMe for Conquest Daddyo right here.  

Julie, Sheri Riddoch, Sienna and I 

Barb Livingston

 

Sean Patrick Nolan 

Nicole Russo

 

Nick Bush

 

Wesley Lawrence, Liz Kruska, Dan Tordjman

 

Penelope Miller

 

I don’t believe our friend Penelope Miller of America’s Best Racing, convinced us to do this. And no it didn’t so great. Nope. I should’ve seen the warning signs when others told me to drink this mineral-rich Saratoga Springs water, yet I didn’t see them drinking it!

 

 

We did a little something for America’s Best Racing. We can’t say what, but look out for it!

 

Looks like @mrwillw is keeping busy at Saratoga! Here he is filming with @ABRLive 😊 pic.twitter.com/dbrR3WYHuC

— Julie Wright (@reddogcw) August 3, 2019

 

Complete Facebook Album can be found here. 
 
See you at The Spa! 

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Julie Wright)

Saratoga

leveFILM x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of SXSW Audience Award winner THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON in Toronto and Vancouver. Screenings take place as follows:

Toronto:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 @ 7PM
Cineplex Varsity Cinemas

Vancouver:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 @ 7:30PM
Cineplex International Village

Synopsis:
When Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome, runs away from the nursing home where he lives, he sets off on a modern Mark Twain adventure as he chases his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. The Film stars Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

levelFILM release THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON Friday, August 23, 2019 in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa & Winnipeg.

(Photo/video credit: levelFILM)

FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW continues its winning tradition, the spin-off taking top of the Box Office with $61 million from 4,253 theatres for Universal Pictures. It gets a passing 61% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore. 2015’s Furious 7 still holds the best opening for the Franchise, with $147 million.

In second this weekend is THE LION KING which in its third week out gets $37.9 million for Disney from 4,802 theatres. It has made $430.5 million thus far domestically.

ONCE UPON A TIME.. IN HOLLYWOOD gives Quentin Tarantino lands in third with $19.3 million, a total $78.1 million over two weeks for Sony Pictures.

THE FAREWELL continues to perform well in limited release, placing seventh with $2.2 million for VVS Films/A24 Films. It has made $6.7 million over four weeks.

ANNABELLE COMES HOME rounds things out with $885k for Warner Bros., a total $71.6 million over six weeks in North America.

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON! Screenings take place:

Toronto:

Date: Monday, August 26, 2019

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Cineplex Cinemas Varsity & VIP (55 Bloor St West, Toronto, ON M4W 1A5)

Vancouver:

Date: Monday, August 26, 2019

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Fifth Avenue Cinemas – 19+ only (2110 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 3H6)

Synopsis:
Brittany Forgler is a funny, likeable, 27-year-old hot mess of a New Yorker whose trashy nightclub adventures and early-morning walks of shame make her late for work every day. But when she stops by a Yelp-recommended doctor’s office in an attempt to score Adderall, Brittany gets handed a series of diagnoses instead—elevated heart rate, high blood pressure … the list goes on. Suddenly forced to get a grip, Brittany laces up her Converse sneakers and runs one sweaty block. The next day, she runs two. Soon she runs a mile. Brittany finally has direction—but is she on the right path?

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

Elevation Pictures release BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON Friday, August 30, 2019.

(Photo/video: Elevation Pictures)

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE. Screenings are as follows:

TORONTO WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14TH VARSITY 7:00 PM
VANCOUVER WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14TH INTERNATIONAL VILLAGE 7:30 PM
CALGARY WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14TH EAU CLAIRE 7:00 PM
EDMONTON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14TH SOUTH EDMONTON 7:00 PM
OTTAWA WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14TH LANSDOWNE 7:00 PM

Synopsis:
Based on the runaway bestseller, Where’d You Go, Bernadette is an inspiring comedy about Bernadette Fox (Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett), a loving mom who becomes compelled to reconnect with her creative passions after years of sacrificing herself for her family. Bernadette’s leap of faith takes her on an epic adventure that jump-starts her life and leads to her triumphant rediscovery.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Click “share” from there for an extra chance or Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

eOne Films release WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE Friday, August 16, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Well, done Netflix! A new Teaser Trailer has surfaced for Martin Scorsese‘s reportedly $200-million Feature, THE IRISHMAN.

Synopsis:
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci star in Martin Scorsese’s THE IRISHMAN, an epic saga of organized crime in post-war America told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran, a hustler and hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the 20th century. Spanning decades, the film chronicles one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history, the disappearance of legendary union boss Jimmy Hoffa, and offers a monumental journey through the hidden corridors of organized crime: its inner workings, rivalries and connections to mainstream politics.

Cast: Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jack Huston, Kathrine Narducci, Jesse Plemons, Domenick Lombardozzi, Paul Herman, Gary Basaraba, Marin Ireland

See the Trailer:

Netflix stream and release in theatres THE IRISHMAN this Fall.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

From the same Producers as GET OUT and THE PURGE, comes THE HUNT.

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures Canada release THE HUNT Friday, September 27, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)