TOP OF MY TIFF ’19 WISHLIST! Renée Zellweger mesmerizes as Judy Garland in this new Trailer for Judy!

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release JUDY Friday, September 27, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

This will give you goosebumps! Check-out the gorgeous new Teaser and Poster for Disney‘s MULAN, the live-action adaptation.

Synopsis:
When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father. “Mulan” features a celebrated international cast that includes: Yifei Liu as Mulan; Donnie Yen as Commander Tung; Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan; Yoson An as Cheng Honghui; with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film is directed by Niki Caro from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Hynek based on the narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan.”.

See the Teaser:

Artwork:

Walt Disney Studios Canada release MULAN Friday, March 27, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)

25-year-old Actor/Singer-Songwriter Jordan Fisher saw a huge boost on profile winning the 25th season of ABC‘s DANCING WITH THE STARS and you might remember him from both live televised productions of RENT: LIVE and also GREASE: LIVE in which he dazzled as Mark Cohen and Doody, respectively. If that weren’t enough he also has starred in HAMILTON!

Also an accomplished Recording Artist, we’ve been waiting a while since 2016 for some new Music from the talented vocalist and his single ALL ABOUT US was one of the best that year for us.

It was just announced that Fisher has been cast in Netflix‘s eagerly-awaited dance Film, WORK IT. He stars alongside Pop Star/Actress Sabrina Carpenter, Viral Sensation Liza Koshy and Actor/Model/Singer Keiynan Lonsdale in the Feature, which wraps early August in Toronto.

We can’t wait for new tunes from the multi-talented Fisher and also can’t wait to see WORK IT! He announced late Spring he’s engaged to his sweetheart Ellie. He is as nice as imagined!

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Teen Vogue/Mr. Will Wong)

Multi-talented Actor/Songwriter/Rapper Utkarsh Ambudkar is a star on the rise. The Baltimore-born talent recently was cast opposite Geraldine Viswanathan and Stranger Things/Power Rangers star Dacre Montgomery (whom we spotted a couple weeks back) in The Broken Heart Gallery. The Film, produced by among others Selena Gomez, just began production in Toronto last week and centers on a woman (Viswanathan) who falls out of love with her boyfriend/boss (Ambudkar) at the gallery she works and finds love in the lobby of a hotel in Montgomery‘s character.

To add to this, Ambudkar got a plum role as Skatch in Disney’s MULAN, which saw its first Teaser Trailer premiere over the weekend. Some of you might remember him also from the Pitch Perfect franchise, as well.

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Universal Pictures)

It’s a huge opening for SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME, taking-in $87 million for Sony Pictures from 4,634 theatres in North America. The Film gets 92% on the Tomatometer, tallying $178 million since its Tuesday 4th of July Holiday opening. Best opening for the Franchise in this era starring Tom Holland, still goes to 2017’s SPIDER-MAN HOMECOMING with $117 million.

TOY STORY 4 is going strong still in second with $33 million this weekend from 4,540 theatres for Disney, a total $305 million grossed over two weeks.

Third spot goes to YESTERDAY with $10.1 million for  Universal Pictures. The Beatles-themed Musical has grossed $36.2 million over two weeks.

ALADDIN lands in fifth with $8.2 million, a total $321 million for Disney in seven weeks domestically.

MIDSOMMAR is in sixth with $6.2 million  for A24 Pictures/Elevation Pictures, a total $10.4 million since its Wednesday opening. It gets 82% on the Tomatometer and C+ CinemaScore.

ROCKETMAN rounds things out in tenth with $2.2 million for Paramount Pictures.

After winning much acclaim at Sundance this year including the US Dramatic Directing Award and Special Jury Award – Creator Collaboration, THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO made its way north to Toronto for a special screening at TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX. Here to ring-in the occasion was Director/Writer Joe Talbot and star/Co-Writer Jimmie Fails, whom the Film is based loosely on. Moderating the post-Film Q&A was Sarah Tai-Black.

The stylish Drama, produced among others by Brad Pitt, centers on an African-American man named Jimmie (Fails) and his best friend Montgomery (Jonathan Majors) determined to reclaim the home his grandfather built. The Film is a passion project for Talbot and Fails, sporting matching sneakers, both San Franciscans who dreamed of making a Movie together as teens.

Talbot talks about his relationship with Fails which goes back several years.

Talbot: “Jimmie and I grew-up in San Francisco. We started making movies when we were teenagers. Seven years ago, we talked about making this Movie, several parts which are based on Jimmie‘s life. Then five years ago, we began and we didn’t even know how Features were made, but we shot a funky Concept Trailer where we followed Jimmie around the city and he tells his grandfather’s story. We put it online and people started reaching out to us. And they became a part of our core team… It felt like we were wearing ten hats at all times.” .

Fails talks about this love letter to San Francisco and how they achieved authenticity.

Fails: “San Francisco is such a beautiful city in so many ways. I feel like all natives are kinda obsessed with the old San Francisco, the architecture, all the history it has, and all the movements like the Hippie movement, the Beatniks were there. It had a very vibrant culture. We pride ourselves on such a crossover culture.” .

“Whenever they shoot movies there they don’t actually use locations where natives actually are. It was important to make a Movie by people who were actually from there.  We felt it was important to get that authenticity on-screen.” .

Both Talbot and Fails were thrilled to get fellow San Franciscan Danny Glover aboard the Film, joining about two weeks prior to filming. Fails recalls getting a call from Glover, who introduced himself only as “Danny” and they got so caught-up talking for 20 minutes about their love for San Francisco that they didn’t even talk about the Film itself. You can imagine how Talbot felt about that!

See some of Talbot + Fails’ Chat below:

Check-out the Trailer for THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO:

See some Snaps from the evening:

Loved their unintentionally-matching shoes!

levelFILM release THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO Friday, July 5, 2019.

It sees a VOD release October 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Pacific Northwest Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to an screening in Toronto of THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE on Monday, July 15, 2019.

Synopsis:
Casey (Jesse Eisenberg), a meek and timid man, is attacked at random on the street. He subsequently enrolls at a local dojo led by a charismatic and mysterious sensei (Alessandro Nivola), in an effort to learn how to defend himself.

What he uncovers is a sinister world of fraternity, violence and hypermasculinity and a woman (Imogen Poots) fighting for her place in it. Casey undertakes a journey, both frightening and darkly funny, that will place him squarely in the sights of his enigmatic new mentor.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK.

Pacific Northwest Pictures release THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE Friday, July 19, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Pacific Northwest Pictures)

Ed Sheeran fans, your moment has come! Toronto Fans will get access to super-rare and awesome Ed Sheeran merchandise at his exclusive Pop-Up store available two days only next week. This will be the only of its kind in Canada.

Details:

Where: 277 Queen St. W, Toronto
When: Friday, July 12 & Saturday, July 13 (10 AM – 7 PM)
What: Ed Sheeran “No. 6 in the 6ix” pop-up store; Toronto fans will get a chance to purchase exclusive merchandise only being made available for two days or while supplies last

Check-out Sheeran‘s exclusive message for Toronto fans here:

Check-out some new Tracks from Sheeran’s new Disc, No. 6 Collaborations Project:

Warner Music Canada release NO. 6 COLLABORATIONS PROJECT Friday, July 12, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give readers a chance to win Advance Screening Passes to see FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW!

Screenings take place Wednesday, July 31 @ 7:00PM
TORONTO // Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
MONTREAL // Scotiabank Theatre Montreal
VANCOUVER // Cineplex International Village
EDMONTON // Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
CALGARY // Cineplex Eau Claire Market Cinemas

Synopsis:
After eight films that have amassed almost $5 billion worldwide, the FAST & FURIOUS franchise now features its first stand-alone vehicle as Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham reprise their roles as Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw in FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW.

Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s FURIOUS 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down.

But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever — and bests a brilliant and fearless rogue MI6 agent (The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby), who just happens to be Shaw’s sister — these two sworn enemies will have to partner up to bring down the only guy who might be badder than themselves.

HOBBS & SHAW blasts open a new door in the FAST universe as it hurtles action across the globe, from Los Angeles to London and from the toxic wasteland of Chernobyl to the lush beauty of Samoa.

Directed by David Leitch (DEADPOOL 2) from a story by longtime FAST & FURIOUS narrative architect Chris Morgan and a screenplay by Morgan and Drew Pearce (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-ROGUE NATION, IRON MAN 3), the film is produced by Johnson, Statham, Morgan and Hiram Garcia. The executive producers are Kelly McCormick, Dany Garcia, Steven Chasman and Ethan Smith.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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

Universal Pictures Canada release FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW Friday, August 2, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

What a Canada Day weekend it was! We had the sheer joy of driving the 2019 Honda Passport Touring for the occasion and it was magical. While the Passport is just making a comeback after being absent from production since 2002, its return certainly is welcomed, enhanced with sensibilities of the now. The versatile mid-sized five-door SUV is a melding of style, sophistication and practicality. It spaciousness is an embarrassment of riches for a single driver like me, although I can’t deny it was super-handy for running errands and stocking-up for the weekend!  Fittingly, we got to drive it in a patriotic Deep Scarlet Pearl for our long weekend adventure!

Boasting a powerful 3.5-litre, 24-valve, Direct Injection, SOHC, i-VTEC® V6 engine, we were king of the road, navigating with its 9-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control, operating at 280 horsepower. The Passport Touring‘s Fuel Economy tallies in at 12.5/9.8/11.3 City/Highway/Combined. We admire Honda‘s commitment to Fuel Economy and the environment with its dealbreaking for many, Eco Assist system, idle-stop engine and ECON mode button, easy on the wallet and the earth we live.

Power and economy aside, the Passport Touring is obsessed with our safety. It possesses 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, Honda LaneWatch Blindspot Display, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist and Blind Spot Information (BSI) system with Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system and the ultra-convenient Auto High-Beam which helped greatly in our evening drives, taking us city to countryside. Its Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System is an added protection and we are notorious for fumbling for our keys and can’t live without Proximity Extry which the SUV has.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Honda‘s Multi-angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines is life-saving and makes us a pro at parking at the trickiest spots. Fitting in between two trucks at the airport? No problem! Parallel parking downtown? Please.

Driving in the Passport Touring is a joy with its powerful 550-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media® Audio playback capability and 10 speakers including subwoofer. Everything from Bluetooth Audio to Sirius XM is an entertainment option and there is an abundance of charging options including 12 and 115-volt outlets, plus USB and wireless charging.

Keeping with our Honda Caraoke tradition, we’re still buzzing with delight after attending the sold-out Ariana Grande show at Scotiabank Arena! I’ll let the sound quality speak for itself!

The Passport Touring‘s extra-large moonroof was made for this weather we experienced Canada Day weekened, giving our drives pure mood and ambience.

Its Tri-Zone Climate Control and air filtration system is a thing of wonder, keeping my passengers calm and cool amidst the blistering weekend heat, letting them in both front and back, customize their own tenperature settings. Front seats have heating and cooling options as well, the latter which definitely got put to good use.

See some Snaps including our weekend at the historic Queens Plate Festival, our favourite event of the Summer! Strapped for time, we got to preview a smooth ride along the 407 which got us there right in time! Hover cursor on the right of each album to navigate further.

More on the 2019 HONDA PASSPORT TOURING starting at $49,900 CAN here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)