#EDITORSNOTE: TEAM MR. WILL’S TOP TEN PICPICKS OF 2018

It’s hard to believe another year’s passed by! 2018 certainly was a stand-out year for Cinema and Team Mr. Will true to tradition, share with you their best of 2018. If you haven’t seen some of these, it’s time to start adding to your Must-See Lists this winter!

 

AMANDA GILMORE (@gilmoreamanda)
It was such a great year for Film that it’s near impossible for me to choose the Top Ten. I could have easily made a Top 30 list (if it was allowed). However, I managed to squeeze in ten films, which are in alphabetical order rather than being ranked. I’ve included films from a range of genres and narratives that I’ve thought about since my first viewing.

A Star Is Born
A Quiet Place
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Black Panther
Eighth Grade
Mission Impossible: Fallout
Roma
Shoplifters
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-verse
The Favourite

JONATHAN GODFREY (@Skot_Somers)

Annihilation
First Man
Ready Player One
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
A Quiet Place
Green Book
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Legend of the Demon Cat
Mary Poppins Returns

As usual, my list consists of movies I saw on the Silver Screen within the calendar year. They’re organized according to release date, and are thus relieved of any hierarchy. Annihilation is the dark Sci-Fi wizardry I live for; Ready Player One is my kind of Spielberg cinema; and A Quiet Place is my top scare of 2018. Solo gave me more Star Wars; Demon Cat made this year’s TIFF magical; and First Man is the brand of brooding Drama I adore. Fantastic Beasts 2 is dope AF; Green Book is a beautiful performance piece; and Spider-Man is the Comic Movie I’ve been waiting forever for. To wrap it all up… Mary Poppins Returns! She has, and it warms my heart.

DAVID BALDWIN (@DaveMABaldwin)
2018 was an incredible year for Cinema. Full stop. If anyone tells you otherwise, they did not see enough movies. Every genre fired on all cylinders, and the mid-budget and independent scenes were filled with positively exquisite Filmmaking that will go down as some of the best of the decade. And even better than that, 2018 proved the power and importance of diversity and gender in Cinema. The number of movies I genuinely liked and loved that missed my Top Ten can attest to how outstanding a year this was. But I can say with confidence that the list of films below shook me right through to my bones whether through fear, laughter, wonder, charm, thrills, or genuine emotion. And yes, I know I cheated with including a tie — but it would be a disservice to not include all of these titles on my list.

Hereditary
Assassination Nation
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Incredibles 2
Blindspotting
Paddington 2
Eighth Grade
Mission: Impossible – Fallout
The Hate U Give
[tie] Can You Ever Forgive Me? / Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

GEORGE KOZERA (@PartyG)
I saw 164 movies this year. It took a long time to whittle the list down to 26 movies that I considered to be the best of 2018. This was a year that brought fantastic highs that had me gasping with wonder and admiration or so bad that they had me rolling my eyes in disbelief! Whether it was one of the most original Horror movies in a long time (A Quiet Place) or a Superhero, Comic Book movie so innovative and supremely well-acted that it validated a genre many were hoping would just go away (Black Panther). It was a banner year for documentary features, musicals and an LGBTQ movie was released for the first time ever by a major Hollywood studio (Love, Simon). Dramas were rampant with stories that touched one’s soul, though there was a lack of Comedies that were consistently funny throughout (with the exception of “Game Night”). All that said, I submit my pick for the best film of the year and the next nine movies (in alphabetical order) that moved, enthralled and will stay with me for years to come.

Roma
BlacKkKlansman
Cold War
The Favourite
Green Book
If Beale Street Could Talk
Lean on Pete
Leave No Trace
Mary Poppins Returns
Three Identical Strangers

JUSTIN WALDMAN (@DubsReviews)
It is time for the annual Top Ten movies I saw that I absolutely adored and loved this year. Some are best of the year, while others are the movies I had the most fun watching this year. There have been some truly incredible movies this year, and dare I say the ‘blockbusters’ for the most part have been fine, nothing really spectacular outside of a few gems. If you haven’t seen something on this list, go out and see it. Most of these movies will appeal to the masses, enjoy yourselves. Here’s to a 2019 with some hot titles coming out over the next few weeks, Glass anyone, and next few months, US am I right? 2019 is sure to be a stellar year

Anna and the Apocalypse
A Quiet Place
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Blindspotting
Eighth Grade
Sorry to Bother You
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse
The Favourite
Widows

 

Click here to read Mr. Will’s Best of 2018.

 

(Photo credit: Elevation Pictures/Warner Bros. Canada/VVS Films/Fox Searchlight)

#HORSERACING: PRINCESS + PRINCE DIARIES – DECEMBER 2018

At long last, a special Holiday edition of Princess and now too, Prince Diaries! 2018 brought us several ups and downs but we end the year on a happy note knowing our dear Princess (A Pic by Mrwill) and Prince (Mr Will) were safe at home with their loving families. Life has been full of blessings and these two certainly bring us much joy.

We caught-up with Princess at her temporary home in Caledon on Christmas Day, meeting-up with her new Mama Emily Fisher who has done such a great job keeping her healthy.  I couldn’t believe my eyes how great she looks – she just keeps growing and I’d guess she’s at least 17.5 hands tall now?  To be conservative about her recovery, she’s on stall rest still, but enjoys occasional time outside her stall cross-tied while she is groomed or to say “hello” to her neighbours, including her buddy across the hall Esmeralda.

She’s been x-rayed and her injury is healing well, but Emily‘s focus is having her heal fully before she moves on to her next steps, whether it be showing at the Royal Winter Fair one day or motherhood. We are saddened that Emily’s beloved Don’s Folly had passed recently and we understand how trying it is picking-up the pieces again. Princess has been of great consolation and comfort to Emily, the sweet filly we’ve known her as always.

While it’s still early, some stallions are being scouted as a potential match for Princess and there are a couple leading Ontario stallions both Emily and her mom Michelle, who once worked with famed Kinghaven Farms, have in mind.  Whatever choice Emily makes, we are thrilled for them and know they will make the right one come breeding season (beginning mid-February).  I for one have been vocal about this flashy up-and-coming stallion at Frank Stronach‘s Adena Springs! We love the way his kids are looking and running so far.

Princess has developed a taste for unconventional treats and is absolutely obsessed with Rice Krispie Squares and Oatmeal Cookies. We spoiled her as she deserves with a gift basket containing several of her favourites. Her appetite is insatiable, destroying a platter of Fuji apple slices, two bags of mini carrots, cookies and squares quickly! It’s a wonder how she still looks so fit!

 

 

Emily still is dealing with the aftermath of Don’s Folly’s medical costs which went well above and beyond estimates prior to his passing. If you have anything you can give, please help via this GoFundMe.

 

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Christmas wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to our Prince, Mr Will and we thought we’d gift him with his own first halter. We must say he looks rather dapper in it!  Michelle and Rob Love (the latter who is an Outrider at Woodbine Racetrack, keeping horsepeople and horses safe especially when they break loose) have done an amazing job breaking him in and while he isn’t by any means sizey, he looks athletic and is a quick learner. We are in love with the beautiful white strip on his face, making him almost a spitting image of his Queen’s Plate-winning dad Not Bourbon.

Mr Will was just gelded (castrated) a few weeks back and we were advised he generally was well-behaved, although with their fillies and mares returning home for the winter, it was for the better with him starting to display “colt-ish” tendencies of late. Mr Will was on his best behaviour and even Billy was able to get up close to him without incident. He definitely is loved by the Loves (pun intended) and I get a kick out of the confusion adorable Miss Cailey Love gets when she’s told the real Mr Will is coming by to see Mr Will. We know Emily got confused when we asked her if she wanted to tag along with us to see Mr Will. In due time the world will know all about equine Mr Will!

 

 

2019 holds many exciting developments and stories about Princess and Prince and we can’t wait to share them with you!  Happy Holidays!

 

Follow along on Social Media:

Emily: @emifisher

Michelle: @missesluv

Princess on Instagram: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Twitter: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Facebook: APicbyMrwill

Prince on Instagram: @mrwillthehorse

Prince on Twitter: @mrwillthehorse

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#BOXOFFICE: “AQUAMAN” CONTINUES TO MAKE A SPLASH

AQUAMAN continues to splash a second week at the Box Office, taking $52.1 million for Warner Bros. from 4,125 theatres. Over two weeks it has made $189.3 million domestically.

In second is MARY POPPINS RETURNS with $32 million from 4,090 theatres for Disney, a two-week tally of $102.9 million gross in North America.

BUMBLEBEE lands in third with $20.6 million for Paramount Pictures from 3,550 theatres, a two-week total of $66.9 million in these parts.

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (which like Bumblebee stars Hailee Steinfeld also), is in fourth with $19.3 million from 3,813 theatres for Sony Pictures. $104.6 million is its total in its second week of release.

VICE is in sixth with $8.2 million from 2,442 theatres for Annapurna Pictures/eOne Films. Since its Christmas Day release, it has made $18.1 million. It gets 64% on the Tomatometer and a C+ CinemaScore.

HOLMES & WATSON opens in seventh with $7.6 million from 2,776 theatres for Sony Pictures. It gets 9% on the Tomatometer and a D+ CinemaScore.

THE GRINCH rounds things out in the Top Ten with $4.9 million for Universal Pictures, a healthy total $266.2 million over eight weeks.

#EDITORSNOTE: MR. WILL’S BEST OF 2018 LIST

2018 will go down as one of the best years in recent Cinema. While I’m not loving the current sound of what’s dominating the airwaves, there were a few Pop Gems that filled my heart and ears with joy. Those of you who are following me on Social Media know that my year was all about A STAR IS BORN. I had few expectations of it at the beginning of the year, but then came the Trailer in June and then came news of it premiering at TIFF ’18. Seeing it at the Festival, my year and life would be changed forever, single-handedly owning my two favourite realms, Music and Film. I am still not healed of the heartbreak I experience and can imagine what it’s like to be Lady Gaga or Bradley Cooper and carrying their characters with them after filming. If you still haven’t seen it, please do.

We loved the resurgence of the Musical with the likes of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Bohemian Rhapsody and Mary Poppins Returns performing v. well in numbers. The World needs a lift in spirits and these all came to save the day at the right time.

Music wise, we are ever-excited about Dua Lipa‘s blooming career and she has gifted us with several earworms which still stand the test of time at the end of year. While there wasn’t really a big single off it, Mariah Carey‘s critically-acclaimed Caution is definitely a smooth, cohesive listen. Cardi B‘s Invasion of Privacy gave us life in a big way this spring and likewise, there wasn’t one particular 2018 single which impacted us, the Album was on repeat for quite a while for us.

 

Here are my Best of 2018 Lists:

 

MUSIC

One Kiss – Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa
The Middle – zedd ft. Maren Morris
Electricity – Silk City ft. Dua Lipa
I’ll Never Love Again – Lady Gaga
Shallow – Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga
God is a Woman – Ariana Grande
Breathin – Ariana Grande
Lights Down Low – M△X
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart – Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus
Youngblood – 5 Seconds of Summer

 

FILM

A Star is Born
Green Book
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Crazy Rich Asians
Ben is Back
Love, Simon
A Quiet Place
Vice
The Favourite
Mary Poppins Returns

 

Check-out Team Mr. Will’s Best Picpicks of 2018 here.

 

2018 also was my best year for Selfies ever. Will I ever stop? Why stop at something you love this much? Sorry, haters!

 

Adam Brody

Alexandra Shipp

Amandla Stenberg

Amber Heard

Anne-Marie

Amber Heard

Awkwafina

Bebe Rexha

Ben Platt

Billie Eilish

Bo Derek

Brandy

bülow

The Chainsmokers

 

Chelsea Handler

Chris Pine

Christie Brinkley

Claire Foy

Cynthia Erivo

Damian Lewis

Danai Gurira

Daniel Kaluuya

David Tao

DJ Khaled

Ed Helms

Elizabeth Debicki

Emily Mortimer

Ezra Miller

Gordon Ramsay

Gwendoline Christie

Howie Mandel

The Adult Cast of IT: CHAPTER TWO

 

> 

Jack Dylan Grazer

Jaleel White

Jamie Dornan

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jane Seymour

Jason Momoa

Jeremy Renner

Jessie Reyez

Jimmy Kimmel

John David Washington

Jon Hamm

Josh Dallas

Julia Roberts (kinda!)

Karen Gillan

Katherine Heigl

Keegan-Michael Key

Keith Urban

Kelly Marie Tran

Kristen Stewart

Lady Gaga

Laura Linney

Lily-Rose Depp

Loud Luxury

Mackenzie Foy

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Mahershala Ali

Marcia Gay Harden

Maren Morris

Martin Scorsese

Mary J. Blige

M△X

Mena Massoud

Michael J. Fox with Team Mr. Will

Norm Kelly

Paris Hilton

Peter Sarsgaard

Quincy Jones

Riz Ahmed

Rob Schneider

Robert DeNiro

Roseanne Barr

Ryan Gosling

Sally Field

Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

Steve Carell

Steve Yeun

Timothée Chalamet

Tony Danza

Trevante Rhodes

Troye Sivan

Wyatt Olef

Zhang Yimou

Patrick Wilson

 

We’ve been at this game for what is approaching our tenth year and we’re showing no signs of stopping. We are indebted to you, our Readers for all the support and love you’ve shown all these years and we’ll never forget being named NOW Magazine Readers’ Choice Best Blogger this year. Thank you. To a stellar 2019!

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

 

#BOXOFFICE: “AQUAMAN” MAKES A SPLASH IN OPENING

AQUAMAN makes a huge splash this pre-Christmas weekend at the Box Office. It opens with $70 million from 4,125 theatres for Warner Bros. It passes with a 63% on the Tomatometer and gets also an A- CinemaScore which should give it some fins to swim with through the Holiday Season.

BUMBLEBEE, the latest in the Transformers Franchise debuts in second spot with stellar reviews at $22.7 million from 3,550 theatres for Paramount Pictures. It gets 94% on the Tomatometer – shocking – and an A- CinemaScore from Audiences.

In third is MARY POPPINS RETURNS with $21.7 million from 4,090 theatres for Disney. The Sequel, some 50+ years in-the-making, gets 77% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore.

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE gets $18 million in its second week out for Sony Pictures, a tally of $66.1 million domestically. This lands it in fourth spot.

SECOND ACT starring Jennifer Lopez, debuts in seventh with $7.1 million for STX Entertainment/Elevation Pictures. It gets 42% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

WELCOME TO MARWEN opens in ninth with $2.6 million for Universal Pictures. It gets 25% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.

Rounding things out is MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS with $2.5 million for Universal Pictures/Focus Features with $2.5 million, a total $3.8 million in three weeks of limited release. It gets 61% on the Tomatometer.

#FIRSTLOOK: “CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC” TORONTO

By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC opens with a tune by Led Zeppelin blasting as Young & Strange (two British illusionists) enter the stage with a shtick and trick routine that includes corny jokes and perhaps one of them being impaled to death while inside a huge cardboard box that the other shoves large wooden stakes through. Spoiler alert…he comes out of the box unscathed!

Thus begins one of the more entertaining live productions playing exclusively in Toronto at the Bluma Appel Theatre to January 6, 2019. A huge hit in the U.K., CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC feature five Magicians/Illusionists, each with their own strengths.

Kayla Drescher is the master of deft hand illusions with a deck of cards she purchased at Dollarama and a willing audience participant. Fernando Velasco, from Mexico and wearing a pair of pants that Liberace would kill for, is obviously influenced by Houdini and makes his two quite serious turns on stage electrifying with his interpretation of two classic routines. Young & Strange (who have a Laurel and Hardy-meets-Penn and Teller vibe about them) excel at the Vegas-like illusions. These are the guys that wow the most, by either sawing someone in half, or making them disappear. They close the show with a series of transfixing events, which includes a funny homage to Siegfried & Roy, that had the audience cheering for more. The highlight of the show for me was Alex McAleer. This very funny mentalist had me laughing continuously, all the while performing entertaining mind-bending routines.

There was a variety show-type feel to the extravaganza that works quite well. The children in attendance, some of who are made to be part of the show, will vastly enjoy the magic and illusions and the adults, cynics or not, will be wowed.

CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC is a fantastic and entertaining excursion out for the entire family this Holiday season.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE”

Cate Blanchett stars in the adaptation of WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE. Check out its brand-new Trailer!

Synopsis:
Where’d You Go, Bernadette is based on the runaway bestseller about Bernadette Fox, a Seattle woman who had it all – a loving husband and a brilliant daughter. When she unexpectedly disappears, her family sets off on an exciting adventure to solve the mystery of where she might have gone.

 

See the Trailer:

 

eOne Films release WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE Friday, March 22, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “HELLBOY”

The moment many of you have been waiting for, a brand-new Trailer for HELLBOY starring David Harbour!

Synopsis:
Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy, caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge.

Starring: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Daniel Dae Kim, Sasha Lane, Ian McShane
Directed By: Neil Marshall

 

See the Trailer:

 

VVS Films release HELLBOY Friday, April 12, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

#SPOTTED: PATRICK WILSON + YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II IN TORONTO FOR “AQUAMAN”

Toronto rolled-out the Blue Carpet tonight at the Canadian Premiere of DC Comics’ long-awaited AQUAMAN. Taking over Scotiabank Theatre, the event saw Cosplayers and contest winners come out for a chance to meet stars Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Get Down).

The Duo, in-town for a day of Press tomorrow, walked the Carpet an hour early. Wilson, who plays the titual character’s half-brother Orm and Abdul-Mateem who plays Black Manta, took their time to chat with Media and meet Fans. Wilson did not disappoint stopping for Selfies and Autographs, accommodating as many as he could. The Film has seen a whirlwind promotional tour spanning the globe including a Los Angeles Premiere last week and a Premiere in Australia tomorrow.

The Conjuring Franchise Producer Peter Safran, who also is one of the Producers behind AQUAMAN, also made a surprise appearance. He also produces upcoming DC Comics Adaptation Shazam, with star Zachary Levi making a quiet entrance. The Actor currently is in Toronto filming re-shoots for that Film.

Synopsis:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, “Aquaman,” starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king.

 

See the Trailer:

 

See some Snaps from the Blue Carpet:

 

Warner Bros. Canada release AQUAMAN Friday, December 21, 2018.

 

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Bros.)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING”

20th Century Fox Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING! Screenings take place Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 10AM in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver!

Additional Calgary + Edmonton Screenings have been added:

THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING – CALGARY

Wednesday, January 23

6:30PM

Cineplex Chinook

THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING – EDMONTON

Wednesday, January 23

6:30PM

Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton

Synopsis:

Old school magic meets the modern world in the epic adventure THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING. Alex (Ashbourne Serkis) thinks he’s just another nobody, until he stumbles upon the mythical Sword in the Stone, Excalibur. Now, he must unite his friends and enemies into a band of knights and, together with the legendary wizard Merlin (Patrick Stewart), take on the wicked enchantress Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson). With the future at stake, Alex must become the great leader he never dreamed he could be.

CAST: Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Dean Chaumoo, Tom Taylor, Rhianna Dorris, Angus Imrie, with Rebecca Ferguson and Patrick Stewart

 

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!

20th Century Fox Canada release THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING Friday, January 25, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox Canada)