Acclaimed Actor Ezra Miller might be familiar to us from films like We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Trainwreck, but how many knew he is a musician?
Miller was in Toronto tonight with his Band Sons of an Illustrious Father for which he does vocals, keys and drums, in an intimate show at historic Horseshoe Tavern. The Trio consisting of Josh Aubin, Lilah Larson and Miller, played an ecclectic 45-minute set at the Queen Street West haunt capped-off with a poignant statement: “I’m afraid of Americans/I’m afraid of the world”.
The show saw him alternate through various roles and at one point the Trio sang together acapella. And if that weren’t awesome enough, they met with fans after the show right inside the venue with hugs from Miller!
See some Snaps. Hover cursor left and right to see more:
Miller next can be seen in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald this November. His standalone DC Comics adaptation The Flash now is said to surface in 2020.
More on Sons of an Illustrious Father here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Blackberry‘s back, alright! The beloved classic is set to make a comeback and we were thrilled to celebrate the launch of the Blackberry Key 2 at Drake-owned PICK 6IX.
Thematically-correct Blackberry Mojitos were pouring at the Yonge Street hotspot and guests, a who’s-who in influencers, nibbled on a sampling of delectables from the establishment including Beef Tartare, Sliders, Fried Chicken, Oysters, Fried Chicken Gyoza, Steak Skewers, Chicken Skewers and the ultimate, a Smores Bar! It was good vibes only who were in delight at being among good company, food and drink at the affair.
Launching July 6, 2018 in Canada at carriers Bell and Rogers, the Blackberry Key 2 reimagines a classic with sensibilities of now. It takes things that we all used to love about our Blackberry and enhances them to the needs and tastes of today.
Don’t tell me you don’t miss having a smaller, lighter phone and more importantly, KEYS!
Highlights include:
•Intelligent keyboard
•12 mp camera
•56% battery charged in 30 minutes
•battery life of up to two days
•Optical Superzoom
•new-improved larger keys
•elegant black diamond back
•Portrait mode photography
•Android-based
•4.5 inch display
Some Snaps. Hover cursor left and right to navigate.
More on the Blackberry KEY 2 here!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Primed for Awards Season, WELCOME TO MARWEN is the latest from Robert Zemeckis. Check-out the Trailer for the Fantasy, starring Steve Carell.
Synopsis:
When a devastating attack shatters Mark Hogancamp (Carell) and wipes away all memories, no one expected recovery. Putting together pieces from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation—a testament to the most powerful women he knows—through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one.
In a bold, wondrous and timely film from this revolutionary pioneer of contemporary cinema, Welcome to Marwen shows that when your only weapon is your imagination…you’ll find courage in the most unexpected place.
See the Trailer:
Universal Pictures Canada release WELCOME TO MARWEN Friday, November 21, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)
It’s destiny! Best known as one-third of 65-million-album-selling Trio Destiny’s Child, Michelle Williams is in Toronto for a limited run as Teen Angel in the Toronto production of Grease at Elgin Theatre. Attendees of the shows also will be treated to a special two-song performance afterwards by the Grammy winner who also has found success in theatre on Broadway and solo as a Pop and Gospel Artist. She even stays behind after to meet fans if you are lucky enough to score a ticket!
It was a joy meeting Williams at last and seeing how happy she made fans in this rare Toronto appearance. She is so stunning! One fan even burst into “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child for her, graciously listening to her. Fiancé Chad Johnson (seen below in white T-shirt) was there too, proud and supportive!
Earlier in the day she did the rounds on morning television staples The Morning Show and CP24 Breakfast!
See some Snaps:





More on GREASE TORONTO, which plays till early July, here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Following great success at Sundance earlier this year, Director Boots Riley brought his debut Feature SORRY TO BOTHER YOU to Toronto for a Canadian Premiere tonight.
Centering on a young man named Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield) who is struggling to make ends meet. Decidedly, he takes on a Telemarketer job as a last ditch attempt before eviction from his uncle’s garage. Taking on a new persona or what he calls his “white voice”, Cassius finds himself excelling and climbing the corporate ranks much to the disagreement of his artist girlfriend Detroit (Tessa Thompson) and friends at work who are plotting to bring on a union into the workplace. Things get increasingly complicated when he uncovers are horrific secret undertaking which one of his company’s biggest clients is plotting under influencial power player Steve Lift (Armie Hammer).
Despite it being Father’s Day, Sorry to Bother You brought-out a packed house at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas to see the buzzed Film first and hear Riley speak. Some of you may know the former Rapper from his work as Frontman of Hip-Hop act The Coup. Despite having filmmaking aspirations, Riley dropped-out Film School to pursue music only now to come full circle, better late than never. He also once worked as a Telemarketer too like the Film’s flawed hero, Cassius.
Riley tells the audience about the characters in this quirky, out-there journey of self-discovery, shot over 28 days at 61 locations, exploring at what costs one is willing to go against what they believe in truly. “I wrote things from a human place, writing every single character as if they were me. They all represent conflict going on in my head”. “I had to trust my views of the world and let them come out.”.
The Film’s breakout star is Lakeith Stanfield who plays Cassius. Riley tells us about his casting choice. “His manager was really persistent”, he says, met with laughter by the audience. “When I cast him, there had only been one episode of Atlanta and I only knew him from Short Term 12.”. “I went and met with him he had a full beard. I realized he was a much older soul than his years would let on. He also had the right element of crazy.”.
One key scene however was cut from the Film, reveals Riley. “There was a full frontal (non-sexual) nudity scene and I needed him to be the most vulnerable he can be. It was a deal breaker and he cut me off and said ‘I’ve been waiitng for a role like this!’.”. He adds, “I was able to cut it out. He (Stanfield) achieved what few great actors can achieve, this vulnerability – letting him experiece the feelings, never worrying what he looks like.”.
See the Trailer:
See some Snaps. Hover cursor left and right to navigate.
eOne Films release SORRY TO BOTHER YOU Friday, July 13, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films/Mr. Will Wong)
Nothing short of ‘incredible’! INCREDIBLES 2 debuts atop the Box Office in its bow this weekend taking $175.3 million from 4,410 theatres for Disney/Pixar. Not only does it get a rare A+ CinemaScore from Audiences, it gets also a 94% on the Tomatometer. By comparison to its 2014 Predecessor, it more than doubles the intake of that one’s $70 million debut.
In second is last week’s champ OCEAN’S 8, with $20.5 million for Warner Bros. from 4,145 theatres, a two-week tally of $80 million domestically.
TAG opens in third with $13.7 million from 3,382 theatres for Warner Bros. The star-studded Comedy starring Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms and more, is based on a true story, and gets 57% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.
HEREDITARY in its second week out makes $6.5 million for A24 Films/Elevation Pictures, a total $26.6 million.
SUPERFLY debuts in seventh spot for Sony Pictures with $5.6 million from 2,220 theatres. The Cult Classic Reboot gets 54% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.
BOOK CLUB rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.2 million for Paramount Pictures. It has made $62.2 million in its domestic run.
The Open Roof Festival is about to take over Toronto’s Lower Junction beginning June 20 though August 22, 2018, steps away from the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada (MOCA). Every Wednesday for 10 consecutive weeks, movie screenings will be paired with emerging local artists for an ultimate summer!
Films confirmed so far at the Festival include LOVE, SIMON, GAME NIGHT, THOROUGHBREDS, THE DEATH OF STALIN, THE GREEN FOG, GRACE JONES: BLOODLIGHT AND BAMI, BOOST and RUSHMORE. Musicians confirmed thus far include Tomi Swick, The Heavyweights Brass Band, Delta Will, Chelsey Bennett and more!
Tickets are on sale now at $15 each and you can purchase them at http://www.openrooffestival.com. The Festival takes place at 158 Sterling Road in Toronto.
(Photo credit: Open Roof Festival)
Cineplex Events is celebrating the accomplishments and 62nd birthday of an icon, Tom Hanks this July! See once again on the big screen some of Hanks’ greatest hits including Big (30th Anniversary), A League of their Own, Apollo 13 and Forrest Gump and fall in love with these classics all over again!
The schedule is as follows:
A League of their Own plays beginning July 3
Big plays beginning July 13
Apollo 13 plays beginning July 20
Forrest Gump plays beginning July 27
See the Festival Trailer here:
Tickets at participating Cineplex theatres is $6.99 only or $5.00 for three or more Movies!
Find out more here!
(Photo/video credit: Cineplex Events)
We all grew-up loving DUMBO and could really use some of that message again in an inclusive world. See the new Teaser from Tim Burton‘s live-action DUMBO.
Synopsis:
From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, the all-new grand live-action adventure “Dumbo” expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight. Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.
See the new Teaser:
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release DUMBO Friday, March 29, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
We’ve missed these gorgeous ladies! Check-out this brand-new look at Season 2 of Netflix‘s GLOW!
Synopsis:
Season 2 follows the women of GLOW as they become local celebrities, confronting the good, the bad, and the ugly realities of their newfound fame. As Ruth and Debbie settle into the day-to-day of making a season of TV together, they confront lingering issues at the heart of their friendship. Sam is still Sam, but now he has a teenage daughter living with him and twenty episodes to churn out. The wrestling is harder, the stakes are higher, and the hair is even bigger.
See the Trailer:
Season 2 of GLOW streams on Netflix Canada Friday, June 29, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com