Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Manivald follows the story of a retired mother and her living-at-home 33-year-old son who fall in love with the same wolf.

This animated short may seem like a drama but it’s executed as a Comedy. The use of animated animals brings a humour to the story that wouldn’t be attainable if the characters were humans. Yet, there is also a strong moral to the story about finding oneself that is uplifting and endearing. This is an animated Short Film with adult humour that will shock and make you laugh.

Manivald screens at Sundance under the Animation Spotlight category on Jan. 19 at 6:30PM at Redstone 1 PC, Jan. 20 at 6PM at Broadway 6 SLC, Jan. 21 at 6PM at Temple PC, and Jan. 25 at 8:30PM at Egyptian PC.

Things are taking-off quickly for Ottawa-based Duo EWXJF. Comprised of Composer/Instrumentalist Elijah Woods and Lyricist/Vocalist Jamie Fine, the pair gained popularity overnight being selected for a push on CTV‘s The Launch. After meeting via a friend after Woods heard Fine‘s vocals on a Track, the two have multiplied their talents, accounting for the “x” in their name.

The six-episode Series see new emerging Artists being mentored by some of Music’s biggest icons including Shania Twain, Jennifer Nettles, Fergie, Ryan Tedder, Alessia Cara and Boy George, getting a chance at working with a world-renowned Producer and also a release of that Track within 48 hours.

The Series is brought to us by Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw) and Eureka Productions (The Biggest Loser, MasterChef). Borchetta accompanied the Duo on their Press Tour in Toronto which saw them at Bell Media Headquarters yesterday and Corus today where they appeared on Global Television’s The Morning Show (National Edition).

See the Interview:

WATCH: @ewxjfmusic launched their single #AintEasy this week. But was it easy to come up with their name? pic.twitter.com/MLUWNYu4Ct

— The Morning Show (@MorningShowCA) January 19, 2018

Originally-penned for Camila Cabello‘s Disc CAMILA, EWXJF‘s debut single AIN’T EASY is produced by OneRepublic‘s Ryan Tedder and already has reached #1 on the iTunes Canada Chart.

We were lucky to get a Selfie with the Duo and Borchetta earlier. They were incredibly-gracious, thanking me for my support.

Our Snap:

So cool meeting #EWXJF who on CTV’s #TheLaunch, were selected to get their Ryan Tedder-produced Single #AintEasy released. It alredy has gone to #1 in Canada on iTunes! Scott Borchetta, the man behind Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts) even joined the Selfie!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 19, 2018 at 8:35am PST

Check-out AIN’T EASY:

THE LAUNCH airs Wednesdays 9 PM on CTV.

(Photo credit: Big Machine Records/Mr. Will Wong)

We adore Kylie Minogue. The Australian Dance Diva provided much of our Soundtrack of the early ‘2000s with Classics FEVER and LIGHT YEARS.

While she’s put out several releases since then, we admit we’ve been hit or miss with some misguided veers to the Urban direction and an edgier sound.

New Single DANCING from upcoming 14th Album GOLDEN. This puts her back where we love her best, uplifting, hooky Dance-Pop. Minogue pens along with, Amy Wadge and Sky Adams whose collaborations recently include work with Ed Sheeran on his ÷ Disc.

Listen:

Warner Music Canada release GOLDEN Friday, April 6, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: BMG)

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

It’s only day one of the Sundance Film Festival here in Utah and the excitement is already building. To kick everything off Sundance President and Founder Robert Redford, Executive Director Keri Putman and Director John Cooper were all on hand at today’s Press Conference in the early afternoon.

The Trio talked about what’s new about this year’s Festival and how Sundance has grown since its inception. They were also faced with questions surrounding the #MeToo Movement and how the Festival is changing following the sexual misconduct allegations.

Redford stated that he is excited about the change that is happening within the industry. While Cooper talked about a Code of Conduct that has been introduced for every individual that attends Sundance as well as a help hotline.

Tonight also marked the start of the first screenings of the Festival. Buddy Comedy Blindspotting from Carlos López Estrada was the opening U.S Drama Film while Kailash was the opening U.S Documentary Film, about the creation of a global movement to end child slavery.

Stay tuned for more as update you with dailies from the Festival!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

For those of you home this Sunday night, CBC has a fascinating Documentary which looks at gender roles in the animal kingdom. Do humans have it backwards?

Synopsis:
Mommy Wildest is a compelling, intimate portrait of three animal families where it’s the females that rule and mother who knows best. We enter the lives of fierce lion sisters, majestic elephant grandmothers, and regal baboon mothers who form sisterhoods to raise their families.

See the Trailer:

More here: http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/m/episodes/mommy-wildest

MOMMY WILDEST airs 8 PM ET on CBC Sunday, January 21, 2018.

(Photo credit: CBC)

Skyrocketing to fame on popular ABC Series CASTLE starring as Kate Beckett, Hamilton-born Actress Stana Katic has made a name for herself internationally. The People’s Choice Award-winning University of Toronto Alumni returns home to promote her latest project, Amazon Series ABSENTIA which will air in Canada on Showcase.

The Series sees her starring as an FBI Agent who must reclaim her identity after being presumed dead and being a prime suspect in a string of murders.

Katic did the rounds including Global Television’s The Morning Show (National Edition) and ET Canada, after which she participated in a Live Chat with Fans, fielding questions online from her ardent fan base.

The elegant Star posed for photos in front of a display for her new Series and took a minute between interviews to take Selfies and sign autographs. She started first by introducing herseld and asking for our names.

See our Snap:

#StanaKatic, star of #CASTLE, returns to her hometown of #Toronto for new Amazon Series #ABSENTIA. Series airs on Showcase in Canada 1.21.18 and streams 2.2.18 on @AmazonPrime.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 17, 2018 at 6:40am PST

See the Trailer:

Showcase premiere ABSENTIA Sunday, January 21, 2018 9 PM ET and it will stream on Amazon Prime Friday, February 2, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Amazon Prime)

Mr. Will and the Flashback Film Fest want to give Readers across Canada a chance to win tickets to see any Movie of their choice at the Festival!

Cineplex once again is proud to present the FLASHBACK FILM FEST, bringing out faves onto the big screen one more time! The Festival takes place at theatres across Canada between Friday, February 2 through Thursday, February 8, 2018.

Films this year include: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Gremlins, The Terminator, Back to the Future, The Big Lebowski, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg’s Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End) and more!

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and indicate your city for us!!

See the Festival Trailer!

For more on the FLASHBACK FILM FEST, click here!

(Photo/video credit: Flashback Film Fest)

Making his second visit to a blisteringly-cold Toronto in just under a year, Actor Geoff Stults is back for his latest Film, 12 STRONG. He is known best for his work on Grace and Frankie, 7th Heaven, The Finder (Co-Star Maddie Hasson also is in town filming) and last year’s juicy Thriller Unforgettable in which he starred alongside Rosario Dawson and Katherine Heigl.

Busy doing the TV circuit in Los Angeles last week in support of 12 Strong, Stults toughs the polar opposite temperatures locally armed with earmuffs. He was amazing to stop for a quick Snap leaving CITY’S Breakfast Television where he got to cuddle with an adorable dog, before continuing his day of interviews which also sees him return to Global’s The Morning Show.

See our Snap:

With the awesome #GeoffStults who gave up California sunshine for this Toronto freeze in the name of his new Film #12Strong, in theatres Friday! You know Stults from #TheFinder, #7thHeaven, #ShesOutofHisLeague, #GraceandFrankie and last year’s wildly-entertaining and juicy #Unforgettable.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 15, 2018 at 5:44am PST

The Drama centers on a Special Forces Team assigned to take down the Taliban under a new captain, post-9/11. They must however, work together with an Afghan warlord to accomplish the mission. Michael Shannon, Austin Stowell, Michael Peña, Trevante Rhodes, William Fichtner, along with real-life couple Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth, also star.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release 12 STRONG on Friday, January 19, 2018.

Don’t forget your chance to win Run-of-Engagement Passes to see 12 STRONG right here!.

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

23-year-old Maddie Hasson is a name to look out for. The Actress is currently in Toronto filming Thriller YouYube Red (subscription service) series Impulse in which she stars as a high school girl who looks to escape her mundane town, discovering her ability to teleport. The Series based on the third installment of Steven Gould‘s Jumper Novels, also deals with the v. relevant matter of sexual assault.

Hasson has starred in Series The Finder (Co-Star Geoff Stults also is in town) and Twisted for which she got nominated for a 2013 Teen Choice Award. Impulse set to debut in 2018, is produced and directed by acclaimed Filmmaker Doug Liman and also stars Missi Pyle.

The lovely Hasson delievered a memorable performance in TIFF ’17 selection Novitiate alongside Julianne Nicholson, Melissa Leo and Dianna Agron, and was out and about at the Festival with her husband Julian Brink, whom we spotted with her this weekend. She was just in Los Angeles for the TCAs this past weekend promoting the exciting new Series.

Impulse wraps end of January 2018.

See our Snap:

With rising star #MaddieHasson, in #Toronto for new Series #Impulse directed and produced by Doug Liman and based on the #Jumper Novel Series by Steven Gould. She starred in #TIFF17 Selection #Novitiate.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 14, 2018 at 7:18pm PST

(Photo/video: Mr. Will Wong)

JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE for a second week in a row takes  the top of the Box Office for Sony Pictures with $24.4 million from 3,849 theatres. Over four weeks it not only has overcome its tough rival STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, but it has made a stellar $286.9 million domestically.

THE POST expands to second spot with $17.2 million for 20th Century Fox from 2,819 theatres.  Over four weeks it  has made $25 million in limited release. The Oscar Contender directed by Steven Spielberg and starring both Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, gets 88% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

THE COMMUTER debuts in third with $12.7 million from 2,892 theatres for Lionsgate Films/VVS Films. The Action-Thriller starring genre king Liam Neeson, gets 56% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore from Audiences.

INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY lands in fourth with $11.4 million for Sony Pictures, earning $52 million over two weeks.

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is in fifth with $11.2 million for 20th Century Fox. It has now made $96.5 million over four weeks. It’s Soundtrack continues to perform well, hitting #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI still is going strong in sixth with $10.9 million for Disney from 3,090 theatres. Over five weeks it has made a blistering $594.2 million in North America.

PADDINGTON 2 debuts in seventh with $10.8 million from 3,702 theatres for Warner Bros. Its 2015 Predecessor opened with $18.9 million. It stands at a remarkable 100% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

PROUD MARY opens in eighth with $9.8 million for Sony Pictures from 2,125 theatres. It gets 25% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

MOLLY’S GAME rounds-out the Top Ten for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films with $4.1 million from 1,708 theatres in its third week. It has made $21.7 million domestically.