Let’s face it. I haven’t always loved Taylor Swift. None can deny though that her 1984 Album was phenomenal, raising that Crossover-Pop bar so impossibly high that there only should realistically be room only for disappointment come any follow-up.  We weren’t wowed particularly by get-even-with-Kanye lead Single Look What You Made Me Do and even more so the dark Electro-Synth of follow-up … Ready for It?.  We like Swift when she’s lovelorn and melodic, maybe a bit melancholic too like on Style and You Belong to Me and we kinda wanted her to stay that way forever.

Now comes the moment that we must admit Swift thoroughly has won us over on her latest effort and sixth studio disc, reputation. It took a few listens but we really wanted to enjoy it and found a way to be hypnotized by her introspective Lyrics and still-catchy Hooks despite the black canvass on which she paints. reputation doesn’t feel like a standalone album, it feels more like a continuation of an ongoing Diary she is writing. It feels personal, honest and while we can’t help at times judgmentally roll our eyes at her revolving door of famous lovers, there is a deeper sense of maturity, that she is growing and learning from betrayals and mistakes.

Producers Max Martin, Shellback and Jack Antonoff lend a hand again, crafting a new evolution to Swift‘s sound. While the first half of the Album certainly has a bit more of an edge to it with the former two overseeing Production, the latter half with Antonoff feels more familiar, softening a bit of that angry edge with that mid-to-late ’80s Synth-Pop we adored so much on 1984.

Gems on the first-half include ..Ready for It? which we’ve decided we actually like finally and Alternative R&B-esque Ed Sheeran/Future pairing End Game.  Delicate recounts the headspace she was in when meeting current partner, English Actor Joe Alwyn who accepted her even at her worst. “My reputation’s never been worse/So you must like me for me”, she sings.

I am head over heels in love with Antonoff contribution Getaway Car on the second-half, sounding single-worthy and taking us away with Swift a la Bonnie & Clyde from the chaos of the every day. Not that we can even fathom the daily tumult which Swift knows. Something can be said about much of the Album being maybe too focused on getting-even, but whimsical This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things tells us that Swift is ready to close the past dramatic chapter in her life and move forward and this is redeeming. New Year’s Day is a thing of beauty and a reminder that ‘old Taylor’ might not actually be dead after all.

Once a year that Blockbuster album comes out around American Thanksgiving and this is that standout in a year of several lackluster releases.

Sample some of the Tracks off reputation.
 

…Ready for It?

Gorgeous

New Year’s Day

Look What You Made Me Do

Universal Music Canada release reputation, in-stores now and available soon on streaming services.

(Photo credit: Universal Music)

Isn’t it cool that one of this Holiday’s biggest Films can be watched right at home? Netflix‘s BRIGHT reuniting Suicide Squad Director David Ayer and Will Smith, is set for a Christmas release. Betcha didn’t know that its Soundtrack also is going to be a Blockbuster event too!

Surfacing from the BRIGHT SOUNDTRACK is the brand-new single HOME with X Ambassadors, Bebe Rexha and Machine Gun Kelly!

Listen to HOME:

Camila Cabello, DRAM, Future, Grey, Kiiara, Lil Uzi Vert, Logic, Marshmello, Meek Mill, Migos, Neil Young, Portugal. The Man, Rag’n’Bone Man, Sam Hunt, Snoop Dogg, Steve Aoki, Tom Morello, Ty Dolla $ign and YG also are on the Soundtrack.

Warner Music Canada release BRIGHT: THE ALBUM Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

See the Trailer for BRIGHT right here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music Canada)

You loved the first two, now here’s a third! The new Trailer for HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION has just surfaced.

Synopsis:
In Sony Pictures Animation‘s Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, join our favorite monster family as they embark on a vacation on a luxury monster cruise ship so Drac can take a summer vacation from providing everyone else’s vacation at the hotel. It’s smooth sailing for Drac’s Pack as the monsters indulge in all of the shipboard fun the cruise has to offer, from monster volleyball to exotic excursions, and catching up on their moon tans. But the dream vacation turns into a nightmare when Mavis realizes Drac has fallen for the mysterious captain of the ship, Ericka, who hides a dangerous secret that could destroy all of monsterkind.

Hotel Transylvania 3: SUMMER VACATION stars Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Molly Shannon, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Keegan-Michael Key and Mel Brooks!

See the Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION Friday, July 13, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)

If they can’t hear you, they can’t hunt you.

John Krasinski directs A QUIET PLACE, in which he stars alongside his real-life wife Emily Blunt. You must admit this first Trailer is pretty terrifying!

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release A QUIET PLACE Friday, April 6, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

Fans of THE CROWN will love this brand-new Featurette for the beloved Series’ second season. Expect more Prince Philip (Matt Smith) and bigger dilemmas for Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) as they head into the ’60s.

See the Featurette:

Netflix Canada stream THE CROWN SEASON TWO Friday, December 8, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Well, that’s one way to handle things!  After its TIFF ’17 Premiere, DOWNSIZING has been on our minds. Check-out its new Trailer and Poster!

Synopsis:
Downsizing imagines what might happen if, as a solution to over-population, Norwegian scientists discover how to shrink humans to five inches tall and propose a 200-year global transition from big to small. People soon realize how much further money goes in a miniaturized world, and with the promise of a better life, everyman Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) and wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to abandon their stressed lives in Omaha in order to get small and move to a new downsized community — a choice that triggers life-changing adventures.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

Paramount Pictures Canada release DOWNSIZING this Christmas.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to see DARKEST HOUR which premiered here at TIFF ’17, Gary Oldman gaining tons of Oscar buzz.

Screenings take place:

Toronto – Wednesday December 6 – Varsity Cinemas 7pm

Vancouver – Monday December 11 – Fifth Ave Cinemas 7pm

Montreal – Monday December 11 – Forum 7pm

Synopsis:
A thrilling and inspiring true story begins at the precipice of World War II as, within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman) must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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Universal Pictures Canada release DARKEST HOUR in Toronto Friday, December 8, 2017 exclusively at the Varsity.

DARKEST HOUR will then expand to Montreal & Vancouver Friday, December 15, 2017 and release wide Friday, December 22, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

By Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong

The year that was 2017 is almost over and that means we have an entire slate of 2018 Movies to look forward to. Whether you’re a fan of animation, superheroes, or space cowboys one studio has the answer to all your dreams: Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada. As the home of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Disney Animation and Disney Live Action among others, they are host to the Must-See Movies of 2018 than you can shake a lightsaber at.

Before you start trying to figure out how Coco fits into the greater Pixar universe or prepare to jump to lightspeed in anticipation of December’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the team here at Mr. Will Wong has your inside scoop to everything Disney in 2018.

Kicking things off in February, Chadwick Boseman returns as the eponymous hero in Marvel’s Black Panther. The action moves to the kingdom of Wakanda where T’Challa’s enemies are conspiring to take down the new king. Director Ryan Coogler has assembled a star-studded cast featuring a villainous Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger, and Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira members of Wakanda’s elite all-female special forces.

Madeleine L’Engle’s 1962 book A Wrinkle in Time can be found on the shelves of countless children and movie critics around the world. In March, Oscar-nominated Director Ava DuVernay will tackle this timeless Novel with a Cast featuring Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon. Frozen’s Jennifer Lee adapted this story of a girl who learns her father is being held captive on a distant planet decides to save him the help of her brother, a classmate, and a little interdimensional travel.

There is no end of excitement for May’s Avengers: Infinity War. This Movie will bring together heroes from all corners of the Marvel universe as they battle Josh Brolin’s Thanos.

One word has the ability to make all animation fans thrill: Pixar. In June Brad Bird returns to direct of one of the most highly anticipated animated, superhero Sequels in decades: The Incredibles 2. Joining Bob, Helen, Violet and Dash is baby Jack Jack whose powers manifested at the end of last Movie. Pixar is keenly-aware of never messing with a good thing and have reunited not only the Director and Cast but also many of the behind-the-scenes people including the Composer and Producers. Prepare to be dazzled but remember: no capes!

November marks the return of Vanellope and Ralph (Sarah Silverman and John C. Reilly) in Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2. Details of this Disney Animated Sequel were first shared in July at D23 and although we can’t tell you much we assure you Ralph Breaks the Internet is even better than the first.

As the holiday season approaches, Disney hopes to enchant audiences with their take on a Tchaikovsky classic in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. Most people will be thrilled to see Keira Knightley in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy to Mackenzie Foy’s Clara. Devoted ballet enthusiasts will no doubt be more focused on the addition of Misty Copeland in this ballet inspired Movie. Morgan Freeman is along for the ride as the mysterious Drosselmeyer.

But wait, that’s not all! In May, head back to a galaxy far, far away when Solo: A Star Wars Movie hits the big screen. A third Marvel Movie is headed for theatres in July with Ant-Man and the Wasp. Finally, 2018 will definitely end on a high note when Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda sing their way to the big screen in December’s Mary Poppins Returns.

That’s just a small taste of the wonders Walt Disney Pictures Canada has in store for fans next year. Small kids and big kids alike are sure to find something to love in 2018.

There aren’t many awards which Canadian-born Actress Anna Paquin hasn’t earned. The Winnipeg-born star has the distinction of being the second-youngest actress ever to win an Oscar for her work in Jane Campion‘s 1993 Film The Piano, and also a Golden Globe Award win too for her popular role in acclaimed HBO Series True Blood as Sookie Stackhouse. In addition to recent work starring in CBC series Alias Grace and Bellevue, the latter which brought her to Toronto earlier this year, Paquin has a high-profile recurring role as Rogue on the X-Men Franchise.

Despite being based in America, Paquin gets a heroine’s welcome home being honoured with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. She sees herself honoured alongside national treasures like two-time Olympic Champion Donovan Bailey and Scientist/Activist David Suzuki. Receiving inductions post-humously are Humanitarian Viola Desmond (seen on our most recent $10 note), Telecommunications Pioneer Ted Rogers, and Musician Stompin’ Tom Connors (Cineplex Legends Inductee). JUNO Winner Shawn Hook received this year’s Allan Slaight Honour.

Paquin arrived at the 19th edition of the ceremony glamorous in shimmering flower adornments and black (dress by Pamella Roland), husband Stephen Moyer opening the door for her as she exited her SUV like the perfect gentleman he is. She now can count herself among the 173 notables honoured with stars along the walkways of Toronto’s Entertainment District. Singer/Songwriter Jann Arden filled Gala hosting duties.

Paquin and Moyer (born Emery) both recently collaborated together on upcoming Film The Parting Glass, filmed here in Toronto. Moyer directs, with their True Blood Co-Star Denis O’Hare penning the Script.

Beyond Famous: Canada’s Walk of Fame, an hour-long Documentary hosted by past Inductee Eric McCormack, airs on Global Television Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 8 PM ET.

See a Snap of the stunning Paquin and us:

More over at http://canadaswalkoffame.com.

Canada’s Walk of Fame is brought to us by Cineplex Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Slaight Communications, Air Canada and Global Television.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

A v. healthy weekend at the Box Office, but alas THOR: RAGNAROK remains triumphant a second straight week. The latest in the Marvel Franchise earns $56.1 million in week two from 4,080 theatres, a total $209.1 million grossed thus far in North America.

In second is 20th Century Fox‘s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS with $27.9 million from 3,331 theatres domestically.  The Agatha Christie Adaptation with a star-studded cast gets 58% on the Tomatometer from Critics and a B CinemaScore.

DADDY’S HOME 2 opens in third narrowly edged-out for second, with $27.5 million from 3,575 theatres for Paramount Pictures. It gets 16% on the Tomatometer from Critics and an A- CinemaScore. It’s 2015 Predecessor debuted with $37 million by comparison.

A BAD MOM’S CHRISTMAS is in fourth in its second week out for STX Entertainment/eOne Films with $11.6 million. Thus far it has tallied $39.9 million.

Acclaimed TIFF ’17 selection LADY BIRD rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.7 million for A24 Films/Elevation Pictures in its second week out, expanding to just 37 theatres across North America.