2016 certainly was one for the books. I admit feeling terribly guilty every time someone claimed how horrible the year was when I secretly felt otherwise! Whether it be the amazing Films I saw, singling-out LA LA LAND, which I will say is the one of the finest to be released in the past decade, or songs on the radio – we love a return to strong melancholy melodies – the year gave us many memories to hold on to. And to think we used to scoff at Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and The Weeknd … now they’re on repeat on our Spotify account.
If there was a big name in town, we were there and this will be defined as the year we met our faves Gwyneth Paltrow, James Corden, Anne Hathaway, Taraji P. Henson, Rooney Mara and Emma Stone. We admit, we’re a bit mortified we’ll run out of heroes to meet!
And let’s not forget my love of horses. My travels to New York and California brought me together with icons like California Chrome, Beholder, Lady Eli and star of tomorrow, Classic Empire – the early favourite for May’s Kentucky Derby. My favourite horsey moment though? Meeting “Princess” aka A Pic by MrWill, my own namesake, for the first time back in February! I will miss her as she enjoys the sun and sand in Florida this winter, but look forward to her being a tough machine in the spring after her winter training.
Join me on a walk down memory lane one more time! And check back this weekend as we check-in with Team Mr. Will including Justin Waldman, Jon Godfrey, Dave Baldwin, Siobhán Rich, Amanda Gilmore + George Kozera as they give us their Best-Ofs!
TOP TEN FILMS
TOP SONGS
CELEBRITY
Elizabeth Banks
J.J. Abrams
With #StarWars #TheForceAwakens’ #JJAbrams, last night in #LosAngeles.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
James Corden
Steven Spielberg
I touched #StevenSpielberg. That’s gotta count for something! #LosAngeles #LA
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rebecca Hall
Taryn Manning
With my love #TarynManning. She was so sweet!! Have waited since the early 2000s for this!
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Alessia Cara
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Alex Trebek
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Victoria Justice
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Kevin Hart
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Emma Stone
With the mesmerizing #EmmaStone at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Ryan Gosling
#RyanGosling at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Damien Chazelle
Brilliant director/writer #DamienChazelle at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Anne Hathaway
Gwyneth Paltrow
So this happened. #GwynethPaltrow #HoltRenfrew #juiceBEAUTY
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Jessica Chastain
The best. #JessicaChastain #IndependentSpiritAwards #Oscars #AcademyAwards
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My fave, #JessicaChastain – the nicest celeb of all time. #MetGala #MetBall
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rooney Mara
Verklempt that I met my #1!! #AcademyAward Nominee #RooneyMara + me. #Oscars
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Casey Affleck
Rami Malek
With #MrRobot star #RamiMalek at #TIFF16 with #BustersMalHeart
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rachel Weisz
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Taraji P. Henson
Yes!!! Cookie Time!! #TarajiPHenson #TIFF16 #HiddenFigures #Empire
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Jacob Tremblay
My favourite!!! #JacobTremblay back at #TIFF16 for #BurnYourMaps.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Gina Rodriguez
With the beautiful and gracious #GinaRodriguez. #DeepwaterHorizon #TIFF16 #nikond3300
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Isabelle Huppert
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Kate Hudson
My girl #KateHudson. At her fitness wear shop, #Fabletics.
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Mahershala Ali
#HouseofCards star #MahershalaAli at #TIFF16 with #MOONLIGHT.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Chadwick Boseman
With #ChadwickBoseman, at #TIFF16 with #MessagefromtheKing. #BlackPanther #Marvel
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Charlie Cox
Mark Hamill
#MarkHamill, b*tches. #StarWars #LukeSkywalker #FanExpo #FanExpoCanada
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Riz Ahmed
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Lupita Nyong’o
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Suicide Squad: Will Smith, David Ayer + Margot Robbie
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Jason Statham
With handsome as hell #JasonStatham, at #MetGala. #MetBall #NYC
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Robert Pattinson
Anthony Bourdain
With culinary icon #AnthonyBourdain, appearing tomorrow night at Sony Centre!
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Rick Astley
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
“DeepVeer” – Ranveer Singh x Deepika Padukone
#Bollywood! This is for you!! #DeepVeer #DeepikaPadukone #RanveerSingh
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Ruby Rose
Charlie Puth
Selena Gomez
Daya
With our favourite new Popstar, #Daya! She was in Toronto for #BigTicketSummer! #NikonD3300
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Penny Oleksiak
With Canada’s pride and joy, #PennyOleksiak, Gold medal Olympian! #Olympics #Olympics2016
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Milo Ventamiglia
Anthony Mackie
Team @mrwillw with a Selfie snapped by none other than #AnthonyMackie! Talented actor at #Triple9 Premiere tonight. pic.twitter.com/PNAqUsEKT8
— MR. WILL WONG (@mrwillw) February 24, 2016
HORSES
California Chrome
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Beholder
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Songbird
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Catch a Glimpse
Catch a Glimpse totally misses me. #BC16 #BreedersCup
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Dartmouth
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Classic Empire
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
The Pizza Man
P.s. He delivers! #ThePizzaMan wins the Northern Dancer Stakes! #WOMile #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Tepin
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Mutakayyef
Sir Dudley Digges
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Lexie Lou
Miss Katie Mae
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Lady Eli
Flintshire
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Frosted
Arrogate
Conquest Enforcer
Snuggles with #ConquestEnforcer. Catch him #QP16 day!
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
A Pic by MrWill
“Princess” (@APicByMrWill) makes her 3rd start Friday at @WoodbineRacing! Her latest. https://t.co/P6aOwL6mfo pic.twitter.com/VaOhNuEgQS
— MR. WILL WONG (@mrwillw) August 2, 2016
See you ’17!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
It never truly feels like Awards Season until the 74th Golden Globe Awards nominations are known and with that being said, it’s official! We’re ready for that gold! Nominees were announced at 5:00 AM EST this morning and as expected Oscar frontrunner La La Land finds itself on-top with a total seven nods including Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical and Director for 31-year-old visionary Damien Chazelle. Moonlight is close behind in second with six nominations, many seeing it likely to take Best Motion Picture – Drama. The two Films will likely face-off for Best Picture when Oscar nominations are announced Tuesday, January 24, 2017.
In the Television categories, FX’s The People v. O.J. Simpson: An American Crime Story dominates with five nominations, with new series like Netflix’s The Crown, HBO’s Westworld and NBC’s This is Us making their presence felt with three nods apiece.
While many industry experts are predicting an Oscar win for 28-year-old Emma Stone, who previously was nominated for 2014’s Birdman, Awards Season thus far has started a bit rocky for the La La Land star who took home Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, but failed to win at last night’s Critics’ Choice Awards. Important Critics Associations like the Washington DC Area Film Critics and Toronto Film Critics Associations chose Natalie Portman (Jackie) and Sandra Hüller (Toni Erdmann) respectively.
Many also are surprised that while Portman gets a Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama nomination for Jackie, the Film itself isn’t up for Best Motion Picture Drama. While it still has yet to open, but has screened for select Critics, Martin Scorcese‘s passion project Silence also failed to garner a nod, although its presence might be felt at the Oscars. While faring well at the Box Office and critically, both Finding Dory and The Secret Life of Pets failed to get Best Animated Feature Film nods. Strong performances from past Golden Globe winners Taraji P. Henson (Empire), Rebecca Hall (Christine), Jake Gyllenhaal (Nocturnal Animals) and Tom Hanks (Sully) also weren’t recognized this time around.
A complete list of Nominees can be found here.
The 74th annual GOLDEN GLOBES AWARDS air on NBC Sunday, January 8, 2017, 8:00 PM EST.
(Photo credit: eOne Films)
While its official soundtrack isn’t out till next month we have very carefully been rationing clips from the La La Land Soundtrack since seeing it before TIFF ’16.
The full-length duet version of City of Stars by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone finally has surfaced.
Enjoy it below:
Interscope Records release LA LA LAND, the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on Tuesday, December 9, 2016.
(Photo/video credit: Interscope Records)
Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong
Two years after the wildly successful WHIPLASH screened at TIFF, Writer/Director Damien Chazelle returns with a reimagined twist on the Hollywood Musicals of yesteryear. Filmed in glorious Cinemascope, LA LA LAND takes the old plot chestnut (boy-meets-girl, they fall in love, complications arise), infuses it with a mostly jazz soundtrack and from the opening scene on a gridlocked Los Angeles freeway where, one by one, drivers leave their cars that aren’t going anywhere and break into an exuberant song and dance routine, we are swept away into a magical world.
The effervescent Emma Stone plays Mia, a struggling actress who dreams of success while working at a café located inside a movie studio. Sebastian (played irresistibly by Ryan Gosling) is a jazz freak who makes ends meet by tinkling the piano keys at restaurants or playing at parties as part of a cover boy band. We watch transfixed as their relationship together blossoms against a backdrop of Los Angeles never looking more beautiful in brilliant vignettes of song and dance. Their banter is witty, their chemistry is translucent.
Not since Bob Fosse reinvented the cinematic musical genre with CABARET have I seen a more ambitious and lavish example of Movie Magic. LA LA LAND feels old fashioned, but its sensibilities are audacious and the original score is the most inventive since FAME. The cinematography is breath-taking. Gosling and Stone are perfection personified. Laurels must be laid on the head and feet of Damien Chazelle. He has given us a movie of Olympian proportions.
I la la loved LA LA LAND!
LA LA LAND screens Monday, September 12, 2016 Princess of Wales Theatre at 6:15 PM, Tuesday, September 13, 2016 VISA Screening Room at 11:30 AM and Friday, September 16, 2016 TIFF Bell Lightbox 2 at 9:30 PM.
The weekend might be over but you wouldn’t know it if you were at TIFF! Day Five perhaps is the grandest one yet with the Festival’s most anticipated title making its debut here after a huge splash in Venice, Damien Chazzelle‘s LA LA LAND starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. The duo are set to walk the Red Carpet tonight at Roy Thomson Hall. Miles Teller (who coincidentally worked with Chazzelle on his first Film, WHIPLASH) also is set to make a case for Best Actor in BLEED FOR THIS, which debuts tonight at Princess of Wales Theatre. Down the road, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner are set to walk the Carpet for Denis Villeneuve‘s Sci-Fi romp ARRIVAL at Roy Thomson Hall.
See the names we spotted today in the City!
Ryan Gosling, LA LA LAND
#RyanGosling at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Emma Stone, LA LA LAND
With the mesmerizing #EmmaStone at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
John Legend, LA LA LAND
#JohnLegend at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Rosemarie DeWitt, LA LA LAND
#RosemarieDeWitt at #TIFF16 for #LaLaLand.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Director Damien Chazzelle, LA LA LAND
J.K. Simmons, LA LA LAND
Amy Adams, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS + ARRIVAL
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
Because I needed another. #AaronTaylorJohnson #TIFF16 #NocturnalAnimals
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Oscar Isaac, THE PROMISE
Richard Gere, NORMAN: THE MODERATE RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF A NEW YORK FIXER
Mark Wahlberg, DEEPWATER HORIZON
Marky Mark. He was spotted at #Wahlburgers today! #TIFF16 #DeepwaterHorizon
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Marky Mark. #TIFF16 #MarkWahlberg #DeepwaterHorizon #Wahlburgers 🍔
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Ethan Hawke, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN + MAUDIE
#EthanHawke at #TIFF16 for #TheMagnificentSeven + #Maudie.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Aaron Eckhart, BLEED FOR THIS
Miles Teller, BLEED FOR THIS
#MilesTeller at #TIFF16 for #BleedforThis.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Dave Matthews out enjoying TIFF
Lennox Lewis out enjoying TIFF
Boxing icon #LennoxLewis at #TIFF16.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Now this we’re excited for! Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone reunite on-screen this December in LA LA LAND. Not only is there the Film aspect of this, but there’s also the Music. The first track from the Film – from the same Director as WHIPLASH – has been released, called City of Stars, which at the same time is the hashtag the Film will use.
Synopsis:
A jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) and an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) fall in love but face difficulties as they become more successful.
Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, Callie Hernandez, Sonoya Mizuno, Jessica Rothe, Tom Everett Scott and Josh Pence.
See the Trailer:
Listen to Ryan Gosling’s City of Stars:
Click here to listen on Spotify.
TIFF ’16, anyone?
(Photo/video credit: Summit Entertainment)
This looks just perfect. Hawaii. Emma Stone. Bradley Cooper. Alec Baldwin. Bill Murray. John Krasinski. Rachel McAdams. And Cameron Crowe!! You must see the brand new super-cute brand new Trailer for ALOHA!
Official Synopsis:
In Aloha, a celebrated military contractor (Bradley Cooper) returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs – the US Space program in Honolulu, Hawaii – and reconnects with a long-ago love (Rachel McAdams) while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watchdog (Emma Stone) assigned to him. From Academy Award®-winner Cameron Crowe, the writer-director behind such films as Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous, Aloha also stars Bill Murray, John Krasinski, Danny McBride, and Alec Baldwin.
Watch the Trailer:
Sony Pictures Canada release ALOHA on Friday, May 29, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada and Mr. Will are thrilled to give Canadian Readers a chance to win a copy of Woody Allen‘s MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT on DVD. Not only this, Winners will get a super-rare Poster signed by EMMA STONE herself!
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:
Acclaimed magician Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth), has dazzled audiences across Europe with feats of supernatural amazement. But when it comes to explaining the inexplicable, Stanley is a dedicated skeptic. Enter Sophie Baker (Emma Stone), psychic, soothsayer, and stunning seductress. As Stanley and Sophie embark on misadventures up and down the French Riviera, will they discover proof of a world beyond the laws of physics or have they fallen under the sway of a more earthly chemistry? Woody Allen pulls the strings with masterful precision in this enchanting romantic comedy that explores the realm between what is understood in our minds and what is known in our hearts.
See the Trailer:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. You also may share via the “share” button on Facebook or Re-Tweet the below for an extra chance:
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada release MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT on Digital HD and on Blu-ray™ Tuesday, December 2, 2014 and on DVD Tuesday, December 16, 2014.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)
Critics already are calling BIRDMAN a triumph and this is your chance to see it first! The amount of Awards buzz for this Alejandro González Iñárritu Film is alarming and we hope like us you are just as excited to see it! Screenings will take place in Toronto and Vancouver on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 (Mr. Will‘s Birthday!), and the following week in Calgary! We hope those of you in Toronto will be there to celebrate that special day with this remarkable Film!
Official Synopsis:
Washed-up actor Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), who became famous for playing an iconic superhero in the movies, decides to stage a comeback in a Broadway play.
Pressures mount leading up to the play’s opening night as Riggan battles his ego and tries to win back his family, at the same time re-establishing his career and finding himself in the process.
BIRDMAN stars Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone and Naomi Watts.
Official Artwork:
See the Trailer:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. State your City in the comments section also.
You may double your chances by Re-Tweeting the below or sharing this Post on Facebook with your Friends:
http://www.mwillwong.com/birdman @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #BIRDMANMOVIE. Out 10/24 in select cities.
Fox Searchlight release BIRDMAN in Toronto and Vancouver on Friday, October 24, 2014, with additional Cities to follow.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searclight)
“Let’s go back one more time and show them what’ were made of.”.
In what is being touted as Michael Keaton‘s big Comeback, BIRDMAN‘s official Teaser Trailer was released earlier this week and it looks just absolutely phenomenal. We can only hope it gets a Premiere at TIFF ’14 en route to what looks like an Awards Season Campaign.
In several ways mirroring reality, the new Film by Alejandro González Iñárritu, has a former Action Star who looks to make a comeback on Broadway. As all of us know, Keaton reached the pinnacle of his success in the late ’80s portraying Batman, but things certainly have been a lot more quiet since.
Watch the Trailer below:
Fox Searchlight release BIRDMAN on Friday, October 17, 2014.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
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