It was yet another action-packed day at TIFF ‘14 with several Stars doing the rounds. Although it is no longer the crazy bustle of the weekend, there still is much left with many more Stars to see as we reach the half-way point of the Festival.

The Press Conference for Shawn Levy’s This is Where I Leave You consumed most of our morning, the Drama about a Family of Siblings who are forced to live under one roof again after the passing of their Father.

Tina Fey (This is Where I Leave You)

Abigail Spencer (The Forger, This is Where I Leave You)

Jane Fonda (This is Where I Leave You)

Throughout the day, we caught up with the Cast of The Keeping Room, an American Civil War-set Drama about Wives left behind to fend for themselves against Rogue Soldiers.

Brit Marling (The Keeping Room)

Hailee Steinfeld (The Keeping Room)

Sam Worthington (The Keeping Room and Cake)

We are on Cloud Nine today particularly after getting our own Photo Op with double Oscar-Contender Reese Witherspooon who gave her all for Fans today prior to attending her Press Conference for The Good Lie.  She did back-t0-back Press Junkets and was just as lovely for her Fans at the Wild Conference.

Reese Witherspoon (Wild, The Good Lie)

Corey Stoll (This is Where I Leave You and The Good Lie)

Emmanuel Jal (The Good Lie)

Earlier this evening, we checked-out to the Red Carpet Premiere for Comedy Adult Beginners, about an Entrepreneur whose World crumbles after an accident, moving back-in with Family in the Suburbs.

Rose Byrne (Adult Beginners and This is Where I Leave You)

Bobby Cannavale (Adult Beginners)

Joel McHale (Adult Beginnners)

Nick Kroll (Adult Beginners)

Mark Duplass (Adult Beginners)

Although we’ve met the talented Jena Malone before, it still made us happy to see her out and about during the day, completing a Photo Shoot.

Foxcatcher already is primed for a loaded Awards Season Campaign Trail and many are claiming it could well win Best Picture early next year.  Its Stars drew an ecstatic reaction earlier from Fans  who lined the street for a sneak peek at its Stars.

Channing Tatum

Steve Carell

In case you missed it, we’re giving away a signed CHANNING TATUM Photo!

Details here:  http://facebook.com/mrwillwongblog

All Photographs taken on the NIKON D3300 and communicated via the Samsung Galaxy S5.

We’re half-way there, Willionaire$!

Don’t forget to be following:

Twitter: @mrwillw

Instagram: @mrwillwong

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It was a memorable year indeed! Join me as I recall some of 2013’s brightest moments in Celebrity, Film and Music with a Toronto twist! As a true Connoisseur of Pop Culture, I certainly was  spoiled with several delights this year on all three fronts.  Toronto  witnessed what could well be the strongest years this City ever has seen in terms of Star Power. Also, as an experienced Digital Photographer of sorts, I am sharing some of my favourite Snaps taken around the City this year too. If you’re a #NOFILTER kinda Guy or Gal, I apologize! A few of them are Horse-related, spending many of my weekends at scenic Woodbine Racetrack, my fave Place since Childhood to escape and recharge from the City.  Come Wongsters, let us walk down this luminous Memory Lane together!

TOP TEN SONGS OF 2013

2013 was solid for Pop Music  and I was thrilled to hear a return to great, strong melodies. What a year it was for Miley Cyrus who not only wowed us with We Can’t Stop, but slayed us hard with Wrecking Ball!  Coming in like a Wrecking Ball she managed to turn all eyes her way in a year which saw Albums released from some Marquee names like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and more. Lana Del Rey put us in a state of euphoria this Spring with her chilling Ballad for The Great Gatsby, Young & Beautiful.  Flawless and timeless.  Mariah Carey and Miguel provided much of the Soundtrack for my early Summer with their gorgeous Collabo #Beautiful, while Robin Thicke undisputedly had the Song of Summer 2013 with Blurred Lines.  His Album of the same name easily is my favourite Disc of 2013.

1. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
2. Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautitul
3. Mariah Carey ft. Miguel – #Beautiful
4. Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
5. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
6. Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines
7. Capital Cities – Safe and Sound
8. Katy Perry – Roar
9. Icona Pop – I Love It
10. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love

Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2013

I don’t recall a year in recent memory where the Films were quite as strong as this year.  It is as if Filmmakers have studied critiques, knew precisely what to avoid and owned it. Time after time I’d make it out to the morning Media Screenings and just when I thought I’d seen my favourite Film of 2013, another would come along and usurp the throne.  In all, AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club would leave the strongest imprint with Jared Leto touching the core of my soul with his phenomenal performance. 12 Years a Slave left me shaken and speechless and made it really tough to decide a Fave. Saving Mr. Banks truly affected and inspired me, moving me to tears and I could never forget Cate Blanchett‘s empathic portrayal of a Woman battling her own demons in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine.  And yes, I really loved Spring Breakers.  James Franco is just on another level.

1. Dallas Buyers Club
2. 12 Years a Slave
3. American Hustle
4. Blue Jasmine
5. Saving Mr. Banks
6. Gravity
7. 42
8. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
9. Enough Said
10. Spring Breakers

Watch the Trailer for Dallas Buyers Club below:

TOP CELEBRITY MOMENTS

It was a good bloody amazing year.  My experience in New York City seeing the Met Gala is unforgettable, as a revolving door of Celebrities came my direction. I didn’t even know which way to go or who to ask first for a Photo! TIFF ’13 brought me several amazing memories finally getting to meeting one of my favourite Actresses, Nicole Kidman – not to mention getting to meeting personal Heroes Seth McFarlane, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Baz Luhrmann and several more throughout the year.  My ultimate Highlight however was finally after 15 tries, getting my Lady Gaga moment in November!

As seen top to bottom, left to right in the above Collage are:

Supermodel Cara Delevingne, Shoe Visionary Christian Louboutin, Actress Mia Wasikowska, Actor Jesse Eisenberg, Actor Kit Harington, Astronaut  Chris Hadfield, Singer/Songwriter Lorde, Singer/Songwriter Robin Thicke, Television Personality/Actress Kelly Ripa, Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart.

Director Baz Luhrmann, Actress Emma Thompson, Singer/Actress Ariana Grande, Actress Léa Seydoux, Actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, Actress Toni Collette, Singer/Songwriter Lady Gaga,  Singer Kylie Minogue, Actress Nicole Kidman, Actress/Singer Selena Gomez.

Writer/Actor Mike Myers, Comedian, Writer/Actor Seth MacFarlane, Writer/Actor Seth Meyers, Writer/Actor Jim Carrey, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actress Taylor Schilling, Singer/Songwriter/Fashion Mogul Pharrell, Television Personality/Actress Rosie O’Donnell, Kentucky Derby-winning Jockey Joel Rosario, Breeders Cup Classic-winning Jockey/Actor Gary Stevens.

Spice Girl/Actress Mel B., Actor Armie Hammer, Actress Kerry Washington, Actor Sam Rockwell, Actor Nicholas Hoult, Actor Tom Hiddleston, Actor Adam Driver, Actor Josh Brolin,  Actor Daniel Radcliffe, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actor Sam Claflin, Actress Jena Malone.

TOP SNAPS

And now the ten best Photos of 2013 snapped through my lenses (Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5):

I truly am blessed and can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for us here in this sight-filled City of Tastemakers!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Our Friends at eOne Films as always are amazing to us and I’ll never believe what I came home to today! In celebration of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘s release, we’re spreading the joy and giving one Reader to win all sorts of Goodies! Magnets! A Mockingjay Pin! The Hunger Games Trilogy! A Paperback Copy of Catching Fire! A Bookmark! Some The Hunger Games Chocolate Bars! Does it get any better than this?

We’re definitely in full-on Katniss mode right now:

Read our Review of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire!

Read our Interview with Jena Malone and Sam Claflin!

Details on how you can win signed Photos fromJennifer Lawrence and Sam Claflin!

See some of the Goodies you could win:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this corresponding Post on Mr. Will Wong on Facebook!

Share on Facebook and double your chances. Canadian Readers only, please.

May the odds be in your favour.

eOne Films release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, now in theatres!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Toronto Fans of the The Hunger Games Franchise welcomed Stars of its second instalment Sam Claflin and Jena Malone to the City this evening at Scotiabank Theatre. Fans camped-out as early as this frosty morning to gain Rush Line access to the Canadian Premiere of the Action-Fantasy based on the Series of best-selling Novels by Suzanne Collins.

Catching Fire sees The Hunger Games Victor and Victress Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)  of District 12 called upon to compete once again in a fight for their lives amidst the onset of a Rebellion against the Capitol.  This time around though, they must face previous Winners, an eclectic group of Characters – some of whom they choose as their Allies.  Among others, we are introduced to the handsome/irresistible Finnick Odair (Claflin) and outspoken Johanna Mason (Malone).

Local and National Media Outlets came out in droves to support what surely will be a great Box Office success this Friday when it hits theatres. Claflin and Malone worked their way skillfully through the Red Carpet giving their time generously, before heading-off to introduce to the Film to Audiences who got  a special opportunity to see it before everybody else tonight.  Claflin chose British sophistication in a dapper gray suit and burgundy scarf.  Malone opted for edgy Style, sporting a blonde Bob and a black Dora Abodi dress patterned with gold mythical creatures.

Malone really is no Stranger to lovers of Cinema.  She has wowed with roles in popular Titles like Stepmom, Donnie Darko, Saved! and Into the Wild, but her joining a big-budget Blockbuster Franchise as The Hunger Games  actually is something new for the 28-year-old. I ask her to describe her transformation into this perhaps her most daring and physical role to-date.  She says, “For me, I’d already worked with the same Stunt Team on Sucker Punch for eight months, so I walked-in feeling like Alumni.”. “I feel it’s funny that the physical training was actually the easy part – the hardest part was getting in to her (Johanna‘s) emotional state”, Malone explains. “She was quite chaotic – it was a little bit more debilitating to withstand.”.  Although she’s been in the City in previous years for the Toronto International Film Festival, she admits “It has been a while!  I don’t know – it’s cold and I haven’t seen anything, but I do love Toronto!”. You also can visit from Canada Kasyna Online.

After enduring a broken finger among other minor injuries during the filming process, 27-year-old Hearththrob-on-the-rise Claflin tells me about his bonding experience with the Cast, having just signed-aboard as a Newcomer. “I think I was intimidated at first entering that World and that Family”, says the London-trained Thespian. “Everyone was really welcoming. I felt like part of the Family from day one.”.

Claflin certainly also is no Stranger to Toronto, having starred opposite Lily Collins here this past May in upcoming Rom-Com Love, Rosie.  While that experience was short, he does have some fond memories. “I never got to see much of the City before as we were shooting nights in bizarre places” he recalls. “I did watch a Maple Leaf Game – the first time they ever won a Playoff in ten years I think!   I just got-in an hour-and-a-half ago and leave tomorrow morning.”.  “It’s exhausting!”, he laughs.  Surely all the hard work will pay-off soon as he’s undeniable as the charming, Sugar Cube-obsessed Finnick.

See our Chats below:

It’s certainly still not too late to win Signed Items from Stars Lawrence and Claflin!  Click here for more details.

eOne Films releases The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Friday, November 22, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Christina Miguel)

TICK -TOCK.  The Movie Event of the Year The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soon will be bestowed upon us and both eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong want to give Readers an ultra-rare opportunity to attend the Canadian Premiere of this year’s most eagerly-awaited Cinematic Event!

Official Synopsis:

After winning the Hunger Games, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) return home before embarking on a Victory Tour of all 12 Districts. Before they leave, they find that the President is angry with them for breaking the rules, allowing them both to win.

In order for their families not to be punished, they have to prove to him that they’re really in love. There’s only one problem—Katniss was faking her emotions for the viewing audience at home, a fact that Peeta has to come to terms with.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire also stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Willow Shields, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Amanda Plummer and Sam Claflin.

Watch the Trailer below:

To enter to win a Double Pass to an Advance Screening of THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, which takes place on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 in Toronto,  simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Share this Post on Facebook with your fellow Tributes or Re-Tweet the below to double your chances!

http://www.mrwillwong.com/catchingfire @MRWILLW wants us to #win a Double Pass to the Canadian Premiere of #THEHUNGERGAMES #CATCHINGFIRE! In theatres 11/22!

Hold-up one second though!  With the stakes being upped for both Katniss and Peeta in this second instalment of the Franchise, why not up the ante for our Wongsters too?   That’s right – Mr. Will Wong is giving Readers – and his Readers only – a chance to win Pieces from his Collection signed by SAM CLAFLIN and Academy Award Winner JENNIFER LAWRENCE!

See ’em to believe ’em!

Just like The Hunger Games, two names will be drawn in this Lottery!

Will it be YOU?

Good luck, Wongsters.

eOne Films releases THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE on Friday, November 22, 2013.

Pre-order your Tickets now here!

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

“Would you like to be in a real War?”.

After their Victory in the 74th Hunger Games, Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen spark a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.  Katniss finds herself not only in a fight for her life, but also the lives of those whom she loves.

See the pandemonium in this gripping Final Trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire:

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Jena Malone, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin, Stanley Tucci, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Lenny Kravitz and Jeffrey Wright.

Tick-tock.

eOne Films releases The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Friday, November 22, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

“Remember who the real Enemy is”.

Those lucky Folks attending San Diego Comic-Con this weekend got to see first this new Trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and wow, have they ever stepped it up?  The Sequel to the 2012 Box Office Smash sees Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) drawn once again to compete in the 75th Hunger Games, competing against other previous Victors.  “Who does she think she is? She has to be eliminated”, says President Snow (Donald Sutherland) upon learning of Katniss’ rebellion against The Capitol.

Watch the Trailer below:

eOne Films releases The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Friday, November 22, 2013.  Hurry up, November!

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Exciting news, Tributes! Casting has completed for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and you’ll be thrilled to know who will be in the upcoming Sequel to the one Film which single-handedly has revived the sport of Archery’s popularity. The following additions have been confirmed:

Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee
Jena Malone as Johanna Mason
Amanda Plummer as Wiress
Alan Ritchson as Gloss
Jeffrey Wright as Beetee
Bruno Gunn as Brutus
Meta Golding as Enobaria
Maria Howell as Seeder
E. Roger Mitchell as Chaff
Lynn Cohen as Mags

In Catching Fire, we can expect Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) to join forces with Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason as President Snow (Donald Sutherland) is none too pleased of the Rebellion Katniss is responsible for sparking in District 12 with her Victory in the last Hunger Games.

Currently filming in Georgia, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been penciled-in for a November 22, 2013 release.

(Photo credit: Lionsgate Films)