After receiving much praise at TIFF ’13, Richard Ayoade‘s THE DOUBLE soon will see a Canadian release and both D Films and Mr. Will want to take Toronto Readers to an Advance Screening! The Screening takes place Wednesday, June 11, 2014.
Official Synopsis:
Inspired by Dostoyevsky‘s Novella of the same name, THE DOUBLE is a Dark Comedy written by Ayoade and Avi Korine (Mister Lonely), a funny and frightening story about an insignificant man driven to near breakdown by the appearance of his Doppelganger.
Simon (Jesse Eisenberg) is a timid Man, scratching out an isolated existence in an indifferent world. He is overlooked at work, scorned by his Mother, and ignored by the Woman of his dreams (Mia Wasikowska). He feels powerless to change any of these things. The arrival of a new Co-worker, James (also Jesse Eisenberg), serves to upset the balance. James is both Simon‘s exact physical double and his opposite – confident, charismatic and good with women. To Simon‘s horror, James slowly starts taking over his life.
Watch the Trailer below:
Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska & Mr. Will:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Re-Tweet the below to increase your shot at winning:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/thedouble @MRWILLW wants us to #win Advance Screening Passes to see #THEDOUBLE in #Toronto! Out 6/13!
D Films release THE DOUBLE on Friday, June 13, 214.
(Photo/video credit: D Films)
One of my favourite Films at TIFF ’13 undoubtedly was John Curran‘s Tracks. The scenic Drama based on the true experiences of Robyn Davidson. My Review here.
Official Synopsis:
Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, The Kids Are All Right) stars in the astonishing True Story of Robyn Davidson, who set out on a solo 2,700-kilometre journey by foot across the Australian Outback in 1977. She ultimately wrote about her desert adventure in 1980 in the travelogue Tracks, which has now been beautifully adapted by Director John Curran (The Painted Veil). GIRLS’ Adam Driver also stars.
NOW Magazine and Mongrel Media are hosting a Free Screening tomorrow night in celebration of the Publication’s THINK FREE Issue! Details here.
Tickets will be available at the BLOOR CINEMA in Toronto after 8:45 PM tomorrow night, Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
Have fun!
Watch the Trailer:
Mongrel Media releases TRACKS in Canada on Friday, May 2, 2014. More to come.
(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)
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)
It’s only Day One of the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and already our City is lit bright on Star Power alone. Although all eyes are on the Opening Night Gala, of Bill Condon‘s The Fifth Estate over at Roy Thomson Hall, several Stars were spotted out today, a taste of the excitement to come over the course of the next eleven days.
Benedict Cumberbatch undoubtedly has thrust himself into the Spotlight as Hollywood’s Next “It” Boy and with three Films at TIFF ’13, he has commanded attention from all. The Star of Box Office Hit Star Trek Into Darkness, was spotted at a Cocktail Party prior to heading to his Premiere at Roy Thomson Hall. Although not many Fans got their coveted Photos with him nor Autographs signed, citing fatigue, Cumberbatch was ever dapper in a Tuxedo and in good spirits at the star-studded Afterparty for The Fifth Estate.
TIFF‘s relationship with Filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro has been noted and although the Pacific Rim Director really is in town to prep upcoming Series, The Strain, he is known to partake in TIFF Festivities. Don’t be surprised if he’s sitting next to you at a Screening this weekend!
Canadian Actress Cara Gee recently was named one of TIFF‘s Rising Stars for 2013 starring in Empire of Dirt. The stunning Beauty was seen mingling tonight at The Fifth Estate‘s Afterparty with EE BAFTA Rising Star Award-winning Actress Juno Temple (seen second below) who left her with some supportive parting words. The always delightful Temple stars in Horns opposite Daniel Radcliffe, premiering later tonight.
We spotted Daniel Brühl arriving in Toronto just yesterday and although he was a little Fan-shy then, he delivered upon his promise at the Roy Thomson Hall Red Carpet Premiere for The Fifth Estate and also again at the Afterparty for the Film. He will continue to be in the City for the next week, promoting also Ron Howard‘s Rush in which he stars as Formula 1 Driver Niki Lauda.
An absolute vision of beauty, Swedish Actress Alicia Vikander stunned in an elegant green floral print dress at the Premiere for The Fifth Estate in which she plays the important role of Anke, Wife of WikiLeaks Spokesperson Daniel Berg (Brühl). In addition to being amazing to Fans, she also will be starring in eagerly-awaited Fantasy Seventh Son next, making her one to look out for.
Dutch Actress Carice van Houten has gained a Cult Following thanks to her work as Melisandre on HBO‘s Game of Thrones. Her star continues to rise on an international level, starring in The Fifth Estate as Birgitta Jónsdóttir and she was delightful with Fans. After the Afterparty for the Film she was the only Cast member amazing enough to greet Fans from the Patio of the Venue.
Downton Abbey Fans will rejoice that handsome Star Dan Stevens (Dan Crawley) is at TIFF ’13 after all for The Fifth Estate! The British Star was amazingly nice to stop for Fans both at the Airport today, arriving just hours before his Red Carper Premiere and again at the Event itself!
We wouldn’t be in Toronto without a shout-out to our amazing Homegrown Talent. World-famous DJ and Producer Deadmau5 was spotted out and about tonight at The Fifth Estate Afterparty with his new Girlfriend, Actress/Singer Sophie Tweed-Simmons (Daughter of Gene). The latter of course got to ride “Shotgun” in his new Ferrari 458 Italia as the zoomed off into the night.
They don’t come any classier than the brilliant Tom Hiddleston and he couldn’t have been any more kind to his Fans thus far in his TIFF ’13 visit for Only Lovers Left Alive. The British Star known best for his work in The Avengers/Thor as Loki, graciously zipped his way through the large crowd of Fans at Ryerson Theatre tonight, signing as many Autographs as fast as he could. Our Snap I will reveal at a later date, I being one of the few to get one!
It’s been a couple years since we’ve seen Anton Yelchin at TIFF, but he remains a true Gentleman and also a name just below the radar still. The Actor who filmed Charlie Bartlett here in Toronto back in 2007, stars alongside Hiddleston in Vampire-Thriller Only Lovers Left Alive as one of the few Human Characters, Ian. As always, he was outstanding to his Supporters at the Premiere.
Although we met her this Summer in Toronto filming David Cronenberg‘s Maps to the Stars, Rising Star Mia Wasikowska always is a pleasure to see and she is fully supporting her three Films at the Festival this year: The Double, Tracks and of course Only Lovers Left Alive. She was a vision in red at the Ryerson Theatre Red Carpet but unfortunately several Fans were left disappointed as she zipped by into the theatre. Better luck next time?
An unexpected name tonight at The Fifth Estate Afterparty was Colin Hanks, who was a late confirmation for Historical-Drama Parkland. The Son of Tom who was recently in the City filming No Stranger Than Love, has a shot at being back at TIFF ’14 with that Romantic-Comedy. Although opting to be low-key, he still obliged for Fans looking for a Photo, taking the Selfie himself.
Tom Welling, known best for playing Clark Kent on Smallville also was a surprise at the Afterparty for The Fifth Estate, here to present Parkland tomorrow night at Roy Thomson Hall. Set on the day President John F. Kennedy died, he plays his Right-Hand Man, Roy Kellerman.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
*Photos taken on the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5
This just-released Preview for TRACKS quite literally gives me goosebumps. One just one minute, I feel uplifted – as if I too could do anything and that’s powerful stuff. Based on the true Story of Robyn Davidson, a 27-year-old Australian Woman who treks across the desert with her Dog and four Camels, this definitely is one to watch at TIFF ’13 and Awards Season.
Official Synopsis:
Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver star in Tracks, an inspirational story based on an epic journey taken by Australian Robyn Davidson, also known as the “Camel Lady.” In 1977, Robyn (Wasikowska) sets out from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean – a 2,700-km walk through unforgiving desert – accompanied by her dog and four unpredictable camels. Showing up occasionally is Rick Smolan (Driver), a charismatic New York photographer assigned by National Geographic. Although Robyn agrees to Rick’s visits in return for funding, she sees them as intruding on her solitude. Set against a breathtaking backdrop, the trip pushes Robyn to her emotional and physical limits. Adapted from Davidson’s Book, the Film is directed by American John Curran (The Painted Veil) and written by Marion Nelson.
Watch the Clip below:
Those of you attending TIFF ’13 have two chances to see TRACKS:
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 – Visa Screening Room (Elgin) at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 – TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 at 2:45 PM
Mongrel Media releases TRACKS in Canada.
(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)
At long last the TIFF ’13 Guest List has been announced and among the Marquee names we can expect to see in Toronto in two weeks are phenomenal! Although speak of Brad Pitt and George Clooney making appearances here didn’t amount to much more than rumour, this year the Female Contingent shines brightest with several of Hollywood’s A-List set to present their latest Oscar Vehicles here.
Among the Celebrities expected this year are:
Emilia Clarke, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Tom Felton, Chris Hemsworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew McConaughey, Daniel Radcliffe, Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Sarah Gadon, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, James Franco, Marion Cotillard, Mike Myers, Emma Thompson, Kristen Wiig, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Amy Poehler, Keanu Reeves, Kate Winslet, Adam Driver, Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Owen Wilson, Ralph Fiennes, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Gyllenhaal, JudeLaw, Jessica Chastain, Jai Courtney, Mila Kunis, Pierce Brosnan, Sandra Bullock, Jason Bateman, Zac Efron, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Colin Firth, Idris Elba, Ed Harris, Michael C. Hall, Annette Benning, James McAvoy, Liam Neeson, Steven Soderbergh, Ben Foster, Anton Yelchin, Maria Bello, Jennifer Garner, Nicolas Cage, Daniel Brühl, Tom Hiddleston, Jack Huston, Hugh Jackman, Jessica Lange, Melissa Leo, Adam Levine, Catherine O’Hara, Kurt Russell, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Berenger, Tom Wilkinson, Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Clive Owen, Zach Galifianakis, Emily Watson, John Hawkes, Alan Rickman, Toni Collette, Josh Brolin, Alice Cooper, Tiger Chen, Rebecca Hall, Will Forte, Kevin Zegers, Taylor Kitsch, Juliette Binoche, Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Thandie Newton, Terrence Howard, James Hetfield, Thomas Haden Church, Tim Robbins, Glenn Close, Dakota Fanning, Philip Glass and several more!
Keep checking back here as the Toronto International Film Festival makes additions as we get closer to Thursday, September 5, 2013 when TIFF ’13 kicks-off! The Festival runs till Sunday, September 15, 2013.
The official Schedule has been announced and you can now start planning your Festival right here. Download the Official Schedule right here!
Single Tickets go on sale on Sunday, September 1, 2013 on TIFF‘s Website here.
Things are about to get real exciting around here! Happy TIFF, indeed!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
I’ll be the first to admit that 2013 has been a lackluster year for Productions in Toronto and it pains me to see the Films which our Friends in Vancouver and Montreal have been seeing, with an explosive amount of Star Power. That being said, I was thrilled to hear that the brilliant Mia Wasikowska would be among the Talent in the City filming this Summer. After seeing her at TIFF 2011, I was disappointed I never got my moment to meet her and the scheduling just didn’t align.
I will be the first to say I legitimately am an ardent Fan of the Australian-born Actress, whom we’ve come to know from her work in critical successes like Tim Burton‘s Alice in Wonderland, The Kids are All Right, Lawless, Jane Eyre, Albert Nobbs and more recently Park Chan- Wook‘s amazing Stoker. Wasikowska firmly has stamped her place among Hollywood’s next batch of A-Listers and she easily is one of my favourite young Actresses.
I spotted the Actress out and about tonight getting Take-out Italian after a long day on-set and she was absolutely gracious and lovely, despite surely wanting to head home in this ridiculous heat and humidity we’ve been facing. The Actress was spotted last week by Paparazzi with her Boyfriend Jesse Eisenberg in town and it melts my heart knowing how happy she is right now in love! We chatted with Eisenberg recently on a Press Day in Toronto and he was just awesome!
Wasikowska currently is filming David Cronenberg‘s Drama, Maps to the Stars in the City up till mid-August. It is said that she has a fair amount of scenes with Co-Star Robert Pattinson who is believed already to be in Toronto.
See our Snap:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Acclaimed British Actress Olivia Williams is among the Talent currently in Toronto filming David Cronenberg‘s latest Drama, Maps to the Stars. Tonight we spotted her returning back from a weekend Getaway at Lake Muskoka, impressively driving herself in her rented car, two hours outside the City. She was extremely lovely and humble, excusing her appearance not having any make-up on, before snapping a Photo graciously. Surely you will agree the Star of Films like Hanna, An Education, The Sixth Sense and upcoming Seventh Son, is absolutely stunning even without being made-up?
The Film, which just began production recently, already has seen several Members of its Principal Cast in town including John Cusack, Julianne Moore and Mia Wasikowska, who had the Tabloids and Entertainment Shows busy after she was spotted kissing Boyfriend Jesse Eisenberg last week here in the City. Robert Pattinson Fans have been awaiting updates anxiously about his arrival and the Twilight Star still has yet to be seen in Toronto.
Maps to the Stars, is said to be a scathing look at Hollywood’s relationship with Western Culture, filming in Toronto till mid-August.
See our Snap below:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Mongrel Media)
With a lack of Marquee Features to film in Toronto this Summer, David Cronenberg‘s long-gestating project, Maps to the Stars is confirmed to film in Toronto between Monday, July 8 through Monday, August 12, 2013. Co-produced by Entertainment One and Prospero Pictures, the Film as of last week had inked multiple distribution deals in Cannes and is said to be on the verge of closing even more deals in several other markets soon including Mexico, Hong Kong, India and Brazil.
The dark Drama based upon the Novel Dead Stars by Bruce Wagner, who also helms the Script, is said to be a scathing attack on Hollywood Celebrity Culture and the pursuit of Fame. Its most recognizable face, Robert Pattinson stars as Jerome and as announced prior, Julianne Moore and John Cusack star also as Havana and Sanford respectively. Moore was in the City just last Summer filming the Carrie Remake and we look forward to seeing her around again!
Recent additions to the Cast include Mia Wasikowska, Olivia Williams and Newcomer Evan Bird in the shocking role of a drug-addicted Child Actor. Toronto’s own Sarah Gadon, who has starred in Cronenberg‘s last two Films A Dangerous Method and Cosmopolis (opposite Pattinson), reunites with him a third time here.
More to come…
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Fox Searchlight Canada and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary a chance to win Double Passes to the Advance Screening of Park Chan-Wook’s (Old Boy) Thriller, Stoker. Believe me, we’ve been waiting forever for this! The Toronto Screening takes place Thursday, February 28, 2013. Additional Screening dates/venues to be confirmed.
After India‘s (Mia Wasikowska) Father dies in an auto accident, her Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode), who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her emotionally unstable Mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman). Soon after his arrival, she comes to suspect this mysterious, charming Man has ulterior motives, but instead of feeling outrage or horror, this friendless girl becomes increasingly infatuated with him. Lucas Till, Alden Ehrenreich and Jackie Weaver star also.
Watch the eery Trailer in full below:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before February 20, 2013. You should also be following on Twitter too! Please remember to indicate your city of choice and if you have increased privacy settings on Facebook, ensure you leave me a way to get in touch!
Double your chances by Re-Tweeting the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/stokergiveaway @MRWILLW wants me to attend the Advance Screening of STOKER. Passes for VAN/CGY/TOR available.
Good luck!
Fox Searchlight releases STOKER in Toronto on March 1, 2013. Additional Cities to follow.
Visit the official Website for Stoker.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com