Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada and Mr. Will Wong want to give Canadian Readers a chance to win a MONSTER’S UNIVERSITY Collector’s Edition! After grossing a massive $736+ million worldwide, the Box Office Smash is now set to hit stores on Tuesday, October 29, 2013.

Official Synopsis below:

Ever since College-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little Monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan or “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.

We had the pleasure of sitting-in on a Junket with Billy Crystal earlier this year when he was in Toronto promoting Monster’s University. Read all about it here.

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Double your chances by sharing this Post with your Friends on Facebook or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/mu @MRWILLW wants us to #win a copy of #MONSTERSUNIVERSITY Collector’s Edition.  In-stores 10/29!

Watch the Trailer below:

Official Artwork below:

Monster’s University will be available in DVD, Collector’s Edition and Ultimate Collector’s Edition Combo Packs via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada. Pre-order now!

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Moviegoers chose fear first this weekend at the Box Office as Warner Bros.’ The Conjuring debuts with a stellar $41.5 million.  The Supernatural-Horror directed by one of the SAW Franchise Masterminds James Wan, opened in 2,903 theatres and was made for only $20 million, already paying its own bill.  Starring Vera Farmiga, Ron Livingston, Patrick Wilson and Lili Taylor, the Film based on true events, earned a great A- CinemaScore, while Critics agreed it was something special with an 85% rating on the Tomatometer.

Despicable Me 2 still continues to go strong in its third week for Universal Pictures, earning $25 million – a total of $275 million grossed domestically to date.  This places it just ahead of debuting Turbo 3-D, which competes for a share of the same Family demographic, earning $21.5 million from 3,280 theatres for 20th Century Fox.

Grown Ups 2 is showing no signs of stopping in fourth spot with $20 million, debuting last week at number two for Sony Pictures.  In two weeks it already has surpassed the $80 million mark in North America.

Star-studded Action Flick Red 2 opens in fifth with a respectable $18.5 million from 3,016 theatres for Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.  Its Predecessor made $21 million in its 2010 debut  at number two by comparison.  Critics didn’t think much of it with a 40% rating on the Tomatometer, but Audiences enjoyed it, giving it a B+ CinemaScore.

R.I.P.D. starring Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds opens with a dismal $12.8 million from 2,852 theatres. Made for $130 million, the Supernatural-Action Flick from Universal Pictures fared poorly with Critics, earning 11% on the Tomatometer, earning slightly better reviews from Audiences with a C+ CinemaScore.

Monsters University 3-D rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.7 million for Disney in its fifth week of release.  In total, it has grossed $250 million in its run domestically.

Nothing despicable at all here!  Despicable Me 2 is far and clear the Winner at the Box Office this weekend with a massive  $81 million debut for Universal Pictures from 3,957 theatres.  The Sequel to the Hit Animated Feature starring Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Ken Jeong and Russell Brand, far out-performs its Predecessor which opened in $56 million in 2010.  Celebrating a July 4th weekend in the U.S., a Box Office Record also was set for the Holiday with over $220 million made in ticket sales.  Audiences and Critics responded well, the former giving it an A CinemaScore and Critics giving it an average of 75% on the Tomatometer.

Debuting below expectations is The Lone Ranger at number two with $28.9 million from 3,904 theatres.  The Gore Verbinski Action/Adventure starring Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp was made for an expensive $250 million.  The Film has yet to expand fully overseas and hopefully will recoup some of those costs internationally. Audiences responded with a B CinemaScore and Critics weren’t wowed with 25% on the Tomatometer.

The Heat continues to wow with $24.8 million this weekend in its second week of release, at number three.  The hilarious Comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy  already has made over $86 million, stamping the latter as a bona fide force to be reckoned with as a Hollywood Leading Lady – her second Smash this year following the success of Identity Thief.

Disney‘s Monsters University, last week at number one, slips to number four with $19.1 million mostly due to the sharp competition from Despicable Me 2 in the Family demographic, landing ahead of World War Z in fifth with $17.8 million for Paramount Pictures.

Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain opens with a bang in 876 theatres across the U.S., earning $10 million for Lionsgate/Summit Entertainment at number eight.  Critics gave it a decent 71% on the Tomatometer. The Film is not yet released north of the Border.  The resilient Now You See Me rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.8 million in its sixth week of release.

For a second week in-a-row, Monsters University schools its competition with $45 million earned from 4,004 theatres! The Animated Feature from Disney will face some stiff competition with the upcoming release of Despicable Me 2, in theatres across North America on Wednesday. In two weeks alone, the reigning Champ has grossed over $172 million domestically.

Opening above expectations in second is The Heat starring the fantastic Duo of Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, with $40 million. I saw the Film this weekend and absolutely loved it, with few moments to breathe between laughs in this Buddy-Cop Flick from 20th Century Fox. Opening in 3,181 theatres, the fearless Action-Comedy is heavy on the profanity, earning itself an R-Rating, but nonetheless responses were positive from both Critics (65% on the Tomatometer) and Audiences (A- CinemaScore) responded well. The Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) Film was made for $43 million, practically paying its own bill in its debut.

World War Z continues to perform strongly in its second week of release, earning $29.2 million. To date in North America, it has grossed $124 million already, just ahead of White House Down which debuts below expectations for Sony Pictures with $26 million. Although seemingly decent numbers, when its $150 million Production Budget is considered, the disappointment for the Studio becomes all the more clear. Critics also had with lukewarm response for the Action Flick starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx, tallying 49% on the Tomatometer, although Audiences loved it with an A- CinemaScore.

Man of Steel in its third week of release continues to perform well with $20.8 million in fifth for Warner Bros., ahead of Comedy, This is The End, with $8.9 million in sixth, while Now You See Me in seventh spot surpasses the $100-million mark domestically with $5.5 million earned this weekend. Google-inspired Comedy The Internship rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million for 20th Century Fox.

It was a monstrous weekend at the Box Office with spectacular numbers from the Top Three-finishing Films.  Alas it was Families who ruled Ticket Sales with Monsters Inc. Prequel, Monsters University, opening on-top with a stellar $82 million from 4,004 theatres across North America for Disney.  With John Goodman and Billy Crystal reprising their roles as Mike Wazowski and Sulley, Audiences could not resist getting another chance to see the animated Duo on-screen, giving the Film an A CinemaScore, while Critics agreed it was a solid effort with a decent 77% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.  By comparison, its Predecessor in 2001 opened with $62 million domestically.

Not to be outdone, Paramount Pictures’ World War Z opened in second with $66 million.  Starring Brad Pitt, this continent-hopping Action/Horror/Adventure thrilled Audiences who gave it a B+ CinemaScore, and Critics were on-par with 67% rating on the Tomatometer.  Moviegoers cannot get enough of Zombies, this becoming the highest opening ever for a Zombie Flick, surpassing last year’s Hotel Transylvania which debuted with $42 million.

Man of Steel had a superb opening last week and doesn’t disappoint despite its slip to third spot for Warner Bros. The latest in the Superman Franchise earns $41.2 million domestically this weekend.  Internationally it already has surpassed the $350-million mark.

Sony Pictures Comedy This is the End amidst all the Blockbusters, certainly holds its own in fourth spot with $12.6 million in its second week of release, just ahead of the resilient Now You See Me in fifth with $7/8 million in its third week out for Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.  Meanwhile, former Champion The Purge slips to sixth for Universal Pictures with $3.3 million.

Rounding it out  is Veteran Iron Man 3 which in its eighth week earns $8.1 million placing Disney at the top and bottom of the Top Ten. In limited release, Sofia Coppola‘s The Bling Ring sits in eleventh with $2 million from only 650 theatres.  Overall, Critics gave the Docu-Drama about a group of Teens who robbed the homes of Celebrities, mixed to bordering-positive Reviews with 58% on the Tomatometer.

We are familiar with Billy Crystal as a Funnyman, whether it be for his Golden Globe-nominated work in When Harry Met Sally or City Slickers. Did you know though how personable this nine-time Academy Awards Host really is?  In Toronto to promote  much-buzzed Monsters University, set ten years prior to the events of Monsters, Inc., the Actor greets a near-capacity room of Journalists on the Rooftop Lobby of his Hotel.   A young-looking 65, he has a commanding presence over the room, quickly routing all attentions off him for a moment onto Moderator Richard Crouse‘s colourful shoes and socks. “Good for you!”, says Crystal as quickly our eyes revert back to him.  At that moment we realize that despite such a celebrated career which has seen several highs, he’s really just one of us.

I set my Alarm Clock extra early to ensure I get to see Crystal greet Fans at City‘s Breakfast Television and equally he is gracious there to a sizable crowd, stopping to sign Autographs on his way in and out of the appearance. Although I sensed he didn’t love doing it, he still obliged for a quick Photo with me and my Dog – named Billy coincidentally – a meeting of three Williams.  “He’s just super-nice”, one smiling Fan tells me as he admires his signed 8×10.  Crystal delivers a Master’s Class in Celebrity Etiquette, which a far-less accomplished ’90s TV Actress who followed him on that Show should register for,  sneaking-out a hidden Exit sheepishly.

We learned that Crystal once had aspired to be a Baseball Player which thankfully wasn’t meant to be, before graduating from the Film Program  at New York University.  Despite his scholastic focus being Film, it was Theatre which he claimed as his true passion. He recalls, “I sorta became Mike-ish in the Theatre Department, where we started to really act. We built our own theatre, took the lead on that with a bunch of other people and formed our own Actors’ Equity Company. That’s where I got my Actors’ Card.”.

The Mike he is referring to of course is the beloved Character he reprises in Monster’s University, Mike Wazowski.  “I love this Guy.  I actually think this is my most favourite Guy I’ve never played”, he admits.  “I love that he’s forever positive.  I love that he’s a Leader of Monsters, has a great sense of humour, stands up for himself and I love that he’s cranky too.”.  This Prequel to $562-million-grossing Monster’s, Inc. focuses on how both Mike and his Buddy Sulley (John Goodman) overcome their differences to form a bond a Friendship as A-List Scarers.

On achieving a believable chemistry, Crystal credits fully a close-knit collaborative process with Co-Star Goodman.  “We just insisted on being together.  The funny moments have a great reparte because we’re with each other. In the tender moments like the scene at the lake when Mike realizes it’s just not gonna be and he tells Sulley, ‘I’m your friend’. It’s heartbreaking…  we worked together and I think that’s why it played-out so well.”.

While we’re on the topic of scaring, he bares his soul to us admitting that his greatest fear is not being able to spend enough time with his beloved Grandchildren aged ten, seven and three-and-a-half.  “I fear not having enough time to do all the things in my life (forgetting my business) that I want to do and accomplish and especially now with these little ones”, he says.  “In life we never know just how far we’re gonna get. Fear is a really great motivator.”.

Crystal recalls the first time he had to explain his Celebrity to his Grandchildren. “The Girls and I were walking in the mall and a Paparazzi jumped out and started taking pics and it really freaked them out”, he remembers.  “I had to explain what I did and that I was internationally famous (laughs), so I showed them Monsters, Inc. and obviously not the Orgasm Scene from When Harry Met Sally! I had to be Mike Wazowski for about a year.  Now they see billboards and are kinda used to it.”.

On the secret to his longevity in Hollywood, we learned that in addition the ardent support of his Audience, Crystal has been with the same Team since 1974.   “They are my second Family. You need to be told the truth – good or bad – and it has to be done in the right way. You have to have someone you know who always is gonna be there for you. That way you can make mistakes but they don’t seem so bad.”.

Last but not least, he credits his the Woman behind it all.  “My Wife Janice and I have been together since 1966, so anytime anything happens good or bad, she’s there”, he states.  “Any moment of self-doubt, she lets me have them and talks me out of them. That’s most important.”.

Watch Video Excerpts from Crystal‘s Press Conference below:

Reprising once again the beloved role of Mike Wazowski, Funnyman Billy Crystal landed in Toronto to promote eagerly-anticipated  Monsters University for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictues.  The Film set ten years prior to the events of Monsters, Inc., centers around the friendship between Mike and  James P. “Sulley” Sullivan (John Goodman) and how they went on to become elite Scarers.

The nine-time Academy Awards Host was up and at it early today with a visit to City‘s Breakfast Television, before speaking to a room full of Journalists at the Rooftop Lobby Peess Conference in his Hotel, moderated by Film Critic/Author Richard Crouse.  Appearances on eTalk, Entertainment Tonight Canada and CBC also were slated.  Watch Crystal‘s Breakfast Television appearance right here.

Crystal, who looks a young 65, was amazingly nice to stop for a couple round of Autographs, signing generously despite initially stating “One only each”, to a large group of Fans. Bringing my own little “Monster” along for the occasion, he was beyond nice to stop of a quick Snap with another popular Billy (of the Doggy variety).  “Now, I know you didn’t name your Dog after me!”, he tells me upon being introduced.

Our Snap:

Video Excerpts and Recap from Crystal‘s Press Conference right here.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada releases Monsters University on Friday, June 21, 2013.

 To enter to win a photo signed by the gracious Crystal himself, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Share on Facebook and double your chances!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

This definitely is something special. The final Trailer for Monsters University, the long-awaited Follow-up – make that Prequel – to 2001’s Monsters Inc., has arrived.  Here we get a close look at how the Friendship between Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman) developed and we even see them when they weren’t necessarily the best of Friends.  We also get a sense of their own roads to fulfilling their destinies as Scarers.

Watch the Trailer below:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada releases Monsters University on Friday, June 21, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

Just two months to go before School starts. Monsters University that, is! We all loved 2001’s Monster’s Inc. and this Prequel in the Franchise has long been overdue and at long last a Trailer has surfaced for the Animated Feature featuring the Voicework of John Goodman, Billy Crystal and Steve Buscemi.

Official Synopsis below:

Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little Monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan or “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer.  The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.

Watch the Trailer below:

Disney releases Monsters University on June 21, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

Fans of 2001’s Monsters Inc. will be thrilled that the release of Sequel Monsters University is soon before us.

Check-out this amazing new Poster for the Animated Feature:

Official Symopsis
Mike Wazowski’s (voice of Billy Crystal) lifelong dreams of becoming a Scarer are derailed during his first semester at Monsters University when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), and their out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program.

Monsters University hits theatres June 21, 2013 in Disney Digital 3D!

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)