“My name is Max, my World is fire and blood.”.

Now, I remember watching Mad Max when I was a Kid but it was nowhere near this level of slick! See the gorgeous new Trailer for what should be one of 2015’s biggest highlights! Original Mad Max Director George Miller returns to the Director’s Chair!

Official Synopsis:
Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.

See the Teaser:

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD stars our fave Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release MAD MAX: FURY ROAD on Friday, May 15, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

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)

Box Office Hit Jack the Giant Slayer soon is about the hit stores and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and Mr. Will Wong would love to give Readers across North America the chance to win a copy of it on Blu-Ray Combo Pack!

Official Synopsis:
Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing Jack (Nicholas Hoult), into the battle of this life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom and its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend… and gets the chance to become a legend himself! Directed by Brian Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns) and starring Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci and Ewan McGregor.

In celebration of its release, don’t forget to check-out this super-fun Jack the Giant Slayer App below:

The App allows you to:

• Control the Action! – Move your mouse across the GIFS and take control of action-packed scenes from Jack the Giant Slayer. YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF THE ACTION!
• How Brave Are You? QUIZ – Are you brave like Jack? Do beanstalks and “giant” challenges make you afraid or courageous? Take the quiz to find out!
• Giant Soundboard – Jack the Giant Slayer is filled with epic giant stomps, sword slashes and thunderous sounds! Play with official sound effects from the movie and compose your own “giant hit song”!

Watch the Trailer:

 To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Share on Facebook and double your chances, or Re-Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/jackgiantslayer @MRWILLW wants us to #win a #JACKTHEGIANTSLAYER Blu-Ray Combo Pack!  In stores 6/18. Check-out the fun App!

Read our Review here.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases Jack the Giant Slayer on DVD and Blu-Ray Combo Pack on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.

Click here to order a copy!

See our Snap with handsome Star Nicholas Hoult in New York City last month:

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)

So you might’ve heard I was in New York City this past week enjoying the Met Gala (see the Photos!) and it was an amazing thrill seeing the Fashions and the Celebrity in-person after admiring them online for many years now.  Red Carpets and flashing Cameras are something I vow to never get sick of!   Promise.  Hoping to visit again next Spring!

Although I did get to meet Met Gala Host Rooney Mara in-person and she was lovely to stop and say “hi” and blow me a kiss, unfortunately she didn’t do the Photo but I still will have the memory!  One day I’ll have my Gwen Stefani and Anne Hathaway moment!  I did get Photos with Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time) and Tommy Hilfigger but unfortunately they just didn’t turn out:(

Fortunately, most of the Celebrities I met were more than obliging and here are some of the Stars I got to get  Snap with below. And yes, that is KYLIE MINOGUE!!!!  She is just as lovely as I’d dreamed!  Ditto for Kelly Ripa!!  Armie Hammer too!! And I don’t believe Zooey Deschanel said “yes”!  She never does!!

See it all:

(Photo video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

If there was any doubt Nicholas Hoult has made a successful transition from a Child Actor, let your fears subside as the British Import debuts atop the Box Office a second time in a month with Warner Bros.‘ Jack The Giant Slayer.  The $195 million Action-Adventure directed by Bryan Singer came with high hopes, hence some are seeing the $28 million from 3,525 theatres it earned this weekend as a bit of a disappointment.  International numbers still have yet to come in, but expect it to fare well overseas.  Reviews were mixed for the Film, garnering 52% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes and Audiences responded with a decent B+ rating at CinemaScore.

After what already has been an outstanding run,  Identity Thief still is going strong in fourth in its fourth week, with $9.7 million this weekend, just surpassing the $100-million mark in North America.

Critics didn’t love College–Comedy 21 and Over, but it performed well enough to debut at number three this weekend with $9 million from 2,771 theatres for Relativity Media/eOne Films.    Fear not though as the Film starring Justin Chon, Skylar Astin and Miles Teller cost  $13 million and likely will turn in a profit in its theatrical run. Audiences responded with a B CinemaScore.

The Last Exorcism Part II debuts in fourth spot with $8 million from 2,700 theatres, a far cry from the $20 million its Predecessor made back in 2010. Made for a micro-budget of $5 million, the Horror produced by Eli Roth, earned negative reviews (15% at Rotten Tomatoes).

Meanwhile, Snitch in its second week slips to fifth spot with $7.7 million for Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, just ahead of Romantic-Thriller Safe Haven with $6.1 million.

Gaining tons of Oscars exposure last weekend with Jennifer Lawrence‘s Best Actress win, Silver Linings Playbook in its 16th week of release, shows its mettle with $5.8 million in seventh spot, now earning cumulatively $115 million in North America.  It cost only $21 million to make, and even with its extensive Marketing which began back around September, it still turns in a big profit.

Dark Skies rounds-out to the Top Ten with $3.4 million in its second week, earning $13.4 million for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films.  Meanwhile, bubbling-under in Limited Release is Fox Searchlight‘s well-reviewed Stoker, opening in seven theatres with $158k.

Montreal-filmed Warm Bodies is a Title I’ve been plenty enthused about for quite some time now and its two Stars officially have arrived in the City. The quirky Romantic Comedy-Zombie Flick is based upon the Novel of the same name by Isaac Marion, starring Teresa Palmer and Nicholas Hoult – the latter already having been a critical Darling for some time now with About a Boy and A Single Man on his Resume.

On the agenda for the recently single (respectively) Duo are a Stop-off at a Private Screening in the busier part of the City and an appearance on MuchMusic‘s New.Music.Live during the 6:00 PM slot, sharing the spotlight with Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough who both are here for Romantic-Thriller Safe Haven.

Fans and Autograph Collectors knew they were in the presence of  greatness, giving the Actors a warm, albeit rowdy welcome upon arrival. Amidst all the pushing and pulling, I managed to get one semi-decent Snap after two undecipherably-blurry Photos with Hoult. “I think we’ve done plenty of Photos already, Mate”, he tells me, perhaps not understanding the difficulty of photographing a moving subject. Finally he was kind enough to stop for one quick second amidst his Autograph signing, thanks to our Friend Michelle.

Fortunately, Palmer escaped the fanfare unscathed, giggling with her Handlers from her SUV at the commotion.

Don’t laugh.  Okay, fine laugh.

eOne Films releases what sure is to be a massive Hit, Warm Bodies, on February 1 , 2013.

(Photo credit : Mr. Will Wong)

Toronto hasn’t seen this much action since TIFF!  Next Monday will be a day of epic proportions as the Stars descend upon the City for two of February’s most anticipated Films.  I’ve been super-excited about 50/50 Director Jonathan Levine‘s Warm Bodies for quite some time now and the Adaptation of the Isaac Marion Zombie Novel will see both Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy) and Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four) here Monday, January 21, 2013.  The Duo will be at MuchMusic‘s New.Music.Live to promote the February 1, 2013 release for eOne Films.  Frozen Yogurt Chain Yogurty’s is giving away Prize Packs and Passes to a Private Screening.  Details here.

If that weren’t exciting enough, equally-Hotties Josh Duhamel (Win a Date with Tad Hamilton) and Julianne Hough (Rock of Ages) will be promoting Safe Haven that same day and they are expected to walk the Red Carpet for the Canadian Premiere of the Romantic-Thriller later that night.  The Adaptation of the Bestselling Nicholas Sparks Novel also will see the two Actors doing a round of Press earlier in the day in support of the February 14, 2013 release for Entertainment One‘s Alliance Films.  Tickets for the Premiere will be made available via KISS 92.5 and also the Alliance Films Facebook Page.

I had the pleasure of meeting both Leading Ladies, Palmer and Hough, back in 2011 and they are both as gracious and lovely as they appear.  We are blessed to host them once again and without a doubt, both Films are expected to perform massively.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

“Why can’t I connect with people?  Oh right, it’s because I’m dead.”.

Delightfully-quirky and based on the Novel of the same name by Isaac Marion, Warm Bodies is the latest effort from 50/50 Director/Screenwriter, Jonathan Levine. The Romantic Comedy-Horror stars Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy, A Single Man) and Breakout Stars Dave Franco (21 Jump Street), Analeigh Tipton (Crazy, Stupid, Love.) and Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four). 

Montreal-filmed Warm Bodies centers around a Zombie known as R (Hoult), becomes involved with the Girlfriend (Palmer) of one of his Victims, quite possibly changing forever the world of the non-living.

Although the Young Adult/Teen Fantasy Genre increasingly is becoming crowded in 2013 with the upcoming releases of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Beautiful Creatures and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, this Film carves its own niche with walk on the funny and wild side and who better to helm this than Levine who brought us to laughter and tears with 2011 Cancer Comedy 50/50.  This looks to be the right mixture of sweet and salty.

Watch the charming and gory Trailer below: