Yes, you’ve seen the Movies in time for Awards Season, but what about the great songs featured in them?  Up for Best Original Song at next months’ Academy Awards are these five finalists. Spanning from the institution of James Bond to a much-talked-about BDSM Romance to a gripping Documentary about College Rape, these songs are a cross-section of the diverse Films we saw in 2015.

WRITING’S ON THE WALL (SPECTRE) – SAM SMITH

TIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU (THE HUNTING GROUND) – LADY GAGA

EARNED IT (FIFTY SHADES OF GREY) – THE WEEKND

MANTA RAY (RACING EXTINCTION) – J. RALPH + ANTONY

SIMPLE SONG #3 (YOUTH) – SUMI JO

The 88th ACADEMY AWARDS air 7 PM Sunday, February 28, 2016 on ABC.

(Photo credit: Sony Music/Universal Music/Milan Records/Rumor Mill Records)

Not that there ever was any doubt about it, but STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS makes an astronomical debut this weekend with $238 million for Disney, from 4,134 theatres.  This not only sets a record for the largest domestic opening ever for a Film, but also critically fares well with an A CinemaScore from satisfied Audiences and a stellar 95% score from Critics on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer. Among other records, it became the first ever Film to cross $100 million in one day ane also it has the distinction of being the fastest Film the surpass both the $100 and $200 million-marks. By comparison, the first ever Film in the Franchise in 1977 opened in 43 theatres only with $1.5 million earned in its first weekend.

ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP is the latest in the successful Franchise, debuting with $14.5 million for 20th Century Fox, good enough for distant second at 3,653 theatres. Despite an A- CinemaScore from Audiences, Critics gave it only 14% on the Tomatometer.

SISTERS starring famed duo Tina Fey and Amy Poehler opens in third with $14 million from 2,962 theatres for Universal Pictures. With a B CinemaScore from Audiences, it gets a passable 62% on the Tomatometer.

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 2 is in fourth this weekend with $5.3 million now in its fifth week out.  It has made $254 million in its domestic run to date for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.

CREED is in fifth this weekend with $4.8 million for Warner Bros. In four weeks it has made $87.6 million in North America.

SPECTRE in its seventh week out rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million.  It now has grossed $193 million domestically for Sony Pictures.

Although fewer visited the theatres this weekend, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 2 still reigns supreme at the Box Office in North America for a third consecutive week.  Playing at 4,086 theatres, it pulls-in $18.8 million, a tally of $227.3 for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.

Debuting in second is the Horror KRAMPUS, opening with $15.3 million from 2,902 theatres for Universal Pictures. Starring Adam Scott and Toni Collette, the Film earned a respectable 63% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore.

THE GOOD DINOSAUR is in third in its second week out with $15.1 million for Disney, grossing $75 million thus far domestically.

CREED is in fourth this weekend with $14.6 million in its second week out for Warner Bros., playing at 3,424 theatres.

SPECTRE places fifth with $5.6 million in its fifth week out for Sony Pictures, now having made $184 million in its North American run.

Oscar Contender SPOTLIGHT is in eighth spot for Open Road/eOne Films with $2.9 million. In five weeks it has made $16.6 million, mostly in limited release.

BROOKLYN is in ninth with $2.7 million for Fox Searchlight/Mongrel Media, playing at 906 theatres. It has made $11.4 million thus far in five weeks, also mostly in limited release.

SECRET IN THEIR EYES rounds-out the Top Ten with $2 million in its third week out for STX/eOne Films.

It may be Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S., but people certainly are going to the Movies!  THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 2 maintains its dominance at the Box Office a second week with $50.3 million from 4,175 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.  Domestically in two weeks it has grossed $197.1 million!

THE GOOD DINOSAUR debuts strong for Pixar/Disney with $39.5 million from 3,749 theatres. Audiences gave the Animated Feature an A CinemaScore, while Critics gave it a solid 77% on the Tomatometer.

CREED, the latest installment of the Rocky Franchise opens in third with $28.7 million from 3,404 theatres for Warner Bros.  Very strong reviews at 93% on the Tomatometer for the Boxing Drama starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone, and also an A CinemaScore should give it legs to run on in coming weeks.

SPECTRE is in fourth this weekend with $12.7 million for Sony Pictures, from 2,940 theatres.  In four weeks it has made over $176 million in North America.

SPOTLIGHT expands to 897 theatres for eOne Films/Open Road Films and does it successfully with $4.2 million. The Catholic Church Scandal Drama filmed partly in Toronto, is seen widely as a major Oscar contender. In four weeks of limited release mostly, it has made $12 million domestically.

BROOKLYN, also an Oscar contender expands to 824 theatres for Mongrel Media/Fox Searclight with $3.7 million. In four weeks of limited opening, the Film starring Saoirse Ronan  has made $7 million.

THE MARTIAN rounds-out the Top Ten after an extremely successful run for 20th Century Fox, with $3.2 million in its ninth week out.  It is nearing the $220-million-mark domestically.

After much Box Office success, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 2 wraps-up the franchise on a high note, debuting with $104 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films from 4,175 theatres. This marks a significant drop from 2014’s Mockingjay, Part 1 which opened the exact same weekend with $121 million last year. Critics gave it 70% on the Tomatometer, signaling generally-positive reviews. Audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore.

SPECTRE is in second spot in its third week out earns $14.3 million for Sony Pictures. Thus far it has grossed over $153 million domestically.

THE PEANUTS MOVIE takes third spot this weekend with $12.6 million for 20th Century Fox. It has tallied-in at $98 million in three weeks out.

Holiday Comedy THE NIGHT BEFORE starring Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie opens in fourth with $10 million for Sony Pictures from 2,960 theatres. Critics gave it 64% on the Tomatometer and Audiences an A- CinemaScore.

In fifth this weekend is SECRET IN THEIR EYES in its debut for eOne Films/STX with $6.9 million. Critics gave it 42% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences were more forgiving of the Thriller starring Julia Roberts, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Nicole Kidman, giving it a B- CinemaScore.

Oscar-Contender SPOTLIGHT (made partly in Toronto) expands to 538 theatres for Open Road Films/eOne Films, earning $3.4 million. Thus far it has made $5.7 million in three weeks.

BRIDGE OF SPIES rounds-out the Top Ten for DreamWorks with $1.9 million. The Spielberg Drama has made $65 million in North America over six weeks.

In its second week out, SPECTRE continues to demolish its competitors at the Box Office.  Earning $33.9 million from 3,929 theatres in its second week out for Sony Pictures, the Film in its domestic run thus far has grossed a whopping $129 million.

Charming THE PEANUTS MOVIE for a second week is in second spot with $23.9 million from 3,902 theatres for 20th Century Fox. It has made $82 million in two weeks domestically.

LOVE THE COOPERS gets a headstart on the holidays for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films in a third-place debut with $8.4 million from 2,603 theatres. Audiences gave the Comedy starring John Goodman and Diane Keaton a B- CinemaScore and Critics gave it 16% on the Tomatometer.

THE MARTIAN is showing amazing staying power for 20th Century Fox with $6.7 million in its seventh week out.

THE 33, based on the escape of trapped Chilean miners and starring Antonio Banderas, opens in fifth for Warner Bros. with $5.6 million from 2,452 theatres.  Critics gave it a 40% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences totally loved it with an A- CinemaScore.

Bollywood Blockbuster PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO opens in ninth with $2.2 million from only 286 theatres in North America for Fox International Productions. It plays in select theatres north and south of the border.

Inspirational Sports-Drama MY ALL AMERICAN starring Aaron Eckhart opens in tenth spot for AVI with $1.5 million. It garners 33% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

Not that there ever was any doubt, but SPECTRE, the latest in the 007 franchise, debuts atop the Box Office in its North American debut this weekend. It earns $74 million for Sony Pictures from 3,929 theatres.  By comparison, 2012’s Skyfall which also opened in November, opened with $88 million, ranking this second in the franchise for biggest opening. Critically, it gets mixed reviews with a 62% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore from audiences, giving it hopefully enough legs to run on in coming weeks.

Debuting in second is THE PEANUTS MOVIE with $45 million from 3,897 theatres for 20th Century Fox. Critics are lauding it with an 86% on the Tomatometer and Audiences agree it’s great with an A CinemaScore.

Former champ THE MARTIAN lands in third this weekend, still going strong in its sixth week out with $9 million, edging oh-so-close to that $200 million-mark domestically for 20th Century Fox.

GOOSEBUMPS is in fourth spot with $6.6 million for Sony Pictures, now in its fourth week out. It has made $66 million thus far in its run in North America.

BRIDGE OF SPIES is in fifth with $6.1 million for DreamWorks, now in its third week at about $55 million total.

THE INTERN continues to perform well now in its seventh week out, with $1.7 million for Warner Bros., surpassing the $70 million-mark.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is OUR BRAND IS CRISIS with $1.5 million, now in its second week out for Warner Bros.

Dignitas International is a medical and research organization which aims to transform patient health and health care systems for those most vulnerable.  Their amazing contributions include the Tisungane HIV/AIDS Clinic located at Zomba Central Hospital, where more than 20k patients  – adult and children alike –  have been placed on life-saving antiretroviral therapy. In Malawi, where 60-70% of Tuberculosis cases are from those already infected with HIV. Their Teen Club aims at providing youth-centric, stigma-free health care for teens in Malawi who are living with HIV. Each month 1,300 teens with HIV receive specialized treatment via this club.

 Everything starts with good health.

A special charity screening of already-record-setting new installment of the 007 series, Spectre, was held tonight at Scotiabank Theatre with proceeds going to Dignitas International‘s research and programs. An afterparty was held later this evening at Drake One Fifty.

Hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos, the fundraiser was attended by several notables including Nobel Prize winner and Dignitas Co-Founder James Orbinski, Dignitas President Heather Johnston, Singer/Songwriter Feist, Actress Natalie Brown,  Actor David Sutcliffe, Actor Anthony Lemke, Actor Paul Amos, Actor Zaib Shaikh and several more.

We had the pleasure of attending and sitting beside Feist and her mother Lyn, seeing her guitar, which was used to record Grammy-nominated The Reminder, raise $4.5k.  Other big-ticket items being auctioned-off included Tiffany & Co. jewelry, getaways including wine tastings and more.

See our Snap:

With #Feist and her mum at a charity screening of #Spectre. The guitar she used on Grammy-nominated The Reminder was auctioned for $4.5k for @dignitasintl! Well done! #007 #Bond

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Nov 3, 2015 at 4:01pm PST

To learn more about Dignitas International and how you an help, click here.

A full review of Spectre to come shortly…

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

At last we get a proper first glimpse of upcoming BOND 24 Film, SPECTRE!

Synopsis:
In SPECTRE, a cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE. Sam Mendes returns to direct SPECTRE, with Daniel Craig reprising his role as 007 for the fourth time. SPECTRE is produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, from a script by John Logan and Neal Purvis & Robert Wade.

See the Trailer:

SPECTRE is set for release via Sony Pictures in the UK on October 26, 2015, and in the US and Canada on November 6, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)

The moment we’ve all been waiting for! At long last, a proper Teaser for SPECTRE aka Bond 24 to kick-off our weekend!

Official Synopsis:
In SPECTRE, a cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE. Sam Mendes returns to direct SPECTRE, with Daniel Craig reprising his role as 007 for the fourth time. SPECTRE is produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, from a script by John Logan and Neal Purvis & Robert Wade.

See the Teaser:

Sony Pictures Canada release what promises to be the biggest BOND Film yet, SPECTRE, on Friday, November 6, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)