#BOXOFFICE: “NIGHTCRAWLER” CLIMBS TO THE TOP OF THE BOX OFFICE IN HALLOWEEN DEBUT

Coming absolutely out of nowhere, NIGHTCRAWLER springs to the top of the North American Box Office this Halloween weekend with a tepid $11  million opening from 2,766 theatres for Open Road Films/Elevation Pictures, just edging-out OUIJA.  Reviews are astoundingly good for the TIFF ’14 Selection at 93% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer from Critics, although it didn’t test as well with Audiences with a B- CinemaScore.  This the latest in a long line of Box Office successes for Star and Producer Jake Gyllenhaal, with three of his last four releases topping North America.

OUIJA after debuting on-top last weekend slips to second this weekend, quenching the thirsts of the Horror-hungry with $10.9 million from 2,899 theatres for Universal Pictures. In two weeks, the Film has grossed approximately $35 million.

FURY sits in third spot with $9 million for Sony Pictures this weekend  in its third week out. To date it has grossed $60.5 million domestically.

JOHN WICK slips to fourth spot in its second week out with $8 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, nearing the $30-million mark so far.

GONE GIRL continues to be a Box Office smash for 20th Century Fox in fifth with $7 million in its fifth week.  The David Fincher Thriller is edging closer towards that $150 million mark and likely will do so in the next week.

ST. VINCENT settles in seventh for The Weinstein Co. and eOne Films with $6.5 million, closing-in on $20 million in its four-week run.

DRACULA UNTOLD bottoms-out the Top Ten with $2.5 million in its fourth week for Universal Pictures.

#BOXOFFICE: “OUIJA” SCARES ITS WAY TO THE TOP!

Right in-time for Halloween, Moviegoers are dictating what exactly they want most at this moment – gettin’ scared!  OUIJA exceeds the expectations of many to debut atop the Box Office for Universal Pictures with $20 million this weekend from 2,858 theatres. The Horror starring Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel) didn’t fare so well with Audiences, garnering a C CinemaScore and Critics were a bit harsh with a 10% on the Tomatometer.  Made for a paltry $5 million budget, the Studio surely won’t be taking the reception too  much to heart.

Debuting a bang-up second is Keanu Reeves’ Comeback Vehicle, JOHN WICK with $15 million from 2,589 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.  The Action Flick sees Reeves back doing what he does best, with a superb 86% on the Tomatometer from Critics and a B CinemaScore from Audiences.

Last week’s Champ, FURY, slips to third spot this weekend for Sony Pictures, getting $13.5 million from 3,173 theatres. The acclaimed World War II Drama in two weeks has grossed over $46 million domestically, well on its way to recouping its reported $68 million budget which certainly could well be  achieved with its forthcoming expansion to other territories.

GONE GIRL still is resilient in fourth with $11 million for 20th Century Fox in its fourth week out, now having grossed $124 million across North America already.

ST. VINCENT opens in sixth for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films, earning $7.8 million from 2,282 theatres. Audiences gave it a sparkling A- CinemaScore, while Critics were on-par with a 76% rating on the Tomatometer. Critics already are touting the Comedy as an Oscar Contender for its Star Bill Murray  after a strong debut here at TIFF ’14.

DRACULA UNTOLD rounds-out the Top Ten in its fourth week out with $4.2 million for Universal Pictures, edging its way closer to that $50-million mark.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO SEE BILL MURRAY IN “ST. VINCENT”

ST. VINCENT won huge raves at TIFF ’14 and now eOne Films and Mr. Will want YOU to discover its magic! See what Critics are calling one of Bill Murray‘s finest performances yet! Screenings take place in Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax on Thursday, October 23, 2014.

Official Synopsis:
In ST. VINCENT, Maggie (Melissa McCarthy), a single mother, moves into a new home in Brooklyn with her 12-year old son, Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher). Forced to work long hours, she has no choice but to leave Oliver in the care of their new neighbor, Vincent (Bill Murray), a retired curmudgeon with a penchant for alcohol and gambling. An odd friendship soon blossoms between the improbable pair. Together with a pregnant stripper named Daka (Naomi Watts), Vincent brings Oliver along on all the stops that make up his daily routine – the race track, a strip club, and the local dive bar. Vincent helps Oliver grow to become a man, while Oliver begins to see in Vincent something that no one else is able to: a misunderstood man with a good heart.

ST. VINCENT stars BILL MURRAY, NAOMI WATTS, MELISSA MCCARTHY, CHRIS O’DOWD and JAEDEN LIEBERHER.

See the Trailer:

To enter to win Passes to see ST. VINCENT first, please click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.
Re-Tweet the below or share this Post on Facebook with your Friends to double your chances! Remember to state your City.

http://www.mrwillwong.com/stvincent @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #MYSTVINCENT starring #BILLMURRAY! In theatres 10/24!

Good luck, Willionaire$.

Official Artwork:

Bill + Mr. Will

Melissa + Mr. Will

Naomi + Mr. Will

Chris + Mr. Will

eOne Films release ST. VINCENT on Friday, October 24, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

#TIFF14: THE BEST-OF TIFF ’14!

It was a great TIFF ’14.  I admit things were looking a bit scary with a smaller-than-expected Celebrity Guest List initially and lack of confirmations, but the Festival truly brought its A-Game and this indeed was one for the books!  I distinctly remember feeling a bit of panic on the first Friday of the Festival trailing far off the pace I’m normally at, nabbing only a handful of Celeb Snaps. Once the Festival picked-up by the  weekend, I found myself barely able to hang-on!  What a wild ride!

Many will attribute the shift in pace of the Festival due to the well-publicized guideline changes set this year, making it impossible for any Studios/Filmmakers to premiere at TIFF within its first four days had it premiered elsewhere on the North American Festival Circuit.  This in turn created room for several star-studded In-Conversation-Withs as part of the Festival’s Mavericks Programme with the likes of Denzel Washington & Antoine Fuqua, Richard Gere, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Juliette Binoche.  We felt the pinch, believe me.  This however is a Statement the Festival must make to secure its exclusivity and maintain its place as an important Fixture for Films on the Award Trail.

We loved seeing the Publicity Machine at work before our eyes.  Stars in previous years who were on the inaccessible side, suddenly became warm to Fans. On the contrary though, we noticed a few Stars who normally are friendly and accessible become tough to access this TIFF.  We’re looking at you, Channing. It always is a true testament to how much the Stars believe in their product when they are willing to bring it!

We also are not surprised that THE IMITATION GAME (review here) was awared the Grolsch People’s Choice Award.  Upon seeing it in advance of the Festival, we knew the Film had that something special and this will be the Film that makes Benedict Cumberbatch a household name in North America.  How it shall fare this Awards Season remains to be seen, but given its Oscar-bagging connections – The Weinstein Co. – it should do just fine!

Our Contributors Jonathan Godfrey, David Baldwin, Justin Waldman and myself also might also have a thing or two to say about other deserving Contenders which premiered here at TIFF, which might not have gotten recognition.  Baldwin has the highest praise for Eddie Redmayne‘s performance in The Theory of Everything (review here), while Godfrey still is singing the patriotic praises of the “cosmic” Maps to the Stars (review here).  Waldman has a place in his heart for the overlooked Mommy (review here) and Pride (review here) – both which he feels will be Awards Season Candidates.  I myself was spellbound by the meditative slow-burn of Foxcatcher (review here) and the devastatingly-good Whiplash (review here).  Never discount Jake Gyllenhaal too as his self-starring and produced Nightcrawler was a bit of a Hit among Fans (review here)!  And although we didn’t see it, Chris Rock‘s triumphant return Top Five had multiple Studios in a bidding war for distribution rights.

 … and now for some Lists!

MR. WILL‘S TOP TIFF ’14 MOMENTS

1. Meeting Tom Hardy

2. Meeting Bill Murray

3. Meeting Benedict Cumberbatch x 2

4. Epic Reese Witherspoon Photo Op (after six tries prior)

5. Meeting Steve Carell

6. Meeting Melissa McCarthy

7.  Ansel Elgort saying he had to get a Selfie with Mr. Will, followed by comment from him on Instagram.

8. Mr. Will‘s Epic Hat Fail,  blocking Jennifer Garner‘s beautiful face

9. Meeting Miles Teller/J.K, Simmons WHIPLASH Combo

10. John Travolta‘s Fan Buffet outside The Forger Press Junket

MOST FAN-FRIENDLY CELEBS AT TIFF ’14

1. John Travolta

2. Tom Hardy

3. Reese Witherspoon (we are shocked!)

4. Benedict Cumberbatch

5. Chris Evans

CELEBS WHO OWNED TIFF ’14

1. Bill Murray

2. Al Pacino

3. Benedict Cumberbatch

4. Anna Kendrick

5. Steve Carell

SURPRISE! CELEBS

1. Melissa McCarthy

2. Kristen Bell

3. Chris Pine

4. Elizabeth Banks

5. Cara Delevingne

LEAST-ACCESSIBLE CELEBS

1. Robert Downey Jr.

2. Tina Fey

3. Keira Knightley

4. Denzel Washington

5. Kate Winslet

CELEBS WHO MADE THE MOST OF TIFF ’14

1. Chris Evans

2. Steve Carell

3. Benedict Cumberbatch

4. Jon Stewart

5.  Bill Murray

BUZZMETER

1. Benedict Cumberbatch

2. Eddie Redmayne

3. Miles Teller

4. Felicity Jones

5. Ansel Elgort

FILMS TO LOOK-OUT FOR AWARDS SEASON FROM TIFF ’14

1, The Imitation Game

2. St. Vincent

3. The Theory of Everything

4. Foxcatcher

5. Whiplash

And last but not least, we must thank our wonderful Supporters throughout TIFF who make it all possible.

CP24 & Bell Media: Thank you for continuing to provide and support me with an Outlet to share my greatest passion with Ontarians at my favourite time of year. I look forward to working together again TIFF ’15!

H&M Canada: Everything I wear is H&M.  Your Cardigans and Jackets were perfect for the indecisive hot-cold of TIFF ’14. Your clothing gives me confidence and comfort.  Thank you.

Nikon Canada: Although I am still mastering my Nikon D3300 admittedly, many of my Photos were another level of fantastic.  Capturing Photos in 24MP has given my Pictures a depth, clarity and level of detail which I’ve never before achieved.  In the words of Joel McHale (at the Festival with Adult Beginners), “Are you sure this is the best Camera to take a Selfie with?” *SNAP* “I guess it is!”.

Novotel Centre Toronto: I am happy to have called you my home once again TIFF ’14.  Billy and I miss our amazingly cozy bed and we appreciate the Puppy Welcome Package.  This shows the level of attentiveness you have for your Clients.  To be only minutes away from the thick of it all: the Movies, Parties and Celebrities and be able to crash in my Hotel Room for a quick recharge when I was in dire need of it was an absolute luxury I will not take for granted.  The in-and-our privileges of your Parking Lot were a blessing as was the reliable Wi-Fi.  The Staff always are accommodating, understanding and friendly. Without a doubt, I can recommend Novotel Centre Toronto as the place to stay during TIFF.

Samsung Canada: Communication is key to my Brand during TIFF and having access to  the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Tab S this year ensured I always was able to stay in touch and charged.  When there was the ever rare lull in my day, I could whip-out my Devices and prep my Photos and Blog Posts, ensuring that I could actually spend precious time in my Hotel Room sleeping versus working.  This meant so much to me and I basically cannot imagine my life without a Galaxy Tab S. Really!

Ford Canada: I have never experienced  luxury like a LINCOLN MKZ.  The Panoramic Roof was a dream.  The 6-Speed SelectShift® was absolute state-of-the-art. The massaging chairs were decadent. The THX® II Certified Audio System was symphonic. The customizable interior lighting let me changing colours according to my mood. The Lincoln MKZ‘s concern for my safety with frequent alerts kept me focused on the road. Did I mention it’s awful easy on the eyes? I will never forget the TIFF in which Billy and I rolled in that silky, smooth Lincoln!

Out There with Melissa DiMarco: We always have a blast at Melissa’s Out There VIP Interview Studio and Hospitality Suite! Thank you for keeping Team Mr. Will fed and hydrated with your delectable goodies and thank you for embracing my Willionaire$!

NKPR IT LOUNGE: We are thrilled to have experienced the goodness enjoyed by the likes of Julianne Moore, Robert Pattinson, John Cuasack, Justin Long, Jena Malone, Felicity Jones and several more! Thank you also for giving my Willionaire$ a taste of that Celeb Life with your generosity!

Touchwood PR: We love you and appreciate the Golden Tickets my Readers and I have been given thanks to your kindness.  We value your friendship and are excited about what’s next to come!

Rock-It Promotions: We are honoured by some of the plum opportunities we were given this TIFF and we look forward to building our relationship with you in the future!

Shinan Govani: We are so proud to call you a Friend.  You are one of TIFF‘s most omnipresent Stars.  We continue to look-up to you and your profound influence on our thriving Celebrity Culture.

We hope you had a blast on our Digital Journey this TIFF ’14 and we can’t wait to do it all over.

Stick around, we’re at this year-round.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)