With just under two weeks before its release, some new Clips from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 have just surfaced! In Clip 1, we see a shocked Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) learning that Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) still is alive. In the Clip 2, we meet the Crew which Katniss will be working closely with, headed by Cressida (Natalie Dormer).
Official Synopsis:
The worldwide phenomenon of The Hunger Games continues to set the world on fire with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, which finds Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and a nation moved by her courage.
See the Clips below.
“You’re Alive”
“Meet the Crew”
See the Final Trailer for THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 1:
eOne Films release THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGKAY, PART 1 on Friday, November 21, 2014.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
With all the Comic-Con Festivities taking place this past weekend in San Diego, it’s only fitting a proper Teaser Trailer would surface for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1! We must admit we’re mighty excited about Julianne Moore giving Donald Sutherland‘s President Snow a run for his money!
Official Synopsis:
With Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) captured by Snow and taken prisoner in the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) reluctantly agrees to act as “the Mockingjay“—a poster child for the rebellion spearheaded by District 13.
She has one stipulation however—that District 13‘s President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) promises immunity to all of the past Hunger Games tributes, including Peeta, and to give Katniss the right to personally kill President Snow (Donald Sutherland) once he is captured.
Watch the Teaser:
eOne Films release THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PT. 1 on Friday, November 21, 2014.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
Like this current deep freeze we’re experiencing, Disney‘s FROZEN continues to show amazing resilience, taking the top of the Box Office once again in this its seventh week of release with $20.3 million grossed from 3,318 theatres. The Film has just surpassed the $300-million mark in North America also in its run.
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones spooked its way to second spot in its debut for Paramount Pictures. This fifth Film in the Franchise opens with $18.5 million from 2,867 theatres, which while decent, is still far off the mark of 2011’s third instalment which opened with a whopping $52 million. Critics gave the Horror 45% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it a C- CinemaScore.
After a multi-week reign, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug slips to third spot with $16.2 million for Warner Bros. in its fourth week out. The second Film in the Peter Jackson Trilogy has grossed over $231 million domestically in four weeks.
There is a tie for fourth spot with two Oscar Contenders, vying not only for Awards, but at the Box Office. The Wolf of Wall Street continues to perform strongly in fourth spot for Paramount Pictures, bringing-in $13 million, now earning $63.9 since its Christmas Day opening. American Hustle also comes in with $13 million for Sony Pictures/eOne Films, now earning $90 million in its four-week run across North America. Anchorman 2 is sixth with $12.8 million in its third week.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in eighth spot with $7.3 million its seventh week out, with a cumulative total of $408 million earned for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.
Grudge Match finds itself in tenth spot with $5.4 million for Warner Bros., just surpassing $25 million in its second week.
It was a desolation indeed at the Box Office as The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug obliterated the Competition in its debut for Warner Bros.! Bringing-in $73.6 million from 3,903 theatres, the second instalment in The Hobbit Trilogy debuted below its Predecessor, which opened last December with $84 million. Critics respected it, giving it a decent 74% on Rotten Tomatoes‘ Tomatometer and it garnered an A- CinemaScore from Audiences. This makes the Film the fourth-highest December opening of all time – the Record of course was set by the first in the Trilogy.
In its fourth week out, Disney’s Frozen still is solid in second with $22.8 million, gaining lots of word-of-mouth in a time when there are few Family options in theatres. In its run, it has grossed $166 million already.
Although other Films in its Franchise have fared better, Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas debuts in third with $16 million from 2,194 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. The highest debut in the Madea Series of Films still is 2009’s Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail which opened with $41 million. The Audience gave it an A- CinemaScore despite a 20% from Critics on the Tomatometer.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire certainly hasn’t been forgotten, in fourth spot with $14 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. To date it has earned $357 million domestically in its Run.
In a distant fifth is Thor: The Dark World with $3 million for Disney/Marvel. It is about to surpass the $200-million mark in North America in this its sixth week.
Philomena may have received a bit of a boost with Judi Dench getting a Best Actress in a Drama nod at the Golden Globe Nominations this week, in eighth spot with $1 million from only 835 theatres.
Bubbling-under are America Hustle, which opens wide next week, earning a healthy $690k from only six theatres as a Sneak Preview, and fellow Oscar Contender Saving Mr. Banks earned $421k from only 15 theatres.
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)
After settling for second spot last weekend, Disney‘s Oscar-buzzed Animated Feature, Frozen advances to the top of the Box Office this chilly weekend with $31.6 million from 3,742 theatres across North America. After debuting in second last week the Film voiced by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel initially was behind The Hunger Games: Catching Fire at the start of the weekend, but Moviegoing traffic from Families drove its numbers up Saturday and Sunday. In two weeks, it has grossed $134 million.
After two record-setting weeks on-top, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire slips to second spot this weekend with $27 million from 4,163 theatres. In three weeks, it has earned over $336 million for eOne Films and Lionsgate Films.
Opening on a less-than-ideal weekend, Christian Bale‘s latest Drama, Out of the Furnace debuts in third spot with $5.3 million for Open Road Films and VVS Films. Audiences gave the violence-driven Film an C+ CinemaScore, while Critics were about on-par with a 55% tallied on the Tomatometer.
Thor: The Dark World still continues to go well in fourth with $4.7 million, now in its fifth week in theatres. It is nearing-in on the $200 mark and likely will surpass that shortly for Disney. This places it ahead of fifth-place finisher Delivery Man also from Disney, with $3.8 million.
Homefront remains in sixth place again this weekend for VVS Films and Open Road Films, with $3.2 million this weekend. eOne Films/The Weinstein Co.’s Philomena continues to go well in limited release with $3.2 million in ninth spot this weekend based on its Oscar buzz. Black Nativity rounds-out-onto the Top Ten with $889k for Fox Searchlight.
A big weekend ahead is expected for Warner Bros. as they release their Blockbuster The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug next weekend.
The flame keeps burning this weekend at the Box Office as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire continues to show no mercy to its competition with an unbelievable $74.5 million in its second week of release. Already, the November record-setting Blockbuster Sequel from Lionsgate Films/eOne Films has surpassed the $300-million mark and it also sets a new U.S. Thanksgiving five-day record with $110.2 million grossed between Thursday through Sunday, eclipsing the $85-million record set previously by 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Globally it has made over $573 million already.
Adding ice to the fire is a stellar debut from Disney‘s Frozen, which opens in second with $63.8 million from 3,742 theatres. The Animated-Feature voiced by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel has garnered great reviews, tallying 86% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes and Audiences gave it an emphatic A+ CinemaScore.
Thor: The Dark World continues to go strong in its third week out with $15.5 million, a distant third for Disney. The second Film in the Thor Franchise has just surpassed the $185-million mark domestically.
The Best Man Holiday continues to exceed expectations in fourth with $8.5 million. To date it has grossed $63 million in North America for Universal Pictures.
Homefront, an Action-Thriller based on the Novel by Chuck Logan starring James Franco and Jason Statham, opens modestly in sixth with $6.9 million for VVS Films and Open Road Films. Despite getting panned by Critics with a 35% rating on the Tomatometer, Audiences enjoyed it, giving it a B CinemaScore.
Black Nativity debuts in eighth surprisingly with $4 million for Fox Searchlight. Critics gave it mixed reviews with 54% on the Tomatometer. Audiences gave the Film based on the off-Broadway Musical a much better A- CinemaScore.
Oscar Contender Philomena also pops-up in ninth with $3.8 million for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films. Just in September, it received a Premiere at TIFF ’13. The fact-based Drama starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan about a Mother looking to find the Son whom she was forced to give-up for adoption, received an incredible 91% rating on the Tomatometer.
Four-week Veteran Last Vegas rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.6 million for CBS Films/eOne Films.
Not that there ever was any doubt about it, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire makes a record-setting debut for highest ever November opening for a Film with a monstrous $161.1 million this weekend across North America for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films! The record previous was held by The Twilight Saga: New Moon in 2009 with $142 million. The Action-Fantasy, the second in the Series of four Films, opened in 4,163 theatres with an excellent A CinemaScore and equally strong reviews from Critics (89% on the Tomatometer). By contrast, its Predecessor earned $152 million in its March 2012 debut.
In its third week, Thor: The Dark World slips to second spot with $14.1 million from 3,713 theatres for Disney. To-date the second Film in the Thor Franchise has earned $168 million domestically.
The Best Man Holiday continues to go strong in third in its second week out for Universal Pictures, earning $12.5 million and almost surpassing the $50-million mark.
Debuting in fourth with $8.2 million from 3,036 theatres is Sperm Donor-Comedy, Delivery Man starring Vince Vaughn. The Adaptation of TIFF ’11 Favourite Starbuck, released by Disney, didn’t do amazingly well with Critics who gave it 35% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences responded much better giving it a B+ CinemaScore.
Gravity continues to bring in the cash for Warner Bros., now in its seventh week with $3.5 million. Domestically, the Film has grossed $245 million in its eight weeks in theatres.
12 Years a Slave continues to perform well, now showing at 1,474 theatres, landing in ninth spot with $2.8 million this weekend for Fox Searchlight. To-date it has grossed almost $30 million, much of that impressively in limited release.
Dallas Buyers Club rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.7 million from 666 theatres for Focus Features/Remstar Films. The Drama based on a true story has a remarkable 95% on the Tomatometer and is a major Contender for Best Picture at the Oscars, having received a TIFF ’13 Premiere.
Our Friends at eOne Films as always are amazing to us and I’ll never believe what I came home to today! In celebration of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘s release, we’re spreading the joy and giving one Reader to win all sorts of Goodies! Magnets! A Mockingjay Pin! The Hunger Games Trilogy! A Paperback Copy of Catching Fire! A Bookmark! Some The Hunger Games Chocolate Bars! Does it get any better than this?
We’re definitely in full-on Katniss mode right now:
Read our Review of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire!
Read our Interview with Jena Malone and Sam Claflin!
Details on how you can win signed Photos fromJennifer Lawrence and Sam Claflin!
See some of the Goodies you could win:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this corresponding Post on Mr. Will Wong on Facebook!
Share on Facebook and double your chances. Canadian Readers only, please.
May the odds be in your favour.
eOne Films release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, now in theatres!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Toronto Fans of the The Hunger Games Franchise welcomed Stars of its second instalment Sam Claflin and Jena Malone to the City this evening at Scotiabank Theatre. Fans camped-out as early as this frosty morning to gain Rush Line access to the Canadian Premiere of the Action-Fantasy based on the Series of best-selling Novels by Suzanne Collins.
Catching Fire sees The Hunger Games Victor and Victress Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) of District 12 called upon to compete once again in a fight for their lives amidst the onset of a Rebellion against the Capitol. This time around though, they must face previous Winners, an eclectic group of Characters – some of whom they choose as their Allies. Among others, we are introduced to the handsome/irresistible Finnick Odair (Claflin) and outspoken Johanna Mason (Malone).
Local and National Media Outlets came out in droves to support what surely will be a great Box Office success this Friday when it hits theatres. Claflin and Malone worked their way skillfully through the Red Carpet giving their time generously, before heading-off to introduce to the Film to Audiences who got a special opportunity to see it before everybody else tonight. Claflin chose British sophistication in a dapper gray suit and burgundy scarf. Malone opted for edgy Style, sporting a blonde Bob and a black Dora Abodi dress patterned with gold mythical creatures.
Malone really is no Stranger to lovers of Cinema. She has wowed with roles in popular Titles like Stepmom, Donnie Darko, Saved! and Into the Wild, but her joining a big-budget Blockbuster Franchise as The Hunger Games actually is something new for the 28-year-old. I ask her to describe her transformation into this perhaps her most daring and physical role to-date. She says, “For me, I’d already worked with the same Stunt Team on Sucker Punch for eight months, so I walked-in feeling like Alumni.”. “I feel it’s funny that the physical training was actually the easy part – the hardest part was getting in to her (Johanna‘s) emotional state”, Malone explains. “She was quite chaotic – it was a little bit more debilitating to withstand.”. Although she’s been in the City in previous years for the Toronto International Film Festival, she admits “It has been a while! I don’t know – it’s cold and I haven’t seen anything, but I do love Toronto!”. You also can visit from Canada Kasyna Online.
After enduring a broken finger among other minor injuries during the filming process, 27-year-old Hearththrob-on-the-rise Claflin tells me about his bonding experience with the Cast, having just signed-aboard as a Newcomer. “I think I was intimidated at first entering that World and that Family”, says the London-trained Thespian. “Everyone was really welcoming. I felt like part of the Family from day one.”.
Claflin certainly also is no Stranger to Toronto, having starred opposite Lily Collins here this past May in upcoming Rom-Com Love, Rosie. While that experience was short, he does have some fond memories. “I never got to see much of the City before as we were shooting nights in bizarre places” he recalls. “I did watch a Maple Leaf Game – the first time they ever won a Playoff in ten years I think! I just got-in an hour-and-a-half ago and leave tomorrow morning.”. “It’s exhausting!”, he laughs. Surely all the hard work will pay-off soon as he’s undeniable as the charming, Sugar Cube-obsessed Finnick.
See our Chats below:
It’s certainly still not too late to win Signed Items from Stars Lawrence and Claflin! Click here for more details.
eOne Films releases The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Friday, November 22, 2013.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Christina Miguel)
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