This is a must-see if you’re a Foodie! We’re thrilled to give Toronto Readers a chance to see the delicious Documentary JEREMIAH TOWER: THE LAST MAGNIFICENT, with the culinary legend himself in attendance on Tuesday, May 2, 2017!

Synopsis:
JEREMIAH TOWER: THE LAST MAGNIFICENT explores the remarkable life of Jeremiah Tower, one of the most controversial and influential figures in the history of American gastronomy. Tower began his career at the renowned Chez Panisse in Berkeley in 1972, becoming a pioneering figure in the emerging California cuisine movement. After leaving Chez Panisse, due in part to a famously contentious relationship with founder Alice Waters, Tower went on to launch his own legendary Stars Restaurant in San Francisco. Stars was an overnight sensation and soon became one of America’s top-grossing U.S. restaurants. After several years, Tower mysteriously walked away from Stars and then disappeared from the scene for nearly two decades, only to resurface in the most unlikely of places: New York City’s fabled but troubled Tavern on the Green. There, he launched a journey of self-discovery familiar to anyone who has ever imagined themselves to be an artist. Featuring interviews by Mario Batali, Anthony Bourdain, Ruth Reichl and Martha Stewart, this delicious documentary tells the story of the rise and fall of America’s first celebrity chef, whose brash personality and culinary genius has made him a living legend.

Trailer:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK.

The Orchard release JEREMIAH TOWER: THE LAST MAGNIFICENT Friday, May 5, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: The Orchard)

We hear the term thrown around a lot of late, but what exactly is a Girlboss? Netflix‘s new comedy series starring Britt Robertson, is ready to be discovered globally this weekend. In advance of that, Robertson and Author/Producer Sophia Amoruso and Series Creator/Producer Kay Cannon, tell us in this Featurette truly what it means to be the titular figure on which the series centers.

Synopsis:
Girlboss is inspired by the New York Times best-selling book #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso, founder of the fashion brand Nasty Gal. The series centers on Sophia (Britt Robertson), who began selling vintage clothes on eBay and, by the age of 28, had built the multi-million dollar fashion empire, Nasty Gal. Girlboss is created by and executive produced by Kay Cannon (Pitch Perfect 1& 2, 30 Rock), who also serves as showrunner. Charlize Theron (Monster, Young Adult) and Laverne McKinnon, of Denver & Delilah, Christian Ditter (How to Be Single) and Sophia Amoruso will also serve as executive producers. Girlboss stars Britt Robertson (Sophia), Ellie Reed (Annie), Alphonso McAuley (Dax), Johnny Simmons (Shane) and Dean Norris (Jay).

See the Featurette:

Netflix Canada stream GIRLBOSS Friday, April 21, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

What a week it’s been!  Although many were looking forward to this past Easter weekend, I was looking forward to it nearing an end as it was a hectic one.  When holidays really aren’t! You know what we mean!

With it being the start of the 2017 racing season at Woodbine, the Sovereign Awards, a couple big names in town, plus also an endless list of errands to run, I really couldn’t have done it without the super-stylish 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport edition, which I had the pleasure of being paired with for the week.

You know already how much we love our Hondas but it is as if we were matched-up via the algorithms of a dating app, we were so compatible.  Within gas prices on the rise, we appreciate so much its fuel economy at a combined 7.3L per 100 km, plus its Eco Assist feature which makes us better, more responsible drivers.  Our drives from the east to the west ends of the City were long ones and we spent a reasonable $60 on gas total, lasting us eight days.  The 2017 Civic Hatchback Sport is empowered with a state of the art engine: 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC and turbocharged 4-cylinder.  We certainly were not short on power – acceleration and deceleration were were quick – the drives were smooth like the fine milk chocolate of an easter egg.

In addition to innovation and style, the car is all about comfort.  A friend noted right away sitting in the passenger’s seat how she felt nestled-in.  Did we mention there are heated seats on both driver and front passenger’s seats too?  Don’t be jelly. With many errands to run, its spacious trunk also served purpose and is ideal for every day life no matter what demands life throws our way. We know it’s a small detail, but we adore that there are rear-window wipers for unpredictable Toronto spring weather!

Honda‘s bluetooth-connected HandsFreeLink™ system allows us to field calls and read text messages with the touch of a finger and we love that it’s both Apple and Android-friendly. A USB port placed alongside the all-important beverage holder, ensures we always have battery. The Sport Touring edition of the car at a premium comes even with wireless charging. The Honda Civic Hatchback Sport‘s audio system includes a 180-watt AM/FM audio system comes with eight speakers.

Side airbags, anti-theft protection and an automatic emergency response system also highlight some of the all-important safety benefits of the vehicle, plus that handy rear-view camera makes for flawless parking and reversing.

I mean, see below!

The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport sure is a popular ride. Wasn’t hard spotting others. In fact, here’s two in blue, side-by-side!

These 2017 #HondaCivic Turbos are pretty popular. Sandwiched by two of them in blue! What an awesome, compact ride. Loving every adventure.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 11, 2017 at 8:29am PDT

Opening weekend at Woodbine, including our namesake A Pic by Mrwill’s (@APicbyMrwill) 2017 debut! Hover your mouse over left/right of photos below to navigate the complete albums.

(Swipe left!) What a wonderful opening day at Woodbine yesterday! Loved seeing so many smiling faces and couldn’t be happier with @apicbymrwill’s performance! Special shoutout to my young reader Bennett from the 705 who loves reading about all my star adventures! If you are there today, don’t forget there are 2 for 1 #QP17 tickets today only on the 2nd floor! See you there and Happy Easter! 🐣 #BetWoodbine

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 16, 2017 at 6:49am PDT

Sovereign Awards (with Frank and Belinda Stronach)

 

(Swipe left!) #SovereignAwards 2016 Photo Gallery 1.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 14, 2017 at 12:37am PDT

(Swipe left!) #SovereignAwards 2016 Gallery 2.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 14, 2017 at 12:46am PDT

Some names in town last week:

Mornings with IISuperwomanII, back to her hometown for her new book, How to be a Bawse! #LillySingh #iisuperwomanii #BawseBook #BawseTour

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 7, 2017 at 6:06am PDT

Proud of my Hong Kong roots! Was completely chaotic and three hours behind schedule, but awesome attending the 2017 TVB Fairchild Party tonight. Got to meet stars #BenWong #RaymondWong #RosinaLam and Actress/Miss Hong Kong/Miss Chinese International #GraceChan. Have fun in Canada guys! #TVB #Fairchild #HK #HongKong #黃智賢 #林夏薇 #陳凱琳 #黃浩然

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 8, 2017 at 8:19pm PDT

#AlecBaldwin a bit late, but made it in town for rapidfire signing in support memoir #Nevertheless at Indigo Manulife.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 10, 2017 at 6:10pm PDT

Happy Easter! 🐣 OMG! Finally tried the #CadburyCremeEggFrappucino. (Swipe left to see!) Love being able to do it drive-thru style in the #HondaCivic!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 16, 2017 at 8:54am PDT

Learn more about the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback starting at $21,490 CAN here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Toronto Readers a chance to see TIFF ’16 selection, COLOSSAL starring Anne Hathaway! The screening takes place as follows:

Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
259 Richmond St W
Toronto, ON M5V 3M6
April 20, 2017
Thursday 7:00pm

Synopsis:
After Gloria (Anne Hathaway) loses her job and is kicked out of her boyfriend’s apartment, she leaves her life in New York and move back to her hometown. When news reports surface that a giant creature is destroying Seoul, Korea, Gloria gradually comes to the realization that she is somehow connected to this far-off phenomenon. As events begin to spin out of control, Gloria must determine why her seemingly insignificant existence has such a colossal effect on the fate of the world.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. “Favourite” this post on Twitter: @mwillw for an extra chance!

Mongrel Media release COLOSSAL Friday, April 21, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

True to the form of its predecessors, THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS has a spectacular opening at number one this weekend at the Box Office!  Taking-in $100 million from 4,310 theatres, this eight installment in the series gets a passable 64% on the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes and an A CinemaScore from Audiences.  To place it into context, this Film ranks second in its Franchise, right behind 2015’s FURIOUS 7 which opened with $147 million.

In second after two weeks on-top is THE BOSS BABY with $17 million, bringing its three week tally to $117 million in North America for 20th Century Fox.

Just crossing the $1 billion-mark worldwide this week, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST places third in its fifth week out for Disney with $16.2 million.  Thus far domestically it has grossed $457 million.

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE places fourth with $11 million in its second week out for Sony Pictures, a two week take of $29 million.

GIFTED is in sixth with $3 million from 1,146 theatres for Fox Searchlight. It earns $4.3 million over two weeks.

KONG: SKULL ISLAND rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.6 million for Warner Bros. in its sixth week, a total of $161 million in its domestic run.

I wouldn’t expect many of you to know Sandy Lam, but this woman has been such a huge part of my life and identity through her music. Having Chinese blood but being born and raised in Canada, finding myself always was something I struggled with when I was younger. I felt I was ‘too Chinese’ to fit in with my classmates. To avoid drawing attention to myself, I would hide parts of my identity even if it meant concealing a grocery bag from the Chinese grocery store from them, just so I could avoid answering questions about it. I just wanted to blend-in and be that proud kid who showed-off the Irish Soda Bread loaf they made with their mom on Multicultural Day at school. I was always afraid to show my true colours.

University was an eye-opening experience where I went from being one of three Chinese kids in my grade to a sea of others who had similar features as me and looked like me. Many of these young men and women came to Canada to study from Hong Kong when simply opportunities and spots for admission in their native homeland were quite sparse. Suddenly I didn’t feel so odd, but still among them I didn’t feel I was ‘Chinese enough’ either to fit in. Thanks to my Cantonese-speaking parents, even though it didn’t seem like a gift as a young kid, I could at least speak the language conversationally. Still I lacked the sophisticated vocabulary and nuances of the language to connect deeply to the people and its culture.

I discovered Sandy watching her on TV with my mom late in my high school days. She was appearing at a charity benefit in Toronto, televised on the local Chinese channel. She possessed a magnetic elegance to her, speaking in eloquent English about building a bridge between Asia and Canada. She sang and in an instant I was sold. I asked my mom what her name was and she said, “林憶蓮  (romanized officially as Lam Yik Lin, but pronounced ‘Lum Yik Leen’)”.  I kept messing-up the pronunciation, mumbling back to myself, ‘Lum Lik Yeen’… ‘Lum Lik Leen’… as admittedly it was a bit of a tongue-twister –  those tricky ‘y’s and the ‘l’s! She wasn’t like other Cantonese pop singers, many who sang a melody simply note for note, more diction than emotion.  With the exception of a few, I found many had a certain woodenness to them, but Sandy had a relaxed gracefulness that felt very familiar and welcoming.

I couldn’t afford CDs back in the day.  At the Chinese mall, these albums were imported and sold at $30 a pop, so remembering that amazing singer I saw on TV, I resorted to buying three cassettes for a total $10 at a Chinese bookshop selling bootlegged versions of the albums, scanning through a wall of colour-photocopied fold-out leaflets to find that familiar face of hers. It was a darker time in my life (!) amidst what was considered a renaissance of Chinese Pop. My first tape was her Begin Again  不如重新開始 album from 1993, a mixture of dance-pop and sensual ballads. I loved it and knew I had found my musical soulmate.

Sandy, even through lyrics which I understood only in portions, touched my soul deeply through the breathy quiver of her voice. She was proficient equally at soulful balladry as she was Babyface-inspired 90s club bangers.  She had a rare talent and embodied the spirit of the modern woman and while being pop, her music had a deeper layer of maturity and artistry.  She possessed vulnerability yet great strength and authenticity as a woman unafraid to love and like every one of us, grapples with insecurity and heartbreak too when love ends.

Unable to get enough, I  began saving-up to buy her CDs, educating myself on her catalog whether it be 1991’s jazzy concept album Wildflower, ground-breaking in the Cantopop market at the time. Come 1995, she had conquered the Mandarin-speaking market in Asia with a sophisticated best-selling collection of songs leaning to the adult contemporary, Love, Sandy. That same year, she also released an English-Japanese album, Open Up which saw her pushing further ahead her artistic boundaries. There was always something new that surfaced with each listen to her music, but her voice was always front and center and undeniably mesmerizing.

It is through Sandy Lam’s music that I had become empowered to want to learn better my mother tongue, not only to speak, but to be able to read and understand the beautiful language of my ancestors, enrolling in courses at school. It is through her music that I developed a deeper connection to my roots, my parents’ culture and ultimately myself as a person. I’ve learned that you don’t have to be one or the other – Canadian or Chinese – but that you can be unique and a colourful culmination of your own experiences and influences.  Life is too short not to live it authentically. Having aspirations of being a musician then, I performed my very best with her inspiration guiding me always and even had the honour of studying under one of her previous teachers for a couple years.

News came earlier this year that Sandy accepted an invitation to compete on Hunan Television’s Singer 2017, a wildly-popular reality series in China which would see her share the stage with artists in a similar vein as The Voice/American Idol as we know it on this side of the Atlantic.  As a protective fan of hers, I was terrified to see her put herself out there to be evaluated by the public as such. Although she admits never to having asked for the protection of her fans, it is a natural instinct to protect something dear to your heart. To put it into context, Singer 2017 would be like having Mariah Carey compete in a singing competition with Céline Dion. As unfathomable as it was, here Sandy Lam was on stage competing for votes with other masters of their craft, including her once-mentor Teresa Carpio.

And did she ever silence the doubt.  Over the course of 13 weeks, Sandy would perform a range of material from her own peers and idols, a couple weeks singing her own songs as she switched seamlessly from English to Cantonese to Mandarin, winning the hearts and souls of voters in-studio and home. Tuning-in quietly every week thanks to YouTube, my ears and heart were filled with pure bliss enjoying her interpretations of familiar hits. Armed with a team of industry who’s-whos in her band including long-time friend Anthony Lun and partner Jun Kung, plus renowned vocal coach Sean Oliver, together they collectively elevated the spirit and caliber of Chinese Pop for all of us.

After four decades in the industry, Sandy Lam never has sounded or looked better than right this moment. She is an artist operating at the highest level possible and in a lasting, successful career to this day, she continues to make music which challenges herself stylistically and technically both, along with opening the minds of her fans. Thank you Sandy for the music. I couldn’t imagine a world without you, your passion and talent.

Her time on Singer 2017 was a gift to fans like myself and it is something I will treasure forever.  Sneakily, I have ripped all her performances into audio files to be enjoyed any time I wish on my phone, not unlike my days of listening to Sandy on pirated cassettes. I guess some things never really change!

Ultimately, the winner was announced this weekend and the right winner was selected in my humblest opinion.  Congratulations, Sandy and Team!

Enjoy some of my favourite moments I think you will love from Sandy’s time on the impeccably-produced Singer 2017:

RUN – a cover of Snow Patrol/Leona Lewis:

LESLIE FOREVER – a high-energy medley of Cantonese hits by legendary actor/singer Leslie Cheung with Kylie Minogue’s Slow interpolated:

多得他 (Superwoman by Karyn White, also sung in Cantonese by Faye Wong)

A couple under-appreciated Classics

Wildflower from “Wildflower”

Pieces of Mind from “Open Up”

A couple snaps of Sandy from her 2009 concert at Casino Rama, which was a dream. Yes, I was that fan that ran to the edge of the stage! LOL

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Music/Hunan Television/Pioneer LDC)

The 2016 Sovereign Awards took place for the first time ever at Palais Royale, situated on Toronto’s Lakeshore. Honouring the best in Canadian Thoroughbred Racing for 42 years now, the annual fixture brought out a who’s-who in the industry. Winning Horse of the Year honours this year was Robert Marzilli‘s Caren, who also took home Champion Three-Year-Old Female honours. The tough filly last year was thrown all obstacles including a true stamina test on the turf to win the mile-and-a-quarter Wonder Where Stakes in August, defying all expectations. Trained by Michael De Paulo and his team, Caren‘s stablemate Noholdingback Bear also took home Champion Sprinter.

After shocking the racing world with an announcement of their exit from the industry with a complete dispersal of their horses last fall, Conquest Stables (Ernie Semersky and Dory Newell) were honoured as Outstanding Owner, an award which they took home also in 2014. I, along with Woodbine personality Dawn Lupul had the honour of accepting on behalf of Semersky and Newell.  I also had the honour of being nominated for Outstanding Photograph, which was awarded to Alberta’s Cody Gregory.  We congratulate him on his amazing win!

Mark Casse and his team continued their domination, taking home their ninth Outstanding Trainer title at the awards tonight, his daughter Camille accepting on his behalf. A few of his trainees – current and former – took home hardware this evening including Conquest Enforcer (Champion Turf Male), Lexie Lou (Champion Turf Female – a former  Horse of the Year also), King and his Court (Champion Two-Year-Old Male) and Victory to Victory (Champion Two-Year-Old Female).

Jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva won his third Outstanding Jockey title and just when we thought he was going to exit the stage without doing so, Emcee Jason Portuondo queued him to exclaim his signature line, “Get luck to everybody!”, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

For the first time ever, Outstanding Groom was awarded to Dexter Brathwaite, a member of Barb Minshall‘s team. The award was presented by the OLG.

Hot off the announcement that he has upped the purse of the 2018 Pegasus World Cup to a whopping $16 million, Frank Stronach was honoured for his industry contributions with the E.P. Taylor Award.  His daughter Belinda, who is still getting acclimated with the industry her father is so passionate about, joining him on-stage and she told the audience “I’m still learning and one day I”ll graduate”. Stronach’s Adena Springs operation took home Outstanding Breeder.

See our Instagram Story:

#SovereignAwards 2016 Photo Gallery 1.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 14, 2017 at 12:37am PDT

#SovereignAwards 2016 Gallery 2.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 14, 2017 at 12:46am PDT

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

From the same Director who brought us MY WEEK WITH MARILYN comes the Awards Season contender which you didn’t know you needed to see! We present to you, GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN!

Synopsis:
GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN gives a rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children’s author A. A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) and his son Christopher Robin (Will Tilston), whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie the Pooh. Along with his mother Daphne (Margot Robbie), and his nanny Olive (Kelly Macdonald), Christopher Robin and his family are swept up in the international success of the books; the enchanting tales bringing hope and comfort to England after the First World War. But with the eyes of the world on Christopher Robin, what will the cost be to the family?

While we’re still waiting on its Trailer, here’s a first look at new stills:

Fox Searchlight release GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN Friday, November 10, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

A pairing couldn’t be more perfect.  Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson team-up in Vancouver-filmed Action-Comedy HITMAN’S BODYGUARD and this brand new Trailer looks wildly-entertaining!

Synopsis:
A bodyguard (Ryan Reynolds) takes his former enemy, a hit man (Samuel L. Jackson), as a client so they can defeat a dictator (Gary Oldman).

See the Trailer:

VVS Films release HITMAN’S BODYGUARD Friday, August 18, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

The season’s begun and guess what? PRINCESS is back too! We tried keeping this a secret but so much for that! Our girl A PIC BY MRWILL makes her three-year-old debut right in time for the start of the 2017 racing season at Woodbine Saturday, April 15, 2017. Under the silks of her proud parents John Ross and Cathy Wong, she will be ridden for the first time ever by respected journeyman and Avelino Gomez Award recipient Steven Bahen whom she struck a real strong connection with in a breeze last Saturday.

Steven Bahen

Steven who stunned the racing world in 2011 aboard 80-1 upset Queen’s Plate winner T J’s Lucky Moon, has in his career piloted greats like Mt. Sassafrass,  Simply Lovely, Silent Fleet, Cinquieme Essai and Nipissing. He unlocked something in Princess we’ve never seen prior before in her workouts and we’re excited to see their chemistry together on the track for the first time! Hopefully the Ross barn’s two wins on opening day in 2016 – one courtesy of Steven – are a sign of things to come? But really, we’re happy just to see progress as she’s shown us all winter in Florida!

Princess a couple weeks back had the honour also of working under #emmazing Emma-Jayne Wilson in a good work, her first since being back at Woodbine.  She has been paired with workmate Royal Katy under Katy Morrison and has kept right up.

Some Snaps of that:

She faces a talented and promising field of young ladies making their three-year-old debut at five furlongs, a distance Princess trained at last week. We have a feeling she might want to go a bit longer but this is a great starting point for her to get a race under her belt.

Send all your luck, we need it and appreciate it! See you at the races Saturday? Race 10, #10!  Post time is 5:59 PM EST.

Mr. Will x Princess

p.s. Princess is now on Facebook too! Come be her ‘priend’ here.

These past few days have been exciting for her and if you are in Toronto, tune in 6:20 PM EST tonight on CTV during their Sports segment for a feature including Princess, her dad John and Emma! Thanks CTV, Keith McCalmont and Woodbine!

Princess in 3D. Coming soon to theatres. 👑

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Apr 8, 2017 at 10:27am PDT

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)