We certainly are in a new era of cinema where we’re seeing huge stars like Brad Pitt starring in original Netflix Films! You must see this new Teaser for WAR MACHINE in which he stars alongside a massive supporting cast filled to them brim in starpower!

Synopsis:
An absurdist war story for our times, Writer-Director David Michôd (Animal Kingdom) recreates a U.S. General’s roller-coaster rise and fall as part reality, part savage parody – raising the specter of just where the line between them lies today. His is an exploration of a born leader’s ultra-confident march right into the dark heart of folly. At the story’s core is Brad Pitt’s sly take on a successful, charismatic four-star general who leapt in like a rock star to command NATO forces in Afghanistan, only to be taken down by a journalist’s no-holds-barred exposé.

WAR MACHINE stars Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton, Sir Ben Kingsley, Anthony Michael Hall, Topher Grace, Will Poulter, Lakeith Stanfield, Emory Cohen, John Magaro, RJ Cyler, Alan Ruck, Scoot McNairy and Meg Tilly.

See the Trailer:

Netflix Canada release WAR MACHINE Friday, May 26, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

It’s that time of the year again and you can bet we’re super-pumped for CANADIAN SCREEN WEEK!  As in previous years, FAMILY FAN DAY will give us a chance to connect with some of our favourite Canadian stars of the screen!  Taking place Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the event runs from 10 AM to 2 PM and guess what?  It’s free!

Exciting activations and contests are being planned and did you know that the first 100 in line will get a free swag bag? There will be doughnuts from JELLY MODERN, a MAC booth giving you inspiration for your spring 2017 look, exciting animals from HANDS ON EXOTICS and also a coding workshop by LADIES LEARNING CODE.

Stars in attendance this year include:

• Dan Riskin and Ziya Tong, Daily Planet (Bell Media)

• Kristian Bruun, Orphan Black (Bell Media)

• Simu Liu, Andrea Bang and Andrew Phung, Kim’s Convenience (CBC)

• Hélène Joy and Lachlan Murdoch, Murdoch Mysteries (CBC)

• Alisha Newton, Heartland (CBC)

• Janaye, Tony, Victor, Gary the Unicorn and Dot, CBC Kids (CBC)

• Dwight Drummond, CBC News Toronto (CBC)

• Kim Coates, Bad Blood (Rogers Media)

• Dina Pugliese and Kevin Frankish, Breakfast Television (Rogers Media)

• Victoria Baldesarra and Shelby Bain, The Next Step (Family Channel)

• Chelsea Clark and Ehren Kassam, Degrassi: Next Class (Family Channel)

• Devyn Nekoda, Colin Petierre and Julia Tomasone, Backstage (Family Channel)

• Hosts from Global’s The Morning Show (Corus Entertainment)

• Mike Holmes and Mike Holmes Jr., Holmes + Holmes (Corus Entertainment)

• Noah Cappe, The Bachelor Canada (Corus Entertainment)

• Anthony Farnell, Global News (Corus Entertainment)

• Ella Ballentine, Sara Botsford, Kate MacDonald Butler, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables (Corus Entertainment/Breakthrough Entertainment)

…and several more!

YTV‘s Carlos Bustamante will fill hosting duties.

____________________________________

Here’s a couple tips for taking the best selfies with the stars, from your resident expert, Mr. Will:

1. Be calm, stars are more like us than we are  led to believe.

2. Ask nicely. If you are a real fan, let them know how they have touched your life.

3. Give them space and let them initiate it if they want to get closer to you.

4. Make sure there’s no glaring light behind you in the photo. This is v. unflattering and will almost always ruin your photo. If there is light, make sure it is shining on your faces.

5. Nobody likes a double-chin, so tilt that camera/cell phone up just a bit and tilt that chin down.

6. Look into the lens of the camera, not the screen on your cell phone and smile! Keep your eyes open!

7. Take an extra snap quickly just in case the first didn’t turn out – it’s always good to have a back-up.

8. Thank the star.

____________________________________

Enjoy and g’luck! We’ll be seeing you around Canadian Screen Week!

More on Family Fan Day here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television)

A release date has been announced for eagerly-awaited Netflix Film OKJA with a star-studded Cast which includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Tilda Swinton, Steve Yeun, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito and newcomer Seo Hyun An.

Synopsis:
From visionary Director Bong Joon Ho, this grand global adventure follows a friendship too big to ignore. Meet Mija, a young girl who risks everything to prevent a powerful, multi-national company from kidnapping her best friend – a massive animal named Okja. Following her across continents, the coming-of-age comedy drama sees Mija’s horizons expand in a way one never would want for one’s children, coming up against the harsh realities of genetically modified food experimentation, globalization, eco-terrorism, and humanity’s obsession with image, brand and self-promotion.

See the Teaser:

Netflix Canada premiere OKJA Wednesday, June 28, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

One of 2017’s biggest emerging musical acts is about to make a huge splash stateside. Stunning 21-year-old English Singer/Songwriter Dua Lipa is making waves with current single Scared to be Lonely, a collabo with red-hot Producer/DJ Martin Garrix. In the UK, she already is an accomplished one garnering nominations at the recent BRIT AWARDS for a Critic’s Choice Award, BBC‘s Sound of 2016 and also being named NME‘s Best New Artist.

Dua Lipa played a sold-out show at Toronto’s Mod Club to night and if that weren’t enough she braved the cold in the same shimmery dress she donned on-stage to greet hundreds of fans following the show outside the venue!

See our Snaps:

With one of 2017’s biggest emerging musical acts, #DuaLipa who played a sold-out show at The Mod Club tonight!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2017 at 8:30pm PST

#DuaLipa literally stood outside in the cold and met hundreds of Toronto fans after her Mod Club Show! Amazing. (@DuaLipa @warnermusiccanada)

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2017 at 8:45pm PST

Check out Scared to be Lonely below:

Dua Lipa’s debut disc is due this summer via Warner Music Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Music)

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see GHOST IN THE SHELL first in Toronto, Montreal + Ottawa. Screenings take place Wednesday, March 29, 2017:

Toronto – Scotiabank Theatre @ 7:00PM

Montreal – Cinema Banque Scotia Montreal @ 7:00PM

Ottawa – Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa @ 7:00PM

Synopsis:
In the near future, Major (Scarlett Johansson) is the first of her kind:  A human saved from a terrible crash, who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world’s most dangerous criminals. When terrorism reaches a new level that includes the ability to hack into people’s minds and control them, Major is uniquely qualified to stop it. As she prepares to face a new enemy, Major discovers that she has been lied to:  her life was not saved, it was stolen. She will stop at nothing to recover her past, find out who did this to her and stop them before they do it to others. Based on the internationally acclaimed Japanese Manga, “The Ghost in the Shell.”.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. For an extra shot, “favourite” this Tweet on Twitter: @mrwillw!

Paramount Pictures Canada release GHOST IN THE SHELL Friday, March 31, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Golden Globe-nominated Actress and 10-million-album-selling Singer/Songwriter Mandy Moore returned to the City today, a place she has visited multiple times over the span of her accomplished career. We have been following Moore‘s work since she popped on the scene in 1999 with debut single Candy and it was impossible not to be affected by her amazing work in A Walk to Remember and Disney‘s Tangled. Thanks to the meteoric success of NBC’s This is Us, we’ve been seeing a lot more Moore lately and we love it! The heartfelt Series which has her starring in the role of Rebecca Pearson has people realizing how big a fan they really are of the multi-talented star.

Here to promote the upcoming season finale of THIS IS US on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 on CTV,  its 17th episode airing Tuesday, March 7, 2017 after a short hiatus. Now’s our chance to get caught-up!

We have been a fan from the start and it has been a thrill seeing her career continue to blossom. She was in amazing spirits today and looked so beautiful stopping for us in the cold outside KISS 92.5 Studios after her Roz & Mocha Show appearance.

See our Snap with Moore:

Been waiting for this moment forever. A fan since “Candy” and #AWalktoRemember #MandyMoore in town for #ThisisUs today! What a treat!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2017 at 6:40am PST

More Moore. #MandyMoore #ThisisUs

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2017 at 7:15am PST

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The 89th annual Academy Awards took place tonight at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and in a shock of a finale, MOONLIGHT would win coveted Best Picture. Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway would make a not-soon-to-be-forgotten gaffe of announcing LA LA LAND and Best Picture, which eventually was corrected. Beatty clarified on-stage he had in fact received the envelope for Emma Stone, Best Actress. The acclaimed Barry Jenkins coming of age Film also would win for Adapted Screenplay and Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali). 

In an era where inclusion and diversity are at the forefront of discussion, Ali becomes known as the first ever Muslim Actor to win an Oscar. Noted this year was an increased presence of talent whether it be Presenters or Nominees, of various ethnicities.

After dominating Awards Season, Damien Chazelle‘s LA LA LAND would sweep in several categories including Production Design, Cinematography, Original Score, Original Song, Directing and Actress (Emma Stone). Chazelle has the distinction of at age 32 being the youngest to ever win Best Directing.

Jimmy Kimmel filled hosting duties this year, delivering his signature brand of biting humour (much directed to a running friendly feud with Matt Damon) which drew big laughs and at once awkward silence when he joked about O.J. Simpson deserving an extra piece of bologna tonight after OJ: MADE IN AMERICA won Best Documentary.

The night reached a comedic high point where Kimmel told the audience that he had planned for a bus full of random tourists to visit Kodak Theatre without their knowing. Much to their surprise, they were greeted  by a front row of Hollywood Who’s-Who which included the likes of Emma Stone, Meryl Streep, Ryan Gosling, Denzel Washington, Mahershala Ali and several more!

.@jimmykimmel bringing tourists into the #oscars was pretty Fresh. pic.twitter.com/xetZUSL0pd

— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) February 27, 2017

Accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award just earlier this year, three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep stole the show tonight right from the get-go without even speaking with Kimmel poking fun about Donald Trump‘s statement that she was over-rated getting the audience to giver her a standing ovation as the “highly-overrated Meryl Streep“.

‘Highly overrated’ Meryl Streep gets standing ovation at #Oscars after being slammed by Trump https://t.co/K3lOQiFiE5 pic.twitter.com/FTI72LIq5u

— People Magazine (@people) February 27, 2017

The iconic Actress has appeared much in the news of late after Fashion Designer Karl Lagerfeld claimed to Women’s Wear Daily that Streep refused a dress from Chanel after she was denied monetary compensation for donning the label’s creation.  Streep vehemently has denied the accusation, issuing a statement: “I do not take this lightly, and Mr. Lagerfeld’s generic ‘statement’ of regret for this ‘controversy’ was not an apology. He lied, they printed the lie, and I am still waiting.”.

The other acting categories went to heavy favourites. Casey Affleck won Best Actor for MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for her work in stage-to-film Adaptation FENCES.

Canada was represented well, with Montreal’s Sylvain Bellemare winning Best Sound Editing for ARRIVAL. The Best Picture-nominated Film also saw our Denis Villeneuve receive a nomination for Directing.

As always the evening’s fashion is a huge part of the spectacle and here are some of the evening’s winning looks!

(Photo/video credit: Oscars/Getty Images)

Honouring outstanding performances this past year among ACTRA members, the 2017 edition of the ACTRA Awards (now in its 15th year) were held at The Carlu tonight in Toronto. The organization contains 22,000+ members and it negotiates contracts on behalf of its cultural workers. Its jurisdiction ranges from independent film production, commercials, radio and television drama, telephony, video games and web-based content.  ACTRA ensures members have protected minimum wage standards and working conditions. Several of Canada’s most notable  names in entertainment are a part of the organization.

It was a who’s-who of Canadian talent at the affair including man of the hour, Murdoch Mysteries’ Yannick Bisson who received the 2017 ACTRA Award of Excellence. Just last year he received the coveted Fan Choice Award at the Canadian Screen Awards, as a testament to his lasting popularity with over 60 credits over 35 years on his resume. He imparts a bit of wisdom to his peers, reminding them “There are literally hundreds of people on set at any given time to make actors look good. Be gracious, always.”.

The Cast of Kim’s Convenience were awarded the first-ever Series Ensemble Award, based on member votes.  Its star Jean Yoon, who was fashionably-late to the Gala, won Outstanding Performance – Female and made an impactful statement in her speech. “I’m really proud to be working on a show about immigrants in a time of nationalist intolerance”, says Yoon.  The Cast dedicated their award to all immigrant families, stating “You are here. You are welcome. And you are loved.”.

Aurora Browne, Carolyn Taylor and Jennifer Whalen of the Baroness Von Sketch troupe played hosting duties at the gala and in attendance were this year’s nominees: Grace Lynn Kung (The Death (and Life) of Carl Naardlinger), Tatiana Maslany (Two Lovers and a Bear), Kari Matchett (Maudi), Jean Yoon (Kim’s Convenience), Joey Klein (We’re Still Together), Simu Liu (Blood and Water), Eric Osborne (Degrassi: Next Class) and Gord Rand (Orphan Black). Other notables present included: Kristian Bruun, Tantoo Cardinal, Wendy Crewson, Shawn Doyle, Kevin Hanchard, Art Hindle, Amanda Joy, Eric Peterson, Leah Pinsent, Julian Richings, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Kate Trotter.

Awards presented this evening (winners in bold blue), including the brand new Ensemble Award (members’ choice):

Nominees for Outstanding Performance – Voice

Lilly Bartlam (Dot) Dot., “Bring the Thunder” (Industrial Brothers)
Linda Kash (Gina Falcone) Fugget About It, “Vagina’s Got Talent” (9 Story Media Group)
Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring (Various) This is That, Episode 406 (CBC)
Bryn McAuley (Suzi) Camp Lakebottom, “Ice Queen” (9 Story Media Group)
Scott McCord (Rudolph Mintenberg) Atomic Puppet, “AP vs Disastro II” (Mercury Filmworks)

Nominees for Outstanding Performance – Female

Brenda Bazinet (Judge Susan Reeves) Shoot the Messenger, “Careful What You Pray For” (Hungry Eyes Film & Television)
Grace Lynn Kung (Pam Naardlinger) The Death (and Life) of Carl Naardlinger (Cinéman Films)
Tatiana Maslany (Lucy) Two Lovers and a Bear (Max Films Productions)
Kari Matchett (Sandra) Maudie (Small Shack Productions Inc., Painted House Films, Parallel Films)
Jean Yoon (Umma) Kim’s Convenience, “Gay Discount” (Thunderbird Films)

Nominees for Outstanding Performance – Male

Simu Liu (Paul Xie) Blood and Water, Episode 1.8 (Breakthrough Entertainment)
Joey Klein (Bobby) We’re Still Together (Achromatic Media)
Eric Osborne (Miles Hollingsworth) Degrassi: Next Class, “#YesMeansYes” (DHX Media)
Gord Rand (Det. Duko) Orphan Black, “The Redesign of Natural Objects” (Temple Street Productions)
Paul Soles (Joe) My 90-Year-Old Roommate (LoCo Motion Pictures)

Nominees for Series Ensemble Award

Baroness Von Sketch Show
Kim’s Convenience
Murdoch Mysteries
Orphan Black
Schitt’s Creek

See some Snaps from the evening:

The Cast and Crew of ORPHAN BLACK, Nominees

Tatiana Maslany, Nominee

Yannick Bisson, 2017 ACTRA Award of Excellence Recipient

Kristian Bruun x Yannick Bisson

Joey Klein, Winner

Simu Liu, Nominee

Gord Rand, Nominee

Kari Matchett, Nominee

Grace Lynn Kung, Nominee

Jordan Gavaris x Kevin Hanchard, Nominees

Eric Osborne, Nominee

Art Hindle (previous Honouree) x Brooke Hindle

Olivia Chow, Author + Politician

It’s an #OrphanBlack Reunion at the #ACTRAAwards. #TatianaMaslany #GordRand #KristianBruun #KevinHanchard #CloneClub

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Feb 25, 2017 at 5:36pm PST

Handsome #MurdochMysteries star #YannickBisson accepting #ACTRAAwards Award of Excellence tonight.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Feb 25, 2017 at 7:05pm PST

All photos taken on the NIKON D3300, video on the SAMSUNG S7.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It’s been a great year for Universal Pictures who take the top of the Box Office with the Jordan Peele horror, GET OUT. Just earlier this year they topped the Box Office for three weeks with SPLIT.  Exceeding all expectations, GET OUT debuts at number one with $28 million from 2,701 theatres across North America.  It gets an ultra-rare 100% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore from Audiences.

Slipping to second after two weeks on-top is THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE with $18 million from 4,057 theatres for Warner Bros. in its third week. It has made $132 million thus far domestically.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 continues to go strong in third with $8.2 million in its third week out, a tally of $74 million thus far for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films.

THE GREAT WALL is in fourth this weekend with $8 million, a two-week total of $33 million for Universal Pictures.

FIFTY SHADES DARKER is in fifth with $7.3 million for Universal Pictures, just surpassing the $100-million-mark in its third week.

Oscar Frontrunner LA LA LAND continues to perform well in eighth with $4.7 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films, a total $140 million over 12 weeks.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is Chinese Graphic Novel Adaptation ROCK DOG, with $3,5 million for Lionsgate Films from 2,077 theatres. It gets 44% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

Rhombus Media x Mr. Will want to give Toronto Readers a chance first to see SAIGON BODYGUARDS, premiering in Toronto Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas.  The Film has the distinction in its native Vietnam of beating out ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story at the Box Office upon its opening there last Christmas.

Synopsis:
Two Saigon Bodyguards, Trinh, the handsome professional and Vien, the humorous womanizer, must embark on their most challenging mission – to rescue Henry, the heir of LeMilk Corporation, who was kidnapped while under their care at his father’s funeral. The action-packed comedy SAIGON BODYGUARDS, was a Christmas box-office hit in Vietnam.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win passes, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. “Favourite” this Tweet on Twitter: @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Rhombus Media release SAIGON BODYGUARDS Friday, March 3, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Rhombus Media)