By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

From the moment you step into Casa Loma for The Beauty and the Beast Exhibit, you feel as though you are immersed in the world of Belle and the Beast. The costumes that were used in the Film are on display, the memorable music is played through the main hall, and the rose is held in its case. Everything that’s important from the original Film is back for the live-action version and it’s all on display in Toronto Family Day weekend only!

There are events for children such as a jumpy-castle and face painting, as well as entertainment for adults, such as music and performances. The performances consist of ballroom dances and acrobatics. What better way to spend Family Day weekend than to treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience The Beauty and the Beast Exhibit?

More details here.

See some snaps:

Don’t forget to join the conversation on Social Media with the hashtag #BeOurGuestTO!

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

Taking place from Friday, February 18 though Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the Canadian International Auto Show is a must-attend event for any car lover.  We had the pleasure of attending for the first time ever this year courtesy of our friends at Ford Canada and we even got to attend a private luncheon with Ford‘s in-house Futurist, Sheryl Connelly visiting all the way from the automaker’s headquarters in Michigan. Now we must clarify, a Futurist doesn’t predict the future but more is an expert on the analysis of social behaviours globally, to understand what ultimately shapes and crafts trends and this trickles down things we buy, including what we look for in buying a car.

We learned tons of interesting statistics and tidbits about global patterns and behaviours over our delicious lunch at Taverna Mercatto, just minutes from the bustle at the Convention Centre.

According to 80% of globally-surveyed adults feel today’s media outlets are more opinion than objective news coverage. We are living in an age where people are trusting less traditional media as a source of information, hence people are turning more to Bloggers and Influencers for information.

“I’m not a car expert by any means”, Connelly tells a room of Influencers whom have become ambassadors whom in recent years have become local ambassadors for the beloved brand. “I’m into very much many of the same things you are into”.  Perusing the room, I felt a sense of relief among some familiar faces – my worries alleviated of being I’d be stuck in a presentation where lots of technical automotive jargon would be thrown my way.

Did you know the average American spends 4.7 hours a day on their mobile device?   77% of adults globally surveyed agree this is resulting in higher obesity levels.  Studies also show that 47% of people agree that technology is making us dumber. While 63% of people feel that we are becoming less polite due to technology. Need proof?  Read the comments section on YouTube or ask that friend who was “dumped” over text message or e-mail. Ford has a mission not to overwhelm us with technology, but instead be purposeful in a way that allows us to incorporate and integrate it intuitively into their products, enabling us to enjoy that “good life”.

Times also are changing. Survey results show that people over the age of 30 tend to associate social status with the car they drive. Millennials we learned, place more value and associate status with the technology they own.  Perhaps we are approaching more than ever before an era where not every body wants or needs to own a car.  Also we are seeing a shift from what we know as Materialism. 69% of women and 60% of men surveyed feel that wealth is an outdated measure of success. In response to the statement “I care less about material possessions than I did in the past”, 62% (18-29), 67% (30-44) and 73% (45+) responded a definitive “yes”.  Ford continually is trying to explore the balance between need and desire and our many diverse needs. A car is just a ride to some of us, while it is status and something more meaningful to others.

“Decider’s Dilemma” also is a growing phenomenon among consumers today. That is, we are responding to over-buying and the overwhelming abundance of options in the marketplace by wanting to try before we buy, a “Sampling Society” if you will.  Above this, surveyed results show that 98% of kids who took a “gap year” agree that experience helped them develop as a person, hinting that procrastination in some ways helps people be more productive.  Technology like Ford’s Smart Mobility  and FordPass  among other mobility solutions, help each traveler plan their own journey and also stay more connected with their own lives.

86% of adults surveyed around the world also agree that we should be paying closer attention to the production ethics of the products we buy. Ford’s mission is to make products mindful of our growing concern for sustainability and the world economically, socially and environmentally.  In recent years, we are seeing more and more the surfacing of Ecoboost technology and smaller Eco-sport cars which serve the base need for utility.  Ford also has placed focus on a water strategy, receiving an “A” rating from the CDP, the world’s only global environment disclosure agency.

See some of the gorgeous new 2017 offerings from the Ford roster in our Snapchat story and Instagram:

All great ideas happen over lunch. Had a wonderful time listening to Ford’s in-house Futurist Sheryl Connelly talk about what sculpts trends and previewing Ford’s amazing 2017 lineup of vehicles. Will elaborate more on upcoming post on the site. #FordCIAS #FordTrends

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 16, 2017 at 12:11pm PST

Definition of gorgeous. Check out the 2017 Ford GT. #FordGT #FordTrends #FordCIAS #CIAS2017

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 16, 2017 at 12:27pm PST

Super-cute! In classic Ford blue too! The 2017 Ford Focus RS. #FordCIAS #FordTrends #CIAS2017

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 16, 2017 at 12:32pm PST

Can totally see myself driving the 2017 Ford Edge Sport. Can you? #CIAS2017 #FordEdge #FordTrends #FordCIAS

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 16, 2017 at 12:40pm PST

Roll like a celebrity. My dream ride is the 2017 Ford Navigator. #FordCIAS #FordTrends #FordNavigator #CIAS2017

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 16, 2017 at 12:34pm PST

Visit the Canadian International Auto Show’s official website for more here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We admit a month ago having known v. little about HBO‘s new series BIG LITTLE LIES, based on the novel by Liane Moriarty. Since discovering it though, we’re helplessly hooked. We have previewed the first six of seven episodes and cruelly were left hanging at the end of it.  It consumed us fully this weekend and it’s been on our mind all day.

The seven-part series follows the lives of three mothers in Monterey, California as they cope with family-life balance, each facing their own unique demons. We have Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), a well-to-do stay at home mom of two, invested in a local theatre production of Avenue Q much to the disapproval of the local mayor and conservative locals. Celeste (Nicole Kidman), a lawyer-on-hiatus, has a seemingly-perfect life too with twin boys, a gorgeous house and a handsome husband in Perry (Alex Skarsgård).  Enter to the picture, mysterious single mother Jane (Shailene Woodley) and her son who are new to the area, drawn to its affordable private school education at a public school cost.  Things begin to unravel one day at school when Jane’s son Ziggy (Iain Armitage) is accused of hurting Renata’s (Laura Dern) daughter Anabella (Ivy George). This ignites what becomes a rampant fire as we see these mothers go to all costs to protect their children. Passions flare as Celeste and Madeline rally to support their new friend Jane and the consequences are well, fatal.  As the story unfolds we get eyewitness accounts, some less reliable than others, and we learn the deep, dark secrets each of our three leading women are harbouring, leading them together to where they are today. Who dies?  Why? Who did it?  How?  We have so many questions.

Canada’s very own Jean-Marc Vallée does a phenomenal job at the reins here and while BIG LITTLE LIES at times is a bit of a meditative slow-burn, we nonetheless are invested every step of the way.  Our characters are richly-developed, complex, aware, intelligent and multi-dimensional. Nothing is ever just black or white with them, there is a rather large, beautifully-messy gray area. Domestic violence, consent, sexuality, infidelity are just some of the meaty matters the series examines with great depth and it leaves us with plenty to think about.

Although Witherspoon’s brand has become synonymous with being Elle Woods and Rom-Coms like Sweet Home Alabama, we really love her pairing with Vallée which as we saw in Oscar-nominated WILD, has given her a real opportunity to shine as a dramatic force. Kidman seldom disappoints and she has shown that when she is in full-control of her output (remember the outstanding Rabbit Hole?), as she is here serving with Witherspoon as Executive Producers, she is devastatingly good. We also really enjoy Woodley’s work as Jane, careful never to give too much away about her character as one of the story’s most fascinating aspects. And we love Laura Dern in a performance that is worthy of top-billing, as a woman on fire in the deeply-angry Renata.

See a Tease:

HBO Canada airs BIG LITTLE LIES Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 9 PM EST.

More here.

(Photo/video credit: HBO)

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Run-of-Engagement Passes to see TIFF ’16 selection THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS! You also will win a copy of the Novel on which it is based. It plays in the following cities:

Toronto / Yonge & Dundas
Vancouver / Park Theatre
Calgary / Eau Claire
Ottawa / South Keys
Halifax / Park Lane

Synopsis:
The near future; humanity has been all but destroyed by a mutated fungal disease that eradicates free will and turns its victims into flesh-eating “hungries”. Only a small group of children seem immune to its effects.

At an army base in rural England, this group of unique children are being studied, subjected to cruel experiments by biologist Dr. Caldwell. Despite having been infected with the zombie pathogen that has decimated the world, these children retain normal thoughts and emotions. And while still being subject to the craving for human flesh that marks the disease these second- generation “hungries” are able to think and feel making them a vital resource in the search for a cure.

The children attend school lessons daily, guarded by the ever watchful Sergeant Parks. But one little girl, Melanie, stands out from the rest. Melanie is special. She excels in the classroom, is inquisitive, imaginative and loves her favourite teacher Miss Justineau.

When the base falls, Melanie escapes along with Miss Justineau, Sergeant Parks and Dr. Caldwell. Against the backdrop of a blighted Britain, Melanie must discover what she is and ultimately decide both her own future and that of the human race.

The Girl With All The Gifts is directed by Colm McCarthy and stars Sennia Nanua, Gemma Arterton, Glenn Close and Paddy Considine.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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

Elevation Pictures release THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS at Cineplex Event Cinemas and iTunes Friday, February 24, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

We’ve got an exciting opportunity for those of you in Toronto!  Premiering at the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival this weekend, BEFORE I FALL already has made a splash at Sundance!  In town for the occasion is its star Zoey Deutch and Director Ry Russo-Young!  Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to take you and a friend to the Premiere!

Synopsis:
A high school girl is stuck reliving the day of her death for a week and must untangle the mystery to discover everything she’s in danger of losing, in indie darling Ry Russo-Young‘s (Orphans, Nobody Walks) adaption of the wildly popular novel Before I Fall.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK.  Then post on your Instagram account your Selfie using the Valentine’s Day-only  BEFORE I FALL Snapchat Filter (not to be confused with their face-changing lenses).  The photo must include the hashtag #BAEMINEBEFOREIFALL.

Let us know your Instagram handle in the comments section on Facebook so we can verify! We’ll be checking!

The BEFORE I FALL Snapchat Filter looks like this…

Don’t have Snapchat? Get it! Data usage applies according to your mobile provider rates and plans.

Elevation Pictures release BEFORE I FALL Friday, March 3, 2017 in select cities.

Zoey x Mr. Will

#ZoeyDeutch in #NYC for #MetGala. #MetBall

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 7:24pm PDT

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

The biggest night in Music took place this evening with the 59th annual GRAMMY Awards being held at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Adele took home top honours garnering Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Solo Performance (Hello), Record of the Year (Hello), Song of the Year (Hello) and Album of the Year with her 2015 third disc, 25.

Doing Canada proud is Toronto’s own Drake who took home multiple awards including Best Rap/ Sung Performance and Best Rap Song with Hotline Bling. 

An expectant Beyoncé wins  Best Music Video for Formation and Best Urban Contemporary Album with Lemonade which even the evening’s big winner Adele felt deserved to win Album of the Year, breaking her Grammy in half for 25 to share with Beyoncé.

Newcomer Chance the Rapper also took home  Best New Artist, Rap Album of the Year for Coloring Book, along with a win for Best Rap Performance for his collaboration No Problem.

Post-humously, David Bowie was awarded with multiple wins for his final disc, Blackstar including Best Alternative Music Album, Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song (Blackstar).

While they are currently dominating Pop Music, Electronic duo The Chainsmokers failed to win Best New Artist although they took home Best Dance Recording for their Daya collaboration Don’t Let Me Down.

Some more highlights from the night:

Adele accepting Album of the Year

Lady Gaga x Metallica

Katy Perry x Skip Marley

Twenty One Pilots win Best Pop Duo/ Group Performance for Stressed Out pantless

Beyoncé accepting Best Urban Contemporary Album

Complete list of winners here.

(Photo/video credit: Recording Academy/Getty Images)

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE gets the love of Moviegoers taking the top of the Box Office in its debut Valentine’s Day weekend with $54.5 million from 4,088 theatres for Warner Bros. Pictures. Its 2014 predecessor made $69 million in its opening, while Critics love it equally as much with 91% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it a great A- CinemaScore.

Debuting right behind in second with $48.3 million from 3,710 theatres  is FIFTY SHADES DARKER, also a second series installment like LEGO. It gets 10% on the Tomatometer and a much better B+ CinemaScore from Audiences. By contrast, its predecessor made $85 million it its 2015 debut.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 opens in third with $29.6 million from 3,113 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. This bests the series’ first installment which opened in 2014 with $14.4 million domestically. It gets a fantastic 91% on the Tomatometer from Critics and also an A- CinemaScore.

SPLIT still is going strong in fourth after three weeks on-top, with $9.1 million from 2,961 theatres for Universal Pictures. It has made $112 million thus far.

A DOG’S PURPOSE is in sixth with $7.7 million for Universal Pictures, a tally of $42.9 million over three weeks.

LA LA LAND is in eighth with $5 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, tallying-in at $126 million over ten weeks.

THE SPACE BETWEEN US rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.7 million for STX Entertainment/VVS Films, a total $6.5 million over two weeks.

Our love for the Queen of Cake® knows no boundaries.  Did you know that Dufflet Pastries now once a month offers an evening dessert buffet, DUFFLET AFTER DARK?  After debuting late last year right before the Holidays, a second installment of the series was held tonight at their licensed Toronto Beaches location at 1917 Queen Street East. They brought-out their signature favourites on an all-you-can-eat basis for some lucky patrons who were able to secure a table at the event.  The ambient, candle-lit affair was hosted by Dufflet team members Davis, Chris and Pippa.

Appearing on the menu were Dufflet’s:

Chocolate Truffle Cake

White Chocolate Mousse Cake

Pink Velvet Cake

Lemon Coconut Cake

Four Fruit Pie

Pecan Pie

Carrot Cake

Braised Short Rib with Merlot Reduction Empanadas

Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Empanadas

Yes, you read right. Empanadas – mini versions of the larger versions offered normally in-store. And they were delectable.

Although my eyes certainly are bigger than my stomach, I managed to get in a bite of each offering. That Lemon Coconut Cake is still as perfect as I remember it and the Four Fruit Pie quickly has become a personal favourite with its shortbread-like crust and a just-tart-enough filling of rhubarb, blueberry, strawberry and apple. It is pie-fection!  Their best-selling Carrot Cake remains a gold standard in the industry and is among the best I’ve ever tasted. I brought Mama Wong along for the fun and she quite enjoyed the Pink Velvet Cake.

The Buffet is paired with your choice of red/white wine, coffee (including Espresso) and Sloane Teas.  May I recommend the Inniskillin Riesling which was born to be served with the delightful sweetness of Duffet Pastries.

Learn more about DUFFLET AFTER DARK here.

Our Snapstory:

Mama Wong x Mr. Will

Awesome night out with Mom at #DuffletAfterDark! A once a month dessert buffet with a selection of favourites by the Queen of Cake herself and your choice of wine, tea or coffee. Check my Snapstory later for more. 🍰 #Dufflet

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Feb 10, 2017 at 6:50pm PST

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see A UNITED KINGDOM in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.

Screenings take place:

TORONTO
Wednesday, February 22
7:00PM
Cineplex Varsity Cinemas

VANCOUVER
Thursday, February 23
7:00PM
Cineplex International Village

CALGARY
Thursday, March 2
7:00PM
Cineplex Eau Claire Market Cinemas

Synopsis:
A UNITED KINGDOM is the true story of King Seretse Khama of Botswana (David Oyelowo) and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), a white woman from London, which caused an international uproar when they decided to marry in the late 1940s just as apartheid was being introduced into South Africa. It was a decision that altered the course of African history.

See the Trailer:

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

Fox Searchlight release A UNITED KINGDOM Friday, February 24, 2017 Toronto + Vancouver and Friday, March 3, 2017 Calgary.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

We love us some Katy Perry and just when thought we couldn’t handle the tease anymore, she unleashes CHAINED TO THE RHYTHM today finally!

While she will debut the track at the GRAMMYS, Perry treats us to this adorable Lyric Video starring Mr. Parsons the Hamster. The early 80s-Synth Pop tune with a bit of Reggae is set to have the world under arrest.

Watch below:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)