Let’s be real – R&B just isn’t what it used to be. Hence when we were told by a friend to check out Kehlani‘s debut disc SweetSexySavage, we were expecting it to sound like every other Neo-Soul/Alternative-R&B album out in the past decade. But really it isn’t. Lead single Distraction‘s TLC influence is an unavoidable comparison. Even the album’s title itself rings of that Trio’s 1994 Grammy-winning disc CrazySexyCool. Many Millennials however won’t know that.  Kehlani‘s debut disc possesses sensuality, soul and an understated Gen Z confidence that keeps us wanting to re-examine it. It’s fresh.

The 21-year-old Singer/Songwriter from Oakland, California originally aspired to be a dancer, curtailed by injury, but has managed plenty fine as a musician, making a critical splash with her 2014 Mixtape You Should be Here. SweetSexySavage however, is considered technically Kehlani‘s debut.

Check-out Distraction below:

Kehlani is definitely one to keep a tab on. She’s in Toronto early June for a show at Rebel.

Warner Music Canada release SWEETSEXYSAVAGE, downloadable here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

Right in time for the BIG GAME Sunday comes this brand new Trailer for Sci-Fi Thriller LIFE!

Synopsis:
Life is a terrifying sci-fi thriller about a team of scientists aboard the International Space Station whose mission of discovery turns to one of primal fear when they find a rapidly evolving life form that caused extinction on Mars, and now threatens the crew and all life on Earth. LIFE stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson and Ryan Reynolds.

 See it below:

In advance of Sunday’s Big Game, see first this new Trailer for TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT.

Synopsis:
The Last Knight shatters the core myths of the Transformers franchise, and redefines what it means to be a hero. Humans and Transformers are at war, Optimus Prime is gone.  The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth.  Saving our world falls upon the shoulders of an unlikely alliance: Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg); Bumblebee; an English Lord (Sir Anthony Hopkins); and an Oxford Professor (Laura Haddock).

See the Spot:

Paramount Pictures Canada release TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT Friday, June 23, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

At age 19, Asa Butterfield already has stamped himself as a real force to be reckoned with. The English actor, who hails from London, has built a concise, quality-packed résumé working with the likes Martin Scorcese in the titular role of 2011’s 11-time Oscar-nominated Hugo. Additional prominent roles had him in Box Office successes like Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, Ender’s Game and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

Although he’s visited Toronto prior for the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival with X+Y, he makes a rare return to the city in support of his latest Film, the Sci-Fi/Romance, THE SPACE BETWEEN US. The Film which also stars Gary Oldman, Carla Gugino and Britt Robertson, centers on the first ever human born on Mars and his journey to earth. His existence very much is kept a secret following his astronaut mother’s premature death.  He meets a girl named Tulsa (Robertson) online and makes it a mission to find her, and also his birth father.  Time is of the essence as it is learned he has a medical condition which requires him to return back to Mars, leaving behind some important things at stake for him back on earth including Tulsa.

We had the pleasure of chatting with the brilliant Butterfield, who despite being under the weather after a rigorous press tour, still was a great sport. He tells us about his experience working on Peter Chelsom‘s THE SPACE BETWEEN US – what was required getting into his character Gardner’s mindset and the wonderment of discovering earth for the first time.

In preparing for the role, he also tells us what was involved in being physically convincing as Gardner, visiting earth for the first time. Butterfield says, “The change of gravity affects the way he’s walking. I had to practice and tie-on ankle weights and sandbags around my feet to weigh twice as much and walk around in that state.”. “We would film it, look at the footage and break down what works and looks interesting.”.

On working with the equally up-and-coming Robertson, he reveals “She started working two weeks into the shoot. She hit the ground running, she was great and took it in her stride and it really worked.”.

His greatest challenge? He tells us, “We had to shoot in very little time (seven to eight weeks). Every day we had to bring it. Everybody had to come with all their energy and know their parts – this Film more than others I have done.”.

Watch our interview with Butterfield here:

Butterfield next can be seen in World War I Drama JOURNEY’S END late 2017.

Lovely chat with star of #TheSpaceBetweenUs, the well-spoken #AsaButterfield. You know him for his brilliant work in Scorcese’s #Hugo and #EndersGame. Out this Friday! He is fighting a cold for us in Toronto. Interview coming shortly.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 30, 2017 at 7:07am PST

VVS Films release THE SPACE BETWEEN US Friday, February 3, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video editing: Marty Paler)

Everything they told her was a lie.

Check out this first look at the new Trailer for GHOST IN THE SHELL, to premiere in the Big Game this Sunday!

Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release GHOST IN THE SHELL Friday, March 31, 2017 in REALD 3D and IMAX.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Hot on the heels of its new Trailer which is breaking the internet, Toronto gets some ‘beautiful’ news!  Running Family Day Weekend Friday, February 17 through Monday, 20, 2017 at historic Casa Loma, Fans will get with the price of admission, access to a limited time only BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Exhibit. Casa Loma will be open for extended hours till 9 PM for the special occasion those nights.

The Exhibition featuring nine costumes designed by Jacqueline Durran from the eagerly-awaited live action adaptation of the beloved Animated Feature. There will be special performances from dancers and an aerialist, plus themed activities (including face-painting and arts and crafts) taking place also!  There also will be replicas of the rose and bell jar!

Here’s a tip: guests who use the “BE OUR GUEST” promo code will get 20% off admission at the Box Office!

While we’re waiting for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, here is the new final U.S. Trailer:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Friday, March 17, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

Toronto’s own Michael Cera is back in town. While on a break filming Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin‘s directorial debut Molly’s Game, alongside the likes of Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba and Kevin Costner, he made time today to promote his work in upcoming Animated Feature THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE. The Blockbuster has him voicing the titular character’s sidekick Robin.

The 28-year-old known best for his acclaimed work on Series Arrested Development and Films like Superbad, Juno, This is the End, Sausage Party and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, did the rounds in the City pretaping several interviews in advance of the Film’s release next week.

See a Trailer below:

While we’ve met Cera a few times before, we never got the Selfie until today. He was more than nice to stop in the cold and check-in to see how I was doing.

See our Snap:

I 😍 #MichaelCera. The Toronto actor is currently promoting #LegoBatmanMovie.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 30, 2017 at 9:23am PST

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Friday, February 10, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

For a second straight week, SPLIT takes the top of the Box Office with $25.3 million for Universal Pictures, from 3,199 theatres. In two weeks, the Thriller has tallied $77 million across North America.

Despite a bit of controversy of late, Universal Pictures’ A DOG’S PURPOSE still performs a respectable second with $18.3 million from 3,059 theatres. It earns 35% on the Tomatometer from Critics, but Audiences responded well with an A CinemaScore, which just might help with word of mouth. The Film was made for $22 million.

In third is former champion HIDDEN FIGURES with $13.9 million from 3,351 theatres for 20th Century Fox. It has just surpassed the $100 million-mark domestically.

RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER debuts in fourth for Sony Pictures, with $12.4 million from 3,104 theatres.  It gets 39% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

LA LA LAND is in fifth with $11.8 million, playing wide at 3,136 theatres for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. It has earned $106 million over eight weeks.

xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE is in sixth its second week out with $7.6 million. It has earned $32 million for Paramount Pictures.

GOLD debuts in tenth  with $3.5 million for Elevation Pictures/The Weinstein Co. from 2,166 theatres. It gets 38% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

Although summer isn’t here for a bit, here’s a little something to warm you up! Check out these awesome motion posters for BAYWATCH. They saved the best for last, TRUST ME.

Mitch Buchanan

Matt Brody

Summer Quinn

C.J. Parker

Stephanie Holden

Ronnie

Paramount Pictures Canada release BAYWATCH Friday, May 26, 2017!

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

20th Century Fox x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto a chance to see  A CURE FOR WELLNESS.  The Screening takes place Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas.

Synopsis:
An ambitious young executive (Dane Dehaan) travels to the Swiss Alps to retrieve his boss from a “wellness spa,” only to find that his boss has vanished. He is then trapped in the facility, and begins to realize that its staff have a far more wicked plan than to simply improve the health of their patients. While held at the spa, he encounters a young girl named Hannah (Mia Goth), a longtime spa patient who is oblivious to what horrible things the spa director has prepared for her.

As the young man’s sanity is tested, he discovers that he has been diagnosed with the same outlandish illness that keeps all the patients at the spa hoping for a cure.

Trailer:

Artwork:

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

20th Century Fox Canada release A CURE FOR WELLNESS Friday, February 17, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)