Paramount Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to take Readers to see ALLIED starring Brad Pitt + Marion Cotillard. Screenings take place in Toronto  and Montreal on Monday, November 21, 2016.

Synopsis:

“ALLIED” is the story of intelligence officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt), who in 1942 North Africa encounters French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard) on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Reunited in London, their relationship is threatened by the extreme pressures of the war.

Trailer:

Artwork:

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

Paramount Pictures Canada release ALLIED on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

We had so much fun at our first ever Breeders’ Cup last year that we had do it all again! With over 118k people in attendance for Horse Racing’s two championship days Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5 at Arcadia’s Santa Anita Park – about an hour outside Los Angeles – it was a spectacle spilling over in starpower. Spread over a series of ten races, the extravaganza of the finest in Horse Racing, drew fans and talent from all around the world. If there was any question about the sport’s popularity, the 2016 Breeders’ Cup ranks overall as the fourth-most-bet edition of all time since its inception in 1984 with $159.9 million wagered.

The $6-million Breeders’ Cup Classic was the centerpiece of the weekend, contested on Saturday. Seen widely as 2014 North American Horse of the Year and fan favourite CALIFORNIA CHROME‘s crowning moment in a flawless 2016 campaign, it just simply wasn’t meant to be.  The Cinderella-storied five-year-old led all the way looking to pull away under a confident ride from Victor Espinoza, only to be caught late by brilliant three-year-old colt and second choice, ARROGATE. The winner is owned by Juddmonte Farms and trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, who won the important race last year with wonderhorse AMERICAN PHAROAH.

Headlining Friday was the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff starring three of the sport’s queens, all whom have in previous years won a Breeders’ Cup race en route to being named champion with a coveted Eclipse award. Still very much on-top, Spendthrift Farm’s six-year-old mare BEHOLDER, making her final start, took her earnings past the $6 million-mark with her third Breeders’ Cup victory. This very likely will culminate in a rare fourth championship title for the Richard Mandella trainee when awards are handed-out January 2017. Under Gary Stevens, BEHOLDER faced stiff competition from the undefeated and impending three-year-old filly champion SONGBIRD, battling to the end in an exhilarating head-bobbing finish, never to be forgotten. Reigning champion three-year-old filly STELLAR WIND had a poor start and was never in contention despite defeating BEHOLDER in their last match, the Zenyatta Stakes.

Stars of the human variety also were in attendance including Breeders’ Cup Ambassadors BOBBY FLAY and ELIZABETH BANKS in a dramatic mesh, face-covering fascinator, watching the Breeders’ Cup Classic from the rail with her family. Taylor Lautner, Maika Monroe, Emily Ratajkowski and Allison Janney also were among several others spotted.

As Canadians, we had plenty to be proud of. Woodbine Racetrack stars CHANNEL MAKER, NOHOLDINGBACK BEAR, MELMICH and CALGARY CAT ventured to California after accomplished campaigns this season locally, the latter two running a decent fourth in the Marathon and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint respectively under jockey Luis Contreras, who came with his father and brother. Ontario-bred WAVELL AVENUE who was defending her Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint title finished a close second in the race this year. Vancouver’s Mario Gutierrez who got his break at Hastings Park, won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies  with longshot CHAMPAGNE ROOM.

We may be seeing less of Woodbine Trainer Brian Lynch these days but Amerman Racing Stables’ OSCAR PERFORMANCE won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf under his preparation. Our friends at Team Mark Casse thrilled us with runner-up finishes with turf champion TEPIN in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile after winning it last year, and promising Stonestreet Stables filly VALADORNA was a bang-up second in the Juvenile Fillies – she will be a force to be reckoned with next year. CLASSIC EMPIRE gave Mark Casse and owner John C. Oxley their first ever Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and he very well could be in the Kentucky Derby that first Saturday in May 2017 as the favourite.

Let’s re-live that magical Breeders’ Cup experience once more in photos!

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner NEW MONEY HONEY with the sharp-dressed Chad Brown team, under jockey Javier Castellano.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner OSCAR PERFORMANCE and jockey Jose Ortiz, with our friend, Erin Cotterill, assistant to Trainer Brian Lynch. He is a shy colt.

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner TAMARKUZ under Mike Smith, who had a fantastic weekend with count ’em… three wins!

Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner and reigning champion mare, BEHOLDER and also at bottom her noble opponent, champion filly SONGBIRD.

Breeders’ Cup Ambassadors Elizabeth Banks (with family) and Bobby Flay.

Some Can-con for you! 🍁  CALGARY CAT, a fast-closing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with Luis Contreras and Trainer Kevin Attard. Let’s not forget reigning Canadian Horse of the Year CATCH A GLIMPSE in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf entrant CHANNEL MAKER with Team Dan Vella (and our friends Julie and Gina!) and NOHOLDINGBACK BEAR (with jockey Eurico Da Silva) in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint!

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner CHAMPAGNE ROOM under Mario Gutierrez. Do not discount Mark Casse trainee VALADORNA (seen with our friend and lovely assistant Trainer Sarah Campion) who ran second and gorgeous Bob Baffert trainee AMERICAN GAL whom after an unlucky trip, still ran a respectable third.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner DREFONG, under Martin Garcia.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner CLASSIC EMPIRE, Team Mark Casse and Oilman John C. Oxley’s first win in the race. Watch for him on the Kentucky Derby trail. Look out also for runners-up NOT THIS TIME, a handsome half-brother to last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner, LIAM’S MAP and SYNDERGAARD, named for MLB star Noah Syndergaard.

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner FINEST CITY. Jockey Mike Smith truly is a showman, giving us much to photograph! Canadian-born WAVELL AVENUE just misses a repeat win.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner OBVIOUSLY who thrilled us in the 2015 Woodbine Mile on the front end, wins after three tries for leading California Trainer Philip D’Amato. Look at the emotions! We were ecstatic to see his star filly ENOLA GRAY at his barn. Perhaps she will be at Del Mar next fall for Breeders’ Cup 2017?

Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile winner TOURIST under Joel Rosario, with assistant and son to Bill Mott, Riley who has visited Woodbine much this year. Turf queen and defending champion TEPIN was flying late to be second. We were thrilled we got to see the stellar MISS TEMPLE CITY who has two Grade I wins against the boys this season for Trainer Graham Motion.

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner QUEEN’S TRUST under charismatic celebrity jockey Frankie Dettori and fan favourite and Breeders’ Cup winner herself LADY ELI, a heartbreaking second. It is a treat to see Japanese/French-speaking jockey Yutaka Take as he rode Asian import, NUOVO RECORD.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Classic winner HIGHLAND REEL took it wire-to-wire under a daring ride by Irish rider Seamus Heffernan. Great runs also from a now-retired Hong Kong Vase winner FLINTSHIRE and defending heroine of the race FOUND, who recently won the prestigious Arc de Triomphe in France.

Last but not least, Breeders’ Cup Classic victor, ARROGATE under a joyful Mike Smith! It takes a remarkable horse to defeat iconic CALIFORNIA CHROME… and he did it!

And this might have happened… #CHROMIE 📸🐎😁

Horse Racing is here to stay. To racing’s modern fans! 🍾

Video clips are available on our Instagram and Twitter accounts.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Yesterday morning members of the press were privileged enough to be the first Canadian audiences to try out the newest innovation for Movie experiences, 4DX. This new technology improves on the already established DBOX by making it much more a roller coaster ride than a slight massage and exhilarating experience. With the addition of wind, fog, snow, rain, and truly interactive movements either with the chair moving or it giving a slight jab like feeling during fight sequences it truly is the most immersive Moviegoing experience. However with that being said, the experience can be jarring for someone who does not know what to expect. It is recommended that you be at least three-and-a-half feat tall and that if you have any medical issues, including but not limited to back issues or suffer from seizures, this experience is not meant for you.

Moreover, I for one truly enjoyed everything that 4DX had to offer, it was one of the most immersive Movie experiences I have ever been part of. Throughout the Movie, it felt like the audience was literally attached to the characters that the action had happened to. There is also another warning that I learned from my viewing experience, going on a full stomach or having a pop that is not bottled or any form of food on your person is going to end in a disaster. 4DX is a roller coaster on steroids, in the best way possible, sure the experience may be a little jarring for some but if you can truly strap yourself in you will enjoy the ride.

Lastly, if you are not used to a format like DBOX or enjoy your movies without any form of distraction, 4DX is a perfect second viewing so you can pick up on Easter Eggs, experience things in a new way without losing any part of the movie or story telling. For me, everything 4DX had to offer is what I want from a premium Moviegoing experience, I can do without the food and alcohol being brought to my seat, but to experience truly being IN a Movie is always an adventure. Expand your movie going experience. The first ever 4DX is now open in Canada at Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas and VIP.

For a 3D showing in 4DX, the price tag is $24.99 but there is discounts on Tuesdays and then SCENE members discount.

Toronto went Mariah Carazzzyy tonight as a portion of Queen Street was shut down to celebrate the unveiling of both Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue’s Holiday Windows. Here for a quick in-and-out performance was a newly-single Mariah Carey, international megastar and diva incomparable. She performed a festive two-song set for the eager crowd which queued several hours, piling from the two stores’ joint entrance to Eaton Centre, to be a part of the rare occasion.

Performing right before 8:00 PM, Carey delivered a rendition of Here Comes Santa Claus and also cheerful perennial holiday classic All I Want for Christmas is You on a red and green LED-lit stage. The performance was capped-off with fireworks and confetti before the pumped-up crowd were encouraged by Carey (paid a reported $1 million for the visit) to do some shopping! Both stores extended their hours till 11 PM for the occasion with treats and activations set up for the night.

Carey did a bit of shopping in a private guided tour earlier in the day as photographers snapped her browsing about. For her performance, she wore a satin gown in a festive red with a splash of her fave, pink.

See some Snaps:

There is only one diva I will wait three hours for in the cold. Such a joy seeing my queen #MariahCarey unveil Holiday windows for Saks x The Bay! 🎄 #Toronto #NikonD3300 #wu1a

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 3, 2016 at 5:19pm PDT

More Mariah. 🎄 #MariahCarey #NikonD3300 #wu1a

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 3, 2016 at 5:22pm PDT

Holiday Windows

Holiday Windows. 🎄🎉

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 3, 2016 at 7:34pm PDT

See Carey‘s performance of All I Want for Christmas is You (apologies for shakiness, we were juggling our Samsung S7 too!)

 (Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Universal Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see SING! The Animated Feature with an all-star cast was a huge hit at TIFF ’16! Screenings take place in the following cities:

Toronto 12/19 7:00 PM Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
Montreal 12/19 7:00 PM Cineplex Forum Montreal
Edmonton 12/19 7:00 PM Cineplex Odeon South Commons
Vancouver 12/19 7:00 PM Cineplex International Village
Calgary 12/19 7:00 PM Cineplex Odeon Sunridge Spectrum
Ottawa 12/19 7:00 PM Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa
Winnipeg 12/19 7:00 PM Silvercity St. Vital

Synopsis:
Set in a world like ours but entirely inhabited by animals, Sing stars Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey), a dapper koala who presides over a once-grand theater that has fallen on hard times. Buster is an eternal—some might even say delusional—optimist who loves his theater above all and will do anything to preserve it. Now faced with the crumbling of his life’s ambition, he has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition.

Five lead contestants emerge: Mike (Seth MacFarlane), a mouse who croons as smoothly as he cons; Meena (Tori Kelly), a timid teenage elephant with an enormous case of stage fright; Rosita (Reese Witherspoon), an overtaxed mother run ragged tending a litter of 25 piglets; Johnny (Taron Egerton), a young gangster gorilla looking to break free of his family’s felonies; and Ash (Scarlett Johansson), a punk-rock porcupine struggling to shed her arrogant boyfriend and go solo.

Each arrives under Buster’s marquee believing that this is their shot to change the course of their life. And as Buster coaches each of his contestants closer and closer to the grand finale, he starts to learn that maybe the theater isn’t the only thing that is in need of saving.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post over at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK, indicate your City and tell us if you were to enter a singing competition, what would your song be?

Universal Pictures Canada release SING on Friday, December 21, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

The ’90s saw huge success for both musical trio WILSON PHILLIPS and actor Billy Baldwin. To raise awareness for mental health and addiction, both frontwoman Chynna Phillips and Baldwin are in Toronto, speaking last night at a gala held at Ritz-Carlton Hotel for Healthy Minds Canada.

In support of their visit, the couple made a number of morning show visits around town including Your Morning, The Morning Show and Breakfast Television.

Despite it raining, Baldwin and Phillips were awesome to stop for a snap. The two have been ardent supporters of the Rally for Kids in recent years, having visited the City for the fundraiser. Baldwin appeared in the news recently for his controversials tweets at his brother Stephen over his statements on Twitter about Hillary Clinton.

See our Snap:

With awesome couple, actor #BillyBaldwin x #ChynnaPhillips of #WilsonPhillips. Both are in Toronto for #HealthyMindsCanada, speaking about Mental Health + Addiction. #SD2016 “Hold On” could not be more relevant than now! Off to the California sun later tonight! 🌴

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 3, 2016 at 5:10am PDT

Phillips‘ lyrics “hold on for one more day” in her hit Hold On, couldn’t apply any better as we’re off to California in the sun for a few days! We knew she was thinking ahead for us!! 🌴☉

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Hot on the heels of granting some Sandwishes for our Readers, we are thrilled to remind you once again that tomorrow is #NationalSandwichDay! To celebrate the day, our friends at SUBWAY® Canada are not only doing good for our Willionaires, but also Canadian families at risk!

Tomorrow, Thursday, November 3, 2016, SUBWAY® Canada will be donating the equivalent of one meal for every purchase of a drink and sandwich!

This means more than 303,000 meals will be donated across the country to Food Banks Canada, who helps over 1.7 million Canadians with their network of 550 food banks and 3,000 affiliated programs.

We had the absolute pleasure of visiting the North York Harvest Food Bank today participating in a food sort.  The process ensure that the Food Bank stays organized and more importantly that those who receive your donations are getting food, a portion of which is fresh, just like those delicious, nourishing sandwiches we eat at SUBWAY®.

Working together with SUBWAY® Canada employees across the GTA volunteering for the morning, together we sorted and packed donations grouped into several food categories.

In a guided tour from Michelle Vinokurov, Director of Development and Marketing for the North York Harvest, we learned that recipients are permitted to make only two visits per month to the Food Bank, meaning that families must carefully ration their supplies with much caution. Their philosophy very much places first and foremost the dignity of recipients giving them choice in selections based on their own tastes and dietary restrictions. Pet food even is accepted, which may come as a surprise to some.

See some Snaps from the day:

Michelle Vinokurov, Director of Development and Marketing for the North York Harvest Food Bank

Donations

North York Harvest Food Bank‘s Kadian

Hard at work!

A morning’s haul

Watch our Snapchat Story:

In addition to doing good with a drink and sandwich purchase National Sandwich Day, you too can join the conversation. Use the hashtag #NationalSandwichDay in your posts and if you are on Snapchat there will be a festive filter made specially for the day!

We want to see your #SubwaySandwish granted! We are giving away a $100 SUBWAY® Canada Gift Card. Click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and tell us your Sandwish! Canadian Readers only, please.

For an extra chance, Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/nationalsandwichday16 @MRWILLW wants us to #win a $100 @SUBWAYCanada Gift Card on #NationalSandwichDay!

You also may “like” this Post at MR. WILL ON INSTAGRAM!

Don’t forget to follow @SUBWAYCanada on Twitter.

FOOD BANKS CANADA can be followed on Twitter here.

NORTH YORK HARVEST FOOD BANK can be followed here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/SUBWAY® Canada)

21-year-old Edmonton native RUTH B. needs little introduction after making a huge splash this summer with one of the most recognizable songs of the year. Piano ballad LOST BOY was a refreshing oasis from an electronic storm on pop airwaves. Highly-hummable, its Peter Pan-inspired lyrics were poetic as much as they were catchy.

While Ruth B. still is working on her debut disc for Sony Music, she currently supports Toronto’s Alessia Cara on her first self-headlining tour which stops at Massey Hall night.

We spotted the VINE-discovered Artist on her way in to the venue and she was lovely to stop for a few fans before beginning her soundcheck. Fresh-faced and comfy in Roots, who she performed for at Eaton Centre this summer, she brought a few fans pure bliss with simple Selfie and taped-shoutout. She will be here for a bit of Press tomorrow also.

See our Snap:

With the sweet Ruth B. before her opening performance for fellow-Canadian Alessia Cara’s Massey Hall show. #RuthB #AlessiaCara

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 2, 2016 at 12:26pm PDT

Check out Ruth B.’s LOST BOY Video:

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

Something to warm your heart. GIFTED is exactly where Chris Evans has been lately. You need to see this new Trailer!

Synopsis:
Frank Adler (Chris Evans) is a single man raising a child prodigy – his spirited young niece Mary (Mckenna Grace) – in a coastal town in Florida. Frank’s plans for a normal school life for Mary are foiled when the seven-year-old’s mathematical abilities come to the attention of Frank’s formidable mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) whose plans for her granddaughter threaten to separate Frank and Mary. Octavia Spencer plays Roberta, Frank and Mary’s landlady and best friend. Jenny Slate is Mary’s teacher, Bonnie, a young woman whose concern for her student develops into a connection with her uncle as well.

Trailer:

Fox Searchlight release GIFTED Friday, April 12, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

Netflix‘s most expensive endeavour yet, The Crown, focuses on Queen Elizabeth‘s rise to the throne beginning from her marriage to King Philip.  Set to take place over six seasons at ten episodes each, you can bet the Internet Television purveyor is confident in its investment. The ambitious drama series takes us within the walls of Buckingham Palace, peeling-off the Royal Family mask and giving us fly-on-the-wall access with  a few scandalous surprises along the way. Stephen Frears returns to direct here after finding Oscar success on familiar territory with 2006’s The Queen.

We had the pleasure of previewing the first few episodes of The Crown and right away found ourselves swept away into Queen Elizabeth‘s (Claire Foy) world after suddenly she is thrust into the spotlight with the sudden passing of her father, King George (Jared Harris). We had little clue who Foy was before setting her eyes upon her here, but we quickly have become a huge fan of her already. Possessing physically one-part the relatability of Reese Witherspoon and one-part the commanding elegance of a Felicity Jones, something feels familiar about her. She captivates at every turn and we want very much to see her transformation as a young wife, mother, daughter and sister into a powerful world ruler.  We want also to witness and understand the change in family dynamics that come with her new role.

Aside from the Queen‘s journey, we get insight on some of the power struggles both the Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Jon Lithgow) and Royal Family in the wake of  King George‘s (Jared Harris) death, the former venerable and vulnerable as his standing in the political world is threatened as others chomp at the bit to succeed him. The Crown reads at times as a political drama and other times like a juicy soap opera.

We see Princess Margaret also as an arresting young beauty involved in an illicit romance with married Group Captain Peter Townsend (Ben Miles), Vanessa Kirby playing the much criticized public figure with great empathy. Her carefree nature juxtaposes well with her sister’s great focus when matters become serious after her father’s passing.

Matt Smith balances a young King Philip with a perfect aloofness and at once an awareness that keeps us invested with him as an outsider looking into a world rooted deeply in tradition and history, in which he along with we, are just getting immersed.

Performances aside, the cinematography is simply breathtaking and clearly we see where that well-publicized budget of $7.5 million per episode was spent in all the detail.

The Crown looks to be an adored staple for seasons to come. We’re thrilled for the world to discover the Royal Family as you’ve never seen them before. Netflix Canada stream the first 10 episodes of THE CROWN Friday, November 4, 2016.

See this brand-new Featurette from the Series: