Miami-born Singer/Songwriter Cris Cab already has achieved Chart success overseas, but now is setting his sights stateside. The 21-year-old’s debut Single Liar Liar, a Reggae-Pop Track, gives us a taste of what he’s capable of. If red-hot Pharrell Williams‘ vote of confidence in him as his Mentor means anything, he certainly is one to keep on our radars.

Cab was spotted doing an appearance on Global Television‘s The Morning Show (Toronto Edition) earlier, guitar in-tow for a busy second day of Press, awesome to stop for a quick Snap.  He did encounter a bit of SUV confusion on his way out as an arriving Comedienne Sandra Bernhard‘s Vehicle was parked right beside his.

Watch the Video for Liar Liar below:

See our Snap:

Teen Stars CJ Adams and Erin Pitt might look familiar. Those of you who watch Chicago Fire and/or saw 2012’s The Odd Life of Timothy Green surely were touched by Adams’ Award-winning performance as a Boy sprouted from the ground, taken-in by a Couple (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton) facing difficulty conceiving. Hamilton-born has appeared in the likes of Silent Hill 2 and Camp Rock 2 – she even filmed American Girl: Blanche in Toronto last Summer.

Both young Stars are in the City promoting their new Movie, Against the Wild, which sees a pair of Siblings and their Dog lost in the beautiful and possibly dangerous Wilderness after their Plane crashes. The Duo appeared on Global Television‘s The Morning Show (Toronto Edition), kind to stop a minute for a Snap.  Adams, who stars in upcoming Blockbuster Godzilla, was appreciative when told how great he was in Timothy Green, giving back a quick thanks!

Watch their Interview of The Morning Show here.

Against the Wild hits stores Tuesday, March 11, 2014 via Anchor Bay Entertainment.

Our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Back in 2004 I remember being so totally obsessed with Robert Rodriguez‘s Adaptation of Frank Miller‘s SIN CITY. I had the Poster on my wall and I may have called-in a Sickie at work to watch it. Although it took nine frickin’ years to happen, its long-awaited Sequel is well on its way and just released is the Trailer for SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR!

Synopsis:
The Town’s most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with some of its more reviled inhabitants.

Cast (including many returning Members) includes: Josh Brolin, Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Jaime King, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dennis Haysbert, Jamie Chung, Bruce Willis, Eva Green, Julia Garner, Ray Liotta, Juno Temple, Jeremy Piven and Stacey Keach. Did I mention Lady Gaga makes an appearance? Those of us scratching heads at her Muppets Holiday Special Collabo with Gordon-Levitt, might understand a little bit better now.

Watch below:

eOne Films and Dimension Films release SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR on Friday, August 22, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Dimenson Films)

“Everything I do or say is wrong. Everything.”.

The perpetual delays with the release GRACE OF MONACO are destroying my soul, but I received a slight glimmer of hope today after learning of this brand-new HD Trailer for the Grace Kelly Biopic starring Nicole Kidman! It is baffling me why it is that this amazing-looking Drama originally scheduled for a 2013 release, keeps getting pushed back.

At one point, it was to be released mid-March, and now that is no longer. Kidman looks in top-form based on these clips. PHENOMENAL.

I don’t care what Kelly‘s Family thinks and I don’t care if it’s completely factually-inaccurate, just release this so I can basically stare at a stunning and emotionally-tortured Nicole Kidman for two hours!!!!  Is that asking too much!?!?!

*mic drop*

Watch the Trailer below:

eOne Films release GRACE OF MONACO… I don’t know when!

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

The irony of tonight’s Divergent Toronto Advance Screening is that Fans were anything but unalike.  Whether they call themselves Initiates or Priorities, they were united in their ardent support for what has been pegged the next breakout Young Adult Franchise. Following in the footsteps of The Twilight Saga and The Hunger Games Series, this first Adaptation of Veronica Roth‘s best-selling Trilogy, not only is led by two of Hollywood’s brightest Rising Stars in Theo James and Academy Award Nominee Shailene Woodley, but it also boasts an impressive Supporting Cast which includes Tony Goldwyn, Miles Teller, Jai Courtney, Maggie Q, Ansel Elgort and the always phenomenal Kate Winslet.

Taking place at Scotiabank Theatre, tonight’s Premiere saw a multitude of Media and Fans waiting on Divergent‘s two Stars in a later scheduled start time than normal. After flying-in from the Chicago leg of their Press Tour, both James and Woodley were greeted with a cool, collective cheer amidst this pestering Extreme Cold Alert.   The former brought forth pure British sophistication to this side of the Atlantic in a smart three-piece Suit, while the latter sported proudly her new Pixie locks, pairing a green sweater over a button-down and shimmery black pants – reminding us indeed we were at a Red Carpet Affair.  Fans demanded hugs from their Hero and Heroine and some were lucky enough to get theirs!

Divergent centers around 16-year-old Tris Prior (Woodley), who like all others her age must choose which Faction she wishes to belong to, living in a Society divided by personality types. Tris decides she wants to join the Dauntless Faction, known for its bravery, but of course with this comes dangerous risks.  She then learns that she’s actually Divergent, meaning she’ll never purely belong to any one distinct Faction and this could cause an issue or two.

I ask Woodley, what it is that she looks for when she chooses a role. She says, “It’s a physical reaction when I read a script. If I get butterflies, then I know it’s something to fight for”.  We learned also that her Pal, Jennifer Lawrence, actually encouraged her to sign aboard the Franchise after some hesitations initially.  “She definitely encouraged me to take this on – she said ‘There’s lots of beautiful things which could come from a Franchise like this!'”.

On Toronto, which she last visited in 2011 for the Toronto International Film Festival with eventual Academy Award-winning The Descendants, she tells me that this actually is a City she’s quite fond of, drawing parallels to the Big Apple.  “I love Toronto and one of my Best Friends is from Ontario”, she tells us, “I spent some time here as a Child”.  “The City feels like a clean New York. There’s something refreshing about it.”.

Hailing from Oxford, James with his refined talent and good looks is on the verge of major recognition stateside.  On the decision to cast him in the coveted Four role opposite Woodley, he walks me through the day he discovered the news which could well change his life forever. “Well, I was working in Florida.  I heard the news and looked around and there was no one to celebrate with, so I went to a bar with no one to celebrate with but myself”, he remembers.  “It was Rock ‘n’ Roll!”.  Things aren’t stopping any time soon for the Actor, who appears alongside Johnny Depp in London Fields and Richard Gere in Franny next.

Watch Mr. Will‘s Chats with James and Woodley below:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Christina Miguel)

Amidst all the controversy surrounding Toronto Mayor Rob Ford‘s much-publicized appearance on Jimmy Kimmel, the Late Night Television Host cleared the air about matters last night, not wanting any bad blood with Canada. Although Ford had hoped to promote Tourism in Toronto – and failing at that mind you- Kimmel more than makes-up for it here.

“Toronto is one of the greatest Cities” he says, before showing us a hilarious factually-incorrect Tour of Toronto by his Sidekick Guillermo back in 2011.

It is a bit trippy I must say, seeing them drive through Entertainment District and you’ll never, ever believe where they end up!

Watch the Tour below:

Too funny!

(Photo/video credit: NBC)

The Line-up for this year’s Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, running April 24 to May 4, 2014 has just been unveiled and as is always expected, we have eclectic batch of Films ready to be seen.  From Sesame Street Star Big Bird to a Wrestling Superstar in Iron Sheik, there is something for every type of Filmgoer.

A List of Special Presentations are below:

CHILDREN 404
D: Askold Kurov, Pavel Loparev | Russia | 2014 | 70 min | World Premiere
An intimate firsthand account of how Russian’s LGBT youth have become defenseless after President Vladimir Putin passed a law forbidding “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors.”

A DANGEROUS GAME
D: Anthony Baxter | UK | 2014 | 90 min | World Premiere
In this explosive tale, everyday heroes battle against Donald Trump and a cast of greedy Goliaths who want to turn some of the earth’s most precious places into golf courses for the super-rich.

DEMONSTRATION
D: Victor Kossakovsky, 32 film students VVAA | Russia, Spain | 2013 | 70 min | Canadian Premiere
Legendary director Victor Kossakovsky sends 32 film students to document Barcelona’s massive and violent anti-austerity street protest in 2012. Set to an operatic score, his stunning collage transforms into a brilliant crowd-sourced street ballet.

EVERYDAY REBELLION
D: Arash T. Riahi, Arman T. Riahi | Austria, Switzerland, Germany | 2013 | 118 min | Canadian Premiere
What do topless Ukrainian women, Syrian dissidents and Wall Street Occupiers have in common? A colourful new tactic—creative non-violent protest. See why and how modern pacifism is winning in this slick tribute to disobedience.

THE GREAT INVISIBLE
D: Margaret Brown | USA | 2014 | 92 min | Canadian Premiere
With unprecedented access, this comprehensive documentary utilizes an investigative eye and a humanizing touch to examine the causes and impacts of 2010’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

I AM BIG BIRD: THE CAROLL SPINNEY STORY
D: Chad Walker, Dave LaMattina | USA | 2014 | 85 min | World Premiere
With an incredible archive of home videos, the story of Caroll Spinney reveals how a big heart and unstoppable talent created two of the world’s most beloved Muppets, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.

MISSION BLUE
D: Robert Nixon, Fisher Stevens | USA | 2013 | 95 min | Canadian Premiere
The trailblazing career of internationally renowned oceanographer and eco-activist Sylvia Earle is celebrated in this beautifully shot testament to her passionate commitment to saving the world’s oceans and its imperiled inhabitants.

POINT AND SHOOT
D: Marshall Curry | USA | 2014 | 82 min | International Premiere
Baltimore native Matthew VanDyke shares extraordinary visual tales of his adventures motorcycling across the Middle East—including when he joins forces with Libyan rebels to oust Muammar Gaddafi, is captured and held in solitary confinement for six months.

RETURN TO HOMS
D: Talal Derki | Syria, Germany | 2013 | 87 min | Canadian Premiere
Filmed over the course of two years, Sundance World Cinema Grand Jury Prize-winner Return to Homs takes us into the lives of two friends caught in the middle of the raging civil war in Syria.

RICH HILL
D: Andrew Droz Palermo, Tracy Droz Tragos | USA | 2014 | 92 min | International Premiere
In a small rural town, three young residents find themselves dreaming big but living small in this achingly beautiful, Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning depiction of adolescence.

SACRO GRA
D: Gianfranco Rosi | Italy, France | 2013 | 93 min | Canadian Premiere
Following the stories and endeavours of citizens living and working along the giant ring road that encircles Rome, this Venice Golden Lion winner paints an enchanting portrait of everyday moments in The Eternal City.

THE SHEIK
D: Igal Hecht | Canada | 2014 | 95 min | World Premiere
Every hero needs a villain. Without the Iron Sheik there could be no Hulkamania. Khosrow Vaziri’s transformation from Olympic wrestler to American pop culture icon is a personal and emotional tale that will “make you humble.”

UKRAINE IS NOT A BROTHEL
D: Kitty Green | Australia, Ukraine | 2013 | 80 min | Canadian Premiere
Ukraine’s gorgeous group of topless feminist activists, FEMEN, take off their shirts to take on their government, exposing gender inequality and government corruption through their provocative public protests.

WHITEY: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. JAMES J. BULGER
D: Joe Berlinger | USA | 2014 | 90 min | Canadian Premiere
Oscar-nominated director Joe Berlinger strips away the myths surrounding infamous Boston gangster and FBI informant James “Whitey” Bulger, exposing the truth behind his criminal empire and revealing shocking new allegations of government corruption and complicity.

More details here on how you can get Tickets and the Festival Schedule!

(Photo credit: Copper Pot Pictures)

Chances are if you love early Spice Girls, you’ll love the care-free, high-energy Disco on DJ Cassidy ft. Robin Thicke & Jessie J‘s catchy new Single, Calling All Hearts. The festive Dance Number is exactly the spirit boost we need amidst this never-ending winter!

Spice Girls aside though, the Track is dripping in authenticity of the Era to whcih it pays tribute. Iconic Nile Rodgers, who by the way is Toronto-bound for Canadian Music Week and Earth, Wind & Fire Vocalist Philip Bailey team-up on this Collaboration and the results are magical!

The Mastermind behind the Track is New York’s DJ Cassidy, hand-picked by Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z for their Legends of the Summer Tour. Did I mentioned that Oprah and President Obama also have requested his musical talents too?

Check it out below:

Download Calling All Our Hearts here.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

DreamWorks Pictures and Mr. Will Wong want to take Readers across Canada on a high-octane ride to a 3D Advance Screening of NEED FOR SPEED, the latest from Director Scott Waugh, starring red-hot Aaron Paul.

3D Screenings are set to take place on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 in the following Cities:

TORONTO

OTTAWA

VANCOUVER

CALGARY

EDMONTON

Official Synopsis:

NEED FOR SPEED centers around Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), a blue-collar Mechanic who races Muscle Cars on the side in an unsanctioned Street-Racing Circuit. Struggling to keep his Family-owned Garage afloat, he reluctantly partners with the wealthy and arrogant ex-NASCAR Driver Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper). But just as a major sale to Car Broker Julia Bonet (Imogen Poots) looks like it will save Tobey‘s Shop, a disastrous race allows Dino to frame Tobey for a crime he didn’t commit, and sending Tobey to prison while Dino expands his Business out west.

Two years later, Tobey is released and set on revenge — but he knows his only chance to take down his rival Dino is to defeat him in the high-stakes race known as De Leon — the Super Bowl of Underground Racing. However to get there in time, Tobey will have to run a high-octane, action-packed Gauntlet that includes dodging pursuing Cops coast-to-coast as well as contending with a dangerous bounty Dino has put out on his Car. With the help of his loyal Crew and the surprisingly resourceful Julia, Tobey defies odds at every turn and proves that even in the flashy world of exotic Supercars, the Underdog can still finish first.

NEED FOR SPEED is presented by DreamWorks Pictures, produced by Patrick O’Brien, John Gatins and Mark Sourian, and directed by Scott Waugh. The screenplay is by George Gatins. The story is by George Gatins & John Gatins, and, based on the video game series created by Electronic Arts. The Film releases in theatres on March 14, 2014.

Watch the Trailer:

To enter to win Advance 3D Screening Passes to see NEED FOR SPEED, simply by clicking “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Indicate your City and also tell me what your ideal Dream Car would be!

You are encouraged to share with your Friends on Facebook or Re-Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/needforspeedCANADA @MRWILLW wants us to #win Advance 3D Screening Passes to see #NEEDFORSPEED across Canada. In theatres 3/14!

We’re also giving away a Signed Photo from the Star of NEED FOR SPEED, AARON PAUL! Details here!

Good luck, Wongsters!

Take a moment out also to check-out a couple Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes from NEED FOR SPEED here!

Dreamworks Pictures release NEED FOR SPEED on FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014.

Official Artwork:

“Like” NEED FOR SPEED on Facebook here!

©2013 DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC

NEED FOR SPEED™ AND LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF EA

(Photo/video credit: DreamWorks Pictures)

Debuting atop iTunes Album Charts in over 65 countries around the World, Pharrell definitely wants you to know he’s back. The Multimedia, Music and Fashion Mogul returns with his first Disc in eight years, G I R L, a rhythmic, decadent celebration of Women. The Disc also is his first to be distributed via Sony Music Canada.  Review here.

The sizzling ten-song Collection features Oscar-nominated Happy, which had Amy Adams, Meryl Streep and Lupita Nyong’o on their feet this past weekend at the Academy Awards. The Collaborations are star-studded, featuring appearances from Jojo, Kelly Osbourne, Tori Kelly, Timbaland, Alicia Keys, Miley Cyrus and Justin Timberlake!

Stream G I R L in full here!

To enter to win a Copy of G I R L by Pharrell, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. You are encourage to share this Post via Social Media and you can even Re-Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/pharrellGIRL @MRWILLW wants us to #win a copy of #GIRL by #PHARRELL. In stores now!

Mr. Will had the pleasure of meeting Pharrell himself on a recent visit to Toronto. Read all about that here!

Pharrell & Mr. Will:

Official Artwork:

Download G I R L on iTunes here!

(Photo credit/audio content: Sony Music Canada)