TICK -TOCK.  The Movie Event of the Year The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soon will be bestowed upon us and both eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong want to give Readers an ultra-rare opportunity to attend the Canadian Premiere of this year’s most eagerly-awaited Cinematic Event!

Official Synopsis:

After winning the Hunger Games, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) return home before embarking on a Victory Tour of all 12 Districts. Before they leave, they find that the President is angry with them for breaking the rules, allowing them both to win.

In order for their families not to be punished, they have to prove to him that they’re really in love. There’s only one problem—Katniss was faking her emotions for the viewing audience at home, a fact that Peeta has to come to terms with.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire also stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Willow Shields, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Amanda Plummer and Sam Claflin.

Watch the Trailer below:

To enter to win a Double Pass to an Advance Screening of THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, which takes place on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 in Toronto,  simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Share this Post on Facebook with your fellow Tributes or Re-Tweet the below to double your chances!

http://www.mrwillwong.com/catchingfire @MRWILLW wants us to #win a Double Pass to the Canadian Premiere of #THEHUNGERGAMES #CATCHINGFIRE! In theatres 11/22!

Hold-up one second though!  With the stakes being upped for both Katniss and Peeta in this second instalment of the Franchise, why not up the ante for our Wongsters too?   That’s right – Mr. Will Wong is giving Readers – and his Readers only – a chance to win Pieces from his Collection signed by SAM CLAFLIN and Academy Award Winner JENNIFER LAWRENCE!

See ’em to believe ’em!

Just like The Hunger Games, two names will be drawn in this Lottery!

Will it be YOU?

Good luck, Wongsters.

eOne Films releases THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE on Friday, November 22, 2013.

Pre-order your Tickets now here!

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Not only is the Oscar Buzz feverish for TIFF ’13 Special Presentation 12 Years a Slave, but the controversial Drama from Director Steve McQueen also boasts a stellar Soundtrack too!

Sony Music Canada and Mr. Will Wong want to give Readers a chance to enjoy the Music from what well could be Best Picture Winner at the Oscars!  As an added bonus, Winners also will win a Copy of John Legend’s acclaimed latest Disc, LOVE IN THE FUTURE! 

Standout Tracks on MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY 12 YEARS A SLAVE include Legend’s soulful version of Roll Jordan Roll, Alicia Keys’ Queen of the Field (Patsey’s Song) and the Alabama Shakes’ Driva Man. The Disc also includes a version of Roll Jordan Roll featuring Star Chiwetel Ejiofor, heard in the Film.  Also, legendary Composer Hans Zimmer, who composed the Film’s Score, also is heard here.

Tracklisting as follows:

1. Devil’s Dream –  Tim Fain
2. Roll Jordan Roll –  John Legend
3. Freight Train –  Gary Clark Jr.
4. Yarney’s Waltz –  Tim Fain & Caitlin Sullivan
5. Driva Man –  Alabama Shakes
6. My Lord Sunshine (Sunrise) –  David Hughey & Roosevelt Credit
7. Move –  John Legend featuring Fink
8. Washington –  Hans Zimmer
9. (In The Evening) When The Sun Goes Down –  Gary Clark Jr.
10. Queen Of The Field (Patsey’s Song) –  Alicia Keys
11. Solomon –  Hans Zimmer
12. Little Girl Blue  – Laura Mvula
13. Misery Chain   Chris Cornell featuring Joy Williams
14. Roll Jordan Roll –  Topsy Chapman featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cast
15. Money Musk”  – Tim Fain
16. What Does Freedom Mean (To A Free Man) –  Cody Chesnutt

Listen to Legend‘s version of Roll Jordan Roll below:

Official Artwork:

To enter to win a Copy of MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY 12 YEARS A SLAVE, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Double your chances by sharing this Post on Facebook with your Friends!

Purchase the MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY 12 YEARS A SLAVE here.

Purchase John Legend’s LOVE IN THE FUTURE here.

If you haven’t yet seen the outstanding 12 Years a Slave – now in theatres – read our Review here!

Sony Music Canada releases MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY 12 YEARS A SLAVE in-stores on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.

(Photo/audio credit: Sony Music)

Mariah Carey after a long tease, finally releases her brand new Single, The Art of Letting Go.  The Track co-produced by Rodney Jerkins and Jermaine Dupri, features an Orchestra conducted by Larry Gold, turning-out to be a grand affair!  Although she took a bit of time to regroup in the Studio after planning to release her upcoming Disc earlier in the year, this was well worth the wait after she and Miguel took our breath away with the underrated and outstanding #Beautiful!

The Track is a mid-tempo Ballad – soulful and considerably more reserved than the Carey we’re accustomed to.  There is something incredibly Elton John-esque about it.

“I just want it to mean what it means to you. Music has saved my life and there’s certain things I can’t let go of and I try so hard.  And I know there’s other people in the World that feel the same way”, says Carey. “If there’s just a person that I help get through a situation with this Song, then that makes my life and it makes me know I can get through pretty much anything.”.

Listen to  the Single below:

Official Artwork:

The Art of Letting Go by Mariah Carey is now available on iTunes here!

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

REMEMBRANCE (REMEMBERANCE) DAY is one of those Holidays which nobody knows how to spell basically.  Nonetheless, let us never forget the courage of those before us to whom we owe our freedoms and liberties.

Mr. Will

(Photo credit: CTV/Stock Photo)

After an explosive $31-million Friday opening, THOR: THE DARK WORLD debuts this weekend with $83 million across North America for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.  Made for $170 million, there is little doubt that this is a profitable venture, opening in 3,841 theatres. By comparison, its 2011 Predecessor also starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Natalie Portman banked $65 million in its debut.  Critics gave it a consensus 66% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, while Audiences adored the Film with an A- CinemaScore.

Jackass: Bad Grandpa, a former Box Office Champion, slips to a v. distant second spot in its third week of release with $11.2 million for Paramount Pictures.  Domestically, the Film starring Johnny Knoxville is closing-in on the $80-million mark already.  This places it ahead marginally of the older demographic-skewing Comedy, Last Vegas, sitting once again in third in its second week with $11.16 million for CBS Films/eOne Films. Free Birds also just gets edged-out in fourth with $11.1 million for Relativity Media/eOne Films, also in its second week out.

Surprisingly, last week’s Champion Ender’s Game wasn’t able to hold as well in its second week, slipping to fifth this weekend with $10.2 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.  The Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film to date has earned $43.9 million.

12 Years a Slave this weekend expands to 1,144 theatres for Fox Searchlight in seventh spot with $6.5 million, now having earned $17 million in its domestic run.

About Time expands to 1,200 theatres in its second weekend out, landing in ninth spot for Universal Pictures with $5 million.   The Rom-Com stars Domnhall Gleason and Rachel McAdams certainly wasn’t disgraced by Critics, earning a 66% on the Tomatometer.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 with $2.7 million for Sony Pictures, just surpassing $110 million in earnings domestically.

Earlier tonight I was humming and hawing about where to have Dinner with my Nephew Ken who drove-in from out-of-town to visit the City.  Being the trendy Uncle always comes with a bit of added pressure but alas, I would not disappoint, bang-on picking pretty much the hottest spot in Toronto – La Carnita.

A self-proclaimed “celebration of Street Art and Street Food”, the College Street It-Spot boasted an hour-plus wait tonight but dare I say it was well worth it?  Service was exceptionally quick in the cramped venue,  our Server quick to  ensure we got the last of the Special of the Day, Beef Cheek Empanadas.  Done!

One-by-one at an electric pace, our Tastebuds were shocked and scintillated by the Hipster-veering Taco-centric Mexican Fare. Tostada de Ceviche (acid-cooked swordfish, guacamole, coconut milk, habanero tomato, cucumber) was remarkably fresh and citrusy – impressive. Pollo Frito (fried chicken, peanut mole sauce, pickled green cabbage & salsa fresca) was recommended highly by our Server and was indeed decent. Carnita (slow-cooked Pork) was almost a mandatory eat although it could’ve used a bit more sauce. The Beef Cheek Empanadas were a hearty and flavourful delight – I’ll even ignore the fact that I saw several others after me receiving their orders at their tables despite the claim we got the last of them (!).  The absolute Centerpiece however was In Cod We Trust (deep-fried cod, Voltron sauce, lime crema, pickled red cabbage, green apple & cilantro) – every bite was  textured heaven.

Unfortunately there was not much room left for tempting Dessert offerings like Churros and Tres Leche Cake. Perhaps next time!

Prices are super-reasonable, serving sizes appear small to the eye but magically are filling, the ambiance festive and the taste immense.  Easily one of my best meals in recent memory and deserving of the feverish buzz.  Daniel Radcliffe and Terrence Howard couldn’t possibly be wrong in their adoration.

La Carnita is situated at 501 College Street (west of Bathurst).

Visit their Website for more details here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Easily one of Hollywood’s finest working Actors today, Sam Rockwell’s Career has been defined by unconventional role choices, often veering to the quirky and off-center.  At once, there are few who can play such roles with depth and dimension as he.  Time and time again he has mesmerized Moviegoers with his spirited and compassionate portrayals, whether it be Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Moon, Matchstick Men or this year’s amazing Water Park-Comedy, The Way, Way Back.

Although this certainly isn’t his first time in Toronto, having attended TIFF on multiple occasions in recent years for Films like Conviction and Seven Psychopaths, the Actor  currently is hard at work in a Remake of 1982 Horror Classic, Poltergeist.   Rockwell takes-on the renamed role of Eric Bowen, originally played by Craig T. Nelson, in the Story about a Family haunted by Ghosts in their home.  The upcoming release, directed by Gil Kenan, also stars Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris and Jane Adams.

The Social Media-shy Actor just celebrated his 45th Birthday in Toronto last weekend, spotted out for pre-Birthday Drinks, and he  appeared to be off to the Gym today solo with Knapsack in-tow earlier.  We spotted him last weekend also, out and about with flowers in-hand, perhaps for a visiting longtime Actress Girlfriend, Leslie Bibb?

Rockwell was more-than-kind, giving us an ultra-rare Photo Op (believe me, we tried in previous years!) and we made sure to wish him a Happy Belated Birthday, which he was appreciative of the gesture.  Basically, we love Sam Rockwell and he stands as one of our all-time Favourites, so this moment was extra-special!  He is everything I imagined he’d be.

Poltergeist, due for a 2014 release via 20th Century Fox, continues to film in Toronto through early December.

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Fox Searchlight)

Hong Kong Cinema Legend Simon Yam since the ’70s has charmed Fans of Chinese Television and Film and in a rare visit to the City, the Star descended upon Toronto in support of his Directorial Debut, Tales from the Dark 1. The Horror Film is the first of three parts, premiering at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival  tonight at The Royal.

Yam drew an at-capacity Crowd to the Venue for the Film in which he also stars in addition to helming, surprising Fans with Photo Ops following the Screening. On how to make it through a Horror Film with a loved one, he told the Audience tonight, “Hold her hand if she’s scared. Even if you’re not scared, pretend”, drawing laughter from the Crowd.

I have fond memories watching Chinese TV Dramas with my Mom as a Child, some of the most memorable ones which starred Yam who back then was relegated to Supporting Roles before eventually going on to become a bankable Leading Man at the Box Office. In 2010, he was awarded Best Actor for his work in Echoes of the Rainbow at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards, proving his longevity as a Star. He made his North American debut back in 2003 starring in Lara Croft Tomb Raider, alongside Angelina Jolie.

See the Trailer for eerie Tales from the Dark below:

Although I just missed the tail-end of Yam‘s appearance tonight at The Royal due to work, I did manage to catch him in the nick of time before leaving town. The Actor, who lives in Hong Kong with his Supermodel Wife Qi Qi and Daughter Ella, was amazingly nice and actual v. fluent in English.   And for being 58, he actually looks amazingly stylish and youthful – showing exactly why he is widely regarded in Asia as a Sex Symbol! “We’re going to take two Pictures okay?”, he tells me gratuitously. Yam was surprised that I was fluent in Cantonese, surprised that I was actually born in Canada.  Not confident our Photos turned out, he ensured I double-checked to make sure I was happy with our Snaps.

You be the judge!

Now in its 17th year, the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival continues around the City until Saturday, November 16, 2013. More details here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Movie Addict Productions)

We simply cannot get enough of Cobie Smulders!  The stunning Canadian-born Actress known best for her work in The Avengers as Agent Maria Hill and Robin Scherbatsky on popular Sitcom, How I Met Your Mother, is back in Toronto to promote upcoming Comedy Delivery Man.

Based on the TIFF ’11 French-Canadian Film Starbuck by Director Ken Scott, the Film which is garnering lots of positive buzz, stars Vince Vaughn.  You could say that in a meta way, Smulders’ visit home truly is like a Canadian Story returning to its roots on multiple levels.  The Comedy centers around a Man who one day realizes he has fathered 533 Children via Sperm Donation.

Smulders‘ Press Day today kicked-off at KISS 92.5’s THE ROZ & MOCHA SHOW, followed by a visit to CITY‘s Breakfast Television, where she had a Chat with Jennifer Valentyne.   “This Movie has a lot of heart and it’s really sweet. You find yourself really sobbing. It’s very, very sweet”, she said earlier.  On her Friendship with Vaughn she reveals, “We’re pretty much Best Friends at this point!”.

She was incredibly nice to make time for Fans earlier today before heading into CITY‘s Studios.  We have fond memories of Smulders’ last visit to Toronto, where she was an absolute Class Act!  More on that here.

Things certainly aren’t slowing down for new Mother Smulders, who stars next in eagerly-awaited The Lego Movie and also reprises her role as Maria Hill in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Watch the Trailer below:

More Snaps below:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada releases Delivery Man on Friday, November 22, 2013.

Review coming soon!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

Once Hollywood’s highest-paid Actor, Chris Tucker has been selective with his work in recent years, but Toronto is in for a real treat this weekend as the Funnyman brings his World Tour to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts tomorrow night!  Fresh off his flight into the City this morning, Tucker arrived at City‘s Breakfast Television in a bit of a hurry with his Entourage and luggage in-tow.

The Star known best for his turns in the Rush Hour Franchise and more recently Oscar-winning Silver Linings Playbook, was full-on animated earlier today on Breakfast Television, touching upon everything from his influences to Friendships with Jackie Chan to Michael Jackson. “I will be talking about the Mayor, so come to the Show if you want to hear about your Mayor… I’ll tell you tomorrow night so I can’t say it on TV!”, he teases.

And for the question on all of our minds – whether or not there will be another Rush Hour Movie –  he says, “We want to do another one and it look like it may happen, so we’ll see!”.

Watch his Interview with Jennifer Valentyne on Breakfast Television here.

Tucker, whose beginnings trace back to the Comedy Club Circuit, is coming full circle with a Stand-Up Comedy Movie on its way early 2014.

Although he wasn’t stopping for Photos today, a couple kind-hearted Fellows ensured Billy and I got my moment with Tucker and it was well, amazing!

See our Snap below:

There still are Tickets available for tomorrow’s Sony Centre Show.  More details here!

Follow Tucker on Twitter here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)