No surprises here!  Ender’s Game debuts atop the Box Office this week, saying ‘Game Over’ to the Competition  with a strong $27 million earned from 3,407 theatres.  The Adaptation of the 1985 Novel by Orson Scott Card, garnered fairly strong reviews, earning a solid 62% on the Tomatometer for eOne Films.  Audiences gave the Film starring Asa Butterfield (Hugo), Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) and Abigail Breslin (August: Osage County) an A- CinemaScore also, boding well for a word-of-mouth buzz.

Last week’s Champion Bad Grandpa slips to second spot this weekend with a still decent $18.1 million for Paramount Pictures in this its second week, landing just ahead of Comedy Last Vegas, which brings together Oscar Winners Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline.  It earned $15.5 million  for eOne Films, from 3,035 theatres, generally getting panned with a 42% rating on the Tomatometer, although Audiences enjoyed it more giving it a B CinemaScore.

Animated Feature, Free Birds, debuts in fourth spot for eOne Films/Relativity Media, with $16.2 million earned from 3,736 theatres.  Critics panned the Film featuring the voices of Amy Poehler and Owen Wilson, giving it a 21% rating on the Tomatometer although Audiences enjoyed it much more with a B Cinemascore.

Gravity in its fifth week still is going strong in fifth spot with $13.1 million for Warner Bros., earning a cumulative total domestically of $218 million thus far.

12 Years a Slave expands to 410 theatres, still mustering a seventh-placing with $4.6 million in this its third week of release for Fox Searchlight.

Carrie rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.1 million for Sony Pictures in its third week out, just surpassing the $30-million mark in North America.

If you’re free next Wednesday and in the Toronto area, make sure you check out the Air Canada‘s seventh annual enRoute Film Festival!   Giving up-and-coming Filmmakers a chance to showcase their work, these Short Films are seen on the Airline’s Personal Seatback In-Flight Entertainment System.

Finalists this year include the Short Films: The Worst Day Ever (still seen above), Just As I Remember, Godfather Death and Walk the Moon.

The Jurors of this year’s Festival include several Canadian boldface names including:

• Suzanne Clément
• Enrico Colantoni
• Wendy Crewson
• Sarah Gadon
• Evan Goldberg
• Martin Katz
• Michael McGowan
• Chloé Robichaud

You are invited to attend a free Public Screening of these Films at Varsity Cinema between 7-8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 6, 2013. Awards will be handed-out to winning Talent at a private post-screening Reception hosted by eTalk‘s Lainey Lui.

Learn more about the enRoute Film Festival here.

(Photo credit: Air  Canada enRoute)

We certainly love Lady Gaga and you’ll be thrilled to know that Mr. Will Wong and Universal Music Canada would love to give Readers a chance to win copies of her long-awaited new Disc, ARTPOP!

The eclectic third Studio Disc from Gaga is a grand Opus including some surprising Collaborations with the likes of David Guetta, zedd, R. Kelly, T.I., Madeon and several more, plus reuniting with RedOne and DJ White Shadow. Expect big Beats, Production and Vocals.

Tracklisting as follows:

1. Aura
2. Venus
3. G.U.Y.
4. Sexxx Dreams
5. Jewels n’ Drugs (featuring T.I., Too Short and Twista)
6. MANiCURE
7. Do What U Want” (featuring R. Kelly)
8. Artpop
9. Swine
10. Donatella
11.Fashion!
12. Mary Jane Holland
13.Dope
14. Gypsy
15. Applause

First Single Applause already has peaked at number four on both the U.S. and Canadian Hot 100 Charts. Gaga shocked just about all of us announcing her Duet with R&B Megastar Do What U Want, as the Disc’s second Single.

Listen to the Track in full below:

Another new Track, Venus also just surfaced:

Another Promotional Single will be released next week in advance of its Remembrance Day release.

If all this weren’t exciting enough, Gaga will be visiting Toronto on Monday, November 18, 2013 in support of ARTPOP.  VISA INFINITE already is giving Cardholders a chance to experience her up-close and intimate!  Details here.

Conceptualized together with Artist Jeff Koons, those of you who purchase the first 500k copies of ARTPOP will receive versions of the limited edition Artwork with  pink and silver foil!

Official Artwork:

To enter to win a Copy of ARTPOP, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Increase your chances by sharing this Post with your Friends on Facebook or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/artpop @MRWILLW wants us to #win a Copy of #ARTPOP by #LADYGAGA. In stores 11/11!

Universal Music Canada releases ARTPOP on Tuesday, November 11, 2013.

Pre-order it on iTunes here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Canada)

Today and tomorrow, Horse Racing’s Championship Days take place at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.  Now in its 30th edition, the World’s finest Thoroughbreds face-off in a series of 14 Races, totalling $25 million.  The Races are seen as being pivotal in deciding year-end divisional honours.

FRIDAY’s Marquee Race is the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Distaff, which sees North America’s finest Females, three-years-old and upward, doing some serious battle on the dirt. Two-time returning Champion Royal Delta, now five-years-old, defends her Title once again with Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith aboard.  She is listed as the Morning Line-Favourite over the definitive Leader of the three-year-old Filly division, Princess of Sylmar, listed as the Second-Choice even after defeating the former in their last encounter, the Beldame Invitational  late September at Belmont Park.

Earlier on the Card, Verrazano, who in eight races has earned over $1.5 million already, looks to make amends in the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile after a disappointing seventh place finish in the important Travers Stakes in August.  Earlier in the Season, he was seen as major Contender to win the Kentucky Derby, although the mile-and-a-quarter distance proved to be a challenge, him placing a dismal 14th.  He has been freshened for the Race and appears poised for a big run.

Representing Toronto best is My Conquestadory who debuted in the Summer Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack, beating Male Competition on the grass easily in her first-ever race –  a tough spot.  She then raised the bar higher showing she  equally is adept on the dirt too, winning the Grade 1-Darcy Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland for Toronto-based Trainer Mark Casse and locally supportive-Owners Conquest Stable LLC.  The two-year-old Filly moves back to the grass in the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.  Top Local Rider Eurico Rosa Da Silva will be flying to the West Coast for the Assignment.

On SATURDAY’s Card, Racing Fans get a prelude potentially to some of next year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Contenders in both the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, each worth $2-million.  The distinctively gray-coated Havana comes into the former off a Win in the Grade 1-Champagne Stakes, while New York-bred Artemis Agrotera is listed as the Choice in the latter after a Win in the Grade 1-Frizette Stakes; both are undefeated in two races.

Ontario-bred Marketing Mix hasn’t been home in quite some time, but that is because she’s been making a big splash stateside.  Listed as the Second-Choice in the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, the legendary Gary Stevens will be piloting her in the Race. British-based Dank, who defeated her soundly in the Grade 1-Beverly D. Stakes in August at Arlington Park, is listed as the Race Favourite under Ryan Moore.  Moore won the prestigious $1-million Pattison Canadian International at Woodbine this past Sunday aboard Joshua Tree. Also, do not discount Kitten’s Dumplings who recently won the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland; “It-Boy” of Horse Racing Joel Rosario will be riding.

Although he has never raced locally, Ontario-bred four-year-old Private Zone looks every bit the Winner in the $1.5-million Breeders’ Cup Sprint.  He boasts wins on both East and West Coasts, boding well for the speedy Winner of $500k, as he returns back to  Santa Anita Park once again – a Course which interestingly he has yet to win on.

Reigning Horse of the Year in North America Wise Dan, looks to repeat last year’s feat of winning the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile as the prohibitive Choice again this year.  Fans at Woodbine revelled in delight getting to see him win the $1-million Woodbine Mile in September a second time and despite  perhaps an ill-advised decision to race on the dirt in the Shadwell Mile in October, a surface on which he hasn’t shined as brightly, he still looks remarkably tough to beat Saturday.

Revered Composer and Musical Theatre Impresario Andrew Lloyd Weber is well-represented by his Filly The Fugue, who faces the Boys in the $3-million Breeders’ Cup Turf Classic.  She’ll face stiff Competition though from returning Race Champion Little Mike, who appears to be rounding into form after a win in the Joe Hirsch Invitational Classic late September at Belmont Park.  Also, Point of Entry who hasn’t raced since June, comes fresh after a win in the Manhattan Handicap.  He races for a famous pair of Owners, the Phipps and Stronach Stables (yes, those Stronachs, Canada!).  Franchise Fans also have a bit of a Hunch Bet in Longshot Twilight Eclipse who opens at odds of 20-1.

The $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic caps-off the two days of Championship Races and despite having faltered twice in the Fixture, six-year-old Game on Dude is listed as the Race Favourite after a flawless 2013 Campaign, which has seen five important victories including the Grade 1-Pacific Classic in August.  In March, he won the Santa Anita Handicap and indeed has a bit of a Home Court Advantage.  Despite winning this very Race last November, defending Champ Fort Larned has had a spotty 2013 which has ranged from a failure to finish to a win in the Grade 1-Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs in June.  Meanwhile, Mucho Macho Man who placed second in the Race last year, has been on the fringes much throughout the year, but also appears to be peaking after a win in the Grade 1-Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita Park late September.

Celebrities also will be in attendance for the 2013 Breeders’ Cup this weekend and performing are Kristin Chenoweth, Toni Braxton and Babyface.  Red-hot Ambassadors Kate Upton and Elizabeth Banks, who soon will begin promoting Blockbusters The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and also, The Lego Movie, will be among the famous Faces partaking in the Festivities.

For those of you at home looking to tune-in this weekend, you can stream the Breeders’ Cup online on the Daily Racing Form‘s Website.  TSN 2 will be airing the Races live between 4:00 – 8:00 PM EST on Friday.  The Races will air between 3:00 – 9:00 PM EST on Saturday on that Network.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Admit it. When you heard that a The LEGO Movie was in production you too were like, “What? How!??!”.  In about three months’ time, we’re gonna see exactly how but for now here’s a taste and I must admit, it’s pretty darn adorable in this first official Trailer released today!

Directed by Chris Lord and Christopher Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street), this 3-D Animated Feature boasts a stellar Cast which includes the likes of Will Ferrell, Chris Pratt, Liam Neeson, Nick Offerman, Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Alison Brie, Charlie Day and Morgan Freeman.

Official Synopsis:

Pratt (Moneyball) stars as the voice of Emmet. Ferrell (The Campaign) stars as the voice of his primary adversary, President Business, an uptight CEO who has a hard time balancing world domination with micro-managing his own life; while Neeson (Taken) voices the President’s powerful Henchman, known as Bad Cop/Good Cop, who will stop at nothing to catch Emmet.

Starring as Emmet’s fellow Travelers are Oscar® Winner Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby), as Vitruvius, an old mystic; Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games), as tough-as-nails Wyldstyle, who mistakes Emmet for the Savior of the World and guides him on his quest; Arnett (30 Rock), as the mysterious Batman, a LEGO Minifigure with whom Wyldstyle shares a history; Offerman (Parks and Recreation) as a craggy, swaggering pirate obsessed with revenge on President Business; Alison Brie (Community) as a sweet, loveable member of the Team, with a powerful secret, and Day as the spaceman Benny.

Brand-new Official Trailer below:

While we’re at it? Have you created your own personalized LEGO SigFig yet?  Do it here!

See mine below:

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada and Village Roadshow Pictures releases The LEGO Movie on Friday, February 7, 2014.

I smell a new Film Franchise!

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

My love for Nicole Kidman knows no limits, so you can image the loud squeal of delight I let-out after discovering that she had landed the plum Cover for the December 2013 Issue of VANITY FAIR – just our first taste of the promotional machine that will soon be in high-gear for her Oscar Vehicle, GRACE OF MONACO. This is the Goddess’ SEVENTH time covering the Magazine and she reveals more than ever before about her relationships with Tom Cruise and Keith Urban to Contributing Editor, Sam Kashner.

Kidman dishes that she needed to grow-up and maybe wasn’t ready to be in a marriage at age 23.  She says, “And you know, with no disrespect to what I had with Tom, I’ve met my great love now. And I really did not know if that was going to happen. I wanted it, but I didn’t want it for a while, because I didn’t want to jump from one relationship to another. I had a lot of time alone, which was really, really good, because I was a child, really, when I got married. And I needed to grow up.”.

She also draws a parallel between her and Cruise in the ’90s as being similar to what Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are facing now. “There is something about that sort of existence that, if you really focus on each other and you’re in that bubble, it’s very intoxicating, because it’s just the two of you. And there is only one other person that’s going through it. So it brings you very close, and it’s deeply romantic. I’m sure Brad and Angelina have that—because there’s nobody else that understands it except that person who’s sleeping right next to you”, she says.

Kidman seems at-peace with herself and settled in her  life with Family in Nashville and this warms my heart immensely.  Read the Interview here.

See the stunning Cover below:

(Photo credit: Patrick Demarchelier/Vanity Fair)

A National Hero, an Internet Phenomenon and now an Author.  Commander Chris Hadfield has been in Toronto this past week  promoting his first Book, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, which details his experiences as an Astronaut and Commander of the International Space Station.  Hadfield captivated the World with mind-blowing Photos shared via Social Media from his Expeditions, including his final one in which he aided scientific experiments dealing with the low impact of gravity on Human Biology.  A slick, self-made Music Video for his Cover of David Bowie’s Space Oddity recorded in Space  to date has garnered over 18-million views worldwide on YouTube.

As an Homage to Bowie, who has been front-and-center of late in Toronto with his popular Art Gallery of Ontario Exhibit taking place right now, Maclean’s features Hadfield on the Cover of their October issue made-up as Bowie in his Aladdin Sane Era.  Earlier in the week, he also did Interviews out of the Venue to be fully thematic.

See the Cover below:

Fans got a chance to connect with Hadfield last night as he met in-excess of 600 Fans at Indigo- Manulife Centre, signing Copies of his Book, while earlier in the day he head to the West-End for an appearance at Kobo‘s Headquarters. Generous in allotting the Media face time, he went on a blitz which included appearances on Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), 104.5 CHUM-FM’s Roger, Darren and Marilyn, KISS 92.5’s Roz & Mocha Show, City’s Breakfast Television, eTalk, CBC‘s Q Radio and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.  Although he’s scheduled to visit New York for a quick minute Thursday, he’ll be back in Toronto again this weekend to face Fans again at an Event hosted by Maclean’s at the MaRS Discovery District this Sunday at 1:00 PM.  Details here.

As he jogged across Bloor Street following a TV appearance yesterday into a silver Mercedes Benz, he apologized profusely as he didn’t have a moment for a Photo. This morning though, I spotted Hadfield and his Assistant grabbing a Coffee at Starbucks as they head-off for another day of Press.  Recognizing me right away, he came out of his car and shook my hand, taking a minute kindly for a Snap.  “Are we gonna be able to manage a Selfie?” and after a failed attempt, he was more than patient to Review the Photo with me. “That one will do!”, he gestured at the winning Pic on my LED Screen.

See our Snap:

Order a Copy of on Hadfield‘s Book here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Chris Hadfield)

“Would you like to be in a real War?”.

After their Victory in the 74th Hunger Games, Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen spark a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.  Katniss finds herself not only in a fight for her life, but also the lives of those whom she loves.

See the pandemonium in this gripping Final Trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire:

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Jena Malone, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin, Stanley Tucci, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Lenny Kravitz and Jeffrey Wright.

Tick-tock.

eOne Films releases The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Friday, November 22, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Now on-stage for a limited engagement, Mirvish Productions present LES MISÉRABLES at Princess of Wales Theatre.  I spotted a couple of its Stars, Canadian Idol Winner Melissa O’Neil who plays Eponine, and Ramin Karimloo, who plays the Leading Role of Jean Valjean, out and about earlier today.  The latter, like a true Canadian was sporting a warm Canada Goose Jacket and as an interesting tidbit, has played the roles of Marius and Enjolras in previous productions of the Musical by Boublil & Schönberg in London’s West-End.

Both O’Neil and Karimloo were super-kind to stop for a quick Photo and were goofing-about with name badges, which at one point landed on my back. “I couldn’t do that to you!”, says O’Neil, peeling the stick off my back playfully.  My Starbucks fortunately had a Stopper in it and got knocked-over, which the handsome Karimloo was kind enough to retrieve for me!

Mirvish Productions‘ LES MISÉRABLES has been winning much acclaim and Tickets can be purchased up till Sunday, December 22, 2013 here!

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Mirvish Productions)

History was made as the World came to Woodbine Racetrack today for the 76th running of the Pattison Canadian International.  The Grade I Race valued at $1-million, is known best as the Race in which legendary Secretariat won in 1973, prior to closing-out his Championship three-year-old Season.

Already a feat having won the mile-and-a-half Turf Race twice, Irish-bred Joshua Tree became the first-ever Horse to win the prestigious Affair three times under Jockey Ryan Moore, who guided him to a three-quarter-length victory over American-based Hyper and German-based Seismos in third. The final time for the Race was 2:35.4 over a course listed as Yielding after Woodbine‘s grass course was soaked by rainfall yesterday – a condition which favours European Invaders.  Joshua Tree paid $15.30 to a $2 bet and today’s win boosted his lifetime earnings past the $3.8-million mark for Owners Khalid K. al Nabooda & Kamel Albahou, a task which seemed unlikely after the six-year-old Son of Montjeu had gone winless all 2013.

Watch the 2013 Pattison Canadian International here:

Earlier on the Card, the Grade I-E.P. Taylor was run, a restricted Affair for Fillies and Mares valued at $500k.  Although based in Europe for much of her earlier career, Tannery has found much success here in North America including a second-place finish in the Flower Bowl Invitational last month at New York’s Belmont Park.  The four-year-old Daughter of Dylan Thomas, owned by Richard Santulli, gamely battled her way to hard-fought victory by a head over European-based Fitful Skies.  She was ridden by 2013 Kentucky Derby-winning Jockey Joel Rosario, paying $6.00 to a $2 bet as the post-time Favourite.  Moment in Time was about two-and-a-half lengths back in third.

Watch the 2013 E.P. Taylor Stakes here:

I had the pleasure of hosting a group of Social Media Influencers at Woodbine today and needless to say we have a new batch of Horse Racing Fans as we had a blast seeing the talented Animals up-close and also getting a couple Photo Ops with the winning Riders of both the E.P. Taylor Stakes and Pattison Canadian International!  The free Commemorative Scarves in celebration of the Event also were an amazing touch and thousands queued for theirs!

See these happy faces below:

 Social Media Influencers with Joel Rosario

Although these are the final Marquee Races of the 2013 Woodbine Racing season, the Races continue up till mid-December so if you haven’t had a chance to enjoy a day at the Track yet this year, there’s still plenty of time!

For more Photos, see some of my Trackside Snaps today here at Woodbine‘s Official Facebook Page.

One of our Guests Trish Cassling was kind enough to post her Photos for us to enjoy here also!

Renee Sylvestre-Williams of Global News also posted some Snaps on her Blog too here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Video credit: Woodbine Entertainment Group)