Like the Kentucky Derby which takes place every first Saturday in May, the first Monday in May also is a celebration of decadence, fashion and excellence. Taking place in midtown Manhattan at the Museum of Modern Art, the Met Gala is spearheaded by Vogue editor and fashion visionary Anna Wintour, whom has full control over the ultra-exclusive and star-studded list of attendees.

It is an annual tradition of ours to visit the City and as always, we have an amazing time getting charged with some of that high-watt haute couture starpower.

The invite-only affair runs its accomplished guests a steep five-figure sum to be seen among the A-List. Its theme in 2016 was Manus x Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology. The merging of a who’s who in Politics, Sports and Arts had top fashion houses clamouring to dress their respective muses. Taking inspiration from this year’s theme, designers were tasked with incorporating geometry, shimmer and just enough glamour fit for a grand Red Carpet affair as this. And the results show it. If Hollywood has a diversity issue, the Met Gala appeared to address this with a variety of faces being represented on the guest list from across the spectrum.

The preparation process for many of the invited stars and starlets is both detailed and extensive, starting with fittings which take place in the weeks leading-up to the Met Gala. The day-of,  stars spend the entire morning and afternoon being beautified by an army of talent, to be unveiled on the elaborate Red Carpet before the barricaded starstruck public lining the streets and a bevvy of handpicked photographers. The rain reigned over New York City all Met Gala weekend, putting a literal damper on the fun, but the show must go on!

The term “A-List” often is thrown around but never is it meant in its truest sense as in the Met Gala. BEYONCÉ. LADY GAGA. MADONNA. KATY PERRY. SARAH JESSICA PARKER. JENNIFER LAWRENCE. KRISTEN STEWART. EMMA WATSON. Names like these grace the event and if you’re not yet at that stature, the Met Gala is seen as a coveted opportunity to be seen alongside them if you are talent on the verge of major stardom like Margot Robbie, Zendaya, Kate Bosworth, Kendall Jenner, Dakota Johnson, Halsey or Rita Ora. And let’s not forget this year’s honourary chair, megastar TAYLOR SWIFT.

While it is virtually impossible to access every star, there are enough opportunities around town centered around the Met Gala to give fans a glimpse of that glamour.

See our Snaps around town during the Met Gala!

Danielle Brooks:

First star sighting in #NYC. I was literally one of her first interviews for #OrangeIsTheNewBlack in Toronto! #DanielleBrooks #TheColorPurple 🗽

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 12:11pm PDT

Benjamin Walker:

When you step out of your friend’s hotel and #BenjaminWalker, star of #Broadway’s #AmericanPsycho is right in front of you. Love #NYC. 🗽

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 1:59pm PDT

Lupita Nyong’o:

Lupita. “I’m not telling you that!”, Oscar winner on who she is wearing at tomorrow’s #MetGala! #LupitaNyongo #Broadway #StarWars #Eclipsed 🗽

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 3:41pm PDT

Lupita on #Broadway for #Eclipsed. #NYC #LupitaNyongo #StarWars #12YearsaSlave #Oscars

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 4:00pm PDT

#LupitaNyongo trying to fit her hair into her car. #MetGala #NYC #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Elle Fanning:

#ElleFanning in #NYC for #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 7:23pm PDT

Zoey Deutch:

Another pic with lovely #ZoeyDeutch. #MetGala #NYC #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:19pm PDT

Selena Gomez:

#SelenaGomez in #NYC for #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 7:52pm PDT

Brie Larson:

Academy Award winner #BrieLarson in #NYC for #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 8:43pm PDT

Common:

#Common once again will be attending the #MetGala this year. #MetBall #SuicideSquad

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 9:07pm PDT

Robin Roberts:

Good morning Canada, from #GoodMorningAmerica🇺🇸 with #RobinRoberts! #NYC

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 4:59am PDT

#RobinRoberts of #GoodMorningAmerica🇺🇸 !!

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 4:56am PDT

Kerry Washington:

#KerryWashington doing Selfies at #GoodMorningAmerica🇺🇸. She will be at tonight’s #MetGala. #MetBall #Scandal

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:31am PDT

Chadwick Boseman:

#ChadwickBoseman (#BlackPanther) promoting #CaptainAmericaCivilWar on #GoodMorningAmerica🇺🇸. #MetGala #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:32am PDT

Selfie fails with #ChadwickBoseman. Lol #BlackPanther #CaptainAmericaCivilWar

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 7:01am PDT

Sebastian Stan:

#SebastianStan at #GoodMorningAmerica🇺🇸 promoting #CaptainAmericaCivilWar. (Thanks Miyuki for sharing this one!) #MetBall #MetGala

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:58am PDT

Gala Night:

Waiting on stars to exit #MetGala.

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:58pm PDT

Garrett Hedlund:

#GarrettHedlund in #NYC for #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:55am PDT

#GarrettHedlund at the #MetGala. No Kirsten Dunst? #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:16pm PDT

Dakota Johnson:

Love #DakotaJohnson in #Gucci at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 4:56pm PDT

More #DakotaJohnson in #Gucci at #MetGala. #MetBall #FiftyShadesofGrey

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:19pm PDT

Odell Beckham Jr.:

#OdellBeckham at #MetGala. #NewYorkGiants #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 4:58pm PDT

Maria Sharapova:

#MariaSharapova at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 4:58pm PDT

Riley Keough:

Elvis’ granddaughter #RileyKeough at the #MetBall. #MetGala

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:02pm PDT

Florence Welch:

#FlorenceWelch of #FlorenceandtheMachine at #MetGala . #MetBall #DakotaJohnson

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:02pm PDT

Kate Mara + Jamie Bell:

#JamieBell + #KateMara at #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:03pm PDT

Chloë + Trevor Moretz:

#ChloeMoretz at the #MetGala. #MetBall #ChloeGraceMoretz

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:10pm PDT

Elizabeth Debicki:

#ElizabethDebicki at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:03pm PDT

Miles Teller:

#MilesTeller at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:19pm PDT

Jared Leto:

#JaredLeto at the #MetGala. #MetBall #Joker #30SecondstoMars #SuicideSquad

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:19pm PDT

Poppy Delevingne:

#PoppyDelevingne at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:15pm PDT

Kate Upton:

The gorgeous #KateUpton at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:17pm PDT

Olivia Wilde:

Always so lovely to me. #OliviaWilde at #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:20pm PDT

Michelle Monaghan:

With the always lovely #MichelleMonaghan, at #MetGala. #NYC #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:22pm PDT

Naomie Harris:

The stunning #NaomieHarris, #Bond star. #MetGala #MetBall #NYC

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:47pm PDT

Michael B. Jordan:

My boy! #MichaelBJordan at #MetGala! #MetBall #CreedMovie

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 11:07pm PDT

OMG. #MichaelBJordan kills me. One guy asked him “Can I get a graph?” and he heard, “Can I get a dress?”. The effect of #MetGala. #MetBall #NYC

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 8:05am PDT

Lily Aldridge:

#LilyAldridge at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Jason Statham + Rosie Huntington-Whiteley:

With handsome as hell #JasonStatham, at #MetGala. #MetBall #NYC

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:53pm PDT

#JasonStatham + #RosieHuntingtonWhitely. Inseparable. #MetBall #MetGala

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Emma Stone:

#EmmaStone apologizing for not stopping for fans. #MetGala #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Jessica Chastain:

My fave, #JessicaChastain – the nicest celeb of all time. #MetGala #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Edgar Ramirez:

The talented and up-and-coming #EdgarRamirez. #MetGala #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Zendaya:

The v. sweet #Zendaya, who quickly is becoming a Red Carpet fixture. #MetBall #MetGala

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 4:38am PDT

Karlie Kloss:

#KarlieKloss, supermodel and #TaylorSwift bestie at #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 4:36am PDT

Naomi Watts:

With the gorgeous and outstanding #NaomiWatts. #MetGala #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Margot Robbie:

#MargotRobbie was the most sought after autograph this #MetGala . #MetBall #SuicideSquad

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Nate Parker:

This man is going to be up for an Oscar. #NateParker #BirthofaNation #MetBall #MetGala

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 7:42am PDT

Anna Wintour:

The Queen of the #MetGala, #AnnaWintour. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Lady Eli:

An incredible experience spending the morning with #LadyEli. She doesn’t let many people into her world and is feisty, but this is what makes her the champ she is. #ChadBrown #BelmontPark #NYRA #NYC #GetintheGame #HorseRacing

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

With undefeated racing megastar #LADYELI. Thanks @reredev060. So fun hanging out at historic #BelmontPark! #NYC 🍏🐎

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 9:32am PDT

Flintshire:

Selfies with $7 million-earning winner of the #HongKongVase, #Flintshire. #ChadBrown #BelmontPark #NYC #GetintheGame #HorseRacing

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

Belmont Park:

Happiness is me on a backstretch with horses. #BelmontPark #NYRA #NYC #Belmont

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

We cannot wait to see this. Mila Kunis. Kathryn Hahn. Kristen Bell. BAD MOMS. We’ve been waiting for this. Check out this hot new Trailer!

Synopsis:

Amy Mitchell (Mila Kunis) has a seemingly perfect life. She puts her family first, but her childish husband, demanding kids and idiot of a boss are finally getting to her.

When the alpha moms, including PTA Queen Bee Gwendolyn (Christina Applegate) at her kids’ school put on the pressure, Amy snaps and teams up with two other misfit moms (Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell) on a quest to free themselves from conventional responsibilities. They go on a well-deserved binge of freedom, fun and self-indulgence.

Watch:

eOne Films release BAD MOMS Friday, July 29, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

In addition to being the event of the summer every year in Toronto, the 157th Queen’s Plate this July at Woodbine Racetrack will feature a new musical twist! North America’s most historic horse race is centered around a day of bold fashion, cocktails, legacy, food, betting and fun. In the coming weeks we’ll be highlighting the trail to the $1-million Queen’s Plate as we anxiously await who will be crowned this year’s Queen’s Plate champion!

Set to take three stages at the scenic venue are a variety of Canadian Indie musical acts. Announced are Emerson Street Rhythm Band, Andrew Hyatt, The Pick Brothers Band and River Town Saints. Three headliners also just have been unveiled including Hedley, Matthew Good and The Strumbellas! For now, general grandstand tickets are available starting at only $15.

Get Social.  “Like” the official Queen’s Plate Facebook Page here. Join the convo by using the Hashtag #QP16!

Details on the Queen’s Plate and how you can get tickets here.

What better way to spend Canada Day weekend?

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The Rocky franchise is one of those film series that might go down at times but can never be counted out. Everyone had thought that the storied franchise was done after 2006’s Rocky Balboa but new life was breathed into the franchise with last fall’s surprise blockbuster, Creed.

Creed was a massive critical and financial success that helped to successfully reboot the rapidly aging franchise for a new generation. The film grossed $173.6 million on a measly $35 million budget and made newcomer Michael B. Jordan into a bona fide star. It even helped to earn Sylvester Stallone an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Creed actually managed to revive Rocky in the video game world, too. It brought about a mobile fighting game for smart devices, Real Boxing 2, as well as new a licensed casino title based on the franchise at large. This site called the latter a “heavyweight slot” that “packs a punch,” as players are encouraged to step into the ring against some of the most famous adversaries of the Italian Stallion from throughout the series. With this level of success in the theatres and even in gaming, it comes as no surprise that there’s already talk of a sequel to Creed. And we have the low down on some of the most enticing rumours for the upcoming film, including several seriously big cameos.

Much of Creed‘s success came from the unflinching realism of the film. One of the reasons the fights looked so real is these largely weren’t actors in the ring. Creed starred several real-life fighters as the opponents of the titular character; former super-middleweight champion Andre Ward played Danny “Stuntman” Wheeler and former light-middleweight champion Gabriel Rosado played another of Creed’s challengers. In fact, Creed’s opponent in the final bout was none other than current EBU cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, so naturally we’re already thinking ahead of which fighters might make an appearance in the sequel.

Few fighters are more popular (or as talented) as Irishman Conor McGregor and according to one blog, director Ryan Coogler had hinted that he’d love to have McGregor at least make a cameo in the next film in the series. Unfortunately, it might be a long shot for fans of “The Notorious” as it definitely won’t be happening with Coogler at the helm. The director has been forced to drop out of the project due to his commitment for the upcoming Marvel film, Black Panther.

Thankfully, rising star Michael B. Jordan is still completely on board and he has big ideas for what to expect from a sequel. This article states that the actor feels the sequel needs a proper villain, not dissimilar to Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. He was actually responsible for the death of Creed‘s father, Apollo, and as close to a true villain the series has ever gotten. If Creed 2 ends up looking more like Rocky IV, we’re more than OK with that. It’s one of the best films in the franchise and it’d be great to see Jordan fight up against an honest-to-goodness bad guy. Who knows, maybe Conor McGregor might be just the man for the job.

THE JUNGLE BOOK continues its domination at the Box Office a third straight week at number one!  The Disney Live Action adaptation of Rudyard Kipling‘s story, earns $38 million from 4,041 theatres, making for $248 million thus far domestically. Expect huge numbers also for Disney/Marvel next week as CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR opens.

KEANU debuts in second for Warner Bros. with $9 million, from 2,658 theatres. It gets an B CinemaScore and a 77% on the Tomatometer. We foresee the kitten comedy becoming a bit of a sleeper hit in coming weeks as it gains a cult status.

THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR is in third this weekend with $8.8 million from 3,802 theatres. In two weeks it has grossed $33 million for Universal Pictures.

Star-studded MOTHER’S DAY debuts in fourth with $7.8 million for Elevation Pictures/Open Road Films, from 3,035 theatres. It gets a B+ CinemaScore and 9% on the Tomatometer.

RATCHET & CLANK debuts in fifth with $5.8 million for Universal Pictures/Focus Features, from 2,891 theatres. The Animated Feature gets 20% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

ZOOTOPIA is in seventh for Disney with $4.5 million in its ninth week out with $324 million earned in its North American run.

CRIMINAL rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.2 million for VVS Films/Lionsgate Films, earning $13.3 million domestically over three weeks.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada + Mr. Will want you to win a THE 5TH WAVE Book/DVD Combo Pack!

Synopsis:
After four waves of deadly attacks devastate most of Earth, Cassie (Chloë Grace Moretz), 16, goes on the run to find her younger brother and prepare for the fifth and final wave, in which there is little hope of survival.

She comes across a young man who may be able to help, but she’s not sure she can trust him.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Contest open to Readers in Canada only.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada release THE 5TH WAVE on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, May 3, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada)

Rihanna and Calvin Harris, back at it again! After worldwide success five years ago with We Found Love, comes their new Song of the Summer, THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR. We can just hear Taylor Swift allover this for some reason?? Is it just us??

Check out a Preview:

Also, stream in full on Spotify here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Canada)

By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

On the most recent episode of Masterchef Canada, Chef Michael Bonacini describes these treats as the latest in food trends. Éclairs. An oblong pastry made with choux dough, filled with a cream and topped with icing. Or what I called growing up in Montreal, a city renowned for its pastries, chocolate and cream, hot dogs. Yes, I was quite an unsophisticated child!

NUGATEAU is the first Éclair-only Patisserie in Toronto. As owner, Abm Kadir, explained to me during the Bakery’s exclusive Spring/Summer samplings event, he was looking to fill a food niche that this city was missing and came up with the concept of an all and only eclairs establishment in a city filled with boutique cupcakes stores. Alongside pastry chef Atul Palghadmal, they experimented with hundreds of flavour combinations until they came up with a number of winners and they change their menu regularly to highlight seasonal items. There are also savoury éclair options; one of them being a foie gras with truffle oil and the other contained smoked salmon – yes, my salivary glands went into overdrive when I heard about those!

To ensure my integrity as a reporter for this site and at great personal risk for adding excess bulk to this already curvy body, I sampled seven…yes SEVEN…to die for éclairs. The visually stunning RED ROCKET was a sumptuous red velvet concoction with a white chocolate cream filling with raspberry compote and chocolate. The MONT TREMBLANT was a decadent twist on the traditional éclair of my childhood with 70% dark chocolate cremeux and whipped praline cream. ANNABELLE played with my taste buds with whipped pistachio cream and fresh strawberries. The MANGO VIOLET was a glorious combination of tropical mango scented florally. ST. DOMINGUE was dark chocolate cream and glaze. I loved BANANA CARAMEL. But my favourite of the night was the APRICOT SAFFRON, a sinful apricot cream infused with Spanish saffron. Unapologetically self-indulgent to a fault.

NUGATEAU is a gorgeous tiny little boite of a Patisserie, minimally decorated. When artistry is displayed behind the glass counter, who needs decor? This gem is located at 717 Queen St West, half a block west of Bathurst. It has now become my Mecca for outstanding desserts.

More on NUGATEAU here.

Artistically, Beyoncé is in a career renaissance. This is polarizing as those of us who loved her from her Destiny’s Child days have either kept along with her journey of growth or abandoned the trail. Fortunately, a vast majority have stuck with her and her ever-evolving sound. Sixth solo studio disc Lemonade came as a surprise release less than a week ago and instead of the Music itself being the focus, it is getting more attention for pointing accusations at whom the hypothetical “other woman” is, accounting for some of the anger and aggression dispersed throughout the Disc. This is a good thing though. When Beyoncé speaks, people are listening.

Lemonade (a tribute to her maternal grandmother) despite its sunny name is dark, but if you’ve listened to her past few Discs, this is the direction the Singer/Songwriter/Entrepreneur has headed in recent years.  The edge here however is sharp.  The Album isn’t crammed with singles or bangers.  It is a mixture of sounds aimed at evoking mood and thought in its listeners. It is about embodying the spirit and voice of the strong, independent American Woman. It very much is about empowerment.

English Singer/Songwriter James Blake has a couple contributions on the Disc and starts things off on a moody note on one of two collaborations, Pray You Catch Me.  They duet on Forward (think an edgier take on Rihanna/Mikky Ekko‘s Stay) later in the sequence.  The Rock influence in Beyoncé‘s repertoire is apparent on Led Zeppelin-sampling, Jack White dreamchild, Don’t Hurt Yourself and despite appearing a bit odd on paper, completely works.  Sorry, which details infidelity in her partner and all the warning signs of it, stirs-up the most controversy to whom “Becky with the good hair is”. Does she really exist or is she metaphorical of the insecurities that women face? Either way it is genius and people are talking.

The Weeknd collaboration 6 Inch is a dark, mysterious anthem to femininity and fierceness, one of the more radio-friendly tracks on the Disc, while Daddy Lessons with its country roots pays homage to Beyoncé‘s southern upbringing and a reminder that not all men are at blame. It takes a man to tell you what kind of man to be warned of, right?  The gorgeous Love Drought is placed mid-Disc and a perfect cool-down after an array of emotions expressed earlier.

Hip-Hop’s It Boy Kendrick Lamar gets a plum spot on the ’70s soulful-rock homage, Freedom.  First single Formation closes-out the Disc, a perfect transition to take Fans from Beyoncé of an era past to the Beyoncé of now.

Like her fifth self-titled Disc, there is a visual component to this Disc. Check-out the Trailer below:

Certainly a bright spot in an outstanding catalogue from Music’s reigning Queen. Sony Music Entertainment Canada release LEMONADE, now available on iTunes, Amazon, Tidal and in-stores Friday, May 6, 2016.

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

I want to start this review on a more personal note than the other reviews for Hot Docs. I have a brother who suffers from autism and I understand the struggles and hardships associated with it. But I also understand the wrong and terrible stigmas associated with autism as well.

The Documentary Life, Animated from Academy Award-winning Director Roger Ross Williams, details how our subject Owen, develops verbal autism to tear-inducing effect. Maybe it had something to do with how my brother and I tried to communicate with while we were younger, who knows.

The Film details his relationship with the Disney Animated Movies that helped shape who he has become today in helping him get a grasp of the English language. Owen, like many other children who have autism, was diagnosed early on at the age of three. As his motor skills diminished doctors were worried he would never be able to speak again.

Life, Animated is a magical experience that allows the audience to see how Owen through the power of Film. Bring tissues.

Tuesday, May 3 9:15 p.m. Isabel Bader
Thursday, May 5 12:30 p.m. Hart House
Saturday, May 7 1:00 p.m. Fox Theatre