“Love is patient, love is kind.”.

Incredibly, incredibly jealous of those of you who got to attend the Osheaga Festival in Montreal this weekend. Among the featured Acts was of course Macklemore & Ryan Lewis who kicked-off the Canadian leg of their Tour in Toronto at Echo Beach on Friday night. Delivering a great surprise was our v. own Tegan & Sara, who appeared on-stage performing the pro-LGBTQ Track Same Love, substituting for Mary Lambert who provides vocals on the Original. A magical moment and there couldn’t be more fitting Guest Vocalists.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

After spotting the Cast of Horizon yesterday out and about, today we met the USA Network Pilot’s most recognizable face, Cary Elwes.  The British Thespian over the years has starred in instantly-recognizable Titles like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Days of Thunder, Saw and of course 1987 Classic, The Princess Bride.

The Series centers around an FBI Secretary (Ruth Bradley) who discovers that her Husband might have been killed in a battle with a Spaceship during World War II.  She becomes obsessed with finding the truth, soon becoming the only person standing between Earth and an Alien Invasion.  Elwes stars as a mysterious Man who leads a double life during the War, unsure if whether he should follow orders what he feels is right.  Horizon films till the end of August.

The Actor who looks v. much like he did 26 years ago, was awesome to stop for Fan Photos outside Starbucks earlier today after heading out for lunch earlier.  Make no mistake though, Elwes certainly is no stranger to Toronto after having filmed installments of the massively-successful Saw Franchise here.

Elwes next can be seen in Behaving Badly, an upcoming Comedy which stars Selena Gomez, Heather Graham, Nat Wolff,  Elisabeth Shue, Mary-Louise Parker and Jason Lee.  He also appears in Sylvester Stallone‘s new Drama Reach Me, out later this year.

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/20th Century Fox)

Following the great success of their Legal Series Suits, USA Network is now setting its sights on a Sci-Fi  Pilot named Horizon, currently in production here in Toronto.  The Series centers around an FBI Secretary (Ruth Bradley) who discovers that her Husband might have been killed in a battle with a Spaceship during World War II.  She becomes obsessed with finding the truth, soon becoming the only person standing between Earth and an Alien Invasion.

In addition to Bradley who is known for her work on the recent Titanic Mini-Series, Horizon also stars Cary Elwes (The Princess Diaries, Saw) as a Man at odds with himself in doing what is right versus following orders. Meg Steedle (Boardwalk Empire), Josh Braaten (That ’80s Show), Taylor Handley (The O.C.) and Mark Famiglietti (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) also will have Principal Roles.

I spotted some of the friendly Stars of Horizon (seen below top to bottom, left to right) including Braaten, Bradley, Handley, Steedle and Famiglietti all out for dinner earlier this evening this Long Weekend.  Famiglietti asks me, “What is Civic Day anyway? It seems nobody really even knows what it means!”.  And he’s right. 

Horizon films in Toronto throughout the month of August.

See our Snaps:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Horse Racing lost one of its brightest Stars today as Nipissing tragically had to be euthanized after injuring her hind-left leg in what would be the final Race of her short but celebrated Career, the Wonder Where Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack.  The three-year-old Filly in June had solidified herself as the leader of her Division after winning the important $500k Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser, before going on to compete as one of the Choices in the prestigious 154th running of the Queen’s Plate in July.  That Race eventually was won by Midnight Aria.

I had the pleasure of seeing Nipissing race on multiple occasions and in what has been the most competitive Filly division in years, she always put in an honest effort, rarely disappointing.  She kicked-off her Career last year going unbeaten in four races, including Canada’s top race for two-year-old Fillies, the Princess Elizabeth Stakes.  Although she never got the titular recognition she deserved, she had the heart of a Champion, just like her Father, 2004 Queen’s Plate Winner Niigon.  In any other year, Nipissing would have been named  Champion and you would be hard-pressed to find any Racing Fan who would disagree.

I had the incredible fortune  of visiting Nipissing at her Stable this Summer during a Backstretch Tour at Woodbine.  That big, statuesque Filly had a commanding beauty, on her absolute best behaviour.  “Can she have a mint?”, one Woman asked.  Trainer Rachel Halden diplomatically declined the offer after milling about it for a quick moment.  One could sense a deep maternal protectiveness she had for her Stable Star, especially with an important engagement like the Queen’s Plate on her itinerary.   We learned also that Nipissing had been experiencing a rash, which carefully was tended to with a patch of white ointment on her problem area.  She was big and strong – if you didn’t tell me that I was in the presence of Nipissing I would’ve mistaken her for a Colt.

It brought me to tears seeing the on-track Ambulance rush to tend to her as she was pulled-up early this afternoon after stalking the pace briefly.  I saw a composed, but visibly worried Halden waiting on the turf to be transported over to Nipissing.  I admit it upset me even more that before I could process what had happened everyone around me was already cheering for the next Winner. It breaks my heart every time a Horse suffers a life-threatening injury, but it hurts so much more to know it is a Horse for whom I hold a dear place.  It is an unavoidable reality of the Sport and the one and only thing I dislike about Horse Racing.

My heart goes out to Halden, Nipissing‘s Rider Steven Bahen and Owner, Chiefswood Stable.  Take one quick glance at some of the Photos I’ve taken below of the prized Filly over the past year and you will see how  they loved her like a Daughter. Let her be a reminder to all of us that while life is all too short, we must always aspire to be at our best in the little time we have here.

You will never be forgotten, dear Nipissing. You are adored by your many Fans and surely I am not the only one giving you a teary-eyed Farewell. You touched us with your courage, rewarding us with happiness and the thrill of hope.

xMr. Will

See some Photos I’ve taken of Nipissing (double-click to enlarge):

2 Guns opens with a bang at the Box Office in North America this weekend, the Action Flick starring Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington debuting with $28 million for Universal Pictures/eOne Films.  It earned a v. decent B+ CinemaScore from Audiences and less receptive 58% from Critics at Rotten Tomatoes.  Made for $61 million, it looks well on its way to paying its bill in coming weeks.  The Film also stars Paula Patton, whose Husband Robin Thicke also in the Music World is set to dominate the Billboard Hot 200 with his latest CD, Blurred Lines in a few days. Talk about Power Couple!

The Wolverine after landing on-top last week, slips to number two this weekend with $21.7 million for 20th Century Fox.  Thus far it has grossed $94 million domestically.

The Smurfs 2 bows with $15 million in third spot, a far cry from the $35 million its Predecessor made in 2011 for Sony Pictures.  Audiences however, loved it giving it an A- CinemaScore, while Critics gave it a less than stellar 12% on the Tomatometer.

The Conjuring continues to scare Moviegoers in fourth spot in this its third week of release, with $13.6 million for Warner Bros.  To date it has made $108 million, already a huge return from its $20 million budget.

Despicable Me 2 in its fifth week of release still is game in fifth with $10 million, a cumulative total of $326 million it its massive North America run so far for Universal Pictures.

The Heat still hangs-on to the Top Ten in its sixth week with $4.4 million for 20th Century Fox, just ahead of Pacific Rim with $4.2 million, grossing $92 million in four weeks in these parts.

Although I wasn’t planning at all on going to Oakville tonight, my Friends Keith and Amy decided to be a bit spontaneous, I getting the pleasure of tagging along!  Taking place between Friday, August 2 – Sunday, August 4, 2013, the Oakville Waterfront Festival which takes place at Coronation Park, features Games, Rides, Live Music, Craft Beer and Ontario Food Trucks.  It was actually an amazing time!

Hands down the most in-demand Food Truck tonight was Choco-Churros, run by a Mother-Daughter Team with a Recipe which dates back several years, its origins in New York City.  I’ve had Churros before, but not like this.  They were decadent, generously-portioned, textured and drizzled in heavenly Sweetened Condensed Milk and Chocolate Sauce.  Epic!  I basically need more.  The Public would agree, judging by their willingness to clock-in a 30+ minute wait.

I also adored by Fish Tacos from Gourmet Gringo‘s Food Truck which tasted authentic, stuffed with chunks of crispy, fried Mahi-Mahi and Coleslaw.  Divine.

Admittedly, I was confused by the Festival’s Ticketing System.  That is, instead of taking cash, the Food Trucks took only Food, Canned Beer and Craft Beer Tickets.  You even needed a Ticket for Water. Some Trucks, including one which served Fried Chicken Poutine, unfortunately ran-out of items early and some Retailers took advantage of the situation, including one which charged $12 in Food Tickets for a meager portion of Lobster and Truffle-flavoured Macaroni & Cheese.  One Truck offered an exotic-sounding Pad Thai Fries, but alas it amounted to a dry offering  remotely resembling what it should have tasted like.  I don’t even want to go on about the Fettucine drizzled in Olive Oil and frozen Peas which I shared with my Friends Jonathan and Laura which apparently cost $10 in Food Tickets, or the rock-hard Perogies we had which cost similar.  In all, there were great Food Trucks, some not so great.

A decent Canadian-centric Lineup of Musical Acts like Kathleen Edwards, Hannah Georgas, Lindi Ortega, Jane’s Party, Gentlemen and Husbands and Headliner 54-40 entertained Festival Goers.

For more about the Oakville Waterfront Festival, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It’s finally here!   McDonald’s Canada gives Ontarians a Sandwich to call our own too… *for a limited time only, The McLobster, and it’s actually delicious!  Containing a Soft Roll baked from McDonald‘s Signature Bun Dough, filled with crisp, shredded Lettuce  and a Lobster Salad containing real Lobster chunks, Celery and Salad Dressing, this Creation is an absolute delight.  Finally a McDonald’s Sandwich that tastes distinctly Canadian and has a degree of elegance to it.  Those in the Maritimes have been enjoying it for years and now it’s our time to savour.

Of course, there could always be more Lobster, but we’re not complaining.  For $9 (less than $7 for the Sandwich alone), you too can enjoy a Combo with Fries and a Drink!

Learn more about the McLobster here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Kendrick Lamar has stamped himself over the past couple years as the One to Watch in Hip-Hop. The 27-year-old from Compton, California is known best for his Hits B*tch Don’t Kill My Vibe, The Recipe and Poetic Justice (ft. Drake) and has been nominated for multiple MTV and BET Awards.

The Rapper graces the stage at a sold-out Sound Academy tonight, before performing at Montreal’s Osheaga Festival also this weekend and Lollapalooza too in Chicago.

Accompanied by a sizeable Bodyguard and Entourage, Lamar was kind to stop for Photos with Fans today after a lengthy 90-minute delay at Customs upon arriving to Toronto from Detroit.

See our Snap below:

I’m totally in love with Lamar‘s Collaboration with Robin Thicke on brand new Single, Give it 2 U. If you haven’t checked it out, listen here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Interscope Records)

Acclaimed Hong Kong-based Director Wong Kar Wai soon will unleash his next Masterpiece and this time around he decides to go the route of Martial Arts.

The Grandmaster is based on the life story of the Wing Chun Grandmaster Ip Man (Tony Leung), the Trainer of Bruce Lee. The Film follows Ip Man‘s journey to become a martial arts master who finally meets his match Gong Er played by Ziyi Zhang.

See the amazing Trailer below:

The Weinstein Co. releases in the U.S. and eOne Films distributes in Toronto on August 23, 2013.

(Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.)

Although there’s been no confirmation of this premiering at TIFF ’13, we’re still holding hope that David O. Russell‘s (The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook) upcoming ’70s-era Crime-Drama, American Hustle, will get a bow in Toronto here in September.

The Film is based on the True Story for the ABSCAM Operation in which a Con Artist and his Girlfriend are enlisted by Federal Agent to turn the tables on other Con Artists, Politicians and Mobsters.

This brand new Trailer looks and feels absolutely authentic to the Era.  You must see it:

I love the idea of Amy Adams getting arrested and having a meltdown. I think I actually am in love with this Movie already!

eOne Films releases American Hustle on Christmas Day.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)