Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE, filmed in our hometown of Toronto!

Screenings will take place in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa on Wednesday January 18th, 2017 at 7:00PM as follows:

Toronto – Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas @ 7:00PM

Montreal – Cinema Banque Scotia Montreal @ 7:00PM

Ottawa – Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa @ 7:00PM

Synopsis:
The third explosive chapter of the blockbuster franchise that redefined the spy thriller finds extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) coming out of self-imposed exile and on a collision course with deadly alpha warrior Xiang and his team in a race to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. Recruiting an all-new group of thrill-seeking cohorts, Xander finds himself enmeshed in a deadly conspiracy that points to collusion at the highest levels of world governments. Packed with the series’ signature deadpan wit and bad-ass attitude, “xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE” will raise the bar on extreme action with some of the most mind-blowing stunts to ever be caught on film.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City! Click “share” from there for an extra chance!

Paramount Pictures Canada release xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Friday, January 20, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to see xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE, filmed right here in Toronto! Screenings take place as follows:

Screenings will take place in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa on Wednesday January 18th, 2017 at 7:00PM.

Toronto – Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas @ 7:00PM

Montreal – Cinema Banque Scotia Montreal @ 7:00PM

Ottawa – Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa @ 7:00PM

Synopsis:
The third explosive chapter of the blockbuster franchise that redefined the spy thriller finds extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) coming out of self-imposed exile and on a collision course with deadly alpha warrior Xiang and his team in a race to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. Recruiting an all-new group of thrill-seeking cohorts, Xander finds himself enmeshed in a deadly conspiracy that points to collusion at the highest levels of world governments. Packed with the series’ signature deadpan wit and bad-ass attitude, “xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE” will raise the bar on extreme action with some of the most mind-blowing stunts to ever be caught on film.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Indicate your city and click “share” from there for an extra chance!

Paramount Pictures Canada release xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Friday, January 20, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Since Suicide Squad and TIFF, Toronto hasn’t caught much of a break in terms of starpower. That is about to change soon.  While a slew of TV Series and Pilots continue to film in the City, we will be plenty excited to know that A-List names like Reese Witherspoon, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, Neil Patrick Harris and Samuel L. Jackson are making their way north over the next few months.  That’s right!  Kicking-off 2016 proper!

DOWNSIZING, to be released via Paramount Pictures, is the latest endeavour for Oscar-nominated Director Alexander Payne who rocked our world with Sideways (2000) and The Descendants (2004).  Matt Damon will star as an Omaha man who joins the many others who opt to undergo a procedure which reduces them to a fraction of their size.  They then are moved-off to communities with many others like themselves.  Reese Witherspoon who worked with Payne in Election, Jason Sudeikis and Neil Patrick Harris also star.  Expect a late 2017 release, which means you guessed it… OSCARS and what could be a debut at TIFF ’17!   Filming runs April through July.

For those who like a bit more of a punch, the latest installment in the XXX franchise, THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE begins production in February through May and once again stars megastar Vin Diesel in the titular role.  Samuel L. Jackson returns and appearing also is MMA star Conor McGregor.  After Xander Cage (Diesel) is left for dead, he miraculously finds his way back and is sent on a new assignment by hander Augustus Gibbons (Jackson).

Production is to be based out of Pinewood Studios in Toronto for both Films.

After selling to Europacorp during TIFF in September for a cool $17 million, gun control drama Miss Sloane, starring future Oscar winner Jessica Chastain also is pegged for a late winter start date. Chastain stars as a lobbyist who goes up against Washington to pass through gun legislation.  The Hollywood Reporter reports a March start date, while the Directors Guild of Canada report filming could start as early as February.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It’s that time of year, Willionaire$!  And this means you basically have only one more day to catch-up on some of your 2015 releases.  We turn to our panel of Writers here at Mr. Will Wong and ask them which Films were their year’s best and here’s what they had to say!

AMANDA GILMORE

1. Brooklyn
2. Mad Max: Fury Road
3. Carol
4. The Revenant
5. Ex_Machina
6. The Diary of a Teenage Girl
7. Spotlight
8. Room
9. Inside Out
10. Me, Earl and the Dying Girl

Brooklyn is perfect. It took me on the journey the main character was taking in a flawless and effortlessly beautiful way. This is the must see Film of the year. Mad Max: Fury Road takes the title for best Blockbuster of the year! Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara both deliver  career bests in Carol. Everything about The Revenant is perfect and it should be nominated for everything. The Diary of a Teenage Girl is one of few Films I have seen that correctly depict what goes on in a teenage girl’s mind and life. Meanwhile, Room  is the first Film that made me cry in years.

SIOBHÁN RICH

Anomalisa
Brooklyn
Carol
Duke of Burgundy
Ex_Machina
Grandma
Spotlight
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Straight Outta Compton
Youth

Whittling down my favourites of 2015 was a harrowing task, hence I have not listed these in any particular order.

Two of my top two Docs for 2015 were Kriby Dick‘s The Hunting Ground about rape culture on American college campuses, and Jennifer Peedom‘s beautifully shot Sherpa, about the people who make climbing Mount Everest possible.

If you saw Tom McCarthy’s Spotlight then Chilean Director Pablo Larrain‘s The Club is a must see companion piece. On the opposite end spectrum is the Studio Ghibli Film When Marnie Was There – a Movie that moved me beyond tears to ugly sobbing mess.

JONATHAN GODFREY

1. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
2. Chappie
3. Spectre
4. Me, Earl and the Dying Girl
5. Everest
6. Mad Max: Fury Road
7. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. II
8. Steve Jobs
9. Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie
10. Jupiter Ascending

Jupiter Ascending proved early on that my love for Sci-Fi would be rewarded throughout the year. Ghost in the Shell’s new Movie was one such reward, whereas Steve Jobs was a reward all its own. The Hunger Games and Mad Max’s fourth installments both portrayed a future of women warriors, while elsewhere I watched men of yesteryear die atop Mt. Everest. Speaking of death, Me, Earl and the Dying Girl portrayed its complexities beautifully. Spectre added to Bond’s body count, and quickly became my favourite Film in the franchise. Chappie debated sentience with an ultra-nuanced aesthetic, and then there was… Star Wars. The Force Awakens, an episode equal to its ancestors, and without question my favourite Film of the year.

GEORGE KOZERA

1. Room
2. Son of Saul
3. The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet
4. Brooklyn
5. James White
6. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
7. The Last 5 Years
8. The Danish Girl
9. Ex_Machina
10. Carol

Room is a perfect Movie. Two perfect performances. I cannot wait to watch and savour it again and again. The horrors are too real, the ideologies too obscene, the inhumanities too incomprehensible for me to fathom in Son of Saul. I can’t even write about this Movie anymore as it takes me to dark and painful places, as my mother was an Auschwitz survivor, but I am forever grateful for having seen it. Under-seen The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet seamlessly takes every emotional element that makes a Movie a classic and puts an inimitable spin on it. The best performance from Helena Bonham Carter in years. Christopher Abbott, in the title role as JAMES WHITE, gives the bravest performance I have experienced in a long time. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl was beautiful, original and has the grip of a pitbull. Alicia Vikander is purely commanding in both The Danish Girl and Ex_Machina. Distinctly different roles, both expertly-executed.

JUSTIN WALDMAN

1. Anomalisa
2. Brooklyn
3. Creed
4. Ex_Machina
5. The Hateful Eight
6. Mad Max: Fury Road
7. Room
8. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
9. Spotlight
10. What We Do In The Shadows

Charlie Kaufman’s absolutely heartbreaking Animated Film was one of my favourite Movies at both TIFF ’15 and 2015 on the whole. The Film looks deep into the soul of its audience and breaks down walls, exposing human nature in its most vulnerable form. I was absolutely blown away by how incredible Brooklyn is. Saoirse Ronan was beyond remarkable. Creed really came out of nowhere to be one of my favourites of the year. Michael B. Jordan took-on the daunting task of taking the reins from Sylvester Stallone and does a remarkable job. Ex_Machina is truly an incredible Film that should be viewed by the masses, and made me a fan of Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander. The Hateful Eight is a welcome return to form for Quentin Tarantino – in my opinion his third strongest Film behind Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. Spotlight is a story that needed to be exposed about the truly horrific acts that have occurred within the Catholic Church and frontrunner for Best Picture.

DAVID BALDWIN

1. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
2. Room
3. Ex_Machina
4. Inside Out
5. The Lobster
6. Mad Max: Fury Road
7. The Martian
8. The Revenant
9. Brooklyn
10. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

While we will casually remember 2015 as the year Star Wars roared back into theatres, I will remember it as the year powered by nostalgia. Everything old was new again and ideas that would have sounded ludicrous five years ago, suddenly became the Movies everyone was dying to see. So much of what I saw this year blasted past my expectations, and the stuff that missed the mark really had no chance of keeping up. Here’s hoping 2016 has just as much creativity, imagination and wildly entertaining Movies for us to enjoy!

MR. WILL

1. Room
2. Trainwreck
3. Spotlight
4. Amy
5. Truth
6. Carol
7. Straight Outta Compton
8. The Danish Girl
9. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
10. Miss You Already

After catching wind of it filming in Toronto last winter, I had no idea that Room what would go-on to be my favourite Film of 2015.  I’ve always championed Brie Larson and am glad the rest of the world got to witness  the year’s greatest breakthrough performance in the Film.  I am enamoured with child actor Jacob Tremblay‘s work here and won’t be surprised if the nine-year-old gets a Supporting Actor nod.

It truly was the year of Cate Blanchett, gifting us with two phenomenal portraits in both Truth and Carol, both I feel are criminally under-seen by moviegoers.  I still am mesmerized and affected by Amy Schumer‘s phenomenal semi-autobiographical work in Trainwreck (also starring Brie Larson!) and  I am still obsessed with Tilda Swinton‘s unrecognizable transformation!

What makes Straight Outta Compton so impressive is that it was released earlier in the year and still it stands on its own merit. And Miss You Already resonated with me emotionally myself as a Cancer survivor – regardless how unfashionable it is to choose a Chick Flick in my Top Ten. Truly impactful and under-seen performances from Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore.

And because we love Pop Culture on all fronts, a recognition of our favourite Pop Music this year:

Pop Singles

1. Lean On – Major Lazer + DJ Snake ft. MØ
2. Hello – Adele
3. Uptown Funk! – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
4. Fight Song – Rachel Platten
5. Bright – Echosmith
6. One Last Time – Ariana Grande
7. Talking Body – Tove Lo
8. Hold My Hand – Jess Glynne
9. Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
10. Wildest Dreams – Taylor Swift

I absolutely killed Lean On.  I love songs that elevate you and even half a year later, I still feel that little bit better when I hear it.  If we’re talking albums, Adele‘s 25 is something I can recite start to finish and Hello despite being a great single, is only a taste of the amazing things on that disc. I am unashamed of my love for Uptown Funk!  Am holding out for an era revival in Pop-Funk based on its success.

See Mr. Will‘s #SELFIE2015 Video highlighting many of the Celebs who this year snapped a pic with me!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Amanda Gilmore/George Kozera)

He’s a Buddhist? We had no clue. Entertainment Weekly has a fascinating read on Benedict Cumberbatch this week as he graces the cover in an exclusive DOCTOR STRANGE preview!

Cumberbatch who stars in the titular role of the upcoming Blockbuster reveals that he spent his teen years working with Tibetan monks, teaching them English. “I became interested the meeting point between Western logic and Eastern mysticism”, he says.  The role of Doctor Strange allows him to  explore supernatural forces and alternative dimensions.

Read more here.

DOCTOR STRANGE also stars Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tilda Swinton, Chiewetel Ejiofor and Mads Mikkelsen.

See the Cover:

Marvel Entertainment Canada release DOCTOR STRANGE on Friday, November 4, 2016.

(Photo credit: Marvel/Entertainment Weekly)

Although no release dates have yet been set for these Series, here’s a sneak peek at some new images from upcoming season two of DAREDEVIL and UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT  and also new series THE RANCH.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

From creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, this comedy series stars Ellie Kemper as Kimmy, who escapes a doomsday cult and decides to reclaim her life and start over in New York City. Armed with just a backpack, light-up sneakers, and a couple of way-past-due library books, Kimmy’s ready to take on a world she didn’t even think existed anymore. She quickly finds a new job (working for 30 Rock‘s Jane Krakowski), a new roommate (Tituss Burgess – 30 Rock), and a new beginning.

Daredevil

Blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) fights against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the Super Hero “Daredevil” in modern day Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.

The Ranch

Executive produced by Don Reo (Two and Half Men, My Wife and Kids) and Jim Patterson (Two and a Half Men, Mike and Molly), the Netflix original comedy series reunites Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson, the stars of That 70s Show which delighted audiences around the world for eight years with its wacky, knowing take on 1970s teen-dom. Set on a Colorado ranch, the new series will see Kutcher returning home after a brief semi-pro football career to run the family business with his brother Masterson.

Stay tuned for updates!

(Photo credit: Netflix Canada)

If you’ve been to a Cineplex to see Movie over the Holidays this year, you’ve probably at some point seen this touching short titled Lily & the Snowman. Unsure what I was watching, I literally thought I was watching a Disney short. It was that good!

The short follows Lily, who as a young girl shares plenty of heartwarming moments with her Snowman, preserving him in a freezer as he whittles away year by year until eventually she grows older and the responsibilities of life take over. Sometimes we lose sight of the person we once were.

The Snowman is metaphorical of anything that means something to you. A piece of your childhood that you miss. A pet that you loved. A friend you lost touch with. A family member you wish was still here.

I was moved to tears even before the Movie I went to see had started and knew I had to look for it on YouTube as soon as I got home. Please watch it below. You won’t regret it.

Lily & the Snowman

(Photo/video credit: Cineplex)

It might have been Star Wars all Christmas weekend, but the others aren’t faring too bad!  STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS continues a monstrous run at the Box Office, at the top yet again this weekend with $157 million for Disney from 4,134 theatres. Its latest feat sees it getting the distinction of being the quickest Film ever to reach the $500 million-mark, grossing now $553 million in just over one week domestically!

DADDY’S HOME debuts in second with $46 million from 3,721 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Critics panned it with a 28% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences were far more forgiving with a B+ CinemaScore.  The Comedy reuniting Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg bests their last collaboration, The Other Guys, which opened with $35 million in 2010.

JOY opens a respectable third with $20 million from 2,896 theatres for 20th Century Fox. The Oscar vehicle for Jennifer Lawrence based on the true story of the Miracle Mop creator, didn’t get a lot of love from Critics with 58% on the Tomatometer, but got an okay B+ at CinemaScore.

ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP is in fourth in its second week out with $16 million from 3,705 theatres for 20th Century Fox. It has made $42 million in its North American run.

SISTERS certainly isn’t shamed, in fifth with $14.8 million from 2,962 theatres in its second week out for Universal Pictures.  It nears the $40 million-mark domestically.

CONCUSSION, an Oscar vehicle for Will Smith, opens in sixth with $13 million for Sony Pictures.  Critics gave it a passing 60% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences definitely enjoyed it with an A CinemaScore.

Playing only in 1,585 theatres, THE BIG SHORT is in seventh with $11.5 million for Paramount Pictures. Certified “fresh” on the Tomatometer, this star-studded affair with Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale and Brad Pitt gets an 86% score on that site and an A- CinemaScore also from Audiences.

POINT BREAK, a remake of Kathryn Bigelow‘s acclaimed action flick, opens in eighth with $10.5 million for Warner Bros. Critics panned it with a 4% only on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore gives it a bit more hope.

CREED rounds-out the Top Ten with $5 million in its fifth week out for Warner Bros.  It is closing quick on the $100 million-mark.

We’ve had the joy of driving an array of vehicles from Honda Canada over the past few years, but hands down the best we’ve tried ever is the 2016 HONDA PILOT TOURING.  Styled like an SUV and spacious like a Mini-Van, we are in awe at the automotive excellence we drove for the past week. We normally find it hard enough already to part with our Hondas at the end of the Test Drive, but this time we were particularly emotional having to part ways.

Let’s talk about the experience driving the Honda Pilot Touring. Zipping through the City with my BFF to our Christmas Dinner, the first thing he said was “Is this car even on?  It’s so quiet!” – of course we were fully moving, but something is to be said about its beautifully-engineered i-VTEC V6 engine.  The car operates  so quietly, you literally can have a full conversation at speech level effortlessly as music blares through its 10 540-watt speakers.

The car glides smooth like silk and I cannot describe the level of confidence you feel in the driver’s seat.  The ever-powerful Honda Pilot truly puts you in control of the road with its commanding presence – steering wheel-free mind you – something I value much in unpredictable and sometimes scary Toronto weather.  I’ll admit the Engine Idle-Stop still takes a bit of getting used to, but its benefits certainly were reflected in  spending about $50 only to fill its tank on 12.4/9.3/11.0 (L/100 km) city/highway/combined fuel efficiency ratings, lasting me about five days of long commutes aka Holiday shopping and gift drop-offs.

The Honda Pilot Touring is pure luxury and sophistication with an elegant design combined with great practicality.  Did you know it seats seven people and the middle row of passengers also enjoy the option of seat heaters (and coolers!)?  I took my team of Writers out for a Holiday Dinner last week and back to their homes respectively. One of them exclaimed, “This is the car I’m gonna buy!”, toying with the Honda Blu-ray Rear Entertainment System and headphones.  It was raves all around as we listened to Adele blaring through the vehicle’s – again, count ’em – 10 speakers, viewing the moonlit sky under not one, but two moonroofs!

Despite some issues playing music I actually paid for off my Android via Bluetooth (although songs stored on my USB played like a charm!), I was able to stay connected and charged with a whopping three USB charging ports, not to mention more charging outlets in the middle row of the vehicle for passengers!   The perforated leather seats also were phenomenally-cozy and none of my passengers can disagree with that.  Honda pulls-out all the stops here in terms of detail. Floormats even come with turnable knobs which secure them down.

Safety is a priority with the Honda Pilot Touring.  Its Blind Spot Information System is intuitive without being overbearing and intrusive, while also being very aware of cross-traffic from the rear of the vehicle.  Auto High Beam kicks-in when we are forgetful and maybe a bit too focused driving in the dark, keeping the roads lit and drivers safe. All three rows of seating come with Side Airbags in event of an accident and its Lane-Keeping Assist System keeps us safe and centered while driving.

  The 2016 Honda Pilot Touring is priced at a highly-reasonable $52,364.75.

Learn more about it here.

I know what I want for Christmas this year.  Do you?

And did we mention pets love it too?

The #HondaPilot is real pet-friendly. #Honda #Pilot @hondacanada

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 14, 2015 at 8:19am PST

Wonderful afternoon with Billy in #Unionville finishing-up #ChristmasShopping on #MainStreet. We couldn’t have done it without the amazing #HondaPilot!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 18, 2015 at 9:53am PST

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

I cannot deny that seeing Bridget Jones’s Diary for the first time back in 2001 was a life-changing moment. It sparked within me an inspiration and honesty that would change me for good. In fact, I can say that a good reason why I began blogging is that I one day would create a chronicle of my own life which I could share with the world that would both change and inspire others like Bridget Jones did to me.

Entertainment Weekly today posted the cover of their latest issue today, a first look at the third installment of the franchise, Bridget Jones’s Baby with new addition Patrick Dempsey, Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth tightly-bunched. I was overjoyed and it is a bit surreal knowing that the Film is a thing and happening September 2016.

Every time I see a September release date a hope within me is awakened that a Film might get a premiere here at TIFF. Let’s hope for the best…

All we know about this latest installment is that a still-single Bridget is expecting a baby and unsure who the father is…

See the Cover:

In the issue, which features interviews with the Film’s three stars, Zellweger says “It feels like stepping back with an old friend. I love this character, I like that she tells stories about what it’s like to be a woman and these really relatable situations at certain times in life. It’s so right to tell a story about Bridget in this stage of her life.”.

For more on the story, click here.

Universal Pictures Canada release BRIDGET JONES’S BABY September 16, 2016.

(Photo credit: Entertainment Weekly)