After gaining much recognition competing on the second season of The X Factor in 2014 in the UK and placing second, Fleur East is ready to make her presence known globally.  The amazingly-gifted Singer/Songwriter hailing from Walthamstow has released her official first single SAX, from her just-released debut disc LOVE, SAX AND FLASHBACKS.

We don’t give compliments musically often, but Fleur East is deserving of our highest praise. Her energy, her voice, her charmisma, her style. She is ready for the spotlight and she’s just who we’ve been waiting for.

Her sassy, heavily-70s and 80s-inspired sound is heard consistently on her Disc (produced by Simon Cowell) and we cannot wait for stateside release. If you love Bruno Mars + Mark Ronson‘s Uptown Funk, this is for you.

See the Video here:

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

As the din of the screams, tears and cheers that greeted Shawn Mendes, the last person to walk down the red carpet, dissipated into the air, I entered the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts to watch returning Master of Ceremony, the very charming and professional Jason Priestley, host and introduce the most deserving inductees to this year’s CANADA’S WALK OF FAME.

Before each of the inductees had their moments to shine on the beautifully-adorned stage (which had screened clips and interviews of previous honorees that included Michael J. Fox and Anne Murray before the show started) there was a buzz of anticipation in the air. It is not very often that we get the chance to see some of the greatest talents this country has to offer.

Olympic gold medalist, Silken Laumann, spoke of courage and overcoming adversity. A somewhat unusually subdued Don Cherry and the very eloquent Ron MacLean showed us why they were so deserving of this accolade. After the effusive introduction from songstress extraordinaire Molly Johnson, author of “The Book of Negroes” (and brother to singer Dan Hill), a humble Laurence Hill, mesmerized the audience with his personal story of family and strength. Multi-talented and multiple Gemini Award winning actress, Wendy Crewson, gave the most passionate and fiery speech about the art of the craft that had the audience cheering. I have become even a bigger fan of Shawn Mendes, after he shyly and nervously accepted the Allan Slaight Award, then came back later in the show to sing two songs. This talented young man from Pickering has class AND talent!

There was then a lovely tribute to the late, Ottawa-born Lorne Greene who will be forever known as Ben Cartwright in the television classic, “Bonanza”. Vancouver Canucks‘ Trevor Linden had fun talking about the lack of hockey skills the last inductee. Michael Bublé, has, but what Bublé lacks on the ice, he more than makes up for in talent! Not only does he command the stage when he sings, in accepting his award, Michael Bublé was the consummate entertainer. His speech was funny, slightly ribald, modest and genuinely moving when he talked about his wife and son. Newly-minted Canadian, Johnny Reid, ended the show with an inspirational song from his new album.

You may have noticed that I have been vague about many of the exciting things that occurred on stage at the CANADA’S WALK OF FAME celebrations. My intent is to tease only and ensure you watch this show, as I will again, when it is televised on the Global Network on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 8 PM EST. Watching it will give you another reason to be a proud Canadian!  More here.

Wheatless, meatless.  This slogan only scrapes the surface for booming local vegan chain, Kupfert & Kim.   As a meat eater myself, the words “vegan”and “gluten-free” conjur ungratifying images of blandness, but I mean it when I say that this is Toronto’s best of-its-kind offering.  If my meals were all prepared like they are at the primarily fast food counter, there’s a good chance I wouldn’t miss meat for long.  Now branching into a sit-down format at its new sixth location just south of prime locale Queen x Spadina, Kupfert & Kim grants us a wish we’ve been longing for since trying it first on the PATH at First Canadian Place earlier this year. The same expedient preparation and those exquisite flavours, all in a proper sit-down environment.

Known mostly for its scintillating Boxes, every bite – whether it be their Sweets, Curries or Soups – is a culmination of a sophisticated integration of flavours. We are in love with their Mexican-inspired Box, the OAXACA (pronounced ‘wa-ha-ka’) containing brown rice, black beans, organic kale, beets, non-GMO corn, daikon radish, hemp seeds, organic tortilla chips, lime wedge with pico de gallo, cashew cream and guacamole.  It tastes familiar, but exotic at once.

We had the pleasure of trying a location exclusive, the MIYEOKGUK, a hearty and soupy bowl of Wakame-Shiitake broth with  brown rice, daikon radish, carrots, organic bok choy, organic tofu, mushroom, scallions, sesame, dulse, optional Thai chili and pickled jalapenos.  Despite not being a “soup type”, I must say I was delighted with the combination of that warming savoury with the freshness of the vegetables.

If you are wondering why a Korean-inspired offering is on the Menu, we have to thank Co-Creator Daniel Suss‘ wife Ji-Hae Kim, whom together with  business partner Mark Kupfert gave a bold tribute here to her ethnic roots.

The CAULIFLOWER TAHINI understandably is a popular choice at the chain.  Featuring organic quinoa, house-made hummus, roasted cauliflower, carrots, pickled onion, purple cabbage, beets, mint, pomegranate seeds, organic arugula, radish, black sesame seeds and za’atar salsa with spiced lemon tahini sauce, the Bowl once again is familiar, yet incredibly-inspired.  One bite of that roasted cauliflower chunk and you will understand what we mean.  As stunning visually as it is in flavour.

For the first time today also we tried an item off their Dessert Menu, the Waffle with Vanilla “Ice Cream“, which while firmer in texture, had plenty of flavour – made from a combination of multiple flours, topped with maple syrup, blueberries,  hemp seeds and a vegan “ice cream” similar to Cashew Cream.

While all this sounds decadent and expensive, Kupfert & Kim offers their creations in clean, bright surroundings and exceptional value considering the size of their portions. Nobody leaves hungry. Most of their Menu is in the lower $10+ range, meaning you don’t have to pay “organic” prices for organic quality.

We hear alcoholic offerings are down the pipe and of course, their coffee is  direct-trade, organic and a cut above coffee chains.  Smoothies also are an option in addition to three varieties of Kombucha.

For more on Kupfert & Kim, visit here.

 Dawn Lupul, Mark Kupfert and Mr. Will:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Who doesn’t love Santa?  The annoying thing about Shopping Malls is that many don’t allow us to bring our fur children out – especially at that time of year when Santa tours all those Shopping Malls meeting friends big and small.  Even if we promise for them to behave!

Purina PawsWay however, certainly has something to say about this.  The Toronto pet event centre by the Harbourfront is welcoming pets to have their moment with the Big Man who kindly is taking time out of his busy Christmas schedule to grant us our wishes come true – Pet Photos with Santa!

Photos take place at PawsWay every weekend in December up till Sunday, December 20, 2015.  Windows available are 11-2 PM and 3-5 PM.  We recommend going maybe at the midway point of each window for smallest queue. Underground Parking is available at a flat rate of $15 under The Radisson.

More details about Pet Photos with Santa here!

See Billy‘s Photo with Santa right here:

A behind-the-scenes look:

Photoshoot with Santa today at #Pawsway for Billy!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 12, 2015 at 1:06pm PST

(Photo credit: PawsWay/Mr. Will Wong)

Despite Moviegoers being busy with the Holidays right now, enough of them went out this tepid weekend to make THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 2 number one a fourth straight week with $11.1 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films.  In its run domestically, it has grossed $244.3 million.

IN THE HEART OF THE SEA debuts in second spot with $10.5 million for Warner Bros., from 3,103 theatres. Despite a decent B+ CinemaScore from Audiences, the Ron Howard-directed Drama starring Chris Hemsworth, garnered only 43% on the Tomatometer from Critics.

THE GOOD DINOSAUR continues to show great consistency, in third with $10 million this weekend for Disney, from 3,606 theatres in its third week out.  This time next week it will have exceeded the $100-million-mark.

CREED lands in fourth this weekend with $9.6 million for Warner Bros., tallying-in at $78 million in North America in its third week out.

KRAMPUS after a second-place debut, slips to fifth this week with $7.6 million from 2,919 theatres. It has made $27.2 million in two weeks.

SPOTLIGHT is in ninth with $2.3 million for Open Road Films/ eOne Films, earning now $20 million in six weeks of limited release. It plays at an increasing 1,089 theatres.

BROOKLYN rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.9  million for Mongrel Media/Fox Searchlight, bringing its total to $14 million in six weeks out.

It’s certainly that time of year for giving and a P.K. Subban will be bringing cheer to kids who’ll be spending the holidays in a hospital bed instead of home.

See his Video:

I’m bringing cheer with @AirCanada to sick kids for the holidays! Submit your version of Jingle Bells #CanadaCarols pic.twitter.com/Hc4McVdRRg

— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) December 15, 2015

In advance of this, we are asking that on Tuesday, December 15, 2016 you record a Selfie-style video of you singing Jingle Bells to be a part of the world’s biggest Christmas-caroling session!  You can then share it on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #CANADACAROLS.

Thanks in advance for supporting the cause. Please consider donating to Children’s Miracle Network!

 

#CANADACAROLS! More details how we can make a difference next week for sick kids who won’t be home for the Holidays!

 

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 10, 2015 at 1:57pm PST

Mr. Will + billy

Despite not being much of a Sci-Fi Fan, Anthony Daniels has had an incredibly lucky run as a star of the genre.  Known best as the voice of C-3P0, the beloved golden robot of the Star Wars Franchise, the English Actor is in Toronto today to promote the highly-awaited movie event of the decade Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Making it an early day, Daniels was at the CITY TV building doing radio interviews and an appearance on Breakfast Television with Dina Pugliese, where he had coached her on how to sound like his iconic character.  As expected, nothing about the mysterious plot of the Film was revealed. He sports a red arm in the upcoming installment and like before, he dons the suit in addition to providing voice work for C-3PO.

Although he was kind to take his time greeting Fans, he only signed a few autographs and took a photo or two, leaving at least a dozen Fans who arrived early to see him without his coveted signature or a Selfie.  He is to appear later today at the Toronto The Force Awakens Exhibit at the Bell Media Campus.

See our Snap of Daniels earlier today:

#AnthonyDaniels, who plays #C3PO in #Toronto today for #StarWars: #TheForceAwakens. #TheForceAwakensTO

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 11, 2015 at 5:01am PST

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Friday, December 18, 2015.

More on the Pop-Up Exhibit for The Force Awakens here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

We finally got around to see this amazing Teaser for THE BFG (Big Friendly Giant) after a busy week! Our jaws dropped. Many of us read the book on which this is based, by Roald Dahl.

Synopsis:

The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life. Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s “The BFG” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams. Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows, but Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see the Queen (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.

See the Teaser:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release THE BFG on Friday, July 6, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

Despite not yet being released, ’50s-set Drama CAROL leads the way at the 73rd annual Golden Globe Awards, with nominations taking place earlier this morning with Actors Angela Bassett, Chloë Moretz, Randy Quaid and America Ferrera revealing nominees. The Film, directed by Todd Haynes centers on a romance between two women and stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Nominees are decided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, with the ceremony to take place Sunday, January 10, 2016 and air on NBC at 8:00 PM EST.

In the Motion Picture categories, there is a three-way tie for second with four nominations apiece between The Big Short, The Revenant and Steve Jobs – with only the latter having seen a release thus far.

Two Toronto-made Films in ROOM and SPOTLIGHT, both which premiered here at TIFF ’15 in September to rousing reception, received three nominations each alongside THE HATEFUL EIGHT, THE DANISH GIRL and THE MARTIAN.

The Television categories didn’t have as definitive a leader with AMERICAN CRIME, FARGO, MR. ROBOT, WOLF HALL, TRANSPARENT and OUTLANDER each getting three nominations.

Among some of the biggest snubs this year are Canadian child actor Jacob Tremblay who just received a Screen Actors Guild nomination earlier this week for his work in ROOM, Michael B. Jordan who won acclaim for his performance in latest ROCKY installment CREED and Johnny Depp, thought to be a major contender for Best Actor in a Drama for his portrayal of gangster Whitey Bulger, failed to make the cut here also.

Many also are baffled that Fox Musical Series EMPIRE is in the running for Drama Series versus Musical or Comedy Series and there is some debate about Sir Ridley Scott‘s Sci-Fi Box Office champ THE MARTIAN being classified a Comedy.

Click here for a complete list of Nominees.

Ricky Gervais hosts this year’s Golden Globes. Visit the official site here.

(Photo credit: NBC)

After bringing the giggles with a Teaser a couple months back, we get a full THREE-MINUTE Trailer for The Brothers Grimsby!

This spring, the only thing more dangerous than the world’s greatest spy is his brother. Don’t miss the hilarious new comedy by Sacha Baron Cohen.

See the full Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release THE BROTHERS GRIMSBY Friday, March 11, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)