After garnering raves and winning the World Cinematic Audience Award at Sundance last year, DIFRET now is set for a release here in Canada. I’m sure many of you remember the story which inspired this Film, in the news.

Synopsis:
DIFRET chronicles a legal-precedent setting court case that outlawed the kidnapping of child brides in Ethiopia. It tells the story of a 14-year-old girl, Hirut Assefa (based on Aberash Bekele), who is kidnapped on her way home from school and subsequently grabs a rifle and tries to escape, but ends up shooting her would-be husband. In her village, the practice of abduction into marriage is common and one of Ethiopia’s oldest traditions. Meaza Ashenafi, the founder of the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, arrives from the city to have her team represent Hirut and argue that she acted in self defence.

The Film is executive-produced by Angelina Jolie.

See the Trailer:

Soda Pictures Canada release DIFRET on Friday, November 6, 2015. You can see it at The Carlton in Toronto.

(Photo/video credit: Soda Pictures Canada)

THE MARTIAN continues to outdo itself. The TIFF ’15 selection in its fifth week out finds enough gumption to take the top of the Box Office for 20th Century Fox a quiet Halloween weekend with $11.4 million from 3,218 theatres.  To date the Ridley Scott Film has made $182 million domestically.

GOOSEBUMPS, a former number one, rises to second this weekend with $10.2 million for Sony Pictures.  It has made $57 million thus far and got a boost this weekend with a buy-one-adult-ticket and get a children’s ticket free promotion.

BRIDGE OF SPIES in its third week rises to third with $8.1 million for DreamWorks.  It is nearing the $50-million-mark in North America.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 rises up to fourth with $5.8 million for Sony Pictures, like GOOSEBUMPS, getting a special Halloween weekend promo boost. It has made $156 million in its run this far in these parts.

BURNT opens in fifth for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films with $5 million from 3,003 theatres. Starring Bradley Cooper, the culinary dramedy got panned by Critics with 29% on the Tomatometer. Audiences gave it a better B- CinemaScore.

TIFF ’15 Selection OUR BRAND IS CRISIS opens in eighth for Warner Bros. with $3.6 million from 2,202 theatres. Critics gave the George Clooney-produced project 32% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it C+ on CinemaScore.

STEVE JOBS rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.6 million for Universal Pictures, earning $14.5 million over four weeks.

Having spent most of my childhood weekends at the racetrack with my parents, it has always been a dream of mine to attend the Breeders’ Cup. The two-day championship series of races often decide divisional honours and Horse of the Year title in America, with 13 races totaling a whopping $24.5 million.  Although the event rotates from track to track annually, with our Woodbine  playing host once only in 1996, Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky would have the honour this year.

The track, known for its famous Sycamore tree, is within a 50-mile radius of where some of the top thoroughbred horses in the world and bred and born. The decision to go was an easy one this year.  Keeneland is one of the most picturesque race courses in the world – one of my favourites.  Attending in 2015 checked two items off my bucket list at once.

And can I tell you how kind and gracious the people of Lexington are?  We really could learn from them a thing or two about old-school hospitality.

We need no  introduction to Triple Crown hero American Pharoah, the first horse to win that illusive series of three races since Affirmed in 1978.  After several close calls, racing fans including myself wondered if we ever would see another Triple Crown champion in this lifetime.  A win in  marquee race, the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic also would accomplish another remarkable feat known as a Grand Slam, which in Horse Racing is comprised of winning both the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  American Pharoah would make it look so easy before an over-capacity and already expanded grandstand of roaring fans, not only winning by six-and-a-half lengths, but also shattering the course record for the 1 1/4 mile distance.  The victory  for Zayat Stables, trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza boosted his career earnings to $8.6 million.  His final career race would be a dramatic win with soldiers escorting him off-track and fans on their feet!

Trainer Baffert who has trained many greats in his career, said at a celebratory champagne press conference following the victory, “Secretariat to me was the greatest horse of all time.  For American Pharoah to be mentioned in the same sentence is a great honour”.  The defection of supermare Beholder late last week certainly improved his chances, but his final performance reminded us exactly why it is we are so obsessed with him. We have witnessed a new chapter in American history and the colt’s legacy will be a thing of stories to a next generation of racing fans.

Watch the race here:

Make no mistake though, the Breeders’ Cup wasn’t only about American Pharoah.  The star-studded international affair which took place this past Friday and Saturday was filled with celebrities of the equine and human variety.  Breeders’ Cup ambassador and supermodel Kate Upton even came out to show her support.  Championship status was solidified for some, while others gave us a new perspective on their case.

Woodbine-based Trainer Mark Casse made us all extremely proud as lightning struck twice for him this weekend, garnering his overdue first-ever Breeders’ Cup wins with Catch a Glimpse in the $1-million Juvenile Turf Fillies and Tepin in the $2-million Turf Mile. The latter defeated a field of males including Woodbine Mile winner Mondialiste who placed second and third-placed Brian Lynch trainee Grand Arch, who is based here locally.

Canadian success also was witnessed in Wavell Avenue scoring huge in the $1-million Filly & Mare Sprint.  She was bred in Ontario by Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.

Former Vancouver-based jockey Mario Gutierrez also would go on to win the $2-million Juvenile aboard early Kentucky Derby favourite, Nyquist.  That race was led till late by likely champion Canadian two-year-old male Riker, ridden valiantly by our Jesse Campbell.

Another Ontario-bred, the accomplished Private Zone, would finish second in the $1.5 million Sprint behind three-year-old, record-smashing internet sensation Runhappy. That winner is trained by up-and-coming trainer Maria Borell, who is giving the sport a new face with her sudden success story. She just started training two years ago, believe it or not.

Let’s re-live some of that magic in a series of Photos from our Nikon D3300 lens:

Legendary trainer (American Pharoah) Bob Baffert. He’s in a sweatshirt. My kinda guy!

I was so busy on my phone that I didn’t notice stunning supermodel Kate Upton taking selfies over the ledge. I was like, “What is everyone taking photos of?!?”.  Oh, right. She’s super-sweet and gets a huge gold star for choice of hat!

Filly & Mare winner Stopchargingmaria certainly can pay cash now!  No more credit debt!

Rachel’s Valentina, daughter of racing royalty Rachel Alexandra, giving it her all in the Juvenile Fillies. We expect her to continue improving next year.

Mike Smith aboard Juvenile Fillies winner Songbird. Celebratory.

Vancouver’s Mario Gutierrez, leading Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Nyquist onto the track. The colt is now the early favourite for the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Canadian girls do it best. Wavell Avenue and her connections all smiling in unison after her Filly & Mare Sprint win.

The most festive winner’s circle ever. Although Mongolian Saturday was naughty getting ready in the paddock, he sure turned it on in the Turf Sprint for Florent Geroux and Mongolian Stable.

Who cares about Horse Racing though, right?!

Stephanie’s Kitten giving her connections and young jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. emotions after her Filly & Mare Turf win.

Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Catch a Glimpse of Woodbine enjoying her breakfast and giving us a glance the day after her big win.

Tepin‘s connections extremely proud after her Turf Mile win over the boys. I’ll pretend like my kiss and hug had nothing to do with it!

Three-year-old filly Found gives a herculean effort in the Turf Classic, beating the boys, including famed opponent Golden Horn (below).

Hit it a Bomb getting some last minute adjustments from phenomenal Ryan Moore before striking in the Juvenile Turf.

The lovely and sweet Maria Borell trying to contain her tears after star trainee Runhappy wins the Sprint under veteran jockey Edgar Prado.

The handsome Liam’s Map mugs for us once more before his retirement following a win in the Mile.

Simply, American Pharoah + Victor Espinoza.

Don’t forget to follow Breeders’ Cup on Twitter and Instagram.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

All photos brought to you by the Nikon D3300, wu1a adapter and 55-200 mm lens.

Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

Walking in blind to season three of any television series is akin to arriving late as someone’s date to a college reunion where everyone already knows each other and their shared history. Whereas I had heard of VIKINGS, a monster audience and critical hit playing on the History Channel, I had never seen an episode, so, like the proverbial newbie at a reunion, I hunkered down, slipped in disc one from the handsomely packaged, recently released The Complete Third Season of VIKINGS on DVD and Blu-ray and wanted to get to know these characters better. By the end of the first episode, which had everything from fierce and bloody battles to thought provoking familial issues, I was hooked and resigned myself to an epic evening of binge-watching! This feeling actually threw me for a loop as I tend to disdain historical and medieval themed television shows and movies. But it is the calibre of the acting by the uber-talented cast of VIKINGS that makes it compelling to watch.

There is not an actor out there who can captivatingly play King Ragnar Lothbrok better than Travis Fimmel. Not only does he have the most arresting, hypnotic eyes on television and is the only male on the planet who can convincingly wear his hair in a Mohawk man-bun, it is a role he was born to play and Fimmel is mesmerizing. The combination of his blood-thirsty brutality tempered with insight is astonishing as the stories progress. Katheryn Winnick, as Ragnar’s ex, the warrior Lagertha, is formidable. It is easy to see why King Ecbert (played with the same gravitas and expertise that actor Linus Roache brought to his under-appreciated performance as Father Greg Pilkington in PRIEST) is infatuated with her. As wonderful as it is to see that Jessalyn Gilsig (as Siggy) has found another role befitting her talents after her short stint on Glee,  one of my favourite character in VIKINGS is played by Gustaf Skarsgard…yes…THAT Skarsgard…his father is Stellan and one of his brothers is Alexander (True Blood). As Floki the shipbuilder, he’s flaky and unpredictable.

The production values on the DVD set I received of The Complete Third Season of VIKINGS are impeccable. My one and only complaint is the lack of a more comprehensive and informative special features option. It does contain some deleted scenes and a few short trailers. I would have loved to have heard some commentaries from the actors for a few of the episodes and an interview with VIKING’s creator, Michael Hirst.

Momentum Pictures release VIKINGS Season 3, now on DVD and Blu-ray.

Culinary genius Jamie Oliver has been in Toronto these past few days hard at work. Despite having visited in previous years for book signings and tours for his cookware and series, he really is giving it his all this time doing interviews with virtually every outlet in the city.

Oliver is promoting his latest series Jamie’s Super Food and new book Everyday Super Food. Today, he is due to appear at Varsity Cinemas for a screening of the series, followed by a conversation with Liza Fromer of The Morning Show, where he appeared earlier in the Co-Host’s chair.

Billy and I caught-up with Oliver, whom we love, on this really gloomy morning and he was totally kind to stop for a quick Selfie en route to his next appearance. Love his enthusiasm! Class act.

Learn more about Jamie’s Super Food  and Everyday Super Food.

See our Selfie:

Lousy, rainy morning. But made better instantly by the awesome @JamieOliver. Yes!! CulinarEverydaySuperFood new series #JamiesSuperFood and book #EverydaySuperfood. #JamieOliver

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 28, 2015 at 8:15am PDT

(Photo credit: HarperCollins/Mr. Will Wong)

There Robert De Niro goes again, winnning our hearts with another against-the-senior-grain type role. We loved him so much in last month’s The Intern and are happy to see he’s still a big draw to the movies for fans. Check-out the above still, brand new from the upcoming road trip comedy, DIRTY GRANDPA in which he stars alongside Zac Efron. The Film takes place a few days before Jason‘s (Efron) wedding and both he and Grandpa Dick head on a trek to a Boca Raton retirement community. The two get into lots of antics with Jason being the straight-laced one of the two.

BORAT Co-Writer Dan Mazur directs the comedy which also stars Aubrey Plaza, Jason Mantzoukas, Danny Glover, Adam Pally and Dermot Mulroney.

See the new Trailer:

VVS Films will release DIRTY GRANDPA on Friday, January 22, 2016 in Canada.

(Photo credit: VVS Films)

It’s been absolutely a stellar 2015 racing season at Woodbine Racetrack and even though we’ve still got a month to go before the curtain drops for the Thoroughbreds, both the 24-hour Casino and Standardbreds still are going into the New Year! Details and schedule here!

We’ve been there every step of the way this racing season.  The build-up to the Woodbine Oaks, won by likely champion three-year-old filly Academic.  We were there for the thrill and fashion of North America’s most historic race, the Queen’s Plate, won by Shaman Ghost.  We ventured even to Fort Erie in our first visit there ever for the Prince of Wales Stakes, upset by Breaking Lucky. Although there was no Triple Crown winner in Canada this year, we still witnessed the third leg being won decisively on the grass  by Danish Dynaformer.  Despite the TIFF ’15 madness, we would not miss seeing  Irish-invader Mondialiste get it done in the Woodbine Mile.  And who could forget Cannock Chase‘s thrilling stretch run to take the Pattison Canadian International? We even revisited Standardbred Racing as Woodbine hosted the 2015 Breeders Crown on a thrilling night of championship races!

2015 has been a highly-competitive year in all respective divisions and it truly is one of the most   wide-open matches for thoroughbred Horse of the Year in recent memory.  This however is a true testament to the quality of horses racing at Woodbine and that there’s a slice of the pie for everyone.

Academic winning the $500k Woodbine Oaks under Justin Stein

Academic had our jaws dropping in the #WoodbineOaks today! Flying over that finish line! #Horse #Racetrack #Thoroughbred #Woodbine #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 14, 2015 at 3:56pm PDT

With Woodbine Oaks Winner, #Academic. I always root for the filly. Thanks @reddogcw for this pic. #QueensPlate #QP15 #HorseRacing A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 5, 2015 at 4:32pm PDT

#RafaelHernandez brining #ShamanGhost home in the #QueensPlate. #HorseRacing #QP15 #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 5, 2015 at 5:39pm PDT

Privileged to get the best seats in the house at @woodbineracing. Don’t believe another #QueensPlate has come and gone so quickly. Seen here is #FrankStronach leading #ShamanGhost into the Winner’s Circle as #RafaelHernandez throws them flower petals into the air, from the Winner’s blanket. I love this Sport so much and it always will be a part of me. #QP15 #QueensPlate #HorseRacing #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 5, 2015 at 5:45pm PDT

Mr. Will + Shaman Ghost

#ShamanGhost just made the #QueensPlate a whole lot more interesting with an upset in today’s Marine Stakes at @woodbineracing. #QP15 #Woodbine #Horse #HorseRacing #Racetrack #GetintheGame #FrankStronach #AdenaSprings #RafaelHernandez #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 16, 2015 at 3:39pm PDT

Congrats to #BreakingLucky, Gunpowder Farms, Team Reade Baker and Jimmy McAleney on their stunning upset in #Wales80 at @FortErieRacing, the 2nd jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown! #HorseRacing #FortErie #GetintheGame #Horse #Jockey #Racetrack #PrinceofWales #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 28, 2015 at 6:01pm PDT

Such a joyous day #OfftotheRaces celebrating the $500k #BreedersStakes, won by a deserving #DANISHDYNAFORMER, #PatrickHusbands and our friends at Team #RogerAttfield. They had ice buckets and tons of cool water ready for him in this scorching heat! #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #HorseRacing A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 16, 2015 at 9:23pm PDT

With adorable Danish Dynaformer and his favourite teddy

With the official favourite for tomorrow’s #QueensPlate, #DanishDynaformer… and his teddy bear! #QP15

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 4, 2015 at 11:36am PDT

I loved spending Breeders’ Stakes day with one of my favourite Readers @CupcakeDawnie whom true to her name brought me some amazing homemade cupcakes!

Lunch at @woodbineracing with one of my fave Willionaire$ @cupcakedawnie #BreedersStakes day! She made me yummy Cupcakes!! #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 16, 2015 at 11:34am PDT

Good afternoon from the brilliantly-fast #Ageless and I! She’s up later today in the Royal North! #BetWoodbine #Horse #Mare #Filly #Thoroughbred #Woodbine #Racetrack #GetintheGame #Racetrack A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 26, 2015 at 10:39am PDT

Brooklynsway is one of my favourite girls on the track and she always gives it her all on her best day. So overjoyed getting to meet her and give her some Scotch Mints. I don’t bet big, but she was responsible for a couple of my biggest wins in 2015!

So honoured to meet this v. talented young lady finally after her win in the $250k Bison City Stakes! Huge fan. She’s won 3 races, all stakes, and close to $500k already in just a year! #Brooklynsway #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #Woodbine #OfftotheRaces #Horse #Filly #HorseRacing #Racetrack

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 18, 2015 at 5:37pm PDT

Up $200 thanks to this bad little B! CAREN is a Queen. Congrats to Team DePaulo and @JockeyJesse! #BetWoodbine #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #Woodbine #Racetrack #OfftotheRaces cc: @josiedepaulo @melidar08 @depaulojoseph @michellearmata A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 12, 2015 at 12:12pm PDT

Although that huge 2015 comeback never happened for our heroine and 2014 Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou, we’re glad she’s safe and sound at the farm. Was a highlight of our year getting a kiss from her.

Kisses from #LexieLou! Who knew the Queen of Canadian Racing was such a sweetheart?! @woodbineracing #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #Horses #HorseRacing #Horse #Filly #BetWoodbine #Racetrack

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 7, 2015 at 6:27am PDT

So proud of my friends at Team Malcolm Pierce on their huge win with #DontLeaveMe aka “Mimi” today in the Ontario Colleen Stakes at @woodbineracing. An honour getting to celebrate with THE lovely and vivacious #JosephineAbercrombie, Mimi’s owner, who flew in for the occasion! Some extra Royal Gala Apples for Mimi tomorrow! #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #OfftotheRaces #Woodbine #Filly #HorseRacing #Abercrombie #nikond3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 22, 2015 at 3:19pm PDT

Although he had scratched from the $1-million Woodbine Mile, I got to catch-up quickly with hometown hero Grand Arch who soon after would go on to win the $1-million Shadwell Mile at Keeneland! He is amazing and rather handsome, wouldn’t you agree?

So proud of @woodbineracing’s #GrandArch who won huge at #Keeneland in the $1-million Grade 1 Shadwell Mile! #HorseRacing #Horse #Racetrack #GetintheGame #ShadwellMile #Woodbine #BreedersCup

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 3, 2015 at 2:57pm PDT

Billy getting jockey lessons from Uncle Patrick. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 18, 2015 at 5:21pm PDT

That time we met miniature pony, Pepper… it was the greatest!

With Pepper, the miniature pony. #OfftotheRaces #Horse #Pony #MiniaturePony #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 14, 2015 at 2:39pm PDT

Our little friend Gator is a Florida rescue cat adopted by our friend Sarah Ritchie, an assistant to Trainer Mark Frostad. He quickly has made a name on the backstretch at Woodbine and even has his own Twitter account: @gatorkitten.

Celebrating #InternationalCatDay with @GatorKitten! A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 8, 2015 at 2:47pm PDT

  No big deal. Just an #AmericanPharoah Selfie on #Haskell2015 Day!   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 2, 2015 at 4:28pm PDT

Presenting the trophy to the winners of the Grade II Nijinsky Stakes, Hall of Famer #RogerAttfield + jockey #AlanGarcia for #AreYouKiddingMe! Phenomenal race! (Photo credit: @kaytrd for @woodbineracing) #BetWoodbine #OfftotheRaces #Woodbine #Racetrack #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #Horse #Thoroughbred A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jul 19, 2015 at 2:24pm PDT

It’s not every day we get to see a Breeders’ Cup champion at Woodbine. Even though Bobby’s Kitten had an off-day in the Play the King Stakes, we’re still thrilled we got to see him up-close.

 

In #HorseRacing you can look at past performances, pedigree, stats and speed figures all you want in picking a winner, but often it’s about who’s 100% that moment and how lucky they are. That’s why it is important to look at a horse’s pre-race appearance before you place a bet. Not sure who told Joel Rosario to go guns blazing in a speed duel with the super-wound-up #BreedersCup champ #BobbysKitten, but yeah… Still a joy getting to see a horse of this caliber race at #Woodbine. We all have our off days and he’s definitely still a king in my books! #OfftotheRaces #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine #Handicapping #Colt #Horse #SamsungGalaxyS6

 

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 23, 2015 at 3:57pm PDT

With Irish-bred $1-million Woodbine Mile winner Mondialiste and rider Fergal Lynch

Thrilling action at @woodbineracing in the #WOMile! Congrats to the connections of MONDIALISTE! #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #WoodbineMile #FergalLynch #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 13, 2015 at 3:23pm PDT

This one Bartender at Woodbine knows me too well… It was a dream having this many Maraschino Cherries in my Singapore Sling!  Almost died of deliciousness…

 

Now that’s a #fruitydrink. #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine

 

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 27, 2015 at 2:02pm PDT

2013 Canadian Horse of the Year Up with the Birds being his lovable self before his valiant first runner-up finish in the $1-million Pattison Canadian International

2013 Horse of the Year Up With the Birds on his chances in today’s #WOIntl! #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 18, 2015 at 10:09am PDT

Smashing performance by CURVY under Ryan Moore to win the $500k EP Taylor Stakes! #BetWoodbine #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #WOIntl #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 18, 2015 at 2:16pm PDT

  Phenomenal day at the #WOIntl. A Canuck didn’t win, but a ‘Cannock’ did! Congrats to CANNOCK CHASE who won valiantly under Ryan Moore. So proud of our UP WITH THE BIRDS who ran a phenomenal second, representing Canada so well! #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine #BetWoodbine #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm   A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 18, 2015 at 4:48pm PDT

With five-time winning driver on 2015 Breeders Crown night, Dave Miller!

#OfftotheRaces! This literally is how dirty they get in #HarnessRacing! Major fun tonight at #Crown15! Here I am with five-time winning driver tonight #DaveMiller. KING. #BreedersCrown A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 24, 2015 at 8:18pm PDT

So honoured to call this man a Friend. Sad to be sending off The Voice of @woodbineracing, #DanLoiselle today. The joys he has given us racing fans are uncountable. Wishing him a well-deserved and happy retirement! #Woodbine #Racetrack #HorseRacing #GetintheGame A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 31, 2015 at 10:52am PDT

In addition to being a huge supporter of the sport, we are equally concerned with horses going to loving homes after their time on the track. Organizations like LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society aim to do just that and we are always sure to give a bit of money every year and donate some auction items. It was so much fun attending their annual Fundraiser this year and seeing jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson as Wonder Woman. Trainer Mark Frostad as Elvis …we have no words!!

Fun catching the tail-end at the @LongrunTB Gala last night, raising money for the dignified retirements of racehorses. Loved the Hollywood theme this year! #Woodbine #Racetrack #Fundraising #Horses #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #OTTB #ADOPTAHORSE #LongRun #NikonD3300

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Sep 26, 2015 at 7:16am PDT

Is this a dream?! Incredibly-honoured John Ross & Cathy Wong named their new filly after me! Look out in 2016 for “A PIC BY MRWILL” a two-year-old filly by Kentucky Bear x Princess G, by Cee’s Tizzy! Lotsa speed on her dad’s side and a lot of class on her mom’s side, including champion “Bear Now”. This is where things get a little spooky. Look at the registration date here, 10/9 and scroll down my timeline. That same day you will see I randomly got a text from my friend @tripledeadheat that he dreamt I bought a horse. Close! So uncanny right? So much respect for John, the man who developed champions King Corrie, #LexieLou and the top-performing #Brooklynsway. Sending this dark beauty love and luck as she becomes a racehorse this winter! Can’t wait to meet her! #Filly #HorseRacing #Horse #GetintheGame #Yearling #Coincidence #Luck #Woodbine A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Oct 20, 2015 at 3:36am PDT

Although we’re approaching the end, you still can Tweet a Selfie of yourself at Woodbine with the hashtag #OFFTOTHERACES for a chance to win $1k! It’s that easy!

Remember to follow also via @woodbineracing on Twitter.

Don’t forget, the Breeders’ Cup, Horse Racing’s championship days take place this Friday and Saturday and you can watch the races on NBC!  Check local listings!  We’ll be there at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky!

We’ll definitely be seeing you again in 2016!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.

eOne Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers to see one of this Awards Season’s brightest contenders, SPOTLIGHT. After a rousing reception at TIFF ’15, the Toronto and Boston-filmed Drama now is ready to keep the conversation going in theatres. Screenings take place on Thursday, November 12, 2015 in Toronto, Vancouver, and Monday, November 16, 2015 in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax and Victoria.

Official Synopsis:
SPOTLIGHT tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions. When the newspaper’s tenacious “Spotlight” team of reporters delve into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston’s religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. Directed by Academy Award-nominee Tom McCarthy, SPOTLIGHT is a tense investigative thriller, tracing the steps to one of the biggest crime stories in modern times.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and state your city. For an extra chance, click “share” from there or Tweet out the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/spotlight @mrwillw wants us to #win Advance Passes to see #SPOTLIGHTMovie. Out 11/20.

G’luck, Willionaire$!

eOne Films release SPOTLIGHT in Toronto and Vancouver on Friday, November 13, 2015 and everywhere  Friday, November 20, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

It isn’t every year that Woodbine gets to host the richest, most prestigious night in Harness Racing, so we were incredibly lucky to be home to the 12 races totaling $6 million this year. These races often have a strong bearing on which horses will go on to be crowned champion year-end.

The best in the sport gathered for a shot at the huge purse money and the biggest winner tonight was driver Dave Miller who topped the night with a whopping five Breeders Crown wins tonight. Neither rain nor lightning could stop his A-Game.

Lucky fans were rewarded with $100 Betting Vouchers, while some where rewarded with limited edition collectible figurines of all-time richest standardbred of all time, the remarkable Foiled Again, who competed last night. Official Breeders Crown toques and free first bets also were handed out.

Winners of the evening were as follows:

D One winning the Open Mare Trot with Dave Miller

Pure Country winning the 2 y.o. Filly Pace with Brett Miller

Southwind Frank winning the 2  y.o. Colt and Gelding Trot with Yannick Gingras

Haughty winning the 2 y.o. Filly Trot with Dave Palone

Wild Honey winning the 3 y.o. Filly Trot with John Campbell

Boston Red Rocks winning the 2 y.o. Colt and Gelding Pace with Tim Tetrick

The Bank winning the 3 y.o. Colt and Gelding Trot with Dave Miller

Freaky Feet Pete winning the 3 y.o. Colt and Gelding Pace with Trace Tetrick

Colors a Virgin winning the Open Mare Pace with Dave Miller

Swedish invader Creatine winning the Open Trot with Johnny Takter

Always B Miki winning the Open Pace with Dave Miller

The racing season at Woodbine continues with the thoroughreds racing till the end of November and the race week being bumped up to five days. The standardbred season continues at Woodbine into the New Year.

There’s still a chance to Tweet your Woodbine Selfies for a chance to win $1k! Simply use the hashtag #OFFTOTHERACES and remember to follow @woodbineracing.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.

Yowza!  Despite a slew of newcomers at the Box Office this weekend, none could topple former champ THE MARTIAN, which reaches the top once again in its fourth week with $15.1 million for 20th Century Fox, from 3,504 theatres.  It has made $165 million in its North American run.

GOOSEBUMPS slips to second in its second week with $14.7 million for Sony Pictures, from 3,501 theatres. It has made $42.9 million thus far domestically.

BRIDGE OF SPIES is in third this weekend with $11.3 million for DreamWorks, bringing it two-week run to $32.5 million.

THE LAST WITCH HUNTER starring Vin Diesel debuts in fourth for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films with $9.5 million from 3,082 theatres. It gets a B- CinemaScore and a 15% on the Tomatometer from Critics.

Oscar-Contender STEVE JOBS expands to 2,493 theatres this weekend for Universal Pictures, not quite gaining momentum with $7.09 million in sixth. It has made $9.8 million in three weeks. Audiences gave it an A- CinemaSore and 86% on the Tomatometer.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: GHOST DIMENSION opens in seventh with $6.9 million for Paramount Pictures. Audiences gave it a C CinemaScore and Critics gave it a paltry 13% on the Tomatometer.

SICARIO continues to go well, rounding-out the Top Ten for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films with $2.7 million in its sixth week, bringing its tally to $39.2 million.