The Toronto International Film Festival traditionally is a good indicator of the Films we can expect to be in-contention come Awards Season, which concludes with the Oscars. In fact, six out of seven recent Best Picture Winners saw their debuts at TIFF including: Crash, The King’s Speech, Slumdog Millionaire, No Country for Old Men, The Hurt Locker and The Artist. This raises the question – will the next Best Picture Winner also be premiering at TIFF 2012? Bet on it. Here are a few early Contenders premiering at TIFF 2012 nabbing serious buzz coming into the Festival and some of these just may even have a real fighting chance Sunday, February 24, 2013 at the Oscars.

ARGO – A CIA Specialist helps six Americans who have found shelter at the home of Canadian Ambassador during the Iranian Revolution. Stars Ben Affleck, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, Victor Garber, Clea Duvall and Taylor Schilling. Affleck also directs. Warner Bros. releases October 12, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 7, 2012 at Roy Thomson Hall – 6:30 PM, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at VISA Screening Room – 11:00 AM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at VISA Screening Room – 3:00 PM.

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK – A former Teacher who was institutionalized, returns home to reconcile matters with his Ex-Girlfriend. He meets a mysterious Woman with her own set of problems. Stars Bradley Cooper, Julia Stiles and Jennifer Lawrence. David O. Russell (The Fighter) directs. Already hearing Oscar buzz from Insiders about Lawrence here. Alliance Films releases November 21, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Roy Thomsom Hall at 6:30 PM and Sunday, September 9, 2012 at VISA Screening Room at 11:00 AM.

THE MASTER – A Drama set in the ’50s about a Man whose Faith-based Organizations begin to catch-on with the help of his Right-hand Man. Stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix. Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) directs. Alliance Films releases on October 12, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 7, 2012 at Princess of Wales Theatre – 9:00 PM, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 3:15 PM and Sunday, September 16, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 6:00 PM.

THE SESSIONS – A Man with an iron Lung enlists the help of a Sex Therapist and Priest to help him lose his Virginity. Stars Helen Hunt, William H. Macy and John Hawkes; Ben Lewin directs. Fox Searchlight releases October 26, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Sunday, September 8, 2012 at VISA Screening Rom at 2:30 PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at VISA Screening Room at 2:30 PM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre.

THE PAPERBOY – A Reporter returns to his Hometown in Florida to investigate the case of a Man on Death Row. Stars John Cusack, Matthew McConnaughey, Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron; Lee Daniels (Precious) directs. D Films releases on October 19, 2012. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 14, 2012 at VISA Screening Room – 6:00 PM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre – 6:00 PM.

THE HUNT – A Danish Film about a Kindergarten Teacher is falsely accused of Child Abuse. Stars Mads Mikkelsen (who won Best Actor at Cannes in May for this) and Thomas Bo Larsen; Thomas Vinterberg directs. Screens at TIFF: Monday, September 10, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 9:15 PM and Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox – 3:00 PM. Opens in theatres October 25, 2012 via Mongrel Media.

FRANCES HA – A young Dance Teacher lives her life with unaccountable joy and lightness, but aims to be so much more than what she is. Stars Greta Gerwig, Adam Driver and Mickey Sumner; Noah Baumbach directs this Film which recently won the hearts of Critics at the Venice Film Festival. Screens at TIFF: Friday, September 7, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre – 9:30PM, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Winter Garden Theatre – 12:00 PM and Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Bloor HotDocs Cinema – 6:15 PM.

DREDD 3D – Set in a futuristic World where Violence is fought with Violence, a Trainee aspires to become a Judge – who act also as Jury and Executioners. Stars Olivia Thirlby, Karl Urban and Lena Headey; Pete Travis directs. Screens at TIFF: Thursday, September 6, 2012 at Ryerson Theatre – 11:59 PM and Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas – 12:30 PM. Opens in theatres via Alliance Films on Friday, September 21, 2012.

Of course, as is the case with previous TIFFs, there always is a Dark Horse or two to emerge out of the clouds. Surely we’ll also be hearing about The Reluctant Fundamentalist, A Song for Marion and Hyde on Hudson Park? We soon shall see…

(Photo credit: Alliance Films)

With the Countdown to TIFF 2012 dwindling into the hours, here is a list of 12 things I absolutely cannot do without over these 11 long, intense days.

1. Crumps Naturals Steak Tendersticks: Not for me of course, but an extra special Dog like Billy deserves nothing but the best nourishment for my extended absences during the Festival.  These Treats made of freeze-dried Steak are packed with flavour and protein. I ensure he gets a generous helping of these before I head-out, knowing he’s good for a while till I get home.

2. Starbucks: Do you even know who you’re dealing with here?  Certified Caffeine Addict. I become another Person whom I happen to love a little more when I’m caffeinated.  There is Starbucks and no other.  A Grande Americano, three raw Sugars and two splashes of Cream, please!

3. H&M Fall 2012 Collection Cardigan: Toronto Weather notoriously is unpredictable. Days are tropical; nights are well… Arctic? It is always smart to wear a Cardigan just in case and I only trust H&M for a great, comfy one. Special thanks to H&M Canada for this lovely Essential. Can’t wait to wear it!

4. Memorex TravelDrive: I always have this loaded in advance with Photos of my favourite Celebrities attending the Festival so that I’m ready to print a Photo in the event an opportunity pops-up to get it signed. Might I suggest Shopper’s Drug Mart for a quick, instant Print?

5. Honda Fit: I’m thrilled to be driving a sporty and compact Honda Fit this year for my Festival Adventures.  Thank you Honda Canada for letting me test drive this. I love smaller cars – perfect for those tight indoor parking spots – so this indeed is a perfect “fit”!

6. Kiehl’s Facial Fuel SP-15 Moisturizer: The Secret to my being in my 30s and still getting carded.  Long days in the sun require protection and this Moisturizer is perfect and light enough for my Combination Skin

7. Samsung Galaxy S2 LTE: I loved my Blackberry, but I cannot live without this super-efficient Android Phone.  I plan to keep my Charger with me at all times as it is important to stay charged and connected with my Readers on my Celebrity Encounters throughout the Festival. Follow on Instagram (mrwillwong), Facebook and Twitter as I provide to-the-minute updates of who’s been spotted and who’s arriving. The Phone’s 8.0 Megapixel Camera also serves ably as a Back-up for my Celebrity Photos; its SD Card Slot also allows me to transfer Photos right off my Olympus E-PL2 and right on the Net!

8. Black Sharpie: The savvy Celebrity or Publicist always is cautious of which Autograph Collectors are likely to sell on eBay. To be safe, I carry black as one of the more common colours of Autographs found on eBay is blue.  Excited to see who’s Autographs I’ll be able to nab for Reader Giveaways this year!

9. Subway Sandwiches: Often throughout the Festival I manage to fit-in only one or two meals a day, but a Subway Sandwich contains all four food groups, is filling, fast, affordable ($5.25 Footlong) and more importantly, delicious. My Fave is a Cold Cut Combo on Parmesan & Herb Bread, with everything but onions and pickled peppers, a splash of salt and pepper… and Chipotle Sauce – untoasted.

10. Jack Spade Messenger Bag: Years ago I went to New York City and found this beauty, but stashed it away (never to be used) and only rediscovered it recently.  Straight from Soho, this sleek Bag is just perfect for TIFF. Roomy enough to store my Camera, a bottle of water and also equipped with slots for my Cell Phone, Sharpies and Photos, it’s as if this Bag was designed just for me and TIFF!

11. Nestle Pure Life Water: Perhaps the most affordable and best-tasting Water in the Cooler at the Convenience Store. It is important to keep hydrated during those long days on your feet throughout the Festival.

12. Olympus E-PL2: Compact, quick and always trustworthy in nailing that beautiful Shot, my Olympus E-PL2 was with me at TIFF 2011and will be soldering through another Festival with me  this year.

On Sunday, September 16, 2012, world famous Woodbine Racetrack will be hosting the $1-million Woodbine Mile, bringing together some of the World’s finest Turf Horses in one heart-stopping race.

Woodbine Racetrack & Mr. Will Wong would like  to invite Readers to come out and party at the Track and there will be plenty of $25 Gift Cards to go around for Readers who show up on Woodbine Mile Day! One Reader will get to join Mr. Will up in the VIP Lounge for an afternoon of races, tons of Food and Drinks.  Entrants must be of 19 years of age and provide their own transportation.

For more details on the Woodbine Mile and how to get to Woodbine (easily accessible by TTC or car), click here.

Simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook to qualify before Wednesday, September 12, 2012.  See you there!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

“So was the Sequel disappointing?” is the first thing he said to me as he walked into the Interview Suite of this Yorkville Hotel. It was a long day of Press, following another busy day of promotion yesterday in Philadelphia. Toronto is just another stopoff on an aggressive Promo Tour which will be taking much of his time over the next two weeks. Catching me off-guard completely before a small table of Journalists, it took me a second to realize what he was up to. “I loved The Hangover, so yeah – big shoes, Bradley!”, I chuckled back at him.

“It didn’t take much. It was just a question of whether I had the day off and I’ll be there!”, says stunning Glee Star Naya Rivera. The Actress/Singer flew into Toronto yesterday, her first-ever appearance in the City on her own other than having toured with her Cast Mates last June. Dressed in an eye-catching neon number, she colour co-ordinated perfectly to shine a bit of her radiance to the Occasion. That Occasion of course being her working together with Winners and HomeSense in their on-going efforts for the Sunshine Foundation. The popular Clothing and Home Furnishings Retailers since 1999 have been helping make the dreams of disabled and severely ill Children come true.

Attaching her name to a noble cause is nothing new to Rivera. Since propelling to Stardom in her starring role as Cheerleader Santana Lopez on Fox‘s prolific Musical-Comedy Series, the Actress/Singer has shown her support for a variety of Organizations raising awareness for the GLBT Community, Alzheimer’s Disease, Autism and Down Syndrome. “I’m definitely always looking for any cause that I feel really is making a difference and it doesn’t matter where it is”, Rivera says. “Obviously, Kids are very near and dear to my Heart having Siblings and always growing-up with younger Kids.”.

Appearing alongside Rivera this Morning were Fraternal Twins Ty and Jasmine (pictured above), born prematurely and suffering from Cerebral Palsy. Although Jasmine appears calm and reserved, her Brother Ty is the Yin to her Yang, being the outspoken one. They are just an example of the Children who are benefiting from the kind and hard work of the Sunshine Foundation, recently spending a magical week at Great Wolf Lodge with fond memories of endless Buffets and Prizes. “A Kick-off? Is she here to play Football or something?”, jokes a spirited Ty, drawing a big laugh from Rivera after she is introduced to myself and two other Journalists on her reason of visit. “He’s definitely a Comedian!”, Rivera jokes.

Rivera is scheduled to appear later today at a Press Conference where she will be meeting a Girl named Taylor who once was Olympics-bound before suffering a career-ending fall. It has always been a dream of hers to meet the Cast of Glee and one-by-one, the Foundation are helping make her dream come true starting first with one of her favourites, Santana. “I’d jump at the opportunity to meet people that are going through things I’m not going through”, Rivera tells us. “I’m thrilled to make a couple dreams come true today”.

The Goal of Winners’ and HomeSense‘s Spread a Little Sunshine Campaign is to raise $25,000 for the Sunshine Foundation. Shannon Johnson, AVP of Communications and Community Relations for TJX Canada: Winners/HomeSense explains that for every Tweet made between now and August 25, 2012 using the Hashtag #SPREADSUNSHINE, the Retailers will be donating $5 to the cause. Donations also can be made before that date at any location across Canada in denominations of $2, $5 or $10. Upon reaching the Goal of 25,000 Shares, 80-85 Kids will be sent on a trip to Disney World this October.

While on the topic of achieving dreams, Rivera reveals that although she’s visited historic Niagara Falls before, there’s one thing she never got to do while there. “Yes, I went there not long ago, but really wanted to ride Maid of the Mist …but didn’t”, she regrets. One day perhaps. Surely several of her Toronto Fans wouldn’t mind playing Host?

Although tight-lipped about her upcoming Solo Disc via Columbia Records/Sony Music, Rivera humbly accepted my compliments on her soulful vocals and how much I look forward to her Album, before snapping a Photo together.

Visit Spread a Little Sunshine‘s Official Page for more details on how you can contribute to the cause.

Follow Rivera on Twitter here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)