FIRE AND WINE leads wire to wire in the Grade III Ontario Derby under @SamuelJalon, for trainer Zeljko Krcmar and owner Paul Ryder. Does this victory lock his title for 3-year-old champion male?
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#Wildwood, I mean truly this is the pinnacle of stop motion animation. No one does it better than Laika, Travis Knight & co have set the bar high, it is impossible not to just be in awe of how magnificent this movie is. Full thoughts later for @mrwillw @vvsfilms @LAIKAStudios
#FIRSTLOOK: KEVIN HART + DAVID BECKHAM FOR H&M AUTUMN COLLECTION
This is all sorts of amazing. David Beckham + Kevin Hart? Unlikely, right? Well it’s totally happening. The two megastars will appear together this fall as part of the campaign for Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham Autumn 2015 Collection.
And here’s a tease:
The commercial surfaces on September 28, 2015 and appears at cinemas and on TV two days after.
(Photo/video credit: H&M)
#REVIEW: JESS GLYNNE IN TORONTO FOR “AIN’T GOT FAR TO GO” TOUR
Toronto was blessed to have an opportunity to see up-close one of the UK’s greatest acts in recent memory. Jess Glynne brought her Ain’t Got Far to Go Tour to Adelaide Hall for a late show last night and although locally she is growing more familiar thanks to several Bench billboards featuring her distinct face and red locks, the support certainly was there for her at the packed club.
The 26-year-old Singer/Songwriter’s 45-minute-long set had the crowd dancing start to finish and when she slowed things down mid-set with a pair of ballads, the audience stopped and listened. Believe me, this isn’t an easy feat when people wanna dance and get liquored-up.
The success is undisputable. Many new artists are happy to chart even. Glynne after winning a Grammy last year for her collaboration with Clean Bandit, Rather Be, has had a whopping five number one singles in the UK. And her album just came out a few weeks ago there, also debuting on-top. True, there isn’t anything cutting edge in her debut offering I Cry When I Laugh, but the tunes all are solid and there is an authenticity and focus to what Glynne does, which is refreshing. Her songs have singable melodies and the hooks are infinite and we miss that in an age of digital vocal trickery. The comparisons to Adele and Amy Winehouse are inevitable with her jazzy alto, but there is an Mariah/Whitney-esque relatability which is uplifting, not brooding.
The thing about Glynne‘s set is that she performed tracks omitted inexplicably on the North American pressing of her disc, but the crowd got going with the spirited disco of Real Love, Ain’t Got Far to Go (for which her tour is named after), You Can Find Me, a cover of Winehouse’s Tears Dry on their Own, before witnessing magic on ballads Take Me Home and My Love. She capped it off encouraging fans to turn their cell phones off for the finale, Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself and encored with her current single, Hold My Hand which for some odd reason simply doesn’t translate as well live. Perhaps it’s the missing horns or the rhythm over-powering the keyboards, this is the only track which wasn’t as great as the recording.
Check-out Glynne‘s performance of Take Me Home:
Some Snaps:
Download Glynne‘s debut album I Cry When I Laugh here.
Read about our meeting her here!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “HYENA ROAD”
Elevation Pictures + Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg, Victoria to an advance screening of TIFF ’15 Selection, HYENA ROAD starring Paul Gross, Rossif Sutherland and Allan Hawco. Screenings take place Wednesday, October 7, 2015.
Synopsis:
Three men, three different paths, caught in conflict but brought together to save lives: a highly skilled sniper who can’t think of his targets as human; an intelligence officer who has never killed while on duty; and a legendary Afghan warrior who left war behind but gets pulled back to battle.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Please also indicate your city.
G’luck Willionaire$!
Elevation Pictures release HYENA ROAD on Friday, October 9, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
#SPOTTED: JESS GLYNNE IN TORONTO FOR “AIN’T GOT FAR TO GO” TOUR
There is no new artist I adore more than Jess Glynne. It’s undeniable that the landscape of pop music has changed so much over the past few years and while there are many faceless singers featured on tracks by red-hot producers or dance acts, something about the vivacious 25-year-old redhead that is different.
Rather Be by Clean Bandit infiltrated North American airwaves last summer to much success, going-on to win them and Glynne, who provided vocals, a coveted Grammy. It’s time for Glynne‘s close-up now and she’s looking to take that five-number-one-hit success she’s established in the UK stateside.
Glynne currently is on-tour playing clubs mostly as part of her Ain’t Got Far to Go Tour in North America (she can fill arenas in the UK) and just this weekend she was in Montreal. In addition to a show tonight at Adelaide Hall, Glynne is out promoting her debut disc, I Cry When I Laugh and despite almost not getting to meet her as she went to an appearance at The Morning Show (National Edition) via an alternate entrance. After catching her attention, she promised to come out after her appearance. And she did.
See her Interview here:
The truth is since finding a way to stream I Cry When I Laugh back in August, I haven’t stopped listening to it. Every single track on it is pure gold. True, there isn’t anything particularly new or innovative about the collection of tunes, but that is what’s refreshing about it. It’s not trying to be trendy necessarily. Just good, solid tunes and superb vocals. Real emotions.
If you haven’t ever heard of Glynne, please check-out Hold My Hand, Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself or Take Me Home for a snapshot of her talent.
Meeting Glynne was a dream and Billy being my sidekick made that moment extra special as he brought a big smile to her face, even trying to go in for a kiss. She is everything I could have wished for.
Hold My Hand
Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself
Take Me Home
See our Snap:
Download I Cry When I Laugh here.
(Photo credit: Wonderland/Mr. Will Wong)
#INTERVIEW: FRANCESCO YATES
One of 2016’s biggest emerging stars hails right here from Toronto. Francesco Yates already has infiltrated our airwaves with a soulful, ambient sound mature beyond his youth. Chances are you’re already a fan and don’t even realize it. Writing since the age of 11 when he first learned to play instruments, and signed at age 16 by Atlantic Records (Warner Music), Yates has released two singles, Call and Better to be Loved. Each has gained popularity successively and with his debut album in the works, we wait with great anticipation for the rest of the world to discover one of our own.
We chat with Yates today at Yonge-Dundas Square, setting a quick block of time prior to a surprise acoustic set which was delayed as an intoxicated man was being disruptive in the area early on an early Sunday afternoon. His performance, sponsored by Telus and MTV Canada, was to raise awareness for the #CallForChange initiative in support of the forthcoming We Day – coming October 1, 2015. He’s dressed in black, even more youthful than I’d imagined and calm despite the bustle and a late-night trek to Toronto from Montreal where he opened for UK chart-topper Jess Glynne.
A request for collaboration was made to fans to come to one-day-only kiosks at the venue, to record submissions towards a Remix for Yates’ track Call. “You can make a video jamming to Call. For each video made, $10 goes to Feed the Children“, he says about the initiative. “We’re inspiring change with technology. I mean, we’re always on our phones.”.
On his greatest current influences, Yates reveals, “I love OVOXO and PartyNextDoor colour palettes.”. “As well I like the classical pop of Bruno Mars. I like mixing new and old.”.
I ask the free-haired Singer/Songwriter to tell me his strangest quirk and it actually is mundanely surprising. “I’ve never eaten a hamburger. Something hasn’t drawn me to it”, he tells me. “I’ll be the only human not to eat a burger in the entire world.”.
Yates’ debut disc is due early 2016 and he’s been working with the likes of Pharrell, among others to craft a sound that the public will respond to in solidarity. For now, you can purchase his eclectic EP here.
Learn more about the #CALLFORCHANGE initiative right here.
Watch our Chat here:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF15: DAY 10 SPOTTINGS – SAM ROCKWELL, ANNA KENDRICK, MAX LANDIS + MICHAEL EKLUND
What a way to wrap-up TIFF ’15 a high note! Despite almost not making it across the border in time for her Mr. Right Premiere, Anna Kendrick would not disappoint fans tonight after missing her Press Conference completely. Premiering twice – at Princess of Wales Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall – fans had a chance to connect with the stars of the Comedy!
Max Landis. This funnyman arrived at the Roy Thomson Hall Red Carpet for Mr. Right with a red nose!
Michael Eklund. This Canadian-born Actor also stars in Mr. Right and arrived with former Miss Universe Canada, Elena Semikina.
Sam Rockwell. This brilliant Actor was amazingly-generous with fans, more so than normal. Definitely not a stranger to the City. Commend him for stepping-up while Anna Kendrick had border woes.
#SamRockwell at #TIFF15 for Closing Night Gala, #MrRightMovie. #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Anna Kendrick always draws a crowd. After many issues crossing the border, she kept her promise on Twitter she’d see her fans at her Premiere.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Until, next year!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#BOXOFFICE: “SCORCH TRIALS” ON FIRE IN DEBUT
Although not as big as its 2014 predecessor, MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS debuts atop the Box Office this weekend with $30 million for 20th Century Fox, from 3,791 theatres. The sequel garners a B+ CinemaScore from audiences and a 49% on the Tomatometer.
After a high-profile debut on the festival circuits in Venice and Toronto, BLACK MASS opens in second for Warner Bros. with $24.8 million from 3,188 theatres. The Drama about gangster Whitey Bulger gets a B CinemaScore and a better 79% on the Tomatometer.
In its second week out, horror THE VISIT places third with $10 million from 3,148 theatres for Universal Pictures. It has grossed $41 million domestically.
THE PERFECT GUY lands in fourth in its second week out with $9.8 million for Sony Pictures. Cumulatively it has made $41 million in North America.
From only 545 theatres, EVEREST debuts in fifth for Universal Pictures with $6.9 million. It gets a decent 73% on the Tomatometer.
CAPTIVE rounds-out the Top Ten for Paramount Pictures with $1.9 million from 806 theatres across North America. It earned 36% from Critics on the Tomatometer.
#TIFF15: “THE DANISH GIRL”
No Film at TIFF ’15 affected me greater than the latest from Oscar-winning Director, Tom Hooper. The Danish Girl is a biographical drama based on the memoir of Lili Elbe, known as one of the first recipients of gender reassignment surgery. Although much of the story centers on the build-up to the surgery, what we witness first and foremost is a heartbreaking love story between two Artists, Gerda (Alicia Vikander) and Einar (Eddie Redmayne) and the deeply-fascinating outcome of what happens when the latter comes to the realization that he is meant to be a woman. We witness Einar‘s deep torment as he is forced to suppress his female self, Lili, at the initial disapproval of his wife and society. Gradually, Einar dissipates and Lili fights to assert her place in the world. Matters are complicated further when a love triangle develops with the surfacing of Einar‘s childhood friend, Hans (Matthias Schoenaerts).
Vikander commands at every turn as she fights the urge to be angry in favour of unconditional love and support to Einar/Lili. She becomes all consumed in love to the point she loses herself much like her husband. Her performance places her front and center in the upcoming Awards Season race and we were delighted. Redmayne in a performance which somewhat echoes some sentiments in his Oscar-winning brilliance in The Theory of Everything as an all-consuming husband, is devastatingly-convincing in Einar/Lili‘s vulnerability. The Danish Girl is a Film which leaves you mesmerized and it is impossible not to leave completely fixated and pensive after the credits roll.
Above this, the cinematography by Danny Cohen, who reunites again with Hooper after Les Misérables and The King’s Speech, is awe-inspiring and in itself becomes almost like a character in the Film. An important, empathetic piece on a topic very much at the forefront of the social conscience today.
#TIFF15: “MR. RIGHT”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Director Paco Cabezas takes the incredible screenplay from Max Landis (American Ultra, Chronicle) and creates absolute magic with the incredibly quirky fun romantic action comedy Mr. Right. Both Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick were certainly right in taking on this project as it is beyond entertaining.
We meet Martha (Anna Kendrick) who’s just gotten out of a relationship after her boyfriend cheated on her very blatantly. On a trip to the store one day shortly after she runs into Mr. Right (Sam Rockwell) who originally comes off incredibly-creepy and disturbing. However after his consistent persistence, Martha agrees to go on a date with him. The two get talking and right out of the gate he admits that he kills people, however Martha thinks he is just kidding and being ridiculous. The two proceed to fall for one another, until Martha begins to think that he actually is a psychopath and starts to become wary of him. However, this is where the Film gains its charm.
What makes Mr. Right work incredibly well aside from a brilliant absurdist script, is the chemistry that Rockwell and Kendrick have together. They are able to sell it so perfectly that it feels natural and not artificial making every scene they’re in together that much better. The comedy also exceeds extraordinarily well due to this incredible dynamic.
Mr. Right is an absolute delight from start to finish and is the perfect way to end off an incredible TIFF ’15. Make sure to make one of the three screenings during the end of the festival.
#FOOD: 2015 TORONTO FOOD & WINE SHOW
Formerly the Delicious Food Show, the Toronto Food & Wine Show takes place this weekend at Brickworks, promising even more culinary goodness than ever before! The show runs Friday, September 18, 2015 through Sunday, September 20, 2015. Several of Toronto’s finest restaurants, caterers and more comprise row upon row of amazing food offerings giving you a chance to try just-right portions of their menus. Toronto loves to eat and this event whets those appetites.
I had the pleasure of attending a Media preview quickly amidst the TIFF ’15 madness and as always, I have an amazing time. I devoured Duck Confit and Curry Lamb from Reds Tavern, Octopus a la Plancha from Far Niente, refreshing Iced Teas from Cluck, Cannoli from Holy Cannoli, Sturgeon from Acadian Sturgeon and Caviar Inc., a secret Double Peanut Butter Ice Cream Bar from Magnum, Smoked Beets on Cashew Cream from Tori’s Bakeshop, a curry canape from Bombay Street Food, Poutine from Beretta Kitchen and oh so much more! You must try EVERYTHING.
And don’t forget all the opportunites to connect with some of your favourite food personalities! Curtis Stone! Daniel Boulud! Matt Basile! Tyler Florence! Mark McEwan! Chuck Hughes! Gail Simmons! They’re among the several appearing at the Show!
See some Snaps:
For more on the Toronto Food & Wine Show, click here.
Word to the wise, please cab it there as parking is limited.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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