Critics already are calling BIRDMAN a triumph and this is your chance to see it first!  The amount of Awards buzz for this Alejandro González Iñárritu Film is alarming and we hope like us you are just as excited to see it!  Screenings will take place in Toronto and Vancouver on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 (Mr. Will‘s Birthday!), and the following week in Calgary!  We hope those of you in Toronto will be there to celebrate that special day with this remarkable Film!

Official Synopsis:
Washed-up actor Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), who became famous for playing an iconic superhero in the movies, decides to stage a comeback in a Broadway play.

Pressures mount leading up to the play’s opening night as Riggan battles his ego and tries to win back his family, at the same time re-establishing his career and finding himself in the process.

BIRDMAN stars Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone and Naomi Watts.

Official Artwork:

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook.  State your City in the comments section also.

You may double your chances by Re-Tweeting the below or sharing this Post on Facebook with your Friends:

http://www.mwillwong.com/birdman @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #BIRDMANMOVIE. Out 10/24 in select cities.

Fox Searchlight release BIRDMAN in Toronto and Vancouver on Friday, October 24, 2014, with additional Cities to follow.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searclight)

I wholeheartedly adore YO SOX!  After discovering them at the NKPR IT Lounge at TIFF ’14, I’m gonna let you in on the most fun your feet will have in a long time!  YO SOX‘s amazing collection of novelty socks are the perfect fit for any day of the week or holiday and are synonymous with Style, Expression and Quality for Men, Women and Kids.

The Toronto-based Sock Company allows you to make a statement as subtle or loud as you want it to be!  And did you know they had a Soxcription option?  That’s right.  A new pair of socks shipped straight to your door monthly – free shipping!  The perfect gift idea this Holiday Season!

Yo Sox and Mr. Will want to give Willionaire$ across Canada a chance to win a pair of YO SOX socks!  To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. You also may share this exact Post via Facebook with Friends or Re-Tweet the below to double your chances:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/yosox @MRWILLW wants us to #win a pair of @YOSOXFASHION Socks!

Good luck.

Visit YO SOX‘s official Website here for more.

(Photo credit: YO SOX)

Exceeding just about everyone’s expectations at the Box Office this weekend is David Fincher‘s Gone Girl from 3,014 theatres, reigning supreme in North America with a superb $38 million for 20th Century Fox.  Audiences may have responded lukewarm to the Gillian Flynn Adaptation with a B CinemaScore, but Critics gave it a resounding “yes” with an 87% score on the Tomatometer.  Social Media buzz peaked right in time for release with Twitter and Facebook set afire with the revelation that Ben Affleck appears nude late in the Film.   Inasmuch as we’d hate to acknowledge this played a big part, it is undeniable. We saw Gone Girl and we loved it.  It was gripping, oddly-funny and unlike anything we’ve ever seen; the fastest two-and-a-half hours we’ve spent at the Movies in a while.

Annabelle continues what is becoming a largely successful Franchise for  Warner Bros.’ The Conjuring.  The Prequel debuts a strong second with $37 million from 3,185 theatres, accomplishing a rare feat of two Films debuting in the Top Two with $30+ million in October.  The last time this  happened according to Gitesh Pandya,  was 2008 with High School Musical 3 and Saw 5.  Critics passed on it with a 31% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a better B CinemaScore.  By comparison, The Conjuring debuted in July 2013 with $41 million.  A Sequel is slated for late 2015.

TIFF ’14 Selection The Equalizer, which debuted on-top last weekend, continues to perform well in third with $17 million in its second week out for Sony Pictures.   Meanwhile, The Maze Runner in its third week still continues to more than earn its keep in fourth for 20th Century Fox with $11.6 million.

Nicolas Cage‘s latest effort, Left Behind debuts in sixth with $8 million from 1,800 screens for Stoney Lake Entertainment/Freestyle Releasing. Audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore, although it got a much worse 3% on the Tomatometer from Critics.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is former Champ No Good Deed from Sony Pictures, earning $2.4 million, now in its fourth week out.

If this doesn’t make your heart race, I don’t know what will. Clint Eastwood is back to winning form it appears with 2015’s AMERICAN SNIPER, based on a True Story. Bradley Cooper Stars as the most lethal Sniper in U.S. History, Chris Kyle.  And can we say how happy we are Sienna Miller is back?  This along with her role in upcoming FOXCATCHER are signs of a career Reboot.

Official Synopsis:

U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname “Legend.” However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world.

Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the SEAL creed to “leave no man behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya Renae Kyle (Sienna Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.

See the Teaser:

Warner Bros. release AMERICAN SNIPER on Friday, January 16, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

It is impossible not to tune-in to the Radio and be hypnotized by Tove Lo‘s (née Tove Nilsson) new Single Habits.  The Break-Up Song which has her proclaiming the necessity of “staying high all the time to keep you off her mind” is an instant Earworm and in a v. short time since her last visit to Toronto in May for Canadian Music Week, the 26-year-old Swedish Songstress’ popularity stateside has grown dramatically.

Tove Lo played a bang-up Set last night at The Phoenix and the passion certainly was there among Fans who sang along beginning to end with her hooks as she commanded the crowd with her distinct pacing about the stage.  She doesn’t need frills like visuals or gimmicks – her voice and presence alone are enough. Her fantastic vocals narrated the Audience through an unbridled ab-baring journey of being care-free and restlessness with Standouts being Like Em Young, Not on Drugs  and her Closing Number, the current Single.

We and some devout Fans caught-up with Tove Lo after her Show and she was amazingly sweet to stop for Photos and Autographs despite her Management making it clear she had a long day and likely wasn’t going to doing so earlier in the evening.

Her debut Disc Queen of the Clouds was just released earlier this week via Universal Music Canada and if the Top Ten-charting success of Habits is any indication, expect her to debut near the top.

Check-out her performance of Habits below:

See our Snap:

Perhaps one of the most memorable quotes given to Media ever by a Celebrity, Netflix announced today that Adam Sandler is set to embark on a four-Movie Deal with the Internet Streaming Service.  The Funnyman who recently was in Toronto filming Pixels and also promoting two new Films of his at TIFF ’14: Men, Women & Children and The Cobbler, ranks among Netflix‘s most-streamed Actors and the upcoming Films produced together with his Happy Madison Productions, also will star Sandler.

“When these fine people came to me with an offer to make four Movies for them, I immediately said yes for one reason and one reason only….Netflix rhymes with Wet Chicks,” says Sandler. “Let the streaming begin!!!!”.  No visuals required.

More details to come.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

There is no Popstar I am more excited about in 2014 than Meghan Trainor. The bubbly 20-year-old Massachusetts Singer/Songwriter quickly ascended to the top of the Pop World with her international breakout Hit All About That Bass, a fun ’60s-inspired Doo-Wop romp promoting the virtues of self-acceptance and positive self-image. The Song poignantly addresses a matter seldom brought to the surface at a time when bullying and body image are at then forefront of our collective social conscience.

Trainor commenced her two-day Press Tour in Toronto this morning after recovering from a vocally-paralyzing bout with a cold in New York. Bright and early she arrived at City‘s Breakfast Television where she performed her second Single Title accompanied by a Guitarist and a Ukulele.  On-air, she received from her Canadian Label both Gold and Platinum certifications for her EP, Title, and  All About That Bass respectively.

Looking every bit as stunning in black lace as in her Video, Trainor was elated to see a growing crowd of Fans outside the Studio, some who queued as early as 6:30 AM to see her.

Billy and I were thrilled to get to meet Trainor and she equally was happy to meet Billy after missing her beloved Cat Mittens while on the road. “Oh my God, look at this Dog!!”, she exclaimed before taking Photos and signing Autographs with the Crowd. Dina Pugliese also chat with us quickly earlier on the Show about our excitement for Trainor, both singing All About That Bass on-air!

We always want you to be part of our joy, so tell me who’d like a SIGNED copy of Trainor‘s  just-released Title?

If so, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. You may share this Post on Facebook with your friends to increase your chances!

Good luck, Willionaire$!

Believe me, Trainor‘s got the goods. Check out her new Single below:

See Trainor perform All About That Bass live on Breakfast Television:

See our Snap:

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music/Mr. Will Wong)

And the Race heats up.  Toronto Mayoral Candidate Doug Ford continues to do the rounds in the City and this morning he stopped off at City‘s Breakfast Television to speak to Dina Pugliese and Kevin Frankish.  Ford made the headlines this week clashing with fellow Candidate John Tory over funding for the $90-million expansion of BMO Field. In his words, “One of the wealthiest Corporations in the World should not be asking the City for $10 million”.

Another highlight in Ford‘s Campaign is his promise to reduce Land Transfer Taxes by 60% and also helping the City save $90 million by outsourcing garbage collection east of Yonge Street.

Ford stopped to stay “hello” and shake hands with Torontonians outside of City‘s Breakfast Television Studio following his appearance. He tells me he loves animals v. much after spotting Billy, telling me his house is full of Pets!

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

How INHERENT VICE has remained off our radars this long is a bit of a mystery, but brilliant Director Paul Thomas Anderson‘s latest effort is about to be seen next month at the New York Film Festival, where it is set to debut. Seen in this just-released still is a barely-recognizable Reese who must be applauded for re-inventing herself. Fall 2014 is slated with a triple-punch from the Oscar Winner with WILD, THE GOOD LIE and now THIS! Joaquin Phoenix always makes our day and it’s awesome seeing him in something more on the comedic side here.

Official Synopsis:

When private eye Doc Sportello’s ex-old lady suddenly out of nowhere shows up with a story about her current billionaire land developer boyfriend whom she just happens to be in love with, and a plot by his wife and her boyfriend to kidnap that billionaire and throw him in a loony bin…well, easy for her to say.

It’s the tail end of the psychedelic `60s and paranoia is running the day and Doc knows that “love” is another of those words going around at the moment, like “trip” or “groovy,” that’s being way too overused—except this one usually leads to trouble.

With a cast of characters that includes surfers, hustlers, dopers and rockers, a murderous loan shark, LAPD Detectives, a tenor sax player working undercover, and a mysterious entity known as the Golden Fang, which may only be a tax dodge set up by some dentists… Part surf noir, part psychedelic romp—all Thomas Pynchon (who wrote the Novel which the Film is based upon).

First of all, did we read right? ERIC ROBERTS?! Who not too long ago was in Toronto filming Suits?!? Can we say career resurgence??! This looks positively too good to be true.

Secondly, can we name the Cast? Look at this: Joaquin Phoenix, Katherine Waterston, Reese Witherspoon, Jena Malone, Owen Wilson, Benicio Del Toro, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short and Josh Brolin.  The last time we see Phoenix and Witherspoon on-screen together, Oscars got handed out…

 See the brand-new Trailer:

Was that Josh Brolin ordering a Pancake in Japanese?  That’s how you know you’ve found a Winner!

Warner Bros. releases INHERENT VICE on Friday, December 12, 2014.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

We are thrilled to announce that Netflix will be streaming a Film we’re terribly excited about.  Our obsession in 2000 was CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, the multiple Oscar-winning Ang Lee Film.  And now Director Yuen Wo-Ping continues the legend with CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND.

Reprising her role as Yu Shu-Lien is Michelle Yeoh (Memoirs of a Geisha).  Donnie Yen also returns as Silent Wolf.

Netflix will stream the Original Movie on Friday, August 28, 2015.  It will also screen in IMAX in select theatres.

(Photo credit: Netflix)