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?
4
#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
#SPOTTED: HENRY CAVILL, ALICIA VIKANDER, ARMIE HAMMER + ELIZABETH DEBICKI IN TORONTO FOR “THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.”
Scotiabank Theatre was the place to be this evening as the stars of eagerly-awaited The Man from U.N.C.L.E. descended upon Toronto for a one-night only Red Carpet extravaganza on Richmond Street. Fans braved the rain for what would well be a worthwhile experience as stars Henry Cavill (Man of Steel), Armie Hammer (The Social Network), Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby) and Alicia Vikander (Ex_Machina) graced the Red Carpet to ecstatic reaction. It’s been a summer of starstruck for Toronto with the Cast of of Suicide Squad driving Toronto star-crazy, but this certainly is the icing on the cake!
The slick and stylized Action-Adventure directed by Guy Ritchie (Snatch), comes with a fair amount of buzz, based on the Television Series of the same name. Set in the ’60s, we see CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Cavill) and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin (Hammer) participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization, which is working to proliferate nuclear weapons.
The whirlwind promotional tour has taken the Ensemble from London to New York to Toronto, giving fans a rare opportunity to connect with this talented and emerging cast of superstars. Drawing the most reaction was none other than Superman himself, Cavill, dapper in a fitted navy Dunhill suit making every effort to stop for Selfies and Autographs for his legions of admirers, leaving no fan left unsatisfied. Moviegoers can look forward to seeing him next in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, in theatres March 2016.
See the Trailer for The Man from U.N.C.L.E.:
Our Review to come shortly…
Let’s more Snaps from the evening, shall we?
Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Elizbaeth Debicki
Alicia Vikander
#AliciaVikander at the Toronto Premiere for #ManFromUNCLE.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Armie Hammer
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. on Friday, August 14, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Bros.)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN “ROBOT OVERLORDS” ON BLU-RAY
Mongrel Media and Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win ROBOT OVERLORDS on Blu-ray.
Synopsis
Following an alien invasion, Earth’s inhabitants are forbidden from leaving their homes while their new Robot Overlords carry out their mysterious research. But when a band of adoptive siblings find a way to override their implants, a quest begins to find a missing father, even if it means defying an empire. Gillian Anderson and Ben Kingsley star.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook.
Mongrel Media release ROBOT OVERLORDS, now in stores.
(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)
#BOXOFFICE: “MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION” MAKES IT A DOUBLE DOMINATION
The competition came from every which direction. Neither Meryl nor Marvel could take it down! For the second week in a row MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION take the top of the Box Office with $29 million for Paramount Pictures, from 3,988 theatres. In two weeks it has surpassed $108 million domestically.
FANTASTIC FOUR, a third attempt at rebooting the Franchise into Film, opens in second with $26 million for 20th Century Fox from 3,995 theatres. This latest Adaptation starring Kate Mara, Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan failed to please critically with a 9% on the Tomatometer and a C- CinemaScore. Word is that Director/Writer Josh Trank really was displeased with what came of the Film, having originally a completely different vision for it.
THE GIFT opens in third with $12 million for D Films and STX Entertainment, from 2,503 theatres. Critics adored the Thriller with a 93% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a B CinemaScore. Joel Edgerton stars and directs the Film.
VACATION lands in fourth spot with $9 million in its second week out, now grossing $37 million thus far for Warner Bros.
RICKI AND THE FLASH opens in seventh with $6.7 million from 1,603 theatres for Sony Pictures. The Jonathan Demme Comedy starring Meryl Streep gets a B CinemaScore from Audiences and a mixed 59% from Critics.
SOUTHPAW rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.7 million for eOne Films and The Weinstein Co. In three weeks it has just suprassed the $40-million-mark.
#SPOTTED: THOMAS RHETT IN TORONTO FOR BOOTS & HEARTS FESTIVAL
It was a Country Music Fan’s dream come true a little outside of Toronto this weekend as the Boots & Hearts Festival took place for the third time in Oro-Medonte, Ontario. Among the marquee names to make it this way was Grammy-winning Singer/Songwriter Thomas Rhett. Other Acts included Brad Paisley and Eric Church. The handsome Crooner with a sparkling personality, is known best for his hits Get Me Some of That and Make Me Wanna and he also penned I Ain’t Ready to Quit for Superstar Jason Aldean and Round Here by Florida Georgia Line. Above this, he’s only 25! What have you been doing all your life?
Rhett is making the most of his time here, promoting his upcoming sophomore disc TANGLED UP which is in stores next month. He made stop-offs at Breakfast Television and The Morning Show (National Edition) and was nice to stop for minute after, and was seen walking on-foot along Bloor Street even. Among the anticipated tracks on the Disc is potential crossover hit, I Feel Good ft. Lunchmoney Lewis (co-written by Charlie Puth and Teddy Geiger, among others).
Check-out the single Crash and Burn below:
See our Snap:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Universal Music)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE SCREENING PASSES TO SEE “A WALK IN THE WOODS”
eOne Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers across Canada to see A WALK IN THE WOODS. Screenings take place in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax, Victoria on Monday, August 31, 2015.
Synopsis:
In this new comedy adventure, celebrated travel writer, Bill Bryson (Academy Award winner Robert Redford), instead of retiring to enjoy his loving and beautiful wife (Academy Award winner Emma Thompson), and large and happy family, challenges himself to hike the Appalachian Trail – 2,200 miles of America’s most unspoiled, spectacular and rugged countryside from Georgia to Maine. The peace and tranquility he hopes to find, though, is anything but, once he agrees to being accompanied by the only person he can find willing to join him on the trek – his long lost and former friend Katz (Academy Award nominee Nick Nolte), a down-on-his-luck serial philanderer who, after a lifetime of relying on his charm and wits to keep one step ahead of the law – sees the trip as a way to sneak out of paying some debts and sneak into one last adventure before its too late. The trouble is, the two have a completely different definition of the word, “adventure”. Now they’re about to find out that when you push yourself to the edge, the real fun begins.
A WALK IN THE WOODS stars Robert Redford, Nick Nolte and Emma Thompson.
See the Trailer:
Official Artwork:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and remember to state your City.
G’luck, Willionaire$!
eOne Films in theatres A WALK IN THE WOODS on Wednesday, September 2, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
#HORSERACING: AMERICAN PHAROAH WINS THE 2015 HASKELL INVITATIONAL
We had the sheer joy of experiencing the $1.75 million 2015 Haskell Invitational in-person at Monmouth Park. With crowds reaching record attendance (60k+) and fans hoping for a chance to witness a piece of history in star entrant American Pharoah – the first horse to win the American Triple Crown in 37 years – New Jersey Transit pulled-out all precautions needed, adding service to the Racetrack on four more routes.
The vibe was festive as several families planted themselves trackside for an exhilarating afternoon of races. Baseball caps commemorating the race were handed out, food trucks were parked and the afternoon would place the exciting undercard front and center, with jockey Paco Lopez boasting four wins.
Winners today included:
-$100k The Lady’s Secret Stakes won by Got Lucky under Paco Lopez for Hill ‘n’ Dale & P.J. Steiner, trained Todd Pletcher.
-$150k Grade III The Winstar Matchmaker Stakes won by Casual Smile, owned by William S. Farish and trained by Chad Brown, under Abel Castellano Jr.
-$150k Grade III The Oceanport Stakes won by Heart to Heart, owned by Terry Hamilton and trained by Woodbine‘s Brian Lynch with Hothersal, also an Ontario-bred, placing second.
-$100k The Teddy Drone Stakes won by fan favourite Wildcat Red, for Honors Stable and Jose Garoffalo, under Paco Lopez.
-$200k Grade II The Monmouth Cup won by Bradester, owned by Joseph W. Sutton, trained by Eddie Kenneally and ridden by Corey Lanerie.
This year’s renewal of the Haskell Invitational was full of star power. In addition to American Pharoah being the first American Triple Crown winner in 37 years as a primary draw, stars were scattered throughout every corner of the facility, which rings with a charm of another era. Rumours spread that Bruce Springsteen, Eli Manning, Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter were milling about, although physically we saw Bon Jovi‘s Richie Sambora and a Haskell “Riders Up” call by none other than Bill Murray! Despite the Paddock area being open much of the day to Media, a mass exodus was done prior to the Haskell, with only a select few granted access due to some of the high profile types in attendance.
At 5:45 PM EST, the main event would run, but not without Jersey darling Springsteen‘s Born to Run blaring as the field came onto the Track. Cheers were deafening for American Pharoah, an elegant, lean and unsuspecting bay colt who would capture the heart of a nation. Not to take anything away from his peers, but the man of the hour certainly was jockey Victor Espinosa, riding a late career Renaissance piloting back-to-back Kentucky Derby winners and presumably Horse of the Year honours two years in-a-row (last year with California Chrome). The race would go off without a hitch and American Pharoah would rate just off the pace before making a sweeping move into the final turn, winning effortlessly in a quick 1:47.9 for 1 1/8 miles.
See a Replay:
The post-race festivities were grand. American Pharoah would be paraded out after his victory, causing a bumpy frenzy of photography – some who came as far as Australia to cover the race. What ensued next looked like hundreds of people crammed into the compact Winner’s Enclosure as trainer Bob Baffert spoke to the Media for a minute before appearing at a Press Conference with winning owners, Zayat Stables LLC and rider, Espinoza.
The experience will not be forgotten. Let’s relive the 2015 Haskell Invitational through a series of our Photos!
Monmouth Park Walking Ring
Barn 12: Hotel Suite of American Pharoah
#AmericanPharoah resting up in Barn 12 for #Haskell2015 later today! #BetWoodbine #MonmouthPark #HorseRacing #GetintheGame A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
American Pharoah Merch
Got Lucky
The secret is out! GOT LUCKY (#APIndy) steals the show in the Lady’s Secret for Todd Pletcher, under Paco Lopez! #GetintheGame #Haskell2015 #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Mike Smith
Abel Castellano and Son
#AbelCastellano sharing a tender moment with his son as “God Bless America” plays. #Haskell2015 #Jockey #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #MonmouthPark A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Paco Lopez
Donna Brothers
The lovely #DonnaBrothers for NBC. #Haskell2015 #MonmouthPark #BetWoodbine #HorseRacing #GetintheGame A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Victor Espinoza
Wildcat Red
WILDCAT RED wins the Teddy Drone Stakes. #Haskell2015 #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Casual Smile
Heart to Heart
Ahh, there’s a sight for sore eyes. We miss #HearttoHeart. Here he is heading off to run in the Oceanport Cup; #VictorEspinoza aboard. #Haskell2015 #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Hothersal
Bill Murray
“Riders up!” – #BillMurray was a special celebrity guest today at #Haskell2015. #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #BetWoodbine #MonmouthPark A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
American Pharoah
American Pharoah
Congratulations to #AMERICANPHAROAH, Zayat Stables LLC, Team Baffert and Victor Espinoza on a smashing (effortless too!) win in #Haskell2015! #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine #MonmouthPark A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)
Justin Zayat (Zayat Stables)
Congrats to @JustinZayat of Zayat Stables, which owns #AmericanPharoah. #Haskell2015 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Monmouth Park
Thank you for all your engagement @WoodbineRacing Fans! And congrats to @MonmouthPark on record-breaking numbers today at #Haskell2015! #BetWoodbine – Mr. Will – A photo posted by Woodbine Racetrack (@woodbineracing) on
And of course we never leave you guys empty-handed! How about an official 2015 Haskell Invtational program signed by Victor Espinoza, jockey of American Pharoah?
Simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook to enter. All are welcome. G’luck.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/TVG)
#SPOTTED: JARED LETO IN TORONTO FOR “SUICIDE SQUAD”
Talk about a real mission impossible! Sometimes all you need is a bit of luck on your hands. We had the amazing pleasure of running into The Joker himself, Jared Leto today in the City. Believe me, after many attempts to find him on the set of Suicide Squad, we’d just about given up. Time after time we’d get a faint hand-wave seen through the tinted window of his white Yukon after some long waits overnight, sacrificing our entire weekend more than once. And we’ve read the disappointing Fan interactions on Social Media where he simply would decline Selfies around the City and walk along in a non-caring manner. When you don’t expect it, that’s when it happens most and that’s been our Motto in life.
Sporting green Joker hair and a signature Nepal, I Love You T-shirt, showing his ardent support and spreading continued awareness for the country after a devastating earthquake back in April, we crossed paths with the Academy Award-winning Actor. He was headed-up the Escalator, my heart raced and my ears pricked and acting on instinct, I whipped-out my Samsung Galaxy S6. Without speaking a word, he gazed right into the lens for a quick pose, I pressed “snap” and despite reacting just a millisecond late, we managed to get a super-rare Snap with The Joker himself right side by side with us. Our shoulders touched. He said “yes” to the Selfie … with his eyes!!! We’re still on Cloud Nine and appreciate any interaction with him at this point as we know first-hand how tough Leto‘s been to catch.
His acclaimed performance as transgendered Rayon was everything to us and we were sad knowing he was in-town for Dallas Buyers Club TIFF ’13 and we missed him completely!
He continued ahead of us with his Handler and as luck would have it, we were both Airport-bound Civic Day weekend – him off to see a loved one and we off to New Jersey for a super-short visit (Triple Crown Champ American Pharoah in the $1.75 million Haskell Invitational).
Suicide Squad wraps later this month in the City, before getting a release exactly a year later in August 2016 via Warner Bros.
We’ve been on it as much as we can with the Suicide Squad Cast. Click here for more.
See our Snap:
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros./Mr. Will Wong)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TEASER TRAILER FOR “ZOOLANDER 2”
At last! A Teaser Trailer for ZOOLANDER 2! After surfacing a bit early and then getting yanked and resurfacing, we got a quick glimpse at the Sequel we’ve all been waiting for!
See the Teaser:
Paramount Pictures Canada release ZOOLANDER 2 February 12, 2016!
(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)
#BOXOFFICE: “ROGUE NATION” ACCOMPLISHES THE MISSION AT BOX OFFICE
Mission accomplished! MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION makes a smashing debut at the Box Office with $52 million from 3,956 theatres for Paramount Pictures! Compared to its Predecessors, it rates second among the popular Franchise only behind 2000’s MISSION POSSIBLE II, which opened with $57 million. Critics adored this latest installment which places a still highly-bankable Tom Cruise opposite Swedish-born Actress Rebecca Ferguson, giving it 92% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore from Audiences.
VACATION opens in second with $14 million from 3,411 theatres for Warner Bros. This latest installment of the National Lampoon’s Franchise is the biggest opening for the Series, which dates all the way back to 1983. Critics gave the Comedy starring Ed Helms and Christina Applegate a 23% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.
ANT-MAN in its third week out earns $12.4 million for Disney/Marvel, from 3,322 theatres. Thus far it has grossed $183 million.
MINIONS ranks fourth this weekend with $12.1 million for Universal Pictures in its fourth week out. It has made $283 million this far domestically.
PIXELS places fifth for Sony Pictures with $10.1 million in its second week out, just ahead of TRAINWRECK with $9.7 million for Universal Pictures.
JURASSIC WORLD still is going strong, hanging-on to the Top Ten with $3.6 million in tenth spot. In eight weeks it has banked $631 million for Universal Pictures.
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF “NO ESCAPE”
VVS Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers across Canada to see NO ESCAPE! Screenings take place in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, Halifax, Winnipeg and Ottawa on Thursday, August 20, 2015.
Synopsis:
An intense international thriller, NO ESCAPE centers on an American businessman (Wilson) as he and his family settle into their new home in Southeast Asia. Suddenly finding themselves in the middle of a violent political uprising, they must frantically look for a safe escape as rebels mercilessly attack the city. Directed by John Erick Dowdle and written together with his brother Drew, NO ESCAPE stars Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan and Lake Bell.
See the Trailer:
Official Artwork:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and indicate for me your City!
VVS Films release NO ESCAPE on Friday, August 26, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)
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