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: JAY LENO IN TORONTO AT MASSEY HALL
New York-born Funnyman Jay Leno made a rare appearance in Toronto tonight at Massey Hall, returning back to his Stand-Up Comedy roots. He would go on to become World-famous after a series of Stand-Up stints and appearances on The Tonight Show before he himself would go on to host the Program from 1992 to 2013, with Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien counting among his Successors.
Fans queued early at the Venue to meet the traditionally giving Star and he went far above and beyond, greeting a crowd of Fans outside the Stage Door upon arrival, speedily downing his Burger King in his SUV, to give them generous face time. True proof of his humble lifestyle.
Leno joked about my Nikon D3300, telling me, “What phone is that?!?”, zipping through Autographs and Selfies.
The Show has Leno walking down memory lane in what has been nothing short of a stellar career which has seen him also as an accomplished Voice Actor, Children’s Book Author and Philanthropist.
See our Snap:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#SPOTTED: WILL SMITH IN TORONTO FOR “SUICIDE SQUAD”
Growing up in the ’90s, it was impossible to avoid the influence of Megastar Will Smith. Few back then would guess the Actor and Rapper known best for his starring role in Sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air would have a Career which would see multiple Golden Globe, Oscar and Grammy nominations. He proved Naysayers wrong time and again with one foot firmly planted on each side of the Entertainment World in Acting and Music.
Smith has been balancing time in Toronto with his Family and Friends, with Wife Jada and Son Jaden coming to visit him, and also a starring Role in Supervillain Opus, Suicide Squad, which films here through late August. Just this past weekend, Smith paid back his current Trainer for the Film, Anya Ells, a favour attending a Party she organized for Fitness Model, Michelle Lewin at Maison Mercer.
Playing the Role of Deadshot, who is an Enemy of Batman, we saw Ben Affleck and Smith arrive quietly on-set tonight in the wee hours of the morning situated around Financial District. Affleck was covered completely in a cape to avoid the leak of a Storyline and it is said that he already has finished his work on the Film. Despite being covered, the silhouette of his mask could be seen under the fabric in some Paparazzi-taken Photos.
After a nine-hour wait, we were rewarded with a moment with Smith, who was driven over to Fans waiting on-location, getting out of his SUV to greet them. We gave Smith a quick handshake telling him what a pleasure it was meeting him and after pointing-out that we shared the same name, he called me “Big Willie Style” – the name of his debut 1997 Disc.
Some Video below:
Our Snap:
Suicide Squad films through August and we can’t wait to see what new Cast Additions are forthcoming! This City hasn’t seen this much excitement in quite some time…
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#TRIBECA: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2015 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
By Justin Waldman
The 2015 TriBeCa Film Festival ran from April 15-26, 2015 in beautiful Tribeca, New York and I attended for the first time ever! What originally drew me into travelling for 10 days to New York City for this incredible Film Festival co-founded by Robert DeNiro to bring people back downtown New York after the tragedies of 9/11, were the conversations, or Tribeca Talks: Director Series that was announced in the middle of March, just a mere month before the Festival. The booking and scouring to look-up Films, allow time to line up and travel, and build a schedule with no backups had begun.
The Tribeca Talks: Director Series that was just aforementioned including one hour Conversations with George Lucas moderated by Stephen Colbert, Christopher Nolan moderated by Bennett Miller, Cary Fukunaga moderated by James Schumer, and last not certainly not least, Brad Bird moderated by Janeane Garofalo. These Talks were not only incredible for their insight, but they were beyond entertaining and masterful. The 60 minutes flew-by in what felt like seconds, but the entire time was surreal, something that words cannot merely describe.
As well, the selection of seemingly endless Movies was unfathomable. There were so many great choices, and promising options, most of which turned out to be extremely fun and enjoyable while others fell short of that standard. Some of the highlights were: Leslye Headland’s Sleeping with Other People starring Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis. This Movie was absolutely hysterical as it steered from the typical Romantic Comedy norms and clichés, and provided new laughs and nuances that truly made this RomCom stand-out from the crowd. Hopefully it gets a Canadian release, and if it unfortunately does not it will be released on VOD 90 days after its opening in Cinemas. Other standouts included Man Up from Director Ben Palmer which paired Simon Pegg and Lake Bell together in an unseeingly-perfect Romantic Comedy as well. I swear I did not just see Romcoms at TriBeCa. Ashby from Director Tony McNamara is another extremely funny, brilliant, Dark Comedy featuring Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff and Emma Roberts. The Film focuses on Wolff and Rourke who is a former Assassin and how the manage to enrich one another’s life.
The TriBeCa Film Festival also features an after the Movie discussion for certain Titles, not that the new Movies don’t have Q&As but rather they take older Movies and bring back Cast and Crew for a 45 minute discussion about the Movie and some insider information regarding the Project. The one that I was lucky enough to attend was Gus Van Sant’s brilliant Good Will Hunting. Minnie Driver, Gus Van Sant and Stellan Skarsgård were in attendance for this post movie talk and included a lot of information about Robin Williams on the set. This moved most of the Audience to laughter and tears. Some of the most memorable moments were when Skarsgård revealed that the first take of the scene between Williams and Skarsgård in the bar, Robin did the entire Role in his Nicholson impersonation. Another memorable tidbit was from Driver who reveled that the focus puller was terrible and could not be fired because he was related to someone high up so he referred to him as Helen… Keller. Moments like these unknown facts are what make for great memories.
TriBeCa was an incredible experience, which offered a ton of excitement in an array of events geared to true Film Lovers. These separate ticketed events are something that would be classified as once in a lifetime. Events such as Mary J. Blige’s Documentary The London Sessions, followed by her performing a live Concert, or a showing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail followed by a Talk with Monty Python. However, the Closing Night Film was the piece DE résistance. Goodfellas’ 25th Anniversary Screening in the new 4K restoration with a post-Screening Discussion with Robert DeNiro, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino, moderated by Jon Stewart. That was a memory never to be duplicated.
TriBeCa was a delight to attend, and a Festival I cannot wait to experience again next year!
Audio from this year’s Director Series below:
(Photo credit: Justin Waldman)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO SEE “GOOD KILL” IN TORONTO + VANCOUVER
Remstar Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto and Vancouver to see TIFF ’14 Selection, GOOD KILL starring Ethan Hawke, Zoe Kravitz, January Jones and Jake Abel. The Film screens on Thursday, May 14, 2015 in both Cities.
Official Synopsis:
Major Thomas Egan is a U.S. Air Force pilot who started flying drones when plane pilots became less needed. The movie action starts when Egan is already disillusioned with his drone flying activity, due to the lack of flight-related thrills and to the limited ability to control collateral damage during airstrikes. He further starts to question the ethics of his occupation when running missions for the CIA involving double tap, the indiscriminate killing of groups of people in Yemen, a country not at war with the USA, etc.
Watch the Trailer:
To enter to win, simply click like on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. You may click “share” from there for an extra chance!
Remstar Films release GOOD KILL on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Mr. Will + Ethan Hawke
Mr. Will + Jake Abel
#JakeAbel at #TIFF14 for #THEGOODKILL. #NikonD3300
A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo/video credit: Remstar Films)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN A “THE WEDDING RINGER” PRIZE PACK
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada + Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win an official DOUGIE’S DAY T-Shirt and THE WEDDING RINGER on DVD!
Official Synopsis:
Doug (Josh Gad) is a socially awkward groom-to-be with a problem: he has no best man. With less than two weeks to go until he marries the girl of his dreams, Doug is referred to Jimmy (Kevin Hart), who provides flattering best men for guys in need. What ensues is a hilarious wedding charade as they try to pull off the big con, and an unexpected budding friendship.
See the Trailer:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Click “share” on this Post from there for an extra chance or Tweet the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/theweddingringer @MRWILLW wants us to #win a #THEWEDDINGRINGER Prize Pack. In stores 4/28!
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada release THE WEDDING RINGER on Tuesday, April 28, 2015.
G’luck, Willionaire$.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada)
#SPOTTED LYNDA CARTER IN TORONTO AT RICHMOND HILL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
She’s a Survivor to say the least. Lynda Carter at age 63 still continues to exude an ageless beauty. The former Miss USA, known best as the original Wonder Woman in the Television Series which spanned 1975 through 1979, is in Toronto to make a rare appearance. Also a Singer, Carter will be appearing live at Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts where she will via Music intertwine her path to success as a Diva.
Despite being ushered-in via the Loading Dock at a KISS 92.5 appearance earlier today in support of her Show, Carter would face her Fans eventually who were told by a Handler “She will not be stopping!”, upon arriving at an appearance at CITY‘s Breakfast Television. Carter then clarified to Fans, “They’re being mean. I will stop for Photos on the way out to the van”. She even asked a Producer to gather memorabilia, which she signed inside. Beyond nice.
Despite getting a moment to take a Selfie with the stunning Star, for some odd reason mine didn’t turn out, although I am happy for others who were gushing at their Autographs and Photos with her, some which I helped other Fans take.
Can we appreciate how great #LyndaCarter looks? Life Goals. #WonderWoman A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
You can still get tickets for her Show tomorrow night. Details here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#NEWMUSIC: MARIAH CAREY – “INFINITY”
I hate to say it, but Mariah Carey makes her best Music when she’s heartbroken. Such is the case with new Single INFINITY from her brand-new Greatest Hits Disc, #1 TO INFINITY. As is the case, Mariah always makes Music for the Fans first. Not her best, but definitely one of her better Tracks in recent years and that’s something to start as L.A. Reid takes the reins again on this first release from Epic/Sony.
Take a listen below:
Sony Music Canada release #1 TO INFINITY on Tuesday, May 18, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)
#SPOTTED: BIANCA LAWSON IN TORONTO FILMING “ROGUE”
You know her from Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, The Vampire Diaries, Save the Last Dance, Pretty Little Liars and Teen Wolf, among many other credits. One of the most hardest-working Actresses in Hollywood is Bianca Lawson, who now in Toronto filming TV Series Rogue.
We spotted the youthful Star on a grocery run earlier today, who despite wearing little makeup, was nice enough to stop for a Snap.
Rogue centers on female Police Officer-turned-FBI Handler named Grace Travis (Thandie Newton) who is forced to go undercover to investigate the murder of another female Operative. She meets Ethan (Cole Hauser) whom she is charmed by, but well could be resposible for that Operative’s disappearance/murder.
More details on Rogue which in its second Season is available on-demand May 26, 2015 here.
(Photo credit: ABC Family/Mr. Will Wong)
#BOXOFFICE: “FURIOUS 7” HOLDS-ON A FOURTH WEEK AT #1
For a fourth straight week, FURIOUS 7 dominates the Box Office once again! Showing at 3,808 theatres, the record-breaking Blockbuster earns $17 million this weekend, now for a cumulative total of $319 million domestically for Universal Pictures.
PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 exceeds expectations, number two a second week in-a-row, earning $13.7 million for Sony Pictures. In its run so far, it has made $42 million in North America.
THE AGE OF ADALINE opens in third spot with $12.4 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, despite topping the Friday night Box Office. The Romance starring Blake Lively gets an A- CinemaScore from Audiences, and a lukewarm 53% from Critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
HOME continues to show amazing staying power in fourth spot with $7.9 million. In five weeks it has made $153 million domestically for 20th Century Fox.
UNFRIENDED lands in fifth in its second week out with $5.9 million for Universal Pictures.
Well-reviewed EX_MACHINA debuts in sixth for Mongrel Media/A24 Films, wit $6.2 million from 1,255 theatres. The Sci-Fi Film starring Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleason and Oscar Isaac gets a stunning 90% on the Tomatometer.
WOMAN IN GOLD rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.1 million for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films. In four weeks, it has grossed $21.2 million.
#INTERVIEW: CALVIN BOREL ON “50 TO 1”
You’d better bet we’ve got Derby Fever! Although we weren’t lucky enough to see a theatrical release for 50 to 1 north of the Border, Canadians finally will have their chance to see on DVD and Digital HD the True Story of MINE THAT BIRD overcoming great odds to win the world’s most famous horse race in 2009, the Kentucky Derby. Many forget the horse got his start here at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, receiving a Sovereign Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Male in 2008, before being sold to American owners Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Serte Equine. This Film and Story hold a deep, visceral meaning to Canadians.
Directed by Dances with Wolves Producer Jim Wilson, the Drama tells the Story how two rough-and-tumble New Mexico Cowboys played by Skeet Ulrich (Law & Order: LA) and Christian Kane (Angel) got it right when it counted most with a horse few believed in. They embark on a tumultuous journey to Kentucky for the big race.
We had the pleasure of chatting with Calvin Borel who not only rode MINE THAT BIRD to a mindblowing upset in the Derby, but he also stars in 50 to 1 as himself. Because well, as his agent Jerry Hissam puts it, “I don’t know if you can find another Calvin Borel. There’s only one.”.
The day is busy for Borel who at 7:30 AM already has exercised two horses, fitting-in a quick moment to chat in support of the Movie from Kentucky, before heading to exercise another. He is balancing a busy work schedule with home life as his Wife, Lisa Funk, resides on their two-acre Farm in Florida. The 48-year-old jockey has amassed over 5,120 victories recorded to date, getting his start as an eight-year-old at Louisiana Bush Tracks, riding on weekends 15-20 match races early in the day, before heading off to ride yet another 15-20 more in the afternoon. By ninth grade, he was out of school, already finding his true calling in life at an age when most kids are just figuring out what to wear to the school dance. “It’s a shame we don’t have Bush Tracks now. There aren’t too many good riders that come out of Louisiana anymore”, Borel feels.
Money certainly can be good in Horse Racing as a jockey, but Borel credits his older brother Cecil – also formerly in the profession and now a Trainer – for his success. “I had good guidance. My brother was there to take care of me after our parents passed away”, he tells us. “He was there for me win, lose or draw, he saved my money for me because it doesn’t last forever.”. Admitting he still has a few years to go in the game, Borel says, “You’re not gonna ride forever. You might have 30-40 good years. My brother had rode and been there. He wasn’t gonna let it happen to me.”. “All riders should have good guidance. There would be a lot better riders if there were.”.
Borel tells me about his experience playing himself in 50 to 1, after being approached by Wilson via his agent Jerry. “It took about two years to make. The last five days of filming we did everything around the racetrack from 5 in the morning to 10 at night”. “We would shoot four or five days a month and that’s why it took so long. There was a lot of traveling.”. He adds, “Mr. Jim (Wilson) helped me a lot and it was wonderful.”.
Acting didn’t come naturally for Borel. “In the Jocks’ Room and on the horse, I was perfect”, he admits. “The hardest part was filming talking in the grandstand to the Owner and Trainer. I wasn’t in my zone”. “Once I got to the Jocks’ Room, Mr. Jim threw the reins to me and told me ‘Give me whatever you all do!'”. “I was happy I could play myself and just let it come out naturally so it looks real, real, real!”, he laughs, “Driving in the Car Wash and not putting the windows up… anyone who knows me, I’ll do things like that!”.
After the Story of 50 to 1 ends in celebratory fashion with Borel‘s gleaming smile in the Winner’s Circle, he was faced with perhaps one of the toughest decisions of his career. In addition to an unforgettable win aboard Mine That Bird, he also was responsible for piloting the sport’s sweetheart filly Rachel Alexandra, whom just the day prior crushed her opposition by 21 lengths in the Kentucky Oaks (like the Derby, but restricted to female entrants). Horse Racing is not a sport without Drama and with the filly and her connection’s sights set on the second leg of the American Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes – where she eventually would tackle the boys and win – the jockey had to make the difficult decision which horse to ride.
“Those were the longest five days of my life”, says Borel. “Mr. Chip (Trainer of Mine that Bird) was so good to me and everything. It was hard, but at the time I believed Rachel Alexandra was the best horse in the world. And I’ve ridden a lot of great horses, not taking nothing away from Mine That Bird.”. He adds, “I had no choice but to ride my filly because I loved her.”.
We wonder how the two horses were on a personal level. “She was very, very mean”, he tells us about Rachel Alexandra. “If she didn’t know you, she would bite you. She was very temperamental. When she got mad at you, you could not fight her. I rode her mom (Lotta Kim) and she was the exact same way.”. “She’d take one deep breath before stepping into the gate. I’d tell my wife that if she didn’t do that at the gate, I’d fall off”, he says semi-jokingly. Mine that Bird on the other hand had much more composure than the Superfilly, “You could put a bomb under him!”, he recalls. “Totally different horses”.
It was just announced this week that Borel indeed will have a mount the first Saturday in May in El Kabeir at this year’s renewal of the $2-million Kentucky Derby. The blue-blooded Zayat Stables Colt is ranked eighth on the official Leaderboard for the Race currently. “People don’t understand the pressure, but I take pressure very good. I’ve seen a lot of Riders who ride good, good, good but it’s a totally different story in the Derby“, he explains. “You have 20 horses and you have to be so focused, have a plan, hoping that plan works. It’s a different Ball Game, I tell you that.”. And he certainly knows best. He’s won the Kentucky Derby a remarkable three times.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada release 50 to 1 on DVD and Digital HD on Tuesday, April 28, 2015.
The 141st renewal of the Kentucky Derby airs Saturday, May 2, 2015 on NBC at 7:00 PM EST. More here.
You still have a chance to win an official 50 to 1 Prize Pack here.
(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)
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