Tegan and Sara may have been responsible for the rise in temperatures today in Toronto.  The three-time JUNO Winners surprised all with a Pop-Up Concert at Roy Thomson Hall this afternoon as part of TD Bank‘s TD Music Café Summertime Series.  The Calgary-born Twin Sister Duo known best for their recent Hits Closer and I Was a Fool achieved a Career High with their latest Disc, Heartthrob reaching the Top Three of the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart – their best performance yet. As an aside, TD’s MusiCounts Program, for which the Series is in support of, last year alone raised over $200k to organizations across Canada.

In their 40-minute Set today, they pleased Fans new and old alike sipping away on a variety of Sodastream Beverages, focussing much on their recent material before fielding questions from CBC‘s Jian Ghomeshi in an intimate Q&A afterwards.  Their performance despite a hectic touring schedule which last saw them in Boston, still packed a punch and sounded pitch perfect.

A handful of Fans hoping to get “closer” to the Duo unfortunately didn’t have much luck as they were rushed into their SUV before heading-off to the Airport for a two-week hiatus.  The Sisters will be back in Toronto at WorldPride 2014 at the end of June!

 (Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

22-year-old Devon Bostick may have developed an ardent following with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Franchise and Indie Darlings like Adoration by Atom Egoyan, but his profile continues to rise rapidly.  He stars currently in breakout Sci-Fi Series The 100 on The CW/Netflix currently, actively promoting the Series on Twitter with his Fans.

Bostick now returns home to Toronto to film brand-new Thriller Regression which currently has been in production for over a month now.   He stars alongside some Heavyweights like Ethan Hawke (appearing at TIFF Bell Lightbox next week!), David Thewlis and of course, Emma Watson.  The Film centers on a Father accused of a crime he has no memory of committing. Regression is directed by Alejandro Amenabar.

The Actor was nice to stop for a quick Photo earlier today upon arriving in the City from Los Angeles, where he is based.    He was just in Toronto last month promoting The 100.  Learn more about the Series here.

See our Snap:

Regression wraps June 15, 2014.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/The CW)

In celebration of her glorious Best Actress win in Cannes yesterday, here is the Trailer for David Cronenberg‘s gripping MAPS TO THE STARS, starring Julianne Moore. Filmed between Toronto and Los Angeles, this Thriller follows a Hollywood Family chasing fame and Celebrity. Moore‘s performance as a desperate, aging Actress has has singled-out early as the performance to look-out for this forthcoming Awards Season. Expect this to debut in a grand way this September at TIFF ’14!

Watch the Red-Band Trailer below:

Mr. Will and The Cast of Maps to the Stars:

eOne Films release MAPS TO THE STARS.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

There is no other American Film garnering more early Awards season buzz than FOXCATCHER. Just coming out of Cannes yesterday with a Best Director (Bennett Miller) win and feverish acclaim for performances from Funnyman Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum, the Film based on the shocking True Story of millionaire Wrestling Coach John du Pont (Carell) and Brothers Mark (Tatum) and David Schultz (Ruffalo).

Murder, obsession, psychosis. This Film has all the ingredients of a Champion and Fans of Capote and Moneyball, both which premiered at TIFF prior to successful Awards Season Campaigns and directed too by Miller, won’t be disappointed.

Although the Teaser Trailer surfaced a while back, now is a perfect moment to get acquainted with what could well get a TIFF ’14 Premiere here in Toronto this September. In fact, I’d be shocked if this didn’t make the rounds here!

Watch the Trailer:

Friday, November 14, 2014 has been set as the release date for FOXCATCHER via Sony Pictures Classics (Mongrel Media in Canada).

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

It really was no contest at the Box Office this Memorial Day weekend as 20th Century Fox‘s X-Men: Days of Future Past fully capitalized off its already successful Franchise history and star-studded Cast to debut at number with a whopping $90 million.  2007’s Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End still holds the Box Office record for biggest three-day gross for the Holiday.  For its Franchise, the Film also ranks beneath 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, which opened with $102 million. Critics and Fans alike had high praise for the Film with a superb 91% rating on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.  Directed by Bryan Singer, the Action-Fantasy Flick was made for $225 million, a majority of its production taking place last year in Montreal. Globally, it already has surpassed $200 million in earnings!

Godzilla still continues to perform well in second in its second week out with $31.4 million for Warner Bros.  In its two-week run, it has grossed $159 million domestically.

Blended starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore opens in third spot with $14.2 million for Warner Bros. also.  Audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore which will help certainly in terms of positive word of mouth among Moviegoers. Critics didn’t think much of it with a 15% score on the Tomatometer.

Neighbors continues to go strong in fourth spot with $13.9 million for Universal Pictures, bringing its tally to $116 million to-date in its three weeks out.

The Other Woman shows great staying power in seventh spot for 20th Century Fox with $3.6 million and by early this week should surpass the $80-million mark.

Chef, directed by and starring Jon Favreau, opened in limited release for Open Road Films across 498 theatres in the U.S. with $2.2 million.  Critics have had high praise for the star-studded Comedy, giving it an 87% on the Tomatometer.  It opens in early June across Canada for VVS Films.

VVS Films and Mr. Will want to take Readers across Canada to an Advance Screening of CHEF in Toronto!  We love our Fans nationally and also are giving Readers across Canada a chance to win Run-of-Engagement Passes in any City which it will be playing. Food Lovers, rejoice! Above this, one lucky Wongster will win an official CHEF Apron!

 …just like the one below!  Billy seems to like it, right?

Official Synopsis:

When Chef Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) suddenly quits his job at a prominent Los Angeles restaurant after refusing to compromise his creative integrity for its controlling Owner (Dustin Hoffman), he is left to figure out what’s next. Finding himself in Miami, he teams up with his Ex-Wife (Sofia Vergara), his Friend (John Leguizamo) and his Son to launch a Food Truck. Taking to the road, Chef Carl goes back to his roots to reignite his passion for the kitchen — and zest for life and love.

Did you know also that Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., Amy Sedaris, Bobby Cannavale and our own Russell Peters also star?

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook! Remember to state your City! Share this Post or Re-Tweet to increase your shot:

http://mrwillwong.com/chefmovie @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #CHEFMOVIE and an official Apron! Out 6/6!

Every entry qualifies to win that awesome CHEF Apron!

Good luck, Wongsters!

Official Trailer:

Official Artwork:

Stay connected with the Movie via Social Media:
#ChefMovie
Facebook/ChefTheFilm
www.chefmovie.ca

VVS Films release CHEF on Friday, June 6, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films/Mr. Will Wong)

Toronto rolled out the Pink Carpet for a v. special Guest tonight as the talented and equally beautiful Matt Bomer made his way in to promote HBO‘s next sure-fire Awards Season Vehicle, a Film Adaptation of TONY-winning Play, The Normal Heart.

If the thought-provoking Storyline set in the early ’80s amidst the onset of the AIDS Epidemic doesn’t move you, then maybe its Cast will. A brilliant Ensemble of Mark Ruffalo, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parsons, Jonathan Groff and Julia Roberts light-up the screen, telling a heartbreaking Tale about a Disease which some  thirty-plus years a later is still at the forefront of debate despite several educational and medical advancements.

I had the pleasure of interviewing the piercingly blue-eyed Bomer – known best for his starring role in White Collar as Neal Caffrey and for a glimpse in Magic Mike – who plays Felix, opposite Ruffalo’s Ned Weeks.  The latter is seen at the center of the Story as an Activist struggling to bring HIV/AIDS  to the political forefront, while also facing crippling internal struggle within his group of Activists at once.  Seen arriving tonight quietly also was Simon Halls, Bomer‘s Husband of three years.

Bomer tells me that he got much of his education about AIDS as a 14-year-old reading the original Play on which this Film is based. “It infuriated me growing-up in suburban Texas that nobody was doing anything about it”, he remembers. “I would’ve been honoured to tell this Story on on any medium.  The fact that we’re doing it for HBO just compounds the experience.”.

On building a passionate chemistry with Co-Star Mark Ruffalo, he has some high praise for his on-screen Lover. “Mark is just a consummate Professional and an incredible Man. We knew we had an unlimited amount of time to spend together so we kinda tried to just stay in character”, he states. “Thanks to him – I couldn’t have done it without him. He brought so much into it every day that he inspired me to do better.”.

The 24th edition of one of the World’s top LGBT Film Festivals reached a high point this year with much attention shined on the Festival in its securing an exclusive Premiere billing for the Marquee Title, The Normal Heart. On its steady ascension from a grassroots Film Festival to its lucrative partnership with TIFF, Andrew Murphy and Scott Ferguson of Inside Out explain, “It was an evolution.  It evolved as Queer Film evolved.  We’re lucky to have passionate people involved who are willing to fight for Queer Film.”.  Expect the partnership to flourish this Summer as Toronto celebrates World Pride with several Installations, Artist Talks and Screenings planned.

Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer, Author and Philanthropist Mark Tewksbury we learned has actively been involved as the Spokesperson CANFAR, which in its 27 active years has raised more than $15 million for AIDS/HIV research. This of course isn’t the first time the Organization has attached its name to a cinematic partnership. Last fall, they had organized a Charity Screening of Dallas Buyers Club, which would go on to win multiple Academy Awards.  CANFAR‘s Chris Bunting stresses the importance of partnering with a high-profile Event such as this. “They think because people are living longer, the issue has gone away. This is an opportunity for a mass audience to see a very important Film and to re-engage in discussions”, states Bunting.

(Special thanks to Wongster Maria for helping Snap the above Pic!)

See Mr. Will‘s Chat with Bomer & Friends tonight:

The Normal Heart premieres on HBO this Sunday, May 25, 2014 at 9 PM EST.

Inside Out runs at TIFF Bell Lightbox from Thursday, May 22 – Sunday, June 1, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

After receiving much praise at TIFF ’13, Richard Ayoade‘s THE DOUBLE soon will see a Canadian release and both D Films and Mr. Will want to take Toronto Readers to an Advance Screening!  The Screening takes place Wednesday, June 11, 2014.

Official Synopsis:

Inspired by Dostoyevsky‘s Novella of the same name, THE DOUBLE  is a Dark Comedy written by Ayoade and Avi Korine (Mister Lonely), a funny and frightening story about an insignificant man driven to near breakdown by the appearance of his Doppelganger.

Simon (Jesse Eisenberg) is a timid Man, scratching out an isolated existence in an indifferent world. He is overlooked at work, scorned by his Mother, and ignored by the Woman of his dreams (Mia Wasikowska). He feels powerless to change any of these things. The arrival of a new Co-worker, James (also Jesse Eisenberg), serves to upset the balance. James is both Simon‘s exact physical double and his opposite – confident, charismatic and good with women. To Simon‘s horror, James slowly starts taking over his life.

Watch the Trailer below:

Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska & Mr. Will:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Re-Tweet the below to increase your shot at winning:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/thedouble @MRWILLW wants us to #win Advance Screening Passes to see #THEDOUBLE in #Toronto! Out 6/13!

D Films release THE DOUBLE on Friday, June 13, 214.

(Photo/video credit: D Films)

With 12 number one Singles and a flawless trail of Chart-topping Albums to their name, Country Music Trio Rascal Flatts might know a thing or three about surviving the Music Industry. Hailing originally from Ohio, they achieved Nashville dreams in a huge way receiving a Grammy Award for Best Country Song, Bless the Broken Road (which I actually sang at a Wedding once!) and a Star even on the Walk of Fame. Today they were in Toronto to promote their ninth Studio Disc, Rewind.

Comprised of Members Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Rooney,  the Trio made visits to CTV‘s Canada AM where they performed live on their Soundstage this morning. They also pretaped an Interview to air at a later date on Global Television‘s The Morning Show. Despite traveling in separate vehicles, the three were kind to group together for a Selfie I’ll never forget! While I self-consciously handcombed my windswept hair, Lead Vocalist LeVox was nice enough to assure me, “You look great man!”. I love it when rightfully big names remain approachable and down-to-earth. And in Country Music the names don’t get any bigger than Rascal Flatts!

Check-out their latest Single Rewind below:

See our Snap:

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Universal Music Canada released Rewind on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. Order it here!

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

The 24th annual INSIDE OUT Film Festival runs in Toronto from Thursday, May 22, 2014 through Sunday, June 1, 2014.  I was fortunate enough to preview some of this year’s Marquee Titles and want to tell you all about ’em!

THE NORMAL HEART

Many eyes will be on this exciting new HBO Film Adaptation of the TONY Award-winning Stageplay of the same name. Directed by American Horror Story and Glee Creator Ryan Murphy, the Drama is set in New York City, in the early ’80s at the onset of the AIDS epidemic – a time when many turned a blind eye to its seriousness.

At the center of it all is AIDS Activist Ned Weeks (Mark Ruffalo) in one of his most compelling performances to date.  His passionate relationship with Lover Felix Turner (played beautifully by Matt Bomer) is the heart and soul of the Story,  succumbing tragically too to the Disease. Julia Roberts as a wheelchair-bound Doctor Emma Brookner, is phenomenal  in her plea to raise awareness of the far-reaching effects of the Disease not just as a “Gay Cancer”.  Particularly memorable too is a poignant performance by  Joe Mantello as Mickey Marcus in one pivotal moment in the Film.

We witness the internal struggles of this Activist Group, hindered by the pressures of having to deal with the spotlight in times when AIDS stigma was epidemic as the Disease itself. At moments its Screenplay restricted by the confines of the Small Screen, the Film manages to leave a lasting impression based on the strength of its performances.  A definite major player this forthcoming Awards Season.

Friday, May 23, 2014 at TIFF BELL LIGHT BOX, 9:00 PM

THE DOG

Perhaps my favourite Film of the Festival, this Documentary centers around infamous gay New York Bank Robber John Wojtowicz, on whom the 1975 Film starring Al Pacino, Dog Day Afternoon was based.  The unlikeliest of Heroes, Wojtowicz had robbed a bank brazenly in hopes of funding his Lover’s Sex Change.

Directors Alison Berg and Frank Keraudren takes ten years’ worth of footage and interviews with the Subject himself, his endearing Mother, Ex-Wife and multiple Lovers, painting a Portrait of a Man whose wrong choices would go on to change his life forever.  We learn all about his ordeal in prison, what life was like leading-up to his 2006 death after a battle with Cancer.  Although unconventional, Wojtowicz was ahead of his time in his unwavering stance on Gay Rights, inspiring others who felt marginalized and powerless.

And you’ll never believe what happened after his Lover’s Sex Change…

Saturday, May 31, 2014 at TIFF BELL LIGHT BOX, 4:00 PM

I ALWAYS SAID YES: THE MANY LIVES OF WAKEFIELD POOLE

How does a sweet, young Jacksonville Boy with the voice of an Angel and on the verge of Broadway Stardom,  wind-up going-on to create some of the most iconic Gay Porn Films of all time?  This Documentary, directed by Jim Tushinski, gives us an in-depth look at the rise of a fascinating Man of many talents, his struggles, disappointments and a behind-the-scenes look at how with little budget – even using his own apartment as a studio space, he would helm acclaimed and pioneering Films like Boys in the Sand and Bijou.  Through candid interviews from others close to affected by his work, we learn about Poole and his bittersweet road to finding contentment.

Anyone  who’s ever struggled  in making their dream a reality will identify with some of the sentiments explored here in this well-made exploration of a Man who would go on to leave an indelible mark on the face of Gay Culture.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at TIFF Lightbox Cinema, 5:15 PM

MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE

Beyond the news reports and 2002 Biographical Film (The Laramie Project) made about Matthew Shepard, but what really do we know about one of the most talked about Gay Public Figures of all time, whose impact posthumously would change the conversation about Gay Rights forever?

This Documentary made by Shepard‘s Friend Michele Josue and narrated by her also, hits home with touching, candid interviews with his Family and Friends.  We learn about Shepard‘s own fears in coming to terms with his own sexuality – a revelation tragically which led eventually to his torture and murder.   Josue gives us a deeply humanistic perspective to  Shepard which ultimately makes us feel as though we knew him too.

Why would she revisit something so painful?  “Guilt. Confusion for not being there.  If the World knows our Matt – the real Matt – I know it wouldn’t be able to let him go either”, Josue says in her narration. A beautiful Piece which answers several questions many of us have long wanted to know.

Saturday, May 24, 2014 at TIFF Lightbox Cinema, 1:30 PM

 It’s still not too late to order Tickets for this year’s Festival!

Click here to #SEEFORYOURSELF ticket availabilities and to order online!

(Photo credit: HBO)