12 Years a Slave was awarded Best Picture at the 62nd annual BAFTA Awards at London’s Royal Opera House earlier today and is believed by many to be the definitive choice to win in the same Category at next month’s Academy Awards in Los Angeles.  Despite receiving a whopping ten nominations, the Drama directed by Steve McQueen, took home two Awards, with British Actor Chiwetel Ejofor taking Leading Actor in an Awards Season stateside which has been dominated by Matthew McConaughey.

Also awarded today were Cate Blanchett for Leading Actress in Blue Jasmine – a feat she likely will repeat at the Oscars, an absent Jennifer Lawrence for Supporting Actress in American Hustle and Barkhad Abdi for Supporting Actor in Captain Phillips.  Will Poulter, who starred in last year’s Box Office Smash We’re The Millers, was awarded the EE Rising Star Award.

While the Hardware may have been handed out today, the Parties were alive and kicking last night and the one to be at certainly was Harvey Weinstein‘s BAFTA Nominees Dinner, sponsored by Burberry and Grey Goose Vodka.  Held at Little House in Mayfair, London, the dazzling Affair boasted a Guest List including the likes of Uma Thurman, Keira Knightley, Naomi Harris, Cara Delevingne, Poppy Delevingne, Suki Waterhouse, Paloma Faith, Steve Coogan, Steve McQueen, Douglas Booth, Jamie Campbell Bower, Samantha Barks, Richard E Grant, Philomena Lee, Nick Grimshaw, Sam Claflin, Laura Haddock and Daniel Brühl.

The Star of the Evening being Grey Goose‘s LE FIZZ Cocktail (Recipe here!), the Libation named the Celebratory Drink of Choice. For Appetizers, Guests enjoyed a variety of Canapes, Scallop and Grapefruit Ceviche, Cavolo Nero Crisps and Prawn and Guacamole Skewers. The luxurious three-course Dinner included: Quinoa, Beetroot, Cucumber and Radish followed by Roast Fillet of Beef, with a light Lemon Meringue for Dessert.  WWWT (wish we were there)!!!

For a complete List of Winners, click here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Rock-It Promotions)

The Lego Movie continues to tower above the Competition once again this Valentine’s Day weekend, pulling-in a superb $48.8-million for Warner Bros. To-date the Animated Feature has grossed over $150 million already after a record-setting debut last weekend becoming the highest-grossing debut ever for a Film in the Genre.

About Last Night debuts in second spot for Sony Pictures with an impressive $27 million, the Comedy starring red-hot Kevin Hart, Regina Hall and Kevin Ealy. Review also have been solid for the Film, tallying-in at 76% on the Tomatometer, while audiences gave the Film a resounding an A- CinemaScore to go with that.

RoboCop, the Toronto-filmed Remake of the ’80s Sci-Fi/Action Blockbuster, opens in third spot also for Sony Pictures, with $21.5 million. Critics didn’t think much of Jose Padhila’s $100-million take on the Film with a 50% rating on the Tomatometer and Audiences giving it a fair B+ CinemaScore. By comparison, its Original made $8 million in its opening weekend, good enough for number one back in July 1987.

The Monuments Men is the third Film in the Top Ten this weekend for Sony Pictures, slipping to fourth spot with a healthy $15 million in its second week out.

Another Remake, Endless Love, debuts decently in fifth spot for Universal Pictures with $13.3 million. The Romantic Thriller starring Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde and timed perfectly for a Valentine’s Day release, received a paltry 14% from Critics on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a great A- CinemaScore.

Warner Bros.’ Winter’s Tale debuts in seventh spot with $7.7 million. Garnering a 14% rating on the Tomatometer, Critics might not have thought much of the Romantic Drama but Audiences gave it a far more forgiving B CinemaScore.

That Awkward Moment rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.3 million for VVS Films/Focus Features. In its third week, the small-budgeted Rom-Com starring and produced by Zac Efron is showing gumption, just surpassing the $22 million mark.

Collective Concerts and Mr. Will Wong want to give Readers a chance to experience live some of the hottest Alternative-Pop Acts of 2014! We’re giving away Tickets to see hotly-buzzed Australian Act BETTY WHO, Brooklyn-based THE JULIE RUIN, Washington’s THE BLOW and Tel Aviv’s MARY OCHER!

BETTY WHO
See Betty Who on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at The Garrison. Tickets here.

Betty Who – Somebody Loves You:

THE JULIE RUIN

See The Julie Ruin on Sunday, March 23, 2014 at The Garrison. Tickets here.

The Julie Ruin – Oh Come On:

THE BLOW

See The Blow on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at The Mod Club. Tickets here.

The Blow – From the Future:

MARY OCHER

See Mary Ocher at The Silver Dollar on Thursday, April 10, 2014. Tickets here.

Mary Ocher – The Android Sea:

If you’ve listened to the Radio at some point over the past six years, you know Colbie Caillat. The 28-year-old Singer/Songwriter has been a Pop/Adult Contemporary Radio Staple since she first surfaced back in 2007 with her easy-listening debut Single, Bubbly. Subsequent releases Realize, Lucky (ft. Jason Mraz), Fallin’ for You and We Both Know (ft. Gavin DeGraw) to this day continue to maintain a great presence via Airplay.

Success has been steady for the Malibu-born Entertainer, now in Toronto to promote latest Single, the Ryan Tedder-produced and co-produced Hold On. In addition to a series of Radio appearances on 104.5 CHUM FM and 98.1 CHFI, Caillat had a jam-packed day with TV appearances and tapings out of Bell Media‘s Queen Street Headquarters today.

We caught-up with the stunning Caillat bright and early, dressed impeccably in a white Coat and Tartan Scarf as she got ready to head-off for the day with her Tourmates. Beautiful! She is just as sweet as those honey-silk vocals she blesses us with.

Check-out Caillat‘s latest, Hold On below:

Download Hold On on iTunes here. Her fifth Studio Disc is due later this year.

See our Snap:

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

In celebration of POMPEII‘s release, eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong want to give Readers a chance to win an ultra-rare commemorative Toque! We were among the first to spot  Game of Thrones Star KIT HARINGTON last Winter in Toronto where the Action-Adventure had filmed!

Official Synopsis:
Set in 79 A.D., POMPEII tells the epic story of Milo (Kit Harrington), a Slave turned invincible Gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia (Emily Browning), the beautiful Daughter of a wealthy Merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator.

As Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava, Milo must fight his way out of the arena in order to save his beloved as the once magnificent Pompeii crumbles around him.

Watch the Trailer:

Enter to win by clicking “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Your are encouraged to share this Post with Friends via Social Media!

Mr. Will and the Cast of POMPEII:

eOne Films release POMPEII on Friday, February 21, 2014.

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

Author, Entrepreneur and Speaker Stedman Graham currently is in Toronto for the second edition of the Toronto Black Film Festival.   Known very much as the Partner of Oprah Winfrey – the Couple have been together since 1986 – Graham will be speaking at TIFF Bell Lightbox tonight for his Nine-Step Plan for Success where the Audience will learn how they can achieve their individual goals and plans.  Learn more here.

Graham utilized his time wisely meeting with local Media yesterday, shedding focus on his latest Book Identity: Your Passport to Success.  Earlier today, he Co-Hosted Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), speaking with Liza Fromer, Rosey Edeh and Leslie Roberts. He spoke about his humble beginnings, growing-up with an overwhelming sense of shame with two disabled Brothers, also coping with racial identity issues.  “It took me 30 years to realize it isn’t about race”, he says.  “Empower yourself and get beyond labels defining your existence.”.

On his Media Mogul Partner, whom  hopefully he will be spending Valentine’s Day with tomorrow, he states to him she is “perfection, excellence and being the best you can be.”.

I caught-up with Graham who was heading-over to Sunset Grill on Bloor Street for Breakfast following his appearance, taking a quick minute to greet a growing crowd of Fans hoping to get a Photo with him and of course, he was a Gentleman, shaking hands and accepting graciously compliments how inspiring he is.

The Toronto Black Film Festival currently is taking place in the City, running till Sunday, February 16, 2014.  More here.

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Absolutely ridiculous!  Melissa McCarthy in her element yet again.  Teaming-up with her Husband Ben Falcone, who writes and directs the Funnywoman’s next effort, TAMMY, we get a quick glimpse of what could be the Comedy of the Summer in this hilarious Teaser Trailer!

Synopsis:

After losing her job and learning that her Husband has been unfaithful, a Woman hits the road with her profane, hard-drinking Grandmother.

TAMMY also stars Susan Sarandon, Dan Aykroyd, Allison Janney, Kathy Bates and Falcone!

Watch the Teaser Trailer here.

Official Artwork:

Warner Bros. release TAMMY on Wednesday, July 2, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

Crazy for her!  Thousands of Fans lined-up last night at Canada’s only Hard Candy Fitness Location at College Park in Toronto as Gym Boss and Queen of Pop, Madonna, flew-in from New York City to launch the high-end Fitness Centre!

In addition to walking an ultra-exclusive Red Carpet, speaking with a mixture of TV, Radio and Print Media, she waved to her hoards of devout Fans who were ecstatic at the rare opportunity to see the Icon up-close.  A select Group of Contest Winners danced their way to a chance to work-out with Madonna in a once-in-a-lifetime Addicted to Sweat Class.  She later was seen Instagramming herself icing her feet afterwards.

Madonna icing her feet:

As expected, there were no Autographs or Photo Ops with Fans with a “no Photos” policy being enforced for all but Media, but simply seeing her was enough for many!  Some had mixed feelings about the ground-breaking Entertainer’s two-hours-late arrival, but despite the wait few could argue it was worth it.

Longtime Madonna Fan Simon Venekeo and Mr. Will Reader  contributed the Photo up-top.  He tells us, “I would describe it as an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity to see a Pop Culture Icon in such an intimate setting.”.

Madonna revealed plans already are under-way for her new Disc – her 13th – and among the Canadian Artists she’d like to collaborate with are Michael Bublé and Drake as she revealed to the Canadian Press below:

Transcendence  piqued just about everyone’s curiosity when its first Trailer surfaced last year.  Another new Trailer for the Sci-Fi/Thriller starring Johnny Depp and Rebecca Hall just was released, premiering over at Apple Trailers.

Official Synopsis:

Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is the foremost Researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence, working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. His highly controversial experiments have made him famous, but they have also made him the prime target of anti-technology extremists who will do whatever it takes to stop him.

However, in their attempt to destroy Will, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed—to be a participant in his own transcendence. For his Wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and Best Friend Max Waters (Paul Bettany), both fellow Researchers, the question is not if they can… but if they should.

Their worst fears are realized as Will’s thirst for knowledge evolves into a seemingly omnipresent quest for power, to what end is unknown. The only thing that is becoming terrifyingly clear is there may be no way to stop him.

Watch Trailer #2 for TRANSCENDENCE in HD here.

Warner Bros. release TRANSCENDENCE on Thursday, April 17, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

We’ve all been waiting for it!  After blowing our minds last year in teaming-up with Miguel  on #BEAUTIFUL, Megastar and multi-GRAMMY Winner Mariah Carey brings it with new Single You’re Mine (Eternal) right in-time for Valentine’s Day!  The Track freshens-up Mariah‘s sound and slowing things down with a moody bit of Electronica, reminiscent melodically of We Belong Together.

Does it pack that same emotional punch?  Not quite. Some of Mariah’s best Tracks have been tingle-inducing and something feels a bit detached here.  I do always find a way to love Mariah‘s Tracks regardless even though we’re not quite sure she’s going with this Track.  I’m sure this will be the same after you check-in with me in a day!  Carey premiered the Track live at BET Honors, to air Monday, February 24, 2014.

Carey on Monday also confirmed that her 14th Studio Disc, titled tentatively The Art of Letting Go, will hit stores on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 after multiple delays due to Carey‘s self-admission it wasn’t ready, to a shoulder/arm injury last Summer filming a Remix Video to #BEAUTIFUL.

Listen to the Track below:

Official Artwork:

(Photo credit: Universal Music)