Although the 2014 Thoroughbred Meet at Woodbine Racetrack doesn’t begin for another three months, the Jockey Club of Canada earlier today announced its very best in Horse Racing in 2013. The Sovereign Awards, which honour Canadian Champions in the Sport, are set to take place on Friday, April 11, 2014.

With Finalists for coveted Horse of the Year yet to be determined, as they will be selected based on Winners that night, I must say it could be a contentious Battle! Forte dei Marmi  was amazing for much of the Season and will be up against the hard-fighting Up With the Birds who did amazing against top-class Competition in the U.S.  Ria Antonia, might not have been remarkable at Woodbine where she started her Career earlier last year, but she went-on to win the super-important Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Dirt in California, a Feat never accomplished before by a Canadian-based Filly.

Nominees this year in all non-Media Categories include:

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
Lexie Lou
On Rainbow Bridge
Paladin Bay
Ria Antonia

Champion Two-Year-Old Male
Ami’s Holiday
Asserting Bear
Go Greeley
Jose Sea View

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly
Coffee Clique
Leigh Court
Nipissing
Overheard

Champion Three-Year-Old Male
Five Iron
Midnight Aria
River Seven
Up With the Birds

Champion Older Female
Madeira Park
Moonlit Beauty
Part the Seas
Sisterly Love

Champion Older Male
Alpha Bettor
Delegation
Herbie D
Ultimate Destiny

Champion Turf Female
Leigh Court
Overheard
Part the Seas
Solid Appeal

Champion Turf Male
Forte Dei Marmi (GB)
Phil’s Dream
River Seven
Up With the Birds

Champion Female Sprinter
Goldstryke Glory
Leigh Court
Part the Seas
Youcan’tcatchme

Champion Male Sprinter
Bear No Joke
Essence Hit Man
Herbie D
Phil’s Dream

Outstanding Broodmare
Captivating
Galadriel
Shebandowana
Star Guest

Outstanding Breeder
Adena Springs
Chiefswood Stables Ltd.
William D. Graham
Sam-Son Farm

Outstanding Owner
Bear Stables Ltd.
John C. Oxley
Sam-Son Farms
Tucci Stables

Outstanding Trainer
Reade Baker
Mark Casse
Nicholas Gonzalez
Malcolm Pierce

Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
Skye Chernetz
Amie Pooli
Sheena Ryan
Tommy Wong

Outstanding Jockey
Luis Contreras
Eurico Da Silva
Justin Stein
Rico Walcott

We’re incredibly thrilled again to be a part of the Awards this year and even more excited for the 2014 Thoroughbred Racing Season to begin on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Woodbine Racetrack! We wish the Nominees all the best and can’t wait to celebrate!

For those interested in attending, more details on this and the Awards are here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

In conjunction with Black History Month, the second Edition of the Toronto Black Film Festival runs from Tuesday, February 11 – 16, 2014.   The Festival celebrates Diversity in the Black Communities through Special Events and Films and in addition to commemorating the memory of iconic Nelson Mandela, it celebrates the 20th year of Democracy in South Africa.  A Series of Short Films from South African are slated to pay tribute to Mandela.

Stedman Graham, who many of us will recognize as being the longtime Partner of Oprah Winfrey, brings some starpower to the Festival, the Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author and Speaker holding a Conference at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Thursday, February 13, 2014 called The Nine-Step Plan for Success.  One of Nelson Mandela‘s favourite Singers, Lorraine Klaasen is set to perform a Concert at Al Green Theatre and also, Author Robert H. King, who spent 32 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, also will be speaking at the Festival.

The Festival was launched today at Carlton Cinemas and a List of Films to screen this year were unveiled including The Forgotten Kingdom (Opening Film), The Retrieval (Closing Film), Blue Caprice (for which we ran a Giveaway!), Angels in Exile (narrated by Charlize Theron),  Haiti Untold (features Sean Penn) and several, several more.

For more about the Toronto Black Film Festival, founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Global Toronto, click here.

Some Snaps from today’s Launch including Global‘s Leslie Roberts:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Toronto Black Film Festival)

Happy Valentine’s Day, indeed! Katy Perry covers the February 2014 issue of GQ. Although I’m not sure how Feminists will view it, one things for sure. Heterosexual Men everywhere will be mesmerized! Perry is smoking hot in this brand new Photoshoot for the Men’s Magazine, shot in Los Angeles.

Everything from Bikini Tops to straddling an Extinguisher to her Sheer Blouses is hot! hot! hot! about this Photoshoot!

Perry chats with the Magazine’s Amy Wallace as she preps for her Geisha-inspired American Music Awards Performance at Nokia Theatre recently.  Click here to read the Interview.

What happened to her alleged “Dark Phase” and all that self-reflection she did during her hiatus?

Watch a Behind-the-Scenes Video:

See the Cover:

(Photo/video credit: GQ)

You’ve seen or read it before,  but not like this!  Right in-time for Valentine’s Day, D Films and Mr. Will Wong want to give Readers a chance to win Carlo Carlei‘s ROMEO & JULIET on DVD/Blu-ray.

Official Synopsis:

The ageless Story from the World’s most renowned Author is re-imagined for the 21st Century by Julian Fellowes and Director Carlo Carlei. This Adaptation is told in the lush traditional setting it was written, but gives a new generation the chance to fall in love with the enduring legend. In addition to Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth, the all-star Cast includes Academy Award-nominated Paul Giamatti (Sideways), Emmy winner Damian Lewis (Homeland), Stellan Skarsgård (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End) and Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl).

Watch the Trailer:

Two enter to win ROMEO & JULIET on DVD/Blu-ray simply by clicking “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  

Canadian Readers only, please.

Good luck, Wongsters!

D Films release ROMEO & JULIET on DVD and Blu-ray Tuesday, February 4, 2014.

Order Romeo & Juliet on Blu-ray here.

Official Artwork:

“Like” D Films on Facebook here!

(Photo/video credit: D Films/Amber Entertainment/Swarovski Entertainment/Echo Lake Entertainment)

D Films and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win the eagerly-awaited WINNIE on DVD/Blu-ray! See for yourself Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson‘s stellar performance which drew raves at TIFF ’12!

Official Synopsis:

WINNIE is inspired by the life of Winnie Mandela, one of the World’s most captivating and inspiring Women. Darrell Roodt, Paul Johnson & André Pieterse wrote this heartfelt screenplay based on the Book Winnie Mandela – A Life by Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob. The Film was subsequently produced by Michael Mosca of Equinoxe Films and by André Pieterse of Ma-Afrika Films.

This intimate, in-depth and unbiased Film takes the Audience on a remarkable journey of understanding Winnie Mandela, exploring both her personal and political life. Through her fierce determination and dauntless courage, Winnie Mandela survived her Husband’s imprisonment, continuous harassment by the security police, banishment to a small Free State town, betrayal by friends and allies, and more than a year in solitary confinement – all the while keeping the name of Nelson Mandela alive. A sensitive and balanced portrayal, the Film nevertheless thoroughly investigates and honestly examines the controversies that dogged Winnie Mandela in recent years.

WINNIE stars Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard.

Watch the Trailer:

Available on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, WINNIE is available early via Digital Download on Tuesday, January 28, 2014.

Order WINNIE on Blu-ray here.

Official Artwork:

“Like” D Films on Facebook here!

(Photo/video credit: D Films/NBC Universal Canada)

Marking its 25th Anniversary this year, Batman will be fêted at the Cineplex‘s The Great Digital Film Festival.  The Film Festival which focuses on Sci-fi, Action and Cult Films, will run in this City for a week beginning Friday, January 31, 2014 and ending Thursday, February 6, 2014.  Canadian Cinema Lovers will get a chance to see their Favourites on the Big Screen again or for the v. first time!

At $6 a Ticket, you really can’t go wrong seeing Films like Battlestar Galactica, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (also celebrating its 25th Anniversary), The Avengers, The Dark Knight, Superman: The Movie, Spider-Man, Tron, Snatch and several more!

Above this, Touchwood PR and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win  Tickets to The Great Digital Film Festival and also a Copy of The Essential Batman Encyclopedia (seen above)!  The Paperback by Robert Greenberger gives Fans exclusive details about the origin of Batman, Artwork and Biographies of every major Character in his Universe.

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook!  Share this Post with your Friends on Facebook or Re-Tweet the below to double your chances:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/cineplexgreatdigitalfilmfest14 @MRWILLW wants us to #win a @CineplexMovies‘ #THEGREATDIGITALFILMFEST Prize Pack!  Starts 1/31!

Good luck, Wongsters!

Learn more about The Great Digital Film Festival, participating Theatres across Canada and List of Films here!

Official Fest Artwork:

(Photo credit: Touchwood PR)

Just what Toronto needs – a bit of California Sunshine! Talented Aaron Eckhart currently is in Toronto, one of many international Stops, promoting the Adaptation of Kevin Grevioux‘s Graphic Novel I, Frankenstein. The Film sees the Actor playing a modernized version of the iconic Frankenstein, roaming the Earth 200 years after his creation where he must summon up his force and strength to fight-off the uprising of some frightening supernatural Creatures.

Eckhart gained wide acclaim playing Harvey Dent/Two-Face in Christopher Nolans’ The Dark Knight, gaining a Genre following and most notably in recent years is known for his work in acclaimed Rabbit Hole opposite Nicole Kidman and Thank You For Smoking, which garnered him a Golden Globe Nomination.

Up early, Eckhart and his two-vehicle Entourage were out doing a variety of Radio and Television Interviews in support of I, Frankenstein and he paid a visit to KISS 92.5‘s The Roz & Mocha Show, followed by a stop at CITY‘s Breakfast Television. Despite being rushed, Eckhart made sure all his Fans in waiting had their moment with him. And did I mention how great he looks? Effortlessly cool in a Bomber jacket, jeans and glasses!

Watch his Breakfast Television Interview with Jennifer Valentyne right here, where he reveals how he underwent six months of Kali Stick Fighting Training to prepare for his Role.  He mentions the cruel reason why one of his Girlfriends left him.  “I don’t think you can put shoes on my Son’s feet”, he was told.  I’m sure she’s kicking herself now.

We have a couple exciting I, Frankenstein initiatives here on-going:

I, Frankenstein Toronto Advance Screening Pass Giveaway courtesy of eOne Films here.

I, Frankenstein Prize Pack Giveaway (one of which includes a signed Notebook!) courtesy of eOne Films here.

eOne Films release I, Frankenstein on Friday, January 24, 2014.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Exceeding  expectations of many this weekend is Ride Along, getting a timely Martin Luther King Day weekend release from Universal Pictures, raking-in a record-setting $47.8 million for the Holiday in its debut! The Action-Comedy starring Ice Cube and Funnyman Kevin Hart brought-on the laughs from its Audience with an A CinemaScore, although Critics agreed it wasn’t as stellar with a 16% rating on the Tomatometer.

After a huge debut last weekend, Lone Survivor slips to second spot for Universal Pictures/eOne Films with $23 million from 2,989 theatres.  In just two weeks, the Film has grossed $55 million, undoubtedly boosted earlier this week by its wins at the Critics Choice Awards, including Best Action Film.

The Nut Job opens this weekend with a solid $20 million for Open Road Films/eOne Films.  Made for $45 million, the Canadian/South Korean/American Animated-Feature starring Will Arnett didn’t get much love critically, but Audiences reacted well giving it a B CinemaScore.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit opens in fourth spot with $16.5 million for Paramount Pictures, the fifth Film in the Franchise of Tom Clancy Adaptations starring Chris Pine.  Reviews have been decent for the Film, tallying-in at 61% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a B CinemaScore.

American Hustle sees a nice boost this weekend with $10 million grossed from 2,204 theatres for Sony Pictures/eOne Films – good enough for sixth spot –  undoubtedly from all its exposure last week winning three Golden Globe Awards where it won Motion Picture – Comedy.

Devil’s Due debuts in seventh spot with $8.4 million from 2,544 theatres for 20th Century Fox, the Horror Film garnering 19% on the Tomatometer and an equally unforgiving D+ CinemaScore.

Spike Jonze’s Her rounds-out the Top Ten for Warner Bros. with $4 million from 1,729 theatres in its fifth week of release.

The domination continues!  American Hustle continues to solidify itself as a major threat to its Competitors to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards in March with a win at tonight’s Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles.  The Dramedy from acclaimed Writer/Director David O. Russell won Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture. Although there is no actual Award for Best Picture at the Ceremony, with Actors recognizing exclusively the work of their Peers, the Cast of Argo last year also won the same Honour before going-on to win at the Oscars last year.  The Ensemble Cast of American Hustle includes: Jennifer Lawrence, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner.

Also getting recognized tonight in Film Categories were: Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club (Outstanding Male Actor), Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine (Outstanding Female Actor), Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years a Slave (Outstanding Supporting Female Actor) and Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club (Outstanding Supporting Male Actor).

Winning tonight in the Television Categories were: Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad (Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama), Maggie Smith for Downton Abbey (Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama), Ty Burrell for Modern Family (Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Veep (Outstanding Female Actor in a Comedy).

The Oscars air Sunday, March 2, 2014 on CBS.

In Canada, you can watch the Screen Actors Guild Awards at 8:00 PM EST on Global Television Sunday, January 19, 2014.

Photos at Zimbio.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong want to take Readers to the Toronto Advance Screening of I, FRANKENSTEIN! This is your chance before everybody else to see the Adaptation of Kevin Grevioux‘s beloved Graphic Novel!

Official Synopsis:

Two hundred years after his shocking creation, Dr. Frankenstein‘s creature, Adam (Aaron Eckhart), still walks the Earth. But when he finds himself in a modern day world in the middle of a war over the fate of humanity, Adam discovers he holds the key that could destroy humankind.

As a host of frightening supernatural creatures are looking to rise up and take over, Adam uses his unhuman strength to fight against them.

I, Frankenstein stars Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Socratis Otto, Jai Courtney and Kevin Grevioux.

Trailer below:

Official Artwork:

The Screening takes place Thursday, January 23, 2014 at Scotiabank Theatre, 7:00 PM in Toronto.

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Under this Post, tell me, if you could have one unhuman strength, what would it be?

Those who Re-Tweet the below can double their chances of winning:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/ifrankenstein2 @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to the #Toronto Advance Screening of #IFRANKENSTEIN. In theatres 1/24!

Good luck.

eOne Films release I, FRANKENSTEIN on Friday, January 24, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)