Hot off the success of their Original Series House of Cards, Netflix is placing its hopes in Prison-set Series, Orange is the New Black, based on the Memoir of the same name by Piper Kerman. Starring Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman, a Brooklynite who is sent to jail for possession of a suitcase filled with drug money for her Ex-Girlfriend/international Drug Smuggler, Alex Vause (Laura Prepon). Piper must endure her 15-month sentence, dealing with a mix of personalities at the minimum-security Facility, taken away from her comfortable life and beloved Fiancé, Larry (Jason Biggs).

In Toronto today (at one of the City’s poshest Hotels) to promote Orange is the New Black were Kerman, Biggs, Prepon and Newcomer Danielle Brooks who plays the outrageous Inmate Taystee, while Schilling unfortunately fell ill, unable to be present physically for this round of Press.

PIPER KERMAN

A lovely and well-spoken Kerman addresses a room of Journalists first and if any Onlooker were to guess who in the room had served time in Prison, she likely would be last on the list. She gives us a jaw-dropping statistic, “In the U.S., Women are the fastest growing percentage of those in Prison over past 20 years; their number has grown 800%. More and more, that Person wearing that orange jumpsuit is a Woman.”

I ask her to take us back in time to 1998 when she was indicted.  We learned that it took six grueling years before finally she entered Prison in 2004. “I always knew I was going to jail. There was no doubt about it”, she recalls. “Much of the first year, I spent lying on my back thinking I’d ruined my life. After a certain point you just pick-up your head and decide it’s just best to get on with it. When finally I had to serve time, I was ready to get this over with.”.

Does Series Creator Jenji Kohan (Weeds) however, succeed at transforming her powerful Story to Television, we wonder? “Even though Piper Chapman‘s Storylines aren’t the same as my own, I think a lot of the conflict still is depicted on the Show and that is realistic.”. Make no mistake, this Series is more than just a Dramedy – it is an observation of the injustices within the U.S. Justice System.  “Different Americans are treated very differently by the Criminal Justice System”.  She adds, “Life in Prison is very intentionally hidden. I thought by telling my own Story, people would walk way with a very different sense of what goes on in Prison. The Show however, absolutely does that. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”.

LAURA PREPON

The vivacious Laura Prepon has become a household name for her work on massively popular Sitcom, That ’70s Show, as Donna Pinciotti.  After a brief stint starring on NBC‘s Are You There, Chelsea?, the Actress actually was in Germany when she received her 14 hours notice that she landed her Role in Orange is the New Black and that she was soon to begin filming in New York.  Almost completely unrecognizable as what  she calls a “manipulative, international drug-smuggling Lesbian”, I ask her about her dramatic transformation and how her look was achieved.

“I actually wanted to be more tatted, but Jenji had a specific thing she wanted. There was this one tattoo of a Woman on my arm and I was like, ‘Really, Jenji??’. Every time I had to put it on, it wouldn’t stick and it’s because she (the Woman in the tattoo) knows we hated her!”, she kids. “The Rockabilly look took a while to figure out, but once we did, we were good”. But how does one stand out and define themselves among an immensely-talented Cast all wearing that same thing? “I rolled-up my sleeves, had my black eyeliner which Alex got through the bartering system and my glasses”, Prepon divulges about her customized look.

Torontonians certainly haven’t forgotten about Prepon‘s portrayal of Serial Killer Karla Homolka in 2006’s Karla. Once again playing a Criminal in this new Series, she distinguishes between the two. “Karla was an evil Individual and so was her Husband. Alex on the other hand is a good person. She’s wily, smart and does what she does to survive. She runs an international Drug Ring, but she’s good at what she does”, she explains. “I never want to get complacent in a role. I always want to push myself as an Actress. I’m  proud of my work in Karla.“.

Although she long has been against the idea of Nudity, she always told herself she’d make an exception if it were done as tastefully as in  Stephen Frears’ Dangerous Liaisons. Opportunity came knocking in last year’s Comedy, Lay the Favourite, helmed by that one and she agreed for the first time ever to appear nude on-screen.  Once again in Orange is the New Black, she learned that disrobing would be required telling us, “Jenji and I had a conversation and she assured me it wouldn’t be gratuitous. It actually would  have looked weird if I were hiding. So as long as it’s not gratuitous, I’m okay with it.”.

DANIELLE BROOKS

Danielle Brooks might be a Newcomer, but she has been hard at work honing her talents as a Graduate of The Juilliard School.  And if her recently being cast in the third season of HBO‘s Girls is any indication, the disarming young Actress is onto something huge. On her experience working with this brilliant Ensemble she says, “A lot of the time we didn’t stay in our Trailers, we stood around watching each other on-set learning.”. She admits to being a huge Fan of Co-Star Natasha Lyonne (like Biggs, known best for American Pie) who stars as fiery Inmate Nicky Nichols.  “Natasha is my Homegirl. She can be really chill and a ball of fire. I’ve got mad love for her and I’ve been following her Career long before this.”.

On her outrageous Character Taystee she explains, “She is a Child of the System who found comfort being in Prison. There are people whose lives outside are actually harder than being on the inside. She winds up becoming the Leader of the Black Whack and in her mind runs this place.”.

Many will be surprised that Academy Award Winner Jodie Foster and former Teen Heartthrob Andrew McCarthy each directed episodes of Orange is the New Black in its first Season. On that experience, Brooks admits  “They know the lingo which Actors like. They’ve been been doing it for years and have an eye for the Craft. Jodie was quiet and soft-spoken, while Andrew knew exactly what he wanted and we had to do it! Michael Trim was just awesome.”.

JASON BIGGS

Perhaps the liveliest of the four Talents today, American Pie Star Biggs‘ arrival at the Junket drew the most smiles. “Hi, F*ckers!”, he greets us, before poking fun at his own Masturbation scenes in Orange is the new Black, drawing laughter from the Journalists. “Would anyone like me to demonstrate it for you?”.

His role in the Series is perhaps a bit more subdued that what we are accustomed to from him as Schilling‘s likeable Fiancé, Larry. On prepping to create a sweet and believable chemistry between him and his Co-Star, he says in a deadpan voice, “Well, we had to have sex a couple times…”.  He was joking of course, adding “Taylor is just so easy to be around and an amazing Scene Partner. She is gonna win every Award and deserves all the recognition she is getting.”.

He recalls the first scene they shot together, “It was me dropping her off at Prison, hugging her and saying goodbye. I don’t do emotional, serious stuff. I was nervous. And with anyone else I would’ve been less confident – way more nervous.”.  Biggs continues, “She couldn’t have been more supportive for me as an Actor. I only knew this Girl for two weeks and felt really sad dropping her off at this fake Prison.”.

With a Cast filled with female Criminals, there is somewhat of a gender reversal in Orange is the New Black.  “Larry’s the Good Guy, the more conservative of the two. He’s aware of her Crazy Girl past… he’s attracted to that, but realizes she’s ostensibly changed.”. On Larry‘s biggest challenge in being apart from Piper, he believes “We knew over the course of a Season, one of the things in play would be the strain on their relationship. A consequence of her being away is that obviously there’s something to play with. How much of a Rock can he be to her over this 15 month period? Introducing Alex to the mix, what does that do? He’s definitely tested.”.

And tested these complex Characters are indeed in the juicy and addictive Orange is the New Black. The complete first Season is now available on Netflix in its 13-episode entirety.

Listen to the complete Toronto Junket in full below:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Our 2013 has been made. Pop Royalty Lady Gaga confirmed last night at an intimate Dinner in New York City, dates for new Music and ventures after an extended wait prolonged by her need for Hip Surgery in February.

Gaga‘s fourth Disc ArtPop, is slated for a November 11, 2013 release and will be available for pre-order on September 1, 2013.  Accompanying the Album’s release is an App combining Music, Art, Fashion and Technology. Basically, Gaga is owning it and and we won’t even have a say about it.

The debut Single from Artpop will be released in approximately five weeks, on August 19, 2013.

Mark those calendars!

(Photo credit: Universal Music)

Founded in 2006 by Megastar Justin Timberlake and his Best Friend Trace Ayala, Fashion Label William Rast is set to debut at The Bay in Toronto and the Duo are set to ring-in the occasion with an appearance at the Queen Street location on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 4:00 PM.  The Line collaborated in late 2010 with Discount Retailer Target in the U.S. for an exclusive Collection.

The Store Tweeted earlier this evening about the Appearance and although we’re unsure if it’s an Autograph Signing or simply an appearance, Timberlake appears to have a gap in his schedule that day as he co-headlines with Jay-Z on their The Legends of Summer Tour with a Show  at Rogers Centre the following night, giving him an opportunity to promote the Line.  Furthermore, this is an ultra-rare chance for Toronto Fans to see Timberlake up-close!

More details to come…

More on William Rast here.

(Photo credit: The Hudsons Bay Co.)

Based on the Book by Jeff Delaney, Warner Bros. has just released this amazing looking Trailer for Action/Fantasy, Seventh Son.

Official Synopsis:

In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind once more. Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges), the last of the Falcon Knights, had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), many years ago. But now she has escaped and is seeking vengeance. Summoning her followers of every incarnation, Mother Malkin is preparing to unleash her terrible wrath on an unsuspecting world. Only one thing stands in her way: Master Gregory. In a deadly reunion, Gregory comes face to face with the evil he always feared would someday return. He has only until the next full moon to do what usually takes years: train his new apprentice, Tom Ward (Ben Barnes) to fight a dark magic unlike any other. Man’s only hope lies in the seventh son of a Seventh Son.

Seventh Son also stars: Kit Harington, Djimon Honsou, Jason Scott Lee, Olivia Williams, Antje Traue and more; Sergey Bodrov directs.

Watch the Trailer below:

Warner Bros. releases  Seventh Son on January 17, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

At long last, a Trailer has arrived for Saving Mr. Banks, and if this isn’t bait for an Oscar, I don’t know what is!

Chronicling Walt Disney‘s 20-year struggle to bring Author P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins to the big screen, the Disney (I know, how meta!) Drama stars Tom Hanks as the famed Animator and Emma Thompson as Travers; John Lee Hancock directs.

Saving Mr. Banks also stars: Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Annie Rose Buckley, Ruth Wilson, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffiths and Kathy Baker.

See the official Synopsis below:
When Walt Disney’s Daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite Book, P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins, he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood Machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the Adaptation.

For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls-out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman Brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.

It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing Films in Cinematic History.

See the Trailer below:

Saving Mr. Banks gets a Limited Release on December 13, 2013 and a Wide Release December 20, 2013, making this a prime choice for Families this Christmas!

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

Back in January 2012, I had the opportunity to do a bit of work on $180-million mega-opus from Director Guillermo del Toro, Pacific Rim.  I was incredibly honoured to do work days on the Production as a Background Performer. I was unemployed at the time, having lost a job I had for many years and always dreamed of being in a Movie, so, why not?  Because we had signed Confidentiality Agreements, details we weren’t permitted to be disclose any details until filming had completely fully.  After holding on this post for over 22 months, finally I can talk about my experience!

Cast in the role of an Engineer, I learned first-hand how much work can go into filming just one scene, let alone an entire Film.  Some days began as early as 5:30 AM, while ending as late as 10:30 PM.  Now if you think that’s a long day, know that some of the Crew are required to arrive even earlier and to stay later to set-up and pack-up.  Having  worked a 9 to 5 job with a cushy seat, I appreciate just how spoiled I was. A non-unionized Background Performer makes a v. minimal amount of money and endures gruelingly long days.

The futuristic Sci-Fi/Action Flick, taking-up a majority of the eight stages at Toronto’s Pinewood Studios, pits Humans and Robots up against Apocalyptic Monsters, rising from beneath the Pacific Ocean.  A majority of the Film appears is shot against a Green Screen and is F/X-heavy. Set Design is fascinating and intricate – “mechanical” and “martial” are words I would choose to describe it all.   Much of the Film is set on a Compound off the Pacific Ocean shores, with hoards of Labourers working at a feverish pace to build Robots, which ultimately will be piloted by Soldiers to fight-off the destructive Enemies.  Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba) leads the Charge, declaring a War to cancel the Apocalypse.  Working under him in the fight are Right-hand Man Herc Hansen (Max Martini), Australians Raleigh Antrobus (Charlie Hunnam), Yancy Antrobus (Robert Kazinsky) and Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi).  There even is an adorable and talented English Bulldog named Max joining the fight too!

There was pleasure to be had.  With just over two weeks left before Yorkville says farewell to the Magnum Pleasure Store, I was thrilled to be invited to a  Media Preview of the Shop this morning. In attendance today was none other than amazing Celebrity Chef, Mark McEwan, Head Judge of Top Chef Canada and the Man behind two of Toronto’s finest Restaurants, ONE and North 44.  And have you visited his super-upscale McEwan Fine Foods at Shops at Don Mills?  It is Culinary Heaven.

“I wasn’t sure what I was walking into when I was told I’d be coming to the Magnum Pleasure Store“, he jokes about the Pop-Up Shop which bears the same name as a popular Prophylactic.   Although McEwan was a bit heavy-handed with the Chili Flakes the first time around – just one of 21 toppings available for customizable Ice Cream Bars – he seemed to have found his balance upon attempt number two, opting for Vanilla Ice Cream dipped in Dark Chocolate, Toffee, Chili Flakes and Sea Salt, dressed in a light White Chocolate Drizzle.  “I chose from a classic standpoint with some Italian and French flavours”, he says.

Although I spot the Scotsman, his lovely Wife Roxanne and their adorable Dog Ruthie often in Yorkville (she and Billy having exchanged greetings many a time)  it was nice having a proper chat with him today  discussing Dogs and Ice Cream.  Last time I spoke to McEwan, he was strict on not feeding Ruthie Human food, but  it appears he’s budged a bit on the matter, occasionally giving her meat as a treat.  I didn’t even go into Billy‘s all-human-grade food diet!

What’s in a Mr. Will Ice Cream Bar, you ask? I devoured my Vanilla Ice Cream Bar dipped in Dark Chocolate and coated with crushed Parisian Macarons, Dried Strawberries, Coconut and Rose Petals, with a light White Chocolate Drizzle. It was beautiful to both the eye and palate!

Actor Joe Manganiello was in Toronto just last week to launch the Shop. More on that here.  Word is, he opted for Maple and Bacon toppings on his Ice Cream Bar, paying homage to our national flavours!  Hockey Star Joffrey Lupul is expected to visit the Shop soon, as are Fashion Designers Greta Constantine.

See more Snaps:

See the handsome Reid prepare our own customized Magnum Ice Cream Bar below:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Trends may come and go, but one thing is for sure, orange is the new black! Netflix Canada and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers the chance to win an iPod Touch, a six-month Netflix Canada Membership and even more, an Orange is the New Black Prize Pack including a signed copy of the Novel by Piper Kerman, on which the Series is based. If it’s any indication just how good the Series is, a second Season of already has been green-lit. Even more, Regina Spektor has been confirmed to pen its Theme Song, out on iTunes tomorrow!

Created and Executive-Produced by Jenji Kohan (Weeds) and based on the U.S. best-selling Memoir of the same name by Piper Kerman, the Comedic-Drama starring Taylor Schilling follows engaged-Brooklynite, Piper Chapman (Schilling), whose decade-old relationship with drug-runner Alex (Laura Prepon) results in her arrest and year-long detention in a federal penitentiary. To pay her debt to society, Piper must trade her comfortable New York life with Fiancé Larry (Jason Biggs) for an orange jumpsuit and a baffling prison culture where she is forced to question everything she believes and form unexpected new alliances with a group of eccentric and outspoken inmates. The Series also stars Kate Mulgrew, Natasha Lyonne, Pablo Schreiber, Danielle Brooks, Matt McGorry, Laverne Cox and Taryn Manning.

See the Trailer below:

To enter to win all the above, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before Sunday, July 14, 2013. Double your chances by sharing this Post on Facebook with your Friends or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/orangeisthenewblack @MRWILLW wants us to #win an #OrangeisthenewBlack Prize Pack, an iPod Touch and a six-month #Netflix membership!

Canadian Readers only, please. Good luck, Wongsters!

Neflix releases Orange is the New Black Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 12:01 PAC.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Before You Exit may be a fresh new name on the Pop Scene, but the Trio have for the past seven years been honing their craft in Orlando. Consisting of Brothers Connor, Riley and Toby McDonough, they currently are on tour with Australian Heartthrob Cody Simpson, with a show at Massey Hall tonight.  Think One Direction, but even brighter vocals and equally infectious Dance/Pop/Rock.

Earlier this morning, Before You Exit made a visit to Global Television‘s The Morning Show (Toronto Edition) doing a bit of promotion.  They were awesome to stop for a quick Photo, extending a handshake and a thank for support! Watch their Interview here.

Check-out their Video for latest Single I Like That:

This Queen’s Plate weekend, I had the pleasure of Test-Driving the 2013 Acura ILX.  My Parents having driven an Acura Integra growing-up, I knew fully the caliber of Automobile to expect and I definitely couldn’t have made it through this weekend without it.

Stylish, sleek and spacious, with super-quick acceleration and response are words which best describe this fine Car.  Sophisticated  features like Keyless Ignition, one-touch Moonroof, rear-view Camera to assist in reversing and a USB Port makes this the perfect choice for City Drivers whom demand easy navigation and technology.  I love that both Driver and Passenger  have customizable temperature settings, while front and side Airbags mean optimal safety, in addition to it being equipped with a built-in Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System.  The six-speaker Sound System was superb, allowing me to enjoy MP3s from my Phone.  My most prized Passenger, Billy, comfortably as we zipped through the City, him resting cozily in his seat!

See some Snaps of the Acura ILX below:

Learn more about the Acura ILX right here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)