Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to offer Readers a chance to win a copy of THE GATEKEEPERS on DVD! After premiering at TIFF here in the City last Fall, the Documentary went on to receive an Academy Award Nomination earlier this year for Best Documentary.

Official Synopsis:

By Director Dror Moreh, The Gatekeepers  tells the Story of the Israeli Shin Bet from the perspective of six former heads of Israel’s secretive Internal Security Service. The Film combines in-depth interviews with archival footage and computer animation to recount the role that the group played in Israel’s security from the Six-Day War to the present.

Watch the Trailer below:

To enter to win a copy of THE GATEKEEPERS, simply click “Like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Double your chances by sharing this Post on Facebook or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/thegatekeepers @MRWILLW wants us to #win a copy of #OSCAR-nominated Documentary #THEGATEKEEPERS on DVD! In stores 7/9!

Good luck. Canadian Readers only, please. Your deadline is Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

THE GATEKEEPERS is in stores Tuesday, July 9, 2013. Pre-order it here.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada)

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to offer Readers a chance to win a copy of NO on DVD! After premiering at TIFF here in the City last Fall, the Film starring Gael García Bernal (Rudi Y Cursi, The Motorcycle Diaries) went on to receive an Academy Award Nomination earlier this year for Best Foreign Language Film.

Official Synopsis:

In 1988, Chilean military Dictator Augusto Pinochet, due to international pressure, is forced to call a plebiscite on his presidency. The country will vote “YES” or “NO” to Pinochet extending his rule for another eight years. Opposition leaders for the “NO” persuade a brash young advertising executive, Rene Saavedra (Gael García Bernal), to spearhead their campaign. Against all odds, with scant resources and under scrutiny by the despot’s minions, Saavedra and his team devise an audacious plan to win the election and set Chile free from oppression.

Watch the Trailer below:

To enter to win a copy of NO, simply click “Like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Double your chances by sharing this Post on Facebook or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/no @MRWILLW wants us to #win a copy of #NO starring #GAELGARCIABERNAL on DVD! In stores 6/25!

Good luck. Canadian Readers only, please.  Your deadline is Wednesday, June 26, 2013.

We had the pleasure of meeting Bernal in Toronto last fall. See our Snap:

NO is in stores Tuesday, June 25, 2013.  Pre-order it here.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada)

Headlining his first ever Tour, Glee Star Darren Criss hits Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Hall Tonight. The Listen Up Tour features a combination of songs performed on that Series, plus original Music – old and new – as he preps the release of his long-awaited full-length Solo Disc.

The friendly and personable Criss, whom we’ve had the pleasure of meeting on a few occasions in the past (the last time exactly a year ago), made two appearances early this morning including a visit to KISS 92.5 where a large crowd of Fans awaited, followed by a visit to Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), on the same Canadian Network which airs his hit Series.

Spotting me right away, he asks me “Nice seeing you again!  Are you still getting those amazing Photos?”.  I don’t believe he remembers!  Aww!  Some even traveled from as far as New York to see their Idol and he was super-thoughtful taking his time to chat with each and every Fan.

See Criss greet his ardent Fans below:

Watch Criss’ Interview below on The Morning Show:

Criss’ Listen Up Tour wraps June 30, 2013 in Maryland.

 “You and me are through/Watch me hit it Solo/I’ma do it Acapella”.

Basically, any song with an Olive Garden Shout-out is a Winner in my books and one of my fave Duos of all time, Karmin are back and at it with a fierce new completely Track titled Acapella, which – you guessed it – was recorded completely Acapella.  You won’t believe your ears that they accomplished this Track without any Instruments.  Frontwoman Amy Heidemann is the most charismatic and I absolutely adore everything she brings here.  Cannot wait for their forthcoming Disc, due sometime this Fall via Sony Music Canada!

Listen to the Track below:

We had the pleasure of meeting Karmin in Toronto last Summer and they are just the nicest! Can’t wait till they return!! Read about our experiece last Summer here.

D.I.A. = Do It Acapella! Catchy!

And can we talk about Heidemann‘s newly-Blonde Hair just for a moment?  Love.

Official Artwork:

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music Canada)

It’s about time!  Cher finally is ready to launch her Comeback and she’s ready to do so with a live performance of her latest Single Woman’s World live on the Season Four Finale of NBC‘s The Voice. Although we heard the Single last November (listen here), it is officially getting a release next Tuesday, June 18, 2013.

Despite originally planning to release her 24th Studio Disc sooner, Cher recently announced that Warner Bros. had reschedule its release for September 24, 2013. P!nk, Lady Gaga, Jason Derülo, Timbaland and more are said to have contributed Tracks on the Disc.

Check-out the stunning Official Artwork for Woman’s World below:

The Season Finale of The Voice airs on NBC (CTV in Canada) at 9:00 PM on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.

(Photo credit: Warner Music)

Traditionally one of my favourite Race Days of the year, Woodbine Oaks Day showcases Canada’s finest three-year-old Fillies.  The $500k Race this year pit together two of the Country’s best in years, Spring in the Air and Nipissing, both Division Leaders as two-year-old Fillies in 2012 – the former recently being crowned last year’s Champion at the Sovereign Awards.  Ultimately though, it would be second choice Nipissing who was victorious, winning by 3/4 of a length over Spring in the Air, the post-time Favourite.  The Winner won in a timely 1:50.3 for the nine-furlong Fixture, paying $7.10 to win on a $2 investment.  Watch the Race here.

Nipissing’s Story however truly is one of legacy and love.  She is a homebred Filly who races for Chiefswood Stables, trained by Rachel Halden and ridden by her Partner Steven Bahen.  The Filly’s Father Niigon, in 2004 won the Queen’s Plate and there is much buzz surrounding her possibly making an appearance against the Boys in the 154th running of that $1-million Race at Woodbine Racetrack next month.

See her in the Winner’s Circle below:

Not to steal the Ladies’ spotlight, the Plate Trial also was run  earlier in the day at Woodbine, with highly-regarded Dynamic Sky winning by a tight nose under the guidance of red-hot Joel Rosario, edging-out the lightly-experienced His Race to Win.  Winning in a time of 1:50.5, the Colt was just a click slower than eventual Woodbine Oaks Winner, Nipissing.  He rewarded his Supporters with $8.60 to a $2 bet as the second choice.  Watch the Race here.

Although falling-off the ultra-tough Kentucky Derby Trail earlier in the year for Tycoon Owner John C. Oxley, Dynamic Sky appears to be peaking again right in time for the Queen’s Plate.   He certainly won’t have it easy though as Plate Trial Runner-up His Race to Win is in fighting form and we mustn’t forget that one’s Sam-Son Farms Stablemate, Up With the Birds, who also looks ultra-sharp after a decisive five-length win in May 26th’s Marine Stakes at Woodbine.  Watch that Race here.

In all, this is shaping-up to be the most competitive Queen’s Plate in years with the Male and Female Divisions well-represented in talent. Bettors will have their work cut-out for them in terms of sifting through the quality selection.

Earlier in the day, legendary Mickey Walls made a rare appearance to accept the Avelino Gomez Award, honouring Canadian Jockeys who have made significant contributions to the Sport of Thoroughbred Horse Racing.  The 39-year-old Toronto Resident  retired officially in 2003, but at the age of 17 went on to be crowned North America’s most Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in winning an Eclipse Award.   Overcome with emotion, Walls held back his tears as several of his Peers and a new generation of Talent (including Model/Actress/Jockey Chantal Sutherland who recently came out of retirement), stood by his side as he accepted the Award on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

Racing Fans got a huge treat earlier in the day as Rosario made his way north of the Border after a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes in New York yesterday aboard the outstanding Orb, who won this year’s Kentucky Derby.  In addition to a win in the Plate Trial aboard Dynamic Sky and a runner-up finish aboard Spring in the Air in the Woodbine Oaks, Rosario graciously spent time with Fans signing Autographs and taking Photos earlier.  He came ever-prepared with array of Sharpies, giving Fans a choice of colour as he placed his coveted Signature upon 8×10s of his recent Derby Victory.

We’ll definitely be at the Queen’s Plate on Sunday July 7, 2013 and look forward to it eagerly!

  Mark your Calendars and reserve your seats today right here.  Learn all about the Hats & Horseshoes Party also right here which everyone’s invited to!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

A huge surprise at the Box Office this weekend as the R-rated Home Invasion-Horror with a tiny budget trumps all!  The Purge from Universal Pictures grosses a shocking $36.3 million in its debut, exceeding all expectations.  More impressively, it is showing only in 2,536 theatres. Critics gave it 41% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes, while Audiences gave it a C CinemaScore. Starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey, the Film  is one of two Films in currently in theatres for Hawke as Romantic-Drama, Before Midnight,  reuniting him a third time with Richard Linklater and Julie Delpy, lands in fifteenth spot also with $585k from only 50 theatres.

Box Office Monster Fast and the Furious 6 continues to perform well in second for Universal Pictures, earning $19.7 million in this its third week, just ahead of Now You See Me in third with $19.5 million, in its second week exceeding expectations.

Reuniting Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, The Internship debuts in fourth spot with $18.1 million for 20th Century Fox. Critics didn’t love the Google-inspired Comedy, earning 41% on the Tomatometer, while earning  a much better B+ CinemaScore.

Animated Feature, Epic, in its third week earns $12.1 million for 20th Century Fox, the only Family-oriented Film in the Top Ten.

Meanwhile, Will & Jaden Smith‘s After Earth finds itself in seventh spot with $11.2 million and The Hangover Part III slips to eighth spot with $7.3 million for Warner Bros.  The Great Gatsby rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.2 million in its fifth week, now grossing over $136 million in North America.

After making a splash at TIFF 2012, Director/Writer Noah Baumbach‘s latest effort, FRANCES HA hits theatres at long last. Now Mongrel Media and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Toronto and Vancouver Readers a chance to see this delightful Comedy/Drama!

Official Synopsis:

Best Friends since their Vassar days, Frances (Gerwig) and Sophie (Mickey Sumner, Sting’s daughter) live together in a Brooklyn apartment. Whether discussing Boyfriends or just hanging out, the Women are so comfortable with each other, Frances jokes “we are like a Lesbian Couple that doesn’t have sex anymore.” But Frances’s world is toppled when Sophie decides to move with a Friend to Tribeca.

Baumbach likens Frances to Charlie Brown without the “good grief.”

She can’t afford the $3.00 charge on an ATM Machine, let alone an apartment in Tribeca. She’s an Apprentice with a Dance Company that may never hire her. She’s still considers Sophie her Best Friend, but they aren’t really speaking anymore. She’s still living in New York, but she doesn’t have a place of her own. While others move on with their lives, Frances bounces from apartment to apartment, maybe crashing with a friend or often making rash decisions, like taking a weekend trip to Paris.

The cast includes Grace Gummer (Meryl Streep’s Daughter) and Adam Driver (TV Hit Girls) with Cameos by Josh Hamilton (Star of Baumbach’s Kicking and Screaming) and Gerwig’s parents (who play Frances’s Parents).

The Advance Screening takes place at Fifth Avenue Cinemas (Vancouver) and Varsity Cinemas (Toronto) next Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before Wednesday, June 13, 2013. Share on Facebook or Re-Tweet the info below and double your chances.  Good luck!

http://www.mrwillwong.com/francesha @MRWILLW wants us to attend an Advance Screening of #FRANCESHA in #Toronto and #Vancouver! #win

Mongrel Media releases FRANCES HA on Friday, June 21, 2013 in Toronto and Vancouver, followed by Montreal on Wednesday, June 28, 2013.

I had the pleasure of seeing FRANCES HA last Fall at TIFF and loved it!  Read my Review here.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

One thing I’ve learned in life is that you can never underestimate Selena Gomez. She is an absolute Pop Star and legitimately has transitioned from Disney Star to an actual Pop Princess. Amidst all the bustle in Toronto last week with the Upfronts I didn’t get a chance to listen to her brand new Track Slow Down, the second Single from upcoming Disc Stars Dance.

Written by Lindy Robbins, Julia Michaels, Niles Hollowell-Dhar, David Kuncio, Freddy Wexler and produced by The Cataracs (Dev,  Icona Pop), the Track is phenomenal. If you ask me, I like it even more than current Single Come & Get It which already is perhaps her biggest hit yet reaching the Top Ten in both Canada and the U.S.. I really cannot wait to hear more!

Listen below:

Complete Tracklisting on Stars Dance:

1. Birthday
2. Slow Down
3. Stars Dance
4. Like A Champion
5. Come & Get It
6. Forget Forever
7. Save The Day
8. B.E.AT.
9. Write Your Name
10. Undercover
11. Love Will Remember

Universal Music releases Stars Dance on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, the same day as labelmate Mariah Carey. I know HMV at 10:00 AM sharp is where I’ll definitely be that day!

Pre-Order now on iTunes.

Official Artwork:

Billy and I had the pleasure of meetingGomez again in Toronto a couple weeks back. Super-exiting. Read more about that here!

(Photo credit: Universal Music)

In-town for their much-hyped The Package Tour, Popular former-Boy Band 98° are in Toronto right now and promoting their latest Disc, 2.0 along with the Testosterone-packed Show in which they share the spotlight with the likes of NKOTB (New Kids on the Block) and Boyz II Men.  The Band hits Air Canada Centre tonight, returning once again on Sunday, July 28, 2013.

Members Drew Lachey  and Jeff Timmons visited CP24 Breakfast, while Frontman Nick Lachey and Justin Jeffre were assigned to Global Television‘s The Morning Show (Toronto Edition) earlier today and I was lucky to get a Snap with the latter two, who were more than nice despite being in a rush.  Click on each link to watch their Interviews.

Released on Entertainment One, the Disc includes current Single Microphone, their first in over eleven years.