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)

Stunning.  Just absolutely stunning!  Jenna Talackova made headlines around the World in 2012 fighting for her right to compete in the Miss Universe Canada Pagaent.  Donald Trump tried to stop her on the grounds of not being a “naturally-born Woman”, but she took got the Lawyer involved and made it happen, before advancing to the Competition’s Top 12 and winning Miss Congeniality.

Vancouver-born Talackova completed her Gender-Reassignment Surgery in 2010 and has not looked back ever since, now set to star in E! Reality Series Brave New Girls, which documents her journey from the West Coast to Toronto as she embarks on a Modelling Career.

The eight-episode Series documents the Beauty’s Adventures with her Family and Friends and even touches upon her dating life and the challenges she faces when she reveals to Suitors that she was born male.  Is it that big an issue though?  “It’s not really that big a deal”, she reveals to the Hosts of CTV‘s The Social earlier this week. “It’s more just me – I’m picky.”.

Out and about promoting her new Series, Talackova stopped-off at Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition).  Actually a lot taller than I’d imagined, she and her Entourage were so kind to stop to take a Photo. The Model was super-sweet, telling me she loved me back, commenting how cute Billy is!  They were then seen walking over for Coffee at Crema on Bloor Street, where I’m sure many heads were turned!  Calm down, Boys!

Brave New Girls premieres on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at 10:00 PM EST on E!.

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/E!)

He’s back! Is it safe to say that Robert Pattinson by now call Toronto a second home, filming his third Movie here in just three years?  I mean, he’s practically Canadian now!

LIFE is set to begin production in Toronto on February 18, 2014, wrapping about one month later. The Film from Control Director Anton Corbijn centers on a Photograph for LIFE Magazine, Dennis Stock, assigned to shoot James Dean. The two went-on to become great Friends.

Starring in the role of Stock will be Pattinson, while Up-and-Comer Dane DeHaan – just in Toronto at TIFF ’13 for Kill Your Darlings –  has been cast as Dean. Stock shot the iconic Photos of Dean which went on to become synonymous with the Star’s iconic brand of coolness.

News of the $15-million Production broke last September via The Hollywood Reporter, but within the blink of an eye, the time soon is before us. Also beginning production simultaneously next month is Guillermo del Toro‘s Crimson Peak, as announced previously. More details here.

  Give yourself a Patt on the back, Toronto!  We’ve waited long for some real Starpower in this City!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

And the Countdown officially begins!  The Nominees for the 86th annual Academy Awards were unveiled this morning at Samuel Goldwyn Theatre with expecting-Father Chris Hemsworth and Academy President Cheryl Isaac Boone on-hand to make the announcements.  Leading the way each with ten nominations are Gravity and  American Hustle. 12 Years a Slave certainly wasn’t far behind with nine nominations.  American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave are seen as being in close contention after each winning a Golden Globe Award this past weekend for Best Motion Picture Comedy and Drama respectively.

There was little dispute that this year’s Nominees for Best Picture this year aren’t a deserving bunch, that eclectic List including: 12 Years a Slave,  American Hustle, Her, Dallas Buyers Club, Philomena, The Wolf of Wall Street, Captain Phillips, Nebraska and Gravity.  Some are surprised the highly-buzzed Inside Llewyn Davis and Saving Mr. Banks lacked recognition from the Academy.  Canada received a Nod with Director Jean-Marc Vallée responsible for Dallas Buyers Club.

Even more heated a battle is the Category of Actor in a Leading Role, where again there are no major surprises, but the question now exactly is who will be victorious.  Up for the Oscar are: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club), Bruce Dern (Nebraska) and Christian Bale (American Hustle).

Actress in a Leading Role also again presents few surprises, although Fans of the well-receieved Saving Mr. Banks might make a case that its Star Emma Thompson was snubbed.  Nominated this year are: Amy Adams (American Hustle), Judi Dench (Philomena), Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine), Sandra Bullock (Gravity) and Meryl Streep (August: Osage County).  Indeed a tough  Category with the exception of Adams is filled by previous Winners, with Blanchett regarded as a Favourite to take it all despite her Film being released far in advance of Awards Season.

For Actor in a Supporting Role, we see repeat Nominees Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street), Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)  up against a trio of first-time Nominees in Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave), Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) and definitive Choice Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club).

The Actress in a Supporting Role Category also is an immensely-talented Group including a Newcomer in Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), in addition to Screen Veteran June Squibb (Nebraska) and previous Golden Globe Winner  Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) being recognized. Previous Winners Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) and Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) add mega-watt Starpower to the Race.  Much controversy came of Nyong’o‘s loss to Lawrence in the same Category at last weekend’s Golden Globes and this outcome will be highly-watched by Award Pundits and Fans.

Up for Directing this year are first-time Nominee Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), two-time Nominee Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity), three-time Alexander Payne (Nebraska), five-time Nominee David O. Russell (American Hustle) and eight-time Nominee/one-time Winner Martin Scorcese (The Wolf of Wall Street).

Watch the Nominations below courtesy of The Telegraph:

Click here to view a complete List of Nominees.

CBS airs the 86th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 7:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit:  The Telegraph)

Mr. Will Wong and Paramount Pictures want to take you to an Advance Screening to see Jason Reitman‘s LABOR DAY starring Academy Award Nominee Josh Brolin and Academy Award Winner Kate Winslet!  After stirring audiences at TIFF ’13, this Romantic-Thriller soon will be discovered by Movie Lovers and you could be among the first to see it!

Screenings take place:

Toronto
January 29, 2014 @ 7:30pm
Scotiabank Theatre

Ottawa
January 29, 2014 @ 7:30pm
Cineplex Silver City Gloucester

Montreal – English
January 29, 2014 @ 7:30pm
Scotiabank Theatre

Official Synopsis:

“Labor Day” centers on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his reclusive mother Adele while confronting all the pangs of adolescence. On a back-to-school shopping trip, Henry and his mother encounter Frank Chambers, a man both intimidating and clearly in need of help, who convinces them to take him into their home and later is revealed to be an escaped convict. The events of this long Labor Day weekend will shape them for the rest of their lives.

Watch the fantastic Trailer:

Official Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Also state your City and  tell me  about your most memorable Labor Day! Double your chances byRe-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/laborday @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to the Advance Screening of #LABORDAY starring #KATEWINSLET & #JOSHBROLIN! In theatres 1/31!

See some Snaps of Winslet and Brolin in Toronto at TIFF  ’13 here.

Paramount Pictures release LABOR DAY on January 31, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)