After a massively successful run at the Box Office, grossing over a billion dollars worldwide, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey brings to the Big Screen R.R. Tolkien’s epic Adventure, following the journey of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is swept into an amazing quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome Dragon Smaug. Approached out-of-the-blue by the Wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen Dwarves led by the legendary Warrior, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage). Their Journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers.

From Academy Award®-winning Filmmaker Peter Jackson, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, is the first of a Trilogy of Films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

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

http://mrwillwong.com/hobbitgiveaway @MRWILLW wants me to #win a #THEHOBBIT Blu-ray Combo Pack. In-stores 3/19/13! #Giveaway

All are welcome to enter and your deadline is Thursday, March 21, 2013.

Let’s celebrate the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey by checking-out this super-fun Application below which includes an Are You 100% Hobbit? Quiz, a Handbook and Stats!:

See the official Artwork below:

 Watch the Trailer here.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits stores tomorrow via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment in both Standard and Blu-ray/DVD/UltraViolet Combo Pack.  Order it here!

(Photo credit: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)

In celebration of the most recognizable Irish Patron Saint, here’s a tribute to the some of our most beloved Celebrities who proudly declare their Irish Heritage.  You’d be surprised how many have roots which trace back to The Emerald Isle, if not fully at least partially!

See below who’s Irish!:

And it’s Oz again!  Disney‘s Oz The Great and Powerful continues to crush the competition at the Box Office, this weekend earning $42.2 million, making it two weeks on-top.  To date, the Prequel to The Wizard of Oz has grossed $145.3 million domestically, taking only six days to surpass the magical $100 million mark.

Debuting at number two is Sony Pictures’ The Call starring Abigail Breslin and Halle Berry, earning $17.1 million from  2,507 theatres.  The Thriller, made for a paltry $13 million, already earns back its budget and favoured rather well with audiences, making the grade with a B+ over at CinemaScore. Critics however weren’t as nice, giving it 42% over at Rotten Tomatoes.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone had the all-star Cast including Steve Carrell, Jim Carrey, Olivia Wilde and Steve Buscemi, but unfortunately debuts below expectations with $10.3 million from 3,160 theatres. The Comedy, a second film in the Top Ten about Magic, earned 39% according to Critics on the Tomatometer and Audiences didn’t love it either unfortunately with a C+ CinemaScore.

Former number one Flick Jack The Giant Slayer slips to fourth spot this weekend with $6.2 million in its third week, now having grossed $54 million in North America alone.  The resilient Identity Thief follows closely behind in fifth with $4.6 million.

Safe Haven amazingly still hangs onto the Top Ten in its fifth week sitting in ninth with $2.4 million, showing a void in Films catered to Female Audiences in recent weeks, while Canadian-produced Escape from Planet Earth rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.2 million.

Bubbling under, Harmony Korine‘s star-studded Spring Breakers opens rather well in limited release with  $270,000 from three theatres.  The Crime-Dramedy which premiered at TIFF last September, stars James Franco, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson and Vanessa Hudgens.

After having thrived in Vancouver since 2003, Lea & Justin Ault have made their mark with their Hapa Izakaya.  The  equal-parts Pub and Couture Japanese Cuisine Eatery has the distinction of being voted among the five best of its kind in North America by Bon Appétit Magazine.  Toronto now is lucky enough to have its own Location, timed perfectly with the Izakaya Craze taking over the City of late, including the likes of Mainstay Guu and the superb recent addition, Kingyo.

Hapa sets itself aside from the Competition locally in that it has more Tapas and Fusion-based leanings than others.  Exotic and decadent offerings like Halibut Tacos, Lobster Motoyaki (Lobster and King Oyster Chunks baked in a shell), Salmon Yukke (Salmon Tartare served with Seaweed Tempura Crisps), Crab Cream Croquettes, Foie Gras Sushi and Fried Oysters & Truffle Chips. All were exquisite and not a crumb was wasted.  About six platters for two individuals is about enough.

Cocktails also were fantastic.  The Wasabi Caesar tantalized and excited the taste buds, and Raspberry-flavoured Hello Kitty was refreshing, coming highly-recommended by Staff.  Pricing and size is reasonable, dishes (each shareable up to four) averaging approximately $8-$12, same for Cocktails.

See more Photos below:

Offerings change daily and it’s best perhaps to check in advance prior to visiting.  Click here for more.

Hapa Izakaya is located in Toronto’s Little Italy at 602 College Street  (at Clinton Street).

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

This looks absolutely hilarious! Shot in Toronto, this brand new Red Band Trailer for Kick-Ass 2 has just surfaced! We were among the first to spot casting addition Jim Carrey (Colonel Stars and Stripes) filming in Toronto and here we can finally see him in all his sadistic glory!  See Hit-Girl (Chloë Moretz) really kick some ass!

Watch the Trailer below:

Universal Pictures releases Kick-Ass 2 in Canada on August 16, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)

Irish-born and UK-based Pop Duo Jedward need little introduction to the Pop Music-savvy, but they are about to enter the Canadian consciousness. Even the election of a new Pope wasn’t enough to steal their Social Media spotlight with their trending on Twitter in Canada earlier today as the most popular topic.

The 21-year-old identical Twins who got their big break on The X Factor (UK) before getting signed, are in Toronto the entire week. They treated Fans who were devoted enough to trek to Scarborough’s CTV Studios bright and early this morning for a live interview and two-song performance on Canada AM. Jedward, John (normally on the left) and Edward (normally on the right) drew Fans from as far away as Atlanta, expressing their love for our Country – this their second time in Toronto this year.

Being Irish, Jedward told Canada AM‘s Beverly Thompson and Jeff Hutcheson that they plan to spend St. Patrick’s Day in our City, celebrating by listening to a bit of Irish Music and dining on some Irish fare. They even joked that they have a Canadian Girlfriend named Phoebe – that of course being Phoebe Dykstra of MuchMusic, Host of New.Music.Live, who has been showing the Boys around town along with Co-Host Lauren Toyota.  They even Tweeted that they may attend a Toronto Maple Leafs Game this Saturday!

Jedward wowed Fans with a costume changing, one-handed Somersault, Mic Stand-shattering performances of their Hits Waterline, followed by Happens in the Dark. Watch a Clip of their Interview and Performances below:

Truly Jenergetic and outright Jepic!

The Boys were super-gracious to stay behind and meet everyone in the Audience, generously snapping Photos and signing Autographs.  I got my moment with Jedward and they of course were super fun.  John told me I was super-coordinated and noticed me in the Audience! I assured him his Autograph definitely won’t wind-up on eBay and in fact, I would love for one Reader to win it!

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

http://www.mrwillwong.com/jedward @MRWILLW met @PlanetJedward and now he’s giving away a Signed Photo! #win #jedward

All are welcome to enter. Good luck!

See more Snaps below:

Jedward‘s Disc Young Love is now available on iTunes Canada. Get it.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Audio content: Universal Music)

It’s honestly luck! This morning while visiting CTV Studios in Scarborough in the lobby, I ran into none other than UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Hall of Famer, Tito Ortiz!  He was amazingly nice and navigated my Camera to snap this Selfie better than I ever could have!

Ortiz just landed in Toronto and will be here through Saturday for a series of appearances across the Greater Toronto Area and you too can meet him. The Mixed Martial Arts Icon will be signing Autographs and there also will be Photo Ops for Fans all he way from Whitby to St. Catharines! His stay will be capped-off by an appearance at Muzik Night Club Saturday night.

See our Snap below:

For more information, look below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Inner Circle Agency/Punishment Athletics)

I am pretty much obsessing! Although Australia and parts of Europe already are familiar with Jessica Mauboy, we too soon will get to know former Australian Idol Runner-Up and top-selling Artist Jessica Mauboy.  I cannot stop listening to the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to The Sapphires, the Musical Dramedy which premiered at TIFF here last September and soon will be due for a release across North America.

The Soundtrack includes stellar Covers of Motown Hits like I Can’t Help Myself, What a Man,  Who’s Loving You, I Heard it Through the Grapevine and Soul Man, featuring the fantastic Vocals of the Cast which also includes Funnyman Chris O’Dowd.  Mauboy who stars in the Film as Julie, provides Lead Vocals on a majority of the Tracks and I am just so absolutely in love with that voice.

The Sapphires is based upon the true Story of four Aboriginal-Australian Girls who learn about life, love and war when they venture off to Saigon, entertaining American troops amidst the Vietnam War.

Check-out Mauboy‘s stunning delivery of I Can’t Help Myself below:

 

“Our love was made to rule the World/You came and broke the perfect Girl.”. BIEBER!

It is no mystery that I love Selena Gomez like a Love Song. I am totally loving this new Track which has just surfaced, called Rule the World. The beauty of a Break-up is that good Music often is born from it. This definitely shows maturity and growth from her last Disc as Selena Gomez and The Scene, When the Sun Goes Down. Musically, it’s giving me major flashbacks to Kelly Rowland & David Guetta‘s When Love Takes Over. Massive.

This Track, we’re hearing, is just a Teaser and not the official first Single from what will be her first Solo Disc as only Selena Gomez. It is said that Track will surface in April, titled Come and Get It.

Check-out Rule the World in full:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

It’s been seven years since we’ve had a new Album from Justin Timberlake. Hot off his stellar job hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend, Sony Music Canada and Mr. Will Wong want to give Canadian Readers a chance to win a copy of his third studio album, The 20/20 Experience. The Disc reunites with Pop Icon with longtime Collaborators Timbaland and J-Roc Harmon and if his first two Singles Suit & Tie (ft. Jay-Z) and Mirrors are any indication of how great it is, this Album really can’t come soon enough!

Tracklisting below:

Pusher Love Girl
Suit & Tie
Don’t Hold The Wall
Strawberry Bubblegum
Tunnel Vision
Spaceship Coupe
That Girl
Let The Groove Get In
Mirrors
Blue Ocean Floor
Dress On (Deluxe Only)
Body Count (Deluxe Only)

To enter to win a copy, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Double your chances by sharing this Post from Mr. Will’s Facebook Page on Facebook or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/jt2020experience @MRWILLW wants me to #win a copy of #JustinTimberlake‘s #The2020Experience. Out 3/19/13!

Sony Music Canada releases The 20/20 Experience on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Standard and Deluxe Editions. Pre-order it here!

(Photo credit: Sony Music)