My World is basically exploding right now!! On tonight’s The Voice Finale, Audiences were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime treat of seeing both Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera take the stage together to perform the former’s current Single Do What U Want.

Both thought to have been feuding since 2009, with some feeling Aguilera had taken perhaps a bit too much inspiration from Gaga on Aguilera‘s then-Single, Keeps Getting Better, those rumours were laid to rest tonight as the Duo were extra-friendly not only singing together, but clinking Champagne Flutes during their performance. Gaga is noted for having apologized publicly to Aguilera for any bad blood, citing that the Genie in a Bottle Singer was a great inspiration to her growing-up. Read more here.

Watch Gaga and Aguilera together:

The Winner of the Reality Singing Competition, now in its fifth season, is 28-year-old Chinese-Jamaican Vocalist, Tessanne Chin who brought the house down with renditions of Whitney Houston‘s I Have Nothing, The Beatles’ Let it Be (with Mentor Adam Levine) and P!nk‘s Try.

This truly is why it is important of remain humble and stay out of trouble.  At the turn of the Millennium our Airwaves were dominated pretty much by Ja Rule (born Jeffrey Atkins) and those Artists signed under MURDER INC. Records (now re-branded The Inc. Records)  including their self-professed “Princess off Hip-Hop & R&B”, Ashanti.   But where has the once highly-popular Artist who dominated many of our Mix CDs made on your CD Burners, gone?  We’re tracing Ja Rule‘s fall from GRAMMYs to the gutter and potentially another rise again?

After appearing on his first Track, Jay-Z‘s 1998 Smash Can I Get A…, the Hits came endlessly for Ja Rule – Livin’ it Up (ft. Case), Put it on Me (ft. Vita and Lil’ Mo), Between Me and You (ft. Christina Milian), Always on Time (ft. Ashanti) and a Couplet with Jennifer Lopez in I’m Real and Ain’t It Funny.  Ironically, it would be a Hit thrown at  a Toronto Man in 2003 in a Club – which later was settled out of Court and made right with a $1200 fine – which would lead to a downward spiral of legal problems, in and out of prison for a litany of Offences including Tax Evasion, Possession of a Weapon and Drugs and Driving with a Suspended License.  He even famously had feuded with fellow Rapper 50 Cent and G-Unit Records, having called Eminem “Feminem“, accusing Dr. Dre of being Bisexual, having sexual relations with Transvetities. As of May 2013, Ja Rule is now a free Man.

Upon perusing the Internet today we came across this Artwork for Ja Rule‘s latest endeavour, a Christian Drama titled I’m in Love with a Church Girl, released in limited theatres in October.

Acting isn’t something new for the fallen Star whom at one point was called by Fans “The King of Hip-Hop” – he had starred in 2001’s The Fast & Furious and recognizable Titles like The Cookout alongside Queen Latifah and Assault on Precinct 13. I’m in Love with a Church Girl  would go-on to make $2.3 million at the Box Office, released a prolonged three years after it had wrapped production.  The Film has Art mirroring some real-life sh*t, playing a gun-possessing Criminal who finds himself through a Church-going Girl.

Watch the Trailer:

Does this mean Ja Rule‘s star is back on the rise? The odds are stacked against him as the Drakes, Kendrick Lamars, Eminems and Jay-Zs of the World certainly have taken-over the World of Hip-Hop, but we’ll soon how hungry the Public and Fans are for another serving of Ja–liciousness,  as he recently had re-signed back to a briefly-defunct  The Inc. Records, after a much-publicized Exit in 2009.

The Star is said to be working on a new Disc titled Renaissance Project with Murder Inc./The Inc. Founder Irv Gotti resurrecting his one-influencial Label as an Imprint under his Visionary Entertainment;  Ja Rule is the only Artist signed currently to it.  the Label’s Comeback has been branded  boldly as the F*ck Fame Movement.

As an aside, Ashanti has since started her own independent Label, Written Entertainment, distributed by eOne Music.  She and Gotti are said not to be on speaking terms after she was released amicably from The Inc. in 2009.

While we’re at it, let’s walk-down Memory Lane with Ja and Ashanti:

The Critics have spoken!  The Toronto Film Critics Association last night gathered to determine Winners of their annual Awards, one of the earlier Pre-Cursors to the thick of Awards Season.  Winning top honours this year is The Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis, set deep within New York City’s Folk Music Scene during the early ’60s.  Its Star Oscar Isaac also nabbed Best Actor  and although he was set to walk the Red Carpet at the Film’s Canadian Premiere here in Toronto last week, alas his scheduling didn’t permit the visit.  The Brothers in 2007 had won Best Picture at the Awards also with No Country for Old Men, before going-on to sweep the Academy Awards. Inside Llewyn Davis is released by Mongrel Media in Canada, in theatres Friday.

Taking Best Actress is a well-deserving Cate Blanchett for her mesmerizing performance in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine, playing a former Socialite on a downward spiral.

Warner Bros.’ Her also received warm recognition, garnering Runner-Up in the Best Picture category and ultimately winning Best Screenplay for Director/Writer Spike Jonze.  The Film opens in Toronto this weekend.

Despite being expected to be a Favourite this Awards Season, Fox Searchlight‘s 12 Years a Slave which won People’s Choice Award at TIFF ’13,  performed respectably with Runner-Up placings for Best Picture, Best Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Best Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender) and Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o).

The actual Awards Gala will be held at The Carlu in Toronto on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, where the Winner of the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award will be announced, receiving a $100k Cash Prize.

Winners as follows:

BEST PICTURE
Inside Llewyn Davis (Mongrel Media)

     Runners-up
     Her (Warner Bros.)
     12 Years a Slave (Fox Searchlight)

BEST ACTOR
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis

     Runners-up
     Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
     Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

     Runners-up
     Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
     Greta Gerwig, Frances Ha

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

     Runners-up
     Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
     James Franco, Spring Breakers

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

     Runners-up
     Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
     June Squibb, Nebraska

BEST DIRECTOR
Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity

     Runners-up
 Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis
     Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave

BEST SCREENPLAY, ADAPTED OR ORIGINAL
Spike Jonze, Her

     Runners-up
 Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
     Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Neighboring Sounds, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho

     Runners-up
Fruitvale Station, directed by Ryan Coogler
In a World …, directed by Lake Bell

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
The Wind Rises (Touchstone Pictures)

     Runners-up
     The Croods (20th Century Fox)
     Frozen (Walt Disney Pictures)

BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
A Touch of Sin (Films We Like)

     Runners-up
     Blue Is the Warmest Color (Mongrel Media)
     The Hunt (Mongrel Media)

BMO ALLAN KING DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The Act of Killing (Films We Like)

     Runners-up
     Leviathan (Films We Like)
     Tim’s Vermeer (Mongrel Media)

ROGERS BEST CANADIAN FILM AWARD FINALISTS
The Dirties (Phase 4 Films)
Gabrielle (Entertainment One)
Watermark (Mongrel Media)

(Photo credit: Mongrel Media)

It was a desolation indeed at the Box Office as The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug obliterated the Competition in its debut for Warner Bros.! Bringing-in $73.6 million from 3,903 theatres, the second instalment in The Hobbit Trilogy debuted below its Predecessor, which opened last December with $84 million. Critics respected it, giving it a decent 74% on Rotten Tomatoes‘ Tomatometer and it garnered an A- CinemaScore from Audiences.  This makes the Film the fourth-highest December opening of all time – the Record of course was set by the first in the Trilogy.

In its fourth week out, Disney’s Frozen still is  solid in second with $22.8 million, gaining lots of word-of-mouth in a time when there are few Family options in theatres. In its run, it has grossed $166 million already.

Although other Films in its Franchise have fared better, Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas debuts in third with $16 million from 2,194 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. The highest debut in the Madea Series of Films still is 2009’s Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail which opened with $41 million.  The Audience gave it an A- CinemaScore despite a 20% from Critics on the Tomatometer.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire certainly hasn’t been forgotten, in fourth spot with $14 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. To date it has earned $357  million domestically in its Run.

In a distant fifth is Thor: The Dark World with $3 million for Disney/Marvel. It is about to surpass the $200-million mark in North America in this its sixth week.

Philomena may have received a bit of a boost with Judi Dench getting a Best Actress in a Drama nod at the Golden Globe Nominations this week, in eighth spot with $1 million from only 835 theatres.

Bubbling-under are America Hustle, which opens wide next week, earning a healthy $690k from only six theatres as a Sneak Preview, and fellow Oscar Contender Saving Mr. Banks earned $421k from only 15 theatres.

It was a memorable year indeed! Join me as I recall some of 2013’s brightest moments in Celebrity, Film and Music with a Toronto twist! As a true Connoisseur of Pop Culture, I certainly was  spoiled with several delights this year on all three fronts.  Toronto  witnessed what could well be the strongest years this City ever has seen in terms of Star Power. Also, as an experienced Digital Photographer of sorts, I am sharing some of my favourite Snaps taken around the City this year too. If you’re a #NOFILTER kinda Guy or Gal, I apologize! A few of them are Horse-related, spending many of my weekends at scenic Woodbine Racetrack, my fave Place since Childhood to escape and recharge from the City.  Come Wongsters, let us walk down this luminous Memory Lane together!

TOP TEN SONGS OF 2013

2013 was solid for Pop Music  and I was thrilled to hear a return to great, strong melodies. What a year it was for Miley Cyrus who not only wowed us with We Can’t Stop, but slayed us hard with Wrecking Ball!  Coming in like a Wrecking Ball she managed to turn all eyes her way in a year which saw Albums released from some Marquee names like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and more. Lana Del Rey put us in a state of euphoria this Spring with her chilling Ballad for The Great Gatsby, Young & Beautiful.  Flawless and timeless.  Mariah Carey and Miguel provided much of the Soundtrack for my early Summer with their gorgeous Collabo #Beautiful, while Robin Thicke undisputedly had the Song of Summer 2013 with Blurred Lines.  His Album of the same name easily is my favourite Disc of 2013.

1. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
2. Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautitul
3. Mariah Carey ft. Miguel – #Beautiful
4. Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
5. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
6. Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines
7. Capital Cities – Safe and Sound
8. Katy Perry – Roar
9. Icona Pop – I Love It
10. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love

Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2013

I don’t recall a year in recent memory where the Films were quite as strong as this year.  It is as if Filmmakers have studied critiques, knew precisely what to avoid and owned it. Time after time I’d make it out to the morning Media Screenings and just when I thought I’d seen my favourite Film of 2013, another would come along and usurp the throne.  In all, AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club would leave the strongest imprint with Jared Leto touching the core of my soul with his phenomenal performance. 12 Years a Slave left me shaken and speechless and made it really tough to decide a Fave. Saving Mr. Banks truly affected and inspired me, moving me to tears and I could never forget Cate Blanchett‘s empathic portrayal of a Woman battling her own demons in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine.  And yes, I really loved Spring Breakers.  James Franco is just on another level.

1. Dallas Buyers Club
2. 12 Years a Slave
3. American Hustle
4. Blue Jasmine
5. Saving Mr. Banks
6. Gravity
7. 42
8. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
9. Enough Said
10. Spring Breakers

Watch the Trailer for Dallas Buyers Club below:

TOP CELEBRITY MOMENTS

It was a good bloody amazing year.  My experience in New York City seeing the Met Gala is unforgettable, as a revolving door of Celebrities came my direction. I didn’t even know which way to go or who to ask first for a Photo! TIFF ’13 brought me several amazing memories finally getting to meeting one of my favourite Actresses, Nicole Kidman – not to mention getting to meeting personal Heroes Seth McFarlane, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Baz Luhrmann and several more throughout the year.  My ultimate Highlight however was finally after 15 tries, getting my Lady Gaga moment in November!

As seen top to bottom, left to right in the above Collage are:

Supermodel Cara Delevingne, Shoe Visionary Christian Louboutin, Actress Mia Wasikowska, Actor Jesse Eisenberg, Actor Kit Harington, Astronaut  Chris Hadfield, Singer/Songwriter Lorde, Singer/Songwriter Robin Thicke, Television Personality/Actress Kelly Ripa, Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart.

Director Baz Luhrmann, Actress Emma Thompson, Singer/Actress Ariana Grande, Actress Léa Seydoux, Actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, Actress Toni Collette, Singer/Songwriter Lady Gaga,  Singer Kylie Minogue, Actress Nicole Kidman, Actress/Singer Selena Gomez.

Writer/Actor Mike Myers, Comedian, Writer/Actor Seth MacFarlane, Writer/Actor Seth Meyers, Writer/Actor Jim Carrey, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actress Taylor Schilling, Singer/Songwriter/Fashion Mogul Pharrell, Television Personality/Actress Rosie O’Donnell, Kentucky Derby-winning Jockey Joel Rosario, Breeders Cup Classic-winning Jockey/Actor Gary Stevens.

Spice Girl/Actress Mel B., Actor Armie Hammer, Actress Kerry Washington, Actor Sam Rockwell, Actor Nicholas Hoult, Actor Tom Hiddleston, Actor Adam Driver, Actor Josh Brolin,  Actor Daniel Radcliffe, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actor Sam Claflin, Actress Jena Malone.

TOP SNAPS

And now the ten best Photos of 2013 snapped through my lenses (Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5):

I truly am blessed and can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for us here in this sight-filled City of Tastemakers!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Fans came out in full force last night at a Special Fan Screening of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE MARKED ONES! Earlier in the year a Contest was held, allowing Fans of the wildly-popular Franchise to vote online which Cities would get a special Fan Screening of the Film in advance of its release. As expected, taste-making Toronto Fans were among the 13 chosen to be “marked”. Cineplex Yonge & Dundas was set as the Venue for the night of terror and well before the Screening had begun, Fans had filled the entire main floor of the Theatre hoping to get-in, but only the lucky would be  #TheMarkedOnes!

Longtime Reader and Veteran Screener Glenn Hicks was one of  #TheMarkedOnes and he predicts, “Fans of the Paranormal Activity Movies will enjoy this Film & not be disappointed. Full of tension, jump scares and screams!”. Glenn also was amazingly-kind to snap some awesome Photos of the “Activities”, seen above.

In addition to getting rewarded with official T-Shirts for the Film, Fans too had the chance to win some super-creepy Prize Packs. The Audience were shown no mercy as a ghoulish-looking Monk roamed his way through the Theatre getting up-close and personal with them. Local Radio Personality Kella of 99.9 VIRGIN RADIO hosted the Night, which saw the Audience listening in horror as familiar Faces like an out-of-costume Toronto Batman revealed their own Paranomal Experiences before the commencement of the scream-filled Screening.

Mr. Will Readers and Facebook Fans certainly soon will have a chance to attend an upcoming Advance Screening PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE MARKED ONES, but if you haven’t had a chance to familiarize yourself with what to expect – now’s your chance!  You’ve been warned.

Watch the terrifying Trailer:

Official Artwork:

More Photos:

“For those of us climbing at the top of the Food Chain there can be no mercy. And the butchery begins.”.

Hot on the heels of its four Golden Globe nominations yesterday, Netflix‘s ground-breaking Series HOUSE OF CARDS finally gets a proper Teaser Trailer. In addition to Robin Wright, Kevin Spacey and Corey Stoll each garnering nominations in each of their respective categories, the Series itself is nominated for Best Mini-Series or TV Movie.

Combined with snippets from Season One, some never-seen-before clips are seen here and if this is any indicator, expect this upcoming Season to be outright ferocious. People get scared. Lamps are tossed. Glasses are smashed. Slaps are thrown. Rings are buried. Oh my!

Watch the Teaser Trailer:

Netflix releases House of Cards Season 2 on Valentine’s Day.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Only you, Queen B!  Beyoncé​ just about shocked all of us by dropping her fifth Studio Disc only a few minutes before midnight.  The Disc, which admittedly fell off our radars after Promo Single Grown Woman surfaced earlier this year, is a self-titled Disc and is described by the Entertainment Magnate as “a visual Album”, which she feels enables her to  “speak directly to her Fans”.

Beyoncé​ features 14 new Tracks and 17 – yes 17 – Music Videos, including one for Grown Woman even though it doesn’t surface as an actual Album Track.

On the Disc are Collaborations with the likes of Frank Ocean, Toronto’s Drake and her Husband, Jay-Z.  It even features a Collaboration with Daughter Blue Ivy.

Official Artwork:

Preview Snippets of Beyoncé​ and purchase it right here.

Also, for those of you in Toronto attending her The Mrs. Carter Show at Air Canada Centre next Monday, December 16, 2013, remember that she is partnering with Goodwill to give Fans a chance to get free upgrades on their seats into her #Beyhive!

All you have to do is bring a donation with you: old clothes, toys and small household items between 7:00 – 8:00 PM to get a qualifying sticker.  Follow  @GOODWILLTECNO for more!

(Photo credit: Sony Music/Mr. Will Wong)

Awards Season officially is here with the 71st annual Golden Globe Award nominations being announced earlier this morning by Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde and Aziz Ansari  out of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

No real surprises this year as American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave each lead the way in the Film categories with seven nominations apiece, the former up for Best Comedy or Musical and the latter up for Best Drama.  Although both Films are touted as Favourites to win in their respective categories, both likely will vie each other for Best Picture at the Oscars.  The Stars of each Film, Christian Bale (American Hustle), Amy Adams (American Hustle)  and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) are all up for Best Actor and Best Actress for their respective Comedy and Drama categories. Nebraska starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte follows closely behind with five nominations, with the former up for Best Actor, and the Film itself also being up for Best Comedy.

HBO‘s Behind the Candelabra ties with with Netflix‘s House of Cards in the Television Categories, each garnering four nominations each, although they will not be in direct competition with one another with the former up for Best Mini-Series or TV Movie and the latter in the running for Best Television Series – Drama.  Candelabra stars Michael Douglas and Matt Damon however are both vying for Best Lead Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Movie.

A now-concluded Breaking Bad received three nods for AMC and it will receive stiff competition from House of Cards in its Series and Best Actor categories especially – the latter soon to be in its second season through ground-breaking Internet-based service Netflix.

Surprising omissions this year from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, who determine the Nominees, are the lack of a Best Drama acknowledgement for Dallas Buyers Club despite its Stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto getting nods; it is thought to be in the Oscar race. Also, the excellent Saving Mr. Banks, shockingly only received one nomination for Emma Thompson as Mary Poppins Author P.L. Travers.  Many also are scratching their heads at the classifying of August: Osage Country, an emotionally-heavy Film which deals with death, addiction and mental illness within a Family, as a Comedy or Musical.  Its Stars Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts are up for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical and also Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.

The 71st annual Golden Globe Awards will be televised on NBC Sunday, January 12, 2014  at 8:00 PM EST.

 Complete List of Nominees here.

(Photo credit: eOne Films)

Brace yourselves for an Aussie Invasion, Moviegoers!  After winning much acclaim back in her native Australia, 23-year-old Actress Margot Robbie has her sights set stateside  and although she’s currently filming the Comedy Focus, opposite Will Smith, she next can be seen opposite another Hollywood Heavyweight, Leonardo DiCaprio.

She certainly didn’t start right at the top though.  In fact, the Gold Coast-born and raised Actress is a bit of an acting Veteran after winning LOGIE Awards in Australia for her work on long-running Soap Opera Neighbours as Donna Freedman, originally intended only as a Guest Role.  Those of you who saw About Time last month starring Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleason, will remember her as Charlotte and Fans of ABC’s short-lived PAN AM will remember her as Laura Cameron.

The stunning Star, most easily recognized by her sunny blonde locks and brunette eyebrows, appears in Martin Scorecese‘s almost NC-17-rated The Wolf of Wall Street as Naomi Lapaglia, love interest of Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio).  “What’s wrong Daddy?”, she  asks teasingly in its mega-mesmerizing Trailer.

See the Trailer below:

As a bit of a Fun Fact, Robbie apparently has been known to visit Canada to snowboard!

Official Artwork:

Paramount Pictures releases THE WOLF OF WALL STREET on Christmas Day.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)