Hypothetical situation: someone you love deeply, whether it be a Partner, Grandparent, Sibling, Best Friend or even a Pet for that matter, unexpectedly passes on. Imagine being barred from being by their side in their final hour or even worse,  you are denied the opportunity to mourn their death –  forbidden from attending their their Wake, their Funeral, their Burial. What happens when the Law, which is supposed to protect you, also is part of the reason why the System has failed you?

Such is the case with Shane Bitney Crone, whom after six loving years together with his same-sex Partner Tom Bridegroom, cruelly was left ostracized without the legal protection of Marriage  after the latter died in a  tragic accident in 2011; he was only 29. This enabled members of Bridegroom‘s Family, who disapproved vehemently of their relationship, to prevent Crone from attending his Lover’s Funeral or be a part of their healing process amidst the misfortune. Crone‘s Story, originally a Short Film on Youtube titled It Could Happen to You, after two years of development now is a feature-length Documentary titled aptly, Bridegroom.  The irony of course, being that the Deceased’s Family and the Legal System had denied him the right to fulfil the destiny of his own namesake with the Man he loved.

Crone takes a moment amidst his hectic promotional schedule for the deeply-affecting Documentary to call me from Los Angeles, where the Film would premiere later that night. “You sound really echoey and far away”, he comments as some technical glitches occur while we set-up the Conference Call. “I don’t want people to think I’m weird or anything”, he says thoughtfully, hoping to make the best of our ten minutes.

From humble beginnings online, the 27-year-old Los Angeles Native now  finally is seeing the rewards of his pure passion, persistence and determination. Bridegroom, after winning emphatic accolades this year at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York and the Inside Out Festival in Toronto, now will be seen and heard on a wide scale with Oprah Winfrey‘s OWN and Netflix both giving it their vote of confidence. Make no mistake though, the Film isn’t simply a tragic Tale about two Gay Men –  or as Crone‘s Grandmother would call it Romeo & Romeo.  It is a Portrait of Injustice and a look at just how deeply-institutionalized Homophobia is in a Country which at once has embraced the likes of Will & Grace, Ellen DeGeneres, Elton John, Anderson Cooper and Rosie O’Donnell.

I ask Crone about his greatest hope for Bridegroom and he says, “The main goal is to open people’s minds. Director Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and I believed there isn’t an other way of opening people’s minds than by sharing personal stories.”. Clearly having struck an emotional chord with Audiences already, one might wonder what he would deem a success for the Film. He ponders the question and declares, “Just the fact that we made the Film. At the end of the day it’s a Film that I’m proud of, the Director is proud of, and I think Tom would be proud of.  Now with the help of Oprah Winfrey and Netflix, I think it will spread the message in a very big way.”.

One can only imagine how difficult it must be to screen repeatedly a Film about something so deeply-painful and personal as what he still is going through.  He admits, “It is hard revisiting the most difficult period of my life, but at the same time I see how it’s helping people and it makes me feel good –  that I did the right thing by sharing my Story”.  “When you put yourself out there, you open yourself to a lot of criticism, but also support. At the end of the day I had to trust my instincts and do what I felt was right to me. “.

Making Bridegroom truly was a labour of love and as Crone now calls it proudly,  “The People’s Film”.  From YouTube to the Big Screen and Television Sets, it wasn’t long before his Supporters were uniting their voices towards a call for change, contributing generously via  Kickstarter – the World’s largest funding Platform for Creative Projects.   “I was fortunate to have so many people believe in the Story and its message to the point that we have become the most funded Project in the history of Kickstarter“, he explains. “One thing which has been eye-opening in my experience is that I’d  realize how many others have gone through similar and even more tragic stories. My Story is a lot of people’s stories and I think that’s one of the main reasons why we were so successful in people supporting us.”.

One unfortunate reality about this Documentary is that Tom Bridegroom‘s Family had refused any involvement in its making.  His disputably-sympathetic Mother is seen briefly, but only in archived video footage sharing tender moments with him after his and Crone‘s dramatic ‘coming-out’ to her. “I still haven’t heard from any of them. I was told they wouldn’t participate. There are Family members of Tom whom  are supportive. Some didn’t want to risk ruining their relationships with their Family”, he says as a matter of fact. “I see this as an opportunity to help a lot of people. It’s not too late for Tom‘s Parents to honour their Son for being who he was”.  He adds, “I think for them to come out and share their voices and acknowledge that maybe they made a mistake and do what’s right – that would be so powerful”. “Maybe they’ll come around.”.

With the World eager to learn Crone‘s Story now, he is uncertain just what his next steps are and what the future will hold for him. “‘I don’t know what will happen next and I’d like to think it’ll all work-out the way it was supposed to. As long as I’m sharing a Story about people, I feel that’s my responsibility”.  He pauses. “And that’s what I’m gonna do”.

Bridegroom is available for streaming via Netflix on Sunday, October 27, 2013.  It premieres also on OWN  that night at 10:00 PM EST.

If you haven’t had a chance to enjoy Katy Perry‘s new Single yet, this is the perfect opportunity! Perry released this Lyric Video for Unconditionally last night, off her new Disc PRISM. Simply in black-and white, Perry has Models Janell Shirtcliff and Erika Linder mouthing her Lyrics. Gorgeous. I cannot wait to see the actual Video as she never disappoints.

It is said the Track was definitely inspired by her relationship with John Mayer even!  “I’ll take your bad days with your good/Walk through the storm I would/I do it all because I love you”, she sings.

Together with Universal Music Canada, we’re giving away copies of PRISM, in stores Tuesday, October 22, 2013!

Click here to enter!

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

Yes, it’s that time of year already and inasmuch as we like to deny that Christmas is around the corner, sometimes it’s just easier to embrace it with open arms. Kelly Clarkson and Christmas Music are a combination so perfect that we wonder why it wasn’t done sooner, but her Disc Wrapped in Red soon will see a release, sure to be a Holiday Staple for years to come.

First Single off the Album Underneath the Tree is festive, laden with bells and full of Motown Spirit. The Track is co-written by Ashley Arrison, Aben Eubanks and Shane McAnally. If you love Mariah Carey‘s perennial Classic All I Want for Christmas is You, you also will adore this Offering from Clarkson!

Check-out the Track below:

Pre-order Wrapped in Red on iTunes here!

Sony Music Canada releases on Tuesday, October 29, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

PartnersHub, Lionsgate Films and Mr. Will Wong want to give Readers across North America a chance to win a Run of Engagement Pass to see All is Lost, starring Robert Redford!

Official Synopsis:

Academy Award® Winner Robert Redford stars in All Is Lost, an open-water Thriller about one Man’s battle for survival against the elements after his sailboat is destroyed at sea. But with the sun unrelenting, sharks circling and his meager supplies dwindling, the ever-resourceful sailor soon finds himself staring his mortality in the face.

Written and directed by Academy Award Nominee J.C. Chandor (Margin Call) with a Musical Score by Alex Ebert (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros), All Is Lost is a gripping, visceral and powerfully moving tribute to ingenuity and resilience.

While we’re at it, why not have a bit of fun with it? Check-out the amazing All is Lost App where you can transport yourself on a solo voyage to the Indian Ocean!:

Official Artwork:

Watch the gripping Trailer below:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Share this Post with your Friends on Facebook and increase your chances. You also can Re-Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/allislost @MRWILLW wants us to #win a Run of Engagement Pass to see #ALLISLOST starring #RobertRedford. In theatres 10/25!

Contest Regulations:
Each household is only eligible to win two Free Movie Tickets via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per Giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another Blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

eOne Films and Lionsgate Films release All is Lost on Friday, October 25, 2013 across North America.

(Photo credit: Lionsgate Films)

This is one Pop Moment we’ve been waiting on eagerly.  Although PRISM is only Katy Perry‘s third Disc, this truly is testament to the quality and timelessness of her brand of Pop Perfection.

Universal Music Canada and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Canadian Readers a chance to win a copy of PRISM, which already boasts a number one Single in international Mega-Hit Roar.  Second Single Unconditionally,  co-produced by Dr. Luke and Cirkut and co-written with Max Martin already is sounding like it is destined for greatness.

Have you had a chance to preview Snippets of PRISM on iTunes yet?  If not, you can do so here!  You can hear instantly a growth artistically in Perry in these  arena-sized Offerings.

Tracklisting as follows:

1. Roar
2. Legendary Lovers
3. Birthday
4. Walking on Air
5. Unconditionally
6. Dark Horse (featuring Juicy J)
7. This Is How We Do
8. International Smile
9. Ghost
10. Love Me
11. This Moment
12. Double Rainbow
13. By the Grace of God

Official Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.  Share this Post with your Friends on Facebook and increase your chances of winning.  You can also Re-Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/prism @MRWILLW wants us to #win a Copy of  #KATYPERRY‘s new Disc #PRISM, in-stores 10/22!

PRISM is in stores Tuesday, October 22, 2013 (Mr. Will‘s Birthday!) and it is available in Standard and Deluxe Editions.

Pre-order a physical copy at Amazon here!

Pre-order it on iTunes here!

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

For all my Readers in Canada, I’d like to wish you an amazing Thanksgiving!  Let us thank all the hard-working Canadians in the Agricultural Industry who work hard to bring food to our tables.  We are blessed to live in the most amazing, diverse Country and I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.

To you and your Families!

xMr. Will

p.s. I’ll be on a bit of a break this week, catching-up on rest and wellness. I’ll be back before you know it!  And if you’re wondering who’s responsible for that deliciousness seen in that Photo above, it’s a Pumpkin-Chocolate Fudge Cake from Phipps Bakery, available at Pusateri’s Fine Foods here in Toronto!  And yes, it’s just as delicious as it looks.

If like me, you’re on a diet of Coffee and Ramen, use an Android Smartphone and never have time to cook, the Just-Eat.CA Android App was custom-designed for us. 

Just-Eat.ca for those who aren’t aware offers delivery surface for over 3,100 restaurants nationally, opening-up a world of at-home dining options for Restaurants we normally wouldn’t have convenient access to when we just don’t feel up to going out. To date, over 2 million orders have been placed via the Service in Canada alone since August 2009, deeming it a Hit!

Use the Android App also to discover and sort through new Restaurants and Cuisines which serve your local area. The ability to verify your orders yourself online reduce annoying misunderstandings and error orders.  You even can track your estimated delivery time  to-the-minute!

Best of all, you can even pay via Debit if money is tight on your Credit Card. You shouldn’t have to starve just because you’ve maxed your Cards out!

If you use an Android, you can locate the Just-Eat.CA App via the Google Play Store.

For those of you who use iPhones, you can download the App via iTunes.

Visit Just-Eat.ca‘s Official Website here!

(Photo credit: Just-Eat.Ca)

With just over a week till her long-awaited new Disc PRISM hits stores, Katy Perry got us all excited last night with a rendition of Promo Single Walking on Air, a dead-on Homage to the Dance Music of the early ’90s. Her performance even was completely inspired by the Era, complete with flowing silk, wind machine and true-to-the-times Choreography.  We’re definitely feeling this and so is Perry, v. clearly.

Watch the amazing Performance below:

You must also check-out Perry‘s rendition of #1 Single ROAR in full-on jungle mode with the Band in adorable animal costumes:

Katy Perry‘s PRISM is in-stores Tuesday, October 22, 2013 (Mr. Will‘s Birthday!)

Pre-order the Deluxe Version here on iTunes!

(Photo/video credit: NBC)

For the second week in a row, Warner Bros. finds itself on-top with the Film on everyone’s lips these days, Gravity.  The Best Picture Contender powers-on in its second week of release, earning $44.3 million this weekend – a cumulative total of $124 million in two weeks.  The Sci-Fi Flick starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney is playing in 3,660 theatres currently across North America.

Opening with almost universally-positive reviews in second spot is Captain Phillips from Sony Pictures.  Starring Tom Hanks, the Drama opens with $25 million from 3,020 theatres and an A CinemaScore, and also a stupendous 95% on the Tomatometer. Much Oscar buzz is building around Hanks’ performance here as the Captain who oversaw the Maersk Alabama Ship which was hijacked by Somali Pirates in 2009.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 slips to third in its third week for Sony Pictures, still going strong to earn $15 million this weekend. To date it has grossed almost $80 million domestically.

Machete Kills debuts in fourth spot for Open Road Films/VVS Films with $5 million this weekend, a Follow-up to the 2009 Film by Robert Rodriguez. Critics didn’t think much of the Action Flick which features Lady Gaga‘s first-ever acting role, garnering a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B- CinemaScore from Audiences.

Prisoners continues to hang tough in sixth spot, now in its fourth week of release for Warner Bros., earning $3.7 million, just surpassing the $50-million mark.  Rush slips to ninth spot with $2.3 million for Imagine/Universal Pictures/eOne Films, the Oscar Contender playing in 2,130 theatres.

Baggage Claim rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million for Fox Searchlight, now having made $18.2 million in its three-week run.

Already gaining serious Oscars Buzz especially in the acting categories, The Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis is nearing a release. The Drama is a close look at New York City’s Folk Music Scene in the ’60s through the eyes of a young Singer and it stars Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund, John Goodman and Justin Timberlake.

See the Canadian HD Trailer below: