Now this is cool!  Acclaimed Director/Writer Whit Stillman is set to visit Toronto mid-December to present his first two Films, Metropolitan (Wednesday, December 12, 2012) and The Last Days of Disco (Thursday, December 13, 2012) – the latter a personal Favourite of mine! 

Stillman will be introducing both Films and also appearing at a Q&A afterward with Fans.  The Appearances are part of Little Italy Theatre The Royal‘s The Seventh Art Live Director Series.

For Advance Tickets ($15), click here.  Tickets will be available at the door for $20.

(Photo credit: Seventh Art)

Casino Royale.  Quantum of Solace. Clash of the Titans. The Three Musketeers.  These are just some of the more recent Films in which you’ve seen  Mads Mikkelsen and while out getting Breakfast with Billy early this morning, I bumped-into the brilliant Actor who looked like he was out for a walk or a jog.  Mikkelsen who earlier this year won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival in May for The Hunt, currently is in Toronto filming Hannibal.

The upcoming NBC Series which centers around Criminal Profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) who seeks help from famed Psychiatrist and Cannibalistic Serial Killer Hannibal Lecter (Mikkelsen), yet at the same time becomes his greatest Nemesis.  Fans of Silence of the Lambs will eat this up.  In a non-Cannibal sorta way of course.

Things aren’t slowing-down any time soon for the dark, mysterious Danish Actor who has been in Toronto multiple times before for TIFF and even promoted both The Hunt and upcoming Period Drama, A Royal Affair, while  filming  Hannibal. I did meet the Actor back in 2009 following a Screening of the phenomenal Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, but am thrilled to have a Snap together with him.  Mikkelsen was smitten with Billy, leaning-down to give him a pat on the head. Super-gracious!

Hannibal wraps in February 2013.  Learn more about the Series here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Although it’s only been a few months since they were here last, Toronto certainly loves their Aerosmith and tonight the “Bad Boys from Boston” played before yet another huge crowd at Air Canada Centre for the second leg of their Global Warming Tour. Frontman and former American Idol Judge Steven Tyler made it into the City early yesterday and was spotted eating at Camros, an Organic Persian-inspired Eatery on Hayden Street.

Tyler was spotted following tonight’s Show, where Aerosmith performed Jimi Hendrix Tribute in celebration of that Rock Legend’s Birthday today.  Although his Handlers earlier in the day had intercepted Tyler‘s time with Fans, he stayed true to his word, making time for Fans at his Hotel afterward shortly before midnight.  “You crazy F*ckers!”, he joked as he head-over all Rock-Glam in fur to reward Fans generously who waited in the cold for him.

I was lucky enough to get a Snap with Tyler, whose work as a Vocalist I’ve admired since Childhood – reaching feverish heights in High School.  He gave me a big hug and playfully took the hood on my Parka and covered my face, telling me he loved me! Unforgettable.  Surely Nicki Minaj‘s opinion of him would change after meeting him too?  The Rapper/Singer and current American Idol Judge currently is feuding with Tyler over a statement he made challenging her ability as a Judge, saying “If it was Bob Dylan, Nicki Minaj would have had him sent to the Cornfield!“.  Minaj interpreted that as a Racist Remark and took to her Twitter account to prove her point.

In celebration of Jimi Hendrix‘s Birthday, Aerosmith incorporated a Tribute to that Rock Legend at their Show tonight and they are headed to Las Vegas next this weekend.  Their 15th Studio Disc Music from Another Dimension! is now in-stores with latest Single What Could Have Been Love performing rather well on the Adult Contemporary Charts in the U.S.

Check it out in full below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video credit: Sony Music)

I don’t care how vulgar this is, I love this.  Skylar Grey wants to ride your Bicycle and she wants to whole World to know. We all first got a taste of the  26-year-old Singer/Songwriter when she teamed-up with Diddy–Dirty Money in 2010 on their Hit Coming Home. After some time away from the spotlight, Grey has come into her own artistically, sounding full of confidence here on this Alex Da Kid-produced Track.  Fun.

Check-out Grey‘s official Debut Single C’Mon Let Me Ride featuring her Executive Producer – also known as Megastar Eminem –  rapping and singing the familiar Hook, from Queen‘s Bicycle Race.

The Singer/Songwriter’s Debut Disc Don’t Look Down, hits stores next Spring via Universal Music Canada.  Promising.

Check-out C’Mon Let Me Ride in full below:

Universal Music/Interscope Records)

Winner! Nobody plays a stern Enforcer of the Law like Sandra Bullock and when you pair her with the comedic Genius that is Melissa McCarthy, the results are explosive!  At least they are at the 1:41 mark of this Trailer for The Heat where it is ever apparent that America’s two Sweethearts had like the best time ever filming this.  The Action-Comedy centers around a Special Agent (Bullock) who teams-up with a Cop (McCarthy) to take-down a Drug Lord.  Personalities clash, of course.

Bridesmaids Director/Actor/Producer Paul Feig brings-it yet again here and I’ll admit that I couldn’t stop laughing.  McCarthy sorta reprises that tough-talking, rough-’em-up sass we saw in the mentioned last Collaboration with Feig and one cannot deny that there are several familiar parallels between this Character and the beloved role she played in Miss Congeniality 1 & 2.  Females, feisty and fun – three things we love!

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Girls, Bridesmaids, Freaks and Geeks, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Superbad.  These are just some of the many culturally-impacting Titles which just wouldn’t have been without the talents of Judd Apatow.  Toronto was extremely fortunate last night to have welcomed the brilliant Director/Producer/Writer and fantastically-funny Actress and Wife, Leslie Mann.  Although their Oscar-contending Comedy This is 40 which  re-teams the Duo once again, isn’t in theatres just yet, Apatow and Mann came to create a bit of buzz for the Film which is being touted not so much as a Sequel, but more a Continuation to 2007’s Knocked Up, where we first were introduced to the Characters of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Mann).

With Opening Remarks from Canadian Comedy Legend Eugene Levy and the Evening hosted by Author/Critic and Television Personality Richard Crouse, the Canadian Film Centre‘s An Evening with Judd Apatow & Leslie Mann took place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox – an Invite-Only Affair where we got to witness in-person the charming romantic and working Chemistry between Husband and Wife.  Crouse asked the Couple how they first met and apparently it wasn’t love at first sight between the two.

Watch them tell their Story below:

Hilariously, Apatow was unable to suppress his iPhone-obsession, repeatedly checking it and even taking a Call onstage from his Daughter Maude (who stars in This is 40), bringing her great embarrassment after she was told that we could all hear her amplified through the Speakers.  Finally, Mann addressed the matter by telling Apatow that he was being rude, prompting him to put-away his phone.

We learned that despite the outcome being humorous usually with Apatow‘s Work, rarely does he approach filming thinking a particular scene is going to be funny.  His Motto always is to present the truth and in doing so can we see the real humour in things, praising Mann especially for her uncanny ability to dig-deep  in her performances.

Interestingly, the topic of Music was brought-up with it being revealed that Crouse at the age of 16 had written a Book about The Rolling Stones.  Apatow told the Audience that at one point both Ben Stiller and himself had been close to collaborating with the Band on a Film and while Fanboy-ing with Stiller over their records in one room during their rehearsals here in Toronto, Mick Jagger had walked-in on them in an unforgettable moment asking, “Are you alright? Would you like some Water or anything?”.  We learned also that Mann rather dislikes Live Versions of songs and is a huge Fan of Pop Music including the likes of Lady Gaga and Aretha Franklin.

Earlier in the evening, I was lucky enough to get a Snap with both Apatow and Mann who were extremely gracious.  To enter to win a Signed Photo from Apatow, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before January 1, 2013. Good luck.

Universal Pictures releases This is 40 on December 21, 2012.  Although I only had the chance to see a couple Clips, I can say that I was dying of laughter already!  Cannot wait.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Dream come true!   Definitely one of my brightest highlights of 2012 – and believe me, there were many – was meeting my Grade School Idol Paula Abdul tonight.  When Pop Megastar Paula Abdul first burst onto the Scene back in 1988 with Straight Up, it was love at first sight for me and the rest of the World.  Religiously I’d wait by the TV set for her Videos to come on MuchMusic and with what little money I had back then, I’d put it towards buying her 45s.  You could imagine my joy when I got two Hits for the price of one when Cold Hearted Snake was included as a B-Side Single on the Straight Up Single! Although much of the younger generation knows Abdul solely for her association with American Idol as a former Judge, she to me was right up there with Madonna and Janet Jackson.

Abdul currently is in Toronto celebrating her Jewish and Canadian ancestry.   While in the City, Abdul also had a chance the enjoy a Dinner at the Trump International Hotel‘s STOCK last night and earlier today she was spotted enjoying lunch down the road at Oliver & Bonacini. Appearing at an Event called My Jewish Soul at The Eglinton Grand in the north-end of the City, she helped raise funds towards the purchase of a new property for Chabad on the Avenue.  Fans got an opportunity to meet her at a VIP Reception which included a Photo Op.  One High Bidder even got to have Cocktails with her following her appearance.

I caught-up with Abdul as she left the Venue with several Helpers assisting her carrying hoards of flowers and bags.  As she was rush-rushing into her Mercedes, she was gracious to stop for a moment in the cold to snap a Photo telling me repeatedly how sweet I was.  Knocked-out! After all these years, she looks stunning still – if anything even more gorgeous than her days on American Idol.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We’re back!  Mr. Will Wong & the brilliantly crafty Smitten Kitten are teaming-up again to brighten-up your Holiday Season! 

Recently, Billy and I had the honour of getting Photographed by one of Toronto’s top Celebrity Photographers Mr. Todd Gillis of Beaches Studio. We loved this Snap so much, we’ve immortalized it through a Holiday Card exclusively for Readers.  60 Readers will be lucky enough to get this super-Limited Edition piece of Mr. Will-and-Bill-obilia!

Simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before December 10, 2012. The first 60 Readers to click “like” are guaranteed a personalized Card. Remember to send an E-mail to press@mrwillwong.com with your address after you’ve clicked “like”!

The Holidays are the Season for sharing and this year Mr. Will is focussing his attentions to the SickKids Foundation’s Possibilities Fund, which aids the Hospital for Sick Children‘s most pressing needs.  Find out how You/You and your Friends/Family can join-in on the fun and get photographed into a Collage by Mr. Will himself throughout the month of December.  Click here for more details.

… and don’t for get to visit Smitten Kitten‘s Online Store for some super-cute Holiday Gift ideas and get a head start on your Shopping right here.

(Photo credit: Todd Gillis/Smitten Kitten)

For the second week in-a-row, The Twilight Saga Finale Breaking Dawn – Part 2 finds itself on-top this Thanksgiving weekend with $44.2 million for Summit Entertainment/eOne Films from 4,050 theatres.  In two weeks alone, it has grossed $226 million alone in North America and exceeds the $400-million mark worldwide. The fact that it still manages to be at number one on what is the biggest-grossing U.S. Thanksgiving Weekend and also the highest-grossing five-day Box Office Weekend ever with a total $288 million earned between  Wednesday through Sunday, is a true testament to its commercial success.

Skyfall in its third week is still going brilliantly well for Sony Pictures with $36 million from 3,526 and I’ll note that personally, I tried seeing the James Bond Flick myself this past in Toronto at Varisty Cinemas Tuesday only to be shut-out due to tickets selling-out still, meaning there’s still no signs of stopping anytime soon for this Monster.

Disney‘s Lincoln in its second week of wide release, earns $25.1 million, well-above expectations and from only 2,018 theatres, landing just ahead of a debuting Rise of the Guardians for Paramount Pictures, in fourth spot with $23.5 million.

20th Century Fox‘s big Oscar Contender and Yann Martel Novel Adaptation Life of Pi 3-D debuts in fifth spot with $21.8 million from 2,902 theatres.  Meanwhile, Remake Red Dawn opens in seventh for Fim District/Alliance Films with $14.1 million, while Silver Linings Playbook finds itself in ninth spot in a limited release with $4.2 million for The Weinstein Co./Alliance Films. Argo proves its staying power with $3.8 million for Warner Bros, rounding out the Top Ten.

Perhaps one of the greatest Colts to come out of Canada in years, Uncaptured already has stamped himself a Shoe-in as Canada’s top two-year-old Colt at the forthcoming Sovereign Awards, honouring Canada’s Finest in Thoroughbred Racing.  Originally named the Winterbook Favourite to win next year’s Kentucky Derby –  a rarity for a Canadian-bred Horse – Uncaptured left many in doubt after a sub-par effort at Woodbine Racetrack in the Grey Stakes back in October, finishing a dismal fifth as the heavy Favourite.  Many wondered whether his best was simply behind him after winning his first four races in-a-row, or perhaps he simply was only a Sprinter?

Shipped-off to Kentucky late October, the Colt won the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs easily and bettered that with a valiant effort today against even tougher company in the 1 1/16 miles Kentucky Jockey Club Cup Stakes, a Grade II Affair.  On paper he may have won by just a neck, but it was the persistence he showed never letting second-place Finisher Frac Daddy, pass him which was most impressive to watch.

With today’s win, Uncaptured has banked over $510k in just seven starts, stamping himself a Top Contender for next year’s Kentucky Derby. In the v. least, he’s proven now on Churchill Down‘s Dirt Course, but still the question for many is whether or not he can handle an even longer distance after barely hanging-on today. Of course he will face some stuff competition with undefeated and probable U.S. Champion two-year-old Colt Shanghai Bobby also pointed towards the Run for the Roses that first weekend in May 2013.  Bobby comes off a win in the $2-million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile which he won by just a head earlier this month. A lot can happen over the Winter and at any point a new Superstar could emerge as quick as that famous two-minute Derby is run.

Nonetheless, Canadians couldn’t be prouder.  It has been 29 years since a Canadian-bred has won the Derby and this is our greatest hope.  Is Uncaptured the greatest Canadian Colt since the legendary Northern Dancer?

Watch Uncaptured‘s game effort today in the Kentucky Jockey Club Cup Stakes right here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)