Pride Celebrations continue north of the City at 90s Nostalgia Divas & Drag Queens at Improve Canada in Vaughan tonight!🌈

The outdoor affair combined live music and Drag together for one special night. Queen of the North herself and Judge-Host of Canada’s Drag Race, Brooke Lynn Hytes came out as well – pardon the pun – plus RuPaul’s Drag Race/Canada’s Drag Race Alumni including Utica, Denali, Pythia, Adriana, Tynomi Banks and more. Season 13 RuPaul’s Drag Race Winner Symone originally was slated but was removed from the list last week. On the Music side, R&B Singer Estelle, Kiesza, Dev, Simone Denny, Rêve, Robin S and Charvoni of Black Box, among others graced the stage.

You’ve probably heard Beyoncé‘s amazing new single “BREAK MY SOUL” which took inspiration from Robin S’ “SHOW ME LOVE“. Queen B even sent her some flowers yesterday to thank her for paving the way.

We were so thrilled to see the brilliant Kiesza, who makes a triumphant return to the stage after recovering from a traumatic brain injury a few years ago. She’s such an inspiration and weve met her a few times at events, and she’s always so lovely. Her Blockbuster Hit “HIDEAWAY” remains the benchmark of Dance Pop done right and we can’t wait to hear new material.

So happy seeing DEV after so many years! She looks amazing as a Blonde and she’s back! You might remember her for #1 Smash “LIKE A G6“, plus hits “IN THE DARK” and “BASS DOWN LOW“. It’s been years as well since we’ve seen her, and we’ve missed her Music!

Some Snaps from today and over the years:

So curious to see if they’ll be bringing back their annual 90s NOSTALGIA show again this Fall. We had so much fun last year! More on that here.

Learn more about 90’s NOSTALGIA here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Screening Passes to see PAWS OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF HANK.

SYNOPSIS:

A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map.  With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs! Also starring Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, and Cathy Shim, PAWS OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF HANK pounces into theatres July 15, 2022.

Screenings take place as follows:

TORONTO
Date: Saturday, July 9th
Time: 10:30AM start
Location: Yorkdale Cineplex Cinemas

VANCOUVER
Date: Saturday, July 9th
Time: 10:30AM start
Location: Cineplex Cinemas Metropolis

MONTREAL – ENG
Date: Saturday, July 9th
Time: 10:30AM start
Location: Cinéma Banque Scotia Montréal

MONTREAL – FRE
Date: Saturday, July 9th
Time: 10:30AM start
Location: Cinéma Starcité Montréal

CALGARY
Date: Saturday, July 9th
Time: 10:30AM start
Location: Scotiabank Theatre Chinook

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate for us your City there. RT the below for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Paramount Pictures Canada release PAWS OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF HANK Friday, July 15, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Ever been curious where exactly in Canada these Netflix shows filmed? You might remember NETFLIX IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD, a site which guides fans with fan facts on locations their favourites were filmed. The site added some new additional tidbits today with the release of Season Three of THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY. Hit Dance Feature WORK IT also has been included too!

• The Umbrella Academy Season 3 – This hit series from Canadian Creator and Showrunner Steve Blackman, and starring Canadian actors Elliot Page, Jake Epstein, Britne Oldford andColm Feore, among others, has been shot in Toronto and Hamilton for all of its three seasons. Some filming location highlights from this season include Hamilton’s Gage Park, Scarborough Bluffs and BMO Field.
• Work It – This dance-comedy from 2020 was shot across the GTA including in Etobicoke, Thornhill and Mississauga, showcasing some of the city’s most beloved neighbourhoods and tourist attractions, such as The Junction, Distillery District, Underpass Park and Celebration Square.

The Cast of THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY participated in a Q&Eh about their favourite neighbourhood spots! They do love a brunch, and a bottomless Mimosa! You won’t want to miss this here.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

After a two-year hiatus, the Green Space Festival is back at Barbara Hall Park, just outside the 519 Centre. The event runs June 23-26, 2022 and is one of the marquee events of Pride Toronto every year, the three-day long Festival draws top talent out to the outdoor affair.

Though two of the top acts to be featured at last night’s STARRY NIGHT, Drag Queens Willow Pill and Angeria Paris Van Michaels, had cancelled due to unforseen circumstances, this did not stop a huge queue from forming down Church Street. The queue still went on with several trying to get in even right up to the end of the Show at midnight, only to be turned away. Those who were lucky enough to get in after queuening all afternoon for a spot, were able to see RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14 Alumni like Bosco, and last-minute addition Lady Camden perform. The former did a Gwen Stefani tribute Medley, while the latter reprised her rendition of Queen‘s “I Want to Break Free” which brought the house down.

The Show also showcased some top local talent and stars of Canada’s Drag Race including Scarlett Bobo, Tynomi Banks, Boa, Pythia and Icesis Couture, plus Contestants on the upcoming third season of the Series like Kimmy Couture, Jada Shada Hudson, Miss Fiercalicious and more. Host-Judge Brooke Lynn Hytes even showed-up, remaining low-key.

So happy to get a glimpse of some of the performances from afar and seeing some of these talented Drag Queens up-close with beanie!

The fun continues through Sunday and legendary House Music DJ David Morales, who has remixed several classics for the likes of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, plays Sunday 9-12 PM at the Festival!

Canada’s Drag Race Season Three premieres on Crave July 14, 2022.

Learn more about the Green Space Festival here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By George Kozera

Infrequently, something happens to my body chemistry, and I react in a way that is anathema to me. I belly laugh. Unlike the legendary line from Greta Garbo’s Oscar-nominated performance in “Ninotchka” – “I never laugh” – I usually respond to a Comedy bit with a smile or a tee-hee-hee and sometimes even with a hearty guffaw. So, imagine my complete surprise when, after watching the first three episodes of the Apple TV+ latest series LOOT, that genuinely earned belly laughs erupted from me. And not just once…I mean, consistently.

When Molly Novak (Maya Rudolph) discovers that her billionaire husband of 20 years is having an affair, her life spirals; even more so when she is awarded $87 billion dollars as a divorce settlement and is partying to excess with her faithful assistant Nicholas (Joel Kim Booster). When contacted by Sofia Salinas (MJ Rodriguez) to attend a meeting, Molly is surprised to learn that she has a Charity Foundation and is asked to stop creating bad press as it hinders their abilities to raise funds. Taking stock, Molly decides to work at the Foundation and alongside Sofia’s team, which includes Accountant Arthur (Nat Faxon) and Molly’s cousin Howard (Ron Funches), she embarks on a journey of giving back and self discovery.
Essentially working with the standard sitcom convention, a Workplace Comedy, LOOT elevates the genre with exceptional writing, inspired direction, a killer Soundtrack by The Math Club (mad respect for choosing Rita Coolidge’s “Higher and Higher” and “Free” by Deniece Williams in the same episode), and interiors so lavish, whether they be mansions, private jets or yachts, that they make “Dynasty” look humble.

What hoists LOOT into gold bar stratosphere is the unsurpassed genius performances by this must-be critically-lauded Cast. I will even go on record that this is the best Ensemble Cast I’ve watched since the final two seasons of my perpetual all-time favourite TV Sitcom of all time, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”: there’s even a Mary Richards/Lou Grant vibe between Molly and Sofia. As the Pop Culture-loving Howard, Ron Funches takes his beloved teddy bear persona to glorious effervescent heights. Nat Faxon (recently seen on the HBO Series “Gaslit” and playing Jackie’s boyfriend on “The Conners”) takes his mild-mannered Accountant role as Arthur, who may or may not be developing a huge crush on Molly and infused it with vulnerability and an abundance of charm. Joel Kim Booster (Writer, Director and Star of one of my favourites of 2022, “Fire Island”) has the lion share of LOL moments and his delivery are as pitch-perfect as are his more quieter, introspective moments. We all knew that MJ Rodriguez (who made history as the first trans woman nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for “Pose”) has tempered dramatic skills, but who knew this woman also has enviable comedic chops as well?

And conducting this symphony of astonishing performances is the Maestro herself, the superlative Rudolph. Her comedic skills have always been impeccable (she won an Emmy for her five-minute stint on SNL playing Kamala Harris) but her rare forays into Drama (check-out her performance in “Away We Go”) have impressed. What she achieves in LOOT is virtuoso, a hypnotic display and array of emotional depth and perfect comic timing. I’ve always liked her a lot – now I want us to be Besties!

We have been fortunate to have seen many outstanding female-led Comedy Series, especially in the past bit. LOOT is the new benchmark. It streams on Apple TV+ starting June 24, 2022.

After MAD MAX: FURY ROAD won Oscars and grossed $375 million worldwide, FURIOSA, the latest in the Franchise, is currently in production in Australia. George Miller also will direct this latest installment which will star Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke. Taylor-Joy has been prepping mentally and physically for some time to prepare for this. Cannot wait to see her carry this Film!

Synopsis:

As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus.  Sweeping through the Wasteland they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe.  While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.

Taylor-Joy was most recently seen in Edgar Wright’s “Last Night in Soho” and Robert Eggers’ “The Northman.”  She also played the lead in the romantic comedy “Emma,” based on the Jane Austen novel.  Her additional features include the sci-fi thrillers “Split” from M. Night Shyamalan, and his follow up “Glass,” in which she reprised her role from the previous film.  She also starred as a chess prodigy in the massively successful miniseries “The Queen’s Gambit.”

Hemsworth is right at home with high-octane action, having starred in the “Avengers” and “Thor” films as well as the recent “Extraction.”  His other film credits include “Bad Times at the El Royale,” “12 Strong,” “In the Heart of the Sea,” “Rush,” “Snow White and the Huntsman,” and “Star Trek,” among many others.

Burke is perhaps best-known for his award-nominated role in Joanna Hogg’s film “The Souvenir,” as well as playing the lead in the popular UK crime series “C.B. Strike.” He also starred as Athos in the BBC series “The Musketeers,” appeared in such feature films as Nicholas Winding Refn’s “Only God Forgives,” and played famed filmmaker Orson Welles in David Fincher’s Oscar-winning “Mank.”

Miller penned the script with “Mad Max: Fury Road” co-writer Nico Lathouris and produces alongside his longtime partner, Oscar-nominated producer Doug Mitchell (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Babe”).  Miller’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes such longtime Australian collaborators as production designer Colin Gibson, editor Margaret Sixel, sound mixer Ben Osmo, costume designer Jenny Beavan and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt, each of whom won an Oscar for their work on “Mad Max: Fury Road,” as well as first assistant director PJ Voeten and second unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris.  The director of photography is Simon Duggan (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “The Great Gatsby”).

More details to come. Warner Bros. Pictures Canada will release.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

Bill Skarsgård and Georgina Campbell star in BARBARIAN, which will make you question ever booking a rental home ever again. Here’s the new Trailer.

Synopsis:

In “Barbarian,” a young woman traveling to Detroit for a job interview books a rental home. But when she arrives late at night, she discovers that the house is double booked, and a strange man is already staying there. Against her better judgement, she decides to spend the evening, but soon discovers that there’s a lot more to fear than just an unexpected house guest.

From 20th Century Studios and New Regency, “Barbarian” stars Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long, Matthew Patrick Davis, Richard Brake, Kurt Braunohler and Jaymes Butler. The film was written and directed by Zach Cregger. The producers are Arnon Milchan, Roy Lee, Raphael Margules and J.D. Lifshitz. Michael Schaefer, Natalie Lehmann, Danny Chan, Alex Lebovici and Bill Skarsgård are the film’s executive producers.

20th Century Studios Canada release BARBARIAN Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Studios Canada)

Hayden Christensen and Director Deborah Chow (The Mandalorian, Mr. Robot) got a hero’s welcome back to Toronto tonight at a special six-hour Marathon Screening of the Series STAR WARS: OBI-WAN KENOBI at Scotiabank Theatre with an Intro and Q&A!

Fans queued for a chance to see the Series star, who reprises his role of Anakin Skywalker in the Series, along with Chow, who directs the Limited Series! Both are proudly Torontonian. And Fans surely weren’t disappointed, getting lots of facetime with them.

Christensen and Chow wrapped-up a two-day Press Tour in Toronto which concluded with a post-marathon Q&A where they answered fan questions, moderated by Toronto Film Critic and TV Personality, Richard Crouse.

Chow, who had directed two episodes of The Mandalorian, reveals that her favourite moment of this new Star Wars Series, is Episode Six and all the build-up that brought her to the Finale. Christensen, reveals that Ewan McGregor‘s performance as the Titular Character and what he brought to his character, is his favourite thing about the Series.

ABOUT STAR WARS: OBI-WAN KENOBI:

“Obi-Wan Kenobi” begins 10 years after the dramatic events of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat—the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.

Carousel:

Some more Snaps of the festivities:

STAR WARS: OBI-WAN KENOBI streams now, only on Disney+.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Disney)

You’ll probably not even recognize him, but you know and love him. Trust. Legendary Hitmaker Max Martin is in Toronto for Mirvish’s Production of & Juliet! After a successful run in London’s West End, Toronto is so lucky to get to see the Musical, which asks what would’ve happened if she didn’t end it all for Romeo?

Martin is responsible for the most iconic Pop Hits of our time. And not just one. Several!

…Baby One More Time
As Long As You Love Me
I Want it That Way
Bang Bang
Break Free
Blinding Lights
California Girls
DJ Got Us Fallin in Love
Dynamite
Hot N Cold
I Kissed a Girl
It’s Gonna Be Me
Lucky
Love Me Harder
Oops!… I Did it Again
Part of Me
Quit Playing Games (with my Heart)
Roar
Save Your Tears
Shake it Off
Show Me Love
Since U Been Gone
Style
Teenage Dream
That’s The Way It Is
U + Ur Hand
Who Knew
(You Drive Me) Crazy

You try picking a favourite from this partial list of hits he’s responsible for penning! I love all these songs and I’m sure you do too!

This was an incredible honour. I don’t think he’s used to being recognized as he is so humble, but as a lover of Pop, he is an Idol! Even more important than the stars he’s worked with!

About & Juliet

Set against a Soundtrack of megahits by Martin, & Juliet is from Emmy-winning Writer of Schitt’s Creek David West Read, with Choreography by Jennifer Weber, and Director Luke Sheppard.

& Juliet runs at Princess of Wales Theatre from June 22 – August 14, 2022.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We’ve got something for you if you love grisly! Check-out the new Trailer for SMILE.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.

STARRING

Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Robin Weigert, Caitlin Stasey with Kal Penn and Rob Morgan

Paramount Pictures Canada release SMILE in theatres SEPTEMBER 30, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)