The VAUGHAN FILM FESTIVAL will be back June 20-23, 2022! The Festival now is in its tenth edition!

The panel of judges for this year’s VFF Awards includes composed of Andrew Jackson, Andrea Trentadue, Christopher Lane, Frank Morrone, Ellen Dubin, Tom McCarthy, Maria Ricossa, and Mark Lanza. Ozzie Sutherland Samah Safi Bayazid and Kim Roberts also were just announced today.

The Festival is comprised of two days of film screenings on the Monday and Wednesday, student films screening on the Tuesday, and concluding with the VFF Awards on the Thursday. Nominations and industry recognitions for this year’s festival will be revealed at the Spring Launch on May 17, 2022. To learn more, visit vaughanfilmfestival.com.

Josh Brolin stars in Prime Video Series OUTER RANGE, coming soon!

About Outer Range: 

Outer Range centers on Royal Abbott (Josh Brolin), a rancher fighting for his land and family, who discovers an unfathomable mystery at the edge of Wyoming’s wilderness. A thrilling Western family saga with hints of wry humor and supernatural mystery, Outer Range examines how we grapple with the unknown.  

At the onset of the series, the Abbotts are coping with the disappearance of daughter-in-law Rebecca. They are pushed further to the brink when the Tillersons (the gaudy owners of the neighboring profit-driven ranch) make a play for their land. An untimely death in the community sets off a chain of tension-filled events, and seemingly small-town, soil-bound troubles come to a head with the arrival of a mysterious black void in the Abbotts’ west pasture. Wild revelations unfold as Royal fights to protect his family; through his eyes, we begin to see how time contains secrets held in the past and unsettling mysteries foreshadowed. 

Led by Oscar-nominee Josh Brolin (Dune), Outer Range features an ensemble cast of award-winning and breakout talent, including Imogen Poots (I Know This Much Is True), Lili Taylor (Perry Mason), Tamara Podemski (Four Sheets to the Wind), Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick), Tom Pelphrey (Ozark), Noah Reid (Schitt’s Creek), Shaun Sipos (Krypton), Isabel Arraiza (The Little Things), Olive Abercrombie (The Haunting of Hill House), and Will Patton (Yellowstone). Outer Range comes from creator and executive producer Brian Watkins, with executive producers Zev Borow, Heather Rae, Josh Brolin, Robin Sweet, Lawrence Trilling, Amy Seimetz, Tony Krantz, and Plan B Entertainment for Amazon Studios. Executive producers for Plan B Entertainment are Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Brad Pitt.

Two episodes premiere every week beginning April 15, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a mind-blowingly cool SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Prize Pack!

The Prize Pack includes:

• Embossed Notebook
• Tote Bag
• Toiletry Bag
• Pencil Case
• Laptop Case
• Aluminum Water Bottle 
• Laptop Decals
• Activity Set
• Pen with Magnet 
• Pin Badge
• Metal Key Ring
• PVC Key Ring 

Synopsis:

For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighbourhood hero’s identity is revealed, bringing his Super Hero responsibilities into conflict with his normal life and putting those he cares about most at risk. When he enlists Doctor Strange’s help to restore his secret, the spell tears a hole in their world, releasing the most powerful villains who’ve ever fought a Spider-Man in any universe. Now, Peter will have to overcome his greatest challenge yet, which will not only forever alter his own future but the future of the Multiverse.

BONUS MATERIALS 

4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY™, AND DIGITAL

• Bloopers & Gag Reel
• Alternate Reality Easter Eggs
• 7 Behind the Scenes Featurettes
  • Action Choreography Across the Multiverse
  • A Multiverse of Miscreants
  • A Spectacular Spider-Journey with Tom Holland
  • Enter Strange
  • Graduation Day
  • Realities Collide, Spiders Unite
  • Weaving Jon Watt’s Web
• 2 Special Panels:
  • The Sinister Summit – Villains Panel: Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, and Jamie Foxx sit down for a roundtable discussion of their sinister characters.
  • A Meeting of the Spiders – Heroes Panel: The Heroic Spider heroes sit down for a roundtable discussion on Peter, Stunts, and skintight suits.
• 3 Stories From The Daily Bugle
  • Spider-Menace Strikes Again
  • Spider Sycophant
  • Web of Lies
• 2  Stunt Scenes Previsualization
  • Apartment Fight
  • Shield Fight

DVD

• 2 Behind the Scenes Featurettes
  • A Spectacular Spider-Journey with Tom Holland
  • Graduation Day

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet the Contest Tweet below for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME arrives in-stores April 12, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

Calgary’s own Tate McRae finally has made her way back to her native Canada after finding much success over the past few years. The 18-year-old Singer/Songwriter and Dancer got her big break on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE as the first-ever Canadian Finalist. But who would’ve known, her success ultimately would come in Music?

McRae currently is on-tour and finally has Canadian dates after the Pandemic presented multiple delays. She sold-out Danforth Music Hall entirely, and tickets were being offered by re-sellers at astronomical prices.

While she’s prepping the release of her first LP I USED TO THINK I COULD FLY, out via Sony Music Canada on May 27, 2022, she has plenty of material already to tour with, playing a 15-song setlist including hits “feel like shit”, “that way”, “she’s all i wanna be” and “you broke me first”. Pre-save the Album here.

So happy finally to meet McRae, who played a superb show. She is equally adept a Dancer as she is a Vocalist. The ecstatic audience reaction completely is warranted. Have respected her hustle and talent. And above all that, she’s so sweet! We chat quickly about our love for HBO‘s “Euphoria” and between hugs she tells me she’s totally Team Maddie (character played by Alexa Demie). Photo coming soon!

McRae was supported by English Singer-Songwriter Mimi Webb who put on a powerful display, singing among others her track “Good Without” which just got certified Gold in Canada, plus her latest single “House on Fire“. She brought the house down with a cover of Adele‘s “Someone Like You“.

See some Snaps from the Show:

Some Clips from the Show:

McRae‘s latest single “chaotic“:

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

Presented by Murray and Peter, WAR ON THE CATWALK took place tonight at Toronto’s Meridian Hall. While the Pandemic limited opportunities to see the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the re-opening of Ontario has allowed fans finally a chance to see them in-person.

Hosted by Miz Cracker from Season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the Show brought-out Canada’s Drag Race Season One and Two champions Priyanka, and Icesis respectively, RuPaul All Stars Season Six winner Kylie Sonique Love, plus fan faves Jimbo, Crystal Methyd, Heidi N Closet, Olivia Lux and Kandy Muse.

We love RuPaul’s Drag Race so much and the Pandemic really gave us a chance to get obsessed!

So thrilled to get Snaps with some of our favourites tonight, Jimbo, Kandy Muse and All Stars Season Six winner Kylie Sonique Love, after admiring them so much over the past couple years!

Harrison Ford is to make his starring role TV debut in Apple TV+ Series SHRINKING. Some details on the Series.

• Apple TV+ today announced that multi-award-winner Harrison Ford is set to make his series debut in upcoming Apple Original “Shrinking,” a new 10-episode comedy starring and written by Jason Segel, and executive produced by Segel, alongside Emmy Award winning “Ted Lasso” co-creator Bill Lawrence and Emmy Award-winning “Ted Lasso” star, writer and co-executive producer Brett Goldstein.
• “Shrinking” follows ‘Jimmy’ (Segel), a grieving therapist who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives…including his own.
• Ford will star as ‘Dr. Phil Rhodes,’ a down-to earth, sharp as a tack “blue collar shrink,” blunt but with an ever present twinkle. Phil is a pioneer in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy who has built a successful practice over the years that he shares with his two young proteges, Jimmy and Gaby. Fiercely independent, Phil has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which forces him out of his comfort zone as he grapples with intrusive friends, his estranged family and his legacy.  

More details to come but expect this to be big!

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

Productions are back in full swing in Toronto and we couldn’t be happier!

One of the latest projects to film in Toronto is The CW Pilot GOTHAM KNIGHTS, which begins production next week. The Series imagines a Batman-less Gotham and the heroes who step-in to save it from danger.

Synopsis:

In the wake of Bruce Wayne’s murder, his rebellious adopted son forges an unlikely alliance with the children of Batman’s enemies when they are all framed for killing the Caped Crusader. And as the city’s most wanted criminals, this renegade band of misfits must fight to clear their names. But in a Gotham with no Dark Knight to protect it, the city descends into the most dangerous it’s ever been. However, hope comes from the most unexpected of places as this team of mismatched fugitives will become its next generation of saviors known as the Gotham Knights.

Olivia Rose Keegan has landed the role of Duela Dent in the Pilot, and is already in town to being work. You might recognize her for her work as Lily in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+. She also won a Daytime Emmy in 2020 for Outstanding Younger Performer, recognizing her work as Claire Brady on Days of our Lives. Big things are ahead as Keegan stars alongside Riley Keough in DAISY JONES & THE SIX, and also popular HBO Max series MINX.

Above this, we also spotted her Co-Star, the amazing MISHA COLLINS whom you loved in SUPERNATURAL. Just last year he was seen in TIFF ’21 selection ENCOUNTER starring alongside eventual Oscar winner Riz Ahmed. Collins is such a kind soul, taking a moment to stop for pictures with fans despite being held back for a while after landing. He stars in GOTHAM KNIGHTS as villain Harvey Dent.

Mckenna Grace ‘s star continues to rise fast. Yes, that was her starring in Box Office-topping GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE, and yes, that was her as young Tonya Harding in Oscar-nominated I, TONYA. And yup, just checked, that was also her in TV hits FULLER HOUSE and YOUNG SHELDON. The sweet Grace was spotted back in the City to do work on acclaimed THE HANDMAID’S TALE as Esther Keyes, but of course not without her adorable Yorkie named Gizmo!

Also in-town is REBECCA ROMIJN, whom also was a victim of delays upon arriving, but still managing to look super-chic, sporting a Gucci x The North Face collabo bag. She’s back in-town filming STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS which premieres on Paramount+ this May. She reprises her role as Una Chin-Riley from STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.

You know how much we love Netflix‘s OZARK. How amazing is it that we got to meet JASON BUTLER HARNER, who stars as FBI Agent Roy Petty in the first two seasons, hot on Marty Byrde‘s (Jason Bateman) trail? He wouldn’t quite disclose what he’s in-town filming but nonetheless was so amazingly-nice!

Overjoyed to see these smiling faces in our City and we can’t wait to see what’s next and coming!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

No other new Artist has had a better 2022 thus far than GAYLE! This 17-year-old Singer-Songwriter from Dallas, Texas has taken over the world with her smash debut single “ABCDEFU“. You know you love that song too! The Track has topped charts around the world and is oh so close to taking that #1 spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 soon!

Gayle treated an intimate group of Toronto fans to a self-headlining show at the Drake Underground tonight performing an hour-long set of material including tracks from her debut EP A Study of the Human Experience Volume One on Warner Music. This was her first-ever show in Canada! If you love her debut track, Gayle‘s followups UR JUST HORNY and LUV STARVED are just as solid and catchy, and if there’s one thing to take away from her set, it’s that she soon will be filling theatres and arenas. We’re just so excited where things are heading for this rising star!

Gayle did a few supporting dates on Tate McRae‘s Tour, and will be touring with Justus Bennetts for dates on her tour, which will conclude at the end of May in the UK. Bennetts and Gayle team-up on the Track, “DON’T TRIP“.

Check it out below!

Some Snaps from tonight’s Show:

Some Clips from Gayle‘s Toronto Show:

So thrilled we got to meet Gayle and Bennetts earlier today. This was a dream!

What’s that? You love GAYLE too? We’re giving away one signed CD right here. Head to MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and tell us in the comments you love Gayle too to qualify. All are welcome to enter!

Rules and regulations here.

Stream A STUDY OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE VOLUME ONE here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music/Mr. Will Wong)

Toronto certainly has its share of Thai spots, but none do it with the flair of CHIANG MAI. Contemporary and flashy are what come to mind when stepping into this Etobicoke location at 84 Park Lawn.

High ceilings, bright interior, intimate booths and sleek design make this space feel right away like a special experience. Our eyes kept migrating to gorgeous cocktails coming from the bar, just breathtakingly beautiful. And lucky for us, their ’22 Summer Cocktail selection is highlighted by some stunning Mojitos.

Since launching in 2019 and going-on to win two back-to-back Toronto Star Readers’ Choice Awards, the momentum keeps going for what has since become a Franchise, with locations opening on the Danforth and also Liberty Village. Those of you north of the City will wonder if there might be any relation to popular Chiang Rai, and we can confirm yes, there is! Though the Pandemic resulted in some altering of course, they became a huge hit among locals on the neighbouring strip of condos and now that indoor dining is back, the flow of traffic seems endless on weekends. We hear their picturesque patio will be back as well in coming weeks, meaning some extra chances for those trying to nab a table.

Giamena, Manager of Chiang Mai’s Park Lawn location, tells us what makes them stand out from the others is their insistence in using authentic, fresh ingredients. Many ingredients are imported and we learned for one of their signature dishes Holy Basil, the herb is actually brought-in fresh every few days from a special distributor. One of their exciting upcoming new Cocktails, the Dragonfruit Mojito contains both scoops of white and red dragonfruit, the latter a bit harder to find locally. Trust me, we noticed the little details and commitment to honouring Thai tradition. Chiang Mai does all this and does it in a way that is accessible, thoughtful, trendy, and romantic.

You’d think from how I’m talking this up that a meal here would cost you an arm and a leg, but the value is the most amazing thing about Chiang Mai. Portions are beyond generous, presentation impeccable – maybe even too pretty to eat at times!

If you’re concerned about spice level, diners can customize to their own preferences. But if like me, you live for hot sauce, you must ask for their homemade Chili Oil with Garlic. Many customers apparently buy it by the bottle it’s so good! And it is!

The signature Famous Pad Thai comes with a variety of different protein options including, yes, LOBSTER. And yes, confirmed, you get a beautiful meaty portion with your order. If you love Tom Yum Soup, you’ll love their Tom Yum Pad Thai, boasting fragrant lemongrass notes and savoury Tom Yum Paste. They offer an extra-large Hot Pot-style portion of Tom Yum Soup also, which isn’t listed on the Menu. The Khao Soi is a must-have with egg noodles soaked in a golden curry sauce, adorned with a Tornado Twist of crunchy egg noodles. We lost count of the tables ordering the eye-catching Pineapple Fried Rice.

Looking for an appetizer to share? The Thai Shrimp Rolls were a hit and if you have any room at all for dessert – doubt it – their Mango Sticky Rice (coloured with Blue Butterfly Pea) is the thing to get.

Again, these are staple dishes you can get at many other places, but others don’t give it the glossy finish, innovation and love that Chiang Mai does.

I’ll let the food and drink do the talking.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Marvel‘s MORBIUS has a solid debut taking the spot at the Box Office with $40.8 million for Sony Pictures from 4,268 theatres. Despite only 17% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer, this did not deter moviegoers from going out to see Jared Leto in his MCU introduction. It was made for $75 million.

In second is THE LOST CITY which reigned last week in its opening. It earns $14.6 million in its sophomore weekend, from 4,253 theatres for Paramount Pictures, a tally of $55.9 million.

Getting third is THE BATMAN with $11.2 million for Warner Bros. Its domestic run has brought it to $349.2 million.

Fourth is UNCHARTED with $3.7 million for Sony Pictures, a total $138.7 million. This has just been announced for an April 26th Digital release and May 10th DVD/Blu-ray release.

RRR – RISE ROAR REVOLT rounds things out with $1.5 million, a two week total of $12.4 million for Sarigama Cinemas.