We cannot begin to express our excitement for what could be for Popstar AVA MAX. We wanted to introduce you to her in case you still haven’t heard. The 26-year-old Singer/Songwriter from Milwaukee boasts a rare whistle register thanks for the influence of Mariah Carey growing-up. She also cites Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Whitney Houston and Fergie as some of her idols, but when we hear and see her, we think early Gaga.

Like recent success stories at Warner Music like Grammy winner Dua Lipa and nominee Bebe Rexha, she comes of Albanian heritage.

Current single SWEET BUT PSYCHO slowly has been gaining momentum since the Fall and now it appears its popularity is peaking stateside, reaching the Top 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 but we have a feeling there’s more where that came from.

We love that her sound is familiar but definitely fresh and she appears to having fun with it, which is what Pop Music should always be about.

We want more AVA MAX and can’t wait to hear what’s next!

In the meantime check out our favourite cuts by the rising star:

SWEET BUT PSYCHO

NOT YOUR BARBIE GIRL

LET IT BE ME (with David Guetta)

MAKE UP (with Jason Derulo x Vice)

CLAP YOUR HANDS (with Le Youth)

Hot off the success of runs in the UK, Chicago and Broadway, 17-time Grammy winner STING brings his musical THE LAST SHIP to Toronto.

Based on his Album The Soul Cage and his own personal childhood experiences growing-up just north of England, The Last Ship is centered on family, community and defiance in the face of deindustrialization.

The Cast includes new talent and veterans of stage and screen including: Frances McNamee, Jackie Morrison, Oliver Seville, Marc Akinfolarin, Joe Caffrey, Rebecca Gilhooley, Philip Childs, Orla Gormley, Sophie Reid and more! Lorne Campbell directs the Musical which is told in the Geordie dialect.

On Valentine’s Day, Sting and the Cast ventured east to Oshawa at Tribute Communities Centre to show their support to GM workers who are facing something very similar to the characters in the story.

The Mirvish Production runs till March 24, 2019 at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Sting has committed to appearing at every performance.

See some Snaps with the Cast:

More here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL fights its way to the top of the Box Office in its debut this weekend. The James Cameron production takes top spot with $24.4 million from 3,790 theatres for 20th Century Fox. It gets 59% on the Tomatometer, just short of a passing grade.

In second is THE LEGO MOVIE: THE SECOND PART with $19.1 million for Warner Bros. bringing its two week total to $66.1 million in North America.

Opening in third is the Anti-Rom-Com ISN’T IT ROMANTIC starring Rebel Wilson, with $13.3 million from 3,444 theatres for Warner Bros. It gets 68% on the Tomatometer.

WHAT MEN WANT is in its second week out lands in fourth with $10.4 million, a two week tally of $37.2 million for Paramount Pictures.

Slipping to fifth is HAPPY DEATH DAY 2 U with $9 million for Universal Pictures, a two-week total of $14.9 million.

Toronto-made THE PRODIGY is in ninth with $3 million in its second week out, bringing its total run to $11.3 million for Orion Pictures.

Rounding it all out is GREEN BOOK with $2.8 million, a total $66.2 million grossed domestically for Universal Pictures.

At least a new Trailer for LONG SHOT starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron!

Synopsis:

He’s a hard-hitting political writer with a talent for trouble. She’s the country’s top diplomat with a talent for…well, everything. When Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) reunites with his first crush who also happens to be the current US Secretary of State, Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron), he charms her with his self-deprecating humor and his memories of her youthful idealism. As she prepares to make a surprise run for the Oval Office, Charlotte hires Fred to punch up her campaign speeches and their unmistakable chemistry leads to a round-the-world affair. But Fred’s carefree indiscretions, past and present, could bring down her campaign before it even begins. The film redefines “international relations” with a profane, funny and unexpected love.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release LONG SHOT Friday, May 3, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

We’ve missed you Bruno Mars! Cardi B, you haven’t gone anywhere but we still need new Music! PLEASE ME is the collaboration from our favourite Duo following on their Remix for Finesse! It continues on that 90s R&B inspiration that we love so much.

Check it out below:

The Track is available now all streaming services!
Links here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

Based on My Chemical Romance Frontman Gerard Way‘s popular graphic novels, Netflix Series THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY is set to stream across the world. Filmed right here in Toronto, from Canadian Showrunner Steve Blackman and Executive Producer Jeff King, it centers on a group of six survivors of fourty three children born one day in 1989 to mothers who prior had shown no signs of pregnancy. Now adults, they must come together to solve the mystery of their father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who has passed. This family of superheroes must iron-out their differences in the wake of a possible apocalypse.

Stars of genre-bending The Umbrella Academy reunited on the festive Red Carpet tonight at TIFF Bell Lightbox in support the the Series’ launch tomorrow on the world’s leading internet television service, Netflix. In attendance were Mary J. Blige, Cameron Britton, Colm Feore, Sheila McCarthy, Tom Hopper, Emma Raver-Lampan, Robert Sheehan, David Castañeda, several of the Show’s young stars and Ellen Page, who has made headlines much of late speaking-out for the LGBTQ Community.

We had the pleasure of seeing and snapping the talent tonight on the Carpet including Sheila McCarthy, Colm Feore, Executive Producer Jeff King, Cameron Britton, Tom Hopper and Emmy Raver-Lampman.

Sheila McCarthy – “Agnes”
We ask the Toronto-born Actress about her character Agnes, a donut shop owner. She says, “Her glass is full to brimming, even in very violent situations, she sees the sunny side. She’s having the greatest love of her life with someone half her age, which doesn’t matter.”.  She also tells us about her favourite part of working on the Series, revealing her she won’t forget meeting two-time Oscar nominee and R&B superstar Mary J. Blige. “Two years ago if you told me that I’d be working with her, I’d go ‘What?’!  She’s the sweetest, kindest person”, she states. “It’s very carefully-handpicked show and it’s not always like that. It’s a labour of love I tell ya.”.

Colm Feore – “Sir Reginald Hargreeves”

The screen and stage legend tells us what drew him most to the project and Way‘s vision. “It’s a fabulous part and vision of the part by Gerard (Way) and Steven Blackman, a brilliant Writer. He’s got a serious job creating superheroes who could save the world. He knows what end game is and the stakes are very, very high.”.

The role while being a departure from some of the more charismatic roles Feore is known for in his celebrated career, but he clarifies, “For all the absence of warmth and charm, there’s a real eye-on-the-prize focus on what needs to be achieved.”. “It was awfully-fun cracking the whip on the little ones. I got to be mean to Ellen Page by proxy! I know she’s a little mad at me that I didn’t even read her book about the family, EXTRA ORDINARY, but I knew it would pay dividends in the end.”.

Jeff King, Executive Producer

Known for his work on Stargate SG-1, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and White Collar, Canadian-born King feels incredible about bringing the production to and premiering it in Toronto. “This is incredible. This is hometown for me and I haven’t been here in long time to shoot. But I have to credit the Ontario government and the Government of Canada for having an incentive program that would bring studios like Universal and Netflix and encourage them to be in Toronto because it’s such a great multicultural city. I’ve filmed in Paris, London, New York, New York and Vancouver, but Toronto is a unique mélange of all these things because of its people, architecture and proximity.”. He jokes, “Now if would just snow a little less it would be good.”.

Cameron Britton – “Hazel”

Britton who also starred in Netflix’s Mindhunter, tells us what drew him most to his role as an assassin.  The Actor who is paired alongside Blige‘s Cha-Cha says, “He’s someone who doesn’t know who he is and I’ve wanted always to play someone in transition, finding out who they are. I found it really interesting that who they are in this case is a villain. It’s uncommon for villain not to know their identity.”.

On his preparation process, he admits being a bit nervous. “Preparation was scary because there was too much freedom to find out who these folks were. I didn’t meet Mary till a few days before starting to shoot. That’s when the characters opened-up a lot more. The chemistry was there and sometimes you get lucky in that regard.”.

Tom Hopper and Emmy Raver-Lampman – “Luther” and “Allison”

Hopper has starred on HBO‘s Game of Thrones and more recently was seen in Amy Schumer Comedy I Feel Pretty, while Raver-Lampman got a breakthrough after a turn on Broadway in Hamilton. They tell us about their love for Toronto.

Raver-Lampman recalls, “We started filming in January and wrapped in July, so we saw all the seasons. So many TV shows and movies come through town and everyone on show was a veteran of their craft.”. “We went to music festivals, did tons of Karaoke and we loved trying different restaurants. We tried to take Toronto in as much as we could.”.

Hopper states, “The amount of fun stuff we did outside of shooting was great. I had a wicked time. At the time my wife was home pregnant with my second baby. What made it a lot easier was these guys and Toronto. I needed these guys to get through this.”.

Despite being siblings, the two show a great chemistry which is prevalent even in few words. We ask how they achieve this on-screen.

Raver-Lampman tells us, “Right from jump, we really got along. There was no ego. We had a willingness to talk through scenes and make the best of the situation. It is because we had a friendship that existed offstage that we became close pals. I think at some point we stopped talking about scenes we had together. I think the Pilot was most we ever talked about scenes and then we would fall right into it and I started figuring out what he needs from me and vice-versa.”.

Hopper adds, “I was learning who Allison was as I was learning who Luther was. I got to know her as Allison as Emmy, it’s weird. And that’s all to do with the trust Emmy that talks about.”.

See our Chats:

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY streams on Netflix Canada Friday, February 15, 2019.

All photos taken on Nikon D3400.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Amanda Gilmore)

Based on My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way’s Comic Book series of the same name, THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY is set to stream on Netflix this February.  Way also serves on the series as Executive Producer. The first season, comprised of ten hour-long episodes brings together a quirky ensemble of talent. It centers on seven children born on the same day despite their mothers not having been pregnant, who are adopted by Sir Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore) an alien disguised as a billionaire.

They include:

–Vanya (Ellen Page) who is a skilled Violinist
–Luther (Tom Hopper) who possesses super-strength and the body of an alien ape
–Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman) who is a star of the Red Carpet, who can alter reality through her lies
–Klaus (Robert Sheehan) who is an odd-ball underachiever, able to communicate with the dead
–Diego (David Castañeda) who has superior knifing skills and ability to control his breath
–Number Five (Aidan Gallagher) who has the appearance of a teen boy and is able to travel in time

Mary J. Blige also stars as Cha-Cha, a time-travelling assassin, along with her partner Hazel, played by Cameron Britton.

Shot right here in Toronto, The Umbrella Academy is a genre-bending mix of Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Drama and Comedy, set against a late ’80s-inspired Soundtrack, the period in which the central characters were born and grew-up.  While a bit of a slow-burn, as much time is spent explaining these characters’ back stories, we learn along the way what led to their dysfunction present day as siblings as they look to solve their father’s death. With Number Five travelling into the future to learn that the world will be ending in a matter of days, the siblings must come together to save the world before others threaten to off them and assassins are in hot pursuit of Number Five.

The series’ aesthetic is dark and apocalyptic, set in the poorly-maintained mansion in which the siblings were raised. Fans of the Comic Book Series however surely will find plenty to connect with and rewarded as the plots thicken and the siblings are brought together in a common goal.

The Umbrella Academy is a star vehicle for young Aidan Gallagher who gets a chance to shine with plentiful action sequences, possessing a maturity well beyond his years and he handles the dramatic scenes, especially with Ellen Page with prowess, being her emotional and intellectual equal. Page is fragile and vulnerable, cast well in the role of Vanya who really needs to find herself in a family of siblings whom all possess a useful skill… except her. Tom Hopper as leader Luther and glamorous Emma Raver-Lampman, possess an almost-inappropriate interest in one another which translates from the source material. Robert Sheehan‘s Klaus and David Castañeda‘s Diego are the rebels in the family, keeping things uncomfortably dangerous.

Season One of THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY streams Friday, February 15, 2019.  More here.

Paramount Home Media Distribution x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of BUMBLEBEE on Blu-ray.

Synopsis:
California, 1987. While on the run, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), a young girl who’s just about to turn 18 and is trying to find her place in the world, discovers the battle-scarred and broken Bumblebee. When she tries to revive him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance! Open to Canadian Readers only.

Paramount Home Media Distribiution release BUMBLEBEE Tuesday, April 2, 2019. It is available on Digital Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

From the same people who brought us GET OUT and HAPPY DEATH DAY, comes MA starring  Octavia Spencer, reuniting her with The Help Director Tate Taylor.

Synopsis:
Oscar® winner Octavia Spencer stars as Sue Ann, a loner who keeps to herself in her quiet Ohio town. One day, she is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in town (Diana Silvers, Glass), to buy some booze for her and her friends, and Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own.

She offers the kids the chance to avoid drinking and driving by hanging out in the basement of her home. But there are some house rules: One of the kids has to stay sober. Don’t curse. Never go upstairs. And call her “Ma.”

But as Ma’s hospitality starts to curdle into obsession, what began as a teenage dream turns into a terrorizing nightmare, and Ma’s place goes from the best place in town to the worst place on earth.

Ma also stars Juliette Lewis (August: Osage County) as Maggie’s mom, Luke Evans (Beauty and the Beast) as a local dad, Missi Pyle (Gone Girl) as his girlfriend, and McKaley Miller (TV’s Hart of Dixie), Corey Fogelmanis (TV’s Girl Meets World), Gianni Paolo (TV’s Power) and Dante Brown (Lethal Weapon TV series) as Maggie’s friends.

From Tate Taylor, the acclaimed director of The Help and Get On Up, and blockbuster producer Jason Blum (Get Out, Halloween, The Purge series) comes a thriller anchored by a daring and unexpected performance from Spencer, one of the most powerful actors of her generation.

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures Canada release MA Friday, May 31, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)

Talk about perfect timing! As we get capped in ice and snow, we get a new Teaser for FROZEN 2. We’re sure many of you can’t wait any longer!  It’s okay, let it go!

Synopsis:
From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, and producer Peter Del Vecho—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, and the music of Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in theatres on Nov. 22, 2019.

See the Teaser:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release FROZEN 2 on Friday, November 22, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)