#EDITORSNOTE: MR. WILL’S BEST OF 2018 LIST

2018 will go down as one of the best years in recent Cinema. While I’m not loving the current sound of what’s dominating the airwaves, there were a few Pop Gems that filled my heart and ears with joy. Those of you who are following me on Social Media know that my year was all about A STAR IS BORN. I had few expectations of it at the beginning of the year, but then came the Trailer in June and then came news of it premiering at TIFF ’18. Seeing it at the Festival, my year and life would be changed forever, single-handedly owning my two favourite realms, Music and Film. I am still not healed of the heartbreak I experience and can imagine what it’s like to be Lady Gaga or Bradley Cooper and carrying their characters with them after filming. If you still haven’t seen it, please do.

We loved the resurgence of the Musical with the likes of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Bohemian Rhapsody and Mary Poppins Returns performing v. well in numbers. The World needs a lift in spirits and these all came to save the day at the right time.

Music wise, we are ever-excited about Dua Lipa‘s blooming career and she has gifted us with several earworms which still stand the test of time at the end of year. While there wasn’t really a big single off it, Mariah Carey‘s critically-acclaimed Caution is definitely a smooth, cohesive listen. Cardi B‘s Invasion of Privacy gave us life in a big way this spring and likewise, there wasn’t one particular 2018 single which impacted us, the Album was on repeat for quite a while for us.

 

Here are my Best of 2018 Lists:

 

MUSIC

One Kiss – Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa
The Middle – zedd ft. Maren Morris
Electricity – Silk City ft. Dua Lipa
I’ll Never Love Again – Lady Gaga
Shallow – Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga
God is a Woman – Ariana Grande
Breathin – Ariana Grande
Lights Down Low – M△X
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart – Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus
Youngblood – 5 Seconds of Summer

 

FILM

A Star is Born
Green Book
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Crazy Rich Asians
Ben is Back
Love, Simon
A Quiet Place
Vice
The Favourite
Mary Poppins Returns

 

Check-out Team Mr. Will’s Best Picpicks of 2018 here.

 

2018 also was my best year for Selfies ever. Will I ever stop? Why stop at something you love this much? Sorry, haters!

 

Adam Brody

Alexandra Shipp

Amandla Stenberg

Amber Heard

Anne-Marie

Amber Heard

Awkwafina

Bebe Rexha

Ben Platt

Billie Eilish

Bo Derek

Brandy

bülow

The Chainsmokers

 

Chelsea Handler

Chris Pine

Christie Brinkley

Claire Foy

Cynthia Erivo

Damian Lewis

Danai Gurira

Daniel Kaluuya

David Tao

DJ Khaled

Ed Helms

Elizabeth Debicki

Emily Mortimer

Ezra Miller

Gordon Ramsay

Gwendoline Christie

Howie Mandel

The Adult Cast of IT: CHAPTER TWO

 

> 

Jack Dylan Grazer

Jaleel White

Jamie Dornan

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jane Seymour

Jason Momoa

Jeremy Renner

Jessie Reyez

Jimmy Kimmel

John David Washington

Jon Hamm

Josh Dallas

Julia Roberts (kinda!)

Karen Gillan

Katherine Heigl

Keegan-Michael Key

Keith Urban

Kelly Marie Tran

Kristen Stewart

Lady Gaga

Laura Linney

Lily-Rose Depp

Loud Luxury

Mackenzie Foy

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Mahershala Ali

Marcia Gay Harden

Maren Morris

Martin Scorsese

Mary J. Blige

M△X

Mena Massoud

Michael J. Fox with Team Mr. Will

Norm Kelly

Paris Hilton

Peter Sarsgaard

Quincy Jones

Riz Ahmed

Rob Schneider

Robert DeNiro

Roseanne Barr

Ryan Gosling

Sally Field

Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

Steve Carell

Steve Yeun

Timothée Chalamet

Tony Danza

Trevante Rhodes

Troye Sivan

Wyatt Olef

Zhang Yimou

Patrick Wilson

 

We’ve been at this game for what is approaching our tenth year and we’re showing no signs of stopping. We are indebted to you, our Readers for all the support and love you’ve shown all these years and we’ll never forget being named NOW Magazine Readers’ Choice Best Blogger this year. Thank you. To a stellar 2019!

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

 

#BOXOFFICE: “AQUAMAN” MAKES A SPLASH IN OPENING

AQUAMAN makes a huge splash this pre-Christmas weekend at the Box Office. It opens with $70 million from 4,125 theatres for Warner Bros. It passes with a 63% on the Tomatometer and gets also an A- CinemaScore which should give it some fins to swim with through the Holiday Season.

BUMBLEBEE, the latest in the Transformers Franchise debuts in second spot with stellar reviews at $22.7 million from 3,550 theatres for Paramount Pictures. It gets 94% on the Tomatometer – shocking – and an A- CinemaScore from Audiences.

In third is MARY POPPINS RETURNS with $21.7 million from 4,090 theatres for Disney. The Sequel, some 50+ years in-the-making, gets 77% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore.

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE gets $18 million in its second week out for Sony Pictures, a tally of $66.1 million domestically. This lands it in fourth spot.

SECOND ACT starring Jennifer Lopez, debuts in seventh with $7.1 million for STX Entertainment/Elevation Pictures. It gets 42% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

WELCOME TO MARWEN opens in ninth with $2.6 million for Universal Pictures. It gets 25% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.

Rounding things out is MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS with $2.5 million for Universal Pictures/Focus Features with $2.5 million, a total $3.8 million in three weeks of limited release. It gets 61% on the Tomatometer.

#FIRSTLOOK: “CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC” TORONTO

By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC opens with a tune by Led Zeppelin blasting as Young & Strange (two British illusionists) enter the stage with a shtick and trick routine that includes corny jokes and perhaps one of them being impaled to death while inside a huge cardboard box that the other shoves large wooden stakes through. Spoiler alert…he comes out of the box unscathed!

Thus begins one of the more entertaining live productions playing exclusively in Toronto at the Bluma Appel Theatre to January 6, 2019. A huge hit in the U.K., CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC feature five Magicians/Illusionists, each with their own strengths.

Kayla Drescher is the master of deft hand illusions with a deck of cards she purchased at Dollarama and a willing audience participant. Fernando Velasco, from Mexico and wearing a pair of pants that Liberace would kill for, is obviously influenced by Houdini and makes his two quite serious turns on stage electrifying with his interpretation of two classic routines. Young & Strange (who have a Laurel and Hardy-meets-Penn and Teller vibe about them) excel at the Vegas-like illusions. These are the guys that wow the most, by either sawing someone in half, or making them disappear. They close the show with a series of transfixing events, which includes a funny homage to Siegfried & Roy, that had the audience cheering for more. The highlight of the show for me was Alex McAleer. This very funny mentalist had me laughing continuously, all the while performing entertaining mind-bending routines.

There was a variety show-type feel to the extravaganza that works quite well. The children in attendance, some of who are made to be part of the show, will vastly enjoy the magic and illusions and the adults, cynics or not, will be wowed.

CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC is a fantastic and entertaining excursion out for the entire family this Holiday season.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE”

Cate Blanchett stars in the adaptation of WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE. Check out its brand-new Trailer!

Synopsis:
Where’d You Go, Bernadette is based on the runaway bestseller about Bernadette Fox, a Seattle woman who had it all – a loving husband and a brilliant daughter. When she unexpectedly disappears, her family sets off on an exciting adventure to solve the mystery of where she might have gone.

 

See the Trailer:

 

eOne Films release WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE Friday, March 22, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “HELLBOY”

The moment many of you have been waiting for, a brand-new Trailer for HELLBOY starring David Harbour!

Synopsis:
Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy, caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge.

Starring: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Daniel Dae Kim, Sasha Lane, Ian McShane
Directed By: Neil Marshall

 

See the Trailer:

 

VVS Films release HELLBOY Friday, April 12, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

#SPOTTED: PATRICK WILSON + YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II IN TORONTO FOR “AQUAMAN”

Toronto rolled-out the Blue Carpet tonight at the Canadian Premiere of DC Comics’ long-awaited AQUAMAN. Taking over Scotiabank Theatre, the event saw Cosplayers and contest winners come out for a chance to meet stars Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Get Down).

The Duo, in-town for a day of Press tomorrow, walked the Carpet an hour early. Wilson, who plays the titual character’s half-brother Orm and Abdul-Mateem who plays Black Manta, took their time to chat with Media and meet Fans. Wilson did not disappoint stopping for Selfies and Autographs, accommodating as many as he could. The Film has seen a whirlwind promotional tour spanning the globe including a Los Angeles Premiere last week and a Premiere in Australia tomorrow.

The Conjuring Franchise Producer Peter Safran, who also is one of the Producers behind AQUAMAN, also made a surprise appearance. He also produces upcoming DC Comics Adaptation Shazam, with star Zachary Levi making a quiet entrance. The Actor currently is in Toronto filming re-shoots for that Film.

Synopsis:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, “Aquaman,” starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king.

 

See the Trailer:

 

See some Snaps from the Blue Carpet:

 

Warner Bros. Canada release AQUAMAN Friday, December 21, 2018.

 

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

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING”

20th Century Fox Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING! Screenings take place Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 10AM in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver!

Additional Calgary + Edmonton Screenings have been added:

THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING – CALGARY

Wednesday, January 23

6:30PM

Cineplex Chinook

THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING – EDMONTON

Wednesday, January 23

6:30PM

Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton

Synopsis:

Old school magic meets the modern world in the epic adventure THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING. Alex (Ashbourne Serkis) thinks he’s just another nobody, until he stumbles upon the mythical Sword in the Stone, Excalibur. Now, he must unite his friends and enemies into a band of knights and, together with the legendary wizard Merlin (Patrick Stewart), take on the wicked enchantress Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson). With the future at stake, Alex must become the great leader he never dreamed he could be.

CAST: Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Dean Chaumoo, Tom Taylor, Rhianna Dorris, Angus Imrie, with Rebecca Ferguson and Patrick Stewart

 

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!

20th Century Fox Canada release THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING Friday, January 25, 2019.

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

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE UPSIDE”

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advanced Screening of THE UPSIDE! Screenings are as follows:

Toronto:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018

Vancouver:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018

Ottawa:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018

Calgary:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018

Halifax:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018

Edmonton:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018

Winnipeg:
Date: Wednesday, January 9th, 2018

 

See the Trailer:

 

Artwork:

 

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City! Share this Tweet via @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Elevation Pictures release THE UPSIDE Friday, January 11, 2019.

 

 

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “GLASS”

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend and advanced screening of GLASS! Screenings take place as follows:

TORONTO, MONTREAL, VANCOUVER

January 16, 2019 7 PM

Synopsis:
From Unbreakable, Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn as does Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, known also by his pseudonym Mr. Glass. Joining from Split are James McAvoy, reprising his role as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the multiple identities who reside within, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the only captive to survive an encounter with The Beast.

Following the conclusion of Split, Glass finds Dunn pursuing Crumb’s superhuman figure of The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the shadowy presence of Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men. Joining the all-star cast are Unbreakable’s Spencer Treat Clark and Charlayne Woodard, who reprise their roles as Dunn’s son and Price’s mother, as well as Golden Globe Award winner Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story series).

 

See the Trailer:

Artwork:  

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Tell us in the comments which of Kevin Wendell Crumb‘s many personalities is your favourite. Share this Post from Facebook or Re-Tweet this contest Tweet from @mrwillw for another shot!

Universal Pictures Canada releases GLASS Friday, January 18, 2019.

 

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

#HORSERACING: A YEAR IN HORSES 2018

True to tradition, we present to you our A YEAR IN HORSES 2018 Video. Annually at the end of the Woodbine racing season, we compile our favourite moments of people and horses at the races to commemorate the year.

This year we chose to pair our highlights with one of our favourite tracks, ONE KISS by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa. The song is a celebration of falling in love and that is exactly what we do year after year. We never get sick of this, our favourite sport! It’s always been about the people, the passion and the horses for us rather than hitting a Jackpot Hi-5.

The year was marked by Wonder Gadot‘s reign as the Queen of Canadian Racing and veterans shining like Pink Lloyd, Pumpkin Rumble, Mr. Havercamp, Kingsport and Tiz a Slam.  We saw also the rise of several recent additions to the jockey colony like Jerome Lermyte and Kazushi Kimura. 2018 may have been a divisive year with many getting their moment to shine and split opinions, but there certainly were a lot of memories to capture.  We take you right from the start of the season, all the way to Churchill Downs at the Breeders’ Cup, right to the end of the Woodbine meet.

While we had to scale back our visits slightly this year due to various commitments and Billy’s health issues – he is the only thing that could keep us from the races –  we still were very much there throughout the year. Hence when people ask me “Where  have you been?”, honestly I never left! And here’s the proof.

Enjoy!

 

Mr. Will

 

A YEAR IN HORSES 2018

Photos taken on the Nikon D3300, D850 and D3400