Since 1978, The Cheesecake Factory has been exciting tastebuds throughout the United States. Tallying-in at a total 209 locations worldwide and its first ever location set to open in Canada at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, calling the Brand created by David Overton a success story would be an understatement.  Many of us have ourselves or at least know that one friend or family member who treks across the border with the specific intent of splurging on their generously-portioned entrées and signature Cheesecakes of course. Gas is expensive these days, isn’t it? Brace for your delicious dreams finally to become a reality next week, Toronto!

We were among the select media outlets and influencers lucky enough to be invited to preview the hotly-buzzed establishment recently. Believe us, it was a privilege we cherish with many trying to land a spot at the opportunity for a taste.

The Toronto menu boasts an impressive 250+ dishes, plus 50 legendary desserts and Cheesecakes.  If there ever was a doubt that Canadians might be getting any less of an experience, founder Overton and several staff including the Franchise’s PR Director Alethea Rowe traveled into the City to ensure that same high standard synonymous with the Brand is attained locally.  We were told that The Cheesecake Factory‘s original Lighting Guru was on-site helping fine-tune that customer experience with precision.  Playlists even are chosen and are uniform across all locations. Despite the many calculations involved, sitting at the Yorkdale location felt seamless and organic.

We admit, we’ve only had their Cheesecake, which can be found at luxury grocers like Pusateri’s in-and-around the City. We’ve long desired to have a proper sit-down meal here and finally got our wish.  To say we were impressed does not do justice to the experience. Nope.  It’s rare you walk into a restaurant and the staff give off a genuine air of pride letting you know they are working for a great place and we felt exactly this.  In fact, it is little wonder seeing this knowing that The Cheesecake Factory is ranked within the the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by Fortune Magazine. Whether they be behind the cake counter or serving us at our table, team members were keen to offer recommendations when asked and so incredibly attentive.  One of our servers who trekked all the way from Queens, New York to help launch the Restaurant,  was helping shadow our official server-in-training. Both had opinions on what they loved most and they meant it.  They agreed however The Cheesecake Factory does salmon just right and we admit we rather enjoyed their recommendation, Miso Salmon – sweet and umami over a bed of sticky white rice. Our only wish was for just a few more greens on the plate but we were satisfied!

Let’s talk appetizers. The Cheesecake Factory‘s Avocado Spring Rolls are renowned and as we learned, patented.  While competing chains have tried to duplicate their success, none have been able to topple their delightful sundried tomato and chunky avocado-filled creation. As if these weren’t pleasing enough, we tried also their Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes – just heavenly topped with Pico de Gallo and avocado, leaning perhaps more towards thin, fried cornbread patties than their actual namesake.

The Cuban Sandwich came highly-recommended also and did not disappoint. Sizable and paired with a side of salad or fries, layers of roast pork and ham sat on thinly-slice pickles and swiss cheese.  You certainly don’t leave this place hungry.

We learned also that The Cheesecake Factory‘s top-selling cakes are in exact order: their classic Fresh Strawberry, Ultimate Red Velvet Cake (which for a short time was #1) and recent addition, Celebration (think colourful Funfetti Birthday Cake!).  We already have reserved space in our tummies for Oreo and Key Lime varieties on a future visit!

The buzz is deafening for this inaugural Canadian location. Throughout our visit we could see mallgoers try to get in despite the Restaurant being open for invitees only.  Expect big lineups and expect additional announcements to come soon.  We predict a smashing success for The Cheesecake Factory here in Canada.

Watch our experience at The Cheesecake Factory Yorkdale right here:

See some Snaps:

 Avocado Spring Rolls

 Miso Salmon

Wheat Honey Bread

 Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake 

 Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes

The Cheesecake Factory Founder David Overton

The Cheesecake Factory Yorkdale opens its doors Tuesday, November 21, 2017.

Join the community and “like” The Cheesecake Factory Canada on Facebook here.

All video and photography done on the Samsung Galaxy S8+.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Already breaking Box Office records in Mexico, Disney•Pixar’s COCO is set to hit theatres for U.S. Thanksgiving. After a rigorous audition process spanning a year alas the perfect lead was found in 12-year-old Anthony Gonzalez who won the role of Miguel in the Adrian Molina/Lee Unkrich co-directed Film. The young Actor is in Toronto today to promote the Animated Feature in which he stars alongside Gael García Bernal and Benjamin Bratt.

COCO gives us an interesting take on death, centering around Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), in which death versus grieving, is viewed as a celebration of things which the dead had loved while they were alive.

After an extended spirited appearance on Breakfast Television which saw Gonzalez singing and joking with Dina Pugliese, he braved the freeze to complete a second day of Canadian Press today.

See our Snap! What a charmer!

With the charming young star of Disney•Pixar’s #COCO, #AnthonyGonzalez. The Film in which he stars as Miguel, centers around #DiadelosMuertos (Day of the Dead), celebrating the things which the dead had loved. It opens U.S. Thanksgiving and already has broken Box Office records in Mexico.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🎅 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 17, 2017 at 5:39am PST

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release COCO Wednesday, November 22, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Let’s face it. I haven’t always loved Taylor Swift. None can deny though that her 1984 Album was phenomenal, raising that Crossover-Pop bar so impossibly high that there only should realistically be room only for disappointment come any follow-up.  We weren’t wowed particularly by get-even-with-Kanye lead Single Look What You Made Me Do and even more so the dark Electro-Synth of follow-up … Ready for It?.  We like Swift when she’s lovelorn and melodic, maybe a bit melancholic too like on Style and You Belong to Me and we kinda wanted her to stay that way forever.

Now comes the moment that we must admit Swift thoroughly has won us over on her latest effort and sixth studio disc, reputation. It took a few listens but we really wanted to enjoy it and found a way to be hypnotized by her introspective Lyrics and still-catchy Hooks despite the black canvass on which she paints. reputation doesn’t feel like a standalone album, it feels more like a continuation of an ongoing Diary she is writing. It feels personal, honest and while we can’t help at times judgmentally roll our eyes at her revolving door of famous lovers, there is a deeper sense of maturity, that she is growing and learning from betrayals and mistakes.

Producers Max Martin, Shellback and Jack Antonoff lend a hand again, crafting a new evolution to Swift‘s sound. While the first half of the Album certainly has a bit more of an edge to it with the former two overseeing Production, the latter half with Antonoff feels more familiar, softening a bit of that angry edge with that mid-to-late ’80s Synth-Pop we adored so much on 1984.

Gems on the first-half include ..Ready for It? which we’ve decided we actually like finally and Alternative R&B-esque Ed Sheeran/Future pairing End Game.  Delicate recounts the headspace she was in when meeting current partner, English Actor Joe Alwyn who accepted her even at her worst. “My reputation’s never been worse/So you must like me for me”, she sings.

I am head over heels in love with Antonoff contribution Getaway Car on the second-half, sounding single-worthy and taking us away with Swift a la Bonnie & Clyde from the chaos of the every day. Not that we can even fathom the daily tumult which Swift knows. Something can be said about much of the Album being maybe too focused on getting-even, but whimsical This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things tells us that Swift is ready to close the past dramatic chapter in her life and move forward and this is redeeming. New Year’s Day is a thing of beauty and a reminder that ‘old Taylor’ might not actually be dead after all.

Once a year that Blockbuster album comes out around American Thanksgiving and this is that standout in a year of several lackluster releases.

Sample some of the Tracks off reputation.
 

…Ready for It?

Gorgeous

New Year’s Day

Look What You Made Me Do

Universal Music Canada release reputation, in-stores now and available soon on streaming services.

(Photo credit: Universal Music)

Isn’t it cool that one of this Holiday’s biggest Films can be watched right at home? Netflix‘s BRIGHT reuniting Suicide Squad Director David Ayer and Will Smith, is set for a Christmas release. Betcha didn’t know that its Soundtrack also is going to be a Blockbuster event too!

Surfacing from the BRIGHT SOUNDTRACK is the brand-new single HOME with X Ambassadors, Bebe Rexha and Machine Gun Kelly!

Listen to HOME:

Camila Cabello, DRAM, Future, Grey, Kiiara, Lil Uzi Vert, Logic, Marshmello, Meek Mill, Migos, Neil Young, Portugal. The Man, Rag’n’Bone Man, Sam Hunt, Snoop Dogg, Steve Aoki, Tom Morello, Ty Dolla $ign and YG also are on the Soundtrack.

Warner Music Canada release BRIGHT: THE ALBUM Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

See the Trailer for BRIGHT right here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music Canada)

You loved the first two, now here’s a third! The new Trailer for HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION has just surfaced.

Synopsis:
In Sony Pictures Animation‘s Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, join our favorite monster family as they embark on a vacation on a luxury monster cruise ship so Drac can take a summer vacation from providing everyone else’s vacation at the hotel. It’s smooth sailing for Drac’s Pack as the monsters indulge in all of the shipboard fun the cruise has to offer, from monster volleyball to exotic excursions, and catching up on their moon tans. But the dream vacation turns into a nightmare when Mavis realizes Drac has fallen for the mysterious captain of the ship, Ericka, who hides a dangerous secret that could destroy all of monsterkind.

Hotel Transylvania 3: SUMMER VACATION stars Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Molly Shannon, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Keegan-Michael Key and Mel Brooks!

See the Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION Friday, July 13, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)

If they can’t hear you, they can’t hunt you.

John Krasinski directs A QUIET PLACE, in which he stars alongside his real-life wife Emily Blunt. You must admit this first Trailer is pretty terrifying!

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release A QUIET PLACE Friday, April 6, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

Fans of THE CROWN will love this brand-new Featurette for the beloved Series’ second season. Expect more Prince Philip (Matt Smith) and bigger dilemmas for Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) as they head into the ’60s.

See the Featurette:

Netflix Canada stream THE CROWN SEASON TWO Friday, December 8, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Well, that’s one way to handle things!  After its TIFF ’17 Premiere, DOWNSIZING has been on our minds. Check-out its new Trailer and Poster!

Synopsis:
Downsizing imagines what might happen if, as a solution to over-population, Norwegian scientists discover how to shrink humans to five inches tall and propose a 200-year global transition from big to small. People soon realize how much further money goes in a miniaturized world, and with the promise of a better life, everyman Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) and wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to abandon their stressed lives in Omaha in order to get small and move to a new downsized community — a choice that triggers life-changing adventures.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

Paramount Pictures Canada release DOWNSIZING this Christmas.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to take Readers to see DARKEST HOUR which premiered here at TIFF ’17, Gary Oldman gaining tons of Oscar buzz.

Screenings take place:

Toronto – Wednesday December 6 – Varsity Cinemas 7pm

Vancouver – Monday December 11 – Fifth Ave Cinemas 7pm

Montreal – Monday December 11 – Forum 7pm

Synopsis:
A thrilling and inspiring true story begins at the precipice of World War II as, within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman) must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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Universal Pictures Canada release DARKEST HOUR in Toronto Friday, December 8, 2017 exclusively at the Varsity.

DARKEST HOUR will then expand to Montreal & Vancouver Friday, December 15, 2017 and release wide Friday, December 22, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

By Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong

The year that was 2017 is almost over and that means we have an entire slate of 2018 Movies to look forward to. Whether you’re a fan of animation, superheroes, or space cowboys one studio has the answer to all your dreams: Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada. As the home of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Disney Animation and Disney Live Action among others, they are host to the Must-See Movies of 2018 than you can shake a lightsaber at.

Before you start trying to figure out how Coco fits into the greater Pixar universe or prepare to jump to lightspeed in anticipation of December’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the team here at Mr. Will Wong has your inside scoop to everything Disney in 2018.

Kicking things off in February, Chadwick Boseman returns as the eponymous hero in Marvel’s Black Panther. The action moves to the kingdom of Wakanda where T’Challa’s enemies are conspiring to take down the new king. Director Ryan Coogler has assembled a star-studded cast featuring a villainous Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger, and Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira members of Wakanda’s elite all-female special forces.

Madeleine L’Engle’s 1962 book A Wrinkle in Time can be found on the shelves of countless children and movie critics around the world. In March, Oscar-nominated Director Ava DuVernay will tackle this timeless Novel with a Cast featuring Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon. Frozen’s Jennifer Lee adapted this story of a girl who learns her father is being held captive on a distant planet decides to save him the help of her brother, a classmate, and a little interdimensional travel.

There is no end of excitement for May’s Avengers: Infinity War. This Movie will bring together heroes from all corners of the Marvel universe as they battle Josh Brolin’s Thanos.

One word has the ability to make all animation fans thrill: Pixar. In June Brad Bird returns to direct of one of the most highly anticipated animated, superhero Sequels in decades: The Incredibles 2. Joining Bob, Helen, Violet and Dash is baby Jack Jack whose powers manifested at the end of last Movie. Pixar is keenly-aware of never messing with a good thing and have reunited not only the Director and Cast but also many of the behind-the-scenes people including the Composer and Producers. Prepare to be dazzled but remember: no capes!

November marks the return of Vanellope and Ralph (Sarah Silverman and John C. Reilly) in Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2. Details of this Disney Animated Sequel were first shared in July at D23 and although we can’t tell you much we assure you Ralph Breaks the Internet is even better than the first.

As the holiday season approaches, Disney hopes to enchant audiences with their take on a Tchaikovsky classic in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. Most people will be thrilled to see Keira Knightley in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy to Mackenzie Foy’s Clara. Devoted ballet enthusiasts will no doubt be more focused on the addition of Misty Copeland in this ballet inspired Movie. Morgan Freeman is along for the ride as the mysterious Drosselmeyer.

But wait, that’s not all! In May, head back to a galaxy far, far away when Solo: A Star Wars Movie hits the big screen. A third Marvel Movie is headed for theatres in July with Ant-Man and the Wasp. Finally, 2018 will definitely end on a high note when Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda sing their way to the big screen in December’s Mary Poppins Returns.

That’s just a small taste of the wonders Walt Disney Pictures Canada has in store for fans next year. Small kids and big kids alike are sure to find something to love in 2018.