We have had the pleasure of driving several vehicles in the Ford Canada family over the years, but none ever have given us the level of confidence we felt at the wheel of the 2017 Ford Explorer Limited Edition.

Coloured like the blue jeans we wear so comfortably, the vehicle we drove in ways was metaphoric of how at home we felt in this spacious ride. In fact, it can seat up to seven with an optional back row of seats.

Not to be forgotten is its sizy trunk with Foot-Activated, Hands-Free Power Liftgate. Hands full of pre-holiday shopping bags and groceries like us? Simply kick its bumper to load and unload cargo from its trunk. We love easy access and loathe fumbling for keys. That keyless ignition and lock are a dream. Just stand beside the door with the remote key in your pocket and the door unlocks.

The car undeniably is a bit if a ‘gas guzzler’ with fuel economy of 14.4 l/100 km city and 10.5 l/100 km highway. In fact, we ran through a tank of gas in less than 2.5 days with a trek to the countryside to see our dear Princess, the 2017 Ford Explorer Limited Edition and downtown from the suburbs. On that same token though, the Explorer gave us nothing but pure power on the road with its 2.3L EcoBoost® engine, producing 280 horsepower and providing 310 lb.-ft. of torque.

We are a bit obsessed with staying connected and charged at all times and the car hit all the marks with mulitple USB charge ports, even for our passengers who could control their climate too. Its SYNC® 390 is ahead of the curve with its voice-activated technology. The touch screen console displays climate control options, audio, navigation and even gives an audio transcription of text messages while we’re focussed on driving. Although we’re not an Apple® user, Siri® Eyes Free is available and ready to connect to your iPhone®.

That rear-view camera gives you that added piece of mind when reversing and parallel parking (yes it has parking assist too!) in the City.

While our Holiday gear-up playlist alternated from Mariah Carey’s first Christmas album, the Grease Soundtrack (we were invited to a sold-out weekend performance at Winter Garden Theatre!) and the new Taylor Swift album, we marveled at several details in the music which we never heard before on our headphones through the car’s premium 12-speaker Sony® audio system.

Everything about the 2017 Ford Explorer Limited Edition is a perfect balance of purpose and luxury from its gorgeous perforated leather seats to its trimmming and pleasing ambient lighting. Seating not only is heatable, but also coolable and that heated stearing wheel will come in handy this v. chilly Toronto winter. The moonroof which is concealable with a retracting cover, gives the experience that added touch of elegance.

While we never once had a doubt about how secure we felt driving this vehicle, additional saftey features like Post-Crash Alert, AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™, Belt-Minder® and a Front Passenger Knee Airbag are designed to keep us and our loved ones out of harm’s way and we appreciate this.

The 2017 Ford Explorer Limited Edition starts at $47,399 CAN and is crammed with value.

More here.

Snaps from our Explorer Weekend! Hover cursor left and right to navigate albums:

The weather might be miserable, but driving the 2017 #FordExplorer has been nothing short of a remarkable experience. Power, style and purpose highlight this luxurious ride. Have been able to catch-up with loved ones and get Holiday-ready with flare! Swipe left for more.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🎅 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 18, 2017 at 8:53pm PST

Loved spending the day with these lovely ladies who show so much love and support always. There’s always time for Kelly’s! ❤

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🎅 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 18, 2017 at 9:01pm PST

Surround yourself with love. ❤

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🎅 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 18, 2017 at 5:39pm PST

(Swipe left!) Had way too much fun at #GreaseToronto tonight! With most weekend shows sold-out, you will be happy to know that it has been held-over till January 2018! I admit it is impossible not to make comparisons to the original Film. I can’t help it. While the forehead mics on the actors and change in song sequence take a bit of getting used to, this take on #Grease preserves the spirit of the original and we love the diversity in casting. Great performances from this young cast including its leads #JanelParrish and #DylanWallach. Outstanding work from #KatieFindlay (Rizzo) and #JessicaGallant (Marty). You will love what they’ve done with Greased Lightnin’, Beauty School Dropout and Born to Hand Jive!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🎅 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 18, 2017 at 8:44pm PST

5 PM ET.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🎅 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 19, 2017 at 8:51pm PST

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It amazes me that there still are people in this world who haven’t discovered GREASE! The stage version of the beloved ’50s-set Musical just opened in Toronto officially at Winter Garden Theatre, running through to mid-December. The Production directed by Broadway Choreographer and Director Josh Prince, stars Pretty Little Liars’ Janel Parrish in the lead role of Sandy.  Playing Danny is fresh-faced Dylan S. Wallach,while the important role of Rizzo is filled by Katie Findlay, a familiar face whom you may remember from How to Get Away with Murder and The Carrie Diaries. Kenickie is played by Matt Magnusson.

We had the joy of meeting Parrish, Findlay and Magusson who have settled nicely into the City for the past bit. Parrish‘s parents came out to support her at today’s matinee and even brought her flowers! Aww! 💐

See some Snaps! Hover left and right to navigate.

(Swipe left!) With some of the Cast of #GreaseToronto including #PrettyLittleLiars’ #JanelParrish, #TheCarrieDiaries’ #KatieFindlay and #MattMagnusson. #Grease

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🎅 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 12, 2017 at 1:22pm PST

UPDATE: We had the absolute pleasure witnessing GREASE TORONTO live this past weekend and we had so much fun!  See our Review below and hover your cursor left and right to navigate some more Cast Snaps:

(Swipe left!) Had way too much fun at #GreaseToronto tonight! With most weekend shows sold-out, you will be happy to know that it has been held-over till January 2018! I admit it is impossible not to make comparisons to the original Film. I can’t help it. While the forehead mics on the actors and change in song sequence take a bit of getting used to, this take on #Grease preserves the spirit of the original and we love the diversity in casting. Great performances from this young cast including its leads #JanelParrish and #DylanWallach. Outstanding work from #KatieFindlay (Rizzo) and #JessicaGallant (Marty). You will love what they’ve done with Greased Lightnin’, Beauty School Dropout and Born to Hand Jive!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🎅 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 18, 2017 at 8:44pm PST

Tickets still are available for GREASE THE MUSICAL and with most weekends shows already sold-out, we’ve caught wind it has been held-over till January 2018! Click here for more.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It ain’t U.S. Thanksgiving yet but Warner Bros. must give thanks to a powerful opening for JUSTICE LEAGUE earning $96 million in its opening from 4,051 theatres – completely in another league than its competition. This latest DC Comics Adaptation gets a B+ CinemaScore from Audiences and 40% on the Tomatometer from Critics.

WONDER starring Canada’s Jacob Tremblay has a very wonderful opening in second with $28.3 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. Audiences are smitten with an A+ CinemaScore and a strong 83% on the Tomatometer.

THOR: RAGNAROK slips to third in its third week with $20.3 million for Disney. Thus far it has made $245 million domestically.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS slips to fourth in its second week with $14.1 million for 20th Century Fox. In North America thus far it has grossed $52 million.

DADDY’S HOME 2 slips to fifth, also in its second week with $13.6 million for Paramount Pictures. It has made $49.4 million to date.

THE STAR earns $10.2 million from 2,837 theatres for Sony Pictures. It opened on Wednesday. The Nativity Story-centered Film gets 62% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

LADY BIRD expands successfully to 238 theatres for A24 Films/Elevation Pictures with $2.4 million. Over three weeks it has made $4.6 million and has a perfect 100% CinemaScore.

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI expands to 52 theatres this weekend and earns $1.1 million for Fox Searchlight. The Oscar Contender sits at 94% on the Tomatometer and has the distinction of winning the TIFF ’17 People’s Choice Award.

JIGSAW rounds-out the Top Ten with $1 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films. 

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)