The Honda brand has been built on reliability, value and style, thus when we were offered an opportunity to test drive the 2017 Honda CRV Touring, we came eager and with nothing but the highest of expectations. Does it deliver? You bet! Not only does it serve its purpose as a as a sports utility vehicle, but also a sleek and versatile everyday ride.

My first impression of the CRV Touring after having driven more compact offerings of late from the manufacturer, was that it seemed a bit daunting size wise initially. It is extremely spacious, everything supersized from its large perforated leather seats to its jumbo hatchback trunk. Everything about it including its movements felt that little bit bigger.  While this seemed a bit of an obstacle at the start, quickly I overcame this and navigating its extra size seemed like second nature to me.

The CRV Touring is pure power with its 1.5 litre, 15 valve, direct injection, DOHC, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 179-lb.ft. of torque. Acceleration feels effortless and response was remarkably quick on the brakes.

Fuel economy always is important for us and the CRV Touring has exactly this, tallying-in at 8.7/7.2/8.0 L/100 km (city/highway/combined).  A week’s worth of driving from the east to the west ends of the city, multiple times on the 401, came out to just over $40.00 only.  I was shocked as one would expect with its power and size it should have been a ‘gas guzzler‘ but it wasn’t. There also was an ECON mode option to save even more on fuel. That money could be allocated on drive-thrus at Starbucks with Billy… just because!

Morning coffee run in the amazing #HondaCRV… because we can! ☕

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 4, 2017 at 5:12am PDT

One of the CRV Touring‘s defining features is its panaromic moonroof which was a pure delight to drive under this Canada Day/Queen’s Plate Festival weekend (more here). Our car was red even! How patriotic! 🍁  We don’t think we’ve ever seen one larger and our friends too were in awe! There always is the option to retract and cover that majestic moonroof with the ease of a button, but why would you ever want to?

While we have had some issues at times connecting our Android phone via Bluetooth with other cars from Honda, our connections with the CRV Touring were flawless, allowing us to enjoy music right off our phone. We also could field text messages from its sleek 7-inch touchscreen display panel. There are two USB charging ports, hence there is never a worry about not staying connected and believe me we are OCD about this! Sound was glorious on its 331-watt premium sound system with 9 speakers, including subwoofer.

One minor irritant was the driver’s seat position resetting every time I left the car, defaulting back to its original position, but a simple Google search helped me fix that quick! This small inconvenience easily was offset by the awesomeness that was its proximity key entry. That is, being right in front of the door with the key in my pocket or bag was enough to unlock the door. I didn’t need to fumble to get into/start the car for once in my life! Believe me, I am the worst at fumbling for my keys and this is refreshing in an era of a key and a password for EVERYTHING.

Safety always is a priority and while we’ve commented on how powerful this vehicle is, it really is intuitive especially when it comes to detecting blind spots and lane departure – all without being overwhelming about it. You also are protected with front (iSRS) and side (SmartVent) airbags,  front collision warning and tire pressure monitoring. We’ve experienced flat tires before (twice in a year once!) and appreciate the value of having the latter feature.

What an amazing adventure with the #HondaCRV this past week! Swipe left to see it in all its glory!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 6, 2017 at 3:58pm PDT

Learn more about it here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It may have been the 158th running of the Queen’s Plate but believe me, it never gets old! While #Canada150 and long weekend were very much on people’s minds this past weekend, that didn’t stop a huge crowd from filling up the Woodbine Racetrack grandstand trackside all the way up to the fourth floor. Known as the longest-running annual horse race in North America, the race now featured in a two-day long Festival is a huge annual draw deep in history and culture. Headlining the two days of concerts this year were Canada’s Our Lady Peace on the Saturday and Goo Goo Dolls on the Sunday. Fun fact: did you known OLP frontman Raine Maida is Sovereign Award-winning Trainer Barb Minshall‘s nephew?  We didn’t know that until recently when that came-up in a conversation.  Cool, right?

We had the pleasure of being Woodbine‘s first ever Facebook Live Queen’s Plate Co-Host along with our new friend Jen Kirsch, influencer and relationship writer, checking-in on the fun and fashion with guests from the Hats & Horseshoes Party, presented by Stella Artois. We loved the eclectic range of outfits, many patriotic and #Canada150-themed and many nodding another era.

Cast members of The Real Housewives of Toronto, fashion icon Jeanne Beker, Goo Goo Dolls, hosts of CTV’s The Social and Rachael Ancheril of Rookie Blue were in attendance. We’re pretty sure you’ve seen the fashion spots on Woodbine‘s website leading-up to the Queen’s Plate right? Those were actually directed by the latter.

Frank Stronach and his Adena Springs team have been a major force now for many years in the sport and this was the case in the day’s marquee race, the $1-million Queen’s Plate taken in dominant fashion by his superfilly Holy Helena. Ridden by Luis Contreras and trained by U.S.-based James Jerkens, she won the race as the post-time favourite and we hear that she is being pointed to the prestigious Alabama Stakes at Saratoga where she will face the top three-year-old fillies in North America. She just may make one more start in Canada to qualify for a Sovereign Award as she has made just two starts in her native country in a brief but v. illustrious career!

Watch the race:

Other major winners Queen’s Plate Festival weekend included Russell Brand character namesake Aldous Snow (Singspiel Stakes), Financial Recovery (Ontario Damsel Stakes), Melmich (Dominion Day Stakes), Green Mask (Highlander Stakes), Yorkton (Charlie Barley Stakes), Go Bro (King Edward Stakes) and a rare dead-heat between Rainha da Bateria and Starship Jubilee (Dance Smartly Stakes).

See our Snaps:

Jen Kirsch + I

Holy Helena, her groom Denzil + Frank Stronach

Queen’s Plate heroine Holy Helena + I

A Holy Helena cupcake (courtesy of Hayley Morrison)

The adorable Contreras Family (family of Queen’s Plate-winning jockey Luis)

Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell + Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson

Rainha da Bateria + Starship Jubilee, your Dance Smartly Stakes victresses

Catherine Day Phillips (and family), winning Trainer of Ontario Damsel Stakes victress Financial Recovery

Yorkton, winner of the Charlie Barley Stakes

Woodbine‘s Dawn Lupul

Aldous Snow, winner of the Singspiel Stakes… a third time!

Green Mask, winner of the Highlander Stakes

Melmich, winner of the Dominion Day Handicap. His co-owner Cory Hoffman (front right) is the father of fellow Film Writer Matt Hoffman.

Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida

We loved meeting our VIP Paddock Party winners Maria + Brett (fourth down). Some Queen’s Plate Fashion 👒🎩:

Woodbine Handicapper Jim Bannon and former Woodbine announcer Dan Loiselle. Legends.

The official Queen’s Plate cocktail, the Blue Diamond 💎

Full House 🏠

The rain would not prevail!

While we were pretty much everywhere on Queen’s Plate Day, we loved seeing the faces of friends, new and old. If you couldn’t make it out this year, we hope to see you at the races this season as it goes till December!  Beginning Friday nights in July, Woodbine will host a patio party called the Grandstand Social on the third floor at Champions.

All I Do is Win ✔

Everyone needs a selfie with the soon-to-be-iconic “ALL I DO IS WIN” neon sign which will be there!

See you there! 🖐

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to take Readers to an Advance Screening of Luc Besson’s VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS! 3D Screenings take place as follows:

Toronto
Wed July 19
Yonge & Dundas
7:00 PM

Vancouver
Wed July 19
Scotiabank Vancouver
7:00 PM

Winnipeg
Wed July 19
Scotiabank Winnipeg
7:30 PM

Edmonton
Wed July 19
Scotiabank Edmonton
7:00 PM

Calgary
Wed July 19
Chinook
7:00 PM

Ottawa
Wed July 19
Scotiabank Ottawa
7:30 PM

Halifax
Wed July 19
Scotiabank Halifax
7:00 PM

Victoria
Wed July 19
Silvercity Victoria
7:00 PM

Synopsis:
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS is the visually spectacular new adventure film from Luc Besson, the legendary director of The Professional, The Fifth Element and Lucy, based on the ground-breaking comic book series which inspired a generation of artists, writers and filmmakers. In the 28th century, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are a team of special operatives charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two embark on a mission to the astonishing city of Alpha-an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence and cultures with each other. There is a mystery at the center of Alpha, a dark force which threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.

Cast: Cara Delevingne, Dane Dehaan, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman ,Herbie Hancock, Kris Wu and Rutger Hauer.

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 on Twitter: @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Bon chance.

Stay tuned for our chat with Besson on his exciting new Film soon!

eOne Films release VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS Friday, July 21, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

DESPICABLE ME tops the Box Office across North America this long weekend with a stellar $83 million opening from 4,259 theatres for Universal Pictures.  It gets a 62% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore. 2015’s Minions with its $115 million debut still remains a high for the Franchise.

BABY DRIVER benefits from tons of word of mouth to open in second with $27 million from 3,226 theatres for Sony Pictures. The Edgar Wright Film gets an outstanding 97% on the Tomatometer from Critics and an A- CinemaScore.

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT lands in third with $16.2 million from 4,132 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Over three weeks it has made $101.3 million domestically.

THE HOUSE debuts in sixth with $9.3 million for Warner Bros. from 3,134 theatres.  The Comedy starring Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell gets 17% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.

THE BEGUILED, the latest from Sofia Coppola, opens in eighth with $3.1 million from 674 theatres for Focus Features/Universal Pictures. It gets 77% on the Tomatometer.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.7 million for Disney in its sixth week out. It has made $165 million in its run domestically.

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

After ten years of marriage and multiple projects together, Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon are still very much in love. They finish each other’s sentences, have similar thoughts and opinions, and have no trouble cutting off each other’s answers. When we get the opportunity to interview the pair during a recent press day in Toronto for their critically acclaimed Film The Big Sick, they are sitting together on a couch that could seat three comfortably. But with how close they are sitting together, there’s no room for a third.

The semi-autobiographical Film revolves around the relationship between Kumail (Nanjiani) and Emily (Zoe Kazan). They are happily dating, but Kumail is harbouring a secret — his strict Muslim parents are keen on him entering into an arranged marriage with a Muslim woman. Emily has very little time to process this news, as she lands in the hospital with a severe lung infection. This emergency only gets worse, leading Kumail to rethink everything about their relationship and his relationship with his parents.

Despite having iconic Comedy Producer Judd Apatow on-board from the beginning, the writing process was anything but easy. The pair would bring drafts of their screenplay to Apatow for approval, and he “would rip it to shreds and send us off on our way,” says Gordon. “And then after three years, he was like ‘Okay, I think we can get a director now’.” When asked about how much of the Film’s story happened in real life, the pair laugh and give different answers. Gordon settled the debate quickly – claiming the Film being 60% factual. “The broad strokes are pretty accurate to what happened,” Nanjiani says. “But the specifics and some of the characterizations and the order of events, that’s the stuff we changed.”

Having lived the events of the Film, Nanjiani and Gordon recalled certain moments in their lives quite differently. “In doing press, I found out that our relationship before I got sick was way more casual than I thought. That’s something I’ve been discovering that’s been super fun,” Gordon mentions. “I don’t regret saying it all,” Nanjiani says with a laugh. “Every time we found in writing this that we would have a disagreement about how we experienced some from our past. We tried to fold both perspectives into the Movie.” While their emotions would range from “That was a really happy memory” to “No that was a horrible memory”, Nanjiani was quite happy with the end result it had on the screenplay: “I think it made for a much more complicated dynamic between the main characters.”

While the appreciation and gratitude for Apatow was evident throughout our conversation (“We’d never written a movie before and Judd getting behind us and helping us through this has been very exciting” Nanjiani says), the pair also praised the Film’s female lead, Kazan. Gordon explains that after watching her audition, she felt “she was absolutely right for the part. I don’t really know what would have happened if I really wanted her and other people didn’t.” Nanjiani adds, “She has that really fun, funny side, but she’s also a very, very serious person who takes herself serious.”

For all of the enthusiasm the pair shared about the writing and casting process, both Nanjiani and Gordon were more apathetic when asked about the Film’s take on religion and culture. “We didn’t think that we really wanted to say anything with this Movie. We just wanted to tell our story,” Nanjiani explains. “If we’re writing a personal story that’s about us and [religion] is something that is part of that story, not having it in there just felt disingenuous.” Gordon was a little more direct in how she felt: “It’s just another aspect of the story.”

Religious and cultural apprehensions aside, the pair are satisfied with all of the work that went into making The Big Sick. “We wrote this Movie for three years with no money, no plan, no guarantee that it would ever become a thing. And we worked our asses off,” Gordon says. “It was really, really great to make a movie where we could pour in everything that we think about,” Nanjiani mentions. “It’s pretty great to be a part of a Movie where we can be proud of every character.” And if the spectacular limited US box office results from this past weekend are any indication, The Big Sick may just become the breakout Comedy of the summer.

Elevation Pictures release THE BIG SICK in select theatres starting Friday, June 30, 2017 and across Canada on Friday, July 14, 2017.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The new Trailer for JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE has just surfaced and we can’t wait for its holiday release!

Synopsis:
In the brand new adventure Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the tables are turned as four teenagers in detention are sucked into the world of Jumanji.  When they discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of, they are immediately thrust into the game’s jungle setting, into the bodies of their avatars, played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan.  What they discover is that you don’t just play Jumanji -Jumanji plays you.  They’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, or they’ll be stuck in the game forever…

See the Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Friday, December 20, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)

levelFILM x Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto to see RIPPED. Screenings take place Thursday, July 6, 2017 Cineplex Yonge & Dundas, 9 PM.

Synopsis:
Two free spirited stoners who, after smoking some top secret pot created by the CIA in 1986, find themselves catapulted into 2016. With 30 years of their lives lost, our now balding and overweight friends use their uncomplicated enthusiasm to get their lives back on track and figuring out the modern world.

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK.

levelFILM release RIPPED Friday, July 7, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: levelFILM)

Victory is so close, we can almost taste it!  After a smashing effort from Princess on June 11th on Woodbine Oaks Day, our girl is back again of all days, Queen’s Plate Day!  What a dream! We know this much, our girl sure loves an audience.  We’re so excited we can’t even function!

What are we going to wear?!

In her previous race, Princess was paired for the first time ever with Woodbine‘s leading rider Eurico Rosa Da Silva and despite traffic issues in the stretch resulting in a lengthy claim of foul, our darling ran a game third, losing only by a length to Kentucky-bred Lady Brie.  That one since has stepped-up to Allowance-level company, a narrow second last weekend!

What thrilled us most is that Princess never gave up and kept fighting to the finish in that return to the main track after an okay effort on the wet turf the time before. She heard your cheers!  This last effort very much is reminiscent of her second 2017 start where she showed that same fire. 🔥

Eurico adores Princess and tells us that she was perfect that day, doing everything right.  He knew right away he wanted to be on her again for this next start. He’s confident Princess is on her way to a win. We’re so honoured and what better validation than that?

Grab some popcorn, let’s watch the race again!🍿

If we could compare Princess mentally to where she was last year, she still is the same sweet girl but we love that she’s so much more vocal and confident.

Her effortless workout this week under Joshua Scott speaks volumes! This girl is ready.

Nothing’s gonna stop us now. 💥

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 26, 2017 at 9:00am PDT

Thank you @ShemarFMoore for the love and luck! Love, your ‘Babygirl’ Princess. p.s. I love brown sugar cubes! 💋

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 8, 2017 at 4:23pm PDT

KJ Apa (Riverdale):

OMG. I LOVE #KJApa of #Riverdale!! He heard I was running on #QueensPlate Day! 😍 #qp17

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 28, 2017 at 3:33pm PDT

Happy Pride! 🌈 #Pride #PrideToronto

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 25, 2017 at 2:25pm PDT

Thinking about #CanadaDay weekend, the wonderful country I live in… and all the yummy bonuses I get as an Ontario-bred. 🍁

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 27, 2017 at 10:18am PDT

Got my #QueensPlate outfit ready. Will I see you Sunday? 👑 Race 11, #7 (6:25 PM EST) #QP17

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 28, 2017 at 3:40pm PDT

See you all Queen’s Plate weekend and good luck!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We live our musicals and what better way to spend the holidays than with Hugh Jackman in one? Check out the new Trailer for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN!

SYNOPSIS
Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business & tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

Cast includes Hugh Jackman; Zac Efron; Michelle Williams; Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya.

See the Trailer:

20th Century Fox Canada release THE GREATEST SHOWMAN Christmas Day.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)

By Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong

Twenty years ago, the world was introduced to Harry, Ron, Hermoine and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Five years later Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson gave those characters life in the Chris Columbus-directed Movie Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone. On June 27th through 29th, you will have the rare opportunity to see this wonderful Movie on the big screen with an orchestra performing the score live at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

As a devoted Potterhead and proud Slytherin, you can imagine how excited I was to hear that the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions were bringing Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone in Concert to Toronto and had engaged the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Women’s Chorus from Amadeus Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers to perform the score on-stage. Fans will feel chills as the first haunting notes of Hedwig’s Theme fill the Sony Centre and we finally meet baby Harry for the first time.

While searching for my missing letter from Hogwarts, I was lucky enough to catch the TSO rehearsing with conductor Justin Freer and was amazed at true magic created by the live orchestra. Freer’s familiarity with the score was on display as he guided the orchestra and brought John Williams’ Oscar-nominated score to life.

Tickets have sold out for Tuesday night’s performance and limited seats are available for Wednesday but the good news is that Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions just added a THIRD night and great seats are still available at the link below for Thursday. Whether you’re a Potterhead or simply a fan of the TSO, don’t miss your opportunity to attend Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone in Concert.

Great news Potterheads who like to plan ahead, The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions will be returning in October with performances of the second movie in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

More on tickets here.

(Photo credit: Siobhán Rich)