Known affectionately as the MMVAs, the iHeartRadio MuchMusic Video Awards took place in Toronto this weekend, honouring the best and hottest Music Videos.  Co-hosting this year were Brampton’s own Alessia Cara and Joe Jonas, the latter who has appeared on multiple occasions dating back to his days with his fraternal trio.

In town for the occasion were a litany of talent including performers Imagine Dragons, Arkells, Camila Cabello (formerly of Fifth Harmony), Julia Michaels, Iggy Azalea, Jessie Reyez, Lorde, Post Malone, DNCE (Jonas’ new band) and Niall Horan (formerly of One Direction).

Presenting awards this year are a who’s-who of television among the intended target audience of the awards show including KJ Apa (Riverdale), Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why), Keke Palmer (Scream Queens), Dove Cameron, Lilly Singh, Nikka Bella, Darren Criss (Glee), Kat Graham (Vampire Diaries), Shay Mitchell (Pretty Little Liars), Carly Rae Jepsen, Bea Miller and supermodel Martha Hunt.

Shutting down a portion of Queen Street at the famed Bell Media headquarters, fans lined the streets and braved the rain for the Red Carpet.  The evening’s biggest winners included:  A Tribe Called Red ft. Yasiin Bey, Black Bear and Narcy – R.E.D. for Video of the Year, Shawn Mendes – Mercy for Best Pop Video and iHeartRadio International Artist of the Year went to Lorde.

Most Buzzworthy Canadian Artist was awarded to Drake, who beat out Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, The Weeknd and Alessia Cara.

We spotted some of the stars of the 2017 iHeartRadio MuchMusic Video Awards around town this weekend. Check out our Snaps!

With #NiallHoran, of #OneDirection, in Toronto for the #MMVAs. He was super-nice! Love his new single #SlowHands! #MuchMusicVideoAwards

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 19, 2017 at 11:56am PDT

Ziggy Igs. She’s the realest. #IggyAzalea in town for the #MMVAs #MuchMusicVideoAwards

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 17, 2017 at 5:49am PDT

#BrandonFlynn, star of hit Netflix series #13ReasonsWhy in Toronto for the #MMVAs. #MuchMusicVideoAwards

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 17, 2017 at 8:22pm PDT

Seeing red. Loved seeing again birthday boy #KJApa in #Toronto for the #MMVAs! Still the nicest! #MuchMusicVideoAwards #Riverdale #Archie

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 17, 2017 at 8:22pm PDT

#KJApa celebrated his birthday in Toronto last night. Fans of #Riverdale wished him a very Happy Birthday! The party continues at the #MMVAs. (@kjapa). #Archie

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 18, 2017 at 6:43am PDT

She’s got issues. We’ve got ’em too. With up-and-coming singer/songwriter #JuliaMichaels, at the #MMVAs! #MuchMusicVideoAwards

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 18, 2017 at 8:06pm PDT

With Post Malone, here for the #MMVAs. He is back next weekend for #NXNE at the Port Lands! #MuchMusicVideoAwards #WhiteIverson #PostMalone

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 18, 2017 at 7:57pm PDT

The lovely #KatGraham, of #VampireDiaries at #MMVAs. #MuchMusicVideoAwards

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 18, 2017 at 8:35pm PDT

#OneDirection’s #NiallHoran asks for a bit of privacy after some Chinese for dinner. He performs at tomorrow’s #MMVAs. #MuchMusicVideoAwards

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 17, 2017 at 8:22pm PDT

#TorranceCoombs (#Reign) x #AlyssaCampanella (Miss USA) at the #MMVAs. #MuchMusicVideoAwards

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 18, 2017 at 11:21pm PDT

#DarrenCriss in Toronto for the #MMVAs. Cannot wait to see him in #Versace: #AmericanCrimeStory. #MuchMusicVideoAwards

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 19, 2017 at 11:54am PDT

See a complete list of winners here.

(Photo/video credit: MUCH/Mr. Will Wong)

CARS 3 accelerates to the top of the Box Office in North American this weekend for Pixar/Disney with a $51.5 million opening from 4,256 theatres. This ranks this installment third overall for highest opening in the Franchise, behind 2011’s CARS 2 which opened with $66 million. It gets a passing 65% on the Tomatometer from Critics and an A CinemaScore from Audiences.

After two weeks on-top, WONDER WOMAN slips to second spot for Warner Bros. with $37.5 million from 4,018 theatres. Thus far it has grossed $271 million domestically.

In third in its debut is Tupac Shakur Biopic ALL EYEZ ON ME from Lionsgate Films/VVS Films, with an impressive $33.5 million. Critics gave it 24% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore which might help boost word of mouth.

THE MUMMY is in fourth in its second week out with $13.2 million for Universal Pictures, a total $55 million earned thus far.

In fifth is 47 METERS DOWN with $10.6 million for Entertainment Studios, starring Matthew Modine, Claire Holt and Mandy Moore. It gets 55% on the Tomatometer and a C CinemaScore.

ROUGH NIGHT opens in sixth with $8.9 million for Sony Pictures from 3,162 theatres and the Scarlett Johansson-starring comedy gets 52% on the Tomatometer and a C+ CinemaScore.

MEGAN LEAVEY rounds-out the Top Ten for Bleecker Street/Elevation Pictures with $2.4 million, a total $8.3 million in two weeks.

More daddys, more problems! We loved DADDY’S HOME… but are you ready for more daddy drama? See the new Trailer for DADDY’S HOME 2!

Synopsis:

In the sequel to the 2015 global smash, father and stepfather, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell) have joined forces to provide their kids with t he perfect Christmas. Their newfound partnership is put to the test when Dusty’s old-school, macho Dad (Mel Gibson) and Brad’s ultra-affectionate and emotional Dad (John Lithgow) arrive just in time to throw the holiday into complete chaos.

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release DADDY’S HOME Friday, November 10, 2017.

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(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

International best-selling author Kevin Kwan shot to fame quickly in 2013 with what would go on to be the first in his Crazy Rich Trilogy, Crazy Rich Asians. Based on his childhood in Singapore and all the extravagances he witnessed, the story centers around the most-talked-about event of the year, a super high-profile wedding. Warner Bros. currently has its film adaptation in production and we cannot wait anymore!

The second book in the Trilogy, China Rich Girlfriend also was a bestseller and the New Yorker who once worked for Interview Magazine and Martha Stewart Living, was in Toronto tonight to sign for fans the final book in said Trilogy, Rich People Problems released domestically by Doubleday Canada. Jealousy, couture and a heated battle over inheritance are recurring themes in the juicy read.

Moderated by our dear friend Shinan Govani, the signing was preceded by a conversation. Kwan tells the audience, that his aunts have a hard time believing that people would want to read about people like her and he even takes a few snaps of the audience holding up his books to prove this to her!

On the central characters in his Trilogy, he says “They’re classist, they’re racist. It is what it is.  You have lots of old culture and and new people who just want to show off and enjoy their money.  And why shouldn’t they after years of deprivation?”.  He adds that just 20 years ago there were no billionaires in China.

On his Trilogy being set in multiple locations, Kwan says “I wanted to start off in Singapore as it’s not written about much, and then Hong Kong and so forth, circling back to Singapore for the third book to give people different types of people, cultures and societies in Asia. That was always the plan.”.  The story travels as far as Vancouver and the Philippines, with a shoutout to Toronto.

See some Snaps of the Event below. Hover mouse over left and right to navigate slideshow:

(Swipe left!) Bestselling author #KevinKwan returns to Toronto, for latest novel and final installment of the #CrazyRich Trilogy, #RichPeopleProblems. Our friend @shinangovani moderated! Cannot wait to see #CrazyRichAsians, the Movie! @chaptersindigo @kevinkwanbooks @randomhouseca

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 14, 2017 at 6:06pm PDT

Purchase Rich People Problems here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The Orchard x Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto to see THE HERO on Monday, June 19, 2017.

Synopsis:
THE HERO stars the legendary Sam Elliott as an aging actor confronting mortality in the moving new film from writer/director Brett Haley (I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS). Lee Hayden (Elliott) is a Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. He spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former-co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy (Nick Offerman), until a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his priorities into sharp focus. He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with stand-up comic Charlotte (Laura Prepon), and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy (Krysten Ritter), all while searching for one final role to cement his legacy. THE HERO is a beautiful and poignant celebration of life and the legacies we all leave behind.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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

The Orchard release THE HERO Friday, June 23, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: The Orchard)

“F*ck Book Club!”.

This new spot for comedy THE HOUSE starring Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell outta get you chuckling! Meet Frank. Frank runs an illegal underground casino out of his home… and more.

Synopsis:
After Scott and Kate Johansen (Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler) lose their daughter Alex’s college fund, they become desperate to earn it back so she can pursue her dream of attending a university. With the help of their neighbor Frank (Jason Mantzoukas), they decide to start an illegal casino in his house.

THE HOUSE also stars Nick Kroll, Allison Tolman, Michaela Watkins, Ryan Simpkins and Jeremy Renner.

Watch the Teaser (NSFW language):

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release THE HOUSE Friday, June 30, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

Many of us lived the original, but this Toronto-made reboot has us curious! Check out the new Trailer from Flatliners!

Synopsis:
In Flatliners, five medical students, obsessed by the mystery of what lies beyond the confines of life, embark on a daring and dangerous experiment: by stopping their hearts for short periods of time, each triggers a near-death experience – giving them a firsthand account of the afterlife.  But as their experiments become increasingly dangerous, they are each haunted by the sins of their pasts, brought on by the paranormal consequences of trespassing to the other side.

See the Artwork:

Sony Pictures Canada release FLATLINERS Friday, September 29, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)

For a second straight week, WONDER WOMAN dominates the Box Office by an easy margin with $52.8 million from 4,165 theatres across North America. Over two weeks, it has grossed $195 million for Warner Bros.

In second in its debut is THE MUMMY for Universal Pictures, starring Tom Cruise, with $30.5 million from 4,034 theatres.  It gets 18% on the Tomatometer from Critics, and an B- CinemaScore from Audiences.

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS: THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE is in third this weekend with $12.6 million from 3,529 theatres for 20th Century Fox, a tally of $44.1 million over two weeks.

In fourth is PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES with $10.4 million for Disney in its third week out, a total of $136 million earned domestically.

IT COMES AT NIGHT opens in fifth for A24 Films/Mongrel Media with $6.2 million in its debut in 2,000 theatres.  Starring Joel Edgerton and Riley Keogh, it gets an 85% on the Tomatometer but a D CinemaScore.

The heartwarming MEGAN LEAVEY starring Kate Mara, is eighth for Bleecker Street/Elevation Pictures with $3.8 million from 1,944 theatres. It gets a 78% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.6 million for Warner Bros. in its fourth week.

Think Romeo & Juliet… meets pizza! Those of us who saw 2014’s entertaining Toronto-made Dr. Cabbie will be thrilled to know that our friend Vinay Virmani is back again, this time as Co-Writer and Producer of LITTLE ITALY. The Rom-Com currently in production in Toronto, has taken over its namesake district these past couple weeks and suffice it to say, we can’t wait till it’s delivered!  If all the buzz on publications like Just Jared, US Weekly and The Daily Mail is any indication, you are too! 🍕

Little Italy centers on two dueling pizza shops, Vince’s and Sal’s, the families that own them and a blossoming romance between Nikki (Emma Roberts) and Leo (Hayden Christensen), whose families own the competing restaurants. It is impossible not to chuckle at the signage on-set. Vince’s claims to be the best. Sal’s? It’s even better!  There’s also a chalkboard sign greeting you at the door to remind you this in case you even think about going to Vince’s.

Donald Petrie (Miss Congeniality, Grumpy Old Men, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days) directs the Film, while Producers are Pauline Dhillon, Ajay Virmani and Vinay Virmani. The Film’s cast features several familiar faces including Danny Aiello, Alyssa Milano, Andrea Martin, Gary Basaraba, Adam Ferrara, Jane Seymour and more!

We had the pleasure of popping by the set to say “hi” on a couple occasions while it filmed on College St. at a showroom space transformed into the two central pizza shops for the shoot. While it filmed quietly and non-intrusively among the downtown bustle, fans would queue hours across the road with great anticipation for a taste of that star power.

We loved seeing again Christensen, whom we honestly can say is channeling full-on Italian here and this Film is him as we’ve never seen him before, having built a diverse and accomplished résumé over the years. He was just beginning a long day of work when we saw him and he was so gracious to stop for a minute to chat. Perusing Instagram, he has been more than accommodating to his still very ardent fans who were visiting the set daily.

Roberts also has been very giving too to fans and we were thrilled to have a quick minute to chat and goof around. We are a huge fan, especially in some of her more recent work like Scream Queens, The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Nerve, and we also follow her’s and partner Karah Preiss‘ awesome reading Blog, Belletrist.

And did you know that Alyssa Milano also stars in Little Italy? She was a vision sporting some super-vibrant colours and she’s just as awesome as we remember her back in 2010 when she made Sundays at Tiffany’s here in the City. She reminded fans that she will be doing a baseball-related signing next weekend here in Toronto. Follow her Instagram for more here.

Virmani, in perhaps his most ambitious challenge to date, tells us the Film wraps later this month and gave us a sincere thanks for our support and we promise to be there when Little Italy sees its release! We hope you’re just as excited as us about this one.

The Cast of Little Italy say ‘cheese’🍕!

Poppin’ by for some pizza! 🍕 So excited to see #LittleItaly starring #HaydenChristensen x #EmmaRoberts. Written and produced by our friend #VinayVirmani. Think Romeo & Juliet-meets-pizza…

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 8, 2017 at 12:20pm PDT

So much fun with this girl earlier on the set of #LittleItaly! 🍕 #EmmaRoberts

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 9, 2017 at 7:21pm PDT

With #AlyssaMilano on the set of #LittleItaly. She remains one of the most gracious, personable working actors ever.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 9, 2017 at 3:46pm PDT

With #AdamFerrara on the set of #LittleItaly. You might remember him from #NurseJackie and #TopGear?

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 9, 2017 at 3:49pm PDT

… and this Boomerang was every topping on the menu and then some!

Pizzaing with this beautiful, intelligent woman. Words cannot express my excitement to see #LittleItaly! 🍕 #EmmaRoberts (@littleitalyfilm @eonefilms @emmaroberts)

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 9, 2017 at 1:44pm PDT

p.s. She was eating a Margherita.

eOne Films will release Little Italy, out 2018.

Follow Little Italy on Social Media:

Twitter

Instagram

🍕🍕🍕

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

While it isn’t in theatres till early next year, we finally get this new tease for Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER!

Synopsis:
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

See the Trailer:

Marvel Entertainment Canada release BLACK PANTHER Friday, February 16, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Entertainment Canada)