She’s back!  Our girl Princess (A Pic by Mrwill) officially has made her return to Woodbine!  Trucking-in from Classic Mile Training Center in Ocala, Florida where she wintered, Princess made it in early Thursday morning to resume preparations for her eagerly-awaited 2017 sophomore campaign.  Team John Ross including assistant Wesley and groom Tedston among others oversaw her development and care and my, has she ever blossomed!

We’ve been keeping a close watch on our dear girl and while there are only a couple reported workouts out of Florida so far this winter, we can say that she has progressed from the horse who fought to keep-up in her workouts now to the one coming-out ahead.  Princess’ mom Cathy (seen below) occasionally sends us updates and although I believe what I am told, I sometimes really just need to see it for myself.

Walking into her barn Saturday morning,  my first time seeing her in almost four months, I couldn’t believe my eyes!  I’m unsure if it’s because her mane has grown-out making her look more elegant or if it’s because she’s sporting that sunny Florida glow, but Princess looked absolutely stunning. She’s never looked better. She’s almost tall enough to touch the top of her her stall door frame!  Watch out there, big girl!

Moving a stall down this year, I am happy to see that she has a little window now to help her keep in touch with her training mate Royal Katy, a Colonel John filly who showed lots of promise in non-restricted company last fall at Woodbine finishing close to the likes of Queen’s Plate contender Ellen Vannin, the talented Tulsa and Mark Casse trainees Heard That and Kodiac Gal.

And I had my doubts whether Princess would remember me after not seeing me this long, but how silly was I for thinking that!?  She started responding ecstatically once she saw me walk into her barn, knowing exactly what was going down.  It’s as if she were Eve, discovering the sweet taste of an Ontario apple for the first time, so unable to contain herself she spat out a chunk biting more than she could chew.  I’ve seen her happy and I’ve seen her a bit down, but I’ve never ever seen her this excited!

What I found particularly funny was seeing her respond to barn mates being walked around, poking her head out of her stall and nipping at them. A new habit perhaps? What happened to our sweet Princess?!  In all, I’m happy to see her confidence up, which is exactly what we all felt she needed to grow into all along.

Princess releases a statement on her return to Woodbine:

Hello from Princessland… 👑

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Mar 25, 2017 at 6:32am PDT

If all goes well hopefully we’ll be seeing Princess’ season debut real soon.  Like you, we don’t know where the winter went with less than three weeks left till Woodbine‘s 2017 season begins!

Some fresh snaps of Princess:

Shout-out also to Scacher and Gianni Lighta who are bringing their #WorkCrewStyle (click to check out their YouTube channel about life on the backstretch) to Team John Ross:

… and did you know that Princess has a beautiful two-year-old full sister named Miss G Note? Although we see a clear resemblance, she’s definitely much more reserved than Princess. Light Angel vs. Dark Angel if you will! I’m sure many of you with siblings can relate. Are you a Light Angel like Princess or a Dark Angel like Miss G Note?

No huge surprises here. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST continues to perform beautifully with $91.2 million from 4,210 theatres in its second week out for Disney! In two weeks it has made already a staggering $319 million domestically.

By no means shameful, POWER RANGERS is second best with a superb $41.6 million opening in North America for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, from 3,693 theatres. Expect a long-term Franchise. Critics gave it 46% on the Tomatometer but Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore. It was made for $100 million.

KONG: SKULL ISLAND is in third with $14 million in its third week for Warner Bros., a total $133 million over three weeks.

LIFE opens in fourth for Sony Pictures with $12.2 million from 3,146 theatres. Critics gave it a lukewarm 66% on the Tomatometer. Audiences gave it a C+ CinemaScore. It was made for $58 million.

LOGAN in its fourth week earns $10 million, surpassing the $200-million-mark over four weeks for 20th Century Fox.

CHIPS, adapted from the popular ’70s comedy series, debuts in seventh with $7.3 million from 2,464 theatres for Warner Bros. Critics gave it 20% on the Tomatometer, with a B- CinemaScore. It was made for $25 million.

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE rounds out the Top Ten with $1.7 million in its seventh week out for Warner Bros. also.

Hot off its success at Sundance, CASTING JONBENET is ready to be shed some light again on a murder case which has haunted us for two decades.

Synopsis:

In 1996, Boulder, Colorado was rocked by the mysterious death of six-year-old pageant queen, JonBenet Ramsey. Two decades later, director Kitty Green returns to audition local actors, unpacking how each remembers and relates to the ill-fated Ramsey family. A darkly moving exploration of crime, guilt and personal bias, Casting JonBenet expertly blurs the lines between documentary and drama.

See the Trailer:

CASTING JONBENET streams Friday, April 28, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Bebe Rexha over past few years has stamped herself as one to watch and finally tonight in Toronto she headlined her own first show at The Phoenix Concert Hall as part of her All Your Fault Tour.  Known primarily as the vocals on smash hits like Martin Garrix‘s In The Name of Love, G-Eazy‘s Me, Myself and I and Nicki Minaj‘s No Broken Hearts, the 27-year-old Albian-American Singer/Songwriter should be familiar in voice even if not by name.  Did you know that she’s penned hits also for the likes of Eminem, Rihanna, Nick Jonas, Selena Gomez, Iggy Azalea and more?

Rexha just in February released her EP, All Your Fault Pt. 1, which is to be followed by a second part later this year, and showcases her skills not only as a vocalist,  but a songwriter on catchy pop anthems I Got You (accompanied by a gorgeous video) and second G-Eazy collaboration, FFF (Fuck Fake Friends), which fans decided in total number of streams should be a follow-up single.

Things are showing no signs of stopping with an upcoming track with red-hot hitmakers The Chainsmokers titled Coldest Summer on the way.

We had the pleasure of meeting Rexha at her The Phoenix show and attended her soundcheck where she sang her hits I Got You and FFF. As you can see below, she really loves her fans, giving them her all even though admittedly the Toronto turnout was a bit lower than some of her other sold-out American stops. One male fan spoke out disrespectfully to her asking “Can I lick your socks?”, to which she handled the situation with grace reminding him there were fans as young as 10-years-old present at the intimate soundcheck.

FFF (Fuck Fake Friends)

I Got You

Don’t forget to check out the just released video for FFF (Ft. G-Eazy):

A special message from #BebeRexha x me… #AllYourFault #AllYourFaultTour (@beberexha @warnermusiccanada) #FFF #FuckFakeFriends

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Mar 23, 2017 at 3:27pm PDT

With #BebeRexha at the Toronto stop of her #AllYourFaultTour. #AllYourFault #Rexhars

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Mar 23, 2017 at 3:34pm PDT

Download Rexha‘s All Your Fault Pt. 1 EP here.

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

After filming in Toronto just earlier this year, the first teaser for Horror WISH UPON has just surfaced!

Synopsis:
Twelve years after discovering her mother’s suicide, 17-year-old CLARE SHANNON (Joey King) is bullied in high school, embarrassed by her manic, hoarder father JONATHAN (Ryan Phillippe) and ignored by her longtime crush. All that changes when her father comes home with an old music box whose inscription promises to grant its owner seven wishes.

While Clare is initially skeptical of this magic box, she can’t help but be seduced by its dark powers, and is thrilled as her life radically improves with each wish. Clare finally has the life she’s always wanted and everything seems perfect – until the people closest to her begin dying in violent and elaborate ways after each wish. Clare realizes that she must get rid of the box, but finds herself unable and unwilling to part with her new-and-improved life – leading her down a dark and dangerous path.

See the Trailer:

D Films release WISH UPON Friday, July 14, 2017 across Canada!

(Photo/video credit: Broad Green Pictures)

There is just a little bit of anger in this NSFW red-band Trailer for THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI! You won’t believe your ears!

Synopsis:
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI is a darkly comic drama from Academy Award winner Martin McDonagh (IN BRUGES). After months have passed without a culprit in her daughter’s murder case, Mildred Hayes (Academy Award winner Frances McDormand) makes a bold move, painting three signs leading into her town with a controversial message directed at William Willoughby (Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson), the town’s revered chief of police. When his second-in-command Officer Dixon (Sam Rockwell), an immature mother’s boy with a penchant for violence, gets involved, the battle between Mildred and Ebbing‘s law enforcement is only exacerbated.

See the Trailer:

Re-imagining the wildly-popular ’90s children’s series from Saban Entertainment, the return to the big screen of upcoming blockbuster POWER RANGERS is an eagerly-awaited cinematic event for several fans, new and old. Helmed by second-time feature Director Dean Israelite (Project Almanac), the Action-Fantasy brings together a promising cast of new faces and familiar characters, add to that a dash of major star power with the likes of Elizabeth Banks, Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston, starring in the Film too.

In town to promote the Film earlier this month were a trio of emerging talent in Naomi Scott (Pink Ranger/Kimberly Scott), Ludi Lin (Black Ranger/Zack Taylor) and Dacre Montgomery (Red Ranger/Jason Lee Scott), all three who could see major stardom with the potential of several sequels to come from the Film, the first in its famed franchise this 21st Century. Montgomery already has been cast in the upcoming second season of Netflix‘s massively-popular Stranger Things.

This latest Film sees five teenagers brought together by coincidence, making them the latest in line of illustrious Power Rangers. They are pitted against powerful witch Rita Repulsa (Banks) who launches an assault, in full pursuit of the Zeo Crystal, a powerful object producing enormous amounts of energy.

We chat with the Trio on the very unconventional and international casting process which went the Film which ranged from auditioning on an iPhone to reading sides for other Power Rangers and more.  The Cast also tell us what Power Rangers meant to them growing-up and also what it was like to work with seasoned veterans like Banks (Scott tells us she’s “fierce”) and Cranston, the latter whom we learned actually was added late to the Film.

See our Chat below:

Our Snap with Scott, Lin and Montgomery:

Amazing morning chatting with the fun cast of upcoming Blockbuster #PowerRangers. Out 3.24. Interview coming late March! #NaomiScott (#PinkRanger) #LudiLin (#BlackRanger) #DacreMontgomery (#RedRanger)

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Mar 2, 2017 at 10:07am PST

See the Trailer for POWER RANGERS:

eOne Films release POWER RANGERS Friday, March 24, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/eOne Films)

By Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong

Anyone with a passing acquaintance to this writer could tell you that the opportunity to spend 11 days in a series of darkened theatres watching nonfiction programming is one the highlights of my year which is why Hot Docs remains one of my favourite Toronto Film Festivals. This year’s Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival will feature 230 Films including 53 Canadian productions and co-productions. Filmmakers, 48% of whom are female, representing 58 countries will share stories on topics ranging from science to Syria and media to mermaids.

Hot Docs will open with the world premiere of Canadian Filmmaker Lana Šlezic’s Bee Nation, which follows students in Saskatchewan’s First Nations community as they compete in a provincial spelling bee and prepare to compete nationally. First Nations subjects will be front and centre this year with several strong titles including Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World, a music Documentary which shines the spotlight on First Nations musicians who helped shape popular music.

Some other titles to fit into your schedule include:

Algorithms seek to predict future crimes before they happen in the world premiere of Pre-Crime. Matthias Heeder and Monika Hielscher look at the frightening future of law enforcement as science fiction melds with modern technology.

Bill Nye: Science Guy looks at the man who helped generations of kids learn to love science. The Scotiabank Big Ideas screening of the Film on Tuesday, May 2nd will include a talk from Directors David Alvarado, Jason Sussberg, and Mr. Nye himself.

The Media are examined in several Films this year including Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press, City of Ghosts and Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower. These disparate Films are all part of the Scotiabank Big Ideas program and will feature in depth Q&As at specified screenings.

Fans of the Festival always turn out in droves for the Nightvision selections. 78/52 looks at the iconic shower scene in Hitchcock’s Psycho. Florian Habicht’s Spookers will be the Movie of choice for horror lovers as it looks at a former psychiatric hospital turned “scare park” in New Zealand where zombies and chainsaw toting clowns are the main attraction.

Deadheads are sure to be thrilled with Amir Bar-Lev’s Documentary Long Strange Trip, which looks at rock icons the Grateful Dead through the lens of archival footage, and rarely seen live performances.

Long before Beyoncé was declared Queen, Whiney Houston was thrilling fans around the world with her incredible voice. Whitney “Can I Be Me” looks at the rise and tragic fall of this brilliant star.

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival will run from Thursday, April 27th through Sunday, May 7th. Tickets are already on sale. Ticketing and schedule information can be found on Hot Docs website, https://www.hotdocs.ca.

Now in its 20th successful year, Toronto ComiCon took place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building this weekend. The three day affair brought together over 25,000 Sci-Fi enthusiasts, Cosplayers and Artists together to celebrate their love of entertainment and comic book culture.  Among the names to appear at Toronto ComiCon this year were the likes of Star Trek‘s Robert Picardo, Bones’ Michaela Conlin and T.J. Thyne, The Walking Dead‘s Laurie Holden, The Big Bang Theory‘s Kevin Sussman, Gotham‘s David Mazouz and Sean Pertwee, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Brett Dalton and wrestling icons Bret Hart and Mick Foley.  Fans were delighted also to hear that some of the original cast of Degrassi including Pat Mastroianni, Stefan Brogen, Dan Woods, Stacie Mistysyn and Kirsten  Bourne would reunite for their 30th anniversary too, giving fans a chance to partake in the super-rare opportunity!

As is the case every spring, we love that Toronto ComiCon brings out some of the most innovative Cosplayers to our City and more than ever this year, we saw almighty Disney front and center among many with costumes ranging from Moana to Beauty and the Beast‘s Belle to a BB-8-inspired dress!

Upcoming Films The Ghost in the Shell (Paramount Pictures Canada), Valerian and Power Rangers (the latter two eOne Films) also had interactive installations set-up allowing fans a chance to be a integrated into the set or witness up-close Film props.

See some highlights and click the right arrow the navigate the slideshows!

DAY 1 SLIDESHOW

 

(Swipe left!) Siobhán Rich (@mstypo) does an amazing job capturing some highlights at #TOCC17 today! See you tomorrow? #TorontoComicon #StarTrek #PowerRangers #StarWars #RobertPicardo #Moana #Rey #PinkRanger #Tinkerbell #PeterPan #DrWho #Dalek #Cosplay #CosplayIsNotConsent

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Mar 17, 2017 at 8:54pm PDT

DAY 2 SLIDESHOW

(Swipe left!) Lots more cool stuff to see Day 2 at #TOCC17 including that long-awaited #Degrassi Reunion! #TorontoComicon #Valerian #BeautyandtheBeast #Belle #BeOurGuest #StarWars #BB8 #BATB #GhostintheShell #Cosplay #CosplayIsNotConsent

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

DAY 3 SLIDESHOW

(Swipe left!) More awesome Snaps from Siobhán Rich from Day 3 of #TOCC17! #TorontoComicon #MickFoley #NoelleFoley #TJThyne #MichaelaConlin #Pokemon #WonderWoman #BeautyandtheBeast #Belle #StarWars #Alf

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Mar 19, 2017 at 6:58pm PDT

Siobhán Rich and Justin Waldman from our Team had the pleasure of sitting on on some of Toronto ComiCon 2017′s hottest panels and they give us some of that insider’s scoop:

ROBERT PICARDO

Robert Picardo revealed at his panel that he was at Yale pre-med when he went to Vienna at 19-years-old to perform in a Leonard Bernstein production. Bernstein himself told Picardo‘s mother than her son should be an actor rather than a doctor.

Many years later, he got the call to audition for the role of a “computer generated hologram who was colourless and humourless” on the that would be Star Trek: Voyager. He breathed life into that character even during the casting process where he channeled the original Star Trek doctor, Bones McCoy, ending his audition with the ad-libbed line, “I’m a doctor, not a nightlight.”

He famously knew nothing about Star Trek before joining the Trek family, but now embraces the global fandom thanks to devout Trekkies.

BRET HART

Still known as one of the most iconic wrestlers of our time, Bret Hart spoke to fans at his panel.  He told fans that it was his father Stu Hart, who inspired him to be a wrestler and originally he thought to himself “There’s gotta be a better way to make money”, after going through the daily grind in his 20s as a construction worker. “I took wrestling very serious”. He reveals also that he is quite the avid Table Hockey player!

Commenting on his famous match against Shawn Michaels (The Heartbreak Kid) as part of the 1997 Survivor Series, known widely as one of the most shocking moments in wrestling history, Hart calls out his opponent by saying “You were a real asshole throughout the whole thing!”. If you might recall, Hart was placed in a submission hold and the bell rang immediately, pronouncing his defeat.

MICK + NOELLE FOLEY

The father daughter duo took questions from an enthusiastic and raucous crowd of fans. Mick is a two-time New York Times bestselling author who has been known as Dude Love, Cactus Jack and Mankind in the wrestling ring. The hardcore legend’s 23-year-old daughter, Noelle, looks to follow dad’s footsteps.

When asked about his daughter’s chosen profession Mick commented, “Noelle has a beautiful swan neck and it’s not meant to go to Suplex city.” Saying the pain he experienced was worth it “some days,” Mick proceeded to share stories about the unusual origins of his famous “Mandible Claw” move, who he would come back to fight if his health wasn’t a concern, and the long difficulties his youngest son has believing in his championship career.

BONES (TJ THYNE & MICHAELA CONLIN)

In their first ever Toronto ComiCon appearance Michaela Conlin and TJ Thyne thrilled fans of the hit Fox show Bones from they moment they arrived on stage. Angela Montenegro and Dr. Jack Hodgins, as they are better known on TV, spent an hour fielding questions ranging from favourite memories to the series finale which will air later this month.

Thyne, who plays “bug guy,” admitted with a laugh that he is not a fan of creatures that creep, crawl, or slither. In testament to the great chemistry the pair have on the show, they shared quick banter and affectionate barbs back and forth. When asked about his favourite moment on the show, Thyne laughed, “Kissing Michaela Conlin! That’s easy” “I paid him to say that,” she replied. “I was paid to kiss you!” came the quick rejoinder.

DEGRASSI

You know it’s a Canadian con when one of the most anticipated panels of the convention is for the five stars of the iconic series Degrassi Jr. High. Long before anyone had ever heard of Drake, Pat Mastroianni, Stefan Brogren, Stacie Mistysyn, Kirsten Bourne and Dan Woods helped define what it means to be a teenager during their tenures on Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Jr. High, and Degrassi High. Toronto fans turned out in droves to cheer on five people who are still referred to more often by their characters’ names than their own. During the discussion, the stars discussed costars, plotlines, and what they’ve been doing in the years since graduation. And naturally, the gang all broke out into song to sing the Zit Remedy’s greatest hit!​

Missed Toronto ComiCon 2017? Learn more about it for next year here.

And don’t stress, Fan Expo Canada will be here in the blink of an eye. More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Justin Waldman/Siobhán Rich)

They’ve got us all talking! Selena Gomez after a few blissful days in Toronto which included renting out a VIP Theatre to watch a Movie, Ripley’s Aquarium, grub at The Diner (Thompson Hotel) and shopping in Yorkville with boyfriend, Toronto’s pride and joy The Weeknd, quietly left the City this evening with her bodyguard by her side. Checking-in quietly at the Toronto Pearson International Airport – she flies first-class of course – she quietly queued the Nexus line.