For a third straight week Disney‘s MOANA takes the top of the Box Office, earning $18.8 million this weekend from 3,875 theatres.  In its domestic run thus far, it has grossed $145.3 million.

In second in its debut is Paramount Pictures’ OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY with $16.8 million from 3,210 theatres. The Holiday Comedy with an all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon and T.J. Miller, gets a B CinemaScore from Audiences and a 44% on the Tomatometer from Critics.

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM lands in third this weekend with $10 million for Warner Bros., just shy of the $200 million-mark over four weeks.

ARRIVAL shows amazing momentum now in its fifth week with $5.2 million for Paramount Pictures, earning $82 million across North America in five weeks.

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS expands to 1,262 theatres for Universal Pictures this weekend, making $3.6 million, a total $6.7 million over four weeks and a second Film for Amy Adams in the Top Ten this weekend in addition to ARRIVAL.

Oscar Contender MANCHESTER BY THE SEA expands to 368 theatres, bringing-in $3,1 million for Mongrel Media/Roadside Attractions. In four weeks it has tallied $8.2 million.

HACKSAW RIDGE rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.3 million for Elevation Pictures/Lionsgate Films, a total $60.8 million in six weeks.

Bubbling under is Oscar favourite LA LA LAND which plays in limited engagement in five theatres to earn an excellent $850k for eOne Films/Liosngate Films.

2016 certainly did not disappoint and Racing Fans were gifted with new memories to last a lifetime. Whether it be CAREN‘s complete domination locally, SIR DUDLEY DIGGES’ shocking Queen’s Plate upset, Turf Queen TEPIN‘s long-awaited and fruitful visit to Woodbine in the Woodbine Mile, ERUPT‘s explosive win in the Pattison Canadian International or just seeing some our favourites again and new faces emerging, the year gave us each a memory that holds a special meaning.

True to annual tradition, I’ve compiled my favourite snaps and compiled them into one video from my daily journeys to Woodbine here in Toronto, all the way to sunny Arcadia, California at the Breeders’ Cup. To an amazing 2017 that will have some big horseshoes to fill!

Be sure to check-out ONTARIO RACING‘s website and Social Media channels in the days leading up the Christmas for the stories behind some of my favourite moments.

Enjoy.

Mr. Will

2016: A YEAR IN HORSES

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong | Audio: Universal Music Group)

We’ve waited so long for it! The new Trailer for SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING surfaces finally!

Synopsis:

A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming.  Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.

See the Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING Friday, July 7, 2017!

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)

We are getting total 21 Jump Street vibes here but this BAYWATCH is looking like a surefire hit if it is anywhere as good as it looks!

See the new Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release BAYWATCH Friday, May 26, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

We don’t care who knows. We are so stoked for FIFTY SHADES DARKER! If you loved the first Film and the novels, you will love this new Trailer.

Synopsis:
After leaving Christian (Jamie Dornan), Ana (Dakota Johnson) starts a new job as personal assistant to the editor, Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson), at a publishing company. However, she finds herself having to fend off advances from her new boss.

Christian purchases the publishing company where Ana is working and stops her from going on an overnight business trip with Jack, because Christian knows Jack‘s history of sexually harassing his assistants. Wanting Ana back in his life, Christian convinces her to give him another chance. After agreeing to her demands for a new arrangement, they begin to build trust and find stability.

However, when Ana meets Elena (Kim Basinger), the woman who seduced Christian when he was 15 years old, she’s unhappy that Christian continues to be friends with her. When Elena realizes that Christian has romantic feelings for Ana, she tries to throw a wrench in the young couple’s relationship.

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures Canada release FIFTY SHADES DARKER on Friday, February 10, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give readers a chance to see SPLIT!  Screenings take place Wednesday, January 18, 2017 in TORONTO, VANCOUVER, MONTREAL, CALGARY, EDMONTON, OTTAWA + WINNIPEG.

TORONTO

Cineplex Scotiabank Toronto  7:00 PM

VANCOUVER

Cineplex International Village   7:00 PM

MONTREAL

Cineplex Montreal Forum  7:00PM

CALGARY

Cineplex Odeon Sunridge Spectrum  7:00 PM

WINNIPEG

SilverCity St. Vital      7:00PM

EDMONTON

Cineplex Odeon South Edmonton Commons  7:00PM

OTTAWA

Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa  7:00 PM

Synopsis

As three teenage girls wait for their father to finish putting bags into the trunk of their car, a strange man gets into the driver’s seat. His name is Kevin (James McAvoy) — a seriously mentally ill man with 23 personalities. He kidnaps the girls and shuts them away in a locked bunker. They quickly learn he has more than one identity when he shows up dressed as a woman, telling them, “Don’t worry. He knows what you’re here for. He knows he’s not allowed to touch you.”

Another of his personalities, Hedwig, says he’s nine years old. One of the sisters, Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), realizes the only way they can get out is to convince one of Kevin‘s alter egos to let them go. She thinks maybe Hedwig will help, but he tells them, “He’s done awful things to people and he’ll do awful things to you.” They find out one of Kevin‘s personalities is a vicious psychopath called The Beast.

Meanwhile, Kevin‘s psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley), who doesn’t know what he’s done, believes there is a submerged personality she hasn’t yet met who will materialize and dominate all the others.

Trailer:

Artwork:

The Red Carpet was rolled out at Isabel Bader Theatre earlier this week. In-town were multiple Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain, Director John Madden and Canadian stars including Al Mukadam, Grace Lynn Kung and Raoul Bhaneja from upcoming Political Drama MISS SLOANE.  The ensemble presented the Film together for the first time ever at its Toronto Premiere, hot on the heels of it being award second runner-up for the Audience Award at the Whistler Film Festival.  The likes of acclaimed Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin also were spotted in the audience and we hear a much in-the-news Meghan Markle also was to attend. Made in Toronto here earlier this year, the Film centers on ambitious lobbyist Elizabeth Sloane (Chastain) as she goes up against her most powerful opponent yet in the name of gun control. Her credibility goes under great scrutiny and she just might lose everything she has worked so hard to build.

Our David Baldwin and Siobhán Rich attended the Red Carpet for a chat with the Cast and Director on their experience making what will be known as one of the most thought-provoking Films to hit theatres this year.

JESSICA CHASTAIN (plays Elizabeth Sloane)

We ask Chastain, beautiful in a burgudy Givenchy gown, about her attraction to roles which balance a no-nonsense sensibility and a bit of vulnerability.

“I like playing characters which challenge the status quo. Elizabeth Sloane does just that. She is an over-prepared perfectionist, who is very flawed and still we root for her.  How many times have we seen George Clooney play characters like this?”.

With recent changes on the political front in the United States, we ask Chastain what she wants Miss Sloane‘s audience to take away from the Film.

“There are so many issues in world today including the issue of Wage Gap.  We used to think of it as ‘Why aren’t men paying us fairly?’. Research however has shown it is more that women don’t ask for more. Men are outgoing and for some reason women just aren’t doing the same.”.  She adds, “I hope women can see from this that a woman can be ambitious, over-prepared and that it’s okay. Elizabeth is not a ‘B-word’, she is just successful.”.

This certainly wasn’t Chastain‘s first time in the City, having made four Films here. She currently is in-town filming Aaron Sorkin‘s directorial debut, a high-stakes Poker Drama, MOLLY’S GAME.  We ask her about her love affair with Toronto.

“I just saw today a video from the Mayor of Toronto declaring me an honourary Torontonian!”, she rejoices. “I love Toronto crews.  They are wonderful people who are wonderful at their jobs.”

JOHN MADDEN (Director)

Having worked together on 2010’s THE DEBT, MISS SLOANE reunites Director John Madden (THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE) and Chastain together once again.  We ask Madden about the experience collaborating together once again.

“We have been trying to do it for almost ten years! I have watched Jessica‘s career unfold as I always imagined it would.  She would send me scripts she was interested in and often I just wasn’t around.  There has to be an exact alignment and when I read this script, I wrote back to her immediately.  I told her ‘This is the one!'”.

We ask Madden about how MISS SLOANE might be perceived after the recent U.S. election.

“I don’t feel any different about the Film. I am startled by the reflections it’s throwing off. Gun Regulation is a very divisive and passionately-fought issue and I would stress this Film not about this issue. It more is a vehicle about political process and also the issue of Gender Politics.”.  Madden says “Film collides with time, and environment defines and shapes an audience’s reaction in a different way.”. “We float free of exact circumstance here, Miss Sloane is a work of imagination, a fantasy. If a Film is going to be interesting, it should be contentious and I hope people go out talking about it and are engaged by it.”.

AL MUKADAM (plays Ross)

We ask the Canadian actor about what drew him most to MISS SLOANE.

“The script was a perfect document, it was an incredibly-smart page-turner.  By the end of it, I asked ‘What kind of Movie is this?’. It felt like a Thriller I had to get to the end of.”.

RAOUL BHANEJA (plays R.M. Dutton)

We ask the veteran actor about his experience working with his A-List Co-Stars like John Lithgow, Sam Waterston, Michael Stuhlbarg, in addition to Chastain.

“I have to pinch myself every time. I also enjoyed working with the Toronto actors too!  It’s amazing when you get to watch these actors you admire up-close. I’ve been doing this 20 years.  You can still learn.”.

We ask Bhaneja what drew him most to MISS SLOANE.

“After reading the script, I hoped so bad to be in it.  It is outstanding first page to end.”. On working with Madden, he says “John gave us a lot of opportunities to do something on-screen. I love his Film MRS. BROWN. He is an incredible director and a leader and he believe it or not, used to teach acting at Yale. The way he sees the world made a lot of sense to me. You could say he is an Actor’s Director.”.

GRACE LYNN KUNG (plays Lauren)

We ask the Canadian actress seen recently on CBC Series InSecurity, stunning in Narces, how she prepared for her role in the highly-buzzed project.

“Lots of research. Being Canadian, I digged a lot into the American political system, the senate and the art of lobbying. It’s actually very ‘cloak and dagger’. People don’t realize that’s how things get done in Washington.”. On the auditioning process, Kung reveals “We didn’t get a full script, as it was kept under-wraps. We got a breakdown of the characters and actually all read the same set of sides. We weren’t sure which role we were reading for.”.

Kung has nothing but the highest praise for Chastain and her artistry. “Jessica picks roles with a meticulous eye. I would always watch her and ask ‘What is she doing? How is she doing it? What can I learn from it?’. She was there every day driving dialogue on every single page.”.

On Madden, she confesses, “I will work on anything  John wants.  My first audition he was there conducting. There is a beautiful chemistry among the cast and this comes from John‘s piecing together of everything.”.

See the Trailer:

Some more Snaps from the evening:

We’re Chastainiacs, okay? Another moment with John Madden x Jessica Chastain at the Canadian Premiere of #MissSloane. Photo: @mstypo.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 6, 2016 at 2:36pm PST

#JessicaChastain poses with #MissSloane Director John Madden and her cast mates at the Film’s Red Carpet Premiere. Photo: @mstypo.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 5, 2016 at 5:40pm PST

The beautiful #JessicaChastain chats with our Dave Baldwin at tonight’s Red Carpet premiere for #MissSloane. Photo: @mstypo.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 5, 2016 at 5:39pm PST

A radiant #JessicaChastain with #MissSloane Director John Madden at the Film’s Canadian Premiere! Photo: @mstypo.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 5, 2016 at 5:48pm PST

VVS Films release MISS SLOANE on Friday, December 9, 2016.

Some Social Media accounts for you to follow:

@MissSloaneMovie

@DaveMABaldwin

@Typo_Eh

@VVS_Films

@MrWillW

(Photo/video credit: Siobhán Rich/VVS Films/Mr. Will Wong)

AMAZING describes perfectly this new second Trailer for Netflix‘s LEMONY SNICKET’S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS.

Synopsis:
Based on the internationally best-selling series of books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) and starring Emmy and Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, A Series of Unfortunate Events recounts the tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans — Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose evil guardian Count Olaf will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance. The siblings must outsmart Olaf at every turn, foiling his many devious plans and disguises, in order to discover clues to their parents’ mysterious death. The eight-episode series is a Netflix original production, executive produced by Emmy Award winner Barry Sonnenfeld and Daniel Handler, and premieres January 13, 2017 only on Netflix. 

See the Trailer:

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Football Fans got a huge treat last night during halftime on Monday Night Football on ESPN! The new Teaser Trailer for TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT!

Watch here:

Paramount Pictures Canada release TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT on Friday, June 23, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see acclaimed Drama, LION. Screenings take place in the following:

Vancouver – Wednesday December 14th – 7:00 PM at Fifth Avenue

Calgary – Wednesday December 14th – 7:00 PM at Eau Claire

Edmonton – Wednesday December 14th – 7:00 PM at South Edmonton

Winnipeg – Wednesday December 14th – 7:00 PM at Landmark Grant Park

Halifax – Wednesday December 14th – 7:00 PM at Park Lane

Victoria – Wednesday December 14th – 7:00 PM at Silvercity Victoria

Synopsis:
A five-year-old Indian boy, Saroo, lives with his single mother and siblings in poverty. He and his brothers often beg for food and money at the train station. When his older brother, Guddu, tells Saroo that he’s going to take the train to another city, Saroo asks if he can come. Guddu agrees and when they reach their destination, he tells Saroo to wait for him on the platform.

When Guddu doesn’t come back, Saroo hops on another train in search of his brother and winds up many miles away from his home. The little boy is unable to tell the police exactly where he’s from and is eventually declared an abandoned child. He winds up at the Indian Society for Sponsorship and Adoption, where he’s soon adopted by an Australian couple (Nicole Kidman, David Wenham).

Saroo grows up as a typical Australian boy, learning English and eventually forgetting his native tongue, Hindi. Meanwhile, his mother endlessly searches for her son.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

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

eOne Films release LION in Toronto Friday, December 9, 2016 and additional cities Wednesday, December 21, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)