He’s a Buddhist? We had no clue. Entertainment Weekly has a fascinating read on Benedict Cumberbatch this week as he graces the cover in an exclusive DOCTOR STRANGE preview!

Cumberbatch who stars in the titular role of the upcoming Blockbuster reveals that he spent his teen years working with Tibetan monks, teaching them English. “I became interested the meeting point between Western logic and Eastern mysticism”, he says.  The role of Doctor Strange allows him to  explore supernatural forces and alternative dimensions.

Read more here.

DOCTOR STRANGE also stars Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tilda Swinton, Chiewetel Ejiofor and Mads Mikkelsen.

See the Cover:

Marvel Entertainment Canada release DOCTOR STRANGE on Friday, November 4, 2016.

(Photo credit: Marvel/Entertainment Weekly)

Although no release dates have yet been set for these Series, here’s a sneak peek at some new images from upcoming season two of DAREDEVIL and UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT  and also new series THE RANCH.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

From creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, this comedy series stars Ellie Kemper as Kimmy, who escapes a doomsday cult and decides to reclaim her life and start over in New York City. Armed with just a backpack, light-up sneakers, and a couple of way-past-due library books, Kimmy’s ready to take on a world she didn’t even think existed anymore. She quickly finds a new job (working for 30 Rock‘s Jane Krakowski), a new roommate (Tituss Burgess – 30 Rock), and a new beginning.

Daredevil

Blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) fights against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the Super Hero “Daredevil” in modern day Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.

The Ranch

Executive produced by Don Reo (Two and Half Men, My Wife and Kids) and Jim Patterson (Two and a Half Men, Mike and Molly), the Netflix original comedy series reunites Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson, the stars of That 70s Show which delighted audiences around the world for eight years with its wacky, knowing take on 1970s teen-dom. Set on a Colorado ranch, the new series will see Kutcher returning home after a brief semi-pro football career to run the family business with his brother Masterson.

Stay tuned for updates!

(Photo credit: Netflix Canada)

If you’ve been to a Cineplex to see Movie over the Holidays this year, you’ve probably at some point seen this touching short titled Lily & the Snowman. Unsure what I was watching, I literally thought I was watching a Disney short. It was that good!

The short follows Lily, who as a young girl shares plenty of heartwarming moments with her Snowman, preserving him in a freezer as he whittles away year by year until eventually she grows older and the responsibilities of life take over. Sometimes we lose sight of the person we once were.

The Snowman is metaphorical of anything that means something to you. A piece of your childhood that you miss. A pet that you loved. A friend you lost touch with. A family member you wish was still here.

I was moved to tears even before the Movie I went to see had started and knew I had to look for it on YouTube as soon as I got home. Please watch it below. You won’t regret it.

Lily & the Snowman

(Photo/video credit: Cineplex)

It might have been Star Wars all Christmas weekend, but the others aren’t faring too bad!  STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS continues a monstrous run at the Box Office, at the top yet again this weekend with $157 million for Disney from 4,134 theatres. Its latest feat sees it getting the distinction of being the quickest Film ever to reach the $500 million-mark, grossing now $553 million in just over one week domestically!

DADDY’S HOME debuts in second with $46 million from 3,721 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Critics panned it with a 28% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences were far more forgiving with a B+ CinemaScore.  The Comedy reuniting Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg bests their last collaboration, The Other Guys, which opened with $35 million in 2010.

JOY opens a respectable third with $20 million from 2,896 theatres for 20th Century Fox. The Oscar vehicle for Jennifer Lawrence based on the true story of the Miracle Mop creator, didn’t get a lot of love from Critics with 58% on the Tomatometer, but got an okay B+ at CinemaScore.

ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP is in fourth in its second week out with $16 million from 3,705 theatres for 20th Century Fox. It has made $42 million in its North American run.

SISTERS certainly isn’t shamed, in fifth with $14.8 million from 2,962 theatres in its second week out for Universal Pictures.  It nears the $40 million-mark domestically.

CONCUSSION, an Oscar vehicle for Will Smith, opens in sixth with $13 million for Sony Pictures.  Critics gave it a passing 60% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences definitely enjoyed it with an A CinemaScore.

Playing only in 1,585 theatres, THE BIG SHORT is in seventh with $11.5 million for Paramount Pictures. Certified “fresh” on the Tomatometer, this star-studded affair with Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale and Brad Pitt gets an 86% score on that site and an A- CinemaScore also from Audiences.

POINT BREAK, a remake of Kathryn Bigelow‘s acclaimed action flick, opens in eighth with $10.5 million for Warner Bros. Critics panned it with a 4% only on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore gives it a bit more hope.

CREED rounds-out the Top Ten with $5 million in its fifth week out for Warner Bros.  It is closing quick on the $100 million-mark.

We’ve had the joy of driving an array of vehicles from Honda Canada over the past few years, but hands down the best we’ve tried ever is the 2016 HONDA PILOT TOURING.  Styled like an SUV and spacious like a Mini-Van, we are in awe at the automotive excellence we drove for the past week. We normally find it hard enough already to part with our Hondas at the end of the Test Drive, but this time we were particularly emotional having to part ways.

Let’s talk about the experience driving the Honda Pilot Touring. Zipping through the City with my BFF to our Christmas Dinner, the first thing he said was “Is this car even on?  It’s so quiet!” – of course we were fully moving, but something is to be said about its beautifully-engineered i-VTEC V6 engine.  The car operates  so quietly, you literally can have a full conversation at speech level effortlessly as music blares through its 10 540-watt speakers.

The car glides smooth like silk and I cannot describe the level of confidence you feel in the driver’s seat.  The ever-powerful Honda Pilot truly puts you in control of the road with its commanding presence – steering wheel-free mind you – something I value much in unpredictable and sometimes scary Toronto weather.  I’ll admit the Engine Idle-Stop still takes a bit of getting used to, but its benefits certainly were reflected in  spending about $50 only to fill its tank on 12.4/9.3/11.0 (L/100 km) city/highway/combined fuel efficiency ratings, lasting me about five days of long commutes aka Holiday shopping and gift drop-offs.

The Honda Pilot Touring is pure luxury and sophistication with an elegant design combined with great practicality.  Did you know it seats seven people and the middle row of passengers also enjoy the option of seat heaters (and coolers!)?  I took my team of Writers out for a Holiday Dinner last week and back to their homes respectively. One of them exclaimed, “This is the car I’m gonna buy!”, toying with the Honda Blu-ray Rear Entertainment System and headphones.  It was raves all around as we listened to Adele blaring through the vehicle’s – again, count ’em – 10 speakers, viewing the moonlit sky under not one, but two moonroofs!

Despite some issues playing music I actually paid for off my Android via Bluetooth (although songs stored on my USB played like a charm!), I was able to stay connected and charged with a whopping three USB charging ports, not to mention more charging outlets in the middle row of the vehicle for passengers!   The perforated leather seats also were phenomenally-cozy and none of my passengers can disagree with that.  Honda pulls-out all the stops here in terms of detail. Floormats even come with turnable knobs which secure them down.

Safety is a priority with the Honda Pilot Touring.  Its Blind Spot Information System is intuitive without being overbearing and intrusive, while also being very aware of cross-traffic from the rear of the vehicle.  Auto High Beam kicks-in when we are forgetful and maybe a bit too focused driving in the dark, keeping the roads lit and drivers safe. All three rows of seating come with Side Airbags in event of an accident and its Lane-Keeping Assist System keeps us safe and centered while driving.

  The 2016 Honda Pilot Touring is priced at a highly-reasonable $52,364.75.

Learn more about it here.

I know what I want for Christmas this year.  Do you?

And did we mention pets love it too?

The #HondaPilot is real pet-friendly. #Honda #Pilot @hondacanada

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 14, 2015 at 8:19am PST

Wonderful afternoon with Billy in #Unionville finishing-up #ChristmasShopping on #MainStreet. We couldn’t have done it without the amazing #HondaPilot!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Dec 18, 2015 at 9:53am PST

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

I cannot deny that seeing Bridget Jones’s Diary for the first time back in 2001 was a life-changing moment. It sparked within me an inspiration and honesty that would change me for good. In fact, I can say that a good reason why I began blogging is that I one day would create a chronicle of my own life which I could share with the world that would both change and inspire others like Bridget Jones did to me.

Entertainment Weekly today posted the cover of their latest issue today, a first look at the third installment of the franchise, Bridget Jones’s Baby with new addition Patrick Dempsey, Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth tightly-bunched. I was overjoyed and it is a bit surreal knowing that the Film is a thing and happening September 2016.

Every time I see a September release date a hope within me is awakened that a Film might get a premiere here at TIFF. Let’s hope for the best…

All we know about this latest installment is that a still-single Bridget is expecting a baby and unsure who the father is…

See the Cover:

In the issue, which features interviews with the Film’s three stars, Zellweger says “It feels like stepping back with an old friend. I love this character, I like that she tells stories about what it’s like to be a woman and these really relatable situations at certain times in life. It’s so right to tell a story about Bridget in this stage of her life.”.

For more on the story, click here.

Universal Pictures Canada release BRIDGET JONES’S BABY September 16, 2016.

(Photo credit: Entertainment Weekly)

If like me you LOVED Rachel Platten‘s inspiring and uplifting Fight Song, your minds will be blown by this stunning new track from her upcoming disc WILDFIRE titled Better Place.

Released right in time for the Holidays, there once again is something incredibly-heartwarming also about this Track which showcases her phenomenal ability as a Pop Writer.   Her clean vocals take us literally to a better place.

Please listen below:

We had the pleasure of meeting Platten in October here in Toronto and she was just the sweetest. Read more here.

Sony Music Canada release WILDFIRE on New Year’s Day.

Check out also these track-by-track previews from the Disc:

Not that there ever was any doubt about it, but STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS makes an astronomical debut this weekend with $238 million for Disney, from 4,134 theatres.  This not only sets a record for the largest domestic opening ever for a Film, but also critically fares well with an A CinemaScore from satisfied Audiences and a stellar 95% score from Critics on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer. Among other records, it became the first ever Film to cross $100 million in one day ane also it has the distinction of being the fastest Film the surpass both the $100 and $200 million-marks. By comparison, the first ever Film in the Franchise in 1977 opened in 43 theatres only with $1.5 million earned in its first weekend.

ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP is the latest in the successful Franchise, debuting with $14.5 million for 20th Century Fox, good enough for distant second at 3,653 theatres. Despite an A- CinemaScore from Audiences, Critics gave it only 14% on the Tomatometer.

SISTERS starring famed duo Tina Fey and Amy Poehler opens in third with $14 million from 2,962 theatres for Universal Pictures. With a B CinemaScore from Audiences, it gets a passable 62% on the Tomatometer.

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 2 is in fourth this weekend with $5.3 million now in its fifth week out.  It has made $254 million in its domestic run to date for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films.

CREED is in fifth this weekend with $4.8 million for Warner Bros. In four weeks it has made $87.6 million in North America.

SPECTRE in its seventh week out rounds-out the Top Ten with $1.3 million.  It now has grossed $193 million domestically for Sony Pictures.

Finally after a lot of talk, we see some action! Some new Character Posters (below) and a new still have been released (above) from upcoming 2016 release GHOSTBUSTERS! Check ’em out below!

Synopsis:
Thirty years after the original film took the world by storm, Ghostbusters is back and fully rebooted for a new generation. Director Paul Feig combines all the paranormal fighting elements that made the original franchise so beloved with a cast of new characters, played by the funniest actors working today. Get ready to watch them save the world this summer!

GHOSTBUSTERS stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Charles Dance, Michael Kenneth Williams and Chris Hemsworth.

See the new Character Posters:

Sony Pictures Canada release GHOSTBUSTERS on Friday, July 15, 2016.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

Margot Robbie. Martin Freeman. Tina Fey. Does a Cast get more eclectic and exciting than that? You need to see this hilarious Trailer for WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!

The Film is based on the book The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days In Afghanistan And Pakistan by Kim Barker.

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT March 4, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)