So there’s a little Film called Star Wars: The Force Awakens coming out. You might’ve heard of it?  Just released today are these brand new character posters to get us ready for the excitement to come in December!

Synopsis:

Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns to the big screen with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The Film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow.

See them below:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release Star Wars: The Force Awakens  in theatres on December 18, 2015.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

After getting all the buzz at TIFF ’15 and its Festival circuit trail, Charlie Kaufman‘s ANOMALISA is set for a release soon. Many are calling this the front runner for Animated Feature.

Official Synopsis:
Michael Stone, husband, father and respected author of “How May I Help You Help Them?” is a man crippled by the mundanity of his life. On a business trip to Cincinnati, where he’s scheduled to speak at a convention of customer service professionals, he checks into the Fregoli Hotel. There, he is amazed to discover a possible escape from his desperation in the form of an unassuming Akron baked goods sales rep, Lisa, who may or may not be the love of his life.

A beautifully tender and absurdly humorous dreamscape, from the brilliant minds of Charlie Kaufman (SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK) and Duke Johnson (“Community” episode, Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas), this stop-motion animation wonder features the vocal cast of Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan and David Thewlis and a stirring strings-based score by Carter Burwell. The darkly comedic and surreal stop-motion journey of a man’s long night of the soul, ANOMALISA confirms Charlie Kaufman‘s place amongst the most important of American filmmakers, and announces Duke Johnson as a major creative force.

See the Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release ANOMALISA Friday, December 30, 2015 and nationally January 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Awards Season’s certainly on its way and we love this time of year as all the heavy-hitters begin surfacing. A new Trailer for 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI has just been released and this one’s safe for work.

Official Synopsis:
An American Ambassador is killed during an attack at a U.S. compound in Libya as a security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos.

Based on the book “13 Hours” by Mitchell Zuckoff and members of the Annex Security Team.

See the Green-Band Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BEN GHAZI in select cities January 15, 2016 and across Canada January 22, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

2015 has been a phenomenal year for New Jersey native Halsey, née Ashley Frangipane. The 21-year-old Singer/Songwriter’s debut disc Badlands has garnered critical acclaim and a growing legion of fans.  Her electronic-alternative edge has a pop familiarity to it and in addition to being rebellious and confessional, her music possesses a sophistication and poetic elegance to it.

Record retailers like HMV in Canada have given her the greatest vote of confidence even offering a money-back guarantee on the purchase of Badlands should you not be satisfied with it.  In an era of declining physical album sales, this says a lot.

I had the pleasure of seeing Halsey live at The Phoenix on her first ever self-headlining tour. She also will be opening for Toronto’s The Weeknd‘s The Madness Fall Tour on select dates. In fact, he also had a show in the city tonight at Air Canada Centre, one of two this week.

The colourfully-haired chanteuse who decidedly is blonde right now, told the packed crowd, “The Weeknd told me all about Toronto love!” before telling fans she would perform a one-city exclusive, a cover of Justin Bieber‘s smash What Do You Mean specially for Toronto.

Enhanced by LED visual displays, while being dimly-lit in blues and reds for added intrigure, Halsey performed for about an hour, sounding absolutely solid. The short length of tracks presented some pacing issues as things would get moving and stop multiple times, though Halsey was pleased to talk to fans with great personability about her excitement touring in-between.

Halsey recorded a duet with Bieber recently titled The Feeling, to appear on his upcoming new disc Purpose. Although making mention of it, she wouldn’t perform any of it with several speculating Bieber would show up.

Listen to her talk about her experience working with Justin Bieber below:

See her live cover for Toronto only, of What Do You Mean (NSFW):

Halsey was amazingly-nice after her show to stop to snap Selfies in a crowd of hundreds of fans wrapping along Sherbourne Street. Despite not being able to get to all, she did her best and had a handler manage expectations.

Unfortunately, Halsey had some press lined-up for tomorrow including a live set at  radio station The Edge, which was cancelled as she is to fly-out.  We did manage to meet her quickly and she was the sweetest and despite panic when she came out, she kept it all calm especially after some incidences at her previous shows.

See our Snap:

This girl has so got it. A real pop star. #Halsey + me. #Badlands #BadlandsTour

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Nov 3, 2015 at 9:20pm PST

Music should speak for itself, so I’ll let you enjoy a couple live tracks from tonight, my favourities from Badlands.

Roman Holiday

Colors

If you haven’t already, order Badlands now on iTunes.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Dignitas International is a medical and research organization which aims to transform patient health and health care systems for those most vulnerable.  Their amazing contributions include the Tisungane HIV/AIDS Clinic located at Zomba Central Hospital, where more than 20k patients  – adult and children alike –  have been placed on life-saving antiretroviral therapy. In Malawi, where 60-70% of Tuberculosis cases are from those already infected with HIV. Their Teen Club aims at providing youth-centric, stigma-free health care for teens in Malawi who are living with HIV. Each month 1,300 teens with HIV receive specialized treatment via this club.

 Everything starts with good health.

A special charity screening of already-record-setting new installment of the 007 series, Spectre, was held tonight at Scotiabank Theatre with proceeds going to Dignitas International‘s research and programs. An afterparty was held later this evening at Drake One Fifty.

Hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos, the fundraiser was attended by several notables including Nobel Prize winner and Dignitas Co-Founder James Orbinski, Dignitas President Heather Johnston, Singer/Songwriter Feist, Actress Natalie Brown,  Actor David Sutcliffe, Actor Anthony Lemke, Actor Paul Amos, Actor Zaib Shaikh and several more.

We had the pleasure of attending and sitting beside Feist and her mother Lyn, seeing her guitar, which was used to record Grammy-nominated The Reminder, raise $4.5k.  Other big-ticket items being auctioned-off included Tiffany & Co. jewelry, getaways including wine tastings and more.

See our Snap:

With #Feist and her mum at a charity screening of #Spectre. The guitar she used on Grammy-nominated The Reminder was auctioned for $4.5k for @dignitasintl! Well done! #007 #Bond

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Nov 3, 2015 at 4:01pm PST

To learn more about Dignitas International and how you an help, click here.

A full review of Spectre to come shortly…

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Right in time for the Holidays! eOne Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers to see LOVE THE COOPERS! Screenings take place Wednesday, November 11, 2015 in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax and Victoria.

Official Synopsis:
LOVE THE COOPERS follows the Cooper clan as four generations of extended family come together for their annual Christmas Eve celebration. As the evening unfolds, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday.

LOVE THE COOPERS stars Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Diane Keaton, Amanda Seyfried, Marisa Tomei, Olivia Wilde and more.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and state your city. For an extra chance, click “share” from there or Tweet out the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/lovethecoopers @mrwillw wants us to #win Advance Passes to see #LOVETHECOOPERS! Out 11/13!

G’luck, Willionaire$!

eOne Films release LOVE THE COOPERS Friday, November 13, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Hot on the heels of spy-comedy SPY which did phenomenal at the Box Office earlier this year, we have THE BROTHERS GRIMSBY!  The Action-Comedy stars Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Rebel Wilson, Isla Fisher, Annabelle Wallis and Penélope Cruz.

Synopsis:

The estranged brother of a football hooligan with a perfect life and perfect girlfriend is one of MI6‘s deadliest assassins, and the two team up to save the world when they reunite.

See the hilarious Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release THE BROTHERS GRIMSBY on Friday, March 4, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

After garnering raves and winning the World Cinematic Audience Award at Sundance last year, DIFRET now is set for a release here in Canada. I’m sure many of you remember the story which inspired this Film, in the news.

Synopsis:
DIFRET chronicles a legal-precedent setting court case that outlawed the kidnapping of child brides in Ethiopia. It tells the story of a 14-year-old girl, Hirut Assefa (based on Aberash Bekele), who is kidnapped on her way home from school and subsequently grabs a rifle and tries to escape, but ends up shooting her would-be husband. In her village, the practice of abduction into marriage is common and one of Ethiopia’s oldest traditions. Meaza Ashenafi, the founder of the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, arrives from the city to have her team represent Hirut and argue that she acted in self defence.

The Film is executive-produced by Angelina Jolie.

See the Trailer:

Soda Pictures Canada release DIFRET on Friday, November 6, 2015. You can see it at The Carlton in Toronto.

(Photo/video credit: Soda Pictures Canada)

THE MARTIAN continues to outdo itself. The TIFF ’15 selection in its fifth week out finds enough gumption to take the top of the Box Office for 20th Century Fox a quiet Halloween weekend with $11.4 million from 3,218 theatres.  To date the Ridley Scott Film has made $182 million domestically.

GOOSEBUMPS, a former number one, rises to second this weekend with $10.2 million for Sony Pictures.  It has made $57 million thus far and got a boost this weekend with a buy-one-adult-ticket and get a children’s ticket free promotion.

BRIDGE OF SPIES in its third week rises to third with $8.1 million for DreamWorks.  It is nearing the $50-million-mark in North America.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 rises up to fourth with $5.8 million for Sony Pictures, like GOOSEBUMPS, getting a special Halloween weekend promo boost. It has made $156 million in its run this far in these parts.

BURNT opens in fifth for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films with $5 million from 3,003 theatres. Starring Bradley Cooper, the culinary dramedy got panned by Critics with 29% on the Tomatometer. Audiences gave it a better B- CinemaScore.

TIFF ’15 Selection OUR BRAND IS CRISIS opens in eighth for Warner Bros. with $3.6 million from 2,202 theatres. Critics gave the George Clooney-produced project 32% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it C+ on CinemaScore.

STEVE JOBS rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.6 million for Universal Pictures, earning $14.5 million over four weeks.

Having spent most of my childhood weekends at the racetrack with my parents, it has always been a dream of mine to attend the Breeders’ Cup. The two-day championship series of races often decide divisional honours and Horse of the Year title in America, with 13 races totaling a whopping $24.5 million.  Although the event rotates from track to track annually, with our Woodbine  playing host once only in 1996, Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky would have the honour this year.

The track, known for its famous Sycamore tree, is within a 50-mile radius of where some of the top thoroughbred horses in the world and bred and born. The decision to go was an easy one this year.  Keeneland is one of the most picturesque race courses in the world – one of my favourites.  Attending in 2015 checked two items off my bucket list at once.

And can I tell you how kind and gracious the people of Lexington are?  We really could learn from them a thing or two about old-school hospitality.

We need no  introduction to Triple Crown hero American Pharoah, the first horse to win that illusive series of three races since Affirmed in 1978.  After several close calls, racing fans including myself wondered if we ever would see another Triple Crown champion in this lifetime.  A win in  marquee race, the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic also would accomplish another remarkable feat known as a Grand Slam, which in Horse Racing is comprised of winning both the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  American Pharoah would make it look so easy before an over-capacity and already expanded grandstand of roaring fans, not only winning by six-and-a-half lengths, but also shattering the course record for the 1 1/4 mile distance.  The victory  for Zayat Stables, trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza boosted his career earnings to $8.6 million.  His final career race would be a dramatic win with soldiers escorting him off-track and fans on their feet!

Trainer Baffert who has trained many greats in his career, said at a celebratory champagne press conference following the victory, “Secretariat to me was the greatest horse of all time.  For American Pharoah to be mentioned in the same sentence is a great honour”.  The defection of supermare Beholder late last week certainly improved his chances, but his final performance reminded us exactly why it is we are so obsessed with him. We have witnessed a new chapter in American history and the colt’s legacy will be a thing of stories to a next generation of racing fans.

Watch the race here:

Make no mistake though, the Breeders’ Cup wasn’t only about American Pharoah.  The star-studded international affair which took place this past Friday and Saturday was filled with celebrities of the equine and human variety.  Breeders’ Cup ambassador and supermodel Kate Upton even came out to show her support.  Championship status was solidified for some, while others gave us a new perspective on their case.

Woodbine-based Trainer Mark Casse made us all extremely proud as lightning struck twice for him this weekend, garnering his overdue first-ever Breeders’ Cup wins with Catch a Glimpse in the $1-million Juvenile Turf Fillies and Tepin in the $2-million Turf Mile. The latter defeated a field of males including Woodbine Mile winner Mondialiste who placed second and third-placed Brian Lynch trainee Grand Arch, who is based here locally.

Canadian success also was witnessed in Wavell Avenue scoring huge in the $1-million Filly & Mare Sprint.  She was bred in Ontario by Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.

Former Vancouver-based jockey Mario Gutierrez also would go on to win the $2-million Juvenile aboard early Kentucky Derby favourite, Nyquist.  That race was led till late by likely champion Canadian two-year-old male Riker, ridden valiantly by our Jesse Campbell.

Another Ontario-bred, the accomplished Private Zone, would finish second in the $1.5 million Sprint behind three-year-old, record-smashing internet sensation Runhappy. That winner is trained by up-and-coming trainer Maria Borell, who is giving the sport a new face with her sudden success story. She just started training two years ago, believe it or not.

Let’s re-live some of that magic in a series of Photos from our Nikon D3300 lens:

Legendary trainer (American Pharoah) Bob Baffert. He’s in a sweatshirt. My kinda guy!

I was so busy on my phone that I didn’t notice stunning supermodel Kate Upton taking selfies over the ledge. I was like, “What is everyone taking photos of?!?”.  Oh, right. She’s super-sweet and gets a huge gold star for choice of hat!

Filly & Mare winner Stopchargingmaria certainly can pay cash now!  No more credit debt!

Rachel’s Valentina, daughter of racing royalty Rachel Alexandra, giving it her all in the Juvenile Fillies. We expect her to continue improving next year.

Mike Smith aboard Juvenile Fillies winner Songbird. Celebratory.

Vancouver’s Mario Gutierrez, leading Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Nyquist onto the track. The colt is now the early favourite for the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Canadian girls do it best. Wavell Avenue and her connections all smiling in unison after her Filly & Mare Sprint win.

The most festive winner’s circle ever. Although Mongolian Saturday was naughty getting ready in the paddock, he sure turned it on in the Turf Sprint for Florent Geroux and Mongolian Stable.

Who cares about Horse Racing though, right?!

Stephanie’s Kitten giving her connections and young jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. emotions after her Filly & Mare Turf win.

Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Catch a Glimpse of Woodbine enjoying her breakfast and giving us a glance the day after her big win.

Tepin‘s connections extremely proud after her Turf Mile win over the boys. I’ll pretend like my kiss and hug had nothing to do with it!

Three-year-old filly Found gives a herculean effort in the Turf Classic, beating the boys, including famed opponent Golden Horn (below).

Hit it a Bomb getting some last minute adjustments from phenomenal Ryan Moore before striking in the Juvenile Turf.

The lovely and sweet Maria Borell trying to contain her tears after star trainee Runhappy wins the Sprint under veteran jockey Edgar Prado.

The handsome Liam’s Map mugs for us once more before his retirement following a win in the Mile.

Simply, American Pharoah + Victor Espinoza.

Don’t forget to follow Breeders’ Cup on Twitter and Instagram.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

All photos brought to you by the Nikon D3300, wu1a adapter and 55-200 mm lens.