Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong
Walking in blind to season three of any television series is akin to arriving late as someone’s date to a college reunion where everyone already knows each other and their shared history. Whereas I had heard of VIKINGS, a monster audience and critical hit playing on the History Channel, I had never seen an episode, so, like the proverbial newbie at a reunion, I hunkered down, slipped in disc one from the handsomely packaged, recently released The Complete Third Season of VIKINGS on DVD and Blu-ray and wanted to get to know these characters better. By the end of the first episode, which had everything from fierce and bloody battles to thought provoking familial issues, I was hooked and resigned myself to an epic evening of binge-watching! This feeling actually threw me for a loop as I tend to disdain historical and medieval themed television shows and movies. But it is the calibre of the acting by the uber-talented cast of VIKINGS that makes it compelling to watch.
There is not an actor out there who can captivatingly play King Ragnar Lothbrok better than Travis Fimmel. Not only does he have the most arresting, hypnotic eyes on television and is the only male on the planet who can convincingly wear his hair in a Mohawk man-bun, it is a role he was born to play and Fimmel is mesmerizing. The combination of his blood-thirsty brutality tempered with insight is astonishing as the stories progress. Katheryn Winnick, as Ragnar’s ex, the warrior Lagertha, is formidable. It is easy to see why King Ecbert (played with the same gravitas and expertise that actor Linus Roache brought to his under-appreciated performance as Father Greg Pilkington in PRIEST) is infatuated with her. As wonderful as it is to see that Jessalyn Gilsig (as Siggy) has found another role befitting her talents after her short stint on Glee, one of my favourite character in VIKINGS is played by Gustaf Skarsgard…yes…THAT Skarsgard…his father is Stellan and one of his brothers is Alexander (True Blood). As Floki the shipbuilder, he’s flaky and unpredictable.
The production values on the DVD set I received of The Complete Third Season of VIKINGS are impeccable. My one and only complaint is the lack of a more comprehensive and informative special features option. It does contain some deleted scenes and a few short trailers. I would have loved to have heard some commentaries from the actors for a few of the episodes and an interview with VIKING’s creator, Michael Hirst.
Momentum Pictures release VIKINGS Season 3, now on DVD and Blu-ray.
Culinary genius Jamie Oliver has been in Toronto these past few days hard at work. Despite having visited in previous years for book signings and tours for his cookware and series, he really is giving it his all this time doing interviews with virtually every outlet in the city.
Oliver is promoting his latest series Jamie’s Super Food and new book Everyday Super Food. Today, he is due to appear at Varsity Cinemas for a screening of the series, followed by a conversation with Liza Fromer of The Morning Show, where he appeared earlier in the Co-Host’s chair.
Billy and I caught-up with Oliver, whom we love, on this really gloomy morning and he was totally kind to stop for a quick Selfie en route to his next appearance. Love his enthusiasm! Class act.
Learn more about Jamie’s Super Food and Everyday Super Food.
See our Selfie:
(Photo credit: HarperCollins/Mr. Will Wong)
There Robert De Niro goes again, winnning our hearts with another against-the-senior-grain type role. We loved him so much in last month’s The Intern and are happy to see he’s still a big draw to the movies for fans. Check-out the above still, brand new from the upcoming road trip comedy, DIRTY GRANDPA in which he stars alongside Zac Efron. The Film takes place a few days before Jason‘s (Efron) wedding and both he and Grandpa Dick head on a trek to a Boca Raton retirement community. The two get into lots of antics with Jason being the straight-laced one of the two.
BORAT Co-Writer Dan Mazur directs the comedy which also stars Aubrey Plaza, Jason Mantzoukas, Danny Glover, Adam Pally and Dermot Mulroney.
See the new Trailer:
VVS Films will release DIRTY GRANDPA on Friday, January 22, 2016 in Canada.
(Photo credit: VVS Films)
It’s been absolutely a stellar 2015 racing season at Woodbine Racetrack and even though we’ve still got a month to go before the curtain drops for the Thoroughbreds, both the 24-hour Casino and Standardbreds still are going into the New Year! Details and schedule here!
We’ve been there every step of the way this racing season. The build-up to the Woodbine Oaks, won by likely champion three-year-old filly Academic. We were there for the thrill and fashion of North America’s most historic race, the Queen’s Plate, won by Shaman Ghost. We ventured even to Fort Erie in our first visit there ever for the Prince of Wales Stakes, upset by Breaking Lucky. Although there was no Triple Crown winner in Canada this year, we still witnessed the third leg being won decisively on the grass by Danish Dynaformer. Despite the TIFF ’15 madness, we would not miss seeing Irish-invader Mondialiste get it done in the Woodbine Mile. And who could forget Cannock Chase‘s thrilling stretch run to take the Pattison Canadian International? We even revisited Standardbred Racing as Woodbine hosted the 2015 Breeders Crown on a thrilling night of championship races!
2015 has been a highly-competitive year in all respective divisions and it truly is one of the most wide-open matches for thoroughbred Horse of the Year in recent memory. This however is a true testament to the quality of horses racing at Woodbine and that there’s a slice of the pie for everyone.
Academic winning the $500k Woodbine Oaks under Justin Stein
With Woodbine Oaks Winner, #Academic. I always root for the filly. Thanks @reddogcw for this pic. #QueensPlate #QP15 #HorseRacing A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Privileged to get the best seats in the house at @woodbineracing. Don’t believe another #QueensPlate has come and gone so quickly. Seen here is #FrankStronach leading #ShamanGhost into the Winner’s Circle as #RafaelHernandez throws them flower petals into the air, from the Winner’s blanket. I love this Sport so much and it always will be a part of me. #QP15 #QueensPlate #HorseRacing #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Mr. Will + Shaman Ghost
Congrats to #BreakingLucky, Gunpowder Farms, Team Reade Baker and Jimmy McAleney on their stunning upset in #Wales80 at @FortErieRacing, the 2nd jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown! #HorseRacing #FortErie #GetintheGame #Horse #Jockey #Racetrack #PrinceofWales #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Such a joyous day #OfftotheRaces celebrating the $500k #BreedersStakes, won by a deserving #DANISHDYNAFORMER, #PatrickHusbands and our friends at Team #RogerAttfield. They had ice buckets and tons of cool water ready for him in this scorching heat! #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #HorseRacing A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With adorable Danish Dynaformer and his favourite teddy
I loved spending Breeders’ Stakes day with one of my favourite Readers @CupcakeDawnie whom true to her name brought me some amazing homemade cupcakes!
Good afternoon from the brilliantly-fast #Ageless and I! She’s up later today in the Royal North! #BetWoodbine #Horse #Mare #Filly #Thoroughbred #Woodbine #Racetrack #GetintheGame #Racetrack A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Brooklynsway is one of my favourite girls on the track and she always gives it her all on her best day. So overjoyed getting to meet her and give her some Scotch Mints. I don’t bet big, but she was responsible for a couple of my biggest wins in 2015!
Although that huge 2015 comeback never happened for our heroine and 2014 Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou, we’re glad she’s safe and sound at the farm. Was a highlight of our year getting a kiss from her.
So proud of my friends at Team Malcolm Pierce on their huge win with #DontLeaveMe aka “Mimi” today in the Ontario Colleen Stakes at @woodbineracing. An honour getting to celebrate with THE lovely and vivacious #JosephineAbercrombie, Mimi’s owner, who flew in for the occasion! Some extra Royal Gala Apples for Mimi tomorrow! #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #OfftotheRaces #Woodbine #Filly #HorseRacing #Abercrombie #nikond3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Although he had scratched from the $1-million Woodbine Mile, I got to catch-up quickly with hometown hero Grand Arch who soon after would go on to win the $1-million Shadwell Mile at Keeneland! He is amazing and rather handsome, wouldn’t you agree?
Billy getting jockey lessons from Uncle Patrick. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
That time we met miniature pony, Pepper… it was the greatest!
Our little friend Gator is a Florida rescue cat adopted by our friend Sarah Ritchie, an assistant to Trainer Mark Frostad. He quickly has made a name on the backstretch at Woodbine and even has his own Twitter account: @gatorkitten.
Celebrating #InternationalCatDay with @GatorKitten! A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
No big deal. Just an #AmericanPharoah Selfie on #Haskell2015 Day! A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Presenting the trophy to the winners of the Grade II Nijinsky Stakes, Hall of Famer #RogerAttfield + jockey #AlanGarcia for #AreYouKiddingMe! Phenomenal race! (Photo credit: @kaytrd for @woodbineracing) #BetWoodbine #OfftotheRaces #Woodbine #Racetrack #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #Horse #Thoroughbred A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
It’s not every day we get to see a Breeders’ Cup champion at Woodbine. Even though Bobby’s Kitten had an off-day in the Play the King Stakes, we’re still thrilled we got to see him up-close.
With Irish-bred $1-million Woodbine Mile winner Mondialiste and rider Fergal Lynch
Thrilling action at @woodbineracing in the #WOMile! Congrats to the connections of MONDIALISTE! #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #WoodbineMile #FergalLynch #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
This one Bartender at Woodbine knows me too well… It was a dream having this many Maraschino Cherries in my Singapore Sling! Almost died of deliciousness…
2013 Canadian Horse of the Year Up with the Birds being his lovable self before his valiant first runner-up finish in the $1-million Pattison Canadian International
2013 Horse of the Year Up With the Birds on his chances in today’s #WOIntl! #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Smashing performance by CURVY under Ryan Moore to win the $500k EP Taylor Stakes! #BetWoodbine #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #WOIntl #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Phenomenal day at the #WOIntl. A Canuck didn’t win, but a ‘Cannock’ did! Congrats to CANNOCK CHASE who won valiantly under Ryan Moore. So proud of our UP WITH THE BIRDS who ran a phenomenal second, representing Canada so well! #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine #BetWoodbine #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With five-time winning driver on 2015 Breeders Crown night, Dave Miller!
#OfftotheRaces! This literally is how dirty they get in #HarnessRacing! Major fun tonight at #Crown15! Here I am with five-time winning driver tonight #DaveMiller. KING. #BreedersCrown A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
So honoured to call this man a Friend. Sad to be sending off The Voice of @woodbineracing, #DanLoiselle today. The joys he has given us racing fans are uncountable. Wishing him a well-deserved and happy retirement! #Woodbine #Racetrack #HorseRacing #GetintheGame A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
In addition to being a huge supporter of the sport, we are equally concerned with horses going to loving homes after their time on the track. Organizations like LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society aim to do just that and we are always sure to give a bit of money every year and donate some auction items. It was so much fun attending their annual Fundraiser this year and seeing jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson as Wonder Woman. Trainer Mark Frostad as Elvis …we have no words!!
Although we’re approaching the end, you still can Tweet a Selfie of yourself at Woodbine with the hashtag #OFFTOTHERACES for a chance to win $1k! It’s that easy!
Remember to follow also via @woodbineracing on Twitter.
Don’t forget, the Breeders’ Cup, Horse Racing’s championship days take place this Friday and Saturday and you can watch the races on NBC! Check local listings! We’ll be there at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky!
We’ll definitely be seeing you again in 2016!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.
eOne Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers to see one of this Awards Season’s brightest contenders, SPOTLIGHT. After a rousing reception at TIFF ’15, the Toronto and Boston-filmed Drama now is ready to keep the conversation going in theatres. Screenings take place on Thursday, November 12, 2015 in Toronto, Vancouver, and Monday, November 16, 2015 in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax and Victoria.
Official Synopsis:
SPOTLIGHT tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions. When the newspaper’s tenacious “Spotlight” team of reporters delve into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston’s religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. Directed by Academy Award-nominee Tom McCarthy, SPOTLIGHT is a tense investigative thriller, tracing the steps to one of the biggest crime stories in modern times.
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/spotlight @mrwillw wants us to #win Advance Passes to see #SPOTLIGHTMovie. Out 11/20.
G’luck, Willionaire$!
eOne Films release SPOTLIGHT in Toronto and Vancouver on Friday, November 13, 2015 and everywhere Friday, November 20, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
It isn’t every year that Woodbine gets to host the richest, most prestigious night in Harness Racing, so we were incredibly lucky to be home to the 12 races totaling $6 million this year. These races often have a strong bearing on which horses will go on to be crowned champion year-end.
The best in the sport gathered for a shot at the huge purse money and the biggest winner tonight was driver Dave Miller who topped the night with a whopping five Breeders Crown wins tonight. Neither rain nor lightning could stop his A-Game.
Lucky fans were rewarded with $100 Betting Vouchers, while some where rewarded with limited edition collectible figurines of all-time richest standardbred of all time, the remarkable Foiled Again, who competed last night. Official Breeders Crown toques and free first bets also were handed out.
Winners of the evening were as follows:
D One winning the Open Mare Trot with Dave Miller
Pure Country winning the 2 y.o. Filly Pace with Brett Miller
Southwind Frank winning the 2 y.o. Colt and Gelding Trot with Yannick Gingras
Haughty winning the 2 y.o. Filly Trot with Dave Palone
Wild Honey winning the 3 y.o. Filly Trot with John Campbell
Boston Red Rocks winning the 2 y.o. Colt and Gelding Pace with Tim Tetrick
The Bank winning the 3 y.o. Colt and Gelding Trot with Dave Miller
Freaky Feet Pete winning the 3 y.o. Colt and Gelding Pace with Trace Tetrick
Colors a Virgin winning the Open Mare Pace with Dave Miller
Swedish invader Creatine winning the Open Trot with Johnny Takter
Always B Miki winning the Open Pace with Dave Miller
The racing season at Woodbine continues with the thoroughreds racing till the end of November and the race week being bumped up to five days. The standardbred season continues at Woodbine into the New Year.
There’s still a chance to Tweet your Woodbine Selfies for a chance to win $1k! Simply use the hashtag #OFFTOTHERACES and remember to follow @woodbineracing.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.
Yowza! Despite a slew of newcomers at the Box Office this weekend, none could topple former champ THE MARTIAN, which reaches the top once again in its fourth week with $15.1 million for 20th Century Fox, from 3,504 theatres. It has made $165 million in its North American run.
GOOSEBUMPS slips to second in its second week with $14.7 million for Sony Pictures, from 3,501 theatres. It has made $42.9 million thus far domestically.
BRIDGE OF SPIES is in third this weekend with $11.3 million for DreamWorks, bringing it two-week run to $32.5 million.
THE LAST WITCH HUNTER starring Vin Diesel debuts in fourth for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films with $9.5 million from 3,082 theatres. It gets a B- CinemaScore and a 15% on the Tomatometer from Critics.
Oscar-Contender STEVE JOBS expands to 2,493 theatres this weekend for Universal Pictures, not quite gaining momentum with $7.09 million in sixth. It has made $9.8 million in three weeks. Audiences gave it an A- CinemaSore and 86% on the Tomatometer.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: GHOST DIMENSION opens in seventh with $6.9 million for Paramount Pictures. Audiences gave it a C CinemaScore and Critics gave it a paltry 13% on the Tomatometer.
SICARIO continues to go well, rounding-out the Top Ten for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films with $2.7 million in its sixth week, bringing its tally to $39.2 million.
We’ve waited long now for MARVEL’S JESSICA JONES, and it’s hard to believe it’s only a month away on Netflix! A new Trailer just dropped today and we’re so excited for this!
Synopsis:
After a tragic ending to her short-lived Super Hero stint, Jessica Jones is rebuilding her personal life and career as a detective who gets pulled into cases in New York City.
Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones) is joined by an amazing cast including David Tennant (Kilgrave), Mike Colter (Luke Cage), Rachael Taylor (Trish Walker), Carrie-Anne Moss, Eka Darville, Erin Moriarty, and Wil Traval, among others.
See the Trailer:
Marvel‘s Jessica Jones streams on Netflix Friday, November 20, 2015.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
I think most of us who saw CINDERELLA will agree that we were enchanted by Lily James. Be prepared to see her like you’ve never imagined in PRIDE + PREJUDICE + ZOMBIES. Murderous.
Synopsis:
A zombie outbreak has fallen upon the land in this reimagining of Jane Austen‘s classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th century England. Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) is a master of martial arts and weaponry and the handsome Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley) is a fierce zombie killer, yet the epitome of upper class prejudice. As the zombie outbreak intensifies, they must swallow their pride and join forces on the blood-soaked battlefield in order to conquer the undead once and for all.
See the new Trailer:
Sony Pictures release PRIDE + PREJUDICE + ZOMBIES February 2016.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)
Just like she did the first time around, Adele appears out of nowhere. Her comeback single HELLO was just released earlier today and although it’s impossible not to think Lionel Ritchie when she sings the first two notes of the song, she whets out appetites with this dramatic tale of lost love. And even more, she looks just stunning here. We’ve missed Adele and are so happy to have her back. Canadian Actor/Filmmaker Xavier Dolan directs.
See the new Video:
As always, Adele releases her albums by age at the time of recording. 25 will be released on Friday, November 20, 2015.
Here’s the Tracklisting:
1. Hello
2. Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
3. I Miss You
4. When We Were Young
5. Remedy
6. Water Under The Bridge
7. River Lea
8. Love In The Dark
9. Million Years Ago
10. All I Ask
11. Sweetest Devotion
(Photo/video credit: Columbia Records/XL Recordings)
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