After doing such a phenomenal job on her Bad Blood video, Joseph Kahn teams again with Taylor Swift for her latest Single, the v. Lana Del Rey-esque Wildest Dreams! Best of all, rising star Scott Eastwood stars in the moody, classic Hollywood-inspired clip which premiere in advance of the 2015 MTV VMAs!

See it here:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Canada)

For a third straight week, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON takes it to the top of the Box Office again with $12.5 million from 3,142 theatres for Universal Pictures. Although it was a tepid weekend in terms of ticket sales, this is enough to take bring the Hip-Hop Drama to $133 million cumulatively in its domestic run.

WAR ROOM debuts in second with $10.2 million from 1,135 theatres for Sony Pictures, although it didn’t get distribution in Canada. The faith-based Drama got 18% on the Tomatometer from Critics.

NO ESCAPE debuts in third with $9.8 million for The Weinstein Co./VVS Films.   Starring Owen Wilson and Pierce Brosnan, the Action Flick got a B+ CinemaScore from Audiences and 41% on the Tomatometer.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION continues to perform well in fourth with $7.5 million in its fifth week out for Paramount Pictures. By early this week it will have exceeded $170 million in North America.

SINISTER 2 in its second week out is in sixth with $4.1 million for eOne Films/Focus Features from 2,799 theatres.

ANT-MAN rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.7 million for Disney/Marvel, nearing the $170 million-mark domestically in its seventh week out.

As you may already know, Instagram now is letting users post in portrait and landscape modes – thinking outside the square box so to say! To celebrate this occasion, Star Wars has just released new video footage from The Force Awakens in this format for Instagrammers around the World.

See it first here:

There has been an awakening… #StarWars #TheForceAwakens

A video posted by Star Wars (@starwars) on Aug 27, 2015 at 10:00am PDT

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS on Friday, December 18, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are back! And you’re gonna love their new single, which brings back Hip-Hop legends MELLE MEL, KOOL MOE DEE, GRANDMASTER CAZ & ERIC NALLY! The Video was directed by Jason Koenig, Ryan Lewis and Macklemore himself!

See the Video:

The Duo premiere the track live at the MTV VMAs on Sunday, August 30, 2015!

Download DOWNTOWN on iTunes here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music Canada)

In addition to an exciting series of In Conversation-Withs (Julianne Moore, Sarah Silverman, Salma Hayek, Matthew Weiner and more) and the official #TIFF15 Schedule being announced today, the moment we’ve been waiting for has come. The confirmed stars list!

Although we’re on the road right now and blogging from our Samsung Galaxy S6, here is your list!

Your list of Stars attending #TIFF15. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 25, 2015 at 10:12am PDT

Although we are bummed about no Cate, we are thrilled for Kate, Sandra, Penelope, Johnny, Natalie and both Toms!

Start organizing your schedule now if you haven’t already!

Click here to download.

Just 14 more days!!!

(Photo credit: TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL)

By Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Back in the beginning of August, Warner Bros. Pictures Canada treated some lucky media and  members of the public to a special event hosted at the CN Tower – followed by a phenomenal meal at Horizons – where we got to see some clips from the hotly-anticipated new movie Pan, followed by a Q&A between Director Joe Wright and beloved Film Critic, Richard Crouse.

First-off, the footage of Pan that we were privileged to see was absolutely remarkable. Wright certainly took on an ambitious project and luckily from the snippets we were shown, Pan certainly looks to be as magical as Neverland itself. However, aside from the breathtaking footage we got our first real glimpse at performances in Pan and with all eyes being focused on Hugh Jackman portraying Blackbeard, everyone was pleasantly enthused with how involved he made himself, breathing life into the well-known character.

Back when Pan was announced, there was a ton of controversy framing the Film. The controversy mainly sparked from the casting of Tiger Lily who is portrayed in the original Disney Film as a Native American. Rooney Mara who is an incredible actress by any regard, was chosen for the part despite not fitting the part racially and the world of Cinema responded. When Wright was asked about his choice of Mara to portray Tiger Lily, he responded by saying they auditioned thousands of people from across the globe and in the end Mara was the best fit, despite not being an exact match to the original.

The reason why Wright had joined the project in the first place was because of his children. It was something that pushed him to do a Family Film in the first place. His other projects have been The Soloist, Atonement, Pride and Prejudice, Hanna and Anna Karenina, different in many ways from something as fantastical as Pan. However what really made Wright excited about the project was the sets. The sets were not completely green- screened and  built on a scale that even surprised experienced actors such as Jackman. Overall, the event was a blooming success, filling everyone’s heart with hope and magic.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release PAN on October 9, 2015. Keep an eye out for the magic as it approaches theatres.

In its second week out, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON continues to motor-on at the top of the Box Office. Earning $27.5 million this weekend from 2.757 theatres, the Universal Pictures Hip-Hop Biopic based on the rise of Hip-Hop legends N.W.A., quickly has grossed $111.2 million domestically.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION continues to perform strongly in its fourth week out for Paramount Pictures, making $11.9  million, good enough for second.  It has grossed $157 million in its North American run.

SINISTER 2 opens in third for eOne Films/Focus Features with $11 million.  By comparison, its first installment made $18 million in its debut in 2012.  Critics gave it 12% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore.

HITMAN: AGENT 47 opens in fourth with $8.3 million from 3,261 theatres for 20th Century Fox.  Critics were tough on the Action flick starring Rupert Friend with a 7% on the Tomatometer and an okay B CinemaScore.

AMERICAN ULTRA starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, debuts in sixth for Elevation Pictures/Lionsgate with $5.6 million from 2,778 theatres. Critics gave it mixed reviews at 45% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.

FANTASTIC FOUR rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.5 million for 20th Century Fox, earning $49 million in its three-week run.

Now in its 136th year, the Canadian National Exhibition is currently underway now for 18 days through Labour Day, opening its doors once again today – the crowd still going strong past sunset. The annual tradition for Torontonians, better known as The Ex, promises more extravagant food offerings than ever before, highlighted also by a series of engaging events and concerts at the CNE Bandshell.

We were lured into the CNE Food Building by some delightfully-sinful offerings from new and returning food vendors. Here’s an overview of some culinary creations:

Fran’s Thanksgiving Waffle. A waffle made of turkey stuffing, enrobing turkey shreds and gravy. Generous portion at $12.

Jake’s Lobster Garlic Crab Fries. As tiny a portion as it looks; drew one of the longest lines at the building and reportedly delicious at $13 each.

Iron Skillet’s Frosted Flake Chicken. Not as sweet as its name suggests, but might tasty and crunchy. A generous serving of chicken breast, but a tad on the pricy at $10/skewer. Would have been nicer with a spicy dipping sauce.  These Onlookers’ reactions say it all…

Far East Taco’s Fried Fish Bao. Perhaps my favourite offering. Crispy fried fish nestled into a fluffy, milky bun, loaded with taco toppings including cheese and kimchi.  Great value at 2 for $11.

Funnel Cake House’s Deep-fried Red Velvet Oreos. Decadently sweet (Cake Pop-like), but highway robbery at $7 for 3 with these red velvet batter-dipped cookies soaked in cream cheese icing.

Conklin’s Ice Cream Sandwiches. One of the better deals on grounds (not within Food Building). $3.75 per sandwich. Be armed with napkins; can be messy.

Pull’d’s Red Velvet Pancake Pulled Pork Pancakes. The maple flavour in the Pulled Pork goes well with the pink-coloured pancakes. Made little difference that the pancakes were Red Velvet with the strong, smoky flavour of the pork working with it. $13 each and shorter lineups than expected.

Quite possibly the World’s largest Corn Dog? Well, because size matters…

Other offerings included a Jamaican Patty Burger at Bubs Badass Burgers, although lineups were far too long to be worth the wait. The Nutella Waffle truck outside the Arts and Crafts building also drew a long queue. Timbit Poutine, by Tim Hortons, actually is much tamer than it sounds, using ice cream to smother the beloved donut holes, not gravy. Phew.

Among the musical acts gracing the stage at CNE Bandshell this year include hot pop duo MKTO, Cody Simpson, Alan Doyle, Rick Springfield, Brett Kissel and more. Click here to see the lineup.

Learn more about The Ex here, including how to get there and operation hours.

Selfie Time!!

At #TheEx. The sky a perfect burnt orange. #CNE #The6 #Toronto #SamsungGalaxyS6

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 21, 2015 at 5:15pm PDT

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

“With all due respect sir, no.”, I said to the part-Owner of a horse up for Canadian Horse of the Year this April, just one day before the 2015 racing season began at Woodbine Racetrack.  It was the Sovereign Awards, honouring the year’s best across Canada and it was this gentleman’s first time ever at the prestigious affair. He wanted an honest answer from me if his horse would win the coveted title and that I gave him. Although his horse in all fairness was and is very talented, there would be no defeating the opposition.  Not on the track, not at the ballot box.

We’re into the halfway-mark of the racing season and the burning question on the minds of many racing fans is, “Where is Lexie Lou?”. The four-year-old filly had a remarkable campaign in 2014 winning unanimously Horse of the Year voting that night.  The $1-million Queen’s Plate? Check.  The Woodbine Oaks? Check.  These are two of the country’s most important races and she won both with ease en route to padding her bankroll with $1.5 million.

In Horse Racing, we all love a good Cinderella story and a Cinderella story Lexie Lou is, purchased in 2011 as a yearling for just $5,000 by local veteran Owner/Trainer John Ross, who campaigned her to much success through April 2014. Although pedigree and training programs are telling indicators in the success of a Racehorse, just as important in the sport is the unknown, luck.  It is a sport of mobility – literally and figuratively.  Success can come as quickly for some as it goes and that extends to everyone from the Bettors  to the Owners.  Just ask Perry Martin and Steven Coburn, whom for a pittance of $8,000 purchased an unsuspecting filly in 2009, birthing eventual Superstar California Chrome, who has banked $6.3 million in earnings.  Let’s not forget the 30% ownership sold to Taylor Made Farm in advance of plans eventually to retire him as a stallion, where millions more are expected to be made through breeding.

Lexie Lou‘s success under John Ross went noticed.  She was game for a fight every time and always was in the thick of things. Hollywood heavyweight Producer Gary Barber (G.I. Joe, Invictus, Wanted, Bruce Almighty) purchased her privately for what then seemed like a sizable sum. She would be handled by the Team of seven-time Sovereign Award winning Trainer, Mark Casse who thanked Ross at the Sovereign Awards for all the work he and his Team put into shaping Lexie Lou‘s career. Despite his domination of Canadian Racing, the Queen’s Plate remained illusive and Lexie Lou gave him that overdue accomplishment, moving him to tears in a post-race interview seen around the world. The filly’s success story has been a remarkable one and she’s proven no matter the competition, she is a force to be reckoned with – north and south of the border.  In November 2014’s Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar Racetrack in California, the brazen Canadian filly tackled Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, bet heavily and just shy of defeating him in second.

Let’s step back for a second and look at the big picture here.  An Ontario-bred filly bought originally for just $5,000 facing the eventual North American Horse of the Year, and almost winning the race. This is a greater feat than it might suggest in print.  Hardly lauded enough, Lexie Lou should be a Poster Girl for the sport at large.  She should be celebrated as an inspiration for fans young and old, male or female – regardless of upbringing – that we all can be a better version of ourselves with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work. I mean, who doesn’t identify with that? This is the core essence of being a North American, am I right?

A quick visit to Woodbine‘s Stables Area to see the Superfilly who was in vacation mode in Ocala, Florida until only recently,  had me both excited and hesitant. Mark Casse himself has stated that she isn’t particularly a gentle filly, but notes that many great fillies carry that trait. Horse Racing in addition to being a  money-making leisure to fans, is a high-stakes business for those on the backstretch, a juxtaposition of toughness to the surreal beauty of witnessing these animals race under the vibrant rainbow of silks their jockeys sport.

For her four-year-old campaign, Lexie Lou has been paired with a new groom (caretaker) Chivon, who praises her star filly as being anything but aggressive despite her having developed a bit of a reputation in the past. A second set of eyes (mine) would confirm this.  Upon walking over to her stall, Lexie Lou was very preoccupied with checking-in on her neighbour through a barred window, a two-year-old filly named Conquest Soprano. I learned that Lexie Lou has always been a big sister in the Casse barn, which is overseen by Assistants Kathryn Sullivan and David Adams here in Toronto.  Last year, she was best friends with a younger filly named Conquest So True and was protective of her too.

Although not all horses love Scotch Mints, she was enthused and helped herself to a few out of my palm, later coming back for seconds… and thirds, before going back to check on her friend next-door. And somewhere amidst the sugar rush, she planted an equine kiss on my cheek.  It is hard to believe such a monster on the track was such a beauty in-person.  I despise the term “almond eyes” because it is such a blanket term, but if it could be applied to anyone, it would be Lexie Lou as her enchanting, deep-set eyes are soulful and pensive.  Her face feminine and graceful, with a bold white marking similar to that of her sire (father), Sligo Bay.  A stunning animal.

 Lexie Lou will make her return to the track soon. Although originally scheduled to make her return on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Woodbine, an eye condition is keeping her out of the race. More to come on when the Queen shall return and we will be sure to let you know so you can witness greatness!

Don’t forget to snap a Selfie at Woodbine with the Hashtag #OffToTheRaces and Tweet at @WoodbineRacing to qualify for a prize of $1,000!

Some Photos of Lexie Lou over the years:

Lexie Lou, Winter 2013

Trainer Mark Casse plants a kiss on Lexie Lou, Queen’s Plate 2014

Media frenzy after Lexie Lou wins the 2014 Queen’s Plate

Lexie Lou and her rider Patrick Husbands, Queen’s Plate 2014

Lexie Lou wins the 2014 Wonder Where Stakes, her first race on the turf

Lexie Lou in-training, July 2015

Lexie Lou mugs for the camera with her Exercise Rider Jason, July 2015

Lexie Lou and Patrick Husbands as Lego in a 2015 Queen’s Plate Promo

Lexie Lou back at home, August 2015

Mr. Will + Lexie Lou:

Kisses from #LexieLou! Who knew the Queen of Canadian Racing was such a sweetheart?! @woodbineracing #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #Horses #HorseRacing #Horse #Filly #BetWoodbine #Racetrack

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 7, 2015 at 6:27am PDT

To learn more about Woodbine Racetrack, including how to get there, click here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.

Brought to Toronto by way of love, award-raking Modern Family star Sarah Hyland made her way to Toronto earlier today. She is in town to visit her beau, English Actor Dominic Sherwood, who has been hard at work on Young Adult series Shadowhunters, based on Cassandra Clare‘s popular novels The Mortal Instruments.

Decked-out in the most amazing pair of sunglasses and a tank top, the 24-year-old beauty was so nice to stop for a quick chat and a Selfie before heading-off. It’s always refreshing seeing you talent so grounded and nice!

Hyland was in Toronto earlier this summer at the MuchMusic Video Awards with Sherwood but hasn’t been seen since.

See our Snap:

Pleasure meeting the super-sweet #SarahHyland of #ModernFamily. Honestly one of the nicest younger actresses I’ve met ever met. Refreshing. She’s here to spend time with her love, #DominicSherwood. #Shadowhunters #TMI #TheMortalInstruments #HaleyDunphy

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Aug 21, 2015 at 12:42pm PDT

Shadowhunters wraps mid-October. Hopefully we’ll see her and Dominic out at TIFF ’15?

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)