I hate to say it, but Mariah Carey makes her best Music when she’s heartbroken. Such is the case with new Single INFINITY from her brand-new Greatest Hits Disc, #1 TO INFINITY. As is the case, Mariah always makes Music for the Fans first. Not her best, but definitely one of her better Tracks in recent years and that’s something to start as L.A. Reid takes the reins again on this first release from Epic/Sony.

Take a listen below:

Sony Music Canada release #1 TO INFINITY on Tuesday, May 18, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

You know her from Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, The Vampire Diaries, Save the Last Dance, Pretty Little Liars and Teen Wolf, among many other credits. One of the most hardest-working Actresses in Hollywood is Bianca Lawson, who now in Toronto filming TV Series Rogue.

We spotted the youthful Star on a grocery run earlier today, who despite wearing little makeup, was nice enough to stop for a Snap.

With one of the most hardworking Actresses on TV. #BiancaLawson + me. #BuffyTheVampireSlayer #PLL #PrettyLittleLiars #TheVampireDiaries #Rogue #TeenWolf #SavedByTheBell

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Apr 26, 2015 at 7:27pm PDT

Rogue centers on female Police Officer-turned-FBI Handler named Grace Travis (Thandie Newton) who is forced to go undercover to investigate the murder of another female Operative. She meets Ethan (Cole Hauser) whom she is charmed by, but well could be resposible for that Operative’s disappearance/murder.

More details on Rogue which in its second Season is available on-demand May 26, 2015 here.

(Photo credit: ABC Family/Mr. Will Wong)

For a fourth straight week, FURIOUS 7 dominates the Box Office once again!  Showing at 3,808 theatres, the record-breaking Blockbuster earns $17 million this weekend, now for a cumulative total of $319 million domestically for Universal Pictures.

PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 exceeds expectations, number two a second week in-a-row, earning $13.7 million for Sony Pictures. In its run so far, it has made $42 million in North America.

THE AGE OF ADALINE opens in third spot with $12.4 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, despite topping the Friday night Box Office. The Romance starring Blake Lively gets an A- CinemaScore from Audiences, and a lukewarm 53% from Critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

HOME continues to show amazing staying power in fourth spot with $7.9 million. In five weeks it has made $153 million domestically for 20th Century Fox.

UNFRIENDED lands in fifth in its second week out with $5.9 million for Universal Pictures.

Well-reviewed EX_MACHINA debuts in sixth for Mongrel Media/A24 Films, wit $6.2 million from 1,255 theatres. The Sci-Fi Film starring Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleason and Oscar Isaac gets a stunning 90% on the Tomatometer.

WOMAN IN GOLD rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.1 million for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films.  In four weeks, it has grossed $21.2 million.

You’d better bet we’ve got Derby Fever! Although we weren’t lucky enough to see a theatrical release for 50 to 1 north of the Border, Canadians finally will have their chance to see on DVD and Digital HD the True Story of MINE THAT BIRD overcoming great odds to win the world’s most famous horse race in 2009, the Kentucky Derby.  Many forget the horse got his start here at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, receiving a Sovereign Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Male in 2008, before being sold to American owners Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Serte Equine.  This Film and Story hold a  deep, visceral meaning to Canadians.

Directed by Dances with Wolves Producer Jim Wilson, the Drama tells the Story how two rough-and-tumble New Mexico Cowboys played by Skeet Ulrich (Law & Order: LA) and Christian Kane (Angel) got it right when it counted most with a horse few believed in.  They embark on  a tumultuous journey to Kentucky for the big race.

We had the pleasure of chatting with Calvin Borel who not only rode MINE THAT BIRD to a mindblowing upset in the Derby, but he also stars in 50 to 1 as himself.  Because well, as his agent Jerry Hissam puts it, “I don’t know if you can find another Calvin Borel.  There’s only one.”.

The day is busy for Borel who at 7:30 AM already has exercised two horses, fitting-in a quick moment to chat in support of the Movie from Kentucky, before heading to exercise another.  He is balancing a busy work schedule with  home life as his Wife, Lisa Funk, resides on their two-acre Farm in Florida.   The 48-year-old jockey has amassed over 5,120 victories recorded to date, getting his start as an eight-year-old at Louisiana Bush Tracks, riding on weekends 15-20 match races early in the day, before heading off to ride yet another 15-20 more in the afternoon.  By  ninth grade, he was out of school, already finding his true calling in life at an age when most kids are just figuring out what to wear to the school dance.  “It’s a shame we don’t have Bush Tracks now.  There aren’t too many good riders that come out of Louisiana anymore”, Borel feels.

Money certainly can be good in Horse Racing as a jockey, but Borel credits his older brother Cecil – also formerly in the profession and now a Trainer –  for his success. “I had good guidance.  My brother was there to take care of me after our parents passed away”, he tells us. “He was there for me win, lose or draw, he saved my money for me because it doesn’t last forever.”. Admitting he still has a few years to go in the game, Borel says, “You’re not gonna ride forever.  You might have 30-40 good years.  My brother had rode and been there.  He wasn’t gonna let it happen to me.”.  “All riders should have good guidance. There would be a lot better riders if there were.”.

Borel tells me about his experience playing himself in 50 to 1, after being approached by Wilson via his agent Jerry.  “It took about two years to make.  The last five days of filming we did everything around the racetrack from 5 in the morning to 10 at night”.  “We would shoot four or five days a month and that’s why it took so long. There was a lot of traveling.”.  He adds, “Mr. Jim (Wilson) helped me a lot and it was wonderful.”.

Acting didn’t come naturally for Borel. “In the Jocks’ Room and on the horse, I was perfect”, he admits. “The hardest part was filming talking in the grandstand to the Owner and Trainer. I wasn’t in my zone”.  “Once I got to the Jocks’ Room, Mr. Jim threw the reins to me and told me ‘Give me whatever you all do!'”.  “I was happy I could play myself and just let it come out naturally so it looks real, real, real!”, he laughs,  “Driving in the Car Wash and not putting the windows up… anyone who knows me, I’ll do things like that!”.

After the Story of 50 to 1 ends in celebratory fashion with Borel‘s gleaming smile in the Winner’s Circle, he was faced with perhaps one of the toughest decisions of his career.  In addition to an unforgettable win aboard Mine That Bird, he also was responsible for piloting the sport’s sweetheart filly Rachel Alexandra, whom just the day prior crushed her opposition by 21 lengths in the Kentucky Oaks (like the Derby, but restricted to female entrants). Horse Racing is not  a sport without Drama and with the filly and her connection’s sights set on the second  leg of the American Triple Crown,  the Preakness Stakes –  where she eventually would tackle the boys and win –  the jockey had to make the difficult decision which horse to ride.

“Those were the longest five days of my life”, says Borel. “Mr. Chip (Trainer of Mine that Bird) was so good to me and everything.  It was hard, but at the time I believed Rachel Alexandra was the best horse in the world.  And I’ve ridden a lot of great horses, not taking nothing away from Mine That Bird.”.   He adds, “I had no choice but to ride my filly because I loved her.”.

We wonder how the two horses were on a personal level.  “She was very, very mean”, he tells us about Rachel Alexandra. “If she didn’t know you, she would bite you.  She was very temperamental.  When she got mad at you, you could not fight her.  I rode her mom (Lotta Kim) and she was the exact same way.”.  “She’d take one deep breath before stepping into the gate.  I’d tell my wife  that if she didn’t do that at the gate, I’d fall off”, he says semi-jokingly.  Mine that Bird on the other hand had much more composure than the Superfilly, “You could put a bomb under him!”, he recalls. “Totally different horses”.

It was just announced this week that Borel indeed will have a mount  the first Saturday in May in El Kabeir at this year’s renewal of the $2-million Kentucky Derby. The blue-blooded Zayat Stables Colt is ranked eighth on the official Leaderboard for the Race currently. “People don’t understand the pressure, but I take pressure very good.  I’ve seen a lot of Riders who ride good, good, good but it’s a totally different story in the Derby“, he explains. “You have 20 horses and you have to be so focused, have a plan, hoping that plan works.  It’s a different Ball Game, I tell you that.”.  And he certainly knows best.  He’s won the Kentucky Derby a remarkable three times.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada release 50 to 1 on DVD and Digital HD on Tuesday, April 28, 2015.

The 141st renewal of the Kentucky Derby airs Saturday, May 2, 2015 on NBC at 7:00 PM EST. More here.

You still have a chance to win an official 50 to 1 Prize Pack here.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

We’ve seen about five minutes of TOMORROWLAND and ever since then we’ve non-stop been thinking about it! Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want to take Readers across Canada to see it first!  Screenings take place  in the following Cities on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.

WATERLOO – Galaxy Theatres Waterloo

OTTAWA – SilverCity Gloucester

VANCOUVER – SilverCity Riverport

CALGARY – Scotiabank Theatre Chinook

EDMONTON – Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton

MONTREAL (ENG) –  Scotiabank Theatre Montreal

TORONTO – Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

WINNIPEG – Silvercity Polo Park

Official Synopsis:
From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.

David Nix, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Judy Greer, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Robinson also star.

Watch the Trailer below:

Official Artwork:

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

http://www.mrwillwong.com/tomorrowland @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #TOMORROWLAND across Canada. Out 5/22!

TOMORROWLAND is in theatres Friday, May 22, 2015.

©2015 DISNEY

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

We’re all for supporting homegrown talent and Air Canada‘s enROUTE Film Festival gives you an opportunity of a lifetime! Canada, this is your chance to submit your Short Film for the Festival, which not only could win you a cash prize and a spot on Air Canada‘s in-flight Entertainment System, but also a trip to the Berlin International Film Festival where it could be screened there at the European Film Market!

Past entries were judged by the likes of Don McKellar, Guy Maddin, Laura Vandervoort, Alison Pill, Sarah Gadon, Suzanne Clément, Atom Egoyan and Donald Sutherland. Wonder who will be judging this year…

Your deadline is Sunday, May 31, 2015.  More details here.

(Photo credit: enRoute)

I repeat, we need no excuse to listen to a new Lana Del Rey Song. We began to grow a bit suspicious after seeing the Goddess Instagram much about The Age of Adaline of late and now we get it!

A new Snippet of LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL from the Romantic Drama, out this Friday, has surfaced online and you must hear it. Gorgeous.

Listen below:

I suppose this will have to do while we wait for the full version on iTunes!

eOne Films release THE AGE OF ADALINE Friday, April 24, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Lionsgate Films)

We’re only vaguely familiar with CINEMACON, the Event held in Las Vegas, now in its fifth year celebrating the Moviegoing experience.  Organized by the Event is known as the official Convention of The National Association of Theatre Owners and all we know is that’s where we need to be right now!

Paramount Pictures got the excitement off with a bang bringing-out two of the biggest Megastars on Earth, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise, out for The State of the Industry: Past, Present and Future, highlighting the Studio’s 2015 Summer Releases!  The former stars in Terminator: Genisys, while the latter in Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. The starpower is explosive!

There also have been sightings of the likes of Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Tom Hardy and Henry Cavill milling about Caesars Palace! Exciting.

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures)

Search Engine Films + Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto to a Special Advance Screening of the witty ADULT BEGINNERS! Even better, did you know that Funnyman Nick Kroll will be attending for an exclusive Q&A with Fans? The Screening takes place on Wednesday, May 6, 2015.

Synopsis:
A young, hipster entrepreneur (Nick Kroll) crashes and burns on the eve of his company’s big launch. With his entire life in disarray, he leaves Manhattan to move in with his estranged pregnant sister (Rose Byrne), brother-in-law (Bobby Cannavale) and three year-old nephew in the suburbs — only to become their manny. Faced with real responsibility, he may finally have to grow up — but not without some bad behavior first.

Joel McHale, Jane Krakowski and Bobby Moynihan also star.

See the Trailer here:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Click “share” from there for an extra chance!

G’luck Willionaire$!

Search Engine Films release ADULT BEGINNERS on Friday, May 8, 2015 via iTunes/Video-on-Demand and in select theatres.

(Photo/video credit: Search Engine Films)

We’re so thrilled our Contributor Justin Waldman was kind enough to get us this Exclusive! Justin currently is having a ball at the TriBeCa Film Festival in New York and last night fulfilled one of his dreams seeing legendary Director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Triology) speak live with Capote Director, Bennett Miller.

The Event took place at TriBeCa Performing Arts Center and Nolan made several interesting revelations including his greatest influences including Steven Soderbergh.  You’d never believe it, but he admits to having been terrified of Snow White as a Child.

Justin says:

“For anyone who has ever had a conversation with me, or read my Tweets, or saw me at a Screening, odds are I was wearing something Batman-related, or talking about Batman in some shape or form. So when I had the amazing opportunity to attend this years TriBeCa Film Festival, the first ticket I bought without hesitation was the Director Series Talk between Christopher Nolan and Bennett Miller. Yes, that Christopher Nolan, and yes the Director of Moneyball, Capote and Foxcatcher was interviewing him.

The Event took place at 6 PM on Monday April 20th, 2015. Now if this were  a TIFF Event, most would show up around 3-4 PM  to secure a good seat, and being the Die-Hard I am, I showed up at 2 PM to secure myself a seat front row and center. Yes, four hours early, even so much as so as Venue Security upon letting me in said “you were here so early you even beat Christopher Nolan”.

Titled TriBeCa Talks: Director Series, George Lucas and Christopher Nolan both took place at the Borough of Manhattan College Performing Arts Centre, while the Conversations with Brad Bird and Cary Fukunaga take place at the School of Visual Arts in Cinema 2.

After having a mild panic attack that Members of the Press and $1200 Badgeholders got in first, I secured my ticket, bolted in to the Theatre and found a prime seat front-row and sat down charging my phone, waiting for greatness. 6 PM rolls around and someone came out to introduce the Pair of talented Directors. Aside from literally shaking in my seat, I was lucky enough to put my phone as it was recording on the ledge in front of me to record the entire Conversation to hold as a memory to this glorious ‘godly’ experience. It will be an experience not forgotten, a memory that will live forever.”

Listen to the full, unedited Audio here:

Were Miller and Nolan able to stop for Selfies and Autographs with their adoring Fans?  Justin tells us they snuck through the Front Door as hoards of Fans waited at the Stage Door!

(Photo/video credit: Justin Waldman)