By Justin Waldman

Hot Docs is a unique Film-going Experience that focuses exclusively on Documentaries. In the past years, the Film Festival has shown some truly phenomenal Documentaries that have given light to very serious issues and problems impacting the World we live in. As well, Hot Docs has also gone to the other end of the spectrum focusing on Icons, specifically last year with Carol Spinney and George Takei.

 This year is no different as the topics spread a great range from the battle against Coal Miners to compliling the lost works and untold stories of Nirvana‘s Kurt Cobain. Hot Docs is not only a Documentary Festival for Doc Lovers, it’s a Festival for Film Lovers of all walks of life.  It brings to the table everything from their Opening Night Movie, TIG, to the Scotiabank Big Ideas Series which features Films focusing on important issues, and spellbinding Documentaries that hit home emotionally.

Part of the Scotiabank Big Ideas Series, TIG is the Story behind Comedienne Tig Notaro’s bravery in the face of Cancer, a powerful Piece that will move you. Also part of the Series is Danny, which is about the Canadian Politician who was fighting for a better life for the people living in Newfoundland and Labrador. Deep Web is another Title in the Big Ideas Program which explores the deepest, darkest parts of the Internet – just as terrifying and real on the level of Street Crime. Sweet Mickey for President also is a part of the Program, following the political run behind famed Musician Michel Martelly. Last but not least, Out To Win is a Film that speaks to the difficulty of being LGBT in the Sports Industry and how a few Trailblazers paved the way for Athletes and non-Athletes alike  to live authentically.

On the other hand, there is a Show Me The Funny Program which features Documentaries surrounding great Comedians and their lives, whether it be hardship or their astounding ascents to stardom. Live From New York is part of this Series, which features the brilliance behind beloved Saturday Night Live. Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of National Lampoon focuses on the Magazine, and later the Franchise that launched the careers of some of the most famed Comedians of today. Monty Python: Meaning of Live is the perfect addition to this Program as it focuses on the members of Monty Python getting back together for their sellout Shows last year at the O2 Arena in London.

Lastly, some of the Documentaries that we have seen thus far have truly stood out to us and have garnered our recommendation and praise for their brilliance and powerful Storytelling. Welcome To Leith is a phenomenal Film that captures what happened to a small rural town North Dakota as it shortly, and most unfortunately becomes overrun with white supremacists, a great Movie that tells a Story hard to swallow. As well, Dreamcatcher is an intriguing look at Brenda Myers-Powell and her mission to help Girls on the street reach their true potential.

The Hot Docs Festival runs from Thursday, April 23 through to Sunday, May 3, 2015, ranging from a variety of cinemas in Toronto.  More here.

(Photo credit: Hot Docs)

Hot on the heels of some exciting new Character Posters, comes this new Trailer for TOMORROWLAND starring red-hot Britt Robertson and George Clooney!

Synopsis:
In Disney’s riveting mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” a jaded scientist and an optimistic teen embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space.

TOMORROWLAND stars George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw,Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Robinson.

See the Trailer:

See the new Posters:

It was just announced that special six-minute long Previews introduced by Director Brad Bird, will screen in IMAX® theatres beginning Friday, May 1, 2015. Also, those of you seeing THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON will also get to see it during its IMAX® run.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release TOMORROWLAND on Friday, May 22, 2015.

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

We honestly couldn’t be any happier!  Like our youth, FULL HOUSE surely for you provided much laughter and happy memories growing-up.  Netflix confirmed this morning that FULLER HOUSE will soon be in production.  The 13-episode Series picks-up where the Sitcom began in 1987 and left-off in 1995.

Synopsis:
In Fuller House, the adventures that began in 1987 on Full House continue, with veterinarian D.J. Tanner-Fuller (Cameron-Bure) pregnant and recently widowed, living in San Francisco. D.J.’s younger sister/aspiring musician Stephanie Tanner (Sweetin) and D.J.’s lifelong best friend/fellow single mother Kimmy Gibbler (Barber), along with Kimmy’s feisty teenage daughter Ramona, all move in to help take care of D.J.’s two boys — the rebellious 12-year-old J.D. and neurotic 7-year-old Max — and her soon-to-arrive baby.

Original Stars Dave Coulier, Bob Saget, Lori Loughlin and Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, also are in talks for Guest Roles still. It just wouldn’t be the same without them! John Stamos will reprise his Role as Uncle Jesse and serve as a Producer.

The Series is set to stream in 2016 on Netflix.

Mr. Will + The Cast of Full House:

Beyond excited for #FULLERHOUSE, confirmed earlier today via @Netflix_CA! #FullHouse #BobSaget #CandaceCameron #JohnStamos #Netflix

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Apr 21, 2015 at 8:06am PDT

(Photo credit: ABC/Mr. Will Wong)

Being the most pivotal Character in DC Comics‘ upcoming mega-watt star-powered SUICIDE SQUAD, it was crucial that casting for the Character of Amanda Waller was spot-on.  We hear that Oscar Winners Oprah Winfrey and Octavia Spencer were up for the part, if you want an idea how high the bar was raised. They have however completely nailed it with double Oscar Nominee, TONY Winner and SAG Award-winning Actress Viola Davis, Star of acclaimed Films like Doubt and The Help.  She currently can be seen on  daring and popular TV Series How To Get Away with Murder in the Lead Role of Annalise Keating.

Seen mostly as an Anti-Hero, Waller sometimes is seen as an Ally to the Superheroes.  In the upcoming Film, we see her gathering imprisoned Supervillains whom for exchange for clemency, agree to sign-on to dangerous Black Ops missions.

We absolutely love Davis and her unconventional Career choices – we love her just as much strong as when she is vulnerable, and we appreciate that she generally is low-key, spending much time with her young Daughter while in the City when not at work.  It would appear she is dividing her time between here and New York, multitasking Projects.

By chance, we ran into her today and despite being on the phone, she curtailed the call to do a Selfie, which we know is rare.  She looked so beautiful even without makeup!!  We’ll never forget this and we are on Cloud Nine.  Queen Viola!!

Our Snap:

Queen Viola + me. #ViolaDavis #SuicideSquad #Howtogetawaywithmurder #AnnaliseKeating #AmandaWaller #DCComics

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Apr 20, 2015 at 9:52pm PDT

Warner Bros. release SUICIDE SQUAD August 5, 2016 and filming wraps late August.

(Photo credit: ABC/Mr. Will Wong)

Flashback to the early 2000s. Minnesota-born Josh Hartnett was one of Hollywood’s hottest young up-and-coming Stars. He had left a major impression with a Breakout Role in Sofia Coppola‘s The Virgin Suicides, found success starring opposite Ben Affleck in Box Office Smash Pearl Harbor and went-on to a prominent role in acclaimed War Drama Black Hawk Down.  Where has he been since?

You don’t need us to tell you how tough Hollywood can be.  Hartnett was approached for the Lead Role of Clark Kent in a then-upcoming Superman Reboot. He turned it down. Word came of Hartnett also being up for the coveted Role of Bruce Wayne, which would go to Christian Bale along with multiple Box Office records and critical acclaim. The Actor simply didn’t want the commitment nor did he want to be pigeon-holed as a Superhero Actor.

Hartnett was back in Toronto, a City he both has filmed and promoted in, for the second Season Premiere of Showtime‘s Penny Dreadful. The Psychological-Thriller Series merges Characters from various Irish and British 19th-Century stories and has him starring as the violence-aversive Ethan Chandler.

In addition to a day full of Press including visits earlier in the day at CTV‘s The Social and The Marilyn Denis Show, Hartnett did a Q&A for Fans prior to a presentation of the Series’ Season Premiere.  He explains to the Ladies of The Social that “It’s not so much about sensationalism as it is about Characters with heart and confusion about their identities, their dark pasts and how they deal with it”. “We’re trying to compete with the best Dramas on TV.”.

We are thrilled finally to have gotten our Selfie after all these years!  We think the long hair and facial hair suits him rather well!  Girlfriend and English Actress Tamsin Egerton sure is a lucky Lady!

Penny Dreadful Season 2 premieres in Canada on The Movie Network Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 10 PM.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Showtime)

You loved him in Battle: Los Angeles and HBO‘s True Blood, in which he played Series Regular Hoyt Foytenberry. After a stint on Broadway alongside the likes of James Franco and Leighton Meester, things now are about to get huge for Texas-born, California-trained Jim Parrack.

The Actor currently is in Toronto working on DC Comics‘ exciting new venture Suicide Squad. With news breaking recently of his casting as Jonny Frost (formerly rumoured to play Deathstroke), fingers have been busy IMDB-ing the Star who is in a long-term relationship with Actress Leven Rambin.  The Character is a Thug who works closely with Joker (Jared Leto). Just last week, we chat with one of his True Blood Co-Stars, Deborah Ann Woll!

We caught-up Parrack quickly after a wrap and although he was clear he had to go, he still was nice enough to stop for a Selfie:

Warner Bros. release SUICIDE SQUAD August 5, 2016, with Production wrapping late August.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/HBO)

We want to draw your attention to DRAWING THE TIGER from Filmmakers Amy Benson and Scott Squire, a Film which premieres at the upcoming HOT DOCS Film Festival!

Synopsis:
A family in Nepal living on less than a dollar a day wins the globalization jackpot: a charity scholarship for their daughter to go to school in the capital city. She promises to return, to free her family from poverty.

But she does not return. Drawing the Tiger is an intimate portrait of the price one family pays for their golden opportunity.

The number one cause of death among Women in Nepal aged 14 to 49 is suicide.

See the Trailer:

A Kickstarter was launched last month to aid the funding of this Film and its monetary goal was accomplished. We want you to see this important piece of Filmmaking.

DRAWING THE TIGER screens at HOT DOCS Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Scotiabank Theatre 6:30 PM, Friday, May 1, 2015 at Scotiabank Theatre 4:45 PM and Saturday, May 2, 2015 9:15 PM. Details here.

(Photo/video credit: nonfiction media)

Fox Searchlight + Mr. Will want you to win an Run-of-Engagement Pass to see gripping Drama, TRUE STORY!

Official Synopsis:
When disgraced New York Times reporter Michael Finkel (Jonah Hill) meets accused killer Christian Longo (James Franco) – who has taken on Finkel’s identity – his investigation morphs into an unforgettable game of cat-and-mouse. Based on actual events, Finkel’s relentless pursuit of Longo’s true story encompasses murder, love, deceit and redemption.

Watch the Trailer:

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

TRUE STORY is now in theatres, via Fox Searchlight.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

It ain’t even Summer yet, but everyone knows that the Campaign for coveted SONG OF THE SUMMER usually begins well in advance. The culmination of some masterful Publicity and Promotion by the Record Label for complete Airwave Domination! We’ve kept our ears open and we love that Pop Music is making a return back to proper melodies and although bugs terrify us, we certainly aren’t afraid of an Earworm.

We’re noticing the Europeans completely are winning the Pop Music Game right now with several Transatlantic Imports like Ellie Goulding, zedd and Tove Lo having a major presence on-air, but longtime veterans like Flo Rida and Maroon 5 also are showing incredible longevity. New names like Andy Grammer, Echosmith and Tori Kelly are bringing that sunny West Coast vibe across the continent. Canadians Walk Off the Earth have a mighty-catchy Tune in Rule the World which could find success across the Border!  It’s tough to say who will come out on-top but there surely are some worth Contenders!

Have a listen! Which of these Tracks will be Song of Summer 2015?

TOVE LO – TALKING BODY

TORI KELLY – NOBODY LOVE

MAROON 5 – SUGAR

ARIANA GRANDE – ONE LAST TIME

ANDY GRAMMER – HONEY, I’M GOOD

ECHOSMITH – BRIGHT

NICK JONAS – CHAINS

ELLIE GOULDING – LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO

FLO RIDA – GDFR

ZEDD FT. SELENA GOMEZ – I WANT YOU TO KNOW

WALK OFF THE EARTH – RULE THE WORLD

LUNCHMONEY LEWIS – MAMA

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music/Universal Music/Warner Music)

Misfortune strikes occasionally and although I’ve never had anything but a glowing review for HONDA CANADA – over the years having driven multiple variations of the Accord, Civic and Fit – I was unlucky for the first time in my life to experience a Flat Tire.

The night was perfect.  I had just finished covering and presenting at an Awards Ceremony, was dressed my best, enjoying the most decadent of meals.  I was exhausted after a long day and looked forward to bedtime, with an early rise the next day.  While driving along the Gardiner Expressway, I started noticing the 2015 HONDA Fit I was Test Driving had began to vibrate.  I simply had thought that the roads needed to be paved (typical Toronto!) with several construction signs abound.  Surely it couldn’t have been the Fit, which in my previous experiences, drove like a charm.   After hitting a smooth patch on the Highway, I noticed the shaking intensify further. I grew fearful that something  was terribly wrong. Was I in trouble? I found the first Exit I could and pulled-over.  Upon leaving the Vehicle, the worst had gone through my mind and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw the Driver’s Side tire blown. It wasn’t pretty. The wheel was flapped over the rim pretty much.

I panicked. How is it that in my many years of driving I’d never experienced this before?  What was I to do?  Quickly dialing-up my Contact from Honda Canada – which I felt terrible about as it was 12:30 AM – I was reassured everything would be fine.  I was directed over to Honda Roadside Assistance who quickly picked-up the call, verifying a bit of information about the Vehicle and assured me in calm fashion someone would be on the way shortly.  Unfortunately, it was one of those nights when accidents on the road were a plenty, with few Tow Truck Drivers available. My expectations were set that this would be minimum three hours, which helped me manage my time, although there were limited options where to find a temporary shelter in the wee hours of the morning.  I walked for a bit, charged my Phone, exchanged pleasantries with drunk people in Entertainment District, stopped for a Selfie with a Celeb (Jonathan Kite from 2 Broke Girls, which actually was fitting in hindsight!), before the kind people at a nearby Hotel in the area let me wait in their lobby.

The hours passed before my mechanic outfit-wearing Knight in Shining Armour, Simon, arrived in his Tow Truck.  We made plans to deliver my beloved Aegean Blue Honda Fit to a HONDA Dealer  up closer my way where it would be given the proper care it deserved.   Simon was awesome, kind and offered even to drive me home, going above and beyond, as we chat about Game of Thrones.  Yes, it was about 7 AM by the time I got to see my bed, but I got there safe and sound and for that I am grateful.  What would I have done without Honda Roadside Assistance?

Misfortune aside, I have high praise for the 2015 Honda Fit. For the tiny Vehicle it was, it sure was loaded with some serious starpower – all 130 Horsepower of it with a 1.5L i-VTEC, 4-Cylinder EarthDreams Engine. It accelerated and responded quickly, was spacious and more importantly, its built-in EcoAssist System meant unparalleled Fuel Economy.  In two days, driving a fair distance, I used less than a bar of gas on its Fuel Indicator. Furthermore, the multi-angle Rearview Camera made parking a breeze while its Display Audio and HONDALINK were amazing, easily working together with my Phone so that I could remain connected (and fully charged) at all times.  I still would drive it again. Definitely a lot more value than the Fit‘s economy price would suggest.

Learn more about the 2015 Honda Fit here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)