He wowed Audiences and Critics with a breakthrough performance in UNBROKEN and now’s your chance to see Jack O’Connell in ’71. After premiering at TIFF ’14 to a rousing response, this is your chance to see it as it continues its expansion across Canada, opening March 20, 2015 in Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Victoria.

Synopsis:

’71 is about a young British soldier who is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a terrifying riot on the streets of Belfast in 1971. Unable to tell friend from foe, the raw recruit must survive the night alone and find his way to safety through a disorienting, alien and deadly landscape.

Watch the Trailer:

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G’luck Willionaire$!

Elevation Pictures release ’71 on Friday, March 13, 2015, with additional cities to come.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

The best news ever to have happened Midtown.  My first Bachelor Pad was around Yonge x Eglinton and part of the joy of living there involved the walk through the shopping/restaurant strip extending from the intersection all the way down to St. Clair.   I remember always walking by the Art Shoppe and being fascinated by some of the forward pieces on display in the window.  By the 2000s, I’ll admit some of the looks seemed of another era and alas it has been determined that the valuable real estate there could be better optimized.

Freed and CD Capital Developments will now be developing the space into a dual Tower Combo of Condos and Lofts.  Signing-on to design the Development’s Lobby Space is none other than international Fashion Icon Karl Lagerfeld, this being his first time doing anything of the sort and this also is his first visit to Canada.  It is said Lagerfeld will be visiting Toronto potentially in April to continue the discussions as per Jordan Dermer of CD Capital Developments.  Now that’s exciting.  More on this here.

We’d always imagined that Lagerfeld would visit for some spectacular Fashion Bonanza, but this certainly is big!

(Photo credit: Karl Lagerfeld)

The Year of the Ram brings some uncertainty and mystery, but promises to be somewhat peaceful. Of course, this varies depending which Animal Sign you were born under. Let’s see together what your Year of the Ram Horoscope holds for you. If you aren’t sure, simply look-up the year you are born in to locate your Animal Sign. Although I normally rely on Singapore’s GEOMANCY HUT, this year they didn’t release a 2015 Horoscope. I did snoop around and found this Horoscope on MYSTIC SCRIPTS which is v. easy to understand, clear and straight-forward. Click here to read.  Chinese New Year is celebrated this year on Thursday, February 19, 2015.

And now to share with you some things which are amazing and Chinese, because I’m proud of my People!

CHINESE MUSIC

G.E.M. (an acronym for “Get Everybody Moving”) might be pint-sized, but this adorable 23-year-old Singer/Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist is perhaps the greatest Musical Act to come out of Asia in quite some time. Hong Kong-born Gloria Tang has become an international sensation among the Chinese Community thanks to some smart Internet-based marketing which made her a viral success. Her Vocals are phenomenal, but equally she is a magnificent Entertainer. I encourage you to check-out a couple samples of her singing below. You will be blown away and I’m extremely-proud as a Fan to see her great success. She is an absolute Standout in a Market filled with Beauty Pageant Contestants-turned-Singers, Actors-turned Singers and Children of prominent Celebs who get a recording contract by default. Literally every Song coming out of Hong Kong sounds the same right now, but G.E.M. (seen top left in collage) is different.

G.E.M. ft. Jason Mraz – LUCKY

G.E.M. – If I Were a Boy

CHINESE NEW YEAR FOODS

If you visit any Chinese Grocer (i.e. Loblaws-owned T&T) around this time of year, you will find right by the Cash, piles of Chinese New Year Candies. Growing-up, my Mom always brought home these amazing treats and I think you absolutely must try these!

Su Xin Tang (translation: Flaky Heart Candies, top-right in collage)

One-part pastry, one part-candy, these usually come in a large bag of 12 flavours including Black Sesame, Almond, Coffee, Peanut, Coconut, Mixed Nuts, Cola, etc. They are delectably sweet, firm and crispy.  Kinda like the center of a Crispy Crunch! Fave.

Li Shi Tang (translation: Lucky Candies, bottom-left in collage)

They taste of strawberry and almost a bit floral-like, which is fitting in that Cherry Blossoms often signify luck during Chinese New Year. If you’ve ever had a Peach Blossom Tea Latte at Starbucks in its limited edition run, I’d equate its flavour to being similar to these hard and chewy delights. They are packaged charmingly in shiny Red Envelopes similar to those that we receive from our married Family members – an incentive to remain single as only those married have to give them out at Chinese New Year!

Yu Tou Gao (translation: Taro Cake, second from top-left in collage)

Ube quickly is catching-on in these parts as a new “it” flavour (I’ve heard of Ube-flavoured Doughnuts at some Hipster Shops) so if you’ve tried the Purple Yam in some incarnation, you’ll sorta get what to expect with Taro as they are similar.  They often serve this at DimSum during Lunch, but for me it is synonymous with Chinese New Year.  It is savoury, glutinous and outright delicious with small cubes of the Sweet Potato cut into the mixture; best served pan-fried.

CHINESE NEW YEAR ORNAMENTS

Although Alpacas aren’t Lambs, they are friends of the latter in that Alpacas protect baby Lambs from preying Foxes.  We think these Alpaca Stuffies  (bottom-center in collage) from Japan named ALPACASSO are absolutely adorable!  Kelly Clarkson recently was in-town and I bought one for her Daughter River Rose and she was in love (read more)!  Shop online here.  Broadcast Books sells these at Pacific Mall for those of you in Toronto/Markham. Trinkets are a must to celebrate!

CHINESE FILM

From acclaimed Director Zhang Yi Mou, COMING HOME was a critical success at TIFF ’14.  Although Mongrel Media won’t be releasing the Drama till later this year in Canada, here is a Preview of the heartbreaking tale of separation among a Family during the Cultural Revolution, starring Queen of Chinese Cinema, Gong Li (seen bottom-right in collage) and Chen Dao Ming.

Is there anything more elegant than this?  Photos from the Rome SPECTRE Photo Call have just surfaced from earlier today with Monica Bellucci and Daniel Craig.  You won’t be able to keep your eyes off a stunning Bellucci – known now as the eldest Bond Girl in the history of the Films at age 50 – ridiculously beautiful in red.

Synopsis:

A cryptic message from Bond‘s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

Still waiting on that first Still of Christoph Waltz…

  Sony Pictures release SPECTRE November 16, 2015 in IMAX.

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

In 24 years, British Columbia-born Actress Molly Parker has established herself somewhat of  a National Treasure.  Her work in Independent Films like Kissed and Center of the World brought her wide acclaim north and south of the Border. She would go on to garner recognition for her phenomenal work in TV Series like Deadwood, Dexter, The Firm and more recently, House of Cards.  Parker returns to Toronto for Canadian Stage‘s Production of HARPER REGAN, by Simon Stephens.

Synopsis:

One Autumn evening, after learning of her Father’s impending death, Harper Regan walks away from her home, her Husband, her Daughter, and keeps going. She tells no one where she’s going or whether she’s coming back. She’s put everything she’s ever worked for at risk. Her journey takes her to the very borderlines of the relationship between eros and thanatos, sex and death.

We had the pleasure of chatting with Parker just before she prepped for a day of rehearsal. Bluma Appel Theatre will host for the first time ever in Canada a Play by Stephens. “It’s definitely not a return to the stage for me”, says the Actress whose piercing blue eyes both are expressive and pensive.  It may have been over 18 years since she’s appeared on-stage, but she considers herself more a TV Actress now by way of a whopping 40 Indie Films made over a span of ten years.

I ask Parker what drew her most to Harper Regan.  “She’s a Woman torn between Family and herself, a Wife and a Mother”, she tells me.  “She’s left as Provider for her Family after some trauma takes place.  With her Father dying, she can’t leave her job without losing her job.  She goes anyway, even though her Father dies before she gets there.”.  “Harper meets some odd people whom affect her.  It really is about a lost weekend or a mini-Odyssean journey in some way. She’s an average, unremarkable Woman – every Woman in a way.  She does something extraordinary and it’s the extraordinary actions of ordinary people that has me interested.”.  Parker adds that although she is clear what is required to become Harper, there is something still so mysterious about her. “I really don’t know who she is.”. “The Play is funny, sweet, moving and so well-written.  It operates on a deeper level that had me thinking for days”, she comments. “Hopefully we can make a version of that.”.

On some of her more complex and unconventional career choices, she is full of gratitude for the opportunities she’s been given. “I know I’ve been really lucky to be offered really challenging roles”, admits Parker. “I’m attracted a little bit to roles that are scary to me, however, it is easy to  look back now and say ‘I understand what I was doing back then’, when at time I only knew what I liked and didn’t like.”.

The more I chat with Parker, watching her dig deep with reflective , thoughtful pauses, the more I realize why it is that her career continues to thrive – she lives and breathes pure artistry. “I don’t care about being likable and I’m not in it to be liked”, she reveals.  “I myself want to be presented with somebody who speaks to my Humanity. I want to be entertained and come away feeling ‘Oh, that is a Woman I’d be interested in talking to. That is more interesting to me.”.

I couldn’t let our Chat end without asking about the greatest Television Series currently in existence.  “I love doing House of Cards“, she tells me. “It’s like all the elements are great. The writing is terrific and challenging. We have the best Crew and  I love that Character (Jacqueline Sharp). She is this combination – she’s strong, a warrior, sexual, ambitious, ruthless, afraid and vulnerable.”. Although she is tight-lipped about any more details of upcoming Season Three, she did indicate she is drawn much to a new male Character.  “In many ways, this Show is about a marriage and this Season continues to explore it in-depth.”.

HARPER REGAN plays at the Bluma Appel Theatre from March 1 – 22, 2015.  More on Tickets here.

Our Snap:

Always a pleasure seeing the incredibly-smart, intense and talented #MollyParker. “I don’t care about being liked”, she tells me. More in my upcoming piece on #HarperRegan, playing at #BerkeleyStreetTheatre 3/5. We also talked #HouseofCards and she gave ONE tease. #Theatre

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 18, 2015 at 11:37am PST

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Perhaps one of the more intriguing TV Series to have been filmed in Toronto of late, GANGLAND UNDERCOVER is based on true events and looks to whet the appetites of those craving more insight into Biker Culture. If AMC‘s Sons of Anarchy’s global phenomena is any indication – still drawing-in strong numbers through Bingewatching even after the Series ended – expect interest to be strong in this brand new “Biker Chic” Series from History Television Canada.

Official Synopsis:

A gritty, fact-based drama series that tells the astonishing story of a drug dealer who was arrested then given a desperate ultimatum: serve over 20 years in jail, or go undercover inside one of America’s most notorious biker gangs. Charles Falco opted to go undercover and for the next three years he led a crazy and dangerous life infiltrating the Vagos motorcycle gang, collecting evidence while faced with the constant risk that he might be discovered and become one of the gang’s victims. Each episode unfolds a different step in Falco’s covert investigation into their illegal activities, while across the series, the drama builds as carefully constructed character arcs unfold bitter personal rivalries. These tensions finally erupt when the gang’s Vice President is killed in a motorcycle accident, unleashing a chain of unforeseen consequences that ultimately tear the gang apart. With suspicions about Falco’s true identity mounting, the operation threatens to unravel, leading to a tense and dramatic conclusion. Drawing on the wealth of material from Falco’s time under cover, along with broader documented historical research of inter gang rivalry, this series dramatically captures the reality of outlaw biker counter culture: a world where freedom is equated with the right to carry guns and trade drugs with impunity, and respect can be earned through fear… Following the conclusion of his undercover operation with the Vagos, the reformed Falco goes into witness protection… but hooked on the adrenaline rush of undercover work, he volunteers to go undercover inside not just one, but two more biker gangs…

GANGLAND UNDERCOVER stars Damon Runyan in the Lead Role of Charles Falco, and Screen Veteran Paulino Nunes plays the role of Vagos Chapter President.  Both Canadian Actors were in the City today promoting the exciting new Series, starting their Press Day at Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition). We caught-up with the pair of Canadian Talent quickly for a chat on their new Series, paced quickly at six episodes.

On Charles Falco, Runyan tells me, “He is a guy who didn’t think about the consequences and here we follow his path to redemption. He goes from bottoming-out, to finding his way, to having his life threatened every day by a Motorcyle Gang – and then eventually taking them down.”.

We fell in love with the first one, and are super-excited about THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL! We want to give Toronto Readers a chance to attend a Toronto Advance Screening on Wednesday, March 4, 2015!

Official Synopsis:
THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel) , and it’s making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone’s secrets. As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook! Tweet the below for an extra chance:

http://www.mrwillwong/bestexoticmarigold2 @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #THESECONDBESTEXOTICMARIGOLDHOTEL. Out 3/6!

Fox Searchlight release THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL on Friday, March 6, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

Oscar and multi-TONY Winner Angela Lansbury is in town in case you didn’t know! The Actress, best known for her work as Jessica Fletcher on long-running Series MURDER, SHE WROTE, reprises her Tony-winning role as Madame Arcati in Mirvish Productions’ BLITHE SPIRIT, running at once-endangered Princess of Wales Theatre till March 5, 2015.

Official Synopsis:

Researching for his new novel, Charles Condomine invites the implausible medium Madame Arcati to his house for a séance. While consumed in a trance, Madame Arcati unwittingly summons the ghost of Charles’ dead wife Elvira. Appearing only to Charles, Elvira soon makes a play to reclaim her husband, much to the chagrin of Charles’ new wife Ruth. Now if he wants his latest marriage to stand a GHOST of a chance, he’d better conjure up a solution quickly. One husband, two feuding wives and a whisper of mischief in the air – who will win in Noel Coward’s unworldly comedy?

The Comedy also stars Downton Abbey‘s Charles Edwards as Charles Condomine, the Thespian kind enough to stop for pictures and autographs for Fans in the cold. Lansbury we were advised would not be stopping, although she did advise “You can take a photo of me!”. After asking her nicely she stopped and posed for a Photo with me in it, advising me “I don’t know what you’re gonna do with this!”.The camera unfortunately snapped just one second to slow! Oh nooo!

For more on tickets to see BLITHE SPIRIT, click here.

Charles Edwards + Mr. Will:

Charming Thespian + #DowntonAbbey Star, #CharlesEdwards in #Toronto for #Mirvish’s #BlitheSpirit. Runs till 3/15. #Theatre

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 17, 2015 at 8:21pm PST

Angela Lansbury + Mr. Will:

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 17, 2015 at 8:20pm PST

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Mirvish Productions)

In case you didn’t know what a DUFF is, the new Film Adaptation of the Novel by Kody Keplinger is about to do what Mean Girls did for the term “fetch”. The Teen-Comedy centers on charismatic and aspiring young Writer Bianca (Mae Whitman), whose world crumbles one day when hunky jock and potential Homecoming King Wesley (Robbie Amell) tells her that all along she has been “The DUFF” in her friendship with her BFFs Casey (Bianca Santos) and Jessica (Skyler Samuels). That is, she is the approachable one who guys use to get closer to her attractive friends. Hence, DUFF = Designated Ugly Fat Friend.

Despite some denial initially, quickly Bianca ends her friendships with Casey and Jessica after this realization. She seeks to carve her own identity, striking a deal with a Chemistry-failing Wesley to help him improve his grades should he help her transition out of DUFF-ness with a makeover. The two childhood friends begin to form a connection, rekindling some of that bond they had as next-door neighbours when little. One wrench in the plans: Manipulative and judgmental “Queen Bee” Madison (Bella Thorne) is out to win back Ex-Boyfriend Wesley. Another hitch, Bianca is a little bit torn as she has feelings for guitar-playing Toby (Nick Eversman), while grappling with her growing feelings for Wesley.

After years in supporting turns, Mae Whitman (The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Arrested Development) shines bright in The DUFF with a smart and engaging performance as Bianca. Amell also is funny and irresistible the more the Story progresses and the layers of vulnerability are peeled.

Amell and Fiancée Italia Ricci, both from Toronto, got a Homecoming King and Queen’s welcome home tonight at Scotiabank Theatre, with a Red Carpet Canadian Premiere for The DUFF, which had the Audience chuckling. Their proud Families also came out to show their support, stopping to pose for a group Photo.

We chat quickly with Ricci and Amell about their own Homecoming and their lives growing up in Toronto.  Ricci, we learn, grew-up in Newmarket, while Amell went to Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute.

Ricci: “I didn’t have a Prom Date in High School.  I was definitely a bit weird. I went through a witchcraft phase and a dreadlock phase. I had  friends I made towards the end of High School. They’re here tonight and they’re still here.  I think The DUFF does a really good job making you realize High School is only as daunting as you make it.”.

On the recent second Season renewal of ABC Family Series in which she stars, she tells us “It’s about April, who’s 24-years-old. She’s diagnosed with Lieukemia and forced to navigate her world – her job, love life and friends.  It’s all about hope and never giving up.”.

Amell: “I had good friends, good grades and I played a lot of sports (in High School). But everyone has had their DUFF moments. I had bad skin in High School, so that was my confidence thing.”. “The whole thing about being a DUFF isn’t so much what someone labels you. It’s more your frame of mind.”.

On his Character Wesley, the quickly-rising The Flash Star admits, “I definitely relate to Wesley about the time you cross 35% of the way into this Movie. He starts off a dumb jock and I was a bit worried this was how his Character would be throughout.”.  “Then you get to know him and you get to see he has a big heart.”.

Watch our Chats with Ricci and Amell:

Attending The DUFF‘s Premiere held more than one significance for me. In Grade 12, a big part of my year was looking forward to Graduation and of course, Prom Night. Without a part-time job and knowing I couldn’t really afford the rental Tux, tickets nor cab ride for that matter, my Mom secretly went to my Guidance Counselor while I was in class and in her broken English, managed to purchase a pair of Prom Tickets, knowing my excitement for it. As soon as I found out I had tickets after getting pulled-in to see the Guidance Counselor (I thought I was in trouble!), I was overjoyed and knew exactly who I’d ask as my date – one of my Best Friends Dani, who was ahead of me a year. I had fast-tracked ahead to an OAC (Grade 13) Sociology Course and remember having the most amazing time sitting beside her in class. She was so bright, pretty, eloquent and a strong character – actively involved in many extra-curricular activities, like Student Council. We would make each other Mix Tapes and to this day I can remember all the songs she recorded for me.  She gave me an eclectic mix ranging from R.E.M. to Rod Stewart.  Mine to her usually had Madonna on them – which actually is kinda hilarious considering how age-inappropriate her Music was.

Although I was extremely appreciative of my Mom’s gesture, I felt terrible the more I thought about what sacrifice going to the Prom meant for my Parents. I knew my Mom already was on Disability at work from an injury. My Dad was recovering from his Heart Attack and at a financial loss after he had to give up his dreams of owning a Restaurant since falling ill.  Despite my efforts fundraising for my Vocal Jazz Ensemble’s trip to Banff, any remaining savings I had went already to that Trip. My Parents also were paying for my boarding at the time since they had just bought a new home, meaning I would have had to change High Schools for my final year – something I wasn’t willing to do since I loved my School so much.

I came to realize that attending Prom wasn’t going to be a reality and I had to break the news to Dani that I would refund the tickets and give the money back to my Mom.  So back I went to see my Guidance Counselor, begging for her to refund the non-refundable Tickets. Word caught-on and all the Teachers were talking about it.  My History Teacher Mr. Foy, commended me in class for being what he thought was “noble”. Dani handled it so well and it never sat well with me that I couldn’t deliver my promise.

The Premiere tonight gave me a chance to do something I’d wanted to do since High School and after getting the invite to cover the Red Carpet, I knew who exactly I’d be bringing as my Guest if she happened to be free!

And she said “yes”!!

See our Prom Photos from tonight:

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 17, 2015 at 7:10pm PST

And guess who joined one of our many Do-Over Prom Photos? ROBBIE AMELL!!!

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 17, 2015 at 4:03pm PST

Epic.

eOne Films release THE DUFF on Friday, February 20, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong | Photos taken on Nikon D3300)

Celebrating its 40th year, NBC‘S Saturday Night Live has on the hearts of North Americans, giving us something to look forward to every weekend since 1974. 11 Films based on Characters have been made. Several Superstars have been born out of the Series. Even if they already were a Star, hosting Saturday Night Live in many instances solidified one’s Star Power and Celebrity or even boosted it.  Eddie Murphy. Bill Murray. Martin Short. Maya Rudolph. Seth Myers. Dan Aykroyd. Tina Fey. Amy Poehler. Kristen Wiig.  Gilda Radner. Will Ferrell. Mike Myers. Chris Rock. Billy Crystal. Ben Stiller.  These are just handful of the comedic Geniuses to come out of the beloved Series.

The Cast and Crew came together along with several other beloved talents in Hollywood last night for a one night only affair celebrating the Series’ milestone accomplishment and laughs, interspersed with some amazing musical performances, paid tribute to what SNL has accomplished and also those we have lost.

See some of the amazing Sketches from last night one more time!

Jimmy Fallon + Justin Timberlake Opening:

Celebrity Jeopardy with Will Ferrell:

The Californians with Bradley Cooper, Taylor Swift + Betty White:

Dana Carvey + Mike Myers – Wayne’s World

Adam Samberg + Adam Sandler – That’s When You Break (Music Video)

Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Jane Curtin – Weekend Update with Emma Stone:

To another amazing 40 years!  It’s still our dream to see SNL live one day!

(Photo/video credit: NBC)