Some days we don’t believe our luck!  Billy and I were out at Walmart earlier this morning doing a quick grocery run when we looked-over and our  jaws both dropped when we swore we saw Pop Megastar SHAWN MENDES and his Mom Karen down the aisle from us.  We had to do a double-take!  Immediately, we dropped our purchases and raced right to the front door just in time to catch them leaving for a Selfie.  Although Mendes, in his sunglasses and a Hoodie said he was in a rush, his Mother was kind enough to have him turn back and stop for a quick Snap!  We love her.  “What kind of Dog is he?”, he asked about Billy, to which I pointed-out, he is a Shih-Tzu.   Mendes told me his Friend has the exact same type.  Karen was smitten by Billy, stopping to pet him.

If all of this is coming out as garbled speak and you’re still  like, “Shawn Who?”, I will tell you that our Homeboy SHAWN MENDES is the next big thing in Pop Music.  The 16-year-old Singer/Songwriter got his big break with six-second VINE Videos of him performing Cover Versions.  Soon after, millions around the World would be following, leading to a deal with Island Records (Universal Music).  The likes of John Mayer, Meghan Trainor, Ed Sheeran all are raving about him, if that’s any indication of his star power.

The Shawn Mendes EP would soon be rush-released in July, reaching Top Five in both Canada and the U.S. and  2015 looks to be the year his popularity explodes after some v. careful development and handling.  After selling-out Concert Halls before Christmas with a few intimate Shows including one in Toronto at Danforth Music Hall, Mendes now is ready to hit-up additional American and European cities this Winter.  Tickets released this weekend sold-out in just minutes, with some lucky Fans getting Shawn Access Passes in the mail, confirming he’ll be meeting them rather soon.  This Fall he opens for Taylor Swift on her sold-out 1989 World Tour, making it almost impossible for him not to succeed.

It appears Mendes is about to confirm the release of his debut Disc with a visit to New York City scheduled this week and an appearance on TODAY.

We had the pleasure of seeing Mendes perform at the Universal Music Canada Parking Lot this past August and he sounded great.  We even witnessed a crazed Fan rush him on-stage despite there being hoards of Security!  More on that here.

Something Big, Mendes’ latest Single:

Surely you’ve heard Life of the Party on the Radio right?

And without further a do, our Snap:

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jan 25, 2015 at 9:50am PST

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Universal Music)

For a second straight week, AMERICAN SNIPER shoots straight to the top of the Box Office in North America with $18 million from 3,705 theatres for Warner Bros. In five weeks it has grossed $175 million.

THE BOY NEXT DOOR certainly isn’t shamed with a second place debut with $15.3 million from 2,602 theatres for Universal Pictures.  Critics gave it a 13% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave the Jennifer Lopez Thriller  a much better B- CinemaScore.

PADDINGTON continues to go well in third with $11.8 million from 3,355 theatres for eOne Films/The Weinstein Co. It closes-in on the $40-million mark in two weeks domestically.

THE WEDDING RINGER lands in fourth this weekend with $10.8 million for Sony Pictures in its second week out, earning a cumulative $38.9 million.

MORTECAI debuts in eighth spot with $4.6 million from 2,468 theatres for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. Critics weren’t so forgiving with a 12% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a C+ CinemaScore.

STRANGE MAGIC debuts in ninth with $4.2 million from 3,020 theatres for Disney.  Critics gave the Animated Film featuring the voices of Evan Rachel Wood, Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming an 11% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a more forgiving B- CinemaScore.

INTO THE WOODS rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.8 million for Disney, now in its fifth week out.

After blowing our minds with BIRDMAN, Director Alejandro González Iñárritu unveils a new still from upcoming Drama THE REVENANT starring Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio.  Due for a Holiday 2015 release, expect this to be at the forefront of the Awards Season race!

Official Synopsis:

Deep in the uncharted American wilderness, trapper Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is severely injured and left for dead by a traitorous member of his team, John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). With sheer will as his only weapon, Glass must navigate a hostile environment, a brutal winter, and warring Native American tribes in relentless quest to survive and exact vengeance on Fitzgerald. Based on a true story, THE REVENANT is directed and co-written by renowned filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu (“Birdman,” “Babel”).

Rumours are that filming on this has been extended, resulting in  Hardy no longer being able to commit to The Suicide Squad, set to film here this April in Toronto!

20th Century Fox Canada release THE REVENANT on Christmas Day 2015.

(Photo credit: 20th Century Fox)

Our v. own Jonathan Godfrey is out and about in Park City, Utah making us proud covering for the first time ever the Sundance Film Festival.  Always an early Pre-Cursor of what we can expect in the forthcoming Awards Season and also TIFF here in Toronto, we’re anxious to hear some of Jonathan‘s Picks and Sightings!

Earlier today he attended the Opening Panel for Sundance 2015 attended by Festival Founder an Film Icon Robert Redford.  Addressing a packed crowd, Redford says “Sundance is where nature meets art, and where artists, in nature, find a voice all their own.”.

The likes of Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Lauren Dern, Mindy Kaling, Taylor Schilling, Elijah Wood, Emma Roberts, Nichoulas Hoult and more are expected to grace the Festival this year!

Sundance Film Festival runs from Thursday, January 22 – Sunday, February 1, 2015.

(Photo credit: Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong)

We couldn’t be more thrilled to let you know that our v. own Jonathan Godfrey will be in Utah covering the festivities and Films of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival!  Please stay tuned and check-in as he gives us a taste of his Park City experience, getting-in on the Awards Season buzz for the coming year first!

Mr. Will

I am absolutely delighted to show you an interview I did recently for leading Boutique PR Agency ROCK-IT PROMOTIONS‘ On the Fourth Floor Blog.  I have the honour of being their latest “Media Darling”. Learn about some of my struggles, favourites, dislikes and more right here and don’t forget to share with your Friends too!

As always, thank you Willionaire$ for all your undying support! We’ve got a long road ahead!

xMR. WILL & billy

(Photo credit: Ryan Emberley)

We’ve missed Jane Krakowski and Ellie Kemper! But them together in one new Series? Perfection!! Netflix Canada just released this new Trailer for upcoming Comedy Series UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT!

Official Synopsis:
From “30 Rock” executive producers, Tina Fey and Robert Carlock comes this hilarious new comedy series starring Ellie Kemper (“The Office,” “Bridesmaids”) as a woman who is rescued from a doomsday cult and starts life over as a nanny for an Upper East Side socialite (Jane Krakowski from “30 Rock”) in New York City. Armed with just a backpack, light-up sneakers and a couple way-past-due library books, she takes on a world she didn’t think even existed anymore.

See the Trailer:

Netflix Canada streams UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT on Friday, March 6, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Ever want to meet your fave Celeb? Well M.O. Pictures and Mr. Will want you to take home a Fan experience gone horribly wrong! OPEN WINDOWS stars Sasha Grey and Elijah Wood, who was just in Toronto this past weekend!

Official Synopsis:
When Nick (Elijah Wood) discovers that he’s won a dinner date with his favorite star Jill Goddard (Sasha Grey), he’s incredibly excited to finally get the chance to meet her. That excitement deflates when Jill refuses to honor the contest and all of Nick‘s hopes are dashed. He’s intrigued when Chord (Neil Maskell), a man claiming to be Jill‘s campaign manager, offers him something he can’t quite refuse: Chord will give Nick the ability to constantly view Jill via computer. Nick is initially reluctant but Chord persuades him by saying that he should get at least some entertainment out of the actress. However, Nick is unaware that this decision will put himself and Jill at risk.

Watch the Trailer below:

Official Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook!

M.O. Pictures release OPEN WINDOWS on DVD, Blu-ray and On-Demand Tuesday, January 27, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: M.O. Pictures)

Kylie Minogue, just how we love her!  Two Dance-Pop legends, Giorgio Moroder (Donna Summer, Blondie) + Kylie team together on new Single Right Here, Right Now. Although this sexy Disco isn’t unlike anything we’ve heard before, we do love hearing Kylie connected truly with the Music – the difference between this and some of her more recent work which I’ll be the first to admit hasn’t been on-the-mark, being a true Kylie Fan.  She sounds completely at-home and true sign of how a fantastic Producer is capable of bringing out one’s absolute best.  Do you believe that Moroder is 74 years old and he will be celebrating this with his new Disc 72 is the New 24, out later this year?  The Disc features also Collaborations with Sia, Charli XCX and Britney Spears. We can’t wait!

Listen to the Track below:

Purchase Right Here, Right Now on iTunes here.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

Madonna makes a return to form on upcoming 13th studio disc, REBEL HEART, in stores Tuesday, March 10, 2015.  A Preview EP for the 19-Track Opus was released just before Christmas, reaching #1 in over 49 countries and we can expect similar of the eagerly-awaited  full Disc.

Track Listing is as follows:

01 “Living For Love”
02 “Devil Pray”
03 “Ghosttown”
04 “Unapologetic Bitch”
05 “Illuminati”
06 “Bitch I’m Madonna” (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
07 “Hold Tight”
08 “Joan Of Arc”
09 “Iconic” (Feat. Chance The Rapper & Mike Tyson)
10 “HeartBreakCity”
11 “Body Shop”
12 “Holy Water”
13 “Inside Out”
14 “Wash All Over Me”
15 “Best Night”
16 “Veni Vidi Vici” (Feat. Nas)
17 “S.E.X.”
18 “Messiah”
19 “Rebel Heart”

HOLD UP!  REWIND!  Did we just see Mike Tyson‘s name on the Track Listing?  How?!?

The new Single from REBEL HEART has been chosen and it will be Living for Love, reminiscent of her Like a Prayer era sound and new Remixes have been satiating Fans from Offer Nissim, Dirty Pop, Mike Rizzo and Thrill!

Our Fave? Definitely Rizzo‘s energetic Mix:

Madonna also has been confirmed to perform at the 57th annual GRAMMYS, taking place on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 (airing on CITY in Canada)!

Big things in 2015 for the Blonde One.

Universal Music Canada release REBEL HEART. Pre-order here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Canada)