Apple TV+ today announced that “The Big Door Prize,” the character driven comedy created by Emmy Award-winner David West Read (“Schitt’s Creek”) is set to make its global debut on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The new 10-episode half-hour comedy starring an ensemble cast led by Chris O’Dowd and includes Gabrielle Dennis, Ally Maki, Josh Segarra, Damon Gupton, Crystal Fox, Djouliet Amara and Sammy Fourlas, will debut with the first three episodes on Wednesday, March 29, followed by one new episode weekly every Wednesday through May 17, 2023.

Based on M.O. Walsh’s novel of the same name, “The Big Door Prize” tells the story of a small town that is forever changed when a mysterious machine appears in the general store, promising to reveal each resident’s true life potential. Dusty Hubbard (O’Dowd), a seemingly content, cheerful family man and high school teacher, watches everyone around him reevaluate their life choices and ambitions — based on the machine’s printouts — and is forced to question whether he is truly as happy as he once thought. While he remains skeptical of the machine, his wife, Cass (Dennis), indulges in the dream that there’s something bigger out there for her. Like many of Deerfield’s residents, the couple has lived a relatively safe, uncomplicated life, until the arrival of the Morpho machine. However, all of that is about to change when the community is forced to reconcile with their unfulfilled achievements in pursuit of a better future.

“The Big Door Prize” is produced by Skydance Television and CJ ENM/Studio Dragon. Read serves as showrunner and executive producer. David Ellison and Dana Goldberg serve as executive producers for Skydance Television; Miky Lee, Young Kyu Kim and Hyun Park executive produce for CJ ENM/Studio Dragon; with Bill Bost and Sarah Walker. Anu Valia, Molly McGlynn, Todd Biermann, Jenée LaMarque and Declan Lowney direct the series.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

Jason Momoa is back in upcoming Feature SLUMBERLAND, which was filmed right here in Toronto during the Pandemic! See a new Teaser!

Synopsis

Slumberland takes audiences to a magical new place, a dreamworld where precocious Nemo (Marlow Barkley) and her eccentric companion Flip (Jason Momoa) embark on the adventure of a lifetime. After her father Peter (Kyle Chandler) is unexpectedly lost at sea, young Nemo’s idyllic Pacific Northwest existence is completely upended when she is sent to live in the city with her well-meaning but deeply awkward uncle Phillip (Chris O’Dowd). Her new school and new routine are challenging by day but at night, a secret map to the fantastical world of Slumberland connects Nemo to Flip, a rough-around-the-edges but lovable outlaw who quickly becomes her partner and guide. She and Flip soon find themselves on an incredible journey traversing dreams and fleeing nightmares, where Nemo begins to hope that she will be reunited with her father once again.

Slumberland is directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire & Mockingjay), written by David Guion and Michael Handelman (Night at the Museum; Secret of the Tomb) and produced by Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, David Ready and Francis Lawrence. The film also stars Weruche Opia, India De Beaufort, and Humberly Gonzalez.

SLUMBERLAND arrives November 18, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

ST. VINCENT won huge raves at TIFF ’14 and now eOne Films and Mr. Will want YOU to discover its magic! See what Critics are calling one of Bill Murray‘s finest performances yet! Screenings take place in Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax on Thursday, October 23, 2014.

Official Synopsis:
In ST. VINCENT, Maggie (Melissa McCarthy), a single mother, moves into a new home in Brooklyn with her 12-year old son, Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher). Forced to work long hours, she has no choice but to leave Oliver in the care of their new neighbor, Vincent (Bill Murray), a retired curmudgeon with a penchant for alcohol and gambling. An odd friendship soon blossoms between the improbable pair. Together with a pregnant stripper named Daka (Naomi Watts), Vincent brings Oliver along on all the stops that make up his daily routine – the race track, a strip club, and the local dive bar. Vincent helps Oliver grow to become a man, while Oliver begins to see in Vincent something that no one else is able to: a misunderstood man with a good heart.

ST. VINCENT stars BILL MURRAY, NAOMI WATTS, MELISSA MCCARTHY, CHRIS O’DOWD and JAEDEN LIEBERHER.

See the Trailer:

To enter to win Passes to see ST. VINCENT first, please click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook.
Re-Tweet the below or share this Post on Facebook with your Friends to double your chances! Remember to state your City.

http://www.mrwillwong.com/stvincent @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #MYSTVINCENT starring #BILLMURRAY! In theatres 10/24!

Good luck, Willionaire$.

Official Artwork:

Bill + Mr. Will

Melissa + Mr. Will

Naomi + Mr. Will

Chris + Mr. Will

eOne Films release ST. VINCENT on Friday, October 24, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Seven-time Tour de France-winning Cyclist Lance Armstrong certainly is no stranger to controversy and not one, but two Films are on their way about his fall from grace after his doping offences were brought to light.

Just beginning production this past weekend, Stephen Frears (The Queen, Philomena) is directing a Biopic simply known as The Cycling Project,  based on the Book Seven Deadly Sins: My Pursuit of Lance Armstrong by David Walsh.  Cast in the role of  Sportswriter Walsh is Australian Actor Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, The Sapphires), who persistently hounds Armstrong for years.  Playing Armstrong is Ben Foster (seen above) who has been selective in his roles to date, but soon will be seen in Kill Your Darlings, opposite Daniel Radcliffe and Dane DeHaan.  He currently is attached to Robin Wright and both were spotted in Toronto at TIFF ’13 just last month.  StudioCanal is producing the Film.  TIFF ’14, perhaps?

Also premiering at TIFF ’13 was Documentary The Armstrong Lie by Filmmaker Alex Gibney who followed Armstrong for four years following his Comeback post-Cancer to his admission of doping in 2012, following a federal investigation.  The Film includes interviews with Armstrong‘s Teammates and Doctors.  “It’s not a Story about doping, it’s a story about Power and hanging onto that Power”, says Gibney.  Mongrel Media releases on Friday, November 29, 2013.

See the Trailer for The Armstrong Lie below:

(Photo credit: StudioCanal | Video credit: Mongrel Media)

eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win a Double Pass to the Toronto Advance Screening of The Sapphires.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll sing along! The Screening takes place at Cineplex Odeon Varsity next week.

The Sapphires holds a dear place in my heart and I’m thrilled for everyone to discover its greatness.  Directed by Wayne Blair, the Musical-Dramedy is based on the true Story of a Family of four Aboriginal-Australian Women brought over to Vietnam to entertain the U.S. Troops during the War in 1968. They learn about life and live amidst dangerous times. The Film stars Deborah Mailman (The Secret Life of Us), Chris O’Dowd (Girls, Bridesmaids) and Australian Idol Runner-up Jessica Mauboy. Mauboy also continues to sweep major Awards for her Performance here back in her native Australia.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

To enter to win a Double Pass to the Toronto Advance Screening of The Sapphires, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before April 1, 2013.  To double your chances, simply share this Post on Facebook or Re-Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/thesapphires @MRWILLW wants me to #win a Double Pass to a #Toronto Advance Screening of #THESAPPHIRES. In theatres 4/5/13. #Contest

The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to The Sapphires also is available via Sony Music Canada right here.

The Sapphires hits theatres in Toronto exclusively at Cineplex Odeon Varsity on Friday, April 5, 2013.

Visit the Canadian Website for The Sapphires here.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

I am pretty much obsessing! Although Australia and parts of Europe already are familiar with Jessica Mauboy, we too soon will get to know former Australian Idol Runner-Up and top-selling Artist Jessica Mauboy.  I cannot stop listening to the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to The Sapphires, the Musical Dramedy which premiered at TIFF here last September and soon will be due for a release across North America.

The Soundtrack includes stellar Covers of Motown Hits like I Can’t Help Myself, What a Man,  Who’s Loving You, I Heard it Through the Grapevine and Soul Man, featuring the fantastic Vocals of the Cast which also includes Funnyman Chris O’Dowd.  Mauboy who stars in the Film as Julie, provides Lead Vocals on a majority of the Tracks and I am just so absolutely in love with that voice.

The Sapphires is based upon the true Story of four Aboriginal-Australian Girls who learn about life, love and war when they venture off to Saigon, entertaining American troops amidst the Vietnam War.

Check-out Mauboy‘s stunning delivery of I Can’t Help Myself below:

 

One of the things I regret most about TIFF – other than that it doesn’t take place 365 days a year – is that amidst all the Stargazing, I never get to see every Movie I hope to. Being the impatient type that I am, I dread the wait for the Theatrical Release date of these Films!

One Film I really wanted much to see last September was The Sapphires, a Musical-Dramedy inspired by a true Story of an Aboriginal-Australian Girl Group brought over to Vietnam to entertain the U.S. Troops during the War in 1968. Starring Deborah Mailman (The Secret Life of Us), Chris O’Dowd (Girls, Bridesmaids) and Australian Idol Runner-up Jessica Mauboy, a quick glance at Rotten Tomatoes shows The Sapphires tallying-in at an astonishing 94% on the Tomatometer. Mauboy also continues to sweep major Awards for her Performance here back in her Homeland.

Although the Film was released last year in Australia, feedback has been so positive that The Weinstein Co. is bringing it stateside, with eOne Films releasing on April 5, 2013 in select cities including: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary.

The Trailer does a fantastic job summarizing some of the emotions we can expect to see. It looks funny and heartbreaking and most of all, rather fun:

I had the pleasure of meeting O’Dowd and Mauboy who were thrilled at the positive reaction the Film got after its TIFF Premiere and amazingly friendly that night. I repeat, cannot wait to see this!

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

In supporting of their upcoming Oscar-contending Comedy This is 40, brilliant Comedy Powerhouse Judd Apatow and amazingly-talented Actress/Wife Leslie Mann will be making a Visit to Toronto on Monday, November 26, 2012.  The Power-Couple will be appearing at an Evening of Conversation organized by the Canadian Film Centre, along with Partners Variety, Telefilm Canada, Just for Laughs and Universal Pictures.

This is 40 follows the lives of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Mann), whom we got to know and love in Knocked Up.  Also starring in the eagerly-awaited Comedy is a superb Supporting Cast which includes: Lena Dunham, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O’Dowd, Albert Brooks, Megan Fox, Jason Segel and John Lithgow.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Universal Pictures releases This is 40 on December 21, 2012.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)

With just four days till the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, I’m finally catching-up on HBO‘s Girls after having stock-piled Episodes on my PVR.  The Dramedy Series is nominated for an impressive five Awards already in its first Season, already winning Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series. With my post-TIFF Cold, finally I had reason enough to sit-down lie-down and discipline myself to watch all of its first Season. One part Sex & the City, one part balls-out Judd Apatow-esque funny, the Series is a startlingly funny take on what it means to be a mid-twentysomething surviving in the City.

Touching upon group dynamics in friendships, sexual awakening, financial struggle and self-realization; the messages are universal.  Teenagers and Adults alike can find something to connect with here. I wish a Series like this existed when I was in grade 12, to get a real sneak peek at what life would’ve been like seven years later.

Although they completely were overlooked in the Emmy Nominations, Girls is filled with brilliant performances from its Supporting Cast including the sex-obsessed Adam Driver, the adorable Zosia Mamet, sassy Brit-accented Jemima Kirke and the lovely improv-trained Allison Williams.  The charming Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) appears late in the first Season as a delightful surprise.

As much as Girls is about the brilliant Script, Acting and Directing, it also is about the Music.  The cute and kitschy (Britney, Demi, JLo, Feist, MGMT and more) Song Selection is superb and it will be interesting which Tracks make the cut for its December 11, 2012 DVD/Blu-ray release.

Plump-cheeked and porcelain 26-year-old Executive Producer Lena Dunham who also wears Actress, Creator and Writer caps, is a true National Treasure.

Although it appears v. much a Dark Horse at the Emmys this Sunday, my bets are set on HBO‘s Girls to take it all.

(Photo credit: HBO)

Irish-born Funnyman Chris O’Dowd quickly is becoming a household name thanks to a brilliant turn in last year’s hit Comedy Bridesmaids. Just three days after his Co-Star Kristen Wiig lit-up TIFF 2012, he too came to present his latest effort, The Sapphires. which eOne Films will be releasing in Canada.

O’Dowd was gracious with Fans at the Premiere of the Musical Comedy at VISA Screening Room, stopping with cigarette in-mouth and Sharpie in one hand, ensuring every request was catered to.  Harvey Weinstein is said to be v. excited about this Australian Production, seen milling about in and out of the Premiere to judge audience reactions.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)