Great news for the Holidays! Hollywood Suite will be available as a free preview for you from December 1, 2020 to January 5, 2021! Among the exciting things they have lined-up are a tribute to Keanu Reeves, a KEANUSSANCE and the second season of their series A YEAR IN FILM. As announced previously, HBO MAX series VALLEY OF TEARS also is coming to Hollywood Suite exclusively.

VALLEY OF TEARS

Hollywood Suite is the exclusive Canadian home of the all-new HBO Max Original 10-part war drama, Valley of Tears. The biggest budget Israeli TV series of all time, Valley of Tears comes to Hollywood Suite following the smashing success of its debut in its home country and on HBO Max in the US. 

The series is inspired by the true events of the 1973 Yom Kippur War in Israel. 

Episodes 1 and 2 of Valley of Tears will premiere back-to-back Saturday, December 19 on HS00, with a new episode airing each following Saturday. Each episode will be available On Demand immediately following their air date. The series will be broadcast in the original Hebrew with English subtitles. Subtitled and English-dubbed versions will be available On Demand. 

A YEAR IN FILM – SEASON TWO 

The Hollywood Suite original documentary series A Year in Film explores how movies reflect the events, mood, politics, and culture of their time. A Year in Film immerses you in film history and pop culture with insights and movie memories from filmmakers, industry insiders, and critics. Season two dives into the films that shaped the years 1975, 1986, 1994 and 2000.

A Year in Film: 1975

With Watergate and the fall of Saigon dominating the news, people were looking for an escape. 

• New Hollywood delivered with films like Nashville, Shampoo and Dog Day Afternoon
• Women directors crafted an independent vision with Hester Street and Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles 
• And in Canada, David Cronenberg clashed with the Canadian government over his first hit Shivers

Premiering December 6, 2020 at 9:00pm ET on Hollywood Suite 70s Movies (HS70)

Films featured in A Year in Film: 1975 airing or On Demand in December : Dog Day Afternoon, Barry Lyndon, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles.

A Year in Film: 1986

Celebrations like Vancouver’s Expo 86, Hands Across America and the passing of Halley’s Comet were tempered by the sadness of tragedies like Chernobyl, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and the uncovering of the Iran-Contra affair. 

• Robots dominated the box office with hits like Short Circuit
• Decade-defining hits like Pretty in Pink, Top Gun and Stand by Me cemented their iconic status. 
• And in Canada, Canadian directors scored big in Hollywood with The Fly, Aliens and The Decline of the American Empire
• Featured in the episode, director Jim Wynorski looks back on Chopping Mall

Premiering December 13, 2020 at 9:00pm ET on Hollywood Suite 80s Movies (HS80)

Films featured in A Year in Film: 1986 airing or On Demand in December:The Fly, Aliens, Top Gun, Platoon, Chopping Mall, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, River’s Edge, The Decline of the American Empire, and Stand by Me. 

A Year in Film: 1994

Gen X controlled the narrative in a big way. While Hollywood struggled with the generation gap, independent films connected with mainstream audiences more than ever. 

• Pulp Fiction cemented Quentin Tarantino as a bold voice in Hollywood
• Jim Carrey hit big with three massive films: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask andDumb and Dumber
• And in Canada, Canadian filmmakers gained notoriety with hits like Double Happiness
• Featured in the episode, director Atom Egoyan discusses his classic Exotica

Premiering December 20, 2020 at 9:00pm ET on Hollywood Suite 90s Movies (HS90)

Films featured in A Year in Film: 1994 airing or On Demand in December: Forrest Gump, Double Happiness, Pulp Fiction, Reality Bites, Dumb and Dumber, Clifford, Speed, The Crow, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and Eat Drink Man Woman.  

A Year in Film: 2000

The dawn of the new millennium saw a mix of frustrations over a contested U.S. election and relief after Y2K fears fizzled. The film landscape seemed wide open for new and exciting voices to emerge. 

• Asian cinema took the art-house spotlight with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Yi Yi andIn the Mood for Love
• Steven Soderbergh made an Oscar double-play with Erin Brockovich and Traffic
• And in Canada, Canadian directors mined horror and satire with films like American Psycho
• Featured in this episode, director John Fawcett reflects on Ginger Snaps

Premiering December 27, 2020 at 9:00pm ET on Hollywood Suite 2000s Movies (HS00)

Films featured in A Year in Film: 2000 airing or On Demand in December:Erin Brockovich, Traffic, Yi Yi, American Psycho, Ginger Snaps, In the Mood for Love, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. 

KEANUSSANCE

December is all Keanu, all the time. His name means “cool breeze over the mountains,” and he’s a well-rounded, well-loved, low-key Canadian guy who kicks ass and has serious acting chops. Raised in Toronto, his three-decade long filmography is prolific and filled with an alarming amount of Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster franchises. The cinematic homage to The One includes: 

Hollywood Suite 80s Movies Channel (HS80)

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) – December 5, 9:00 pm ET

River’s Edge (1986) – December 6, 9:00 pm ET

Hollywood Suite 90s Movies Channel (HS90)

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991) – December 5, 10:35 pm ET

Speed (1994) – December 5, 12:10 am ET

My Own Private Idaho (1991) – December 6, 10:45 

Chain Reaction (1996) – December 6, 12:30 am 

The Matrix (1999) – December 12, 9:00 pm 

Johnny Mnemonic (1995) – December 12, 11:20 pm 

Point Break (1991) – December 13, 9:00 pm

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) – December 13, 11:10 pm

Hollywood Suite 2000s Movies Channel (HS00)

The Replacements (2000) – December 20, 9:00 pm

The Matrix Reloaded (2003) – December 12, 11:20 pm

The Matrix Revolutions (2003) – December 12, 1:40 am

Something’s Gotta Give (2003) – December 20, 11:00 pm 

John Wick (2014) – December 30, 9:00 pm

John Wick 2 (2014) – December 30, 10:45 pm 

Constantine (2005) – December 31, 9:00 pm

FAMILY FAVOURITES

These family films are like your favourite PJs and a weighted blanket. Here’s a list of Hollywood Suite comfort films to ease your mind: The Holiday (2006), Grease (1978), Labyrinth (1986), Little Women (1994), The Karate Kid (1984), Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights (2002), Ella Enchanted (2004), Grown Ups (2010), Pitch Perfect (2012) and The Princess Bride (1987). 

(Photo credit: Hollywood Suite)

Check-out this brand-new Trailer for BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC! Also it has just been announced that COMIC-CON@HOME will host a BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC Panel moderated by Kevin Smith on Saturday, July 25 at 3 PM PST/6 PM EST. The panel will include Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, Samara Weaving, Bridgette Lundy-Paine and William Sadler, as well as director Dean Parisot and screenwriters Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon.

SYNOPSIS:

The stakes are higher than ever for the time-traveling exploits of William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. and Theodore “Ted” Logan. Yet to fulfill their rock and roll destiny, the now middle aged best friends set out on a new adventure when a visitor from the future warns them that only their song can save life as we know it. Along the way, they will be helped by their daughters, a new batch of historical figures, and a few music legends – to seek the song that will set their world right and bring harmony in the universe. Bill & Ted Face the Music is directed by Dean Parisot (Galaxy Quest), from a screenplay by Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey) – and produced by Scott Kroopf, Alex Lebovici and Steve Ponce.

VVS Films release BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC in theatres and On-Demand Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

Happy Bill & Ted Day!  Don’t forget to check-out this brand-new Trailer!

Synopsis:
Once told they’d save the universe during a time-traveling adventure, 2 would-be rockers from San Dimas, California find themselves as middle-aged dads still trying to crank out a hit song and fulfill their destiny.

See the Trailer:

VVS Films release BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC Friday, August 28, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

This is your chance to be a part of BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC! Film yourself, family, friends and even your pets rocking out with instruments – real or fake – or just the air guitar to the film’s demo track provided at https://www.partyonwithbillandted.com. The submission deadline for videos is May 20, 2020.

Synopsis:
The stakes are higher than ever for the time-traveling exploits of William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. (Alex Winter) and Theodore “Ted” Logan (Keanu Reeves). The now middle aged best friends set out on a new adventure to seek the song that will set their world right and bring harmony in the universe, helped by their daughters (played by Samara Weaving and Brigette Lundy-Paine), a new batch of historical figures, and a few music legends.
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, Samara Weaving, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi), Kristen Schaal, Anthony Carrigan, Erinn Hayes, Jayma Mays, Jillian Bell, Holland Taylor, Beck Bennett, William Sadler, Hal Landon Jr. and Amy Stoch

VVS Films release BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC Friday, August 28, 2020.

Canadians across the country soon will have a chance to partake in an exciting celebration in advance of TOY STORY 4′s release! Want to see a life-sized replica motorcycle of Canada’s greatest stuntman, Duke Caboom (voiced by Keanu Reeves)? Want to make your own Spork just like Bonnie?. Wanna show it off in a Photo Op?

WHERE & WHEN:

From 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm in each city at:

VANCOUVER May 18 & 19 SilverCity Riverport 14211 Entertainment Blvd, Richmond
CALGARY May 25 & 26 Cineplex Crowfoot Crossing 91 Crowfoot Terrace NW, Calgary
WINNIPEG June 1 & 2 Scotiabank Theatre 817 St James St, Winnipeg
TORONTO June 8 & 9 Cineplex Queensway 1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke
MONTREAL June 15 & 16 Cinéma Cineplex Laval 2800 Ave du Cosmodôme, Laval

Synopsis:
Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.

The Trailer:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release TOY STORY 4 Friday, June 18, 2019.

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

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM Wednesday, May 15, 2019 in Toronto. One lucky winner wins a Prize Pack with T-Shirt, Key Chain and digital downloads of the first two JOHN WICK films!

See the Prize Pack:

Synopsis:
Super-assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is targeted by hit men and women everywhere after a $14 bounty is placed on his head for killing another member of the international assassin’s guild.

It doesn’t look like there’s any hope for him… the High table and the entire city want him dead. However, John reconnects with Sofia (Halle Berry), a former friend and hitwoman. The two join forces to help John save his life and fight his way out of New York City.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City! Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for another shot!

eOne Films release JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM Friday, May 17, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Everyone’s talking about how amazing John Wick: Chapter 3 – PARABELLUM looks, now here’s your look at its brand-new Canadian Trailer!

Synopsis:
In this third installment of the adrenaline-fueled action franchise, super-assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) returns with a $14 million price tag on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail. After killing a member of the shadowy international assassin’s guild, the High Table, John Wick is excommunicado, but the world’s most ruthless hit men and women await his every turn.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM Friday, May 17, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to take Readers across Canada to see JOHN WICK 2!  Screenings take place as follows:

Toronto – Wednesday February 8th – 7:00 PM – Scotiabank Toronto
Vancouver – Wednesday February 8th – 7:00 PM – Scotiabank Vancouver
Calgary – Wednesday February 8th – 7:00 PM – Sunridge
Edmonton – Wednesday February 8th – 7:00 PM – North Edmonton
Winnipeg – Wednesday February 8th – 7:00 PM – Scotiabank Winnipeg
Ottawa – Wednesday February 8th – 7:00 PM – Lansdowne
Halifax – Wednesday February 8th – 7:30 PM – Scotiabank Halifax
St. John’s – Wednesday February 8th – 7:00 PM – Scotiabank St. John’s
Hamilton – Wednesday February 8th – 7:00 PM – Silvercity Hamilton
London – Wednesday February 8th – 7:00 PM – Silvercity London

Synopsis:

In a follow up to 2014’s John Wick, this Film brings back Keanu Reeves in the title role as the former hit man pulled out of retirement. The story tracks John‘s life since the first film and explores the identity crisis he finds himself in: is he John, the family man who’s mourning the death of his wife, or John Wick, the ruthless international assassin?

When a former associate hatches a plan to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild, John realizes his hit man days are far from over. He makes the trip to Rome to demolish the plot, and an epic battle ensues between him and some of the globe’s deadliest killers.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City.  Click “share” from there for an extra chance!

G’luck.

eOne Films release JOHN WICK 2 Friday, February 10, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Early buzz for JOHN WICK is feverish and many are calling this Keanu Reeve‘s big return! eOne Films and Mr. Will want YOU to find out for yourself first just how amazing it is! Screenings take place in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.  Vancouver’s takes place on Thursday, October 23, 2014 and Victoria’s takes place on Monday, October 20, 2014.

Official Synopsis:
An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground, JOHN WICK (Keanu Reeves) is a fresh and stylized take on the “assassin genre.”

See the Trailer:

To enter to win Passes to see JOHN WICK 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/johnwick @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #JOHNWICK starring #KEANUREEVES! In theatres 10/24!

Good luck, Willionaire$.

Official Artwork:

Keanu + Mr. Will

eOne Films release JOHN WICK on Friday, October 24, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

With great sadness, we must say farewell to another TIFF.  And with fatigue, a limp in my right foot and great pain in my neck today after a gruelling run these past 11 days, I look back at the happy times, the regrets and what TIFF ’14 might hold.  Despite all these mixed emotions, I know it won’t be long before I’m begging for more!  I live for the Toronto International Film Festival – the greatest in Film Festival the World – and wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.

Here’s a look back at some of the Highlights for me of the Festival in Compiled Lists:

MR. WILL’S MOST GRACIOUS 10

Anyone who encountered these Stars up-close and personal during TIFF ’13 can vouch that they deserve a warm round of applause for the respect, appreciation and courtesy they’ve shown our City. Whether it be Jessica Chastain‘s consistent grace and humility towards her Fans, Brad Pitt‘s surprise Red Carpet appearance in which he took several Photos with Fans at the 12 Years a Slave Premiere, Hugh Jackman stopping in the rain outside the Press Conference for Prisoners to meet and great all his Supporters individually – these Stars understand exactly what the Festival is all about for us Fans!

1. Jessica Chastain
2. Sandra Bullock
3. Tom Hiddleston
4. Daniel Radcliffe
5.. Brad Pitt
6. Josh Brolin
7. Hugh Jackman
8. Jennifer Aniston
9. Nicolas Cage
10. Emma Thompson

MR. WILL’S  SUCCESSFUL 6

These six Films gained a great amount of buzz and momentum coming out of TIFF ’13 in advance of their forthcoming Awards Season Best Picture Campaigns.  Sadly, August: Osage Country didn’t wind up getting critical love universally (I enjoyed it much!) hoped for, but it still remains a major Contender in the Acting categories – especially for a heartbreakingly-absent Queen Meryl Streep.

1. 12 Years a Slave
2. Labor Day
3. Dallas Buyers Club
4. Prisoners
5. Gravity
6. Rush

MR. WILL’S EMERGING 5

These five up-and coming Stars caused quite a stir wherever they spotted around TIFF ’13.  This time next year, expect to know them pretty much on a first name-basis.

1. Benedict Cumberbatch
2. Emilia Clarke
3. Daniel Brühl
4. Jai Courtney
5. Taylor Schilling

MR. WILL’S NAUGHTY LIST

Although we try to keep things positive here, we remain hopeful that next time these Stars visit our City, they show us a bit more Fan Appreciation – not just only when the Cameras are on – than they showed this year.  Little things like picking-up a  Sharpie or taking time to pose for Photos with Fans, or maybe not distancing themselves a 15 feet from the Barricades where their Fans had queued for hours to see them, would be a first step.  In all fairness, some had hyper-assertive Handlers or lateness to blame.

1. Benedict Cumberbatch
2. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
3. Scarlett Johansson
4. Mila Kunis
5. Emilia Clarke

MR. WILL’S FASHIONABLE 5

These Stars certainly made a Statement whether it be out and about in our City or on the Red Carpet. I still cannot get over Kitsch‘s gray-on-gray Suit he wore at the Premiere of The Grand Seduction and certainly was a bit obsessed with Toni Collette‘s new Bangs. Julia Roberts was a Vision in her Dolce & Gabbana Dress at the Premiere of August: Osage County too, but my favourite look was Sandra Bullock at the Gravity Premiere in Narciso Rodriguez!

1. Sandra Bullock
2. Julia Roberts
3. Taylor Kitsch
4. Toni Collette
5. Jessica Chastain

And who exactly did Mr. Will got a Photo-with at TIFF ’13?

Ben Cotton, Dane Cook, Jason Reitman, Josh Brolin, Nicole Kidman, Anika Noni Rose, Bill Condon, Donnie Wahlberg, Paul Wahlberg, Jack Huston, Tom Arnold, John Torturro, Lauren Lee Smith, Sami Gayle, Mary Walsh, Saoirse Ronan, Michael C. Hall, Tye Sheridan, Katie Boland, Aaron Abrams, Kelly Rowan, Daniel Radcliffe, Taylor Schilling, Effie Exarchopoulos, Dan Stevens, Daniel Brühl, Alicia Vikander, Tom Hiddleston, deadmau5, Carice Van Houten, Tom Welling, Vanessa Paradis, Michael Bolton, Alice Cooper, Taylor Kitsch, Toni Collette, Dakota Fanning, Jai Courtney, Ciaran Hinds, Jessica Chastain, Emilia Clarke, Jared Harris, Adelaide Kane, James Lafferty, Jennifer Morrison, David Arquette, Alfre Woodard, Ryan Kwanten, Catherine O’Hara, Mark Boone Junior, Will Forte, Emma Thompson, Cara Gee, Demian Bichir, Jude Law, Tom Wilkinson, Alfonso Cuaron, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Thompson (again!), Lea Seydoux, Robert Baker, Amanda Walsh, Adam Driver, Keanu Reeves and Nicolas Cage.

To re-visit some of the amazing names that I snapped in the City over the Festival, click here.

To read some of my Reviews of the Films that premiered at TIFF ’13, click here.  More Reviews to come over the next day or two as I play catch-up after all the madness.

…until next year, Wongsters!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

*Photos taken on Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5