By Mr. Will Wong

Writer/Director/Actor Cooper Raiff is at Sundance with his third Feature CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH, performing all three duties with equal dexterity. What he’s crafted here is sure to be one of the biggest breakout hits of the Festival. The Film is a sensitive, beautiful and touching coming-of-age story about a 22-year-old man named Andrew, still figuring life out after his girlfriend goes off to Barcelona.

When we meet Andrew, he moves back in with his mom (Leslie Mann), stepdad Greg (Brad Garrett) and little brother David (Evan Assante). He works a mundane job at Meat Stick, a Corndog shop, and after attending a Bar Mitzah with David, his charm makes him a hot commodity with all the local Jewish moms, and he soon finds himself with a hosting gig. He meets Domino (Dakota Johnson) and her daughter Lola (Vanessa Burghardt), who is on the Autism spectrum and finds himself striking a real connection with the two. Though she is further along in life than he, Andrew finds himself falling for Domino (and she for him too), although she is engaged to be married to Joseph (Raul Castillo). He finds himself at a bit of an impasse figuring it all out and where he fits, as life is about to pull him potentially in several different ways.

Raiff does a superb job in his acting, writing and direction, giving us a full portrait of Andrew. He is a brother, a confidante, a boyfriend and though he is frustrated at times how things aren’t going in his favour or that he hasn’t put it all together yet, we never lose sight of his good heart. He views life with an observant understanding. This is balanced perfectly by elements of humour, lightheartedness and undercurrent of bittersweet emotions which Andrew experiences. This level of care and detail doesn’t just stop at Andrew. We see those around him for who they are and are asked what they want.

This Ensemble of Actors gel together just perfectly. Johnson, whom also serves as Producer, builds upon her impressive catalog of work here as Domino, giving us a quiet chaos and her chemistry with Raiff is electric even if ultimately their relationship is on platonic terms. Mann is effective as Andrew‘s supportive mother, even if his disapproval of her partner Greg provides several of the Film’s most memorable jokes. Promising young talent Assante brings out a nurturing warmth in Andrew, winning us over. And of course, the casting of newcomer Burghardt really punctuates how they got it all right with this Film casting an Autistic actress – a really fantastic on-screen debut that educates as much as it entertains.

This empathic journey of growth proves to be a rewarding one that delivers the laughs as much it is good for the soul, and we’ll be thinking about for some time. Beyond ecstatic for the world to get to know this Film.

CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH screens at Sundance as follows:

• PREMIEREJAN. 23  4:45PM EST Available Until Jan. 23 7:45PM EST 
• SECOND SCREENING JAN. 25  10:00AM EST Available Until Jan. 26 10:00AM EST

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see BLOCKERS. Screenings take place as follows on April 4, 2018:

TORONTO 7 PM Cineplex Yonge & Eglinton

MONTREAL 7 PM Cineplex Forum

EDMONTON 7 PM Cineplex South Commons

VANCOUVER 7 PM Cineplex International Village

CALGARY 7 PM Landmark Shawnessy

Synopsis:
When three parents stumble upon their daughters’ pact to lose their virginity at prom, they launch a covert one-night operation to stop the teens from sealing the deal. Leslie Mann (The Other Woman, This Is 40), Ike Barinholtz (Neighbors, Suicide Squad) and John Cena (Trainwreck, Sisters) star in Blockers, the directorial debut of Kay Cannon (writer of the Pitch Perfect series).

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Tell us in the comments there about one time your parents caught you up to no good! Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Universal Pictures Canada release BLOCKERS Friday, April 6, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

On their Press Tour for HOW TO BE SINGLE, Dakota Johnson and Leslie Mann make the most of it in this new interview which quickly is going viral. Poor Chris Van Vliet of WSVN in Miami doesn’t quite get around to the actual interview with Johnson and Mann, but the interaction is out-of-this-world amazing! Imagine being told to unbutton your shirt and teased the entire time as they giggle and tear-up! Awkward, but but Van Vliet was a good sport about it right??

See the interview:

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release HOW TO BE SINGLE Friday, February 12, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada + Mr. Will know you need a Girls’ Night Out! HOW TO BE SINGLE has been on our minds since we saw its Trailer over the Holidays and we want to give you a chance to see it first! We’ve got Advance Passes for you in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal (English and French), Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa and Halifax for Wednesday, February 10, 2016!

Synopsis:
There’s a right way to be single, a wrong way to be single, and then…there’s Alice. And Robin. Lucy. Meg. Tom. David. New York City is full of lonely hearts seeking the right match, be it a love connection, a hook-up, or something in the middle. And somewhere between the teasing texts and one-night stands, what these unmarrieds all have in common is the need to learn how to be single in a world filled with ever-evolving definitions of love. Sleeping around in the city that never sleeps was never so much fun.

“How to Be Single” stars Dakota Johnson (“Fifty Shades of Grey”), Rebel Wilson (“Pitch Perfect”), Damon Wayans, Jr. (“Let’s Be Cops”), Anders Holm (“Neighbors,” upcoming “The Intern”), Alison Brie (“Get Hard”), Nicholas Braun (“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”), Jake Lacy (HBO’s “Girls”), with Jason Mantzoukas (“Neighbors,” TV’s “The League”) and Leslie Mann (“This is 40,”).

Il y a une bonne façon de vivre son célibat, une mauvaise façon… et puis il y a Alice, Robin, Lucy, Meg, Tom, David. New York regorge d’âmes esseulées en quête d’un partenaire, que ce soit pour l’amour, un flirt ou quelque chose entre les deux. Et entre les textos enjôleurs et les aventures d’un soir, ces personnes ont tous en commun le besoin de comprendre comment vivre leur célibat dans un monde où les définitions de l’amour abondent et évoluent sans cesse. Passer de folles nuits dans la ville qui ne dort jamais n’a jamais été aussi amusant.

« Célibataire : mode d’emploi » met en vedette Dakota Johnson (« Cinquante nuances de Grey »), Rebel Wilson (« La Note parfaite »), Damon Wayans, Jr. (« Soyons flics »), Anders Holm (« Les Voisins » et « Le Stagiaire »), Alison Brie (« Prison 101 »), Nicholas Braun (« Le Monde de Charlie »), Jake Lacy (« Girls » de HBO), avec Jason Mantzoukas (« Les Voisins », l’émission « The League ») et Leslie Mann (« 40 ans : Mode d’emploi »).

See the hilarious Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Please indicate your City and tell us how you survive(d) being single!  You may click “share” from there for an extra chance or Tweet out the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/howtobesingle @MRWILLW wants us to #win Advance Passes to see #HOWTOBESINGLE! Out 2/12!

G’luck Willionaire$!

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release HOW TO BE SINGLE on Friday, February 12, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

This actually looks really fun!  Not sure how it’s remained under our radars for this long!  You must check-out this Trailer for the hilarious-looking THE OTHER WOMAN.

Synopsis:

After realizing her Boyfriend is married, a Woman teams up with his Wife and together, they plot revenge on him with yet another Mistress!

THE OTHER WOMAN stars Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Kinney and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

Watch the Trailer:

20th Century Fox releases THE OTHER WOMAN on Friday, April 25, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)

Definitely one of the Films we’re most stoked about this year, Sofia Coppola‘s (Lost in Translation, The Virgin Suicides) The Bling Ring soon will see its release, after making a splash in Cannes! See what Critics are raving about already here.  I saw it earlier this week and agree, it’s one of this Summer’s best.

And there couldn’t be a better fit than right here with all my Celebrity-obsessed Readers! Mr. Will Wong & eOne Films are thrilled to give you all a chance to attend Advance Screenings of The Bling Ring across Canada!   Screenings take place at the following venues on Wednesday, June 19, 2013:

The Docu-Drama based on true events, centers around a group of Teens who mastermind the burglary of several Celebrities. Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Leslie Mann, Taissa Farmiga, Katie Chang and Emma Watson star.

See the amazing Trailer below:

Okay, to enter simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Double your chances by sharing this Post on Facebook or Re-Tweeting the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/blingring @MRWILLW wants us to #win Advance Screening Passes to #TheBlingRing, by #SofiaCoppola across Canada. RT to enter!

Good luck. Your deadline is Friday, June 14, 2013.

If that weren’t enough, one lucky Reader gets a Deluxe THE BLING RING Prize Pack including Poster, Soundtrack and Book!  Get it, Wongsters!

eOne Films releases The Bling Ring in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Halifax, Victoria on June 21, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: A24/eOne Films)

I LOVE SOFIA COPPOLA! It’s about time we get a new Film from one of my favourite Directors and The Bling Ring has that distinct neon-coloured West Coast Flare Coppola’s become synonymous with. Based on true events, the Dramedy centers around a ground of Teens who used the Internet to track the whereabouts of Celebrities via Twitter and Facebook, before robbing their homes between October 2008 through August 2009.  Over 50 homes were invaded including the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Rachel Bilson, Orlando Bloom/Miranda Kerr, Audrina Patridge and Brian Austin Green/Megan Fox.

Taissa Farmiga, Katie Chang, Leslie Mann, Gavin Rossdale and Emma Watson star. Hilton even makes a Cameo.

Watch the Teaser Trailer below:

Complex has some more Photos from The Bling Ring here.

eOne Films releases The Bling Ring this June.

(Photo/video credit: American Zoetrope/eOne Films)

Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Girls, Bridesmaids, Freaks and Geeks, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Superbad.  These are just some of the many culturally-impacting Titles which just wouldn’t have been without the talents of Judd Apatow.  Toronto was extremely fortunate last night to have welcomed the brilliant Director/Producer/Writer and fantastically-funny Actress and Wife, Leslie Mann.  Although their Oscar-contending Comedy This is 40 which  re-teams the Duo once again, isn’t in theatres just yet, Apatow and Mann came to create a bit of buzz for the Film which is being touted not so much as a Sequel, but more a Continuation to 2007’s Knocked Up, where we first were introduced to the Characters of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Mann).

With Opening Remarks from Canadian Comedy Legend Eugene Levy and the Evening hosted by Author/Critic and Television Personality Richard Crouse, the Canadian Film Centre‘s An Evening with Judd Apatow & Leslie Mann took place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox – an Invite-Only Affair where we got to witness in-person the charming romantic and working Chemistry between Husband and Wife.  Crouse asked the Couple how they first met and apparently it wasn’t love at first sight between the two.

Watch them tell their Story below:

Hilariously, Apatow was unable to suppress his iPhone-obsession, repeatedly checking it and even taking a Call onstage from his Daughter Maude (who stars in This is 40), bringing her great embarrassment after she was told that we could all hear her amplified through the Speakers.  Finally, Mann addressed the matter by telling Apatow that he was being rude, prompting him to put-away his phone.

We learned that despite the outcome being humorous usually with Apatow‘s Work, rarely does he approach filming thinking a particular scene is going to be funny.  His Motto always is to present the truth and in doing so can we see the real humour in things, praising Mann especially for her uncanny ability to dig-deep  in her performances.

Interestingly, the topic of Music was brought-up with it being revealed that Crouse at the age of 16 had written a Book about The Rolling Stones.  Apatow told the Audience that at one point both Ben Stiller and himself had been close to collaborating with the Band on a Film and while Fanboy-ing with Stiller over their records in one room during their rehearsals here in Toronto, Mick Jagger had walked-in on them in an unforgettable moment asking, “Are you alright? Would you like some Water or anything?”.  We learned also that Mann rather dislikes Live Versions of songs and is a huge Fan of Pop Music including the likes of Lady Gaga and Aretha Franklin.

Earlier in the evening, I was lucky enough to get a Snap with both Apatow and Mann who were extremely gracious.  To enter to win a Signed Photo from Apatow, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before January 1, 2013. Good luck.

Universal Pictures releases This is 40 on December 21, 2012.  Although I only had the chance to see a couple Clips, I can say that I was dying of laughter already!  Cannot wait.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Girls! Girls! Girls!  Toronto cannot get enough of them! Star of HBO’s Breakout Hit Girls, Allison Williams, will be visitng Toronto on December 4, 2012 to promote both the upcoming second Season of the Lena Dunham-created Series, and also the release of its first Season on DVD on December 11, 2012.  Judd Apatow who also serves as Executive Producer on that Series, coincidentally will be in the City next Monday to promote his Oscar Contender, This is 40 along with Wife and Star, Leslie Mann.

Williams who is the Daughter of NBC Anchor, Brian Williams and also a Graduate of Yale and former Miss West Virginia, stars as Marnie in the Series and is scheduled to do a variety of Press and also an In-Conversation-With hosted by our beloved Friend Shinan Govani, in the east-end of the City during her Visit.  I definitely will be there to bring Highlights of the Evening and couldn’t be more thrilled with the Series rapidly becoming a personal Fave!

(Photo credit: HBO)

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)