We definitely didn’t sleep much last night and now we’re up and at it again!
After spotting him out and about last night, Colin Hanks was up and at ’em early this morning doing a Photo Call for his TIFF ’13 Film, Parkland in which he stars as one of the Doctors responsible for trying to save President John F. Kennedy. Not much Fan love though today as he was quick to throw a handwave and go. Saving it for the Red Carpet tonight perhaps?
Canadian Actor Ben Cotton was all smiles walking over to his Photo Call for Family Drama Cinemanovels, debuting tonight at Scotiabank Theatre.
Jennifer Beals certainly hasn’t aged one bit since her Flashdance days. She stars in Cinemanovels, which premieres tonight and was gracious to stop to sign some Autographs for Fans, wishing them a great day.
Canadian Beauty Lauren Lee Smith stopped to chat with Fans before arriving at a Photo Call for Cinemanovels, premiering tonight at TIFF ’13, sporting an amazing new Haircut.
Double Academy Award-Nominee Jacki Weaver just might get another nomination for her intense performance in Parkland, starring as the Mother of JFK‘s Killer, Lee Harvey Oswald. Here she is arriving at her Photo Call.
Zac Efron without fail always draws screams wherever he goes and such was the case as he surprised at a Photo Call for Parkland, premiering tonight at TIFF ’13. Efron plays a Doctor in charge of saving the late JFK‘s life and he was great to stop to sign some Autographs for Fans after promising to do so after a rushed arrival.
Funnywoman Kristen Wiig always brings a smile to our faces, and did just that today arriving at the Premiere for her latest Film Loveship Hateship at the Princess of Wales Theatre. What a Beauty! Too bad she missed half of the Fans who lined-up hours to meet her when signing Autographs.
Sami Gayle might seem an unfamiliar face, but the Blue Bloods Star surely appears to be developing quite a Fan Base judging by the cheers and screams for her as she arrived on the Red Carpet for the Premiere of Loveship Hateship. She was lovely to make time for many of her Fans, crossing the road amidst Street Car Traffic to greet them.
At long last the TIFF ’13 Guest List has been announced and among the Marquee names we can expect to see in Toronto in two weeks are phenomenal! Although speak of Brad Pitt and George Clooney making appearances here didn’t amount to much more than rumour, this year the Female Contingent shines brightest with several of Hollywood’s A-List set to present their latest Oscar Vehicles here.
Among the Celebrities expected this year are:
Emilia Clarke, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Tom Felton, Chris Hemsworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew McConaughey, Daniel Radcliffe, Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Sarah Gadon, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, James Franco, Marion Cotillard, Mike Myers, Emma Thompson, Kristen Wiig, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Amy Poehler, Keanu Reeves, Kate Winslet, Adam Driver, Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Owen Wilson, Ralph Fiennes, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Gyllenhaal, JudeLaw, Jessica Chastain, Jai Courtney, Mila Kunis, Pierce Brosnan, Sandra Bullock, Jason Bateman, Zac Efron, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Colin Firth, Idris Elba, Ed Harris, Michael C. Hall, Annette Benning, James McAvoy, Liam Neeson, Steven Soderbergh, Ben Foster, Anton Yelchin, Maria Bello, Jennifer Garner, Nicolas Cage, Daniel Brühl, Tom Hiddleston, Jack Huston, Hugh Jackman, Jessica Lange, Melissa Leo, Adam Levine, Catherine O’Hara, Kurt Russell, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Berenger, Tom Wilkinson, Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Clive Owen, Zach Galifianakis, Emily Watson, John Hawkes, Alan Rickman, Toni Collette, Josh Brolin, Alice Cooper, Tiger Chen, Rebecca Hall, Will Forte, Kevin Zegers, Taylor Kitsch, Juliette Binoche, Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Thandie Newton, Terrence Howard, James Hetfield, Thomas Haden Church, Tim Robbins, Glenn Close, Dakota Fanning, Philip Glass and several more!
Keep checking back here as the Toronto International Film Festival makes additions as we get closer to Thursday, September 5, 2013 when TIFF ’13 kicks-off! The Festival runs till Sunday, September 15, 2013.
The official Schedule has been announced and you can now start planning your Festival right here. Download the Official Schedule right here!
Single Tickets go on sale on Sunday, September 1, 2013 on TIFF‘s Website here.
Things are about to get real exciting around here! Happy TIFF, indeed!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Paramount Pictures are giving Anchorman 2 their full confidence with a Christmas release date to compete with some real heavyweights. Just released is this brand new Trailer for the long-awaited Sequel to the 2001 Box Office Hit. The antics continue once again as San Diego’s favourite Newsman gets himself into more trouble here!
Watch the Trailer below:
Anchorman 2 boasts an All-Star Cast chalk full of Cameos including Nicole Kidman, James Marsden, Kristen Wiig, Jim Carrey, Kirsten Dunst, Meagan Good, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kanye West, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, plus returning Cast Members Paul Rudd, Vince Vaughn, David Koechner and of course, Will Ferrell in the Titular Role of Ron Burgundy.
(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)
Concluding the 66th annual Cannes Film Festival, the Main Jury (headed by Steven Spielberg, including Nicole Kidman and Ang Lee) handed-out their Prizes earlier today. Winning top honours this year, the Palme d’Or, was Blue is the Warmest Colour (La vie d’Adèle), directed by Abdellatif Kechiche. The racy Drama, clocking-in at over three hours, is about a teenage Girl who has an affair with a Woman. It also has the distinction of winning the FIPRESCI Competition Prize.
In the acting categories Bérénice Bejo, who received an Oscar nomination for her silent performance in The Artist, won Best Actress for Italian-French Production The Past, about a Parisian Woman looking to divorce her Iranian Husband. Bruce Dern won Best Actor for his work in Nebraska, directed by Alexander Payne (Sideways, The Descendants), about a Father and Son who reunite to claim a Sweepstakes prize. The Drama which stars SNL Alumni Will Forte, gets a November release via Paramount Pictures in North America.
Winning the Grand Prix was eagerly-awaited Coen Brothers Film, Inside Llewyn Davis. Set in the ’60s, the Drama about the Folk Music Scene stars an exciting Cast of Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, Garrett Hedlund, John Goodman and Oscar Isaac.
Mexican Filmmaker Amat Escalante won Best Director for his work on Heli, a Mexican Drama about a Family torn-apart by drugs.
On our radars is Fruitvale Station, to be distributed by eOne Films in select Canadian Citiies on July 26, 2013. The Ryan Coogler Drama, which was a Hit at Sundance earlier this year, picked-up the Future Prize and is about a 22-year-old Man’s final day on New Year’s Eve 2008.
Clearly on the Awards Trail and release dates scheduled for later this year, perhaps we can expect Nebraska, Inside Llewyn Davis, The Past and Blue is the Warmest Colour to surface in Toronto at TIFF this September?
Complete list of Winners here.
(Photo credit: Quat’sous Films)
Kristin Scott Thomas, you naughty Girl you! The Weinstein Co. unveiled Clips from a few of their upcoming Marquee releases at Cannes on Friday and shocking just about everybody is Nicolas Winding Refn‘s Follow-up to 2010’s excellent Drive.
The Thriller, Only God Forgives, competes in-competition at the Festival this year and shot entirely in Bangkok, the Film centers around Julian (Ryan Gosling), a Drug Smuggler whose life is complicated further by her Mother’s (Thomas) mission to find who killed his older Brother, Billy (Tom Burke).
“You know what he does for a living right? Heroine, Cocaine… that’s where the money comes. That’s how he can afford to pay you to f*** him”, she says to the Girl her Son brings home to her, Mai (Rhatha Phongam), in quite possibly her most shocking role to date. Believe me, it takes a lot to shock me and this is pretty darn shocking and might I add, completely NSFW. I can just imagine the room of international Journalists gasping at the Subtitles!
Watch the Clip below:
It’s been a while since I’ve had a good Chat with my Readers and Followers, so I reached-out to everyone on Facebook and Twitter for their most burning questions and replied with as much insight as possible. Enjoy and thank you for your continued loyalty and support, Wongsters!
xMr. Will
@Cindyandtheboys asks, “What was your motivation to get you started on what you do?”.
Hey Cindy! I’ve been a Stargazer for many years and my love for Film and Pop Music is unparalleled. I used to be the Kid who rushed to MuchMusic after class waiting by the window for Gwen Stefani to come out and sign an Autograph and I have been attending TIFF as long as my Bank Account permitted.
By 2009, I had amassed so many Photos of my Celebrity Adventures that I created my Blog as an Outlet to combine my passions for Photography, Film, Music and Writing together in one and kicked it off around TIFF. It would’ve been a severe waste having them sit dormant on my Computer or just on Facebook. From there, I developed a passion getting Photos with my personal Heroes and Heroines because it gives me something to immortalize the experience by and well, it’s fun!
Word-of-mouth spread locally fairly quickly about my Blog. Some loved the idea, calling it one of the few true Celebrity Blogs to come out of Canada and some thought it nothing special. Before I knew it, I was booking time off work to interview Bradley Cooper and Channing Tatum, and was on TV talking about Stars and even profiled on the National Post. Last year, CBC listed me as one of the three most key People in the City to follow during TIFF. So that’s that. I love what I do as tiring as it is juggling three or four things on-the-go constantly and have no plans to stop because most of the time it doesn’t feel like work.
@MRDISCO3 asks, “What do you top your burgers with?”.
Hey Paresh! Good question. I’ve been off meat for three months now. Pitching-in my part to reduce my own Carbon Footprint as a Citizen of the Earth. Meatless Mondays, People. Google it and do it!
But to answer your question, if I could create my own Veggie Burger it would have: Jalapeños, Lettuce, Tomato, Sriracha Hot Sauce, Honey Mustard, Avocado/Guacamole, Sautéed Mushrooms and some crumbled Blue Cheese. It would be like a foot tall, really. Maybe I’d throw a fried Egg on for added Protein too. Is that too decadent? Is it?!? I also recently accidentally discovered Salsa on Fries and it is incredible!
@CTRice asks, “What was the first screening you ever saw?”.
Hi Tristan (Scene Creek, everybody!!!), I could never forget my first Screening. It was back in April 1996, Jane Eyre at Alliance-Atlantis Cumberland 4. My Cousin Nancy had won passes and we were going to trek Downtown from Scarborough for a Movie and some amazing Ice Cream at Mövenpick (Richtree Markets) after.
I remember getting into a huge misunderstanding with my Dad that day right in front of my Cousin who came over for Dinner about something terribly mundane. My Dad offered to wash dishes so I could hurry to the Movie and I asked, “Really!?” maybe perhaps a little too excited, which he interpreted as sarcasm but really it wasn’t! I basically got a lashing verbally for no reason and remember sobbing all the way to the theatre because I was embarrassed and two, I was looking forward to my first Screening for days and felt my night was ruined. By the time I got home, things were fine again.
It wasn’t a v. exciting Adaptation of Jane Eyre to be honest and obviously I’ve been to many more enjoyable Screenings ever since. It’s a miracle I wasn’t scarred from wanting to go to the Movies ever again!
@Typo_eh and Kathi on Facebook ask, “Who was your worst Celebrity experience?”.
Hi Siobhán!! Hi Kathi!! Are you guys psychically-linked or something?! Well, other than being shouted at by Ashley Judd after asking her nice and civil for a Photo, which then spilled over into a debacle on Twitter, I’d say the worst experience ever was Lady Gaga. A couple years ago I was being harassed daily by someone over E-mail and on my Blog. I had Tracking Reports pulled and he would view the same page over and over 20-30 times some nights in the wee hours of the morning. This Reader thought he’d do himself a favour and entertain himself by emailing Lady Gaga‘s Management a slanderous E-mail with my Photo, claiming that I was violent and dangerous, essentially getting me blacklisted when she visited Toronto.
Not realizing this, being the huge Fan I was, I asked her for a Photo upon exiting her Hotel amidst the hoards of Fans and Autograph Seekers. I cannot say that I enjoyed being shoved against a Topiary by her Security Guard Ed and once I recovered, he forcefully shoved me a second time as several eye witnesses watched. Of course, nobody genuinely cared as they were there to see Lady Gaga, admiring their Photos with her and their Autographs. It was particularly heart-breaking because I love her Music so much and at that point I had gone to every single Toronto Show she ever had, owning all her Singles and CDs. I had T-Shirts and Posters. I was gaga for Gaga.
This Jerk who has been chasing Celebrities for years, tried the same tactic multiple times, including a Jessica & Ashlee Simpson appearance at The Bay, which I actually was invited to in order to snap Photos in the Pit for my Blog. I was escorted out by Security once they matched a sent Photo with my face. Of course, another Blogger who absolutely despises me, caught wind of this and went to town, spreading word quickly that I was ejected from the Venue. Hmm.
I knew this was really getting serious when the Head of Security at a major American Network in New York City called me to clue me onto an E-mail he received from him regarding two Actors from the Network who were filming a TV Movie in Toronto. Of course, he knew right away that this Person’s intentions were malicious from the E-mail and just wanted to give me a heads-up out of the goodness of his heart. Multiple Publicists also reached out to me around that time regarding similar type E-mails, which thankfully they knew better than to believe.
Eventually, I got one step ahead of the game when a certain British Boy Band came to town. Their Security Guard noticed me, pulling me aside to show me one of these slanderous E-mails on his Phone. Low and behold, the Jerk showed-up also, hoping to get a Photo and like an episode of Cheaters, I outed him in front of everybody including the Band, who chimed-in, giving me hi-fives and encouragement. He was a mess and left in tears.
The messed-up thing is that after that occurrence, I’d receive messages from this Jerk threatening to inflict harm on himself because of my actions and he’d gone about posting my Home Address on Twitter. Essentially, I was being stalked and didn’t even know it. I and others know well that this Person is not mentally stable, so I feel bad even writing about this and bringing it up, but at this point I really don’t care anymore. And such a Drama needs to be heard because I get so many Tweets and messages from others who wish they were me because apparently my life is so perfect!
He’s left me alone ever since, but the damage has been done and I’m sure someone who didn’t know me better might have a skewed perception of me from what they’ve heard. Looking back though, I don’t know why I didn’t do more about it. I’ve moved on and hopefully he has found some sense of balance.
@CTRice asks, “Has a Celebrity ever denied to take a photo with you?”.
Impossible! LOL Just kidding, of course! I’ve been turned down before and it’s inevitable it will happen and I respect that, but I’d say one of the harsher Declines came from Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Once I was one-on-one with him and he chuckled at me and walked off after I asked nicely for a Photo. Hence, when I hear stories from those who have had positive experiences with him and what a great Guy he is, my eyes just roll.
Or how about running into Claire Danes at the Grocery Store only for her to react as if I had SARS or something when asking her for a Snap? She quite literally jumped three feet back. I saw her in the neighbourhood a few times after that and didn’t bother her again. That was fun. Some are nice when the Cameras are on, some value their Privacy more than others.
Of course, it’s the few who got away that I remember most when in reality a vast majority of Celebrities I’ve met have been more than nice and accommodating. Once, Nicole Kidman came over to take a Snap with me during TIFF and then some super-annoying Girl got in the way, getting her Photo and then Nicole was pulled away by her Handler. That hurt. And do you believe the Girl eventually found my Blog and had the audacity to ask me to remove the Photo I snapped of her and Nicole? Go away.
Last year Penélope Cruz said “yes” to the Photo but then suddenly changed her mind when her Publicist said she had to go. That hurt equally bad on a Nicolean level. I also met Julia Roberts once candidly and although she said “no” to the Photo she was still nice to chat and be kind, offering to sign an Autograph instead which still was gracious. She wrote “TO WILL, PEACE, JULIA“. That was “pretty” epic.
@apluswagvantage asks, “You despised the Celebrity’s Album/Movie/TV Show/Persona. How are you gracious when interviewing him/her?”.
Hi Charles! I generally don’t approach a Celebrity for a Photo unless I have some admiration for their Work, so that takes care of the forced graciousness thing, I guess! 🙂 Autographs are something I used to love collecting, but now I do it more for my Readers and help them experience a part of the magic when they can’t physically be there with me. The Photo-with means much more to me.
I have however been a part of Press Tours where the Talent promoting the Film literally are in the Movie for like one scene and it’s like pulling teeth to concoct something profound and throught-provoking to ask. That horrific feeling that you’re going to say something foolish… your palms get sweaty and your throat gets dry. At that point, you just have to take the reins and broaden the scope and somehow find something to connect and relate to about the Film. That’s happened more than a couple times!
Sari on Facebook asks, “Who was the nicest Celeb that you have met?”.
So many, Sari! Adele, Katy Perry, Linda Hamilton, Hugh Jackman, Jessica Chastain, Nia Vardalos, Colin Farrell, Colin Firth, Michael Fassbender, Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum, Michael Bublé, Abbie Cornish all go beyond and above the Call of Duty and consistently do it time and again! I even brought a tear to Adele’s eye letting her know how much her Music meant to me once. So personable!
I understand that the scale of Celebrity “niceness” often depends on how their day’s going, but these named individuals consistently wow me every time and I’m sure there are several more I’m neglecting.
Terri on Facebook asks, “Seems to me that in recent months you have achieved some of your childhood dreams….What dreams of Celebs or Events have still eluded you and what bigger dreams Mr. Will are you hoping to reach for?”.
Hey Terri! There is so much to accomplish still. The end goal is to continue building a groundbreaking Fan-centric Website and go-to source for Celebrities and Entertainment in Toronto. I am continually trying to expand my scope further and build new Partnerships for my Readers, getting them a taste of all that good stuff first! I aspire to do this full-time and slowly am getting there. One day we’ll perhaps have a more national presence even!
I’d love to attend the Oscars and Grammys one day as basically I live for those two, and I am kinda obsessed with the Golden Globes too! I’ve still never visited L.A. One day. My dream Interviews would be Natalie Portman, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway or Kate Winslet. I’ve met Mariah Carey before, but would really want to reflect on her Career with her over some Champagne. That would be perfect.
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You won’t believe your eyes! These new Stills were released for Grace of Monaco starring Nicole Kidman, a Film about Grace Kelly‘s involvement with Prince Rainier III (Tim Roth) and France’s dispute over tax laws in the ’60s. Directed by French Director Olivia Dahan, the Drama which currently is in Post-Production, has stirred-up some controversy among Kelly’s Children for being both historically inaccurate and over-glamourized.
Factual or not, we must see this and Kidman looks on-the-verge of yet another Award-worthy performance and it would appear this is exactly what Grace of Monaco‘s connections are gunning for with a December 2013 release. With The Weinstein Co. behind the Film in the U.S., it is possible we might see this at TIFF this September! Come on eOne Films, we know you’re packing some heat there!
See the brand new Stills below:
(Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.)
Fox Searchlight Canada and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary a chance to win Double Passes to the Advance Screening of Park Chan-Wook’s (Old Boy) Thriller, Stoker. Believe me, we’ve been waiting forever for this! The Toronto Screening takes place Thursday, February 28, 2013. Additional Screening dates/venues to be confirmed.
After India‘s (Mia Wasikowska) Father dies in an auto accident, her Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode), who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her emotionally unstable Mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman). Soon after his arrival, she comes to suspect this mysterious, charming Man has ulterior motives, but instead of feeling outrage or horror, this friendless girl becomes increasingly infatuated with him. Lucas Till, Alden Ehrenreich and Jackie Weaver star also.
Watch the eery Trailer in full below:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before February 20, 2013. You should also be following on Twitter too! Please remember to indicate your city of choice and if you have increased privacy settings on Facebook, ensure you leave me a way to get in touch!
Double your chances by Re-Tweeting the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/stokergiveaway @MRWILLW wants me to attend the Advance Screening of STOKER. Passes for VAN/CGY/TOR available.
Good luck!
Fox Searchlight releases STOKER in Toronto on March 1, 2013. Additional Cities to follow.
Visit the official Website for Stoker.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
“We don’t need to be friends… we’re family.”.
Creepy. Stoker borders uncomfortable territory in an emotionally-charged Triangle between widowed Mother Evie (Nicole Kidman), Daughter India (Mia Wasikowska) and Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode) who surfaces out of nowhere. India begins to suspect that Charlie‘s sudden arrival may have been triggered by ulterior motives, as the three of them become increasingly close to one another.
Chan-Wook Park (Old Boy) directs this rather awesome looking Thriller which before today wasn’t even on many of our radars. And get this, Prison Break Star Wentworth Miller, who worked together with Kidman on 2003’s The Human Stain, writes the Screenplay!
Watch the gripping Trailer below:
Fox Searchlight releases on March 1, 2013.
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)
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