“I have to remember who did this to me.”

We’ve always wondered why it is Nicole Kidman doesn’t do Thrillers more often. That long, pensive gaze and porcelain complexion are just perfect for it. We actually are rather delighted to see her in Before I Go to Sleep, due in select theatres this Halloween!  There are so many question marks watching its Trailer and we can’t help but be intrigued…

Official Synopsis:
Ten years earlier, Christine Lucas (Nicole Kidman) was beaten nearly to death in a hotel room. She has no memory of the incident, but since then, she wakes up every day with no memory of the day before. Her husband Ben (Colin Firth) posts photographs on the bathroom mirror to help her understand who she is each day when she wakes up.

Christine is contacted each morning by Dr. Nash (Mark Strong), a therapist who is trying to help her regain some of her memories, including the fateful night she was nearly killed so they can identify the man who attacked her. He encourages her to keep a video diary so she can review it each day and remember things so she doesn’t have to start fresh from the beginning every day.

As memories return to her, Christine realizes she has a son and when Ben denies this, as well as other memories, she begins to question whether he’s trying to keep her from remembering her past. He denies more of her memories, which lead her to wonder why. She starts to suspect Ben of not being who he says he is.

See the Trailer:

“Everything I do or say is wrong. Everything.”.

The perpetual delays with the release GRACE OF MONACO are destroying my soul, but I received a slight glimmer of hope today after learning of this brand-new HD Trailer for the Grace Kelly Biopic starring Nicole Kidman! It is baffling me why it is that this amazing-looking Drama originally scheduled for a 2013 release, keeps getting pushed back.

At one point, it was to be released mid-March, and now that is no longer. Kidman looks in top-form based on these clips. PHENOMENAL.

I don’t care what Kelly‘s Family thinks and I don’t care if it’s completely factually-inaccurate, just release this so I can basically stare at a stunning and emotionally-tortured Nicole Kidman for two hours!!!!  Is that asking too much!?!?!

*mic drop*

Watch the Trailer below:

eOne Films release GRACE OF MONACO… I don’t know when!

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

It was a memorable year indeed! Join me as I recall some of 2013’s brightest moments in Celebrity, Film and Music with a Toronto twist! As a true Connoisseur of Pop Culture, I certainly was  spoiled with several delights this year on all three fronts.  Toronto  witnessed what could well be the strongest years this City ever has seen in terms of Star Power. Also, as an experienced Digital Photographer of sorts, I am sharing some of my favourite Snaps taken around the City this year too. If you’re a #NOFILTER kinda Guy or Gal, I apologize! A few of them are Horse-related, spending many of my weekends at scenic Woodbine Racetrack, my fave Place since Childhood to escape and recharge from the City.  Come Wongsters, let us walk down this luminous Memory Lane together!

TOP TEN SONGS OF 2013

2013 was solid for Pop Music  and I was thrilled to hear a return to great, strong melodies. What a year it was for Miley Cyrus who not only wowed us with We Can’t Stop, but slayed us hard with Wrecking Ball!  Coming in like a Wrecking Ball she managed to turn all eyes her way in a year which saw Albums released from some Marquee names like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and more. Lana Del Rey put us in a state of euphoria this Spring with her chilling Ballad for The Great Gatsby, Young & Beautiful.  Flawless and timeless.  Mariah Carey and Miguel provided much of the Soundtrack for my early Summer with their gorgeous Collabo #Beautiful, while Robin Thicke undisputedly had the Song of Summer 2013 with Blurred Lines.  His Album of the same name easily is my favourite Disc of 2013.

1. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
2. Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautitul
3. Mariah Carey ft. Miguel – #Beautiful
4. Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
5. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
6. Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines
7. Capital Cities – Safe and Sound
8. Katy Perry – Roar
9. Icona Pop – I Love It
10. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love

Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2013

I don’t recall a year in recent memory where the Films were quite as strong as this year.  It is as if Filmmakers have studied critiques, knew precisely what to avoid and owned it. Time after time I’d make it out to the morning Media Screenings and just when I thought I’d seen my favourite Film of 2013, another would come along and usurp the throne.  In all, AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club would leave the strongest imprint with Jared Leto touching the core of my soul with his phenomenal performance. 12 Years a Slave left me shaken and speechless and made it really tough to decide a Fave. Saving Mr. Banks truly affected and inspired me, moving me to tears and I could never forget Cate Blanchett‘s empathic portrayal of a Woman battling her own demons in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine.  And yes, I really loved Spring Breakers.  James Franco is just on another level.

1. Dallas Buyers Club
2. 12 Years a Slave
3. American Hustle
4. Blue Jasmine
5. Saving Mr. Banks
6. Gravity
7. 42
8. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
9. Enough Said
10. Spring Breakers

Watch the Trailer for Dallas Buyers Club below:

TOP CELEBRITY MOMENTS

It was a good bloody amazing year.  My experience in New York City seeing the Met Gala is unforgettable, as a revolving door of Celebrities came my direction. I didn’t even know which way to go or who to ask first for a Photo! TIFF ’13 brought me several amazing memories finally getting to meeting one of my favourite Actresses, Nicole Kidman – not to mention getting to meeting personal Heroes Seth McFarlane, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Baz Luhrmann and several more throughout the year.  My ultimate Highlight however was finally after 15 tries, getting my Lady Gaga moment in November!

As seen top to bottom, left to right in the above Collage are:

Supermodel Cara Delevingne, Shoe Visionary Christian Louboutin, Actress Mia Wasikowska, Actor Jesse Eisenberg, Actor Kit Harington, Astronaut  Chris Hadfield, Singer/Songwriter Lorde, Singer/Songwriter Robin Thicke, Television Personality/Actress Kelly Ripa, Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart.

Director Baz Luhrmann, Actress Emma Thompson, Singer/Actress Ariana Grande, Actress Léa Seydoux, Actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, Actress Toni Collette, Singer/Songwriter Lady Gaga,  Singer Kylie Minogue, Actress Nicole Kidman, Actress/Singer Selena Gomez.

Writer/Actor Mike Myers, Comedian, Writer/Actor Seth MacFarlane, Writer/Actor Seth Meyers, Writer/Actor Jim Carrey, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actress Taylor Schilling, Singer/Songwriter/Fashion Mogul Pharrell, Television Personality/Actress Rosie O’Donnell, Kentucky Derby-winning Jockey Joel Rosario, Breeders Cup Classic-winning Jockey/Actor Gary Stevens.

Spice Girl/Actress Mel B., Actor Armie Hammer, Actress Kerry Washington, Actor Sam Rockwell, Actor Nicholas Hoult, Actor Tom Hiddleston, Actor Adam Driver, Actor Josh Brolin,  Actor Daniel Radcliffe, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actor Sam Claflin, Actress Jena Malone.

TOP SNAPS

And now the ten best Photos of 2013 snapped through my lenses (Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5):

I truly am blessed and can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for us here in this sight-filled City of Tastemakers!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

My love for Nicole Kidman knows no limits, so you can image the loud squeal of delight I let-out after discovering that she had landed the plum Cover for the December 2013 Issue of VANITY FAIR – just our first taste of the promotional machine that will soon be in high-gear for her Oscar Vehicle, GRACE OF MONACO. This is the Goddess’ SEVENTH time covering the Magazine and she reveals more than ever before about her relationships with Tom Cruise and Keith Urban to Contributing Editor, Sam Kashner.

Kidman dishes that she needed to grow-up and maybe wasn’t ready to be in a marriage at age 23.  She says, “And you know, with no disrespect to what I had with Tom, I’ve met my great love now. And I really did not know if that was going to happen. I wanted it, but I didn’t want it for a while, because I didn’t want to jump from one relationship to another. I had a lot of time alone, which was really, really good, because I was a child, really, when I got married. And I needed to grow up.”.

She also draws a parallel between her and Cruise in the ’90s as being similar to what Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are facing now. “There is something about that sort of existence that, if you really focus on each other and you’re in that bubble, it’s very intoxicating, because it’s just the two of you. And there is only one other person that’s going through it. So it brings you very close, and it’s deeply romantic. I’m sure Brad and Angelina have that—because there’s nobody else that understands it except that person who’s sleeping right next to you”, she says.

Kidman seems at-peace with herself and settled in her  life with Family in Nashville and this warms my heart immensely.  Read the Interview here.

See the stunning Cover below:

(Photo credit: Patrick Demarchelier/Vanity Fair)

Just one week after I met her at TIFF ’13, comes this delicious surprise – a Teaser Trailer for Grace of Monaco starring Nicole Kidman!  I cannot handle how gorgeous she looks!  My Queen!

  Check-out this 1:13 minutes of pure elegance.  Stunning.

Watch below:

The Weinstein Co. releases Grace of Monaco on Friday, November 27, 2013 in select cities.

(Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.)

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

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)