HIGHWAYTOTHEMOON wins the Queenston Stakes, one of the season's first stepping stones to August's King's Plate. A huge weekend for jockey Rafael Hernandez and trainer @d_dracing, also taking Saturday's Fury Stakes with Piper's Gift. Gelding is a @CTHSOntario graduate.
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Mr. Will Wong
Official Fan Page for Toronto Entertainment & Food Personality Mr. Will Wong, multi-award winning Blogger and Photographer.
X: @mrwillw
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Calling all Toronto area Book Lovers, specifically "crimey" ones! We've got your chance to win a MOTIVE FESTIVAL Prize Pack! ![]()
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"Like" for an entry and tag a friend in the comments you're taking. Multiple entries allowed!![]()
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Details: www.mrwillwong.com/motive2026/
Happy Pride month! Toronto and Vancouver, your chance to see STOP! THAT! TRAIN! starring an A-List of Drag stars and of course RuPaul!![]()
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"Like" this post, indicate your city and tag a friend you're taking. Multiple entries allowed.![]()
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Details: ![]()
www.mrwillwong.com/stopthattrain/![]()
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Mongrel Media release 6.12.26.
Enter for a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of POWER BALLAD in Montreal and Vancouver!![]()
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"Like" this Post for an entry and tell us in the comments which City, and tag a friend in the comments you're bringing. Multiple entries permitted.![]()
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In theatres 6.5.26 via Cineplex Pictures.![]()
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Details: www.mrwillwong.com/powerballad
Such an amazing time at the 2026 @primevideoca Upfront. Amazon Canada presented their new innovations and programming slate, connecting advertisers with their audiences.![]()
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Chats with a very star-studded group:![]()
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•Michael Bublé![]()
•Drew Scott![]()
•Kyle Lowry![]()
•Taylor Rooks![]()
•Dawson and Jagger Glowatsky![]()
•Scott McGillivray![]()
•Nemo Zhou![]()
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www.instagram.com/p/DY4ibTbhhFT/
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now out on-demand and digitally. On Blu-ray and 4k Ultra HD 6.16.26 via @unipicsathome.![]()
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www.instagram.com/reel/DY1vRJnhnEW/?igsh=MWlkOW5hbzlkNXNocw==
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#TIFF18: “LIFE ITSELF” REVIEW
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
After dominating the TV landscape with This Is Us, Writer/Director Dan Fogelman has the big screen in his sights as he presented the World Premiere of Life Itself at TIFF. The Film is a multi-generational story revolving around two families and how they cope with tragedy, happiness and everything in-between.
Having watched This Is Us, I was prepared for melodrama, lengthy monologues and sheer moments of emotional devastation. All of these elements are accounted for over the course of Life Itself multiple times over, with some being a lot less effective than others. But what sets it apart from the popular Series is the pitch-black humour and surprisingly vulgar Script. Both are honest, unflinching and at times, shocking. The problem with all of this is that Fogelman never nails down a proper tone, which makes some scenes come off more awkward than they do genuine. The cast takes it in stride though, committing to every ludicrous plot turn Fogelman throws at them. Just be sure to bring a Kleenex box when you watch it.
Life, Itself screens on Saturday, September 9 at 6:30 PM at Roy Thomson Hall and 8:00 PM at Elgin Theatre, and Monday, September 10 at 9:30 AM at Elgin Theatre.
#TIFF18: “HALLOWEEN” REVIEW
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Director David Gordon Green unleashed Halloween and Michael Myers on TIFF audiences for the World Premiere earlier tonight, forty years after Director John Carpenter’s legendary Film. Despite that forty-year time gap, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) still is haunted by the murders committed by Myers (Nick Castle) to her family and friends. She has spent that time training and preparing for his return, praying he will be set free so she can take her revenge. And after Myers escapes from a bus crash and starts murdering local citizens, Laurie just might get her wish.
Halloween is a total blast from start to finish, full stop. Green and Co-Writer Danny McBride (yes, that Danny McBride) pay homage to the original Film and add plenty of references and endlessly entertaining in-jokes. But more importantly, they deliver a satisfying Sequel that feels very much in vein of the series, but still feels like a unique entry that builds and improves upon the existing foundations set in Carpenter’s legendary Film. They also deliver some of the gnarliest kills and most gruesome violence of the series – and this is a franchise that had Rob Zombie at the helm for a short period of time.
The scares are abundant, the score (co-written by Carpenter) is spectacular and the Supporting Cast is great in their roles. But the Film belongs to Curtis. She is a certified bad bitch who is not to be messed with, and she owns every moment she appears on-screen. And while there is nuance to some of her early scenes, the later scenes where she faces off against Michael Myers play out just as amazing as you hoped they would.
Halloween screens on Saturday, September 9 at 11:30 PM at Elgin Theatre and 11:59 PM at Winter Garden Theatre [World Premiere].
#TIFF18: DAY THREE – LADY GAGA, JAMIE LEE CURTIS, JULIANNE MOORE, VIOLA DAVIS, TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET, MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY, AMANDLA STENBERG + MORE
By Mr. Will Wong
We don’t recall a more explosive first Saturday at TIFF in recent memory! Several stars were out and about on Day Three of the Festival and your jaw will drop who we saw!
A STAR IS BORN – Lady Gaga
THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT – Alexander Skarsgård and Jesse Eisenberg
GLORIA BELL – John Turturro and Julianne Moore
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THE FRONT RUNNER – Hugh Jackman and Jason Reitman
HALLOWEEN – Jamie Lee Curtis
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🤞🖖#JamieLeeCurtis at #TIFF18 for #Halloween! #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
LIFE ITSELF – Annette Bening, Olivia Cooke and Mandy Patinkin
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – Stephan James, Kiki Layne and Barry Jenkins
PAPI CHULO – Matt Bomer
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#MattBomer at #TIFF18 for #PapiChulo. #TIFF #torontointernationalfilmfestival
WILD ROSE – Jessie Buckley and Mary Steenburgen
THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER – Maggie Gyllenhaal
THE SISTERS BROTHERS – Riz Ahmed
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#RizAhmed at #TIFF18 for #TheSistersBrothers. #torontointernationalfilmfestival #TIFF
WIDOWS – Viola Davis and Daniel Kaluuya
INSTYLE MAGAZINE PARTY – traditionally the hottest party at the Festival!
THE HATE U GIVE – Amandla Stenberg
BEAUTIFUL BOY – Timothée Chalamet
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS – Kelly Marie Tran
(Photo credit: David Baldwin/Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF18: “GIANT LITTLE ONES” REVIEW
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Giant Little Ones follows two high school best friends whose friendship rapidly dissipates after something that happens after a party one night. It’s a Canadian Film and will have its World Premiere at TIFF ‘18 in the Special Presentations Programme.
Writer-Director Keith Behrman creates a steady pace to let the message and story unfold. He also captures what being in high school today looks and feels like. It also offers a great subtle performance by up-and-coming lead actor Josh Wiggins.
Giant Little Ones screens on Sunday, September 9, at 3:45 PM at Elgin and Monday, September 10, at 6:45PM at Scotiabank 4.
#TIFF18: “THROUGH THE BLACK SPRUCE” REVIEW
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Through Black Spruce follows the uncle and sister of a missing Indigenous woman. Her sister goes off to Toronto to find out what happened to her, while her uncle protects the rest of his family in Moosenee. and their quest to find out what happened to her. The Film is a Canadian film based on the novel by Joseph Boyden and it’s having its World Premiere at TIFF.
The Film thrives is displaying the missing and murdered Indigenous women issue Canada has been and continues to, experience. Tanaya Beatty, who plays Annie, the sister of the missing woman, is superb in her quest to learn about her sister, her disappearance, and herself.
Through Black Spruce screens Saturday, September 8 at 8:45PM at Winter Garden Theatre and Tuesday, September 11 at 9:45 PM at Scotiabank 4.
#TIFF18: “HOTEL MUMBAI” PRESS CONFERENCE
Photos and Words Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Hotel Mumbai had its Press Conference at the TIFF Bell Lightbox today. The Film depicts the terrorist attack that happened in Mumbai in 2008 and follows the victims and those who survived. Actors Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Jason Isaacs, Nazanin Boniadi, Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Anupam Kher were on hand along with Director Anthony Maras to talk about the film.
When asked about what the actors think the main takeaway from the Film is they all concluded that it was the message of inclusivity. Jason Issacs said “we are told we are divided by race and so on…but when the extential threat happens, the divides don’t exist.”.
Armie Hammer continued on with the theme of people coming together no matter how different they are. He also spoke to how the men who carried out the attack weren’t two dimensional in the Film, which was something that drew in to the Film. “The Script was dripping with humanity,” he said.
Hotel Mumbai screens at TIFF on Friday, September 7 at 6 PM at Princess Of Wales Theatre, Sunday, September 9 at 10 PM at Scotiabank 1 and Saturday, September 15 at 9:30 PM at Winter Garden Theatre.
#TIFF18: “WILD ROSE” REVIEW
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Rose-Lynn Harlan (2017 TIFF Rising Star Jessie Buckley) has always dreamed of becoming a country music star in Nashville, Tennessee. However, achieving her life’s dream seems like an impossible feat considering she is currently living in Glasgow, is a convicted criminal and a single mother of two. Wild Rose will have its World Premiere at TIFF in the Special Presentations category.
What make’s this Film stand out from other Country Music films is that it takes place somewhere you would never associate Country Music with, and it also has an unconventional lead character. Screenwriter Nicole Taylor has written a complex and authentic protagonist. And bonafide chameleon Jessie Buckley explodes Rose-Lynn on the screen like the most beautiful firework show.
Wild Rose will screen at TIFF Saturday, September 8 at 9:30 PM at Ryerson Theatre and Monday, September 10 at 3:15 PM at Scotiabank 1.
#TIFF18: “FREAKS” REVIEW
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Freaks follows a daughter (Lexy Kolker) who is kept captive to her house by her oppressive father (Emile Hirsch). When she finally breaks free from his restraints she realizes why he had protected her for years. It is a Canadian Film that will have its World Premiere at TIFF ’18 in the Discovery Programme.
This Film is a wild mix of genres (Sci-Fi, Thriller and Family Drama) which leads audiences on the thrilling ride of never knowing which direction it’s going to turn. It also has hilarious, layered and mysterious performances from Bruce Dern, Emilie Hirsch and young up-and-coming actress Lexy Kolker.
Freaks screens on Saturday, September 8 at 9:30 PM at Scotiabank 2, Monday, September 10, at 9:45 PM at Scotiabank 4, and Sunday, September 16 at 6:45 PM at Scotiabank 14.
#TIFF18: “FIRECRACKERS” REVIEW
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Firecrackers follows two young women who are desperate to leave their repressive small town. The night before they planned to leave, something happens that challenges their friendship and threatens their freedom. This is the Feature debut for Canadian Director Jasmin Mozaffari, and will have its World Premiere at TIFF ‘18 in the Discovery Programme.
Writer-Director Mozaffari does a wonderful job in creating multi-layered characters and delicately bringing them to life. TIFF Rising Star Michaela Kurimsky gives an explosive performance as the fiery and fearless Lou. She has captivating chemistry with co-star Karena Evans who plays the downhearted and free-spirit Chantal.
Firecrackers screens Saturday, September 8 at 6:45PM at Scotiabank 2 and Monday, September 10 at 4:30PM at Scotiabank 14
#TIFF18: “THE FRONT RUNNER” REVIEW
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
After debuting at Teluride last week, Toronto favourite Jason Reitman has brought his second film of the year, The Front Runner, to TIFF for its Canadian premiere. The Film tells the story of US Senator Gary Hart (Hugh Jackman), a one-time presidential hopeful in the three weeks leading up to the Democratic National Convention. Hart is the front runner to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States, but when the Miami Herald uncovers an extramarital affair, it will change the way the news reports on politics.
The Front Runner is downright fascinating in how it examines how news is reported, while asking deeper questions about morality and ethics. Reitman is at the height of his directorial powers here, shooting sweeping one-take shots with ease and focusing on an ever-growing ensemble of incredible talent — with Jackman in one of his most electric roles to date. The newsroom scenes are particularly terrific, but once the affair is uncovered, the film seems to get bogged down in mundane melodrama and begins to dramatically deflate. By the time the Film ends, it becomes completely devoid of energy and importance, and never seems to answer the question of why we should care about the moment when the news cycle was irrevocably changed forever. And if that was not disappointing enough, the Film criminally underutilizes Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons, which is quite simply unacceptable.
The Front Runner screens Saturday, September 8 at 6:30PM at Ryerson Theatre, Sunday, September 9 at 12:30PM at Elgin Theatre, Friday, September 14 at 1:00PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox and Saturday, September 15 at 6:00PM at Ryerson Theatre.
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