Touchwood PR, a renowned leader in the entertainment industry today announced its acquisition of rock-It promotions, one of Canada’s most respected lifestyle and event publicity agencies. This strategic step combines the strengths and connections of two powerhouse firms, expanding their capabilities and reach across the entertainment, arts, and lifestyle industries. The newly unified team will begin operations under the Touchwood PR name effective immediately, ensuring a seamless transition for all clients. For more information on Touchwood PR, visit touchwoodpr.com.

The acquisition underscores Touchwood PR’s vision to be a multifaceted leader in communications, offering clients a one-stop solution for their publicity needs. Founded in 2009, Touchwood PR has built an exceptional reputation for its work in film, television, and entertainment, representing leading festivals and events, film distribution companies, streamers and prominent actors and directors. Rock-It Promotions, with its creative approach to lifestyle and event PR, has brought campaigns to life for iconic brands and events across Canada for the past 25 years. Together, these two agencies bring unparalleled expertise, creativity, and client service under one roof.

“Acquiring rock-It promotions marks an exciting new chapter for Touchwood PR,” said Andréa Grau, Founder and Owner of Touchwood PR. “Deb and I have had a personal and professional friendship over the span of our 25+ year careers, and our deep trust and respect for one another makes this decision easy. This evolution for Touchwood strengthens our ongoing commitment to broadening our services and enhancing the value we offer our clients.”

“On January 1, rock-it promotions celebrated its 25th anniversary, a milestone I’m incredibly proud of,” said Debra Goldblatt-Sadowski. “Since launching in 2000, I’ve had the great privilege of working with amazing partners, staff, and clients who have made this journey so rewarding. As we confidently begin this new phase with Touchwood, I couldn’t be more thrilled. Joining Andréa, a fellow female founder who I admire and respect, and joining their talented team as a Senior Consultant, is a wonderful opportunity to support and contribute to Touchwood’s continued growth and success. I’m honoured to be part of this new adventure and very excited for the future.”

In 2021, Touchwood PR acquired the award-winning website Shedoesthecity, a platform that spotlights the work and voices of women, trans and non-binary folks.

About Touchwood PR
Touchwood PR is a full-service firm specializing in publicity, promotions, corporate communications, and social media strategy. Founded in 2009 by industry veteran Andréa Grau, Touchwood PR has created thousands of innovative and engaging campaigns for a wide variety of North American and international clients including Cineplex Pictures, FAN EXPO Canada, Focus Features, Netflix, The National Ballet of Canada, MUBI, Departure Festival and Conference, Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, Sphere Films, Canadian Film Centre, among many others. Touchwood PR is committed to championing emerging and established creators and performers, as well as supporting business leaders and decision-makers in building a more diverse and equitable industry.

A lone, spectral woman shrouded entirely in black appears on a family’s front lawn without explanation and warns them “today’s the day.”

Where did she come from? What does she want? When will she leave? Only The Woman in the Yard knows.

From Blumhouse, the most successful global brand in horror, comes a new original chiller starring BAFTA and SAG nominee Danielle Deadwyler (Till, The Harder They Fall, The Piano Lesson) as Ramona, a woman crippled by grief after she survives a car accident that takes her husband (Russell Hornsby; BMF, Fences).

Seriously injured, Ramona now must care for their 14-year-old son (Peyton Jackson; Respect, American Refugee) and 6-year-old-daughter (Estella Kahiha; Will Trent, BMF), alone in her rural farmhouse.

Then one day the woman takes form in their yard.

Ramona assumes the woman (Okwui Okpokwasili; The Exorcist: Believer, Julie Taymor’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream) is lost or demented, but as the woman creeps nearer and nearer to the house, it becomes clear she is no ordinary figure and her intentions are anything but peaceful. Now Ramona must rally to protect herself and her children from the grasp of the woman who simply won’t leave them alone.

The Woman in the Yard is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Black Adam, Jungle Cruise), who recently directed Deadwyler in the upcoming action thriller Carry On. The film is written by first-time feature screenwriter Sam Stefanak.

The film is produced by Jason Blum, producer of The Invisible Man and The Black Phone, along with acclaimed Emmy nominated producer Stephanie Allain p.g.a. (The Exorcist: Believer, Hustle & Flow), and is executive produced by star Danielle Deadwyler, Jaume Collet-Serra, James Moran and Gabrielle Ebron.

Genre: Horror Thriller

Cast: Danielle Deadwyler, Okwui Okpokwasili, Russell Hornsby, Peyton Jackson, Estella Kahiha

Written by: Sam Stefanak

Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra

Producers: Jason Blum, Stephanie Allain p.g.a.

Executive Producers: Danielle Deadwyler, Jaume Collet-Serra, James Moran, Gabrielle Ebron

Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk face off once again in Marvel Television’s all-new series “Daredevil: Born Again,” premiering on Disney+ March 4, 2025 at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET. Check out the new Trailer!

In “Daredevil: Born Again,” Murdock, a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course.

The series also stars Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Wilson Bethel, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki M. James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, with Ayelet Zurer and Jon Bernthal. Dario Scardapane is showrunner. Episodes are directed by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Michael Cuesta, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, and David Boyd; and executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Sana Amanat, Chris Gary, Dario Scardapane, Matt Corman & Chris Ord, and Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead.

Set at the birth of Instagram, Apple Cider Vinegar follows two young women who set out to cure their life-threatening illnesses through health and wellness, influencing their global online communities along the way. All of which would be incredibly inspiring if it were all true.

This is a true-ish story based on a lie, about the rise and fall of a wellness empire; the culture that built it up and the people who tore it down.

ABOUT APPLE CIDER VINEGAR:

Director: Jeffrey Walker (The Clearing, The Artful Dodger, Modern Family)
Creator: Samantha Strauss
Writer: Samantha Strauss (The End, Nine Perfect Strangers, Dance Academy), with Anya Beyersdorf (The Twelve, Fake) and Angela Betzien (Total Control)
Inspired by: ‘The Woman Who Fooled the World’ by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano
Executive Producers: See-Saw Films’ Liz Watts, Helen Gregory, Emile Sherman and Iain Canning; Picking Scabs’ Samantha Strauss and Louise Gough; and Kaitlyn Dever
Producer: Yvonne Collins
Co-Producers: See-Saw Films’ Libby Sharpe
Co-Executive Producers: Jeffrey Walker; See-Saw Films’ Simon Gillis
Cast: Kaitlyn Dever (Dopesick, Unbelievable), Alycia Debnam-Carey (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Fear the Walking Dead) Aisha Dee (The Bold Type, Safe Home), Tilda Cobham-Hervey (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, I Am Woman), Ashley Zukerman (Succession), Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin), Susie Porter (Irreverent, Wentworth), Matt Nable (Transfusion, Last King of the Cross), Phoenix Raei (The Night Agent), Chai Hansen (Night Sky, The New Legends of Monkey), Richard Davies (Offspring), Kieran Darcy-Smith (Mr Inbetween), Catherine McClements (Total Control) and Essie Davis (The Babadook, Game of Thrones)
The limited series was shot on-location in Melbourne, Australia with support from VicScreen through their Victorian Production Fund. Post Production took place in NSW with support through Screen NSW and their PDV Fund.

Apple Cider Vinegar premieres February 6, 2025 only on Netflix.

Opening on January 16, 2025, AYLA marks a homecoming for the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo, Executive Chefs Danvee Kwok and Kevin Shawcross. The restaurant is the result of a shared vision between chefs Danvee and Kevin and co-owners, Craig Wong and Ivy Lam. This dynamic team first connected in Hong Kong, where their mutual respect and passion for food paved the way for this exciting collaboration.

“Working in Asia and in Barbados for so many years taught me the art of crafting menus that are unapologetically bold and deeply intentional,” says Chef and Co-Owner Kevin Shawcross. “With AYLA, we’re bringing that same spirit to Toronto, with homage to the culinary traditions of Hong Kong combined with the multicultural influences of this incredible city.”

The name AYLA, meaning “halo of light around the moon,” is inspired by a serendipitous friendship formed on Moon Street in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district, where Kevin and Craig first did a pop up together. This personal history informs the restaurant’s ethos, combining heritage with innovation.

Chefs Danvee and Kevin bring a wealth of experience to AYLA, having led kitchens in Vancouver, Japan, Barbados, and Hong Kong. Both formerly served as executive chefs for the acclaimed Black Sheep Restaurant Group in Asia. Their deep roots in Cantonese culinary traditions, paired with mastery of French, Japanese, Caribbean, and Mediterranean cuisines, shape a menu that is bold, global, and deeply personal. Signature dishes include Char Siu with Bajan green seasoning and cassareep glaze, Prawn Toast Okonomiyaki, and Mentaiko Tarama with nori and wild ikura.

“At AYLA, every dish, every detail reflects the creativity and global flavours we’ve come to love and crave over our years in the industry,” says Chef and Co-Owner Danvee Kwok.

Craig Wong, celebrated chef behind Patois and JunePlum, lends his visionary approach to storytelling through food, while Ivy Lam’s creative expertise has shaped AYLA’s identity. “Food has the power to tell stories and connect people to cultures, places, and moments in time,” says Co-Owner Craig Wong. “At AYLA, we draw inspiration from our neighbourhoods and the journeys that have shaped us around the globe. Each dish is a snapshot of those stories—fun, unexpected, and crafted with respect. It’s food meant to be shared, enjoyed the way we love to eat: together, with friends.”

The restaurant’s design pays homage to iconic films by Wong Kar-Wai, a nod to Hong Kong cinematography with warm mood lighting and vintage details. It’s a timeless and intimate space that encourages connection and storytelling. Guests can also enjoy an urban cityscape from the rooftop patio overlooking Dundas West, adding to the restaurant’s charm and allure. From its innovative menu to its cinematic design, AYLA is poised to become a new favourite for food lovers and culture seekers alike.

Reservations are now available through aylaupstairs.com/reserve

A preview of AYLA:

(Photo/video credit: Barb Simkova/Mr. Will Wong)

From Warner Bros. Pictures, “The Alto Knights” stars Academy Award winner Robert De Niro in a dual role, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson. The film follows two of New York’s most notorious organized crime bosses, Frank Costello (De Niro) and Vito Genovese (De Niro), as they vie for control of the city’s streets. Once the best of friends, petty jealousies and a series of betrayals place them on a deadly collision course that will reshape the Mafia (and America) forever.

“The Alto Knights” was written by Oscar nominee Nicholas Pileggi (“Goodfellas”) and produced by Oscar winner Irwin Winkler (“Rocky,” “Goodfellas”), Levinson, Jason Sosnoff, Charles Winkler and David Winkler, with Mike Drake executive producing. De Niro stars alongside Debra Messing (“Will & Grace”), Cosmo Jarvis (“Shōgun”), Kathrine Narducci (“The Irishman”), Michael Rispoli (“Billions”), Michael Adler (“Peppermint”), Ed Amatrudo (“Till,” “Nashville”), Joe Bacino (“Kick-Ass”), Anthony J. Gallo (“The Irishman”), Wallace Langham (“Ford v Ferrari”), Louis Mustillo (“Cooper’s Bar,” “Mike & Molly”), Frank Piccirillo, Matt Servitto (“Billions”) and Robert Uricola (“Raging Bull”).

Joining Levinson (“Rainman,” “Dopesick”) behind the camera are Oscar-nominated director of photography Dante Spinotti (“The Insider,” “L.A. Confidential”), production designer Neil Spisak (the “Spider-Man” films, “Dopesick”), Oscar-nominated editor Douglas Crise (“Babel,” “Dopesick”), Oscar[1]nominated costume designer Jeffrey Kurland (“Bullets Over Broadway,” “Tenet”), award-winning casting director Ellen Chenoweth (“Past Lives”) and composer David Fleming (“Hillbilly Elegy,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”). Warner Bros. Pictures Presents an Irwin Winkler Production, a Barry Levinson Film, “The Alto Knights.”

The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures worldwide and released in theatres on March 2025.

Canada — the 51st state? Maybe not so much. Interesting times, eh? Good thing we’re not only polite, we are tough as the pre-Cambrian Shield. And fortunately that includes our filmmakers. They know how to keep hope and inspiration alive even if it’s cold and dark outside.

National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) returns on April 16, 2025, with a programming Spotlight on Canadian films that are sure to give you a sense of connection, strength, and hope. The 2025 Spotlight – Something to Believe In – includes stories that capture the power of art, of community, of having a dream, and of fighting for what you believe in.

We are honoured to announce that Canada’s Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon has granted viceregal patronage to National Canadian Film Day again this year.

CanFilmDay and this year’s Spotlight list provide Canadians an opportunity to gather together to indulge in some of Canada’s best cinema. The Spotlight showcases Canadian favourites old and new, including some of the top films from 2024 festivals, such as:

Universal Language – dir. Matthew Rankin – Canada’s submission to the 2025 Academy Awards

Bergers (Shepherds) – dir. Sophie Deraspe – winner of the Best Canadian Feature Film Award at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival

Yintah – dir. Jennifer Wickham (Wet’suwet’en), Brenda Michell (Wet’suwet’en), Michael Toledano – winner of the Best Canadian Documentary Award at the 2024 Hot Docs Festival
In addition to recent festival highlights, the 2025 programming will also include special anniversary screenings of some of Canada’s most beloved films, such as:

Oscar-winning documentary The Man Who Skied Down Everest, directed by Bruce Nyznik and Lawrence Schiller, celebrating its 50th anniversary

Sunshine, directed by István Szabó, nominated for 14 Genie Awards (winning Best Picture) and 3 Golden Globes, celebrating its 25th anniversary

Alan Zweig’s cult favourite documentary Vinyl, celebrating its 25th anniversary

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen, directed by Don Owen and Donald Brittain, released 60 years ago

C.R.A.Z.Y., the instant classic by the late, Oscar-nominated Jean-Marc Vallée, having its 20th anniversary

Clement Virgo’s Rude, winner of the Best Canadian Feature Film Award and a Special Jury Citation at the 1995 Toronto International Film Festival, released 30 years ago

You can browse the full list of films at canfilmday.ca/spotlight.

As always, CanFilmDay will reach across Canada and around the world with free in-person events hosted by hundreds of screening partners in communities big and small. And our broadcast and streaming partners don’t want you to miss the party – they’ll be programming Canadian films to enjoy from the comfort of your couch.

As we’ve done for the past eleven years, there will be a variety of different activities, and programming for audiences young and old:

Screenings at film festivals, cinemas, libraries, community centres, schools, friendship centres, retirement residences, art galleries, military bases and more

Filmmaker and special guest Q&As following many of the films

Hundreds of screenings of Indigenous-made films, including a special tribute to the late Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair

A variety of French-language programming screened for both Francophone and Anglophone communities nationwide

Events around the world in partnership with Global Affairs Canada

Our annual livestream for 15,000+ high school students

A wealth of great Canadian films to watch from home, thanks to our many broadcast and streaming partners

And much more – so look out for more announcements in the coming weeks

If you’d like to host a free event for your community, visit canfilmday.ca/register and sign up today.

Visit canfilmday.ca for more information in the lead-up to April 16. You can also find us on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram: @CanFilmDay and #CanFilmDay.

Video game adaptations have become a big thing in TV and film in recent years. Recent reports suggest that the James Bond origin story, made by IO Interactive (makers of Hitman), could still be years away. But even if we don’t get to play as Bond in his Aston Martin or playing roulette at a casino, there are some intriguing movies to look forward to.

Metal Gear Solid

Based on the legendary game, director Jordan Vogt-Roberts is working on a Metal Gear Solid adaptation. Vogt-Roberts is known for The Kings of Summer and Kong: Skull Island. The film is only in pre-production so we might have to wait until 2026. According to IMDb, Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima had suggested a few stars for the role of Solid Snake: Luca Marinelli, Viggo Mortensen, and Hugh Jackman. Eventually, Oscar Isaac was cast. The plot summary reads, as per IMDb, “An advanced tank is stolen by a terrorist group and an elite soldier, Solid Snake, is dispatched to retrieve it.”

Watch Dogs

Watch Dogs is in pre-production. Chief character Aiden Pierce will use his phone to take over an operating system in Chicago. The staff of writers includes Rhett Reese, Sean O’Keefe, and Jonathan Herman, who worked on The Talented Mr. Ripley. Watch Dogs and Watch Dogs 2 both scored highly with the critics, with 80 and 82 Metascores on Metacritic. The film is set to star Sophie Wilde, who won the AACTA Award for Best Actress for her part in the horror film Talk to Me.

Halo

There aren’t many details on the Halo adaptation yet, but there’ll be millions of fans waiting to see it. Way back in 2005, Alex Garland, known for the films Ex Machina and Annihilation, was paid $1 million by Microsoft to write a script, which was sold to Universal for $10 million. In 2006, D. B. Weiss and Josh Olson rewrote the script. The project has halted and restarted multiple times and the rights have since returned to Microsoft.

The games have already spawned a TV series that ran from 2022 to 2024. The series was enjoyed by fans and critics, and currently holds a 7.3/10 on IMDb, but it was cancelled by Paramount+ in mid-2024. Paramount+ said they were “extremely proud of this ambitious series”. Steven Spielberg was among the executive producers. Pablo Shreiber starred as Master Chief. No casting news for the film is available yet. 

The best game adaptation ever?

Earlier this year, Vulture updated their list of every video game movie ranked. The number 1 spot went to Werewolves Within (2021), which was called a “fun little genre comedy”. They praised the cast, including Michaela Watkins and Harvey Guillen. Vulture called Postal the worst adaptation of all time. 

Last word

There probably won’t be a James Bond movie anytime soon, but 2025 could be the year of some particularly exciting video game movies. There’s plenty of source material for Metal Gear Solid and Watch Dogs, and maybe we’ll finally get to see that Halo film.

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto and Montreal a chance to attend an Advance Screening of DOG MAN!

Screening take place January 25, 2025 at the following:

·         Toronto: Scotiabank Theatre 

·         Montreal EN: Cinema Banque Scotia

·         Montreal FR: Cinema Starcite

Synopsis:

Part dog, part man, all hero. 

From DreamWorks Animation—creators of the beloved blockbuster franchises Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and The Boss Baby—comes the canine-crime-fighting film adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s New York Times bestselling literary phenomenon: Dog Man. 

When a faithful police dog and his human police officer owner are injured together on the job, a harebrained but life-saving surgery fuses the two of them together and Dog Man is born. Dog Man is sworn to protect and serve—and fetch, sit and roll over.  

As Dog Man embraces his new identity and strives to impress his Chief (Lil Rel Howery, Get Out, Free Guy), he must stop the pretty evil plots of feline supervillain Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson; Saturday Night Live, The King of Staten Island). Petey’s latest plan is to clone himself, creating the kitten Lil Petey, to double his ability to do crime stuff. Things get complicated, though, when Lil Petey forges an unexpected bond with Dog Man. 

When Lil Petey falls into the clutches of a common enemy, Dog Man and Petey reluctantly join forces in an action-packed race against time to rescue the young kitten. In the process, they discover the power of family (and kittens!) to bring even the most hostile foes together.  

Dog Man also stars Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers, Rango) as TV reporter Sarah Hatoff; Poppy Liu (Hacks, The Afterparty) as Petey’s assistant, Butler; Emmy nominee Stephen Root (Barry, King of the Hill) as Grampa; Billy Boyd (theLord of the Rings franchise, Seed of Chucky) as Sarah’s cameraman, Seamus; and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Ricky Gervais (The Office, Extras) as Flippy the fish.  

Dog Man is directed by Emmy winner Peter Hastings (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness), whose credits include the groundbreaking animated series Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain. The film is produced by Karen Foster (Spirit Untamed), who served as co-producer on DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon. 

Launched in 2016 by Dav Pilkey—the #1 global bestselling author and award-winning illustrator of the Captain Underpants books—the Dog Man Scholastic series now includes 12 books. The series has more than 60 million copies in print and has been translated into 47 languages. Cat Kid Comic Club, a spin-off of Dog Man launched in 2020, has also topped bestseller lists around the world. The most recent Dog Man book, Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea, was overall the #1 bestselling children’s book in the U.S. in 2023, across all children’s formats and ages. Pilkey’s newest book in the Dog Man Series, Dog Man: Big Jim Begins, is set to release on December 3, 2024.

DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man will be distributed by Universal Pictures.

Genre: Animated Action Comedy

Cast: Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, Isla Fisher, Poppy Liu, Stephen Root, Billy Boyd and Ricky Gervais

Based on: Dog Man book series by Dav Pilkey

Director: Peter Hastings 

Producer: Karen Foster

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. In the comments, indicate which city you are signing up for and if applicable, the language of the screening please. As this is a Saturday morning screening, we recognize you might need four tickets total. If so please specify in the comments on Facebook.

Rules and regulations here.

Universal Pictures Canada release DOG MAN January 31, 2025.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA debuts atop the Box Office this weekend taking $14 million for Lionsgate/VVS Films, from 3,008 theatres. Its 2018 predecessor opened similarly but in the number two spot, with $15 million. Critically, it improves upon its previous film with a 61% on the Tomatometer.

In second is MUFASA: THE LION KING, with $13 million from 3,620 theatres, a total $188.5 million grossed for Disney over four weekends.

Third is SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 with $9.2 million from 3,582 theatres for Paramount Pictures, bringing its four week run to $202 million domestically.

Taking fourth is NOSFERATU with $6.8 million from 3,082 theatres for Focus Features/Universal Pictures, a tally of $81.8 million for the Robert Eggers Horror.

Rounding it all out is MOANA 2 with $4.8 million, a total run of $433.1 million in North America for Disney.