Since launching a couple years back, Kensington Market gem has positioned itself as one of the City’s truly great purveyors of Indian cuisine. Not only are they serving, they are reinventing it ingredient by ingredient with a commitment to wasting no food. Case in point, remnants from beetroots served innovatively in Kofta form, are transformed into a dust, served with one of their signature desserts, Pistachio Payasam. This is the level of intricate and granular thought and detail that goes into their Menu.

The Cottage Cheese has launched a new Summer 2024 Menu, with a thoughtful curated selection of Cocktails – the Hibiscus Margarita remains their topseller – and an unmissable drapy floral escape that is their charming patio.

So thrilled to get to attend a divine tasting, divided into three courses, and then the above mentioned sweet, meeting the key people behind this well-reviewed resto:

•Chef Vikash Chhetri
•Owner Pratik Parmar
•Manager Hari Dahal

Highlights for me – and there were many – included:

•Chicken Biryani (served in a sealed Naan Bowl), paired with a creamy Pineapple Raita

•Fried Okra with a side of Chermoula Sauce – this is Parmar‘s favourite as well, perfect to usher in the Summer

•British Chicken Tikka Masala, classic and flavourful

•Pistachio Payasam – a creamy, classic rice pudding-like dessert with pleasing textures

A recap of our evening:

THE COTTAGE CHEESE is located at Kensington Market, 64 Oxford St.

IG: @thecottagecheeseto

Website: https://www.thecottagecheese.ca

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The acclaim for Comedy BABES is universal! The Film is the directorial debut of Actor Pamela Adlon, starring two heavyweights of Comedy, Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau, exploring the changing dynamic between two best friends after one of them becomes pregnant unexpectedly.

Toronto got a huge surprise tonight with Glazer coming in to do an intro for the Film at Scotiabank Theatre, where a special Advance Screening was held. Glazer currently is on-tour with her Ilana Glazer Live! Show, which just did a two-night run in Toronto earlier this month. So generous of her to make time for Toronto, whom have always shown her love, and she looked so gorgeous and chic!

Glazer will be doing some press tomorrow so stay tuned as she’s schedule to hit-up some of our biggest programs starting with BT!

Some highlights from tonight. Would you believe Glazer complimented me on my skin? She’s so sweet!

Our Review of BABES is ready to pop! Elevation Pictures release it in theatres Friday, May 24, 2024!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Elevation Pictures)

Samsonite Canada, the leader in travel luggage, proudly announces the Canadian launch of its 2024 campaign, “Bring It”. Created with global creative network Iris, the campaign urges travellers to embark on adventures to uncharted territories near and far, with confidence. “Bring It” is an attitude shared by all individuals who travel knowing that Samsonite will provide them with timeless style, unmatched durability, and lightweight offerings.

The perfect compliment to their new partnership with Canadian beach volleyball Olympian Brandie Wilkerson aptly titled “Bring On the Journey”, “Bring It” invites Canadian travellers to embark on a journey of discovery, exploring the rich history and innovative spirit that have defined Samsonite for over a century.

“The ‘Bring It’ campaign pays tribute to our legacy of innovation, while showcasing how Samsonite’s collections give travellers unwavering confidence on their journeys”, says Erin Reynolds, Brand Manager at Samsonite Canada. “Brandie is famous for regularly taking flight on the beach volleyball court, which she will be doing at the Paris Olympics this summer. Showcasing her truly phenomenal talents alongside our own products’ lightweight stories made this partnership an undeniable fit.”

Samsonite not only leads in product innovation, but also continuously pushes the boundaries of advertising. The “Bring It” campaign exemplifies this commitment by harnessing cutting-edge technology in virtual production; integrating LED screens to create immersive, surrealist worlds. This forward-thinking approach spotlights the product benefits in captivating environments, proving no destination is too great for Samsonite. The fantastical worlds drew inspiration from Samsonite’s iconic advertising history, notably the 1982 “Survivor” campaign illustrated by George I. Parrish Jr.

Launching throughout 2024, the three-part campaign series will spotlight three distinct collections in retro-futuristic locations, each highlighting the products’ unique features.

The first segment, “Bring On Gravity”, features the lightweight Proxis, with its Roxkin™ outer shell, offering exceptional strength and resilience that seemingly floats among the clouds. Launching in June, the Ecodiver is crafted from water-resistant fabrics with Recyclex™ technology, setting a new standard in casual travel from urban streets to lush landscapes. Rounding out the “Bring It” series this fall, the durable Outline Pro polypropylene collection boasts an elevated design in multiple colour options in a Mars-inspired setting.

For more information about Samsonite’s “Bring It” campaign and to join the journey, visit Samsonite.ca.

For more information about Samsonite Canada’s “Bring On the Journey” partnership with Canadian Olympian Brandie Wilkerson, visit Samsonite.ca/en/samsonite-brandie-wilkerson.

Netflix has officially revealed the first look video of Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia in the upcoming The Witcher Season 4.

S4 Logline: After the shocking, Continent-altering events that close out season three, the new season follows Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri who are faced with traversing the war-ravaged Continent and its many demons apart from each other. If they can embrace and lead the groups of misfits they find themselves in, they have a chance of surviving the baptism of fire and finding one another again.

Cast: Liam Hemsworth (Geralt of Rivia), Anya Chalotra (Yennefer of Vengerberg), Freya Allan (Princess Cirilla of Cintra), Joey Batey (Jaskier), Laurence Fishburne (Regis) Eamon Farren (Cahir), Anna Shaffer (Triss Merigold), Mimî M Khayisa (Fringilla), Cassie Clare (Philippa), Mahesh Jadu (Vilgefortz), Meng’er Zhang (Milva), Graham McTavish (Dijkstra), Royce Pierreson (Istredd), Mecia Simson (Francesca), Sharlto Copley (Leo Bonhart), Danny Woodburn (Zoltan), Jeremy Crawford (Yarpen), Bart Edwards (Emhyr), Hugh Skinner (Radovid), James Purefoy (Skellen), Christelle Elwin (Mistle), Fabian McCallum (Kayleigh), Juliette Alexandra (Reef), Ben Radcliffe (Giselher), Connor Crawford (Asse), Aggy K. Adams (Iskra), Linden Porco (Percival Schuttenbach), Therica Wilson-Read (Sabrina), Rochelle Rose (Margarita), Safiyya Ingar (Keira)
Creator / Showrunner / Executive Producer: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
Writers: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (401), Tania Lotia (402), Rae Benjamin (403), Troy Dangerfield (404), Matthew D’Ambrosio (405), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (406), Clare Higgins (407), Mike Ostrowski (408)
Directors: Sergio Mimica-Gezzan (401 & 402), Tricia Brock (403 & 404), Alex Garcia Lopez (405 & 406), Jeremy Webb (407 & 408)
Executive Producers: Steve Gaub, Mike Ostrowski, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Platige Films (Tomek Baginski and Jarek Sawko), Hivemind Content (Jason Brown and Sean Daniel)

Today Netflix announced the start of production in Calgary on Season 1 of The Abandons, a pulse-pounding action drama set in the West from Kurt Sutter via his SutterInk banner.

Quote from Kurt Sutter, as told to Tudum.com: “I am fascinated by the metamorphosis of good into evil. What must transpire to drive the morally sound to become the dangerously corrupt. The Abandons explores those complex compromises through the most powerful human instinct — the love and protection of mothers.”

Logline: As a group of diverse, outlier families pursue their Manifest Destiny in 1850s Oregon, a corrupt force of wealth and power, coveting their land, tries to force them out. These abandoned souls, the kind of lost souls living on the fringe of society, unite their tribes to form a family and fight back. In this bloody process, “justice” is stretched beyond the boundaries of the law. The Abandons will explore that fine line between survival and law, the consequences of violence, and the corrosive power of secrets, as this family fights to keep their land.

Creator / Showrunner / Executive Producer: Kurt Sutter

Executive Producers: Stephen Surjik, Otto Bathurst, Emmy Grinwis, Jon Paré, Robert Askins (Co-Executive Producer)

Cast: Lena Headey, Gillian Anderson, Nick Robinson, Diana Silvers, Lamar Johnson, Natalia del Riego, Lucas Till, Aisling Franciosi, Toby Hemingway, Michael Greyeyes, Ryan Hurst, Katelyn Wells, Clayton Cardenas, Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, Brían F. O’Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Patton Oswalt, Michael Ornstein, Jonathan Koensgen, Jack Doolan, Michiel Huisman, Haig Sutherland and Sarah White.

Today we get a new Trailer for eagerly-awaited Documentary I AM: CELINE DION, coming to Prime Video Canada June 25, 2024.

The brand new Poster below:

Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor, I AM: CELINE DION gives us a raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at the iconic superstar’s struggle with a life-altering illness. Serving as a love letter to her fans, this inspirational documentary highlights the music that has guided her life while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.

I AM: CELINE DION is presented by Amazon MGM Studios and is a Vermilion Films production in partnership with Sony Music Vision and Sony Music Entertainment Canada.

Directed by Irene Taylor

Produced by Stacy Lorts, Tom Mackay, Julie Begey Seureau and Irene Taylor

Executive produced by Dave Platel, Denis Savage, Shane Carter, Krista Wegener

Runtime: 102 minutes

Rated: PG

MTV has announced that Canadian Nelly Furtado will take to the stage at Isle of MTV Malta 2024. Held on Tuesday, 16, 2024 July, international fan-favourite Furtado joins previously announced DJ Snake and RAYE, completing a supercharged line-up for the free, open-air festival. Fans can now secure tickets to the event via the Isle of MTV website.

Multi-talented musician and singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado has over 20B+ global streams and 35M+ worldwide album sales. A globally-respected entertainer, her iconic career has spawned three platinum or multi-platinum albums (Loose, Whoa Nelly and Folklore) and sold-out arena shows across the globe. Furtado has scored three No.1 tracks on the Billboard Hot 100, whilst her first Spanish-language album Mi Plan charted at No. 1 on the US Latin Billboard Chart and won her the Latin GRAMMY for Best Female Pop Vocal. Having teamed up with dance music giant Dom Dolla for their Summer anthem Eat Your Man in 2023, Furtado recently reunited with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake on the hit song Keep Going Up, 16 years after the trio’s massive single Give It To Me. Meanwhile, Furtado has been busy in the studio, setting the stage for a spectacular set at Isle of MTV Malta.

Over its 15 editions, Isle of MTV Malta has brought tens of thousands of music fans to the square every year to enjoy show-stopping performances from the world’s biggest stars, including Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, David Guetta and Alesso.

The event will livestream on Pluto TV on Tuesday, July 16th and be broadcast on MTV internationally on Saturday, September 14th in more than 150 countries. Additionally, the show will be available on-demand on Paramount+ at a later date.

The festival will be followed by Isle of MTV Malta Music Week, a series of club nights and parties across the hottest venues on the island with various artists including Benni Benassi, Icona Pop and more from July 16th-21st July.

Visit www.IsleofMTV.com for tickets, and follow @IsleOfMTV on Facebook, Instagram, X to keep up with the latest news from the event.

Hollywood Suite is pleased to announce the exclusive Canadian premiere of the second season of BBC horror comedy series Wreck, with all six episodes landing on Hollywood Suite On Demand June 1. Viewers can also tune in weekly on Thursdays at 9pm ET starting June 6, 2024.

Created and written by Ryan J. Brown, the second season of Wreck is set months after the first season’s shocking blood-soaked conclusion. We rejoin Jamie, Vivian and their found family of survivors back on land, as they strike back against Velorum, the corporate murder machine that claimed Jamie’s sister. In a daring and desperate attempt to bring the Company down, the gang go undercover to infiltrate Velorum’s newest venture – an exclusive wellness festival for millionaires in the remote Slovenian countryside.

TV veteran Alan Dale (The O.C., Ugly Betty) is among the new cast members for Season 2. Oscar Kennedy (Ladhood, Breeders), Thaddea Graham (Sex Education, Us) and Jodie Tyack (Noughts + Crosses, Unforgotten) all return as well, alongside fellow survivors Anthony Rickman (Enola Holmes), Amber Grappy (One Day), Peter Claffey (Bad Sisters), Miya Ocego, Warren James Dunning, Alice Nokes, James Phoon (Bridgerton), Ali Hardman, Rory O’Neill (Panti), and Harriet Webb (Big Boys).

“Ryan J. Brown promised a bigger and bloodier second season and wow, does it deliver!” said Sharon Stevens, Vice President, Programming at Hollywood Suite. “The dial is turned to eleven this season with even more razor-sharp dark comedy, outrageous gore and spot-on performances.”

The second season was commissioned by Fiona Campbell, Controller of Youth Audience, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer. The series is produced by Euston Films (Nightsleeper, The Sister), a Fremantle company, with support from Northern Ireland Screen. Executive producers are Noemi Spanos for Euston Films with Ryan J. Brown, Chris Baugh and Nick Lambon for the BBC. The series is produced by Brendan Mullin (Dalgliesh) and directed by Chris Baugh (Boys from County Hell) and Louis Paxton (Shetland). Fremantle handles international distribution of the series.

His films have touched the hearts of moviegoers around the world. Having directed all five Mad Max films, fan favourites Babe and Babe: Pig in the City, The Witches of Eastwick and having won an Academy Award for Happy Feet, George Miller is a Filmmaker of incredible range. His ability to tell a story in his writing and directing still with laser-precision at 79-years-old.

The Australian helmer made a rare appearance in Toronto with the red carpet rolled out at Scotiabank Theatre for the Canadian Premiere of FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA, the latest in the celebrated franchise which already has won universal acclaim and also a seven-minute standing ovation at Cannes. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, its story focuses on a young Imperator Furiosa (Taylor-Joy), abducted from her homeland and summoning all her strength in the name of survival and a promise of revenge.

Miller was a great sport walking the Black Carpet, speaking to several Canadian outlets, followed by an. introduction on-stage with CBC‘s Tom Power, before the first audience in the country to see the Film. The theatre was transformed into a stylish wasteland as War Boys inspired by those seen in the Film.

Some highlights from the night:

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Friday, May 24, 2024. Review here.

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

The 34th edition of the INSIDE OUT 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival is ready to kick-off May 24, 2024, running through June 1, 2024 at TIFF Bell Lightbox and online in Ontario as well! The Festival boasts innovative work from 2SLGBTQ+ filmmakers from across the globe, showcasing 106 films from 25 countries, including 30 feature films and 5 world premieres.

The opening night selection at the Festival this year is Toronto’s Megan Park‘s MY OLD ASS which premiered to raves at SXSW ’24. The Film centering on a young woman who’s visited by a future version of herself, warning her not to fall in love, stars Aubrey Plaza, Maisy Stella and Maddie Ziegler, who wowed us with this year’s BLOODY HELL.

Closing off the Festival is WE FORGOT TO BREAK UP which is about a band of misfits who ditch their small town to chase their dreams as indie rock gods in the big city. Lane Webber, Daniel Gravell, June Laporte, Hallea Jones and Jordan Dawson star in this latest from Director Karen Knox.

EXTREMELY UNIQUE DYNAMIC

Harrison Xu (Shameless, American Horror Stories), Ivan Leung (The Tender Bar) and Katherine Dudas co-write and co-direct this meta Stoner Buddy Comedy which is set around a pair of childhood friends, Xu and Leung, playing fictionalized versions of themselves. Their friendship reaches a crossroads as Xu is ready to move back to Canada from L.A. and some unresolved issues in their friendship rise to the surface. Leung has hidden his sexuality from Xu all along and in a way to confront the matter, he plays out his “coming out” in a meta film they are making about their own lives and friendship.

As their filming picks up momentum, the complex emotions arise until the duo have to confront the deeper underlying issue in their friendship – that Leung never felt safe to be his true authentic self in their friendship, and Xu coming to the realization his own best friend didn’t feel safe doing this. From here, the Comedy transcends its Stoner Comedy premise and becomes something more meaningful. Certainly entertaining enough in its innovative storytelling.

EXTREMELY UNIQUE DYNAMIC gets its international Premiere at 2024 Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival on Saturday, May 25, 2024 7 PM at TIFF Lightbox.

ILY, BYE

I love, love, love Megan Stalter (Hacks) and what a treat it was seeing her latest Short at INSIDE OUT ’24 as part of the SHORTS: SHOW STOPPER lineup. The Funnywoman plays Siobhan, embody all the confidence and slay of a Gen-Xer. She’s looking for a job and with the help of her friend Gary (Kanoa Goo) she’s referred over to his boss (heard only, played by Rainn Wilson). Her anxiety gets the best of her and she leaves him a rambling, winded, inappropriate voice message which could effectively sabotage her. Until she sneaks into his office to try to delete the voice message!

A Comedy of errors in the best way. Love seeing Stalter doing what she does best, clumsy, awkward Comedy. Fun! ILY, BYE is one of eight Shorts playing May 26, 2024 4:30 pm at TIFF Lightbox 3.

Justin Waldman (@DubsReviews) also shares his thoughts on a couple key titles at the Festival!

SISTERS

Family is a complicated thing, and it gets even more complicated when it comes to chosen family and family one never knew they had. With Susie Yankou’s directorial debut capturing the very essence of this dilemma beautifully with their Feature, Sisters. Equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and upsetting, Sisters takes the dynamic of Broad City to new heights and gives audiences something they can get behind, regardless of their biological or chosen family situation.

The Movie focuses on Lou (Susie Yankou) and Esther (Sarah Khasrovi), as they’re best friends. They are chosen sisters, and do practically everything together, and could be argued that they share a brain, that is how close they are. Their relationship with their parents is uneasy at best, but when their father passes away, they discover he had another daughter with another woman, named Priya (Kausar Mohammed) which creates a riff between Lou and Esther. Trying to navigate their new biological sister and their chosen sister as old and new relationships get tested and their limits get pushed. Sisters is a wonderfully charming tale about family, whether they’re blood or not and how we must remember the ones who’ve always been there for us.

Sisters works so well because Susie Yankou manages to beautifully craft the story and act so effortlessly in the story they wrote, directed, and star in. With the juxtaposition of Sarah Khasrovi, whose character never sees the wrong they’re doing until its nearly too late perfectly captures the blindness people suffer when humans face tragedy, despite their relationships. As well Kausar Mohammed brings together this trifecta of brilliance in the performances which is sure to capture the audience and resonate with them long past the credits. Sisters is equally hilarious as it is heartwarming.

Sisters screens at the 2024 Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival on May 25^th at 6:45 pm at the TIFF Lightbox.

SPARK

Nicholas Giurichich is a name that should be watched out for in the near future, in his feature directorial debut there is tons of promise that gets mostly delivered on as he tackles both pen and paper and the camera in his first feature. Doing a time lapse movie is always a dangerous choice, as there are so many classic films that deal with time travel and time loops, or time manipulation in general that are well regarded and the comparisons are inevitable. While Giurichich brings his own take on the story, it is one that focuses on love and the complications that come with the territory – including the games people play when it comes to love.

The Movie focuses on Aaron (Theo Germaine) who is a hopeless romantic, as they have a meet and greet with a mysterious stranger, Trevor (Danell Leyva) and things get off to a hot and steamy start. It appears to be a hot game of cat and mouse scavenger hunt essentially, and one thing leads to another and a streamy sexual encounter is the catalyst of this Groundhog Day-esque hopelessly Romantic Comedy. However, it is not as simple as hoping to break the circle of repeat may not entirely be Aaron’s decision as Dani (Vico Ortiz) tries to convince Aaron this is not healthy, and should break things off instead of continuing this vicious cycle, even if their motive is not the well-intentioned.

Spark works because the performances from all three actors, of Theo Germaine, Danell Leyva and Vico Ortiz are all exceptional. They create such an engaging feel in the Film and a world to get sucked into for the audience to fall in love with and have their hearts broken over. Nicholas Giuricich crafts such a unique story that transcends emotion and makes the audience examine loss, grief, love, and lust in a new perspective.

Spark screens at the 2024 Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival on May 24^th at 9:30 pm at the TIFF Lightbox.

CORA BORA

I don’t think anyone will be questioning the star status of Megan Stalter after her terrific performance in Hannah Pearl Utt’s Cora Bora where she plays the titular character. While the Movie itself needs a little more umph from the rest of the Cast (not their performances but more in their development and creation of characters) Megan is truly the glue that holds the Film together and realizes not everything is as it seems. The Movie is truly a masterclass in realizing ones self, and exploration on how to fix ourselves even if we don’t see it as a necessity. Cora Bora asks the hard questions, and ends with hilarious results.

Cora (Megan Statler) is in a long distance open relationship with her girlfriend, Justine (Jojo T Gibbs) but they haven’t seen each other in years. Love can withstand all, but an open long distance relationship is clearly a lot to overcome, and when Cora doesn’t seem too keen to return to their home for Justine’s graduation until she realizes she needs Justine, she is in for a rude awakening. Refusing to believe that Riley (Ayden Mayeri) is Justine’s new girlfriend, and despite seemingly moving on from Cora, there are still lingering feelings and some chaotic antics ensue.

With a Supporting Cast behind Megan Stalter, she shines throughout the chaos and insanity that unfolds in Cora Bora, but unfortunately she is the only one who seems to have fleshed out her character enough to create a character for the audience to get behind. However, her humour and presence carries the film and the audience feels for Cora and feels for her overall journey, even though she is the cause and effect of most of the chaos that is created overall. Cora Bora shines because of its star and creates an unholy whirlwind of madness, that only Megan Stalter can truly deliver on.

Cora Bora screens at 2024 Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival on May 31^st at TIFF Lightbox at 6:45 pm.

More here on schedule and tickets.