Hong Kong’s most popular boy band MIRROR have taken Chinese-speaking Asia by storm and they just touched down in Toronto for the final North American stop of their sold-out FEEL THE PASSION Tour. The twelve-member group perform at Meridian Hall in Toronto this Wednesday night!

MIRROR were formed via reality series Good Night Show – King Maker in 2018 and members include Frankie Chan, Alton Wong, Lokman Yeung, Stanley Yau, Anson Kong, Jer Lau, Ian Chan, Anson Lo, Jeremy Lee, Edan Lui, Keung To and Tiger Yau. In just five years and a pandemic, they now are touring the world!

Fans camped out at Pearson International Airport waiting on their arrival, setting up banners and signs around the terminal to welcome MIRROR‘s arrival. Finally coming through just after 1:30 AM from New York City, they kept the energy alive and feverish as the band members walked through a lane way with fans standing on each side cheering them on. Only as they boarded their tour bus did things get a little unruly as they were flanked by security to get them onto the vehicle safely.

It is safe to say this was absolutely bonkers. Never seen this level of fandemonium and I’ve seen a lot!

Some highlights below. I was able to get beside the band’s lead Keung To! Glad everyone’s safe.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Paramount+ today announced its hit original series STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS has been renewed for a fourth season. The series is currently in production on its third season, which is set to debut in 2025. Additionally, the previously announced fifth season of STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS, which is also currently in production, will mark the series’ final season and will premiere this fall on Paramount+.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to continue to build the STAR TREK universe, and we’re so grateful to Secret Hideout and our immensely talented casts and producers,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President, Programming, Paramount+. “STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS has found the perfect blend of action, adventure and humor, and we’re elated to announce another season ahead of our season three premiere. Similarly, STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS has brought the laughs with an ample amount of heart to the franchise across its our seasons. We can’t wait for audiences to see what is in store for the crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos in this final season.”

“Lower Decks and Strange New Worlds are integral to the Star Trek Franchise, expanding the boundaries of the universe and exploring new and exciting worlds,” said David Stapf, President, CBS Studios. “We are extraordinarily proud of both series as they honor the legacy of what Gene Roddenberry created almost 60 years ago. We are so grateful to work with Secret Hideout, Alex Kurtzman, Mike McMahan, Akiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers and the cast, crews and artists who craft these important and entertaining stories for fans around the world.”

The expanded STAR TREK franchise on Paramount+ also includes the fifth and final season of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, which recently premiered, STAR TREK: SECTION 31, an original movie event with Oscar®-winner Michelle Yeoh that recently wrapped production, and the new original series STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY, slated to begin production later this year.

About STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS

STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS is based on the years Captain Christopher Pike manned the helm of the U.S.S. Enterprise. The series follows Captain Pike, Science Officer Spock, Number One and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the starship, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.

The series stars Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia and Babs Olusanmokun, along with special guest stars Paul Wesley and Carol Kane. The series is produced by CBS Studios, Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, Akiva Goldsman, Jenny Lumet, Henry Alonso Myers, Aaron Baiers, Dana Horgan, Davy Perez, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth serve as executive producers.

STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS is currently available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., the U.K., Latin America, Australia, South Korea, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It streams on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Central and Eastern Europe. STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS is available on Paramount+ in Canada. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution. In Canada, the series also airs on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel.

Following its record-breaking success as the biggest IMAX exclusive event release ever, “Queen Rock Montreal” will make its global streaming premiere May 15, 2024 on Disney+ as the first concert film available with IMAX Enhanced sound powered by DTS. It will debut alongside the availability of IMAX Enhanced sound for 18 fan-favourite Marvel films that will immerse subscribers in the action like never before. The announcement was made yesterday by Disney+, IMAX Corporation, and DTS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xperi Inc.

Subscribers on IMAX Enhanced certified devices will be able to feel the full dynamic range of every heart-pounding moment of the digitally remastered concert film, which captures the world’s most iconic rock band at the very peak of their live powers. “Queen Rock Montreal” presents Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon at their most exciting and exhilarating. The original concerts, which took place on November 24 and 25, 1981, were arranged specifically to be filmed for a full-length concert film to document their live show. The film was restored for IMAX by Mercury Studios. Executive producers include Geoff Kempin and Alice Webb for Mercury Studios and Jim Beach and Matilda Beach for Queen Films.

Select Marvel Studios films available with IMAX Enhanced sound on Disney+ at launch will include:

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Doctor Strange

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Avengers: Infinity War

Eternals

Avengers: Endgame

Guardians of the Galaxy (Vol. 2)

Black Panther

Guardians of the Galaxy (Vol. 3)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

The Marvels

Black Widow

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Captain America: Civil War

Thor: Ragnarok

Captain Marvel

Thor: Love & Thunder

Best-in-class certified device manufacturers will support IMAX Enhanced sound, beginning with select DTS:X enabled Android/Google TV devices from Sony, Hisense, Sharp, Xiaomi, and others. Additionally, owners of certified DTS:X enabled AV receivers from manufacturers like Denon, Marantz, and JBL will also be able to enjoy the experience at launch.

With IMAX Enhanced, IMAX and technology partner DTS enable content that can be experienced in-home and beyond with the highest fidelity, ensuring that filmmakers’ creative intent is fully optimized for an IMAX-quality presentation. DTS:X, provided by DTS, preserves the full dynamic range of the theatrical mix, allowing sound to move freely around the listener for a more immersive presentation at home. Disney+ is the first major streaming service to elevate the at-home viewing experience with IMAX Enhanced, giving its subscribers new ways to re-experience the Marvel Cinematic Universe and beyond.

Yesterday’s announcement is the latest evolution in the storied relationship between IMAX and Disney Entertainment, with audiences first entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe in IMAX in 2010. Since then, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become the highest grossing franchise in IMAX history. Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame were the first films shot entirely with IMAX digital cameras, and all titles available in IMAX Enhanced on Disney+ feature select sequences in IMAX’s expanded aspect ratio.

Three new Spicy Lemonade Refreshers beverages will be available in Starbucks stores in Canada for a very limited time this spring, while supplies last, beginning tomorrow Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

· Spicy Strawberry brings together sweet flavours of strawberry and acai shaken with ice, real strawberry pieces, zesty lemonade and Starbucks Spicy Chili Powder Blend.

· Spicy Dragonfruit combines sweet flavours of mango and exotic dragonfruit shaken with ice, real dragonfruit pieces, zesty lemonade and Starbucks Spicy Chili Powder Blend.

· Spicy Pineapple features flavours of pineapple and passionfruit shaken with ice, real pineapple pieces, zesty lemonade and Starbucks Spicy Chili Powder Blend.

Customers can also enjoy the new Spicy Cream Cold Foam, which combines the new Spicy Chili Powder Blend with Starbucks classic, silky cream cold foam. Try adding Spicy Cream Cold Foam to a Cold Brew for a coffee with a kick, or enjoy it with an Iced Chai Tea Latte for a delicious combination of spices.

No doubt it’s a smash! Alex Garland‘s CIVIL WAR debuts atop the Box Office this weekend with a smashing $25 million for A24, an all-time high debut for the buzzy independent distributor. The dystopian Drama Thriller gets 83% on the Tomatometer. Elevation Pictures release in Canada.

In second is GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE with $14 million for Warner Bros., taking it to $157 million in its domestic run.

Third goes to GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE with $4.6 million for Sony Pictures, a tally of $95.8 million to date.

MONKEY MAN finds itself in fourth in its second weekend out for Universal Pictures with $4.5 million, a total $18.1 million made thus far.

KUNG FU PANDA 4 rounds this Top Five out with $4.4 million for Universal Pictures, bringing its run to $172 million.

Big things are expected of Prime Video‘s latest series, FALLOUT based on the role-playing video game of the same name. Set in an alternate history of Earth post-WWII, survivors are forced to take refuge in Fallout bunkers, where they don’t realize that these are designed for psychological experiments.

Check-out our Review here.

Above this, a giant cockroach activation took place in Toronto at York x Bremner – one day only – today at 2:30 PM, drawing a huge crowd despite the rainy weather! Above this, star Ella Purnell who plays Lucy MacLean appeared, drawing cheers. Call it a takeover!

So lucky to have a quick moment and snap with Purnell (Yellowjackets, Churchill, Maleficent) who despite being on a bit of a whirlwind tour this morning in Toronto, still stopped to say “hi”. She’s so lovely!

FALLOUT already has arrived on Prime Video. Stream it now!

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada/Mr. Will Wong)

Paramount Pictures presented their upcoming release slate at CinemaCon in Las Vegas yesterday. In attendance were the likes of Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn.

CHRIS HEMSWORTH, BRIAN TYREE HENRY, DIRECTOR JOSH COOLEY

PRODUCERS LORENZO DI BONAVENTURA, MARK VAHRADIAN AND AARON DEM AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ZEV FOREMAN 

FROM TRANSFORMERS ONE

LUPITA NYONG’O, JOSEPH QUINN, 

DIRECTOR/SCREENPLAY/STORY BY MICHAEL SARNOSKI AND PRODUCER ANDREW FORM

FROM A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE

BRIAN ROBBINS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES

CHRIS ARONSON, PRESIDENT OF DOMESTIC THEATRICAL DISTRIBUTION, PARAMOUNT PICTURES

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures)

So much buzz surrounding A24 and HBO‘s THE SYMPATHIZER, which is based on the Pullitzer Prize-winning Novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen. The Limited Series not only is co-produced by among others Don McKellar and Robert Downey Jr., the latter also stars in it as well! And did we mention Canada’s Sandra Oh also has a role?

A Toronto Premiere was held last night at TIFF Lightbox and in attendance were:

•Mayor Olivia Chow
•Hoa Xuande as the Captain
•Fred Nguyen Khan as Bon
•Duy Nguyễn as Man
•Kieu Chinh as Major’s Mother

Legendary Filmmaker David Cronenberg also came out to show support!

THE SYMPATHIZER centers on a plant from North Vietnam in South Vietnam army, just at the end of the Vietnam War. He flees to the US, where he still continues to report back to the Viet Cong.

Some highlights from the night:

It premieres Sunday, April 14, 2024 on HBO Canada and Crave Canada at 9 PM.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Zarrar Khan‘s IN FLAMES is catching heat. The Psychological Thriller has done the festival circuit to award-winning success and is now touring the theatres in major cities ahead of its North American release.

He writes and directs this haunting Psychological Horror set in Pakistan, about a young woman experiencing visions after the death of the patriarch in her family. Her and her mother are left vulnerable in a place where women don’t feel safe. A warning of the horrors women face in a patriarchal society.

The New York Times also have just given it their stamp of approval just this week.

So wonderful seeing the Cast and Crew also in attendance last night at Paradise Theatre, including:

•Ramesha Nawal as Mariam
•Bakhtawar Mazhar as Fariha
•Omar Javaid as Asad
•Mohammad Ali Hashmi as Saleem
•Anam Abbas, Producer
•Kalaisan Kalaichelvan, Composer

Highlights from the night:

IN FLAMES plays at TIFF Lightbox beginning April 19, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The Walt Disney Studios dazzled attendees at the 2024 CinemaCon® Convention in Las Vegas earlier today. The studio provided an exclusive look at its upcoming theatrical releases, including films from some of its famed production studios: Disney Live Action, Marvel Studios, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures.

Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, took to the stage at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace to speak about the power of the theatrical film experience and the upcoming flow of exceptional cinematic events Disney will be delivering to theatres in the coming months before turning the microphone over to Tony Chambers, executive vice president and head of theatrical distribution.

Chambers thanked the members of the exhibition trade industry in attendance and kicked off the Studio’s presentation with 13 minutes of thrilling footage from the highly anticipated all-new action-adventure spectacle from 20th Century Studios, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” which opens in theatres nationwide on May 10. Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously, and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all he has known about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

Next up was Disney’s “Young Woman and the Sea,” the extraordinary true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel, which comes exclusively to U.S. theatres only in a special engagement on May 31. Chambers tossed to a taped greeting from legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who then introduced the brand-new trailer featuring Daisy Ridley as the accomplished swimmer born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and animosity to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from France to England. CinemaCon attendees were the first to see the trailer.

Chambers welcomed Emmy Award®- and Golden Globe Award®-winning actor Amy Poehler to the stage. Poehler, who returns to cinemas as the voice of Joy in Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and who is receiving this year’s CinemaCon Vanguard award at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, spoke about the film, which is a return to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as Headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith),

Smith), Anger (voice of Lewis Black), Fear (voice of Tony Hale), and Disgust (voice of Liza Lapira), who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety (voice of Maya Hawke) shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone: enter Envy (voice of Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (voice of Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (voice of Paul Walter Hauser). “Inside Out 2” is directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen.

CinemaCon attendees were then treated to the first 35 minutes of the animated film, which opens in theatres June 14.

Looking ahead to two of the most anticipated upcoming releases, Chambers brought Kevin Feige, producer and president of Marvel Studios, to the stage, who, in turn, welcomed Cap himself, Anthony Mackie, to talk about Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Brave New World.” Mackie offered up a little behind-the-scenes insight before introducing a first look at the film, which hits theatres on February 14, 2025. Directed by Julius Onah, produced by Feige and Nate Moore, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Charles Newirth, and Mackie, “Captain America: Brave New World” also stars Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, Shira Haas, with Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford.

Feige then spoke about Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” and introduced Shawn Levy, the film’s director. The filmmaker, who is receiving CinemaCon’s Director of the Year award at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, thrilled the audience with an exclusive look at the film, which stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen. Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D’Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, George Dewey and Simon Kinberg serving as executive producers. “Deadpool & Wolverine” is written by Ryan Reynolds & Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Zeb Wells & Shawn Levy. “Deadpool & Wolverine” opens in theatres July 26.

Chambers then shared a special greeting from “Alien: Romulus” producer Ridley Scott and director/writer Fede Alvarez, who thanked exhibitors for their ongoing partnership and their support of the “Alien” franchise over the past 45 years and introduced a special look at the upcoming film, a truly terrifying cinematic experience opening in theatres August 16. 20th Century Studios’ “Alien: Romulus” takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

Up next was Searchlight Pictures, which recently released “Poor Things,” the winner of four Academy Awards® last month and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. On June 21, “Kinds of Kindness,” which will premiere this summer at the Cannes Film Festival, opens exclusively in theatres—directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the film stars recent Oscar® winner Emma Stone, who is joined by Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer. The film is a triptych fable, following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife, who was missing at sea, has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.

The first footage from 20th Century Studios’ “The Amateur” was then screened exclusively in the room. The film, an action-packed espionage thriller directed by James Hawes and starring Oscar® winner Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitriona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, and Laurence Fishburne, opens in theatres nationwide on April 11, 2025.

Oscar® winner Barry Jenkins then took to the stage to talk about Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” the follow-up to 2019’s global phenomenon, and showcase the teaser trailer for the film, which opens in theatres on December 20. Told in flashbacks, “Mufasa: The Lion King” reveals the rise of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands as Rafiki, Timon, and Pumbaa share the story of Mufasa with a young lion cub. The film is produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen.

The Studio closed out the presentation with a surprise appearance by Dwayne Johnson, who came to a stage filled with Polynesian drummers and dancers from Tiana Liufau’s Nonasina (Liufau is the choreographer on the “Moana” films). Johnson returns as the voice of Maui in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2,” opening in theatres on November 27. Bergman returned to the stage to introduce NATO chairBob Bagby, who presented Johnson with the NATO Spirit of the Industry Award in recognition of his unparalleled dedication, passion, and commitment to the motion picture theatrical experience.

“Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Directed by Dave Derrick Jr., co-directed by Jason Hand, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, the epic animated musical features music by GRAMMY® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, GRAMMY nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time GRAMMY winner Mark Mancina.