On the 107th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, Executive Producer Peter Williamson is pleased to announce that production has begun on the supernatural WWI web series pilot, Ghosts Have Warm Hands, starring newcomers Conor Murphy and Mitchell James Page, along with Jason Dubeau, Adam Lemieux, Laurence Captan (Mission Unexplained, Winterbourne: A Horror Anthology), and Casey Fleming (Lido TV). Based on the memoir of the same name from Canadian WWI soldier and novelist, Will R. Bird, this is the inaugural project from Williamson’s production company, Pale Gleams.

Ghosts Have Warm Hands is directed by Peter Williamson (For King & Empire-Canada’s Soldiers in WWI, Greatest Tank Battles, Searching for Vimy’s Lost Soldiers) from a screenplay by John Whitcher (Storming Juno, Gulp!, Codsucker Bay), and produced by Leanne Brennan (Sunshine Slayings, An Eclectic Christmas, Searching for Vimy’s Lost Soldiers, Science Max: Experiments at Large). Whitcher also co-produced, with Tim Gillies serving as historical consultant.

Will Bird, a soldier in The Black Watch of Canada, experienced two years of hell on the Western Front during WWI. He wrote about these true-life events in his memoirs, Ghosts Have Warm Hands.

The Ghosts Have Warm Hands pilot was filmed at Immersion Room, a virtual production studio in Toronto. “This is the first time Will Bird’s work has been adapted to film. Using virtual production technology allowed us to bring the desolation of the landscape following the 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge to life in a way that would not have been possible using traditional production methods,” said Williamson.

“Pale Gleams came to us with an ambitious dream to bring incredible production value to an indie narrative. Virtual production saved on travel and hard-landscaping, while still shooting “on-location”. With the control Immersion Room developed into the tech, our artists were able to transport the talent into the trenches with a dynamically triggered digital flare gun that travelled across the CG scene synched with normal studio lighting. Pale Gleams’ skilled crew used moments like this to capture some of the most beautiful and powerful imagery I’ve seen come out of an LED volume,” said Tanya Stemberger, Co-CEO Immersion Room.

The pilot episode is set on Vimy Ridge, immediately after the 1917 battle, where Corporal Will R. Bird’s experiences in the trenches are not only physical, but also ethereal. After a night spent guarding the front lines, Bird is exhausted. Two soldiers offer to share their bivouac with Bird, which he accepts. Soon after, a warm hand on his shoulder wakes him. Bird recognizes his brother, Corporal Stephen Bird, who had died earlier in the war, and follows him out of the bivouac. The next morning, Bird discovers what would have happened to him if he had stayed to spend the night with the others.

On the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, one of Canada’s most significant military victories, Pale Gleams is honoured to dramatize one of the most powerful memoirs ever written about the First World War. Classic stories find a modern stage. Now for the first time, audiences can enjoy Will Bird’s moving tales of war dramatized on screen.
Director of Photography on the project was Adam Crosby (Miss Persona, Violation), production design by Melissa Bessey (Chateau Laurier).

Ghosts Have Warm Hands is funded by Pale Gleams Inc. Presented by The King & Empire Foundation- advancing knowledge about the history of Canada. With thanks to: The Great War Society; Immersion Room and Norm Christie, CEF Books.

ABOUT PALE GLEAMS
Pale Gleams Inc. An independent media company founded by multi-CSA winning producer Peter Williamson.

ABOUT WILL BIRD
Will R. Bird was born in 1891 in East Mapleton, Nova Scotia. After losing his brother Stephen Carmen Bird to a German mine explosion in October 1915, he enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1916. He saw action at Vimy, Passchendaele, Amiens, Arras and Cambrai. After returning home, Will raised his family in Nova Scotia. He named his only son Stephen Stanley Bird, in honour of his brother killed in action. In 1930, he published a memoir about his wartime experiences entitled AND WE GO ON (later reprinted as GHOSTS HAVE WARM HANDS). When the Second World War began, his son Stephen rushed to enlist. Will believed his writings about the war served as a motivation for Stephen’s decision. Stephen Stanley Bird served with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and was selected to be one of 34 officers to lead the regiment onshore at Juno Beach on 6 June 1944. Stephen survived the D-Day invasions, but was killed during the Canadian battle for Caen, on 8 July 1944. Losing his only son caused Will grief, which showed in his novels and writing. Will Bird passed away in 1984, 40 years after his son.

Slots are the most popular games that can be found at both land-based and online casinos around the world. Slot enthusiasts frequently choose to play at online casinos where they can enjoy a variety of their favorite slot games.

In Canada, thousands of online casinos provide exciting variants of slot games to players, providing a wide range of options to select from while playing from the comfort of home. To make slot games even more accessible to a large number of players, many slots have a free mode to allow play without having to deposit any money.

If you are a Canadian gambler looking to explore some free online slots, here are a few options you can take advantage of:

Sweet Bonanza

Sweet Bonanza was released in 2019 by Pragmatic Play. This classic slot game has six reels and five rows with appealing visuals and colorful candies, hearts and fruits. To win, players must land at least eight matching symbols anywhere on the grid. The best part of Sweet Bonanza is the maximum payout of up to 21,100x your bet.

Even with the high standard the game offers to players, it also offers a free mode to play without the need to deposit any money. Of course, no wins can be withdrawn when playing in free mode.

The rewards on Sweet Bonanza are based on the value associated with the symbol and how many of them you manage to match. For instance, getting three of one symbol might not win you as much as getting five of another symbol like candies. Also, there are special multiplier, scatter and bonus spin symbols. To win a bonus spin, you must land four or more scatter symbols.

Sweet Bonanza’s RTP is typically 96.60% and the volatility of the game is medium to high.

Gates of Olympus

Gates of Olympus was launched in 2021 by Pragmatic Play, which is one of the world’s top game developers in the gaming industry. This slot has a colorful theme, graphics and animations to catch the attention of players. It has a Greek Mythology theme featuring Zeus.

The game has a 6-reel, 5-row grid and 20 paylines. To win, eight symbols must be matched. Players can spin the reel and bet a minimum of $0.20 CDN up to a maximum of $100 CDN. This provides support for play with a wide range of budgets.

Gates of Olympus also has exciting bonuses and features, such as free spins, scatter symbols, multipliers, tumbles and bonus spins. To trigger a bonus spin, at least four symbols must be matched on the reel.

The volatility of the slot game is high, which means winnings are less frequent but when you win, your reward may be bigger. The RTP of this slot is 96.5%.

Gates of Olympus allows players to spin slots using a demo mode without having to deposit any money. Casual players should take advantage of these free spins for fun. Although there are no winnings that can be withdrawn in the free mode.

Fortune Tiger (PG Soft)

Launched in 2022, Fortune Tiger is a popular game with gamblers in Canada. This game was developed by Pocket Games Soft and has a traditional Chinese theme, featuring red and gold colors symbolizing good fortune. It has a wide betting range, allowing players to bet between $0.25 to $250 CDN.

The layout of this game consists of a 3×3 reel and there are five paylines. To win, you need to match three symbols on an adjacent row. You can then respin until you get a win. With the multiplier bonus, you can get 10x your winnings when all the spaces on the reels show the same symbol. This is a big bonus that can boost your winnings!

The game has an RTP of 96.81%, which is paired with a medium volatility, which means you’ll likely win often but not constantly. When you eventually do win, the maximum potential win can be up to 2,500x your stake.

This slot can be played on any iOS or Android mobile or tablet, as well as desktops. Aesthetic slot gamers will find this game visually appealing due to the combination of red, gold and green. Fortune Tiger also offers a demo mode where you can try out the game without depositing any money. This gives new players a chance to try out the game

Conclusion

The above mentioned slot games are all available to play in free mode. New players should make sure that the platform they choose to play slots on is safe to avoid the risk of exposing their personal information. With that in mind, slot lovers can enjoy a fun and thrilling game of their choice any time.

Today we get a new Poster for MAD MAX: FURIOSA! Arrives in theatres May 24, 2024 via Warner Bros. Pictures Canada.

Synopsis:

Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth star in Academy Award-winning mastermind George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the much-anticipated return to the iconic dystopian world he created more than 30 years ago with the seminal “Mad Max” films. Miller now turns the page again with an all-new original, standalone action adventure that will reveal the origins of the powerhouse character from the multiple Oscar-winning global smash “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The new feature from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures is produced by Miller and his longtime partner, Oscar-nominated producer Doug Mitchell (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Babe”), under their Australian-based Kennedy Miller Mitchell banner. As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home. Taylor-Joy stars in the title role, and along with Hemsworth, the film also stars Alyla Browne and Tom Burke. Miller penned the script with “Mad Max: Fury Road” co-writer Nico Lathouris. Miller’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes first assistant director PJ Voeten and second unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris, director of photography Simon Duggan (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “The Great Gatsby”), composer Tom Holkenborg, sound designer Robert Mackenzie, editor Eliot Knapman, visual effects supervisor Andrew Jackson and colorist Eric Whipp. The team also includes other longtime collaborators: production designer Colin Gibson, editor Margaret Sixel, sound mixer Ben Osmo, costume designer Jenny Beavan and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt, each of whom won an Oscar for their work on “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, A Kennedy Miller Mitchell Production, A George Miller Film, “Furiosa.” The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theaters only nationwide on May 24, 2024 and internationally beginning on May 22, 2024.

Paramount+ today revealed the official trailer, key art and premiere date for the final season of the fan-favorite and critically acclaimed original series EVIL. The series, which recently began production in New York City on the previously announced four bonus episodes, will premiere Thursday, May 23, 2024 exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada and the U.S., and on the following day in Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The 14 never-before-seen episodes will premiere weekly.

In the upcoming season, Kristen, David and Ben continue to assess cases that involve wayward technology, possessed pigs, demonic oppression and infestation, a dance muse conjured by alleged witches and an evil relic. Throughout, Leland attempts to lure Kristen into raising a baby antichrist who was conceived with her ovum. David is recruited by the Vatican’s secret service to “remote view” a paranormal ability to see the unseen in order to detect evil. Ben is hit by an ion beam, causing him to see visions of a taunting jinn until he discovers an unusual solution to banish it. Finally, all three realize they only have a few weeks left to assess cases because the parish has decided to disband the team due to a lack of funds. This culminates in one last confrontation with Leland and the 60 families that make up Evil in the modern world.

The series stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Kurt Fuller, Canadian Andrea Martin, Christine Lahti, Brooklyn Shuck, Skylar Gray, Maddy Crocco and Dalya Knapp.

EVIL is produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions. Robert King, Michelle King, Liz Glotzer, Rockne S. O’Bannon and Sam Hoffman serve as executive producers. The series is distributed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

20th Century Studios and Disney will produce and distribute Deliver Me From Nowhere, the feature film that explores the making of Bruce Springsteen’s classic 1982 album Nebraska. Based on the book Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska (Crown; May 2023) by Warren Zanes, the film will benefit from the involvement of Bruce Springsteen and his manager Jon Landau.

Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart, Hostiles) will write and direct the film. Emmy® winner Jeremy Allen White is in talks to star. The Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein (The Maze Runner trilogy) and Eric Robinson, Cooper, Zanes and Scott Stuber are producers. Production on the film is expected to begin this fall.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime honour to be collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, an inspiring and incomparable artist who represents so much to so many,” said David Greenbaum, president, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. “The deep authenticity of his story is in great hands with my friend Scott Cooper whom I am thrilled to be collaborating with once again.”

“Warren Zanes’ Deliver Me From Nowhere is one of the best books ever written about Bruce Springsteen and his music,” said Springsteen’s longtime manger Jon Landau. “Bruce and I are thrilled that Scott Cooper has chosen to write and direct the film based on that book – we think he’s the perfect filmmaker for the job. Scott, with Producers Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Eric Robinson at The Gotham Group, and Scott Stuber are bringing together a superb team to ensure that this project has the vision and soul that have been the hallmark of Bruce’s 55-year career. We’re thrilled to have the wholehearted commitment and support of the entire team at 20th and Disney.”

“When we first read Warren Zanes’ brilliant book, we knew there was a beautiful film to be made that captured the portrait of an iconic artist as a human being at a crucial moment in his artistic life,” said Goldsmith-Vein and Robinson in a joint statement. “We also knew there was only one filmmaker who could translate this story to cinema with verve and poetry, and that was Scott Cooper. Bruce Springsteen is the cultural chronicler for several generations and through his art he’s contributed so much to our understanding of the human journey. Working with Bruce and Jon Landau and master storyteller Scott Cooper in partnership with Scott Stuber and our friends at 20th and Disney to bring this tale to global audiences is a privilege beyond measure.”

“I once read that Nebraska is an album that moves you to the marrow of your bones. I couldn’t agree more,” says Cooper. “Bruce Springsteen, and Nebraska, in particular, have had a profound impact on me and my work. Through themes of despair, disillusionment, and the struggles of everyday Americans, Bruce has formed an unparalleled legacy, painting an unflinching portrait of the human condition. Yet, amidst the darkness, a sense of resilience and a sense of hope shines through, reflecting an indomitable spirit. That’s the Bruce I’ve come to know and love and will honor with this film. Warren Zanes’ wonderful telling of this chapter in Bruce’s life is ripe for cinematic adaptation. This film has the potential to be a transformative cinematic experience, offering audiences a window into the soul of Bruce Springsteen and the universal truths that bind us all together.”

In a guest column for The New York Times earlier this year, author Warren Zanes wrote “As a teenager, I felt as if ‘Nebraska’ was telling me a few things, but one of them in particular stuck with me: ‘You can do this, it said’…Nebraska was dirty, kind of mumbled in sections, its hushed tones punctuated by a few screams; it told scary stories. But it felt so close to the world I lived in. It was a recording I listened to, and I never felt left out. There are times when we need that kind of art. I’d say now is one of them.”

About Nebraska: The natural follow-up to Springsteen’s hugely successful The River was widely expected to be a rock album with The E Street Band. Instead, in 1982, Springsteen released Nebraska, a stark solo album recorded on a 4-track recorder. The book and the film tell the fascinating story of Springsteen’s artistic journey in the creation of the album, which is regarded as a landmark in his musical odyssey and a source of inspiration for a generation of artists and musicians.

Scott Cooper is repped by CAA and attorney Darren Trattner of Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein. The Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Eric Robinson are represented by CAA and attorney George Davis. Bruce Springsteen is repped by Landau, Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks; Warren Zanes by CAA. Scott Stuber is repped by attorney Craig Jacobson of Hanson, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller & Gellman.

From #X and #Pearl Writer/Director Ti West and starring Mia Goth. MAXXXINE – Coming this July via VVS Films. Today we get a brand new Teaser.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

Things are taking off extremely fast for 21-year-old BENSON BOONE and following the massive success of current single, “Beautiful Things“, Boone is selling out everywhere on his tour in support of debut disc FIREWORKS AND ROLLERBLADES.

Building a following on TikTok and also gaining national recognition on AMERICAN IDOL, which he subsequently opted-out of, it wasn’t long before he’d catch the eye of Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds, signing him to his Night Street Records.

After selling-out his History show in Toronto, Boone surprised a big crowd of fans afterward in rollerskates. He eventually lined everyone up and rollerbladed his way briskly througj the makeshift queue. I have never seen this much energy and generosity by an Artist after a show!

Boone was supported by Mimi Webb, and noticed more than ever male fans at his show, attributing this to his female audience bringing their boyfriends along following the recognizability of “Beautiful Things“!

Highlights here:

We’ve given Boone’s Warner Music debut a few listens and it is fantastic! Expect huge things ahead from this brilliant Singer-Songwriter.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Brilliant British Singer-Songwriter PINK PANTHERESS has in a short time catapulted to great heights thanks to her smash hit BOY’S A LIAR PT. 2 featuring Ice Spice. Her debut album HEAVEN KNOWS has received great acclaim, transposing her loneliness into atmospheric, fun early 2000s-inspired catchiness. You also heard her contribution to the BARBIE Soundtrack, “Angel“, featured prominently in the global phenomenon.

The emerging star plays a sold-out show at Danforth Music Hall tonight, just kicking off her CAPABLE OF LOVE Tour. She is incredibly sweet. Thrilled to have a quick moment with her as she got ready for her show!

Some snaps:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Parlophone Records)

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) is pleased to announce the second set of 2024 Special Award recipients, presented to three inspiring individuals and one game-changing production within Canada’s vibrant screen-based industries. All of this year’s Special Award honourees will be recognized for their outstanding contributions and successes during Canadian Screen Week 2024, taking place in Toronto from Sunday, May 26 through to Saturday, June 1.

“A heartfelt congratulations to Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope by Science North, the inaugural recipient of the Sustainable Production Award, presented by CBC; their steadfast dedication to sustainable practices has set a high standard for the industry, and we take great pride in honoring their tremendous efforts,” said Tammy Frick, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “And to Devery, Lamar, and Paul, who have all made an enduring impact on Canada’s film and television landscape, infusing our screens with passion and unmatched skill. As we applaud your achievements, let us also acknowledge your remarkable dedication to your craft, embodying the essence of Canadian film and television.”

The second group of the Canadian Academy’s 2024 Special Award honourees are:

The Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism, recognizing a Canadian broadcast journalist for their exceptional body of work in broadcast journalism, is presented to Paul Workman, a journalist who spent 33 years as a foreign correspondent for CBC and CTV, where he covered monumental events throughout history including the first Gulf War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the second Gulf War, the war in Kosovo, the death of the Princess of Wales, and the wars in Afghanistan and Ukraine.

The Radius Award, presented by MADE | NOUS, honouring an artist from Canada whose work is leaving a resounding global impact, is presented to award-winning actress, writer, director, and producer, Devery Jacobs, a socially conscious voice from Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory, who uses her platform to advocate for Indigenous and LGBTQ2S+ rights.

The Radius Award, presented by MADE | NOUS, is also being presented to actor, director, dancer and artist, Lamar Johnson, who was recently nominated for an Emmy for his role as ‘Henry Burrell’ on HBO’s Emmy-nominated series The Last of Us, won the 2023 Canadian Screen Award for Performance in a Leading Role for Brother, and was previously named one of TIFF’s Rising Stars for his role in the Fox film The Hate U Give. Lamar will also star in the upcoming Netflix western drama series The Abandons.

The inaugural Sustainable Production Award, presented by CBC, is awarded to a production that has shown excellence in sustainable production and has had a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and/or innovations in circularity and that has also contributed positively to the Canadian media landscape and local communities. The inaugural 2024 Sustainable Production Award, presented by CBC, goes to Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope by Science North, a large format film based on Dr. Jane Goodall’s philosophy of hope for the world, where Science North was committed to minimizing its impact on the environment during the film production and work towards a net zero film by implementing a number of best practices.

These talented names join a group of previously announced Special Award honourees including Jeff Barnaby and John Brunton, recipients of the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute Award, Changemaker Award honouree Tonya Williams, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Marilyn Denis.

Learn more about the Canadian Screen Awards 2024 Special Award recipients here. The final group of 2024 Special Award recipients will be announced in the coming weeks.

To view the full list of nominees for the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, visit academy.ca/nominees The full schedule of events for the week can be found at CanadianScreenWeek.ca.

GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE dominates a second straight week with $30 million from 3,948 theatres for Warner Bros., taking its two week tally past the $100 million mark already domestically.

Second is MONKEY MAN, Dev Patel‘s directorial debut, with $12 million from 3,029 theatres for Universal Pictures. It gets a fantastic 85% on the Tomatometer.

Debuting in third is THE FIRST OMEN with $11 million from 3,375 theatres for 20th Century Studios. This prequel to classic THE OMEN gets 78% ont he Tomatometer.

Fourth is GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE with $7.8 million, taking its three week run to $87.6 million for Sony Pictures.

Rounding it off is KUNG FU PANDA 4 with $6.8 million, taking it to $165 million in its North American run for Universal Pictures.