By Amanda Gilmore

Aspiring Actor Edward (Sebastian Stan) undergoes a radical facial reconstructive medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance. However, his new face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he loses out on the role he was born to play. A play based on himself — pre-surgery. Instead, theatre Director and Playwright Ingrid (Renate Reinsve) chooses Oswald (Adam Pearson) who meets the representation of the role. But Edward becomes fixated on the role and reclaiming what was lost.

A Different Man is a pitch-black comedic Psychological Thriller that confronts the themes of identity and representation in the arts. Writer-Director Aaron Schimberg isn’t afraid to tackle social issues in his films. Representation in Cinema has been a hot topic in recent years. But none have tackled this subject through the art form the debate surrounds like Schimberg.

To include both sides of the debate, Schimberg intelligently casts Stan (a truly stunning performance that only gets more enticing with each scene), who’s in full prosthetics and makeup for the surgery, as the facially disfigured Edward. Then he casts Pearson (who plays Oswald with charm and kinetic energy), an Actor who has facial disfigurement, as Oswald. This social commentary will work for some and not others. But at the very least it’s a film that has the power to get people talking and even change minds for the better.

Aside from the social commentary, A Different Man is shot beautifully on Kodak film and has a haunting score that unsettles the more Edward fixates on losing the role.

A24 has distribution of A Different Man but the film currently doesn’t have a release date.

A Different Man screens at Sundance ‘24:

Jan 21 at 8:00 PM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 22 at 9:00 AM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 25 at 9:15 PM at Rose Wagner Theatre

Jan 26 at 5:00 PM at Redstone Cinemas – 1

Jan 28 at 4:30 PM at Holiday Village Cinemas – 2

By Amanda Gilmore

Reality Winner (Emilia Jones) is a brilliant young misfit from a Texas border town who finds her morals challenged while serving as an NSA contractor. A sarcastic, gun-loving, vegan, and CrossFit fanatic, Reality is an unconventional Whistleblower who ends up being prosecuted for exposing Russia’s hacking of the 2016 election.

Don’t confuse Winner with last year’s Reality. As Reality strictly depicted the interrogation that occurred inside Reality Winner’s basement. Director Susanna Fogel’s seriocomic Winner is a full Biopic on this Whistleblower. 

We are first introduced to her and her family. It’s clear she is closer to her ‘power-to-the-people’ father (a touching Zach Galifianakis). Eventually, her life takes her on the career path as a translator for the U.S. Air Force and then to the CIA. It’s while working at the CIA that Reality finds documents that Russia did interfere in the 2016 Election. She prints it off and sends it to an online publication. Before long, the government has her sent to prison where she served a four-year sentence.

Winner is an important film that documents a brave woman in our current history. Fogel crafts a Film that is easily accessible for a wide audience to watch. Just like many biopics, Winner feels like it could’ve included more. Yet, its pacing (from Screenwriter Kerry Howley) is part of what makes it work and the tone fits perfectly with the subject herself. Jones portrays Reality with a ferocity and passion that captivates.

Winner screens at Sundance ’24:

Jan 20 at 3:30 PM at The Ray Theatre

Jan 21 at 12:00 PM at Redstone Cinemas – 7

Jan 22 at 6:00 PM at Rose Wagner Theatre

Jan 23 at 4:30 PM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 28 at 6:30 PM at Magaplex Theatres at The Gateway – Theatre 8/9

By Amanda Gilmore

My Old Ass is an entertaining, deeply funny, and tender film about living boldly.

The summer before college, bright-yet-irreverent Elliott (Maisy Stella) comes face-to-face with her older self (Aubrey Plaza) during a mushroom trip. The encounter spurs a funny and heartfelt journey of self-discovery and first love as Elliott prepares to leave her childhood home in Muskoka for Toronto to attend University.

Writer-Director Megan Park’s follow-up to her feature debut The Fallout, which received the Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award for Narrative Feature, and the Brightcove Award for Directing at SXSW in 2021, is a runaway crowd-pleasing hit. We’ve had these time-traveling, meeting-ones-self films before. Yet, Park makes it inventive and hilarious.

For one, Elliott meets her older self while on a shroom trip. During this encounter, she asks 39-year-old her (a truly compelling Plaza) for advice about what she can do to have a better life. Plaza’s Elliott warns her younger self (a breakout role for the vibrant Stella) against getting close to someone named Chad (Percy Hines White). But in true young-adult fashion, saying to stay away makes Elliott curious about him. What did Chad do to cause Elliott to warn her older self to steer clear?

This mystery that young Elliott tries to find out gets at the heart of the Film. It leads to an immensely moving moment near the end that will have all weeping. It leaves the audience with a poignant, uplifting message about how to live life. Park’s beautiful lesson: don’t live in the past, or the future, live for the moment and do it fearlessly.

My Old Ass screens at Sundance ’24:

Jan 20 at 7:00 PM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 21 at 9:15 AM at Prospector Square Theatre

Jan 22 at 9:15 PM at Magaplex Theatres at The Gateway – Theatre 1/2/3

Jan 24 at 10:00 AM at Library Center Theatre

Jan 28 at 9:20 PM at Rose Wagner Theatre 

By Amanda Gilmore

Finnish-British Writer-Director Mikko Mäkelä delivers this riveting character study of 25-year-old writer Max (Ruaridh Mollica) who currently works as a freelancer at a popular magazine in London and has multiple short stories under his belt. Now writing his debut novel, he begins living a double life as a sex worker for research.

There have been many movies about Sex Workers over the years. For the most part, those narratives have focused on females. Sebastian changes the perspective and Mäkelä delivers a new spin. We first see this world through a research gaze, Max’s. Most importantly we see that his double life has sparked creativity.

Max lives a double life and then goes home to write about what he just experienced. Most would judge him for using these men to write a novel. Refreshingly, Mäkelä never does. There’s no judgment in the sex work or Max’s reason for living his double life. Instead, the lens displays a character study of a young man wanting to be one of the greats but struggling creatively and it’s an enthralling performance from Mollica. Thus, Sebastian is a riveting look at the lengths artists go for their work.

Sebastian is in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at this year’s festival.

Sebastian screens at Sundance ’24:

Jan 21 at 6:30 PM at Library Centre Theatre

Jan 22 at 6:35 PM at Redstone Cinemas – 7

Jan 25 at 10:00 PM at Megaplex Theatres at The Gateway – Theatre 8/9

Jan 26 at 2:30 PM at Redstone Cinemas – 2

Online — Jan 25 – Jan 28

Today, Prime Video announced that the critically acclaimed adult animated superhero series Invincible, co-produced by Skybound Animation and Amazon MGM Studios, will premiere the second half of its eight-episode second season on Thursday, March 14 2024. With four new episodes airing weekly, Invincible will be available exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.

Today also celebrates the 21st anniversary of the comic book’s inception. The first half of Season Two was the recipient of Rotten Tomatoes’ Golden Tomato Award for Best Animated Series and continues to be “Certified Fresh” with a 100% score.

Invincible is a part of the savings, convenience, and entertainment that Prime members enjoy in a single membership.

About Invincible:

Based on the groundbreaking comic book by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, the story revolves around 18-year-old Mark Grayson, who’s just like every other guy his age—except his father is (or was) the most powerful superhero on the planet. Still reeling from Nolan’s betrayal in Season One, Mark struggles to rebuild his life as he faces a host of new threats, all while battling his greatest fear – that he might become his father without even knowing it.

Starring Steven Yeun, with Sandra Oh, Zazie Beetz, Grey DeLisle, Chris Diamantopoulos, Walton Goggins, Gillian Jacobs, Jason Mantzoukas, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Kevin Michael Richardson, Seth Rogen, and J.K. Simmons. The executive producers are Kirkman, David Alpert, Catherine Winder, Simon Racioppa, Margaret M. Dean, Rogen, and Evan Goldberg, and the co-executive producers are Helen Leigh and Walker.

Today we get a new Trailer from BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE, telling us how the icon’s story is told in the eagerly-awaited Valentine’s Day release.

SYNOPSIS:

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita, BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE is in theatres February 14, 2024.

Paramount Pictures Presents

A Plan B Entertainment / State Street Pictures / Tuff Gong Pictures Production

“BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE”

Executive Producers

Brad Pitt, Richard Hewitt, Orly Marley, Matt Solodky

Produced by

Robert Teitel, p.g.a., Dede Gardner,p.g.a., Jeremy Kleiner, p.g.a.,

Ziggy Marley, p.g.a., Rita Marley, Cedella Marley

Story by

Terence Winter & Frank E. Flowers

Screenplay by

Terence Winter & Frank E. Flowers and Zach Baylin & Reinaldo Marcus Green

Directed by

Reinaldo Marcus Green

Starring:

Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, James Norton, Tosin Cole, Umi Myers, Anthony Welsh,

Nia Ashi, Aston Barrett Jr., Anna-Sharé Blake, Gawaine “J-Summa” Campbell, Naomi Cowan, Alexx A-Game, Michael Gandolfini, Quan-Dajai Henriques, David Kerr, Hector Roots Lewis,

Abijah “Naki Wailer” Livingston, Nadine Marshall, Sheldon Shepherd, Andrae Simpson, Stefan A.D Wade

CREDITS ARE NOT FINAL AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

“Bob Marley: One Love ” has not yet been rated.

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE IS IN THEATRES FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Disney+ has released the highly anticipated trailer and teaser poster for the final season of acclaimed Lucasfilm Animation series “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.” This is the third season of the critically acclaimed animated series, which is a fan- favourite spinoff from the Emmy® award-winning series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”

In the epic final season of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch,” the Batch will have their limits tested in the fight to reunite with Omega as she faces challenges of her own inside a remote Imperial science lab. With the group fractured and facing threats from all directions, they will have to seek out unexpected allies, embark on dangerous missions, and muster everything they have learned to free themselves from the Empire.

“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” showcases a talented voice cast, including Dee Bradley Baker (“American Dad!”), Michelle Ang (“Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462”), Keisha Castle-Hughes (“Whale Rider”), Jimmi Simpson (“Westworld”), Noshir Dalal (“It’s Pony”) and Wanda Sykes (“The Upshaws”).

“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” is executive produced by Dave Filoni (“Ahsoka,” “The Mandalorian”), Athena Portillo (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”), Brad Rau (“Star Wars Rebels,” “Star Wars Resistance”), Jennifer Corbett (“Star Wars Resistance,” “NCIS”) and Carrie Beck (“Ahsoka,” “The Mandalorian”), with Josh Rimes (“Star Wars Resistance,” “Star Wars: Visions”) as co-executive producer and Alex Spotswood (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”) as senior producer. Rau is also serving as supervising director with Corbett as head writer.

“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” debuts with the first three episodes on Wednesday, February 21, exclusively on Disney+.

Season 3 Episode Schedule:

· 2/21: Episode 301 “Confined,” Episode 302 “Paths Unknown,” Episode 303 “Shadows of Tantiss” (debut)

· 2/28: Episode 304 “A Different Approach”

· 3/6: Episode 305 “The Return”

· 3/13: Episode 306 “Infiltration” & Episode 307 “Extraction”

· 3/20: Episode 308 “Bad Territory”

· 3/27: Episode 309 “The Harbinger”

· 4/3: Episode 310 “Identity Crisis” & Episode 311 “Point of No Return”

· 4/10: Episode 312 “Juggernaut”

· 4/17: Episode 313 “Into the Breach”

· 4/24: Episode 314 “Flash Strike”

· 5/1: Episode 315 “The Cavalry Has Arrived” (finale)

The full roster of talent has been unveiled for the 2024 Veld Music Festival!

Artists include: ALAN WALKER, ALESSO, ALOK, ARMNHMR, AUDIEN, BEN BÖHMER, BLACK TIGER SEX MACHINE, BOYS NOIZE, CHEYENNE GILES, CIREZ D, CRISTOPH, DABIN, ELDERBROOK, ENDLESS SUMMER (SAM FELDT B2B JONAS BLUE), ERIC PRYDZ PRESENTS HOLO, FISHER, FRANK WALKER, GREEN VELVET, GRYFFIN, HI-LO, HOL!, ISOXO, JAMES HYPE, KASKADE, KAYZO UNLEASHED XL, KREAM, LE YOUTH, MARSH, MARSHMELLO, MARTIN GARRIX, MAX STYLER, MITIS, OLIVER HELDENS, RAY VOLPE, SEVEN LIONS, SHAMIER ANDERSON DJ SET, SLANDER, STEVE AOKI, SUBTRONICS, TITA LAU, VASTIVE B2B RZRKT, WAX MOTIF.

Local talent:

AKWA, DEECEE, DIRTYHAPPY, ELUSID, KEVIN FARIA, LUKAV, MANZONE & STRONG, MARK JONES, PAPER SKIES, R8YZ

Pre-sale on Wednesday, January 24th 2024 with general on-sale on Thursday, January 25th, 2024.

Join the all-new VELD Fan Club for exclusive drops and the latest updates regarding the upcoming VELD Music Festival. Fan club members will receive pre-sale ticket codes. Sign up at www.veldmusicfestival.com or DM our Instagram “RSVP” and follow to stay in touch with your favourite festival!

Pre-sale tickets will be available on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024.

General on-sale starts on Thursday, January 25th, 2024.

For more information visit: www.veldmusicfestival.com

Threads: @VELDfest

Instagram: @veldmusicfestival

TikTok: @veldmusicfestival

Cape Town-based company Giant Films and Fae Pictures are pleased to announce that the father-son queer road trip drama, Runs in the Family, has been nominated for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV at the 35th GLAAD Media Awards which will take place on March 14, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Ian Gabriel (Ludik, Four Corners) and Gabe Gabriel (No Hiding Here) are a father-son duo whose film about a father-son duo is written by and stars son, Gabe Gabriel and is directed by father, Ian Gabriel. The film, which is on Netflix, won Best South African Film at the Durban International Film Festival, received a 10-minute standing ovation at the Closing Night of the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, and premiered as a special presentation at Inside Out Toronto, London Indian, Kashish Mumbai, Seattle Queer, Mardi Gras Sydney, and Melbourne Queer.

Runs in the Family marks Gabe’s first professional role since he came out as trans in 2019.

Runs in the Family is produced by Amina Thornton and executive produced by Cindy Gabriel (Four Corners), and Shant Joshi (Framing Agnes). Indigenous Film Distribution is handling South African distribution. Fae Pictures is handling festival distribution internationally.

A reformed con artist, Varun (Ace Bhatti), and his transmasculine son, River (Gabe Gabriel), roadtrip across South Africa to break River’s estranged mother (Diaan Lawrenson) out of rehab. When injury befalls Ollie (Cleo Wesley), River’s drag partner and best friend, his mother propels father and son to partner up for a drag competition that could win River his gender-affirming surgery.

Giant Films presents Runs in the Family in association with Indigenous Film Distribution, The National Film and Video Foundation, The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition, and Fae Pictures

Game Theory Films today announced the theatrical release dates for the critically acclaimed and award-winning documentary Someone Lives Here, directed by Zack Russell.

Following an outstanding festival run in Canada and the U.S. that garnered major awards, Someone Lives Here will screen as part of TIFF’s Canada Top Ten on January 27 with Zack Russell in attendance for a Q&A. The film will also screen at Toronto’s Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema and Vancouver’s VIFF Centre starting this month, in addition to Toronto’s Revue Cinema in February.

The film won the Rogers Audience Award for Best Canadian Documentary and Bill Nemtin Award for Best Social Impact Documentary at Hot Docs 2023.

Someone Lives Here is a modern-day David and Goliath Story, set against the backdrop of North America’s housing crisis. Carpenter Khaleel Seivwright built small life-saving shelters for unhoused people living outside in Toronto during the winter of the pandemic. His actions attracted international attention, but also staunch opposition from the local government.

Awards and recognition:
Hot Docs 2023: Rogers Audience Award for Best Canadian Documentary
Hot Docs 2023: Bill Nemtin Award for Best Social Impact Documentary
VIFF 2023: Best Canadian Documentary
DGC 2023: Nominee for Best Picture Editing and Allan King Award for Excellence in Documentary
TFCA 2024: Nominee for Rogers Best Canadian Documentary

Participating theatres:
Vancouver, BC:
January 26 – February 7: VIFF Centre

Toronto, ON:
January 27: TIFF Lightbox / Canada’s Top Ten
January 28: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
February 18 – 20: Revue Cinema

Additional theatres and markets to be announced.