Paramount+ today debuted the teaser trailer for the highly anticipated original series LAWMEN: BASS REEVES, which will premiere exclusively on the service with two episodes on Sunday, November 5 in Canada, the U.S., and all Paramount+ international markets. The anthology series stars executive producer and Emmy Award nominee David Oyelowo, Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton, Forrest Goodluck, Canadians Barry Pepper & Honorary Oscar recipient Donald Sutherland, and Emmy Award nominee Dennis Quaid. 

Revealing the untold story of the most legendary lawman in the Old West, LAWMEN: BASS REEVES follows the journey of Reeves (Oyelowo) and his rise from enslavement to law enforcement as the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi. Despite arresting over 3,000 outlaws during the course of his career, the weight of the badge was heavy, and he wrestled with its moral and spiritual cost to his beloved family. LAWMEN: BASS REEVES is an all-new, standalone anthology series and future iterations will follow other iconic lawmen and outlaws who have impacted history. 

The cast includes Shea Whigham and Garrett Hedlund as guest stars, and, in recurring roles, Joaquina Kalukango, Lonnie Chavis, Grantham Coleman, Tosin Morohunfola, Dale Dickey, Rob Morgan, Ryan O’Nan, Margot Bingham, Mo Brings Plenty, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley and Bill Dawes. 

Created for television by executive producer and showrunner Chad Feehan, LAWMEN: BASS REEVES also is executive produced by Oscar nominee Taylor Sheridan, David Oyelowo, David C. Glasser, Jessica Oyelowo, David Permut, Christina Alexandra Voros, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari and David Hutkin. The series is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios, Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch Productions and Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon and is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Paramount+ international markets.

LAWMEN: BASS REEVES is the latest addition to Sheridan’s growing slate on Paramount+, which includes 1923, 1883, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, TULSA KING, SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS and the upcoming series LAND MAN.

This year, the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte turns 20 and we’re ready to pumpkin like it’s 2003!

HBD PSL Temporary Tattoos

To get the PSL party started, customers who purchase a Pumpkin Spice Latte (hot, iced or blended) on October 10 at participating stores in Canada will receive a sheet of temporary tattoos, while supplies last. Fans can deck themselves out with a PSL-themed temporary tattoo sleeve or share their ink with family and friends so the whole squad can flex their love for Pumpkin Spice.

KidSuper + Starbucks Team PSL Limited-Edition Varsity Jacket

In the spirit of sentimentality, Starbucks has also teamed up with KidSuper Studios to drop a limited-edition Team PSL Varsity Jacket. The jacket is a true celebration of PSL fandom, featuring top expressions of fan love, and will be available to pre-order at KidSuper.com/TeamPSL beginning October 10, 2023 at 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET, while supplies last. Read more about the collaboration here.

Jam Out to Iconic 2003 Tunes In Stores

And what’s a party without some tunes? On October 10, Starbucks stores will also be playing a curated playlist of 2003’s most popular hits, transporting customers to the year PSL was born.

PSL Fun Facts

Over the years, the PSL has developed into a cultural phenomenon, and we wanted to share 20 fun facts (link live at 9am ET on Oct 9) in celebration, with a few highlighted below:

·       Canada was one of the first markets to trial the PSL. The PSL started out as a trial run in about 100 stores across Vancouver, B.C. and Washington, D.C. in 2003, before officially launching across the U.S. and Canada the following year.

·       Customers want ice with their Pumpkin Spice. To address the ever-growing popularity of PSL, Starbucks released different variations to keep up with the love of the fall flavour. In 2019, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew joined the roster, and just this year the customer-inspired Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte was released.

·       Yes, there is real pumpkin in the sauce. In 2015 Starbucks began including pumpkin sauce from real puree made from sweet little kabocha pumpkins, making the PSL what it is today.

·       FHL who? The name that never was. The Pumpkin Spice Latte was almost known as the Fall Harvest Latter (FHL).

You can enjoy Starbucks PSL and other Fall Menu offerings all season long!

THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER has converted Moviegoers, taking top spot at the Box Office this weekend in its debut with $28 million from 3,663 theatres for Universal Pictures. This latest installment in the Franchise which brings back Ellen Burstyn from the 1973 original film, gets 26% on the Tomatometer.

Second is last week’s champ, PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE, taking $11.5 million from 4,027 theatres for Elevation Pictures/Paramount Pictures. It totals $38.6 million over two weekends.

Third goes to SAW X with $8.6 million from 3,262 theatres for Lionsgate/Cineplex Pictures, a tally of $33 million weekend over two weekends.

In fourth we’ve got THE CREATOR with $5.3 million from 3,680 theatres for 20th Century Studios, bringing its run to $24.1 million in its second weekend.

THE NUN 2 caps things off with $2.6 million, a total $81 million for Warner Bros. in North America.

Renowned as one of the world’s most powerful Sports Agents, Rich Paul is in Toronto to promote his upcoming Memoir, “LUCKY ME“. Paul has repped greats including the likes of LeBron James, Fred VanVleet, Anthony Davis, Zachary LaVine, Odell Beckham Jr. and more. He actually knows Toronto quite well having owned a property near the Harbourfront. The Memoir is being published under Jay-Z’s literary imprint ROC LIT 101. Above this, he is the partner of one of our favourites of all time, Adele.

Paul launched his Book tonight, an invite-only affair at Holt Renfrew on Bloor, presented by Uninterruped Canada. The event was moderated by Actor/Filmmaker Vinay Virmani who also is the CEO and Head of Content at Uninterrupted Canada. Paul reflected on his humble beginnings in Cleveland where he sharpened his business skills working at his family’s convenience shop, to building relationships and trust with some of the greatest athletes of our time, to eventually building his own empire with his Klutch Sports Group which represents a roster of top atheletes in the NFL and NBA.

He revealed that this secret to his success was not to celebrate his victories, stay humble and to keep moving, a recipe which has kept him going all these years, already being a multi-hyphenate mogul at age 41. He appears this weekend on 60 Minutes.

LUCKY ME arrives October 10, 2023.

See a Reel of highlights from the event:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Iconic Filmmaker John Woo returns with SILENT NIGHT, coming to theatres December 1, 2023 via VVS Films.

Synopsis:

From legendary director John Woo and the producer of John Wick comes this gritty revenge tale of a tormented father (Joel Kinnaman) who witnesses his young son die when caught in a gang’s crossfire on Christmas Eve. While recovering from a wound that costs him his voice, he makes vengeance his life’s mission and embarks on a punishing training regimen in order to avenge his son’s death. Full of Woo’s signature style, Silent Night redefines the action genre with visceral, thrill-a-minute storytelling.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

Varda, TIFF’s new café-bar and lounge, officially opens Friday, October 6 at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Designed as a welcoming and inspiring space to gather, TIFF is inviting people from all over the GTA to join the opening-day celebrations from 5pm to 7pm; sample Varda’s snack menu, prepared by Toronto-Chef Trevor Lui; and toast the French director Agnès Varda, who inspired the space and concept.

“In re-imagining this third floor space, we looked to the visionary Agnès Varda for inspiration ― her spirit of creativity and exploration informed not just the look and feel of the space, but the atmosphere and energy that a space like this could provide,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO. “Just as Varda’s films captured the essence of life and humanity, our café aspires to create a space where people can come together, share stories, and forge meaningful connections.”

A destination for delicious drinks, a place to stop by and meet with friends, and a hotspot to take in the bright lights of King Street, Varda is open Wednesday to Friday, 9am–10pm and Saturday to Sunday, 11am–10pm, with special cinq à sept offerings throughout October in homage to Varda’s beloved classic film, Cléo de 5 à 7. During opening weekend, audiences can catch special screenings of this film, as well as Jane B. par Agnès V. and a performance by pianist Jennifer Lo.

Varda’s seasonal snack menu, designed by Chef Lui, features small bites from guacamame dip (a blend of pulsed edamame and avocado dip) with wonton chips to Chinese charcuterie. For drinks, an assortment of the late director’s favourite teas from Genuine Tea and coffee from local roaster De Mello will be on offer. The spirits menu features signature cocktails like the French 75 and the Rosalie Royale, named after Varda’s daughter Rosalie, which is punctuated by crème-de-cassis, sparkling wine, Angostura bitters, and floral bitter. In the mornings, a rotation of decadent and buttery French pastries from De Mello.

Varda is one part of a full-scale transformation of TIFF’s third-floor renovation. Designed by Toronto-based creative studio DesignAgency, the sprawling corridor and its adjacent spaces are highlighted by new seating areas throughout, creating the star of the transformed third floor. An elegant marble and cork bar, topped by a polished brass gantry, draws guests into the lounge and sets a glamorous mood. Intimate seating, acoustic wall panelling, and layers of plush textures ensure a quietly luxurious experience.

Varda Opening-Weekend Programme at TIFF Bell Lightbox

October 6, 5–7pm: Complimentary celebration ― open to all, featuring a performance by pianist Jennifer Lo.

October 7, 4pm: Cléo de 5 à 7, Varda’s second and arguably her most well-known feature is the only work by a woman filmmaker recognized as part of the nouvelle vague canon. Following Cléo (Corinne Marchand), a coquettish cabaret singer, as she wanders the streets of Paris while awaiting the possibly dire results of a medical test, Varda traces the inner growth of her female flâneuse from constructed feminine ideal to more fully realized person over the course of an eventful afternoon. Ticketed event. Free to Members.

October 8, 3:45pm: Jane B. par Agnès V.,a portrait of the iconic actress, singer, model Jane Birkin as “an imaginary biopic,” is a barrelling succession of fantastical scenarios and roles that sprang from the minds and musings of both the director and her subject. A playful exploration of the magical inner lives of both women, which makes bedfellows of fact and fantasy as it ruminates on the nature of performance with a candour of spirit (if not situation) that transfixes and enchants. Ticketed event. Free to Members.

October also marks the introduction of Member Tuesdays at TIFF Bell Lightbox, which offers exclusive access to Varda for Members from 5–10pm complementing a full slate of programming curated with Members in mind. This includes 5 à 7 drink special year-round, the return of Secret Movie Club, Member-exclusive events, additional free Cinematheque screenings, and more to be announced.

Today, Apple TV+ unveiled the first images from its upcoming World War II drama, “Masters of the Air,” and announced that the nine-episode limited series will make its global debut on Friday, January 26, 2024. Reuniting the award-winning team of Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman who also produced “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific,” “Masters of the Air” is an action-packed drama that follows the true story of an American bomber group in World War II. The series will premiere on Apple TV+ with two episodes, followed by one new episode every Friday through March 15, 2024.

The series is executive produced by Spielberg, Hanks, and Goetzman, and features a stellar cast led by Academy Award-nominee Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Academy Award-nominee Barry Keoghan, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook, and Ncuti Gatwa

“’Masters of the Air’ is a salute to the brave men of the 8th Air Force, who, through their courage and brotherhood, helped defeat Nazi Germany in World War II,” said executive producer Gary Goetzman. “Tom and Steven have always wanted to visualize cinematically what our author Don Miller has called, this ‘singular event in the history of warfare.’ We’re thrilled that Apple TV+ has given us the opportunity to combine the efforts of so many talented people, on-screen and behind the camera, to tell this important story.”

Based on Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name, and scripted by John Orloff, “Masters of the Air” follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group (the “Bloody Hundredth”) as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen, and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air. Portraying the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich, is at the heart of “Masters of the Air.” Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all.

Ranging in location from the bucolic fields and villages of southeast England, to the harsh deprivations of a German Prisoner of War Camp, and depicting a unique and crucial time in world history, “Masters of the Air” is enormous in both scale and scope, and a genuine cinematic achievement.

Hailing from Apple Studios, “Masters of the Air” is executive produced by Spielberg through Amblin Television, and Hanks and Goetzman for Playtone. Amblin Television’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey co-executive produce alongside Playtone’s Steven Shareshian. In addition to writing, Orloff co-executive produces. Graham Yost also serves as co-executive producer.

Focus Features and Universal Pictures Canada will release THE HOLDOVERS in Toronto on November 3, 2023 and & in theatres nationwide on November 10, 2023. Today we get a new poster for this TIFF ’23 selection.

Director: Alexander Payne
Writer: David Hemingson
Producers: Mark Johnson p.g.a, Bill Block, David Hemingson
Executive Producers: Andrew Golov, Thom Zadra, Chris Stinson
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, introducing Dominic Sessa
Story: From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, THE HOLDOVERS follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).

(Photo/video credit: Focus Features)

The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is pleased to announce the full lineup for this year’s Festival taking place from October 26 to November 5, 2023. WIFF is back and bigger than ever with an impressive slate of 186 feature films from 46 countries and over 300 screenings. The Festival will open with Tran Anh Hung’s delectable drama The Pot-au-Feu, starring Juliette Binoche and close with Sean Menard’s nostalgic 299 Queen Street West. Also, Hugh Welchman’s groundbreaking new film The Peasants will be spotlighted as the WIFF Centerpiece Film. Visit WindsorFilmFest.ca for the complete lineup.

Other highlights include Cord Jefferson’s satirical American Fiction (TIFF 2023 People’s Choice Award), Justine Triet’s courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall (Cannes 2023 Palme d’Or), Rudy Valdez’s Carlos documenting the legendary musician Carlos Santana, local filmmaker Nicholas Shields’ thriller Depraved Mind; Jonathan Glazer’s haunting historical drama The Zone of Interest (Cannes 2023 Grand Prix); and the highly anticipated films Priscilla directed by Sofia Coppola and Foe directed by Garth Davis and starring Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal.

“It’s a great year for film and a great year for WIFF. We’re thrilled to be sharing our largest selection of programming yet, with outstanding films from all over the world,” says Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer of WIFF. “In addition to bringing some of the biggest films of 2023 to our audiences, we are delighted to be highlighting some fan favourites alongside some incredible Canadian discoveries.”

This year, WIFF will return to Middle Earth for a Lord of the Rings marathon to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). Other anniversary titles to be showcased include Rosemary’s Baby (1968) in addition to the Midnight Madness selections Twilight (2008) and The Room (2003) hosted by pop culture expert, Tanner Zipchen.

The Midnight Madness slate also includes the controversial parody film, The People’s Joker directed by Vera Drew (who will be in attendance) and Larry Charles’ uproarious musical-comedy Dicks: The Musical.

The opening weekend of the festival will focus on the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film.The nominees for the prize were announced on September 14 and will be screened twice at the Festival. The director of the chosen film, selected by an independent jury of industry professionals, will receive a cash prize of $25,000 and the winner will be announced on October 29. Nominees include Blackberry directed by Matt Johnson, The Dishwasher directed by Francis Leclerc, Frontiers directed Guy Édoin, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person directed by Ariane Louis-Seize, Irena’s Vow directed by Louise Archambault, My Mother’s Men directed by Anik Jean, The Nature of Love directed by Monia Chokri, One Summer directed by Louise Archambault, Seven Veils directed by Atom Egoyan and Solo directed by Sophie Dupuis.

BY THE NUMBERS

186 feature films

38 short films

46 countries represented

54 Francophone feature films

45 TIFF 2023 selections

19 Hot Docs 2023 selections

19 films in WIFF’s Local 2023 programme

201 minutes – Length of longest film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

2 minutes 28 seconds – Length of shortest film Journey of a Thousand Miles directed by Prasanna Marathan

The 2023 festival is proudly presented by the Toldo Foundation.

Tickets are available online now at WindsorFilmFest.ca.

Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, co-creators, executive producers and showrunners — with Baig also the star — of the Peabody-winning CBC and Max original comedy SORT OF, today announced that the upcoming third season will be the final season of the series. The final eight-episode season will make its world premiere in Canada on the free CBC Gem streaming service beginning Friday, November 17 (two episodes will be available per week), with the series finale set for Friday, December 8.

Statement from Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo:

To our dear Sort Of community, we’ve got an announcement to share with you all. Along with the producing team behind Sort Of, we have chosen to end the series with this upcoming third and final season. We want to thank you for welcoming this show so graciously into your worlds and for celebrating our work with generosity.

We know how much the series means to a lot of you — it means so much to us too. It’s been such an incredible privilege to make this show for these last three years, working with every single person, cast and crew, who helped make our vision a reality. We feel incredibly fortunate to have received your love and enthusiasm and passion for all things Sort Of and to be totally real, to end the show was a very difficult decision to make.

We set out to tell a story about a kind of transition in Sabi’s life, and how those around them also change — and we feel in this coming season that story came to an end in a way that felt right for us.

We’re aware that series like ours, shows that feature queer and trans characters, tend to get cancelled early on, and we know that’s been happening a lot recently. We want to say that’s not what’s going down here. We made this third season knowing it would be our last. A big shout-out to Sphere Media, CBC and Max for believing in the story and for helping us tell it over these last few years.

We’re also aware that this show is ending at a time when trans communities continue to be targeted and trans rights are being constantly attacked. Our hope is that this series can continue to affirm lives and spark conversations well after the final season drops. Sort Of will always exist, despite all the transphobia in our world.

The final season will make its world premiere in Canada on the free CBC Gem streaming service beginning November 17th and in early 2024 on Max and soon after all over the world. We hope you love watching this season as much as we loved making it.

Thank you for sharing in the laughter and the tears with us. Take care out there, and goodbye for now!

Produced by Sphere Media, SORT OF has made its way into the hearts of viewers from around the world since its debut on CBC in 2021, with many lives having been positively impacted by its authentic and unapologetic approach to queerness and the universal experience of transition. The final season will also air on CBC TV in Winter 2024. Seasons 1 and 2 of SORT OF are currently available to stream for free in Canada on CBC Gem.

“It’s difficult to say goodbye to these characters. I hope they live on to provide enjoyment, comfort and provocation for anyone who encounters them. Thank you to CBC for their commitment to representing and celebrating a diverse cross-section of Canadians,” said Jennifer Kawaja, executive producer, Sphere Media.

“While this will be a bittersweet farewell for all of us, we understand Bilal and Fab’s decision to wrap up the series at a time that feels right to them,” said Trish Williams, Executive Director, Scripted Content, CBC. “Thank you to Bilal, Fab, Sphere Media and the entire cast and crew for sharing their heartfelt vision and voices over three remarkable seasons and helping so many people feel reflected and understood for the first time.”

The third and final season shows Sabi Mehboob (Baig) coming to terms with feelings of grief and an unexpected sense of freedom following the death of their father. Without the constraints of living up to their father’s expectations Sabi confronts big questions about their identity, prompting some massive life choices. In a season that has the entire ensemble grappling with aftermaths, a rebirth comes in a sort of messy, sort of hopeful, sort of ‘Sort Of’ way.

In addition to Baig, returning cast members include Gray Powell as Paul; Amanda Cordner as 7ven; Ellora Patnaik as Raffo; Supinder Wraich as Aqsa; Kaya Kanashiro as Violet; Aden Bedard as Henry; Raymond Cham Jr. as Wolf; Becca Blackwell as Deenzie; Ali Hassan as Shehraz; Kareem Vaude as Kareem; Varun Saranga as Izzy; Ayesha Mansur Gonsalves as Mumtaz; and with Grace Lynn Kung as Bessy.

Internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian and public speaker Alok Vaid-Menon, and accomplished writer, producer and actor Angelica Ross (American Horror Story, Pose) will make cameo appearances in the final season.

The acclaimed dramatic comedy cemented its place in the comedic landscape by winning seven 2023 Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Comedy Series. Baig also recently received the CMF Trans Barrier Breaker Award during the 2023 TIFF Trans Filmmakers Summit. This is in addition to the series having won a Peabody in the Entertainment Category at the 82nd Annual Peabody Awards, as well as receiving a second Peabody nomination for the upcoming 83rd Annual Peabody Awards, and receiving the Banff Rockie Award for Program of the Year. The series also won three 2022 Canadian Screen Awards for Best Comedy Series, Best Writing, Comedy, and the Members’ Choice Series Ensemble Award. Baig and Filippo received a Writer’s Guild of Canada Screenwriting Award in 2022. SORT OF also received a GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding New TV Series in 2022 and 2023.

SORT OF features Sabi Mehboob (Baig), a gender expansive millennial who is so over-editing themselves to make others comfortable. From love to family to career, Sabi feels like they’re in transition. SORT OF exposes the labels people once poured themselves into as no longer applicable…to anyone.

A CBC/Max original series, SORT OF is produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund. Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo are creators, executive producers and co-showrunners and Jennifer Kawaja is executive producer along with Bruno Dubé for Sphere Media. Directors for the final season are Fab Filippo (Save Me) and Shamim Sarif (Despite the Falling Snow). Andrea Glinski and Laura Perlmutter are co-executive producers. Baig and Filippo were joined by writers and co-executive producers Ian Iqbal Rashid (Touch of Pink) and Tricia Fish (New Waterford Girl). For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports; Trish Williams is Executive Director, Scripted Content; Zach Feldberg is Director of Current Production, Comedy and Head of Scripted Gem Originals; and Rebecca DiPasquale is Executive in Charge of Production, Comedy & Scripted Gem Originals.

SORT OF is distributed worldwide by Sphere Media. Abacus Media Rights handles sales outside of the United States and Latin America.