Parkdale’s standout cocktail and snack bar, Simpl Things, is on the cusp of celebrating its first year. As we toast to one remarkable year of Simpl Things, we’re thrilled to share with you a host of enticing new offerings set to launch this October.

What’s brewing?
Award Recognition: Simpl Things’ first year brought recognition as Canada’s Best Bars (#31), Toronto Life’s Best New Restaurants (#14), and inclusion in Air Canada Enroute’s list of Canada’s Best New Restaurants cements its status as a must-visit destination.

Fall Cocktail List: Anticipation builds with a fresh fall cocktail list on the horizon, nodding to fan favourites and introducing seasonal delights inspired by Evelyn’s eagerly-awaited cocktail book, ‘For the Love of Cocktails’, releasing on October 3, 2023.

Evolving Chef Residency: As dusk settles, Simpl Things transitions to an Asian-inspired cocktail and snack bar with two new chefs at the helm.

“Simpl Things has always been about evoking the universal feelings of nostalgia and comfort. As we approach this milestone, we’re not just spicing up our offerings but also emphasizing the integral role our beverages play, all while staying true to our core values,” says Evelyn Chick.

Coming to Simpl Things:

Evolving Day Menu with Chef Cody
The daytime experience at Simpl Things is about to get even better with a menu that continues
to evoke nostalgia. Chef Cody’s passion for Italian cuisine will now manifest in a rich autumnal
menu. Guests can look forward to freshly kneaded bread and house-crafted pasta daily. The
day menu is available from 11am-5pm with an early start at 10am on the weekends, featuring
Chef Cody’s famous Milk Bread (exclusive to weekends).

Evening Shift: Asian Bites & Sips
As dusk settles, Simpl Things transitions to an Asian-inspired cocktail and snack bar with two
new chefs at the helm. Chef Eva Chin teams up with restaurateur Trevor Lui to introduce ‘Fat
Bao’, a cocktail-friendly Asian snack derivative of Lui’s celebrated Bao Bird brand. Chef Eva
designs a menu with playful yet regionally nostalgic Chinese snacks, from baos to savoury cong
you bings. Every dish is designed to blend seamlessly with Simpl Things’ diverse cocktail list.
More details will be released soon.

’Natty Wine Sundays’ & Cocktail Hour

Wine aficionados have ‘Natty Wine Sundays’ to mark on their calendars. All natural wines on the
list will be available at half the price.This initiative, close to Evelyn’s heart, allows guests to
experience an array of fun, funky wines that she passionately curates.

Meanwhile, Cocktail Hour, running from Wednesday to Sunday, 5pm-7pm, promises to be the
evening hotspot. A handpicked selection of bar snacks from the resident chefs, coupled with a
$12 choice of house and classic cocktails, sets the mood. And for those with a flair for the
unpredictable, a $7.50 ‘Mystery Wine’ awaits.

Simpl Things transcends a mere restaurant label; it’s a fluid, day-to-night venture that caters to
all. With Italian comfort food by Chef Cody during the day and an Asian Snack Bar concept at
night, it ensures every palate is catered to, every emotion evoked, and every visit unforgettable.
Join us as we embark on this exciting new phase and celebrate a year of being your second
home!

Simpl Things is open during the following hours of operation:
● Day service by Chef Cody Wilkes: 11am – 5pm on Wednesday to Monday, 10am start on
Saturday and Sunday
● Cocktail Hour: 5pm – 7pm
● Night service by Chef Eva Chin/Trevor Lui: 7pm – 12am

Saturday night, Sylvester Stallone, director Thom Zimny and the rest of the filmmaking team celebrated the world premiere of the documentary Sly telling the story of the icon’s career and inspirational early start that he willed into creation.

Logline for Documentary:

For nearly 50 years Sylvester Stallone has entertained millions with iconic characters and blockbuster franchises, from Rocky to Rambo to The Expendables. This retrospective documentary offers an intimate look at the Oscar-nominated actor-writer-director-producer, paralleling his inspirational underdog-story with the indelible characters he has brought to life.

Stallone took part in several TIFF festivities as a part of the film’s premiere weekend. On Friday, September 15, 2023, he visited the Toronto International Film Festival’s exclusive exhibit of his original art, writings, and memorabilia. Following, he talked to festival programmer Cameron Bailey for a wide ranging hour long conversation about his life and career to a full audience as a part of the festival’s “In Conversation With” series.

And on Saturday night, September 16, 2023 he appeared for TIFF and Netflix’s World Premiere Screening of SLY at the iconic Roy Thomson Hall.

Talent & filmmaker attendees included: Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Flavin Stallone, Thom Zimny (Director), Braden Aftergood (Executive Producer), Sean Stuart (Producer), Frank Stallone, John Herzfeld, Rebekah Chaney, and more. Releases on Netflix: Friday, November 3, 2023.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER.

Advance screenings will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 7 pm in:

• Toronto: Scotiabank Theatre
• Montreal (EN): Cinema Banque Scotia

Synopsis:

Exactly 50 years ago this fall, the most terrifying horror film in history landed on screens, shocking audiences around the world. Now, on Friday, October 6, a new chapter begins. From Blumhouse and director David Gordon Green, who shattered the status quo with their resurrection of the Halloween franchise, comes The Exorcist: Believer.  

Since the death of his pregnant wife in a Haitian earthquake 12 years ago, Victor Fielding (Tony winner and Oscar^® nominee Leslie Odom, Jr.; One Night in Miami, Hamilton) has raised their daughter, Angela (Lidya Jewett, Good Girls) on his own. 

But when Angela and her friend Katherine (newcomer Olivia Marcum), disappear in the woods, only to return three days later with no memory of what happened to them, it unleashes a chain of events that will force Victor to confront the nadir of evil and, in his terror and desperation, seek out the only person alive who has witnessed anything like it before: Chris MacNeil. 

For the first time since the 1973 film, Oscar^® winner Ellen Burstyn reprises her iconic role as Chris MacNeil, an actress who has been forever altered by what happened to her daughter Regan five decades before.

The film also stars Emmy winner Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale, Hereditary) as Victor and Angela’s neighbor, and Grammy winner Jennifer Nettles (Harriet, The Righteous Gemstones) and two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz (Fosse/Verdon, Bloodline) as the parents of Katherine, Angela’s friend. 

When The Exorcist, based on the best-selling book by William Peter Blatty, was released, it changed the culture forever, obliterating box office records and earning 10 Academy Award^® nominations, becoming the first horror film ever nominated for Best Picture.  

The Exorcist: Believer is directed by David Gordon Green from a screenplay by Peter Sattler (Camp X-Ray) and David Gordon Green, from a story by Scott Teems (Halloween Kills), Danny McBride (Halloween trilogy) and David Gordon Green, based on characters created by William Peter Blatty. 

The film is produced by Jason Blum for Blumhouse and by David Robinson and James G. Robinson for Morgan Creek Entertainment. 

The executive producers are Danny McBride, David Gordon Green, Stephanie Allain, Ryan Turek and Atilla Yücer. Universal Pictures presents a Blumhouse/Morgan Creek Entertainment production in association with Rough House Pictures. 

Genre: Horror

Cast: Leslie Odom, Jr., Ann Dowd, Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, Lidya Jewett, Olivia Marcum and Ellen Burstyn

Directed by: David Gordon Green 

Screenplay By: Peter Sattler and David Gordon Green

based on characters created by William Peter Blatty

Producers: Jason Blum, David Robinson, James G. Robinson 

Executive Producers: Danny McBride, David Gordon Green, Stephanie Allain, Ryan Turek and Atilla Yücer

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. In the comments, let us know your City. Re-Tweet the below for another chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Universal Pictures Canada release THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER Friday, October 6, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

The ability to make films and television shows in Canada is in jeopardy as the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes continue in the US. Many of the shows that Canadian audiences love to watch (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” “Reacher” and “The Craving”) are shot in in this country with Canadian casts and crews, but the productions have shut down, leaving tens of thousands of Canadian film workers out of work and many ineligible for Employment Insurance. Many are in jeopardy of losing their homes, forcing them to switch careers in order to keep their families secure.

Enter The AFC (formerly known as the Actors’ Fund of Canada), a national charity that serves people working in the entertainment industry in Canada and is now functioning as the industry’s only emergency financial support. Since May, The AFC has provided $1.2 million in strike assistance, which exceeds the budget for their Emergency Financial Aid program for the entire year.

Unions such as ACTRA, IATSE and the DGC are not permitted to accept donations, but The AFC, which is supported by entertainment industry unions, industry organizations, companies and individuals, can.

To date, The AFC has received donations from the producers and cast of The Good Doctor and Fire Country, both filmed in British Columbia. The producers and cast of these shows understand the importance of helping the Canadian film industry stay afloat.

The AFC’s priority is to assist film workers who are most at risk by providing short-term emergency financial aid up to $2,000 per individual to help avoid eviction, buy groceries and meet immediate needs. The AFC also offers financial wellness webinars and sessions on finding temporary work to help film and TV workers survive what is expected to be a long period of unemployment.

Actor Julian Richings, most recently seen on “The Umbrella Academy” and “Reginald the Vampire” says, “In the 1980s I received support from The AFC when raising a young family and meeting rent by juggling various part-time jobs. I’ve never forgotten that sense of belonging, so necessary at the time. People in the entertainment industry take on a lifetime of gig work and insecurity and often have scarce personal resources. And the next generation, I’m sorry to say, will face even more challenges—inflation, spiralling housing costs, a fundamental change in the delivery of entertainment, and the emerging presence of AI. Canada needs its stories and its characters, and they too need to remain healthy and viable. There is a need for The AFC, and The AFC, if you are able, needs your support.”

Actor Jean Yoon, best known as Umma on “Kim’s Convenience”, says, “The SAG & WGA strikes have meant less work for Canadian actors here north of the border. Most of my actor friends are used to the feast and famine rollercoaster of revenue fluctuation, but my friends who are crew members, sound operators, grips, location scouts, production assistants, are really suffering. I am fortunate in that I don’t need any financial assistance, but I know friends who do and who have been helped by The AFC. Webinar workshops that The AFC provides – especially the Financial Wellness webinars – are a great help. I feel so grateful I work in an industry where so many artists before me committed their time and energy to create systems and safeguards for the rest of us.”

“At The AFC, we support Canadian film workers. If you think it’s important that film and TV continues to get made in Canada, support the people who make it and donate to The AFC today,” noted Executive Director, David Hope.

If you want to help the film and television workers in Canada make it through, please consider donating to The AFC. Especially for those of us who are still working, let’s show our crews some love. The more talent we retain through the strike, the faster our recovery will be.

ABOUT THE AFC

The AFC is the lifeline for Canada’s entertainment industry. Through compassionate support, we help Canadian entertainment professionals maintain their health, dignity, and ability to work. With our emergency financial aid program and other services, we support the health and well-being of arts and entertainment professionals in times of crisis and help them live and work sustainably in the long-term.

Media Contact: Cynthia Amsden, Roundstone Communications, 416.910.7740 cynthia@roundstonepr.com

Today, Disney+ debuted a new featurette for Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated “Loki” Season 2.  Watch “The Amazing Loki” as Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino and Ke Huy Quan, along with executive producer Kevin R. Wright, explore what it means to be Loki this season.

“Loki” Season 2 picks up in the aftermath of the shocking season finale when Loki finds himself in a battle for the soul of the Time Variance Authority. Along with Mobius, Hunter B-15 and a team of new and returning characters, Loki navigates an ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous multiverse in search of Sylvie, Judge Renslayer, Miss Minutes and the truth of what it means to possess free will and glorious purpose.

Marvel Studios’ “Loki” Season 2 stars Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wunmi Mosaku, Eugene Cordero, Rafael Casal, Tara Strong, Kate Dickie, Liz Carr, Neil Ellice, with Jonathan Majors, Ke Huy Quan and Owen Wilson.

Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Dan DeLeeuw and Kasra Farahani are the directors for the six-episode series. Kevin Feige, Stephen Broussard, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Kevin R. Wright, Tom Hiddleston, Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Eric Martin and Michael Waldron are the executive producers, and Trevor Waterson serves as co-executive producer. Eric Martin is the head writer.

Marvel Studios’ “Loki” Season 2 launches exclusively on Disney+ at 9:00 P.M. ET on Thursday, October 5.  All subsequent episodes will also be available starting Thursdays at 6:00 P.M. PT/ 9:00 P.M. ET

Through September 20, new and returning customers can subscribe to Disney+ for $1.99/month for three months by visiting www.disneyplus.com.

TVO Original Charlotte’s Castle is the story of a cultural hub’s real estate borne crisis, told through one remarkable rental building and its remarkable inhabitants. It chronicles the battle of a quirky cast of unlikely activists who want to hang on to their rented homes against a foreign-owned developer they fear will ruin a cultural landmark, of which they consider themselves the caretakers.

Spadina Gardens, the half-block mid-rise apartment at Spadina and Lowther, built in 1904, is the oldest Toronto building to maintain its original floor plans, not to mention many original details (subway tiles that pre-date the subway by half a century!). Vast, luxurious rental units have drawn an equally eclectic mix of tenants: literary, industrial, operatic, distressed gentlefolk to ascending rock stars.

They embody the creative class who drew developers to Toronto in the first place, driving property values up. But now, though their plight is understandably often overshadowed by harder luck stories, even they are no longer able to afford the city which they helped to enrich.

The struggle over the preservation of Spadina Gardens is emblematic of the battle, secretly at the heart of the national current housing crisis.

“In Charlotte’s Castle, we embarked on a cinematic journey to explore not just bricks and mortar, but the very heart and soul of our communities. This documentary is a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who’ve fought for their homes and the preservation of landmark housing. Through this universal story of struggle and resilience, we illuminate the broader housing crisis that touches us all. Because in every brick in every home, there resides a piece of our shared history and future. Charlotte’s Castle reminds us that the preservation of these castles, big and small, is the preservation of our collective identity and the promise of a more equitable tomorrow.” – Director, Jamie Kastner

The film was produced with the participation of Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates and the Rogers Documentary Fund.

Premiere – Toronto screening at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

Sunday, September 24, 2023

6:45 PM

Followed by a Q&A with the director, Jamie Kastner. Joined by Charlotte Mickie and a panel of additional special guests

Additional screenings will take place:

Tuesday, September 26 2023 – matinee 4:00 PM

Friday, September 29, 2023 – 7:00 PM

ECHO, Cirque du Soleil’s 20th original Big Top production, which premiered to much acclaim earlier this year, is coming to Toronto, ON. ECHO, presented by Sun Life, is a story of connection, intention, and the symbiotic unions between humans and the animal kingdom. Packed with vibrant characters, inspiring music, astounding lights and projections, and never-before-seen acrobatic feats, ECHO invites audiences on a journey through a universe of colour, wonder, and infinite possibilities.

Cirque du Soleil performer turned choreographer and creator, Mukhtar Omar Sharif Mukhtar, is the Author-Director of ECHO. The visionary show brings a bold new modernistic aesthetic that is centered around a formidable CUBE that stands two storeys high and uses the most-ever projections in a Cirque du Soleil show to create a transportive environment and transformative experience.

Fueled by the power of change, the hope of the youth, and the value of empathy, ECHO follows an inquisitive young woman named FUTURE as she wanders into a fantasy world that explores our sacred bond with animals and nature. When FUTURE and her best friend the DOG encounter a mysterious CUBE, they quickly learn how their actions have the power to shape this world, and if we come together, we can rebuild our planet to create the world we all want to live in. For more information, visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/echo.

Ticket Information

Pre-sale tickets for ECHO are now available online to Club Cirque members. Club Cirque membership is free to join, and benefits include access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To register, go to www.clubcirque.com. Tickets for the general public go on sale starting Monday, September 25, 2023 at https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/echo.

ECHO will make its Toronto premiere from May 8 to July 21, 2024, under the iconic Big Top at its returning location at 2150 Lake Shore Blvd. W. in the neighbourhood of Mimico. Toronto will be only the fourth city to experience ECHO since its global premiere in Montreal in April 2023. ECHO is the 20th Big Top creation from Cirque du Soleil and its 51st overall, with a cast of 52 artists representing 19 different nationalities.

ECHO Firsts:

ECHO is Cirque du Soleil’s first new original Big Top creation since 2018’s Bazzar.
ECHO is the first ever Cirque du Soleil show to feature 6 live vocalists, with most of the musicians also singing throughout the show.
ECHO uses an impressive 10 video projectors to cover the CUBE, the stage, and the artists, which marks the most ever for a Cirque du Soleil Big Top show.

Immersive Cirque du Soleil Tycoon Experience is Now Officially Available on Roblox
In partnership with the leading metaverse game developer, Gamefam, families around the globe can now experience Cirque du Soleil’s newest contemporary circus show, ECHO, and raise the Big Top from the comfort of their homes. Users on Roblox can build and manage their own Big Top show by unlocking crucial show elements, including artists, acrobatic performances, training studios, costume and makeup workshops, all while interacting with other users and their friends. Those who engage in the experience will also have the opportunity to dress up their avatar in true Cirque du Soleil fashion, try out interactive challenges to test their skills, and design their stage, which can then be performed later for other community members on the platform.

OFFICIAL PARTNER
ECHO is presented by Sun Life, principal partner of the Canadian tour. Cirque du Soleil also wishes to thank its official partners Air Canada and Mastercard.

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. In addition to producing world-renowned circus arts shows, the Company brings its creative approach to a large variety of entertainment forms, such as multimedia productions, immersive experiences, and special events. Going beyond its various creations, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group aims to positively impact people, communities and the planet with its most important tools: creativity and art. Since its creation in 1984, more than 378 million people have been inspired on 6 continents and 86 countries. The Canadian company now employs more than 4000 employees, including 1200 artists from 80 different nationalities. For more information about Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, visit www.cirquedusoleilentertainmentgroup.com.

By Mr. Will Wong

Premiering as part of TIFF‘s Primetime Programme dedicated to Television, Channel 4‘s ALICE & JACK stars Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson as two lovers who meet online and despite not having much in common initially, the sparks fly.

Alice however, is cold and adamant that Jack should never call her again, though they both cannot stop thinking about one another. This goes off and on for several years and amidst the gaps, Jack is forced to move on with his life and this poses problems with mysterious Alice suddenly resurfacing again in his life. Why is she so afraid to let him in?

Victor Levin writes and Juho Kuosmanen directs, with some phenomenal work by our two leads, particularly Riseborough who keeps us hanging with her outbursts of anger, which are balanced by sudden acts of kindness that keep us guessing what her deal is.

The limitations of the television format push the pacing along too rapidly and things unfold and get resolved some times a little too conveniently despite the Series never backing away from exploring the complex messiness of love. In fact, we are seeing a recurring theme among some of the biggest titles at TIFF ’23 – an exploration of dynamics between men and women and also the psychological impacts of trauma. Our attention was kept throughout the 83-minute runtime.

ALICE & JACK screens at TIFF ’23:

Saturday, September 16
Royal Alexandra Theatre
5:00 PM

Sunday, September 17
TIFF Bell Lightbox
9:15 AM

By David Baldwin

Not that long ago, Sylvester Stallone was one of the biggest Hollywood movie stars on the planet. He was action movie royalty and the man who breathed life into Rocky Balboa and John Rambo, two of the most iconic characters in film history. Director Thom Zimny explores these elements in his documentary SLY, where he sets out to explore Stallone’s career from the beginning until now.

Zimny’s portrait of the legendary Action Star is enjoyable for the most part. He charts Stallone’s tumultuous home life with his abusive father, his struggles to get Rocky made with him as the lead, the immediate critical and financial evisceration he received after, and how he ended up carving out his own path as an Actor/Writer/Director; all the while speaking to Stallone in the present as movers pack up his memorabilia for a big move. Stallone is a refreshingly honest interview subject which makes the Film much less fluffy than it could have been.

And while I question why Quentin Tarantino is a talking head here, it was fun hearing Talia Shire, Frank Stallone Jr., John Herzfeld and Arnold Schwarzenegger all talk about their histories with Stallone.

Zimny’s Documentary is not without its faults. For one, Sly spends a long amount of time leading up to Rocky and the aftermath. Then it whips through the rest of the ’80s and practically sprints through the remaining years with very little time for reflection. I get the reason for the early focus and appreciated the self-deprecating comments about Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, but if this is supposed to be about his full career, then why not spread the love a bit better? And no, Barney Ross from The Expendables is nowhere near as iconic or comparable to Rocky or Rambo despite what the Film may suggest.

More egregious is how Zimny discusses Stallone’s son Sage who passed away in 2012. He is shown a handful of times and mentioned in passing, yet not treated with the same amount of emphasis as Stallone’s father. I am sure Zimny has his reasons for not including Sage more; it just comes at the cost of brushing away a pretty pivotal moment in Stallone’s saga. Much like everything else in the second half of Sly, there should have been way more time for reflection.

SLY screens at TIFF ’23:

Saturday, September 16 at 6:30 PM at Princess of Wales Theatre

Saturday, September 16 at 8:00 PM at Roy Thomson Hall

Sunday, September 17 at 7:30 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

By David Baldwin

An earthquake has ripped through Seoul leaving mass devastation in its wake. Millions are dead and buildings and roads have been reduced to rubble. The only thing left standing is the Hwang Gung apartment complex, where the residents continue to wait for a rescue that is not coming anytime soon. With groups of survivors desperately seeking food and shelter daily, the residents join together to decide on the next course of action and how they will survive the harsh winter ahead.

The title of this film may be CONCRETE UTOPIA, but it resembles more of a dystopic nightmare. Co-Writer/Director Um Tae-hwa’s Social Thriller (based off a Webtoon) is an unsettling and shocking experience that becomes gradually more disturbing as it progresses. It is incredibly bleak and brutal yet feels restrained – I certainly thought it was going to devolve into something much more repulsive than it does. The Film reminded me a lot of George A. Romero’s legendary Dawn of the Dead as well as the video game/TV series The Last of Us in its look, feel and themes. Um does not rip off either source wholesale, rather he uses them as more of a blueprint for the hellscape Seoul has become. The CGI and horrific set design work are both quite stellar as well.

While there is one specific reveal I wish Um used closer to the finale as opposed to early on, my only other gripe with CONCRETE UTOPIA is the sheer amount of characters and exposition they have to deliver. He wisely only returns to life seconds prior to the earthquake twice and confidently leaves some questions and plot threads unresolved. But Um gets bogged down in some of the specifics and relies a bit too heavily on montages. Worse, he does not do nearly enough to differentiate the characters beyond the leads played by Park Seo-jun, Park Bo-young and an absolutely deplorable Lee Byung-hun. They each do a great job in their roles and terrifically handle the moral quandaries that are endlessly thrown at them. A tighter line of sight from Um could have made their work even stronger.

CONCRETE UTOPIA screens at TIFF’23:

Sunday, September 10 at 5:00 PM at Roy Thomson Hall

Monday, September 11 at 10:50 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Friday, September 15 at 9:00 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox

Saturday, September 16 at 8:30 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox