Paramount+ today announced that Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“Ahsoka”, “Kate”, “Birds of Prey”) will join upcoming U.K original drama series A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, starring alongside Ewan McGregor. An adaptation of Amor Towles’ internationally best-selling novel, A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW has commenced filming this week. The limited run series is produced by eOne in association with Paramount, and will debut exclusively in Paramount+ markets around the world, and on SHOWTIME® in the U.S.

Winstead will star as Anna Urbanova, a glamorous, independent, and self-made film actress, at the height of her fame. She uses her wit and beauty to dazzle Count Alexander Rostov, played by Emmy Award winning actor Ewan McGregor (“Star Wars” franchise, “Halston”, “Trainspotting”). She’s an enigmatic character, who keeps her cards very close to her chest. Reluctant to reveal her true self, Anna plays a role off-screen as well as on. The Count and Anna’s sizzling chemistry is clear from the moment they meet in the Metropol Hotel where he has been banished by a Soviet trial, but will this be true love, or just the latest in a long line of roles Anna is playing?

Winstead will next be seen in a starring role in “Ahsoka”, the next installment in the Star Wars/Disney+ universe. She recently wrapped filming on Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s independent feature “Rich Flu”, which was produced by Pablo Larraín’s Fabula. Winstead played the title character in Netflix’s No. 1 worldwide hit action-thriller “Kate” opposite Woody Harrelson, and starred alongside Margot Robbie in the Warner Bros/DC feature “Birds of Prey”, directed by Cathy Yan. Winstead earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead for James Ponsoldt’s critically acclaimed “Smashed”.

A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW follows Count Alexander Rostov (McGregor) who, in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, finds that his gilded past places him on the wrong side of history. Spared immediate execution, he is banished by a Soviet tribunal to an attic room in the opulent Hotel Metropol, threatened with death if he ever sets foot outside again. As the years pass and some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history unfold outside the hotel’s doors, Rostov’s reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery. As he builds a new life within the walls of the hotel, he discovers the true value of friendship, family and love.

A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW is produced by eOne in association with Paramount. The series is written by showrunner and executive producer Ben Vanstone (“All Creatures Great and Small”, “The Last Kingdom”). It is the first production to come through eOne’s first look deal with Tom Harper’s company Popcorn Storm Pictures. Harper (“War and Peace”, “Peaky Blinders”) will also executive produce alongside Ewan McGregor, Xavier Marchand (“Nautilus”, “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris”) and the novel’s writer, New York Times best-selling author Amor Towles. BAFTA® award winning director, and Emmy nominee Sam Miller (“Surface”, “I May Destroy You”, “Luther”) serves as director and executive producer.

Since its release, the novel has sold over 4 million copies worldwide, and counts Barack Obama, Tom Hanks and Ann Patchett among its high-profile fans.

The series, which is part of Paramount+’s strategy to commission 150 international originals by 2025, will debut in the UK and other international territories where the streaming service is available. A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW joins the expanding slate of UK originals for Paramount+, which includes THE KILLING KIND, THE EX-WIFE, THE FLATSHARE, SEXY BEAST, NO ESCAPE and THE BURNING GIRLS.

Winstead is represented by WME, Entertainment 360, and Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer.

20-year-old Nashville Singer-Songwriter Stephen Sanchez very quickly is winning fans and raves around the world. His sheer talent is undeniable and even if you don’t know his name, surely his smash hit “Until I Found You” in its versions with or without Em Beihold, is instantly recognizable. The Crooner known for his nostalgic songcraft would see the single propelled to double-platinum success in Canada and reaching #23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart. He’s followed-up with that success with the goods as his latest single “Evangeline” is just as visceral and affecting.

Sanchez headlines his first tour, which effectively is a warm-up to his Fall Tour, and Toronto was so lucky to have him at Opera House, an upgraded venue from the more intimate Drake Hotel where he was to play originally. Donning a red velvet suit, he delivered a 14-song set spanning his accomplished and young career, even taking a moment to challenge the audience, speaking from the heart, about fearing love and being seen-through for who he is He also encouraged us to not waste love, even if it is just expressing one’s love for another alone. Though he brought-on the energy early, as the set progressed, it felt growingly intimate, even performing a chilling, minimalistic cover of “Unchained Melody“, bringing the audience to their knees. It was like witnessing a young Elvis before us. He’ll be back again in November at HISTORY and you cannot miss him next time!

We are so thrilled to have met Sanchez. We were actually supposed to see him last Fall however a surgery had him sidelined, but it’s been well worth the wait. He spent most of the day doing the rounds and was presented a 2x-Platinum certification for “Until I Found You” by Universal Music Canada! He’s everything we hoped!

Some Snaps:

A couple highlights from the night:

“Until I Found You”

“Evangeline”

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music/Mr. Will Wong)

We love Mae Martin and coming soon on Netflix is a Comedy Special, SAP!

• Mae Martin: SAP will premiere globally on Netflix on March 28, 2023.
• This is the comedian’s hour-long Netflix stand-up debut. They previously made their Netflix comedy special debut with a half-hour set in COMEDIANS of the world in 2019.
• The special was filmed last December at the Vogue Theater in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• The special is directed by acclaimed creator, Abbi Jacobson.
• The special will be produced by All Things Comedy.
• About the special: Mae Martin makes their hour-long comedy special debut with SAP, directed by Abbi Jacobson. The award-winning comedian, writer, and actor, best known for their critically acclaimed series FEEL GOOD, reflects on a world off its axis, from a mythical moose encounter to the gender spectrum in “Beauty and the Beast”, in this new stand-up special.
• Mae created and starred in the critically acclaimed and award-winning series, Feel Good and also performed in the Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration special, the largest-ever gathering of LGBTQ+ comics recorded at Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival earlier this year. Both can be streamed on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

The trailer and key art for the new Disney+ Original Film “Chang Can Dunk,” premiering exclusively on Disney+ on March 10, 2023 has just been released. Written and directed by Jingyi Shao, making his feature film debut, the inspiring coming-of-age sports comedy stars Bloom Li, Dexter Darden, Ben Wang, Zoe Renee, Chase Liefeld and Mardy Ma. The film’s producers are Rishi Rajani, Lena Waithe and Brad Weston, with Pamela Thur serving as executive producer.

Said Shao, “This movie is my love letter to basketball and about how it helped me better understand family, friendship and the Asian American/immigrant experience, about growing up and taking responsibility even when the odds are against you, and about learning to believe in yourself and break through not only the barriers set by others but more importantly, the barriers set by YOURSELF.”

Rajani and Waithe said, “We’re so proud of this film. Jingyi and the entire cast and crew have poured their hearts into telling a brilliant, nuanced coming-of-age story that we believe everyone will be able to relate to. Growing up, we all had our version of a “dunk” – a dream, some lofty goal – that we thought would change our lives for the better. ‘Chang Can Dunk’ is about the pursuit of that dream, the desire to be seen, and the lessons we learn along the way. It’s inspiring, empowering, and full of humor and heart. We can’t wait for audiences to see it!” 

“Chang Can Dunk” follows Chang, a 16-year-old, Asian American high school student in the marching band, who bets the school basketball star that he can dunk by Homecoming. The bet leads the 5’ 8″ Chang on a quest to find the hops he needs to dunk in order to impress his crush, Kristy, and finally gain the attention and respect of his high school peers. But before he can rise up and truly throw one down, he’ll have to reexamine everything he knows about himself, his friendships and his family. 

 Okurrr! Today, Paramount+ announced that the streaming service in Canada will be the exclusive home to six stand-up specials featuring world-renowned drag queens including, Peppermint, Jinkx Monsoon, and Monét X Change. Beginning Friday, February 24, 2023 with PEPPERMINT: SO-SIGH-ETY EFFECTS, Paramount+ will debut a brand-new stand up special, every Friday for six weeks. The Drag Specials are produced by Tribeca Film and Comedy Dynamics, a Nacelle Company and distributed in Canada by levelFILM.

The six laugh-out-loud specials dive into dating, coming out, haunted dolls, and everything in between:

PEPPERMINT: SO-SIGH-ETY EFFECTS – Friday, February 24

Follow Peppermint as she invites viewers on an all-inclusive journey through New York City to get a first-hand look at what it’s like to be a single black transgender woman in today’s society. Peppermint invites viewers to cry and laugh with and at her as she tells tales of love and heartbreak from the stage to the bathroom stall. Drawing audiences to one inevitable conclusion, “hey at least I don’t have it that bad!”

DARIENNE LAKE: ALTERED BOY – Friday, March 3

RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Darienne Lake shares intimate but hilarious anecdotes about her life; from growing up as the middle child in a large catholic family, to coming out at an early age as a drag queen and finding her chosen family and life purpose through humor and self-revelation.

BEBE ZAHARA BENET: AFRICA IS NOT A COUNTRY – Friday, March 10

In her debut stand up show, pioneering entertainer BeBe Zahara Benet recounts immigrating from West Africa to America through a series of hysterical sketches, unexpected audience interactions and razor shop social commentary. Settle in for a raucous journey from the Motherland to…Minnesota. No baggage fees required.

JINKX MONSOON: RED HEAD REDEMPTION – Friday, March 17

Follow Jinkx Monsoon through the weaving tale of her booze addled, sex-filled, gender defying life. In this (extremely) candid standup special, Jinkx shares her experiences as a trans-femme, non-binary, alcoholic, ethical slut. Viewers will learn more than they ever wanted to know about her journey of self-discovery – leading her to her husband, sobriety, and to be the first queen to win Drag Race twice! AND she sings!

GINGER MINJ: BLESS YOUR HEART – Friday, March 24

International Drag Superstar, Ginger Minj, discusses dysfunctional family etiquette, haunted dolls and the infamous “Florida Man” in this hilariously honest musical memoir of her Southern Baptist upbringing. Best known for appearances in DUMPLIN, Hocus Pocus 2, and RuPaul’s Drag Race, Ginger breaks out of the “werk room” and takes center stage to tell her story as only she can.

MONÉT X CHANGE: FIST OF GLORY – Friday, March 31

Join Queen Monét X Change in her debut stand up special where she takes viewers on a comedic romp about playing the pink power ranger in Brooklyn, being inherently “very gay” before coming out, and watch as she dazzles the audience with a live Opera performance about fisting.

Today we get a new clip for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES.

SYNOPSIS:

A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.  Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game to the big screen in a hilarious and action-packed adventure.

Paramount Pictures Canada release DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES March 30, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Chef Craig Wong is somewhat of a visionary, marrying West Indian and Chinese fare together in the innovative way fans of PATOIS have come to love. Opening in 2014 on the bustling Dundas West strip, the Scarborough native has transcended borders with his fusion of flavours and we had the amazing pleasure finally of visiting. Did you know that Michelle Yeoh calls PATOIS one of her favourites in the City? She is known for ordering the Jerk Lobster every time and a special custom Spicy Margarita!

We tried their famous O.G. Fried Chicken and it slayed. Their award-winning Juicy Jerk Chicken? The perfect heat. That long-standing favourite, the Pineapple Bun Burger? We’re here for those two smash patties. Their Izakaya Shrimp Pasta, a featured menu item? It was divine. We left stuffed and there are still so many other things we want to try, namely their Fried Okra Doubles!

A highlight reel of our meal. Love this festive space painted in turquoise, cream and pink hues. Apologies in advance for any cravings induced!

The space beside PATOIS will in the future be used for weekend Pop-Ups. The space, coined THE WEEKENDER CAFÉ is such an amazing space, supporting small local businesses and their products like Ice Cream, Coffee, Candles, Books and Cold Drinks!

PATOIS is located at 794 Dundas Street West, Toronto. More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

While we await the arrival of the fourth season of THE BOYS, here is a little sunshine for your Family Day weekend! How cool was it spotting the Cast of Prime Video‘s #1-rated Series out for brunch on Dundas West? So lucky to see Antony Starr (Homelander), Erin Moriarty (Annie January), Karen Fukuhara (Kimiko Miyashiro), Jack Quaid (Hughie Campbell) and others (we can’t say who as we were asked not to mention as it would mean a spoiler alert). A fifth season recently was just announced last week, and filming of the fourth season wraps late March.

I was just leaving lunch and low and behold, they were righ in-front of me! How amazing was this? Though they were in a bit of a rush, they were still happy to stop for a quick snap!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Marvel‘s ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA debuts huge this weekend with $100 million domestically from 4,345 theatres. Though Critics weren’t in love with this first installment in the fifth phase of the MCU with 49% on the Tomatometer, that certainly isn’t stopping fans from showing their love and of the three Ant-Man films, this one comes out on-top for best opening, topping 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp’s $75 million bow.

Second goes to AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER with $6.3 million from 2,675 theatres for 20th Century Studios. Its ten week run takes it to $657 million domestically.

Third is PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH with $5.5 million from 3,012 theatres for Universal Pictures. Its run now is brought to $167.9 million over nine weeks.

Landing in fourth is MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE with $5.6 million for Warner Bros. It is brought to $19 million in its second weekend out.

Rounding-out the Top Five is 80 FOR BRADY with $3.7 million, a tally of $33 million for Paramount Pictures.

Ben Affleck directs AIR and following the release of its Canadian Trailer, we get a new Poster! The Film re-tells the series of events that would change the relationship between fashion, sports and fans forever.

Synopsis:

From award-winning director Ben Affleck, AIR reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand. This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release AIR April 5, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)