20th Century Studios released a first-look image and TV spot from “White Men Can’t Jump” today, also revealing the release date for the all-new comedy, which begins streaming on May 19, 2023, exclusively on Disney+ under the Star banner in Canada.

From 20th Century Studios,’ the all-new comedy “White Men Can’t Jump” is a modern remix of the iconic 1992 film that celebrates the streetball hustling culture of Los Angeles. Multi-platinum rap superstar Jack Harlow makes his movie debut as Jeremy, a former star of the game whose injuries stalled his career, and Sinqua Walls stars as Kamal, once a promising player who derailed his own future in the sport. Juggling tenuous relationships, financial pressures and serious internal struggles, the two ballers—opposites who are seemingly miles apart—find they might have more in common than they imagined possible.

Directed by Calmatic, the movie also stars Teyana Taylor, Laura Harrier, Vince Staples, Myles Bullock and Lance Reddick. The film is written by Kenya Barris and Doug Hall. “White Men Can’t Jump” is produced by Kenya Barris and Paul Hall; it’s executive produced by Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil, Noah Weinstein, Calmatic, Doug Hall, E. Brian Dobbins and James Powers.

(Photo/video credit: Disney+)

Could it be we finally have a new number one? Dethroning AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER this week is M. Night Shyamalan‘s KNOCK AT THE CABIN, debuting with $15 million from 3,643 theatres for Universal Pictures and gets 69% on the Tomatometer – the Director’s best-reviewed film since 2016’s Split.

Second is 80 FOR BRADY, bringing a female audience to the theatre with $13 million from 3,912 theatres for Paramount Pictures. The Comedy featuring a stacked Cast led by Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno and Sally Field, gets 64% on the Tomatometer.

Third goes to seven-week champ AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, with $9.2 million from 3,310 theatres, a total run of $625.8 million domestically for 20th Century Studios.

Landing in fourth we have PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH with $7.9 million, a total run of $151.2 million.

Rounding-out the Top Five is CHOSEN Season Three (Episodes 1 & 2 ) with $8.3 million from 1,546 theatres for Fathom Events.

As announced today exclusively at Prime Time in Ottawa, Ont., Pluto TV, the leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, and Fuse Media, a Latino-owned multi-platform entertainment company dedicated to empowering, celebrating, and amplifying young multicultural voices around the world, have secured the first North American distribution deal for OUTtv Proud launching on the service today. In addition, the companies have partnered to bring Shades of Black to Pluto TV Canada, streaming later this month on the service.

The OUTtv Proud channel, making its worldwide debut and now streamingon Pluto TV Canada, super-serves 2SLGBTQ+ audiences with a blend of rising stars and top talent in truly original programming. With an extensive collection of OUTtv’s original series, documentaries, films and specials which are custom-made to entertain, advocate for and galvanize global queer audiences, the channel launches with more than 400 hours of content. OUTtv Proud is a partnership between Fuse Media and OUTtv, the world’s first 2SLGBTQ+ network and streaming service.

The Shades of Black Channel celebrates Black culture with high-calibre stars and captivating stories. What matters –on your block and worldwide – comes together on Shades of Black with an exclusive collection of studio and independent films, scripted and reality series, powerful documentaries, and specials that authentically represent global Black culture. Shades of Black is a partnership between Cinedigm, Quincy Newell’s TwentyOne14 Media and Fuse Media

“Paramount has a long-standing commitment to increasing diverse representation, both onscreen and off,” said Katrina Kowalski, Vice President of Content, Pluto TV and Paramount+ in Canada. “This partnership speaks to our commitment, while also enhancing Pluto TV’s already vast channel lineup. We are proud to expand our library of hit shows and films to offer these new channels – OUTtv Proud and Shades of Black – exclusively to Canadians, completely free.” 

“The response to Fuse Media’s FAST channels from distributors around the globe has been tremendous,” said Fuse Media Chairman & CEO, Miguel Roggero. “Shades of Black continues to connect with viewers, surpassing one billion minutes watched in 2022; and we are excited to grow the audience for our newest offering, OUTtv Proud. The success of our DEI-focused FAST channels shows that content that entertains and empowers knows no boundaries.”

“We are proud of our reputation for truly original LGBTQ+ programming and always strive to make our content available to audiences everywhere,” said Brad Danks, OUTtv CEO.  “OUTtv Proud will increase distribution and discovery of our series, documentaries and films even further.”

Pluto TV launched in Canada on December 1, 2022. With more than 100 channels and more than 20,000 hours of FREE content, this was the strongest launch content offering of any international market, fueled by Paramount, Corus and third-party content. Pluto TV has been embraced by Canadians. Since its launch, it was the most downloaded app on Android and among the top 5 most downloaded applications on the majority of App Stores. Pluto TV is available for free, with no registration required. Canadian users can watch Pluto TV via web at www.pluto.tv, via the Pluto TV app for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Android TV, Chromecast, Samsung and LG devices, and via mobile apps on the App Store and Google Play. 

This is an amazing chance for you to get a haircut/clean-up and support an amazing cause!

Canadian Blood Services‘ replica barbershop is a community effort to attract and connect with a young male audience who will learn about the need for stem cell donors. This free event will be taking place at Square One in Mississauga! This event will take place across from the lower-level food court.

The pop-up barbershop will provide free haircuts and beard trims to the public from Feb.11 – 13, 2023. Right now, nearly 1,000 patients in Canada are waiting for their stem cell transplant and there is a critical need for more stem cell donors from ethnically diverse backgrounds to find a match.

Learn more about Stem Cell recipients and the cause here.

You know you love this show! Here is a new Trailer for the upcoming third season of this steamy Toronto production!

Synopsis:

SEX/LIFE is the story of a love triangle between a woman, her husband, and her past that takes a provocative new look at female identity and desire.

Created by Stacy Rukeyser
Executive Producers: Stacy Rukeyser, J. Miles Dale, Jordan Hawley
Starring: Sarah Shahi (Billie Connelly), Mike Vogel (Cooper Connelly), Adam Demos (Brad Simon), Margaret Odette (Sasha Snow)
Recurring Cast: Cleo Anthony (Kam), Craig Bierko (Mick), Darius Homayoun (Majid), Dylan Bruce (Spencer), Jonathan Sadowski (Devon), Li Jun Li (Francesca), and Wallis Day (Gigi).
Inspired by the book 44 Chapters About 4 Men by BB Easton

SEX/LIFE Season Two arrives March 2, 2023 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win a free digital download of TIFF ’22 selection ALICE, DARLING for which Anna Kendrick has won many accolades with her lead performance.

Synopsis:

In the taut thriller ALICE, DARLING, Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick  stars as a woman pushed to the breaking point by her psychologically abusive boyfriend, Simon. While on vacation with two close girlfriends, Alice rediscovers the essence of herself and gains some much-needed perspective. Slowly, she starts to fray the cords of codependency that bind her. But Simon’s vengeance is as inevitable as it is shattering – and, once unleashed, it tests Alice’s strength, her courage, and the bonds of her deep-rooted friendships.

Starring Anna Kendrick, Kaniehtiio Horn, Charlie Carrick, and Wunmi Mosaku. Directed by Mary Nighy. Written by Alanna Francis.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Elevation Pictures release ALICE, DARLING February 3, 2023 on-demand and in theatres.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

A third season of fan favourite OUTER BANKS arrives on Netflix February 23, 2023. Ten new episodes, an hour each. Here’s a first look at the new Trailer!

Synopsis:
After losing the gold and fleeing the Outer Banks, Season 3 finds the Pogues washed ashore on a desert island that, for a brief moment, seems like an idyllic home. Officially deemed “Poguelandia,” the island’s newest residents spend their days fishing, swimming, and reveling in the carefree lifestyle of their temporary dwelling. But things quickly go south for John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, JJ, and Cleo when they find themselves once again caught up in a race for the treasure, quite literally running for their lives. They’re broke and far from home, they can’t trust anyone, Ward and Rafe are hungry for revenge, and there’s a ruthless Caribbean Don who will stop at nothing to find the bounty. Was the treasure ever within their reach? Or was it all a trap to stop them once and for all? Either way, it’s the Pogues against the world – and the only way out is together.

Cast: Chase Stokes (John B.), Madelyn Cline (Sarah Cameron), Madison Bailey (Kiara), Jonathan Daviss (Pope), Rudy Pankow (JJ), Austin North (Topper), Drew Starkey (Rafe), Carlacia Grant (Cleo) and Charles Esten (Ward Cameron) with Cullen Moss (Shoupe), Julia Antonelli (Wheezie Cameron), Caroline Arapoglou (Rose Cameron), E. Roger Mitchell (Heyward), Charles Halford (Big John), Elizabeth Mitchell (Limbrey), Andy McQueen (Carlos Singh).

(Photo credit: Netflix)

We get a new Trailer for Cineplex Pictures release JESUS REVOLUTION!

Cineplex Pictures release JESUS REVOLUTION FEBRUARY 24, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Cineplex Pictures)

Disney+ and Lucasfilm have announced that the second volume of the animated anthology series “Star Wars: Visions” will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on May 4, 2023. Following on the Emmy Award®-nominated success of “Star Wars: Visions,” the newest volume will continue to push the boundaries of “Star Wars” storytelling, with nine new shorts from 9 studios from around the globe. Employing the most captivating animation styles from a variety of countries and cultures, the second volume offers a dynamic new perspective on the storied mythos of Star Wars.

The shorts included in “Star Wars:Visions” Volume 2 were created by the following international animation studios: El Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman (United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea) Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), D’art Shtajio (Japan), and Triggerfish (South Africa). D’Art Shtajio’s short was created in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd. (United States). 

“The reaction to the first volume of ‘Star Wars: Visions’ blew us away. We were delighted that this project inspired and resonated with so many people,” says James Waugh, “Star Wars: Visions” executive producer and Senior Vice President Franchise Content & Strategy at Lucasfilm. “We always saw ‘Star Wars: Visions’ as a framework for celebratory expressions of the franchise from some of the best creators working today. Animation is in a global renaissance, and we’re constantly staggered by the amount of creativity pushing the medium forward. With Volume 1, the imaginative minds of Japan’s anime industry were on full display. With Volume 2, we expanded our canvas to take audiences on a global tour of some of the most talented creators from around the world. We’re so proud to be able to reveal the line-up of studios we’ve assembled. Every short is incredible, full of heart, scope, imagination, and the values that make stories distinctly‘Star Wars’— all while opening up bold new ways of seeing what a ‘Star Wars’ story can be.”

Waugh executive produces “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 2 along with Jacqui Lopez and Josh Rimes. 

Details on each short and filmmaker below:

Title: “Sith” 

Studio: El Guiri

Writer-director: Rodrigo Blaas

Rodrigo Blaas is an Emmy Award®-winning director who has spent more than 20 years in animation. After co-founding Stromboli Animation in 1997, Blaas joined Blue Sky Studios in 2000, working on the feature film “Ice Age,” before transitioning to Pixar Animation Studios. There, he worked on such projects as “Finding Nemo” (2003), “The Incredibles” (2004), “Ratatouille” (2007) and “Wall-E” (2008) and on the Oscar®-nominated short film “La Luna” (2011). More recently, Blaas partnered with Guillermo del Toro to develop the award-winning series “Trollhunters,” served as creative director for Mikros Animation Paris and, in 2021, created El Guiri Studios in Madrid with his partner, Cecile Hokes. He also wrote and directed 2009’s award-winning short film “Alma.”   

Title: “Screecher’s Reach”

Studio: Cartoon Saloon

Director: Paul Young

Paul Young is a co-founder of Cartoon Saloon, an IFTA winner and Oscar®, Emmy® and BAFTA nominee. He produced the animated features “My Father’s Dragon,” “WolfWalkers,” “The Secret of Kells,” “Song of the Sea” and “The Breadwinner”as well as award-winning TV series including “Puffin Rock,” “Dorg Van Dango” and “Viking Skool.”

Title: “In the Stars”

Studio: Punkrobot

Writer-director: Gabriel Osorio

Gabriel Osorio majored in Fine Arts at Universidad de Chile, later specializing in 3D animation. After working in commercials, movies and television series, he founded Punkrobot Studio. Since 2008, he has directed projects for children’s television including “Flipos,” “Muelin y Perlita,” “Soccer Girls” and television spots. In 2016, his short film “Bear Story” became the first Latin American project to win an Oscar® in the animated short category. 

Title: “I Am Your Mother”

Studio: Aardman

Director: Magdalena Osinska

Magdalena Osinska is an award-winning director who has been with Aardman for eight years. She has directed stop-motion, CGI, 2D and live-action commercials including Wallace & Gromit’s “The Great Sofa Caper” and “Share the Orange.” Osinska directed development of the children’s series “Joyets” and has also directed films including “Spirits of the Piano” and “Zbigniev’s Cupboard.” A graduate of the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, UK, as well as the Polish Film School in Lodz and Art College in Warsaw, Osinska is currently developing the feature film “Jasia,” based on her grandmother’s memories of WWII Poland. 

Title: “Journey to the Dark Head”

Studio: Studio Mir

Director: Hyeong Geun Park

Rising star Hyeong Geun Park had already made a name for himself when he entered the Korean animation industry in 2017, thanks to his strong drawing and animation sensibilities. He has directed animation for dozens of cinematic game trailers and has since expanded into animated series, working on projects including “Dota: Dragon’s Blood: Book 3” (2022) and “Lookism” (2022). “Journey to the Dark Head” is the first title he has executive produced from start to finish. 

Title: “The Spy Dancer”

Studio: Studio La Cachette

Writer-Director: Julien Chheng

Julien Chheng is CEO of Studio La Cachette, an Emmy Award®-winning French animation studio he co-founded in 2014 with fellow Gobelins school’s alumni Oussama Bouacheria and Ulysse Malassagne. Chheng was trained in visual development at Disney and has worked as a character animator on acclaimed 2D animated features “The Rabbi’s Cat,” “Mune” and the Academy Award®-nominated “Ernest and Celestine.” In 2021, he won an Emmy Award® as animation executive producer of “Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal,”for which he also served as animation supervisor. In 2022, Chheng directed with Jean-Christophe Roger the Cesar-nominated feature “Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia.”

Title: “The Bandits of Golak”

Studio: 88 Pictures

Director: Ishan Shukla

Ishan Shukla started his career as a CG artist in Singapore. For more than a decade, he spearheaded projects ranging from TV commercials to series and music videos. His 2016 animated short, “Schirkoa,” was long listed for the Academy Awards® after receiving dozens of awards and playing at 120 international festivals, including SIGGRAPH Asia where it was named Best in Show. He then set up his own animation studio to work on adult-oriented animated feature films including a feature-length version of “Schirkoa,” set to hit festivals in summer 2023. 

Title: “The Pit”

Studios: D’art Shtajio and Lucasfilm Ltd.

Writer-director-executive producer: LeAndre Thomas

Co-Director: Justin Ridge

LeAndre Thomas is an award-winning writer and director from Oakland, Calif., whose most recent film won Best Director at the Pasadena International Film Festival. In addition to his independent films, Thomas is a part of the franchise studio team at Lucasfilm Ltd. where he has worked for more than 11 years being credited on recent titles such as “Light & Magic,” “The Mandalorian,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” “Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi,” and many more. 

Justin Ridge executive produced the Emmy®-nominated series “Star Wars Resistance.” His credits also include “Star Wars Rebels,” “Storks,” “The Cleveland Show,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”

Title: “Aau’s Song”

Studio: Triggerfish

Writer-Directors: Nadia Darries and Daniel Clarke 

Nadia Darries is a director, animator and co-founder of Goon Valley Animation, with an avocation for songwriting. Born in the Cape Flats in South Africa, Darries has worked on high-end animated film and motion design as an animator, project manager, creative director and director since 2015. Her experience includes animating at Triggerfish Animation Studios on the award-winning BBC films “Stick Man,” “Revolting Rhymes” and “Highway Rat.” 

Daniel Clarke is a Cape Town-based director and artist working in animation, film and illustration. He started his career in animation in 2008 at Triggerfish Animation Studios, where he has served as production designer, art director and director on projects such as the feature film “Khumba,” BBC’s “Stick Man” and “The Snail and the Whale.” In 2018, along with James Clarke and Daniel Snaddon, he completed the graphic novel “Kariba.”

“Star Wars: Visions—Volume 2” streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning May 4, 2023.   

Netflix Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see PAMELA, A LOVE STORY February 7, 2022 7 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Pamela Anderson and Director Ryan White will be in attendance.

Synopsis:

An intimate and humanizing portrait of one of the world’s most famous blonde bombshells, Pamela, a love story follows the trajectory of Pamela Anderson’s life and career from small-town girl to international sex symbol, actress, activist and doting mother.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

PAMELA, A LOVE STORY arrives January 31, 2023 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix Canada)