Here’s a new Trailer for a Prequel to ORPHAN. Joining the Cast here are Julia Stiles and Rossif Sutherland. This was filmed in Winnipeg!

Synopsis:

In this prequel to the 2009 film Orphan, Leena Klammer (Isabelle Fuhrman) is a woman suffering from hypopituitarism, and ressembles a child. She decides to present herself as “Esther,” the missing daughter of Katie Mauerova (Julia Stiles) and Richard Mauerova (Rossif Sutherland). Richard becomes convinced that she isn’t his daughter, while Katie disagrees, believing that her husband is suffering from paranoia and hallucinating.

Leena tries to separate them, causing major problems to the family. But the couple soon discover Leena’s dark past and murderous history.

Leena tries to separate them, causing major problems to the family. But the couple soon discover Leena’s dark past and murderous history.

VVS Films release ORPHAN: FIRST KILL.
Available for digital purchase beginning August 19, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

Filmed right here in Toronto, 13: THE MUSICAL arrives this August on Netflix. Here’s a first look at the Trailer!

Synopsis:

Following his parents’ divorce, 12-year-old Evan Goldman (Eli Golden) uproots from New York City with his mother Jessica (Debra Messing). With his Bar Mitzvah fast approaching, Evan is devastated that he must leave all his friends, his father (Peter Hermann) and his rabbi (Josh Peck) behind. But upon arriving at his grandmother’s (Rhea Perlman) house in small-town Walkerton, Indiana, he hatches a plan to win new friends by turning his Bar Mitzvah into the coolest party ever. As an outsider navigating the complicated social circles of his new school, Evan quickly finds out he’s not the only one grappling with the all too familiar anxieties of eighth grade. While his new friends Patrice (Gabriella Uhl) and Archie (Jonathan Lengel) fret over the fate of the planet and unrequited love, respectively, popular cheerleader Lucy (Frankie McNellis) desperately plots to stave off a first kiss between her crush Brett (JD McCrary) and best friend Kendra (Lindsey Blackwell). To make matters worse, Evan invites the popular kids to his party—who aren’t fans of Patrice. With these competing interests in play, Evan faces the impossible task of bringing everyone happily together in time for his party, or else risk social ruin. Suddenly, turning 13 isn’t looking as good as it’s cracked up to be. Directed by Tamra Davis, and based on the hugely popular musical 13, which debuted on Broadway in 2008, 13: THE MUSICAL is a coming-of-age journey through the unforgettable ups and downs of preteen life.

You can pre-save the Soundtrack now here.

13: THE MUSICAL arrives August 12, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Fresh off its Premere at Cannes, here’s a new Trailer for THE SILENT TWINS, based on a true story. Hoping this does the Festival Circuit further!!

Story:

THE SILENT TWINS is the astounding true story of twin sisters who only communicated with one another. As a result, they created a rich, fascinating world to escape the reality of their own lives. Based on the best-selling book The Silent Twins, the film stars Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrance.

Universal Pictures Canada and Focus Features release THE SILENT TWINS September 16, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Focus Features)

From Darren Star, comes new Series UNCOUPLED starring Neil Patrick Harris and Tuc Watkins.

ABOUT UNCOUPLED:
Michael Lawson (Neil Patrick Harris) seems to have it all figured out. He’s a successful New York City real estate agent with a great career, a supportive family, close friends, and a loving relationship with his partner of 17 years, Colin (Tuc Watkins). But when Colin unexpectedly moves out on the eve of his 50th birthday, Michael is completely blindsided. Overnight, he has to confront two nightmares: losing the man he thought was his soulmate, and suddenly finding himself a single gay man in his mid-forties in New York City.

From Emmy Award-winning co-creators Darren Star and Jeffrey Richman, UNCOUPLED is a story about heartbreak, healing, and all the humor we find along the way. Also Staring Tisha Campbell, Brooks Ashmanskas, Emerson Brooks, and Marcia Gay Harden. Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Darren Star Productions, Jeffrey Richman Productions, and Jax Media.

UNCOUPLED premieres July 29, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Filmed right here in and around the GTA, Apple TV+‘s FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL starring Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga, arrives this August. Here’s a first look at the Trailer!

Synopsis:

From Academy Award-winner John Ridley and Emmy Award-winner Carlton Cuse, who both also serve as directors, and starring an award-winning ensemble cast that includes Vera Farmiga, Cornelius Smith Jr. and Emmy Award-winner Cherry Jones, “Five Days at Memorial” chronicles the impact of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath on a local hospital. When the floodwaters rose, power failed, and heat soared, exhausted caregivers at a New Orleans hospital were forced to make decisions that would follow them for years to come. “Five Days at Memorial” will premiere globally on Apple TV+ with the first three episodes on August 12, 2022, followed by one new episode every Friday through September 16.

In addition to  Farmiga, Smith Jr. and Jones, the limited series stars Robert Pine (“CHiPs”), Julie Ann Emery (“Better Call Saul,” “Preacher”), Adepero Oduye (“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,”“Pariah”), Molly Hager (“Happyish,” “It’s Kind of a Funny Story”), Michael Gaston (“Blindspot,” “The Leftovers”) and W. Earl Brown (“Deadwood,” “Preacher”).

“Five Days at Memorial” is executive produced and written by Cuse and Ridley, the series is directed by Cuse, Ridley and Wendey Stanzler (“For All Mankind,” “Dispatches From Elsewhere”). The series hails from ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

Imagine a world where Juliet goes on to survive after Romeo. What lessons would she have learned in her life about controlling her own destiny? Standing up to her parents? Or throwing it all away for the one she thought she loved? Even William Shakespeare himself must face the Music (thankfully for us, a Soundtrack of Pop Icon Max Martin‘s Greatest Hits) in Mirvish Productions’ & JULIET, against values like equality and inclusion of today.

Toronto is extremely lucky to get to enjoy a run of this phenomenal new Musical, as it continues its extended run in London’s West End currently. Playing at Princess of Wales Theatre till August 14, 2022, & JULIET with its current Cast, will head straight to Broadway.

Emmy-winning Schitt’s Creek Writer David West Read pens the Play, which speaks to an audience of today, bringing pure, blissful joy. Telling its story of Juliet‘s liberation and a catalogue of songs which defined and continue to define an era, it is impossible not to walk away feeling uplifted.

& JULET is empowering, wild and full of heart. Not to mention some outstanding performances from the likes of Broadway veteran Betsy Wolfe (Waitress, The Last Five Years) as William Shakespeare‘s wife Anne Hathaway, Justin David Sullivan as the non-binary May, Melanie La Barrie as Juliet‘s confidante Nurse, and up-and-comer Lorna Courtney in the starring role of Juliet. West Read‘s smart writing, delicately yet at once brazenly approaches angles not pondered by Shakespeare when it comes to asking what his female characters wanted, that the world contained more than just white people and that same sex love existed.

So seamlessly and brilliantly is this Soundtrack interweaved into the story line. Case in point, Bon Jovi‘s “It’s My Life” contains a line “Like Frankie said, I did it my way” and a character, Frankie (Philippe Arroyo) randomly comes out and does the line. Pure genius.

The level of detail is astounding and visually, it is like a Pop Concert-meets-Shakespeare-meets-Moulin Rouge with a relentless energy throughout this two-and-a-half-hour runtime, plus intermission.

& JULIET is invigorating and the perfect lift in spirits we needed this Summer with a huge potential to crossover as Pop Culture phenomenon. More on tickets here.

Some Snaps with the Cast:

We were so lucky to meet Max Martin, in-town recently for the Musical. More here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

HBO‘s SUCCESSION led the way at the 74th Emmy Award nominations, which were unveiled earlier today, hosted by J.B. Smoove and Melissa Fumero. SUCCESSION gets a total 25 nods including Outstanding Drama. Following in second is Apple TV+‘s TED LASSO with 20 nominations, including Outstanding Comedy, which ties the same feat it accomplished last year. Ten of those nominations are in Acting categories.

This is a stellar, record-breaking year for Apple TV+, which received a whopping 52 nominations, also highlighted by their new Series SEVERANCE getting 14 nods in its first season.

Also receiving 20 nominations, making it the most-recognized Limited TV Series this year, was HBO‘s THE WHITE LOTUS. Star Sydney Sweeney gets two nominations for the Network for her Supporting Actress work in that Limited Series and also EUPHORIA. Her Co-Star Zendaya got three out of the 16 nominations for the Series, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and Original Songs “Elliot’s Song” and “I’m Tired“.

For a complete list of nominations, click here.

The EMMYs are set to air September 12, 2022 on NBC and CTV, 8 PM ET.

(Photo credit: HBO)

You’ve read the raves and now Apple TV+ Series LOOT is confirmed to be back for a second season! This is hot off the news that Animal Pictures, run by Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne and Danielle Renfrew Behrens has signed-on for a multi-year first look deal!

Critics are raving about the performances by Rudolph, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Joel Kim Booster, Nat Faxon, Ron Funches and Stephanie Styles.

Synopsis:
In “Loot,” billionaire Molly Novak (Rudolph) has a dream life, complete with private jets, a sprawling mansion and a gigayacht — anything her heart desires. But when her husband of 20 years betrays her, she spirals publicly, becoming fuel for tabloid fodder. She’s reaching rock bottom when she learns, to her surprise, that she has a charity foundation run by the no-nonsense Sofia Salinas (Rodriguez), who pleads with Molly to stop generating bad press. With her devoted assistant Nicholas (Kim Booster) by her side, and with the help of Sofia and team — including mild-mannered accountant Arthur (Faxon) and her optimistic, pop-culture-loving cousin Howard (Funches) — Molly embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Giving back to others might be what she needs to get back to herself.

The first five episodes of “Loot” are now streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes of the 10-episode first season premiering every Friday. In this week’s new episode, “The Philanthropic Humanitarian Awards,” The Wells Foundation team attends a ceremony where Molly is receiving an award for her charity work.

Adam Sandler’s back! After having filmed in Toronto over the years, including projects like Pixels and visits to TIFF for acclaimed Uncut Gems and Hotel Transylvania, Sandler is here in the City again but this time as a Producer. The Netflix Feature is an Adaptation of Fiona Rosenbloom’s Novel “You Are SO Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!“.

Synopsis:

Stacy Friedman is getting ready for one of the most important events of her young life––her bat mitzvah! All she wants is the perfect BCBG dress to wear, her friends by her side, and her biggest crush ever, Andy Goldfarb, to dance with her (and maybe even make out with her on the dance floor). But Stacy’s well-laid plans soon start to fall apart….Her stressed-out mother forces her to buy a hideous sequined dress that makes her look like the bride of Frankenstein. Her mitzvahs are not going well at all. And then the worst thing in the entire world happens––causing Stacy to utter the words that will wreak complete havoc on her social life…You are SO not invited to my bat mitzvah!

While most of the production thus far has ranged from spots outside the downtown core in Port Credit and Oakville, Sandler has been spotted in his time off plenty around Yorkville – just this past weekend he was at ONE at Hazelton Hotel – and he loves to play Basketball, so you might very well see him on a court around town playing with the locals!

Filming made its way up to my neck of the woods last week and there was no way we weren’t going to check it out! We love Sandler and have met him a few times over the years and he’s always been amazingly-nice. And he still hasn’t changed, stopping quickly on his way home for the day for a Selfie with beanie and I! We spotted him wrapping for the day on-set, where we heard he took Selfies with the kids on-set!

Sandler typically is dressed for comfort, t-shirt, sneakers and basketball shorts and we love that he just keeps it real. Love the rainbow theme going on here with his top and sneakers!

“You Are SO Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!” is expected to wrap mid-August 2022.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

SiriusXM and Just for Laughs are teaming-up again for a third year! While the in-person Festival is celebrating its 40th edition in Montreal July 13-31, 2022, an audio-only Festival just days before the in-person events, can be heard only on SiriusXM. Listeners will hear jokes from the biggest names in Comedy from over the history of the Festival.

From Monday July 11 to Sunday July 17, 2022 inclusive, SiriusXM listeners can enjoy the best moments from the past four decades of the Just For Laughs festival, including both rising news stars and world-class comedy talent, broadcast live on Raw Dog Comedy, SiriusXM Channel 99. Monday through Saturday, two hour-long specials will air each day at 10am and 5pm EST. Then on Sunday the 17^th, the virtual festival will conclude with an audio marathon of the best of Just For Laughs starting at 8am EST. Just For Laughs Canada (SiriusXM Channel 168) will also be playing the virtual festival daily at 11am EST. 

Learn more here about the Festival!