#SXSW: “YOUR FRIEND, MEMPHIS”

By Mr. Will Wong

Memphis is a young man living with Cerebral Palsy. He dreams of being an Actor after landing a few roles in smaller independent films. Senenca, his best friend, whom he has feelings for, worked on one of these films with him, is an aspiring Opera Singer. She realizes she must leave Texas to make her dreams come true. He struggles to get any government support from the state, while also at a crossroads in his life to pursue his dreams and leave Texas for the first time ever. David Zucker‘s debut Documentary YOUR FRIEND MEMPHIS explores life from our central subject’s eyes over a span of five years in his life.

The Film is an exploration of the struggles Memphis is dealing with in wanting to break-free as a young adult and be financially independent, followings his dreams and positive messages that we are inundated with in our day to day, which can contribute to our delusions. The reality however, is that the system is set-up so that someone disabled should be grouped together with others and collectively be placed on the fringes of society. And Memphis doesn’t want that.

We also meet Memphis‘ parents in the Documentary. His mother who left him at an young age, while battling with her own mental illness. She worries about him being able to take care of himself if he were to go out on his own, and she wants him to take-on a steady job so he can support himself, reminding him that his dreams aren’t going to pay his bills. His father has been there consistently throughout his life and loves him very much. When we see him deliver Memphis some reality checks, we see very quickly how uncomfortable things can get.

Zucker offers an insightful and empathetic look into the uphill battles Memphis faces and it isn’t tough being drawn-in by his optimism to life. When others around him doubt him, we believe in him still. That’s how intimate the Director allows us to get with his subject. It can be so heartbreaking seeing life deal its cards to him as he comes of age. And at once, he is making a compassionate statement about how we treat those with disabilities and the support they receive.

YOUR FRIEND, MEMPHIS screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

Your Friend, Memphis at Alamo Lamar E

Mar 11, 2022 7:15pm—8:48pm

Your Friend, Memphis at Online Screening

Mar 12, 9:00am CST – Mar 14, 9:00am CDT9:00am—10:33am

Your Friend, Memphis at Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema

Mar 13, 2022 11:30am—1:03pm

Your Friend, Memphis at Rollins Theatre at The Long Center

Mar 16, 2022 1:00pm—2:33pm

#SXSW: “WOMEN DO CRY”

By Amanda Gilmore

When Sonja (Maria Bakalova) finds out she is HIV-positive she turns to her sister Lora (Ralitsa Stoyanova) and her family for support. Each member in her predominantly female family is struggling with their own issues in their modern Bulgarian society. However, when the stress of her diagnosis pushes Sonja to reject therapy and spiral her family rallies to help her.

Co-Directors and Writers Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova have created an unflinching, honest Feminist critique on modern Bulgarian society. Through the lens of one family, they are able to speak to the inherent misogyny and homophobia present in the characters’ culture.

The Filmmakers have their female characters set in a society that is fixed against them. The beauty of their interactions lay in how they push each other to fight back against their society’s political and social beliefs. The entire ensemble is captivating and has authentic chemistry. Stoyanova is a standout as construction worker Lora who is forced to provide for the household. Her magnetic chemistry with Bakalova makes for powerhouse scenes.

Mileva and Kazakova’s resolute vision in Women Do Cry creates scenes that are as distressing as they are necessary. When Sonja goes to a gynaecologist appointment, she informs the doctor of her diagnosis. He then refuses to help her and calls her a whore. Bakalova delivers a heartbreaking performance as Sonja struggles with her diagnosis. She takes her performance up a notch in the second act as Sonja’s stress pushes her into a state that worries her family.

Women Do Cry screens at SXSW:

In-Person:
Saturday, March 12 at 1:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2

Saturday, March 12 at 2:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4

Monday, March 14 at 3:00 PM EST – Alamo Lamar C
Friday, March 18 at 8:30 PM EST – Alamo Lamar C

Online:
Sunday, March 13 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 28 hours

#BOXOFFICE: “THE BATMAN” DOMINATES A SECOND WEEK

For a second straight week, THE BATMAN dominates the Box Office with no new challengers. Disney and Pixar‘s TURNING RED which was to go to theatres, wound-up taking a direct-to-Disney+ route of release. This latest from the DC universe takes $66 million from 4,417 theatres across North America for Warner Bros. Over two weeks, it has grossed an impressive $238.5 million.

In second is UNCHARTED with $9 million from 3,725 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $113.1 million over two weeks.

Third goes to DOG with $5.1 million from 3,407 theatres for United Artists Releasing/Elevation Pictures, bringing its run to $47.6 million.

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME is in fourth $4 million, bringing it closer to the $800 million mark in its domestic run for Sony Pictures.

Bollywood flick RADHE SHYAM caps things off with $3.2 million in fifth, playing at 800 theatres across North America.

#COOKING: PANDAN CHIFFON CAKE RECIPE

PANDAN CHIFFON CAKE. Something green and lucky to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! This delight isn’t very easy to find in these parts, but is a adored in its native Singapore. I’ve adapted this spongey, fluffy cake for the common Baker, using accessible ingredients. For those who don’t know, Pandan is a fragrant tropical green leafy plant with a creamy, vanilla-like essence, found in Southeast Asia. It is irresistible.

The trick with this cake is gentle folding of the stiff egg whites, into your egg yolk, coconut and pandan batter before transferring to the pan. Ensure also you do not grease your pan as there are enough oils in this cake for it not to stick. And if you don’t have the standard Chiffon cake pan, a Bundt pan will do.

This is decadent and indulgent, but also airy, not overly-sweet. Have tried this a few times and finally got the right height and texture. Cannot wait to make this again! Don’t know where to find Pandan Extract or Powder? Try Amazon or your local Asian grocer.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp flour
5 eggs, separated at room temperature
100 ml Coconut Milk
2/3 cup Icing Sugar, divided in two
4 tbsps Vegetable Oil
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar
1/4 tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Pandan Extract
1 tsp Dried Pandan Powder

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven at 340°F.
2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt and reserve in small bowl.
3. Place egg whites in one bowl, and egg yolks in another bowl.
4. Using Egg Beater, beat yolks and half of icing sugar till thick and creamy.
5. In a small bowl, mix coconut milk, pandan powder and extract, plus oil.
6. Pour coconut and pandan mixture into egg yolk mixture and beat till smooth. Add flour mixture in gradually, beating till smooth. Set aside.
7. Beat egg whites with Egg Beater, mixing-in Cream of Tartar and remaining Icing Sugar. You will be beating for about 5 minutes at medium-high speed minimum, or till egg whites can form stiff peaks.
8. Using spatula, gentle fold-in egg whites into egg yolk/pandan/coconut batter. Do not overmix.
9. Transfer batter into cake pan, gently doing an “S” motion till even. If you see little air bubbles, use a toothpick through the batter to pop these.
10. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or till toothpick is clean.
11. Cool upside-down for about an hour, allow ventilation. Using spatula, gently trace along edges of pan to let cake out of pan. Store at room temperature in air-tight container or bags for up to 3 days.

Gallery:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#SXSW: “PIRATES”

By Amanda Gilmore

Have you been craving the nostalgia of ’90s fashion, entertainment and/or technology? Are you seeking an endearing story about friendship told with British comedy? If so you’re in luck because Director-Writer Reggie Yates has got you covered.

In his breakout Feature-debut Pirates, Yates takes us on a journey through London on New Year’s Eve 1999. 18-year-old life-long friends, Cappo (Elliot Edusah), Two Tonne (Jordan Peters) and Kidda (Reda Elazouar), travel from North to South London with the hopes to attend the best millennium party ever.

A lot of the comedy comes from the time Pirates takes place. There’s a scene where Kidda ignores his friends’ questions because he needs to feed his Tamagotchi. Another scene holds a conversation between Cappo and Two Tonne discussing the new website Google and if they can play a DVD on a PlayStation. In the Second Act, the costumes speak for themselves as the three sit in Cappo’s tiny Peugeot 205 decked-out in ’90s Moschino.

Yates fits a lot within the Film’s tight run-time of 80 mins, while never losing sight of its central message. Each comical event that happens in the one eventful night ties to the heartfelt theme about the importance of friendships. This message and the comedic moments are made stronger through the vibrant chemistry the three actors share. Their chemistry creates authenticity to the life-long bond the characters have.

Overall, Pirates is a stand-out New Year’s Eve film.

Pirates Screens at SXSW:
In-Person:
Friday, March 11 at 6:30 PM EST – Alamo Lamar A

Monday, March 14 at 8:30 PM EST – Alamo Lamar C
Wednesday, March 16 at 7:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2

Wednesday, March 16 at 8:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4

Online:
Saturday, March 12 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours

#NEWMUSIC: MEGAN THEE STALLION FT. DUA LIPA – “SWEETEST PIE”

Dave Meyers directs this new clip for the super-catchy “Sweetest Pie” a hot new collabo between Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa! The Track takes us back to the early ’00s with its vibe. The Track leads Megan Thee Stallion’s upcoming second LP.

See the Video:

Megan Thee Stallion will appear next week on Dua Lipa‘s Podcast AT YOUR SERVICE, available wherever you stream your Podcasts.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW LOCATIONS ADDED TO NETFLIX CANADA’S “NETFLIX IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD”

As you might remember, Netflix launched a NETFLIX IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD site that helps fans connect with some exclusive behind-the-scenes of where their favourites were filmed in Canada! Just added are the following Series and Films:

• Sex/Life, a boundary pushing series shot around the city of Toronto starring Sarah Shahi, Mike Vogel and Adam Demos; 
• Awake, starring Gina Rodriguez alongside Torontonian Shamier Anderson, which transformed Uxbridge, Ontario into a post-apocalyptic town; 
• The Adam Project, Vancouver shot family adventure starring Ryan Reynolds and helmed by Canadian director Shawn Levy (released on Netflix today); 
• Brazen, a murder mystery from Vancouver-based director Monika Mitchell, and filmed around Vancouver and Surrey, British Columbia; and the hit comedy series;
•  The Guide to the Perfect Family / Le Guide de la famille parfaite which was shot on location throughout Quebec.

Adam Levy and Ryan Reynolds also talk about some of their favourite spots in Vancouver. Check it out here!

#SXSW: “MASTER”

By Amanda Gilmore

Following its acclaim at Sundance, now’s your chance to see it at SXSW! Master follows three Black women at an elite New England university, Ambrose College, built on the site of a Salem-era gallows hill. Gail Bishop (Regina Hall) has just been instated as Master, first-year student Jasmine Moore (Zoe Renee) is trying to find her place, and literature professor Liv Beckman (Amber Gray) attempts to get her tenure. The three women navigate the politics and privilege of the campus and encounter increasingly terrifying manifestations of the school’s haunted past and present.

Writer-Director Mariama Diallo crafts an assured, compelling Feature debut. Like the finest of Psychological Horrors, Master excels in its social critique. It examines the racism and classism on campuses, however, it strives in connecting what happens at Ambrose College to everywhere. Diallo achieves this through her steady direction and precise Script. Additionally, she’s gifted audiences with a fresh take on the genre.

Diallo entwines the past and the present. The past for the history of black students dying in the room to which Jasmine has been assigned, and the present for the racism of the current students and faculty. In doing so, Diallo expertly toys with our minds making us question and guess until the very end. Additionally, she creates a chilling watch from start to finish. With expert use of lighting, sound and production design Diallo creates an eerie atmosphere interpolated with unsettling, frightening moments.

Then there are the powerful performances from this Cast. Hall gives a commanding performance as the Master battling with what she should and shouldn’t do and believe. Upcoming talent Renee gives a captivating performance as a young woman trying to find her place. Then there’s Gray who gives the perfect amount of mystery to Liv, allowing for some psychological aspects of the Script to thrive.

MASTER will be released on Prime Video March 18, 2022.

MASTER screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

Master at ZACH Theatre

Mar 14, 2022 2:30pm—4:08pm

Master at Online Screening

Mar 15, 9:00am CDT – Mar 17, 9:00am CDT 9:00am—10:38am Availability: Worldwide

Master at Stateside Theatre

Mar 16, 2022 5:15pm—6:53pm

Master at Alamo Lamar B

Mar 19, 2022 9:15pm—10:53pm

#SXSW: “LIZZO’S WATCH OUT FOR THE BIG GRRRLS”

By Mr. Will Wong

LIZZO became a household name in 2019, propelling to widespread popularity with her powerful message of body positivity and undeniable hits “Juice“, “Good as Hell” and “Truth Hurts“. She’d go on to win three Grammys and become a cultural icon.

She parlays her success into upcoming Prime Video series LIZZO’S WATCH OUT FOR THE BIG GRRRLS, just as she prepares to go on tour in support of her upcoming album, and also her performance in Bonnaroo 2021. The Reality Show pits plus-sized dancers together for a chance to compete to be one of her dancers, or as she affectionately calls them, her BIG GRRRLS.

The Show works on a few levels. It is a chance for fans to connect with Lizzo, who despite posting regularly on Social Media, has been laying low for the past bit. On another level, it explores the dynamic of these talented women whom while competing against one another, also at once are forming a deep bond in working and living together as a family, exchanging experiences and healing from the pain they’ve experienced in their lives due to stigma against race and body type. Through this experience, we see these women come to new realizations about themselves. Above all, the Series is wildly-entertaining, exploring the process and struggles of learning challenging choreography, while putting on a dazzling show each episode, at times borrowing from the spirit of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

While LIZZO’S WATCH OUT FOR THE BIG GRRRLS speaks to the black experience, we hear other voices as well. One contestant Jayla, is trans and Isabel is bi-racial, speaking from an Asian-American voice. Lizzo crafts a safe space and an inclusive tone and we feel each of the girls gets a chance to be heard. And of course no Reality Series is without drama and the conflicting personalities of classically-trained Arianna (she’s our favourite!) and alpha Jasmine certainly gives us some juice!

LIZZO’S WATCH OUT FOR THE BIG GRRRLS arrives March 25, 2022 on Prime Video. Lizzo will speak at an SXSW Keynote Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 1:00pm CT. More here.

#FIRSTLOOK: TRAILER FOR “AS THEY MADE US”

Mayim Bialik writes and directs AS THEY MADE US, which arrives soon via Quiver Distribution.

Synopsis:

As They Made Us follows Abigail (Agron), a divorced mother of two, who is struggling to find sanity in her dysfunctional family as she attempts to cultivate new love. Her father, Eugene (Hoffman), has a degenerative condition that he and his wife, Barbara (Bergen), refuse to accept. Her brother Nathan (Helberg) has been estranged from the family for decades. A self-appointed fixer, Abigail attempts to mend her complicated family before it’s too late.

Moving between present-day and flashbacks to a chaotic and confusing childhood, Abigail juggles parenting her young sons with her annoyingly competent ex-husband Peter (Weber) and trying to land a cover story at the news magazine she works for. Barbara barely gives Abigail a moment of peace, calling her to clean up messes every time Eugene falls or when a nurse sneaks him weed gummy bears against her wishes. Barbara’s intrusiveness proves amusing to Abigail’s crush, her landscaper Jay (Chu Cary), but it’s yet another part of Abigail’s life which she finds unable to disentangle her family’s insanity. 

Navigating Eugene’s degenerative condition and Barbara’s manic hostility is alternately hilarious and heartbreakingly cringe-worthy. Family struggles range from fights over birthday cake to wheelchair mechanical snafus to Barbara’s bizarre behavior at doctor’s appointments. Things come to a head when Nathan agrees to visit Eugene, but only if Barbara isn’t present. Barbara begrudgingly agrees to let them have their reunion, and Nathan and Eugene’s visit is bittersweet. However, Barbara cannot resist spoiling Abigail’s joy, leaving Abigail to once again choose between her comfort and that of her mother. Eugene’s health worsens and with his passing, Nathan and Abigail begin to repair their relationship and, in turn, their family.

AS THEY MADE US arrives on VOD April 8, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Quiver Distribution)