#FIRSTLOOK: 2022 TORONTO COMICON PREVIEW

Toronto Comicon is back on again this year at Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s South Building from March 18-20, 2022.

After a two-year absence, we are thrilled to see the event back and it’s a pretty star-studded line-up! In addition to stars, there will be celebrity presentations, photo ops, signings, sketch duels and so much more!

TORONTO COMICON 2022 HIGHLIGHTED GUESTS INCLUDE:

JENNA COLEMAN (Doctor Who, Victoria)

JOHN CUSACK (Being John Malkovich, High Fidelity)

TIM ROSE (Star Wars universe)

BRIAN HERRING (Star Wars universe)

AUSTIN ST. JOHN (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)

LOU FERRIGNO (The Incredible Hulk)

LAURA VANDERVOORT (Smallville, The Handmaid’s Tale)

For a complete list of guests, info and tickets, visit: comicontoronto.com.

#SPOTTED: RYAN REYNOLDS IN TORONTO FOR “THE ADAM PROJECT”

One of our favourite Canadians is back in town! Ryan Reynolds was in Toronto today to promote his upcoming Feature THE ADAM PROJECT, coming soon to Netflix. After a smashing success with their last collaboration FREE GUY, Director Shawn Levy and Reynolds – fellow Canadians – team-up again on this upcoming Sci-Fi Flick arriving March 11, 2022 on Netflix.

The Film once had Tom Cruise attached to star but after a patient wait, it finally is surfacing and looks rather epic. See the Trailer:

The Film sees Adam (Reynolds) travel back in time to confront his father as his younger self (Walker Scobell). Reynolds also serves as the Film’s Producer.

Reynolds‘ Press Tour involved extra precautions with barricades lined-up at one TV stop to keep fans back. He had his Security Team advise fans he wouldn’t be greeting them as an extra layer of caution, but he did throw some waves!

He joked on BT earlier that he created a Pandemic so he could be first to come back to Toronto to do Press! Reynolds also will be appearing soon on Global‘s THE MORNING SHOW.

Reynolds would premiere the Film at TIFF Bell Lightbox before a lucky audience.

It’s awesome seeing stars back in the City again doing Press! But we totally get it, safety first!

See some snaps of Reynolds from earlier:

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#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “PACHINKO”

Starring Academy Award winner Yuh-Jung Youn (Minari), this is your first look at upcoming Apple TV+ Series PACHINKO.

Synopsis:

Filled with universal themes of family, love, triumph, fate and resilience, the series chronicles the hopes and dreams of a Korean immigrant family across four generations as they leave their homeland in an indomitable quest to survive and thrive. Starting in South Korea in the early 1900s, the story is told through the eyes of a remarkable matriarch, Sunja, who triumphs against all odds. It juxtaposes her story with that of her grandson, Solomon, in the 1980s.  

“Pachinko” is written and executive produced by Soo Hugh (“The Terror,” “The Killing”), who created the series and serves as showrunner. Kogonada and Justin Chon are executive producers and directed four episodes each, with Kogonada directing the pilot. Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer executive produce for Media Res; Theresa Kang-Lowe executive produces for Blue Marble Pictures; and Richard Middleton also executive produces. Media Res’ Dani Gorin co-executive produces along with David Kim and Sebastian Lee.

The series stars Academy Award-winning actress Yuh-Jung Youn as “Older Sunja”; Lee Minho as “Hansu”; Jin Ha as “Solomon”; Minha Kim as “Teenage Sunja”; Anna Sawai as “Naomi”; Eunchae Jung as “Young Kyunghee”; Inji Jeong as “Yangjin”; Jimmi Simpson as “Tom Andrews”; Junwoo Han as “Yoseb”; Kaho Minami as “Etsuko”; Steve Sanghyun Noh as “Isak”; Soji Arai as “Mozasu”; and, Yu-na Jeon as “Young Sunja.” 

PACHINKO will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on March 25, 2022 with the first three episodes followed by new weekly installments each Friday during its eight-episode season through April 29, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

#FIRSTLOOK: SEASON TWO OF “UPLOAD”

UPLOAD returns for a second season on Prime Video and here’s your first glimpse at the Trailer.

In Upload Season Two, Nathan is at a crossroads in his (after) life… his ex-girlfriend Ingrid has unexpectedly arrived to Lakeview hoping to strengthen their relationship, but his heart still secretly yearns for his customer service angel Nora. Meanwhile Nora is off the grid and involved with the anti-tech rebel group “The Ludds.” Season Two is packed with new near-future concepts, including Lakeview’s newest in-app digital baby program, called “prototykes,” and other satirical glimpses of the technological advances and headaches to come. 

The series was created by Greg Daniels who also serves as executive producer along with Howard Klein. 

Series stars: Robbie Amell as Nathan, Andy Allo as Nora, Kevin Bigley as Luke, Allegra Edwards as Ingrid, Zainab Johnson as Aleesha, Owen Daniels as A.I. Guy, and Josh Banday as Ivan, and Andrea Rosen as Lucy.

Season Two of UPLOAD arrives March 11, 2022 on Prime Video Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE BAD GUYS” TRAILER

A star-studded Cast including Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, Marc Maron, Lilly Singh, Alex Borstein and more star in BAD GUYS. This is the new Trailer.

Synopsis:

Nobody has ever failed so hard at trying to be good as The Bad Guys.

In the new action comedy from DreamWorks Animation, based on the New York Times best-selling book series, a crackerjack criminal crew of animal outlaws are about to attempt their most challenging con yet—becoming model citizens. 

Never have there been five friends as infamous as The Bad Guys—dashing pickpocket Mr. Wolf (Academy Award® winner Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), seen-it-all safecracker Mr. Snake (Marc Maron, GLOW), chill master-of-disguise Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson, Hot Tub Time Machine franchise), short-fused “muscle” Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos, In the Heights) and sharp-tongued expert hacker Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina, Crazy Rich Asians), aka “Webs.” 

But when, after years of countless heists and being the world’s most-wanted villains, the gang is finally caught, Mr. Wolf brokers a deal (that he has no intention of keeping) to save them all from prison: The Bad Guys will go good. 

Under the tutelage of their mentor Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade, Paddington 2), an arrogant (but adorable!) guinea pig, The Bad Guys set out to fool the world that they’ve been transformed. Along the way, though, Mr. Wolf begins to suspect that doing good for real may give him what he’s always secretly longed for: acceptance. So when a new villain threatens the city, can Mr. Wolf persuade the rest of the gang to become … The Good Guys? 

The film co-stars Zazie Beetz (Joker), Lilly Singh (Bad Moms) and Emmy winner Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). 

Universal Pictures Canada release The Bad Guys in theaters April 22, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE ANDY WARHOL DIARIES”

From Producer Ryan Murphy comes an expansive new six-part Docu-Series about cultural icon Andy Warhol, THE ANDY WARHOL DIARIES.

Synopsis:

From executive producer Ryan Murphy and director Andrew Rossi, this breathtakingly expansive, six-part portrait of a legend chronicles the remarkable life of Andy Warhol from the intimate vantage point offered by the artist’s own posthumously published diaries. Beginning with his childhood in Pittsburgh, the series traces Warhol’s almost unbelievably diverse journey fluidly moving between mediums and through eras as an artist —both revered and reviled — director, publisher, TV producer, scene maker, celebrity and much more. While he was a larger than life figure, Warhol was intensely private regarding his personal life. This series truly reveals much about the very complex man through his own words — often in his own voice through the use of cutting-edge AI techniques— and those who worked, created, and played alongside him from the subversive to the mainstream, from John Waters to Rob Lowe. Executive produced by Murphy, Josh Braun, Stanley Buchthal, Alexis Martin Woodall, Scott Robertson and Rossi and written and directed by Rossi, The Andy Warhol Diaries deftly validates Warhol’s belief that the idea is not to live forever but to create art that will.

THE ANDY WARHOL DIARIES arrives on Netflix March 9, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “FRESH”

Fresh, pardon the pun, off its Sundance Premiere comes the Horror FRESH starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan. Here’s a look at its new Trailer.

Synopsis:

“FRESH” follows Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones), who meets the alluring Steve (Sebastian Stan) at a grocery store and – given her frustration with dating apps – takes a chance and gives him her number. After their first date, Noa is smitten and accepts Steve’s invitation to a romantic weekend getaway. Only to find that her new paramour has been hiding some unusual appetites.

Jojo T. Gibbs (“Twenties”), Charlotte Le Bon (“Anthropoid”, “The Hundred-Foot Journey”), Andrea Bang (“Luce”), and Dayo Okeniyi (“Runner Runner”, “The Spectacular Now”) round out the cast. The expert crafts team includes cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski (“Hereditary”, “Midsommar”), editor Martin Pensa (“Wild”, “Dallas Buyers Club”), production designer Jennifer Morden (“Riot Girls”), and composer Alex Somers (“Honey Boy”, “Captain Fantastic”).

STAR arrives on Disney+ via its Star banner March 4, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE WEEKND x THE DAWN FM EXPERIENCE”

If like me you loved The Weeknd‘s latest album DAWN FM, you’ll be thrilled that a Special is coming to Prime Video!

Synopsis:

The Weeknd x The Dawn FM Experience. The immersive music special expands multiplatinum, two-time Grammy-winning artist The Weeknd’s critically acclaimed album Dawn FM into a mesmerizing visual, creating a theatrical performance event that will envelope audiences in its unnerving and moody world. Premiering exclusively on Prime Video on Saturday, February 26, The Weeknd x The Dawn FM Experience will be available only to Prime members in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

“I’m ecstatic to partner with Amazon to premiere the most elaborate live TV special I’ve ever done. Welcome to the next phase of Dawn FM—a purgatory otherworld where live performance, theater, and performance art collide for a night out at the club,” said Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye.

Music from The Weeknd x The Dawn FM Experience will be available for fans to stream as an eight-track live EP exclusively on Amazon Music. Starting at Noon PST/3 p.m. EST on February 25, an exclusive merch capsule celebrating the special will also be available in the Amazon Music Artist Merch Shop.

THE WEEKND x THE DAWN FM EXPERIENCE arrives February 26, 2022 on Prime Video Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW POSTERS FOR “SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2”

Here are some exciting new Posters for SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 which is arriving to us in April!

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

The world’s favorite blue hedgehog is back for a next-level adventure in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2. After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search for an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands. From the filmmakers behind The Fast and the Furious and Deadpool, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 stars James Marsden, Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub and Jim Carrey returning, alongside new additions Shemar Moore, with Idris Elba as the voice of Knuckles and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as the voice of Tails.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 IS IN THEATRES APRIL 8, 2022.

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

#COOKING: UNI PASTA X BULGOGI RECIPE

Uni Pasta x Bulgogi. One of my favourite things in the world to eat is Uni. While only available seasonally, Sea Urchin, as it better known, is decadent, thick, buttery and creamy. Infusing it into a creamy pasta sauce is the perfect way to get more out of it is sold in small portions. My favourite Pasta is Pappardelle, an Egg Noodle which works well with the creaminess of this dish. Pairing this together with Air-fried Bulgogi, Barbequed Korean Beef, is the perfect way to make Uni Pasta even more satisfying. A sumptuous balance of East meets West.

Fun fact: Maurizio Gucci‘s (the central subject in House of Gucci) favourite dish was Uni Pasta.

Ingredients:

1 large tray of Uni
16 oz Ribeye Steak, thinned in half
1/4 cup Korean BBQ Marinade
250g package of Pappardelle Pasta
1/3 cup Heavy Cream
1/4 cup Evaporated Milk
1/4 cup Korean BBQ Marinade
3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
1 tbsp Truffle Oil
5 bulbs garlic, minced

1 tbsp minced scallion
Furikake
Parmesan Cheese, grated
Sea salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate steak for minimum one hour in refrigerator. Leave at room temperature about 30 minutes before cooking.
2. Boil pasta till al dente and strain. Do not rinse. Set aside no longer than 20 minutes to avoid drying too much.
3. In large pan, sautée garlic in butter for a couple minutes. Do not over-brown.
4. Add-in cream, milk and truffle oil. Reduce heat to low and simmer a couple minutes. Season with salt, to taste. It’s fine if the sauce is slightly salty as it will balance out when it coats the Pappardelle.
5. Mix-in about 3/4 of the Uni, stirring occasionally till pieces are broken. Do not overcook.
6. Toss-in pasta gently and coat in cream sauce. Remove from heat.
7. Pre-heat Air Fryer at 400°F for three minutes.
8. Dividing steak into two batches, fry each batch for about 3-4 minutes. Do not overcook as these should be sliced thin so they will cook quickly. Set aside on platter and cut into small bite-size pieces.
9. Plate pasta twirling gently in ladle with a large serving fork. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Add portion of Bulgogi on the side.
10. Add pieces of Uni on-top and garnish with Furikake and scallions. Serves 4-6.

Gallery:

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