By Amanda Gilmore

FRESH is a delicious Horror film that’s perfectly twisted, fun and well — fresh.

Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is sick of online dating. It’s only led to bland, often repulsive dates. So when she runs into the seemingly enchanting Steve (Sebastian Stan) she takes a chance and gives him her number. What she soon finds out is that behind Steve’s charming grin lays a surprising appetite.

Screenwriter Lauryn Kahn has written a knockout Horror about the risks women face in today’s dating world. Imagine the worst thing that could happen…Kahn takes it to the next level. In doing so, she’s also created a film about the commodification of women’s bodies. The entire concept is dark, however, she brilliantly infuses witty Comedy through dialogue and situations. Thus, allowing the audience moments of levity while swallowing down its feminist message.

Director Mimi Cave builds on this Dark Comedy by adding textual layers and killer retro hits. Cave and Cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski work together to bring close-up shots that thrust the audience into Noa’s claustrophobia. Further, when it gets to the intoxicating late-second and Third Act the Cinematography dazzles to its zealous finish.

At the forefront is the magnetic, wicked performances from Edgar-Jones and Stan. They share a strong rapport and are radiant together. Edgar-Jones is a force having to balance between desire, terror and survival. Later in the second half, Noa begins putting on a performance of her own. Therefore, causing the talented Edgar-Jones to play a double act, which she excels at. And Stan uses his natural charisma to create a terrifying psychopath hidden within a charming exterior. He is truly great at playing bad.

FRESH screens virtually at Sundance:

Premiere: Jan. 21 at 1:55AM EST
Second Screening: Jan. 23 at 10AM EST (available for 24hrs)

We are so excited about LILYISTHATYOU! This Toronto-based Singer/Songwriter is making waves and making statements with her sex-positive message. You’ve likely heard of her viral hit FMRN already, followed by her New Year Anthem PARTY 22! And now comes a new Video for her latest, PURITY directed by Leah Lalich. The Track is unapologetic, fun and unforgettable. This definitely isn’t Safe For Work but you’re probably working from home anyway, so whatever! Enjoy!

We need a proper Toronto show already! Cannot wait to hear what’s next!

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music Canada)

By Mr. Will Wong

Carey Williams makes his Feature directorial debut EMERGENCY and Sundance ’22, based on his 2018 Short Film of the same name. We appreciate where Williams is going in making a statement about what it means to be a Black person in America today in the face of the scrutiny they receive from others and law enforcement.

The Film centers on best friends Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins) and Sean (R.J. Cyler). The former loves to party and vape, while the latter is very driven in his studies, aiming to do his post-grad at Princeton. Their friendship faces a serious test one night as they attend a party together, but an unexpected trip back to their residence has them finding an unconscious intruder Emma (Maddie Nichols) in their home. In a panic what to do in fear of how this might look to the police, they take matters into their own hands. Along the way, her sister Maddy (Sabrina Carpenter) and friends believe she might be in danger and are in pursuit of Kunle and Sean. From here, Kunle and Sean face the consequences of perception and it does a number on them and their friendship.

Writer K.D. Dávila and Williams have their heart in the right place giving us an empathetic look into the world of a young Black person and if you walk away feeling that things truly are messed-up, then the Film effectively has done its job. It is troubling that someone with as bright a future as Watkins‘ Kunle could have their future taken away from them based on a misunderstanding. Cyler in particular is great as the free-spirited Sean, while the talented Carpenter isn’t given enough to work with, in Maddy‘s one-dimensional “Karen“. Tonally, the Film takes a while to figure out what it wants to be, following loosely a Goldilocks prototype, starting as a Teen Adventure Comedy, but ultimately delivering what is a very serious message, and this admittedly threw us for a bit of a loop.

Emergency is set to hit theatres May 20, 2022 and debuts on Prime Video on May 27, 2022.

Screening times at Sundance:

By Mr. Will Wong

While the end is being signaled for highly-acclaimed Netflix Series OZARK, we at least get the final season rationed in two parts to make it a bit easier to say goodbye. The first-half of Season Four is before is and we catch-up with The Byrdes who refuse to go down in defeat in this game of money laundering.

Enter to the picture Javi (Alfonso Herrera), the erratic nephew of kingpin Omar Navarro (Felix Angel Solis). Unpredictable, he is looking to take the reins and breathe new life into his family’s business, and he could care less about his uncles allegiance to the Byrdes. Using every single resource they have, the Byrdes who are own their successful casino and are more hated than ever in Ozark. Wendy (Laura Linney) is out to clean-up her reputation, attaching herself to philanthropic work, and she is more ferocious than ever, no longer just the supportive wife in the background. She and Marty (Jason Bateman) are in deeper trouble than ever before. And at a quick turn of temper, Javi could end it all for them. And at this point really, what do they have to lose? So they go all in.

At the heart of this first-half of the final season are themes of grieving and feuding. Noah (Skylar Gaertner) rebels against and betrays his family, numb from all his family has brought him through, but when things get really scary, this truly tests the strength of their familial bond. Ruth (Julia Garner) also is coping with the loss of her father and also her lover, Ben (Tom Pelphrey), Wendy‘s brother. Wendy also is coping with the loss too, but is forced to pretend she doesn’t know he’s dead. We see Ruth try to navigate this sense of sadness with rage as she’s looking to build an empire of her own. And though she’s been there to help the Byrde family in the past, their relationship falls on shaky footing this season.

The performances continue to mesmerize and Garner continues to deliver some phenomenal work as Ruth, single-handedly stealing the entire show. She balances the quiet pain that Ruth is experiencing within this season and more than ever before we see her vulnerability beneath her outbursts and tough exterior. Linney also is so good that Wendy convinces herself of all the contrivances she’s created, learning to harness her power as an equal partner in this family operation.

As expected, we’re left on a bit of a cliffhanger, but can’t wait to see how the second-half of this season plays out. Tune-in if you’re looking for an anxiety-ridden good time as the first-half of OZARK Season Four streams Friday, January 21, 2022 on Netflix.

Apple TV+ will be streaming upcoming A24 Feature THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, based on the Novel of the same name by Jandy Nelson.

Synopsis:

Tucked among the magical redwood trees of Northern California and surrounded by her grandmother’s gargantuan roses, 17-year-old Lennie Walker, a radiant musical prodigy, struggles with overwhelming grief following the sudden loss of her older sister, Bailey. When Joe Fontaine, the charismatic new guy at school, enters Lennie’s life, she’s drawn to him. But Lennie’s complicated relationship with her sister’s devastated boyfriend, Toby, starts to affect Lennie and Joe’s budding love. Through her vivid imagination and honest, conflicted heart, Lennie navigates first love and first loss to create a song of her own. Acclaimed filmmaker Josephine Decker directs this moving adaptation of the beloved novel of the same name. 

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE streams on Apple TV+ February 11, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

We present the new Trailer for Season Six of OUTLANDER!

About Outlander

The new season of Outlander sees a continuation of Claire and Jamie’s fight to protect those they love, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life in colonial America. Establishing a home in the New World is by no means an easy task, particularly in the wild backcountry of North Carolina – and perhaps most significantly – during a period of dramatic political upheaval. The Frasers strive to maintain peace and flourish within a society which – as Claire knows all too well – is unwittingly marching towards Revolution. Against this backdrop, which heralds the birth of the new American nation, Claire and Jamie have built a home together at Fraser’s Ridge. They must now defend this home – established on land granted to them by the Crown – not only from external forces, but also from the increasing strife and conflict in the community within their care. For the Frasers and their immediate family, “home” is more than simply a site in which they live, it is the place where they are laying the foundations for the rest of their lives. If Season 4 asked “What is home?” and Season 5 asked, “What are you willing to do to protect your home?” then Season 6 explores what happens when there is disharmony and division among the inhabitants of the home you’ve created: when you become an outsider, or an ‘outlander,’ so to speak, marginalized and rejected in your own home. 

Adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books, Season 6 is based on material from the sixth book in the Outlander series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes. STARZ also recently announced the pick-up of the seventh season of Outlander.

Ronald D. Moore, Matthew B. Roberts, Maril Davis, Toni Graphia, Andy Harries and Jim Kohlberg executive produce. Outlander is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Left Bank Pictures and Story Mining & Supply Company, in association with Sony Pictures Television.

The Outlander television series is inspired by Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander book series whose first eight books have sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, with all of them gracing the New York Times best-seller list. The Outlander television series has become a worldwide success with audiences, spanning the genres of history, science fiction, romance and adventure in one amazing tale.

Outlander Season Six premieres Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 9 p.m. ET/PT exclusively on W Network and STACKTV.

(Photo/video credit: Corus Entertainment)

I don’t know about you, but I’m obsessed with Gayle! Her global smash hit ABCDEFU has charmed listeners around the world with its realness and humour. The 17-year-old Singer/Songwriter from Texas is on the verge of major stardom and delivers once again with an awesome second Single UR JUST HORNY. Gayle is someone we can get behind. She’s real, she’s our girl!

We need this debut Album! Super-excited!

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

Oscar winners Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway star in upcoming Series WECRASHED and here’s your first look at the Teaser Trailer.

Synopsis:

The series is inspired by actual events — and the love story at the centre of it all. WeWork grew from a single coworking space into a global brand worth $47 billion in under a decade. Then, in less than a year, its value plummeted. What happened?

“WeCrashed” is created by Eisenberg (Spirit Award-nominated “Little America,” “Good Boys”) and Crevello (“The Long Dark”), who also serve as co-writers, executive producers and co-showrunners and is directed by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (“This is Us,” “Crazy Stupid Love”). Requa and Ficarra executive produce alongside Charlie Gogolak, Hathaway and Natalie Sandy. Leto and Emma Ludbrook executive produce through their Paradox production company and Hernan Lopez, Marshall Lewy and Aaron Hart executive produce from Wondery.

WECRASHED arrives March 5, 2022 on Apple TV+.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

We get a new glimpse of the Canadian Artwork for THE BATMAN starring Robert Pattinson. How exciting!

Synopsis:

It’s not just a call… It’s a warning.

From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.

Starring alongside Pattinson (“Tenet,” “The Lighthouse”) as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (“Big Little Lies,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”) as Selina Kyle; Paul Dano (“Love & Mercy,” “12 Years a Slave”) as Edward Nashton; Jeffrey Wright (“No Time to Die,” “Westworld”) as the GCPD’s James Gordon; John Turturro (the “Transformers” films, “The Plot Against America”) as Carmine Falcone; Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven,” “Interrogation”) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Jayme Lawson (“Farewell Amor”) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”) as Alfred; and Colin Farrell (“The Gentlemen,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”) as Oswald Cobblepot.

Reeves (“The Planet of the Apes” franchise) directed from a screenplay by Reeves & Peter Craig, based on characters from DC.  Batman was created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.  Dylan Clark (the “Planet of the Apes” films) and Reeves produced the film, with Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo and Simon Emanuel serving as executive producers.  

The director’s behind-the-scenes creative team included Oscar-nominated director of photography Greig Fraser (“Dune,” “Lion”); Reeves’ “Planet of the Apes” production designer, James Chinlund, and editor, William Hoy; editor Tyler Nelson (“Rememory”); and Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“1917,” “Little Women,” “Anna Karenina”).  The music is by Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino (the current “Spider-Man,” “Jurassic World” and “Star Wars” films, “Up”).

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a 6th & Idaho/Dylan Clark Productions Production, a Matt Reeves Film, “The Batman.”  The film is set to open in theatres March 4, 2022 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release THE BATMAN March 4, 2022.

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

We present some new stills from the upcoming season of BRIDGERTON!

Synopsis:

From Shondaland and Creator Chris Van Dusen, the second season of Bridgerton follows Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), the eldest Bridgerton sibling and Viscount, as he sets out to find a suitable wife. Driven by his duty to uphold the family name, Anthony’s search for a debutante who meets his impossible standards seems ill-fated until Kate (Simone Ashley) and her younger sister Edwina (Charithra Chandran) Sharma arrive from India. When Anthony begins to court Edwina, Kate discovers the true nature of his intentions — a true love match is not high on his priority list — and decides to do everything in her power to stop the union. But in doing so, Kate and Anthony’s verbal sparring matches only bring them closer together, complicating matters on both sides. Across Grosvenor Square, the Featheringtons must welcome the newest heir to their estate while Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) continues to navigate the ton whilst keeping her deepest secret from the people closest to her.

Bridgerton is a romantic, scandalous, and clever series that celebrates the timelessness of enduring friendships, families finding their way, and the search for a love that conquers all. The series also stars Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), Lorraine Ashbourne (Mrs. Varley), Harriet Cains (Philipa Featherington), Bessie Carter (Prudence Featherington), Shelley Conn (Mary Sharma), Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington), Phoebe Dynevor (Daphne Basset), Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Florence Hunt (Hyacinth Bridgerton), Martins Imhangbe (Will Mondrich), Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton), Calam Lynch (Theo Sharpe), Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Will Tilston (Gregory Bridgerton), Polly Walker (Portia Featherington), Rupert Young (Jack), and Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown. The series is inspired by Julia Quinn’s novels.

Season Two of BRIDGERTON arrives on Netflix March 25, 2022.

(Photo credit: Netflix)