The best things in life are free! At the Box Office too! FREE GUY takes the top spot in its opening at the Box Office this weekend with a $26 million opening from 4,164 theatres for 20th Century Studios. The Fantasy-Action-Comedy starring Ryan Reynolds, gets a solid 82% on the Tomatometer.

In second spot is DON’T BREATHE 2 with $10.1 million for Sony Pictures. The Horror follows on the success of its Predecessor which in August 2016 opened at top spot. This Sequel gets 52% on the Tomatometer.

RESPECT debuts in third with $9 million from 3,207 theatres for Universal Pictures/MGM. The Aretha Franklin Biopic starring Jennifer Hudson gets 63% on the Tomatometer.

Disney’s JUNGLE CRUISE lands in fourth this weekend with $8.9 million from 3,900 theatres, a three week total of $88.1 million domestically.

THE SUICIDE SQUAD rounds-out the Top Five with $8.1 million from 4,019 theatres for Warner Bros., a two week run of $43.2 million.

Psychological Horror THE NIGHT HOUSE is directed by David Bruckner (V/H/S) and centers on a widow named Beth (Rebecca Hall) who suddenly loses husband. She is forced to deal with the aftermath of this but through haunting visions, soon uncovers that he might not have been the person she thought he was, and must come to terms with this reality. The Film premieres at Fantasia 2021 after receiving raves out of it’s premiere at Sundance 2020.

Our Amanda Gilmore had the privilege of attending a virtual junket with the star of THE NIGHT HOUSE, English Actress, Producer, Writer and Director Rebecca Hall. The multi-faceted star has gained recognition in films like Vicky Cristina Barcelona, garnering her an Oscar nomination, but she also has entertained the masses with a role in The Town, Iron Man, Godzilla vs. Kong and just this year at Sundance won wide acclaim for her directorial debut, Passing.

Hall is asked what drew her to the role of Beth.

Hall: I was intrigued and perhaps naively-seduced about the idea of doing a film that was basically me. I enjoyed it enormously and I think the challenge was intriguing when I read it. I also really liked the character. The turning point for me when I was reading the Script was that there’s so much mystery around her like the scene with the parent (who confronts Beth, a teacher, about her son’s grade) which essentially is an exposition scene, but I felt it was really about the character because it was so brittle and weirdly funny. I really liked the toughness and strangeness about her I liked having, and from that scene onwards is where I thought ‘I wanna do it!’.

Hall finds herself acting all alone in much of the Films and is asked just how challenging this is.

Hall: I knew it was going to be challenging going into it. I thought, I’ve never done this before, I’ll give this a go! I don’t think I even guessed how challenging it could be. This is the thing you realize as an Actor, that you derive a lot of energy and generate creative ideas from the people you’re working with. It’s a bit like you’re at a party and someone comes in who’s got a lot of charisma, and suddenly the party gets really great and you’re bouncing off the energy. This is like being at a party with no guests and you still have to make the party good.

Hall comments on working in the Horror genre.

Hall: You know it’s a funny thing, I didn’t embark on my career thinking I’m gonna do lots of genre. As it often turns out, there’s actually more extreme parts in genre and Horror and I’m kinda a sucker for signing-up for something that’s gonna use me, is gonna be really tough and gonna put me through it. Don’t ask me why, but I am and often there’s just more to do in these sorts of films as an Actor that feels scary in where your ability can go and if you can pull it off. I like to go for something gutsy. And also I think there’s a huge opportunity for genre to tackle not-genre subjects like death and those large existential questions of life. Some things we find difficult to talk about as people sometimes can be more fruitfully addressed if they are dealt with indirectly, and genre has a way of dealing with this in a way that’s not really head-on. Sometimes it can be more rewarding than a Drama that deals with them straight-on.

Late in the Film Hall‘s abilities really are put to the test in a scene where Beth has a romantic moment with the spirit of her deceased husband. She talks about the challenges of filming this scene.

Hall: The honest answer is that it was kinda funny. We were doing a lot of things on the fly, getting shots. It was a quick shoot and the sorta tough things about independent filmmaking. And when it came to doing that scene, we sorta talked about the scene, but it wasn’t like someone was choreographing it. The initial idea of me having this interaction-slash-romantic encounter with an invisible person was essentially just me improvising it, which was fairly embarrassing. I realized very quickly I was gonna look silly and I knew that everyone would laugh at me and just got on with it. After a while it felt strangely liberating. It was unlike anything I’ve ever done before.

Hall in her career has starred in both large-budget blockbusters and also smaller Indie films. She tells us about the experience doing both.

Hall: There’s definitely things about each one that I appreciate. On a small independent film you’re always pressured on time, you’re always being pushed around, it’s always incredibly stressful, you don’t have time to sit down and relax. And if you do just that you’d go crazy. I do feel there’s a sense of camaraderie and I guess a sort of team spirit that happens on those films and you often yield very creative results.

On the big ones, it’s lovely coming in to find a cup of tea and a blanket. And you have the room to ask ‘How can I help, how can I do more on this?’. But I appreciate the scale of those ones, the scale of resources are appropriate.

It’s really difficult to make films on a tiny budget in 20 days. I feel bad for Filmmakers because it has happened shouldn’t mean it should continue to happen. And sometimes there’s a little more room for creativity. And sometimes on the big ones, there’s too much room for creativity and sometimes there’s wasted resources. So I think it’s a combination of the two that there’s a sweet spot.

Searchlight Pictures release THE NIGHT HOUSE August 20, 2021.

Wildly-popular, err… should we say paw-pular, Animated Series PAW PATROL gets the big screen treatment and its young fans around the globe can’t seem to wait! The Red Carpet was rolled-out this morning at Toronto’s Scotiabank Theatre as the Canadian Cast, Creators and Crew of the Series, celebrated the upcoming release of PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE. The star-studded Feature directed by Toronto’s own Cal Brunker, sees the beloved pups band together to go head-to-head against Mayor Humdinger, who could well destroy Adventure City. The fact that several of the A-List names who voice the Film signed-on because their own families are fans of Paw Patrol, is a testament to its power.

We had the pawesome experience of chatting with Brunker about making the Film just earlier this week. Check it out here!

The Franchise is loved internationally, a true testament to this being a true Canadian success story with its foundations rooted deeply in our country, produced by Canada’s Spin Master.

Once could sense the great pride and joy among the Film’s Cast and Creators, getting to premiere the Film for the first time for the Toronto audience. In attendance today at the festive affair, complete with some of the canine characters to bring cheer, were:

See some Snaps from the event:

Elevation Pictures release PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE in theatres Friday, August 20, 2021.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Golden Globe-nominated Actress Mila Kunis is among several stars who have braved the Pandemic in Toronto. The star of successes like That ’70s Show, Black Swan, Bad Moms, Family Guy and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, has been in town with husband Ashton Kutcher and their two children the past month-plus filming upcoming Mystery LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD. Directed by Mike Barker (The Handmaid’s Tale) and adapted from Jessica Knoll‘s New York Times Bestseller, the Film centers on a woman who overcame dark past traumas to reinvent herself. The Film is set for a 2022, just having wrapped its Toronto portion. Production completes in New York City.

The star made headlines recently when it was revealed she and husband Kutcher only bathe their children when absolutely required. Okay, even I admit I thought that was unusual! This sparked Kutcher and Kunis to post this funny video in response to the talk.

We’ve always loved Kunis and the personable warmth she brings into her roles. No matter who she is playing, she somehow makes her characters feel lived-in and like people I know.

beanie and I were so fortunate to get a Selfie with Kunis wrapping in the City after having been spotted filming in the downtown core, all the way out to Cobourg. When we met her, she was filming a scene at Indigo Bookstore in Bloor, looking a vision. Author Knoll who adapted to Screenplay for the Film also was seen on-set where Crew were treated to Tiny Tom Doughnuts and a fancy Coffee Truck overnight!

Respecting social distancing, Kunis was more than kind to look back for a Selfie before heading off. We’re so happy!

Cannot wait to see LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE, which will stream on Netflix!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Two greats unite in Lizzo’s Comeback Track RUMORS, featuring Cardi B! Check-out this new Clip for the Single, directed by Tanu Muino. Goddesses only, please! Lizzo owns her outlandish reputation with accountability and we’re here for it!

You can stream/download RUMORS now here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

By Mr. Will Wong

Paw Patrol truly is a Canadian success story, winning fans all around the world since its debut in 2013. Upcoming Feature PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE proudly sports its Canadian colours on the international stage as it sees an upcoming release in theatres. The star-studded Film directed and co-written by Cal Brunker, showcases our own homegrown talent, while also featuring the voices of Hollywood A-Listers like Tyler Perry, Jimmy Kimmel, Kim Kardashian-West, Yara Shahidi, Dax Sheppard, Randall Park and more.

The Film sees the adored pups going head-to-head fighting for what’s right against their arch-enemy Mayor Humdinger, as he gains power in Adventure City, threatening to destroy the metropolis.

We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to chat with Toronto’s Brunker, whose work includes Despicable Me, Horton Hears a Who! Ice Age: Continental Drift, Minions and more. PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE sees him team-up with among others, his longtime partner Bob Barlen, whom he co-wrote the Script with.

Brunker tells us about the Film’s proud Canadian attachments.

Brunker: Oftentime, these bigger movies get outsourced and made in America. For us it felt like something we could really be proud of. Not only is the Movie made here, it’s a Show and a Brand that’s loved around the world that really is a Canadian success story. For us it’s a really exciting moment premiering this Movie here in Toronto this Saturday.

We ask him why he thinks this Franchise has connected so much with this next generation.

Brunker: It’s familiar and it’s got these great characters that they love. I’ve got a three-year-old and a six-year-old and we’re constantly watching this stuff at home. I always watch them watching it and see they’ve each got their favourite pups and I think that’s why people keep going back to it over and over.

The Film features a roster of A-List Voice Talent. Brunker tells about getting names like Tyler Perry, Jimmy Kimmel and Kim Kardashian West involved.

Brunker: One of the things that made it a wonderful casting experience is a lot of them have kids that watch Paw Patrol, and they wanted to be superstars to their kids. I know Tyler’s son is huge fan and Jimmy‘s little one he jokes about on his show. We’re aware of those people who already are in the Paw Patrol world in their own lives with their families. We reached out and the response was wonderful.

In terms of working with them, most of it was done over Zoom ,which is a first for me. Normally you’re with the Actors and it’s easier to play around with them when they’re in the same room. They were all absolutely wonderful. We just took as much time as it needed over Zoom, improvised and tried to different things and built the characters like that.

He tells us about what he hopes the audience will take away from PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE.

Brunker: The Movie is about overcoming one’s fears. That’s the main emotional story in the Film. It seems like the type of theme that will really resonate as we have been dealing with fear the past year and a half. The Film is really coming out at the right time. And hope it will connect to kids and families alike.

See our Chat with Brunker below. Including beanie‘s pitch to star in the next Paw Patrol movie!

Elevation Pictures release PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE Friday, August 20, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures/Mr. Will Wong)

Six-episode Series COLIN IN BLACK & WHITE is coming this Fall to Netflix, the collaboration of Colin Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay, based on his own life!

Synopsis:

From co-creators Ava DuVernay and Colin Kaepernick comes Colin in Black & White, a bold new limited series that chronicles Kaepernick’s coming of age story, tackling the obstacles of race, class and culture as the Black adopted child of a white family. Colin in Black & White stars Jaden Michael as Young Colin before reaching the highest levels of American football as an NFL quarterback and becoming a cultural icon and activist; Nick Offerman and Mary-Louise Parker as his well-meaning parents Rick and Teresa; and Colin Kaepernick himself, who appears as the present-day narrator of his own story, guiding viewers through a robust and colorfully presented array of historical and contemporary contextual moments. You don’t know Kaepernick until you know Colin.

Some new Stills:

COLIN IN BLACK & WHITE arrives on Netflix October 29, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Entertainment One’s animated adventure film “My Little Pony: A New Generation” gallops to debut on Netflix September 24, 2021.

The Mane 5 voice cast for the equestrian themed feature stars Vanessa Hudgens (SUNNY), Kimiko Glenn (IZZY), James Marsden (HITCH), Sofia Carson (PIPP) and Liza Koshy (ZIPP). Additional voice cast members include Ken Jeong (SPROUT), Elizabeth Perkins (PHYLLIS), Jane Krakowski (QUEEN HAVEN), Phil LaMarr (ALPHABITTLE) and Michael McKean (ARGYLE).

The film is directed by Robert Cullen, José L. Ucha, and co-directed by Mark Fattibene. The story was created by Robert Cullen & José L. Ucha, and Tim Sullivan. The screenplay was written by Tim Sullivan and Gillian Berrow. Cecil Kramer and Peter Lewis produced.

Synopsis:

The unimaginable has happened…Equestria has lost its magic! Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi are no longer friends and now live separated by species. But idealistic Earth Pony Sunny (Vanessa Hudgens) is determined to find a way to bring enchantment and unity back to their world. Teaming up with open-hearted Unicorn Izzy (Kimiko Glenn), the pair travel to faraway lands where they encounter the likes of charismatic and brave Pegasi Pipp (Sofia Carson) and Zipp (Liza Koshy) and the ever-responsible fellow Earth Pony Hitch (James Marsden). Their mission is full of misadventures, but these new best friends each possess their own unique and special gifts that may be just what this ponyverse needs to restore magic and prove that even little ponies can make a big difference.

MY LITTLE PONY: THE NEW GENERATION arrives on Netflix September 24, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

Taking place now over a 50,000 sq ft space in the North Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre is the long awaited BEYOND MONET Art Event.

The immersive space is comprised of three parts that showcase and celebrate Monet‘s groundbreaking innovation. Through dreamy audio and visual, the experience is crafted to take the guest right into every brushstroke of his masterpieces, very centric on water.

We’ve been to many of these immersive experiences in Toronto, and how this one stands-out is that visually it is compelling, ground-up 360° and truly you feel at one with the art with the way it all is configured. A lot of the first part of the exhibit Monet’s philosophy, but wait till you see its latter parts! Spellbinding!

Health and safety are a priority at Beyond Monet, with social distancing protocols in place with marked pods keeping guests apart.

And you must check-out some of the amazing Monet merchandise before leaving including dolls, clothing, cups, prints, masks and more!

Gallery below. Click right to navigate.

Additional titles have been announced at TIFF ’21 today in the Platform, Special Events and Short Cuts Programmes, with Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) being named President of the Jury for the Platform Competition this year! The Competition seeks to reward films of high artistic merit that also demonstrate a strong directorial vision. Ahmed also will be at TIFF ’21 with the film ENCOUNTER, about two brothers embarking on a journey with their father to protect the world from an alien threat.

Pablo Larrain‘s SPENCER which stars Kristen Stewart as Diana also will be coming to the Festival in the Special Events Programme.

The Festival is set to take place September 9-18, 2021.

PLATFORM PROGRAMME

Arthur Rambo Laurent Cantet | France
World Premiere

Drunken Birds (Les oiseaux ivres) Ivan Grbovic | Canada
World Premiere

Earwig Lucile Hadžihalilović | United Kingdom/France/Belgium
World Premiere

Huda’s Salon Hany Abu-Assad | Palestine/Egypt/Netherlands/Qatar
World Premiere

Mlungu Wam(Good Madam)(Mlungu Wam) Jenna Cato Bass | South Africa
World Premiere

Montana Story Scott McGehee, David Siegel | USA
World Premiere

Silent Land(Cicha Ziemia) Aga Woszczyńska | Poland/Italy/Czech Republic
World Premiere

Yuni Kamila Andini | Singapore/France/Indonesia/Australia
World Premiere

TIFF SHORT CUTS PROGRAMME

A Few Miles South Ben Pearce | United Kingdom
World Premiere

Angakusajaujuq – The Shaman’s Apprentice(Angakusajaujuq) Zacharias Kunuk | Canada
North American Premiere

Anxious Body Yoriko Mizushiri | France/Japan
North American Premiere

ASTEL Ramata-Toulaye Sy | France/Senegal
World Premiere  

Beity Isabelle Mecattaf | Lebanon/United States of America
International Premiere

Bhai Hamza Bangash | United Kingdom/Canada/Pakistan
World Premiere

Boobs Marie Valade | Canada
North American Premiere

Charlotte Zach Dorn | United States of America 
World Premiere 

DEFUND Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, Araya Mengesha | Canada 
World Premiere

Displaced (Pa Vend) Samir Karahoda | Kosovo
North American Premiere

DUST BATH Seth A Smith | Canada 
World Premiere 

Egúngún(Masquerade) Olive Nwosu | United Kingdom/Nigeria
World Premiere

Fanmi Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers, Carmine Pierre-Dufour | Canada
World Premiere

Hanging On Alfie Barker | United Kingdom
International Premiere

I Gotta Look Good for the Apocalypse Ayçe Kartal | France
North American Premiere

I Would Never Kiran Deol | United States of America
World Premiere 

Little Bird Tim Myles | Canada 
World Premiere

Love, Dad (Milý tati) Diana Cam Van Nguyen | Czech Republic/Slovakia
Canadian Premiere

Meneath: The Hidden Island of Ethics Terril Calder | Canada
World Premiere

Motorcyclist’s Happiness Won’t Fit Into His Suit (Al motociclista no le cabe la felicidad en el traje) Gabriel Herrera | Mexico
Canadian Premiere 

NuisanceBear Jack Weisman, Gabriela Osio Vanden | Canada 
World Premiere

Ousmane Jorge Camarotti | Canada
World Premiere

Saturday Night Rosana Matecki | Canada
World Premiere

Shark Nash Edgerton | Australia
World Premiere

Soft Animals Renee Zhan | United Kingdom 
North American Premiere

Some Still Search (Algunos Siguen Buscando) Nesaru Tchaas | United States of America
World Premiere

Srikandi Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto | Indonesia/Canada
World Premiere

Successful Thawing of Mr. Moro (Lyckad upptining av herr Moro) Jerry Carlsson | Sweden 
International Premiere

Sycorax (Sycorax)Lois Patiño, Matías Piñeiro | Portugal/Spain
North American Premiere

The Future Isn’t What It Used To Be Adeyemi Michael | United Kingdom
Canadian Premiere

The Infantas (Las Infantas) Andrea Herrera Catalá | Spain
World Premiere

The Syed Family Xmas Eve Game Night Fawzia Mirza | United States of America/Canada
World Premiere

Together (Ham-Gye) Albert Shin | Canada/South Korea
World Premiere

Trumpets in the Sky Rakan Mayasi | Palestine/Lebanon/France/Belgium
World Premiere

Twelve Hours Paul Shkordoff | Canada 
World Premiere

White Devil Mariama Diallo, Benjamin Dickinson | United States of America
World Premiere

You and Me, Before and After Madeleine Gottlieb | Australia
International Premiere

Zero (Nula) Lee Filipovski | Canada/Serbia
World Premiere

SPECIAL EVENTS

Special IMAX Screenings of Dune

The film, based on Frank Herbert’s classic novel, will screen at the Cinesphere in Toronto on the following dates:

·  Saturday, September 11 – World Exclusive IMAX Special Event
·  Sunday, September 12 – Repeat IMAX Screening  
·  Saturday, September 18 – Public IMAX Screening

TIFF is also delighted to announce an additional Special IMAX screening of Dune in Montreal presented by Bell at Cinéma Banque Scotia Montréal on Sunday, September 12. 

This screening is made possible in venue partnership with Cineplex as part of TIFF’s Canadian Satellite Screening programme. An additional screening of Dune will take place in Toronto at Scotiabank Theatre on September 13.

NBA Films For Fans created with OLG

On November 1, 1946, the NBA’s first-ever game was held at Maple Leaf Gardens, where the hometown Toronto Huskies played the New York Knickerbockers. Seventy-five years later, as part of the league’s anniversary celebrations, the NBA honours its Canadian roots at TIFF 2021. 

TIFF is proud to announce the launch of NBA Films For Fans created with OLG. This can’t-miss Special Event will feature five short films from Canadian filmmakers and basketball fans: Thyrone Tommy — also at this year’s Festival with his debut feature, Learn to Swim — and fellow Torontonians and TIFF talent development alumni Romeo Candido, Shawn Gerrard, and S.M. Turrell, as well as Vancouverite Kat Jayme, also a Talent Alumni as the 2019 Pitch This winner. Learn more about the Special Event and register for updates at NBAFilmsForFans.com.

Special Event Films

A Hero (Ghahreman) Asghar Farhadi | Iran

Memoria Apichatpong Weerasethakul | Colombia/Thailand/United Kingdom/France/Germany/Mexico 

Spencer Pablo Larraín  | United Kingdom/Germany

More at tiff.net.

(Photo/video credit: Amazon Prime Video)