#REVIEW: MILEY CYRUS – “PLASTIC HEARTS”

Miley Cyrus’ seventh album is PLASTIC HEARTS has proven well worth the wait after several teases of a new era to come. While it’s a tragedy that first single, the outstanding MIDNIGHT SKY didn’t chart higher than it deserved, it also is no shame that it peaked within the Top 10 of the Canadian Hot 100 and Top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. A phenomenal mash-up of Steve Nicks’ Edge of Seventeen recently was released giving the single a bit of new life, appearing on the digital version of the Album.

Cyrus pairs with Grammy-nominated Producer Andrew Watt on this collection which leans to the early-mid ’80s for inspiration in its range of gritty Dance Pop-Rock to earthy Rock Ballads. In addition to Nicks‘ help, she enlists the legends with Dua Lipa, Joan Jett and Billy Idol (who celebrates his 65th birthday today!) all making appearances. Coming out of a break-up, Cyrus‘ inspiration is fueled and she’s definitely got something to say here. Case in point, Midnight Sky lyrics: “See his hands ’round my waist/thought you’d never be replaced, baby/Ooh, you know it’s true, yeah”.

Current single Prisoner featuring Dua Lipa interpolates Olivia Newton-John’s Physical, and also sounds like it could’ve been a track from the collaborator’s sublime Future Nostalgia album. We’re here for this retro-glam-rock aesthetic.

No one pens a jam about heartbreak like Ryan Tedder and turning to him for help on guitar Rock Ballad Angels Like You, proves a great choice. She tackles being in some dark places emotionally, singing to a failed love with self-awareness, “I brought you down to your knees/’Cause they say that misery loves company”.

Cyrus hinted at turning to Britney Spears for inspiration on this collection and that can be heard on the seductive and self-assured Gimme What I Want. Once again, she sings of these dark places her mind resides, clear she isn’t looking for love right now: “Self-inflicted torture/You don’t have to ask/I just need a lover/So gimme what I want or I’ll give it to myself”.

Billy Idol contribution Night Crawling is an expression of unapologetic badness, the Track sounding like something right out of his catalog of Arena Glam-Rock, complete with his signature call-out, “Come on!”. Yeah!

Some of these sentiments are echoed on playful Joan Jett collabo Bad Karma. Cyrus spells-out her infidelity clearly on “You thinkin’ that I’m sleepin’ when I’m creepin’ in the night/They say it’s bad karma when you live a double life”. Can’t fault a girl for being consistent because the listening experience is cohesive here. We’re getting Adele-Rumour-Has-It vibes.

The Rock Ballad Never Be Me, co-written with Mark Ronson, manages to be heartfelt and affecting, with an edge. Cyrus bares her soul, putting everything on the table in the most authentic way. She sings, “But if you’re looking for stable/That’ll never be me/If you’re looking for faithful, that’ll never be me”.

Cyrus comments on the state of America and institutional patriarchy on closing track Golden G String. “The old boys hold all the cards and they ain’t playin’ gin/You dare to call me crazy/Have you looked around this place?”. Fun aside and that is the spirit of Plastic Hearts, this is Cyrus‘ true Singer-Songwriter moment.

It is hard not to love this latest effort from Cyrus. It shows confidence, gumption and artistry, validating exactly why it is we haven’t stopped caring about Miley. We can’t stop and we won’t stop. Hoping we get out of this Pandemic and get a Plastic Hearts Tour! One of 2020’s finest albums.

Plastic Hearts is available now in stores and digitally. Buy here.

#HORSERACING: A YEAR IN HORSES 2020

While the 2020 racing season at Woodbine Racetrack came to an early end, we look back with gratitude at being able to cover our favourite sport even admist the most challenging of circumstances.

Though many hours go into commuting, capturing content, editing and posting never have we complained about the process. Being a part of the Horse Racing community brings me great joy and it makes me proud that Woodbine Entertainment managed to put together a fantastic abbreviated season, keeping everyone safe and well with some well-managed health and safety protocols.

Though border restrictions did alter the make-up of some of our most high-profile stakes races, one of the greatest things this year was seeing our local jockeys, trainers and owners take some of our biggest fixtures. Sam-Son Farm is one the reasons I love this sport so much, having brought us some phenomenal talent over the years. Stable stars like Dance Smartly, Ruling Angel, Wilderness Song and Sky Classic held Madonna and Michael Jackson-level idol worship from me as a kid. They were my heroes and I couldn’t wait for the weekends to come because I could see my favourite horses at Woodbine.

While I like many others are saddened Sam-Son Farm will be exiting the sport, they do leave on-top taking the Grade I Northern Dancer Stakes in October with Say the Word. I wish the best to the Samuel and Balaz families, in addition to everyone who helped preserve their legacy all these years. I am grateful for all the memories.

2020 came with challenges, but also some bright spots. How amazing was it seeing Woodbine-based star Starship Jubilee beat the boys en route to a Grade I score in the Woodbine Mile? Though Mark Casse would prevail as the meet’s leading trainer, Josie Carroll dazzled us with her phenomental roster of stable stars in a career year, taking all legs of the Canadian Triple Crown, the first ever woman to accomplish the feat. Our heart belongs to her trainee, the hard-trying one-eyed wonder Mighty Heart, our 2020 Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes victor. His fast-developing stablemate Belichick just might have a thing or two to say about the award for the country’s top three-year-old male. And while Rafael Hernandez would prevail in jockey standings with 129 wins, Justin Stein made it a thrilling match to the wire with 126!

As I do every year, here is my A YEAR IN HORSES compilation, capturing some of my favourite moments and faces of the 2020 meet. It brings me so much joy to share back to a community that gives so much to me. I hope this year’s edition does them justice.

We are so proud also to be a part of Mr Will‘s story. He tried his best with each start this season and came so close to the win. He will be going in for a minor procedure this week. Please send him and Michelle Love all your positive thoughts for a quick recovery. We will for sure spend time with him over the Holidays to check-in on him. We appreciate all your support!

While we will miss being at the races over the winter, we hope all our friends in the racing community enjoy the Holidays and a well-deserved recharge. We will be unstoppable in 2021.

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Happy Holidays!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: “MARIAH CAREY’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ON APPLE TV+

The Queen of Christmas is back and her latest Special, MARIAH CAREY’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL is set to debut on Apple TV+ soon!

Featured in the Special is an all-star line-up including the likes of Tiffany Haddish, Billy Eichner, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Misty Copeland and Mykal-Michelle Harris. Carey‘s children Moroccan + Monroe also join-in on the fun!

In celebration of this, a new video has been filmed for “Oh Santa!,” co-written by and featuring Carey performing with Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson. This will be released the day of the Special and the companion soundtrack to the Special is full of brand new interpretations, and will also include Snoop Dogg and Jermaine Dupri as additional musical guests, in addition to a new version of “Sleigh Ride.” The soundtrack will be available exclusively on Apple Music December 4, and all other platforms on December 11.

See the Trailer:

MARIAH CAREY’s MAGICAL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL streams Friday, December 4, 2020 only on Apple TV+!

(Photo credit: Apple TV)

#FIRSTLOOK: HOLLYWOOD SUITE FREE PREVIEW AVAILABLE STARTING DECEMBER 1, 2020!

Great news for the Holidays! Hollywood Suite will be available as a free preview for you from December 1, 2020 to January 5, 2021! Among the exciting things they have lined-up are a tribute to Keanu Reeves, a KEANUSSANCE and the second season of their series A YEAR IN FILM. As announced previously, HBO MAX series VALLEY OF TEARS also is coming to Hollywood Suite exclusively.

VALLEY OF TEARS

Hollywood Suite is the exclusive Canadian home of the all-new HBO Max Original 10-part war drama, Valley of Tears. The biggest budget Israeli TV series of all time, Valley of Tears comes to Hollywood Suite following the smashing success of its debut in its home country and on HBO Max in the US. 

The series is inspired by the true events of the 1973 Yom Kippur War in Israel. 

Episodes 1 and 2 of Valley of Tears will premiere back-to-back Saturday, December 19 on HS00, with a new episode airing each following Saturday. Each episode will be available On Demand immediately following their air date. The series will be broadcast in the original Hebrew with English subtitles. Subtitled and English-dubbed versions will be available On Demand. 

A YEAR IN FILM – SEASON TWO 

The Hollywood Suite original documentary series A Year in Film explores how movies reflect the events, mood, politics, and culture of their time. A Year in Film immerses you in film history and pop culture with insights and movie memories from filmmakers, industry insiders, and critics. Season two dives into the films that shaped the years 1975, 1986, 1994 and 2000.

A Year in Film: 1975

With Watergate and the fall of Saigon dominating the news, people were looking for an escape. 

• New Hollywood delivered with films like Nashville, Shampoo and Dog Day Afternoon
• Women directors crafted an independent vision with Hester Street and Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles 
• And in Canada, David Cronenberg clashed with the Canadian government over his first hit Shivers

Premiering December 6, 2020 at 9:00pm ET on Hollywood Suite 70s Movies (HS70)

Films featured in A Year in Film: 1975 airing or On Demand in December : Dog Day Afternoon, Barry Lyndon, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles.

A Year in Film: 1986

Celebrations like Vancouver’s Expo 86, Hands Across America and the passing of Halley’s Comet were tempered by the sadness of tragedies like Chernobyl, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and the uncovering of the Iran-Contra affair. 

• Robots dominated the box office with hits like Short Circuit
• Decade-defining hits like Pretty in Pink, Top Gun and Stand by Me cemented their iconic status. 
• And in Canada, Canadian directors scored big in Hollywood with The Fly, Aliens and The Decline of the American Empire
• Featured in the episode, director Jim Wynorski looks back on Chopping Mall

Premiering December 13, 2020 at 9:00pm ET on Hollywood Suite 80s Movies (HS80)

Films featured in A Year in Film: 1986 airing or On Demand in December:The Fly, Aliens, Top Gun, Platoon, Chopping Mall, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, River’s Edge, The Decline of the American Empire, and Stand by Me. 

A Year in Film: 1994

Gen X controlled the narrative in a big way. While Hollywood struggled with the generation gap, independent films connected with mainstream audiences more than ever. 

• Pulp Fiction cemented Quentin Tarantino as a bold voice in Hollywood
• Jim Carrey hit big with three massive films: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask andDumb and Dumber
• And in Canada, Canadian filmmakers gained notoriety with hits like Double Happiness
• Featured in the episode, director Atom Egoyan discusses his classic Exotica

Premiering December 20, 2020 at 9:00pm ET on Hollywood Suite 90s Movies (HS90)

Films featured in A Year in Film: 1994 airing or On Demand in December: Forrest Gump, Double Happiness, Pulp Fiction, Reality Bites, Dumb and Dumber, Clifford, Speed, The Crow, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and Eat Drink Man Woman.  

A Year in Film: 2000

The dawn of the new millennium saw a mix of frustrations over a contested U.S. election and relief after Y2K fears fizzled. The film landscape seemed wide open for new and exciting voices to emerge. 

• Asian cinema took the art-house spotlight with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Yi Yi andIn the Mood for Love
• Steven Soderbergh made an Oscar double-play with Erin Brockovich and Traffic
• And in Canada, Canadian directors mined horror and satire with films like American Psycho
• Featured in this episode, director John Fawcett reflects on Ginger Snaps

Premiering December 27, 2020 at 9:00pm ET on Hollywood Suite 2000s Movies (HS00)

Films featured in A Year in Film: 2000 airing or On Demand in December:Erin Brockovich, Traffic, Yi Yi, American Psycho, Ginger Snaps, In the Mood for Love, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. 

KEANUSSANCE

December is all Keanu, all the time. His name means “cool breeze over the mountains,” and he’s a well-rounded, well-loved, low-key Canadian guy who kicks ass and has serious acting chops. Raised in Toronto, his three-decade long filmography is prolific and filled with an alarming amount of Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster franchises. The cinematic homage to The One includes: 

Hollywood Suite 80s Movies Channel (HS80)

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) – December 5, 9:00 pm ET

River’s Edge (1986) – December 6, 9:00 pm ET

Hollywood Suite 90s Movies Channel (HS90)

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991) – December 5, 10:35 pm ET

Speed (1994) – December 5, 12:10 am ET

My Own Private Idaho (1991) – December 6, 10:45 

Chain Reaction (1996) – December 6, 12:30 am 

The Matrix (1999) – December 12, 9:00 pm 

Johnny Mnemonic (1995) – December 12, 11:20 pm 

Point Break (1991) – December 13, 9:00 pm

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) – December 13, 11:10 pm

Hollywood Suite 2000s Movies Channel (HS00)

The Replacements (2000) – December 20, 9:00 pm

The Matrix Reloaded (2003) – December 12, 11:20 pm

The Matrix Revolutions (2003) – December 12, 1:40 am

Something’s Gotta Give (2003) – December 20, 11:00 pm 

John Wick (2014) – December 30, 9:00 pm

John Wick 2 (2014) – December 30, 10:45 pm 

Constantine (2005) – December 31, 9:00 pm

FAMILY FAVOURITES

These family films are like your favourite PJs and a weighted blanket. Here’s a list of Hollywood Suite comfort films to ease your mind: The Holiday (2006), Grease (1978), Labyrinth (1986), Little Women (1994), The Karate Kid (1984), Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights (2002), Ella Enchanted (2004), Grown Ups (2010), Pitch Perfect (2012) and The Princess Bride (1987). 

(Photo credit: Hollywood Suite)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW DISNEY+ DOCU-SERIES “ON POINTE” TRAILER

Right in time for the Holidays comes this new Disney+ Docu-Series about what it takes to be in the New York City Ballet‘s famed production of The Nutcracker!

Synopsis:

On Pointe captures a season in New York City’s world renowned School of American Ballet (SAB). Featuring unprecedented access to one of the top youth ballet institutions in the world, the series follows the lives of the students ages 8 to 18 pursuing their dreams to become ballet dancers. While older students from all over the country rigorously train for professional careers, younger students from New York City are put through their paces as they rehearse and perform in New York City Ballet’s holiday classic “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®” onstage at Lincoln Center.

See the Trailer:

ON POINTE arrives on Disney+ Friday, December 18, 2020.

(Photo credit: Disney)