Hollywood Suite‘s got you covered for all your isolation blues May 11-17, 2020. Check-out some of the fan favourites they’ve got coming your way during this free preview period.

The 2000s: The 2000s brought Facebook, Twitter, reality television, iPods and some breakthrough performances deserving of critical recognition.

· Django Unchained (2012) Thursday, May 14 at 9:00 pm on HS00 – Quentin Tarantino’s revisionist western, starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington and Samuel L. Jackson, deserves both your curiosity and your attention. With the help of a German bounty hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner.

· Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) Friday, May 15 at 9:00 pm ET on HS00 – In this epic action-adventure Kristen Stewart plays the only person in the land fairer than the Evil Queen (Charlize Theron). In a plot twist, the huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) sent to kill Snow White, becomes her mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.

· Erin Brockovich (2000) Saturday, May 16 at 9:00 pm ET on HS00 – In the role that brought her critical acclaim and numerous awards including an Oscar, Julia Roberts shines as an unemployed single mother who almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city’s water supply.

· Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011) Sunday, May 17 at 9:00 pm ET on HS00 – Like salmon swimming upstream, the film, based on a true story, tells the unlikely tale of a fisheries professor (Ewan McGregor) and a British consultant (Emily Blunt) as they embark on a somewhat unlikely plan to bring salmon to the desert of Yemen. Available On Demand and on Hollywood Suite GO all month.

The 90s: The Internet was born and grunge ruled radio while these big-screen treasures were wowing audiences in multiplexes.

· Happy Gilmore (1996) Tuesday, May 12 at 9:00 pm ET on HS90 – A head-butting, knock-down fight with the Price is Right’s Bob Barker may not have garnered critical love, but the box office returns were no joke for this Adam Sandler film about a rejected hockey player who puts his skills to the golf course to save his grandmother’s house.

· Tremors (1990) Saturday, May 16 at 7:20 pm ET on HS90 – Walking the tightrope between horror and humour, this cult-classic B-movie has residents of the small-town of Perfection defending themselves against murderous underground creatures. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward are handymen Val and Earl, who will do anything including pole-vaulting, sprinting, and flipping for it, to outwit the giant, blood-thirsty Ass Blasters.

· The Truth About Cats and Dogs (1996) Sunday, May 17 at 2:30 pm ET on HS90 – It’s a distaff twist on Cyrano de Bergerac in this Rom-Com about a successful veterinarian and radio show host with low self-esteem (Janeane Garofalo) who asks her model friend (Uma Thurman) to impersonate her when a faithful listener (Ben Chaplin) wants to meet her.

· American History X (1998) Sunday May 17 at 9:00 pm ET on HS90 – Edward Norton was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of a white supremacist who is rehabilitated after serving three years in prison and then tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same path.

The 80s: Ronald Reagan gets elected, the Berlin wall crumbles, and MTV rewrites pop culture while a new generation of filmmakers reshape Hollywood.

· Wargames (1983) Tuesday, May 12 at 7:05 pm ET on HS80 – Shall we play a game? Matthew Broderick headlines as high-schooler David Lightman who unknowingly hacks into a military supercomputer while searching for a new video game. When he starts a game of Global Thermonuclear War, little does he know, he triggers the onset of World War III. Available On Demand and on Hollywood Suite GO all month.

· Blood Simple (1982) Friday, May 15 at 11:00 pm ET on HS80 – The twisty, darkly humorous first film from Joel and Ethan Coen won them the Grand Jury prize at Sundance and a legion of fans. Frances McDormand made her onscreen debut as an adulterous wife whose husband hires a private investigator to kill her and her lover. But, as we’ve come to expect from the Coen Brothers, nothing is that simple. Available On Demand and on Hollywood Suite GO all month.

· Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) Saturday, May 16 at 9:00 pm ET on HS80 – It’s a cavalcade of stars: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Nicolas Cage, Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz and Anthony Edwards showcase their young talents in this coming-of-age comedy based on Cameron Crowe’s undercover exposé of life in a Southern California public school. Where else will you see Sean Penn as a stoner surfer talking about tasty waves, cool buzz and driving on ‘ludes, dude?

· Flashdance (1983) Sunday, May 17 at 9:00 pm ET on HS80 – Steelworker by day, dancer by night, Jennifer Beals in her breakout role proved she really was a maniac, maniac on the floor.

The 70s: The Beatles broke up, Watergate and the Vietnam war dominated headlines, and the first in-vitro baby is born as the era of lower-budget films get their big break.

· Save The Tiger (1973) Monday, May 11 at 9:00 pm ET on HS70 – Jack Lemmon won an Oscar for his portrayal as Harry Stoner, a clothing manufacturer in a midlife crisis, who considers torching his factory for the insurance settlement. Available On Demand and on Hollywood Suite GO all month.

· The Last Picture Show (1971) Wednesday, May 13 at 6:50 pm ET on HS70 – Peter Bogdanovich’s classic chronicles the coming-of-age of a group of high school students in a nowhere town in Texas with impressive performances from Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd, Timothy Bottoms, Ellen Burstyn, Eileen Brennan and Cloris Leachman.

· American Graffiti (1973) Wednesday, May 13 at 9:00 pm ET on HS70 – Where were you in ’62? If you were teens in Modesto, California, you were attending sock hops and riding top-down along Main Street. Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Harrison Ford, Suzanne Somers and Mackenzie Phillips cruise the strip in George Lucas’s film about a group of high-school grads on their last night of summer vacation.

· The French Connection (1971) Friday, May 15 at 9:00 pm ET on HS70 – William Friedkin’s gritty police drama portrays two tough New York City cops (Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider) trying to intercept a huge heroin shipment coming from France. It’s a chance to see what many have called the best-car chase sequence in cinema history. Available On Demand and on Hollywood Suite GO all month.

Essential Classics: They have gained prestige due to their staying power and ability to define a generation. Now you can catch them for the first time or re-watch them.

· A Hard Day’s Night (1964) Thursday, May 14 at 11:35 am ET on HS70 – It’s the Fab Four’s scripted concert film… As the Beatles travel from Liverpool to London for a televised concert, their travel is challenged by rabid fans, Paul’s mischievous grandfather, and Ringo’s disappearance. Hilarity ensues. Available On Demand and on Hollywood Suite GO all month.

· The Dirty Dozen (1967) Friday, May 15 at 6:25 pm ET on HS70 – During World War II, a rebellious U.S. Army Major is assigned a dozen military prisoners to train and lead them into a mass assassination mission of German officers. The ensemble cast includes: Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, John Cassavetes, Telly Savalas, and Donald Sutherland. Available On Demand and on Hollywood Suite GO all month.

· The Birds (1963) Saturday, May 16 at 5:20 pm ET on HS70 – A wealthy San Francisco socialite pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town. Things slowly take a turn when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people. Alfred Hitchcock’s horror movie, which spawned a commemorative Barbie doll of star Tippi Hedren in 2008, is described as a masterpiece of filmmaking, and has often been listed as one of Hitchcock’s greatest films. Warning… you may never look at feathered fowls without feeling terror again.

· High Noon (1952) Sunday, May 17 at 7:30 pm ET on HS70 – Known for setting the bar for the Western genre and touted as an allegory to the McCarthy trials, the film explores morality, integrity and duty. Gary Cooper stars as newlywed Marshal Will Kane, who is about to retire and leave to start a new life with his pacifist Quaker wife played by Grace Kelly. However, news arrives that a revenge-seeking criminal is riding to town with a band of outlaws and Kane must choose between the town and his wife.

(Photo credit: Hollywood Suite)

Spanning ten episodes, Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why) returns to Netflix in a new series, CURSED coming this Summer!

About Cursed:
Based on the New York Times bestselling book, Cursed is a re-imagination of the Arthurian legend, told through the eyes of Nimue, a young woman with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful (and tragic) Lady of the Lake. After her mother’s death, she finds an unexpected partner in Arthur, a humble mercenary, in a quest to find Merlin and deliver an ancient sword. Over the course of her journey, Nimue will become a symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying Red Paladins, and their complicit King Uther. Cursed is a coming-of-age story whose themes are familiar to our own time: the obliteration of the natural world, religious terror, senseless war, and finding the courage to lead in the face of the impossible.

Cast: Katherine Langford (Nimue), Devon Terrell (Arthur), Gustaf Skarsgård (Merlin), Daniel Sharman (Weeping Monk), Sebastian Armesto (King Uther Pendragon), Matt Stokoe (Gawain), Lily Newmark (Pym), Shalom Brune-Franklin (Igraine), Emily Coates (Sister Iris), Billy Jenkins (Squirrel), Bella Dayne (Red Spear), Peter Mullan (Father Carden)

See some new Stills:

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Reese Witherspoon x Kerry Washington team-up to give us LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE, coming soon to Amazon Prime Video!

Synopsis:
Based on Celeste Ng’s 2017 bestseller, Little Fires Everywhere follows the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and an enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. The story explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, the ferocious pull of motherhood – and the danger in believing that following the rules can avert disaster. Staring Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Jade Pettyjohn, Lexi Underwood, Jordan Elsass, Gavin Lewis and Megan Stott.

See the Trailer:

LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE streams Friday, May 22, 2020 on Amazon Prime Video.

(Photo/video credit: Amazon Prime Video)

Pork & Chive Pan-Fried Dumplings | 韭菜猪肉餃子. Who doesn’t love dumplings? Hope these make your day!

Ingredients:
2 cups flour (+ more for kneading)
1 cup water

Filling:
1/2 cup minced pork
1 cup chopped chives
1 stalk green onion, minced
1 tbsp ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp Sambal Sauce (or Sriracha)
Sea salt and pepper, to taste

2-3 tbps Kimchi, chopped (optional)

Instructions:
1. Combine flour and water, forming dough.
2. Transfer to floured surface and knead 10 minutes, adding flour gradually till no longer sticky. Roll into ball.
3. Place dough ball in large bowl and cover with Saran Wrap. Allow to stand 2 hours.
4. Prepare filling by mixing all ingredients together in a large bowl.
5. Transfer dough to floured surface and knead 5 minutes, placing back in bowl. Allow to stand 30 minutes.
6. Roll dough into a log on floured surface. Cut into 6 even sections. Take each section one at a time and cut into 4-5 more pieces and roll out flat onto floured surface till about 7 cm in diameter, as thin as possible. Dumplings will be doughy if rolled too thick. Edge of each wrap should be thinner than the center. Keep unused dough pieces covered till ready to use, to keep from drying.
5. Scoop 1 tablespoon or less filling into center of each flattened dough piece, pinching or pleating to seal tight. Keep dumplings on lightly-floured platter till ready to cook. You can freeze if you have too many. You should land with about 24-30 dumplings.
6. Heat large skillet with 2 tablespoons of Canola oil on medium-high heat. Once hot, fry dumplings (sealed side facing up) in batches of about 6-7 dumplings at a time.
7. Add a few tablespoons of water and cover with lid, reducing to medium heat for about five or more minutes.
8. Remove lid. Once water has evaporated, check bottom to ensure dumpling is golden-brown and that top of dumpling has a bit of translucence. If you want Potstickers, don’t flip the dumpling. I like both sides of the dumpling crispy, so I flip it and fry till the other side is golden.
9. Serve with soy sauce and your favourite hot sauce.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

HOT DOCS’ CURIOUS MINDS Speaker Series brought to us by Hollywood Suite, goes digital this year and you will have the chance to hear about from some fascinating subject matter experts right from home. Selections this year include:

Spring 2020 Curious Minds digital courses:

THE AGE OF UPHEAVAL: THE 1920S AND 30S IN BERLIN, PARIS AND NEW YORK CITY
The years between World War One and World War Two marked some of the most influential social, cultural and artistic developments in modern history. This fascinating course will trace their emergence against a backdrop of political uncertainty and unrest, and the impact they had on three great world cities: Berlin, Paris, and New York City.

Led by Peter Harris, the former Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science of the University of Toronto.

FAMOUS LAST MEALS: SIX FEASTS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
From King Tutankhamen’s final funerary feast to John F. Kennedy’s biggest White House dinner, this delicious course will reveal how food has influenced decisive moments throughout world history, and reveal how the dishes served at these famous meals were shaped by changing tides in technology, politics, religion, warfare, and art.

Led by Dr. Laura Carlson, who holds a doctorate in History from Oxford University and has taught history, classics, and food studies at Queen’s University and Centennial College. Dr. Carlson is also the executive producer and host of award-winning podcast The Feast.

THE FOLK MUSIC REVIVAL
Beginning with the commercial breakthrough of Pete Seeger and The Weavers in 1950, this dynamic course will trace folk music’s early roots in the 19th and early 20th century—the field recordings of Alan Lomax and the protest songs of the 1930s—before moving on to assess the remarkable music and careers of ‘60s folk icons like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Ian and Sylvia, Peter, Paul and Mary, and more.

Led by Dr. Mike Daley, a music historian and professional musician who has taught at Guelph, McMaster, Waterloo and York Universities.

THE ROYAL FAMILY
Join Toronto Star Society Columnist—and avid Royal watcher— Shinan Govani as he breaks down the modern history of the one and only House of Windsor, bringing to life its most colourful personalities, its most opulent traditions and, of course, its juiciest scandals.

Led by Shinan Govani, a contributing columnist with the Toronto Star and a columnist for Hello! Canada. Both social chronicler and pop culture decoder, his writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, Town & Country and The Daily Beast.

Registration for a six-week series is $49 ($33, $27, Free for Hot Docs Members; $33 for Hollywood Suite subscribers) and is available to purchase and stream here.

(Photo credit: Hot Docs)

Korean Fried Chicken. You’ve probably had Kentucky Fried Chicken, but this Koreatown favourite is all sorts of delightful. It’s sweet, savoury, sticky and spicy and honestly not that hard to make! 🍗🌶️

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs chicken drumsticks (5-6)
1 tbsp ginger, minced
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup potato starch
1/2 tsp, allspice or 5 Spice Powder
Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Glaze:
3 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp Gochujang (Korean Pepper Paste)
2 tbsp organic raw sugar
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp rice vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp ginger, minced
1 chili, minced thinly
1/2 sweet orange pepper, sectioned

1 stalk green onion, minced

Instructions:
1. Season chicken in salt, pepper, ginger and vinegar for minimum one hour.
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
3. In one dish, combine starch, allspice, salt and pepper.
4. Dip drumsticks in egg wash and then in starch mixture. Place aside.
5. Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat.
6. Fry drumsticks in hot oil till golden brown, about 5-7 minutes each side.
7. Place drumsticks on paper towels, absorbing excess oil.
8. In skillet or wok on medium-high heat, sautée ginger, orange peppers, garlic and chilli and sugar in sesame oil. Once caramelized, add Ketchup, Gochujang, maple syrup and soy sauce, stirring well.
9. Toss-in drumsticks and coat in glaze. Cook 2 minutes medium-high heat till caramelized. Garnish with green onion and serve.

Check-out some brand-new Teaser and stills from Netflix‘s SPACE FORCE with a stellar comedic Cast led by Steve Carell!

Synopsis:
A decorated pilot with dreams of running the Air Force, four-star general Mark R. Naird (Steve Carell) is thrown for a loop when he finds himself tapped to lead the newly formed sixth branch of the US Armed Forces: Space Force. Skeptical but dedicated, Mark uproots his family and moves to a remote base in Colorado where he and a colorful team of scientists and “Spacemen” are tasked by the White House with getting American boots on the moon (again) in a hurry and achieving total space dominance. From co-creators Carell and Greg Daniels ( The Office), SPACE FORCE is a new kind of workplace comedy, where the stakes are sky high and the ambitions even higher. John Malkovich, Diana Silvers, Tawny Newsome, Ben Schwartz also star, alongside co-stars Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy O. Yang, Noah Emmerich, Alex Sparrow and Don Lake. Howard Klein/3Arts ( The Office) serves as executive producer, as well.

See the Teaser Trailer:

See Stills:

SPACE FORCE streams on Netflix Friday, May 29, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

JUSTIN WALDMAN (@DubsReviews)
1. Outside of walking Donnie (his Shorkie) and work, we watch a lot of TV. Binged Fringe in a week, half way through my countless re-watch of Community and Netflix is adding some great content so that keeps me entertained.

2. I miss being able to go outside and not worry about being outside.

3. Fringe minus Season 5, if you’re into trash Too Hot Too Handle, Disney+ has everything your childhood or adulthood consisted of in terms of classics like Kim Possible, Recess, X-Men the Animated Series. At the end of May they’re fixing the aspect ratio on The Simpsons, so there’s 11-13 quality seasons of Television, with another 17 seasons sprinkled in.

4. Tenet. Nothing short of it. It’s also one of two movies that is still tentatively opening this year that I can remember. Haha

NICHOLAS PORTEOUS (@NoveltyHat)

1. Most of my days involve checking current turnip prices in the morning and reporting them to my close circle of Animal Crossing confidants while tending to my island, going for an indoor bike ride while Pokébattling, attempting to make some progress on a 1000-piece Mexico Tourism puzzle I bought for $3 long before the Pandemic–hardest puzzle of my life–developing personal projects like sketches, shorts and video essays, working the odd gig that comes my way whether that’s editing or virtual hosting, a round or two of Fortnite, and an unhealthy amount of streaming.

2. I miss people. People were fun. I miss not being even a little selective about where I went or who I saw. Thankfully, I still have a girlfriend (for half the week)! I miss Theatre and Film. I miss the streetcar! I miss thinking about going on a trip, even if I didn’t actually go.

3. For my money, COVID-viewing is all about finding the lengthiest entertainment:

– When the Levees Broke is a fantastic four-part HBO Documentary Series by Spike Lee about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. It feels awfully relevant right now, and makes me extremely thankful to be Canadian, and to be dealing with a crisis that hasn’t come anywhere close to unraveling my life.

– OJ: Made in America is another towering long-form Doc that leaves American Crime Story in the dust–IMO–by putting the trial in its much needed, painfully ironic civil rights context. This must be the fifth time I’ve watched all seven-ish hours and it never ceases to astound me.

– Middleditch and Schwartz is a Netflix experiment in long-form improv, and I hope it becomes a long-term part of their programming! Each of the three specials is comedy magic. Two best buds making impressively elaborate nonsense over a single sustained narrative.

– Survivor: Winners at War is a flawed, but fantastic season of one the all-time great shows. And there’s a cool bonus feeling of normalcy from tuning in live, only to be reminded of the virus by EVERY commercial masquerading as a PSA.

– The Pop Culture Detective is a YouTube channel featuring longer essays about unsettling trends in mainstream masculinity. It’s eye-opening, exhaustive and genuinely entertaining to unpack. For any Creator, it’s fun to imagine what Film, TV and Video Games might look like if these ideas were taken into account.

– Finally, there’s a lot of excellent, free theatre on offer right now. Check the YouTube channels for National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and Stratford Festival.

4. Post-COVID anticipations:

– I’m very excited to see A Quiet Place Part II because it was supposed to be my first assignment for Mr. Will Wong as a Contributor! If it’s not streamed, going to see it will signify some kind of return to the things I’ve missed.

– I’m Thinking of Ending Things is Charlie Kaufman’s next. If it comes into existence after this tragically low-output period in his career, that’ll be a major win in itself.

– Who WASN’T excited for Tenet, the next Chris Nolan madhouse?? It looks to be the purest expression of his timeplay aesthetic.

– Barbie, Greta Gerwig‘s next, co-written by Noah Baumbach and starring Margot Robbie as, yeah, BARBIE. No explanation needed.

– Annette, Leos Carax’s first film since Holy Motors eight years ago, easily one of the top movies of the 2010s.

– The Tragedy of Macbeth, with a surprisingly solo-directing Joel Coen.

– The Many Saints of Newark. It’s theoretically another couple of episodes of The Sopranos. I’ll be there.

I’m excited for all the virus-related Filmmaking we’re in store for generally. Processing this moment in history through any lens–whether it’s a personal narrative, Doc, or demented Sci-Fi extrapolation–will be an essential part of our collective recovery. I made a Short Film in isolation and it certainly helped. This is the dawn of a genre.

AMANDA GILMORE (@GilmoreAmanda)

1. My average day in  isolation mainly consists of reading a lot of books. If anyone is looking for one I HIGHLY recommend The Wives by Tarryn Fisher. I do some at-home workouts to keep my energy and spirits up. And I’ve been doing some free online courses to keep my brain stimulated.

2. What I miss most about my pre-isolation life is being able to go out for dinner and sitting in a cinema.

3. Let’s be serious though, I’ve been watching a lot of TV and Movies! If you are looking for some recommendations mine are below:

NETFLIX: Watch or re-watch THE OFFICE. I watched it from beginning to end for my third-time while in quarantine and it brought me so much joy.

TV: Sunday’s just got better because the Third Season of KILLING EVE has finally begun. If you haven’t watched before, please do so! The Show’s phenomenal.

MOVIES: BOOKSMART and THE INVISIBLE MAN are outstanding!

4. I have a gigantic list of movies I can’t wait to see in the cinema, once it’s safe to do so! One at the top of my list is A QUIET PLACE: PART II.

1. Since self-isolation, I have been vacillating between hyperactivity and heavenly sloth. Case in point: I have just shy of 1500 titles on DVD and Blu ray. When the precariously-stacked hundreds of movies inevitably fulfilled its destiny and tumbled, leaving my living room floor carpeted in a psychedelic kaleidoscope of plastic covered movie art, I damp wiped, dried, reorganized, re-shelved and documented 1500 movies. Since then, freshly showered but unshaven (rueful that my beard will never attain Michael McDonald or Dave Baldwin greatness), I lounge on my sofa and have movie themed days…French language cinema, trilogies of movies I’m embarrassed to admit I own (50 Shades), sequels I’ve never seen to movies I enjoyed (Now You See Me 2, Maleficent 2). Today, as I transform five pounds of stewing beef into Hungarian Goulash, it will either be the last three Star Wars movies or the best of Xavier Dolan or finally start watching Downton Abbey.

2. What I miss, the few times I venture out to get provisions, is the energy I always get when walking the streets of Toronto. The vibrancy of living in Canada’s most diverse city is curtailed. I also miss dinner parties. And hugs…man, do I ever miss hugs!

3. I was quite impressed with RESISTANCE (VOD), the true story of famed Mime Artist, Marcel Marceau and how he saved hundreds of Jewish orphans during WWII. In what could have been a disastrous casting choice, Jesse Eisenberg (in real life, 36 years old) gives an awards-calibre performance as Marceau (who wasn’t even 20 years old when the Movie evens took place). I also really enjoyed Hugh Jackman in BAD EDUCATION (Crave). On the TV front, I am a big fan of CTV‘s latest Drama TRANSPLANT with its many Toronto location shots and the powerful work from its lead actor, Hamza Haq. Lastly, I am obsessed with ZOEY’S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST and TOP CHEF (both the Canadian and American versions).

4. Once it will be safe to savour movies again on the big screen, there are three movies I am salivating to see: MULAN, IN THE HEIGHTS and Spielberg‘s version of WEST SIDE STORY.

DAVE BALDWIN (@DaveMABaldwin)

1. Average day the past six weeks has revolved entirely around feeding, changing and calming down baby Quentin. Not much I can do outside of watch TV/Movies — there’s no time for anything else!

2. I miss having conversations inside my house with family and friends, as opposed to standing six feet apart in my driveway. I’d also prefer to not have to wear gloves and a mask when I leave the house.

3. I’ve been enjoying watching Feel Good and The Last Dance on Netflix, and Run on Crave. Fleabag as well on Amazon Prime, so good! And spent way too much time watching repeats of The Big Bang Theory.

Movie-wise, I enjoyed The Half of It on Netflix and re-watching Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood on Crave. Looking forward to watching Blood Quantum and The Assistant on VOD in the coming weeks!

4. Toss-up between Tenet and No Time to Die.

1. My average day follows my normal routine as much as possible. Get-up at seven and get ready for work, only now I don’t go into the office. Washed and caffeinated, I plug away on my computer at home for eight to ten hours. Then it’s time for my daily walk before I jump on Xbox. After gaming, I close out the day with Netflix and a book in bed. Lately, I’ve been reading Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

2. As the French term it, “joie de vivre.” That cheerful enjoyment of life — en masse — is missed.

3. Netflix has been killing it lately with great TV like:

• Tiger King
• The Last Dance
• Never Have I Ever
• Nadiya’s Time to Eat
• Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045

I’ve also been loving Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Prop Culture on Disney+, and finally got around to watching His Dark Materials… it was amazing. I can’t wait for Season 2.

2. I’m excited for movies in general. I miss the theatre. Despite building myself a great home theatre, I still prefer the traditional experience. It makes movie watching an event, and I miss that level of depth to the experience. That said, as for specific films I’m looking forward to, definitely Mulan. I haven’t been excited for a Disney “live-action“ ever, but that movie looks beautiful. In addition, I’m itching for Tenet. I need the sublimation that comes from films like Nolan’s.

1. While Covid-19 has halted many aspects of my life, my work life remains really busy as we are supporting people impacted at work.

On the website, I am more focusing on streaming releases and running promotions for digital and on-demand versus theatrical releases right now.

Luckily, I get to work from home, so I can be there with my parents right now who are at risk and elderly. I enjoy keeping them excited about food, helping with errands, household tasks, groceries and cooking. I look forward to making new things all the time (which I’ve been posting on my Instagram: mrwillwong). I also enjoy singing and have been posting covers of songs I adore too!

While I don’t have the gym access I normally do, I try to fit-in long walks (sometimes just to take-out Bubble Tea!). That helps clear my mind. I have literally run out of things to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime!

2. I miss my movies in the theatre and pumping everyone up about new releases, but that will come again!

I miss seeing my coworkers, team and friends in-person but thankfully feel like I haven’t skipped a step with chat platforms and Social Media.

I miss also seeing my godchildren (Mr Will & Princess) and can’t wait to go on adventure to the country to see them. I miss seeing the horse races live and photographing them, which has been my weekend love for years.

And going to Starbucks.

3. FX’s Mrs. America is mindblowingly-good. I love great acting at the Cast is sublime. The characters are so well-written and acted and I love that everyone is grappling with complicated conflicts.

I have watched a lot of cooking and baking shows like all seasons of The Great Canadian Baking Show, Nailed It! and The Chef’s Line and those are awesome, quick watches.

I zipped through Hollywood and Season 3 of Ozark quickly too. Just saw A Secret Love (about two real-life Rockford Peaches from A League of their Own) and am half-way through Never Have I Ever.

4.  I need to see Mulan. It pains me I was literally three days away from attending a press screening for it when isolation started. Also, West Side Story and Top Gun: Maverick.

Stay in-touch with us at Mr. Will on Facebook and comment on this post some of your recommendations and what you’re looking forward to post-isolation!

Keeneland Bread Pudding. Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky makes the best Bread Pudding and believe me, it is all the hype! We haven’t stopped thinking about it since having some. We hope to make another trip there this November for the Breeders’ Cup and get the real deal! 🍞🏇 During isolation, they have been kind enough to share their legendary recipe with fans! They use Sister Shubert Rolls, which we don’t have out our way. But we baked some superb fresh white bread last week, froze it and this was the perfect way to give it new life! Other modifications, we reduced the recipe to a third (we don’t have a party of 20 to serve it to sadly!), cutting down some of the sugar as well. I added nutmeg, the original recipe has cinnamon only. And the Bourbon Sauce absolutely is a must!

Ingredients:
1/3 loaf of white bread, cut into 1″ cubes
3 eggs
3 cups whole milk
1/2 cup organic raw sugar
1/3 cup golden raisins
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Bourbon Sauce:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar
2 tbsps Bourbon (they use Maker’s Mark)

Instructions:
1. Beat eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla with handmixer.
2. In large bowl, pour batter over bread cubes. Soak minimum 2 hours in refrigerator.
3. Preheat oven at 275°F.
3. Transfer mixture to greased baking pan. Press-on raisins, sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg.
4. Bake 90 minutes or till pudding is golden brown and bounces back with a firm press. Allow to cool an hour.
5. In mixing bowl, whisk butter, Bourbon and icing sugar till creamy. Set aside and serve over warm Bread Pudding.

Official Recipe:

Curry Fish Balls Skewers. These are a beloved Chinese Street Food, sold at vendors and night markets. Fish Balls if you’ve never had them, are not unlike Hot Dogs when speaking to their texture and accessibility. They are made from the flesh of white fish, pounded and combined with starch, boasting a delightful chewy texture. It is common they are cooked in a curry sauce and skewered, or added to your Ramen. Enjoy this part of my childhood!

Ingredients:
2 packs of Fish Balls (fried or not), defrosted
1/2 can Coconut Milk
1/2 block Glico Medium Curry
2 tbsps dark soy sauce
2 tsps curry powder
2 shallots, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp organic raw sugar
1 tbsp Canola oil

Instructions:
1. Sautée garlic and shallots in oil in medium-sized pot till caramelized, on medium-high heat.
2. Add Fish Balls and fry till just golden.
3. Add 1 cup water, sugar, coconut milk, soy sauce and curries. Bring to boil.
4. Reduce to low heat and simmer 15-20 minutes. The Fish Balls may expand, but don’t worry, when they shrink again, they will absorb even more of that superb sauce.
5. Serve on skewers.

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