Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers in Toronto and Montreal a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of BLACK PHONE 2.

Advance screenings will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15th, 2025 at 7 PM in:

• Toronto: Cineplex Varsity
• Montreal (EN): Cinema Banque Scotia

Synopsis:

Four years ago, 13-year-old Finn killed his abductor and escaped, becoming the sole survivor of The Grabber. But true evil transcends death … and the phone is ringing again. 

Four-time Academy Award^® nominee Ethan Hawke returns to the most sinister role of his career as The Grabber seeks vengeance on Finn (Mason Thames) from beyond the grave by menacing Finn’s younger sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw). 

As Finn, now 17, struggles with life after his captivity, the headstrong 15-year-old Gwen begins receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and seeing disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake. 

Determined to solve the mystery and end the torment for both her and her brother, Gwen persuades Finn to visit the camp during a winter storm. There, she uncovers a shattering intersection between The Grabber and her own family’s history. Together, she and Finn must confront a killer who has grown more powerful in death and more significant to them than either could imagine.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK or IG. In the comments, tell us which City you’re in and tag one friend you’re taking. Multiple entries permitted.

Rules and regulations here.

Universal Pictures Canada release BLACK PHONE 2 Friday, October 17, 2025.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

tiff50 selection RENTAL FAMILY opens in theatres officially November 21, 2025.

Synopsis:

Set in modern-day Tokyo, RENTAL FAMILY follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.

Directed by: 

HIKARI

Screenplay by: 

HIKARI, Stephen Blahut

Produced by: 

Eddie Vaisman, p.g.a, Julia Lebedev, p.g.a, HIKARI, p.g.a, Shin Yamaguchi, p.g.a

Cast: 

Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Gorman, and Akira Emoto

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation is thrilled to announce a star-studded lineup of special guests who will take the stage to present, perform and honour this year’s Inductees at the highly anticipated Induction Ceremony on November 8, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.

The Induction Ceremony will once again stream live coast to coast on Disney+ Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. PST / 8:00 p.m. EST, and will be available to stream following the ceremony.

The initial list of presenters and performers includes the following:

Beck
Brandi Carlile
David Letterman
Doja Cat
Elton John
Flea
Iggy Pop
J.I.D
Killer Mike
Maxwell
Missy Elliott
Olivia Rodrigo
Questlove
RAYE
Sleepy Brown
Taylor Momsen
Teddy Swims
Twenty One Pilots

Additional special guests will be revealed leading up to the show date.

“Each year the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony brings together the most influential artists in music today to honour their heroes who have inspired their music and careers”, said John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “These artists come from around the world to create lifetime musical moments that will live on forever.”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony honours this year’s Inductees: Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden and The White Stripes in the Performer category, along with Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon for Musical Influence, Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins and Carol Kaye for Musical Excellence, and Lenny Waronker for the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

For more information on the 40th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, visit rockhall.com.

ABOUT DISNEY+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and outside the U.S., general entertainment brand Hulu. As the flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ serves as a connection point for audiences around the world with an unmatched collection of award-winning general entertainment and gold-standard family programming. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, it is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Subscriptions also include access to the Disney+ Perks loyalty program including special discounts, everyday savings, and early access to exclusive experiences that only Disney can offer. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

ABOUT THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

Born from the collision of rhythm & blues, country, and gospel, rock & roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the sound of youth culture and honors the artists whose music connects us all. We share stories of the people, events, and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, engaging programs, and our annual Induction Ceremony. We intentionally foster an inclusive and welcoming non-profit Museum that encourages and embraces creativity and innovation. As a community leader, we value, empower, and respect all people. Join the millions who love rock & roll as much as you do. Visit us in Cleveland, Ohio or at rockhall.com and follow us (@rockhall) on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X, or (@rockandrollhalloffame) on Facebook.

Today we get a new Trailer for ETERNITY, which just premiered last month at tiff50! It arrives November28, 2025 in theatres.

Directed by: David Freyne
Written by: David Freyne and Pat Cunnane
Starring: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, John Early, Olga Merediz and Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Synopsis: In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.

About A24
A24 is an acclaimed global entertainment company known for producing and distributing films, television series, music, publishing, and consumer products. Established in New York in 2012, A24 has cultivated a library of over 150 films and 50 TV series, earning critical and commercial acclaim with more than 21 Oscars, 18 Golden Globes, and 18 Emmys. Renowned for groundbreaking hits like Moonlight, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Uncut Gems, as well as television successes such as Euphoria, Beef, and Ramy, A24 has developed a passionate fanbase and expanded into ventures like Half Magic and the Cherry Lane theater. Upcoming projects include The Smashing Machine starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt, Mother Mary, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, starring Rose Byrne and A$AP Rocky, Marty Supreme starring Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow, and The Drama starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.

Asahi Super Dry, Japan’s No. 1 beer is hosting a 19+ pop-up, serving up its famously crisp, super dry lager in a one-of-a-kind setting. We’d love for you to share this with your audience as the pop-up goes live next week!

From October 16 to October 18, 2025 an unassuming dry cleaner on Ossington will be popping up complete with Asahi Super Dry and Asahi Super Dry 0.0%, Japanese-inspired street food from Hanmoto, and exclusive beats from acclaimed DJ’s Teesh and Bambii.

Upon entry, guests will receive a “dry-cleaning slip” as their entry ticket, where the high energy of Tokyo will be thoughtfully reimagined with a Toronto flair. Inside, guests will be immersed in a dynamic space and will depart with a beyond expected Asahi Super Dry Cleaner keepsake.

Event Details:

Dates & Times:

Thursday, October from 16 8:00 – 10:00 PM

Friday, October 17 from 7:00 – 10:00 PM

Saturday, October from 18 7:00 – 10:00 PM

Location: 45 Ossington Avenue, Toronto, ON M6J 2Y9

*Guests will need to be 19+ years old, with valid photo identification, to enter the activation. Entry slips provided on-site.

The holidays just got a whole lot funnier. Predictable Holiday Rom-Com: The Musical takes the predictable plot of every Christmas romance movie on Hallmark, Lifetime, and Netflix – and adds 17 hilariously unpredictable songs. With book and lyrics by George Reinblatt (Evil Dead The Musical), and music by Suzy Wilde (After the Rain) and Reinblatt, this all-Canadian comedy is staging a limited engagement sneak peek for two weeks only at the Second City Toronto from November 4th to 16th, 2025

“We’ve taken the exact same Christmas love story you’ve seen in hundreds of TV movies – and turned it into a comedy musical,” said Reinblatt. “And if you’re wondering which holiday rom-com we based this show on… the answer is all of them, since they all basically have the same plot”.

Will the magazine writer who returns to her hometown fall in love with the single dad she bumped into? Of course she will. Will the Christmas tree lot that’s going out of business be saved just in time for the holidays? Obviously. But what makes this show unique is that it mixes that familiar storyline with hilarious pop tunes.

“The songs in this show are equal parts catchy and ridiculous,” said Wilde. “So there’s no better place to debut them than at the Second City”.

Susan Waycik, Managing Producer of The Second City said, “We love the holiday season at Second City, and we’re thrilled to have the amazing show, Predictable Holiday Rom-Com: The Musical, as part of our festive festivities!”

Unlike the usual Second City fare, Predictable Holiday Rom-Com: The Musical is not an improv show. It’s a full-length comedy musical, playing for a limited two-week engagement. So put on your ugliest Christmas sweater, grab an eggnog, and kick off the holidays with this crazy new musical at Toronto’s funniest theatre.

Tickets available now at predictableholidaymusical.com

About the Authors

GEORGE REINBLATT (Book, Lyrics, Music, Director)

George Reinblatt is a Toronto-based comedy writer who wrote the book, lyrics, and co-composed Evil Dead The Musical. Evil Dead started in a tiny bar in Toronto and went on to play Off-Broadway in New York, has staged over 500 productions around the world, won the audience choice Dora Award, and the cast album hit #4 on the Billboard charts for cast albums. Reinblatt’s TV writing credits in both Canada and the USA include multiple Comedy Central Roasts (including The Roast of Justin Bieber), Mr. D, Just For Laughs, Roast Battle Canada, The Burn, Howard Stern’s Birthday Bash, The MuchMusic Video Awards, Rick Mercer’s Monday Report and the upcoming Hate The Player: The Ben Johnson Story.

SUZY WILDE (Music, Music Supervision)

Dubbed by the Toronto Star as “one of Toronto’s most talented and underrated composers”, Suzy Wilde has written music for a number of shows, including After The Rain (which premiered at the Tarragon Theatre in May, 2025 and is going to be remounted at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre in early 2026). Wilde’s other composing credits include Summerland, Crack of Doom, and the Dora-nominated mini-musical collection, Retold. Wilde will soon be on stage as a performer and co-music supervisor for MSC’s Uncovered: Madonna and Cher at Koerner Hall. In her spare time, Wilde travels the world as “Posh Spice” in Wannabe: A Spice Girls Tribute.

About The Second City

The Second City first brought its iconic improv and sketch comedy to Toronto in 1963 for a week of performances at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. After a decade of sold out shows at the 1200-seat theatre, The Second City established a permanent home in the city with the opening of “The Old Firehall” on Lombard Street. In 1976, The Second City Toronto further solidified its place in comedy history by creating the groundbreaking television show SCTV.

In December 2022, The Second City began an exciting new chapter by relocating to its state-of-the-art facility at One York Street. This move introduced three distinct theatres: The Mainstage, Theatre ’73, and The John Candy Box Theatre, each offering nightly performances that continue The Second City’s tradition of bringing laughter to audiences.

Since making a home in Toronto over 50 years ago The Second City has grown to become the most influential name in comedy launching the careers of countless Canadian comedy legends. Our illustrious alumni list includes names such as Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, Bob Martin, Jerry Minor, Gavin Crawford, Kevin Vidal, Darryl Hinds, Chris Wilson, Lauren Ash, Ann Pornel, Alan Shane Lewis and so many more.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will are giving Readers a chance to win a copy on 4k UHD!

Synopsis: HIM centers on a promising young football player (Tyriq Withers), invited to train at the isolated compound of a dynasty team’s aging QB1. The legendary quarterback (Marlon Wayans) takes his protégé on a blood-chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, power and pursuit of excellence at any cost.

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Tag a friend in the comments who wants to see HIM also!

Rules and regulations here.

HIM IS AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS TO BUY OR RENT NOW AND ON 4K UHD and BLU-RAY™ NOVEMBER 11, 2025

Social channels:

Facebook: /himmovie |/UniversalPicturesAllAccess
X/Twitter: @himmovie | @UniAllAccess
Instagram: @himmovie | @universalallaccess

The buzz around Wayward just keeps growing. The new Canadian thriller from creator Mae Martin has officially claimed the #1 spot on the Netflix Global Top 10 (English TV) for a second consecutive week, solidifying its place as an international hit.

Debuting with a powerful 8.2 million views in its first week (Sept. 22–28, 2025), Wayward quickly captivated global audiences with its gripping mystery set in the eerie town of Tall Pines, home to a boarding school for troubled teens.

This continued momentum is a landmark moment for Canadian storytelling on the world stage, and a major achievement for Mae Martin and the entire creative team behind the series.

Don’t miss what everyone’s talking about. Wayward is now streaming globally on Netflix.

Today we get a new Trailer for season four of fan favourite, THE WITCHER!

THE WITCHER S4:
Premiere Date: October 30, 2025
Logline: After the Continent-altering events of Season Three, Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri find themselves separated by a raging war and countless enemies. As their paths diverge, and their goals sharpen, they stumble on unexpected allies eager to join their journeys. And if they can accept these found families, they just might have a chance at reuniting for good…

MORE ABOUT THE WITCHER S4:

Episodes: 8 x 50 mins
Creator / Showrunner / Executive Producer: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
Writers: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (401), Tania Lotia (402), Rae Benjamin (403), Troy Dangerfield (404), Matthew D’Ambrosio (405), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (406), Clare Higgins (407), Mike Ostrowski (408)
Directors: Sergio Mimica-Gezzan (401 & 402), Tricia Brock (403 & 404), Alex Garcia Lopez (405 & 406), Jeremy Webb (407 & 408)
Executive Producers: Steve Gaub, Mike Ostrowski, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Platige Films (Tomek Baginski and Jarek Sawko), Hivemind Content (Jason Brown and Sean Daniel)
Cast: Liam Hemsworth (Geralt of Rivia), Anya Chalotra (Yennefer of Vengerberg), Freya Allan (Princess Cirilla of Cintra), Joey Batey (Jaskier), Laurence Fishburne (Regis), Eamon Farren (Cahir), Anna Shaffer (Triss Merigold), Mimî M Khayisa (Fringilla), Cassie Clare (Philippa), Mahesh Jadu (Vilgefortz), Meng’er Zhang (Milva), Graham McTavish (Dijkstra), Royce Pierreson (Istredd), Mecia Simson (Francesca), Sharlto Copley (Leo Bonhart), Danny Woodburn (Zoltan) Jeremy Crawford (Yarpen), Bart Edwards (Emhyr), Hugh Skinner (Radovid), James Purefoy (Skellen), Christelle Elwin (Mistle), Fabian McCallum (Kayleigh), Juliette Alexandra (Reef), Ben Radcliffe (Giselher), Connor Crawford (Asse), Aggy K. Adams (Iskra), Linden Porco (Percival Schuttenbach), Therica Wilson-Read (Sabrina), Rochelle Rose (Margarita), Safiyya Ingar (Keira) and more.

Hot Docs is excited to announce the full lineup of events that will make up Curious Minds Festival, taking place at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema this November 6 to 9, 2025. The full event schedule is now available online at hotdocs.ca/curious and tickets and passes are now on sale.

Curious Minds Festival will bring a total of eight dynamic events over the course of four days, covering a breadth of topics and subjects that spotlight stories, voices, issues and ideas that shape our present and challenge us to think deeply about the world we inhabit. Creators, artists, change makers and thought leaders will share their experience and expertise live on stage with inquisitive audiences.

“We’re extremely excited to welcome an incredible lineup of special guests for our Curious Minds Festival this November,” said Diana Sanchez, Executive Director, Hot Docs. “Through our work championing documentary voices and practices, we’re able to share with our audiences a wide scope of issues and perspectives from here at home and around the world. Curious Minds Festival is an excellent extension of this, allowing us to hear from leading experts and inquisitive minds as they engage in provocative conversations live on our stage. We can’t wait to welcome both new and existing audiences to our cinema to take part in this special event.”

Curious Minds Festival Passes and single tickets are now on sale. Visit hotdocs.ca/curious for more information and to purchase today.

Below is the full list of events including dates and times, with all guests announced to date.

AI AM CANADIAN: GETTING REAL ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CANADA
Whether we notice it or not, artificial intelligence is already part of our daily lives—recommending what to watch, helping screen job applications, curating our news feeds, and even assisting doctors with diagnoses. These systems are quietly shaping how we live, work and connect, becoming increasingly embedded in the routines of Canadians. As AI continues to evolve, how can we better understand the role it plays in our everyday decisions? What opportunities does it create? And what questions should we be asking about transparency, responsibility, and the future of human agency?
Guests:
Daniel Wigdor, Co-Founder and CEO of AXL and Professor, University of Toronto
Shingai Manjengwa, Senior Director, Education and Development, Talent & Ecosystem at Mila Institute
John Weigelt, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Canada
Nora Young, Author, Journalist, Host & Creator of CBC’s Spark (Moderator)

Thursday, November 6, 7:00 PM

MUNK DEBATES: FRIDAY FOCUS – LIVE PODCAST
Catch up on the week’s news as Munk Debates presents a special live recording of Friday Focus podcast, a weekly, half-hours masterclass on current events hosted by founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs Janice Stein, and chair of the Munk Debates Rudyard Griffiths.
Guests:
Janice Stein, Founding Director, Munk School of Global Affairs
Rudyard Griffiths, Chair, Munk Debates

Friday, November 7, 11:00 AM

TIM WU: THE AGE OF EXTRACTION
Tim Wu—the preeminent scholar and former White House official who coined the phrase “net neutrality”—presents his latest book The Age of Extraction. The story starts with the internet of the 1990s and 2000s that promised widespread wealth and democracy, only to create new economic classes and aid the spread of autocracy. As Wu explores the rise of platform power, detailing the risks and rewards of working within such systems, he frames our current moment with lessons from recent history—from generative AI and predictive social data to the antimonopoly and crypto movements—and envisions a future where technological advances can serve the greatest possible good. Concise and hopeful, The Age of Extraction offers consequential proposals for taking back control to achieve a better economic balance and prosperity for all.
Guests:
Tim Wu, Law Professor, Columbia University

Friday, November 7, 7:00 PM

CRIME STORY x FORGED
CBC Crime Story’s Kathleen Goldhar interviews Forged host Adrian Stimson about what is believed to be the biggest art fraud in the world. The late Norval Morriseau, known as the “Picasso of the North,” is one of the most celebrated Indigenous artists in the world but, in recent years, his legacy has been undermined by a systemic and sordid scheme to manufacture fakes. Stimson, an artist from the Siksika Nation, follows a tip from a rockstar art collector and pulls back the curtain on the origin of the Morrisseau fakes. Travelling from Thunder Bay to Australia’s Northern Territory, this riveting true crime story gets increasingly outrageous as it unravels, while never losing sight of the heart of the story—namely, Morrisseau’s staggering artistic genius. This is a conversation for true crime lovers, artist and anyone who cares about the legacy and future of Indigenous lives.
Guests:
Kathleen Goldhar, Host, Crime Story
Adrian Stimson, Artist and Host of Forged

Saturday, November 8, 1:00 PM

WHERE ART MEETS TECH: TORONTO’S VIDEO GAME SCENE
Some of Toronto’s leading video game creators share the inside scoop on the city’s robust video game industry.
Guests:
Navid Khavari, Narrative Director, Ubisoft
Lindsay Rollins, Writer, Programmer, and Character Artist, Rocket Adrift
Kaitlin Tremblay, Writer, Narrative Designer, Soft Rains
Victoria Kucher, Executive Director, Hand Eye Society (Moderator)

Saturday, November 8, 4:15 PM

STILL SINGLE: SCREENING & DISCUSSION
When Chef Masaki Saito became the first of Canada’s chefs to be accorded two Michelin stars, his humorous and brief acceptance speech concluded with “I’m still single. I don’t know why.” A deep-dive into Saito’s world, Still Single is an exploration of his groundbreaking approach to Omakase dining, revealing the intense lifestyle driving his culinary genius. But while the chef’s charisma makes this a delightfully entertaining behind-the-scenes look at a culinary superstar, its juxtaposition with his personal life poignantly highlights that loneliness may be the cost of excellence.
Guests to be announced

Saturday, November 8, 7:30 PM

JESSE WENTE: DANGER EAGLE
It’s bird! It’s a plane! It’s DANGER EAGLE! Award-winning author Jesse Wente joins us for a fun-filled reading of his new children’s book Danger Eagle. This action-packed adventuring featuring a stunt-penguin stuffed animal will delight action movie fans young and old. Look forward to an interactive event with reading, pictures, activities, and fun for the whole family!
Guests:
Jesse Wente, Author and Journalist

Sunday, November 9, 1:00 PM

CHANI NICHOLAS: ASTROLOGY READING & DISCUSSION
Influential Canadian astrologer and activist Chani Nicholas will guide us through an interactive live birth chart reading of filmmaker, actor and producer Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, drawing on astrology, spirituality, and mindfulness in everyday life.
Guests:
Chani Nicholas, Astrologer and Activist
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Writer, Director, Producer and Actor

Sunday, November 9, 4:30 PM
The Curious Minds Festival is supported by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

For more information on Curious Minds Festival, visit hotdocs.ca/curious