Made right here in Toronto what seems like yesterday, xXx: Return of Xander Cage will be ready to be seen in just a few more months. After Vin Diesel teased a sneak peek on his Socials the other day, now comes this brand new Trailer! And it sure sounds like a lot of buttering Xander up!

Trailer:

Paramount Pictures Canada release xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Friday, January 20, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

Just one year after it took over our City, Warner Bros. Pictures Canada are ready to unveil THE MOTION PICTURE EVENT OF THE SUMMER!  We’ve seen the Trailers, we’ve dreamed of what it would be like and now the moment is here!  Toronto fans will have an amazing opportunity to see, breathe and experience the magic of the upcoming blockbuster first-hand.

Next week, The Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery District will be hosting the BELLE REVE PENITENTIARY FAN EXPERIENCE, brought to us by Audi, Battle Sports Inc, EDGE 102 FM, Imax and Cineplex. Taking place for two days,  July 27th and 28th from 1-10 PM, Toronto will get a chance to see set and prop pieces from the production including The Deadshot Jail Cell, iconic Belle Reve Mural and Harley Quinn‘s actual baseball bat.

Above this, fans also will get a chance to get into a safety suit, hop into Harley’s Smash Room with a baseball bat! Advance screening passes, signed posters, branded prize packs and even concert tickets will be up for grabs!

See the latest TV Spot from Suicide Squad here:

And did you know we’re giving away official SUICIDE SQUAD T-Shirts here?

In the meantime, follow WARNER BROS. PICTURES CANADA on Facebook here and on Twitter also here.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release SUICIDE SQUAD Friday, August 5, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)

Never in a million years would I guess I’d be able to attend an actual Guns N’ Roses concert.  Although I don’t look like what you’d expect a typical fan, I ADORE GUNS N’ ROSES.  The soundtrack of my youth was supplied by the 100+ million album-selling iconic Rock outfit from Los Angeles.  As close as it will ever get to the original lineup, Toronto fans were treated to the opportunity of a lifetime to see them perform on-stage tonight at Rogers Centre as part of their Not In This Lifetime Tour.  The Tour name of course pokes fun at notoriously troubled times the band has faced over the years and ever-shifting personnel.

Hitting the stage at 10:00 PM sharp, Guns N’ Roses played well past midnight in a City preoccupied with curfews and fines. The filled arena was more than game to continue rocking with them.  Their extensive catalog was zipped through, highlighted by hits like Mr. Brownstone, Welcome to the Jungle, Live and Let Die, You Could Be Mine, November Rain, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door and Paradise City.

Despite less than optimal sound for much of the first part of the show, the kinks were ironed out by the half-way mark and Fans truly got what they came to see.  Slash certainly hasn’t lost a step at all and was in fine form, playing his way through the show with an alarming degree of precision and swagger. Lead Vocalist Axl Rose‘s voice is a rare gem, his range still there as he danced – in what seemed like an endless supply of black t-shirts – and ran his way across the stage tirelessly, aware which moments were his and those belonging to his bandmates.

Even with the occasional lull with placement of more recent material, the show ended on the highest of notes, rivaling only those in Rose‘s upper-register, with explosions, pyrotechnics and confetti.  It is a rarity that you leave a concert where fans are screaming as they joyfully walk their way out the venue’s twisty ramps and this is the high you leave with from a Guns N’ Roses concert. A deep pleasure.

Watch Guns N’ Roses perform Sweet Child O’ Mine below:

Paradise City

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

For a second straight week, THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS takes the top of the Box Office with $50.4 million for Universal Pictures from 4,381 theatres.  In two weeks thus far, it has made already $203 million in North America en route to some huge things.

Despite tons of backlash, GHOSTBUSTERS silences its naysayers with a big opening, $46 million from 3,963 theatres for Sony Pictures.  Critics gave the Reboot starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, gets a 75% on the Tomatometer. Audiences gave it a similar B+ CinemaScore.

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN is in third this weekend with $11.5 million for Warner Bros. It has made $103 million over three weeks domestically.

FINDING DORY is in fourth for Disney with $11 million, making $445 million in five weeks only.

MIKE AND DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES places fifth with $7.3 million for 20th Century Fox, a decent $31.2 million in two weeks out.

THE INFILTRATOR debuts in eighth for Broad Green Pictures with $4.6 million from 1,601 theatres. It will open in Canada next month for Mongrel Media.

INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.3 million for 20th Century Fox, just shy of the $100 million-mark.

Emotional, spectacular, adventurous! All of the above apply to this new Trailer for A MONSTER CALLS!

Synopsis:
A visually spectacular drama from acclaimed director Juan Antonio Bayona (“The Impossible”), based on the award-winning children’s fantasy novel. 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall) attempts to deal with his mother’s (Felicity Jones) illness and the bullying of his classmates by escaping into a fantastical world of monsters and fairy tales that explore courage, loss, and faith.

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures Canada release A MONSTER CALLS on Friday, October 21, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)

Every teenager’s worst nightmare.  See Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson in this new trailer for coming-of-age Dramedy THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN!

Synopsis:
From producer James L. Brooks, and writer and first-time director Kelly Fremon Craig, comes a wry coming-of-age comedy with a refreshingly authentic voice. Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) and Krista are inseparable best friends attempting to navigate high school together…until Nadine discovers her older brother and Krista have been secretly dating behind her back. They soon realize that there is a fine line between best friends and worst enemies.

The cast of the film is rounded out with Kyra Sedgwick, who plays Nadine’s well-meaning but completely ineffective mother, and Woody Harrelson, who plays Mr. Bruner, Nadine’s English teacher (and mentor) who is uncannily wise in the ways of girl-clashes.

Trailer:

VVS Films release THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN  Friday, September 30, 2016. TIFF ’16, maybe?

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

We love that Katy is back! Although she was in the news much this week and not for her Music, an actual single surfaces. Rise, produced by Max Martin, will be the official song of the Olympics for NBC and it got itself a surprise release last night. It is a bit reminiscent of her Wide Awake.

Watch below:

You can download Rise on iTunes now.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

Finally! Some new music from Brit-Brit! The Pop Queen pairs with G-Eazy for a collabo Make Me, released just last night. Burns produces the long-awaited Track which possesses a sense of mystery and danger, aligning with its desert cover art, cooled with its understated vocals and warm harmonies.

We really didn’t have high hopes after the dismal Britney Jean disc, but this is a step in the right direction. More, please.

Listen:

Make Me (ft. G-Eazy) is now on iTunes.

(Photo/video credit Sony Music Entertainment)

Aside from being known for her phenomenal Academy Award-winning body of work, the beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow also is equally adept as a Tastemaker and Businesswoman. We’ve all heard of her better living newsletter GOOP, but her latest venture juice BEAUTY is beginning its foray to Canadian households. Its sights set high with distribution through Holt Renfrew.

Holding the title of Creative Director, Paltrow along with founder Karen Behnke, visited Toronto today to promote the skin care and cosmetic line at Holt Renfrew on Bloor today. They were just in New York yesterday. Taking the stage on the mezzanine, the duo spoke about their line of products which are based from botanical juices and anti-oxidant rich.

Paltrow says, “People don’t approach makeup bags with the same consciousness as grocery bags.”. “50 years ago, lots of pesticides were being used. We want to trust that the government is looking after us, but consumers have taken that into theie own hands.”. “Now you see Whole Foods on every corner. People are more careful about things they are ingesting. Beauty is following suit.”.

When understanding trends, Paltrow looks to her trendy 12-year-old daughter who pays mind to Vloggers. Often she takes that feedback and uses it for GOOP and juice.

Earlier in the day, Paltrow met with some lucky contest winners who won a Meet & Greet with her, before lunching at Holt Renfrew Café with the likes of Galen Weston, who was seen perusing he set-up to satisfsaction as George Michael blared through the speakers. Fans snacked on generous gifts of Village Juicery juice and nomz Energy Bites.

See some Snaps:

#GwynethPaltrow's arrival at #HoltRenfrew. #juiceBEAUTY

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 14, 2016 at 2:50pm PDT

#GwynethPaltrow cracking up how serious this moderator from Elle Magazine is about beauty, at #HoltRenfrew, for #juiceBEAUTY.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 14, 2016 at 2:17pm PDT

#GwynethPaltrow effervescent at #HoltRenfrew, for #juiceBEAUTY.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 14, 2016 at 2:15pm PDT

#GwynethPaltrow effervescent at #HoltRenfrew, for #juiceBEAUTY.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 14, 2016 at 2:14pm PDT

Snacks from #GwynethPaltrow.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 14, 2016 at 2:53pm PDT

So this happened. #GwynethPaltrow #HoltRenfrew #juiceBEAUTY

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 14, 2016 at 2:30pm PDT

Learn more about juice BEAUTY here.

See the complete line of juice BEAUTY products available at Holt Renfrew here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We’ve seen the rise of chains like Chipotle and Freshii in recent years, performing extremely-well domestically. Time and time again Canadians have said they are willing to pay that little bit more for quality, customizability and a freshness they can see before their eyes. Although completely different than said chains, The Basil Box incorporates a bit of that spirit into its growingly-popular eat-in/takeaway fixture.

The contemporary and open space located at both Mississauga’s Square One and Downtown Toronto’s Ryerson University carries with it the influence of the street markets of Vietnam and Thailand. One bite of their option-friendly bowls and you will taste the freshness of sustainable produce, fused with the pungence of market spices at whatever level you can tolerate.

The offerings take only a quick introduction to get. You have three bases: jasmine rice, brown rice or cold rice noodles. Then you choose vegetables: roasted green beans, corn, roasted sweet potatoes (most popular) or green/red peppers. Then your proteins: Lemongrass Chicken (yes, by a landslide), Chili-Lime shrimp (great), Five Spice Steak (nice) or Coconut Curry Tofu. Next is the all-important sauce: Tangy Tamarind, Classic Peanut, Sweet Chili Lime, Sizzlin’ Sriracha and Penang Curry. Then you have your texture, with toppings like sesame, peanuts, cilantro, chilis and more. Beware when adding those chilis, they are hotter than you think.

My Lemongrass Chicken bowl was generously-portioned and I have no regrets choosing cold rice noodles. The Chili-Lime sauce was tangy and perfect for those who love Thai food minus the divisive shrimp paste. The texture, a mixture of crunches was pleasant. The heat of the spice offset by the cool of the crunch.

And while you’re there, the fizzy Passionfruit-Lychee Refresher is a must-try. If you like rice pudding or sweet sticky rice, do try their Rice Parfait topped with mango purée.

Affordable, quick and commitment-free in a relaxed atmosphere. This is the future of downtown lunching.

Thank you @TheBasilBox for the picture-perfect lunch. Tasted as good as it felt supporting this sustainable take-out/dine-in eatery at Ryerson. #The6ix #Toronto

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 14, 2016 at 11:55am PDT

Learn more about The Basil Box here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)