Today, Apple TV+ revealed the trailer for Big Time, a new Apple Original Podcast launching March 24, 2025. Hosted by legendary actor and filmmaker Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire, Miracle Workers), the 14-episode series explores audacious crimes—fake kidnappings, elaborate robberies, even stolen sharks—with Buscemi introducing a new true story each week about a larger-than-life scam or scheme that almost worked. Big Time is produced by Lee Eisenberg’s Piece of Work Entertainment and Campside Media, in association with Buscemi and Wren Arthur’s Olive Productions.

“I think a lot of people, myself included, are fascinated by folks who look at the rules and think, ‘No, I’ve got a better idea.’ ‘Big Time’ isn’t just true crime – it’s a carnival of chaos, and I’m excited for listeners to tune in,” shares Steve Buscemi, Host and Producer of the podcast series.

Apple TV+ subscribers can connect their subscription to Apple Podcasts to access the first two episodes on March 24, with new episodes available one week early each week at apple.co/BigTimePod. Non-subscribers can listen to the first episode on March 24, with a new episode released weekly until the finale on June 16. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts at apple.co/BigTimePod.

“Big Time” marks the third collaboration between Apple TV+ and Campside Media, following the Webby Award-winning “Hooked” and “Run, Bambi, Run.” It joins a growing offering of Apple TV+ Apple Original Podcasts now streaming on Apple Podcasts, including the duPont-winning “The Line,” “Operation: Tradebom,” “My Divo,” “The Pirate of Prague,” “Magnificent Jerk,” “Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy,” “Little America” and “Missed Fortune,” as well as official companion podcasts for Apple TV+ series “Foundation,” “For All Mankind,” and the docuseries “The Big Conn.”

Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favourite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have been honoured with 553 wins and 2,564 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”

About Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.* For more information, visit apple.com/tvpr and see the full list of supported devices.

Get ready to return to Brookfield! When Hope Calls, the heartwarming spinoff to Janette Oke’s beloved book series, and fan-favourite hit When Calls the Heart, is back with an all-new season filled with love, hope, and new beginnings. The highly anticipated second season premieres in Canada on Super Channel Heart & Home on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 8 PM ET.

The six new episodes of season two introduce fresh faces and exciting new stories to the frontier town. Joining the beloved cast are Cindy Busby(Crown Prince of Christmas) as Nora, Sarah Fisher (Heartland) as Hannah Lawrence, Christopher Russell (Reacher, A Lot Like Christmas) as Mountie Michael Fletcher, and Nick Bateman (A Christmas Miracle with Daisy) as Wyatt. Trevor Donovan (90210) guest stars in a two-episode arc as Constable Jim Reynolds, while Jesse Hutch (Homestead) also appears as a guest star. They join returning fan-favourites Wendy Crewson(Tracker) as Tess Stewart, Morgan Kohan (Sullivan’s Crossing) as Lillian Walsh, Ryan-James (RJ) Hatanaka (Criminal Minds) as Mountie Gabriel, and Hanneke Talbot (Star Trek) as Maggie Parsons.

Season two expands on relationships in this loving, tight-knit community. With Mountie Gabriel (Hatanaka) still away on assignment, the town welcomes new Mountie Michael Fletcher (Russell). While Lillian (Kohan) prepares to leave for London to help her sister Grace through a difficult pregnancy, a lawyer (Busby) shows up at the orphanage with a surprising secret.

“Fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of When Hope Calls, and we’re thrilled to transport them back to Brookfield,” says Don McDonald, President & CEO at Super Channel. “This season promises to deliver even more of the heartwarming drama, romance, and resilience that have made the series so special.”

Set in the same world as When Calls the Heart, When Hope Calls season one premiered in 2019 and (10×60) followed sisters Lillian Walsh and Grace Bennett (Jocelyn Hudon) to the western frontier town of Brookfield, circa 1916. The family drama centers around the town’s orphanage and residents who meet tremendous challenges while creating a hopeful, faith-filled community on the cusp of change while nurturing the children in their care. The first season was followed by two one-hour Christmas episodes in 2021 in which Lori Loughlin reprised her When Calls the Heart role as Abigail Stanton.

When Hope Calls is distributed by All Canadian Entertainment and is produced by David Anselmo at Hideaway Pictures. Executive producers are Brad Krevoy, Lorenzo Nardini, Alfonso H Moreno, Michael Shepard, Amy Krell and Don McDonald, with Don McBrearty directing the Canadian series by showrunner and writer, Alfonso H Moreno.

Dina Pugliese makes her return to morning television as both co-host and co-executive producer of Breakfast Television, Canada’s favourite morning show, on Citytv and Citytv+. Beginning today, Dina kickstarts BT mornings alongside dynamic television personality Tim Bolen and the rest of the BT family – Devo Brown, Melanie Ng, Frank Ferragine (aka Frankie Flowers), Caryn Ceolin, and Tammie Sutherland – from a brand-new, state-of-the-art studio, featuring a vibrant and modern set designed to bring new energy and create a fresh space for robust conversations and perspectives.

“You will find NO ONE more surprised about this news than me! It’s crazy how life works sometimes. After two years of rest and recharging, it feels like I’m stepping back into a pair of comfy slippers. It’s such a gift to be able to return to what made my life meaningful for almost 20 years – connecting, sharing, and laughing with YOU, our BT viewers. I can’t wait to continue making mornings brighter together!” said Dina Pugliese, Co-Host and Co-Executive Producer, BT.

“More than ever, people are looking for comfort, optimism, a uniquely Canadian perspective, and a sense of joy in the mornings – and no one delivers that better than Dina and Tim. Dina is one of the most beloved morning show personalities in the country and her return feels like welcoming back a best friend. Tim’s warmth, quick wit, and natural connection with audiences make him the perfect complement to Dina’s vibrant energy,” said Claire Adams, Executive Producer, BT.

Most recently with CHCH, where he held various roles as reporter and anchor, Tim is an experienced and respected broadcaster with a career spanning over two decades in the Canadian television industry. He began his career at Rogers tv as host of community shows such as Structures and Toronto Living. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tim is a devoted family man, and an enthusiastic champion of Canada’s food and music scenes.

“For over 35 years, BT has set the benchmark for morning television. Many incredible hosts have paved the way, and I feel truly privileged to add my name alongside them. But the real pinch-me moment? Getting to co-host with the best in her triumphant return! I’ve admired Dina for years and from the moment we connected, the TV spark was undeniable. I know we’ll turn that into a big yellow bulb of sunshine for audiences to wake up with,” said Tim Bolen, Co-Host, BT.

Viewers can continue to count on BT to deliver the latest news, entertainment, and lifestyle content with increased audience engagement. New features from the new studio and refreshed team will include live polls, behind-the-scenes exclusives, social media integration, and daily live on-the-ground activations that will connect communities across Toronto and the GTA. Audiences can watch BT live each weekday from 6 to 10 a.m. ET on Citytv and Citytv+ in Ontario, featuring a national hour available in all Citytv markets starting at 8:30 a.m. ET.

After seven successful years since opening its doors November 2017, Bisha Hotel is entering a new era. After recent news of it being acquired by Sunray Group, the stunning boutique hotel on Blue Jays Way, quite literally in the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District, has rebranded as BISHA, a Luxury Collection Hotel. It has the distinction of being Canada’s first property under Marriott’s Luxury Collection brand.

The Hotel saw a huge profile boost during TIFF ’24 where it hosted prolific DEADLINE Studio. Any and every A-Lister (we’re talking Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Selena Gomez, Demi Moore) or rising star (recent Oscar winner Mikey Madison) passed through its famous black doors. Not to mention, the Hotel houses suites designed by non other than Rock God, Lenny Kravitz.

Still home to some of the City’s finest dining including restaurants AKIRA BACK, KŌST, MISTER C, and FRENCH MADE – which continue to be managed by founder INK Entertainment – the building still holds the same sophistication, precise service and timeless elegance it has. The same attentive and friendly service team are still there to make this a thoughtful stay. But what the future holds with the power of bring a Marriott Luxury Collection property is both enticing and exciting.

We enjoyed a stay at BISHA recently after having admired it for many years, dining at its establishments, and attending many an event there. It exceeds all expectations on every account, standing side-by-side with any five-star hotel in the City. Whether it be its aesthetic, its service, its cleanliness, its views and proximity to anything you could ever need, there are so many reasons to make this your home away from home in Toronto.

The Hotel’s 96 suites and rooms, inspired by and named after some of the greats, include:

The Nina

The Frank

The Yves

The Andy

The Oscar

The Grace

The Stella

The Marilyn

The Olivia

The Alexander

The Bisha Suite

The Nina Mobility/Hearing Accessible Roll-in Shower

The Frank Mobility/ Hearing Accessible Roll-in Shower

The Yves Mobility/ Hearing Accessible Roll-in Shower

The Stella Mobility/ Hearing Accessible Roll-in Shower

We stayed in a double Queen-bed suite, THE GRACE, which felt oversized and intimate, adorned with gorgeous fixtures. Its bed and pillows, primed for a great night of sleep. A small living room set-up by the window was perfect for lounging and enjoying a nibble and sip upon check-in. A desk to do a little bit of work was very handy to have, and perfect for those who are coming to the City for business.

Its bathroom exuded pure style with a walk-in shower and vanity all in black and white marble. The toilet is separated in its own enclosure for privacy.

We appreciated having a Nespresso machine ready for us always, plus a fully-stocked drink and snack bar with only the finest confections and beverages available. And we are literally obsessed with our television, which had access to wide array of channels, embedded within a glass panel.

And most importantly, our hearts were touched by the pet-welcoming setup which included dishes for water and food, plus a sizey bed for our beanie. Our little girl is very anxious in new surroundings, but settled-in very well as you will see from our highlight video below. It is a huge help that our suite was away from the bustle and noise. A challenge with being in Entertainment District is finding a bit of greenery for walks, but just around the corner on Wellington is a very dog-friendly park that also has a leash-free enclosure.

A fitness facility is available on the Hotel’s third floor as well, if you must. Valet Parking also is available for those driving in. And a reminder that CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Ripley’s Aquarium, TIFF Lightbox, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Roy Thomson Hall, Metro Convention Centre, and Scotiabank Area are all a short walk away.

The presence of hotspot THE WELL has given the area a huge boost. There is an endless variety of great food for all budgets and appetites, retail, and spas like the outstanding ETIKET if you need some rejuvenation.

Our stay was very timely as BISHA was hosting on its 43rd floor Sky Suite, a Women’s Day Market Pop-Up which showcased Canadian businesses led by females. Supporters showed-up in large numbers for a chance to get a free express facial by CAUDALIE, scalp analysis by PALM SUNDAY, Bone Broth Coffee and Hot Chocolate by BECK’S BROTH and more. beanie and I were thrilled to show our support in a time when it is so important to support our local economy.

Some highlights from our weekend:

Reserve now.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Right in time for March Break, Toronto’s favourite celebration of fandom was back this weekend, March 14 to 16, 2025 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre! With over 400 exhibitors front and center giving guests a chance to buy rare collectibles, this was an opportunity not to be missed. We definitely saw the Demon Slayer effect with lots of swords on-display. Also, this was a chance for fans to meet some of their favourite Artists in person and get custom commissions done!

And if that wasn’t enough there were ample opportunities to purchase autographs and photo ops with some big stars! Just want to see them up close? No problem, there were intimate panels held as well, giving fans a chance to ask their burning questions. Names in attendance included: Jared Padelecki, Karl Urban, James Marsters, Antony Starr, Nathan Mitchell, Jim Beaver, recent Canadian Screen Radius Award recipient Manny Jacinto, and many more. And we confirm with the latter in a quick chat that he indeed will be attending festivities at the end of May.

Drawing the biggest queue was Marvel Television‘s DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN HELL’S KITCHEN booth, which drew attention to their recent collaboration with Mary Brown’s, the Hot Honey Sandwich, while also giving away free branded T-Shirts! Despite the wait being between three to five hours in some instances, a ticketing system allowed fans to go about their day and come back closer to their time. There also was an Arthur and D.W. meet and greet at nostalgic apparel maker Retrokid‘s booth, and also a 30-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man photo op.

And did we mention how Toronto keeps stepping-up its Cosplay game? We’ve never seen better costumes than this year! And it was so reassuring seeing guests asking Cosplayers politely for permission to take photographs, creating a safe space for one another. This is the Toronto I know and love.

Our Team was out and about this weekend. Some highlights from the weekend, including panels, celebrities and amazing Cosplay!

Missed the fun? No to worry, FAN EXPO CANADA is just a few months away. Start planning now here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/D. Neves/R. Heaslip)

NOVOCAINE debuts atop the Box Office this weekend with $8.5 million from 3,365 theatres for Paramount Pictures. The Action Comedy starring Jack Quaid gets 81% on the Tomatometer, his second acclaimed release this year, the other being COMPANION.

MICKEY 17 takes top spot again at the Box Office on a slower weekend, with $7.6 million from 3,807 theatres for Warner Bros., taking it to $33.3 million over two weeks.

Steven Soderbergh‘s BLACK BAG debuts in third with $7 million from 2,705 theatres, with a very impressive 97% on the Tomatometer, for Focus Features/Universal Pictures.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD gets fourth spot with $5.3 million, taking the Disney/Marvel release to $185 million.

THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE rounds things out, debuting with $3.1 million, a tally of $41 million for Warner Bros. It gets 86% on the Tomatometer.

Transcen|Dance Project present Ophis (Greek for Serpent), running from April 4-13, 2025, at The Great Hall in Toronto, reimagines the myth of Medusa through a seductive and powerful lens. Guests are invited to don masks and roam the four levels of The Great Hall, each offering a unique, interactive experience that immerses the audience in the myth of Medusa, culminating in a bold and unexpected ending.

In this daring retelling, Medusa is no longer a victim of a curse but a symbol of empowerment and resilience. Audiences will journey through love, vulnerability, and self-discovery while exploring themes of power, transformation, and sexuality. This production challenges traditional narratives with a modern twist and invites viewers to confront identity and power dynamics.

The show runs on the following dates:

Friday, April 4 at 8:00 pm

Saturday, April 5 at 8:00 pm

Sunday, April 6 at 8:00 pm

Thursday, April 10 at 8:00 pm

Friday, April 11 at 8:00 pm

Saturday, April 12 at 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm

Sunday, April 13 at 8:00 pm

Tickets are on sale now, with general admission starting at $65, VIP at $105, and Behind the Curtain experiences from $160. For more details about the show and to get tickets, visit Transcen|Dance Project

Today, Disney released the teaser trailer and poster for the eagerly anticipated “Freakier Friday,” starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. The film will be released exclusively in theatres August 8, 2025.

In the film, Curtis and Lohan reprise their roles as Tess and Anna Coleman. The story picks up years after Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) endured an identity crisis. Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might indeed strike twice. “Freakier Friday” is directed by Nisha Ganatra and based on the book “Freaky Friday” by Mary Rodgers. The film, which also stars Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Rosalind Chao, Chad Michael Murray, Vanessa Bayer, and Mark Harmon, is produced by Kristin Burr, p.g.a., Andrew Gunn, p.g.a., and Jamie Lee Curtis, with Nathan Kelly, Ann Marie Sanderlin, and Lindsay Lohan serving as executive producers.

BOB TREVINO LIKES IT, a dramedy inspired by the true friendship that acclaimed writer-director Tracie Laymon found with a stranger when looking for her father online.

Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira) often plays the role of caretaker to people like her father who should be caring for her. She longs for a familial connection, having been abandoned by her mother as a child and then suddenly by her father in her twenties.

Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo) works long hours alone at a construction company to support his wife Jeanie’s scrapbooking habit. The couple has endured a lot in the past decade, and Bob has sought to put his wife first, to the point of ignoring his own feelings and need for friendship, meaning, and connection, That is, until he gets an unexpected Facebook message from a stranger.

Lily and Bob’s blossoming friendship becomes a vital source of connection and healing in both their lives. Bob’s small acts of fatherly kindness fill a familial void in Lily’s life and hold the power to change her direction forever. In their own ways, these two must both learn they are worthy of extraordinary love exemplified through small acts of kindness.

Release schedule:

Exclusive one week run at the TIFF Lightbox March 21, 2025

Canadian Theatrical rollout begins March 28, 2025, in Vancouver, Toronto and more cities to be added.

Opens in Victoria, BC and Guelph, ON on April 4, 2025

RUNTIME: 102 minutes

CAST:
BARBIE FERREIRA, Lily Trevino (Euphoria, House of Spoils, Nope)
JOHN LEGUIZAMO, Bob Trevino (The Power, The Green Veil, To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything)
FRENCH STEWART, Robert (3rd Rock From The Sun, Queen Bees, Inspector Gadget 2)
LAUREN “LOLO” SPENCER, Daphne (The Sex Lives of College Girls, With Love, NCIS: Los Angeles)
RACHEL BAY JONES, Jeanie (Young Sheldon, The Good Doctor, Critical Thinking).

WRITER/DIRECTOR:
Tracie Laymon (IFC’s list of emerging “Icons” and film innovators, Girls! Girls! Girls!)

CINEMATOGRAPHER: John Rosario
EDITOR: Anisha Acharya
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Sydney Marquez
COMPOSER: Jacques Brautbar

PRODUCERS:
Tracie Laymon, Sean Mullen, Edgar Rosa, Felipe Dieppa

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:
Carl Effenson, Barbie Ferreira, John Leguizamo, Kirk D’Amico, Mike Sobiloff, Dale Holdren, Rose Stewart

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTOR:
Photon Films

US DISTRIBUTOR:
Roadside Attractions

OTHER SELECTED OFFICIAL SELECTIONS AND AWARDS:
WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL 2024 ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALIST EDA AWARD
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024 AUDIENCE AWARD (NEW AMERICA CINEMA FEATURE)
SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024 FESTIVAL AWARD
DENVER FILM FESTIVAL 2024 PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024 AUDIENCE AWARD
NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL 2024 AUDIENCE AWARD
ANCHORAGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024 AUDIENCE AWARD, BEST FEATURE, BEST DIRECTOR
TWIN CITIES FILM FEST, US 2024 FILM CRITICS AWARD
VICTORIA FILM FESTIVAL 2025

ABOUT PHOTON FILMS AND MEDIA:
Launched in 2010, Photon Films and Media (photonfilms.ca), formerly Pacific Northwest Pictures, is a leading Canadian entertainment company specializing in the development, financing, production and distribution of feature films for the domestic and international marketplace. With an emphasis on high quality films from leading filmmakers in diverse genres, Photon Films brings those films to consumers with innovative forms of marketing and distribution across all distribution platforms.

Recent theatrical releases include Ernest Cole: Lost and Found (TIFF 2024) from award-winning filmmaker Raoul Peck, La Cocina (Berlin 2024) from director Alonso Ruizpalacios and starring Rooney Mara, Drive Back Home with Alan Cumming and the family film Autumn and the Black Jaguar. Other recent films include The Boy in the Woods starring Jett Klyne and Richard Armitage, Monster from Kore-Eda Hirokazu, The Old Oak from award-winning filmmaker Ken Loach and the 2024 Fantasia International Audience Award Winner Bookworm starring Elijah Wood, Nell Fisher and Michael Smiley.

This is such a huge affirmative moment for Canada! We know our food scene is incredible and it’s time the world finds out. As you might know, this current 22nd season of Bravo’s Top Chef is set here in Canada with some episodes taking place in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, P.E.I. and more. Cooking challenges are all a special Canadian context as chefs compete for glory. New episodes air Thursday nights at 9 PM ET on Bravo. We cannot wait to see who takes the crown!

Coming back to Toronto after filming here late last Summer, were Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, and Kristen Kish. A bash brought to us by Destination Toronto, was held at TIFF Lightbox celebrating the series’ new season and the food at a reception before a panel (moderated by Amy Rosen) and screening couldn’t have been any better, with Food Dudes paying tribute to ingredients from some of the Canadian cities in the current season of the beloved cooking competition. Guests enjoyed a Raw Bar, Duck, Ravioli, plus an array of delectable pass-arounds.

Some highlights from the night, attended by several notables including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)