#FIRSTLOOK: “ADJOINING” TO PREMIERE AT BLOOD IN THE SNOW FESTIVAL 2024

Short horror film Adjoining will be premiering Friday, November 22nd at 9:30pm at the Isabel Bader Theatre as part of the Blood In The Snow Film Festival in Toronto. The Film will screen at 9:30pm before the world premiere of the feature Pins and Needles starring Chelsea Clark (Ginny & Georgia).

Adjoining is a motel-themed horror short film that Peter Roumeliotis (Popternative) wrote and produced starring Brenna D’Amico from Disney’s Descendants franchise. It just premiered in LA at Screamfest in October.

A little more on ADJOINING:

Location for screening: Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St W, Toronto, ON M5S 2C7

More on the Festival and tickets here.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF “MOANA 2”

Walt Disney Studios Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to see MOANA 2! Screenings take place November 25, 2024 in OTTAWA, WINNIPEG, EDMONTON, and CALGARY.

ABOUT “MOANA 2”

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. The all-new feature film opens exclusively in theatres on November 27, 2024.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Please indicate your City in the comments.

Rules and regulations here.

MOANA 2 is in theatres November 27, 2024. Don’t forget to check-out this pop-up for those of you in Toronto, at Square One here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FOOD: ERIC CHONG X ALVIN LEUNG’S AKIN NOW OPEN FOR RESERVATIONS

Founded by the visionary duo Alvin Leung, a three-Michelin-starred chef, and Eric Chong, the first winner of MasterChef Canada, aKin represents a fusion of decades of culinary heritage and a commitment to innovation in Canadian fine dining. Located in Toronto’s Old Town at 51 Colborne Street, aKin will introduce a 10-course blind tasting menu that challenges the senses and reimagines traditional flavours. Pre-reservations are now open via www.akintoronto.com or Tock, with tables available beginning November 19th.

We had a chance to preview the amazing AKIN:

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aKin opens its doors in November 2024, and will operate from Tuesday to Sunday, 5 PM to 12 AM. The restaurant features a dining room that accommodates 28 guests, alongside an exclusive chef’s counter for four and a private dining room for eight.

The signature 10-course blind tasting menu will evolve seasonally and is priced at $275 per diner, with two optional supplements: caviar or A5 wagyu beef, each priced at $75. Two drink pairing options will be available: a curated wine pairing and a crafted cocktail pairing, each priced at $135.

The name aKin holds significant meaning. “aKin” refers to being “of similar nature or character,” reflecting the chefs’ philosophies of modernizing traditional dishes while retaining their true essence. It also translates to “related by blood,” symbolizing the strong bond between Alvin and Eric. While they are not related by blood, they have become family through their shared passion for culinary excellence. This bond is physically represented at aKin by a DNA-inspired central light fixture, a custom piece that illuminates the heart of the restaurant, as well as other detail.

At aKin, every meal is a journey, with a meticulously crafted menu designed to transform the dining experience into an adventurous exploration of taste. Leung and Chong draw inspiration from traditional Asian recipes and contemporary culinary techniques, creating dishes that are not only visually stunning but also layered with complex flavours.

The dedication to detail and excellence extends beyond the kitchen. Every aspect of the dining experience at aKin has been thoughtfully curated, from custom flatware designed to enhance each dish’s presentation to exquisite glassware and cutlery. All elements are curated to create an ambiance of sophistication and elegance, contributing to a unique dining experience in our city.

#FIRSTLOOK: FREE PREVIEW ON HOLLYWOOD SUITE STARTS DECEMBER 1

The wildly popular FREE PREVIEW on Hollywood Suite returns this year from December 1 to January 5, 2024 giving viewers across Canada unlimited access to all four of Hollywood Suite’s TV channels and Hollywood Suite On Demand on participating TV service providers.

The first season of the award-winning crime drama Kin will have its Canadian broadcast premiere December 7 at 9pm ET on HS00, with all eight episodes available on demand starting December 1. With a powerhouse cast including Daredevil’s Charlie Cox, Aidan Gillen, Ciarán Hinds, and Clare Dunne, Kin tells the story of a fictional Dublin family embroiled in gangland war and speaks to the enduring unbreakable bonds of blood. The second season of the series will be released on HS in January 2025.

Hollywood Suite original series A Year in Film also returns with five new episodes airing nightly at 9pm ET from December 9 to 13. The series goes back in time to explore artistic and technical achievements in film during 1968, 1972, 1981, 1996 and 2008.

The celebration continues with the 100th anniversary of legendary film studio Columbia Pictures! Every Sunday in December at 9pm ET, Columbia will take over all four Hollywood Suite channels with a specially curated collection of some of the most iconic films of the last 100 years.

Growing Pains | December 1

The Last Picture Show (1971)

Five Easy Pieces (1970)

The Way We Were (1973)

Stand By Me (1986)

The Karate Kid (1984)

La Bamba (1987)

Boyz n the Hood (1991)

My Girl (1991)

Postcards from the Edge (1990)

Riding in Cars With Boys (2001)

Attack The Block (2011)

Dope (2015)

Heart Pumping | December 8

Taxi Driver (1976)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Experiment in Terror (1962)

The Evil Dead (1981)

Fright Night (1985)

Christine (1983)

Bad Boys (1995)

Bad Boys II (2003)

Air Force One (1997)

The Equalizer (2014)

The Equalizer 2 (2018)

Panic Room (2002)

Big Laughs | December 15

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and the Love the Bomb (1964)

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)

Cat Ballou (1965)

Ghostbusters (1984)

Blind Date (1987)

Ishtar (1987)

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

So I Married An Axe Murderer (1993)

Blue Streak (1999)

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

White Chicks (2004)

The Whole Nine Yards (2000)

Feel Good Flicks | December 22

Funny Girl (1968)

For Pete’s Sake (1974)

Gidget (1959)

Annie (1982)

The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

Look Who’s Talking (1989)

Last Action Hero (1993)

Guarding Tess (1994)

Dick (1999)

Easy A (2010)

Charlie’s Angels (2000)

Ghostbusters (2016)

Award Winners | December 29

From Here to Eternity (1953)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Shampoo (1975)

Glory (1989)

Gandhi (1982)

84 Charing Cross Road (1987)

As Good As It Gets (1997)

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

To Die For (1995)

Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

Adaptation. (2002)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Viewers can see what else will be playing and find out how they can check out Hollywood Suite’s Free Preview by visiting hollywoodsuite.ca

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE STUDIO”

Apple TV+ today unveiled a glimpse at its highly anticipated upcoming comedy “The Studio,” and announced that the new 10-episode half hour comedy starring Seth Rogen, who also serves as writer, director and executive producer alongside Emmy Award-nominee Evan Goldberg, is officially set to make its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, followed by one episode every Wednesday through May 21, 2025.

In “The Studio,” Seth Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of embattled Continental Studios. As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, Matt and his core team of infighting executives battle their own insecurities as they wrangle narcissistic artists and craven corporate overlords in the ever-elusive pursuit of making great films. With their power suits masking their neverending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting, and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe. As someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes movies, it’s the job Matt’s been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him. “The Studio” assembles a star-studded ensemble cast that also includes Emmy, SAG and Golden Globe Award-winner Catherine O’Hara, Emmy Award-nominee Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz and Chase Sui Wonders. Academy Award-nominee and Emmy Award-winner Bryan Cranston will appear as a guest star.

Hailing from Lionsgate Television, “The Studio” is created by Multi-Emmy Award winners Peter Huyck and Alex Gregory along with Rogen and Goldberg, and Frida Perez. Point Grey Pictures’ James Weaver, Alex McAtee and Josh Fagen also serve as executive producers alongside Rogen and Goldberg.

The new project marks the latest collaboration for Apple TV+ and Rogen, and joins the recently renewed Apple Original comedy “Platonic,” in which Rogen stars and executive produces alongside Rose Byrne.

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 of a user’s 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 earned 523 wins and 2,373 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “A MINECRAFT MOVIE”

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures and starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black, “A Minecraft Movie,” directed by Jared Hess, is the first-ever big screen, live-action adaptation of Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time.

The film also stars Emma Myers (“Wednesday”), Oscar nominee Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple”), Sebastian Eugene Hansen (“Just Mercy, “Lisey’s Story”), with Jennifer Coolidge.

Welcome to the world of Minecraft, where creativity doesn’t just help you craft, it’s essential to one’s survival! Four misfits—Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Momoa), Henry (Hansen), Natalie (Myers) and Dawn (Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.

Oscar nominee Hess (“Ninety-Five Senses,” “Nacho Libre”) directed, with Roy Lee, Jon Berg, Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Jason Momoa, Jill Messick, Torfi Frans Olafsson and Vu Bui producing, and Todd Hallowell, Kayleen Walters, Brian Mendoza, Jonathan Spaihts, Pete Chiappetta, Andrew Lary and Anthony Tittanegro executive producing.

The director’s creative team behind the camera includes BAFTA-nominated director of photography Enrique Chediak (“127 Hours,” “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”), Oscar-winning production designer Grant Major (“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” “The Meg”), editor James Thomas (“Pokémon: Detective Pikachu”, the “Borat” films), Oscar-winning VFX supervisor Dan Lemmon (“The Jungle Book,” “The Batman”), and costume designer Amanda Neale (“The Meg,” “What We Do in the Shadows”). Casting is by Rachel Tenner. The music supervisors are Gabe Hilfer and Karyn Rachtman, and the music is by Mark Mothersbaugh (“Thor: Ragnarok,” the “LEGO®” movies).

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present A Vertigo Entertainment/On The Roam/Mojäng Aktiebolag Production, A Jared Hess Film, “A Minecraft Movie.” The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures worldwide and by Legendary East in China, and released only in theatres and IMAX in North America on April 4, 2025.

#FIRSTLOOK: CINEPLEX PRESENT FESTIVE FILMS DECEMBER 2024

Experience the magic of the holiday season in theatres across Canada this winter. Beginning this month, Cineplex will transport audiences to a theatrical winter wonderland with frosty family favourites like The Polar Express (2D and 3D) and Elf, with the classic and hilarious National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and with the satirical dark comedy, Gremlins.

Embracing the most wonderful time of the year, Cineplex will also present special yuletide performances on-screen with musical master André Rieu’s 2024 Christmas Concert: Gold and Silver, the Italian comedy Sono Babbo Natale (I am Santa Claus) and dynamic pop duo for KING + COUNTRY’s A Drummer Boy Christmas LIVE.

See below for a full list of titles and synopses. For showtimes and ticketing information, visit Cineplex.com and the Cineplex app. Cineplex theatres will be open every day throughout the holiday season. Stay up to date by following Cineplex on Instagram (@cineplexmovies), on X (@cineplexmovies) and like it on Facebook (@Cineplex).

20th Anniversary
The Polar Express (2004)
November 23 and December 14
Family Favourites
Tickets on sale soon

On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.

40th Anniversary
Gremlins (1984)
November 29
Tickets on sale soon

A wholesome, All-American town is turned upside-down, when “gremlins”–some impish little creatures–are accidentally unleashed and wreak havoc.

35th Anniversary – Classics
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
December 6
Tickets on sale soon

Clark Griswold, the well-intentioned, walking disaster who has dragged his family through the horrors of traveling in two previous National Lampoon Vacation films, has decided to stay home for the holidays–and the neighborhood will never be the same.

Elf (2003)
December 7
Family Favourites
Tickets on sale soon

One Christmas Eve a long time ago, a baby crawled into Santa’s bag of toys… Raised as an elf, Buddy (Will Ferrell) grows into an adult three times larger than the biggest elf–and realizes that he will never truly fit in at the North Pole. Buddy goes looking for his true place in the world–in New York City. Buddy finds his workaholic father (James Caan) — who’s on Santa’s “naughty” list, a new mother (Mary Steenburgen) and a 10-year-old brother who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus or elves. Buddy discovers his destiny–to save Christmas for New York and the world!

André Rieu’s 2024 Christmas Concert: Gold and Silver
December 7
Tickets now on sale

This magical event embodies the festive spirit of Christmas, bringing joy, warmth, and sparkle to the big screen. Transport to the wondrous world of enchanting glamour that is André’s winter wonderland! Under the sparkle of 150 chandeliers and 50 Venetian candelabras, feel your heart warm with the magical melody of all your favourite Christmas classics. André Rieu will be joined on stage by his beloved Johann Strauss Orchestra, along with special guest artists and the young and talented Emma Kok.

Io Sono Babbo Natale (I am Santa Claus) (Italian w/e.s.t.)
December 15
Tickets now on sale

Ettore has spent the last five years in jail for a robbery. Once out of prison, he has nowhere to go, his wife broke up with him and doesn’t want him to meet their little daughter who was born right before he was arrested. Alone and desperate, Ettore roams the streets of Rome and meets a strange old man, Nicola. He decides to take advantage of him and rob him. But after breaking into his house, Ettore realizes Nicola doesn’t have anything worth to be stolen and furthermore, the old man tells him a rather strange thing: he affirms to be Santa Claus.

for KING + COUNTRY’s A Drummer Boy Christmas LIVE
December 15
Tickets now on sale

Step into the Christmas spirit like never before as 4x GRAMMY-award winning brothers Joel + Luke Smallbone of KING + COUNTRY lead audiences on a sonic journey that blends the sights and sounds of the season with the musical mastery, heartwarming storytelling, and dazzling production the duo is renowned for. Filmed during their largest ‘A Drummer Boy Christmas’ tour to date in front of a high-energy, sold-out crowd of 12,000+ in Houston, TX, the festive phenomenon features never-before-seen live performance footage and breathtaking views from A Drummer Boy Christmas.

#FIRSTLOOK: “SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3” TICKETS NOW ON SALE & NEW FEATURETTE

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 IS IN THEATRES DECEMBER 20, 2024. TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Today we get a new Featurette with Jim Carrey on his transformation as Dr. Robotnik.

SYNOPSIS:

Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.

Director Jeff Fowler returns along with our all-star cast including Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, newcomers Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter, with Keanu Reeves joining the franchise as Shadow the Hedgehog.

Paramount Pictures Presents

In Association with Sega Sammy Group

An Original Film / Marza Animation Planet / Blur Studio Production

“SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3”

Produced by

Neal H. Moritz, p.g.a., Toby Ascher, p.g.a.,Toru Nakahara, Hitoshi Okuno

Executive Producers

Haruki Satomi, Shuji Utsumi, Yukio Sugino,

Jeff Fowler, Tommy Gormley, Tim Miller

Based on the SEGA Video Game

Story by

Pat Casey & Josh Miller

Screenplay by

Pat Casey & Josh Miller and John Whittington

Directed

by Jeff Fowler

Cast:

Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, Krysten Ritter, Lee Majdoub, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Alyla Browne, James Wolk

#FIRSTLOOK: “STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW” ROUNDTABLE

Today, Disney+ introduced the award-winning filmmakers of Lucasfilm’s upcoming “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” series with a roundtable video featuring Jon Watts, Christopher Ford, Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard and David Lowery. During the roundtable, the filmmakers take a deep dive into the series and discuss their inspirations and visions that fueled bringing it to life.

Head writers and executive producers Watts and Ford pulled together a “crew” of their own when they set off to find a cadre of directors to helm the space-adventure series. And what they found were some of Hollywood’s most talented and exciting directors whose grasp of storytelling through the lens has made them standouts. In addition to Watts, who directed two episodes, the remaining episodes of “Skeleton Crew” are helmed by Lee Isaac Chung, known for “Twisters”; David Lowery who helmed “The Green Knight”; “The Mandalorian”’s Bryce Dallas Howard; Jake Schreier, who recently wrapped the upcoming “Thunderbolts*”; and the Daniels, who rose to fame with the Academy Award-winning “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

Join the filmmakers as they discuss “Skeleton Crew” and showcase scenes from Lucasfilm’s newest adventure, which follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Finding their way home—and meeting unlikely allies and enemies—will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.

The series stars Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon and Nick Frost. Episodes are directed by Jon Watts, David Lowery, the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard and Lee Isaac Chung.

Jon Watts and Christopher Ford are the head writers and also serve as executive producers along with Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. Chris Buongiorno, Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck are the co-executive producers, and Susan McNamara and John Bartnicki are the producers.

“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” launches on Monday, December 2, the first two episodes arriving at 6:00 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “BIGGEST HEIST EVER”

Netflix have unveiled a new Trailer for Documentary BIGGEST HEIST EVER from the same people who brought us FYRE and BAD VEGAN!

Releases on Netflix: December 6th
Synopsis: She rapped. He hacked. How did Ilya “Dutch” Lichtenstein and his wife Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan pull off one of the biggest crypto crimes ever? From Emmy winner Chris Smith, the director of “Bad Vegan” and “Fyre,” comes this stranger-than-fiction documentary about a couple dubbed Bitcoin Bonnie and Clyde.
Format: Documentary Film
Directed By: Chris SmithProduction Company: Library Films
Executive Producer: Nick Bilton
Producers: Chris Smith and P.G. Morgan