The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, the esteemed five-star luxury hotel renowned for its unparalleled hospitality, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of LANO, a captivating cafe and wine bar nestled within the elegant confines of the hotel’s lobby. Set to debut in September 2024 and introducing a venue that seamlessly embodies the essence of northern Italian charm, LANO, the latest addition to The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, promises to enrich the hotel’s culinary experience. This innovative concept marks a pivotal moment in The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto’s journey, symbolizing its commitment to redefining luxury experiences and hospitality for its clientele as part of an overall hotel refresh, including a newly designed lobby, that will be unveiled with the opening of LANO.

LANO, a contraction of Milano, pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of Northern Italy in a cafe and wine bar setting. An authentic Northern Italian experience will be led by the expertise of Ignatius Prinsloo, Executive Sous Chef and Alessandro Panattoni, Chef de Cuisine (who hails from the region), meticulously sourcing Italian ingredients and with a commitment to authenticity, freshness, and quality. From morning to night, guests will be transported to the bustling cafes of Milan or Turin, engaging their senses from the aroma of freshly brewed espresso to the last sip of wine.

LANO’s menu is thoughtfully crafted to evolve seamlessly throughout the day, offering a diverse array of culinary delights paired with a unique selection of 30 Italian wines, and also features traditional Italian cocktails. Whether it’s a quick grab-and-go espresso and pastry, a leisurely lunch featuring salads and antipasti, or a pre-theatre rendezvous for a glass of wine, there’s something to satisfy every palate at LANO.

“LANO is a testament to our team’s dedication to constantly create unique and authentic experiences for our guests, inspired by storytelling and delivered through service, design and craftsmanship,” said Guillaume Benezech, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. “LANO’s varied offering and inviting atmosphere will enhance our existing culinary options, meeting the expectations of both our local community and hotel guests.”

Designed by leading design firm CHAPI CHAPO DESIGN, the design inspiration for LANO was drawn from the rich cultural tapestry that defines the city of Milan. The design inspiration was also drawn from both the physical insights of the property’s location and the social insights of its refined glamour. Situated in a city known for its vibrant culture and lush green spaces, the hotel’s design incorporates elements that reflect Toronto’s unique blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty. The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto boasts a beautiful park-like back terrace complemented by a park in the front, enhancing its ambiance as a city within a park and a hotel within a park. These natural retreats offer havens amidst the city’s noise and bustling energy.

“We envisioned a chic culinary stop that seamlessly fits into the fast-paced lifestyle of the city. The design draws inspiration from European aesthetics, offering a refined atmosphere where guests can enjoy a quick yet delightful experience,” said Tatiana Sheveleva, Partner of CHAPI CHAPO DESIGN. “Every element has been carefully selected to enhance a quick dining experience,” continued Loris Ognibene, Project Director. “From the delicate lighting to the sleek furniture, our goal was to design a space that feels approachable and timeless, much like Toronto itself.”

LANO is set to join The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto’s current lineup of culinary destinations including TOCA and EPOCH Bar + Kitchen Terrace, and will open in September 2024.

Financial District’s best-kept secret, 11:59 Bar:Café, will be celebrating its one-year anniversary with free coffee and $11.59 cocktails during the week of July 8, 2024!

The first 50 customers each day will receive a free iced coffee. Additionally, the bar-café will offer their signature espresso martini, the Coconut Noir, for just $11.59.

With a dynamic atmosphere that seamlessly transitions from a cozy café by day to a vibrant lounge by night, 11:59 Bar:Café is the perfect spot for the AM crowd looking for a daytime workspace and the PM crowd seeking after-work drinks. So whether you’re in need of an afternoon coffee pick-me-up or a happy hour destination next week, 11:59 Bar:Café has the Toronto Financial District covered!

When: Monday, July 8th from 11:30 am – 10 pm

Tuesday July 9th from 11:30 am – 10 pm

Wedneesday July 10th from 11:30 am – 3 pm

Thursday, July 11th from 11:30 am – 11 pm

Friday July 12th from 5 pm – 11 pm

Where: 11:59 Bar: Café – 70 Temperance St Unit 1, Toronto, ON M5H 0B1

After premiering at SXSW ’24 to raves, NATIONAL ANTHEM is set to hit theatres later this month via Vortex Media.

The film stars Charlie Plummer (Moonfall) and Eve Lindley (Bros) and is the feature-length debut picture from photographer Luke Gilford who co-wrote the screenplay with David Largman Murray and Kevin Best. The stunning feature is based on Gilford’s photobook National Anthem: America’s Queer Rodeo.

Dylan (Charlie Plummer), a soft-spoken 21-year-old construction worker, is the de facto father figure to his little brother and works odd jobs to help the family get by. After he finds himself with the opportunity to work at a ranch, he is welcomed by a vibrant community of rodeo performers who openly explore their identities and sexuality. He is especially drawn to Sky (Eve Lindley), a force of nature who Dylan connects with deeply, as he begins to forge his own identity.

The film will open in select theatres nationwide, in likely 10-15 theatres. National Anthem premiered at SXSW this past year to critical praise where it was hailed as “delicately radical” by Tim Grierson of Screen International and as a “glorious portrait of rural queer Americana” by Kristy Puchko of Mashable. That’s just the tip of the iceberg though, as the film sits at 95% fresh on RT with over 20 reviews from its festival run.

You can view the trailer here:

JACKPOT! is an outrageous action-comedy about a ‘Grand Lottery’ with a catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion dollar jackpot. See the new Trailer for this August 15, 2024 release on Prime Video Canada.

Awkwafina plays Katie, who mistakenly finds herself with the winning ticket and reluctantly joins forces with amateur lottery protection agent Noel Cassidy, played by John Cena, who must get her to sundown in exchange for a piece of her prize.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW7pIYtpp50

JACKPOT! introduces audiences to their new favorite comedy duo: Awkwafina and John Cena.
Legendary director Paul Feig champions Awkwafina, another great comedienne in an action-packed starring role, following his other beloved action comedies like THE HEAT and SPY, among others.
Directed by Paul Feig
Starring Awkwafina, John Cena, Ayden Mayeri, Donald Elise Watkins,
Sam Asghari, Murray Hill and Simu Liu
Written by Rob Yescombe
Produced by Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum, p.g.a., Paul Feig, p.g.a., Laura Fischer, p.g.a.
Executive Produced by John Cena, Michelle Morrissey, Rob Yescombe, Zack Roth
Genre: Action Comedy
In the near future, a ‘Grand Lottery’ has been newly established in California – the catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion dollar jackpot. When Katie Kim (Awkwafina) moves to Los Angeles, she mistakenly finds herself with the winning ticket. Desperate to survive the hordes of jackpot hunters, she reluctantly joins forces with amateur lottery protection agent Noel Cassidy (John Cena) who will do everything in his power to get her to sundown in exchange for a piece of her prize. However, Noel must face off with his slick rival Louis Lewis (Simu Liu), who also seeks to collect Katie’s commission at all costs. JACKPOT! is directed by Paul Feig and written by Rob Yescombe.

Rated R

Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF is thrilled to announce that the renowned Australian actor and producer Cate Blanchett will be honoured at the 2024 TIFF Tribute Awards as the recipient of the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award. Blanchett will also participate in an In Conversation With… event, offering audiences an intimate look into the two-time Academy Award winner’s illustrious career.

A trailblazer in advocating for greater representation and equality in the film industry and one of the most revered performers in modern cinema, the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award winner is a leading woman in the film industry who has championed the careers of others and paved the way for the next generation. Honouring the film industry’s outstanding contributors and their achievements, the TIFF Tribute Awards is a fundraising event that takes place on Sunday, September 8 at Fairmont Royal York Hotel, with proceeds going towards TIFF’s Every Story Fund, which champions diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in film.

“Cate Blanchett is a marvel,” said Bailey. “One of the finest actors in film history, she has consistently shown range, depth and audacity on screen. Off screen, she has been a tireless champion of increased equity and justice in many sectors. Cate’s passion for the transformative power of storytelling, and her commitment to breaking down barriers for women, align with the goals of our Share Her Journey initiative. We’re honoured to present Cate Blanchett with this year’s Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award, and can’t wait to welcome her back to Toronto.”

The TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award is inspired by TIFF’s Share Her Journey initiative, created to address gender parity in the film industry, to champion women at every stage of their creative journey, and to shine a spotlight on women creators making a significant difference in the industry. Past recipients are Patricia Arquette (2023) and Michelle Yeoh (2022).

Blanchett joins the recently announced iconic Canadian filmmaker and screenwriter David Cronenberg, who will be recognized with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award; and Oscar-nominated actor Amy Adams, who will receive the TIFF Tribute Performer Award. Award-winning Korean Canadian actor and producer Sandra Oh is the inaugural Honorary Chair of TIFF’s largest fundraiser, now in its sixth year. Serving as a kick-off to awards season, the Tribute Awards have in the past honoured Jessica Chastain, Roger Deakins, Colman Domingo, Brendan Fraser, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Joaquin Phoenix, Taika Waititi, Michelle Yeoh, and Chloé Zhao, who have gone on to win awards on the international stage.

An integral part of TIFF’s year-round and Festival programming, In Conversation With… connects audiences with leading film artists through intimate, moderated discussions about their creative process. Packed with emotion and cultural significance, this series offers audiences a wide range of experiences.

About Cate Blanchett
Blanchett has forged a unique career on stage and screen as an artist, producer and cultural leader. Working with many of the world’s leading filmmakers, she has crafted defining roles in critically acclaimed films such as Tár, Carol, I’m Not There, and Notes on a Scandal. Equally at home in arthouse discoveries as she is in box-office blockbusters, Academy Award wins came for The Aviator and Blue Jasmine, and numerous other honours have included four BAFTAS and four Golden Globes. Raised in Australia, Blanchett began her career on the Sydney stage. While her international success came following Elizabeth in 1988, she would later return to her home country to run its de facto national theatre, the Sydney Theatre Company, as co-Artistic Director and co-CEO, transforming it in the process to an award winning green arts hub. Small-screen roles include the leading role in Mrs America which she also produced through the production company she co-runs, Dirty Films, whose recent projects include Proof of Concept supporting emerging women, trans and nonbinary filmmakers. She is a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, a member of the Earthshot Prize Council and a leading advocate for the cultural industries, human rights and the environment.

More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF ’24 go on-sale to TIFF Members by level beginning on Friday, August 16. For more details, visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released on Tuesday, August 13. The 49th Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 5–15, 2024.

(Photo credit: Tom Munro)

We realize it’s only Summer still but here’s a new Trailer for THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT ever, in theatres November 8, 2024 via Cineplex Pictures.

Directed by: Dallas Jenkins
Cast: Pete Holmes, Judy Greer, Beatrice Schneider, Mason Nelligan, Matthew Lamb,
Ewan Matthys Wood, Essek Moore, Kynlee Heiman, Lorelai Olivia Mote, Molly Wright,
Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez
Synopsis: Based on the beloved book, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER centers on the Herdmans – absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. But this Christmas, they’re taking over their local church Pageant – and they just might unwittingly teach a shocked community the true meaning of Christmas.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a new experience in the world of M. Night Shayamalan—“Trap” —featuring performances by rising music star Saleka Shyamalan.

A father and teen daughter attend a pop concert, where they realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event.

Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, “Trap” stars Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills and Allison Pill. The film is produced by Ashwin Rajan, Marc Bienstock and M. Night Shyamalan. The executive producer is Steven Schneider.

The director of photography is Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (“Call Me by Your Name”). The production designer is Debbie de Villa (“The Hating Game”). It is edited by Noëmi Preiswerk and the music is by Herdĭs Stefănsdŏttir (“Knock at the Cabin”). The music supervisor is Susan Jacobs (“Old”); the costume designer is Caroline Duncan (“Old”). The casting is by Douglas Aibel (“Asteroid City”).

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents A Blinding Edge Pictures Production, An M. Night Shyamalan Film: “Trap.” The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Paramount+ today announced that EMMY® nominee Richard Gere joins the cast of the espionage political thriller THE AGENCY (formerly The Department) for Paramount+ as a series regular. THE AGENCY, currently in production in London, is commissioned by Showtime Studios and produced in association with 101 Studios. George Clooney and Grant Heslov will executive produce through Smokehouse Pictures.

The all-new political thriller follows Martian (two-time Academy Award nominee Fassbender), a covert CIA agent, ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station. When the love he left behind reappears, romance reignites. His career, his real identity and his mission are pitted against his heart; hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage. Gere will play “Bosko,” the London Station Chief with a storied past after serving as an 8-year undercover agent.

“Richard Gere is in a class of his own, adored by generations of fans worldwide for his exceptional ability to infuse depth and authenticity into every role he plays,” said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO, Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios. “We are delighted to have him join our extraordinary cast which includes Michael Fassbender and Jeffrey Wright in Showtime’s latest thriller.”

Humanitarian, actor, producer and Golden Globe winner, Richard Gere is known for his roles in films such as An Officer and a Gentleman, Days of Heaven, American Gigolo, Breathless, Pretty Woman, First Knight, Primal Fear, Chicago, Unfaithful, Looking for Mr. Goodbar, The Cotton Club, Shall We Dance and Internal Affairs. Mr. Gere has won numerous humanitarian awards acknowledging his commitment to human and civil rights, health, education and the plight of those disenfranchised everywhere. For the last two decades, he has served as Chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet. Next up, Gere will star in Oh’ Canada from director Paul Schrader, alongside Jacob Elordi and Uma Thurman. Next, he will star alongside Diane Keaton and Blake Lively in his upcoming project THE MAKING OF.

THE AGENCY is a fresh take on the critically acclaimed hit French drama Le Bureau des Légendes (The Bureau internationally). The series will stream on Paramount+ in Canada, the UK, Australia, Italy, Germany, Latin America, Brazil and Japan, and in the U.S. for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan. The series is co-distributed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution and Federation Studios.

The Bureau – Le Bureau des Légendes centers on the daily life and missions of agents within France’s principal external security service (DGSE). It focuses on the “Bureau of Legends” service, responsible for training and handling deep-cover agents on long-term missions in areas with French interests. Living under false identities for years, these agents’ missions are to identify and recruit good intelligence sources. The New York Times named it one of the top international shows of the decade, and NPR has called it “addictively suspenseful” and “one of the best TV shows in the world.” The Bureau – Le Bureau des Légendes was created by Eric Rochant and is a CANAL+ Creation Originale series produced by TOP – The Originals Productions and Federation Studios.

Golden Globe® nominee and multi-BAFTA® winner Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice, The Darkest Hour and The Atonement) will direct and executive produce the new drama series and Tony®Award-winning writer Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari, Edge of Tomorrow) will executive produce and write all ten episodes.

Commissioned by Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and produced in association with 101 Studios, THE AGENCY is executive produced by Keith Cox and Nina L. Diaz of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios; David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin and Bob Yari of 101 Studios (Yellowstone); George Clooney and Grant Heslov for Smokehouse Pictures; Alex Berger for TOP-The Originals Productions; Ashley Stern and Pascal Breton for Federation Studios/Federation Entertainment of America; and Michael Fassbender. Jez and John-Henry Butterworth are writers and executive producers; Joe Wright is executive producer and director for the first two episodes.

The 2024 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid continues to be everything we need in a car, so when we had the chance to test drive it – in our fave colour Urban Grey Pearl nonetheless – we knew we’d be in great hands! We’ve driven a number of SUVs in the Honda family of late, so this was a refreshing reminder of this midsize Sedan’s great versatility and agility.

It was a week of celebration with parties, Pride and Canada Day giving us the perfect reason to drive around town in style!

The 2024 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC with dual variable timing control (VTC) 4-cylinder engine, running at a combined total 204 horsepower, including Eco-Assist for maximum fuel efficiency. In terms of Fuel Economy, you get 5.0/5.7/5.3 L/100 km (city/highway/combined) and an array of options with ECON, Normal, Sport and Individual mode drive toggle. We will say this, we’ve driven many Honda vehicles, but this gives you the most mileage on the least gas. It was jawdropping seeing little we paid for gas and how much we got out of a tank.

Aesthtically, the Accord Touring Hybrid boasts a beautiful uniform look with body-coloured door handles, folding door mirrors, heated power door mirrors that are body-coloured, with reverse gear tilt-down (passenger side). We love that one-touch power moonroof and rain-sensing windshield wipers – this is the only build in the 2024 Accord series that has this. Believe us, we got plenty use of both with this erratic hot/humid and wet Toronto Summer.

The Accord Touring Hybrid sits a tad lower, but seating is comfortable. The Driver’s seat comes with 8-way power adjustment, including 2-way power lumbar support, while the front passenger’s seat has 4-way power adjustment. We appreciate its dual-zone automatic climate control with air-filtration system because while we love it cool and breezy, our passengers don’t always feel the same. Getting into the car is easy with proximity key entry, and walking away is easy as well with a walk-away door lock. We did report some issues opening the trunk altogether during our test drive, but the Accord Touring Hybrid does feature assisted opening trunk.

The Accord Touring Hybrid has the largest display of all in the series – a gorgeous 12.3-inch colour touchscreen display. For you Audiophiles, you are gifted a BOSE® Premium Sound System with 12 speakers, with the most options in connectivity yet: Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In, Google Built-In and HondaLink. We can never have enough charging options and here we get a wireless charger in the front, plus a front USB charging port with data connectivity, a rear USB charging port and Wi-Fi tethering.

We depend a lot on that multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines as we do drive downtown, parallel park and park in underground lots often. The Accord Touring Hybrid‘s camera has a fisheye-like view which gives you even more visibility than ever.

We also have nothing by praise for the ease of navigating with the MAPS option on the menu. Simply input your destination and START! No more struggling to glance over at your phone screen to see where you’re going.

If you live in Toronto, you’ve probably noticed an increasing focus on speed limit enforcement around schools. The Accord Touring Hybrid with its traffic sign recognition feature, has been updated to display a school zone icon to alert you, which is super-handy not only to keep the kids safe, but also because fines have increased. This is telling of Honda‘s commitment to looking after its Drivers and their interests. We did also notice some speed limit discrepancies between the display and actual road signage on occasion as well, so this might be something still to iron-out.

I appreciate the Maintenance Minder, a big selling feature for me and also the Accord Touring Hybrid‘s P235/40 R19 96V All-Season Tires and 19″ aluminum-alloy wheels. It also comes ready with a Tire Repair Kit. Anyone who’s ever experienced a flat knows the value of this.

Did you know the Honda Accord once again has been awarded Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI)? You’ll see exactly why in 2024 the Accord received this a fourth time.

For Active Safety and Driver Assisted technologies, you get 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); Auto high beam headlights; Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS®); Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system; Hill Start Assist; Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system; Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS); Blind Spot Information (BSI) system; Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system; Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with Traction Control; and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system.

Passive Safety features in the Accord Touring Hybrid include: 3-point front seat belts with automatic tensioning system; Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure; Childproof rear door locks; Front knee airbags (SRS); Rear side airbags; HondaLink™ Assist Automatic Emergency Response System; Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system; SmartVent™ side airbags; Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH).

In today’s climate, every ounce of assurance helps. The Accord Touring Hybrid is protected by an Immobilizer theft-deterrent system (Stolen Vehicle Locator/Remote Immobilizer) and also Find My Car/Vehicle Locator.

The 2024 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid nails all the marks for us, other than a couple very minor glitches, and still is the car for us! It starts at $46,961.50 CAN. More here.

Join us on our adventures in the 2024 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It’s an incredible third week for INSIDE OUT 2, banking a stellar $60 million from 4,440 theatres for Disney. In its domestic run it has made $471 million already.

Debuting in second is A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE with $48.5 million from 3,707 theatres for Paramount Pictures. It gets 84% on the Tomatometer and places a close second behind the first film in the Franchise, which opened with $50 million in 2018.

Kevin Costner‘s HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA CHAPTER 1, lands in third with $12 million from 3,334 theatres for Warner Bros. It gets 40% on the Tomatometer and will be followed by CHAPTER 2 in August.

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE lands in fourth with $11 million, a tally of $163 million over four weeks for Sony Pictures.

At the bottom of the Top Five is KALKI 2898 AD with $6.5 million from 1,049 theatres for Prathyangira Cinemas and AA Creations.