The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced today that Mae Martin, award-winning Canadian comedian, actor, writer, and producer, will host The 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, airing on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 8:00 PM (9:00 PM AT, 9:30 PM NT) on CBC and CBC Gem.

“We are thrilled that Mae Martin will be hosting The 2024 Canadian Screen Awards,” said Tammy Frick, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “They are the perfect fit for this show: a dynamic and accomplished Canadian who is breaking barriers and making waves globally both in front of and behind the camera, just like the many talented individuals who we will be celebrating during Canadian Screen Week 2024.”

Join comedian and host Mae Martin for The 2024 Canadian Screen Awards at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto on Friday, May 31. The one-hour broadcast, airing at 8:00 PM (9 AT, 9:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem, promises an innovative blend of unpredictable, emotional award-show moments and unprecedented access to nominees and Special Award winners, offering audiences a celebratory look at the best in Canadian film and television. Produced by creative forces Roma Ahi and Katie Lafferty of Makers, this year’s broadcast will continue to redefine the award show and shine a spotlight on the achievements of our homegrown talent.

“I am elated to be hosting this celebration of all the amazing talent in Canada, and plan on asking a lot of people I admire for selfies,” said host Mae Martin.

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Mae Martin is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer who presently hosts the hit comedy podcast Handsome alongside Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster. They are best known for creating, starring, and co-writing Feel Good, a critically acclaimed drama-comedy series for which their stunning performance earned them a 2021 BAFTA TV Award nomination. Beloved for their stand-up comedy, Martin’s show Dope was nominated for “Best Comedy Show” at the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards, and their standup special SAP, directed by Abbi Jacobson, launched on Netflix in March 2023.

The nominees for the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards will be announced on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 7:00 AM ET on academy.ca/nominees.

The full schedule for the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards can be found at CanadianScreenWeek.ca. For more information about the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards and Canadian Screen Week 2024, please visit Academy.ca.

(Photo credit: Joseph Sinclair)

The family behind successful restaurants Thai House Cuisine (downtown Toronto, Port Credit) and Thay Thai Bar, are introducing a one-of-a-kind boxing-themed venture, Muay Thai Restaurant and Bar. Located in the neighbourhood of Queen West (325 Queen St. West), owners Inchai Tabun and Thanyaporn Tinthanasan have created a hub that marries Thai culture, food and martial arts. Muay Thai Restaurant and Bar will have its grand opening to the public on March 9, 2024 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, complete with celebratory free pad thai for customers (while supplies last) and Thai-themed trivia with cash prizes.

Chef Inchai Tabun has years of experience working with Thai cuisine. He started his culinary journey as a trainee and was eventually promoted to chef de partie at a five star Thai restaurant in his hometown of Chiang Mai. Chef Tabun moved to Toronto in 2002 and worked as a head chef at various restaurants before taking the leap and opening his own initial establishment in 2012.

“My menus are most inspired by sharing ideas with other chefs and finding the freshest ingredients throughout my travels. I combine my hometown cooking skills with modern techniques to create Thai dishes that are both relevant and authentic,” says chef Tabun.

As Thai food is a staple and source of fuel for many fighters, Tabun wanted to blend his passion for cooking with his love for Muay Thai.

“Food is a universal language. We look forward to showcasing popular local dishes from different parts of Thailand that connect Muay Thai fighters on a daily basis. Our menu will incorporate sharing platters which are popular among fighters from Esarn with my own hometown recipes and popular Thai street food,” says chef Tabun.

Menu items include Crispy Miang Kham (savoury leaf wraps), Crispy Catfish Flake Salad, Thai Street Pad Thai Shrimps & Hoy Tod (crispy fried mussel pancake, pictured above), and hero item Vancouver Crab Fried Rice (pictured above).

Much like food, the drink offerings do not fall short. Signature drinks including the Knock Out Punch (pictured above), Spicy Boxer (pictured above) and Thai Tea Martini accompany a list of Thai beers and mocktail options. Hero cocktail Beautiful Boxer (pictured above) is inspired by Thai boxer and former champion, Parinya Charoenphol. The ingredients (vodka, coconut, mango) and presentation were curated to represent Charoenphol: strong, beautiful and sexy.

The interior decor is decked out from top to bottom with traditional Thai colours and Muay Thai elements including murals and paintings done by a Thai artist, Muay Thai punching bags and boxing ring-style rope along the perimeter.

With unique sporting decor, friendly service and Thai menus not quite done the same elsewhere, Muay Thai Restaurant and Bar is excited to become part of the Toronto culinary, mixology and sports community.

Reservations for Muay Thai Restaurant and Bar will be available to book through OpenTable once the website is finalized. Delivery and pick-up will be available through UberEats, SkipTheDishes, DoorDash, Ritual and an online portal directly through the website.

(Photo credit: Ananta Gulati)

MIGRATION Collector’s Edition will be available to own on Digital, 4K UHD, Blu-ray™ and DVD February 27, 2024. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment want to give Readers a chance to win a copy on 4k!

Synopsis:

The Mallard family is in a bit of rut. While dad Mack is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, mom Pam is eager to shake things up and show their kids—teen son Dax and duckling daughter Gwen—the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica. As the Mallards make their way South for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience inspires them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Share this Post from our X account or IG for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

The genius that is Eli Roth brings us BORDERLANDS, featuring a very star-studded Cast and based on the popular Video Game! Here’s the new Trailer!

COMING TO THEATRES AUGUST 9, 2024

Directed by: Eli Roth
Based on: The Video Game Borderlands created by Gearbox Software and published by 2K
Produced by: Ari Arad, p.g.a., Avi Arad, Erik Feig
Executive Producers: Tim Miller, Ethan Smith, Louise Rosner, Emmy Yu, Lucy Kitada, Christopher Woodrow, K. Blaine Johnston, Randy Pitchford, Strauss Zelnick
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramirez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, and Jamie Lee Curtis
Story: Lilith (Blanchett), an infamous bounty hunter with a mysterious past, reluctantly returns to her home, Pandora, the most chaotic planet in the galaxy. Her mission is to find the missing daughter of Atlas (Ramírez), the universe’s most powerful S.O.B. Lilith forms an unexpected alliance with a ragtag team of misfits – Roland (Hart), a seasoned mercenary on a mission; Tiny Tina (Greenblatt), a feral pre-teen demolitionist; Krieg (Munteanu), Tina’s musclebound protector; Tannis (Curtis), the oddball scientist who’s seen it all; and Claptrap (Black), a wiseass robot. Together, these unlikely heroes must battle an alien species and dangerous bandits to uncover one of Pandora’s most explosive secrets. The fate of the universe could be in their hands – but they’ll be fighting for something more: each other. Based on one of the best-selling videogame franchises of all time, welcome to BORDERLANDS.

About Cineplex Pictures
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a distributor of a wide range of genre films. Recent titles include The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,The Boy And The Heron, SAW X, EXPEND4BLES, Joy Ride, The Blackening, About My Father, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Sisu, John Wick: Chapter 4, Jesus Revolution, Plane, The Good House, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Hotel Artemis, and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

Buckle up, Canada! The iconic Cash Cab series returns with a musical twist, as Cash Cab Music premieres on GameTV on Monday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET.

Adam Growe—beloved Canadian personality, comedian, and licensed taxi driver—hosts this thrilling game show, giving unsuspecting passengers the chance to test their music knowledge for cash prizes. As they drive to their destination, Growe asks them a series of increasingly-challenging questions. They’re not entirely alone on their journey, however. If they get stumped, there’s help – they can phone a friend, ask the world on social media, or shout out to a stranger on the street. But only once per game!

Each correct answer puts money in their pocket, while each incorrect answer counts as a strike. Like baseball, it’s three strikes and you’re out! The contestant must immediately exit the vehicle, no matter where they are on their route. Contestants who manage to reach their destination without earning three strikes, will have the opportunity to add to their winnings in the all-new “Cash Cab Karaoke” segment. In this electrifying final round riders can double their money if they can belt out the answer to the final question. 

“Cash Cab has been incredibly popular since its inception, and we were given the challenge of putting a fun and unique new twist on this iconic format,” said Executive Producer Andrew Burnstein. “Cash Cab Music lets contestants take their music knowledge for a spin with a chance to win big, while serving up a few new twists. We have a lot of exciting things planned for the inaugural season, and we can’t wait to share them all with our viewers when Cash Cab Music premieres on GameTV on March 4!”

Channel listings:
Bell Fibe: 624/1624
Rogers Ignite: 347
Telus HD: 372
Shaw Direct: 483

For full listings, visit: gametvnetwork.com

About GameTV
GameTV is a Canadian channel specializing in game-related programming such as game shows, competition-based shows, reality series and movies. The channel is available in over 6+ million homes in digital basic on IPTV, cable and satellite systems throughout the territory. GameTV is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., a leading global sports media company. Follow us on Facebook.com/GameTV, @GameTVCanada on X and Instagram @gametvnetwork

Hit Netflix Series BLOWN AWAY is coming back for a fourth season March 8, 2024! Hunter March (Sugar Rush, E! Nightly Pop) joins as the new host of season 4, which promises to be a fiery competition like no other. See the new Trailer!

We’re going bigger, badder and bolder than ever in North America’s largest hot shop. Ten incredible glassblowers will try to brave the heat in a grueling competition to see if they can push their creative limits enough to win the largest grand prize in the history of the series. The artists must create jaw-dropping works of art if they want to avoid elimination and impress Resident Evaluator and Glass Master, Katherine Gray.

This year’s competitors include a diverse array of talented individuals, ranging from seasoned veterans with years of experience to innovative newcomers bringing fresh perspectives to the competition.

Arthur Wilson – from Mableton, Georgia

Gemma Hollister – from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hayden MacRae – from Calgary, Alberta

Jonathan Capps – from Columbus, Ohio

Karen Willenbrink Johnsen – from Bow, Washington

Leana Quade – from Cleveland, Ohio

Morgan Peterson – from Seattle, Washington

Robert Burch – based between Colorado, North Carolina and New York

Ryan Blythe – from Vashon Island, Washington

Ryan Thompson – from Detroit, Michigan

Production credits for the series include: Executive Producers Matt Hornburg and Mark J.W. Bishop; co-executive producer Donna Luke, and executive producer and series writer Carly Spencer. Mike Bickerton serves as director. Blue Ant Studios’ rights division holds international rights.

After its debut at Cannes last year, ABOUT DRY GRASSES and won accolades, it is about to get a release here in Canada via Sphere Films.

Theatrical Release Locations:

March 1:
Toronto, ON – TIFF Lightbox
Ottawa, ON – ByTowne Cinema
Vancouver, BC – VIFF Centre

March 8:
Waterloo, ON – Princess Cinemas
Edmonton, AB – Edmonton City Centre

March 29:
Kingston, ON – The Screening Room

*Additional markets to be announced.

Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Writer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Akın Aksu, Ebru Ceylan
Cast: Deniz Celiloglu, Merve Dizdar, Musab Ekici

Synopsis: Samet, a young art teacher, is finishing his fourth year of compulsory service in a remote village in Anatolia. After a turn of events he can hardly make sense of, he loses his hopes of escaping the grim life he seems to be stuck in. Will his encounter with Nuray, herself a teacher, help him overcome his angst?

About Dry Grasses had its World Premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival where Merve Dizdar was honoured with the Best Actress Award. The film also screened at TIFF and NYFF.

MUBI, the global streaming service, film distributor, and production company, has released today the new official trailer and artwork for Ben Mullinkosson’s film The Last Year of Darkness, a coming of age documentary that celebrates the ephemerality of youth through the lens of five friends on the underground party scene in Chengdu, China. The Last Year of Darkness will stream exclusively on MUBI in Canada from March 15, 2024.

Synopsis
As the city of Chengdu changes, the future of beloved club Funky Town is unclear. For a vibrant group of DJs, drag performers, lovers, ravers, and skaters this is a sanctuary for underground partying and allows them to thrive after the sun sets. It’s the one place that accepts them for who they really are, whilst they run away from their problems during the day.

With construction cranes looming from an encroaching metro station, the friends are forced to face what brought them to the party in the first place and make the most of their remaining time there.

The Last Year of Darkness is a coming-of-age film that celebrates the ephemerality of youth — from love to loss, from throwing up to growing up.

Director’s Biography
This is Ben’s second feature length documentary and 6th year coming back to Chengdu. He speaks Chinese. His first feature Don’t Be a Dick About It won the 2018 Audience Award at IDFA and is being distributed by Oscilloscope. He now works directing commercials and music videos. His works include Cannes Silver Lion Advertising award, Vimeo Staff Picks, NYT Op-Docs, and some of his films have millions of views. His previous short films have gotten into 50+ festivals around the world including Tribeca (Gnarly in Pink) and Slamdance (What I Hate About Myself).

THE LAST YEAR OF DARKNESS WILL STREAM EXCLUSIVELY ON MUBI IN CANADA FROM MARCH 15, 2024.

From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, “Challengers” stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy-turned-coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor)—his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win?

Oscar and BAFTA nominee Guadagnino (“Call Me By Your Name,” “I Am Love”) directs from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes. The film is produced by Amy Pascal, Guadagnino, Zendaya and Rachel O’Connor, with Bernard Bellew serving as executive producer. Golden Globe winner Zendaya (the “Dune” films, “Euphoria”) stars alongside Golden Globe and SAG Award winner and BAFTA nominee Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) and BAFTA nominee Mike Faist (“West Side Story”). Guadagnino’s creative team includes such frequent collaborators as director of photography Sayonbhu Mukdeeprom, production designer Merissa Lombardo and editor Marco Costa, as well as costume designer Jonathan Anderson. The film’s score is by Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“Soul,” “The Social Network,” “Bones and All”). Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Presents a Why Are You Acting? / Frenesy Films / Pascal Pictures Production, Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers.”

The film opens in theaters April 26, 2024 and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

MUBI Canada have announced their March 2024 programming additions including films from female Cinematographers and Oscar winners!

FUNNY PAGES

Funny Pages (Comedy) – Streaming March 1
Dir. Owen Kline, 2022
Aspiring cartoonist Robert believes to be an artist is to suffer. So, he rejects his suburban life and drops out of school to work at a comic store and a public defender’s office. There he meets and becomes besotted by former low-level comic artist Wallace, leading him down a path of misadventures. Owen Kline’s feature directorial debut, Funny Pages, with cinematography by Sean Price Williams and produced by the Safdie Brothers, earned a spot in the 2022 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and received 2 Independent Spirit Award nominations in 2023.

MAMI WATA

Mami Wata (Drama, Fantasy, Thriller) – Streaming Exclusively on MUBI March 22
Dir. C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi, 2023
When the harmony in a village is threatened by outside elements, two sisters must fight to save their people and restore the glory of a mermaid goddess to the land. Mami Wata won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography at Sundance Film Festival in 2023.

CALLING THE SHOTS: WOMEN CINEMATOGRAPHERS

In honour of Women’s History Month, MUBI is spotlighting the expertise and perspective of women working behind the camera in its new film collection CALLING THE SHOTS: WOMEN CINEMATOGRAPHERS. Women’s perspectives help shape diverse stories, and yet, women continue to be underrepresented in cinematography. These films showcase the beauty and technical achievement possible when women craft stories through their lens.

The Wonders (Drama) – Streaming March 8
Cinematography by Hélène Louvart, Dir. Alice Rohrwacher, 2014
An extraordinary summer for Gelsomina and her three younger sisters, in which the strict rules that hold the family together begin to break: due to the arrival of Martin, a German boy on a youth rehabilitation program, and also the community’s participation in the TV competition “Village Wonders.” The Wonders won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014 and was nominated for the Plame d’Or.

Thursday Till Sunday (Drama) – Streaming March 8
Cinematography by Bárbara Álvarez, Dir. Dominga Sotomayor Castillo, 2012
As she and her family embark on a four-day holiday to the north of Chile, teenager Mazda slowly comes to the realization that her parents might be splitting up. Their journey that starts so cheerfully quickly acquires melancholy undertones. This will be their last trip as a family. Thursday Till Sunday won the Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2012.

Madeline’s Madeline (Drama) – Streaming March 8
Cinematography by Ashley Connor, Dir. Josephine Decker, 2018
Sixteen-year-old Madeline has become an active member of an experimental theatre troupe. When its ambitious director pushes Madeline to weave her rich interior world and her troubled relationship with her mother into their collective art, the lines between performance and reality begin to blur. Madeline’s Madeline was nominated for 3 Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Female Lead.

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…

Oscar® night. A time for winners and losers, tears and cheers. A night of sweeps, surprises, and foregone conclusions. MUBI presents AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…, a film collection featuring winners and nominees from Oscars® past. It’s the perfect opportunity to brush up on your awards trivia, fill some of those viewing gaps, or convince yourself again that a certain film or performance was robbed.

Parasite (Drama, Comedy, Thriller) – Streaming March 8
Dir. Bong Joon Ho, 2018
Ki-taek’s family of four is close, but fully unemployed. The son Ki-woo is recommended for a well-paid tutoring job. Carrying the expectations of all his family, Ki-woo heads to the Park family home for an interview. But following this first meeting, an unstoppable string of mishaps lies in wait. Parasite won 4 Academy Awards including Best Director, won Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language at the Golden Globes, and received the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival. It was the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

No (Drama) – Streaming Now
Dir. Pablo Larraín, 2012
With his first collaboration with Gael García Bernal, Pablo Larraín scored a true art-house hit. Shot on vintage video cameras, the film boasts a rare authenticity and its aesthetic of immediacy is nothing short of genius. No was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year at the Academy Awards, and won the C.I.C.A.E. Award at Cannes Film Festival.

Amy (Documentary, Biography) – Streaming Now
Dir. Asif Kapadia, 2015
A moving profile of the precocious talent and tragic death of singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, this biographical documentary deflates the sensationalism that surrounded Winehouse throughout her short life—focusing instead on its subject’s artistry. Amy won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2016, and was named the National Board of Review’s Best Documentary in 2015.