#BOXOFFICE: “NOVOCAINE” EDGES “MICKEY 17” FOR TOP SPOT

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.

#FIRSTLOOK: TRANSCEN|DANCE PROJECT PRESENT “OPHIS”

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

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TEASER TRAILER FOR “FREAKIER FRIDAY”

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.

#FIRSTLOOK: “BOB TREVINO LIKES IT” TRAILER AND RELEASE DATES

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.

#SPOTTED: KRISTEN KISH, TOM COLICCHIO AND GAIL SIMMONS IN TORONTO FOR “TOP CHEF DESTINATION CANADA”

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:

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(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: “BIG BURGER BATTLE” ARRVIES MONDAY, APRIL 21 ON FLAVOUR NETWORK AND STACKTV

Fire up the grill and let the battle begin! Corus Entertainment’s hot and juicy new Canadian Original series, Big Burger Battle premieres Monday, April 21, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Flavour Network and STACKTV. Hosted by award-winning actor and comedian Andrew Phung, viewers can sink their teeth into this beefy competition that gives the beloved burger its moment in the spotlight with non-stop grilling action.

Host Andrew Phung is joined on the judging panel by celebrated chef and restaurateur, Connie DeSousa, and author, Burger Scholar, and TV personality, George Motz. Each episode, the competitors unleash their creativity in three high-stakes challenges. The battle begins with the “Fast Food” challenge, where they must transform a mystery ingredient into a crave-worthy, burger-adjacent dish. Those with the judges’ least favourite creations are sent to “Burgatory”, forced to sit out the next round.

Next up is “Burger Bucks”, where a juicy $5,000 prize is up for grabs. Here, the remaining competitors craft an outside-the-box burger featuring a star ingredient that pushes culinary boundaries.

Finally, in the “Big Burger Elimination” challenge, the chefs exiled to “Burgatory” return for a last shot at redemption. This time, they must create a stunning gourmet burger with a delectable side, knowing that one competitor will be sent home.

Week after week, the pressure mounts until only three chefs remain. In the end, one champion will rise—grilling, smashing, and frying their way to victory to claim a $25,000 cash prize, an all-inclusive tropical vacation for two provided by Sunwing Vacations, and the coveted title of Big Burger Battle Champion!

The burger connoisseur chefs battling it out for the ‘Big Burger Battle Champion’ title are:

Danielle Casario, Vernon River, PEI (Owner of The Seafood Shack)
Christina Fitzgerald, St. Louis, MO (Chef)
Stefan Jacob, Terrebonne, QC (Owner of Le Gras Dur Restaurant and Food Trucks)
Jae Lee, New York, NY (Owner of Nowon)
Marissa Leon-John, Terrebonne, QC (Private Chef)
Tu Le, Edmonton, AB (Owner of Jack’s Burger Shack)
Tyler Thrift, Brooklyn, NY (Chef and Co-Owner of Virginia Smashburginia)

Hellmann’s, the secret ingredient behind every great burger, brings its signature flavour to Big Burger Battle as the series’ official condiment sponsor. Canada’s favourite mayonnaise adds a saucy twist to the action with two custom challenges, in-show branded displays, and product visuals. With the pantry fully stocked with Hellmann’s, competitors had the opportunity to use the brand’s premium products throughout the season when assembling their tasty creations and beyond. Additionally, Hellmann’s commitment also features media integration, customized social branded content, and an event celebrating the delicious combination that is Big Burger Battle and Hellmann’s mayonnaise.

Portofino Bakery joins as the official bread and buns sponsor of Big Burger Battle and rolls in with a custom challenge of its own this season. Artisan loaves and fresh-baked buns from Portofino Bakery will be showcased prominently in the pantry, ready to showcase how every burger creation can be elevated.

Think Turkey joins Big Burger Battle as an official protein sponsor, bringing fresh taste to the competition. Their products are stocked in the pantry throughout the season, reminding Canadians to grill with turkey. The brand is also featured in a custom challenge this season.

Viewers of Big Burger Battle have a chance to win big! Flavour Network is giving one lucky winner $15,000 to put toward their grocery bill. Throughout the month of April, tune into Flavour Network every night at 9 p.m. ET to catch the daily code word which can be entered for a chance to win. Entries can be submitted at the official contest page flavournetwork.ca/article/watchandwin, which goes live March 14.

Visit flavournetwork.ca for the full cast and contestant bios, and additional show content.

Big Burger Battle is produced by Nikki Ray Media Agency for Flavour Network. For Nikki Ray Media Agency, Mike Sheerin and Tanya Linton are Executive Producers, and Louise Wood is Series Producer. For Flavour Network, Debbie Brown is the Executive in Charge of Production, Lynne Carter is Director of Original Programming, and Rachel Nelson is Vice President of Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR SEASON 7 OF “BLACK MIRROR”

Season 7 of BLACK MIRROR arrives on Netflix April 10, 2025. At long last we get a new Trailer for this latest season of the popular Anthology series.

ABOUT BLACK MIRROR S7:
Premiere Date: April 10, 2025
Logline: Charlie Brooker’s dark, satirical anthology series will return on 10 April, 2025 with six brand new episodes, including a sequel to the sci-fi adventure USS Callister.
Production Company: Broke & Bones
Created By: Charlie Brooker
Series Executive Producers: Charlie Brooker Charlie Brooker, Jessica Rhoades, Annabel Jones
New Cast Announced: Michele Austin, Ben Bailey Smith, Asim Chaudhry, Josh Finan, James Nelson-Joyce, Will Poulter, Jay Simpson, Michael Workéyè
Previously Announced Lead Cast: Awkwafina, Milanka Brooks, Peter Capaldi, Emma Corrin, Patsy Ferran, Paul Giamatti, Lewis Gribben, Osy Ikhile, Rashida Jones, Siena Kelly, Billy Magnussen, Rosy McEwen, Cristin Milioti, Chris O’Dowd, Issa Rae, Paul G. Raymond, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jimmi Simpson, Harriet Walter

#NEWMUSIC: LIZZO “STILL BAD” OFFICIAL VIDEO

Turning up the heat yet again, 4x GRAMMY® Award and Emmy award winning, RIAA multi-platinum certified superstar Lizzo serves up her new single, “Still Bad”, available now on all streaming platforms via Nice Life Recording Company/Atlantic Records. Listen here and watch the official music video directed by Collin Tilley. 

Lizzo remains as unapologetic as ever on the enthusiastic and self-assured anthem. A thumping bass line sets the tempo for the track between pulsating eighties-style keys and head-nodding claps. She comes to a realization on the chorus, “I don’t need him. I need a drink,” giving way to fiery funk guitar. Embracing confidence, charisma, and her power, she incites an irresistible chant, “After everything, I’m still surviving and I’m still bad, baby, so bitch I can’t complain.” The music video translates this energy to the screen! 

She’s not just “Still Bad;” there’s no one badder in 2025… 

The track lands in the wake of “Love In Real Life,” which took flight as her first solo release in three years since 2022. Its Colin Tilley-directed music video has already amassed over 7 million YouTube views and counting, while the song has posted up north of 2 million Spotify streams so far. 

“Love In Real Life” has also incited widespread critical applause. People applauded how, “Sonically, ‘Love in Real Life’ finds Lizzo channeling her late mentor Prince as she sings lyrics about overcoming hardship to enjoy a night out over funky upbeat production inspired by the rock icon’s ‘Let’s Go Crazy’.” Pitchfork professed, “Lizzo is back,” and The FADER stated, “‘Love In Real Life’ is filled with fuzzy guitar riffs and agile drums.” HYPEBEAST raved, “Exploring the complexities of both self-love and romantic relationships, ‘Love In Real Life’ delivers an uplifting message through Lizzo’s powerhouse vocals and dynamic instrumentation.” Billboard christened it a “rollicking, uptempo pop rock tune.” 

EUPHORIA. declared, “A little bit of pop, a little bit of soul and a little bit of rock was what it took to make ‘Love In Real Life,’ and if you’re not dancing, nodding your head, or tapping your feet as the high tempo song plays, what kind of person are you?” 

Everything heralds the arrival of her fifth full-length LP and one of the most anticipated albums of 2025, Love In Real Life. 

To celebrate the start of this chapter, Lizzo is performing three super intimate fan shows. She just graced the stage of The Wiltern in Los Angeles this week and will rock Irving Plaza in New York, NY on March 16 and First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN on March 18. 

In February, she ignited social media by teasing “Love In Real Life.” First up, she bid “farewell” to her Special era in a viral post followed by the reveal of a flute-soundtracked trailer for “Love In Real Life,” generating hundreds of thousands of views and “likes.” Rolling Stone noted, “She 

is entering a ‘new era’ of music,” and Billboard excitedly proclaimed, “It’s about damn time for some new Lizzo music.” 

Lizzo delivers now. 

Stay tuned for more music and surprises soon. 

This chapter is all about love, life, and Lizzo…

SHOW DATES  3/16 New York, NY Irving Plaza  3/18 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue 

#FIRSTLOOK: OFFICIAL “F1” CANADIAN TRAILER

From Apple Original Films and the filmmakers from Top Gun: Maverick comes the high-octane, action-packed feature film F1, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski. The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Kosinski, seven-time FORMULA 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Chad Oman.

Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition—and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.

F1 also stars Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Javier Bardem, and has been shot during actual Grand Prix weekends as the team competes against the titans of the sport.

Kosinski directs from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger. The film is executive produced by Daniel Lupi. Collaborating with Kosinski behind the scenes are his creative team, including director of photography Claudio Miranda, production designers Mark Tildesley and Ben Munro, editor Stephen Mirrione, costume designer Julian Day, casting director Lucy Bevan and composer Hans Zimmer.

Apple Original Films Presents a Monolith Pictures / Jerry Bruckheimer / Plan B Entertainment / Dawn Apollo Films Production, A Film by Joseph Kosinski, F1, distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theatres and IMAX nationwide on June 27, 2025

#SPOTTED: MATTHEW GRAY GUBLER FILMING “EINSTEIN” IN TORONTO

With only a few days left till its wrap, CBS Pilot EINSTEIN continues to plow through a tight timeline. Lightning struck twice and we spotted its star Matthew Gray Gubler once more as he wrapped filming for the day in the west end of the City. As always, he was so lovely and gracious and he remembered me from last night, admiring my coat! It was a timely chance to wish him a belated Happy Birthday as he celebrated this past weekend!

The Pilot has him starring as the great-grandson of Scientist Albert Einstein who works as a professor. He gets himself in trouble with the law, only to find himself teaming with a detective (Rosa Salazar) to solve mysterious cases.

We are thrilled we got to see Salazar also as she wrapped for the day, politely declining a snap, though she did say her Co-Star would be more than happy to do it!

@mrwillwong Lightning strikes twice!! Delighted to see Matthew Gray Gubler and get to wish him a happy birthday! Really hoping his new CBS pilot EINSTEIN gets picked up and films here again! We're all hungry for more! Again, the nicest guy ever❤️ #matthewgraygubler #einstein #einsteinseries #criminalminds #spencerreid #toronto ♬ Criminal Minds – Movie Sounds Unlimited

Really hoping this gets picked-up and that it comes back to the City to film!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)