In conjunction with the February 14^th opening of the highly anticipated new film Bob Marley: One Love (via Paramount Pictures), Island Records and Tuff Gong are proud to announce the release of BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE (MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE FILM), an EP presenting seven essential songs composed by the revered Jamaican reggae icon, as interpreted by contemporary stars Daniel Caesar, Kacey Musgraves, Wizkid, Leon Bridges, Jessie Reyez, Bloody Civilian, and Skip Marley, grandson of Bob Marley.

The Marley family had a hand in choosing and approving all selections for the EP.  This under­scores the strong, enduring six-decade relationship with Island Records, the Marley family, and Jamaica, elements which are reflected in the movie as well.  Also noted: five of the EP’s seven songs originated on Exodus (1977), the landmark RIAA gold LP by Bob Marley & the Wailers: “Natural Mystic,” “Exodus,” “Waiting in Vain,” “Three Little Birds,” and the eponymous “One Love.”  

“The mission is always to spread Daddy’s music to every corner of the Earth, and we were very thoughtful in handpicking these artists,” said Cedella Marley.  “Having his songs rebirthed at the same time we get to show the world his story through this movie, is something that my family and I are extremely proud to be a part of.”

From Paramount Pictures: “Bob Marley: One Love” celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita, BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE is in theatres February 14, 2024.

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE (MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE FILM) – track listing:

1.  Bloody Civilian – “Natural Mystic”

2.  Skip Marley – “Exodus”

3.  Daniel Caesar – “Waiting in Vain”

4.  Kacey Musgraves – “Three Little Birds”

5.  Wizkid – “One Love”

6.  Jessie Reyez – “Is This Love”

7.  Leon Bridges – “Redemption Song”

Netflix announced today that Allison Janney (I, Tonya; The West Wing) will guest star in Season 2 of The Diplomat.

Janney, an Academy Award winner and seven-time Emmy Award winner, will play Vice President Grace Penn.

The Diplomat is a Golden Globe, Emmy, SAG, PGA, and CCA-nominated series and has received numerous additional accolades since it premiered last year.

Season 1 of The Diplomat premiered on April 20 and debuted at #1 on Netflix’s weekly global Top 10 TV English list. In its first weekend, the series had 57.48M hours viewed and reached the Top 10 in 87 countries.

The series is created by Debora Cahn, who is also executive producer alongside Janice Wiliams, Keri Russell, Alex Graves, and Peter Noah.

About The Diplomat S1:
Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) is the new US Ambassador to the United Kingdom. She was supposed to go to Afghanistan. She’s great in a crisis zone. In a historic home… less so. War is brewing on one continent and boiling over on another. Kate will have to diffuse international crises, forge strategic alliances in London, and adjust to her new place in the spotlight — all while trying to survive her marriage to fellow career diplomat and political star Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell). From showrunner Debora Cahn (THE WEST WING, HOMELAND), THE DIPLOMAT is a high-stakes, contemporary political drama about the transcendence and torture of long-term relationships, between countries and people. Also starring David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh, with executive producers Debora Cahn, Janice Williams, Keri Russell, Alex Graves, and Peter Noah.

Paramount+ today announced that the new feature-length documentary AS WE SPEAK: RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL, which had its world premiere screening at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, will stream exclusively on the service beginning Tuesday, February 27, 2024 in Canada and the U.S. and Wednesday, February 28, 2024 in the UK, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Directed by J.M. Harper (jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy, Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma), the eye-opening documentary AS WE SPEAK: RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL follows Bronx rap artist Kemba as he explores the growing weaponization of rap lyrics in the United States criminal-justice system and abroad. His exploration reveals how law enforcement has quietly used artistic creation as evidence in criminal cases for decades.

Since the 1990s, more than 700 criminal court cases have used rap lyrics as evidence against defendants, and with the recent criminal trial of rapper Young Thug, this issue has become more mainstream and in the public eye. The film doesn’t ask whether someone is innocent or guilty; it asks whether lyrics can be used for conviction.

“It’s not every day a director gets to meet a once-in-a-generation rap artist like Kemba and then has the opportunity to spotlight him in a film like AS WE SPEAK: RAP ON TRIAL,” said director J.M. Harper. “The history of black lyrics on trial predates hip-hop by hundreds of years, and thanks to the crew at District 33, Park Pictures and Strike Anywhere, we found a way to bring the story of the music to life. The trust and support from our friends at Paramount+ truly enabled us to make this documentary from the artist’s point of view. We look forward to inspiring positive change in our broken criminal-justice system.”

AS WE SPEAK: RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL is directed and produced by J.M. Harper and produced by Sam Widdoes and Peter Cambor for District 33 and Sam Bisbee for Park Pictures. Executive producers include Ryan Simon for Strike Anywhere, Cody Ryder for Park Pictures, Bruce Gillmer and Amanda Culkowski for MTV Entertainment Studios, and Max Allman. The documentary made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22.

Today we get a brand new Trailer for UNSUNG HERO, a must see for Country Music lovers!

Directed by: Richard L. Ramsey, Joel Smallbone
Produced by: Luke Smallbone, Justin Tolley, Josh Walsh
Cast: Daisy Betts, Joel Smallbone, Kirrilee Berger, Jonathtan Jackson, Lucas Black, Paul Luke Bonenfant, Diesel La Torraca, JJ Pantano, Tenz McCall, Angus K. Caldwell, Hillary Scott, Lance E. Nichols, Roslyn Gentle
Story: When David Smallbone’s successful music company collapses, he moves his family from Australia to the United States in search of a brighter future. With nothing more than their six children, their suitcases, and their love of music, David (for KING + COUNTRY’s Joel Smallbone) and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives from the ground up. Based on a remarkable true story, a mum’s faith stands against all odds; and inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs.

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 Boy And The Heron, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, 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.

Karen Kingsbury Production’s debut film SOMEONE LIKE YOU will be coming to Canadian theatres starting on April 2, 2024 with distribution from Fathom. Based on the popular novel of the same name by #1 New York Times best-selling author, the redemptive love story stars Canadian Sarah Fisher (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Kiss and Cry), Jake Allyn (No Man’s Land, The Quad), Robyn Lively (Teen Witch, The Karate Kid Part III), Bart Johnson (High School Musical I, II, III), Scott Reeves (Nashville, The Young and the Restless) and Lynn Collins (The Walking Dead, X-Men Origins: Wolverine).

Shot last year in the storyteller’s longtime home state of Tennessee, and in Alabama, the film was written by Kingsbury and her son Tyler Russell (A Thousand Tomorrows), who makes his directorial debut with the feature.

By Amanda Gilmore

Cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honour their recently deceased beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the pair’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

Writer-Director  and star Eisenberg returns to Sundance, after premiering his feature debut When You Finish Saving the World in 2022, to have the world premiere of his outstanding second feature. It’s an intimate portrait of family told between these two use-to-be-cousins, while additionally displaying love and grief for the history of Jews in Poland.

This moving story is told beautifully through David and Benji. Eisenberg is strong as the repressed David. Displaying the buried grief and anxiety his character has forced within him. Culkin steals the show as the charismatic and honest to-a-fault Benji. The recent Emmy-Winner anchors his emotional Benji making him the beating heart of the film.

Searchlight Pictures acquired A Real Pain at Sundance ’24. It currently doesn’t have a release date.

A Real Pain is in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at this year’s Festival.

A Real Pain screens at Sundance ’24:

Jan 20 at 11:45 AM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 21 at 9:30 AM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 23 at 9:30 PM at Rose Wagner Theatre

Jan 24 at 5:30 PM at Redstone Cinemas – 2

Jan 26 at 6:00 PM at Magaplex Theatre at The Gateway – Theatre 1/2/3

Online — Jan 25 – Jan 28

…

Today, SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios CEO and President Chris McCarthy announced that Jon Stewart will return to executive produce The Daily Show and host every Monday night starting February 12th – the day after the Super Bowl on CBS – through the 2024 Election Cycle. The Daily Show airs the next day on Paramount+ in Canada.

During his 16-year tenure as host, Stewart turned The Daily Show into a cultural juggernaut. He demonstrated an unparalleled ability to connect with audiences from many walks of life through his acerbic wit, self-deprecating humor and passion for doing what’s right. He championed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 to support 9/11 first responders, among other causes, always offering a sympathetic ear, calling out political hypocrisy and providing a refreshingly humorous and honest take. TDS with Jon Stewart was the go-to place where politicians would make their case and viewers would turn – not only to get their late-night laughs, but also to get their news and help them make sense of the world.

As a writer and EP, Stewart drove the show creatively. He launched the careers of some of late night’s biggest names, including Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Trevor Noah, Michael Che, and Samantha Bee, as well as other marquee talent such as Steve Carrell, Jessica Williams, Olivia Munn, and Josh Gad, to name just a few.

“Jon Stewart is the voice of our generation, and we are honored to have him return to Comedy Central’s The Daily Show to help us all make sense of the insanity and division roiling the country as we enter the election season,” said Chris McCarthy, President/CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios. “In our age of staggering hypocrisy and performative politics, Jon is the perfect person to puncture the empty rhetoric and provide much-needed clarity with his brilliant wit.”

Stewart is set to host The Daily Show every Monday through the 2024 Election Cycle, with a rotating line-up of The Daily Show News Team on tap for the rest of the week.

He will also executive produce (Monday-Thursday) and be reunited with showrunner and executive producer Jen Flanz, helping to shape this next chapter. Stewart’s long-time manager, James “Baby Doll” Dixon, will also be brought on the show as an Executive Producer.

Considered one of America’s top social and comedic voices, Stewart is the recipient of the 2022 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and garnered a collective 56 Emmy Award nominations and won 24 times during his tenure as host and EP of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart where he redefined political satire in American culture. Their ten consecutive wins for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series represent the category’s longest streak in Emmy history. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart also received three prestigious Peabody Awards.

Today, Hong Shing is excited to share the official menu for their upcoming Lunar New Year Three Dragons Dinner. Two of Toronto’s beloved chefs, Chef Eva Chin and Chef Wallace Wong, have collaborated with Restaurateur Colin Li of Hong Shing to create an exquisite 6-course Cantonese-inspired menu, exclusively available for one night only.

Lunar New Year signifies unity, as families come together to share meals prepared with love. This year, you can witness the collaborative synergy of Eva, Wallace, and Colin, with an evening filled with story-telling of the flavours and traditions they love as they extend heartfelt wishes for a year brimming with wealth and prosperity. Menu items include Treasure Crab Claw, Prosperity Lobster Tower, Black Bean Spareribs, and other celebratory delicacies.

A 3-course Baijiu cocktail pairing is included as tickets are now available via Hong Shing’s Tock page.

Event Details
Date & Time: February 22, 6 pm – 9 pm
Menu: 6 Courses, Cantonese Inspired with Baijiu pairings
Price: $218 per person(Limited to 45 seats)
Reservations are available through Hong Shing’s Reservation Platform, https://www.exploretock.com/hong-shing-toronto/

(Photo credit: Josh Tenn-Yuk)

Kelly Rowland stars in Tyler Perry’s MEA CULPA, coming February 23, 2024 to Netflix. Here’s a first look at the Trailer!

Logline: A criminal defense attorney takes on the case of a seductive artist accused of murdering his girlfriend, but when burning desire takes hold things get hot… and dangerous.

Synopsis: When criminal defense attorney Mea Harper (Kelly Rowland) takes on the murder case of artist Zyair Malloy (Trevante Rhodes), the truth isn’t as obvious as it seems. While she tries to determine the innocence or guilt of her cagy-yet-seductive client, it is uncovered that everyone is guilty of something. Tyler Perry’s Mea Culpa explores what happens when burning desire takes hold and things get hot… and dangerous.

By Amanda Gilmore

Writer-Director Titus Kaphar’s feature debut is a powerful look at breaking the cycle of generational trauma, the healing power of art, and an examination of what forgiveness means.

Established Artist Tarrell (André Holland) uses his paintings to find freedom from his past. A past that included trauma inflicted by his drug-addicted father La’Ron (John Earl Jelks) onto his mother Joyce (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) and him. Now, 15 years have passed since Tarrell has seen his father when La’Ron unexpectedly shows up looking to reconcile.

Exhibiting Forgiveness is a stirring drama with profound lessons. Kaphar’s impressive first Feature, tells an intimate story of one family with complexity. He effortlessly tells the story of destructive parenting, trauma, and reconciliation all through an artist’s use of painting to work through his traumatic childhood. Cinema has shown what forgiveness looks like through the decades, but none have depicted it as authentically as Kaphar.

The Filmmaker has garnered an ensemble that displays a masterclass in acting. Golden Globe winner Andra Day, Ellis-Taylor, and Earl Jelks give masterful performances. They’re led by the formidable Holland in an emotive, haunting performance that will go down as one of his finest. Exhibiting Forgiveness is one of the best at this year’s fest.

Exhibiting Forgiveness is in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at this year’s Festival.

Exhibiting Forgiveness screens at Sundance ’24:

Jan 20 at 3:00 PM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 21 at 5:30 PM at Redstone Cinema – 1

Jan 23 at 9:15 PM at Magaplex Theatres at The Gateway – Theatre 1/2/3

Jan 26 at 10:00 PM at Egyptian Theatre

Online — Jan 25 – Jan 28