For a second week straight, we see MEAN GIRLS on-top at the Box Office with $12.5 million from 3,791 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Over two weeks, this adaptation of the 2004 film and Broadway Musical, has grossed $51.3 million.

In second is THE BEEKEEPER with $7.9 million from 3,303 theatres for VVS Films/MGM/Amazon Studios, bringing its gross to $30 million.

Third is WONKA with $6 million, a total now of $186 million for Warner Bros.

Fourth goes to ANYONE BUT YOU with $5 million, bringing the total to $63.5 million for Sony Pictures.

MIGRATION rounds things out with $4.9 million, a total $94 million for Universal Pictures.

By Amanda Gilmore

Love Me is the wildly-imaginative debut feature from writer-director duo Sam and Andy Zuchero. It takes place long after humanity’s extinction and tells the love story of a Smart Buoy (Kristen Stewart) and an Orbiting Satellite (Steven Yeun) that spans a billion years and probes the mysteries of being and consciousness.

The Zucheros begin this journey with the introduction of humanity’s extinction. A Smart Buoy is the first thing to ‘awaken’ on earth. Soon it overhears a Satellite in space. To get its attention it mimics its words. Almost immediately, the Satellite shares the intelligence stored within it, mostly from YouTube, with the Buoy. Before long, the Buoy becomes enraptured by an influencer named Deja (also Stewart) and her partner Liam (also Yeun).

The Buoy wants to live like Deja and starts an Instagram page, convincing the Satellite to do the same. As the Buoy becomes increasingly consumed by Deja’s —fake— persona it gets the Satellite to create avatars of them so they can live as humans did. Stewart is truly a delight to watch as this sham influencer.

When the Buoy and Satellite transition into avatars the movie transitions into memoji-esque animation. This is a change that will be hit or miss amongst audiences. However, it gives Stewart and Yeun an amazing showcase for their voice work, both transcending the animation.

It’s when the Satellite is left alone for a billion years without the Buoy that the Satellite becomes ‘real’. It ditches the fake life the Buoy wanted and finds who it truly is. This is when the animation transitions into standard film format. Once we arrive at this Final Act, Yeun and Stewart give immensely captivating performances. Making us wish the animation section was more condensed to get more of their physical presence on-screen.

This may be sold as a love story, and it is, but the Zucheros deliver much more. Love Me is a film that questions what it means to be alive. In the tight runtime, they manage to leave us with questions about humanity and how we interact with technology. And as a result, they question what it means to be our authentic selves.

Love Me has already won the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at Sundance ’24. The price is awarded to an outstanding feature film focusing on science or technology as a theme.

Love Me is in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at this year’s Festival.

Love Me screens at Sundance ’24:

Jan 19 at 12:00 PM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 20 at 9:30 AM at Prospector Square Theatre

Jan 21 at 11:00 AM at Rose Wagner Center

Jan 24 at 8:45 PM at Redstone Cinemas – 2

Jan 26 at 7:45 PM at Library Center Theatre

Online — Jan 25 – Jan 28

Diamond Cafe, who has been recognized as a “Pop-Funk Prodigy” by Pitchfork, has announced his signing to Warner Music Canada. Known for his captivating performances, Diamond creates polished R&B and funky synth-pop that transports listeners to another era. His powerful vocals and impeccable falsetto, reminiscent of a church choir, offer soul-stirring harmonies that immediately capture attention. In an industry saturated with manufactured and auto-tuned R&B, Diamond stands out from the crowd.

Today, he releases the anticipated and seductive R&B single, “When You Can’t Resist”

Produced in collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Pomo (Jon Batiste, Anderson .Paak, Free Nationals), this deeply personal track explores the theme of self-medication during a breakup. It flowed effortlessly from Diamond and came together swiftly. The allure and danger of his vices became the catalyst for this song, allowing him to process the emotional turmoil and move forward. Listen here.

Throughout 2023, Diamond made a name for himself by cultivating a devoted fanbase, selling out numerous live shows, and releasing Diamond Cuts, a collection of remastered versions of his independently released fan-favorite tracks. He has garnered support from notable figures such as Zack Fox, Anderson .Paak, F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, Nick Littlemore of PNAU, and the legendary El DeBarge (“Rhythm Of the Night”), who joined him on stage for a duet during his sold-out debut show in LA. Diamond possesses a special quality that inspires and excites fellow musicians.

Already recognized as Amazon Music’s “Artist to Watch” for 2024, Diamond Cafe is poised to make a significant impact with upcoming releases later this year, complemented by a series of highly anticipated live shows throughout the year. Stay tuned for more exciting updates.

INK Entertainment Group, a leading North American lifestyle and entertainment company, proudly announces the 11th edition of the VELD Music Festival, set to take place at Downsview Park from August 2nd to August 4th, 2024. With an unparalleled history of delivering unforgettable experiences, VELD is thrilled to reveal its highly anticipated lineup, featuring world-renowned artists and some of the biggest names in the music industry.

In its 11th edition, VELD is set to deliver its most exciting lineup to date. For the first time, the festival introduces the inaugural house music headliner on the main stage – none other than the award-winning, ARIA, and Grammy-nominated producer FISHER; best known for singles “Losing It” “You Little Beauty” and “Take it Off”

American electronic music producer and DJ; known for his iconic masked persona, Marshmello will be bringing his signature style to VELD. Returning by popular fan demand is Swedish DJ and Grammy-nominated music producer, none other than Alesso. Joining him in this triumphant return is the renowned Dutch DJ and music producer Martin Garrix. Adding to the stellar lineup, American DJ, music producer, and remixer Kaskade, a crowd favourite, will make a highly anticipated return to VELD.

Making his mark not only on the VELD stage but also in Canada, Swedish DJ and producer Eric Prydz presents HOLO. For the first time in Canada, festival-goers will witness the debut of HOLO, an awe-inspiring visual spectacle. This cutting-edge technology will transform the main stage for one night only, offering a unique and immersive experience that has rarely been seen in North America.

“As we gear up for the 11th edition of VELD Music Festival, the anticipation is reaching new heights and we’re excited to deliver the best VELD experience yet. Bringing back fan favourites, securing top industry headliners, and featuring Eric Prydz presenting HOLO for the first time in Canada solidifies the promise that this year’s festival will elevate the overall experience.

VELD 2024 wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated community and the remarkable artists who grace our stage. We are grateful for the ongoing support, enthusiasm, and positive vibes that fuel the spirit of the VELD Music Festival. As we welcome back familiar faces, introduce newcomers, and promise to exceed expectations, we can’t wait to share the magic of VELD 2024 with all of you.” – Talal Farisi, Music Director of INK Entertainment Group.

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend filled with electrifying performances, groundbreaking visuals, and the vibrant energy that defines VELD.

Stay tuned for more headliner reveals on Monday, January 22nd, 2024!

Join the all-new VELD Fan Club for exclusive drops and the latest updates regarding the upcoming VELD Music Festival. Fan club members will receive pre-sale ticket codes. Sign up at www.veldmusicfestival.com or DM our Instagram “RSVP” and follow to stay in touch with your favourite festival!

Pre-sale tickets will be available on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024.

General on-sale starts on Thursday, January 25th, 2024.

For more information visit: www.veldmusicfestival.com

Threads: @VELDfest

Instagram: @veldmusicfestival

TikTok: @veldmusicfestival

The FIRED UP GALA is back this February, in support of Sick Kids!

This event promises to be an unforgettable night filled with glamour, entertainment, and fundraising for a great cause! After last year’s success, the goal this year is to raise $75,000, with all the proceeds from this event going to SickKids.

Key Details:

An oyster bar

Performance by iconic Canadian artist Karl Wolf

Live entertainment & DJs spinning throughout the night

4-course dinner

Top Shelf Open bar

After party from 10 pm – 1 am with late-night bites & sweets to keep the celebration going

When: Friday, February 23rd, 2024, starting at 6:00pm

Where: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto – 60 Yorkville Avenue Toronto, ON M4W 0A4

Tickets: tickets range from $229-$850. Available for purchase here.

Global rock superstars Green Day – Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool – have unveiled their highly anticipated 14th studio album, Saviors. Along with the record, the band released a video for new track “Bobby Sox,” which has all the classic punk rock panache that only Green Day can deliver.

Listen to the Album here: https://lnk.to/SaviorsPR

Watch the “Bobby Sox” video here:

https://greenday.lnk.to/bobbysoxvideo

“Bobby Sox” is one of my favorite songs on the album,” shares Billie Joe Armstrong. “It’s the Nineties song that we never wrote. It started out being a song I wrote for my wife but as it materialized, I wanted to switch it up and added, ‘Do you wanna be my boyfriend?’ on top of ‘Do you wanna be girlfriend’… So the song becomes a kind of universal anthem.”

Saviors features previously released bombastic tracks “One Eyed Bastard,” “Dilemma,” “Look Ma, No Brains!,” and “The American Dream Is Killing Me,” which were all met with huge praise from Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, SPIN, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, and more. Just last night, Green Day celebrated the album release with an intimate show at NYC’s Irving Plaza, as a part of SiriusXM’s Small Stage Series. The concert follows their takeover of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, where the band kicked off 2024 with cuts from Dookie, American Idiot, and a killer TV debut of “Dilemma,” which Rolling Stone hailed as “one of the album’s best songs.”

Over the last few months, Green Day have given fans a taste of what to expect from their forthcoming world tour with surprise performances around the world. Whether they were packing a pub in the U.K. for an impromptu intimate performance, or rocking out with diehard fans at a sold-out surprise show in Las Vegas just days before their killer headline sets at When We Were Young Festival, Green Day made sure to bring the energy leading up to the birth of Saviors.

Recorded in London and Los Angeles, Saviors is the latest powerful collaboration between Green Day and Grammy-winning producer Rob Cavallo, whose notable previous work with Green Day includes two of the band’s most iconic albums, 1994’s Dookie and 2004’s American Idiot.

Green Day’s larger-than-life global stadium tour – The Saviors Tour, fueled by Monster Energy – kicks off in Europe this May before making its way to North America in July for an intoxicating summer run through the states. Earlier this week, the band revealed on Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show that, for the first time ever, they’ll be performing both Dookie and American Idiot albums in their entirety this summer in celebration of their 2024 milestone anniversaries, along with fan favorites and cuts off the new album. All tour dates can be found below.

THE SAVIORS UK/EU TOUR DATES:

With support from Nothing But Thieves, with The Hives & The Interrupters

Fri Jun 21 – Manchester UK – Emirates Old Trafford – with Nothing But Thieves & Maid of Ace

Sun Jun 23 – Isle of Wight UK – Isle of Wight Festival*

Tue Jun 25 – Glasgow UK – Bellahouston Park – with Nothing But Thieves & Maid of Ace

Thu Jun 27 – Dublin Ireland – Marlay Park – with Nothing But Thieves & Maid of Ace

Sat Jun 29 London UK – Wembley Stadium – with Nothing But Thieves & Maid of Ace

*Festival Date

THE SAVIORS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

With support from The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, and The Linda Lindas

Mon Jul 29 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park

Thu Aug 01 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre

Sat Aug 03 – Montreal, QC – Osheaga Music and Arts Festival*

Mon Aug 05 – New York, NY – Citi Field

Wed Aug 07 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park

Fri Aug 09 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park

Sat Aug 10 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium

Tue Aug 13 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field

Thu Aug 15 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre !

Sat Aug 17 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field

Tue Aug 20 – Kansas City, KS – Azura Amphitheatre !

Thu Aug 22 – Cincinnati, OH – Great American Ballpark

Sat Aug 24 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Field

Mon Aug 26 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion !

Wed Aug 28 – Atlanta, GA – Truist Park

Fri Aug 30 – Nashville, TN – Geodis Park

Sun Sep 01 – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park

Wed Sep 04 – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park

Sat Sep 07 – Denver, CO – Coors Field

Tue Sep 10 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater !

Wed Sep 11 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field

Sat Sep 14 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium

Wed Sep 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Chase Field

Fri Sep 20 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park

Mon Sep 23 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park

Wed Sep 25 – Portland, OR – Providence Park

Sat Sep 28 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park

*Festival Date

!With Support from Rancid and The Linda Lindas only

By Amanda Gilmore

Directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss’ return to Sundance after premiering their hit Boys State back in 2020. They bring yet another captivating look inside the world of teenage politics with the outstanding Girls State.

This time around they focus in on a group of teenage girls from all over Missouri. They each have a passion for government and attend a week-long immersive experience in American democracy. They must build a government from the ground up and reimagine what it means to govern.

A Documentary about people relies heavily on the charisma of those subjects. Thankfully for McBaine and Moss, each of the teenage girls attending Girls State are loaded with charisma, passion, and ambition. We get to know each of them as they run for Governor, Attorney General, and spots on the Supreme Court. We’re instantly swept up in their goals leading us to cheer and cry at their wins and losses.

During their time at Girls State, the issues of reproductive rights loom over them as the real-life U.S. Supreme Court debates overturning Roe v. Wade. It makes for an enthralling look into the minds and opinions of future leaders on the topic. Most importantly, the Co-Directors’ lens is focused solely on the future leaders who will be directly impacted by the overturn.

Girls State can push its theme of gender inequality within government further by having the Boys State share the same campus. The young women at Girls State are told they can’t walk alone anywhere on campus and their clothes must be of a certain length. While Boys State can walk alone anywhere and can have their shirts off whenever they wish. Including this in the documentary allows McBaine and Moss to show that even in an all-female pseudo-government, women are conditioned to be treated differently and feel less than. It’s the bittersweet reality that the Co-Directors leave you with while leaving room for hope that change will happen thanks to these brilliant minds.

Apple TV+ will release Girls State on April 5, 2024.

Girls State screens at Sundance ’24:

Jan 18 at 3:30 PM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 19 at 5:00 PM at Magaplex Theatres at The Gateway – Theatre 1/2/3

Jan 20 at 9:00 AM at The Ray Theatre

Jan 21 at 2:15 PM at Magaplex Theatres at The Gateway – Theatre 8/9

Jan 24 at 11:30 AM at Redstone Cinemas – 2

Jan 27 at 6:45 PM at Magaplex Theatres at The Gateway – Theatre 8/9

Citytv today revealed the official trailer for the highly-anticipated series Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, premiering Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET on Citytv, and available to stream on Citytv+.

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent follows the Specialized Criminal Investigations team of elite detective duo, Detective Sergeants Henry Graff and Frankie Bateman, as they investigate high-profile homicides in Canada’s largest metropolis. These cases are inspired by some of the country’s biggest headlines, with Season One delving into the worlds of high finance, politics, real estate, media, and more. From the old-money glamour of Rosedale’s ravine-side homes to the vibrant, family-owned shops of Little India, City Hall to the city’s underpasses, Toronto will be featured in all of its raw, complex, and diverse glory.

An original adaptation of the Law & Order: Criminal Intent format, based on the legendary Law & Order global franchise, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent stars an all-Canadian ensemble cast that includes Aden Young (Rectify, Black Robe) as Detective Sergeant Henry Graff, Kathleen Munroe (Chicago Med, City on Fire, Patriot) as Detective Sergeant Frankie Bateman, Karen Robinson (Schitt’s Creek, Echoes) as Inspector Vivienne Holness, K.C. Collins (The Cleaning Lady, White Dog) as Deputy Crown Attorney Theo Forrester, Nicola Correia-Damude (Shadowhunters, Resident Alien) as Forensic Pathologist Dr. Lucy Da Silva, and Araya Mengesha (Nobody, Anne with an E) as tech expert Mark Yohannes.

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent is produced by Lark Productions and Cameron Pictures in association with Rogers and distributed by Universal Studio Group. The format is licensed by NBCUniversal and Wolf Entertainment. Tassie Cameron (Pretty Hard Cases, Mary Kills People, Rookie Blue) is the series Showrunner. Tassie, Erin Haskett, Amy Cameron, David Valleau, Alex Patrick and Holly Dale serve as Executive Producers. Tex Antonucci and Jillian Locke are Co-Executive Producers, Wanda Chaffey is Producer and Caledonia Brown is Co-Producer.

Hollywood Suite will send a chill down your spine this winter with the exclusive Canadian premiere of Blumhouse’s Compendium of Horror, narrated by horror icon Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street). The five-part documentary series is the definitive retrospective on the horror genre from the company regarded as the driving force in the horror renaissance and will premiere on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 9pm ET, with new episodes airing weekly. All episodes will be available to stream on Hollywood Suite On Demand beginning February 1, 2024.

Blumhouse’s Compendium of Horror revisits the shocks and scares of iconic horror movie moments from the 1930s until today. Featuring insights from the most influential names in genre including directors John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing) and Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body), scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis, Evil Dead leading man Bruce Campbell, Saw star Tobin Bell and Blumhouse’s own Jason Blum, each episode examines how these quintessential films have revealed and reflected the real-life scares of the world.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Blumhouse to bring another compelling premium horror series to Canadian fans,” said Sharon Stevens, Vice President, Programming, Hollywood Suite. “As the driving force in the space for the past two decades, Blumhouse has set the standard for horror in mainstream culture and we can’t think of a better fit to dive into the history of the genre.”

Jason Blum, Mary Lisio, Ryan Turek, Jeremy Gold, Michael Wright and Jill Burkhart executive produced the series, which is distributed worldwide by Amazon MGM Studios Distribution.

This season’s episodes include:

Episode 1 – American Monsters

Premieres February 1 at 9pm ET

In the 1930s, iconic monsters such as Universal’s Dracula and Frankenstein, followed by the Invisible Man, the Wolf Man, and others, launched a horror renaissance when they were reintroduced to moviegoing audiences, offering a shared escape from real-world anxieties of the post-war world and the Great Depression.

Episode 2 – Atomic Nightmares

Premieres February 8 at 9pm ET

During World War II and the years following, people’s anxieties evolved, and the terror of monsters transformed to fears around unchecked science, nuclear annihilation, and communism (aka “the Red Scare”). Horror filmmakers responded with legendary films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Blob.

Episode 3 – Unholy Dreams

Premieres February 15 at 9pm ET

The 1960s and 70s were defined by profound changes in cultural norms. Horror films of the era reflected the real and intangible change a younger generation demanded. A new generation of auteur horror filmmakers pushed the envelope with films like Halloween, Carrie, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Exorcist.

Episode 4 – Relentless Evil

Premieres February 22 at 9pm ET

In the 1980s, 24-hour cable news exposed audiences to seemingly exploitative news, dominated by serial killers and the threat of a new mysterious disease, suggesting new modern terrors. Audiences embraced iconic slashers like Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees, and vampire films saw a resurgence. By the 1990s, as Gen X audiences’ taste in horror evolved, Wes Craven took screams to the next level.

Episode 5 – A New Horror

Premieres February 29 at 9pm ET

In the final episode, the emergence of cellphones and other new technologies in the 2000s exposed us to new and perpetual terrors. Inventive horror filmmakers adapted, and seminal films like The Blair Witch Project opened new doors. And then Blumhouse reinvented the genre with new nightmares.

In addition to all five episodes of Blumhouse’s Compendium of Horror, Hollywood Suite will also have many of the iconic films featured in the series available to stream including Friday the 13th (1980), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Scream (1996), The Babadook (2012), The Purge (2013), and Get Out (2017).

Jon Gunn co-writes and directs ORDINARY ANGELS, starring Alan Ritchson and Oscar winner Hilary Swank, coming to theatres across Canada February 23, 2024.

Synopsis:

Based on a remarkable true story, Ordinary Angels centres on Sharon (Hilary Swank), a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With his youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and will move mountains to do it. What unfolds is the inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles, and ordinary angels.

Director: Jon Gunn
Writers: Jon Gunn, Jon Erwin, Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig
Producers: Greg Silverman, Jon Berg, Jon Erwin, Kevin Downes, Dave Matthews, Johnathan Dorfman, David Beal, Sarah Johnson, Andrew Erwin and Roy Lee
Starring: Hilary Swank, Alan Ritchson, Nancy Travis, Tamala Jones, Drew Powell, Amy Acker, Skywalker Hughes and Emily Mitchell

About Cineplex Pictures
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a distributor of a wide range of genre films. Recent titles include The Boy and the Heron, The Hunger Games: 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.