Though this is a set-up for 2024’s SPIDER-MAN: BEYOND THE SPIDER-VERSE, SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE certainly had big shoes to fill as a follow-up to 2018’s Oscar-winning SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE. And does it ever exceed expectations. It was almost impossible to look away as each frame is packed with so much astonishing detail, that surely a blink results in a miss.

The directing trio of Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson take us spider versus spider in this latest installment as Mile Morales (Shameik Moore) travels across the Multiverse, encountering a team of Spider-People who are tasked with protecting it. He’s faced with realizing his own identity as a superhero, while these Spider-People feud over how to handle an imposing new threat.

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE is equal parts substance as it is spectacle and the only unfortunate thing about it is that we’re left hanging. But what a cinematic feat this is. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada release this Blockbuster, available now on Digital and 4K UHD and BLU-RAY™. Our theatrical review here.

BONUS MATERIALS

4K UHD, BLU-RAY™, AND DIGITAL

• Blu-ray™, 4K UHD and Digital Exclusives:
  • Obscure Spiders and Easter Eggs
  • Deleted Scene: Miguel Calling
  • “Imma Do My Own Thing” Interdimensional Destiny
  • Across the Worlds: Designing New Dimensions
  • Designing Spiders and Spots
  • Scratches, Score and The Music of the Multiverse
  • Escape from Spider-Society
  • Across the Comics-Verse
  • Lyric Videos
  • Filmmaker Commentary
• Also Includes:
  • Creating the Ultimate Spider-Man Movie
  • Raising a Hero
  • Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Cast

DVD

• Creating the Ultimate Spider-Man Movie
• Raising a Hero
• Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Cast

Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto and Vancouver a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of THE PERSIAN VERSION!

Details:

Varsity Cinemas — October 19th @ 7pm (TORONTO)

Empress Walk Cinemas — on October 18th @ 7pm (TORONTO)

Fifth Ave Cinemas – October 18th @ 7pm (VANCOUVER)

Synopsis:

Coming from two countries at odds with each other, Iranian-American Leila (Layla Mohammadi) strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures, while boldly challenging the labels society is so quick to project upon her. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant, Leila navigates her relationships from arms length in an effort to keep her “real” life separate from her family life.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Please indicate which theatre/city you are requesting for in the comments there. Re-Tweet the below for another chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Mongrel Media release THE PERSIAN VERSION Friday, October 20, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

Right in time for FREDDY THE 13th, Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S.

Screening details:

Advance screenings will be held Wednesday, October 25 at 7 pm in:

• Toronto: Cineplex Yonge and Dundas
• Montreal (EN): Cinema Banque Scotia

Synopsis:

Can you survive five nights?

The terrifying horror game phenomenon becomes a blood-chilling cinematic event, as Blumhouse— the producer of M3GAN, The Black Phone and The Invisible Man— brings Five Nights at Freddy’s to the big screen.            

The film follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.

The film stars Josh Hutcherson (Ultraman, The Hunger Games franchise), Elizabeth Lail (You, Mack & Rita), Piper Rubio (Holly & Ivy, Unstable), Kat Conner Sterling (We Have a Ghost, 9-1-1), with Mary Stuart Masterson (Blindspot, Fried Green Tomatoes) and Matthew Lillard (Good Girls, Scream). 

Five Nights at Freddy’s is directed by Emma Tammi (The Wind, Blood Moon) and is written by Scott Cawthon, Emma Tammi and Seth Cuddeback.

The film’s iconic animatronic characters will be created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

Five Nights at Freddy’s is produced by Jason Blum and Scott Cawthon. The film’s executive producers are Bea Sequeira, Russell Binder, Marc Mostman and Christopher H. Warner. Universal Pictures presents a Blumhouse production, in association with Striker Entertainment.

Genre: Horror

Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Kat Conner Sterling and Piper Rubio, with Mary Stuart Masterson and Matthew Lillard

Directed by: Emma Tammi

Written by: Scott Cawthon, Emma Tammi, Seth Cuddeback, based on the video game series created by Scott Cawthon

Producers: Jason Blum, Scott Cawthon

Executive Producers: Bea Sequeira, Russell Binder, Marc Mostman, Christopher H. Warner

To enter for a chance to win, please click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. You may Re-Tweet the below from MR. WILL on X for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Universal Pictures Canada release FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S on October 27, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

Many of us are thrilled for WONKA, coming to theatres this Christmas! Today we get a new Canadian Trailer!

Synopsis:

Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.

From Paul King, writer/director of the “Paddington” films, David Heyman, producer of “Harry Potter,” “Gravity,” “Fantastic Beasts” and “Paddington,” and producers Alexandra Derbyshire (the “Paddington” films, “Jurassic World: Dominion”) and Luke Kelly (“Roald Dahl’s The Witches”), comes an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humor. Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, this irresistibly vivid and inventive big screen spectacle will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time—proving that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.

Starring alongside Chalamet are Calah Lane (“The Day Shall Come”), Emmy and Peabody Award winner Keegan-Michael Key (“The Prom,” “Schmigadoon”), Paterson Joseph (“Vigil,” “Noughts + Crosses”), Matt Lucas (“Paddington,” “Little Britain”), Mathew Baynton (“The Wrong Mans,” “Ghosts”), Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (“The Shape of Water,” the “Paddington” films, “Spencer”), Rowan Atkinson (the “Johnny English” and “Mr. Bean” films, “Love Actually”), Jim Carter (“Downton Abbey”), with Oscar winner Olivia Colman (“The Favourite”). The film also stars Natasha Rothwell (“White Lotus,” “Insecure”), Rich Fulcher (“Marriage Story,” “Disenchantment”), Rakhee Thakrar (“Sex Education,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral”), Tom Davis (“Paddington 2,” “King Gary”) and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (“Paddington 2,” “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” “Mary Poppins Returns”).

Simon Farnaby (“Paddington 2”) & Paul King wrote the screenplay, based on a story by King and characters created by Roald Dahl. Michael Siegel, Cate Adams, Rosie Alison and Tim Wellspring are serving as executive producers. King’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Chung-Hoon Chung (“Last Night in Soho,” “Ah-ga-ssi”); Oscar-nominated production designer Nathan Crowley (“Tenet,” “Dunkirk”); editor Mark Everson (the “Paddington” films); Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (the “Paddington” films, “Topsy-Turvy”); and composer Joby Talbot (the “Sing” films). Neil Hannon of the band The Divine Comedy is writing original songs for the film.

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Heyday Films Production, a Paul King Confection, “Wonka,” set to open in theatres and in IMAX internationally beginning in December 2023 and in North America on December 15, 2023; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Adam Sandler stars in Animated Feature LEO, arriving November 21, 2023 on Netflix. Today we get a new Trailer!

Synopsis:

Actor and comedian Adam Sandler (Hotel Transylvania, The Wedding Singer) delivers signature laughs in this coming-of-age animated musical comedy about the last year of elementary school – as seen through the eyes of a class pet. Jaded 74-year-old lizard Leo (Sandler) has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle (Bill Burr). When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students — including an impossibly mean substitute teacher. It ends up being the strangest but most rewarding bucket list ever…

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Telefilm Canada is supporting 19 additional Canadian film festivals, under the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program (second round of decisions), for a total of 44 festivals supported under this program this year (25 film festivals were supported through the first round). This second intake of the program represents an additional investment of $1.78 million, bringing the total to $3.46 million.

These decisions were made as part of the promotion program modernization, which began in 2021 in collaboration with the industry, to allocate funding more efficiently and transparently. As announced in September 2022, the promotion program has been segmented by the type of activity into different programs to better meet different needs and to meet clear criteria. For the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program, internal representatives evaluated the applications with the input of external advisors to ensure fair and equitable evaluations.

Telefilm’s Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program provides financial support to long-established medium to large-scale Canadian film festivals that help promote Canadian films and talent and stimulate demand for our multiscreen content. As a partner of choice, Telefilm is committed to advancing the development of the industry and reaching audiences where they are. Through this Program, Telefilm supports film festivals across the country and remains committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion to foster and support an industry that is representative of all communities in Canada.

List of all Medium to Large-Scale film festivals supported by Telefilm in this second intake of the program (festivals starting April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024):

Festival cinéma du monde de Sherbrooke 2024
2024 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival
2024 Hot Docs Festival
Festival Fantasia 2024
Festival international de cinéma Vues d’Afrique 2024
Festival de cinéma de la Ville de Québec 2024
2024 Atlantic International Film Festival
2024 CaribbeanTales International Film Festival
2024 Ottawa International Animation Festival
Festival international de cinéma et d’art Les Percéides 2024
2024 ICFF – IncluCity Festival
2024 Images Festival
2024 Calgary International Film Festival
2024 Vancouver Queer Film Festival
2024 Edmonton International Film Festival
2024 Vancouver International Film Festival
2024 Inside Out Film Festival
Festival International du Film Black de Montréal 2024
2024 Gimli International Film Festival

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is celebrating its 10th birthday in a grand and record-breaking fashion! From October 14 to 16, 2023, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada invites Torontonians to join in on the festivities, promising a weekend packed with excitement and marvels of the deep blue sea. 
The highlight of the celebration is on October 16th, where history will be made as the Husbandry team attempts to break GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Longest Underwater Live Stream from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, broadcasting for an impressive eight hours straight. Live Stream will be on YouTube here.

The 6-hour underwater live stream will kick off on October 16th, 2023, at 10:00 AM (EST). During
this marathon broadcast, viewers can expect to see live feedings, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and
interviews with the dedicated staff who care for these incredible marine animals. Ripley’s Aquarium’s dedicated Husbandry team will push the boundaries and take you on an underwater adventure like never before, allowing guests and viewers to witness this incredible feat and take part in the weekend long 10th birthday celebration. 

As part of the celebration, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada will also be hosting birthday events for
visitors who attend in person throughout the entire weekend, with live music and family
entertainment from October 13th – 16th.

With over 18,000 marine animals in 58 distinct galleries and an impressive 5.7 million liters of water, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada continues to be a beacon of education, entertainment, and conservation in Toronto. Accredited by AZA, CAZA, and WAZA, the aquarium remains committed to making a difference in the lives of aquatic animals. 

Be sure to tune-in to this historic event!

We cannot wait for this. Today we get a new Trailer for THE IRON CLAW, which centers on the Von Erich brothers!

Synopsis:

The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.Directed by Sean Durkin

Starring: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Holt McCallany, Lily James

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Today, the Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlist was announced, celebrating five Canadian fiction writers and the 30th anniversary of the Prize. Elamin Abdelmahmoud of CBC Radio announced the finalists in Toronto.

The authors on the 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlist are:

Sarah Bernstein for her novel Study For Obedience, published by Knopf Canada
Eleanor Catton for her novel Birnam Wood, published by McClelland & Stewart

Kevin Chong for his novel The Double Life of Benson Yu, published by Simon & Schuster

Dionne Irving for her short story collection, The Islands: Stories, published by Catapult Press

CS Richardson for his novel All The Colour in the World, published by Knopf Canada

This year’s jury, made up of Canadian authors Ian Williams (jury chair), Sharon Bala and Brian Thomas Isaac, and American author Rebecca Makkai and Indian-British writer, Neel Mukherjee, narrowed down the 145 submitted works to five to create this year’s shortlisted authors.

Read the jury citations about each of the shortlisted authors.

The Scotiabank Giller Prize winner will be announced live on CBC at an event hosted by the incomparable Rick Mercer on November 13, 2023 at 9 p.m. ET. The broadcast will be presented commercial-free courtesy of Scotia Wealth Management. CBC Gem will stream the ceremony, with a livestream also available on cbcbooks.ca/gillerprize. Listeners can tune in to the broadcast special on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen.

The 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlisted books are available in accessible format for print-disabled Canadians through the National Network for Equitable Library Services (NNELS) and the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA).

Quotes

“These five authors offered up hypnotic, mesmerizing stories to this year’s jury. Each one rare, each one unique. The jury agonized over the final five books, arguing passionately and forcefully for their choices. The list and the authors they ultimately arrived at showcases the depth and breadth of Canadian literature. Congratulations to all.”

• Elana Rabinovitch, Executive Director, Scotiabank Giller Prize

“Congratulations to the authors named to the 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlist. This group of authors have created timeless stories and I am certain their celebrated works will be fixtures on bookshelves for years to come. At Scotiabank, we are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Giller Foundation. It is an honour to support diverse Canadian storytellers from coast-to-coast-to-coast and we look forward to celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Prize through the Between the Pages tour and winner’s gala this fall.”

• Laura Curtis Ferrera, Chief Marketing Officer, Scotiabank

Between the Pages: An Evening with the Scotiabank Giller Prize Finalists will take you inside the minds and creative lives of the writers on the 2023 shortlist. All venues are wheelchair accessible. The authors’ travel for the tour has been generously provided by The Azrieli Foundation.
Vancouver – October 16
Ottawa – October 18
Halifax – November 2
Toronto – November 7

For more information, please visit: scotiabankgillerprize.ca/btp.

About the Prize
Founded by Jack Rabinovitch in 1994, the Giller Prize is Canada’s leading and most influential literary prize for fiction. The Giller Effect has been recognized industry-wide as one of the top drivers of book sales in Canada. Scotiabank has been title sponsor since 2005. The Scotiabank Giller Prize now awards $100,000 annually to the author of the best Canadian novel, graphic novel or short story collection published in English, and $10,000 to each of the finalists. The award is named in honour of Jack Rabinovitch’s wife, the late literary journalist, Doris Giller.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: “for every future”, we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of over 90,000 employees and assets of approximately $1.4 trillion (as at July 31, 2023), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on X @Scotiabank.

About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

About The Azrieli Foundation
With a firm belief that everyone has a contribution to make, the Azrieli Foundation has been opening doors, breaking ground, and nurturing networks for more than 30 years. The Foundation – the largest non-corporate foundation in Canada – funds institutions and operates programs in Canada and Israel. For more information, please visit azrielifoundation.org.

Today, partners Patrick Groves, Jessie Mak and Mike Vieira announce the opening of Contrada, a new Italian-inspired restaurant offering a thoughtfully crafted menu made with local and seasonal ingredients. Contrada will open its doors in the heart of Little Italy at 537 College Street on Oct. 24, 2023.

The restaurant has emerged as the result of three friends, young but already veterans in the industry, as they unite over a shared vision to combine their talents and wealth of experience to create a local destination for great food and great wine. Patrick Groves will serve as General Manager and Sommelier, Jessie Mak holds the position of Assistant General Manager and Lead Designer and Mike Vieira will head the kitchen as Chef de Cuisine. Together, they bring an impressive resume full of experience at some of Toronto’s most prominent establishments including Alo and alobar Yorkville, Lee Restaurant, Brothers Food & Wine, Giuletta, Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie and Aburi Hana. 

The name Contrada, Italian for “district” or “ward”, embodies rich Italian traditions. It draws inspiration from two sources, the first being the Palio di Siena– an annual summer festival and bareback horse race through the piazza wherein each Contrada shows up to represent its district. Like the Contradas of Siena, the Contrada team wishes to proudly represent the neighbourhood of Little Italy. The second refers to the region of Mount Etna, in Sicily, where wine sourced from a single contrada, akin to a single vineyard, is considered wine of an elevated quality. In this sense, Contrada aims to be a place where similarly exceptional wines can be enjoyed. 

Jessie Mak’s vision for the space was to upcycle and repurpose the existing interior design to transform what was formerly the Dog and Tiger pub into an atmosphere that exudes elegance and class with a touch of femininity. Furniture and artwork were thoughtfully chosen from vintage sources. Existing fixtures and textures were preserved to achieve the effect of age and natural patina. The combination of modern finishes with vintage pieces breathes a new life into the space that is both sophisticated and refined.

Contrada’s kitchen will be helmed by Chef de Cuisine Mike Vieira, who has created a menu that is an organic expression of his love and nostalgia for Italian cuisine, combined with inspiration from his favourite restaurants in Toronto. 

“The intention is not to echo classical Italian culinary traditions, but to create a menu of authentically Toronto elevated-casual fare,” says Vieira, “Using Italian techniques and ingredients inspired by both classical Italian and Italian-North American sources, combined with the use of Ontario’s bounty of beautiful local ingredients has allowed us to create a menu we’re really proud of.” 

Joining Vieira in the kitchen as Sous Chef will be Lif Kalikutty, a talented young chef fresh from stints at Toronto’s beloved Giulietta and the internationally acclaimed Osteria Giulia. Kalikutty’s pasta making skills and extensive experience with modern Italian cuisine round out an already impressive team.

Guests can enjoy a glass of wine and some crostini, marinated olives and a tuna crudo at the bar, or be welcomed in the dining room over bowls of house-made pasta, seasonal salads, thoughtful vegetable sides and indulgent proteins, such as Veal Sweetbreads Marsala with seasonal foraged Ontario mushrooms and Ontario pasture-raised pork alla Milanese. 

 
Left: Chicken liver mousse-filled agnolotti with squash puree, sauteed apple, aged balsamic and sage.
Right: Focaccia Crostini with mortadella, homemade stracciatella and pistachio pesto.


Left: Contrada’s iceberg wedge salad with a creamy anchovy dressing, confit tomatoes, shaved fennel and melted nduja.
Right: Veal sweetbreads Marsala with seasonal foraged Ontario mushrooms.

The wine list will feature almost exclusively Italian wines, each one hand picked not only for its quality and flavour, but also with attention to the viticultural and winemaking philosophies of its makers. For Contrada, sustainability in the vineyard is non-negotiable, and producers are given additional points for exhibiting a restrained, hands-off approach in the winery. Guests can expect elegant expressions of Italy’s classics (Chianti Classico, Barolo, etc.) as well as full-flavoured, savoury rosati (Italian rosés), elegant macerati (orange wines), and a range of sparkling options beyond the standard Prosecco, including lambrusco and other sparkling reds, Italian pet-nats and Franciacorta (Italy’s answer to Champagne). 

Beyond Contrada’s impressive wine list, Bar Manager Kevin Nitcheu has developed an exceptional beverage program that features thoughtful expressions of Italian classics along with a menu of imaginative and seasonally inspired originals. An early standout on the menu, Nitcheu expects the Nitro Garibaldi to become a signature cocktail for Contrada as he takes the classic beverage into the future: the classic formula of Campari and fresh orange juice is bolstered by Bonal, vanilla, lactic acid, toasted coriander seed, and a healthy dose of natural orange oils. The cocktail is then clarified and served via a nitro tap, bringing a creamy, Guinness-like texture to the drink.  

Contrada’s Nitro Garibaldi: creamy yet clear, and indulgent yet refreshing. An impressive modern take on the Italian classic.

Contrada’s origins are deeply rooted in collaboration, where every facet and feature of the restaurant was designed in-house, with input from trusted friends and former colleagues within Toronto’s restaurant community. The story undoubtedly stands as a testament to the continued dedication of seasoned industry professionals like Patrick, Jessie and Mike, while also serving as a source of inspiration for the emerging generation that dreams of one day owning a restaurant. 

Contrada will open its doors to the Toronto community on Oct. 24. To make a reservation please e-mail info@contradarestaurant.com.

About Contrada
Contrada is a new Italian-inspired restaurant in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood located at 537 College St. The name Contrada, Italian for district or ward, is a homage to the Contrada team proudly representing the Little Italy neighbourhood and a place where good food and wine can be found. Chef Mike Vieira developed a menu of authentically Toronto elevated-casual fare using Italian techniques and inspirations and locally a