Though it was supposed to take place this past spring at Rebel Nightclub, Chlöe Bailey finally was able to bring her IN PIECES Tour to The Phoenix in Toronto. Known as one-half of sister duo Chloe x Halle, Bailey is a force in her own right, but also a proud sister to Halle Bailey, who has shined on an international stage this year, starring in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid“.

Her debut solo disc “In Pieces” was released earlier this year to positive reviews on Beyoncé’s Parkwood label, distributed by Columbia Records (Sony). The deeply-personal Album explores themes of toxicity and truly showcases her ability as not only a Singer, but a Songwriter and Producer.

She currently is touring in support of this, and also has a slate of films on the way, also being an Actress. She stars next in Thriller THE GEORGETOWN PROJECT, MIDAS TOUCH, GIRL FROM NORTH COUNTRY and SNEAKS as well. She was just seen in acclaimed Prime Video series SWARM alongside Dominique Fishback.

Such a joy getting to meet and chat with Bailey before her show. She’s a delight! The Vegan Foodie tells us about her experience at The Ex over the weekend and what she ate!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Columbia Records)

I think many of you will share in the sentiment that we are thankful just to have a Film Festival amidst what have been very trying times as the world navigates the SAG-AFTRA strike. While things look quieter this year, Team Mr. Will as every year, is ready to bring their A-Game and you can expect some amazing coverage, whether it be reviews, talent sightings and red carpets.

David Baldwin (missing sadly in the banner photo), Amanda Gilmore, George Kozera, Nicholas Porteous, Justin Waldman and myself share our top five films (sometimes in no specific order) we are most excited about at the Festival this year!

Be sure to bookmark this page for all our TIFF ’23 updates daily!

DAVID BALDWIN (@DaveMABaldwin)

1. Dream Scenario
2. The Holdovers
3. Hit Man
4. Knox Goes Away
5. The Boy and the Heron

I have been attending TIFF physically/virtually since 2010, and I will not mince words – it is my favourite time of the year. Sure, TIFF ’23 is going to be way different without many of the Actors and Writers in town to promote, but their fighting for their rights and the very future of their professions is much, much, MUCH more important than seeing them here in Toronto (I just hope the strikes are resolved before TIFF ’24!). That said, the focus of the Festival has rightly shifted to the movies and there are plenty of surefire bangers that are going to be unmissable over these 11 days. There is a little bit of something for everyone and getting to be amongst the first audiences in the world to see the films together at Roy Thomson Hall, the Princess of Wales, the Royal Alexandra Theatre (or the RAT as the Midnight Madness crew calls it), the TIFF Bell Lightbox and the Scotiabank is a genuinely thrilling prospect. So get hyped fam, and come say hi if you see me. I’ll be the guy with glasses and bleary eyes who has not seen proper daylight for a week.

AMANDA GILMORE (@GilmoreAmanda)

Although TIFF ’23 is missing some of my most anticipated films of the year (Maestro, The Killer, Poor Things), there are still plenty of titles I’m eagerly awaiting. Everyone I know who’s seen Fair Play has told me it’s a must-see. I love a Thriller about gender and power dynamics so I’m all in! The plot of Fingernails has piqued my interest more than any other title in the line-up this year. Plus I’m a huge fan of Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed and Jeremy Allen White. Out of all the films I missed at Cannes, The Delinquents is the one I’m most upset about. Everyone I know has raved about it, and this is my second chance! Out of all the films with actors working as Directors and stars, Woman of the Hour is the one that stands out for me. A Crime-Mystery-Thriller coming from Anna Kendrick just feels right. As a huge fan of ’21s Drive My Car, I cannot wait to see Evil Does Not Exist. I know Ryusuke Hamaguchi won’t disappoint. Happy TIFF everyone!

1. Fair Play
2. Fingernails
3. The Delinquents
4. Woman of the Hour
5. Evil Does Not Exist

NICHOLAS PORTEOUS (@NoveltyHat)

1. The Zone of Interest
2. The Boy and the Heron
3. Fingernails
4. Dream Scenario
5. Anatomy of a Fall 

This year’s TIFF is decidedly low-key and the lineup is somewhat lacking in obvious heavy-hitters or *guaranteed* masterpieces, so a couple of unexpected gambles have found their way to the top of my most anticipated list! The first couple are generally safe bets–Jonathan Glazer doesn’t make movies often, but when he does they always leave an impact. The Zone of Interest is his vision of the holocaust and I’ve heard it’s on another level. The Boy and the Heron is reportedly Hayao Miyazaki‘s final film–the culmination of an unparalleled animated oeuvre. I’m not alone in my excitement–despite an abundance of screenings, I’m still searching for tickets! Fingernails is a compelling question mark. The first English-language film from Christos Nikou, a close disciple of Yorgos Lanthimos, with Riz Ahmed, Jessie Buckley, Jeremy Allen White, and a tantalizingly bizarre premise about an institute that investigates the authenticity of romantic relationships. I’m a sucker for this kind of weird, wild stuff. Speaking of weird, wild stuff–Dream Scenario, the A24 Nicolas Cage movie about a university professor who unwittingly appears in everyone’s–literally everyone’s–dreams. Sold. Anatomy of a Fall won the Palme d’Or and features Sandra Huller, who I last saw in Toni Erdmann. Here, she’s on trial for allegedly murdering her husband. Am I excited by that description? Of course! Case CLOSED!

JUSTIN WALDMAN (@DubsReviews)

There is never an order to top five or ten lists I make. I don’t like putting things in an order it’s too much pressure and life needs less pressure and a little more chaos. So let the chaos begin!

1. The Promised Land
2. Dicks: The Musical
3. Boy Kills World
4. Wicked Little Lies
5. Smugglers

Special mentions: The Holdovers, Dream Scenario, Wildcat, Knox Goes Away, Woman of the Hour

There’s a lot at TIFF this year that is exciting and deserving of the spotlight. While some of the more high profile titles may be missing due to the ongoing SAG-AGTRA/WGA strike (which I FULLY support) there are still plenty of exciting and buzzy titles to be had at this years festival. Directorial debuts, new features from some great Directors, Nicolas Cage doing Nicolas Cage things, Fathers directing daughters, and so much more so strap yourself in for a King Street that may actually be walkable and the 2023 edition of TIFF! 

GEORGE KOZERA (@PARTYG)

Many of this year’s selections whetted my appetite, but these five had me salivating with anticipation!

NEXT GOAL WINS

Starring Michael Fassbender, in a rare comedic role, I’m sure this movie will be funny and heartfelt, and you’ll find me in the line-up!

THE ZONE OF INTEREST

After its rapturous reception at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Director Jonathan Glazer‘s THE ZONE OF INTEREST addresses subject matter that while harrowing and numbing, is important to me. The horrors of Auschwitz should never be forgotten.

SING SING/RUSTIN

Colman Domingo is the reason these two movies are my perfect double bill this year at TIFF. I cannot wait especially to see what Director George C. Wolfe brings to the screen as I have been mesmerized by his work on Broadway and his coup de grace as Director of the screen version of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

MONSTER

Director Kore-eda Hirokazu wowed us a TIFF ’18 with “Shoplifters“. It was the benchmark of excellence I wanted throughout that year. All I know is that it won the Queer Palme Award at Cannes and it’s Hirokazu. I need nothing more!

MR. WILL (@mrwillw)

I love a good messy story and FAIR PLAY has the looks of everything I love. This Erotic Thriller by Writer/Director Chloe Domont garnered raves at Sundance, exploring what happens when a couple who work together (Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich) are up for a promotion and the aftermath of that when one gets the job. DADDIO from Writer/Director Christy Hall, explores an unlikely connection struck between cab driver (Sean Penn) and a woman (Dakota Johnson) boarding a taxi from JFK Airport. SING SING features a showstopping performance from amazing Primetime Emmy and 2023 TIFF Tribute Award winner Colman Domingo as a prisoner who escapes his grim reality in a theatre troupe. And if all the buzz we’ve heard about it in advance of the Fest is true, we’re ready for a huge treat! Shot right here in Toronto, we were so intrigued by Cate Blanchett-produced FINGERNAILS, which explores whether a couple really has true love after a test tells them so. Kate Winslet can do no wrong in my books and we’re excited to see her as Lee Miller, who went from fashion model to American Photojournalist, capturing iconic photographs during World War II, changing our perception of the world.

Happy TIFF!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Award-winning production company Vérité Films, in association with Jeremy Fisher Music and Hidden Pony Records, are excited to announce the return of Jeremy and Jazzy! The JUNO-nominated, original IP children’s multi-platform brand, about how feelings become songs and songs become stories, today debuts 26 new 2-minute episodes and one 11-minute special in English on CBC Gem and in French on ICI TOU.TV. Starting Monday, September 11, 2023 episodes will air daily Monday through Saturday as part of the CBC Kids morning schedule and will begin airing on Radio-Canada on September 18.

The episodes are also released today in the UK on Tiny Pop and will launch this Friday, September 8^th on Kartoon Channel! in the US. At the same time, the Jeremy and Jazzy YouTube channel crosses a major milestone with 3 million views from audiences around the world.

The series, based on the music of four-time JUNO nominee Jeremy Fisher, stars Fisher (as Jeremy) and award-winning artist Aiza Ntibarikure (as Jazzy). Ntibarikure also plays Jazzy in French, where she’s joined by Québec singer-songwriter Antoine Gratton (as Jeremy).

September 8th will also see the release of the next Jeremy and Jazzy album “You Can Be Anything” via Hidden Pony Records and Universal Music Canada on all streaming services. The album will be released in English (featuring Fisher and Ntibarikure) and French (featuring Ntibarikure and Gratton). Pre-save the album here in English and here in French.

And Jeremy and Jazzy is proud to be back in the CBC Canadian Music Class Challenge, where music classes across the country can submit their own version of the song “Good Morning” for a chance to win musical instruments for their school or a chance to win a virtual classroom concert with Jeremy Fisher. Details are available at cbc.ca/musicclass.

On Saturday September 23rd, Jeremy and Jazzy will also be appearing at the Toronto International Festival of Authors at Harbourfront in Toronto, Ontario for a live concert and book signing with Jeremy Fisher. This celebrates the hardcover launch of the first Jeremy and Jazzy book, Turtle and Guy, published by Mango Publishing and available now on Amazon (CA, US, UK) and Indigo (CA).

September brings more of Jeremy and Jazzy Learn, a free and fun series of educational resources for Junior Kindergarten-Grade 2, developed in collaboration with Sheridan College.

“Jeremy and Jazzy brings joy to kids, families, and teachers through the power of music,” said Virginia Thompson, series co-creator and President of Vérité Films. “It’s been wonderful to see the brand grow over this year, and we’re so excited to share new songs and stories with kids everywhere.”

More Jeremy and Jazzy albums are coming soon from Hidden Pony and Universal Music Canada, and more Jeremy and Jazzy shorts and songs are in production and set to launch with CBC Kids in 2024, alongside touring shows, books, and educational content.

About Jeremy and Jazzy:

A CBC Kids original series, Jeremy and Jazzy is produced by Vérité Films, the award-winning production company behind several iconic Canadian brands (Corner Gas, Incredible Story Studio, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards), in association with Jeremy Fisher Music and Hidden Pony Records. The series is created by Jeremy Fisher, Robert de Lint, Mike “Parkside” Renaud, and Virginia Thompson. Animation is provided by Vérité Films and Smiley Guy Studios, with digital production by Vérité Films and Stitch Media. Jeremy and Jazzy Learn is produced by Vérité Films, in association with Jeremy Fisher Music and Sheridan College. The series is produced with support from the CBC, the Canada Media Fund-Shaw Rocket Fund, Kids Digital Animated Series Program, Ontario Creates, FACTOR, and The Canadian Film or Television Tax Credit. Bejuba! Entertainment and Vérité Films International distribute the series worldwide. Series music is released worldwide by Hidden Pony Records / Universal Music Canada. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports; Marie McCann is Senior Director, Children’s Content, CBC Kids; and Swin Chang is Executive in Charge of Production, Children’s Content.

With it being a very unusual year navigating the SAG-AFTRA strike, we chat with some seasoned Public Relations and Communications experts on how they will navigate TIFF ’23. Today we profile our esteemed colleagues Angie Burns and Ally LaMere–Shedden at ROUTE 504 PR.

With this being a unique year, how do the SAG-AFTRA strike-related changes impact your strategy in publicizing and promoting films at the Festival?

Route 504 PR: We are so excited for this year’s fest because Canadian talent is front and center. We stand with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA and their right to demand better contracts but without American talent, our Canadian films are truly shining.

Can you highlight a few films in your slate you particularly are excited about?

Ally: I have two really great films I’m excited about this year: Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person from dir. Ariane Louis-Seize (which might have the coolest title at TIFF this year) and Motherland from dir. Jasmin Mozaffari.

Angie: I’m excited about all of our films at TIFF this year! Cheeseballs, but it’s true.

What you’re looking forward to most about TIFF ’23?

Ally: As always, I’m looking forward to the hustle and bustle of TIFF with all my friends and colleagues within a four-block radius, it feels like summer camp every year and i’ll never get over that.

Angie: Working with Canadian creatives is the highlight of every TIFF for me. It’s often these filmmakers’ first time on a world stage and it’s exciting and wonderful watching them shine.

The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival runs September 7 through 17, 2023. We appreciate ROUTE 504 PR for sharing their time with us amidst these busy times and also their year-round support!

TIFF CEO, Cameron Bailey, is excited to announce that filmmaker Ava DuVernay will return to TIFF with her latest offering, Origin. DuVernay’s film will have a Gala screening at Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, September 11th. DuVernay will be in attendance.

Written, produced, and directed by Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay, Origin chronicles the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson (played by Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) as she investigates the genesis of injustice and uncovers a hidden truth that affects us all.

Origin stands as a unique account of the intimacy within a writer’s quest for truth. DuVernay creates powerful cinematic images from the stories that Wilkerson brought to light in her non-fiction work Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, as well as the tragic moments of her personal life which framed her writing. It results in a deeply moving portrait of grief and healing — both personally and in the world.

“Ava DuVernay’s Origin is a brilliantly crafted showcase of her talent as a writer, producer, and director. This is audacious filmmaking on a grand, global scale,” said Bailey, “DuVernay deftly weaves Isabel Wilkerson’s big idea about how we live into a beautiful narrative of passion and discovery. I can’t wait for Toronto audiences to feel its power.”

Paul Garnes and DuVernay produced Origin under her ARRAY Filmworks banner, and Thane Watkins serves as co-executive producer.

Along with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Bernthal, Origin stars Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Connie Nielsen, Emily Yancy, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Finn Wittrock, Victoria Pedretti, Isha Blaaker, and Myles Frost. The team of artists behind Origin was led by cinematographer Matthew J. Lloyd, ASC, production designer Ina Mayhew, editor Spencer Averick A.C.E, composer Kris Bowers, costume designer Dominique Dawson, and casting director Aisha Coley.

Tickets for Origin go on sale Monday, September 4 at 10 AM ET. Check tiff.net for more information.

DJ, Influencer and Social Media personality Sommer Ray returned to Toronto to ring-in Labour Day weekend. Known for her health and fitness content, Colorado’s Ray has amassed a staggering 25 million followers on Instagram alone, plus 5 million Snapchat followers and 12 million TikTok followers.

While scheduled to appear at Cabana Pool Bar Saturday, the afternoon got rained-out. The nightclub made right and provided guests free passss to see her spin at Rebel Nightclub in the evening!

Ray was so lovely to stop for a quick snap and she adored our beanie. Despite claiming she looked rough, she actually looked amazing still, in her plane wear!

See our snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

With it being a very unusual year navigating the SAG-AFTRA strike, we chat with some seasoned Public Relations and Communications experts on how they will navigate TIFF ’23. Today we profile our esteemed colleagues at THE TARO GROUP.

Headquartered in Toronto, they are a leading entertainment full-service Communications and Digital agency, servicing studio and independent film companies, immersive art exhibits, experiential events and pop-ups.

With this being a unique year, tell us how the SAG-AFTRA strike-related changes impact your strategy in publicizing and promoting films at the Festival.

The Taro Group: This year we’re evolving the strategy & communications for the film campaigns that we are handling at TIFF around the Filmmakers, with everything being on a smaller scale and more intimate. All those attending are proud to represent their team members who wish they could be here (but can’t be due to the ongoing strike).

Please highlight for us a few films in your slate you particularly are excited for TIFF-goers to discover.

The Taro Group: Our film slate is big this year and many include remarkable real-life stories including Elevation Pictures‘ Lee, Sing Sing and Dumb Money and films by Canadian directors with Seven Veils, Irena’s Vow, Fitting In and many more.

What you’re looking forward to most about TIFF ’23?

The Taro Group: There is so much to look forward to; all of our premieres and photo calls, the reactions from moviegoers, working with all of our incredible media partners on a daily basis, seeing our US and international colleagues and coming together as an arts community to celebrate the film industry and everyone being a special part of it.

The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival runs September 7 through 17, 2023. We are thankful to The Taro Group for their support year-round and also for giving us their time so generously.

Stay tuned as we profile another top agency tomorrow and they share their insights how they plan to navigate this very unique Festival.

THE EQUALIZER 3 is much the best in its opening this Labour Day weekend with $36.5 million from 3,695 theatres for Sony Pictures. This marks the Franchise’s second best opening yet, just edging-out THE EQUALIZER 2‘s $36 million in 2018. Very impressive considering people often are distracted Labour Day weekend with plans. This is the power of Denzel.

Second is BARBIE with $9.1 million from 3,586 theates for Warner Bros. pushing it past the $600 million mark domestically.

BLUE BEETLE is in a tight finish for third with $6.4 million from 3,316 theatres for Warner Bros., a tally of $57.6 million. Last week’s champ GRAN TURISMO is in close contention for the second runner-up spot too with $6.4 million for Sony Pictures.

Rounding-out our Top Five is OPPENHEIMER with $6.5 million for Universal Pictures, a total $309 million grossed.

It takes a lot of work and persistence to be an icon and Kylie Minogue is exactly that. We have been following her career since the late ’80s when she made her debut stateside. Here we are in 2023 and she’s still churning out the hits and giving us innovation in her looks and Music Videos. A true classic Pop Star in the truest sense of the term.

She debuts new single “Tension” and Music Video for it, an ambitious follow-up to her Song of the Summer “Padam Padam“. Sophie Muller directs the Clip. So, so, so good. We are clamouring for this new album.

(Photo/video credit: BMG/Warner Music)

Mr. Will Wong wants to give readers a chance to celebrate STAR TREK Day with a special screening of STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS! Get ready for an event jam-packed with sneak peeks and surprises, free concessions, giveaways, and more. The screenings will take place Friday, September 8, 2023 as follows:

• Vancouver: Dunbar Theatre at 6:30 pm
• Calgary: Landmark Cinemas Country Hills at 7 pm

Synopsis:

STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS is Star Trek’s first comedy series and focuses on the support crew serving on one of Starfleet’s least important ships, the U.S.S. Cerritos. Ensigns Mariner, Boimler, Rutherford, and Tendi have to keep up with their duties and their social lives, often while the ship is being rocked by a multitude of sci-fi anomalies, both familiar and outlandish. Star Trek: Lower Decks is Star Trek as you’ve never seen it before.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate in the comments your City.

Rules and regulations here.

STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS Season Four arrives September 7, 2023 on Paramount+.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)