A close finish is projected at the Box Office this weekend with GRAN TURISMO, debuting with $17.3 million from 3,856 theatres for Sony Pictures. Based on a true story of a racing gamer who found himself in the driver’s seat, this gets 60% on the Tomatometer. It is National Cinema Day this Sunday, so it will be interesting to see how this might impact these projections.

BARBIE is poised for second with $15.8 million from 3,736 theatres for Warner Bros., taking it to an incredible $593 million domestically.

BLUE BEETLE is set to take third with $10.5 million on its second weekend, a tally of $44 million thus far for Warner Bros.

OPPENHEIMER gets fourth with $7.8 million, taking it almost to the $300 million-mark for Universal Pictures.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM rounds the Top Five out with $5.9 million for Paramount Pictures, a total $98 million.

So happy to be back at my happy place! Running August 18 – September 4, 2023, Toronto institution THE EX (Canadian National Exhibition) is back again and in full flight, heading into its second weekend. We’ll never forget how empty our Summers felt without.

In addition to a Las Vegas-style Waterfront Fountain Show and skating icon Elvis Stojko bring back and taking to the rink for the first time in four years, fan favourites like SuperDogs, International Stage performances from around the world, Celebrity Kitchen Stage, Food Truck Frenzy, and 18-day Gaming Garage sponsored by Intel, are back!  

And of course, it wouldn’t be The Ex, without the The Canadian International Air Show taking to the skies on Labour Day weekend. Recently-added fixture, the nightly Drone Shows presented by Vinfast, are back again with 100 drones and breathtaking formation, giving you a reason to come and stay all day.

The Ex has always been about the festivity and the food for me. There are several amazing new food options in the Food Building and also the Midway. We try a few of the fun new options and wouldn’t be surprised to visit again once more before Labour Day!

Ticket pricing:
Adult Admission: $25
Seniors: $20
Youth: $20
Children under 4 years old: FREE
Family Pass: $75 
 

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The Toronto International Film Festival® is delighted to announce its Award categories, jury members, and prizes for 2023, along with the return of three distinguished international film juries to honour outstanding works in this year’s lineup. The juries, featuring renowned film critics and filmmakers, include five members for FIPRESCI, the International Federation of Film Critics; three jurors for NETPAC, the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema; and three jurors for Platform (previously announced). All awards will be announced on September 17 at the annual Awards Breakfast at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Details to follow in the coming weeks.

“A crucial component of the film industry’s ecosystem, the annual awards presented by TIFF are dedicated to honouring creativity, vision, and excellence,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “Every year, we unite to applaud the diverse array of cinematic voices with the support of respected colleagues from the global industry, and this year will be no exception.”

BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM AWARD
TIFF continues to celebrate the unique craft and storytelling within Canadian cinema with the Best Canadian Feature Film Award. All 27 Canadian feature films in Official Selection — ranging from debut features to documentaries to films from well-established directors — will be considered for the award.

AMPLIFY VOICES AWARDS PRESENTED BY CANADA GOOSE
Canada Goose embraces diversity in all its forms and definitions, including the technique and passion that transports storytelling to the screen. This year, Canada Goose will again present the Amplify Voices Awards to under-represented filmmakers in Canada. Feature films in Official Selection by Canadian BIPOC filmmakers are eligible for the Best Feature and Best First Feature Award. The Amplify Voices Award will also celebrate a Canadian BIPOC trailblazer, recognizing a producer who has made significant contributions to the Canadian film landscape. The three winners will receive a cash prize of $10,000 each, made possible by Canada Goose. The jurors are:

V.T. Nayani is a multi-hyphenate storyteller working across the screen industries. She is an alumni of the Canadian Film Centre, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, The Gotham, and BIPOC TV & Film. Nayani’s feature directorial debut, This Place, premiered at TIFF in 2022.

Nisha Pahuja’s documentary credits include To Kill a Tiger, which won the Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature in 2022 and fifteen other awards. Other directorial credits include The World Before Her (2012), which received an Emmy nomination, and Diamond Road (2008).

Ricardo Acosta is a film editor, script consultant, and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Canadian Cinema Editors. His editing and story consulting credits include Once Upon a Time in Venezuela (2020), The Letter (2019), The Silence of Others (2018), Sembene! (2015), and Marmato (2014). His films have premiered at Sundance, Cannes, and IDFA, among other international film festivals.

SHORT CUTS AWARDS
Films in the Short Cuts programme are eligible for three jury-selected Short Cuts Awards: Best Short Film, Best Canadian Short Film, and the Share Her Journey Award for best short film by a woman filmmaker. These awards provide each of the three winners with a bursary of $10,000 CAD to help them continue achieving success in their careers. Short Cuts Awards Jurors are:

Aisha Jamal is an Afghan Canadian filmmaker and film programmer. Since 2016, she has been programming Canadian films for the Hot Docs Documentary Festival. Her feature debut A Kandahar Away premiered in 2019 and is now playing on Documentary Channel and screening on CBC Gem in Canada. Her previous short films have played at venues and festivals worldwide.

Araya Mengesha is an Ethiopian Eritrean award-winning filmmaker and actor. His co-written/directed short film DEFUND was a TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten 2021 selection after its World Premiere at TIFF ’21, collecting wins and nominations along the festival circuit, as well as becoming a Vimeo Staff Pick. As an actor, he is a Gemini Award (now called Canadian Screen Award) winner, CSA Best Lead Performer (Digital Series), and multi–ACTRA Award nominee. Currently in development is the feature film The Section based on the short work TEF, which Mengesha wrote and starred in during his residency at the Canadian Film Centre.

Shasha Nakhai is a Toronto-based storyteller with more than a decade of experience. Her work has aired on the BBC, CBC, ZDF, and Arte; screened at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA); been nominated for 16 Canadian Screen Awards; named as part of TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten; and shortlisted for an Oscar.

CHANGEMAKER AWARD
The Changemaker Award is presented to a feature film in Official Selection that explores issues relevant to young people and is focused on themes of social change and youth empowerment. The award embraces the power in young people seeing their communities represented on screen and celebrates the next generation of storytellers and changemakers in cinema. The winning film is selected by TIFF’s Next Wave Committee, a group of young film lovers who recognize cinema’s power to transform the world. All Next Wave–selected films in Official Selection are eligible, and the winning director(s) receives $10,000 CAD. In 2022, the Changemaker Award went to Luis De Filippis’ Something You Said Last Night.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
A longstanding tradition at TIFF, the People’s Choice Award is celebrating its 46th year, and TIFF audience members are encouraged to vote for their favourite films online at tiff.net/vote. All feature films in TIFF’s Official Selection are eligible for this Award. TIFF has two other Awards also voted on by the audience: the People’s Choice Documentary Award and the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award. The 2022 winners are The Fabelmans, Black Ice, and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

FIPRESCI JURY
The FIPRESCI Prize is presented by an international jury selected by the International Federation of Film Critics. Founded in 1930, the Federation awards the prize at international film festivals and film festivals of particular importance to promote film-art and to encourage new and young cinema. The FIPRESCI Jury will award the Prize of International Critics, dedicated to emerging filmmakers for the 30th year, to one feature film having its World Premiere in TIFF’s Discovery programme. Last year’s winner was A Gaza Weekend. The 2023 FIPRESCI jurors are:

Cem Altinsaray is a film critic with 28 years of experience in writing, editing, creating, and publishing movie magazines. He is now focused on enjoying and spreading his love of cinema at MUBI.

Elijah Baron is a Montreal-based film critic, translator, and editor, mostly known for his affiliation with 24 images, one of Quebec’s leading and oldest French-language film magazines.

Jindřiška Bláhová is a film critic and film industry analyst for the leading Czech weekly Respekt, an editor-in-chief of the film magazine Cinepur, and a film historian.

Diego Faraone is a Uruguayan film critic and journalist. He collaborated in publications such as Dossier, El Boulevard, Guía 50, and Argentinian websites Revista Caligari and Otros Cines, among others.

Jenni Zylka is a freelance writer focusing on film, media, and music. She is head of the Perspektive Deutsches Kino section of the Berlinale.

NETPAC JURY
Presented by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema, the NETPAC Award recognizes films specifically from the Asian and Pacific region. The jury consists of three members of the international community selected by TIFF and NETPAC, who award the prize to the best film by an emerging Asian and/or Pacific Islander filmmaker in the Centrepiece and Discovery programmes. In 2022, the NETPAC Award went to Sweet As. The 2023 NETPAC Award jurors are:

Sung Moon, 2023 NETPAC Jury Chair, is a programmer at the Jeonju International Film Festival.

Haolun Shu is a Shanghai-based filmmaker and teaches film directing and screenwriting at Shanghai Film Academy.

Lalita Krishna is the Co-Chair of Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. She is a critically acclaimed documentary filmmaker.

Join Paramount+, CBS Studios and fans from around the world for the annual “Star Trek Day” global celebration on Friday, September 8, 2023. This year’s special program is hosted by STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS’ Jerry O’Connell on Paramount+ and features special STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS screenings across the U.S., the UK and Canada in anticipation of the upcoming fourth season.

Additional information on “Star Trek Day” programming and initiatives can be found at StarTrek.com/Day.

On September 8, 1966, STAR TREK debuted for the first time on television with “The Man Trap.” On that day, STAR TREK creator Gene Roddenberry introduced audiences to a world that championed diversity, inclusion, acceptance and hope. Fifty-seven years later, Paramount honors this important day and the franchise’s enduring legacy by providing fans with memorable ways to enjoy and celebrate all things STAR TREK.

Additional information on Paramount’s “Star Trek Day” global celebration and initiatives is below:

“STAR TREK DAY” SPECIAL PROGRAM, HOSTED BY JERRY O’CONNELL

On September 8, fans worldwide can watch the “Star Trek Day” special program, hosted by STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS’ Commander Jack Ransom, himself, Jerry O’Connell. A salute to the franchise, the special program will include segments that look back at memorable moments over the past 57 years; commemorate 50 years of STAR TREK animation; pay tribute to STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, ahead of its final season; provide an exclusive sneak-peek clip from the upcoming fourth season of STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS; and commemorate many other moments that highlight STAR TREK’s legacy.

The “Star Trek Day” special will be available to watch for free globally on StarTrek.com/Day, YouTube (Paramount+ and STAR TREK Official pages), Twitch (ParamountPlus) and Facebook (@StarTrekOnPPlus and @StarTrek).

“STAR TREK: THE ANIMATED CELEBRATION” – STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS SPECIAL SCREENINGS

The animated universe of STAR TREK began 50 years ago on September 8, with STAR TREK: THE ANIMATED SERIES. This “Star Trek Day” commemorates the 50th anniversary with an evening of cartoon comedy, including four specially selected episodes of the hit animated series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Fans can attend these exclusive, free promotional screenings and experience the brand-new season of STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS on the big screen. The day is jam-packed with sneak peeks and surprises, free concessions, giveaways and more! This is a can’t-miss event for long-time fans of STAR TREK and adult animation across the U.S., Canada and the UK.

All screenings are free to attend, and fans can register at STAR TREK ANIMATED CELEBRATION SCREENINGS on Thursday, August 24, at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET. The special STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS fan screenings will take place in Canadian cities Vancouver and Calgary, as well as in Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, St. Louis, Washington D.C. and London.

SPECIAL “STAR TREK DAY” MERCHANDISE AND SALE

On September 8, fans can use the code STARTREKDAY for 25 percent off sitewide at https://shop.StarTrek.com, which includes curated “Star Trek Day” and STAR TREK: THE ANIMATED SERIES collections.

Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner Billy Porter graced Toronto last night in celebration a new free LGBTQ+, ad-driven streaming platform, The Bow – coming soon.

The star of F/X‘s Pose, won much acclaim in the Broadway community starring on Kinky Boots and continues to thrive as a Red Carpet staple. Just this year, Porter was seen in amazing Super Bowl-set Comedy 80 FOR BRADY! 

Porter before the celebration at historic El Mocambo, says “The Bow streams queer content by queer artists, for queer people. There is a Social Media component to it. When we think of high-level queer content now, most of it is adult.  And most of it are behind pay walls.”. He adds, “When I was doing Pose, it was for my community and it was behind a paywall.  At first the people we made it for couldn’t even watch it. What I love about this idea is that not only does it allow people to create, there’s also a social media component to it. But it gives Advertisers the opportunity to step up. Not just in June, but 365 days a year.”.

While speaking to KISS 92.5′s Maurie Sherman, Porter expressed strong feelings about the SAG-AFTRA strike which has Hollywood at a standstill. “I won that company an Emmy and I’m getting six cent cheques. So yeah, I’m beyond pissed off.  Yeah I’m enraged”, he says. “I talk about the tiering. What the world needs to understand is that we’re not all Tom Cruise. Actors are blue collar workers. We have 160,000 Actors in our union. 2% of those people work regularly. 80% cannot meet the $27,000 to make their medical insurance. This is where we are. I said what I said and I mean exactly what I said. Eff them for real. This is not a game!”.

Also appearing at the affair were the likes of Matthew McLaughlin (The Bow Founder), Canada’s Next Emerging Artist Nano Talrose, Canada’s International Drag Sensation Sofonda Cox, Drag Artist Lucy Flawless, Toronto’s premier R&B Gospel Inkloosiv Voices, Actress Olunike Adeliyi (CBC’s The Porter), and Actress Rakhee Morzaria (CBC‘s Run the Burbs). 

More below:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar will be released on Netflix September 27, 2023. Today we get a first look at artwork for Venice, from this latest effort from Wes Anderson.

ABOUT:
Director: Wes Anderson
Writer: Wes Anderson
Producers: Wes Anderson, Steven Rales, Jeremy Dawson
Co-Producers: Octavia Peissel, John Peet, Alice Dawson
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, Richard Ayoade
Runtime: 39 mins
Logline: A beloved Roald Dahl story about a rich man who learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes and then sets out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

ROJEK is representing Canada in the nomination process for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards®, to be held on March 10, 2024. The film is directed and written by Zaynê Akyol, and produced by Audrey-Ann Dupuis-Pierre, Sylvain Corbeil, and Zaynê Akyol of Métafilms. It is being distributed in Canada by Maison 4:3 and in the United States by Icarus Films.  International sales are handled by Andana Films. 

“In what may have been Canada’s most competitive year ever, ROJEK was selected by a jury of industry peers as the film to best represent Canada in the Oscar® race,” said Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO, of Telefilm Canada. “This announcement marks the beginning of an incredible journey and a one-of-a-kind opportunity for ROJEK to reach audiences around the world and give them just a taste of the quality of filmmaking that Canada has to offer. We wish Zaynê, Metafilms, and the entire creative team all the best of luck as they move forward.”

“Being chosen to represent Canada at the Oscars® with ROJEK is a tremendous honour,” said Zaynê Akyol, director, writer, and producer. “I would like to express my deep gratitude to the pan-Canadian selection committee for this recognition. Also, a sincere thank you to my dedicated team, who continually pushed the boundaries of creativity and excellence. This moment is the fruit of our shared passion and unwavering commitment to cinema and justice.”

The documentary is told in a mix of Arabic, English, French, and Kurdish. It opened in Canadian theatres on January 20, 2023, and is available for rental on all major platforms.

ROJEK premiered at the 2022 Visions du Réel Film Festival in Nyon, Switzerland. It has screened at festivals around the world, including winning the DGC Special Jury Prize – Canadian Feature Documentary at the 2022 Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival.

As the appointed non-voting chair of the committee, Telefilm Canada organizes the annual pan-Canadian Selection Committee for Canada’s submission to the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards®.

The vote was determined by a pan-Canadian committee of industry organizations and guilds, as well as filmmakers and industry professionals appointed to represent organizations. Overall, 28 films were submitted for consideration as Canada’s Choice this year. The committee met the morning of August 24 to select the film.

So far, seven countries have submitted their entries for the Best International Feature Film category. Last year, 93 countries submitted a film.

Key dates:

October 2, 2023 – Deadline for country submissions for the Best International Feature Film category
December 21, 2023 – Academy shortlist of 15 titles selected to move forward.
January 23, 2024 – Academy Award® nominations announced
March 10, 2024 – Academy Awards® ceremony

About ROJEK

Synopsis 

ROJEK encounters incarcerated members of the Islamic State from all over the world, as well as their wives detained in prison-camps, who are sharing a common dream: establishing a caliphate. Confronted with the fundamentalist beliefs of the jihadists, the film attempts to trace the beginning, the rise and fall of the Islamic State (ISIS) through their personal stories. These conversations are the thread along which the documentary evolves, as it is intertwined with various sequences depicting current, post-war Syrian Kurdistan.

ROJEK offers an intimate gaze at an unknown reality, testifying of pivotal moments experienced by the actors of this conflict. The film tackles how this ideological war is only the beginning of a new kind of threat.

Starring Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan, FOE will be getting a theatrical release October 13, 2023 via Prime Video Canada.

Details:
Directed by Garth Davis
Screenplay by Iain Reid, Garth Davis
Based on the book by Iain Reid
Produced by Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, p.g.a., Garth Davis, p.g.a., Emile Sherman, p.g.a., Iain Canning, p.g.a.
Executive Produced by Dawn Olmstead, David Levine, Robert Walak, Samantha Lang, Iain Reid
Starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, and Aaron Pierre

Academy Award nominees Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal star in Foe, a haunting exploration of marriage and identity set in an uncertain world. Hen and Junior farm a secluded piece of land that has been in Junior’s family for generations, but their quiet life is thrown into turmoil when an uninvited stranger (Aaron Pierre) shows up at their door with a startling proposal. Based on best-selling author Iain Reid’s novel, directed by Garth Davis, and co-written by Davis and Reid, Foe’s mesmerizing imagery and persistent questions about the nature of humanity (and artificial humanity) bring the not-too-distant future to luminous life

Apple TV+ today debuted the trailer for the emotionally charged and dramatic third season of its award-winning and widely acclaimed hit series, “The Morning Show,” starring and executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. The 10-episode third season of “The Morning Show” will make its highly anticipated return on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through November 8, 2023.

In season three of “The Morning Show,” the stakes are high as the future of the network is thrown into question and loyalties are pushed to the brink when a tech titan takes an interest in UBA. Unexpected alliances form, private truths are weaponized, and everyone is forced to confront their core values both in and out of the newsroom. Along with Witherspoon and Aniston, the star-studded season three ensemble cast is led by Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Nestor Carbonell, Karen Pittman, Greta Lee, Jon Hamm, Nicole Beharie, and Julianna Margulies.

The Emmy, SAG and Critics Choice Award-winning drama, which has already received an early renewal for season four, is showrun and executive produced by Charlotte Stoudt, and directed and executive produced by Mimi Leder. The series is produced by the studio Media Res, and executive produced by Michael Ellenberg through Media Res, along with Stoudt and Leder; Aniston and Kristin Hahn executive produce through Echo Films; Witherspoon executive produces alongside Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine.

Fans can catch up on the complete first and second seasons of “The Morning Show,” now streaming globally on Apple TV+.

In its first season, “The Morning Show” landed an Emmy Award for Crudup’s performance as ‘Cory Ellison,’ in addition to a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for Aniston’s powerful performance as ‘Alex Levy.’ Director Mimi Leder has been honoured with an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series nomination for helming the season one finale. The debut season of the series also landed a Critics Choice Award, and received nominations from the Television Critics Association for Outstanding New Program and a TV Choice Award for Best New Drama.

The second season of “The Morning Show” received Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Reese Witherspoon; Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Billy Crudup, who also won the award for season one; and, Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Marcia Gay Harden.

Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favourite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have earned 373 wins and 1,551 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”

Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $8.99 per month with a seven-day free trial.

Time and again, the Honda Accord has proven to be a favourite of mine. It balances sophistication, practicality and performance so beautifully, a perfect pairing for an annual Summer tradition of mine, the Queen’s Plate. With King Charles’ coronation recently, the most historic horse race in North America was re-branded the King’s Plate this year. This marks the first time the race has been run under the name since 1951. The affair is a $1 million race, restricted to three-year-old horses foaled in Canada, but for some it is a celebration of fashion, with guests donning their very best for a fabulous reason to party!

The race was won this year by PARAMOUNT PRINCE, who is co-owned by Michael Langlois and Hollywood giant Gary Barber, who flew in for a very successful day which saw him win another feature race on the card, the Soaring Free Stakes, with GOLD CANARY. Jockey Patrick Husbands piloted to score, defeating stablemate ELYSIAN FIELD, a filly going up against the boys. Like the flashy and speedy Radiant Red Metallic 2023 Honda Accord EX I test drove for the day, Paramount Prince also is what you call “red” in colour, being of chestnut colouring just like Secretariat. In fact, that legend’s nickname was “Big Red”!

Interest in Horse Racing is peaking once again and there’s proof in numbers. Not only did the King’s Plate sell-out completely, wagering also hit record numbers with $18.1 million bet that day alone!

I initially was given the opportunity to test drive the 2023 Honda Accord EX a couple weeks back for a road trip. After experiencing an “emissions system problem” message (below), I had brought it into Formula Honda in Scarborough, who were amazing to give it a look and a system reset and it turned out everything was fine. When experiencing this error, the car will cap at a certain speed with a reduction in power, and it directs you to visit a dealer. This admittedly was concerning but after a check-through by trusted hands, I was assured the car was as good as new! The error message never resurfaced. Giving it a second go, I was thrilled how true to form it is with what I love about Accords. Sleek, fuel effiicient and just all-around a car I would want to drive every day!

Going over specifications, the Accord EX is powered by a 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, VTEC turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It operates at 192 @ 6000 rpm horsepower, has idle stop and Eco Assist, which are a better alternative for both the environment and the wallet. Running on Regular Unleaded fuel (also with capless fuelling) it will have you second-guessing if it’s even on because it is so quiet! If you’re looking to save a bit on gas, this is your car with a Highway, City and Combined Fuel Economy of 8.6/6.4/7.3L per 100 km.

Because looks do matter when it comes to cars, the Accord EX comes with small subtle flourishes that elevate it. It has body-coloured door handles, heated power door mirrors (which fold) and a shark fin antenna. The EX is blessed with a one-touch power moonroof including a tilt feature. Proximity Entry makes it super-easy for you and we are all for no more fumbling for keys!

Honda has a way of understanding the passenger experience so well and the EX‘s dual-zone automatic climate control with air-filtration system, gets it just right. While I like it freezing cold, my Mom for example doesn’t, and that’s fine because you can have it both ways with the EX! Everybody wins.

The Driver has much flexibility with with 8-way power adjustment, including 2-way power lumbar support. The front passenger’s seat gets 4-way manual adjustment. There’s an adjustment for everyone’s comfort levels and mobility.

The marriage of phone and car is a sacred union, whether we are navigating Google Maps, streaming Spotify and receiving urgent messages on the EX’s 7″ touchscreen display. Connecting was a cinch with HandsFreeLink™-bilingual Bluetooth® wireless mobile phone interface. The EX is powered by a Bose 8-speaker Audio System, perfect for Audiophiles. Above this, the EX has steering wheel-mounted controls (cruise control, audio, telephone, Driver Information Interface) for ease of navigating while you’re busy driving.

Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines are the new norm, making parking or reversing so easy and eliminating anxieties about this. What was life actually like before cars had cameras?

The EX is packed with Active Safety features including 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); Auto high beam; Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS®); Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system; Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system; Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS); Blind Spot Information (BSI) system; Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system; Traffic Jam Assist; Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system; Traffic sign recognition (HS); and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with Traction Control. All needed for those months we get great and not-so-predictable weather!

Passive Safety also is a focal point. 3-point front seat belts with automatic tensioning system; Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure reducing shock and impact in the event of a collision; Childproof rear door locks i-SRS airbag system (front); Front knee airbags; Rear side airbags; HondaLink™ Assist; Automatic Emergency Response System; Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system; and SmartVent™ side airbags are there to protect you and your loved ones. Also, the EX comes with a Security System and Find My Car/Vehicle Locator features for added piece of mind.

In all, a real gem, reinforcing why exactly test-driving the Accord is always a joy. The 2023 Honda Accord EX starts at $31,000 CAN.

Our King’s Plate experience highlights:

The 2023 Honda Accord EX starts at $31,000 CAN.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)