Focus Features will release New Regency‘s acclaimed Telluride Film Festival favorite, THE BIKERIDERS, in theatres on June 21, 2024. Universal Pictures International to handle international distribution.
The highly anticipated crime-epic was written and directed by Jeff Nichols. Today we get a new Trailer!

THE BIKERIDERS, starring Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy and Norman Reedus, follows the rise of a midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals. Seen through the lives of its members, the club evolves over the course of a decade from a gathering place for local outsiders into a more sinister gang, threatening the original group’s unique way of life.

Sarah Green and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones are producing through Tri-State, the company they share with Nichols, alongside New Regency. Fred Berger is executive producing.

Focus Features’ slate includes Alexander Payne’s THE HOLDOVERS starring Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, along with upcoming titles DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, BACK TO BLACK about the life and music of Amy Winehouse from director Sam Taylor-Johnson, Robert Eggers’ reimagining of NOSFERATU, Edward Berger’s thriller CONCLAVE, Zelda William’s feature directorial debut LISA FRANKENSTEIN written by Diablo Cody, Kobi Libii’s satrical comedy, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES, Baltasar Kormakur’s TOUCH, and Goran Stolevski’s new feature, HOUSEKEEPING FOR BEGINNERS, among others.

New Regency’s most recent release was the sci-fi film THE CREATOR, directed by Gareth Edwards. The company’s upcoming titles include a series for Amazon based on their hit 2005 film MR. AND MRS. SMITH and starring two-time Emmy® winner Donald Glover that will premiere on February 2, 2024.
The film is inspired by Danny Lyon’s book of photography.

Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix is back in BEAU IS AFRAID, the latest from Ari Aster (Midsommar, Hereditary). See the brand-new Trailer.

Synopsis:

A paranoid man embarks on an epic odyssey to get home to his mother in this bold and ingeniously depraved new film from writer/director Ari Aster.

Written/Directed by: Ari Aster
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan, Parker Posey and Patti LuPone
Distributed in Canada by: Sphere Films

Opening only in theatres April 21, 2023 via Sphere Films Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Sphere Films Canada)

Today, Disney+ unveiled the trailer and key art for musical romantic comedy “Up Here”. The Original series premieres exclusively on Disney+ in Canada on Friday, March 24, 2023.

“Up Here” is set in New York City in the waning days of 1999, and follows the extraordinary story of one ordinary couple, Lindsay and Miguel, as they fall in love and discover that the single greatest obstacle to finding happiness together might just be themselves – and the treacherous world of memories, obsessions, fears and fantasies that lives inside their heads.

The eight-episode series stars Mae Whitman (“Good Girls”), Carlos Valdes (“Gaslit”), Katie Finneran (“The Gilded Age”), John Hodgman (“Dicktown”), Andréa Burns (“West Side Story”), Sophia Hammons (“The Social Dilemma”), and Emilia Suárez (“A Good Person”).

“Up Here” is written by Steven Levenson (“tick, tick…BOOM!,” “Dear Evan Hansen”) and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (“The Carmichael Show”) with songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (“Frozen,” “WandaVision”) writing original songs. Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”) directs and executive produces the series alongside Levenson, Sanchez-Witzel, Anderson-Lopez, Lopez, and Jennifer Todd. 20th Television serves as the production company alongside Kail’s Old 320 Sycamore Productions.

Robust parental controls ensure that Disney+ remains a suitable viewing experience for everyone in the family. Subscribers can set access limits on mature content and create PIN-protected profiles alongside the already existing Kids Profiles to give parents and guardians peace of mind.

MAFIA MAMMA follows an American woman (Toni Collette) who inherits her grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy. Guided by the firm’s trusted consigliere (Monica Bellucci), she hilariously defies everyone’s expectations, including her own, as the new head of the family business.

The cast also includes Giulio Corso (Signora Volpe), Francesco Mastroianni (Dead Uncle), Alfonso Perugini (New York), Sophia Nomvete (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), Eduardo Scarpetta (The Ignorant Angels), Tim Daish (The Dirty Black Bag), and Tommy Rodger (The Cursed).

MAFIA MAMMA will be released in Canadian theatres on April 14, 2023 via levelFILM.

(Photo/video credit: levelFILM)

Canadian creatives have once again risen to the top at this year’s Academy Awards and in keeping with tradition, The Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles, Zaib Shaikh will open the doors of Canada’s House to honour this year’s Canadian Oscar nominees. Canadians and Canadian-led films have received nominations in top awards categories including Best Picture, Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Short, Best Documentary Feature, Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling. The private reception will take place during Oscar week on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

This year’s honourees include Best Picture nominee James Cameron, director, co-writer and producer of Avatar: The Way of the Water (20th Century Studios) whose film is also nominated for Best Sound, Production Design and Visual Effects; Women Talking (MGM/United Artists Releasing), produced by Frances McDormand, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, and written and directed by beloved Canadian auteur Sarah Polley is also nominated in the Best Picture category. Polley herself is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film. Canadian-American actor Brendan Fraser is nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his poignant and heartfelt role in the Best Picture-nominated film The Whale (A24). The Academy Award-nominated Canadian makeup artist Adrien Morot alongside his colleagues Judy Chin and Annemarie Bradley is nominated for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling also for The Whale.

“Canadians in film don’t just help generate billions of dollars for the Canadian economy but are also, once again this year, being recognized as amongst the best, most talented creators and creatives in the industry,” said Zaib Shaikh, Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles. “It is an honour to celebrate their success, and to highlight the diversity that is inherent to Canadian storytellers. It is clear that the stories Canadians choose to tell resonate with global audiences everywhere because they explore universal truths, highlight values of inclusivity and showcase human perseverance. To all of the nominees we will be celebrating in the days to come, a huge “Congratulations et Félicitations!”

Canadian animators dominated this year’s nominations with Domee Shi, writer and director of Canadian love letter Turning Red (Pixar Animation Studios) and Chris Williams, co-writer, director and producer of The Sea Beast (Netflix) both earning Best Animated Feature nominations. Writer/Director/Animator duo Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby are nominated along with producer David Christensen for the NFB film The Flying Sailor in the Best Animated Short category.

“We are incredibly proud of the Canadians who have secured top nominations on the world stage of the Academy Awards and are amongst the best in their field,” said Francesca Accinelli, Interim Executive Director & CEO of Telefilm Canada. “From the fantastical lens of animation to a powerful and bold adapted screenplay, to innovative filmmaking technology years in the making to pure excellence in documentary storytelling, Canadians continue to be leaders in the global film industry.”

The Best Documentary Feature category also has strong Canadian representation with producer Ina Fichman nominated alongside her colleagues Shane Boris and Sara Dosa for Fire of Love (Sandbox Films), and Navalny (CNN Films) produced by Diane Becker, Shane Boris, Melanie Miller and Odessa Rae, and helmed by Canadian documentary filmmaker Daniel Roher.

“Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis have made yet another contribution to Canada’s rich cultural heritage with The Flying Sailor, which has earned a third Oscar nomination for Amanda and a fourth for Wendy. As the film’s producers, we at the NFB are proud to provide Canadian filmmakers with a unique creative environment, allowing them to experiment and create exceptional works that captivate viewers all over the world,” said Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the National Film Board of Canada.

About Zaib Shaikh
Zaib Shaikh began his mandate as Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles in December 2018. He is the Government of Canada’s senior representative in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada.He comes to the posting after an extensive career in the media and entertainment industries, having worked as an actor and producer in theatre, film and television. His work includes acting roles in Deepa Mehta’s film Midnight’s Children, as well as starring in the CBC comedy series Little Mosque on the Prairie, which has been seen in more than 80 countries. Mr. Shaikh co‐produced the special Long Story Short: CBC Turns 75 and co‐wrote, directed and coproduced the film Othello: The Tragedy of the Moor. He also co-founded and served as an artistic producer of the Whistler Theatre Project in British Columbia. From 2014 until his appointment in 2018, Mr. Shaikh was the Film Commissioner and Director of Entertainment Industries for the City of Toronto. In that role, he oversaw and grew the city’s screen, music, live festival, sporting event and tourism sectors, helping to double the value of film production in Canada’s largest city, which surpassed $2 billion in 2016. Mr. Shaikh has served as a board member for the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and, most recently on the board of AFC (formerly the Actors Fund of Canada). He has served on juries and committees for the Gemini Awards, ACTRA Awards, Ontario Arts Council, and Theatre Ontario Youth Program as well as an ambassador for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and for Amnesty International Canada. Mr. Shaikh is married to Ms. Kirstine Stewart. They have two children.

About Telefilm Canada
As a Partner of Choice, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation dedicated to the success of Canada’s audiovisual industry, fostering access and excellence by delivering programs that support cultural resonance and audience engagement. With a lens of equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Telefilm bolsters dynamic companies and a range of creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual coproduction treaties to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2012, the Talent Fund raises private donations which principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Telefilm_Canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

About the NFB
The NFB is Canada’s public producer and distributor of award-winning documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories and participatory experiences, working with talented creators across the country. The NFB is taking action to combat systemic racism and become a more open and diverse organization, while working to strengthen Indigenous-led production and gender equity in film and digital media. NFB productions have won more than 7,000 awards, including 12 Oscars®. To access this unique content, visit NFB.ca.

About the Talent Fund
The Talent Fund is a national donation initiative dedicated to the impact and longevity of first-time filmmakers’ careers from across Canada. Igniting career paths in cinema, the Talent Fund invests in emerging talent and provides support to build their professional portfolios, fosters community and knowledge-sharing through professional mentorship, and prioritizes emerging creators from historically underrepresented communities. Funds raised are invested in Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program – a career accelerator and launchpad – which helps the next generation of storytellers contribute to a thriving Canadian film industry. Since 2012, the Fund has supported 165 film projects, brought to life by more than 360 emerging artists (writers, producers, and directors) and has financed films that have earned over 180 awards worldwide. Individual donors, family foundations, corporations and sponsors invest in the Talent Fund as they believe in the power of storytelling through film, and the impact this program has on the careers of emerging artists. To learn more about the Talent Fund or to make a donation, visit thetalentfund.ca.

Today, SiriusXM Canada in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA), announced the eight semi-finalists vying to be named the 2023 winner of SiriusXM’s Top of the Country competition. The stakes are high as each of the semi-finalists begin recording original tracks in-studio, which will later be shared with Canadian country fans to vote for their favourites. The field will be narrowed down to the top three, but only one will eventually be crowned the winner, receiving $25,000 and the title of the SiriusXM Top of the Country champion.

From across Canada, the 2023 semi-finalists are:

· Hailey Benedict – St. Albert, Alberta

· Noah Derksen – Winnipeg, Manitoba

· Teigen Gayse – Kelowna, B.C.

· Amanda Jordan – Smith Falls, Ontario

· Mark Ledlin – Vancouver, B.C.

· The Prairie States – Edmonton, Alberta

· Dayna Reid – Elmvale, Ontario

· Lydia Sutherland – Montréal, Québec

To learn more about the artists, please visit www.siriusxm.ca/topcountry. For high resolution images of the eight semi-finalists, please click HERE.

“As a champion of Canadian artists, the Top of the Country competition is a highlight for us at SiriusXM Canada, as it helps spotlight new talent and provides unparalleled support and development opportunities,” said Michelle Mearns, VP, Programming & Operations, SiriusXM Canada. “Now in our fifth year, we’ve seen how the program helps to propel careers and it’s exciting to watch previous winners like SACHA and Tyler Joe Miller achieve such success.”

After the public shows their support by voting for their favourites, the finalists will head to Nashville for industry mentorship opportunities and a performance spot at the 2023 CMA Fest. They’ll close out the summer with a festival performance at Lasso Montréal in August, followed by the Top of the Country Finale at Country Music Week in September where the winner will be crowned. In addition to the $25,000 grand prize, SiriusXM is awarding both runners-up $10,000 and all will receive a SOCAN song writing camp experience in Nashville following the competition. The Finale will air live on SiriusXM’s new Top of the Country Radio (ch. 171).

“The Canadian Country Music Association is proud to continue cultivating the immense talent the SiriusXM Top of the Country competition brings forward each year,” shares Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. “This program is one of the many ways that the CCMA champions and elevates Canadian artists and we’re thrilled to see this new batch of semi-finalists shine and embrace this exciting opportunity.”

SiriusXM’s Top of the Country in partnership with the CCMA is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing tradition of promoting and elevating the best emerging Canadian music. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach.

A Red Carpet Premiere in Scarborough? Is ths for real? Cineplex Scarborough Town Centre hosted a special screening of Clement Virgo’s BROTHER, adapted from David Chariandy’s Novel of the same name. Like its source material this film version has gone on to win huge accolades after its TIFF ’22 Premiere, and if this weren’t enough it has garnered 14 Canadian Screen Award nominations, plus being named a finalist for Rogers’ Best Canadian Feature Award at the upoming Toronto Film Critics Association Awards.

The stars are all aligned yes, they even showed up alongside Director/Writer Virgo at the screening attended by select Media, plus friends and family. Lamar Johnson stars as Michael, a young man growing-up amidist the rise of gang violence in Scarborough in the ’90s. We meet his protective brother Francis (Aaron Pierre) whom at a young age, struggles with the ideals of masculinity, being handed the responsibilties of being a proxy caregiver while their mother works overnight shifts, and also his own standing in the neighbourhood and peers. Rad Simonpillai moderated a Q&A following the Movie, commenting on the importance of audiences seeing this Scarborough-set story.

See a reel of highlights from the night here:

The screening was followed by an afterparty at the Scarborough Civic Centre Library, attended by the likes of special guests Catherine Hernandez (Author of “Scarborough“) and Director X!

Elevation Pictures release BROTHER March 17, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures/Mr. Will Wong)

Paramount Pictures Canada, Spyglass Media Group x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Cineplex Run-of-Engagement Passes to see SCREAM VI!

Synopsis: Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter. In Scream VI, Melissa Barrera (“Sam Carpenter”), Jasmin Savoy Brown (“Mindy Meeks-Martin”), Mason Gooding (“Chad Meeks-Martin”), Jenna Ortega (“Tara Carpenter”), Hayden Panettiere (“Kirby Reed”) and Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) return to their roles in the franchise alongside Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, and Samara Weaving.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. In the comments there please indicate your City. Re-Tweet the below for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

Paramount Pictures Canada & Spyglass Media Group release SCREAM VI March 10, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

On March 4, 2023 Netflix is turning Chris Rock’s newest, live stand-up special, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, into an entire evening of live entertainment from some of the world’s funniest comedians, with a pre-show and post-show bookending Chris Rock’s comedy event. The Show Before the Show pre-show on Saturday, March 4 at 6:30pm PT/9:30pm ET will stream live from The World Famous Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip, hosted by Ronny Chieng with Arsenio Hall, Leslie Jones, Deon Cole and more.

The show’s comedians will count down to the historic live Netflix comedy event Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, produced and directed by Joel Gallen. The half hour will include live commentary from fellow comedians and special messages from some of Rock’s friends including Amy Schumer, Cedric the Entertainer, Ice-T, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, Matthew McConaughey, Sir Paul McCartney, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes, and more.

At 7pm PT/10pm ET, legendary comedian, writer, director and actor Chris Rock will be the first artist to perform a live streaming Netflix special. Immediately following, don’t move! David Spade and Dana Carvey will be hosting The Show After The Show with special guests 6x NBA Champion and 6x MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, JB Smoove, Arsenio Hall and more live from the Comedy Store wrapping up the epic night.

“March 4 will be a hilarious evening, with an incredible set from Chris Rock – one of the greatest stand-ups of all-time – and contributions from an amazing lineup of special guests,” said Robbie Praw, Netflix Vice President of Stand-up and Comedy Formats. “Our goal is to deliver the best stand-up comedy to our members and this live streaming event further reinforces all the ways we continue to invest in the genre.”

The pre and post show will be produced by Den of Thieves and directed by Joe DeMaio and executive produced by Jill Leiderman and Den of Thieves’ Jared Morell.

Selective Outrage is Rock’s second Netflix stand-up special. His first, Chris Rock: Tamborine, debuted in February 2018.

The live event builds on Netflix’s legacy of leadership in live comedy. Netflix is a Joke: The Festival was the biggest live, in-person event in Netflix history, taking place in Spring 2022. The unprecedented event sold more than 260,000 tickets, featuring more than 330 comedians performing 295 shows across more than 35 venues in Los Angeles. The festival also featured the first-ever stand-up show at Dodger Stadium.

How to watch Chris Rock: Selective Outrage on March 4

6:20pm PT/9:20pm ET: A “Watch Live” red play button will be available for members. If members click on the “Watch Live” button prior to the official start, they will be taken to a waiting room until the pre-show starts.

6:30pm PT/9:30pm ET: The Show Before the Show begins, hosted by Ronny Chieng.

7pm PT/10pm ET: Chris Rock: Selective Outrage begins.

Members will be able to rewind, pause and jump to Live.

If members join late, they can opt to “Play from the Beginning” or start watching from where the Live currently is.

If members pop out of the Live event, the title will remain under the “Continue Watching” row.

Chris Rock: Selective Outrage will also be available for streaming on Netflix following the live event.

The Show Before the Show and The Show After The Show will only be available live on March 4.

BELIEVE it – the Greyhounds are back! Apple TV+ today released the trailer for the third season of its global phenomenon “Ted Lasso.” Following its history-making, back-to-back Emmy Award wins for its freshman and sophomore seasons, “Ted Lasso,” will premiere around the world with the first episode on Wednesday, March 15, followed by new episodes weekly, every Wednesday.

In the 12-episode third season of “Ted Lasso,” the newly-promoted AFC Richmond faces ridicule as media predictions widely peg them as last in the Premier League and Nate (Nick Mohammed), now hailed as the “wonder kid,” has gone to work for Rupert (Anthony Head) at West Ham United. In the wake of Nate’s contentious departure from Richmond, Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) steps up as assistant coach, alongside Beard (Brendan Hunt). Meanwhile, while Ted (Jason Sudeikis) deals with pressures at work, he continues to wrestle with his own personal issues back home, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) is focused on defeating Rupert and Keeley (Juno Temple) navigates being the boss of her own PR agency. Things seem to be falling apart both on and off the pitch, but Team Lasso is set to give it their best shot anyway.

After its global debut on Apple TV+, “Ted Lasso” quickly earned praise and acclaim with season one becoming the most Emmy-nominated freshman comedy series in history, landing top honours and awards. In addition to its Emmy accolades, “Ted Lasso” has been recognized with an esteemed Peabody Award; a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Award for Sudeikis; three Critics Choice Awards including Best Comedy Series, Best Actor in a Comedy Series for Sudeikis, and Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Hannah Waddingham, sweeping all categories in which the series was nominated; and in addition, the Writers Guild of America crowned “Ted Lasso” with honours for both Best Comedy and Best New Series.

“Ted Lasso” stars Jason Sudeikis as ‘Ted Lasso,’ an American football coach hired to manage a British soccer team—despite having no experience. But what he lacks in knowledge, he makes up for with optimism, underdog determination…and biscuits. The award-winning Apple Original comedy also stars Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Nick Mohammed, Anthony Head, Toheeb Jimoh, Cristo Fernandez, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris, James Lance with Juno Temple.

In addition to starring, Sudeikis serves as executive producer, alongside Bill Lawrence via his Doozer Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal Content. Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, and Bill Wrubel also serve as executive producers, along with Doozer’s Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer. Jane Becker and Jamie Lee also serve as executive producers. Star Brett Goldstein serves as writer and co-executive producer. The series was developed by Sudeikis, Lawrence, Joe Kelly and Brendan Hunt, and is based on the pre-existing format and characters from NBC Sports.

Viewers can catch up on seasons one and two of “Ted Lasso,’’ now streaming globally on Apple TV+ on the Apple TV app.

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 been honoured with 335 wins and 1,406 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”

TED LASSO Season Three arrives March 15, 2023 on Apple TV+.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)