We’ve been to many of these immersive experiences in Toronto but this one hit us in the feels! Toronto is so lucky to get to host the world premiere of DISNEY ANIMATION: IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE, kicking-off December 21, 2022 through March 19, 2023 at One Yonge Street.

The experience will take place in nine cities including:

• Toronto
• Denver 
• Cleveland 
• Detroit 
• Boston 
• Nashville 
• Columbus 
• Minneapolis 
• San Antonio

Also, a Tokyo leg is on the horizon for the experience.

DISNEY ANIMATION: IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE is a first-time collaboration between Lighthouse Immersive and Disney Animation, with Oscar-winning Producer J. Miles Dale leading the Creative Team. David Korins, whose credits include HAMILTON, was responsible for never-before-seen interactive lobby elements that guests can enjoy before or after entering the gallery.

Featuring 60,600 frames of video, 600,000 cubic feet of projections and 90,000,000 pixels, this is a must-see for any lover of Disney Animation. Guests are immersed into a gorgeous world of projections spanning Disney‘s canon of hits from classics like The Lion King, Bambi, Snow White and Cinderella, to game-changers like Encanto, Frozen and Moana.

This more so than previous productions at the venue are geared towards the family and it is timely that this is launching over the Holidays. Children ran about with glee at our preview, truly a happy place. I admit, I teared-up seeing some of my favourite Disney Animation moments mashed-up and presented to such emotional poignancy.

Dale admits to us he still tears-up a bit when partaking in the experience, a true testament to the lasting power of Disney‘s storytelling. Also in attendance were the likes of stars Andrew Phung, Amanda Brugel and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.

The experience takes place over about 40 minutes with lots of interesting display pieces and fun facts to read about. And the Gift Shop is actually amazing with everything from apparel to diningware, toys and books. Perfect gift ideas for kids, big and small.

Learn more about DISNEY ANIMATION: IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

In addition to being a critical success, Toronto’s Shawn Mendes making his acting debut in LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE, also was a hit at the Box Office, grossing almost $90 million domestically. The Musical Comedy now is available from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada on Digital, 4K Ultra HD™, BLU-RAY™ and DVD, giving us something to cheer for this Holiday season!

LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, is an adaptation of the popular children’s story of the same name, centering on a young boy named Josh (Winslow Fegley) who moves to New York City with his family, only to struggle fitting-in. That is until his life changes when he discovers Lyle (Mendes), a singing crocodile – who has a little bit of stagefright – up in his attic. Their neighbour Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman) is about to put a finish to their friendship, tired of all their racket. Soon, Josh, his family and Lyle‘s resurfacing owner Hector (Javier Bardem) find themselves in a fight to keep Lyle safe.

So much of LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE leans on the Music and lead performance by Mendes and he thrives in this transition to Cinema. I mean this was only a natural progression after his 2020 Netflix Documentary IN WONDER and also a series of initiatives with TIFF. Mendes, you’ll be pleased to know, thrives in this debut thanks also to some fantastic songs from Hitmakers Justin Paul and Benj Pasek. These are the guys who brought us the Music of The Greatest Showman and La La Land, so obviously we love this. Just heartwarming, and a perfect Holiday watch with the family!

Bardem is not to be outdone here, a perfect pairing to Lyle‘s big heart and personality. But Fegley who actually is no stranger to Toronto having filmed Nightbooks and 8-Bit Christmas here, absolutely shines as Josh. And let’s not forget also Scott McNairy and Constance Wu as Josh‘s parents. Kudos to Casting.

Special Features:

• Sing-Along Songs: Karaoke versions of the original songs “Top of The World,” “Rip Up the Recipe,” “Take a Look at Us Now,” and “Carried Away” from Pasek & Paul ( The Greatest Showman).
• Storytime with Shawn Mendes & Javier Bardem: Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem, alongside the cast and filmmakers alternate reading excerpts from the book that set the world of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile in motion.
• Bloopers: Behind-the-scenes blooper reel.
• Deleted Scene: Josh Learns About Lyle’s Stage Fright.
• Croc and Roll – Lyle On Set: We will find out what working with Lyle was truly like with interviews with his castmates and the filmmakers. As they shed light on everything from Lyle’s eating habits to his occasional odor issues, we’ll come to get a better understanding of what Lyle brings to the filming experience beyond his incredible voice.
• Take a Look at Us Now – The Cast: From Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy and Winslow Fegley to Shawn Mendes, meet the incredible key cast of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.
• Two Music Videos: “Top of the World” and “Carried Away” by Pasek & Paul ( The Greatest Showman).

DVD BONUS MATERIALS 

• Croc and Roll – Lyle On Set
• Take a Look at Us Now – The Cast
• Two Music Videos

SPECS

Run Time: 106 minutes

Rating: G

4K Ultra HD: Feature: 2160p Ultra High Definition / 2.40:1 | Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby True HD 7.1 compatible) | Audio Description Tracks 5.1 Dolby Digital

Blu-ray™: Feature: 1080p High Definition / 2.40:1 | Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA | Audio Description Tracks 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD: Feature: 2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen | Audio Description Tracks 5.1 Dolby Digital

We’re sad to see Mike go! Hot off the release of its new Canadian Trailer for MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE – coming to us Valentine’s Day 2023 – we get some new Canadian Posters also! Channing Tatum reprises the role of Mike and joining the Cast is Salma Hayek Pinault (House of Gucci).

Synopsis:

“Magic” Mike Lane (Tatum) takes to the stage again after a lengthy hiatus, following a business deal that went bust, leaving him broke and taking bartender gigs in Florida.  For what he hopes will be one last hurrah, Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite (Hayek Pinault) who lures him with an offer he can’t refuse…and an agenda all her own.  With everything on the line, once Mike discovers what she truly has in mind, will he—and the roster of hot new dancers he’ll have to whip into shape—be able to pull it off?

The film’s producers are Nick Wechsler, Gregory Jacobs, Tatum, Carolin and Peter Kiernan.  Julie M. Anderson serves as executive producer.

Also starring with Tatum and Hayek Pinault are Ayub Khan Din (“Ackley Bridge”), newcomer Jemelia George, Juliette Motamed (“We Are Lady Parts”) and Vicki Pepperdine (“Johnny English Strikes Again”).

Soderbergh’s creative team behind the scenes includes production designer Pat Campbell (“The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself”), costume designer Christopher Peterson (“The Irishman”) and music supervisor Season Kent (“KIMI,” “Let Them All Talk”), with choreography by Alison Faulk and Luke Broadlick, both part of the “Magic Mike” franchise.

A Warner Bros. Pictures Presentation, “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” slides into theatres only in North America on February 10, 2023 and internationally beginning 8 February 2023, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

The Princess of Wales returns to Westminster Abbey to host a special Christmas carol service to recognize the selfless efforts of individuals, families and communities across the UK, and highlight the remarkable impact that coming together to support others can have for us all.

The Princess of Wales will be joined by their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and other Members of the Royal Family.

Spearheaded by The Princess of Wales, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service will recognize the selfless efforts of individuals, families and communities across the UK, and celebrate and showcase the joy that human connection and togetherness can bring.

This year’s carol service is dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the values Her Majesty demonstrated throughout her life, including duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others.

These principles are shared and personified by the inspirational guests who have been invited to the Abbey in recognition of their tireless work to help and care for those around them.

Combining traditional and modern elements to encompass people of all faiths and none, the service will see the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir perform some of the nation’s most beloved carols, including ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’, which was selected through a public poll last week. The carols will sit alongside musical performances by guests including Craig David, Alexis Ffrench and Samantha Barks, and a special duet from Alfie Boe and Melanie C.

Poignant readings will be delivered by speakers including The Prince of Wales, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Hugh Bonneville and Kadeena Cox.

The event will be broadcast as part of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, a special program narrated by Catherine Zeta Jones, airing on BritBox on Christmas Eve. The broadcast will feature additional content including an introduction from The Princess of Wales, films highlighting individuals who go above and beyond to support others, and tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

(Photo credit: Royal Foundation)

Michael B. Jordan takes us into the Director’s Chair on this new Featurette from upcoming CREED III, letting us know what it’s like to be behind the lens for the first time ever.

Synopsis:

From Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures comes “Creed III,” with Michael B. Jordan making his directorial debut and returning in the role of Adonis Creed in the third installment of the hit franchise.

After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian—a fighter who has nothing to lose. The film also stars Tessa Thompson (“Creed” franchise, “Passing”), Jonathan Majors (“Da 5 Bloods,” “Lovecraft Country”), Wood Harris (“Creed” franchise, “Blade Runner 2049”), Florian Munteanu (“Creed II,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), newcomer Mila Kent, and Phylicia Rashad (“Creed” franchise, “Soul”).

Jordan directs from a screenplay by Keenan Coogler (“Space Jam: A New Legacy”) & Zach Baylin (“King Richard”), from a story by Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”) and Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin. It is produced by Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Elizabeth Raposo, Jonathan Glickman and Sylvester Stallone. The executive producers are Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, Nicolas Stern and Adam Rosenberg.

Jordan is joined behind the camera by director of photography Kramer Morgenthau (“Creed II,” “Thor: The Dark World”), production designer Jahmin Assa (“mid90s,” “Angelyne”), editor Tyler Nelson (“The Batman,” “Rememory”), costume designer Lizz Wolf (“Creed II,” “Pacific Rim: Uprising”), with a score by composer Joseph Shirley (“Jackass Forever,” “The Book of Boba Fett”).

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Presents A Chartoff-Winkler Production, “Creed III,” which will be distributed in North America by MGM and internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in territories beginning March 1, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

Apple TV+ today unveiled a first-look at “Liaison,” a new six episode thriller series starring César Award winner Vincent Cassel (“Black Swan,” “Westworld”) and BAFTA Award winner Eva Green (“Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children”), and the first French and English-language Apple Original series. “Liaison” will make its global debut with the first episode on Friday, February 24, 2023, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday through March 31, 2023, on Apple TV+.

“Liaison” is a high-stakes, contemporary thriller exploring how the mistakes of our past have the potential to destroy our future, combining action with an unpredictable, multi-layered plot where “espionage and political intrigue play out against a story of passionate and enduring love.”

In additional to Cassell, the series also stars Eva Green (“Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children”), Peter Mullan (“Ozark”) Cesar award winner Gerard Lanvin (“Call My Agent!”), Daniel Francis (“Small Axe”), Stanislas Merhar (“The Black Book”), Irene Jacob (“La double vie de Veronique”), Laetitia Eido (“Fauda”), Eriq Ebouaney (“Rogue City”), BAFTA rising star Bukky Bakray (“Rocks”) and Emmy award winner Thierry Fremont (“Murder In Mind”).

“Liaison” is created and written by Virginie Brac (“Engrenages”), and is directed by Emmy Award winner Stephen Hopkins (“24”). The series is co-produced by Newen Studio-backed companies Ringside Studios and Leonis Productions, and executive produced by Gub Neal (“The Fall”), Jean-Benoît Gillig (“L’Emprise”), Vincent Cassel, Sarada McDermott (“Bridgerton”), Stephen Hopkins, Justin Thomson, and Edward Barlow.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

Tom Cruise is other-wordly and here’s more proof in this behind-the-scenes look at MISSION IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE. He is just unbelievable!

DIRECTED BY

Christopher M^cQuarrie

WRITTEN BY

Christopher M^cQuarrie

BASED ON THE TELEVISION SERIES CREATED BY

Bruce Geller

PRODUCED BY

Tom Cruise, Christopher M^cQuarrie

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY

 David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Tommy Gormley

STARRING

Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Mariela Garriga, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Frederick Schmidt, Charles Parnell, Rob Delaney, Cary Elwes, Indira Varma, Mark Gatis

Paramount Pictures Canada release MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKNONING PART ONE July 14, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

The beautiful and talented Krysten Ritter not only just celebrated her birthday, but show now gets a short break fliming AMC‘s ORPHAN BLACK: ECHOES, a follow-up to the popular acclaimed BBC Series. This new branch follows Ritter as Lucy, who has an unbelievable backstory, trying to figure out her purpose in the world. The Series follows a group of women whose lives intersect and there just might be some betrayal along the way. It is set to arrive at some point in 2023 and Toronto once again is a proud backdrop for this.

Ritter started filming late Summer and the Series is scheduled to wrap in the City early in the new year! We’ve missed the Jessica Jones star so much 2023 is shaping to be a big year as she also can be seen in HBO Max’s LOVE AND DEATH alongside a very stacked Cast including Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemons.

Ritter was so gracious taking a moment to stop for a snap. She was carrying her adorable son Bruce, whom we respectfully did not photograph. So thrilled to finally meet her! What an accomplished career she’s had the past 20 years transitioning from a model to a star of the screen!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Hearthrob and acclaimed Thespian Jonathan Bailey was in town filming Showtime‘s “Fellow Travelers“. The Actor know well for his starring role in Shondaland‘s smash success BRIDGERTON as Lord Anthony Bridgerton, will be playing Tim Laughlin in this upcoming Historical Limited Series, based on Thomas Malton‘s 2007 Novel of the same name.

Fellow Travelers centers on a romance between Laughlin and Hawkins Fuller (Matt Bomer) that spans the Vietnam War to the AIDs crisis in the ’80s. Allison Williams (Girls, Get Out) also stars in the Series, which wraps this December in Toronto.

So amazing meeting Bailey quickly not too long ago, looking colourful, sporty-chic! Knowing he’s a fellow RuPaul’s Drag Race fan, I asked if he’d be tuning-into the All Stars Finale to which he said, “I’ve got a flight to catch tonight!”. He was so personable and full of smiles. Everything we hoped he’d be!

Bailey just wrapped last week on the Series and big things are ahead with Bridgerton Season 3 and Fellow Travelers both on the horizon.

See some Snaps:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER is poised to make a huge splash in its opening this weekend with $134 million from 4,202 theatres projected for the 20th Century Studios release, which sees James Cameron returning in the Director’s Chair and also as Writer. Its 2009 predecessor opened to $77 million in its debut. The Sequel gets 76% on the Tomatometer from Critics.

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER after five weeks on-top, slips to second with $6 million from 3,380 theatres for Marvel/Disney, a total run of $419.5 million domestically.

VIOLENT NIGHT is close behind in third with $5.3 million for Universal Pictures, a three week tally of $35.2 million.

Fourth is Disney’s STRANGE WORLD with $2.7 million, a total $34.2 million grossed to date.

THE MENU rounds-out the Top Five with $1.7 million, taking it to $32.1 million for Searchlight Pictures.