The Golden Globe Awards are back in their 80th edition! Selenis Leyva and Mayan Lopez unveiled this year’s nominees today and leading the pack in the Film categories are critical favourites EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN and THE FABELMANS. Meanwhile in Television categories, we see ABBOTT ELEMENTARY and THE WHITE LOTUS at the top of the pack with The Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

The Golden Globes air on NBC January 10, 2023.

FILM

Best Motion Picture — Drama
Avatar: The Way of Water
Elvis
The Fabelmans
Tár
Top Gun: Maverick

Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
Babylon
The Banshees of Inisherin
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Triangle of Sadness

Best Motion Picture — Non-English Language
All Quiet on the Western Front
Argentina, 1985
Close
Decision to Leave
RRR

Best Motion Picture — Animated
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Inu-Oh
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Turning Red

Best Director — Motion Picture
James Cameron, Avatar: The Way of Water
The Daniels, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Baz Luhrmann, Elvis
Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin
Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans

Best Screenplay — Motion Picture
Todd Field, Tár
The Daniels, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin
Sarah Polley, Women Talking
Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, The Fabelmans

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama
Austin Butler, Elvis
Brendan Fraser, The Whale
Hugh Jackman, The Son
Bill Nighy, Living
Jeremy Pope, The Inspection

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama
Cate Blanchett, Tár
Olivia Colman, Empire of Light
Viola Davis, The Woman King
Ana de Armas, Blonde
Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
Diego Calva, Babylon
Daniel Craig, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Adam Driver, White Noise
Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin
Ralph Fiennes, The Menu

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
Lesley Manville, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
Margot Robbie, Babylon
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu
Emma Thompson, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin
Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin
Brad Pitt, Babylon
Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Eddie Redmayne, The Good Nurse

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin
Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Dolly de Leon, Triangle of Sadness
Carey Mulligan, She Said

Best Original Score — Motion Picture
Carter Burwell, The Banshees of Inisherin
Alexandre Desplat, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Hildur Gudnadóttir, Women Talking
Justin Hurwitz, Babylon
John Williams, The Fabelmans

Best Original Song — Motion Picture
“Carolina” by Taylor Swift, from Where the Crawdads Sing
“Ciao Papa” by Alexandre Desplat, Roeban Katz, Gullermo del Toro from Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
“Hold My Hand” by Lady Gaga, BloodPop, Benjamin Rice from Top Gun: Maverick
“Lift Me Up” by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
“Naatu Naatu” by M.M. Keeravani, Kala Bhairava, Rahul Sipligunj from RRR

TELEVISION

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Abbott Elementary
The Bear
Hacks
Only Murders in the Building
Wednesday

Best Television Series – Drama
Better Call Saul
The Crown
House of the Dragon
Ozark
Severance

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Jeff Bridges, The Old Man
Kevin Costner, Yellowstone
Diego Luna, Andor
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Adam Scott, Severance

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama
Emma D’Arcy, House of the Dragon
Laura Linney, Ozark
Imelda Staunton, The Crown
Hilary Swank, Alaska Daily
Zendaya, Euphoria

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant
Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building
Jenna Ortega, Wednesday
Jean Smart, Hacks

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Donald Glover, Atlanta
Bill Hader, Barry
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Black Bird
Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
The Dropout
Pam & Tommy
The White Lotus

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Taron Egerton, Black Bird
Colin Firth, The Staircase
Andrew Garfield, Under the Banner of Heaven
Evan Peters, Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Sebastian Stan, Pam & Tommy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jessica Chastain, George & Tammy
Julia Garner, Inventing Anna
Lily James, Pam & Tommy
Julia Roberts, Gaslit
Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus
Claire Danes, Fleishman Is in Trouble
Daisy Edgar-Jones, Under the Banner of Heaven
Niecy Nash, Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Aubrey Plaza, The White Lotus

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
F. Murray Abraham, The White Lotus
Domhnall Gleeson, The Patient
Paul Walter Hauser, Black Bird
Richard Jenkins, Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Seth Rogen, Pam & Tommy

It’s hard to believe another racing season at Woodbine Racetrack has concluded and we’re so thrilled to have been there start to finish. While I admit it gets a little tougher as the years pass and I get a bit older, what always brings me back is the stories, the lineage and relationships. Sometimes along the way I get a little reward for my $2 investments of a bet!

2022 was a standout year for horses based at Woodbine on a world stage. We got to see Hall of Fame Trainer Roger Attfield send-out his two top charges LADY SPEIGHTSPEARE and SHIRL’S SPEIGHT to top three placings at the Breeders’ Cup in November against the world’s best. We also saw our Queen’s Plate heroine MOIRA also made us proud finishing in the thick of things, not to mention locally-based CAIRO CONSORT finishing well also before being sold and taken under the wings of top Trainer Todd Pletcher.

Woodbine truly is proving its worth on an international stage, hosting Breeders’ Cup Win-and-You’re-In races. Time and again, we’ve shown the world that we not only are a stepping stone to the best. Some of the best in the world in fact are based right at home in Toronto.

A huge congratulations to our leading Trainer Mark Casse and Jockey Kazushi Kimura, once again taking year-end title honours! Kimura despite an absence due to injury, still made it back to reclaim his title which is super-impressive.

It was such a joy seeing fans back in full capacity this year with Covid restictions having been lifted. And every week I pop by, I marvel at how quickly the construction is coming along in the new Casino/Hotel portion of the venue. We welcome a new era soon!

In carrying-on my annual tradition, here’s my 2022 A Year in Horses Review, set to Harry Styles’ “As It Was”. All moments here lensed by yours truly. What a year!

April 22, 2023 will mark the start of a new racing season at Woodbine and I can’t wait.

But first, a well-deserved rest for all!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Mr. Will & beanie

What a weekend! We were so lucky not only to have Mariah Carey in our City, debuting her MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL Show in Toronto. Above this, we got to see the two-city event before her hometown New York City! The Show heads to Madison Square Garden this week. More about the wonderful night and its surprises here.

You know how much fun we had at the Show Friday but so awesome seeing my all-time favourite Singer again today! Fashionably late for her show, Carey boarded her Sprinter Van bundled-up in a white sweater, before dazzling fans at Scotiabank Theatre. Carey threw waves to her many adoring fans, blowing air kisses through the window. This never gets old!

Until next time! Lamb for life here!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

JEREMY ALLEN WHITE is having a phenomenal year. After having premiered this Summer on Hulu/Disney+, THE BEAR has gone on to receive many accolades, including nominations at the People’s Choice, Critics’ Choice, Gotham and Satellite Awards, thanks in large part to his leading performance as Carmen Berzatto. The character goes from working in New York City as an award-winning Chef, to having to take over his family’s business, an Italian Beef Sandwich Shop in Chicago, following the death of his brother. Prior to that, he graduated right out of high school to land the role of Phillip Gallagher on the very popular series Shameless.

White last came to Toronto at TIFF ’18 to promote series HOMECOMING alongside Julia Roberts and has continued to see his star rise these past few years. He’s in town again working on upcoming Apple TV+ Feature, FINGERNAILS. The Film centers on a woman (Jessie Buckley) who works at an institution which determines whether or not a couple’s love is real. The Sci-Fi Romance directed by Christos Nikou, also is co-produced by Cate Blanchett.

We’re so glad we got a chance to catch-up quickly with White after meeting him at TIFF ’18. The Film just wrapped and White simultaneously is working on THE IRON CLAW, which centers on a the Von Erich family’s wrestling dynasty. The Film also stars Zac Efron, Harris Dickinson and Lily James.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Hulu)

Mariah Carey makes her return as the widely-acknowledged Queen of Christmas and was Toronto ever in for a treat! The international megastar brought her two-city tour for MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL here first, before bringing the celebrations to New York City. The show, which has her bringing out material from her iconic 1994 Merry Christmas album and 2010 follow-up Merry Christmas II You. The Show which she tells the packed house at Scotiabank Arena was meant as a way to help her fans keep their minds off all the things that held them back during the Pandemic, and this marked her first live show since the world went on lockdown.

The Concert running just under two hours wasn’t just Holiday hits! Carey as a surprise did a set featuring abbreviated versions of her smash hits including “Fantasy“, with a re-working of Latto‘s recent smash “Big Energy”; “We Belong Together”; “Emotions”; “Make it Happen“; and of course, “Hero“. The Show capped-off with timeless “All I Want for Christmas is You” in the Encore.

Carey brought out her eleven-year-old twins Morocco and Monroe, with the latter duetting with her mother on “Away in a Manger“. The world for the first time got to hear her talent and her smokey vocals are not unlike that of her mother!

A highlight reel of moments from MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL:

Some Snaps:

An unforgettable time and if you missed it, there is one more chance to see Carey tomorrow night as she completes the second of her two-night engagement in Toronto!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Not much change in the Top Two at the Box Office this weekend as BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER takes top spot a remarkable fifth consecutive week with $12.7 million, tallying at a total $411 million domestically for Disney/Marvel.

Second again is VIOLENT NIGHT with $8.2 million for Universal Pictures, a gross of $25.5 million over two weekends.

Third is Disney‘s STRANGE WORLD with $3.7 million, a total $30.5 million over three weekends.

In fourth is THE MENU with $2.5 million for Searchlight Pictures, a total $28.7 million grossed thus far.

Rounding-out the Top Five is DEVOTION with $1.9 million for Sony Pictures, a total $16.8 million to date.

Who isn’t excited for this Movie? A new Featurette has arrived for BABYLON speaking to the wonderful Music you get to hear in the Film. We did chat with Justin Hurwitz, Composer earlier in the year who gave us a sneak peek what to expect, but how cool is it to hear the final product?

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

From Damien Chazelle, BABYLON is an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, with an ensemble cast including Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Jean Smart. A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY

Damien Chazelle 

PRODUCED BY

Marc Platt, p.g.a., Matthew Plouffe, p.g.a., Olivia Hamilton, p.g.a.   

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY

Michael Beugg, Tobey Maguire, Wyck Godfrey, Helen Estabrook, Adam Siegel 

STARRING

Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, P.J. Byrne, Lukas Haas, Olivia Hamilton, Tobey Maguire, Max Minghella, Rory Scovel, Katherine Waterston, Flea, Jeff Garlin, Eric Roberts, Ethan Suplee, Samara Weaving, Olivia Wilde

Paramount Pictures Canada release BABYLON December 23, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

By Mr. Will Wong

Following on the Canadian Screen Award-winning success of its first season, Webseries TOKENS‘ now in its second season, delivers even more belly laughs!

The Series centering on Sammie Pang (Connie Wang), a Chinese-Canadian woman looking to find her breakout meaningful role as an Actor, leaving her agency On Call Casting and booking a role in a remake of a Martial a\Arts flick, “The Phoenix”. Things definitely looked better on-paper and the nonsensical tone-deafness of the industry continues to rear its head on Sammie and her colleagues. But what does it look like for her to take a stand on the shallowness of “Diversity Casting”? And how ever will she be able to make her true authentic voice be heard when those in power don’t care to nurture her voice, even though they present on a superficial level the illusion that they care?

Joining the Cast this season are talents including Sarena Parmar, Cindy Sampson, Indy Saluja and Tara Strong. In less capable hands, some of the searing satirre and humour Comedy of TOKENS by Director/Writer Winnifred Jong might be a bit iffy. Jong manages to strike that fine balance perfectly poking fun at stereotypes, “white ignorance” and how the cycle is gate-kept. It’s all silly, but silly with a purpose.

The Ensemble work wonderfully together, led by Wang who slowly but surely is finding her voice and purpose after navigating some real absurdity in the business. I find it actually quite comical Sammie with a background talent agency similar to one I worked with years ago, so I can definitely relate! Parmar is fun as Nandita, bringing energy to the mix and Fuad Ahmed as Vasant is comical in his self-absorbedness as a recognizable Bollywood name trying reclaim a little fame. Shelley Thompson as Sammie‘s meddling former agent Betty is a delight.

Defintely worth a watch, especially as these quick little hits start and finish before you even know it! You can now stream the second season of TOKENS on iTunes.

Brandon Cronenberg is back with INIFINITY POOL. Here’s a first glimpse of the official Trailer.

Synopsis:

While staying at an isolated island resort, James (Alexander Skarsgård) and Em (Cleopatra Coleman) are enjoying a perfect vacation of pristine beaches, exceptional staff, and soaking up the sun. But guided by the seductive and mysterious Gabi (Mia Goth), they venture outside the resort grounds and find themselves in a culture filled with violence, hedonism, and untold horror. A tragic accident leaves them facing a zero-tolerance policy for crime: either you’ll be executed, or, if you’re rich enough to afford it, you can watch yourself die instead.

Elevation Pictures release INIFITY POOL January 27, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

TIFF is delighted to announce its Canada’s Top Ten list of both features and short films for 2022. Selected by TIFF’s programmers in consultation with industry panelists, including filmmakers and festival programmers from across Canada, this year’s list represents a diverse range of new voices in fiction and documentary. It celebrates some of our most storied and award-winning filmmakers offering audiences a variety of perspectives, insights, and experiences from coast to coast.

TIFF would also like to recognize the privilege we have to celebrate these filmmakers on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and the Haudenosaunee. Today, the meeting place of Toronto (also known as Tkaronto) is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island, and we are grateful to work on this land and to be able to screen works of Indigenous filmmakers at TIFF Bell Lightbox for audiences. 

“Bold and unapologetic, this year’s Canada’s Top Ten reflects one of the most diverse editions to date and heralds an exciting new wave of Canadian storytelling,” stated Anita Lee, TIFF, Chief Programming Officer. “I am so thrilled to present this stellar selection of films in my first year as TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer.”

Canada’s Top Ten Official Selections of 2022
Features
Black Ice | dir. Hubert Davis 
Brother | dir. Clement Virgo
Cette Maison | dir. Miryam Charles
Crimes of the Future | dir. David Cronenberg
I Like Movies | dir. Chandler Levack
Something You Said Last Night | dir. Luis De Filippis
To Kill a Tiger | dir. Nisha Pahuja
Riceboy Sleeps | dir. Anthony Shim
ROSIE | dir. Gail Maurice
Viking | dir. Stéphane Lafleur

Shorts 
Belle River | dir. Guillaume Fournier, Samuel Matteau, Yannick Nolin
Bill Reid Remembers | dir. Alanis Obomsawin
The Flying Sailor | dir. Wendy Tilby, Amanda Forbis
Lay Me by the Shore | dir. David Findlay
Municipal Relaxation Module | dir. Matthew Rankin
Nanitic | dir. Carol Nguyen
No Ghost in the Morgue | dir. Marilyn Cooke
Same Old | dir. Lloyd Lee Choi
Simo | dir. Aziz Zoromba
Violet Gave Willingly | dir. Claire Sanford

Canada’s Top Ten selections will screen January 26–29 at TIFF Bell Lightbox. More details to come in 2023. 

On January 26, the Canada’s Top Ten programme will feature a multi-session Industry Conversations featuring special guests and TIFF Talent alumni, as well as an opening reception to celebrate this year’s selections. 

Canada’s Top Ten Industry Forum – January 26, 2023

Addressing Systemic Racism in Canada’s Media Sector Part 2: Where Are We Now?
Time: 12pm–1:30pm
Guests confirmed to date: 
Chanda Chevannes, Executive Producer, National Film Board of Canada
Marcia Douglas, Director, English Content, International and Export, Canada Media Fund
Joan Jenkinson, Executive Director, Black Screen Office
Gosia Kamela, Head of CBC Films
Mehernaz Lentin, National Director of Feature Film, Telefilm Canada
Kerry Swanson, Executive Director, Indigenous Screen Office
Moderator: Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF

SPOTLIGHT: New Canadian Talent
Time: 2:30pm–3:30pm
Guest details to come
Moderator: Jason Anderson, Programmer, Short Cuts, TIFF

PERSPECTIVES: The Future of Canadian Content
Time: 4:30pm–5:30pm
Guests confirmed to date: 
Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund
Noah Segal, Co-President, Elevation Pictures
Moderator: Barry Hertz, Deputy Arts Editor and Film Editor, The Globe and Mail 

Ticket holders for the Canada’s Top Ten Industry Forum receive access to all three sessions in addition to a catered lunch and an invitation to the Canada’s Top Ten Opening Cocktail Reception on the evening of January 26. Tickets on sale December 14. For more information, and additional guest details to come, visit tiff.net/ctt.

A special selection of titles will be available on digital TIFF Bell Lightbox, celebrating previous Canada’s Top Ten breakouts. More information coming soon to http://digital.tiff.net/. 

(Photo credit: Elevation Pictures)