By Mr. Will Wong

This one hurts just a little. We love DEAD TO ME so much and in its too short a run, we are saying goodbye. The four-time Primetime Emmy-nominated Black Comedy series concludes after its upcoming third season which tugs on our heartstrings more than ever before.

We reunite with Jen (Christina Applegate) and Judy (Linda Cardellini), two women whose lives become intertwined and changed forever by the death of their partners and they are forced to conceal the self-incriminating facts. We begin the third season picking-up from the aftermath of Jen and Judy being involved with a collision at the hands of Ben (James Marsden) who had struck them while driving impaired. Fortunately, they survive, but life and this new season don’t get any less worrisome. Detective Perez (Diana-Maria Riva) and Nick (Brandon Scott) are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Ted, Jen‘s husband. Incriminating pieces of evidence keep surfacing, but this is only one part of it. Medical scares and “surprises” also surface and we learn that atonement just might be unavoidable.

Of all three seasons, this one upcoming is definitely our favourite and that’s saying a lot since we love this Series so much. All the suspense and belly laughs are there still, and we really hope this isn’t the last time we see Applegate and Cardellini team-up. That perfect tonal balance of Applegate‘s toughness and Cardellini‘s lightness is something we will miss and this final season strengthens that bond even further.

This is one of the few Series that cause us equally to feel stressed-out and yet also still fills our heart, all at once. We were left a teary mess by the end of it all and so will you. Everything’s tied together perfectly at the end that this might’ve all been meant to be and it makes sense. Despite all the death and darkness, we’re left with a feeling of hope. DEAD TO ME remains very much alive to us in our hearts. Season Three arrives November 17, 2022.

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER bows with a whopping $180 million in its opening from 4,396 theatres for Disney. It gets a stellar 96% on the Tomatometer, and though it doesn’t quite best the $202 million its predecessor made in 2018 in its debut, this still places it in in the Top Ten for MCU openings, the record still held by 2019’s Avengers: Endgame with $357 million. This also sets a record for highest November opening in North America, held previously by THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE with $158 million.

In second is BLACK ADAM, which is dethroned after a three-week reign with $10 million from 3,603 theatres for Warner Bros. Its domestic run now is brought to $152 million.

Third is TICKET TO PARADISE with $6.9 million from 3,633 theatres for Universal Pictures, and a total $56.7 million in its fourth weekend.

LYLE, LYLE CROCODILE lands in fourth with $3.3 million, its tally now at $40.9 million for Sony Pictures.

In fifth is the resilient SMILE with $1.9 million for Paramount Pictures, a total $102.7 million to date here in North America.

Mumford & Sons Frontman Marcus Mumford graced Toronto with his presence playing Massey Hall last night in support of his first ever Solo Disc, SELF-TITLED. The Disc, which confronts some traumas and pains Mumford has experienced, took him on the road in the U.S. in September, just wrapping in our City before he heads next to Europe for the next leg of his tour. The emotional performance brought his audience to tears as he gave fans his most raw, vulnerable self.

So thrilled to get to meet him quickly and he was gracious. I only wish my camera was a little more co-operative, not getting a chance to do a re-take as he rushed-off! Grateful nonetheless.

Check-out some material from Mumford’s SELF-TITLED Disc:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music/Mr. Will Wong)

Rihanna is back with another new Track from the BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER OST. “Born Again” is a dark, cinematic, sweeping beautiful Ballad. Love this!

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER is now in theatres.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL is here to get us into that Holiday spirit and here’s a first look at the Trailer!

Synopsis:

Produced by Timeless Films in association with Axis Studios and directed by Stephen Donnelly, Charles Dickens’ ageless legend is reborn in this supernatural, time-travelling, musical adaptation of the definitive Christmas story. With his very soul on the line, Scrooge has but one Christmas Eve left to face his past and build a better future. Featuring re-imagined songs from the legendary and two-time Academy Award® winner Leslie Bricusse OBE, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is one for a new generation to sing.

SCROOGE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL arrives on Netflix December 2, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

After resounding praise at Venice and TIFF, THE WHALE surfaces with a new Canadian Trailer. The latest masterpiece from Darren Aronofsky arrives in theatres this December via Elevation Pictures. Definitely one of our favourites of ’22. Cannot wait to see this again!

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures/A24)

The black carpet was rolled-out at Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto at the Canadian Premiere of BLACK PANTHER, WAKANDA FOREVER. Several local stars came out to celebrate the release of this eagerly-awaited Blockbuster, the evening hosted by Actor brothers Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, Founders of The Black Academy.

This follow-up to 2018’s BLACK PANTHER, sees Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.

Some Snaps from the festivities:

A Reel of Highlights:

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER arrives in theatres November 11, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The 2022 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival kicked-off tonight with Opening Night Gala RICEBOY SLEEPS starting things on a high note. The acclaimed Feature from Vancouver’s Anthony Shim recently won the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, and also nabbed the Audience Award at the Busan International Film Festival shortly after. The Film was followed by a Q&A with Shim and its stars Choi Seung-yoon and Ethan Hwang, and it centers on a mother and son who immigrate from South Korea to Canada, facing hardships here as a rift grows between them.

A Reception was held at the Annex Hotel prior to the Premiere, with notable guests in attendance including Shim, Choi and Hwang. The Festival, now in its 26th edition, is comprised of Symposiums, Features, Shorts and the opportunity for Filmmakers to pitch.

Others in attendance were:

A Reel of highlights:

The 2022 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival goes through November 20, 2022 in-person and online. More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

A first look at the official Trailer for Guillermo del Toro‘s PINOCCHIO, has arrived. Opening in select theatres this Friday, this fantastical re-imagining of this beloved tale arrives on Netflix in time for the Holidays!

Synopsis: 
Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro reinvents Carlo Collodi’s classic tale of the wooden marionette who is magically brought to life in order to mend the heart of a grieving woodcarver named Geppetto. This whimsical, stop-motion film directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson follows the mischievous and disobedient adventures of Pinocchio in his pursuit of a place in the world.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson, the film features an all-star voice cast with Ewan McGregor as Cricket, David Bradley as Geppetto, and introducing Gregory Mann as Pinocchio. Other cast includes Finn Wolfhard, Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Tim Blake Nelson, Burn Gorman, with Academy Award® winner Christoph Waltz and Academy Award® winner Tilda Swinton.

Cast: Gregory Mann, Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Tilda Swinton, Christoph Waltz, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Tim Blake Nelson, Burn Gorman

Guillermo del Toro‘s PINOCCHIO arrives December 9, 2022 on Netflix. It plays at TIFF Bell Lightbox Friday, November 11, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

We have a new Trailer for “Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?”, which was just announced recently to come to Disney+!

Synopsis:

From Disney Branded Television, the intimate and inspirational film follows Tony Award®-winning icon Idina Menzel on her path to realize a lifelong dream: headlining a concert at Madison Square Garden in her hometown of New York City. Featuring never-before-seen performance footage alongside raw and vulnerable interviews, the documentary follows Idina on an intimate journey as she juggles the challenges of being a working mom and wife on a grueling travel schedule while preparing to take the stage at the legendary arena.

Directed by filmmaker Anne McCabe and produced in partnership with Ideal Partners, “Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?” makes its world premiere on December 9, exclusively on Disney+.

Through unprecedented interviews and footage, the beloved actress and singer, whose triumphant roles include Broadway productions of “Rent” and “Wicked” as well as the celebrated voice of Elsa in Disney’s “Frozen,” pulls back the curtain on her remarkable career, the incredible — and oftentimes laborious — moments that prepared her for her big breaks and the people who have supported her since the beginning. Additionally, Menzel reflects on motherhood, marriage and the realities of juggling work and family. Throughout the film, she shares her personal experience with in vitro fertilization, an emotional process that runs parallel to her runway toward Madison Square Garden.

“We made this documentary to show firsthand how important it is to pursue your passions and lean on those around you in times of hardship,” said Menzel. “This documentary was a joy to make, and I hope it resonates with my fans and new audiences alike who find themselves balancing motherhood, work and marriage while chasing their own dreams and inspires others to keep pushing forward.”

Captured in striking intimacy and detail, “Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?” follows Menzel on a national tour over the course of 16 shows on the road. The film showcases never-before-seen footage of Menzel throughout her life, from home videos of her early days as a singer at just 7 years old to her beginnings at the premiere of “Rent” the musical in 1996 to preparing for the original role of Elphaba in “Wicked” and the creation and subsequent phenomenon that was “Frozen.” Featuring interviews with Menzel herself, her parents, family, friends and co-creatives, the documentary weaves in Menzel’s show-stopping performance as she conquers the stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?” is produced by Disney Branded Television and Ideal Partners for Disney+. For Ideal Partners, Rachel Cohen and Jana Edelbaum are producers. The documentary film is directed by Anne McCabe.

Menzel was recently honored at this year’s 35th annual Disney Legends Award ceremony, where she was inducted for her roles as Elsa in “Frozen” and Nancy Tremaine in “Enchanted.” Menzel also recently released an inspiring children’s book with her sister, writer and teacher Cara Mentzel, titled “Loud Mouse.” From Disney-Hyperion, “Loud Mouse” is a picture book about a little mouse finding her big voice and is all about self-acceptance and being true to yourself. She also released a companion song for the book.

(Photo credit: Disney)