#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “SUGAR”

Prime Video announced the premiere date for the crime thriller feature Sugar. Set to debut on November 18 in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand exclusively on Prime Video, the fictional drama navigates events inspired by the dramatic real-life story of two Quebec influencers, known as the Cocaine Cowgirls. The two influencers are seduced into joining a luxury vacation aboard a cruise ship bound for Australia. The dream trip quickly becomes a nightmare when the women find themselves ensnared in a deadly drug-smuggling operation and only have each other to trust as they try to plot a way out.

Filmed in Montreal and Mexico, the film stars Katherine McNamara (Walker: Independence, Maze Runner, Shadowhunters ), Vancouver-born Jasmine Sky Sarin (Drink Slay Love, Perfect High), Montreal’s Éric Bruneau (Coroner, Laurence Anyways), and Anthony Timpano (Imperfect High, Riverdale).

“Sugar demonstrates our commitment to working with Canadian producers and bringing compelling stories to our customers,” said Nav Saini, head of content, Prime Video Canada. “This fascinating story shows the dark side of social media, giving young-adult audiences a look at influencer culture in a whole new way.”

“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Prime Video for the first time on a scripted version of a story inspired by headlines here in Canada and around the world,” said Tina Pehme, co-CEO, Sepia Films and Pablo Salzman, president, Connect3 Media. “We were immediately drawn to this fascinating tale about the allure of social media and the lengths people will go to be liked.” 

A Canadian-Mexican co-production from Sepia Films, Kanan Films, and Connect3 Media, the film is directed by Vic Sarin (Partition). Sugar is executive produced by André Barro, Christelle Conan, Petra Wersch, and Peter Nadermann. The producers are Tina Pehme, Kim C. Roberts, Israel Gonzalez, and Pablo Salzman. Cineflix Rights distributes the film internationally.

The film adds to the slate of Canadian Amazon Originals, including The Kids in the Hall, The Lake, LOL: Last One Laughing Canada, All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs, LOL: Qui rira le dernier?, and The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith. Since 2015, Amazon Studios has filmed over 25 Amazon Original series and films in Canada, including The Man in the High Castle and Upload in British Columbia; The Boys, Reacher, and The Expanse in Ontario; Tales from the Loop in Manitoba; as well as parts of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and The Voyeurs in Quebec.  

Sugar joins thousands of TV shows and movies from Hollywood and around the world in the Prime Video catalog, including award-winning and critically acclaimed Amazon Originals like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Boys, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Paper Girls, and more. 

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: “SAUSAGE PARTY: FOODTOPIA” COMING TO PRIME VIDEO

Prime Video today announced it has ordered the animated series Sausage Party: Foodtopia, based on the 2016 animated feature film, from Annapurna Television, Sony Pictures Television, Amazon Studios, and Point Grey Pictures. Sausage Party: Foodtopia will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide in 2024.

Original feature film cast members Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Michael Cera, David Krumholtz, and Edward Norton will return. Will Forte, Sam Richardson, Natasha Rothwell, and Yassir Lester are also set to lend their voices to the animated series, which is currently in production.

“Film used to be the superior art form to television, and we humbly reached the pinnacle of what can be achieved with film in our remarkable opus, Sausage Party. But now that film is completely dead and TV is the forever-king of entertainment, we’ve decided to continue the epic adventures of our culinary crew in the soon-to-be-legendary televised masterpiece Sausage Party: Foodtopia. It’s got all the heart, double the puns, and triple the food-on-food sex. In other words, it’s exactly what the world needs right now,” said Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

“The original Sausage Party was an incredibly hilarious, outrageous, one-of-a-kind entry into the world of animation,” said Vernon Sanders, head of global television, Amazon Studios. “We are thrilled to collaborate again with Seth, Evan and their team at Point Grey, as well as our partners at Annapurna Television and Sony Pictures Television, to offer a new look into this world that will be brought to life so vividly for our global Prime Video customers.”

“The original film was another irreverent comedy from the brilliant comedic minds of Seth and Evan. When Annapurna, Seth and Evan approached us to wholly reboot the project as a TV series we were thrilled to be a part of the collaboration and equally excited to have Prime Video as our partner,” said Sony Co-President Jason Clodfelter. “We look forward to the fanfare around Sausage Party: Foodtopia which promises to be a hit.”

Plot details are being kept firmly under wrappers.

Sausage Party: Foodtopia is executive produced by Ariel Shaffir and Kyle Hunter, who also serve as showrunners. Shaffir and Hunter co-wrote the 2016 animated feature film with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Rogen, Goldberg, James Weaver, and Alex McAtee will executive produce via Point Grey Pictures. Conrad Vernon, who co-directed the feature film, returns as supervising director for the series and will also executive produce alongside Annapurna Television’s Megan Ellison and Patrick Chu, and Andrew Millstein. Sausage Party: Foodtopia is a co-production of Annapurna Television, Sony Pictures Television, and Amazon Studios. The original film was a co-production between Columbia Pictures and Great Beyond.

(Photo credit: Prime Video Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “IN HER HANDS”

TIFF ’22 selection IN HER HANDS is arriving soon on Netflix and it couldn’t come in a more timely manner.

Synopsis:  Filmed across two turbulent years, In Her Hands tells the story of Zarifa Ghafari, who at 26 became one of Afghanistan’s first female mayors and the youngest to ever hold the position. The film documents her fight for survival against the backdrop of her country’s accelerated unraveling. As Western forces announce their retreat and the Taliban start their sweep back to power, Zarifa and women across the country face a new reality. Amid these tectonic changes, Zarifa must make the most difficult decision of her life.

IN HER HANDS arrives November 16, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#NEWMUSIC: MICHELLE TREACY – “HUSTLER BABY”

Our girl Michelle Treacy is back with a new Video from her EP High Heels In The MoshPit. Check-out “Hustler Baby” below, an homage to Austin Powers! Psychadelic!

(Photo/video credit: Michelle Treacy)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY HOLIDAY SPECIAL”

For those of you who love you some Star Lord, you’ll be happy to know that a Holiday Special is coming soon for THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY!

Synopsis:

In the “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,” the Guardians, who are on a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Quill, head to Earth in search of the perfect present.

The Marvel Studios’ Special Presentation stars Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot and Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Sean Gunn and The Old 97’s with Michael Rooker and Kevin Bacon.

James Gunn wrote and directed “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.” The executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Gunn, Sara Smith and Simon Hatt, with David J. Grant and Lars P. Winther serving as co-producers.

THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY HOLIDAY SPECIAL arrives November 25, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Disney+)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE”

Jesse Eisenberg and Claire Danes star in upcoming Disney+ series FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE.

Synopsis:

“Fleishman Is In Trouble” is the story of recently divorced 41-year-old ‘Toby Fleishman’ (Jesse Eisenberg), who dives into the brave new world of app-based dating with the kind of success he never had dating in his youth, before he got married at the tail end of medical school. But just at the start of his first summer of sexual freedom, his ex-wife, ‘Rachel’ (Claire Danes), disappears, leaving him with 11-year-old ‘Hannah’ (Meara Mahoney Gross) and 9-year-old ‘Solly’ (Maxim Swinton) and no hint of where she is or whether she plans to return. As he balances parenting, the return of old friends ‘Libby’ (Lizzy Caplan) and ‘Seth’ (Adam Brody), a potential promotion at the hospital that is a long time coming — and all the eligible women that Manhattan has to offer — he realizes that he’ll never be able to figure out what happened to ‘Rachel’ until he can finally face what happened to their marriage in the first place.

The series was created for television by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, who adapts from her acclaimed novel and executive produces alongside Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Susannah Grant of Sage Lane Productions. Valerie Faris & Jonathan Dayton (“Little Miss Sunshine,” “Battle of the Sexes”) also executive produce as well as direct multiple episodes across the series. “Fleishman Is In Trouble” is produced by ABC Signature.

FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE arrives Thursday, November 17, 2022 exclusively on Disney+ in Canada. The premiere will feature the first two episodes of the eight-episode series. A new episode will be available each subsequent Thursday. 

(Photo/video credit: Disney+)

#FIRSTLOOK: “NOPE” IS AVAILABLE ON ON DVD, BLU-RAY and 4k ULTRA HD

Jordan Peele‘s Box Office-topping NOPE is out now on DVD, Blu-ray and 4k Ultra HD via Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

The Film centers around OJ Haywood (Academy Award-winner Daniel Kaluuya) who is convinced that there is something unusual in the sky above his family’s ranch, but how does he proves this? He teams with his sister Emerald (Keke Palmer) to document this no matter what it takes. And from this we learn the price of fame.

In addition to gorgeous landscapes and being filmed with IMAX cameras, NOPE was meant to be seen on a big screen, but it is so complex in its layeredness that an additional watch at home is necessary. In addition to looking spectacular, this game-changing Blockbuster is carried by the chemistry created by a magical storm of Palmer’s great presence and Kaluuya‘s nuanced delivery. And we’re just warning you now – that shower scene.

NOPE is unlike anything we’ve ever seen, a Sci-Fi Horror that is a Western and proof that Peele has our full attention.

EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES ON 4K UHD, BLU-RAY™, DVD & DIGITAL:

• SHADOWS: THE MAKING OF NOPE* – Unpack the meaning of NOPE with Jordan Peele. Secrets are revealed with this 56-minute immersion exploring the film’s unanswered questions, taking you on an intimate journey inside every aspect of production and offering a detailed look at Peele’s revolutionary filmmaking process.
• DELETED SCENES – Watch five unreleased scenes from NOPE
• GAG REEL – A highlight reel of bloopers and outtakes featuring main cast 
• CALL HIM JEAN JACKET – The object of the Haywood siblings’ fascination is an entity known only as “Jean Jacket.” Filmmakers provide insights into the conception, design, and execution of this mysterious organism.
• MYSTERY MAN OF MUYBRIDGE – A deep dive into THE HORSE IN MOTION by Eadweard Muybridge, its relationship to the Haywoods, and how it relates to the larger themes in NOPE.
  *Not on DVD
   

#PRODUCTWATCH: 2022 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID TOURING

The Honda Accord remains a personal favourite so for our Birthday Celebrations this year, we could think of no better companion in our travels and adventures! The 2022 Accord Hybrid Touring is near-perfection.

Powered by its 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Atkinson cycle DOHC, i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine and a combined total horse power of 212 @ 6200 rpm. We never cease to be amazed how silent the engine is upon its push-button start and that beautiful hum is nothing short of hypnotic!

We’re all about Fuel Economy always, and the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring tallies-in at 5.0/5.0/5.0 L/100 km (City/Hwy/Combined), continuing to place Honda heads and shoulders above the competition for value. I drove it, I saw it for myself. Three days of driving around and we barely saw the fuel meter drop.

Many of the amazing driver-conscious sensibilities continue in this latest rendition of our favourite. Proximity Entry for one is something we can’t live without and it continues to be a stress reliever. Intuition and detail are also given to the Passenger and we can’t say how much the Accord Hybrid Touring‘s Dual-zone automatic climate control with air-filtration system means to our guests. We all have different levels of comfort. I for one on these chilly autumn days will be using that seat warmer but know for a fact I live for that seat cooler in the Summer. The Accord Hybrid Touring has both!

It also comes with 19″ aluminum-alloy wheels and a tire repair kit! The Adaptive Damper System is something of a newer feature and for those who aren’t familiar, it can adjust suspension stiffness changes in a split second, to both smooth the ride and sharpen handling according to driving conditions. Exterior details are subtle and sophisticated, like a chrome grille, upper shutter grille, rain-sensing wipers, folding door mirrors (for those tight parking spots downtown especially), LED headlights, foglights, brake lights and tail lights.

And we love ourselves a gorgeous one-touch moonroof. Another bonus point for the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring!

A huge part of our driving experience is the audio component. Our entertainment on those drives is such an integral part of our daily drives. The car comes with a 452-watt AM/FM Premium audio system with MP3/Windows Media® Audio playback capability, plus 10 speakers including subwoofer. It’s got all the options: SiriusXM™, Wireless Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and Bluetooth Streaming Audio for all our playlists and podcasts. And it’s so easy to stay charged and connected with a wireless charging plate near the Driver’s seat, plus many outlets for our guests.

The Honda Accord Hybrid Touring does sit a little low, which is where its Driver’s seat with 12-way power adjustment including 4-way power lumbar support and position memory help give us not only a comfortable drive, but also that perfect vantage point when driving.

Safety will always be a deal-breaker for us. Once again, Honda is giving us their i-SRS airbag system (front), side curtain airbags, front knee airbags and SmartVent™ side airbags. The vehicle also boasts Honda‘s exclusive Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. This body design uses a network of front frame structures to absorb and deflect the energy from a frontal collision. 

Don’t forget its Lane Keeping Assist System, Blind Spot Information (BSI) system and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system too! Its Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines ensures we park well and reverse safely. And we can’t stress how reassuring it is that the Honda Accord Hybrid Touring is guarded with a Walk-away door lock to eliminate those doubts. Theft is very much on our minds of late and this gets rid of one more worry. The childproof locks when you dont have a kid, however can be a bit much when you just want proximity entry when you left something in the back seat.

The 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring starts at $44,090 CAN. More here.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane. So appreciate the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring being there to celebrate with us!

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(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: 16 FILMMAKING TEAMS SELECTED UNDER “TALENT TO WATCH” PROGRAM

Telefilm Canada and the Talent Fund are pleased to announce the selection of 16 first feature-length film projects from emerging independent filmmakers, under the Talent to Watch Program for fiscal year 2022-2023. A commitment of $3.5 million will be invested into these projects by Telefilm and the Talent Fund.

As part of Telefilm’s modernization efforts, the Talent to Watch Program was relaunched earlier this spring with important changes, including an increase funding of $250,000 (up from $150,000) per film project and up to $150,000 for documentary projects. In addition, this year’s Talent to Watch recipients will have access to a new mentorship program administered by the National Screen Institute (NSI) and the Institut national de l’image et du son (INIS). More significant changes made to the program can be found here.

“Class of 2022 features an array of storytellers from across the country, illustrating that Canada is indeed full of incredible talent ready to share their stories through the art of cinematography,” said Francesca Accinelli, Interim Executive Director and CEO, Telefilm Canada. “Talent to Watch alumni like Daiva Žalnieriunas and Josiane Blanc are paying it forward playing the roles of producers in support of new emerging teams. For the first time ever, the Talent to Watch program is supporting a Tibetan- and English- language film project, 100 Sunset, and an Arabic film project set in the Sinaï region of Egypt, The Firehouse. With significant changes made to our program, we can expect more diverse voices coming in our pipeline and making their mark in the Canadian audiovisual landscape.”

“For the past decade, Talent Fund has played a pivotal role in giving emerging filmmakers a career launchpad to showcase their stories to the world,” said Sandi Treliving, Chair of the Talent Fund. “Thanks to the support of our generous donors, this year’s cohort will be able to bring their unique visions to life. We look forward to seeing the results of this year’s recipients and can’t wait for audiences to discover these talented filmmakers.”

Projects selected for 2022-2023:

100 Sunset (mystery)

Director and screenwriter: Kunsang Kyirong

Producer: Joaquin Cardoner

Province: British Columbia

Language: Tibetan/English

Stream: Industry Partner

Partner organization: Vancouver International Film Festival

1001 couronnes pour ma tête (documentary)

Director, screenwriter and producer: Habibata Ouarme

Province: Ontario

Language: French/English

Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct

Agent Dynamo (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: Lea Marinova

Producer: Svetla Turnin

Province: Quebec

Language: English/Bulgarian

Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct

L’asile (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: David Sanchez

Producer: François Dubé

Province: Quebec

Language: French

Stream: Industry Partner

Partner organization: SPIRA

Boxcutter (drama)

Director: Reza Dahya

Screenwriter: Chris Cromie

Producers: Reza Dahya and Soko Negash

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Stream: Industry Partner

Partner organization: Prism Prize

Chemins de terre (horror)

Director and screenwriter: Laetitia Demessence

Producer: Yann-Manuel Hernandez

Province: Quebec

Language: French

Stream: Industry Partner

Partner organization: Université de Montréal

Do I Know You From Somewhere? (drama)

Director: Arianna Martinez

Screenwriters: Gordon Mihan and Arianna Martinez

Producers: Gordon Mihan and Lance Blakney

Province: New Brunswick

Language: English

Stream: Industry Partner

Partner organization: New Brunswick Film Co-Operative

The Firehouse (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Omar Elhamy

Producer: Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr

Province: Quebec

Language: Arabic

Stream: Festival Selection

His Father’s Son (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Meelad Moaphi

Producers: Stephen Raglow and Spencer Hahn

Province: Ontario

Language: English/Farsi

Stream: Industry Partner

Partner organization: York University

Johanne (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: Nadine Valcin

Producers: Josiane Blanc, Ania Jamila

Province: Ontario

Language: French

Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct

Jude and the Jinn (magic realism)

Director and screenwriter: Rolla Tahir

Producers: Mercedes Cardella and Ladan Siad

Province: Ontario

Language: English/Arabic

Stream: Industry Partner

Partner organization: ReelWorld Film Festival Inc.

Lucky Strikes (comedy)

Director and screenwriter: Darcy Waite

Producer: Madison Thomas

Province: Manitoba

Language: English

Stream: Industry Partner – Indigenous Component

Partner organization: On Screen Manitoba Inc.

The River Will Carry Us (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Mahsa Razavi

Producers: Priscilla Galvez and Tanya Hoshi

Province: Ontario

Language: English/Persian

Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct

Seahorse (drama)

Directors: Natalie Remplakowski and Aisha Evelyna

Screenwriter: Aisha Evelyna

Producers: Natalie RemplakowskI and Aisha Evelyna

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct

The Track (documentary)

Director, screenwriter and producer: Ryan Sidhoo

Province: British Columbia

Language: English/Bosnian

Stream:Filmmaker Apply-Direct

Tandis que lui (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Elisa Gilmour

Producer: Daiva Žalnieriunas

Province: Ontario

Language: French

Stream: Filmmaker Apply-Direct

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA”

A new Trailer has arrived for ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA. This installment arriving early 2023 sees Jonathan Majors join the Cast.

Synopsis:

In the film, which officially kicks off phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. Jonathan Majors joins the adventure as Kang. Director Peyton Reed returns to direct the film; Kevin Feige and Stephen Broussard produce. 

Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania” hits the big screen on February 17, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)