#FIRSTLOOK: CONTESTANTS UNVEILED FOR “CANADA’S DRAG RACE” SEASON 3

Canada’s Drag Race S3 is soon before us! The new Season premieres Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 9 p.m. ET, and is available to Canadian audiences in English and French. Subsequent new episodes drop Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET. Season 3 is also set to launch on Thursday, July 14, 2022 on World of Wonder’s SVOD platform WOW Presents Plus, in the U.S. and in more than 160 countries around the world.

Returning are Judges Traci Melchor, Brooke Lynn Hytes and Brad Goreski, plus several new Special Guests.

See a Preview here.

Meet this upcoming season’s Queens!

Bombae Age: 29 (Toronto, Ont.)

Pronouns: she/her in drag; no preference out of drag

Twitter: @ItsBomBae

Instagram: @bom.bae

TikTok: @bom.bae

Things to know about Bombae:

• Bombae moved to Toronto from Mumbai in 2016 and describes herself as Toronto’s reigning “Satanic Supreme”
• She’s a fashion club kid who’s got legs for days, and fans can find her on runways, in photoshoots, or in an art gallery
• She’s a digital drag superstar who produces live shows on Twitch every week

“Drag is SO MUCH FUN. Just look at me! If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing drag!”

Chelazon Leroux Age: 22 (Saskatoon, Sask.)

Pronouns: they/he/she in and out of drag

Twitter: @chelazonleroux 

Instagram: @chelazonleroux

TikTok: @chelazonleroux

Things to know about Chelazon Leroux:

• Chelazon grew up in Saskatchewan Dene First Nations and is very connected to their Indigenous identity; in 2021, they walked in London Fashion Week for Indigenous designer Jill Setah, highlighting the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
• They have nearly half a million followers on TikTok where they educate and entertain using comedy, history, beauty, and storytelling
• Chelazon is an active public speaker who often works on mental health campaigns, partnering with Health Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, and others

“I’m the auntie here to snag your uncles.”

Gisèle Lullaby Age: 33 (Montréal, Que.)

Pronouns: she/her in drag; he/him out of drag

Instagram: @gisele_lullaby

Tik Tok: @giselelullaby

Facebook: GiseleLullaby01

Things to know about Gisèle Lullaby  

• Gisèle is one of the leading resident queens at the famous Cabaret Mado in Montréal
• She designs, sews and styles most of her own wigs
• With a bold personality, Gisèle is funny, loud, talkative, and has shared the stage with Quebéc superstar Marie-Mai

“I was born to be a drag queen.”

Halal Bae Age: 33 (Toronto, Ont.)

Pronouns: she/her in drag; he/him/they out of drag

Twitter: @thehalalqueen

Instagram: @halal.bae

 Things to know about Halal Bae

• Halal Bae is of Egyptian/Palestinian descent and moved to Toronto at 18 to pursue an openly queer life
• Halal’s connection to her North African/ Middle Eastern Muslim background is heavily infused into her drag, and she’s proud of how she uses her roots to represent a side of queer identity that is often overlooked and oppressed
• She has been involved in a number of events including fundraisers for HIV awareness and queer immigrant initiatives

“Halal represents the intersectionality that shapes great cities across this country, that is often overlooked and marginalized, creating a space for and adding to a larger conversation about who can do drag and hopefully changing some minds along the way.”

Irma Gerd Age: 32 (St. John’s, N.L.)

Pronouns: she/her in drag; they/them out of drag

Twitter: @queenirmagerd

Instagram: @queen.irmagerd

TikTok: @queen.irmagerd

Things to know about Irma Gerd

• Irma is currently the reigning Atlantic Drag Star, a competition that brings together drag artists in Eastern Canada
• She has produced and hosted many shows with her house of six drag children
• Irma is a trained artist and won the BMO 1^st Art Award, representing Newfoundland and Labrador at their national exhibition

“Drag is a way for me to connect with people through humour. I can’t wait to tickle everybody’s funny bone…and not just on Grindr!”

Jada Shada Hudson Age: 37 (Toronto, Ont.)

Pronouns: she/her in drag; he/him out of drag

Twitter: @jadashada

Instagram: @jadashadahudson

TikTok: @jadashadahudson

Things to know about Jada Shada Hudson

• Jada came to Canada from Barbados in 2009, and has been performing drag for 13 years
• In 2019, Jada was a performer for music superstar Lizzo’s pre-show
• Jada’s previous TV credits include the Crave Original series 1 QUEEN 5 QUEERS and QUEENS

“I didn’t choose drag, drag chose me, and I am so happy it did…Jada Shada Hudson is that strength and confidence I don’t have when I am my regular self and baby is she POWERFUL. The power to make any audience, any ages fall in love with not only her performances but that loving bubbly personality as well. Watch out world, the turnup queen is taking over the scene. And that’s on what? PERIODT.”

Kaos Age: 27 (Calgary, Alta.)

Pronouns: she/her/they/them in drag; he/him/they out of drag

Twitter: @thekaosofjesilo

Instagram: @thekaosofjesilo

TikTok: @thekaosofjesilo

Things to know about Kaos

• Kaos likes to mess with gender, and mess with people’s heads, using the art of drag
• Her art includes dancing, gymnastics, singing, circus performance, and whatever weird things comes to her mind
• Kaos’ badass energy and dedication to her art is an inspiration for many up-and-coming performers

“My drag is chaotic and I’m the beautiful disaster.”

Kimmy Couture Age: 25 (Ottawa, Ont.)

Pronouns: she/her/they/them in and out of drag

Twitter: @itskimmy_1

Instagram: @itskimmy_1

TikTok: @itskimmycouture

Things to know about Kimmy Couture

• Kimmy immigrated to Canada in 2012 from the Philippines and won her first drag pageant at the age of 13
• Kimmy is a trans woman and is a lip sync assassin with deadly dance moves, she is a strong advocate for the transgender and Asian communities
• She has become one of the top drag artists in Ottawa, having been mentored by CANADA’S DRAG RACE Season 2 winner Icesis Couture

“She is a Queen, her soul is Royalty.”

Lady Boom Boom Age: 25 (Montréal, Que.)

Pronouns: she/her in drag; no preference out of drag

Twitter: @ladyboomboom8

Instagram: @itsladyboomboom

TikTok: @ladyboomboom

Things to know about Lady Boom

• Lady Boom Boom has a degree in Clothing Conception and Production
• She got a tattoo on stage to honour her grandmother
• She is a regular at Le Drague in Québec City where she has hosted and performed since she was 18

“I didn’t choose to do drag, drag chose me.”

Miss Fiercalicious Age: 25 (Toronto, Ont.)

Pronouns: she/her in drag; he/him/they out of drag

Twitter: @fiercalicious

Instagram: @missfiercalicious

TikTok: @missfiercalicious

Things to know about Miss Fiercalicious

• In University, Miss Fiercalicious studied biology with the aim of becoming a doctor, she ultimately left school when she found drag to focus solely on her new passion
• She was featured in Lights’ music video for the song Prodigal Daughter
• Miss Fiercalicious is one of the few Canadian drag artists to be featured in Cosmopolitan’s Cosmo Queen Series 

“There has never been a queen like me on CANADA’S DRAG RACE. I’m not like other girls. I’m worse.”

Miss Moço Age: 35 (Toronto, Ont.)

Pronouns: she/her in drag; he/him out of drag

Twitter: @heymissmoco

Instagram: @missmoco

TikTok: @heymissmoco

 Things to know about Miss Moço

• Miss Moço is Toronto’s Portuguese-Canadian international wig snatching diva, serving legs and face for days
• In 2017, she started her own drag pageant called Miss Drag Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal and flies back every year to produce and host the event
• She’s the self-appointed “drag brunch queen of Toronto” with her weekly Sunday drag brunch at the fabulous Gladstone House

“I’ve dreamed about being on CANADA’S DRAG RACE since Season 1 was announced and it feels incredible to be able to check this off as one of many amazing drag experiences I look forward to creating.”

Vivian Vanderpuss Age: 29 (Victoria, B.C.)

Pronouns: she/her in drag; he/him out of drag

Instagram: @vivianvanderpuss

TikTok: @vivianvanderpuss

 Things to know about Vivian Vanderpuss

• Vivian loves styling her own wigs into all sorts of fabulous vintage styles, and enjoys creating looks out of fabulous vintage finds
• Her self-described “glampy art and vivacious personality” combined with her genuine spirit always brings a smile to people’s faces
• In drag, Vivian doesn’t always present as female, she also plays with non-binary and hyper king characters

“To me, drag is about feeling the fantasy, whatever that fantasy is.”

(Photo/video credit: Crave)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU”

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU.

Advance screenings will be held Monday, June 27, 2022 in:

Toronto: Cineplex Queensway at 7 PM
Montreal: Scotiabank Theatre at 7 pm
Vancouver: Cineplex International Village at 7 pm

Synopsis:

In the heart of the 1970s, amid a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making backup from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons and pull off their first missions.

When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar® winner Alan Arkin), Gru interviews to become their newest member. It doesn’t go well (to say the least), and only gets worse after Gru outsmarts them and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. On the run, Gru will turn to an unlikely source for guidance, Wild Knuckles himself, and discover that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Teeming with Illumination’s signature subversive humor, pop-culture sophistication, full-hearted emotion, bold music sensibility, and over-the-top action, Minions: The Rise of Gru features a thrilling new cast of stars, including, as members of the Vicious 6, Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed, Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance and Danny Trejo as Stronghold. The film also features Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad Kung Fu skills, and Oscar® winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.

Steered by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ʼ70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City there. RT the below for an extra chance!

Enter for a chance to win Advance Passes to see MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

How: https://t.co/Q2vzsJ6oP8 pic.twitter.com/sBK45BrTaW

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) June 15, 2022

Rules and regulations here.

Universal Pictures Canada release Minions: The Rise of Gru in theaters July 1, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW STILLS FROM “STRANGER THINGS 4, VOLUME 2”

A super-sized conclusion to STRANGER THINGS 4, Volume 2 is coming our way, with Episodes 8 and 9 totaling a whopping four hours! Here’s your first look at some new Stills.

Synopsis:

It’s been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time – and navigating the complexities of high school hasn’t made things any easier. In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down.

Since its release in 2016, the global phenomenon Stranger Things has garnered over 65 award wins and 175 award nominations, including those from the Emmys, Golden Globes, Grammys, SAG, DGA, PGA, WGA, BAFTA, a Peabody Award, AFI Program of the Year, the People’s Choice Awards, MTV Movie & TV Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and many others. The three-time Emmy Award Nominee for Best Drama is one of Netflix’s most-watched titles.

Stranger Things was created by The Duffer Brothers and is produced by Monkey Massacre Productions & 21 Laps Entertainment. The Duffer Brothers serve as executive producers on the series, alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps Entertainment, Iain Paterson, and Curtis Gwinn.

Episodes 8 and 9 of STRANGER THINGS 4, Volume 2 arrive July 1, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “PERSUASION” STARRING DAKOTA JOHNSON

A new adaptation of Jane Austen‘s PERSUASION is on its way starring Dakota Johnson and Henry Golding. Need I say more? SOLD. See the new Trailer below.  Carrie Cracknell directs.

Synopsis:

Living with her snobby family on the brink of bankruptcy, Anne Elliot is an unconforming woman with modern sensibilities. When Frederick Wentworth—the dashing one she once sent away—crashes back into her life, Anne must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when it comes to second chances. Adapted from the Jane Austen novel.

CAST: Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Richard E. Grant, Henry Golding, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Ben Bailey-Smith, Yolanda Kettle, Nia Towle, Izuka Hoyle

Netflix release PERSUASION July 15, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO 2022 LINEUP ANNOUNCED

Mindblowing! The lineup for the 2022 Just for Laughs Toronto Festival have just been announced! The Festival brought to us by Beneva and SiriusXM, fully returns in-person after a brief hiatus and runs September 22 to October 1, 2022. You won’t believe the names this year! Headliners like Amy Schumer, Pete Davidson, John Mulaney, Trevor Noah, Issa Rae, Trixie & Katya, and several more! It isn’t just Comedy Shows though. There will be Panels, Podcasts, Autograph and Photo Sessions too! Toronto deserves this!

Headliners:

Trevor Noah: Back to Abnormal World Tour – Friday, September 30 & Saturday, October 1, 2022 | Scotiabank Arena | 8:00 PM & 7:30 PM

John Mulaney: From Scratch – Thursday, September, 22 2022 | Scotiabank Arena | 8:00 PM

Amy Schumer: Whore Tour – Friday, September, 23 2022 | Coca-Cola Coliseum| 7:00 PM

Trixie & Katya Live – Friday, September 23, 2022 | Meridian Hall I 7:00 PM

Iliza Shlesinger: Back in Action – Saturday, October 1, 2022 | Meridian Hall I 7:00 PM

Ben Schwartz & Friends – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | Meridian Hall I 7:00 PM

Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool – Thursday, September 29, 2022 – Saturday, October 1, 2022 I Meridian Hall I 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM

Tim Dillon – Friday, September 30, 2022 | Meridian Hall | 7:00 PM

Deon Cole – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Meridian Hall | 7:00 PM

ComedyCon Headliners:

In Conversation with Issa Rae – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Meridian Hall I 1:00 PM

In Conversation with Pete Davidson – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | Meridian Hall I 3:30 PM

Lineup:

*performance dates vary for Artists below

Vir Das

Marc Maron

Amanda Seales

Maria Bamford

Neal Brennan

Not Another D&D Podcast

ALOK

Catherine Cohen

Rhys Nicholson

Melissa Villaseñor

Joel Kim Booster

Beth Stelling

Atsuko Okatsuka

Kurt Braunohler

Ivan Decker

Got Land?

Sophie Buddle

Randy Feltface

Ali Hassan

Mark Little

Emmy Blotnick

Laurie Kilmartin

Matt Richards

Marito Lopez

Dino Archie

Dakota Ray Hebert

Mike Rita

Al Val & Allie Pearse

Courtney Gilmour & Hisham Kelati

Moe Ismail & Juliana Rodrigues

Ola Dada & Ben Sosa Wright

Absolute Comedy

Yuk Yuk’s

The Second City

Nothing Fancy

ComedyCON 2022 Lineup

With 50+ more acts to be announced in August!

For full show details, artist bios and photos, visit the official Just For Laughs TORONTO website here.

Additional programming for the upcoming Just For Laughs TORONTO Festival will be revealed in the coming weeks.

TICKET DETAILS:

Passes will be available starting Friday, June 10, 2022 as of 10:00 AM at www.toronto.hahaha.com

Tickets will be available to the public as of Friday, June 17, 2022 as of 10:00 AM at www.toronto.hahaha.com

Festival passes range from $69 to $209 CDN (excluding service charges). Single tickets range from $29.50 to $69.50 CDN (excluding service charges)

Lineup subject to change.

#FIRSTLOOK: 2022 TORONTO JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL IS BACK IN-PERSON

The Toronto Japanese Film Festival, sponsored by Shiseido Canada, is now in its 11th edition and is set to take place between June 16-30, 2022 at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (just off the Wynford DVP exit). The Festival returns to an in-person format this year with screenings slated at the venue’s Kobayashi Hall. Some of the Films to screen haven’t even premiered yet in Japan.

Opening Night film is the Canadian Premiere of THE PASS: LAST DAYS OF THE SAMURAI, directed by Takashi Koizumi, Akira Kurosawa’s Assistant Director on Ran and Kagemusha followed by an exclusive virtual Q&A with the director. Director Koizumi creates classic samurai cinema, replete with gorgeous period costumes, sets and epic battle scenes tell the story of historical figure Tsuginosuke Kawai and the demise of the samurai class. Starring Koji Yakusho, Tatako Matsu, Tatsuya Nakadai

The Closing Night film is the International premiere of Kenji Nakanishi’s DREAMING OF THE MERIDIAN ARC, a light-hearted look at the Edo-period creation of the first map of Japan.

The screening is preceded by a drum performance by the JCCC’s Kyowa Taiko Group.

TJFF is excited to host Director Tetsuo Shinohara who will visit Toronto to introduce the North American premiere of INUBU: THE DOG CLUB, a film combining serious themes of animal rights with an entertaining, sometimes humorous tale of friends in a university veterinary department saving animals from experimentation at a medical facility. Starring Kento Hayashi, Taishi Nakagawa, Sakurako Ohara, Kodai Asaka, Momoko Tanabe. 

Highlights of JFF ’22 lineup of 24 feature films include –

Masaharu Takizaka’s THE LAST GOZE tells the true story of Haru Kobayashi, one of the last “goze” artists. Becoming sightless as an infant at the dawn of the 20th century, Haru’s best option is to become a “goze” – a blind entertainer who travels the countryside singing stories while playing the shamisen. At the height of her career, Haru became one of the most famous performers of her generation, eventually named a Living National Treasures.

Preceded by a shamisen performance by Ten Ten’s Aki Takahashi.

MASQUERADE NIGHT

Takuya Kimura and Masami Nagasawa return in the hit follow-up to Masquerade Hotel. Police detective Nitta and hotel concierge Yamagishi are reunited at the elegant Cortesia Hotel to stop a murder at a New Year’s Eve countdown party with 500 invitees in costume. Can they unveil the truth hidden behind the murderer’s mask in time? A fast-paced, entertaining who-done-it featuring an all-star cast. 

THE LAST TEN YEARS

The North American premiere of Michihito Fuji’s tender, deeply moving story of the transcendent power of love. Matsuri learns she has an incurable disease and only 10 years left to live. She vows not dwell on her condition, to live her best life and, given her life expectancy, she swears not to fall in love. That is, until she goes to a school reunion and meets Kazuto… Starring Nana Komatsu, Kentaro Sakaguchi and Yuki Yamada. 

IT’S A FLICKERING LIFE

Master director Yoji Yamada’s love letter to the golden age of the Japanese film industry based on the novel by popular prize-winning novelist Maha Harada.   This heartwarming tale of love, family and friendship spanning a lifetime was nominated for multiple Japanese Academy Awards including Best Picture. Starring Kenji Sawada, Masaki Suda, Mei Nagano, Nobuko Miyamoto 

LAST OF THE WOLVES

Director Kazuya Shiraishi’s action-packed continuation of the masterful yakuza saga he launched with 2018’s The Blood of Wolves. Detective Hioka has the responsibility of keeping the yakuza gangs in check but bloody war is set to erupt when psychopathic gangster Uebayashi is released from prison vowing to avenge the death of his boss. Nominated for multiple Japanese Academy Awards including Best Film, Director, Actor and Supporting Actor, the film interweaves ferociously violent battles and complex interpersonal drama. Unmissable for fans of the great yakuza films. Starring Tōri Matsuzaka, Nijirō Murakami, Ryōhei Suzuki 

MIDNIGHT SWAN

Winner of the 2021 Japanese Academy Awards for Best Film, Best Lead Performance and Best Newcomer. Nagisa is a transgender woman who moves from Hiroshima to Tokyo to work as a dancer in a nightclub. Her distant niece, Ichika follows her to Tokyo and pursues ballet. Although initially reluctant, Nagisa takes care of Ichika and starts to develop maternal feelings for her for the first time. This powerful and heartrending film features shattering performances by its two leads and shines a light on the struggles faced by the LGBTQ community in Japan. Starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Misaki Hattori. 

RIBBON

The beguiling and imaginative directorial debut from actress Non. It is the winter of 2020, and art student Itsuka can no longer display her graduation project because of the recent outbreak of COVID-19.  Non also wrote this quirky and engaging coming-of-age story that captures that dream-like isolation of the early days of the pandemic while exploring the theme of how we find motivation and purpose when an unseen enemy is intent on robbing us of both. 

JUNK HEAD
Lauded by Guillermo del Toro for its monumental imagination, Junk Head is a visionary masterpiece combining dark themes, grotesque designs and even humour. Takahide Hori’s stop motion animation is the product of seven years of laborious work. Hori was entirely self-taught and essentially created the film himself as director, writer, sculptor, animator and composer.

AND SO THE BATON IS PASSED

The moving story of two young women and their single parents. Yuko and her step-father Morimiya have a warm, almost sibling-like relationship and he tries to make her happy, Mitan’s widowed father flies off to Brazil on a job leaving her in the care of his new bride, the flamboyant Rika. But things soon get complicated… A heartwarming drama full of tears, hope, and sympathy.  Starring Kei Tanaka, Mei Nagano, Satomi Ishihara, Kurumi Inagaki, Kenshi Okada, Nao Omori 

THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION 

Did you know Tokyo has the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world? Focusing on four of the leading chefs in Japan today, this documentary explores the truth behind Japan’s unique and sophisticated food culture. World-renowned food experts guide the audience through the stories behind the chefs’ endless pursuit of culinary perfection. A fascinating, mouth-watering feature doc fit for foodies and lovers of Japanese culinary culture. Starring Takemasa Shinohara, Natsuko Shoji, Yosuke Suga and Takaaki Sugita 

TJFF is programmed to reflect the rich diversity of the world 4^th largest film industry: premieres include:  Daihachi Yoshida’s KIBA: THE FANGS OF FICTION, fast-paced, exhilarating dissection of the Japanese publishing world; Takahiro Horie’s SENSEI, WOULD YOU SIT BESIDE ME?, the wry and perceptive look at relationships seamlessly blends the artfulness of manga with real, live-action emotions that imitates art that imitates life; Tetsu Maeda’s WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR NEST EGG!? stars two of the greats from Takarazuka theatre, Amami and Kusabue both nominated for Japanese Academy Awards; and Shuichi Okita’s ONE SUMMER STORY, a heartfelt and uplifting coming-of-age anime based on Tajima Rettou’s award winning manga.

Yukiko Sode’s ARISTOCRATS questions how boundaries of class and gender intertwine in a nuanced tale of female friendship; Hugo Sakamoto’s indie action-comedy BABY ASSASSINS;  Takahisa Zeze’s IN THE WAKE,  nominated for Best Film, Best Actor and Supporting Japanese Academy Awards is adapted from popular author Shichiri Nakayama’s best-seller is a taut, intense thriller touching on themes of collective responsibility, the limits of compassion and the stigma surrounding welfare in Japan. 

In Takayuki Hirao’s animated POMPO THE CINEPHILE a famous movie producer gives her young production assistant a chance to direct his first film. Based on the popular webcomic, Masaaki Taniguchi’s MUSICOPHILIA, tells the story of a young man with a special ability to hear sounds from the shapes and colors of objects; and the YA adventure film Takashi Miike’s THE GREAT YOKAI WAR – GUARDIANS, is a grand and hilarious adventure through the world of Japanese myth.

More on tickets here.

#FIRSTLOOK: “GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY” DETAILS ANNOUNCED

We LOVED KNIVES OUT and are so thrilled a follow-up will be out this Holiday Season! Details have been unpeeled about GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY. 🧅

Logline: 
In the follow up to Rian Johnson‘s KNIVES OUT, Detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery involving a new cast of colorful suspects.

Cast: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline with Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista

More to come.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “BOO, BITCH”

We’re actually super-excited to see this! Check-out the new Trailer for upcoming Series BOO, BITCH starring Lana Condor! The Limited Series will be eight episodes at 30 minutes each.

Synopsis:

Over the course of one night, a high school senior, who’s lived her life safely under the radar, seizes the opportunity to change her narrative and start living an epic life, only to find out the next morning… she’s a motherf*%king ghost. Cast: Lana Condor (Erika Vu), Zoe Colletti (Gia), Mason Versaw (Jake C.), Aparna Brielle (Riley), Tenzing Norgay Trainor (Gavin), Jason Genao (Devon)

Boo, Bitch premieres July 8, 2022 only on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: 35TH ANNUAL SPELLING BEE OF CANADA CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Spelling Bee of Canada has announced the three winners of the 35th National Championship, which took place Sunday, June 12, 2022 at Beeton Hall in the Toronto Reference Library. Following a series of virtual competitions which have taken place coast-to-coast across Canada, 42 Championship finalists from three age categories made it through to the in-person finals and competed rigorously to win the Championship in their respective categories. Markus Schwabe hosted the event.

Winners include:

Primary (ages 6 to 8)
Name: Anhad Singh
Age: 8
Region: Prairies #1
City: Edmonton, AB
Winning Word: PRELATE

Junior (ages 7 to 9)
Name: Kavya Senthil
Age: 10
Region: Central West Ontario #4,
Simcoe County &York Region
City: Markham, ON
Winning work: ECOSYSTEM

Intermediate (ages 12 to 14)
Name: Ryaan Khan
Age: 14
Region: Atlantic
City: Bedford, NS
Winning Word: PRELAPSARIAN

(Photo credit: Spelling Bee of Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: INTANGIBLE ADORATIONS CARAVAN IN TORONTO

Intangible Adorations Caravan (IAC), recently backed by ArtworksTO, features a Cast of Artists from all walks of life who have either hidden or visible disabilities, and features double below-knee Amputee and Aerialist, Erin Ball. The Creator, Lisa Anita Wegner (IMDB), is a Toronto-born meta-gender filmmaker, producer and storyteller with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Lisa’s Caravan is an immersive, travelling theatrical & film experience that fuses Carnival with science-fantasy biography, performance ritual, circus and disability culture. When the Caravan rolls into a neighbourhood as darkness falls, mysterious magics will be unleashed in a spectacle suitable for all ages as we attempt to make contact with the Icon, a legendary figure who vanished several years ago. A multi-sensory interactive experience with robust accessibility built into each performance.

There will be a free pop-up show at Queen West‘s Lisgar Park on June 15, 2022 at 9PM, Lisa’s Caravan is an immersive travelling performance that fuses carnival with biography, circus, and disability culture. A flat-bed truck will pull up to unexpected public locales across Toronto and perform for a runtime of about an hour.

An Overview:

Learn more here.