#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “FRESH”

Fresh, pardon the pun, off its Sundance Premiere comes the Horror FRESH starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan. Here’s a look at its new Trailer.

Synopsis:

“FRESH” follows Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones), who meets the alluring Steve (Sebastian Stan) at a grocery store and – given her frustration with dating apps – takes a chance and gives him her number. After their first date, Noa is smitten and accepts Steve’s invitation to a romantic weekend getaway. Only to find that her new paramour has been hiding some unusual appetites.

Jojo T. Gibbs (“Twenties”), Charlotte Le Bon (“Anthropoid”, “The Hundred-Foot Journey”), Andrea Bang (“Luce”), and Dayo Okeniyi (“Runner Runner”, “The Spectacular Now”) round out the cast. The expert crafts team includes cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski (“Hereditary”, “Midsommar”), editor Martin Pensa (“Wild”, “Dallas Buyers Club”), production designer Jennifer Morden (“Riot Girls”), and composer Alex Somers (“Honey Boy”, “Captain Fantastic”).

STAR arrives on Disney+ via its Star banner March 4, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE WEEKND x THE DAWN FM EXPERIENCE”

If like me you loved The Weeknd‘s latest album DAWN FM, you’ll be thrilled that a Special is coming to Prime Video!

Synopsis:

The Weeknd x The Dawn FM Experience. The immersive music special expands multiplatinum, two-time Grammy-winning artist The Weeknd’s critically acclaimed album Dawn FM into a mesmerizing visual, creating a theatrical performance event that will envelope audiences in its unnerving and moody world. Premiering exclusively on Prime Video on Saturday, February 26, The Weeknd x The Dawn FM Experience will be available only to Prime members in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

“I’m ecstatic to partner with Amazon to premiere the most elaborate live TV special I’ve ever done. Welcome to the next phase of Dawn FM—a purgatory otherworld where live performance, theater, and performance art collide for a night out at the club,” said Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye.

Music from The Weeknd x The Dawn FM Experience will be available for fans to stream as an eight-track live EP exclusively on Amazon Music. Starting at Noon PST/3 p.m. EST on February 25, an exclusive merch capsule celebrating the special will also be available in the Amazon Music Artist Merch Shop.

THE WEEKND x THE DAWN FM EXPERIENCE arrives February 26, 2022 on Prime Video Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW POSTERS FOR “SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2”

Here are some exciting new Posters for SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 which is arriving to us in April!

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

The world’s favorite blue hedgehog is back for a next-level adventure in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2. After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search for an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands. From the filmmakers behind The Fast and the Furious and Deadpool, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 stars James Marsden, Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub and Jim Carrey returning, alongside new additions Shemar Moore, with Idris Elba as the voice of Knuckles and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as the voice of Tails.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 IS IN THEATRES APRIL 8, 2022.

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

#COOKING: UNI PASTA X BULGOGI RECIPE

Uni Pasta x Bulgogi. One of my favourite things in the world to eat is Uni. While only available seasonally, Sea Urchin, as it better known, is decadent, thick, buttery and creamy. Infusing it into a creamy pasta sauce is the perfect way to get more out of it is sold in small portions. My favourite Pasta is Pappardelle, an Egg Noodle which works well with the creaminess of this dish. Pairing this together with Air-fried Bulgogi, Barbequed Korean Beef, is the perfect way to make Uni Pasta even more satisfying. A sumptuous balance of East meets West.

Fun fact: Maurizio Gucci‘s (the central subject in House of Gucci) favourite dish was Uni Pasta.

Ingredients:

1 large tray of Uni
16 oz Ribeye Steak, thinned in half
1/4 cup Korean BBQ Marinade
250g package of Pappardelle Pasta
1/3 cup Heavy Cream
1/4 cup Evaporated Milk
1/4 cup Korean BBQ Marinade
3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
1 tbsp Truffle Oil
5 bulbs garlic, minced

1 tbsp minced scallion
Furikake
Parmesan Cheese, grated
Sea salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate steak for minimum one hour in refrigerator. Leave at room temperature about 30 minutes before cooking.
2. Boil pasta till al dente and strain. Do not rinse. Set aside no longer than 20 minutes to avoid drying too much.
3. In large pan, sautée garlic in butter for a couple minutes. Do not over-brown.
4. Add-in cream, milk and truffle oil. Reduce heat to low and simmer a couple minutes. Season with salt, to taste. It’s fine if the sauce is slightly salty as it will balance out when it coats the Pappardelle.
5. Mix-in about 3/4 of the Uni, stirring occasionally till pieces are broken. Do not overcook.
6. Toss-in pasta gently and coat in cream sauce. Remove from heat.
7. Pre-heat Air Fryer at 400°F for three minutes.
8. Dividing steak into two batches, fry each batch for about 3-4 minutes. Do not overcook as these should be sliced thin so they will cook quickly. Set aside on platter and cut into small bite-size pieces.
9. Plate pasta twirling gently in ladle with a large serving fork. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Add portion of Bulgogi on the side.
10. Add pieces of Uni on-top and garnish with Furikake and scallions. Serves 4-6.

Gallery:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong)

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#BOXOFFICE: “UNCHARTED” DISCOVERS TOP SPOT IN OPENING

UNCHARTED continues Spider-Man star Tom Holland‘s Box Office reign, debuting atop the Box Office with $40 million from 4,275 theatres across North America for Sony Pictures. The Action-Adventure, also starring Mark Wahlberg, garners 39% on Rotten Tomatoes.

In second is Channing Tatum‘s directorial debut DOG, with $12.3 million from 3,677 theatres for Elevation Pictures/United Artists Releasing. The Human-Dog Buddy Dramedy gets 76% on the Tomatometer.

Third goes to SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME with $7.6 million from 2,956 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $772 million made domestically to date.

DEATH ON THE NILE lands in fourth with $6.5 million from 3,280 theatres for 20th Century Studios, a total $26.3 million over two weeks in theatres.

Rounding-out the Top Five is JACKASS FOREVER with $5.2 million for Paramount Pictures, a total $47 million over three weeks.

#FIRSTLOOK: ARRAY CREW EXPANDS TO CANADA

Launched in February 2021 by Ava DuVernay, non-profit organization ARRAY ALLIANCE seeks to balance the below-the-line Production Crew diversity gap.

Led by an all-women executive team, ARRAY Crew is a personnel database launched in February 2021 for Hollywood’s below-the-line crew members with a special focus on the amplification of women, people of color and other underrepresented film and television professionals.

With the expansion to Canada, the two largest film and television production hubs in North America are now able to access inclusive hiring resources. Production partners have access to search and view profiles for thousands of diverse below-the-line talent while enabling studio executives, producers, line producers and department heads to find candidates across 600+ job titles (including scripted, unscripted, animation and documentary) in over 450 departments on a per project basis.

“As the film and television industries continue meaningful efforts toward inclusive hiring practices, ARRAY Crew’s expansion to Canada, in celebration of our first anniversary, widens the aperture for those in positions of hiring power and offers a robust way to achieve goals of equity and parity,” said DuVernay. “With the partnership of every major American studio and streamer, we look forward to further facilitating connection and community through our non-profit, women-led platform.”

Film and television professionals who are at least 18-years of age with a minimum of one verifiable production credit can create a FREE searchable profile at www.arraycrew.com/join.

#FIRSTLOOK: “SEVERANCE”

By David Baldwin

Mark Scout (Adam Scott) works for Lumon Industries. He says he works in an archiving department, but he cannot be certain as he has undergone the “severance” procedure – a controversial surgery that involves a chip being implanted in the brain and separating any knowledge about work and personal lives in half. As he begins to train new employee Helly (Britt Lower), Mark begins to question what is really going on within Lumon Industries at the same time as he starts uncovering a much bigger conspiracy on the outside.

That may sound like a lot to digest, but after two episodes, it gets much easier to wrap your head around the intricacies of SEVERANCE. Both episodes are directed by Series Producer Ben Stiller (yes, I am just as shocked as you are) and boldly blends elements of Horror, Science Fiction, Dark Comedy and Conspiracy Thrillers into one mysterious nightmare that you will not be easily able to shake afterwards. Stiller frames the Series as clinically precise and sterile as he can, echoing the monotonous grind of the 9-to-5 office worker on a much larger scale. There are few brushes of colour, preferring to stay monochromatic in its costuming, lighting and production design. And having the sets be so expansive and high-ceilinged (likely due to Covid restrictions) make the few amount of on-screen characters feel genuinely small and isolated. The dystopic and sinister undertones flow through very well, giving just enough hints at the overarching mystery to keep viewers invested. I doubt the series would feel anywhere near as palpable and tangible had it been filmed prior to our new normal; everything here feels like you are looking into a mirror and the hellscape of our modern lives is looking right back at you.

I would not suggest it captures the Zeitgeist or has its finger on the beating pulse of modern office work, but I was having some serious déjà vu watching many of these scenes and scenarios play out.

The Cast is terrific and genuinely gifted, despite only getting to see fleeting glimpses of their histories and motivations so far. Scott is excellent as Mark, imbuing the greater themes of loneliness and despair quite wonderfully. Lower, who I loved on the short-lived series Man Seeking Woman, is a firecracker just waiting to explode, while character actor Zach Cherry has a lot of fun playing their no-nonsense, straight-and-narrow co-worker Dylan. And though their roles are small so far, I cannot wait to see John Turturro, Patricia Arquette and the legendary Christopher Walken dive into their roles.

I have not quite settled in on any theories about what is happening just yet, and am fearful for how the Series plans on balancing all of its competing tones and genre mashups. For now though, I am optimistic and excited to see just how SEVERANCE plays out over the next few weeks.

The first two episodes of SEVERANCE are available to stream now on Apple TV+, with new episodes arriving every Friday.

#FIRSTLOOK: “SHADOW & BONE” SEASON TWO TRAILER

Shadow and Bone Season 2 premieres globally March 16, 2023 only on Netflix. Here’s a look at the new Trailer!

Synopsis:

Alina Starkov is on the run. A beacon of hope to some and a suspected traitor to others, she’s determined to bring down the Shadow Fold and save Ravka from ruin. But General Kirigan has returned to finish what he started. Backed by a terrifying new army of seemingly indestructible shadow monsters and fearsome new Grisha recruits, Kirigan is more dangerous than ever. To stand a fighting chance against him, Alina and Mal rally their own powerful new allies and begin a continent-spanning journey to find two mythical creatures that will amplify her powers. Back in Ketterdam, the Crows must forge new alliances as they contend with old rivals and even older grudges that threaten not only their place in the Barrel, but their very lives. When a chance at a deadly heist comes their way, the Crows will once again find themselves on a collision course with the legendary Sun Summoner. Based on Leigh Bardugo’s worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, SHADOW AND BONE returns for a second season of new friendships, new romance, bigger battles, epic adventures — and a shocking family secret that could shatter everything.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “ELVIS”

We proudly present a first look at Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks!

Synopsis:

From Oscar-nominated visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama “Elvis,” starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks.

            The film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks).  The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America.  Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley.

            Starring alongside Hanks and Butler, award-winning theatre actress Helen Thomson (“Top of the Lake: China Girl,” “Rake”) plays Elvis’s mother, Gladys, Richard Roxburgh (“Moulin Rouge!” “Breath,” “Hacksaw Ridge”) portrays Elvis’s father, Vernon, and Olivia DeJonge (“The Visit,” “Stray Dolls”) plays Priscilla.  Luke Bracey (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “Point Break”) plays Jerry Schilling, Natasha Bassett (“Hail, Caesar!”) plays Dixie Locke, David Wenham (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, “Lion,” “300”) plays Hank Snow, Kelvin Harrison Jr. (“The Trial of the Chicago 7,” “The High Note”) plays B.B. King, Xavier Samuel (“Adore,” “Love & Friendship,” “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) plays Scotty Moore, and Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”) plays Jimmie Rodgers Snow.

Also in the cast, Dacre Montgomery (“Stranger Things,” “The Broken Heart Gallery”) plays TV director Steve Binder, alongside Australian actors Leon Ford (“Gallipoli,” “The Pacific”) as Tom Diskin, Kate Mulvany (“The Great Gatsby,” “Hunters”) as Marion Keisker, Gareth Davies (“Peter Rabbit,” “Hunters”) as Bones Howe, Charles Grounds (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Camp”) as Billy Smith, Josh McConville (“Fantasy Island”) as Sam Phillips, and Adam Dunn (“Home and Away”) as Bill Black.

To play additional iconic musical artists in the film, Luhrmann cast singer/songwriter Yola as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, model Alton Mason as Little Richard, Austin, Texas native Gary Clark Jr. as Arthur Crudup, and artist Shonka Dukureh as Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release ELVIS June 24, 2022.

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

#FIRSTLOOK: “STRANGER THINGS” S4 TO PREMIERE IN TWO PARTS THIS SUMMER

Netflix have announced the release of STRANGER THINGS Season Four, to arrive this Summer in two installments.

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, with Season 3 amassing 582 Million view hours ranking as the 2nd Most Popular English-language series in the Netflix Top 10, and Season 2 accounting for 427 Million view hours ranking at #10. 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, and Iain Paterson.

Some Teaser Posters and a letter from the Duffer Brothers:

VOLUME 1 PREMIERES ON MAY 27, 2022
VOLUME 2 PREMIERES ON JULY 1, 2022

(Photo credit: Netflix)