Check-out the Big Game TV Spot for Marvel Studios‘ MOON KNIGHT to premiere tonight!

Synopsis:

The story follows Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, who becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life. Steven discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.

“Moon Knight” stars Oscar Isaac, Ethan Hawke and May Calamawy. Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Grant Curtis, Brad Winderbaum, Oscar Isaac, Mohamed Diab and Jeremy Slater are the executive producers, with Trevor Waterson and Rebecca Kirsch serving as co-executive producers. Jeremy Slater is the head writer.

Moon Knight debuts exclusively on Disney+ March 30, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

In case you missed it, here is the Big Game TV Spot for Marvel Studios’ DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS!

Synopsis:

Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending anddangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysteriousnew adversary.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases in theatres on May 6, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

By Mr. Will Wong

Channing Tatum tries his hand at directing in DOG, which is inspired in part by his own dog Lulu. While Lulu had passed away a few years ago, her spirit will live on this Film, which is set in the world of Army Rangers. Tatum plays Briggs, whom much to his chagrin, is tasked with taking military dog Lulu to the funeral of her handler, who had fallen. While the two don’t quite hit it off, DOG takes us on a journey of growth between man and dog and in their story we witness a special bond form between Briggs and Lulu.

We had the opportunity to sit-in on the Press Junket for DOG, which is co-directed by Tatum and Reid Carolin. The two had partnered as Producers of 2017 HBO Documentary WAR DOG: A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND and continue their relationship further which came along after Tatum had lost Lulu.

Tatum talks about the buddy dynamic between his character Briggs and the on-screen Lulu in DOG.

Tatum: “Our dynamic is pretty simple in the beginning. This is not Briggs‘ dog and he’s a little put-out that he has to do this to get the recommendation that he feels he overly-qualifies for with all the experience he’s put in, as far as his career goes. Be he has to do it, it’s his only real option and like any good guy going on a road trip, wants it to be fun. And he is trying to have as much fun as possible. To his chagrin, Lulu is becoming an issue at every stop of the way.”.

We learned that three dogs were cast to play Lulu. Tatum tells us all about the breed of dog and his experience working with them.

Tatum: “Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds, which basically are the same dog, but they’re just different colours – they are primarily the work dogs in these high-level, multi-purpose canine spots – the Navy Seals, Rangers, Special Forces – on any of these teams, these are the ultimate tool. If you’ve not been around them, they are different animals. They are not your normal dog. Their minds work so fast. I liken it to when a cat sorta sleeps all day and then does something so fast that you can’t even quite understand how they just did it so fast, you’re like, ‘What just happened?’… These dogs are like that 100% of the time. They’re switched-on, they love working, they want to constantly be doing something. They’re like almost like a shark pacing, ‘What are we doing, what are we doing, what are we doing?’… I own a Dutch Shepherd now and she’s very much the same. You can’t go to the bathroom without her being like, ‘I’m coming with you. This is what we’re doing.’. And so I would never want to do a movie ever without doing it with one of these dogs. If I get offered later in my life a part that has a dog, I’m probably gonna say no. These dogs very specifically are set-up to want to do this job. They never got tired, they never didn’t want to do a stunt. They were just ready to rock the whole time. Horses generally are amazing to work with, but dogs and cats? Nah, these are the only dogs I want to work with.”.

“We used three dogs. Lana 5 was our smallest. Britta which was our middle and Zuza which was the biggest dog. Britta kinda was our hero dog. She did a lot of the acting. Zuza does a lot of the wild stuff. We taught her some of the bucking, crazy pulling on the leash and wild things. Lana was really the only one who would lay on her side and lay down. These dogs generally don’t wanna lay down and do these kind of things. So they all were really specific to how we use them and I bonded the most with Britta because I had the most really close acting with her.”.

Tatum recalls his relationship with his dog Lulu.

Tatum: “I’ve had dogs my whole life and the inspiration for this Movie came from my experience with my first dog. Lulu was my dog I raised from six weeks old, she was just a tiny ball of fur. And grew into a big strong Catahoula Pit Bull mix. She lived eleven years, got sick and I took her on a road trip in some of her last days, and made some really profound lessons in those last days with her of just surrendering and acceptance. And came back and told my buddy about the trip. We started talking about the story. We played around with that aspect of the Bucket List trip for the dog and their owner/buddy. It was just a little too sad. It wasn’t emblematic of me and my Lulu‘s life together. Our life together was an adventure. And it was joyful, funny, hilarious and crazy at times. And that’s the kind of story we wanted to tell.”.

On wearing many caps on this Film, Tatum tells us which aspects he enjoyed most and found fulfilling.

Tatum: “When you’re in the throws of making a movie, it’s chaos. You don’t know if you’re doing anything right. Just being an Actor, you never leave a scene going ‘Nailed that one!’. You never, ever have that feeling. I don’t care what scene it is. That’s part of it. The directing I really enjoyed the setting it up more than the actual experience of directing. I think I was directing the dog more and Reed was directing me. We didn’t have enough time on the Movie. Enjoyment is a tough word, but fulfilling? I can definitely say I scratched that itch. I tried to direct a movie and if I ever direct again, I definitely won’t be in the movie. Editing I did not like. There’s no enjoyment in Editing. I should never edit myself, which I found out. That was mentally an unhealthy thing for me.”.

DOG also touches upon themes of PTSD in the military. Both Tatum and Co-Director/Writer Carolin share what this means to them.

Carolin: “Really the intention was to be honest. To portray the experience of the characters who really inspired us to make the Movie. And to look at that culture and put a lens on it without much of a filter. For us not all PTSD is created equal. It’s an umbrella term to describe a lot of different things and experiences of a lot of different people. And I don’t feel like we have any opinions on what PTSD is, or that we’re experts on it or have the authority to comment on it. What we saw is that when a lot of these guys who gave us access to their lives, when they came home from war and transitioned out of the military… to this new life being a civilian where you have a completely different set of rules, a way different meaning. In some respects you might not have a meaning at all. You might not have a family or a job and you have to rebuild something. Their dogs were essential elements to helping them make that transition, helping them heal, feel like they had meaning, community and love. We wanted to show that aspect of a character’s journey… and how you integrate that into a new life.”.

Tatum: “Briggs was more dealing with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and that’s what washed him out of the military. But what we learned was that almost everyone – whether you’re a Ranger, whatever you are – everyone’s working hurt. Everyone has an issue. It’s just that his was bad enough and on-paper that it went up into the ranks they knew about it.”.

Carolin tells us what he hopes the audience will take away from the Film.

Carolin: “I hope they have a great time at the movie theatre. I hope people laugh a lot. I hope people stay engaged with the Film. They’re gonna take from it what they’re gonna take from it. But I hope they get a window into a world of people and animals that we rarely ever get to see. This community of special operations, soldiers, canine handlers specifically and their dogs really gifted us incredible access to their culture. They gifting that to us in a Documentary we did with HBO called War Dog a handful of years ago. And our friendships with them continued. Those guys were with us for a lot of the Movie. They’re with us now doing press. Dogs are always around. And I hope people get to see how extraordinary they are and how incredible the bonds between these soldiers and these animals are. And really how thin the line is between animal and human.”.

Carolin talks about the Film changing the lens from which we look at animals.

Carolin: “I hope by the end of this story, both Briggs and our audience feel the same way about Lulu and it’s why we called the movie DOG. I think people look at the title and think it must’ve tested well at a Marketing meeting. In truth, it’s quite the opposite. It’s about the way we clinically look at these animals. We label them just as animals. And over time, the more extraordinary they become to us, the deeper we see them. They more they become just like us.”.

Elevation Pictures release DOG February 18, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: United Artists Releasing/Elevation Pictures)

DEATH ON THE NILE is alive at the Box Office this weekend, taking top spot with $12.7 million from 3,280 theatres for 20th Century Studios. The Thriller from Kenneth Branagh based on the Novel by Agatha Christie, gets 65% on the Tomatometer.

JACKASS FOREVER is in second with $8.3 million from 3,653 for Paramount Pictures in its second weekend out, a total $37 million made in North America thus far.

Third goes to MARRY ME with $8 million from 3,642 theatres for Universal Pictures. Reviews actually weren’t too bad, tallying-in at 58% on Rotten Tomatoes for this latest effort by J-Lo.

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME comes in fourth with $7 million, a total $758 million domestically for Sony Pictures in its ninth weekend.

BLACKLIGHT is in fifth with $3.3 million from 2,772 theatres for VVS Films/Briarcliff Entertainment. 6% on the Tomatometer for this latest from Liam Neeson.

By Mr. Will Wong

Based on the massive popularity of Squid Game, the world has shown it’s ready for K-Drama. Disney+ take a leap of faith on JTBC Series SNOWDROP, which just finished its televised run in its native Korea, the transcendent star power of its two leads prove that powerful storytelling and performances knows no boundaries of language.

The story is set in the late ’80s as South Korea is about to undergo a major political revolution. We witness mass protests calling for democracy, calling-out the dictatorship that ruled the nation and its unfair election practices. We meet Eun Yeong-ro (Blackpink‘s Jisoo), a student at the Hosu Women’s University trying to abide by the strict regulations at the dorm and doing her best not to get her and her roommates kicked-out. The girls agree to go on a group blind date with some neighbouring male students. Quite instantly, Yeong-ro finds herself drawn to Lim Soon-ho (Jung Hae-in) who is posing as a graduate student, but unbeknownst to Yeong-ro, he is a North Korean agent on a mission. Through kismet, she finds him unconscious and bloodied one day in her dorm room, just as the Agency for National Security Planning are in hot pursuit of him. Together with her roommates, Yeong-ro must find a way to hide Soon-ho within the school, keeping him safe from the ANSP and also other students who could leak his whereabouts.

Unfolding over 16 episodes at 90 minutes apiece, each meticulously-styled episode of SNOWDROP feels like a Feature Film in itself. Under tight and focused direction by Jo Hyun-tak, the Series is equal parts gripping Political Drama and Romance, and it is effective on both levels. We aren’t too familiar with Korean history, but are well aware of some of the controversy surrounding the Series and its historical accuracy. We recognize this Series recalls a painful part of Korea’s past in which hundreds, potentially thousands, dead in the fight to end dictatorship in South Korea, and understand why this is a sensitive topic. This is a story to be told in its own due right. SNOWDROP however is imagined.

Despite its criticism, we can evaluate the Series based on its merit as Fiction and we were charmed by the beauty of this doomed love story, where our hero and heroine have seemingly impossible obstacles to overcome. There is an imminent sense threat lurking, whether it be from within the walls of the school or from external forces. Writer Yoo Hyun-mi builds an interconnected world of characters, giving us a sense of the power dynamics and what’s at stake for them whether we’re seeing tension between the higher-ups at the ANSP and drama among their wives. And of course, ultimately what this means for our two central characters.

Jisoo possesses a natural charisma and is just enchanting. It is hard to believe this is her first starring role. Her Yeong-ro is virtuous, nurturing and just learning to navigate the complicated truth that life is about to throw her way at her young age. Jung Hae-in delivers an understated performance as Soon-ho, giving us a sense of mystery and it becomes our mission to uncover his intriguing truth as the Series progresses. Other standouts include Yoon Se-ah as the stern Headmistress at the Women’s University, Pi Seung-hee and it is a pleasure seeing her story unfold as we figure where her loyalties lie. Jung Yoo-jin also leaves an impression as Jang Han-na, a rookie and first ever female ANSP agent, perhaps a little too eager. While we’ve only seen part of it, we can tell we’re going to love this already and are prepared for this to get real emotional.

The first two episodes of SNOWDROP are available now to stream now on Disney+, with new episodes arriving weekly on Wednesdays.

For the ninth year, Hollywood Suite will be the exclusive Canadian home of the Film Independent Spirit Awards! The Awards, honouring the best in independent Film, now it their 37th year, will be hosted by both Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally!

Best Feature nominees this year are: CHIARA, C’MON C’MON, THE LOST DAUGHTER, THE NOVICE and ZOLA.

“In a crowded awards season that can often see the same big-budget films lauded over and over again, the Film Independent Spirit Awards are a breath of fresh air,” commented David Kines, President Hollywood Suite. “The awards are bold, smart, and hilarious. As an independent ourselves, we are proud to showcase the cream of the indie crop as the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of the awards for the 9th year.”

The Awards return again to an in-person format after going virtual last year.

The 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards air Sunday, March 6 at 5pm ET on Hollywood Suite.

Do not forget to catch past Best Feature winners on Hollywood Suite. Schedule below:

The Grifters – Friday, March 4 at  9pm on HS90

Fargo – Saturday, March, 5 at 9pm on HS90

Rambling Rose – Saturday, March 5 at 10:40pm on HS90

Silver Linings Playbook – Sunday, March 6 at 7:35pm on HS00

Brokeback Mountain – Sunday, March 6 at 11:25pm on HS00

We’ve been so lucky to attend in past years in-person. See some of our coverage here.

Super Bowl LVI kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 13, 2022 and in keeping with tradition, here is a first look at some of this year’s most star-studded TV Spots to air during the broadcast. Our faves so far are Amazon Alexa‘s brilliant pairing of real-life couple Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson, and UberEats‘ teaming-up of Jennifer Coolidge, Nicholas Braun, Trevor Noah and Gwyneth Paltrow. Hilarious!

AMAZON ALEXA – Colin Jost & Scarlett Johansson

HELLMAN’S – Pete Davidson

BUDWEISER – A CLYDESDALE’S JOURNEY

PEPSI – EMINEM, MARY J. BLIGE, KENDRICK LAMAR, DR. DRE and SNOOP DOGG

BMW – Arnold Schwarzenegger & Salma Hayek

NISSAN – Eugene Levy, Brie Larson, Dave Bautista and Danai Gurira

UBEREATS – Jennifer Coolidge, Trevor Noah, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Nicholas Braun

GENERAL MOTORS – Mike Myers, Rob Lowe and Seth Green

DORITOS FLAMIN’ HOT

T-MOBILE – MILEY CYRUS & DOLLY PARTON (TEASER)

We know many of you are excited about SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2. Here’s a new TV Spot which will air during this weekend’s Big Game broadcast!

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.

Paramount Pictures Canada release SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 April 8, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift have teamed-up at long last on this gorgeous new version of “The Joker and The Queen” from Sheeran‘s latest LP “=”. Well if that doesn’t get you in the mood for love this Valentine’s Day, I don’t know what will! Sadly, our star vocalists don’t appear in the Video, but younger versions of themselves played by Ava James and Jack Lewis, do a fantastic job. Like watching a Movie!

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

This looks amazing. A Thriller that combines war-time suspense and Fashion. THE NEW LOOK stars Ben Mendelsohn and Juliette Binoche. Apple TV+ has just announced a series order.

Synopsis:

“The New Look” is an epic thriller set against the World War II Nazi Occupation of Paris when Coco Chanel’s reign as the world’s most famous fashion designer ends and Christian Dior rises helping return spirit and life to the world with his ground-breaking, iconic imprint of beauty and influence that will go on to define generations to come. “The New Look” will be produced by Apple Studios and written, executive produced and directed by Todd A. Kessler (”Bloodline,” “Damages,” “The Sopranos”), with Emmy Award-winner Ben Mendelsohn (“Rogue One,” “Bloodline”) and Academy Award-winner Juliette Binoche (“The English Patient,” “Chocolat”) attached to star. 

Inspired by true events and filmed exclusively in Paris, “The New Look” is a live-action, World War II-era thriller that centres on the pivotal moment in the Twentieth Century when Paris led the world back to life through its fashion icons: Christian Dior (played by Mendelsohn), whose creations dominated world fashion in the decade following World War II. The interwoven saga will include the surprising stories of Dior’s contemporaries and rivals: the grand dame Coco Chanel (played by Binoche), Balmain, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent and more. 

THE NEW LOOK will stream on Apple TV+. More to come.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)