The Toronto Jewish Film Foundation has announced their 2023 Filmmaker Awards including the Chosen Film, Micki Moore Award, David A. Stein Memorial Award and NextGen Award for Best Short Film.

The new comedy-musical, Less Than Kosher, which had a sold-out World Premiere at the festival took home the title of The Chosen Film: People’s Choice Award. TJFF will host an encore screening.

The Micki Moore Award celebrating the Best Narrative Feature Film directed by a woman went to Florence Miailhe’s The Crossing.

The David A. Stein Memorial Award, which supports documentary filmmakers went to Itamar Alcalay & Meital Zvieli’s The Camera of Doctor Morris.

The short film, Demon Box, directed by Sean Wainsteim, took home the NextGen Award for Best Short Film.

The great Nick Fury returns for one last time in Marvel Studios’ SECRET INVASION. He’s back and he’s a wanted man. Samuel L. Jackson reprises the role of Nick Fury – now a remarkable fourteenth appearance -in this upcoming Disney+ Series, coming June 21, 2023.

So thrilled to join a press junket with the Cast and Creators of Marvel Studios’ SECRET INVASION. Joining us today were:

Samuel L. Jackson tells us where we find him at in SECRET INVASION as we enter the fifth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Jackson: “This is my second appearance post-‘Snap’ and he’s kinda been gone for a while. He’s a little tired, a little vulnerable coming back to earth because he’s been summoned. And we’ll see what happens. He’s got a bad knee now.”.

Ben Mendelsohn retuns as Talos. We get to see his family and where he is in the present day. The Actor has the distinction of having appeared in the Spider-Man franchise, in addition to Captain Marvel.

Mendelsohn: “We find Talos in a difficult time. It’s a bad time. And Nick‘s been away a bit.”.

Jackson: “Yeah but if I hadn’t been away you wouldn’t have had that other job.”.

Mendelsohn: “Yeah, that’s actually true. I got to do a lot of things while he’s been away.”.

Cobie Smulders returns as Maria Hill, a long-recurring role in the MCU and she tells us where her character is at in SECRET INVASION.

Smulders: “Working with Sam is my favourite thing. He laughs, but it’s true. So it was really exciting to come back. But speaking of strain, I think the relationship is quite strained. She’s been calling and he hasn’t been answering.”.

Don Cheadle returns as Rhodey and comments on the first post-Stark-era in the MCU. This leads to his next project in the MCU, Armor Wars.

Cheadle: “I think we’re just finding out what’s happening with Rhodey as the Series goes on. He’s in a different role and we see him more as a political animal than we have in the past. We’ve seen him as a military man but now he’s in ways a right-hand of the President. A special envoy in that regard, but I’m looking forward to getting under the hood of who he is, seeing how this relationship with Nick Fury and the other Cast members evolves.”.

Kevin Feige tells us how exactly SECRET INVASION fits into Phase Five of the MCU.

Feige: “It’s present day MCU is what we’re calling it. It exists along the timeline the shows come out in. So post She-Hulk, post Blip and this exact present day in the MCU.”.

“There’s story points see over the course of the Series. Jonathan came into my office years ago when we were thinking about the kind of shows we wanted to do on Disney+. We thought about translating the story lines of SECRET INVASION in the comics into a darker, grittier Spy Show, which we hadn’t done. We love to do different genres for everything. This was an attempt to dive back into things we touched upon in The Winter Soldier, Captain America 2 but hadn’t in a while. And really delving into the tone of a Spy Show and seeing a different dynatmic between Fury and Talos in our ’90s Action Movie, Captain Marvel.

Jackson talks about finally unlifting a bit of mystery in Nick Fury.

Jackson: “The more you find out about him, the more you like him. It’s just like peeling the onion, and having a good time. You meet people I know and I’ve never had an in-depth scene with Don so that was like Manna. I’ve been waiting to do this for years. It was wonderful to do and have that abrasive thing and it’s great to have that relationship where I assumed it was that. And we go to his house. What kind of furniture does Nick Fury have? Does he have an island in his kitchen? Can he cook? Cooking with Fury!”.

Emilia Clarke tells us about what attracted her to joining the MCU here as G’iah.

Clarke: “All the people sitting right here. Who on earth would not want to be sitting right here with all these incredible people? Even just a single one of these people on their own is enough. Altogether, it’s completely undeniable.”.

Academy Award winner Olivia Colman also joins the MCU and is a scene-stealer. She talks about her character Sonya Falsworth’s and her relationship with Nick Fury.

Colman: “She works for MI6, she likes wearing red and she’s quite funny and potentially a little bit not that nice sometimes.”.

“I can’t really think of Nick and Sonya. I’m just so excited to meet Samuel L. Jackson! They have a lovely friendship although she does like do bully you with her heavies. It doesn’t strike me as much of a friendship, but they’ve got history. They trust each other I think, but maybe they don’t. I’ve already blown it. I won’t be invited back to another Press Conference. I can’t tell you anything about it, you’ll just have to wait and see!”.

Marvel Studios’ SECRET INVASION arrives June 21, 2023 on Disney+ Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Studios/Disney)

Hot off it’s smash success at the Box Office, this is your chance to win a copy of THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE on Blu-ray!

Synopsis:

The movie tells the story of two Brooklyn plumbers who are brothers and best friends: Mario, the brave one with the “let’s-a go” attitude, and the perpetually anxious Luigi, who would prefer to go nowhere. We open with the Super Mario Brothers reckoning with their struggling plumbing business, and wind up in a whirlwind adventure through Mushroom Kingdom. Through their journey, we meet a cast of familiar, lovable characters, ultimately uniting together to defeat the power-hungry villain, Bowser. The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes what millions of gamers worldwide have loved for thirty-five years and levels it up to a new and breathtaking cinematic experience.

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY™, DVD and DIGITAL :

–Getting to Know the Cast – In these short behind-the-scenes pieces we get up close and personal with the stars of the film and learn what they leaned on to inhabit their on-screen persona.

–Leveling Up: Making THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE – Bringing one of the world’s most beloved video game characters, and the world around him, to life was no easy task! Filmmakers and cast give an in-depth look into the making of the film.

–THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE Field Guide – Join the cast of THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE as they take viewers through the various Power-Ups and Bonuses that appear in the film. This immersive video will allow the cast to interact with custom on-screen graphics as they select a Bonus or Power Up specific to their character and then explain what it does, how to use it and its effects.

–“Peaches” Lyric Video – Jack Black is known for his big personality and really no one else could play the part of Bowser, so get ready to sing-along to his big musical number as he serenades Princess Peach.

–Leadership Lessons with Anya Taylor-Joy – Let’s face it: being a princess isn’t easy. Thankfully, we have Anya Taylor-Joy, custom graphics and movie clips to give us Princess Peach’s guide to being an awesome leader.  We’ll provide some real-life tips and power-ups that kids of all ages can use in their daily lives.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK.

Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

BLACKBERRY recalls the rise and fall of one of the greatest inventions of our time. The Matt Johnson film continues to win raves and this is your chance to win a Digital Download on iTunes!

Synopsis: 

The true story of the meteoric rise & catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone, BLACKBERRY is a whirlwind ride through a ruthlessly competitive Silicon Valley at breakneck speeds.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

BLACKBERRY is now available digitally.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Disney+ revealed a new title and official first look images for FX’s “A Murder at the End of the World,” a limited series set at the remote and isolated compound of a reclusive billionaire. The series, formerly known as “Retreat,” stars Emma Corrin (“The Crown”), Clive Owen (“Impeachment: American Crime Story”), Harris Dickinson (“Triangle of Sadness”) and Brit Marling (“The OA”) and will premiere in August exclusively on Disney+ in Canada.

“A Murder at the End of the World” is a mystery series with a new kind of detective at the helm — a Gen Z amateur sleuth and tech-savvy hacker named “Darby Hart” (Emma Corrin). Darby and eight other guests are invited by a reclusive billionaire (Clive Owen) to participate in a retreat at a remote and dazzling location. When one of the other guests is found dead, Darby must use all of her skills to prove it was murder against a tide of competing interests and before the killer takes another life.

“A Murder at the End of the World” stars Emma Corrin, Clive Owen, Harris Dickinson, Brit Marling, Alice Braga, Joan Chen, Raúl Esparza, Jermaine Fowler, Ryan J. Haddad, Pegah Ferydoni, Javed Khan, Louis Cancelmi, Edoardo Ballerini, Britian Seibert, Christopher Gurr, Kellan Tetlow, Daniel Olson and Neal Huff.

“A Murder at the End of the World” is created and directed by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij. Marling and Batmanglij also executive produced alongside Andrea Sperling (“Transparent”), Melanie Marnich and Nicki Paluga. The seven-episode limited series is produced by FX Productions and was filmed in Iceland, as well as New Jersey and Utah.

Robust parental controls ensure that Disney+ remains a suitable viewing experience for everyone in the family. Subscribers can set access limits on mature content and create PIN-protected profiles alongside the already existing Kids Profiles to give parents and guardians peace of mind.

Samsonite, the renowned global leader in travel solutions, is thrilled to announce its new summer campaign, “Travel Like Your Parents”. The campaign invites Canadian travellers to embark on a nostalgic journey inspired by their parents’ travel experiences. Samsonite aims to reignite the spirit of adventure, the joy of discovery, and the thrill of exploring new horizons. Inspired by the golden age of travel, journeys were as much about the experience as the destination. Evoking meaningful travel, Samsonite aims to revive the spirit of the golden age, providing discerning travellers with the pieces they need for an immersive and transformative experience that connects them deeply with local cultures, fosters personal growth, and creates lasting memories.

In today’s fast-paced world, where digital connectivity often consumes our lives, Samsonite encourages individuals to disconnect to reconnect and recapture the magic of travel as our parents once did. This summer, the campaign invites travellers to embrace the spirit of wanderlust and reconnect with the authentic experiences that shaped the way their parents explored the world.

“Travelling has always had the ability to transform lives, and the journeys our parents and grandparents took were filled with a sense of wonder and discovery, “ said Erin Reynolds, Brand Manager of Samsonite Canada. “Our summer campaign aims to embrace that spirit and we encourage travellers to create their own amazing memories. As a brand with over 100 years of history, we understand what made travel so special in the past and we can help today’s travellers understand it, too. That’s what “Travel Like Your Parents” is all about: it’s embracing the idea that travel is better when you take time to connect with the places you visit and the people you visit them with.”

The heart of the campaign centers around Samsonite’s high-quality luggage and travel accessories, which have been trusted by generations of travellers. From sleek suitcases and versatile backpacks to innovative travel organizers, Samsonite offers a wide range of products that combine durability, functionality, and style.

“There is an opportunity with every journey to shape who we are and inspire us to embrace new perspectives,” added Reynolds. “We hope this campaign will act as an invitation to Canadians to set out on a voyage of self-discovery, and rekindle the magic of exploration that previous generations were able to enjoy before the advent of smartphones and always-on connectivity.”

Join Samsonite Canada this summer as we embark on a remarkable journey through time, celebrating the legacy of travel and embracing the enchanting stories of our parents. Let us unite in rediscovering the world with wide-eyed wonder, just as they did.

To learn more and view the campaign, head here.

Actress and Singer Laura Marano played an intimate show at Drake Underground last night, her first of two stops before capping things off in New York where she plays three shows as part of her A Good Time with Laura Marano Tour.

Marano is a beloved star to a generation, starring for four seasons on Disney’s AUSTIN & ALLY. More recently, she’s been seen in starring roles on popular Netflix features like THE ROYAL TREATMENT (opposite Toronto’s Mena Massoud) and THE PERFECT DATE.

Marano is applying finishing touches to her EP, coming soon, which primarily is Dance Pop. She performed a set, showcasing some of her newer material and lucky fans had a chance to participate in a Meet & Greet with the star.

She is so incredibly lovely and giving to her fans. Wishing her an amazing tour. She sounded great last night!!

She next can be seen in Rom-Com CHOOSE LOVE, starring alongside our v. own Avan Jogia! Out this August.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

This September, a new breed of heroes hits the big screen. Meet the Mighty Pups in our SUPER new trailer for PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie. Today we get a brand-new Trailer!

Synopsis:

When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ arch-rival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with a mad scientist to steal the superpowers for the two villains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it’s too late, and Skye will need to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Looking to travel like a star this summer? Booking.com and beloved musical icon, singer and songwriter Mariah Carey are offering travellers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to vacation just like Mimi this summer, with a special overnight trip package at her favorite Beverly Hills vacation rental on Booking.com, where she’s been living it up for the past three months. Now ready to hand over the keys to her ritzy summer reprieve, Booking.com has created a single trip package that includes a two-night stay at Mariah’s Beverly Hills Escape, complete with an itinerary curated by Mariah herself that spotlights her favorite places to dine, sightsee, and shop in Los Angeles.

According to a recent Booking.com survey, 43%* of Canadians prefer spending more time exploring the world over a quick getaway or weeklong trip, which is why Booking.com offers long-term stays at a variety of properties – including homes, hotels and everything in between – many of which offer reduced rates for monthly stays. Vacation rentals offer the perfect conveniences for a summer stay with features such as full kitchens, outdoor space, private pools, laundry rooms and more, with Mariah taking full advantage of her extended stay, spending quality time with family and friends.

Mariah’s Beverly Hills Escape will be available to book exclusively on Booking.com on June 21 at noon E.T., for a single stay taking place June 24 through 26. Priced at only $6.21, in honor of the first day of summer, this unique trip package only available this one time will feature:

A two-night stay at the luxurious Beverly Hills estate that Mariah rented this spring

Reservations at Mariah’s favorite restaurants, such as The Terrace, Cara, Nobu Malibu, Dan Tana’s and Craig’s

A private consultation with a fashion stylist to get Mariah-ready along with beauty and self-care tips from Mimi herself

A guide to Mariah’s favorite local attractions, including Will Rogers State Beach, Runyon Canyon, The Getty, The Hammer and The Skirball

“Sometimes a week or two isn’t enough to get away. That’s why I was thrilled to stay for a few months in a gorgeous Beverly Hills estate, which I found on Booking.com,” said the award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and record producer Mariah Carey. “My family and I enjoyed all the luxuries this beautiful home has to offer and now, one of my Lambs has the opportunity to experience LA in true Mimi fashion by staying in the same home and visiting all my favorite places in the area!”

Connecting travellers with the widest selection of properties, flights, rental cars and local attractions, Booking.com makes it easier for everyone to experience the world. For those who don’t book Mariah’s Beverly Hills Escape, rest assured Booking.com has plenty of vacation rentals across the U.S. for you to book this summer – from beach houses and woodsy cabins to lakeside retreats and city apartments, many of which offer month-long stays and longer, so you can get the most out of your summer vacation.

For more information on Booking.com and Mariah’s Beverly Hills Escape, visit: https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/mariahs-beverly-hills-escape.html.

Die-hard fans of comedian, Andrew Schulz have demonstrated an unprecedented level of enthusiasm, snatching up tickets within moments of their release for what promises to be an unforgettable two-night comedy event at the 11th edition of Just For Laughs TORONTO festival, taking place from Sept. 21-30, 2023.

Schulz’s history performing in Toronto has been brilliantly captured in a reel shared on the comedian’s Instagram page last week. The reel showcased Schulz starting out in the city’s comedy club scene, then performing in larger venues.

In a surprising turn of events in 2022, Schulz found himself making headlines when a renowned venue in Toronto cancelled his scheduled shows due to the provocative nature of his comedic material. The decision stirred controversy and ignited international media attention. Undeterred by the setback, Schulz swiftly responded by relocating the shows to an alternative Toronto venue, ensuring his fans could still experience his unfiltered brand of humor. The incident revealed Schulz’s resilience, and also his devoted Canadian fanbase.

Next, his goal was to perform at the legendary Scotiabank Arena, where NBA All-Stars The Raptors play. With his call to action, Schulz’s promotional video created mass interest last week, leading to a rush of fans flooding the ticketing sites.

The response was staggering as his first show at Scotiabank Arena sold out in festival record time.

Just For Laughs TORONTO swiftly responded by adding a second performance to Schulz’s Toronto festival dates. The second show also sold out within hours, setting a new record for the festival’s fastest sellout of an arena show.

The remarkable demand and quick sell-out reflect the immense popularity and widespread fandemonium for Schulz’s unapologetic wit, razor-sharp delivery, and charismatic stage presence. He is solidifying his position as one of the most sought-after concert shows of our time.

Additional programming for September’s Just For Laughs TORONTO festival will be revealed in the coming weeks.