Quiver Distribution will be handling the release of SXSW ’23 selection THE WRATH OF BECKY! Today we get a glimpse of the gore in its brand-new RED-BAND Trailer!! NSFW! This will be in theatres June 9, 2023.

Synopsis
Two years after she escaped a violent attack on her family, Becky attempts to rebuild her life in the care of an older woman – a kindred spirit named Elena. But when a group known as the “Noble Men” break into their home, attack them, and take her beloved dog, Diego, Becky must return to her old ways to protect herself and her loved ones.

Directors:
Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote

Writer: Matt Angel
Story by: Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote

Cast:
Lulu Wilson, Seann William Scott, Denise Burse, Jill Larson, Courtney Gains, Michael Sirow, Aaron Dalla Villa, Matt Angel, Kate Siegel

Release schedule as follows:

Opening nationwide in Canadian theatres on June 9th, 2023 from Quiver Distribution, including cinemas in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Halifax. Please check local listings for screenings in other cities. 

(Photo/video credit: Quiver Distribution)

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Run-of-Engagement Passes to see PAST LIVES. The Film by Toronto’s Celine Song debuted at Sundance to raves.

Synopsis:

Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, get separated after her family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they reunite in New York City for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love and life choices.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and in the comments let us know your City. Re-Tweet the Contest Tweet below for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

Elevation Pictures release PAST LIVES June 9, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

The Toronto Jewish Film Festival is back June 1-11, 2023 digitally and online! The Festival will feature more in-person screenings (from downtown Toronto to North York) with guests, after navigating the Pandemic. This 31st edition of the Festival boasts 77 films/series (including 28 Canadian premieres) from across the globe covering a variety of topics, including The Man in the Basement, which will open the Festival on June 1st, 2023 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema with Director Philippe Le Guay in attendance.

Among the other events and screenings you won’t want to miss are An Afternoon with Saul Rubinek, Nina and Friends (Nina Keogh is one of the Puppeteers behind Canadian classics Today’s Special and Mr. Dressup) and highly-acclaimed film Karaoke.

Our George Kozera (@PartyG) has had the pleasure of previewing a few selections from this year’s Festival. He shares his thoughts below with us.

THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT

The Toronto Jewish Film Festival opening night movie, THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT, is a gripping and provocative exploration of anti-Semitism coupled with the crumbling of what once was an idyllic familial dynamic. Parisian condo owners, Simon and Helene Sandberg (Jeremie Renier and Berenice Bejo, respectively) are in the process of selling their storage basement unit to a former history teacher Jacques Fonzic (Francois Cluzet) who wants to use it to store his recently deceased mother’s belongings. Whereas the deed to the property had not yet been executed, the all-too-trusting Simon signs a promissory note, cashes the cheque and hands over the key. Then, it begins. First, a neighbour advises Simon that Fonzic is not using the unit for storage, but actually lives in it. Then Fonzic starts to question the Sandberg’s daughter Justine (Victoria Eber) about her religion and ends with him calling the owner of a nearby bistro “A dirty Arab”. Along with the family, the audience learns that Fonzic is not only a conspiracy theorist but a Holocaust denier. We watch in horror and dread as the Sandbergs’ life crumbles in trying to legally evict this reprehensible person.

I wasn’t mesmerized with THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT, as my feelings went deeper than that. This Movie had me hypnotized as the plot advances with terrifying circumstances alongside its twists and turns. This is also due to the exceptional performances by the three leading Actors. Francois Cluzet, best known to North American audiences for starring in “The Intouchables”, is superb with a level of intensity and twisted logic that is genuinely frightening. Berenice Bejo (Oscar-nominated for “The Artist”) is equally impressive as Helene becomes more obsessed with the anti-Semitism she never realized existed, which includes comments made by her father. Jeremie Renier, whose career I have followed for years, excels in a role where he must carry innumerable emotions with finesse. From being sweet natured to ultimately being called a “self-hating Jew” by his older brother, then becoming borderline psychotic, prone to violence, this is Renier’s best screen performance to date.

The vicious ideologies espoused and the almost unknowing racist comments made by secondary characters are hard to wrap your brain around, but taking into account what is happening with our neighbours to the south, THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT is essential viewing.

Tickets and showtimes here.

LESS THAN KOSHER (CENTREPIECE FILM)

We first meet Viv (Shaina Silver-Baird) in a bar, breaking every Yom Kippur tradition. She is drunker than a barrel full of monkeys, snorting copious lines of coke in the washroom and is scarfing down bacon with a passion of someone finding water in a desert. Welcome to the hyper-comedic world of LESS THAN KOSHER, a movie so great that will make you salivate with anticipation as to what unique situation you will see next. The following morning, the still living at home with her parents and younger sister, Viv is “encouraged” to go with the family to the synagogue to observe the holiday. While there, she is overwhelmed by a song performed by the cantor and begins to sing along in a voice so powerful, it stuns the congregation. After the service, she is approached by the handsome and witty Ash (David Reale) and there is an immediate attraction which is somewhat ruined when Viv learns that he is the Rabbi’s (David Eisner) son who coerces her to being his cantor for a number of upcoming events.

There are innumerable delicious scenes and circumstances that I am loathe to reveal as the pure joy of watching this set in Toronto movie is discovering what will happen next. That said, you haven’t lived until you’ve heard a Disney classic sung to a Judeo-Pop beat (kudos to composer Ari Posner whose work can also now be heard on the TV Shows “Sullivan’s Crossing” and “Ride”) or attend a Tiki-themed Shiva. Furthermore, in the current cinematic landscape where filmmakers feel the need to tell their story in over three hours, Director Daniel Am Rosenberg brilliantly tackles many storylines with finesse in a scant running time of 65 minutes. Bravo!

Don’t let the title LESS THAN KOSHER mislead you…this Movie IS perfect.

Tickets and showtimes here.

THE DELEGATION

Inspired by Director Asaf Saban’s personal history of travelling from Israel to Poland as a teenager to learn about the Jewish suffering there during World War II, THE DELEGATION brings a unique youthful perspective of not only the tragedies that occurred in the concentration camps of Majdanek and Auschwitz and how it affects the teenagers of this high-school mandated trip as they struggle with their own hormonal and growing pains as well.

Frisch, Nitzan and Ido (Yoav Bavly, Neomi Harari and Leib Lev Levin respectively) are the centerpiece of this Movie as a part of the group exploring the forests and graveyards scattered throughout the country, oftentimes wearing oversized white hoodies with the Star of David emblazed in the back and carrying the flag of Israel. Afterwards they are encouraged to talk about what they were feeling by the adult supervisors on the trip as well as listen to Frisch’s grandfather’s (Ezra Dagan) first-hand accounts of how he became a survivor. Left to their own devices after their excursions, these teenagers are rambunctious and looking to party the night away.

Saban nicely maneuvres what could have been overly melodramatic plot lines with dexterity. I was particularly moved by Frisch’s storyline where he eschews going to Auschwitz with the delegation, is picked up by a Polish truckdriver while hitchhiking who, first takes him to his home and have his wife feed the young man and then is taken to the destroyed remnants of an ancient synagogue where he asked, by the many people there, to recite a Jewish prayer. The Director beautifully intersects the effects these youngsters have after seeing the historical atrocities with their own romantic turmoils.

I highly recommend THE DELEGATION for its nuanced and original approach.

 Tickets and showtimes here.

iMORDECAI

Based on true events, first-time Director and Co-Writer Marvin Samel brings the audience an unapologetic love story tribute to his family with iMORDECAI. It also reunites two stars from the classic TV show “Taxi”, both  Oscar nominees, Judd Hirsch and Carol Kane where their combined talents elevate this movie above the schmaltz it could have been. Mordecai (Hirsch) is a retired plumber, pushing 80, when his son Marvin (Sean Astin) finds his dad with a jackhammer in the washroom, wanting to give his wife Fela (Kane) a walk-in shower. Marvin also notices that his dad’s flip phone is held together with electrical tape and takes him to a local (not Apple) store to buy a new iPhone being sold by (not Apple Geniuses) but very friendly and knowledgeable “Einsteins”. Confused that there are no numbers visible on the phone, Mordecai gets lessons on how the iPhone works from Nina (Azia Dinea Hale) and the two develop a strong bond and budding friendship. With this new technology, Mordecai can access a whole new world.

In the interest of full disclosure, had I been reviewing this Movie with my Critic’s hat on, I would have gone on about how there are just one too many coincidences to advance the plot that made my head spin. The Yiddish accents are exaggerated to an embarrassing hilt. Sean Astin and Broadway Superstar Stephanie J. Block are sadly underutilized. But you know what, Bubeleh? I liked it. A lot. Sue me!

I enjoyed that Mordecai’s history during WWII is presented in animation. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen Miami with all its colourful and vibrant exterior shots and I was swept away in all its pastel glories. The movie is very amusing but it also delves into some serious issues (Treblinka, Dementia) with genuine pathos. Lastly, I encourage all to the bask in the astonishing performances from Hirsch and Kane as they are truly a masterclass.

THE ACCUSATION

I may not be the most unbiased person to write about THE ACCUSATION as I’ve always been obsessed with French Cinema, as they tend to weave emotionally complex subject matters without fear and with finesse. Furthermore, I am a Courtroom Drama junkie, whether they are movies or television shows as they incline to be riveting and gripping. Director Yvan Attal brings to life a part legal procedure and part portrait of complex characters of all kinds from the social and economic stratosphere.

We first meet Alex Farel (played by Ben Attal, the real-life son of the Director and his Co-Star Charlotte Gainsbourg and grandson to Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg) arriving in Paris from the States, where he studies engineering at Stanford, to attend his father, acclaimed TV Journalist, Jean’s (Pierre Arditi) Legion of Honour induction ceremony. Finding only the housekeeper in his father’s opulent apartment, Alex goes to visit his mother Claire (Gainsbourg), who we quickly learn has separated from Jean and is living with her new boyfriend Adam (Mathieu Kassovitz, best known for his role in “Amelie“). Alex also meets Mila (Suzanne Jouannet), Adam’s 17-year-old daughter, and is encouraged to take her to a party he was attending to reunite with his old, well-to-do high school friends. The following morning Alex is awakened by the police and charged with rape.

THE ACCUSATION is broken into four chapters. The first two concentrate on Alex’s and Mila’s version of what happened, the third brings us into the courtroom, 30 months after the incident and concludes with their respective lawyers’ closing arguments and the jury’s verdict. The fourth chapter also brings us flashbacks on what happened and may have happened that faithful night.

THE ACCUSATION had me spellbound. There are no heroes nor villains but genuinely flawed, contrite, arrogant, and confused individuals. I also appreciated how Yvan Attal manipulates the viewing audience to feel like a member of the jury as we also struggle to ascertain what is truthful or misleading. The performances are exceptional throughout but special attention must be given to Suzanne Jouannet for reasons best kept undisclosed. The 138 minute running time may seem unyielding to some, but I found myself thinking afterwards that a savvy Producer should buy the rights and make a mini-series and flesh-out many supporting characters that have minimal, but truly effective screen time. THE ACCUSATION is an astonishing, adult-themed movie that must be seen.

Tickets and showtimes here.

OUR STORY

Real life husband and wife, Lee Biran and Eliana Tidhar bring charm and complexity to Director Yaron Arazi’s Musical Rom-Com OUR STORY. In it, Biran plays Tal, a successful, high-powered Music Agent working for his mother’s agency. Forced into damage control due to inappropriate behaviour from his popular Artist Shaked (Eden Meiri), it is decided to return to a boarding school situated in a desert miles away from Tel Aviv that the singer attended as a youth for a photo op and positive press clippings.

Thinking he was an intruder, Tal is bonked on the head with a cast iron pan at the office by the school’s music teacher Ori (Tidhar). Ori is an encouraging teacher, insisting her students strive towards greatness despite never performing her own songs in public. Following well established Romantic Comedy conventions, the Movie leads us down a path of very familiar circumstances.

That said, I enjoyed the sweet natured OUR STORY and admit to laughing out loud whenever the school’s Administrator Maayan appeared on-screen. Adi Havshush’s impeccable comedic timing and expressive facial features rock! Whether expounding on her fantasy relationship with Shaked or hoping her culinary originality, which includes spinach and vanilla cupcakes, will land her a spot on a cooking competition show, she is a wonderful comic foil. The desert scenes are filmed sumptuously, the music is pure finger-snapping Pop and the chemistry between the two leads is addictive.

Tickets and showtimes here.

For more on tickets and scheduling at TJFF ’23, click here.

This is a must for the ultimate Transformers fan. Is that you? We’re giving away one TRANSFORMERS Limited Edition Steelbook 4k Ultra HD + Blu-ray 6-Movie Collection to one lucky Reader!

Synopsis:
Get ready to roll out with the Autobots and their human allies as they defend the world from the evil Decepticons. This limited edition, six SteelBook set contains six blockbuster TRANSFORMERS movies on 4K Ultra HD, and out-of-this-world special features on Blu-ray discs—together in one collection featuring unique artwork, housed in a fold-out slipcase with magnetic closure, and a collectible decal. From Michael Bay’s thrilling, action-packed TRANSFORMERS (2007) to the incredible origin story of BUMBLEBEE (2018), this must-have set features an all-star cast that includes Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Mark Wahlberg, John Cena, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Rachael Taylor, Stanley Tucci and more.

Product Description:

Get ready to roll out with the Autobots and their human allies as they defend the world from the evil Decepticons. This limited edition, six SteelBook set contains six blockbuster TRANSFORMERS movies on 4K Ultra HD, and out-of-this-world special features on bonus Blu-ray discs—together in one collection featuring unique artwork, housed in a fold-out slipcase with magnetic closure, and a collectible decal. From Michael Bay’s thrilling, action-packed TRANSFORMERS (2007) to the incredible origin story of BUMBLEBEE (2018), this must-have set features an all-star cast that includes Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Mark Wahlberg, John Cena, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Rachael Taylor, Stanley Tucci and more.(Includes: Bumblebee, Transformers, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (INTL), Transformers: The Last Knight).

To enter 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.

“TRANSFORMERS” LIMITED EDITION STEELBOOK 4k ULTRA HD + BLU-RAY 6-MOVIE COLLECTION is now in stores.

(Photo credit: Paramount Home Entertainment)

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts presents the Transform Your Car AR Lens on Snapchat. For the first time, Transformers fans can experience what they’ve always imagined: seeing their own car convert into a full-size robot. Built on SnapML, Snapchat’s machine learning technology, a user’s phone can scan any car—regardless of make, model, year or color—and watch as it converts into a robot.

Paramount Pictures is the first brand to utilize CarML (Machine Learning), a new technology created using SnapAR to apply effects to cars everywhere. The Transform Your Car Lens experience brings the blockbuster IP to every fan by giving them a Transformer, created from their own car. More here.

SYNOPSIS:

Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformer – the Maximals –  to join them as allies in the existing battle for earth. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, the film arrives in theatres June 9, 2023.

Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present

In Association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures

A Don Murphy/Tom DeSanto Production

A di Bonaventura Pictures Production

A Bay Films Production

DIRECTED BY

Steven Caple Jr.

SCREENPLAY BY

Joby Harold and Darnell Metayer & Josh Peters

and Erich Hoeber & Jon Hoeber

STORY BY 

Joby Harold

BASED ON

Hasbro’s Transformers™ Action Figures

PRODUCED BY 

Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto & Don Murphy, Michael Bay,

Mark Vahradian, Duncan Henderson

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg,

Don Granger, Brian Oliver, Bradley J. Fischer, Valerii An

CAST

Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Luna Lauren Velez, Dean Scott Vazquez, Tobe Nwigwe, Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Liza Koshy, John DiMaggio, David Sobolov, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Pete Davidson, Colman Domingo, Cristo Fernández, Tongayi Chirisa

TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS IS IN THEATRES JUNE 9, 2023.

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

Paramount Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of critically-acclaimed Box Office smash DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES!

Details:

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Starring: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Regé-Jean Page, Hugh Grant, Sophia Lillis

Director: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein

Synopsis:

A thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people in this hilarious and action-packed adventure.

Fans who purchase the film on Digital will have access to over an hour of fascinating bonus content taking them deeper into the exciting world of Dungeons & Dragons.  Go inside the making of the movie, featuring interviews with Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page and more.  Explore the universe, characters, magical creatures, epic fight sequences, and stunning visual effects.  Plus, laugh along with a hilarious gag reel and check out deleted & extended scenes not seen in theaters!  Bonus content is detailed below:

• From Dice to Dragons: Honoring the Lore— Go behind-the-scenes with Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and the cast and crew to witness the thrilling journey of bringing the classic board game to life in the ultimate D&D experience.
• Rogues’ Gallery: The Heroes of Dungeons & Dragons— Get an in-depth look at the heroes of the film as the cast delves into their characters and reveals the secrets behind bringing them to life on screen.
• Fantastic Foes— Explore the dark side of D&D with a look at the film’s complex and fascinating villains.
• The Bestiary— Check out the cutting-edge visual effects, prosthetics, and intricate costumes that went into the creation of the movie’s magical beings and fantastical beasts.
• Forging the Forgotten Realms— Discover the secrets behind the exciting sets and breathtaking locations in far away lands!
• Broadswords, Battle-axes & Badass Brawls— Dive into epic fight sequences with a behind-the-scenes look at the mind-blowing stunts and powerful weaponry that went into this heart-pumping action adventure.
• Gag Reel— Don’t miss the hilarious gag reel with bloopers and outtakes.

Deleted and Extended Scenes— Uncover even more of the action with deleted & extended scenes not seen in theatres 

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

Rules and regulations here.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES arrives in-stores May 30, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Home Entertainment)

Spelling Bee of Canada has announced the three winners of the 36th National Championship, which took place Sunday, May 28, 2023 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel in Richmond Hill. Following a series of regional competitions which have taken place across Canada, 60 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.

New this year: Stephen Lecce, MPP, Minister of Education of Ontario, gave his remarks at the awards ceremony.

Primary (ages 6 to 8)

Name: Ayaan Ahmad

Age: 8

Region: Wood Buffalo, AB

Winning Word: pigeonhole, astronaut

Junior (ages 9 to 11) 

Name: Alston Li

Age: 9

Region: British Columbia

Winning Word: multidimensional, entrepreneur

Intermediate (ages 12 to 14)

Name: Parnavdeep Singh Kundi

Age: 12

Region: British Columbia

Winning Word: Erse, precocial

More here.

I’m biased, I admit it! The Accord still to this day remains my favourite in the Honda family and I’ll tell you why. It possesses a sleek sophistication and is literally the perfect size – not too big, not too small, nor too low to the ground. Just enough power. Time and again over the years it’s been the one I’m always most excited to test drive as it continues to evolve.

I had the joy of test driving a 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring in a flashy radiant red, which helped me navigate an extremely busy period. True to form, it is a winner like its predecessors. From Blue Carpets to Restaurant Launches to family celebrations and set visits, we made sure this Honda Accord Hybrid Touring got exactly as its name suggests – a real tour-de-force!

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring exudes a quiet confidence. Quite literally, you’ll find yourself asking, “Is this thing even on?” it’s engine is so silent and emits this sonically-pleasing hum when turned-on. The engine is 2.0-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC 4-cylinder and the Hybrid Touring operates at 146 @ 6100 horsepower and 181 @ 5000-8000 electric horsepower, for a combined total of 204 horsepower.

The Accord has always prided itself not only on performance and smart style, but also value. Fuel Economy is impeccable 5.0/5.7/5.3 L/100 km (city/highway/combined). No word of a lie, a week of driving came out to less than $93 and we were what we’d consider great distances in and around the GTA. This is refreshing in this climate. Love you, ECON mode.

We are all about pleasant, ambient daily driving experiences and the Accord Hybrid Touring is exactly that. Privlege is a beautiful one-touch moonroof, connecting playlists on our phone to its 12.3-inch touchscreen Display Audio BOSE^® Premium Sound System with 12 speakers and heated/cooling seats with an 8-way adjustable perforated leather-trimmed driver’s seat. We are also impressed by Honda‘s updated menu and navigation system with added insights and clock interfaces. To be honest, we’ve been so used to using Google Maps on our phone on our drives that this latest version makes it so super-simple to just use Maps on the aforementioned display. It also displays our most recent and common destinations, making it easy to stay informed on our commutes. And did we mention the menu now has the capability of doing searches on Spotify, letting you also navigate your playlists on the app itself? We’ve waited so long for this!

We also are so appreciative of Driver Assist Technology. Honda is obsessed with safety and we can vouch that their Blind Spot Information has continued to keep us safe all these years. This car also has a feature called Traffic Jam Assist, which provides light steering assist all the way to a complete stop if needed. Operating at speeds below 80 km/hr, it helps the driver maintain lane position when traveling at slower speeds, such as might be experienced in congested traffic conditions. Toronto traffic is outright horrible, let’s admit it. Our commutes are longer than they were pre-Covid so this is actually quite helpful. Add to the list things like Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warnings, a 4-Wheel Anti-lock Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation , which are helpful all the seasons we experience in this City. Also, Traffic Sign Recognition is such a genius thing to have on our windshield and the Accord Hybrid Touring has added signs in addition to just speed limits, including Stop signs to be aware of now.

Honda is on a mission to save the lives. Always drive assured knowing that you are protected as much as possible with an abundance of Passive Safety features: i–SRS airbag system, Front knee airbags, Rear side airbags, Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system, SmartVent™ side airbags, 3-point front seat belts with automatic tensioning system and Honda‘s state of the art Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ body structure which enable the Accord Hybrid Touring to absorb and deflect the energy from a frontal collision should that ever happen.

We are very pleased with the car’s spaciousness, seating five comfortably and plenty of room in the trunk for stocking-up. Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines have us fooling our friends that we’re actually amazing at parallel parking and we love that front and rear parking sensors are body-coloured for the perfect aesthetic too!

It is so interesting that the recent generation of Honda vehicle’s we’ve driven, now have a rear-seat reminder in the event we don’t forget things (or loved ones) in the back! This and also maintenance reminders are intuitive and thoughtful.

Car theft is definitely on our minds more so than normal of late. The Accord Hybrid Touring is armed with an Immobilizer theft-deterrent system, including a Stolen Vehicle Locator and Remote Immobilizer. This gives us a lot piece of mind. Doors also lock when you walk away and the back doors are protected by childproof locks.

A reel of highlights from our Test Drive in the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring. This one in particular hit us in the feels and we hope you too.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring starts $46,464 CAN. More here.

It’s Disney‘s THE LITTLE MERMAID making a huge splash in its opening, taking $105 million Friday to Sunday from 4,320 theatres. By Monday, it is expected to gross $125 million this U.S. Memorial Day weekend. It gets generally favourable reviews with 67% on the Tomatometer. This is a far cry from its animated predecessor’s $6 million opening in 1989.

Second is FAST X with $21.8 million for the three day weekend, taking its two week total to $112.1 million for Universal Pictures.

In third is GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 with $20 million, a run of $306 million for Marvel/Disney over four weekends.

Fourth is THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE with $6.2 million for Universal Pictures, a tally of $560 million domestically over eight weekends.

THE MACHINE opens at the bottom of the Top Five with $2.6 million for Sony Pictures. The Action-Comedy gets 29% on the Tomatometer.

We absolutely adore the IT series of films and to learn that an Max Prequel series would bring Director Andy Muschietti back to Toronto, made me smile. The Series has been filming in and around Toronto and this week head to scenic Port Hope, where Muschietti‘s IT films were made as well.

We don’t know much about the Series’ premise but it was so incredibly cool seeing downtown Port Hope transformed to another era. The detailing of the streets, with new storefronts and gorgeous antique cars took us to another place and time!

Also, we are such a huge fan of Taylour Paige, who stars in WELCOME TO DERRY hot off wins for Best Female Lead at the Film Independent Spirit Awards for her outstanding performance in ZOLA, one of our fave films. She also left such an impression in acclaimed MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, winning an NAACP Image Award alongside her Co-Stars. Success has been long in the making for this multi-talented star, who once was a Laker Girl!

We trekked-up to Port Hope and were so happy finally to meet Paige and her husband, fashion figure Rivington Starchild. The couple drive to Toronto from California with their two dogs and were just so lovely. This was an incredible memory!

Earlier in the month, we had the pleasure of seeing Muschietti again and as always he’s so gracious to his fans. This weekend he and his sister Barbara will appear at a special fan screening of DC‘s THE FLASH in Toronto!

WELCOME TO DERRY will continue to film in and around the City up till December.

See a reel of highlights from the set of WELCOME TO DERRY!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)