Live Nation Canada and Mr. Will want to give our Toronto Readers a chance to witness the World Premiere of WHIPLASH IN CONCERT, conducted by none other than Academy Award-winning Composer Justin Hurwitz (La La Land, Babylon). An 18-piece jazz band ensemble will accompany the simultaneous screening of the acclaimed 2014 film and this takes place October 30, 2022 at The Danforth Music Hall!

Tickets are on sale now here.

Synopsis:

Whiplash centers on a promising young drummer (Miles Teller) who enrolls at a music conservatory where he encounters a cut-throat instructor (Simmons), with their intense relationship punctuated by Hurwitz’s diverse score and soundtrack. Whiplash is written and directed by Damien Chazelle, who won the Oscar® for Best Director for La La Land, his second collaboration with Hurwitz.

“It’s going to be a thrill and a high-wire act to perform all of the jazz big band and incredible drum solos in sync with the movie,” said Hurwitz. “Also, I just love this movie, have been very affected by the movie, and am excited for people to revisit Damien’s brilliant writing and directing on a big screen.”

To enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets, please 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: Mongrel Media)

HALLOWEEN ENDS nabs the #1 spot at the Box Office in its opening weekend for Universal Pictures, taking $43.4 million from 3,901 theatres. Despite reviews being less than stellar at 39% on the Tomatometer, this conclusion to David Gordon Green‘s Trilogy still has that appeal to Moviegoers. Best opening ever for the Halloween Franchise though, still goes to 2018’s Halloween which opened with $76 million in North America.

In second is SMILE, dethroned after a two week reign with $12 million from 3,612 theatres, a total $70 million over three weekends for Paramount Pictures.

Third goes to LYLE, LYLE CROCODILE with $7.2 million from 4,350 theatres for Sony Pictures. Over two weekends it has grossed $22.6 million.

Fourth is THE WOMAN KING with $3.7 million, a total $56 million over five weekends for Sony PIctures.

At the bottom of the Top Five is AMSTERDAM with $2.9 million, a two week tally of $12 million for 20th Century Studios.

Right in time for Halloween comes the Horror, PREY FOR THE DEVIL which stars Toronto’s own Jacqueline Byers as a woman who sets out to become the first female Exorcist. The Film is directed by Daniel Stamm (THE LAST EXORCISM) and is written by Robert Zappia (HALLOWEEN: H20, JACKASS 3D). 

Synopsis:

She was chosen. But who chose her? 😨 Sister Ann (Jacqueline Byers) believes she is answering a calling to be the first female exorcist… but who, or what, called her? In response to a global rise in demonic possessions, Ann seeks out a place at an exorcism school reopened by the Catholic Church. Until now these schools have only trained priests in the Rite of Exorcism – but a professor (Colin Salmon) recognizes Sister Ann’s gifts and agrees to train her. Thrust onto the spiritual frontline with fellow student Father Dante (Christian Navarro), Sister Ann finds herself in a battle for the soul of a young girl, who Sister Ann believes is possessed by the same demon that tormented her own mother years ago. Determined to root out the evil, Ann soon realizes the Devil has her right where he wants her.

Opening at Cineplex on October 28, 2022.

See the horrifying Trailer here:

(Photo/video credit: Lionsgate/Cineplex Pictures)

It’s definitely a love-hate relationship I have with UNSOLVED MYSTERIES. I remember Thursday nights as a kid panicking every time I heard that creepy theme song come on, signalling a cue to go hide in my bedroom. But I still would watch it and be mortified for days. Netflix’s latest incarnation of the True Crime/Exploration of the Unknown Series now already is in its third volume. And even well into my adulthood, I get goosebumps and anxiety every time I see that title treatment and hear that haunting theme song.

This new batch of nine mysteries range from visiting a very well-documented UFO sighting in Michigan with several chilling recorded accounts, to a missing college student whom we learn was harbouring some secrets, to perhaps the most compelling story of a woman who was murdered by her abductor some 45 years ago and despite all the signs pointing to him havine committed the crime, he still has yet to be tried for it. But get this, her spirit comes to haunt the inhabitants of her old apartment several years later, pointing them to guide the police in their efforts. If anything, the Series makes a statement about how gaps are present in the justice system and how investigations are conducted oftentime.

I dread watching these episodes, yet cannot look away and find myself thinking about these mysteries for days on-end. While the episodes are delivered in a more Docu-Series type approach, the heart of the Series that the truth is out there somewhere, still is poignant. This is tremendous storytelling and I’m sure after some time to overcome the trauma, I’ll be able to take on more episodes. Why do I do this to myself?

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES VOLUME THREE arrives in three weekly batches October 18, 25 and November 1, 2022.

We have some new images and the official Trailer from the fifth season of THE CROWN! Imelda Staunton plays Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Debicki joins as Diana.

Synopsis:

Based on historical events, The Crown dramatises the story of Queen Elizabeth II and the political and personal events that have shaped her reign.

With the new decade in its stride, the Royal Family are presented with possibly their biggest challenge to date as the public openly question their role in ‘90s Britain.

This turbulent decade for the Royal Family has been well documented and interpreted by journalists, biographers and historians. As Elizabeth Debicki, who takes on the role of Princess Diana, explains “That’s the amazing thing about playing these people at this time, because in the journey of The Crown so far out of all the seasons, this is the most visual content we have of the Royal Family. In the ‘90s everything had started to be filmed and also it was the birth of the 24-hour news cycle so there’s just this incredible amount of content that we have access to.”

With this being the final cast change, Dominic West (Prince Charles) explains “I think people understand, because the cast has changed every two seasons, that this is not an imitation,” he says. “This is an evoking of a character.”

Whilst Imelda Staunton (Queen Elizabeth II) hopes that, like her character, she has done her duty to the audience: “What has been nice, and I hope I don’t prove them wrong, is people saying, ‘I’m really looking forward to seeing her as the queen. So, let’s just hope that works out for them because I’ve done it. Nothing I can do about it now!”.

The fifth season of THE CROWN arrives on Netflix on November 9, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Toronto’s never seen anything like this! Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson electrified the City last night in support of DC Comics’ upcoming release, BLACK ADAM in which he both stars and produces. Cineplex‘s The Rec Room housed 900+ fans and Media tonight as Johnson took to the stage with Producer Hiram Garcia to give a quick overview what to expect of this upcoming Blockbuster. Following this, he spoke to select Media outlets from across the country on the Red Carpet, before surprising even more fans at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Home Opener at Scotiabank Arena.

Johnson took to the stage, declaring “Finally, The Rock has come back to Toronto!”, drawing cheers from the crowd before reminding us that his father is actually from here. On “Black Adam”, he says unlike Superman, his character “will kill your ass just like that”! He clarifies that the Film centers on the Justice Society of American (The JSA) whom actually preceded the famed Justice League which is comprised of among others, Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman. Garcia also says, “Black Adam” is about the usher-in a while new generation of characters and storytelling into the DC Universe… in a big way!”. And big this whole affair was indeed.

Not only did one fan get awarded a free trip to Hollywood to visit Warner Bros.’ Studio, Johnson stated that “Black Adam never goes by the rules”, then dropping the surprise that two winners in fact, will get to go on this amazing trip!

Other fans got to play “Rock, Paper, Scissors” on-stage for a chance to win Toronto Raptors tickets, and stays at the Fairmont Royal York and Shangri La Hotels. Other prizes included CineClub Memberships (courtesy of Cineplex) and a one-year supply of ZOA, Johnson’s sugar-free energy drink. The event, fittingly titled BLACK ADAM ROCKS CANADA, was brought to us by Audi, Rogers Sports and Media and Cineplex.

Check-out some highlights from the #BLACKADAMROCKSCANADA:

Some Snaps from the event:

Following this, fans marched along John Street to Scotiabank Theatre where they were able to enjoy a special Advance Screening of BLACK ADAM! Our Review to come soon.

Perhaps the greatest Fan Event this City has and will ever see!

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release BLACK ADAM in theatres October 21, 2022.

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

Matthew Warchus’ MATHILDA THE MUSICAL is soon before us and today we get a glimpse of the new Trailer of this grand production, based on Roald Dahl‘s beloved book!

Synopsis:

A brand new take on the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical. Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical tells the story of an extraordinary girl, with a vivid imagination, who dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.

Cast: Academy Award® Winner Emma Thompson (Miss Trunchbull), Alisha Weir (Matilda); Lashana Lynch (Miss Honey), Stephen Graham (Mr. Wormwood), Andrea Riseborough (Mrs. Wormwood), Sindhu Vee (Mrs. Phelps)

Also Introducing: Charlie Hodson-Prior (Bruce Bogtrotter), Meesha Garbett (Hortensia), Rei Yamauchi Fulker (Lavender), Winter Jarrett Glasspool (Amanda Thripp), Andrei Shen (Eric), Ashton Robertson (Nigel)

So as you’re aware Just for Laughs celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year in Montréal and a Gala was held to celebrate that with some marquee names in-attendance. Now’s your chance to see the Gala broadcast on TV! As a TV exclusive, CBC will air that celebration for comedy enthusiasts coast to coast.

Tune in to the CBC on November 8, 2022 at 9:00 PM ET (9:30 PM NT) to watch Just For Laughs 40, the anniversary special featuring extraordinary presenters and performances from some of today’s most influential names in comedy, as well as a few surprise appearances!

Presenters include comedy superstars Nikki Glaser, Jimmy Carr, Russell Peters, Dave Merheje, and Fortune Feimster; with performances by Matteo Lane, Katherine Ryan, Caroline Rhea, Tommy Tiernan, Chris Redd, and a very special guest, Canadian comedy icon, Rick Mercer.

(Photo credit: Just for Laughs)

Emily Blunt stars in Prime Video‘s upcoming Western Series, THE ENGLISH. Here’s a look at the new Trailer!

Synopsis:

The English is an epic chase Western, from award-winning writer and director Hugo Blick (The Honourable Woman, Black Earth Rising, The Shadow Line). The series takes the core themes of identity and revenge to tell a uniquely compelling parable on race, power, and love. An aristocratic Englishwoman, Lady Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt), and a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout, Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), come together in 1890 middle America to cross a violent landscape built on dreams and blood. Both of them have a clear sense of their destiny, but neither is aware that it is rooted in a shared past. They must face increasingly terrifying obstacles that will test them to their limits, physically and psychologically. But as each obstacle is overcome, it draws them closer to their ultimate destination—the new town of Hoxem, Wyoming. It is here, after an investigation by the local sheriff Robert Marshall (Stephen Rea, The Shadow Line) and young widow Martha Myers (Valerie Pachner, A Hidden Life) into a series of bizarre and macabre unsolved murders, that the full extent of their intertwined history will be truly understood, and they will come face-to-face with the future they must live. The series’ ensemble cast includes Rafe Spall (The Salisbury Poisonings), Tom Hughes (A Discovery of Witches), Toby Jones (Marvellous), and Ciarán Hinds (The Terror).

The English is produced by Drama Republic Ltd, a Mediawan company, and Eight Rooks Ltd. The series is created by Hugo Blick—who also serves as an executive producer, director, and writer. Emily Blunt also serves as executive producer, alongside Greg Brenman (Peaky Blinders, The Honourable Woman) for Drama Republic. Colin Wratten (Killing Eve) serves as a producer on The English. Global distribution is handled by All3Media International.

THE ENGLISH arrives on Prime Video November 11, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video)

While we’re awaiting the arrival of Prequel Series QUEEN CHARLOTTE: A BRIDGERTON STORY in 2023, Toronto really got lucky as THE QUEEN’S BALL: A BRIDGERTON EXPERIENCE has arrived in the City. The immersive experience brought to us by Netflix, Shondaland and Fever, gives fans of the Shondaland Series not only a chance to get dressed-up in Regency-era attire, but a chance to bond and mingle with other fans, dance, pose for some epic photo ops, have Brigerton-inspired cocktails and also a chance to catch Queen Charlotte‘s eye and be chosen her “diamond”. Did we mention there’s lot of cool licensed merch, including Pat McGrath x Bridgerton Makeup and Tea by The Republic of Tea?

The event takes place by the waterfront at Cinespace Studios (8 Unwin Avenue, where Netflix‘s Production Headquarters are), transforming the lofty space into a mecca of everything Bridgerton! We literally transported to another place and time, the joy of these guests completely infectious as their eyes were fixed on some beautiful dance performances set to the orchestral covers we hear in the Bridgerton Series Soundtracks. There’s even a VIP Area that includes seating and cocktails. Did you know VIP Guests get a special discount on merchandise as well?

We genuinely had an amazing time and were in awe how cool some of these Photo Ops were, which saw guests queueing patiently in an orderly manner for their turn. Such an amazing level of detail was placed into this!

See a Highlight Reel of THE QUEEN’S BALL: A BRIDGERTON EXPERIENCE:

THE QUEEN’S BALL: A BRIDGERTON EXPERIENCE is running now through December 4, 2022 – which isn’t a lot of time. Visit here for more detail on how to get tickets.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)