Literally THE MOVIE we’re waiting for in 2023. Check-out this bubbly new Teaser for Greta Gerwig‘s BARBIE starring Margot Robbie!

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release BARBIE Summer 2023.

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

Celebrate the holiday season with the Madrigal family as the storied Hollywood Bowl transforms into the magical Casita from “Encanto” in a show-stopping concert event, “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl,” with a special introduction by Lin-Manuel Miranda. From Disney Branded Television and produced by Fulwell 73 Productions (“Among the Stars,” Emmy Award^®-winning “Adele: One Night Only,” “GRAMMYS^®”), the all-new original special will be available to stream on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 only on Disney+. 

Step into Casa Madrigal for an unprecedented concert spectacular as the original voice cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award^®-winning “Encanto” reunites at the Hollywood Bowl. Starring Stephanie Beatriz (as Mirabel), Adassa (as Dolores), Carolina Gaitán (as Pepa), Jessica Darrow (as Luisa), Diane Guerrero (as Isabela), Mauro Castillo (as Félix), Angie Cepeda (as Julieta) and Olga Merediz (as Abuela Alma) and special guests, including legendary Colombian superstars and multiple Latin GRAMMY Winners Carlos Vives and Andrés Cepeda, “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl” turns the historic venue into the world of the animated film that became a global phenomenon. This live-to-film concert experience, featuring an 80-person orchestra, 50 dancers and out-of-this-world special effects, gives viewers a front-row seat to the unprecedented musical extravaganza celebrating the world, characters and songs of Disney Animation’s “Encanto.”

“‘Encanto,’ the film, has connected with people in so many important and wonderful ways, and playing Mirabel was an incredibly powerful and life-changing experience. I’m beyond thrilled to perform these beautiful songs live, along with my fellow ‘Encanto’ cast, in one of the most iconic concert venues in the world,” says Stephanie Beatriz (Mirabel).

“‘Encanto’ has seen incredible success on Disney+, quickly rising as one of the most-watched animated films on the streaming service and ultimately becoming a global phenomenon that fans couldn’t stop talking about. This holiday season, Disney+ is opening the doors to Casa Madrigal once again for a dazzling musical experience that will celebrate the magic and wonder of ‘Encanto’ in a whole new way,” says Alisa Bowen, president of Disney+.

“We are so excited for this incredibly prolific concert event that is bringing together award-winning talent and some of the best storytellers in the world. With our partners at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, AMP Worldwide and Live Nation-Hewitt Silva, the music of ‘Encanto’ will come to life in a must-see way that rivals the likes of the biggest award-show performances, and we’re so thrilled audiences across the world can experience the spectacle from wherever they are on Disney+,” says Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television.

As previously announced, the spectacular concert production, on a massive scale, reunites the all-star cast who will perform the songs from the Oscar^®-winning film, including fan-favorite musical numbers such as “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure,” at the iconic Hollywood Bowl.

“Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl” will be directed by Chris Howe (“Coldplay Live at Whitby Abbey,” “Bruno Mars: 24k Magic Live at Apollo”) and Jamal Sims (original “Encanto” film choreographer) with production design by Misty Buckley (“Coldplay’s 2016 Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show,” ABC’s “The Little Mermaid Live!”). Sally Wood (“BRIT Awards 2021,” “An Audience with Adele”) is Fulwell 73 Productions’ creative showrunner, with Gabe Turner, Emma Conway and Lou Fox serving as executive producers. The Hollywood Bowl’s visual transformation into the Casita is brought to life by NorthHouse (Coldplay at “The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee”). The concert event is produced by Fulwell 73 Productions, Live Nation-Hewitt Silva and Disney Concerts, along with AMP Worldwide, the team behind several highly acclaimed live-to-film events at the Hollywood Bowl, including Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast in Concert,” starring Zooey Deschanel and Kelsey Grammer, as well as Disney’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” starring Danny Elfman and Catherine O’Hara. For Disney Branded Television, Marc Buhaj is vice president, unscripted and nonfiction, and Nicole Silveira is vice president, unscripted.

Conductor Anthony Parnther will lead the full orchestra performing the film’s score and cherished songs live-to-picture, along with the outstanding cast and special guest artists performing the film’s acclaimed songs live. A Colombian band, featuring musicians from the original soundtrack, will accompany the orchestra.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a magical house within a vibrant town that’s situated in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal — every child except one: Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she — the only ordinary Madrigal — just might be her exceptional family’s last hope.

The “Encanto” original motion picture soundtrack features eight original songs by Academy Award-nominated, Tony^® and GRAMMY-winning songwriter/composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Moana”) with an original score by Academy Award-nominated composer Germaine Franco. The R.I.A.A. platinum-certified soundtrack held the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 album chart for nine non-consecutive weeks, and the R.I.A.A. three-time platinum-certified song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” topped the Hot 100 chart for five weeks. The soundtrack and song held the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 simultaneously for five consecutive weeks.

(Photo/video credit: Disney+)

The legendary annual music event NXNE announced today that tickets for this year’s festival are now on sale at www.nxne.com. Taking place from June 13-17, 2023, downtown Toronto will sizzle with a celebration of community, the best new music, industry events, parties, and more. The $25 festival pass admits music lovers into every show at every venue for the duration of the festival – an incredible offer that is cheaper than the festival’s 1995 $29 launch price. But wait, there’s more! Just in time for the holidays, 2-for-1 festival passes are available until December 31, 2022.

Dozens of artists from Canada and all over the world performed their first live shows ever at NXNE. Top Canadian and international acts have all played NXNE at key early stages of their careers including:  Lizzo, Arkells, Feist, Billy Talent, Run The Jewels, Daniel Caesar, Big Freedia and many more. The festival remains an accessible festival with few financial barriers to perform or attend and is wholly committed to diversity and gender equity in selecting NXNE artists. 

“Our commitment to eliminating financial barriers to attend or perform at the festival means we can present the most accurate snapshot of Canada’s emerging talent – playing to full houses across the city,” says NXNE Founder, Michael Hollett. “Our festival passes are cheaper than in our first year – back in the ‘90s. Less than five bucks a night if you attend NXNE from Tuesday to Saturday. And that’s before the 2-for-1 deal.”

New this year will be the NXNE Headquarters, a busy artist and festival hub in the heart of Toronto’s live music district. Located at It’s OK (468 Queen Street West), NX HQ will feature a lounge, parties, industry panels, band merchandise and performances. 

Another new and exciting addition to this year’s NXNE will be a collaboration with the City of Memphis’ Music Export initiative, MEM. The partners will be presenting an official nighttime showcase plus a day show that highlights the best of contemporary Memphis music to NXNE’s audience of discovery-obsessed music lovers. Furthermore, it should be noted that MEM will not only be showcasing musical talent … they will be bringing BBQ.

“Artists in Memphis have been telling us for a while that Toronto is a top market they’re interested in, so working with NXNE on a showcase just made sense. We’re so excited to bring the tastes and sounds of our city to Toronto in June and hope this is the beginning of a long-standing partnership!” – Elizabeth Cawein, Executive Director, MEM.

NXNE is grateful for the support of all of our partners including FACTOR, Government of Canada, SLAIGHT Music, Music Export Memphis and Steam Whistle.

By Mr. Will Wong

Following the historic success of James Cameron’s AVATAR, which went on to gross $2.9 billion worldwide, fans have been holding-out for a worthy successor film. The wait is almost over with AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER finally arriving in theatres this weekend. Set a decade after the events of its predecessor, the Sequel sees the Sully family forced from their home when an ancient threat surfaces, leaving them no choice but to go to war against the humans.

Toronto was fortunate enough to host the Film’s Canadian Premiere with the blue carpet rolled-out at Scotiabank Theatre.

The Film’s new generation of stars were in attendance, including:

Jamie Flatters (Neteyam, the oldest Sully child)
Trinity Bliss (Tuktirey, the youngest Sully child)
Jack Champion (Spider, a human child left behind on Pandora as a toddler)
Bailey Bass (Tsireya, Metkayina clan, Ronal and Tonowari’s daughter)
Filip Geljo (Aonung, Metkayina clan, Ronal and Tonowari’s son)

We ask Trinity Jo-Li Bliss about her character, Tuk and her importance to the story.

Bliss: “I play Tuk and she has a really big heart, she’s really curious and she loves her family – the most important thing to her. She’ll do anything to fight for them.”.

Bliss walked away from the Film with a renewed appreciation of the importance of protecting the earth.

Bliss: “Our set was so environmentally-friendly. We had plant-based catering, we had our Avatar mugs that the water dispensed water into – you know, The Way of Water. The set opened my eyes to ways that we can do better for our earth. Just like Jake (Sam Worthington) and Ney’tiri (Zoe Saldana) protecting their Pandora, we need to protect our earth and not only come together to protect our earth when it’s in trouble.”.

Though Jack Champion has never been to Toronto before, he did film SCREAM VI in Montreal. He has fond memories.

Champion: “The food here is amazing. You guys have great Italian food and Tim Hortons – the #1 coffee place. I honestly love it because I had it in Montreal. We had it right across the street where I was staying every morning. What is it, I had the Justin Bieber … oh yes, the Timbiebs!”.

He tells us more about his character Spider, who is an orphan.

Champion: “I play Spider and he is a human. He’s born and raised in Hell’s Gate (the human base on Pandora), but orphaned after the humans get their butts kicked. He grew-up along with the Na’vi and the Sully family. Spider‘s always wanted a family – that’s his #1 goal, even if he’s not fully accepted. That’s why when humans come back, it unleashes a whole new can of worms, untangling a whole web of problems.”.

Jamie Flatters tells us about his role as Neteyam, the eldest son in the Sully family. This being his first time in Toronto, he has plans to hit-up Kensington Market and Queen Street West in his short time here.

Flatters: “I play Neteyam, who’s the son of Jake and Ney’tiri . He’s part of the family unit which unfortunately gets forced out of their home, and he has to keep the family ideal alive.”.

He tells us the greatest lesson he took away from his time on-set.

Flatters: “A strong moral idea of responsibility at a young age is actually a good thing, but don’t take it too far. Be easy on yourself.”.

Bailey Bass is a proud New Yorker, but actually really excited to see tomorrow’s expected snow storm. She tells us about her character.

Bass: “I play Tsireya who’s part of the Metkayina clan. She’s a strong free diver who has a big heart and is super-kind. She teaches the Sullys the way of the water.”.

With the Film focusing so much on the new generation, Bass tells us what this means to her.

Bass: “I think it means a lot to me. We’re showing the characters in ways that have never been seen before. I think a lot of characters are going to feel seen in these characters in a way that’s never been done.”.

See highlights and our Chats here:

20th Century Studios Canada release AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER (available in 3D) Friday, December 16, 2022.

Review here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Apple TV+ today announced that “Dear Edward,” the highly anticipated drama series written and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jason Katims, and starring Emmy nominee Connie Britton and SAG Award winner Taylor Schilling, will make its global debut with the first three episodes of its 10-episode first season on Friday, February 3, 2023, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday through March 24, 2023. Adapted from Ann Napolitano’s bestselling, acclaimed novel, “Dear Edward” is a heartbreaking, life-affirming, and uplifting story about survival, resilience, connection, and the examination of what makes us human.

Hailing from Apple Studios, “Dear Edward” tells the story of Edward Adler (played by Colin O’Brien), a 12-year-old boy who survives a devastating commercial plane crash that kills every other passenger on the flight, including his family. As Edward and others all over the world are affected by the tragedy try to make sense of life after the crash, unexpected friendships, romances and communities are formed. “Dear Edward” stars Emmy nominee Connie Britton, SAG Award winner Taylor Schilling and introduces newcomer Colin O’Brien. The ensemble cast also includes Amy Forsyth, Anna Uzele, Audrey Corsa, Brittany S. Hall, Carter Hudson, Dario Ladani Sanchez, Douglas M. Griffin, Eva Ariel Binder, Idris DeBrand, Ivan Shaw, Jenna Qureshi, Khloe Bruno and Maxwell Jenkins.

“Dear Edward” is written by Katims, who serves as showrunner. He executive produces through True Jack Productions alongside Jeni Mulein. Book author Ann Napolitano also serves as executive producer alongside Fisher Stevens (“Palmer”), who is set to direct the first episode and serve as executive producer on the pilot.

(Photo credit: Apple TV+)

Today, STACKTV, Corus Entertainment’s premium multi-channel streaming service, announced that its robust roster of premium content is expanding with three new channels from Disney. Starting today, STACKTV subscribers can enjoy live streaming and hundreds of episodes from Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD.

“Our mission to provide exceptional value for subscribers has further advanced with the launch of Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD on STACKTV, just in time for the holidays,” said Drew Robinson VP, Content Distribution, Corus Entertainment. “The addition of these three popular kids channels not only expands our premium multi-channel streaming package, but underscores our commitment to providing content for the whole family to enjoy.” 

The Disney Channels will bring some of their most popular series and family-friendly favourites, including Mickey Mouse Funhouse, Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest, DuckTales, The Ghost and Molly McGee, Raven’s Home and The Villains of Valley View. Premieres will be added monthly including season 7 of Bunk’d, Disney’s longest running live action series; the highly anticipated Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur as well as Disney Junior’s Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures coming in 2023. 

STACKTV is a streaming service to watch the latest hit shows – live and on demand. Stream 16 of the most popular channels on TV – without the need for a traditional cable package. Never miss a moment with live TV and watch thousands of hours of shows on demand. Stream content from across all genres including, lifestyle, reality, kids, dramas, news and exclusive programming. Watch hundreds of shows produced by world-class studios that are carefully selected to provide Canadians with the latest and best that TV has to offer.  There’s always something new to find and discover on STACKTV. 

STREAMING NOW ON DEMAND ON STACKTV

• Disney Channel’s Big City Greens, Bunk’d, Hamster & Gretel, Raven’s Home, The Ghost and Molly McGee, The Owl House, The Villains of Valley View and Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion.
• Disney Junior’s Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, Bluey, Eureka!, Firebuds, Gigantosaurus, Mickey Mouse Funhouse, PJ Masks, Puppy Dog Pals and Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends.
• Disney XD’s Ghostforce.

Currently, STACKTV is available to Amazon Prime Video subscribers, Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite Streaming customers, in addition to FuboTV customers. Subscribers to Prime Video can sign-up for STACKTV with a 30-day free trial and then for $12.99/month following the free trial.In addition to the Disney Channels, STACKTV has fun for the whole family on YTV, Treehouse, and TELETOON, with Teen Titans Go!, Dragons: Nine Realms, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Loud House, Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! and more. 

Paramount+ today released the official trailer and key art for the second season of its original drama series MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, starring Academy Award® nominee Jeremy Renner and Academy Award winner Dianne Wiest, which will debut on Sunday, Jan. 15, exclusively on the service in the U.S. and Canada. The series will premiere the following day in the U.K. and Australia. Premiere dates for other Paramount+ international markets will be announced at a later date.

From co-creators Academy Award® nominee Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN follows the McLusky family, power brokers in Kingstown, Mich., where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. Tackling themes of systemic racism, corruption and inequality, the series provides a stark look at their attempt to bring order and justice to a town that has neither. The series also stars Dillon, Taylor Handley, Emma Laird, Tobi Bamtefa, Derek Webster, Nishi Munshi, Hamish Allan-Headley and Aidan Gillen.

Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch Productions, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN is executive produced by Sheridan, Dillon, Renner, Antoine Fuqua, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman, Dave Erickson, Regina Corrado and Stephen Kay.

The second season of MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN is the latest addition to Sheridan’s growing slate on Paramount+, which includes 1883, TULSA KING and the upcoming series 1923, which premieres Sunday, Dec. 18, LIONESS, and LAND MAN.

The first season of MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN is available to binge exclusively on Paramount+.

Corus Entertainment’s top 10 specialty network* W Network unveiled today a sizzling hot lineup of drama programming to keep viewers warm all winter long; featuring six brand new and returning hit series, plus a four-part W Network original movie special event, all available to stream live and on demand with STACKTV.

All roads lead to home with the premiere of Hallmark Channel Original Series The Way Home on Sunday, January 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The Way Home is a family drama following the lives of three generations of women – Kat Landry (Chyler Leigh), her teen daughter Alice (Sadie Laflamme-Snow) and Kat’s mother Del (Andie MacDowell), who are all strong, willful and independent. More than 20 years prior, life changing events prompted Kat to move away from her small, Canadian farm town of Port Haven and she remains estranged from Del to this day. Alice has never met her grandmother and is unaware of the reasons for their fractured family. As the three generations of women slowly work on finding their footing as a family, they embark on an enlightening – and surprising – journey none of them could have imagined as they learn how to find their way back to each other.

This February, fall head over heels for The Love Club! These four W Network Original Movies will air as a four-part special event, with a premiere every Monday in February at 8 p.m. ET/PT beginning February 6. At a New Year’s Eve college party, four women – Nicole (Brittany Bristow), Lauren (Chantel Riley), Sydney (Lily Gao) and Tara (Camille Stopps) – each dealing with their own dating disaster, take a vow to call on one another if they are ever in romantic crisis again. This vow that has them resurrecting their “Love Club” ten years later as each of them search for their unique happily ever after. Viewers will be able to follow the lives of The Love Club by watching the four-part movie event sequentially or as stand-alone movies, in which each woman is the lead in her own romantic journey, helped by the rest of her friends to find their one true love.

Highly anticipated limited series The Best Man: The Final Chapters premieres Thursday, March 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Based on the eponymous Universal film franchise written and directed by Malcom D. Lee (who also directed four episodes), the drama series will catch up with Harper, Lance, Murch, Quentin, Jordan, Robyn, Candace, and Shelby as relationships evolve and past grievances resurface in the unpredictable stages of midlife crisis meets midlife renaissance. Produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, the series reunites the film’s original cast including Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Harold Perrineau.

As the exclusive home of Hallmark Channel every weekend, year-round, W Network continues to warm hearts this season with Hallmark Channel’s New Year New Movies beginning January 1 with six all new exclusive premieres and back-to-back movies every weekend in January, including the continuation of the beloved The Wedding Veil sequel trilogy starring Lacey Chabert, Autumn Reeser and Alison Sweeney. Then in February, Hallmark Channel’s Loveuary returns with a month-long celebration of Valentine’s Day featuring brand new movie premieres.

Additional winter programming highlights include:

• New episodes of Walker Independence continue Sunday, January 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
• The mystery unravels in the gripping new season of One of Us is Lying returning on Thursday, January 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
• The celebratory farewell season of A Million Little Things begins on Wednesday, February 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. 
• Like sands through the hourglass, Days of our Lives continues with new episodes Mondays to Fridays at 1 p.m. ET/PT.

(Photo credit: W Network)

Paramount+ viewers in Canada will soon observe a tale of both comedy and caution, of satire and stupidity, where minds may switch, bodies may shrink, and robots may rise in SpongeBob SquarePants Presents The Tidal Zone, premiering on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

SpongeBob SquarePants Presents The Tidal Zone is a journey into an hour of television where two dimensions can become three, and French divers can wear black ties. Narrated by the French Narrator, the one-hour special encompasses all three animated series within the SpongeBob Universe, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Patrick Star Show, and the Paramount+ original series Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years andfollows GrandPat (The Patrick Star Show) as he makes his way through each dimension.  

The special features legendary voice talent Tom Kenny(SpongeBob SquarePants), Bill Fagerbakke(Patrick Star), Jill Talley(Karen, Squidina), Cree Summer (Bunny Star), Tom Wilson (Cecil Star),  Dana Snyder (GrandPat), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Mr. Lawrence (Plankton), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy Cheeks) and Rodger Bumpass (Squidward).

Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the most-watched animated series for nearly 20 consecutive years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most widely distributed properties in Paramount International history, seen in more than 170 countries, translated in 29+ languages, and averaging more than 100 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif.  The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount+)

We’re pleased to present a sneak peek at eagerly-awaited SCREAM VI! Check-out this new Teaser!

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS 

Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter. In Scream VI, Melissa Barrera (“Sam Carpenter”), Jasmin Savoy Brown (“Mindy Meeks-Martin”), Mason Gooding (“Chad Meeks-Martin”), Jenna Ortega (“Tara Carpenter”), Hayden Panettiere (“Kirby Reed”) and Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) return to their roles in the franchise alongside Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, and Samara Weaving.

DIRECTED BY 

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett

WRITTEN BY

James Vanderbilt & Guy Busick

BASED ON CHARACTERS CREATED BY

Kevin Williamson

PRODUCED BY

William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY

 Kevin Williamson, Gary Barber, Peter Oillataguerre, Chad Villella, Courteney Cox,

Ron Lynch, Cathy Konrad, Marianne Maddalena

STARRING

Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Mason Gooding, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Jenna Ortega, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, Samara Weaving with Hayden Panettiere and Courteney Cox.

Paramount Pictures Canada release SCREAM VI March 10, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)