Nicole Kidman executive produces upcoming Apple TV+ Anthology Series ROAR, based on stories be Cecelia Ahern, spanning many genres. Your first look at the Trailer.

Synopsis:

Roar is an anthology series of darkly comic feminist fables. Spanning genres from magical realism to psychological horror, these eight stand-alone stories feature ordinary women in some pretty extraordinary circumstances. In “Roar,” women eat photographs, date ducks, live on shelves like trophies. And yet, their struggles are universal. 

The gripping trailer highlights the award-winning cast of actors that star across the eight distinct stories, including Academy, Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Nicole Kidman (“Being the Ricardos”), who also executive produces; Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”); six-time Emmy Award-nominee Issa Rae (“Insecure”); Emmy Award winner Merritt Wever (“Unbelievable”); SAG Award nominee Alison Brie (“Happiest Season,” GLOW); three-time Emmy Award-nominee Betty Gilpin (“GLOW,” “The Tomorrow War”); Meera Syal (“Yesterday”), Fivel Stewart (“Atypical”) and Kara Hayward (“Us”). 

Each instalment of the anthology series will also feature notable stars such as Nick Kroll (“Big Mouth”), Judy Davis (“Nitram”), Alfred Molina (“Spider-Man: No Way Home”), Daniel Dae Kim (“Lost”), Jake Johnson (“New Girl”), Jason Mantzoukas (“Big Mouth”), Chris Lowell (“GLOW”), Ego Nwodim (“Saturday Night Live”), Griffin Matthews (“The Flight Attendant”), Peter Facinelli (“YesterYear”), Simon Baker (“The Mentalist”), Hugh Dancy (“Law & Order”), Jillian Bell (“Brittany Runs a Marathon”), Bernard White (“Evil Eye”), Justin Kirk (“Weeds”) and more.   

ROAR arrives on Apple TV+ Friday, April 15, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+) 

BAD SISTERS is coming soon to Apple TV+. Your first look at this Dark Comedy led by an amazing female Ensemble Cast.

Synopsis:

A delicious blend of both dark comedy and thriller, “Bad Sisters” follows the lives of the Garvey sisters bound together by the premature death of their parents and a promise to always protect one another.  In addition to Horgan, the series will star Anne-Marie Duff (“Suffragette,” “The Salisbury Poisonings”), Eva Birthistle (“Brooklyn,” “The Last Kingdom”), Sarah Greene (“Frank of Ireland,” “Dublin Murders”) and Eve Hewson (“Behind her Eyes,” “The Luminaries”) as the Garvey sisters.  The ensemble cast also includes Claes Bang (“Dracula,” “The Northman”), Brian Gleeson (“Frank of Ireland,” “Peaky Blinders”), Daryl McCormack (“Good Luck to you, Leo Grande,” “Peaky Blinders”), Assaad Bouab (“Call My Agent,” The Pursuit of Love”) and newcomer Saise Quinn (“Monster”).

The ten episode Series arrives later this year on Apple TV+.

(Photo credit: Apple TV+)

Two important dates coming-up for all your fans of STRANGER THINGS!

May 27, 2022 (Volume One arrives)

July 1, 2022 (Volume Two arrives)

While we’re waiting, some new stills from the upcoming season have arrived!

Starring: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler) and Matthew Modine (Dr. Brenner)

Additional Cast Members: Jamie Campbell Bower (Peter Ballard), Joseph Quinn (Eddie Munson), Eduardo Franco (Argyle), Sherman Augustus (Lt. Colonel Sullivan), Mason Dye (Jason Carver), Nikola Djuricko (Yuri), Tom Wlaschiha (Dmitri), Myles Truitt (Patrick), Regina Ting Chen (Ms. Kelly), Grace Van Dien (Chrissy), Logan Riley Bruner (Fred Benson), Logan Allen (Jake), Elodie Grace Orkin (Angela), John Reynolds (Officer Callahan), Rob Morgan (Chief Powell), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie) and Robert Englund (Victor Creel)

(Photo credit: Netflix)

Amy Schumer not only stars in, but writes, directs and produces new Series LIFE & BETH. The ten episode Series centers on its titular character (Schumer), who is grappling with some deeply-rooted unhappiness. She works for a wine distribution company and is up for a promotion, about to get married to Matt (Kevin Kane). After a loss, she finds herself trying to navigate grief, deciding to head back to Long Island for work, breaking things off with Matt. She soon meets a farmer named John (Michael Cera) at a vineyard she represents, and she begins to re-evaluate her life.

LIFE & BETH isn’t necessarily what you’d expect of Schumer. The Series is actually surprisingly subtle and perhaps her most mature work to date. At 30 minutes each, the story takes a few episodes to figure where it’s going as we go between present and flashbacks to Beth‘s adolescent self, played by Violet Young. Before you know it, you are drawn-in to her world and all these new relationships she’s forming.

The humour isn’t hysterical, and in fact LIFE & BETH feels more like a Dramedy than Comedy. Its jokes often coming from Beth‘s constant feeling like a fish out of water, and the fact that the wine company she works for sounds like “Keurig” – which everyone seems to confuse everyone – as she goes on this journey back to herself again.

If you’re willing to invest your time this Series, it’ll reward you with its heart and message of forgiveness. LIFE & BETH streams now on Disney+ via its Star banner.

After winning raves at Sundance 2022 including the NEXT Audience Award and the NEXT Innovator Award, Documentary FRAMING AGNES will premiere at HOT DOCS 2022.

Synopsis:

The film follows a young trans woman named Agnes in the late 1950s, who participated in Harold Garfinkel’s gender health research at UCLA, to gain access to the gender affirming care she so willfully sought out. Her story was considered to be singular until 2017 when eight never-before-seen case files of other patients from the same era were uncovered. In this rigorous cinematic exercise, director Chase Joynt explores how medicine and media have set various frames of understanding for trans existence and experience. Through a collaborative practice of reimagination, a stellar cast of trans talent including Zackary Drucker (Transparent), Angelica Ross (Pose), Jen Richards (Her Story), Silas Howard (A Kid Like Jake), Max Wolf Valerio (The Testosterone Files) and Stephan Ira take on vividly rendered, impeccably vintage reenactments, bringing to life groundbreaking artifacts of mid-century trans health care.

Framing Agnes was selected by Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program and made in partnership with Canada Council for the Arts, Hot Docs Ted Rogers Fund, XTR, University of Victoria, Into the Noise and Inside Out Re: Focus Fund. The documentary was first developed as a short film and premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival.

More info about this year’s HOT DOCS Festival can be found here.

(Photo/video credit: Hot Docs)

Canneseries 2021 Dior Prize and Best Screenplay winner THE ALLEGATION is about to make its debut here in Canada. The German Drama based on true events in the ’90s, has received much acclaim and it arrives only on Hollywood Suite, the first two episodes airing April 7, 2022.

Synopsis:

Conceived by German criminal lawyer turned best-selling author Ferdinand Von Schirach, The Allegation is inspired by the true story of a shocking child sexual abuse scandal that rocked the German legal system in the 1990s. When a pediatrician discovers seemingly incontrovertible evidence that a young girl has been abused, events are set in motion that lead to a judicial scandal of immense proportions. Stirred up by frenzied news coverage, prosecutors make a devastating case against the accused, with shocking implications. The Allegation is a poignant examination of the search for truth and justice, and the distorting power of social media.

“We are excited to showcase such a high-quality series for Canadian audiences. Like the compelling hit series Broadchurch, it’s a fast-paced, riveting thriller and represents a continuation of our commitment to bring top-tier international programming. We are excited for our audience to discover The Allegation, and I hope they will find it just as captivating as our programming team has,” said Sharon Stevens, VP Programming, Hollywood Suite.

The Allegation stars Peter Kurth (Inventing Anna; Babylon Berlin), Narges Rashidi (Gangs of London) and Sebastian Urzendowsky (The Way Back). Directed by Daniel Prochaska, the critically-acclaimed series was written by Von Schirach.

(Photo/video credit: Canneseries/Hollywood Suite)

Following its smash success at the Box Office, taking it to the $800-million-mark in North America, SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME arrives at home! In honour of this, Spider-Man is taking over Yonge & Dundas Square in Toronto tomorrow, March 22, 2022 between 8:30 and 4:30 PM for one day only! There will also be a tuck shop filled with take-home movie night snack packages and an interactive photo opp.

SYNOPSIS

For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighbourhood hero’s identity is revealed, bringing his Super Hero responsibilities into conflict with his normal life and putting those he cares about most at risk. When he enlists Doctor Strange’s help to restore his secret, the spell tears a hole in their world, releasing the most powerful villains who’ve ever fought a Spider-Man in any universe. Now, Peter will have to overcome his greatest challenge yet, which will not only forever alter his own future but the future of the Multiverse.

BONUS MATERIALS 

4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY™, AND DIGITAL

• Bloopers & Gag Reel
• Alternate Reality Easter Eggs
• 7 Behind the Scenes Featurettes
  • Action Choreography Across the Multiverse
  • A Multiverse of Miscreants
  • A Spectacular Spider-Journey with Tom Holland
  • Enter Strange
  • Graduation Day
  • Realities Collide, Spiders Unite
  • Weaving Jon Watt’s Web
• 2 Special Panels:
  • The Sinister Summit – Villains Panel: Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, and Jamie Foxx sit down for a roundtable discussion of their sinister characters.
  • A Meeting of the Spiders – Heroes Panel: The Heroic Spider heroes sit down for a roundtable discussion on Peter, Stunts, and skintight suits.
• 3 Stories From The Daily Bugle
  • Spider-Menace Strikes Again
  • Spider Sycophant
  • Web of Lies
• 2  Stunt Scenes Previsualization
  • Apartment Fight
  • Shield Fight

DVD

• 2 Behind the Scenes Featurettes
  • A Spectacular Spider-Journey with Tom Holland
  • Graduation Day

CAST AND CREW

Directed By: Jon Watts
Written By: Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers
Produced By: Kevin Feige, Amy Pascal
Executive Producers: Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, JoAnn Perritano, Rachel O’Connor, Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach
Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau, with Marisa Tomei

SPECS 

Runtime: Approx. 148 minutes
Rating: PG-13: Sequences of action/violence, some language and brief suggestive comments
4K UHD: Feature: 2160p Ultra High Definition / 2.39:1 • English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 compatible), French (Doublé au Québec), Spanish, English & French (Doublé au Québec) – Audio Description Tracks 5.1 Dolby Digital
Blu-ray™: Feature: 1080p High Definition / 2.39:1 • Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, French (Doublé au Québec), Spanish, English & French (Doublé au Québec) – Audio Description Tracks 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD: Feature: 2.39:1 Anamorphic Widescreen • Audio: English, French (Doublé au Québec), Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English & French (Doublé au Québec) – Audio Description Tracks Dolby Surround

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment release SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME on Digital March 22, 2022 and it will be on DVD/Blu-ray April 12, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

23-year-old Singer-Songwriter CONAN GRAY has been on our radar for the past couple years. We remember discovering him through his track “Heather“, which we found refreshingly-honest and heartbreaking, which has him pining for a love interest who was in love with a girl of the same name. The half-Japanese Texan is part of the current Bedroom Pop movement which has taken over our airwaves. Though his latest singles “Maniac” and “Telepath” veer a bit more to the Dance-Pop side, Gray also is known for his intimate balladry and gorgeous Tenor.

Gray’s popularity continues to skyrocket and he’s in Toronto to play not one, but two shows at hotspot HISTORY in the Beaches, as part of his World Tour 2022.

We spotted Gray out and about on his way to get lunch with his Crew, not too far from the venue, and he was so nice to stop for a snap with beanie and I! We know she’s a total fan as we have his Tracks on-repeat!

Don’t yet know his Music? Here’s a quick selection to get you up to speed. Trust me, it isn’t hard to absorb!

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Group/Mr. Will Wong)

Spring is springing, and were we ever glad to get a chance to test drive the 2022 HONDA CIVIC TOURING, celebrating this warmer weather!Okay, let’s not get too carried away. When we say warmer weather, we’re just glad to be above 0°c!  We’re just glad to be able to start attending in-person events and see friends once again, which the Civic Touring took us to and from safely.

We previewed this bestseller in a gorgeous classic Platinum White Pearl and our drives in a Civic have never been smoother and calmer.

With a super-quiet 1.5-litre, 16-valve, Direct Injection, DOHC, turbocharged 4-cylinder, 180 horsepower engine, the 2022 Honda Civic Touring is everything we need for our everyday driving. Its ECON mode and conscious Eco-Assist System continue to make Honda the deal-breaker when stacked against the competition. And with a great combined Fuel Economy of 7.1 L/100 km, who doesn’t appreciate some more value, seeing how fuel prices have skyrocketed in recent months?

Its BOSE Premium Sound System with 12 speakers including subwoofer provides for superb acoustics in our drives, and navigating with its 9″ colour touchscreen (including clean, crisp new Honda font!) is a breeze. Syncing to our Spotify playlists was so simple via Bluetooth Audio. Though we noticed a few skips here and there, overall this was no issue. The Civic Touring‘s wireless charging continues to spoil us and our passengers really appreciated the abundance of charging ports throughout the car.  

The 2022 Honda Civic Touring is packed with little luxuries.  Driver, front and back passengers get heated seating and the leather-trimmed seating looks great.  For added convenience, a panel folds-out as an armrest and drink-holders. Dual-zone Climate Control is perfect because while we like a cool drive, our passengers (including Mom) like it warmer. It’s the attention the details in the passenger experience – not only the Driver experience – that makes Honda standout from the pack!  

We also appreciate the car’s Proximity Entry and Assisted Opening Trunk was a bit of a lifesaver when hauling bags of groceries on our errand runs. Aesthetically, the car has several little flourishes including a honeycomb mesh dashboard and updated air vent knobs which also look amazing. We live for the moonroof, especially now that our days are a bit longer and there is more daylight!

The Civic Touring continues to pack-in the safety features including Rain-Sensing Wipers, Rear-View Camera with guided parking, Low-Speed Braking Control, plus Body-colour Front and Rear Parking Sensors. Above this, the standard safety features we’ve come to adore from Honda are back once again, like Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation System, Vehicle Stability Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition (to keep you within speed limits), plus Front and Side and Side Curtain Airbags. Drive reassured.

Re-live some of the amazing memories we made in the 2022 Honda Civic Touring in our Test Drive:

The 2022 Honda Civic Touring starts at $30,265 CAN.  Learn more here. 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

With a viewership of 82 million households, Netflix series BRIDGERTON became an instant hit, spicing-up our mundane lives during the Pandemic. In addition to its popularity, this Regency-era set Drama from Shonda Rhimes also received much acclaim with its bold approach to storytelling in the genre. The Series is back for a second season, arriving later this week and we got to sit-in on a junket with the Cast and Showrunner!

Participating Talent:

Jonathan Bailey (Lord Anthony Bridgerton), Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma), Charithra Chandran (Edwina Sharma), Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Polly Walker (Portia Featherington), Bessie Carter (Prudence Featherington) and Creator & Showrunner Chris Van Dusen

Showrunner Chris Van Dusen sums-up what fans can expect of this hot forthcoming season.

Van Dusen: “Fans should expect a wild, wild ride. We managed to take everything people fell in love with about the first season and put it into season two. It’s just more steam, more scandal, more sex, more sexy moments and it’s an amazing season and wild, wild ride and we’re back with an even bigger escape to 19th century London this time around.”.

Jonathan Bailey is back again as Lord Anthony and tells us about the challenges he faces. Interestingly, his Castmates admit he’s most likely to break character and giggle.

Bailey: “He’s going to commit to finding a wife, his Viscountess. So what could possibly go wrong? We’re going to explore a lot of his vulnerabilties and his anxieties, and hopefully understand some of his behaviours from the past.”.

Simone Ashley is a new addition to the BRIDGERTON family, playing Kate Sharma. She tells us about the warm reception she got from the Cast.

Ashley: “Everyone was just so warm and welcoming and it just felt really effortless I’d say, and really genuine. No one’s really performative on this show. I think everyone’s just really genuine. Such really lovely, kind people. What’s so special about this Show is that it just keeps growing, this Bridgerton universe. I was just really excited and proud to join it really.”.

Charithra Chandran joins the Cast in the second season of BRIDGERTON as Edwina Sharma, recalling what it was like being a newcomer to the Series.

Chandran: “Of course it’s nerve-wrecking when you’re joining and an established Cast and you’re just new but within a few hours of meeting everyone, it felt like we’d always been part of the family. One of the most memorable moments was when the really wonderful Lady Bridgerton looks at Simone and says ‘It feels like you have always been here, I don’t really remember a time that you weren’t’. I think she said it in passing and to me that meant the world because we just sorta managed to fit-in which is wonderful.”.

Luke Thompson tells us about what to expect from Benedict Bridgerton.

Thompson: “I think Benedict doesn’t really understand the Marriage Market, so watching Anthony muddle his way through it is really useful. I guess that’s what older brothers are for. I think Benedict is more trying to find himself creatively this season. There’s this dichotomy I identify with in being creative in their job. You think a lot of time you’re either wonderful or you’re the worst Actor in the world. And Benedict goes through that. One point he’s literally high on himself for most of the season, and then also has all these doubts. A lot of his journey is about finding out what it means to be truly creative, and take yourself as your own measurement and not compare yourself to the people.”.

Luke Newton reprises his role as Colin Bridgerton. Self-admittedly, he tells us he struggled most with dancing and coordinating that with wearing an earpiece. He talks about what his character is dealing with ahead.

Newton: “I think for Colin, after the scandal of last year, he’s returned with some interesting facial hair, and he’s sworn-off women for the time being. He’s kinda looking for business pursuits. He wants to find his place within the family. He sees his brothers, inasmuch as they’re not settled, he sees that they have ambition and drive. He’s looking for his thing. He’s done his travelling and is looking for what’s next.”.

Golda Rosheuvel returns as Queen Charlotte and this second season goes even more person into her private life.

Rosheuvel: “I think it’s really important to see her humanity. I think it’s important to see her vulnerability. I’m so grateful we have a queen who’s three-dimensional. You see her in her gown, her wigs and all the glorious opulence. But then you get to see her private life and what she’s dealing with behind the scenes. To have that to play is really important.”.

Bessie Carter returns as Prudence Featherington and talks about her character’s eagerness to marry.

Featherington: “Well, well, well. She’s desperate to get married. She’s still really trying to secure a husband because that’s what all these sweet young women had to do and it’s heartbreaking. And I think this season we see her trying even harder and we watch her following her mother’s main prerogative securing their future. Prudence is really trying to do what she’s told.”.

Polly Walker returns as Portia Featherington and talks about her character’s desperation this season.

Walker: “I think she’s still got the same kind of style. It’s kind of direct, but obviously now it’s fueled by other factors. There’s a slight desperation to it this time. She doesn’t just have the luxury of time, she’s just looking at her watch.”.

BRIDGERTON SEASON TWO arrives March 25, 2022 only on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)