#NEWMUSIC: ZEDD & JASMINE THOMPSON – “FUNNY”

If there’s anyone who knows how to churn-out a Summer Banger, it’s Zedd! The Electronic-Pop whiz collaborates with 19-year-old English Singer/Songwriter Jasmine Thompson on their new single FUNNY. Not only do we get to hear the Track, but also a made-at-home-esque looking Video for it! Love this tune!

See the Video:

Get the single here.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE NEW MUTANTS” PANEL TO DEBUT AT COMICCON@HOME

It’s just been announced that a special COMICCON@HOME Panel for long-awaited THE NEW MUTANTS will be debuting soon! The Panel will include Writer/Director Josh Boone and Cast members Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Alice Braga, Blu Hunt and Henry Zaga. It will be moderated by Ira Madison III.

In the meantime, see a new special clip from the Movie!

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Studios)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “WORK IT”

We’ve been wondering about this one! Filmed in Toronto last spring, we’ve pumped finally to see a Trailer for dance flick WORK IT starring Sabrina Carpenter!

Synopsis:

When Quinn Ackerman’s admission to the college of her dreams depends on her performance at a dance competition, she forms a ragtag group of dancers to take on the best squad in school…now she just needs to learn how to dance. Starring Sabrina Carpenter, Liza Koshy, Keiynan Lonsdale, Drew Ray Tanner, with Michelle Buteau and Jordan Fisher.

See the Trailer:

WORK IT streams on Netflix Friday, August 7, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#EDITORSNOTE: MY CATFISHING ORDEAL – A TALE OF SVETLANA AND “DESMOND”

Catfishing is luring someone into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona.

We all dread scam e-mails that come in our inbox and thankfully, in this day and age, many of us have developed enough of an awareness to identify maliciousness. You might click on that message in your inbox from an unfamiliar sender, telling you to click on this or log-onto that, whether it be on your e-mail or social media accounts. You take one look and realize right away it isn’t legitimate. You then discard and chuck into your virtual trash bin. But have you ever wondered what it’s like to have someone steal your images and go on to “catfish” innocent unsuspecting people who might not know better? It happened to me.

Having been active on social media for many years now, I have been fairly gratuitous in putting myself out there. Some things I post do stand the test of time, some things I go back to a few minutes later and delete. There is a fine line between balancing my private life and the public persona I wish to portray. I want to put my most authentic self out there, yet never make myself too vulnerable. Let’s face it, there are people out there with ill intentions.

In my years on social media, I’ve had some truly messed-up things happen to me. Once, someone sent my photo to Security at an event I was planning on attending – it was a Jessica Simpson event for crying out loud – falsely presenting me as a dangerous offender, which shockingly worked in getting me ejected for no reason. That happened multiple times actually before I confronted the person responsible. They’ve left me alone ever since. I recall having one reader who would click on my page up too 200 times a night in the wee hours of the morning, which made me super-uncomfortable. I got followed home once and had my address posted on Twitter. People have mimicked me on social media trying to phish information from unsuspecting victims, which I successfully have been able to get shut-down thanks to savvy individuals who knew enough to tell me and report it. I’ve even posted a picture of a Chick-fil-A Sandwich given to me by a friend on Twitter and had to deal with a week of harassment and bullying, resulting in having to block numerous troll accounts (probably the same person over and over) and putting my profile on “private” before it stopped. I have several more stories to tell.

Meet Svetlana. Svetlana lives in the Ukraine and was kind enough to message me that on Facebook someone using my photos, tried catfishing her for romance and the promise of cash and gifts, before ultimately trying to scam her. The perpetrator used my photos, creating a Facebook profile under the name “Desmond Lee” and messaged her. I’ve been told time and again I have a trustworthy face and this person thought they’d try to capitalize off that. Shockingly, they were able to carry conversations that went on for quite a while before Svetlana felt something was horribly-wrong and confronted them.

Curious how she found me, not knowing my real name and only by face, I ask how she found me here on the other side of the world. I also am curious what exactly transpired between her and Desmond Lee. So I ask.

I present to you A Tale of Svetlana and “Desmond“.

Desmond starts off with a bit of small talk with Svetlana and asks if they can become friends. For me, all the personal questions from someone I don’t know like marital status, age and whether I have kids would already have been a warning sign – especially when all they want to do is be friends. But in all fairness, this seems harmless enough so far. Other than the invite to download a “hangout app”.

Desmond then proceeds to win her trust by establishing a portrait of good character. So Desmond got a few facts right. Yes, I’m single and they knew I had a pet from my several pics with Billy, but instantly gave me a huge salary lift. Apparently I worked for the UN. That’s amazing! I’ve always wanted to do important humanitarian work. Thanks, Des.🙌

Things progress pretty quickly between Desmond and Svetlana and they start prying into some pretty personal aspects of Svetlana‘s life. She reveals some details about her troubled marriage and shares photos of her mother who is battling Breast Cancer, plus photos of her children with Desmond.

Desmond picks-up on Svetlana‘s vulnerabilities and preys on this, offering to help her out financially. They offer her money to help her get off her feet so she can get a divorce from her husband and build a new life. I mean I’ve been generous many times in my life, but this puts me to absolute shame. Desmond is trying to Beyoncé me into a life of Kelly Rowland here.

So this is where things start getting a little shaky. Can he pay her bills, her automobills?💸

Desmond claims to be in Canada, and then suddenly is in Singapore, committing to deliver their promise of sending Svetlana some money. They then begin confusing where Svetlana is geographically, asking if she’s in Turkey. If you were smitten enough by someone to clear their debts, wouldn’t you at least have a clue where they were from? Note also how they use Svetlana‘s family and the pandemic as talking points to build a sense of security and a deeper connection with the victim.

And then comes the “ghosting”. Desmond starts disappearing for periods, eliciting concern from Svetlana. Especially after he promises to send some money soon to help her out. “You don’t write me anymore… I hope I didn’t do something wrong.. just miss our chats”, she says.

Svetlana clues-in that something isn’t right. If Desmond is planning to wire her some money, why would they need her address?

Oh, right! Desmond just wants to send some flowers from their native Sing..alberta to Svetlana’s home so her husband, whom she is planning to leave, can see and get violently-jealous. I see you, Desmond. As an aside, the official flower of Alberta is the Prickly Rose. We’re getting total prick vibes here, alright!🥀

Ultimately, Svetlana offers to give Desmond her mom’s address to send the flowers to. Note, that to receive the flowers, her address, e-mail and contact number are asked for. She’ll be contacted when they arrive in the “_Ukraine”.

Since they’re already sending flowers, Desmond threw-in a few more goodies in the care package. Some for Svetlana and some for her sister too. No big deal. Just a necklace, some Louis Vuitton, another necklace, some Chanel, an iPhone and some cash. No big deal. Nothing to look at here. Desmond‘s a Baller and he’s scouting the Ukraine for some talent!🏀

Svetlana of course is grateful and humbled by this selfless gesture of generosity. “It really seems like a dream to meet you”, she tells Desmond. Desmond replies back to her, “I can feel your warmth love in me… I’m waiting for your address to send.”. Can you feel the love? Feels like someone’s about to get burned!🔥

Svetlana asks Desmond for help finding a job. Maybe knowing the powers that be in the UN, they can help a girl out. They reply “it’s better you get a shop for yourself and be a owner. Sale what you know it’s not going to take you much stress,okay?”. Alright, you’re onto something there, Des. But one question. You paying?

Desmond then confirms the much-awaited package of goodies are on the way and even has a tracking number to prove it. Looks legit. 🙊

One small problem, though. Who is Armstrong Joel in Kabul, Afghanistan? You said your name was Desmond. 🤔

And why are 28,000 Hryvnia ($1400 CAN) required to receive the delivery?🤔🤔

A girl’s got questions. 🙋‍♀️

Yes, Queen Svetlana, call-out a crook and screenshot those receipts! 👏

Uhh, actually I’m not okay with any of this Desmond Dolla $ign!

You have anything to say? Dear?

It took a while, but Svetlana caught-on, did a little searching on the web (Google Images Search, anyone?) with my pics and that led her to me and I thank her. Being visible on the internet was a burden and yet it helped Svetlana find her truth. And if some Louis V. and Chanel weren’t gained, at least wisdom was. We wish her happiness and hope whatever tough time she is going through right now with her family will lead her to a path of happiness and self-awareness. Sending all our well wishes to her mom, especially.

Take-aways from this to guard yourself from being catfished:

1. Add only people you know on Facebook and be wary of random people you have no mutual connections with, whom message you out-of-the-blue.

2. Never be afraid to Google someone. I do it all the time. In fact, I’m probably googling you right now.

3. Ask questions too if you are being asked very personal questions right away. If you don’t get a good feeling, trust your instincts and block or report.

4. If it sounds too good to be true, it most definitely is.

5. Do not send photos of yourself or your family to someone you have no inclination to meet in real life. And if a real meet-up in person isn’t in the immediate future, it likely will not happen ever.

6. Do not divulge personal information (this encompasses anything from personal things about your life, your address, your phone number or any log-in information).

7. Guard your money. You work hard for it. Someone you’ve never met shouldn’t be asking you for money online.

In the meantime, I’ve requested Facebook take down this profile for impersonating me. You too can report this profile here.

Also, please don’t add me on Facebook as a friend, I’ll probably decline if I don’t know you. Hopefully you’ll understand why.

Be cautious my friends. Let’s nail ’em.

Not Desmond Lee

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “PROJECT POWER”

Coming soon to Netflix, PROJECT POWER stars Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Check-out this new Trailer!

Synopsis:

On the streets of New Orleans, word begins to spread about a mysterious new pill that unlocks superpowers unique to each user. The catch: You don’t know what will happen until you take it. While some develop bulletproof skin, invisibility, and super strength, others exhibit a deadlier reaction. But when the pill escalates crime within the city to dangerous levels, a local cop (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) teams with a teenage dealer (Dominique Fishback) and a former soldier fueled by a secret vendetta (Jamie Foxx) to fight power with power and risk taking the pill in order to track down and stop the group responsible for creating it.

PROJECT POWER streams on Netflix Friday, August 14, 2020.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: PRESS RELEASE FOR “MUPPETS NOW”

How cute is this? Check-out this adorable new press release for MUPPETS NOW, coming soon to Disney+ with statements from some of our favourites!

See their Video Call:

“The Muppets are thrilled to be doing our first-ever unscripted show! It’s going to be extremely spontaneous and very surprising; almost as surprising as the fact that we ever actually used a script in the past.”

• Kermit the Frog

“This is moi unfiltered, unexpurgated, and more unbelievably fabulous than ever. If you watch only one show on Disney+ ,you really should tune in more often. But whenever you watch, make it moi on Muppets Now.”

• Miss Piggy

“For the first time ever, I’m working without a joke book, folks. It’s a new kind of totally improvised comedy I call ‘bare bear’! See what I did there? Ahh! Wocka! Wocka!”

• Fozzie Bear

“I knew Muppets Now was coming to Disney+ but I did NOT know they wanted Muppets Now  NOW, as in right away, as in “doesn’t anybody give a warning around here’!? Gotta go upload those episodes pronto! Wish me luck; I’ll need it.”

• Scooter

This season’s celebrity guests include entertainers, comedians, chefs, and more. Fans won’t want to miss all-new improvised comedy segments from their favourite Muppets including Miss Piggy, Beaker, Camilla, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo the Great, Kermit the Frog, Pepe the King Prawn, The Swedish Chef, Scooter, Uncle Deadly, among others.

MUPPETS NOW arrives on Disney+ Friday, July 31, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#COOKING: NINJA KITCHEN AIR FRYER | ONTARIO PEACH WINGS WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES AND SRIRACHA-PEACH AIOLI RECIPE

We’re so thrilled to announce our partnership with NINJA KITCHEN to show you how awesome their Air Fryers are!

Why an Air Fryer? I think you’ll agree with me that most of us are turned-off by having to deal with all the splattering grease and mess of deep-frying on your stove-top. Above this, the amount of oil required to deep-fry some of your favourites makes it unfeasible from a health standpoint to cook like that every day. The Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer gives you the freedom to fry with very little oil, yet still get that crispy coating we love so much in deep-frying whenever you want it. Above this, it cooks super-quick and also there’s very little clean-up!

This Pandemic has awoken the inner Chef in me and I am delighted to welcome the Air Fryer into my life, giving me infinite possibilities. It air-fries, re-heats and dehydrates also, in addition to air-frying!

These next few weeks, we’ll all be about peaches as sweet, juicy Ontario Peaches are in-season through early August, but in addition to desserts (check-out our recipe for Peach Cobbler here!) or just eating them whole, peaches can be infused into your cooking to give your dishes a bright, summery splash!

We’ve partnered with Ninja Kitchen to bring Wing Night to you while social-distancing with Ontario Peach Wings with Sweet Potato Fries and Sriracha-Peach Aioli. 🍑

WINGS

2 lbs chicken wings
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp five spice powder
1 1/2 tbsps baking powder
Sea salt and pepper

Drizzle of olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat Ninja Air Fryer for 3 minutes at 360°F.
2. After cleaning wings, pat dry with paper towels and toss in spices, salt and pepper.
3. Divide wings in two batches, drizzle wings with olive oil and fry each batch on Air Fryer mode for about 14 minutes. At half-way mark, turn wings over carefully once. While, frying, prepare sauce.

SAUCE

2 Ontario peaches, pitted, skinned and cut into 1″ thick slices
6 tbsps organic Canadian Maple Syrup
3 tbsps organic raw cane sugar
3 tbsps rice vinegar
3 tbsps Honey Dijon Mustard
2 tbsps ketchup
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbsp Gochujang (Korean Pepper Paste)

Sea salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. In sauce pan, bring peaches to boil in raw sugar and 3 tbsps maple syrup on medium-heat. Reduce to low heat. Cook till flesh is soft and broken. Once cooled, strain liquid through a sieve and reserve liquid.
2. In large bowl, whisk all other ingredients together. Add 5 tbsps of peach reduction into the mix. Reserve remainder of reduction for your Aioli.
3. Once chicken wings are cooked, toss them in sauce till coated and allow to sit for about 4 minutes before transferring to serving platter. Garnish with peach slices and serve with Sweet Potato Fries and Sriracha-Peach Aioli.

SWEET POTATO FRIES WITH SRIRACHA-PEACH AIOLI

1 large sweet potato, skinned and chopped into thin strips
2/3 cup Mayonnaise
2 tbsps Sriracha
2-3 tbsps reserved peach reduction (above)
1/2 tsp paprika
Sea salt and pepper

Drizzle of olive oil

Instructions:

1. Soak sweet potato strips in salt water for 10 minutes.
2. Pat dry completely with paper towels.
3. Toss strips in olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika.
4. Ensure Air Fryer is preheated for about 3 minutes.
5. Air-fry sweet potato strips at 360°F for about 10 minutes, shaking once at the half-way point.
6. While frying, prepare Sriracha-Peach Aioli but whisking Sriracha, peach reduction and Mayonnaise in small bowl.
7. Serve fries with Aioli.

We’re sure this will be a favourite and we can infuse different seasonal flavours into this sauce as the year progresses! Check back as we’ll be featuring more exciting Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer creations including a juicy Steak & Taters, Hainanese Roast Chicken, Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon and Maple-Bacon Doughnuts! Yes, Doughnuts!

You can find the Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer at retailers like Canadian Tire.

Don’t forget to follow them on Instagram:

NINJA KITCHEN

CANADIAN TIRE

Join the conversation using the Hashtag #ILoveNinjaCanada. We just might have an exciting opportunity coming right up for our Readers in a bit!

order here:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Air Fry Chicken Chicken Wings Fried Maple Syrup Ninja Kitchen Peach Wings

#COOKING: BLUEBERRY SCONES RECIPE

Blueberry Scones.  Delicious doesn’t have to be complicated. These scones are the perfect breakfast or teatime snack.  The fact that blueberries are so juicy and plump right now, you shouldn’t need butter or jam as these are perfect as is.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour (and more for kneading)

1 pint fresh blueberries

1 cup 18% cream

1 egg

½ cup unsalted butter, grated

6 tbsps organic raw sugar (or more if you like)

3 tsps baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp sea salt

Additional cream and sugar to brush and sprinkle on-top

Instructions:

1. In large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, cinnamon and baking powder. Cut butter in using two knives till mixture resembles peas.

2. In separate bowl, whisk egg, cream and vanilla. Pour this over flour mixture.

3. Add blueberries, mixing gently till everything is just combined into a batter.

4. Gradually add a tablespoon of flour in until your mixture reaches the consistency of a dough, careful not to add too much flour.

5. Once firm enough, transfer to a flat, clean and floured surface to knead gently into a dough. Add flour bit by bit if required. Do not over-knead.

6. Form dough into a disc and take a clean knife, cutting into 8 triangles. Clean knife if it gets too sticky for a clean cut.

7. Pre-heat oven at 400°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

8. Place scones on parchment paper-lined tray or dish and put into your freezer for about 15 minutes.

9. Transfer scones to baking sheet and brush with cream. Sprinkle raw sugar on-top with a sieve.

10. Bake for 25 minutes approximately or till just golden. Once cooled, store in air-tight container room temperature for up to two days. These freeze well.

Gallery:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jul 14, 2020 at 2:12pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: “STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH”

Disney+ announced earlier today that a new Animated Series will be making its way to the streaming service in 2021 from the STAR WARS universe.

STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in “The Clone Wars”) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch – a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army — each possess a singular exceptional skill which makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew. In the post-Clone War era, they will take on daring mercenary missions as they struggle to stay afloat and find new purpose.

(Photo credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: “RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE” TRAILER

Filmed over just 20 days in Toronto and Hamilton, RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE finally sees a release!

Synopsis:
What are the real consequences when life begins to imitate art?
Comic book creator Todd Walkley, his wife Kathy, assistant Aurora and best friend, Hard Calibre Comics owner Ezra, embark upon a road trip from Toronto to NYC comic con and bad things start to happen. People start getting killed.

It soon becomes clear that a crazed fan is using Todd’s “SLASHERMAN” comic as inspiration for the killings and as the bodies pile up, and Todd’s friends and family become victims themselves, Todd will be forced to take artistic responsibility.

Random Acts of Violence is an elevated slasher horror that will easily become a cult favourite; scratching the entertainment element of horror whilst searching for the deeper meaning behind the violence. The film explores the idea of legitimizing cruelty, and the fact that monsters are not merely monsters, they are broken people. Stretching from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other, it holds a mirror up to art, society and violence.

See the Trailer:

Elevation Pictures release RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE on Digital and on-demand Friday, July 31, 2020.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)