TV & Movies

The Afterparty
Where: Apple TV+
What: Series, 8 episodes, 35 – 48 mins.
When: Now, new episodes every Friday
Genre: Crime, comedy
Why you should watch: Apple gets in on the whimsical crime whodunit shows similar in vibe to Disney+ Only Murders in the Building. A Class of 2006 high school reunion afterparty, hosted at the California beachside mansion of Bieber-esque school show-off masterfully, vacuously played by Dave Franco — James’s little brother — goes tragically awry, and mystery, mayhem and mirth follow.

Licorice Pizza
Where: In theatres
What: Movie, 133 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Coming-of-age
Why you should watch: Paul Thomas Anderson’s fast-paced, dreamlike coming-of-age tale evokes a bygone era of film in more ways than one. Its plot is an irresistible love letter to the California of the ’70s, but on another level, the film itself just is a type of movie that we don’t get to see much anymore: A lighthearted mid-budget comedy that’s sharply written, expertly directed and full of stars on the rise. The film certainly isn’t free of controversy — it centres around a love story between a 15-year-old boy and a woman in her mid 20s, for one — but your time won’t be wasted on this film, no matter what you think of it.

Lily James stars as Pamela Anderson and Sebastian Stan is Tommy Lee in Pam & Tommy.

Pam & Tommy
Where: Disney+
What: Miniseries, 8 episodes, 32 – 50 mins.
When: Now, new episodes weekly on Wednesdays
Genre: Docu-drama
Why you should watch: A riveting miniseries about a key cultural moment in our time — the theft and leaking of the Pam Anderson and Tommy Lee sex tape — when even a celebrity couple proves no match for the emerging power of the internet. A complex story offering more than just the obvious prurient intrigue. Great performances.

The Curse of Von Dutch
Where: Amazon Prime
What: Miniseries, 3 episodes, 60 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Documentary
Why you should watch: Not quite the Fyre Festival of fashion, but this riveting doc tells incredible story of meteoric rise and rapid collapse of iconic Von Dutch street brand made famous in the ’90s and early aughts by celebrities like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Dennis Rodman. There’s murder, mayhem, drugs, deceit, cool designs and entrepreneurial flare. No real good guys, but you’ll feel sorry for a lot of the fascinating characters.

Scream (2022)
Where: In theatres
What: Movie, 120 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Horror
Why you should watch: This horror-classic “re-quel” uses a healthy dose of nostalgia to aim for the hearts of the original’s die-hard fans — and with familiar starring faces, clever callbacks, metatextual mayhem and tons of exhilarating scares, it isn’t far off. It plays with the horror formula just enough to be surprising but not so much that it feels dishonest, and while it might not have the genre-defining je ne sais quoi of the original, who cares? It’s a scream!

The Sex Lives of College Girls
Where: Crave
What: TV series, 10 episodes, 25 – 50 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Teen drama
Why you should watch: Mindy Kaling’s latest TV masterpiece follows four freshman college roommates as they navigate their newfound freedom — sex lives included. The girls come from contrasting backgrounds and, despite their differences, forge a quick friendship. It’s awkward and messy, just as any life transition should be. An easy binge, our only complaint is that we have to wait for a second season.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Where: Amazon Prime
What: Series, 4th season, 8 episodes, 48 – 60 mins.
When: Feb. 18, new episodes Fridays
Genre: Dramedy
Why you should watch: Mrs. Maisel, the ’50s-housewife-turned-comedian, comes out swinging at the start of another amazing season of a show whose art direction and style make it as much fun to look at as to watch. As life gets rough, Mrs. Maisel decides to make her comedy rough and tumble, and the results are characteristically awesome.

Poly Styrene: I Am Cliché
Where: In theatres and VOD
What: Movie, 135 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Documentary
Why you should watch: As the first woman of colour in the U.K. to front a successful rock band, punk icon Poly Styrene introduced the world to revolutionary ideas about consumerism, race and gender and helped build the definitive sound of rebellion. In this groundbreaking doc, her daughter, Celeste Bell, digs deep across space and time to learn about her late mother’s life and posthumously reckon with their fraught relationship.

Fabulous Filipino Brothers
What: Film, 99 minutes
Where: VOD
When: Now
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: A film festival favourite, this heartfelt family tale follows the Basco brothers—they’re family in real life and rose to fame for their award-winning breakdancing in the ‘90s—as they prepare for the ultimate Filipino family event: a wedding. Zeroing in on each of the four brothers, it explores love and family while celebrating Filipino American culture.

Jack Reacher
Where: Prime Video
What: Series, 8 episodes, 55 mins.
When: Now, new episodes weekly
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: If the dude from Letterkenny starred in a new series as a bad ass ex-military cop with the body of The Hulk, this would be that show. If we seek stability – sameness? – in these troubled times, this somewhat formulaic offering might fit the bill. It’s a classic trope; a silent, mysterious, huge, muscular, chiseled stranger with an unknown past shows up out of nowhere in a small southern American town, not looking for trouble but, trouble finds him. A gal with a heart of gold is drawn to this misunderstood mountain man and she sees goodness there. Sure, he beats the livin shit out of strangers but, only when they really really deserve it. The only thing earth shaking about this show might be the ground when Reacher walks upon it but, there’s mystery and a few sardonic laughs in this somewhat satisfying diversion.

We Need to Talk About Cosby
Where: Crave
What: Miniseries, 4 episodes, 60 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Documentary
Why you should watch: A careful exploration of how Bill Cosby carefully constructed his America’s Dad persona while simultaneously exploiting his reputation as trusted family man to drug and rape women conditioned to trust him. Crisply directed by writer, comedian and CNN contributor W. Kamau Bell, it’s an at-times-grueling watch, made ultimately uplifting by the strength and bravery of the women who insisted on holding Bill Cosby accountable for his atrocious crimes against them.

The Tragedy of Macbeth
Where: Apple TV+
What: Movie, 105 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Shakespearean tragedy
Why you should watch: Top-of-their-game actors Francis McDormand and Denzel Washington are masterful in this gripping film shot in stark and beautiful black and white that feels like the colour has been surgically drained from it – like removing blood. Writer, director and McDormand’s spouse Joel Cohen — working without his brother for the first time — delivers a disturbing and compelling masterpiece. Watch with subtitles and count on major Oscar buzz, especially for Washington.