TV & Movies

What: Series, 6 episodes, 30 mins.
Where: Prime Video
When: Now
Genre: Sketch comedy
Why you should watch: Fans of Canadian comedy legends the Kids in the Hall will be thrilled that the troupe, legendary for creative spats, reunited for more than an exercise in nostalgia. Gen Zers can see what all the fuss was about, not through reruns but fresh interpretations of the troupe’s trademark bizarreness. Credit the Kids for not making their reboot a parade of characters from their ‘80s and ’90s sketch show but, instead, a riff on their new, creakier reality. Newsflash, they’re older.

Where: Netflix
What: Miniseries, 6 episodes, 30 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Comedy
Why you should watch: Mike Myers plays most of the characters in this bizarre series that purports to tell the story of the titular secret society — “a nice one” — being investigated by a kindly soft-news reporter for a Toronto TV station. It’s downbeat comedy filled with Myers’ trademarks puns, sight gags, winks to the audience and double entendres, with a wave to the broad British humour he grew up on. It’s unexpectedly progressive too.

Where: In theatres
What: Movie, 131 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Action
Why you should watch: A turbo-charged thrill ride that celebrates sleek machines, the lust for adventure and, of course, making your own rules. This reboot works even if you haven’t seen the original, and Tom Cruise may play “the old guy,” but he’s as handsome and vital as ever. His character remains a maverick and while the plot is cliché-rich, that’s part of the fun. Special effects got more special since original film’s release, and you’ll feel like you’ve been flying the jets yourself by movie’s end.

Where: Netflix
What: Series, season 4, 11 episodes, 13 hours total
When: First 9 episodes drop now; two-part finale drops Fri., July 1
Genre: Sci-fi/Horror
Why you should watch: Netflix’s flagship series has been one of the biggest shows in the world since it premiered in 2016. Now, the iconic series is coming to a close with a horror-inspired 13-hour final season — and, like any Stranger Things event, it’s must-see TV unlike anything else on streaming.

Where: Disney+
What: Miniseries, 6 episodes, 60 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: An in-depth telling of the rise of punk icons Sex Pistols from Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle. This miniseries has all the substance abuse and aggressive music you would expect, but it also has the heart and emotion often missing from the crude newspaper headlines that surround this band. Grittily catches an explosive moment in time — worth it for the fashion alone.

Where: In theatres
What: Movie, 94 mins.
When: Fri., June 3, Toronto, Vancouver; Fri., June 10, Calgary
Genre: Documentary
Why you should watch: The film wisely uses significant performance clips as well as interviews with artists and founders to tell the story of the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest, launched in 1970 and featuring a broad collection of genres, all with roots in the city. A “handmade” event with noble aspirations, the people behind it are endearing and the music is magnificent.

Where: Crave
What: Miniseries, 2 episodes, 120 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Documentary
Why you should watch: Judd Apatow’s loving and engaging look at legendary standup comedian George Carlin through his many incarnations. A-list comedians and close family speak frankly about the groundbreaking comic who had dry spells while chasing a vision of himself. Inspired by Lenny Bruce, Carlin’s system-challenging comedy of issues like abortion, racism and freedom of speech is sadly still relevant today.

Where: In theatres and VOD
What: Movie, 100 mins.
When: June 17
Genre: Drama/Fantasy
Why you should watch: This live-action fantasy extends the universe of the classic Peter Pan tale to tell a story about motherhood, womanhood and trauma. The film chronicles four generations of Darling women as they struggle in the aftermath of their encounters with Peter Pan and Neverland. In this world, Wendy’s mother and grandmother have both had to escape Pan’s hold — and now, Wendy fights to save her relationship with her daughter as they both undergo the same experience.

Where: Disney+
What: Movie, 97 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Live-action, animation
Why you should watch: John Mulaney (Chip) and Andy Samberg (Dale) lead an A-list of celebrity voices in this smartly funny live-action and animation hybrid in the spirit of Who Killed Roger Rabbit? So many jokes within jokes, with Disney not afraid to skewer itself, a decrepit middle-aged Peter Pan is the bad guy in a clever movie that amounts to a tribute to animation.

Where: Crave
What: Series, season 2, 8 episodes, 30 mins.
When: Now
Genre: Comedy
Why you should watch: In Season 1, we saw the unlikely pairing of a legendary standup comedian fighting to stay relevant and a 20-something mess of a writer searching for a big break. Their love-hate relationship left on a cliffhanger, and now we finally see the aftermath. The two embark on a new career journey together, but not without some obstacles. This second season is just as quick-witted, with more generational jokes that don’t feel tired.

Where: Prime video
What: Miniseries, 6 episodes, 30 mins.
When: June 17 Genre: Comedy-drama
Why you should watch: If you can muster sympathy for a bunch of mostly white people fighting and fretting over issues around their cottages, then this is the show for you. Canadian-made The Lake has a reach exceeding its grasp. It’s an interesting premise: a white, gay man who gave up his BIPOC daughter in high school is reunited with her for the summer in effort to bond. Wish it was more funny and less whiny.

Where: Apple TV
What: Series, season 3, 10 episodes, 60 mins.
When: Fri. June 10, new episodes weekly
Genre: Alternate history
Why you should watch: Third season of series that satisfyingly envisions alternative reality where the Soviet Union never collapsed and the space race kept going. The story moves to the ‘90s after previous seasons in the ‘60s and ‘80s and the target is no longer the Moon but Mars. And now the US not only battles the Soviets but space-loving billionaire who also wants the Red Planet prize. Cool history-reimagined tales.