TV & Movies/Reviews

Cruella

Where: Disney+
What: Feature film, 134 minutes
When: Now
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: The origin story behind Cruella De Vil of 101 Dalmatians is revealed to the glamorous tune of 1970s London. Dog lovers: rest assured none were harmed in the making of this film.

Launchpad

Where: Disney+
What: Six short films, 15-20 mins each
When: Now
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: This handful of powerful shorts by budding filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds will restore your faith in humanity. Follow a young Muslim Pakistani immigrant as she tries to make Eid a public school holiday, a Mexican American teen forced to hide her half-vampire identity and a young Chinese boy who is judged for loving ballet. These films find feel-good common ground between people from all walks of life.

Moby Doc

Where: VOD
What: Documentary; 92 mins
When: Now
Genre: Documentary
Why you should watch: a somewhat chilling exploration of celebrity as dance music maestro Moby takes us through the disappointment of his “so called” perfect life. Surreal, slightly twisted scrapbook-meets-collage approach to non-linear story telling. Dude had a rough childhood and while Moby, at times, flirts with Mope-y, there’s playfulness as he pushes the limits of probing self-awareness.

The Bachelorette

Where: Citytv
What: TV series (season 17)
When: June 7, 8 pm ET
Genre: Reality
Why you should watch: Katie Thurston created quite a buzz when she stepped out of the limo holding a vibrator on the last season of The Bachelor. Now the main character as the Bachelorette, hopefully she’ll find a man who doesn’t kiss her with his eyes open (*cough* Matt James). With Chris Harrison out of the picture for the first time in Bachelor history, previous Bachelorettes and fan favourites Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe are hosting this season. Let’s hear it for the girls!

1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything

Where: Apple TV+
What: TV series (8 episodes, 50 minutes)
When: Now
Genre: Docuseries
Why you should watch: During a period of intense political and cultural upheaval, rock was the voice of the people as this series shows with incredible footage from the 70s vaults. With narration by rock stars and their associates, both dead and alive—like Marvin Gaye, Joni Mitchell and Tina Turner—the viewing experience feels like being dropped right into the streets of 1971.

Mitski's NPR Tiny Desk Concert

What: A short, stripped-down solo set by queer artist Mitski for NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series
Genre: Music
Why you should watch: NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series is far from a secret for any music lover. The DIY shows that artists put together for their sets in Bob Boilen’s workspace often end up being some of their finest works. Even among great company, indie-rock artist Mitski’s turn on the NPR tiny stage has become the stuff of legend. The raw emotion boiling over into her set is indescribable.

Floralogic

Where: YouTube
What: Mini docs on flora and fungi
Genre: Ecological education
Why you should watch: Toronto indie hip hop artist Tasha the Amazon linked up with Animalogic, a fascinating and wildly popular nature doc channel. She’s in charge of all things flowers and fungus, like explaining why orchids are totally sus and what in tarnation Devil’s Fingers fungus is. Filled with National Geographic-quality video and Tasha’s wisecracks, it’s the perfect entry point for amateur gardeners.