Movies and TV

Jazz singer Eleanor Collins on television in 1955, left, and on a Vancouver concert stage in 2013. The Surrey resident died Sunday, March 5, 2024, in hospital at age 104. (Contributed photos)

‘Canada’s first lady of jazz’ and TV pioneer, B.C.’s Eleanor Collins dead at 104

Surrey resident was a groundbreaking figure in Canadian entertainment history

Jazz singer Eleanor Collins on television in 1955, left, and on a Vancouver concert stage in 2013. The Surrey resident died Sunday, March 5, 2024, in hospital at age 104. (Contributed photos)
FILE - Matthew Weiner, creator of “Mad Men,” stands among cast and crew members as he accepts the award for best drama series at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photos/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Ghost TV: hollow shells of cable TV networks continue as viewing habits change

Audiences have dropped of significantly for former powerhouses

FILE - Matthew Weiner, creator of “Mad Men,” stands among cast and crew members as he accepts the award for best drama series at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photos/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Director Denis Villeneuve on the red carpet as he attends the premiere of “Dune: Part Two” in Montreal, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Dune: Part Two a love story first, says its Canadian director

Denis Villeneuve comes home to peak about Friday’s release of his anticipated blockbuster

Director Denis Villeneuve on the red carpet as he attends the premiere of “Dune: Part Two” in Montreal, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
FILE - Actor Liam Neeson appears at the premiere of the film “Hunt For The Wilderpeople” in London. Paramount Pictures is moving ahead with a long-gestating remake of “Naked Gun,” the studio announced Wednesday. Liam Neeson will star as the bumbling police detective Debin in the role made famous by Leslie Nielsen. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, file)

Naked Gun comedy franchise rebooted with Liam Neeson in lead role

Action star takes over the role of Frank Drebin made famous by Leslie Neilsen

FILE - Actor Liam Neeson appears at the premiere of the film “Hunt For The Wilderpeople” in London. Paramount Pictures is moving ahead with a long-gestating remake of “Naked Gun,” the studio announced Wednesday. Liam Neeson will star as the bumbling police detective Debin in the role made famous by Leslie Nielsen. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, file)
Justin Hartley stars in the new CBS TV series ‘Tracker’, the opening minutes of which were filmed near Cache Creek in B.C.’s Southern Interior. (Photo credit: CBS)

‘Tracker’ showcasing B.C.’s Interior in big-budget small screen TV series

‘Tracker’ debuted after Super Bowl broadcast, with opening minutes filmed in Southern Interior

Justin Hartley stars in the new CBS TV series ‘Tracker’, the opening minutes of which were filmed near Cache Creek in B.C.’s Southern Interior. (Photo credit: CBS)
Young Victoria actor Remy Marthaller had her first major film role in Seagrass. (Seagrass movie still)

Japanese Canadian stories explored in B.C. film ‘Seagrass’

Meredith Hama-Brown’s award-winning feature explores topics rarely seen on screen

Young Victoria actor Remy Marthaller had her first major film role in Seagrass. (Seagrass movie still)
This image released by Searchlight Pictures shows Andrew Scott in a scene from “All of Us Strangers.” (Searchlight Pictures via AP)

What to stream this weekend: ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ ‘Priscilla’

A guide to what’s new for your entertainment pleasure this week

This image released by Searchlight Pictures shows Andrew Scott in a scene from “All of Us Strangers.” (Searchlight Pictures via AP)
Cast members (left to right) Karen Robinson, Aden Young, Kathleen Munroe, and K.C. Collins pose for a photo at a press junket as they promote the television series “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent” in Toronto on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

‘Law and Order Toronto’ showrunners feeling the pressure on multiple fronts

American TV staple reaches north for new show focused on Canada’s largest city

Cast members (left to right) Karen Robinson, Aden Young, Kathleen Munroe, and K.C. Collins pose for a photo at a press junket as they promote the television series “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent” in Toronto on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
This cover image released by 3 Legged Records/Thirty Tigers shows “Be Right Here” by Blackberry Smoke.” (3 Legged Records/Thirty Tigers via AP)

What to stream this week: ‘Oppenheimer’ and lots and lots of JLo

‘Young Sheldon,’ Amy Schumer also among what’s available for your entertainment

This cover image released by 3 Legged Records/Thirty Tigers shows “Be Right Here” by Blackberry Smoke.” (3 Legged Records/Thirty Tigers via AP)
This image released by Sony Pictures shows Dakota Johnson, left, in a scene from “Madame Web.” (Columbia Pictures/Sony via AP)

Madame Web spins a psychological thriller within the superhero genre

Star Johnson and director Clarkson wanted to create something fresh

This image released by Sony Pictures shows Dakota Johnson, left, in a scene from “Madame Web.” (Columbia Pictures/Sony via AP)
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows a scene from “Dune: Part Two.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Dune II generates an all-in intensity for an all-in movie spectacle

Creative team fully invested in what many expect to be 2024’s first blockbuster

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows a scene from “Dune: Part Two.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
Taylor Swift kisses Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. The Chiefs won 25-22 against the 49ers. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Super Bowl LVIII most watched program in history of U.S. TV

Broadcast averaged 123.4 million viewers across television and streaming platforms

Taylor Swift kisses Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. The Chiefs won 25-22 against the 49ers. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
FILE - This Oct. 19, 2019, file photo shows Gina Carano at the Disney Plus launch event promoting “The Mandalorian” at the London West Hollywood hotel in West Hollywood, Calif. Carano on Tuesday sued Lucasfilm and its parent The Walt Disney Co. over her 2021 firing from “The Mandalorian,” saying she was let go for expressing right-wing views on social media. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)

Actor sues Disney for firing her from Star Wars series

‘The Mandalorian’ actor Gina Carano says she was let go for expressing right-wing views

FILE - This Oct. 19, 2019, file photo shows Gina Carano at the Disney Plus launch event promoting “The Mandalorian” at the London West Hollywood hotel in West Hollywood, Calif. Carano on Tuesday sued Lucasfilm and its parent The Walt Disney Co. over her 2021 firing from “The Mandalorian,” saying she was let go for expressing right-wing views on social media. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)
Denis Villeneuve, left, and Christopher Nolan pose for a portrait on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP)

‘Tenet’ returning to theaters and why ‘Dune 2’ will be shown on film

A Q&A with top directors Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve

Denis Villeneuve, left, and Christopher Nolan pose for a portrait on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP)
Brendan Tang, an assistant professor in visual arts at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, who is also a judge on the new CBC television show “The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down” poses for a photograph in Vancouver, on Thursday, January 25, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Triumphs, tears promised in ‘Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down’

New reality TV competition series not afraid to get its hands dirty

Brendan Tang, an assistant professor in visual arts at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, who is also a judge on the new CBC television show “The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down” poses for a photograph in Vancouver, on Thursday, January 25, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
There are a lot of television viewing choices available. (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How much do you know about what’s on TV?

New television shows will be aired starting in February, 2024

There are a lot of television viewing choices available. (Pixabay.com)
This cover image released by False Idols/K7 Music shows “King Perry” by Lee Scratch Perry. (False Idols/K7 Music via AP)

What to stream this weekend: Run-D.M.C., and bye to ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’

A weekly look a what’s becoming available for your entertainment

This cover image released by False Idols/K7 Music shows “King Perry” by Lee Scratch Perry. (False Idols/K7 Music via AP)
FILE - Carl Weathers poses at the Disney + launch event promoting “The Mandalorian” at the London West Hollywood hotel in West Hollywood, Calif., on Oct. 19. 2019. Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, facing-off against Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore,” died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. He was 76. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)

Rocky’s Apollo Creed, Carl Weathers, dead at 76

Football player turned actor also known for roles in ‘Predator’, ‘Happy Gilmore’, and ‘The Mandalorian’

FILE - Carl Weathers poses at the Disney + launch event promoting “The Mandalorian” at the London West Hollywood hotel in West Hollywood, Calif., on Oct. 19. 2019. Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, facing-off against Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore,” died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. He was 76. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)
Actors Supinder Wraich (Sabrina Sohal) and Enrico Colantoni (as Vince Brambilla) in CBC’s new Surrey-set police drama, “Allegiance,” to debut Wednesday, Feb. 7. (Photo: Darko Sikman via CBC/Lark Productions)

Inside the ‘fictional world’ of CBC’s new Surrey-set police drama, out Feb. 7

‘Allegiance’ creator says the new series has nothing to do with city’s recent policing transition mess

Actors Supinder Wraich (Sabrina Sohal) and Enrico Colantoni (as Vince Brambilla) in CBC’s new Surrey-set police drama, “Allegiance,” to debut Wednesday, Feb. 7. (Photo: Darko Sikman via CBC/Lark Productions)
FILE - Actor and comedian George Carlin poses in a New York hotel March 19, 2004. Carlin’s estate has filed a lawsuit against the media company behind a fake hourlong comedy special that purportedly uses artificial intelligence to recreate the late standup comic’s style and material. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, asks that a judge order the podcast outlet, Dudesy, to immediately take down the audio special, “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead,” in which a synthesis of Carlin, who died in 2008, delivers commentary on current events. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

Fake George Carlin comedy special sparks lawsuit, outrage over AI

Comedians estate has filed court action over show purportedly generated by artificial intelligence

FILE - Actor and comedian George Carlin poses in a New York hotel March 19, 2004. Carlin’s estate has filed a lawsuit against the media company behind a fake hourlong comedy special that purportedly uses artificial intelligence to recreate the late standup comic’s style and material. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, asks that a judge order the podcast outlet, Dudesy, to immediately take down the audio special, “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead,” in which a synthesis of Carlin, who died in 2008, delivers commentary on current events. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)