Can AI make a 'human' movie? A new Toronto film festival enters the friction between art and algorithms Cinema Shift Festival brings an AI-filled program to the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema on June 5.

Can AI make a "human" movie?

As fake Val Kilmer grabs attention, and Steven Soderbergh says he's using AI-generated images for a documentary, a new Toronto festival aims to provoke debate about the future of film.

My story: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

What Happened to the Emmy-Winning Michael Jackson Doc ‘Leaving Neverland’? ‘Leaving Neverland 2,’ a sequel to Dan Reed’s two-part documentary chronicling the child sex abuse allegations surrounding Jackson, was released on YouTube this month. But the original film has disapp...

Why has the Emmy-winning Michael Jackson documentary "Leaving Neverland" vanished from HBO and Crave in Canada? (Vanity Fair) www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/st...

Toronto fire dismantles Drake’s ice sculpture Toronto Fire Services doused the sculpture with warm water to break it up and prevent people from lighting flames on the structure or climbing it.

Toronto Fire Services is dousing Drake's ice sculpture with warm water to break it up after crowds have been gathering around it since Monday.

Some people were scaling the structure, striking it with ice picks and setting it on fire to melt it.

The details:
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Toronto, chill out. Drake is putting our city on the map — again The fact that Drake is making Toronto the centre of his gravity — again — is the real message hidden under that mountain of ice.

Chill out, Toronto. Drake's ice mountain and fireball are his version of a love letter.

A pop culture opinion piece by Vinay Menon:

www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Toronto, chill out. Drake is putting our city on the map — again The fact that Drake is making Toronto the centre of his gravity — again — is the real message hidden under that mountain of ice.

Chill out, Toronto. Drake's ice mountain and fireball are his version of a love letter.

A pop culture opinion piece by Vinay Menon:

www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Your 'Heated Rivalry' hub: All the news about the hit Crave show The hit Canadian TV show starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie has become a cultural phenomenon. Here's everything to know.

"Heated Rivalry" wins multiple categories at the Webby Awards for its social media campaigns.

The details:
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Selfies, security, and freezing blocks: How Drake turned a downtown parking lot into Toronto’s coldest party The singer unveiled a massive installation of ice blocks in the heart of downtown with a cryptic message to fans on Monday.

The Iceman cometh...slowly. @dfriend.bsky.social goes inside Toronto's ice-melting vigil for Drake’s album reveal.

(Oh, and no blowtorches allowed)

Drake’s ‘Iceman’ sculpture downtown sparks police response as fans hack off chunks, set fire to blocks Police and fire services called to Drake’s ice monument late last night over public safety concerns.

Drake’s ‘Iceman’ sculpture downtown sparks police response as fans hack off chunks, set fire to blocks.

The details:
www.thestar.com/news/gta/dra...

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The Iceman cometh...slowly.

At least, that’s what Drake promised as he unveiled a massive installation of ice blocks in the heart of downtown and then sent his fans racing to see what might be hidden within.

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No blowtorches allowed: Drake fans will have to wait for frozen ‘Iceman’ reveal The singer unveiled a massive installation of ice blocks in the heart of downtown with a cryptic message to fans on Monday.

No blowtorches allowed! Drake fans will have to wait a little longer for frozen 'Iceman' reveal.

My story: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Kenny Loggins Doc by Dori Berinstein to World Premiere at Hot Docs The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter of early Loggins and Messina fame went on to compose movie soundtrack greats like ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Footloose.’

And coincidentally (or not) happening this week...

Kenny Loggins Doc From Dori Berinstein to World Premiere Hot Docs share.google/SbTMlhrxMvzV...

Hundreds of Fake Pro-Trump Avatars Emerge on Social Media

Hundreds of fake pro-Trump avatars emerge on social media, created with AI software, in a seeming attempt to lure conservative voters in the United States (NYT)

www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/b...

5 things we learned about the elusive Lorne Michaels from a new documentary — and what’s left out Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville's 'Lorne,' about the enigmatic 'Saturday Night Live' creator, opens in theatres on Friday.

Lorne Michaels booked Donald Trump as host, but drew the line at dogfighter Michael Vick (just barely, apparently!).

My look at five things we learn — and a bunch we don't — about the elusive "Saturday Night Live" creator via his new doc in theatres this weekend: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

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Alan Menken wrote the songs from ‘Aladdin’ and ‘The Little Mermaid.’ At Roy Thomson Hall, he’ll share his stories and tragedies

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Legendary Disney composer Alan Menken is set to share his stories and tragedies in Toronto The eight-time Oscar winner brings “A Whole New World of Alan Menken,” a solo retrospective show, to Toronto on Friday.

"A Whole New World." "Be Our Guest." "Colors of the Wind."

Composer Alan Menken helped define a generation of Disney hits. Now he's bringing tales of his incredible highs and lows to Toronto on Friday.

My story on Menken and his office's iconic hold music: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

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Sophie Nélisse will receive the Radius Award during the CSAs broadcast on May 31, where “Heated Rivalry” is among the leading nominees.

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‘Heated Rivalry’ star Sophie Nélisse to receive Radius Award at Canadian Screen Awards Organizers tell the Toronto Star the Quebec-born actor is being recognized for her global impact, with the honour to be presented next month.

EXCLUSIVE: “Heated Rivalry” and “Yellowjackets” star Sophie Nélisse will receive the Radius Award for global impact at this year's Canadian Screen Awards.

Nélisse plays Rose Landry on Crave's hockey romance hit.

The details: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Canadian electronic artist Rezz cancels Coachella Weekend 2 set over health concerns There will be one less Canadian performing at Coachella’s second weekend.

"I continued to push thinking it would be fine."

Canadian electronic producer Rezz cancels her Coachella Weekend 2 set over health concerns (via CP)

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A gift link to our best and worst roundup of TV reboots, remakes and updates...

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A gift link to the SNL story:

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10 must-see free movies in Toronto for Canadian Film Day Screenings featuring guest speakers include 'Paying for It,' '40 Acres' and 'My Winnipeg.'

You can see these 10 great movies for free in Toronto for National Canadian Film Day on Wednesday.

A roundup by Winnie Wang:
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‘SNL’ is moving to CTV — and it’s shaking up the local Saturday news schedule After more than 50 years on Global, the sketch comedy giant heads to Bell Media this fall, pushing CTV’s local nightly newscasts to an earlier time slot.

"Saturday Night Live" is moving to CTV — and it’s shaking up the local Saturday news schedule in several key Canadian markets, including Toronto.

My story:
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‘Malcolm in the Middle’ is back for more mischief. We rank 10 other TV reboots from best to worst A few of these series took the original premises into bold new directions. Others disappointed.

"Malcolm in the Middle" is back on television as the latest reboot.

We head into the digital vault to rank 10 other TV resurrections from best to worst, including "Battlestar Gallactica" and "Fuller House."
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Why the 'Heated Rivalry' musical parody isn't coming to Toronto The unauthorized show, based on the hit Crave series, begins its eight-week New York run on May 12.

The new "Heated Rivalry" musical doesn't have any Canadian dates yet, but the director says it's not for lack of trying.

My story on the mechanics of Toronto's scene that prevents local theatres from capitalizing on of-the-moment productions...
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John Nolan, Actor in Batman Films and ‘Person of Interest,’ Dies at 87 The uncle of Jonathan and Christopher Nolan also was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

John Nolan, actor in nephew Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins and The Dark Knight Rises, dies at 87. (Hollywood Reporter) www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...

John Nolan, Actor in Batman Films and ‘Person of Interest,’ Dies at 87 The uncle of Jonathan and Christopher Nolan also was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

John Nolan, actor in nephew Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins and The Dark Knight Rises, dies at 87. (Hollywood Reporter) www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...

"Heated Rivalry" lands a Peabody Award nomination, alongside "The Pitt" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

The details:
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Afrika Bambaataa, hip-hop pioneer, dies aged 67 The Bronx born rapper and DJ helped introduce hip-hop to the mainstream and was also accused of child sexual abuse

Hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa has died at age 67.

The musician shaped the sound with his 1982 hit "Planet Rock," but had a complicated history which included accusations of child sexual abuse and trafficking. (The Guardian) share.google/vC9Hyts4jXzm...

Rush members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson talk feeling the jitters ahead of their reunion tour The band, with a new drummer and keyboardist, will play four shows in Toronto in August.

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush are feeling the jitters ahead of their reunion tour: "It's been a while."