MOVIES: A probable blockbuster with a Canadian connection, an Indigenous fantasy, and a very modern romance

The biggest film this week is perfect for your kids and you, if you remember How to Train Your Dragon. It was a big animated hit 15 years ago and it's back, remade as a live action film. That's Dreamworks copying the success Disney has had with the technique. Their latest re-make, Lilo & Stitch, has been number one for three weeks and as you can read below there's a touch of irony there. Along with that not-insignificant Canadian connection.
Want something more substantial? I've written about the upsurge of films by and about Indigenous Canadians several times and this is a good time to mention it again. Two that I reviewed at festivals are now widely available. A third is coming.
So Surreal: Behind the Masks is about efforts in BC to bring home ceremonial masks that were taken, sold and drifted into the hands of surreal artists in France. CBC and CBC GEM is showing it.
Angela's Shadow, by filmmaker and academic Jules Koostachin, is a drama about a woman who visits her ancestral Cree community and has to turn to illegal ceremonies and medicine to protect herself from a dark figure, a mean-spirited husband and the effects of colonialism. The film will be in select theaters starting next week.
And also next week, there's The Salmon's Call, Joy Haskell's documentary about the vital role that fish has in Indigenous culture on the West Coast. The film will be in theaters and I'll review it next week.
This week I include another Indigenous film, Endless Cookie. It's quirky, entertaining and animated.
And these ...
How to Train Your Dragon: 3 stars
Endless Cookie: 3 ½
The Life of Chuck: 3 ½
The Materialists: 4
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: If you haven't seen the much-loved original film from 10 years ago or its two sequels this will all be new to you and probably also a delight. If you have seen them, this will be mostly a repeat, the same story followed very closely, nothing much added but not in animation anymore, in live action, filmed in Ireland. Gerard Butler is back in body as well as voice as the Viking chief Stoick whose island has been pestered by dragons forever. Mason Thames plays his son Hiccup (officially Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III) who can't meet his dad's expectations as a dragon killer and in fact becomes the opposite. He befriends a young Black Fury, treats him like a pet, flies on him and takes a girl (Nico Parker) from his training class in dragon-killing on a soaring flight in the skies. It's good fun for them and for us too delivered with fine visual effects created mostly in India, but Montreal too.
It's got a bigger meaning though. Hiccup is demonstrating that dragons have been maligned and misrepresented. When Stoick argues 'They've killed hundreds of us,' Hiccup replies 'And we've killed thousands of them.' He's come to understand that they're only defending themselves. He argues for acceptance, a very necessary sentiment anytime, especially these days. That and a young man trying to meet the demands of his father are the deeper themes here. They're well-presented by director Dean DeBlois, who was born in Quebec, directed the three previous films, got Oscar nominations for them and in a bit of irony also created the original Lilo & Stitch, which Disney has just remade from animation into live action. It's huge at the box office right now and probably something of a competitor though Dragon is heading big also. (In theaters) 3 out of 5
ENDLESS COOKIE: This is not your usual Indigenous film. Sure it includes the grinding issues: land usurped, culture diminished, residential schools, the RCMP, but does it in a most unexpected way. First of all it's animated (in a rough and lively style) and it gets across its attitudes (some of them very harsh) in a series of entertaining stories. They're told by a pair of brothers, half brothers Peter Scriver and Seth Scriver, one Indigenous, the other white, one a great storyteller, the other recording him and leading the filmmaking. And first securing a government grant to make a film he describes as 'funny, beautiful, spiritual, political, complex, simple and true.' It is all that.
Peter casually rambles here and there in telling his stories. The time he got his own hand caught in an animal trap he was setting takes several revisits to finish. His owl story, attracting one and then not able to get rid if it, is funny. An RCMP encounter, when a nut dropped on a cop car by a squirrel is heard as a gun shot, is both funny and scary. The film answers back subtly by twisting the RCMP motto into Justicia et Contritum Est Ratio Racist. Funny (trying to get free pizza in Toronto, household noise vs sound recording) is side by side with protest (prison numbers compared to whites, historical pressure to give up land). At the same time there's a quirky view of life on a reserve and a clear statement of pride . 'They say that the ancient ways, ancient knowledge, is sleeping within us and will awaken someday.' (In theaters now and sure to be again, as at The Rio in Vancouver, on National Indigenous Peoples Day Saturday, June 21.) 3 ½ out of 5
THE LIFE OF CHUCK: What this film is about isn't exactly clear although it is a treat to watch. It's directed by Mike Flanagan from a fanciful story by Stephen King and there's definitely a call to embrace life, accept death and enjoy all the unknowns around you in the universe. Characters say that but how it relates to the central character, an accountant played by Tom Hiddleston, is obscure. We first see him on his deathbed, then, at various earlier stages in his life. Vancouver's Jacob Tremblay plays him as a teenager. A teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor) interprets a line from Walt Whitman to say that inside his head there are "multitudes", i.e. the whole world, everything he's learned. He feels special.
His grandfather, played by Mark Hamill, tells him that mathematics is what's most important. "Mathematics is truth." He becomes an accountant. Carl Sagan on TV says if all human history were represented on a calendar it would be just 10 seconds long. He's moved to make the most of his life.
That includes visiting his ex-wife (Karen Gillan) and in two sparkling sequences showing his talent for dancing which he learned from his grandmother (Mia Sara). Meanwhile, street banners, posters and TV ads appear repeatedly saying Thanks Chuck, for 39 great years. Nobody knows who he is. And there's chaos: there are power failures, wildfires, the internet dies. How does all that fit together? Not sure. It highlights moments and they're memorable. The film was voted most popular at the Toronto International Film Festival. (In theaters) 3 ½ out of 5
MATERIALISTS: Here's a modern romantic comedy that manages to be hip, witty and funny … and also come across relaxed and comfortable. A pretty good date movie, I'd say, unless there are tensions between you and the date. I say that only because there's a speech part way through that delivers an acerbic profile of a standard marriage. It's funny but way, way too real. Around it is a pleasant story about a woman (Dakota Johnson) who works as a matchmaker in New York. She connects people looking for dating partners with clients who fit their requirements exactly. Height, weight, personality, appearance, full head of hair, wealth, home décor, are all factors they consider, as well as 'intangibles.' The office celebrates when marriages result.
It feels authentic but then the director, Celine Song, has experience doing that work before she turned to filmmaking. This is a follow-up to her Oscar-nominated Past Lives.
Her matchmaker has a professional protocol for all of this and then the problems arrive. One client sues because the man she sent attacked her. Should she have known? She didn't detect any hint when she interviewed him and secretly regrets that. We watch her interview many others, usually with editing that highlights the humorous side.
And a more personal problem arrives. Pedro Pascal, as a party guest, chats her up, charms her like one of those matinee idols from decades ago and she's attracted right into bed. He'd be a perfect match for her but she's also still attracted to her ex boyfriend (Chris Evans). So who's best for her Mr. Suave or Mr. Spontaneous? Mr. Rich or Mr. Poor? Finding the answer to that question gives us a bright and smart script, good and amiable acting and a lot of sharp observations about modern dating. A rom-com for adults. (in theaters) 4 out of 5

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Toronto Sun

7 hours ago

• Toronto Sun

CHRISTMAS IN JULY: A beautiful friendship

Variety Village best pals Kaden Jaglowitz, 13, (L) and his his best buddy Georgio Gonsalves, 12, who met at the Variety Village Summer Camp three years ago, shoot hoops in the main sports clubhouse on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Photo by Jack Boland / Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Most kids with disabilities have no friends. None. One Canadian university study put membership in that lonely kids' club at 53%. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Sad but true. Not so at Variety Village. Which brings us to the bustling lobby of that iconic east end sports centre the other day. Georgio Gonsalves, 12, glances out the big windows and his eyes spark. He bounces up and down. 'K!' he exclaims. K as in Kaden Jaglowitz, 13. The two boys are best buds. They have not seen each other for all of three days. They love each other. I mean real love. 'Kaden is so sweet,' Georgio tells me. 'I love Georgio,' says Kaden. Variety Village best pals Kaden Jaglowitz, 13, (L) and his his best buddy Georgio Gonsalves, 12, who met at the Variety Village Summer Camp three years ago, shoot hoops in the main sports clubhouse on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Photo by Jack Boland They have other things in common, including Down syndrome and heart surgery scars and the like. Loneliness, too – until that vanished three summers ago at Variety Village's legendary camps. By chance, their moms had enrolled them in the introductory sports camp. At the end of day one, Georgio's mom, Mary Kapetanos, came to get him. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This is Kaden,' Georgio said, solemnly. 'He's my friend.' It was music to Mary's ears. Georgio had classmates, of course, but those relationships ended at the school bell. No one invited him for sleepovers. There were no BFFs – until that Variety camp, and Kaden. Kaden's mom, Julie, says: 'The camp counsellors told us Georgio got all sad about something and was sitting alone on a hill (on Village grounds) and Kaden came to him with a water bottle and put his arm around him, then they went off to play.' The boys have been a dynamic duo ever since. 'They're like brothers,' says Julie. 'Georgio is the sensitive kind of kid and Kaden is the nurturing type,' says Mary. 'Their relationship is so sweet, so kind and tender.' Read More This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Their moms say the boys even have their own language, which sounds like garble to you and me but is Shakespeare to them. The moms, both single, are like sisters now. Kaden and Julie have become part of Georgio's extended Greek family. The moms and sons went to Disney World together. In the Village fieldhouse, the boys demo their basketball skills for Sun photographer Jack Boland. Basketball is their sport, born of a Variety summer camp. They play for a junior Special Olympics team called the Basket Hounds. They learned to boogie at a Variety summer dance camp. Fave tunes include JoJo Siwa's Boomerang . Hey-hey-hey, I don't really care about what they say Won't let the haters get their way I'ma come back like a boomerang. Hey-hey-hey. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Variety Village best pals Kaden Jaglowitz, 13, (L) and his his best buddy Georgio Gonsalves, 12, who met at the Variety Village Summer Camp three years ago, shoot hoops in the main sports clubhouse on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Photo by Jack Boland / Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Haters gonna hate. A total stranger once marched in off the sidewalk and asked Julie, who was on her porch with baby Kaden, 'does your child have Down syndrome?' The gall. 'I'm never wrong,' said the woman and marched off. Kaden spent weeks in ICU and could eat no solids until he was two. He was tiny. 'People used to come up and ask, 'Don't you feed your baby?'' says Julie. Baby Georgio, meanwhile, faced so much resistance from educators – one rejected him after an 'interview' at age two-and-a-half – his mom, a Montessori teacher, started her own school. Every parent of Down syndrome kids I've met over decades of the Sun Christmas Fund for Variety Village has similar stories. Society may be more open to the disability world these days, but we're a long way from real 'inclusion.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But back to Kaden and Georgio. Tuckered out from basketball, the boys get out their 'Barbies.' That's what they call them all. Their stash ranges from Iron Man and dinosaurs to anime to actual Barbies, including one with Down syndrome features. The boys use them to work out thoughts and feelings, to confront troubles at school. For instance, one Barbie says to the other, 'Oh, yeah, you said I was stupid,' and a third doll cuts in, 'No, you're not!' And so on. You get the idea. Toronto SUN columnist Mike Strobel with Variety Village basketball buddies Kaden, 13, and his mom Julie (on left) and his best buddy Georgio, 12, and his mom Mary (on right) after hoops in the main sports clubhouse on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Photo by Jack Boland / Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network Two boys boisterously playing with dolls would draw stares in many places. But not at Variety Village. 'I don't know anywhere else, other than our homes,' says Julie, 'where kids can foster real friendships based on who they are without having to mask any part of themselves to fit it.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The boys are back at Variety's summer camps in July – starting together with swimming, though they both fret that they're going to sink. Other camps, for kids of all abilities, include taekwondo, art, drama, track and field and rock climbing – and basketball. You are lucky if you have a friendship like that of Kaden and Georgio. Variety Village remains its backdrop. You can help keep it so. Any donations in June to the Sun Christmas Fund – Christmas in July? – will be tripled thanks to Canadian Tire Jumpstart and a private donor, to a total of $150,000. Donate at or use the QR code on this page. Could be the start of a beautiful friendship. northchannelmike@ Columnists Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls World

Winnipeg Free Press

10 hours ago

• Winnipeg Free Press

Events are being held across the country Saturday to mark Indigenous Peoples Day

OTTAWA – Hundreds of events are planned across the country Saturday to mark Indigenous Peoples Day. First observed in 1996, Indigenous Peoples Day is meant to recognize First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures and traditions. Prime Minister Mark Carney will take part in a closed event to mark the day. The office of Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said she will host youth at Rideau Hall in Ottawa to mark the day by crafting paper hearts with 'messages of reconciliation, hope and commitment.' The Governor General will plant the hearts in Rideau Hall's 'heart garden,' which honours Indigenous people who died in residential schools, along with survivors. 'Each heart is a symbol of our collective responsibility to listen to and carry forward their stories — of pain and disappointment, strength and courage — and to commit to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action,' Simon's office said. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. This year's Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa. The festival features a competition powwow, traditional foods and teaching sessions. Starting Saturday, the Forks in Winnipeg will host Many Nations, One Heartbeat, an 11-day festival of Indigenous performances, games, fashion and crafts. Organizers say the festival will honour 'the stories, strength, and resilience of Indigenous communities, especially in this moment of significant displacement due to Manitoba's wildfire.' And in Toronto, the Na-Me-Res Traditional Powwow and Indigenous Arts Festival will take place Saturday at the Fort York National Historic Site, featuring traditional dances, live concerts and a food market. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2025.

CBC

21 hours ago

• CBC

Aysanabee is back with a new sound

Today, Aysanabee drops his sophomore album, Edge Of The Earth. The Indigenous singer-songwriter burst onto the scene in 2022 with Watin, an album that was inspired by his grandfather's stories and won him two Juno Awards. On Commotion, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud speaks with music journalist Emilie Hanskamp, Anishinaabe scholar Riley Yesno and Anishinaabe/Mohawk writer and producer Kim Wheeler about Aysanabee's new album and how it differs from his first one. We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full discussion about new albums from both Bambii and Haim, listen and follow Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on your favourite podcast player. WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube: Elamin: Kim, do you want to tell the story of the first record? Because I feel like Watin kind of came out of nowhere and then just took the music scene by storm a little bit. Kim: Yeah, absolutely. He made this incredible record where he sat down and he had conversations with his grandfather. And it was during COVID and he recorded those conversations. Then he used them to weave a story throughout his first album, Watin, which is named after his grandfather. And actually, Aysanabee is also named after his grandfather. He took his grandfather's name [instead of] his colonial name, which is Evan, but now he performs as Aysanabee. Yeah, it was such an incredible album. That was the album that got him shortlisted for Polaris. And when you have an album like that, every single album afterwards, you anticipate, right? You're like, "What's he gonna do next? What's he going to do next?" And then with this album, he's given us a new sound. Elamin: This idea of making a record that is entirely around his grandfather's story, his grandfather's experience in residential schools, that forms the narrative framework of that record. When you get to this new album, Emily, is there a conceptual framework to this record? Or is he like, "Man, let's talk about love?" Emily: If his first album was his grandfather's story, his second was more so a breakup album, which is about you, but it's largely about a relationship, maybe the other person who you were in that relationship. I think this album [is] most inward and about himself. You think of [the words] "edge of the earth," you kind of picture yourself at the edge of this cliff, your toes hanging over, you think of these leaps of faith that you take, and I think it's taking stock of the leaps he's taken, the losses that have been both for and against his will, the people he's lost. There's a song about losing his grandfather, there are songs about heartbreak and relationships falling apart, there are songs about love. So I really think it is actually his most personal in terms of how inward it is. I think conceptually that's where he's landing here. WATCH | "Home" Live at Orange Lounge: Elamin: Riley, when you listen to this record, what's the aspect that's most jumping out at you? Riley: I went and read the write-up that you did, Emily, in The Star, about him [Aysanabee], and he mentions in it to you that he took inspiration in his earliest years from Bob Marley and all of these things. I started to smile because when I lived on the rez, we had just cassette tapes all over the place. And a fun fact is that every Native I've ever met loves Johnny Cash, they love Bob Marley, they love that timbre of the voice. I can hear that in the way that he [Aysanabee] sings and you can hear it on this album. And so while it's not necessarily as explicitly "about Indigenous topics," like residential schools with his grandfather in the first one, to me it is so Native still in that connection to the music that Native people love. And I really feel that when I listen to it.