Engage in this Tudor-era thriller
TUESDAY
á Ryan Ermacora’s and Jessica Johnson’s Uneasy Panoramas
Watch this if: You want some sublime views of natural spaces. A program of experimental docs and other unconventional cinematic forms presented monthly at the AGO’s Jackman Hall, Vertical Features teams with Planet in Focus for a showcase of works by one of Canada’s most intriguing new filmmaking teams. Based in Vancouver, Ermacora and Johnson have swiftly developed a forte for subtle but mesmerizing landscape studies like Hazel Isle, a typically enigmatic effort shot on an island west of Scotland. The duo show six of their handiworks in a survey with the fitting title of Uneasy Panoramas. (Jackman Hall, 317 Dundas St. W., doors 6:30 p.m.) —Jason Anderson
á Roswell, New Mexico
Watch this if: You like an alien boy meets alienated girl story. It’s the latest in the deluge of TV reboots, an update of the 1999 series about a teen from outer space, secretly living in a border town, and his human crush. In the remake, Max (Nathan Parsons) is all grown up and a police officer, and Liz (Jeanine Mason) is a scientist and the Mexican-American daughter of undocumented immigrants, which adds a whole other meaning to the term “alien.” As in the original, Max and his fellow space travellers, sister Isobel (Lily Cowles) and friend Michael (Michael Vlamis), struggle to keep their secret. (Showcase at 9 p.m.) —Debra Yeo
THURSDAY
á Come Up to My Room Watch this if: You want a grown-up play date. Remember when childhood bedrooms could be transformed into magical fantasy lands or dream mansions? The Gladstone Hotel’s annual event is the next best thing to your own imagination, transforming the hotel’s rooms into temporary art installations under the theme of “playfulness,” curated by Jana Macalik, Jennie Suddick and Lee Petrie. This year’s CUTMR will also feature a one-day design market on Jan. 20. (Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., 6 p.m., on until Jan. 20) —Carly Maga
á The Song and the Sorrow
Watch this if: You want to see some new, free docs on mental health. In this thoughtful 42-minute doc by P.E.I. filmmaker Millefiore Clarkes, folk musician Catherine MacLellan seeks a deeper understanding of her late dad and fellow songwriter Gene MacLellan, who wrote Anne Murray’s iconic “Snowbird” and took his own life in 1995. It’s the first of three films screening in the leadup to Bell Let’s Talk Day on Jan. 30. Presented by Workman Arts in partnership with Bell and Hot Docs, the Mental Health Film Series combines timely films and insightful discussions. Clarkes and Alex Shendelman of the Toronto Distress Centre join Geoff Pevere for a post-screening Q&A. (Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., 6:30 p.m., more screenings Jan. 23 and 30) —JA
á Eve of St. George
Watch this if: You want a homegrown Sleep No More. Audience members wearing masks, a multi-floor venue and wandering performers dancing throughout: the format is recognizable from site-specific hit Sleep No More in New York City, but it’s happening in Toronto. Choreographer Julia Cratchley’s Eve of St. George takes its inspiration from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, filling Queen West’s Great Hall with vampire brides, monster hunters and lots of gothic romance. (The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W., 7 p.m., on until Jan. 27) —CM
FRIDAY
á To the Worlds Watch this if: You think ageism should be iced. Wendy is 59 and divorced; Maureen is 76 and widowed; Henrietta is 77 and lost her son. Along with teammates Karen, 46; Donna, 61; Maureen, 76, and Isabella, 49, they hatch a plan to compete in the 2018 International Skating Union Adult Figure Skating Competition in Germany. Fear, falls, even a concussion suffered in practice can’t stand in their way. As skater and director Wendy Ord says of aging, “You have to accept it, but you don’t have to go down without a fight.” (CBC Gem at noon and CBC at 9 p.m.) —DY
á Terry Riley
Watch this if: You’ve ever wondered who the Who stole from for that “Baba O’Riley” opening. Californian Riley made his name in the 1960s with trail-blazing minimalist works like “In C” and “A Rainbow In Curved Air,” and lessons therein that inspired rockers, jazzers and composers to come. This “Live at 85” show brings the octogenarian here with guitarist son Gyan and electric violinist Tracy Silverman. It should be warm and engrossing stuff and, with a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m., a highlight of this 21C Music Festival renewal. (Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 8 p.m., fest on until Jan. 20) —Chris Young
SATURDAY
á The Virgin Trial Watch this if: You want a Tudor-era thriller. This summer, the Stratford Festival will produce the final play in Kate Hennig’s Queenmaker Trilogy, which puts a feminist lens on England’s Tudor era. In the meantime, Soulpepper presents the middle play in the trilogy. The Virgin Trial focuses on Elizabeth I, who’s under investigation for treason along with her stepfather, Thomas Seymour. Soulpepper brings back Stratford originals Bahia Watson as Elizabeth (or Bess) and Brad Hodder as Thom. (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane, 8 p.m., on until Feb. 3) —CM
SUNDAY
á King Princess Watch this for: Today the Danforth, tomorrow the world. It wasn’t that long ago that Mikaela Straus was a teenage college dropout with five homemade tracks planted in the usual spots. Harry Styles was among the first to catch on, tweeting out a lyric from “1950,” her sweet ode to unrequited queer love, and it’s all gone wild from there. Her smooth vocals and easy, honest, unabashedly gay way with a pop song have taken her a long way in a short time. (Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., doors 7 p.m.) —CY