Keanu Reeves has achieved multiple eras of megastardom, including his 鈥淪peed鈥 breakthrough, the “Matrix鈥 universe and his resurgence as John Wick. But there鈥檚 one cult classic always deserving of new devotees. In 2005’s 鈥淐onstantine鈥 (now streaming on Crave), he plays the titular sassy exorcist with a serious smoking habit and the ability to see and communicate with angels and demons. A brilliant cast (including Rachel Weisz, Tilda Swinton and Djimon Hounsou), eye-popping effects and stylish costumes make for a hell of a ride. Already love it? Keanu recently said a long-awaited sequel finally may be entering the script stage.聽鈥擝riony Smith
Concert: the Damned
While the Sex Pistols and the Clash were bringing politics to punk in the U.K., the Damned were adding goth flourishes and welcome humour to their slash-and-burn antics. Founding drummer Rat Scabies is back in the fold, as is ‘80s bassist Paul Gray, for their show Thursday night at Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Ave.). Nearly 50 years on, they鈥檝e still got the fire and with vampiric frontman Dave Vanian and boomeranging guitarist Captain Sensible, they are a wonder to behold. 鈥擠oug Brod
Classical: “Carmina Burana”聽
The 海角社区官网Symphony Orchestra’s 103rd season kicked off on Thursday at Roy Thomson Hall (60 Simcoe St.) with Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana.” (Yes, that one, best known for the rousing movement “O Fortuna.”) If you missed it, fear not. The series continues with two more performances this weekend. “Carmina Burana,” a choral work bringing together the TSO, the 海角社区官网Mendelssohn Choir and the 海角社区官网Children’s Chorus, also features as soloists the French soprano Julie Roset, the American baritone Sean Michael Plumb, and Canadian Opera Company regular Andrew Haji. The concert also includes the Canadian premiere of Wynton Marsalis’s jazz-infused “Concerto for Orchestra.” 鈥擩oshua Chong
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Comedy: ‘Dying Seconds’
What could be more Canadian than a whodunit in a hockey rink? 鈥淒ying Seconds鈥 even had its unofficial premiere at the Hockey Hall of Fame. The comedy from actor, writer, and former TSN and Sportsnet producer Brendan Halloran follows the shenanigans when the GM of the Hamilton Hammers is found dead. It stars Dylan Taylor (鈥淲orkin鈥 Moms鈥), Emma Hunter (鈥淭he Beaverton鈥) and Rong Fu (鈥淪tar Trek: Strange New Worlds鈥), and is the only Canadian entry in the new Just for Laughs Pilots competition, making its world premiere Tuesday on the JFL YouTube channel.聽鈥擠ebra Yeo
Emma Hunter and Dylan Taylor in “Dying Seconds.”聽
Joshua Chong is a Toronto-based arts critic and culture reporter
for the Star. Follow him on X: .
Debra Yeo is a deputy editor and a contributor to the Star鈥檚
Culture section. She is based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter:
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Doug Brod is a Toronto-based author and team editor for the
Star. Follow him on X:
Briony Smith writes about culture, entertainment and
lifestyle for the Star.
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