Flamin’ Hot (dir. Eva Longoria).

Longoria directs the highly disputed, less-than-true story of Frito-Lay janitor turned executive Richard Montañez in a stylish but largely mild corporate tale of invention and bootstrapping self-motivation. Credited by apparently the man himself (and no one else) of inventing the titular flavour of Cheetos snacks, his rags to riches journey makes for a fun ride to the top.

It’s too bad the amusing yarn glosses over historical aspects of 1980s Reagonomics and the struggle of Mexican-Americans trying to ahead in the workplace. Still, Jesse Garcia’s joyful performance offers enough enthusiasm to power audiences through a deceptively all-American business story.

2023 BC Distilled x Croatian Cultural Centre x Kensington–Cedar Cottage.

• Bruinwood Estate Distillery (Roberts Creek)

Big Fight in Little Chinatown (dir. Karen Cho) x DOXA 2023.

There’s much to [the] careful exploration of Chinatowns across the continent. Its reverence for the stewardship of these neighbourhoods is admirable while the documentary delves into the ever-growing gentrification faced. Cho ably sums up the history of Chinese people as compelling stories of struggle and survival.

• Screened at the 2023 Hot Docs Festival in Toronto.
  
• Screening at the Rio Theatre on June 10 and VIFF Centre from June 16–20.

Jurassic World Live Tour x Pacific Coliseum. (via Sallie Palmieri Rego)

Featuring some unrivaled production design, Jurassic World comes to life against the backdrop of captivating scenery where dinosaurs from the iconic films, including the fan-favourite Velociraptor named Blue and a Tyrannosaurus Rex more than 40 feet in length, both take centre stage.

Fairmont Pacific Rim x Coal Harbour.

• Pac Rim Patio Pop-Up open from June 1–Sept. 1.
  
• Pork schnitzel sando (available June 1-4) from Published on Main.
• Charred scallop ceviche with rhubarb, elderflower, and fermented jalapeño (available July 13-16) from Botanist.

Platonic (prod. Francesca Delbanco).

Apple’s buddy comedy series, starring frequent collaborators Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, and co-created by their Neighbors director Nicholas Stoller, has a refreshingly straightforward premise about former platonic best friends who cannot quit each other after reconnecting purely to hangout. The pair’s comedic chemistry as each other’s emotional crutches is so palpably enjoyable to watch. Its exploration of minor midlife crises keeps the stakes low but still universal as a pleasant experience taking place mostly in homes and bars.

2023 Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival x Vanier Park x Kitsilano. (via Becky Verbruggen)

The festival’s 2023 season is anchored by the revival of the most successful production in its history, a famous tale of political intrigue, a sweeping historical drama, and a unique interpretation of the Scottish play.

• Julius Caesar on the BMO Mainstage from June 5–Sept. 4.
  
• As You Like It on the BMO Mainstage from June 8–Sept. 30.
  
• Henry V on the Howard Family Stage from June 28–Aug. 13.
• Goblin:Macbeth on the Howard Family Stage from Aug. 19–Sept. 17.
  
• Fireworks Night: As You Like It followed by a catered picnic dinner, a performance by Coastal Wolf Pack, and the Celebration of Light on July 22, 26 & 29.
  

Clone High (prod. Erica Rivinoja).

Max’s revival of the beloved cult 2003 Canadian adult animated sitcom is just as fresh and silly as ever as it picks up exactly where the MTV series left off. Our unfrozen sexy teen clones of historical figures catch up on twenty years of pop culture past while balancing their satire of adolescent melodrama hilariously. It’s intriguing how the weird premise has aged surprisingly well.