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Photo courtesy Netflix Canada

Photo courtesy MUBI

Photo courtesy Prime Video

Our City Tonight

By Jim Gordon and Leeta Liepins

Published 11:50 PDT, Fri October 24, 2025

Last Updated: 11:51 PDT, Fri October 24, 2025

Spotlight on more great home viewing

THE VIEW #1 – Who Killed The Montreal Expos?

It was a great loss to the city of Montreal when their beloved baseball team, the Expos, left for greener pastures in 2004 after a 35-year existence. Those greener pastures were in Washington DC, the largest market in the US at the time without a baseball team (and, ironically, a city that had lost their own baseball teams in 1960 and again in 1971). Now comes the new documentary called Who Killed The Montreal Expos?, which successfully unpacks the tragic, at times, soap opera, story which cannot be blamed on just one thing. It is also the tale of baseball itself which began to change in the 1980s when money became the prime focus and some owners, once thought wealthy enough to own a team, were no longer that wealthy enough. It’s about an older stadium—in this case, Olympic Stadium—also once thought good enough until it became a broken-down relic. Throw in an American owner who would sweep in like a saviour only to move on a short time later, leaving the team in the rare position of being overseen by Major League Baseball itself. This documentary benefits and is strengthened by some of the baseball legends and former players who have nothing but love for the team, the city and their fans, including Pedro Martinez, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., and Larry Walker, as well as former manager Felipe Alou. It’s unlikely Montreal will ever see another MLB team in their city again, which is sad. The city has a rich history with the sport including being the home of Jackie Robinson’s first team, the Montreal Monarchs, which broke the colour barrier in 1946. This film is now available for viewing on Netflix netflix.com

THE VIEW #2 – Mussolini: Son of the Century

There’s an old phrase that states those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. We couldn’t help but think about that while watching the engrossing new limited series called Mussolini: Son of the Century. Based on the bestselling book by Antonio Scurati and directed by BAFTA-winning Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Darkest Hour), this 8-episode story starts with Benito Mussolini, aka “Il Duce”, and his founding of the Fasci Italiani party in 1919, which was meant to appeal to war veterans of all political leanings. We follow him through his calculating rise to power, as he exploits the waring classes, creating conflict, flaming anger and resentment, while also destabilizing institutions, all with the goal of offering himself as saviour, the only one who can save Italy. Sound familiar? This powerful series is made even more so by the performance of brilliant actor, Luca Marinelli, as Mussolini. He talks to the camera, letting the viewers know what he’s planning, and thinking – he even at one point, turns to the camera, and with an evil grin, comments about making Italy “great again”. Look for Mussolini: Son of the Century streaming on MUBI mubi.com

THE VIEW #3 – John Candy: I Like Me

For those old enough to have seen him on TV and film in those early years, John Candy was bigger than life. We grew up with him in the mid-70’s to the early-80s, with the ground-breaking Canadian TV show, Second City, and then his scene stealing, supporting roles in comedies like Stripes, and Splash. This led to one of his most memorable roles, that of shower curtain ring salesman Del Griffith in 1987’s Trains, Planes and Automobiles, opposite Steve Martin. He could also go the dramatic route, like his memorable scene as a sleazy lawyer in Oliver’s Stone’s JKF. He died young at the age of only 44. Jump ahead to 2025 and Colin Hanks (son of Tom Hanks, Candy’s co-star and friend) and a new documentary he has directed and co-produced with Ryan Reynolds called John Candy: I Like Me. The film examines the life of Candy, his love of family and work, while offering reflections from those he worked with including legends Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Martin Short, Eugene Levy and Tom Hanks. The day he died in 1994, we remember thinking, it was the only time John Candy made us cry. This film is a fitting tribute to a talent who left us far too soon. John Candy: I Like Myself is available now on Prime Video primevideo.com