1. FILM: Charlie the Wonderdog (January 16)
Owen Wilson provided the voice for Lightning McQueen in the animated Cars series, and he portrayed the owner of a mischievous Labrador retriever in the 2008 film Marley & Me. It appears that the animated children’s movie Charlie the Wonderdog is a natural continuation of this tradition. Wilson lends his voice to a family pet named Charlie, who is kidnapped by aliens and gains abilities that transform him into a superhero. The film explores common themes found in most superhero films: friendship, loyalty, perseverance, power, and responsibility. Shea Wageman directed the film and co-wrote the script. Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez and Tabitha St. Germain are also part of the cast.
2. Television: Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit (January 22, The CW)
In 2024, the Oxford Word of the Year was “brain rot” — a decline in a person’s intellectual abilities caused by excessive consumption of simple content. In the previous year, the “personal curriculum” trend emerged, where individuals set their own reading and tasks to prevent this decline. We recommend also engaging with programs that encourage mental effort, such as Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit. Both are launching their second seasons. Scrabble has a new host, Craig Ferguson. Trivial Pursuit features back host LeVar Burton. Also, don’t overlook classic shows like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune — they are available on regular TV and stream on Crave.
3. MUSIC: Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore (January 16)
It’s a chilly, dark season for many Canadians. However, ambient musician Barwick and harpist Lattimore are presenting an otherworldly album that uncovers beauty in surprising spots — even in the most contrasting elements. Tragic Magic was inspired by the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and was recorded over nine days in Paris. For its seven tracks, Lattimore played harps crafted between 1728 and 1873. Barwick selected analog synthesizers like the Roland JUPITER-8 and Sequential Circuits PROPHET-5. “We aimed to respect the past while creating music that truly reflects who we are,” said Barwick, according to Klof Magazine.
4. LIVRE : Le Manuel officiel du Club We Do Not Care (16 janvier)
Last May, Melani Sanders parked her vehicle in a grocery store parking lot and humorously shared on Instagram the beginning of the We Do Not Care Club. This Florida-based mother was having a tough day. She was experiencing perimenopause along with insomnia and depression. She was wearing a “too-small sports bra” and her hair wasn’t perfectly styled. And she simply didn’t care. She encouraged other women going through menopause and perimenopause to discuss what they no longer cared about. Sanders (@justbeingmelani) now has 2.2 million Instagram followers and this book to continue supporting the “we do not care” movement.
5. OBSERVANCE: Bell Let’s Talk Day (January 21)
Introduced in 2010, this yearly campaign focuses on raising awareness, fostering acceptance, and encouraging action regarding mental health. The 2026 theme is “taking a moment for mental health.” Canadians are urged to focus on their own mental well-being, support others in their mental health journeys, and consider the significance of mental health within our communities. The social media hashtag associated with the campaign is #BellLetsTalk. As reported by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, one in five Canadians faces a mental illness each year. By the time they turn 40, half of Canadians have experienced or will experience a mental illness.