One of the standout films from TIFF 2023 is the comedy-drama Dumb Money. Here’s Kevin Bourne with his Dumb Money film review. Spartacus. Braveheart. The Patriot. Everyone loves a good war epic where the oppressed band together to overthrow the oppressor. One of the standout films from TIFF 2023 so far is Sony Pictures’ Dumb Money, based on Ben Mezrich’s book The Antisocial Network about the true David vs. Goliath story of when amateur investors made history by successfully challenging Wall Street. Despite hedge fund manager Gabe Plotkin (Seth Rogen) betting billions on the failure of the GameStop stock, Keith Gill…
Author: Kevin Bourne
Kevin Bourne
Kevin Bourne, also known as "KB The Boss" or simply "KB", is a Toronto-based host/on-air personality, arts & entertainment journalist, TV/film producer, and communications and content strategist. As a commentator and freelancer, he has appeared nationally as a correspondent on CBC News Network and host on CBC Music. He has also appeared locally on CTV, CBC Radio, CityNews, Newstalk 1010, and ByBlacks.com, and in the United States on Fox’s Black digital TV network, Fox Soul. He has covered some of Canada’s top red-carpet events, from the Toronto International Film Festival to the Canadian Screen Awards, and has interviewed everyone from Kevin Hart and "Fast and the Furious" star Tyrese Gibson to Ziggy Marley, Ava DuVernay, Dascha Polanco, Lilly Singh, and Howie Mandel. His years of work as an entertainment journalist led to him being named a Golden Globe® Awards voter and Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-Approved critic and being quoted as a critic in national ad campaigns for Black films and TV shows, both in Canada and the United States. Pivoting into the world of film and television, Kevin co-founded the film, TV, digital content, and live experiences company, SHIFTER Entertainment, alongside his wife and business partner, Koliah. Through SHIFTER he has produced a number of projects, including the Bell Fibe TV1 unscripted reality series A Date In The Life, serving as showrunner, executive producer, writer and co-director. Now, with a number of pilot and feature film scripts written and projects in development, KB is poised to continue to be a champion for Black entertainment and culture alongside his wife and business partner, Koliah.
SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne says Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut is “nomination worthy to say the least”. Here’s his full American Fiction film review. When author and English literature professor, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), is forced to take a leave from work due to his unconventional teaching methods, he heads back home to Boston for a writers festival. While at home, he learns that he’s not only out of touch with the literary world but his family, including his mother (Leslie Uggams), sister Lisa (Tracee Ellis Ross), and brother (Sterling K. Brown). Not only does Monk have to worry about up…
Copa 71 is both a celebratory look of the 1971 Women’s World Cup and a damning indictment of male dominance and greed in sports. Here’s our Copa 71 review. Executive produced by Venus and Serena Williams and Isha Price, and directed by James Erskine and Rachel Ramsay, Copa 71 recalls the 1971 Women’s World Cup which was, until now, erased from sports history. It follows in the footsteps of documentaries like Quest Love’s Summer of Soul in combining lost footage and present day interviews with women soccer players from around the world as they recall the groundbreaking event. Together, the…
SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne calls Netflix’s Reptile “the perfect murder thriller”. Find out why in his Reptile film review. Well, the 2023 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival started with a bang. Among the films being screened on opening day was Reptile, written by Oscar winner Benicio Del Toro, Benjamin Brewer, and Grant Singer, and starring Del Toro, Oscar nominee Justin Timberlake, and Alicia Silverstone. The film is set in the quaint town of Scarborough, Maine, but behind the lush landscapes and small town charm is a gruesome, noir whodunit where detective Tom Nichols (Benicio Del Toro) must solve the…
Kevin Bourne calls the final season of Top Boy a “sad, emotional and well-executed send off”. Find out why in his Top Boy Season 3 review. Yesterday, Netflix dropped the third and final season of their hit British crime drama Top Boy. Since its humble beginnings in 2011, the series has grown to international acclaim for its gritty depiction of inner city life in London, all while teaching the world the latest UK slang. After being cancelled in 2014, an impressive list of executive producers, including lead actors Ashley Walters and Kano, Maverick Carter and Drake, helped to revive the…
Rapper NF brought his Hope Tour to Toronto with a stop at Scotiabank Arena. Here’s SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne with his NF concert review. Friday night, NF brought his Hope Tour to Toronto as the Michigan rapper performed in front of a capacity crowd at Scotiabank Arena. Opening for NF was lyricist and soon-to-be father, Cordae, who performed tracks like “Chronicles” and “RNP”. Known for having a gift with the bars, he also brought the party vibes, performing his new single “Make Up Your Mind”, one of his first times performing the song live. Over his set, Cordae showed that he…
Global is introducing some brand new TV series this fall, including Director X’s Robyn Hood. SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne says that despite its criticisms, the series is groundbreaking Canadian television. Here’s his Robyn Hood season 1 episode 1 review. It was back in early 2022 that Global announced that it greenlit Robyn Hood, a modern adaptation of the legendary tale Robin Hood. Created and directed by Director X and written by award-winning screenwriter Chris Roberts, Robyn Hood tells the story of hip-hop artist Robyn Loxley (Jessye Romeo), whose masked hip-hop group, The Hood, uses videos with anti-authoritarian messaging to address the issues facing their…
North Carolina artist Toosii stopped in Toronto for a sold out show at History. Here’s SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne with his Toosii concert review. Tonight, Syracuse/North Carolina artist Toosii stopped in Toronto as he performed in front of a sold out crowd at HISTORY. It was a full circle moment for the rapper who recalled being booed off the stage his first time in Canada. He treated to fans to some from across his catalogue including his 2020 tracks “Back From The Dead”, “Inside Out”, “Reminiscing”, “Love Cycle” and “Euphoria” with its rock elements, to newer singles like “Sinking”, his unreleased…
Toronto-based, Zambia/Winnipeg native, LAVI$H went from opening act to headliner with his latest show at Toronto’s The Axis Club. SHIFTER editor Kevin Bourne says he showed signs of stardom and gratitude in his headlining debut Tonight, a capacity crowd gathered at The Axis Club in Toronto’s Little Italy to witness a defining moment in the career of another rising Canadian talent. The energy was palpable as fans filed out onto the sidewalk, steps away from a cube truck equipped with LED screens playing videos of the man they came to see. A very nice touch. The night marked the first…
While Edge vs Sheamus was the moment the capacity crowd was waiting for, there were a lot impressive moments at WWE Smackdown in Toronto. After a stop last week in Calgary, the WWE stopped tonight at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto for a live episode of Smackdown. While the Edge vs Sheamus match was the big moment in celebration of his 25 years in WWE, there were big moments throughout. Here’s what went down at Smackdown in Toronto. Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar on The Grayson Waller Effect First off, Grayson Waller may very well be the most annoying superstar on…
Manifesto had some big moments from The Circle and The Sorority reunions to a number of memorable performances. Here are some of the highlights from Manifesto 2023. Yesterday, thousands gathered at Echo Beach in Toronto for the 17th edition of Manifesto, billed as “Manifesto Presents: The Block Party” in partnership with CBC Music’s The Block. The lineup featured artists from across the Greater Toronto Area, as well as Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary. There was Friyie, would brought his melodies and high energy to the stage. There was Toronto/Ottawa supergroup No Tourists who performed from their eclectic catalogue. There was also…
For the mid-season finale, Preston isn’t being himself, and Karen and Fatima clash one more time. Here’s our review of Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 6 Episode 11. The midseason finale of Tyler Perry’s Sistas is all about setting up the second half of the season by raising new questions and leaving viewers in suspense. Still high from the night before, Preston is still not being himself. Not knowing what to do, Danni reaches out to Zac for help. When Zac arrives, he finds Preston is a mess. When Calvin returns home, a despondent Maurice admits he confessed to robbing the…
