Apr 3, 2020

Things to Binge: While You’re Shuttered In

Here are a few movies and binge-worthy shows that you can watch on streaming services while you are quarantined at home.

On Netflix:

Documentary Now!

If you’ve ever watched an episode of Chef’s Table on Netflix, then you owe it to yourself to watch Season 2, Episode 2 of Documentary Now! titled: “Juan Likes Rice & Chicken.” Please, go watch it. You won’t be disappointed.

The Little Prince

This is a beautiful movie, not only for its story of “growing up,” but for its varied styles of animation. Whether you know the story of “The Little Prince,” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry or not, I think you will appreciate and enjoy this film. The English language version features some great voice work by the likes of Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Mackenzie Foy and more. The music, by Richard Harvey and Hans Zimmer, is captivating and compelling. This is worth a watch regardless of your age.

20th Century Women

This 2016 film features a stellar cast: Annette Benning, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, Elle Fanning and Lucas Jade Zumann (of Anne With An E fame). Mike Mills directs another story that is semi-autobiographical, about a boy growing up during the 1970’s in Santa Barbara, California, and the strong women that helped raise him.

Sex Education

Sex Education - seasons one and two are now available on Netflix. The premise: a kid with his own sexual hangups gives sex and relationship advice to other students for money. Plus his mother is played both awkwardly and awesomely by Gillian Anderson. Season two really expands the ensemble cast and I like it. Some of my favorite characters in season two were just minor characters in season one. Give it a go. I think you’ll like it.

The End of the F***ing World (TEOTFW)

This show is great. Maybe you’ll start getting Asa Butterfield from Sex Education confused with Alex Lawther from TEOTFW, maybe you won’t. Both are great performers in their own ways. I’m partial to Alex. He plays James, the self-proclaimed psychopath bent on killing his girlfriend, Alyssa (Jessica Barden). These episodes are short and sweet. You’ll burn through season one in no time. Luckily for you, season two was recently released. Enjoy, my friends.

On Hulu:

High Fidelity

I wrote a review of this new incarnation of High Fidelity starring Zoë Kravitz. Definitely worth a watch! But make sure to check out the 2000 original film starring John Cusack first (available for rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube and Google Play). You won’t be disappointed. Once you’ve caught up on both, head on over to listen to Bernadette Gorman-White and Mike Burdge’s podcast discussing both here.

P.S. There is a killer playlist of songs featured on the soundtrack available on Spotify.

On Amazon Prime:

The Cabin in the Woods

An oldie but a goodie. Written by Joss Whedon and directed by Drew Goddard, this 2012 flick is a gem featuring a low key Chris Hemsworth (see what I did there?). Five friends go for some rest and relaxation at a cabin in the woods and get more than they bargained for. Always a fun watch.

Emma (Available for rent)

So if you like the cast of Sex Education, a lot of them also pop up in the latest version of Emma, Jane Austen’s story of a match-making queen bee. Anya Taylor-Joy does a great job as the titular character, but I really enjoyed Bill Nighy as her father, and Mia Goth as Harriet, the girl she takes “under her wing.” Johnny Flynn stars as Mr. Knightley, her brother-in-law who is the only one to challenge her actions and her affections. This version was really fun and made me laugh out loud on several occasions, but it also made me want to go back and rewatch Clueless (available for rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube and Google Play).

Lean On Pete

So this movie was on my top ten for 2018. It is free to stream if you have an Amazon Prime account. This is definitely a “horse and his boy” film, but it is also so much more than that. It really shows an unglorified look at poverty and life on the American frontier in the modern age. Charlie Plummer carries this movie with his performance, but there are a few nice cameos (Steve Buscemi, Chloë Sevigny) in there as well.

On Disney+:

The Mandalorian

I mean, if you are late to the party and have only just recently subscribed to Disney+ then for the love of all that is holy, start watching The Mandalorian. It is just good comfort food. “Baby Yoda” aka “The Child” will unite us all. Who knew Pedro Pascal would do such a good job without even being allowed to show his face? Awesometown.

ALL THINGS MARVEL ...plus The Simpsons

Welp, Disney+ finally got Avengers: Endgame, and that’s 3 hours of your time right there. Add to that all of the previous Marvel films and hours upon hours of episodes of The Simpsons? You know where I’ll be.