Super Deluxe Edition of What to Watch + Your Netflix viewing guide to the holidays
If you haven't read any of my posts lately (shame on you, but it happens), here's the catch up on things you need to be watching now and what you can look forward to watching in the next few months
I spent 20 minutes a few nights ago going thru the “Coming Soon” lineup on Netflix adding reminders to my account for shows and films I was super jazzed up about that were coming out in the next 2 months. As many of the upcoming Netflix releases bring me excitement, I’ve decided to share out some of these goodies with you all in the hopes they too bring you joy.
Disclaimer: This time of year has a plethora of films that fly at a few different altitudes of film caliber - they range from the holiday schlockfest fare of romance and over-the-top yet affirming family comedies, the deeper, evocative movies that have you muttering Awards Show contender under your breath and sometimes, and stuff that flat out have nothing to do with either of those categories, but which peak your curiosity like Cowboy Bebop.
You should also know that I love all of these genres. They speak to me in different ways and in the same way, high brow musicians with more elevated tastes might scoff at any music deemed “pop,” some find find low brow Netflix holiday flicks to be beneath them. That’s ok. Just know, I like pretty much all of it, unless it’s like the third installment of The Princess Switch, and then I’m out.
A note about The Princess Switch series though: The first film is spectacularly winsome on all holiday, suspend all disbelief movie tropes meet Freaky Friday counts - exact lookalikes from varying socio-economic backgrounds switch places with one another because they accidentally meet up (with never a rational explanation how they came to look so much alike) (check), centerpiece of holiday romance (check), cute kid(s) (check), angelic sidekick watching out for new couples (check), predictably dishonorable villain that is easily foiled (check).
The Princess Switch goes in the same harmlessly addictive holiday fun category as last year’s series Dash & Lily, which I watched twice only to find out a month ago, that they aren’t bringing it back for a second season. Maybe that’s a good thing though. If The Princess Switch and A Christmas Prince trilogies teach us anything is that much like filling up on holiday cookies, you can have too much of a good thing and it will result in a piercing cavity of the heart and mind. But seriously, watch Dash & Lily on Netflix now.
What to watch on Netflix this holiday season:
The movie likely to light up the awards season buzz
Passing: In 1920s NYC, a black woman’s (Tessa Thompson, Men In Black, Thor) life is upended by the appearance of a friend of hers from childhood who is passing as white (Ruth Negga, Preacher, Loving). Also starring Andre Holland (The Knick) and Alexander Skarsgard. This film marks the directorial debut for Rebecca Hall (one my favorite actresses) and one that she adapted for screen. Rebecca Hall’s own heritage (her grandfather was African American and often “passed” for white) drew her to the manuscript over 10 years ago. The film is shot in black and white and if the trailer is anything to go by, it looks tense and uncomfortable and provocative which means you should watch it.
Like Breaking Bad level excitement on the “I’m so happy I could cry”-o meter
Ozark is back for its fourth and final season in January. Technically January is more than a few months away, but it’s close enough. I’ll be counting down the days till the return of Ruth, Wendy and Marty by Hanukkah. Fans of shows like Breaking Bad, Succession, Weeds, Better Call Saul should be watching this show.
For a first look:
Possibly mind numbing film, but will keep you entertained on a slow weekend
Red Notice: Ryan Reynolds is like the new Adam Sandler. Period. Where Adam Sandler gave us Murder Mystery (think a modern day Clue meets a Peter Falk sleuth spoof flick like Murder by Death from the 70s) and last year’s Halloween Hubie Halloween, Ryan has given us this year’s Free Guy and now Red Notice to keep the doldrums away. Gal Gadot appears to be an art thief, the Rock is an FBI agent and Ryan is comic relief (“I bought that on Etsy” when confronted with stealing a painting) and the glue of the film. Sure to have comedy, not too deep of a mystery but enough of a how-did-she-do-it to make my mystery-loving mind feel satisfied.
The series most likely to solicit mad props from Gen Zers (aka “the cool kids”) for watching
Cowboy Bebop: The series is based on a Japanese neo-noir graphic novel of the same name (thanks Wikipedia) and what’s clear from the trailer is that these 3 bounty hunters (think The Mandalorian type bounty hunter hero) know how to dress, get stuff done, and are not short on issues. Loving the style and aesthetic of this series starring John Cho (Harold & Kumar), Mustafa Shakir, and Daniella Pineda. The intro theme and vibe of this series is so Mod Squad that I’m geeking out over here.
There’s a cowboy-esque theme to it, a futuristic nod (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy or Star Wars) as they traverse the solar system in search of baddies, and one really cool tidbit is the original graphic novel is credited as being a gateway anime series that appealed to Western audiences (go figure) and opened the door for more acceptance of other anime narratives to break thru in the West in the 2000s.
Foreign import - smart, hilarious, emotional, family centric holiday series about growing up
Home for Christmas (2 seasons, Norwegian, 2020): Synopsis: Perpetually single Johanne -- tired of the constant comments on her relationship status -- starts a 24-day hunt for a boyfriend to bring home for Christmas. But layered here is that Johanne wants more for herself in the love and life dept. and is unwilling to conform for the sake of what’s most convenient for her family or her friends. The series takes an interesting turn that’s worth getting to the end to find out about. I won’t spoil it here, but it’s so worth watching to the end to see where Johanne ends up and with whom.
What you should finish watching already because all episodes of the latest seasons’ of these shows are available now:
Sex Education, Season 3 (Netflix) - It gets better. Just keep trekking. It isn’t ALL about Otis and Maeve and that makes it palatable.
Only Murders in the Building, Season 1 (Hulu) - Shame on you for not finishing this already. Need more of a nudge? Imagine if Martin Short, Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Sting all lived in the same building in NYC and there was a murder in that building. Not enough? This is probably the one show I never knew how much I needed before I watch the first episode, but alas, here we are. And it’s definitely coming back for a second season.
Ted Lasso, Season 2 (Apple TV+) - Everyone is talking about it at work. Do you really want to be left out? Yes, let peer pressure be the thing that pushes you to do the right thing this time. Speaking of doing the right thing, read this post.
The Premise, Season 1 (FX on Hulu) - Thought provoking social experiment, societal commentary type fare brought to you in limited, self-contained episodic arc by B.J Novak. If I sounded pretentious there, it was deliberate. Still, this one is worth the watch. If nothing else, you can ping me and we can debate over IM or here for a while.
The To-Do List (haven’t yet watched these heavier subjects but they are on the list…)
Dopesick, Season 1 (Hulu) - Friend recommended this one and she has good taste. It has to do with the opioid crisis and the series is based on this book. Besides, it stars Michael Keaton (who had me at Mr. Mom, Beetlejuice, and The Founder a biopic about Roy Kroc, who went on to found fast-food chain McDonalds).
The Motive, Limited Series (Netflix) - Based on a crime committed in Jerusalem in 1986 where an underage boy is accused of shooting his family point blank. Years later, insiders come forward and it’s not all that it seems.
In the mood for a movie or 2?
Free Guy - Ryan Reynolds as an AI inside a Fortnite type video game who doesn’t realize he’s an AI and goes on to save the game? Cue the next 2 hours of zany theatrical fun (Taika Waititi plays the bad guy who rips off the video game from its rightful founders) fueled by a Mariah Carey, Fantasy soundtrack. Jodie Comer is superb as not one, but 2 characters. If you like Stranger Things, this film is brought to you by the same exec producer (Shawn Levy) which explains the Joe Keery casting (Steve, Stranger Things). This is not a nepotism nod but connecting casting dots. Keery is good here. Click on the video link below at your own risk. This song will not leave your head, ever.
Old - You had me at M. Night Shyamalan. The Sixth Sense (1999) is the best supernatural psychological thriller film ever, followed by The Blair Witch Project which also came out the same year. What can I say? Y2K really had people fearing end of the world and made for some inspiring thrillers. Old isn’t that, but it’s entertaining. A bunch of people who think they are going to a resort with a day trip jaunt to an idyllic island, quickly come to realize they are actually aging super fast. This is exacerbated by the fact that everyone is connected by a weakness of sorts. Watch it. It’s no worse than other horror films.
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Like what you’re reading and want more recommendations but in a bite-size format? Check out Beth’s Exceptional Playlist on Instagram.
