Netflix treasures: When you think there’s nothing good left
by Abby Musser-News Editor
We have all been there. You have a Netflix account and have finished all your favorite shows. Now what? Well luckily I have watched many things on Netflix and have listed some of my favorite movies and tv shows from a variety of genres.
1. Bob’s Burgers: Available on Netflix & Hulu
A couple of people had recommended this to me, so when I finally checked it out for myself I was not disappointed. On paper the story is about the Belcher family who owns a burger joint, but it is so much more than that. All the characters are ridiculous in their own special ways, and it is because of their quirks that they often find themselves in interesting situations. Although Bob’s name is in the title, it is his daughter Tina that steals the show. The best word that can describe Tina is…awkward. Think of the most socially awkward person you know, then multiply it by ten and you get Tina. She is just one of many great things on this show.
2. Peaky Blinders: Available on Netflix
This is one of those rare shows where I watched the entirety of it in two days. Set in 1919 Birmingham, England; it follows the saga of gangster Thomas Shelby(played by Cillian Murphy), the leader of the Peaky Blinders. Do not let the funny name fool you, these gents have sewed razor blades into their hat brims and are not afraid to use them. This show does feature a lot of violence, but it is balanced out by equal amounts of family drama, gang and police politics, and romance. There is a plethora of interesting and complex characters like matriarch Aunt Polly and Police Inspector Campbell assigned to clean up the city. While I cannot attest to the historical accuracy, the setting feels authentic to the time and place. If you like historical dramas or gangster movies, this is definitely a show you should check out.
3. A Young Doctor’s Notebook: Available on Netflix
Starring big names like Daniel Radcliffe and Jon Hamm, this historical dramedy takes place in Russia in 1917. A young doctor fresh from medical school is sent to a remote village where he has to grapple with unconventional colleagues, limited supplies, and an increasing morphine addiction. This show could be the model of dark humor, with comedy alongside tragedy. It is very well written, well acted, and all around entertaining. This is perfect for when you are feeling sarcastic and want to laugh but do not want to watch a feel good movie.
4. Safety Not Guaranteed: Available on Netflix DVD
This movie stars Audrey Plaza as an intern for a magazine who is sent out with two other employees to investigate the man who put out an ad seeking a time traveling companion. It’s part sci-fi, part romance, and all heart. This movie explores themes of relationships, love, regret, and what it means to be alive. To find out whether the man’s time machine is real, you will have to watch and find out for yourself.
5. Triplets of Belleville or Les Triplettes de Belleville: Available on Netflix
When I first found this gem, I was taken aback at the exaggerated animation style but then I got drawn into the story. The story is about a woman named Madame Souza who has to rescue her grandson after he is kidnapped during the Tour de France. She is helped along the way by an eccentric singing group. The bad guys are quite quirky too, they are like the French cousins of Agent Smith. While the movie itself is in French, you do not have to know the language to understand what is happening because the characters do not have any dialogue. Everything is communicated through emotions and music. The music is a key component of this film and you will find yourself dancing in your seat. This is a great film for when you are having a bad day.
6. The Good, the Bad, and the Weird: Available on Netflix and the Mary Miller Library
If a certain classic western comes to mind, you are not incorrect. This is the Korean version. The central story is the same, three men of various character are after the same treasure. However this version takes place in 1940’s Manchuria, where the three men are also pursued by the Japanese Army and the Ghost Market Gang, a group of Chinese bandits. The action sequences are epic and it has the feel of a western. The characters are compelling and there is some good physical comedy. So just pop some popcorn and prepare to be entertained.
7. Mortified Nation: Available on Netflix
Close your eyes and try to remember your most humiliating experience. Now imagine sharing it with a live audience. That is what the participants of Mortified do. They have dug out their old diaries and read aloud some of their more memorable entries to a large crowd. One of my favorite performances was from a man who described his 15 year old self as having “a heart of a poet, and the vocabulary of Flavor-Flav.” This documentary is both hilarious and heartbreaking. You will laugh, you will cringe, and you will identify with the performers because we have all gone through similar experiences.
8. Let the Right One In: Available on Netflix
If you are looking for a new movie to watch for Halloween but want something with emotional depth, then this movie might be up your alley. Based off a novel with the same name, this Swedish movie is about a 12 year old boy named Oskar who befriends a vampire child named Eli. This movie is not heavy on the action scenes or gore, it focuses primarily on the relationship between Oskar and Eli. It does have some great cinematography, the pool scene in the end is memorizing.
9. You’re Next: Available on Netflix
If you are a fan of the slasher genre then you might like this movie. The basic plot is a man and his girlfriend go to his family reunion where masked strangers start picking them off one by one. What made this movie stand out to me was a couple of things. First, the fact the girl did not panic and make stupid decisions. Instead she grabbed whatever she could use as a weapon and fights back. Second, the traps were pretty creative. The killers really planned everything out. The third thing was the family. Sure I did not like any of them, but you are not supposed to. What struck me was how they fought with each other. It could have been my family, assuming tensions were strong enough. All that being said, it is still a very campy movie with buckets of blood and a few jump scares. Perfect for watching with a group of friends.
