With all of us confined to our homes for the foreseeable, and a good number of us turning to our screens for entertainment and escapism, streaming services will become a place of refugee for many over the coming weeks and months of uncertainty. Thankfully, they're looking after us, their digital libraries packed to the rafters with content to take our minds off current events. Sure, you have to sift through some nonsense, and it's not nearly desirable as skimming through your own physical collection and picking something to watch, but it's worth it when you land on a treat.
Consider the following ten titles among my favourite films and television series and, in turn, a recommendation to you for over the coming weeks. If you like them all, congratulations on such impeccable taste; if you don't, I'm not surprised - there's a diverse collection here! Netflix isn't renown for older classics, so most of these are recent titles. Be sure to feedback your Netflix favourites too.
A Quiet Place (2018) (Dir. John Krasinski) - Horror-Thriller
Probably one to skip if you want to avoid seeing a near-future dystopian society on the brink of collapse, but with the sequel yanked from screens just days before its planned release due to the ongoing situation, John Krasinski's directorial debut will have to tide us over until it is rescheduled. A superbly-crafted, tight, taut and tense horror-thriller featuring four tremendously performances from a committed cast facing minimal dialogue as a result of the film's silent survival concept, A Quiet Place is a mighty fine accomplishment and one of the previous decades' most effective genre flicks.
Consider the following ten titles among my favourite films and television series and, in turn, a recommendation to you for over the coming weeks. If you like them all, congratulations on such impeccable taste; if you don't, I'm not surprised - there's a diverse collection here! Netflix isn't renown for older classics, so most of these are recent titles. Be sure to feedback your Netflix favourites too.
A Quiet Place (2018) (Dir. John Krasinski) - Horror-Thriller
Probably one to skip if you want to avoid seeing a near-future dystopian society on the brink of collapse, but with the sequel yanked from screens just days before its planned release due to the ongoing situation, John Krasinski's directorial debut will have to tide us over until it is rescheduled. A superbly-crafted, tight, taut and tense horror-thriller featuring four tremendously performances from a committed cast facing minimal dialogue as a result of the film's silent survival concept, A Quiet Place is a mighty fine accomplishment and one of the previous decades' most effective genre flicks.
La La Land (2016) (Dir. Damien Chazelle) - Musical Drama
Socially distance yourself from me (for a lifetime) if you don't fall in love with La La Land, the stunning third feature from Damien Chazelle. The six-time Academy Award winner, which tied the record for most nominations for a film in the ceremony's 92-year history, transports you to the city of stars for a musical-drama bursting with heart and emotion. From Another Day of Sun to the Epilogue (which is, very possibly, my favourite ever scene), this one is for the dreamers in all of us - it would be a waste of A Lovely Night to skip this one.
Lady Bird (2017) (Dir. Greta Gerwig) - Comedy Drama
The movie equivalent of a hearty bowl of soup on a cold day, Lady Bird warms the soul. Comfort cinema in its most nourishing form, Greta Gerwig's directorial debut makes you feel nostalgic for a place you have likely never visited, telling a coming-of-age story with such well-observed detail while still managing to feel completely universal and emotionally accessible by everyone that comes across it. It's hard not to fall in love with Lady Bird.
mother! (2017) (dir. Darren Aronofsky) - Psychological Horror
A film about art and nature; of creation and destruction; a story about rage and wrath; one of love and loss and death and murder; of darkness - completely blackness. A film unlike any other, Darren Aronofsky's biblical mother! is truly visceral experience, and one of the most divisive films of the past decade. Jennifer Lawrence is extraordinary in the titular role, bearing the brunt of the feature's intensity but remaining utterly enthralling throughout. Absolutely not one for the kids though, and mothers of newborns should avoid too!
Orphan Black (S1-5) - Television Series
A star was born in Tatiana Maslany, the multi-faceted lead of Orphan Black. Taking on a dozen-plus characters over the five-season course of this thrilling series, Orphan Black has Maslany to thank for not only enduring a particularly golden era of television, but really rather thriving - earning and building itself a passionate and loyal fanbase over fifty episodes of television brilliance. Smart writing means the show remains tightly-paced until the very end, dropping one of the most impressive series finales drama television has seen - so take it from me that you won't be disappointed. Welcome to the trip, man.
Lady Bird (2017) (Dir. Greta Gerwig) - Comedy Drama
The movie equivalent of a hearty bowl of soup on a cold day, Lady Bird warms the soul. Comfort cinema in its most nourishing form, Greta Gerwig's directorial debut makes you feel nostalgic for a place you have likely never visited, telling a coming-of-age story with such well-observed detail while still managing to feel completely universal and emotionally accessible by everyone that comes across it. It's hard not to fall in love with Lady Bird.
mother! (2017) (dir. Darren Aronofsky) - Psychological Horror
A film about art and nature; of creation and destruction; a story about rage and wrath; one of love and loss and death and murder; of darkness - completely blackness. A film unlike any other, Darren Aronofsky's biblical mother! is truly visceral experience, and one of the most divisive films of the past decade. Jennifer Lawrence is extraordinary in the titular role, bearing the brunt of the feature's intensity but remaining utterly enthralling throughout. Absolutely not one for the kids though, and mothers of newborns should avoid too!
Orphan Black (S1-5) - Television Series
A star was born in Tatiana Maslany, the multi-faceted lead of Orphan Black. Taking on a dozen-plus characters over the five-season course of this thrilling series, Orphan Black has Maslany to thank for not only enduring a particularly golden era of television, but really rather thriving - earning and building itself a passionate and loyal fanbase over fifty episodes of television brilliance. Smart writing means the show remains tightly-paced until the very end, dropping one of the most impressive series finales drama television has seen - so take it from me that you won't be disappointed. Welcome to the trip, man.
Paris is Burning (1990) (Dir. Jennie Livingstone) - Documentary
Paris is Burning blazed a trail for LGBT filmmaking full of reads, shade and realness, opening up the previously-underground ballroom culture of 80s New York to the mainstream - very much like how Madonna's hit single 'Vogue' did in the same year. A 71-minute cultural dive with fascinating personalities that celebrates a community known for its warmth, while simultaneously exposing the great injustices and heartbreak they continue to face, Paris Is Burning is essential viewing.
Pose (S1) (Created by Ryan Murphy) - Television Series
Paris is Burning blazed a trail for LGBT filmmaking full of reads, shade and realness, opening up the previously-underground ballroom culture of 80s New York to the mainstream - very much like how Madonna's hit single 'Vogue' did in the same year. A 71-minute cultural dive with fascinating personalities that celebrates a community known for its warmth, while simultaneously exposing the great injustices and heartbreak they continue to face, Paris Is Burning is essential viewing.
Pose (S1) (Created by Ryan Murphy) - Television Series
It's fallen wonderfully that Pose, Ryan Murphy's most impressive show to date, follows Paris is Burning on this list, as this television series almost certainly would not exist without the documentary - particularly evident in its second season (available on BBC iPlayer) as the series moulds itself around real events witnessed in Burning. Boasting a groundbreaking ensemble of talent both in front of and behind the camera, Pose is a heartfelt series that both educates and entertains. 10s across the board!
Spy (2015) (dir. Paul Feig) - Comedy
Spy (2015) (dir. Paul Feig) - Comedy
It's important we keep laughing and smiling through this worrying time and I find Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy the safest pair of hands for such a task. 2015's Spy is as fun and as funny as they come, currently the safest and most entertaining way to globe-trot with its espionage plot taking us the world over. With a scene-stealing Rose Bryne, a surprisingly hilarious side from Jason Statham and some top-notch action amongst the comedy, Spy is a well-rounded effort from two of comedy's greats.
Vox Lux (2018) (dir. Brady Corbet) - Drama
Vox Lux won't be for everyone. Some really hate it, I personally love it. More than anything though, the Natalie Portman starrer - a fascinating examination on pop culture, violence and rebirth - will get you talking, and that's what we really need to be doing right now. And singing, too - the soundtrack is packed with assaults-on-the-senses hits that would find themselves at home on the Eurovision stage. Should you take my advise and watch this one - let me know what you think!
The Wizard of Oz (1939) - Musical
For the next few weeks at least, there really is no place like home. Like, literally everywhere else is closed. A journey down the yellow brick road with Dorothy and friends is like slipping on a cosy jumper, with the warmth of Victor Fleming's classic musical a rather irresistible prospect. A viewing now, when the world in such darkness, may just provide you with the hope that somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue and happier days await.
Stay safe x
Vox Lux (2018) (dir. Brady Corbet) - Drama
Vox Lux won't be for everyone. Some really hate it, I personally love it. More than anything though, the Natalie Portman starrer - a fascinating examination on pop culture, violence and rebirth - will get you talking, and that's what we really need to be doing right now. And singing, too - the soundtrack is packed with assaults-on-the-senses hits that would find themselves at home on the Eurovision stage. Should you take my advise and watch this one - let me know what you think!
The Wizard of Oz (1939) - Musical
For the next few weeks at least, there really is no place like home. Like, literally everywhere else is closed. A journey down the yellow brick road with Dorothy and friends is like slipping on a cosy jumper, with the warmth of Victor Fleming's classic musical a rather irresistible prospect. A viewing now, when the world in such darkness, may just provide you with the hope that somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue and happier days await.
Stay safe x