In the upcoming weeks and months, Netflix is making certain that you hone these skills and eventually see the dreaded, “Are You Still Watching This Program” message on your television with a string of new releases. Beth already introduced you to the world of cops and orcs with the Netflix film, Bright. In a month, Stranger Things returns just in time for Halloween, which is perfect because you know you’re going to binge that while you “check” your kids’ treat bags. And there’s going to be a new arrival to the British monarchy this winter when The Crown returns and reminds us all that we just want to be British.
But with so many new shows/documentaries/movies practically filling up the “Recently Added” queue on a daily basis, you may find yourself taking more time looking for something to watch than actually watching it. Before you give up and watch all of Parks and Recreation for the thirteenth time, here’s just a few new releases that are definitely bingeworthy.
Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father
To be perfectly honest, I really don’t know who Jack Whitehall is. Now before you show off your vast knowledge of British pop culture and passive aggressively suggest I’m uncultured, I did what you probably did no more than one minute ago and Googled Jack Whitehall. He’s a comedian. Oh, and he was on the Tonight Show.
But in his series, Travels with My Father, he decides to do what every other white person in their early 20s does and takes “a year off” to travel the world. Spoiler alert – he’s bringing along his father on this entire journey in an attempt to have a bonding experience. Of course, putting any uptight, linen suited British man in a foreign land is a sure sign that hilarity will ensue.
That or colonization.
Gaga: Five Foot Two
Alright, monsters. Put your paws up if you already added Gaga: Five Foot Two to your watch list. In this documentary, the singer takes us behind the scenes of her world, giving cameras total access to her life on and off the stage.
Although the preview is only a minute long, this is what I learned:
- She’s BFFs with my girl, Florence Welch from Florence + The Machine.
- Lady Gaga shops for music at Walmart.
- When she hotboxes in a car, she looks like an Uber driving who took the chauffeur job just to wear this hat.
- They still make music videos?
- I cringe the same way whenever I get my flu shot at Target.
Our Souls at Night
There are some men who, no matter the age or the fact that they’re completely older than your dad, will forever be baes. Robert Redford is the king of those men.
In Our Souls at Night, based on the novel by the same name, he’s reunited with his Barefoot in the Park costar Jane Fonda. If you have never seen Barefoot in the Park, how have you lived?! I don’t care if you have to go onto the dark web, find it and watch it now. Also, remember: this movie was from the 1960s, so prepare to cringe right around the 2:20 mark.
Their reunion for the made-for-Netflix film tells the story of Addie and Louis, a widow and widower, both tired of sleeping with an empty side of a bed. The story also explores something people under fifty have a difficult time believing or even refuse to let their minds go there: people our parents’ and even grandparents’ ages still yearn for companionship and even sex.
That’s right, your parents still have sex. They’re most likely having more sex than you.
Does the movie seem a little Hallmark cheesy? Perhaps. Will I be watching it on a Saturday afternoon with a box of tissues ready by my side? Absolutely.
