With Spring Break coming about, and classes being moved online, it’s safe to say that a lot of free time is going to be opened up in the coming weeks. With schedules opening up, it is time to finally start catching up on all those Netflix shows and movies that you constantly scroll by when looking for something to watch, before finally setting the remote down and going to bed, having watched nothing at all. Here are four Netflix suggestions, consisting of a mini-series, movie, show and comedy special, to kill off the extra free time.
Number One: “Maniac”
Cary Fukanaga, director of the acclaimed first season of “True Detective,” as well as Netflix’s first original film, “Beasts of No Nation,” has been in the news recently with his upcoming contribution to the James Bond franchise, “No Time to Die.” However, the release has been delayed due to the spreading of COVID-19, or more commonly known as the coronavirus. If you were planning on watching “No Time to Die,” now would be a good time to check out the director’s past work, which includes the programs listed previously, but more importantly, “Maniac,” a Netflix original miniseries starring Emma Stone (“Zombieland: Double Tap”), Jonah Hill (“The Beach Bum”) and Justin Theroux (“Rick and Morty”). The series follows Stone and Hill in a near-future world as they undergo a volunteer science experiment that will erase traumatic experiences from their brain, resulting in dreamlike sequences taking place within the character’s heads, as well as beautiful themes centered on the necessity of negative emotions and demystifying mental illness. It is beautiful, wacky, emotional and most importantly different.
Number Two: “Good Time”
With the recent release of the critically acclaimed “Uncut Gems” this past winter, it is safe to say that the Safdie brothers have become one of most sought-after directing duos to look out for today. Thanks to Netflix, you can watch the film that gave them the spotlight in the first place. The film stars Robert Pattinson (“The Lighthouse”), in what is arguably his best performance, as the shady, untrustworthy and maniacal Connie, throughout a hectic night of trying to find the amount of money needed to bail out his mentally disabled brother Nick, played tastefully and beautifully by director Benny Safdie, out of the situation that Connie put him in in the first place. The film contains the same amount of 70s grit, realism and realization of its New York City location that can be seen in the Safdies’ previous works, such as “Heaven Knows What” or “John’s Gone,” but in a much faster and more kinetic pace. If one plans on staying inside for the next week but still wanted to enjoy the heat outside, then no worry because “Good Time” will make you sweat, metaphorically, of course.
Number Three: “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson”
If one is looking for something that’s short in length but still as impactful as an hour-and-a-half long movie, audiences probably won’t find it. But SNL alumnus Tim Robinson’s (“The Characters”) hysterical sketch comedy show gets close. Similar to “Tim and Eric Awesome Show,” “Great Job!” or any “Adult Swim” program in that case, “I Think You Should Leave” is a blender of absolutely hilarious ideas mixed with bizarre twists and turns with an average episode length of about 15 minutes. Each episode is contained and there’s no story to follow. Just watch, laugh, cringe and laugh again.
Number Four: “John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch”
Since his groundbreaking stand up special, “New in Town,” also on Netflix, John Mulaney has become one of America’s favorites of stand-up comedy with his unique style and delivery similar to that of an old-timey radio voice. Mulaney has brought this style to the format of a children’s educational TV program a la “Sesame Street” or “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood,” and the result is one of the funniest comedy specials in recent years. With hilarious musical sequences featuring some legitimately catchy songs and parodies of every type of skit, sequence or scene that someone would see or remember from any child education program, Mulaney takes his signature brand of humor poking fun at his ridiculous childhood and seemingly recreates scenes from what we can assume were actual things that have happened to him; most memorably a story recounting his family’s treatment of his grandmother’s new boyfriend. With a few guest appearances to make it more fun than it already was and a sweet and heartfelt final moment, Mulaney yet again proves his status as one of the best voices in the business.
Image from Netflix via YouTube.
