Ten best TV shows and movies to watch on Netflix
Bored of studying for APs? Take a break and log onto Netflix! Watch some of the best TV shows and movies in cinematic history by taking your pick from the following list.
TV SERIES: Freaks & Geeks: One of the stereotypical yet intelligent “geeks” of her high school, junior Lindsay Weir struggles to decide the path she wants her life to take and what her priorities should be. To the overt displeasure of her parents, teachers, and conservative former best friend Millie, she heads on a rebellious, hedonistic streak–in the company of her newfound friends, the rough and edgy “freaks.” Lindsay deals with her issues concerning self-image and independence with a developing emotional maturity, endearing the audience and exemplifying existential adolescent crises. Fun fact: lead actress Linda Cardellini attended nearby Saint Francis High School!
Pretty in Pink: In an 80’s rom-com about high school cliques and the boundaries of love, Brat Pack star Molly Ringwald takes on the guise of senior Andie Walsh, who falls in love with a much richer member of the social elite. As the two battle their respective friend circles for acceptance of their relationship, they encounter tragic misfortune due to the importance of reputations and the exclusivity of their society. The movie’s unhappy undertones do nothing to remove the light-heartedness of the film, though: Andie’s quirky acquaintances, including longtime best friend “Duckie” and older record shop manager Iona, shed light on the otherwise dismal situation with constant happy-go-lucky melodrama.
Donnie Darko: Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as the titular character Donnie Darko, this cult-famed psychological thriller follows a troubled teenager who is commanded by a large, nightmarish rabbit to commit crimes. Soon after the rabbit informs him that the world will end in 28 days, six hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds, Darko awakens far from home and finds that his bedroom has been destroyed. As he tries to uncover the secrets of his visions, he delves deeper into the world of time travel, psychotherapy, and murder.
TV SERIES: Arrested Development: After his CEO father is arrested for charges including fraud and possibly treason, Michael Bluth of the Bluth Company takes charge of the dysfunctional family business and the business of his dysfunctional family. With two idiosyncratic brothers, an extravagant sister, a manipulative mother, an awkward teenage son, and an unscrupulous father in jail, Michael must control every aspect of each person’s life before their entire legacy falls to shambles. With quick repartee and a sense of dry wit, the series, which had originally been cancelled after three seasons, will restart with new episodes on Netflix on May 26.
Party Monster: This biographical independent film chronicles the life of New York City socialite Michael Alig: his ascent to fame and perfected superficiality as well as his descent to drug addiction and the murder of drug dealer Angel Melendez. Alig, played by Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin, is the eccentric leader of the Club Kids: a group of young celebutantes who rose to fame by attending excessive, elaborate parties. The low production values and dingy scene-setting allow for a frighteningly realistic view into late 80’s Manhattan nightlife.
TV SERIES: Skins (UK): With an American spin-off attesting to its worldwide popularity, this British teen drama examines the lives of a group of teenagers in Bristol and their experiences with touchy subjects such as drug use, sexuality, and mental illness. The cast of the show is replaced every two years and has been through three “generations” of show members. The lead characters of each storyline are, respectively, the mysterious Tony Stonem, his younger sister Effy, and new girl Franky Fitzgerald. All six volumes of the show are available to watch, with a seventh scheduled to air this July.
Bully: The eye-opening 2011 documentary on the treatment of United States students examines five student victims of bullying, two of whom committed suicide. Shedding light on an important yet less-covered topic, the film was directed by Lee Hirsch who was bullied himself as a child. A 2012 petition to reduce the film’s rating from R to PG-13 had more than 300,000 signatures and successfully allowed permission for the movie to be screened in schools and to children without accompanying adults.
TV SERIES: American Horror Story: Each season of this thrilling series revolves around a different plot, different characters, and a different setting, bringing variance to the traditional television show structure. Unfortunately, only the first season labeled Murder House is available for instant play. Murder House focuses on the Harmon family, consisting of parents Vivian and Ben and daughter Violet, who move into a refurbished mansion–unaware that it is haunted by its previous residents, the Langdons. The second season is set in a mental asylum, and the upcoming third season’s theme has been hinted at but not obviously stated by the show’s creator.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: As one of director John Hughes’ most acclaimed films, Ferris Bueller is a archival must-see. When the clever but impish high school senior skips school to spend the day in downtown Chicago, he must escape his pursuer, the Dean of Students; his disgruntled sister, Jeanie; and his oblivious parents. Bueller uses his charming, endearing personality to make his problems disappear so he, his best friend, and his girlfriend can wreak havoc on the city.
Good Will Hunting: A unique and heartwarming movie, Good Will Hunting observes a young janitor (aptly named Will Hunting) working at MIT. Unbeknownst to anyone else, Hunting is a hidden genius. After being charged with assaulting a police officer, Hunting is relieved from going to jail by a particular professor who is aware of his intelligence–on the condition that he studies advanced mathematics with him and agrees to attend therapy. Matt Damon, who plays Hunting, also wrote the screenplay for the widely-successful film.
Juhi Gupta is the Multimedia Editor for Harker Aquila. She is a junior and has been part of the journalism program since her freshman year. Her position...