If you're like me, you've probably run out of things to watch this summer. All road-trips, hours working and time spent by the pool set aside, I still somehow have time to stay up till all hours of the night watching TV trying to unwind from all (or none) of the activities during the day. Well, I've come across some favorites that I recommend that you watch if you have nothing else to do except relax (and maybe want to think a little)! All can be found on Netflix (and most are sponsored by Netflix)– some company, sweatpants, hair tied, chillin' with no makeup on is required.
1. The Little Prince
If you're like me, you like happy movies. But this isn't just a happy movie that's conveniently entertaining for kids - it's also extremely thought provoking. Imagination proves to be essential for people of all ages, not just children as the tale of the Little Prince is told by a neighborly old man to a girl who has been forced to grow up much too fast. Watch and learn, friends. Your heart may just melt.
2. Tallulah
I love Ellen Page and to be honest, I thought this was going to be a sequel to "Juno," where Juno found the kid she gave up for adoption and stole it. I was wrong. Same vibe, same actress(es), but completely different story. Really makes you think about the stresses of parenthood and how to own up to your terrible impulsive mistakes!
3. The Fundamentals of Caring
I needed this movie. It's about a British teen with muscular dystrophy and a man who offers to be this mysterious teen's caretaker in an attempt to escape the horrors of his own unraveling life. They end up traveling to every cheesy American destinations they can find, making friends with Selena Gomez - who plays a distraught runaway teen - and a pregnant lady trying to reach her mom. Oh, and they also end up easily finding this teen's dad. Just a rollercoaster of feels, man - don't save it for last.
4. Jim Jefferies: Bare
Not a movie, but the same length of one so let's go with that. Everyone needs some Jim Jefferies in their life. He's not for kids, and not for people who are touchy about jokes pertaining to femininity, guns, sex... the works. All very light hearted sarcasm and I can tell you now, you're certainly going feel uncomfortable at times, Jim Jefferies is deemed a genius in my mind. As he likes to note, most of his material is stuff that's not what he actually thinks, but it's really just the stuff we're afraid to say because of how offensive it can be. 10 out of 10, recommend.
5. The Do-Over
Adam Sandler and David Spade. Nuff said.
Okay so it's actually about these two guys who run into each other again at a high school reunion. David Spade's character realizes he has gone nowhere near the dreams he had so long ago in high school. So leave it up to Adam Sandler to erase their lives with merely no effort to create a restart for the both of them. You should see what happens when they do what they've always wished they had. I say you pull up your Netflix account and find out!!
6. Moonrise Kingdom
This movie has a plot, I promise. Two kids, stricken by love, run off together as one of the most historical hurricanes is days from arriving. Whimsical, artsy, and clearly abiding by its own aesthetic, this film is precious and scandalous, ultimately leaving you wanting more in a very.... peculiar?.... way. Also, Bill Murray and Bruce Willis. They're fantastic as well.
7. Funny Or Die Presents: Donald Trump's The Art Of The Deal: The Movie
Thank goodness FunnyOrDie decided to create this film because it gives me life. This summer has been especially stressful while the election burns between two flawed candidates (but to be fair, no one's perfect), so this was relieving to laugh at because to be fair, Donald Trump has said some pretty stupid shit in the past. In order to keep a clear mind, it's kind of an American duty to have a good laugh by watching Johnny Depp acting as Trump so we can all get down to business in order to carry on with deciding who to vote on in November.
8. Bo Burnham: Make Happy
(Also not a movie but the length of one) -
I don't know about you, but watching a skinny white dude dance around while singing his jokes and making fun of his depression is hard to wrap my head around, but it definitely makes some happy and helps you feel a bit more down to earth when it's suddenly finished. Please, Bo, make more :(
9. Dope
Being brought up in The Bottoms of Inglewood, CA, Malcolm feels like his life is automatically going in two "generalized" directions: aid to a dope dealer or member of the friendly neighborhood Blood Gang. Trying to reach towards Harvard, Malcolm ends up between both sides as he is forced to sell MDMA in order to achieve his dreams. I'm not going to give away any more to the backstory, but this is not a kid friendly movie if you haven't already figured it out.
10. Colonia
Ever wonder what it's like to have your boyfriend selected from a cult after the Chilean government decides to fire back on peaceful protests? Neither have I, but you can imagine what kind of girlfriend Emma Watson plays as she joins the commune voluntarily to break him out. Suspenseful, powerful, and transforming - this is a film you need to put on your bucket list and watch ASAP.
11. The Get Down (Part I)
Okay, so not exactly a movie (sorry - again) because it's part of an upcoming TV series. But bravo, Netflix. Bravo. I saved this for last since it came out a couple days ago, but I was looking forward to watching this ever since the previews started playing regularly. If you're interested in the history of the evolution of hip hop music, some intriguing teenage romance, and the sneaky dynamics of music production, I promise it'll be worth your time.
Time to hunker down and get to binging! Enjoy!