Over the holidays we were able to binge on movies and tv shows on Netflix and, boy we got all the good stuff!
There were new movie releases and some were dated back and newly updated on the site, also the tv shows and new season series which we have been waiting for to air again.
These are the list of movies and tv shows we binged watch before the year ends and mostly during the holiday break:
TV Shows/ Series
YOU
(Psychological thriller, Crime Fiction)- Season2- 10 Episodes.
What would you do for love? For a brilliant male bookstore manager who crosses paths with an aspiring female writer, this question is put to the test. A charming yet awkward crush becomes something even more sinister when the writer becomes the manager's obsession. Using social media and the internet, he uses every tool at his disposal to become close to her, even going so far as to remove any obstacle --including people -- that stands in his way of getting to her.
From the initial season, we were drawn with the character of Joe, the twist and turn of the story every episode was exciting and led us to think of what happened and what will happen next. Although the final episode of the first season led to the death of Beck it was a right twist to the story. Season 2 was exciting too, the revelations and then the love twist, in the end, will keep the viewers hanging and wanting for more. No official announcement yet for Season 3.
The Crown
(Drama- History- Historical Period Drama)- Season 3, 10 Episodes.
Based on an award-winning play ("The Audience") by showrunner Peter Morgan, this lavish, Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) from the 1940s to modern times. The series begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen, who ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. As the decades' pass, personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries are revealed that played a big role in events that shaped the later years of the 20th century.
From Season 2 of The Crown who was played by Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II, I was drawn to the story of every episode. I love and enjoyed every scene. I was engaged to the characters that made me do some extended research about the characters and the portrayed historical personalities, just to know more! Surprised with the new characters but it went well throughout the season. Season 4 will likely premiere this year 2020.
The Affair
(Drama, Mystery, Psychological drama)- Season 5, 12 Episodes.
A married waitress, Alison, starts an extramarital affair with Noah, an accomplished teacher and budding novelist. The repercussions of their affair begin to destabilise their respective marriages.
For the last five years, I followed the life of Noah, Alison, Helen, and Cole. Ending to the death of Alison which left me with sadness and even more when the show finally bid goodbye. I was always in the hopes of a happy ending with this show. Wanting the characters to go back to where there were and everything that happened be forgotten. I was hoping for more episodes! It saddens me how Noah was left alone (spoiler alert!) and old, though their kids forgave and grew up understanding their Mom's (Helen) love for their Dad. For me, Joanie's character was a bit odd in the last few episodes of the future time in the story.
Alias Grace
(Drama)- Miniseries with 6 episodes.
Based on the 1996 Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, "Alias Grace" tells the story of young Grace Marks, a poor Irish immigrant and domestic servant in Upper Canada who is accused and convicted of the 1843 murder of her employer and his housekeeper. Stablehand James McDermott is also convicted of the crime. McDermott is hanged, but Grace is sentenced to life in prison, leading her to become one of the most notorious women of the period in Canada. The story is based on actual 19th-century events.
Another Margaret Atwood novel that was adapted with The Handmaid's Tale novel. I enjoyed the character of Grace Marks along with the other characters. Although, each episode was short the story was exciting, finding out what happened and the real truth.
Dracula-2020
(Horror Fiction, Gothic Fiction)- Miniseries with 3 episodes.
Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to meet a new client and finalise the sale of a stately house in London but finds himself trapped in a terrifying maze-like castle of undead brides with a vampire Count whose ambition is to conquer the world.
We just finished these miniseries last night and it brought us to many dimensions in time, from the past to the recent time. The character of Agatha Van Helsing was intriguing and yet powerful. Out of the three episodes, episode one was my favorite!
The Sinner
(Crime, Drama, Mystery)- Season 2- 16 episodes
Detective Harry Ambrose investigates various atrocious murder cases and tries to analyze the reasons behind ordinary people committing heinous crimes.
Done both of the seasons in three days! Season one was my favorite so far.
Living with Yourself
(Comedy, Drama)- Season1 -8 Episodes.
A man who is burned out on life and love undergoes a mysterious treatment, only to discover that he has been replaced by a better version of himself.
The pilot episode was exciting but it did not sustain the excitement up to where I paused watching. I will be getting back to this soon!
The Haunting of Hill House
(Drama, Occult Fiction, Horror Fiction)
This modern reimagining of the Shirley Jackson novel follows siblings who, as children, grew up in what would go on to become the most famous haunted house in the country. Now, adults they are forced back together in the face of tragedy and must finally confront the ghosts of their past. Some of those ghosts still lurk in their minds, while others may actually be stalking the shadows of Hill House. The ensemble cast includes Oscar winner Timothy Hutton, Carla Gugino, and Henry Thomas. Mike Flanagan, a veteran of the horror genre, created the series.
The mixture of sadness and the puzzling events of each episode! I am sad for the characters in the story that they have to endure the consequences of the past. There were disturbing episodes that gave impact to the story. I can't wait for the next book/season (
The Haunting of Bly Manor).
Now, let's proceed to the films that had a great impact on my holiday break.
Unbroken
(War, Action, Drama, Sports)
Louis Zamperini, a US Olympic track record holder, pulls himself through a plane crash in the Second World War only to be left at the mercy of nature and eventually caged up as a prisoner of war.
The scenes were they were stranded on the sea were thrilling and heart-breaking at the same time. For 45 days and up to the time they were captured and they became prisoners of war, I kept on saying that if I was born during that day I would have not survived it. I am grateful for our veterans all around the world who fought for peace, truly a
story of survival, resilience, and redemption!
The Photographer of Mauthausen
(Crime, History, War)
Based on real events, a photographer tries to save evidence of the horrors committed inside the walls of a Nazi concentration camp in Mauthausen.
Another war movie that emphasizes one true story that happened. The movie showed how powerful photographs are no matter what time or date a scene might happen. The sad truth about this is how the real character died in the early years of his life after the war.
The Two Popes
(Drama, Comedy)
Behind the Vatican walls, Pope Benedict and the future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church.
This film led me to do more research and study after seeing it. Some scenes touched my heart and some made me smile. Also, after seeing this Pope Francis went viral because of the
slap on the hand of a woman who grabbed him and freed himself during New Year's Eve gathering.
Victoria and Abdul
(Drama, Historical Period Drama)
Abdul Karim, a young prison clerk from India, travels to present Queen Victoria with a mohur on her Golden Jubilee and strikes an unlikely friendship with her.
This was the third time watching this film and I must say it still stays like a new film for me.
What can you say about my list, have you seen any of the tv show or the movies I listed here?
