Netflix
Some of the Netflix programs I watched lately include Big Mouth, Black Mirror, Bright, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton, and My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman. Next on my Netflix watch list includes Ozark (Jason Bateman thrilling series), Bojack Horseman (Will Arnett animated comedy series), and Game Over, Man! (comedy starring Adam DeVine).
Big Mouth
2018-
Big Mouth is an animated comedy for mature audiences about young teenagers dealing with puberty and all of the other drama of school life. Starring the voices of Nick Kroll (The House) and John Mulaney (writer of 90+ Saturday Night Live episodes), who were both also in Oh, Hello on Broadway (feature length film on Netflix), Big Mouth does not shy from vulgarity or honesty, and is full of laughs. Not for the easily offended, the show contains nearly everything kids shouldn’t see in a cartoon, not unlike the animated film Sausage Party that Kroll also voiced for. Season one (10 episodes) is available and a second has been announced. Big Mouth appeals to me because it touches on many awkward feelings we all experience while growing up but through the lens of a hilarious, foul mouthed cartoon.
Black Mirror
2011-
Black Mirror is an anthology series (different cast and story each episode) that explores the possibilities and dangers of modern technology. Similar in tone to The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror was originally produced in the UK, and like Big Mouth, does not hold back from crossing decency lines that most productions wouldn’t, (simply watch the first five minutes of the first episode). Created by Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror won 2 Emmys for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Television Movie for one episode entitled, “San Junipero.” Four seasons (19 episodes) are available. Black Mirror is a necessary series to show us what can and may already be happening with technology, and to make us think about what we should and shouldn’t develop.
Bright
2017, 1h 57m
Bright is a feature length film starring Will Smith as a cop in a fantasy filled Los Angeles where he is partnered with an Orc (Joel Edgerton) to find a weapon that is being quite sought after. The film deals with human/orc relations, (like the recent Warcraft, only this time with charismatic leads), and mixes well with a gritty cop drama, (such as End of Watch, also directed by David Ayer). Well paced, balanced between the tension of danger and the excitement of action, I felt scared for Smith and Edgerton, believing their lives were in danger. The production value of the action scenes, character makeup, and special effects are above average, and Edgerton excels at creating characters that are well rounded and loses himself in the role. Director David Ayer made this after Suicide Squad, Will Smith was previously in Collateral Beauty, Joel Edgerton was previously in It Comes at Night, and the film also stars Noomi Rapace (who is also in the Netflix film What Happened to Monday). Bright is enjoyable sci-fi with a message, impressive production value, and has a pair of sequels in the works.
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton
2017, 1h 34m
Jim & Andy (and the rest of it’s title) is a documentary about Jim Carrey’s portrayal of comedian Andy Kaufman for the 1999 film Man on the Moon. During the production of that film, a crew recorded Carrey’s behaviour on and off the set, and show him to be quite frustrating as he always stayed in character. Kaufman was a performer who excelled at making people uneasy and Carrey really opens up about his journey while making the film, in addition to sharing what was going on with his life and career at the time. Jim & Andy was moving for the interview portions of Jim Carrey opening up about personal things and had a sharp contrast showing footage of him from the making of Man on the Moon. Director Chris Smith last made the documentary Collapse in 2009 and Jim Carrey previously appeared in The Bad Batch and True Crimes.
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman
2018
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman is a series of one hour interviews between Letterman (more bearded since last hosting The Late Show), and select individuals. One episode gets released per month, Letterman begins an interview, and also visits places related to the person to do some filming on location. I have always appreciated his interviews as they tend to bring out more of a playful honesty from the interviewee and his first two guests have done just that, former President Barack Obama and George Clooney. His next two guests are Malala Yousafzai and Jay-Z, so his variety of subjects are interesting, and he has not lost his comedic edge either. My only request is for the episodes (interviews) to be longer to allow for more discussion on a variety of topics.