Streaming Recommendations

With Covid lockdowns seemingly never-ending restrictions, it’s been a relatively great summer of watching streaming shows. I recently binge-watched a few shows and movies, and here are some I loved, liked, and hated. I hope this helps you decide which show/movie you want to spend time on.

The Good

Grand Hotel (Netflix)

Can I say this is the most entertaining show of the year for me? I generally love historical shows (all those pretty dresses and simpering!) but was a bit meh about Downton Abbey. Grand Hotel, though is downright mesmerizing.

For one, each season has an excellent mystery at its core. It’s also pretty fast-paced, hilarious in places, scores of twists, and a wonderful romance that powers the series through.

There are three seasons with about 20 episodes each. And I binge-watched like crazy, late into the night.

The original series is in Spanish (with subtitles), and since I am learning Español these days, this was a great series to polish my listening and convo skills.

If you still doubt me, google the many rave reviews. Also, this is so good; there is an American version of the series (I heard it’s pathetic, though), and even an Egyptian version – all on Netflix! But ignore all that, and watch the original Spanish Grand Hotel. You will not be disappointed.

The Luminaries (Netflix)

This mini-series doesn’t seem to have much love in the mainstream media. But it’s lovely (and short). For more info, please read my blog post raving about this series.

True crime (Netflix)

I’ve been heavily into watching true crime shows. I don’t know why since they are depressing and scary. But this is an impulse I am unable to control. It all started with watching Dirty John. I binge-watched season 1 – good. I then watched American Murder: The Family Next Door and couldn’t look my husband in the eye for quite a few days later 😆.

And because the Netflix algorithm is a beast, now my home page is full of true crime shows – some of which have intrigued me enough to bookmark them for later viewing – The Staircase, Amanda Knox, Unsolved Mysteries, The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, and Delhi Crime.

Yikes, someone stop me!

Raat Akeli Hai (Netflix)

Overall, all good! I always love an excellent crime-noir, even if it’s clichéd. And so, I liked Raat Akeli Hai (a Hindi movie with subtitles). It’s a movie, so not a colossal time investment; Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte are always a pleasure to watch. There is also an interesting feminist angle to the film.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Netflix)

This is a good, old-fashioned rom-com at its best. Endearing hero and heroine, lots of comic side characters, and just general fun. Kind of like an English Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (but shorter and funnier).

The Bad

These shows/movies weren’t bad as such. It’s just that I couldn’t get into them beyond a point.

Dirty John: Season 2 (On Netflix)

I liked Dirty John: Season 1, but season 2, which is the real-life story of Betty Broderick, was very anxiety-inducing, and I could watch only small bits at a time (sometimes from between my fingers 😬). It’s well done, but all the gaslighting and mind games between the two exes were hair-raising. An outstanding show (technically and performance-wise), but it was a little too much for me.

Note: Each season of Dirty John is a stand-alone series so that you can watch each season independently of the other.

Marcella

I was looking for a good crime series, and someone recommended Marcella to me. It’s about a detective in London who investigates serial murders. The first season 1 was good (not memorable, but pleasing). I enjoyed the London vibes and the interactions between all the characters. But I felt things were on a downward slant in the second season. I hung around for two episodes, got bored, and am unlikely to revisit this.

The Ugly

Sex and the City (Hotstar)

I ended up watching this purely by chance. I intended to see Emily in Paris and read reviews that said it was very similar in style to Sex and the City. Since I never watched the original, I thought I’d give it a try.

I am midway through season 2, and while I like the snappy humor, it’s hard to understand why it was such a huge hit! The fashion is bizarre, the dudes are incredibly unlikeable, and the promiscuity is cringe-y. Like what’s the deal with Mr.Big? He’s awful (I want to slap that smirk off his face), and he’s the hero? Seriously? Boy, has it poorly aged!

I still might watch a few more episodes to see if it gets better, but I doubt it.

What I plan to watch

Have you watched any of the above shows/movies? Anything else you are watching and would recommend? Let me know; I don’t want to waste my time with any duds.

Ironic, though, that I’m talking about wasting time and Netflix. Practically any time spent there is wasted.