Hi friends,Ā
Something I realized while watching some of these shows is Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so if youāll allow me to be cheesy for a moment, Iād like to say thank you for sticking around and supporting our little recommendation project. Itās reassuring, heartwarming even, to know that despite the overwhelming content out there, and despite my occasional foibles in making these lists, youāre still out there reading on the other side of the screen.Ā
As always, I hope you have a nice weekend.
OUR TOP TV SHOW OF THE WEEK
1899
On Netflix š rating: 71%
1899 is for viewers who love twisty big-budgeted shows in the vein of Westworld and last weekās top pick, the Peripheral. Itās set in the titled year and follows migrants from all walks of life as they set sail for New York, the land of opportunity. Thereās a priest from Spain, a couple from France, and a performer from China, all aboard a ship run by Danish sailors and a German captain. Itās a multilingual feat, but the twisty part arrives when they stop to help a steamship thatās been stranded for months. One horrific, mind-bending event follows another as they race to solve the mystery within the ship.
1899 comes from the creators of Dark, the German sci-fi hit that won critical acclaim for its originality and craftsmanship.
OUR TOP MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Stutz
New on Netflix š rating: 100%
Stutz is Jonah Hillās loving tribute to his therapist Phil Stutz, a smart and empathetic man whoās dedicated his entire life to helping people. The conversations between them, deeply personal and vulnerable, are meaningful in themselves, but Stutz also works as a helpful instruction on how to be your best self and as a metanarrative on telling honest stories on a medium as seemingly artificial as film (it is similar to Bo Burnhamās Inside in that way).
Stutz is at once experimental and comforting, a real gem especially for people with an interest in psychoanalysis and alternative psychiatry. Itās at its best when the two men deal with uncomfortable truths in the kindest of ways, and I can already tell this will be something Iāll return to often for advice and solace. Fun fact: the documentary was co-produced by Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara.
Top picks outside of Netflix and Amazon Prime
Our picks this week outside of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are returning seasons of two great shows, the first one being the satire masterpiece Documentary Now! Each episode parodies a beloved documentary and features well-known cameosāthis seasonās lineup includes Alexander Skarsgard and Cate Blanchett. Created by SNL trio Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Seth Meyers, the show is equal parts smart and funny, accessible even if you donāt know the documentaries it spoofs. Streaming on AMC+, DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Philo, and IFC. You can also catch the first episode of the latest season on Prime Video.Ā
Our second pick is season 2 of The Sex Lives of College Girls. Despite what the title says, the show (created by Mindy Kaling) is as much about friendship and coming of age as it is about sex. The more serious demands of college are buoyed here with flirty fun, and season 2 picks up on their return from Thanksgiving break, with the girls still finding their feet after being kicked out of parties and scholarships, among other things. The first two episodes are streaming on HBO Max.Ā
New titles worth your time
Back to Netflix: notable returning shows include season three of Dead to Me, the dark comedy starring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, and season six of Elite, the Spanish teen series that could give Gossip Girl a run for its money.
Meanwhile, all seasons of The Mindy Project are now on Amazon Prime Video. The medical workplace comedy was created and led by Mindy Kaling, who also serves as showrunner of top pick Sex Lives Of College Girls and The Watch favorite Never Have I Ever.
Great titles that will soon expire
Only two titles leaving soon are worth watchingāWe Are the Best! which expires November 22nd on Amazon Prime and Ne ZhaĀ which expires November 24th on Netflix. The former is an ode to 1980s punk while the latter is a stunning Chinese animated film.
Thatās all for this week. This edition of the newsletter will be back on Friday, November 25.
Till then,
Renee