What's Good on Netflix?

Cafe Society
#1

I’m going petsitting in a few days where they only have Netflix on their television. I tend to spend a lot of time perusing the menus looking for something to watch and probably passing over some good entertainment because I don’t know what to expect. So I need your suggestions on what to see. I’m open to pretty much anything as long as it isn’t too racy or too violent. (OK, I did see John Wick and liked it but didn’t care for Chapter 2 as much.)

Good science fiction is a plus and maybe someone can point me to some anime, too. Is there anything from Studio Ghibli on now? There’s a lot of television series that I haven’t seen from the beginning so some suggestions here would be good, too. And, is Game of Thrones on Netflix? If so, I might check that out.

Anyway, thanks for reading this and for your suggestions. I’ll check back tonight to see what you’ve got.

#2

For SF, try Sense8

If you like mysteries, there’s Miss Fisher, Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders.

#3

I have not been impressed by most of the Netflix Original sci-fi movies but some of the series were decent to pretty good. Altered Carbon was OK but somewhat violent. Dark was pretty good but hard to follow and ends on a cliffhanger so you might get frustrated if you won’t have access to next season. It’s also dubbed/subtitled if that bothers you.

I did like Black Mirror a lot. It’s an anthology show so you don’t have to watch the entire season. Most people I know enjoyed the Lost in Space reboot. Also the new Mystery Science Theater if that is your kind of thing. And of course, Stranger Things.

For movies I liked Moon but it’s kind of slow. I didn’t really like Ex Machina but a lot of people thought it was great. There are some Star Wars movies and some recent superhero stuff. A lot of the sci-fi movies on there now are B or C grade.

I think they have all of Breaking Bad if you haven’t had a chance to check that out. Oh, and The Fall is a great British detective show with Gillian Anderson but it is sometimes violent and gets quite racy.

#4

The Last Kingdom is fantastic swashbuckling historical fiction. Game of Thrones-ish without the magic (though there’s a hint of pagan mysticism, which is consistent with the history of Britain). It’s about the various Viking invasions of England around the time of King Alfred the Great.

#5

Altered Carbon is a lot of fun hard-R (graphic sex and violence) science fiction, though I thought the story petered out a bit towards the end of the season.

Castlevania is anime-ish supernatural fantasy cartoon (vampires and magic). For adults – sex and violence. I thought it was good but not great.

#6

Reggie Watts’ comedy-music special is magnificent, though I recognize his style isn’t for all tastes. Hard to explain exactly what he does without watching.

#7

Supposed to be a new season of Castlevania soon.

#8

This! Everyone needs to watch this - Alfred is well done and Uhtred is, well… Uhtred.

#9

I’m telling Uhtred that you’re insulting him…

#10

If you liked John Wick and you don’t mind comic book shows, I strongly recommend Season 1 of Daredevil. The writing is solid and Charlie Cox is a fine actor.

#11

Detectorists

#12

Netflix Canada has different stuff but, while not amazing, “Extinction” was just what I expected. Middling sci-fi. “How it Ends” was alright. Both under two hours and originals so should be on U.S. Netflix as well.

Seconding “The Fall” excellently done and Gillian is amazing.

#13

No, no - meant as a compliment! One of my favorite book characters… every flawed part of him.

#14

I’ve been watching Outback Truckers lately. Good show for trucking enthusiasts; I have yet to notice any manufactured drama or huge assholes, unlike “Ice Road Truckers”.

#15

Specifically “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”. Three great seasons, though the third is short; about half the episodes.

#16

My favorite Netflix undiscovered gem is Sing Street. It’s about Irish kids in the 80s who form a band to escape their dreary lives. The music is really good and on point if you like the 80s Britpop invasion at all. Plus it’s a nice little story.

#17

Check out “The Toys that Made Us”

A great series about the making of some toy lines. It’s not just a documentary, it’s presented in a fun and cool way.

#18

Roman Empire is on of the best docudramas I’ve ever seen.

There are two short seasons out now. Both seasons are good, but S2 is a little disappointing because they fast-forwarded a LOT of stuff at the end. Guess they didn’t have time to fit everything in six episodes.

#19

Unfinished, though…It’s barely started the story, though he’s not really slavishly holding to the game’s storyline, so who knows.

#20

Phil Rosenthal has a good food-centered travelogue. “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having” was on PBS for its first season and the second season, retitled “Somebody Feed Phil”, is original to Netflix.