Top Picks: Netflix

Image Courtesy of Netflix

By Katherine Kaderabek

The Perks of Being a Wallflower – A nostalgic, childhood classic, The Perks of Being a Wallflower stars dreamboat Logan Lerman alongside brilliant actress Emma Watson as he struggles through the ups and downs of high school and copes with mental health issues. With an iconic and moving ending scene, the film is one of the best coming-of-age book-to-movie adaptations of the modern age. 

Burlesque –  This film will leave viewers wanting to get up and dance with Christina Aguilera as she plays the fun and likable Ali. This feel-good movie is full of fabulous costumes, scandalous show numbers, and a star-studded cast that will leave viewers frazzled with the need to “burlesque.” The plot follows Ali, a wannabe star from the Midwest who finds herself working as a Burlesque dancer in Los Angeles. Shoved into the spotlight, Ali needs to decide who and what she’ll compromise if she is going to make her dreams a reality. Should she dance and sing her way to the top? Or will her warring love interests and motherly boss push her there themselves? Who knows, maybe the next trending TikTok dance will stem from this vibrant, exotic and dance-packed film. 

Silver Linings Playbook – This movie is perfect to watch for those who haven’t seen this Oscar-winning film. Featuring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, it follows the story of how this dysfunctional pair end up in the dance spotlight against all odds. When both of their hidden pasts threaten to destroy the future and the relationship they’ve created, it’ll take a miracle to save them. 

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – Given that every day currently seems like a day off, this movie is a great choice to reminisce on days when staying home from school was cool and adventurous. This classic film features iconic cinematic scenes important for any common person to know and reference. The film even features a musical number by the main character, who drags his uptight best friend and beautiful girlfriend on an adventure into the city that they will never forget. 

Reign – For fans of Outlander, Reign is an older, more watered-down version of sixteenth-century history. The soundtrack to each episode is one of its main allures and will leave viewers adding songs to their playlists after almost every episode. And while the story centers around Mary Queen of Scots, whose life can simply be found in a history book, the writers of Reign took much liberty with her character and the years left undocumented by history to craft an original, compelling story for the plight of the great queen. The costume design is also superb and will leave viewers wondering if they too belong in the 1500s with the beloved heroine. 

Iliza Shlesinger – A comedian turned actress, Iliza Shlesinger is a loveable, realistic, and self-entitled modern feminist who addresses relationships, partying, and marriage in just a few of her skits on Netflix. Her shows are very original and relatable, guaranteeing a good laugh from all audiences. She works her way through the experiences of your 20s into the reality of the 30s in a way that will leave viewers both entertained and prepared for the future. 

The Society – The Society is an amazing, rather original and exhilarating show that provokes many philosophical and moral questions. After an entire field trip to the mountains is ruined, a bus full of kids returns to their town to find all their families gone. So what happens when there are no adults to make the rules? Chaos, murder, destruction, anarchy, dictatorships, and more are all results of this “incident.” Like a very modern version of Lord of the Flies, The Society questions our basic human nature and tests the likelihood of survival amongst the most volatile generation. This show comes highly recommended, especially before season two is released in the summer of 2020. 

Jupiter Ascending – Who doesn’t love a movie with Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum? Well, this action-packed, Star Trek-like movie centers on both of them. In a world inhabited by aliens, Jupiter, a lowly cleaner, is whisked off in an effort to save her life from assassins who believe she is a reincarnated queen; her rescuer is played by none other than Channing Tatum. A whirlwind experience of love, death, power, and destruction, Jupiter Ascending is the perfect movie to satisfy action-lovers and romance-junkies. 

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – An original and dynamic superhero movie, Into the Spider-Verse is a family movie for all with a startling plot and loveable characters. The movie also possesses a lively soundtrack and action sequences that will keep audiences on their toes. Following the beloved super hero Spider-Man as he meets others like himself, the film provides a great lesson on identity, friendship, and teamwork.