This is some movie ish, literally, and we not talking about Contagion. Although, you should find and watch that, too.
Since the COVID-19 coronavirus first made its deadly debut back in China last December, we’ve seen Disney Park close, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled for the first time since 1752, and the entire NBA shut down. The hysteria is as real as the death toll projection predicted to be anywhere between 200,000 – 1.7M people, according to The New York Times. The solution: Stay away from everyone, make sure you’re kitchen’s stocked, stop with the spliff-sharing, and find a way to be productive or at the very least, entertained.
Several major cities have declared a state of emergency, most recently New York City, announcing the interval closing of Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center, and the banning of 10 or more person events. With restaurants offering delivery-only, self-isolation is a reality as many professionals are adjusting to that WFH life. In the event you’re one of those remote work folks, you actually are feeling tingling in your throat, or you just love being an introvert, a good movie or binge-able show will keep you comfy in quarantine. If you’re having trouble finding something good to watch, no worries we got you. Crush a ting, roll up, scroll through, and have your pick.
The Outsider on HBO
Queen Cynthia Erivo delivers another impactful performance in Stephen King‘s The Outsider as Holly Gibney. Based on the novel of the same name, the 10-episode series follows police detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendehlson) as he struggles to accept the supernatural happenings in Flint City, Oklahoma after a beloved teacher Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman) is accused of mutilating and killing a teenage boy. It’s suspenseful, it’s puzzling and just when you think you’ve figured out what’s happening, the following scene proves you wrong. If you’re into dark mysteries featuring a talented, strong-minded black woman consistently proving everyone wrong, I suggest you cop Growolf’s Wolf Packz Cannabis, preferably Frozen Candy 1, and get ready to have your mind messed with. Whether from the show or the loud is up to you and your focus.
Grass is Greener
If you’re feeling like learning a little somethin’ somethin’, then this one’s for you. Tackling the issues permeated by the War on Drugs, Grass is Greener explores the racial injustices people of color face on a daily while educating the masses on what’s real when it comes to the holistic and financial benefits of Mary Jane. If you’re completely unaware of how deep racism and oppression run, legendary rapper and cannabis activist Fab Five Freddy will paint a disturbingly clear picture of the realities many black people continue to face in the now-budding marijuana industry while celebrating the OG’s we should bun every spliff to. Grass is Greener is currently available on Netflix. Check out the trailer below.
Hunters
If you’re enjoying some Northern Lights or even some Gorilla Glue, then you for sure have an hour or ten to kill. Nothing will motivate you to get up for the occasional stretch like Hunters now streaming on Amazon Prime. Directed by Jordan Peele and inspired by true events, the series follows a diverse group of Nazi hunters in 1977 New York, covertly trying to thwart a plan from former Nazi generals to begin a Fourth Reich in America, after being relocated following the Holocaust, courtesy of the U.S. government. Al Pacino as Meyer Offerman leads a strong cast tasked with stopping a potential cataclysmic disaster that would wipe out half of the American people. While the original Nazi-hunters weren’t as glammed up, they were very much real, according to the Jewish Telepathic Agency. After your second roll, you get used to Pacino’s strong Yiddish accent. Check out the trailer!
The Good Place
If you want to think of happier times or where we’ll all be going when we meet our Maker (the world seems to be ending) then we recommend the Good Place. First of all, Kristen Bell- a genius, and plays a witty yet selfish one named Eleanor Shellstrop. Second, the four season series is hilariously bingeable at 30-mins an episode. This unique depiction of the afterlife through moral philosophy will have you questioning your own goodness, while following the journey of William Jackson Harper as Chidi, Jameela Jamil as Tahani Al-Jamil, Manny Jacinto as Jason Mendoza, Ted Danson as the Architect, and Maya Rudolph as the woman upstairs. Never forgetting D’Arcy Carden who plays the all-knowing Janet. As much as you wish, she won’t be able to make a bowl of Cheetos magically appear while watching. You’ll have to press pause and get that yourself.
The Good Place is currently available on NBC, Netflix, and Hulu for the free (with your subscription.)
Counterpart
The sci-fi thriller series starring J.K. Simmons had a nice little two season run from 2017-2019. In these hectic times, this show is filled with all of the conspiracy theories needed to make sense of our real life Final Destination. Premiered by STARZ, Counterpart explores an alternate world where each person has “an other,” living on a different plane who shares their past experiences up until the point of the split. Simmons’ duel-lead character Howard Silk must trust his identical on the other side named Prime, to expose these government conspiracies so he can get back to what he thinks is a quiet life with his wife Emily Burton Silk played by Olivia Williams. Somewhere in there is a proposed virus created to kill off humans ’cause, evil. Which humans? No spoiling but check it out on Amazon Prime and prepare to give the U.S. the side-eye.
Spenser Confidential
Switching up to the movie tip, Mark Wahlberg is so Marky Mark in the new Netflix original. It’s everything you’d expect from him with a sprinkle of Post Malone, and the evil Dave Chappelle. (Sorry Bokeeme Woodbine.) Directed by Peter Berg, this comedy is loosely based off of the novel Wonderland by Ace Atkins. Following a five-year prison stint for assaulting his captain John Boyland, Spenser learns his former boss and another colleague were killed on the day of his release. Diverting from his plan for a calm life, Spenser enlists his halfway house roommate Hawk (Winston Duke) to bring those responsible to justice. It is funny. It is action-packed. It is very natural. Check out the official trailer above and stream it on Netflix. I hope there will be a sequel!
Into the Dark: A Nasty Piece of Work
Funny, Christmassy, and downright enjoyable, in collaboration with Bloomhouse, Hulu released Into the Dark: A Nasty Piece of Work. Ted (Kyle Howard) is the hard-worker, continuously in competition with his obnoxious coworker Gavin (Justin Milligan) to woo their erratic boss Steven Essex (Julian Sands.) The games turn intense as the guys and their wives are invited to Essex’s home and learn that they must brave bloody and maniacal games in order to win the sole Christmas bonus allotted that year. It’s sick and will make you stare at your spliff, put it down and say “This is it, right here.” Into the Dark: A Nasty Piece of Work is now available on Hulu.
Fast Color
If you enjoyed Raising Dion on Netflix then this revisionist superhero drama should be right up your alley. Directed by Julia Harth, Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays Ruth, a woman with supernatural powers on the run from the government bent on capturing and studying her. In a futuristic town where it has not rained for 8-years, Ruth struggles to find people she can trust while fighting for her freedom as she discovers she has the power to trigger earthquakes. Black women are superheroes to see it depicted in such a classy and subtle way makes it that more enjoyable.
Apple TV’s The Morning Show
Jennifer Anniston actually did her thing as co-host and a #MeToo movement mute in Apple TV’s highly entertaining and relevant original The Morning Show. When Morning Show host Mitch Kessler (Steve Carrell) is accused of sexually misconduct, Anniston’s Alex Levy must work with her newest counterpart, a blunt and opinionated Bradley Jackson played by Reese Witherspoon while Mitch deals with the fallout from his actions. With Weinstein getting justice, the Apple TV+ original offers an interesting insight from not just the victims, but the people near and dear to the accuser. Guarenteed to spark some discussions in the room, the first episode is free on Apple TV+, even if you don’t have a subscription yet. Maybe after watching the pilot, you’ll subscribe.
Truth Be Told on Apple TV+
Speaking of Reese Witherspoon and Apple TV+, the actress serves as one of the executive producers for this one season thriller which stars Octavia Spencer as Poppy Scovill-Parnell. Years after her nationwide show landed what she believes is an innocent boy in jail, Poppy works tirelessly to uncover the truth of who really killed the father of identical twins played by Lizzy Caplan. Lives were ruined, mostly Warren Cave’s played by Breaking Bad‘s Aaron Paul. Between Poppy’s adorable “friendship” with childhood boo Markus Knox (Mekhi Phifer), Lizzy’s dual performance as Josie and Lanie Burman, and an occasional sass from Tami Roman, this ten-episode series will have you hooked and wondering, who is responsible for the murder? Again, it is Apple TV+ so the first taste is free.
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