Flying Under the Radar: 12 Alternative Picks From Netflix UK.
There is a huge amount of content on Netflix these days, some great, some not so great and some that's so downright atrocious it should be deleted from the history of time so that future generations needn't suffer the same pain we had to. Despite all the shows, documentaries and films available it's often difficult to sift through it all to find something good to watch. To help you good people out I thought I'd compile a list of a few hidden (and not so hidden) gems I've come across. Obviously well known hits like Breaking Bad, Making a Murderer and Stranger Things will therefore not feature. Here we go:
1. The Get Down
The Get Down is a Netflix original which was featured heavily on the front page for quite a while but I rarely hear anyone talking about it. The name refers to the non-wack part of a song that can be isolated and looped by a DJ then rapped over by an MC (or group thereof). Written and directed by Baz Luhrmann, the show is a love letter to the burgeoning hip-hop scene in 1970s New York and follows DJ Shaolin Fantastic and poet Ezekial Figuero as they transform themselves and their ragtag group of friends from hip hop wannabes to superstar MCs under the tutelage of The Grandmaster Flash. The show looks fantastic, features some wonderful performances from a young, unknown cast and features an outstanding soundtrack (unsurprising considering it was produced by Grandmaster Flash and Nas). The show loses its direction quite often but for the most part I was hooked.
2. 3%
This is a fairly low budget dystopian sci-fi from Brazil (don't worry it's dubbed with English for those with short attention spans or an allergy to subtitles) which takes place in a world where 3% of the population live in luxury whilst the remainder are stuck in abject poverty. Every year a new group of 20 year olds can take part in The Process, a series of challenges which provide a chance for the few that display the right qualities to ascend to a better life on The Island. It soon becomes apparent to the contestants that these qualities are not always admirable and underhanded tactics may be required to progress. Again I feel like no-one is talking about this show and I urge you not to just write it off as some Hunger Games clone. Highly recommended.
3. Bojack Horseman
Possibly my favourite show to have come out in the last few years. Now in its fourth season, Bojack Horseman follows the titular character, star of 90s sitcom Horsin' Around as he struggles to come to terms with being a washed up actor in modern showbiz. The show is set in a bizarre version of Hollywood (Hollywoo) populated by a mixture of human characters and anthropomorphised animals (e.g. Bojack himself is a Horse Man, see what they did there?). The show has a wonderful, intelligent and dry wit which at times can be downright hilarious. It's also very dark and deals with real situations and subject matter leading to some genuinely emotional and heartbreaking episodes. You really should be watching this show and if you decide you don't like it well you can all "suck a dick, dumb shits".
4. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
This seems like a show that everyone should know about but surprisingly after 12 seasons is still relatively unknown. It follows Charlie (an illiterate rat smashing janitor), Mac (a deluded martial arts and security 'specialist'), Dennis (an emotionless sociopath who often displays serial killer tendancies) and the oft derided Dee (Dennis' twin sister, an aspiring stand-up comedian and the butt of the rest of the gang's jokes). Together they run Paddy's Pub, a dive bar in Philly with virtually no customers. It's very dark and controversial but always hilarious. The show really hits its stride when Dennis and Dee's estranged father Frank (played by Danny DeVito) shows up in Season 2. Frank funds the gangs various ridiculous and ill advised schemes (which usually form the basis of each episode) and DeVito really is a joy to watch and is clearly having the time of his life playing such a gross and detestable character. I'd heard on the grapevine that It's Always Sunny was set to be removed from Netflix at the end of the month but it still appears to be available. Just in case it disappears make sure you check it out soon. If you miss out you have no one to blame but yourself.
5. Freaks and Geeks
Created by Paul Feig (yeah that guy wot done the Ghostbusters remake), executive produced by Judd Apatow (Superbad, The 40 Year Old Virgin etc) and starring (eventual long time collaborators) Seth Rogan and James Franco, Freaks and Geeks follows math geek Lindsay as she tries to break free from her good girl reputation by hanging with the school freaks. It also follows the exploits of her younger brother and his nerdy friends. It's more of a drama than a comedy but it really hits that nostalgia gland and captures the awkwardness of growing up. It was cancelled before the first season even finished airing in the states but has gained a huge cult following over the years.
6. Bo Burnham
I happened across Bo Burnham's 'what.' one day after browsing through Netflix's stand-up comedy section for what felt like an eternity. I finally gave in and picked something at random and after watching the 6-7 min intro I was left dumbstruck. The show opens with what I can only describe as an ADHD fever dream and combines a mixture of pre-recorded voiceover, music, mime and pageantry rehearsed to perfection and performed to dazzling effect. Just watch it; the whole thing is above. The show continues with a mixture of stand-up, poetry, rap, pop songs and various random skits which are hilarious, cutting, controversial, satirical, profound, depressing, inspiring, unpredictable and utterly captivating. I can't stress enough how much I enjoyed this show in part because it was just so different to anything else I'd seen before. 'what.' is Bo Burnham's second full length show but his third show 'Make Happy' is available on Netflix too and is also excellent. It too has a pretty epic intro but the the ending in particular deserves a shout out because it features a parody of Kanye West's 'Yeezus' rant and it is genius. That said, please watch the full show as the whole experience is an emotional rollercoaster and you wouldn't just get on a rollercoaster at the end would you?
7. Blackfish
Ok so I feel like this documentary was a bit of a phenomenon when it first came out but still plenty of people don't seem to have seen it. The documentary looks into a series of disasters (including staff deaths and near misses) involving killer whales at various SeaWorld locations around the world. It ultimately becomes an expose of the abominable working practice's carried out by SeaWorld as a company including the mistreatment of their animals, the dangerous positions they put their performers in and the downright lies told to their staff, the media and the public to try and sweep any negative coverage under the carpet. The story is told through the first hand accounts of former staff members some of whom were directly involved in the incidents nearly losing their lives. After you've seen this you'll certainly think twice about seeing whales and dolphins performing novelty acts in captivity. Absolutely essential viewing.
8. Maron
If you read my article on my favourite podcasts (which of course you did) then you'll know I'm an avid listener of Marc Maron's WTF podcast. 'Maron' the show is a sitcom that is loosely based on Marc's life as a stand-up comedian and podcaster and follows him as he battles his own neurosis, self-obsession and anger(mis)management issues. Featuring a plethora of guest appearances from famous (and not quite so famous) comedians, actors and the like, this is a show which is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny, cringe-worthy and tragic. Many of the situations depicted in the show come straight from Marc's own life which helps add a depth of realism to the episodes. For not being an actor Maron also does a pretty stand-up job (see what I did there?). I'm a real fan of this show.
9. What We Do in the Shadows
CALLING ALL FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS FANS. If you like the signature off-beat comedic style from that cult hit then you'll absolutely love this. What We Do in the Shadows is a mockumentary following a group of vampire housemates as they try to survive the ups and downs of life in modern day Wellington, New Zealand. There are a few familiar faces from Flight of the Conchords including Jemaine Clement and Rhys Dharby who shows up as the leader of a pack of Werewolves during a showdown on a Vampire night out on the town. The comedy here is very dry, awkward and often stems from the relatively mundane and matter of fact way the characters describe their lives.
10. Hunt for the Wilder People
From writer director Taika Waititi (who was also responsible for What We Do in the Shadows) comes a heartwarming tale of a troubled young boy sent by child protection services to live with foster parents on the edge of the New Zealand bush. Following a tragic event, young protagonist Ricky Baker discovers child services plan to take him away from his new home so he fakes his own death and runs off into the bush only to be quickly found by his foster uncle. The two promptly go on the run whilst being hotly pursued by the bumbling child protection agency. Young actor Julian Dennison delivers an unforgettable performance as child delinquent Ricky Baker alongside the always excellent Sam Neill as the grumpy man-of-few-words Uncle Hec. An absolutely wonderful film that demands not to be missed.
11. American Crime Story: The People Vs OJ Simpson
Back in 1994 the double murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman sent shockwaves throughout the United States of America and beyond. This was in part due to the brutality of the crime, carried out in an otherwise peaceful and affluent area of Los Angeles, but also that the prime suspect was none other than cultural phenomenon and all American icon OJ 'The Juice' Simpson. The subsequent trial lasted 11 months and played out like an elaborate soap opera including multiple dismissals of jury members, the discovery of key witnesses for the prosecution as being hideously racist and of course THAT 'glove doesn't fit' moment. The show closely follows events of the trial but also gives a real insight into what went on behind the scenes between the judge, prosecution and defence and delves deeper into the private lives of those involved. The People Vs OJ Simpson is essential viewing featuring a stellar ensemble cast with star turns from Cuba Gooding Jr as OJ, David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian and Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark. I should also give a shout out to John Travolta as Robert Shapiro, although he struggles to emote through a career's worth of plastic surgery. This is a great way to relive the trial if you experienced it at the time but also a good starting point to learn about one of the most infamous crimes and murder trials in recent history.
12. Iris
This is a fascinating documentary about a fascinating woman. Iris Apfel is a famed interior designer and fashion icon known for her outspoken nature and unique sense of style. When the film was released, in 2015, she was 93 years old and still going strong, happily dishing out sage advice whilst showing off her hand selected collection of fabrics, clothes and jewellery curated over decades in the fashion and style business. Fashion is a subject I generally have little interest in but I found myself thoroughly enjoying this film which is more about creativity and expression and is a good reminder not to worry too much about what other people think and that we should live our own lives the way we want and to the fullest that we can.
I hope you enjoyed this list and look forward to your suggestions in the comments.
Peace.
