Pat Taub
Life under the Orange Monster requires time out to maintain one’s sanity. Video watching has become a favorite form of escape for many, but with Netflix and its cousins, like Amazon Prime churning out productions at a dizzying rate, choosing a video can be daunting.
To facilitate your selection process I’ve developed mood categories for video watching where you can pick a video that addresses your feelings.
TO CHASE AWAY THE BLUES:
I’m instantly cheered by films featuring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy A personal favorite is Desk Set (Amazon Prime.)
Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy sparring in ” Desk Set”
Watching Judi Dench never fails to raise my spirits. Her recent film, Victoria and Abdul (Amazon Prime) about Queen Victoria and her Indian servant celebrates the joys of an unlikely friendship, delivering the message that rewarding connections can occur where you might least expect them.
Alice descending on Paris, no doubt scoping our where to eat
Alice in Paris (Amazon Prime) offers a series of very short films set in Paris, featuring the whimsy and innocent charm reminiscent of the popular French film, Amelie. Being French, food is everywhere in these clips, like in an “A Day with Donuts.” I dare you not to smile when watching any one of these jewelbox films.
WHEN YOU’RE FEELNG SLUGGISH:
Crime thrillers and spy movies will get your adrenaline charged. On Netflix, Collateral stars the brilliant Cary Mulligan as a no-nonsense pregnant detective in contemporary London. She’s in charge of a criminal investigation that leads to the trafficking of illegal immigrants. Great plot twists.
Collateral deals sensitively with immigrant rights
London Spy, another BBC series on Netflix, features the indomitable Charlotte Rampling in an excellent production that overall is a little bizarre and creepy. It will have you on pins and needles, causing you to forget why you ever felt sluggish.
WHEN YOU WANT TO LAUGH SO HARD THAT YOU FALL OFF THE SOFA:
For me, the BBC delivers the best irreverent laugh-aloud humor. I recommend revisiting the popular ‘90’s series, Absolutely Fabulous (Netflix). I’m also a big fan of another BBC series, Black Books, featuring a boozy, wacky bookstore owner and his daft pals.
For American humor, you can’t beat the hilarious series Arrested Development on Netflix.
The screwball cast of “Black Books”
WHEN YOU CRAVE INSPIRATION:
I draw inspiration from documentaries of exemplary women. Nina Simone’s life as a luminous singer and activist is portrayed in What Happened, Miss Simone? (Netflix) Her commitment to fighting racism is powerfully rendered.
A not-to-be-missed documentary about Nina Simone
On a lighter note, after watching the documentary about 95 year-old Iris Apfel, Iris (Netflix) a highly original dresser and designer, you’ll want to embrace your own eccentricity and throw caution to the wind as you sail into your dotage.
WHEN YOU WANT TO BE REMINDED OF PEOPLE’S GOODNESS:
Queer Eye on Netflix might seem like a strange choice for this category, as it’s a series where a group of gay men perform a makeover on a straight guy. While the crew focuses on revamping their subjects’ wardrobes and apartments they spend just as much time helping them to develop self-confidence. Tender moments abound in this series.
WHEN YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR A FOOD SHOW:
The popular PBS series, The Mind of a Chef, is now on Netflix. Among the featured chefs is Gabrielle Hamilton, chef-owner of the tiny West Village restaurant, Prune whose tables are so close together that you end up talking to strangers at the next table and where the wait staff has to move like ballet dancers to avoid bumping into tables. Hamilton cooks delicious, unpretentious food, infusing her dishes with memories of what she learned from cooking beside her French mother.
Gabrielle Hamilton preparing a meal in Prune’s tiny kitchen
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
The second season of A Handmaid’s Tale is coming to Hulu on April 25th. Many of my friends found it too dark to watch, but I’m a huge fan of this series for its brilliant cast and engrossing script. The award-winning cast is headed by Elizabeth Moss as Ofred, one of the handmaids, and Anne Dowd, playing the formidable Aunt Lydia. Take a courage pill and watch this series to see some of the best drama anywhere!
Elizabeth Moss as Ofred in “A Handmaid’s Tale”
