Your September Netflix Binge List
3 min readBy DELLA HETHCOX
If you have been running around campus and partaking in various club activities, you may be in need of a good old-fashioned Netflix binge.
It is only natural that students have tried to fit as much as possible into these first few weeks of the semester, but sometimes a little relaxation and downtime can be a good thing.
More than 50 films and television show series are available for streaming, beginning Sept. 1. If you’re feeling nostalgic, take a trip back to your childhood with “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Volume 1 has been released and contains episodes from 1968-2001. It truly is a wonderful day in the neighborhood thanks to this addition.
Or, in honor of the new baby panda at the National Zoo in Washington D.C., why not watch the National Geographic documentary “Pandas: The Journey Home”? This documentary follows the journey of giant pandas born in the Wolong Panda Center in China, as they are bred and then released into the wild. Get up close and personal with these fuzzy creatures.
“Shake the Dust,” a 2014 documentary, explores the globalization of break-dancing and hip hop culture as they become a phenomenon across the globe. A 2015 documentary, “It Happened
Here,” tackles the rising issue of college campus sexual assaults using the experiences of five students, who help make this issue more personal for each viewer.
“Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret” is a 2014 documentary examines the issues of factory farming and their impact on natural resources. Still looking for another documentary? Try “Rubble Kings” (2015) which uses footage from the archives to retell the stories of gangs in New
York City during the seventies. Before “Empire”, Taraji P. Henson starred in “Person of Interest” as a police officer in New York
City, helping prevent crimes by joining forces with a former CIA agent and a billionaire software genius. Using innovative (and futuristic) technology, this unlikely team helps prevent crimes before they happen. The complete series waits for you.
The first season of 2014’s breakout crime show, “Gotham,” is just waiting for the perfect study break moment. Follow detective Jim Gordon as he works to keep his neighborhood safe. Catch up on this series before season two premiers in the coming month.
For more crime solving, catch season five of “Blue Bloods,” season five of “Hawaii Five-0” or season ten of “Bones.”
For some old school action, the first three “Rambo” films have hit Netflix. Watch as Sylvester Stallone plays John Rambo, a former soldier and U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who has trouble adjusting to the calm civilian life after serving in the Vietnam War.
Missing the zombies days of yore? Catch up on “The Walking Dead” with the addition of season five as characters deal with zombies in a post-apocalyptic world (the latter half of season five takes place in Alexandria, Virginia).
Is literature a hobby of yours? The 2015 adaptation of “Madame Bovary” starring Mia Wasikowska and Paul Giamatti is sure to delight literature and Flaubert fans. If that’s not dark enough for you, Mel Gibson’s 1990 adaptation of “Hamlet” is also available.
If you prefer lighter history, try season four of “Call the Midwife.” This BBC show documents the exciting world of midwifery in post-World War II, as they help deliver babies in London’s Lower East End.
For a more artistic film “Moonlight Kingdom,” a 2012 Wes Anderson production, waits to sweep you off your feet into cinematic bliss, from the casting to the costumes.
In desperate need of witty comedy? “Portlandia” season five tackles all the hipster issues of today with the aid of many comedians in addition to the leads, Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen.
Get ready for fall with Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci’s 1999 “Sleepy Hollow,” a recreation of the classic American folktale.
Despite the addition of these films and series, Netflix is saying goodbye to many beloved favorites. If you’ve never experienced the magic of an Ang Lee film, catch his 2000 film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” before it leaves the small screen. “The IT Crowd” is also leaving in addition to the 1996 classic, “Sleepless in Seattle.” Adventure fans, be sure to watch “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” “Star Trek: Into Darkness,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction” and “World War Z” one more time before their exit on Sept. 31.
Happy viewing!
