So, uhh, this COVID-19 thing, eh? Looks like it’s here to stay for a while. Well, at least where I live. I hope wherever you are, you have more luck than I do. But, if you’re being responsible and staying home, you might get a little—or a lot—bored, right? Fear not! I’ve got a series of posts chock full of recommendations for you—films, music, books, you name it!
Let’s start off with some films and series recommendations. These are mostly exclusive Netflix contents as, I believe, it is the most popular and affordable streaming service out there—and one I actually have access to.
Actually, I’ve recommended several movies and series on Netflix before—when I first tried this service—so you should go check out those too. Now I’m trying to be as diverse in choosing these titles as possible, so I hope you’ll enjoy them.
So, uhh, this COVID-19 thing, eh? Looks like it’s here to stay for a while. Well, at least where I live. I hope wherever you are, you have more luck than I do. But, if you’re being responsible and staying home, you might get a little—or a lot—bored, right? Fear not! I’ve got a series of posts chock full of recommendations for you—films, music, books, you name it!
Let’s start off with some films and series recommendations. These are mostly exclusive Netflix contents as, I believe, it is the most popular and affordable streaming service out there—and one I actually have access to.
Actually, I’ve recommended several movies and series on Netflix before—when I first tried this service—so you should go check out those too. Now I’m trying to be as diverse in choosing these titles as possible, so I hope you’ll enjoy them.
Private Life
I’m such a sucker for emotionally raw movies, especially with a Noah Baumbach vibe to it—and this one’s totally got it, despite not being directed by him at all. This movie portrays the life of a couple in their midlife as they’re trying so goddamn hard to build a family. They try everything—adoption, IUI, IVF, you name it! Finally, they decide to try an egg donor—who end up coming from their 25-year-old niece.
I love how wholesome yet fractured the story and characters in this movie feels. They have a certain kind of love strung between them, humming in the subtlety of everyday life among three people who aren’t related by blood at all. It challenges the real meaning of family and what postponing childbearing might entail—really breaks my heart but also gives me the warm and fuzzy.
Private Life
I’m such a sucker for emotionally raw movies, especially with a Noah Baumbach vibe to it—and this one’s totally got it, despite not being directed by him at all. This movie portrays the life of a couple in their midlife as they’re trying so goddamn hard to build a family. They try everything—adoption, IUI, IVF, you name it! Finally, they decide to try an egg donor—who end up coming from their 25-year-old niece.
I love how wholesome yet fractured the story and characters in this movie feels. They have a certain kind of love strung between them, humming in the subtlety of everyday life among three people who aren’t related by blood at all. It challenges the real meaning of family and what postponing childbearing might entail—really breaks my heart but also gives me the warm and fuzzy.
The Fundamentals of Caring
When I clicked on this title, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. It is a story about a caregiver and a disabled boy, which started out rather funny—the boy is a huge prick, to be honest. They bond over small things in life, like watching TV, eating waffles and, well, butt-wiping. Eventually, they go on a road trip to see the world’s deepest pit—but ended up taking a detour to find the boy’s absent father.
The story is short and sweet, but the chemistry between the characters happen rather quickly. I love Paul Rudd’s performance in this, incredibly cheering and heartbreaking at the same time. It’s one of those stories with a disabled protagonist, whose story doesn’t revolve around their disability.
When I clicked on this title, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. It is a story about a caregiver and a disabled boy, which started out rather funny—the boy is a huge prick, to be honest. They bond over small things in life, like watching TV, eating waffles and, well, butt-wiping. Eventually, they go on a road trip to see the world’s deepest pit—but ended up taking a detour to find the boy’s absent father.
The story is short and sweet, but the chemistry between the characters happen rather quickly. I love Paul Rudd’s performance in this, incredibly cheering and heartbreaking at the same time. It’s one of those stories with a disabled protagonist, whose story doesn’t revolve around their disability.
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
I’m not sure if this was based on a true story, but even if it isn’t, I’ll still believe it is. Through the trailer, I didn’t have much to expect from this film, but I found myself incredibly moved by the story. It follows a young, budding author in 1946, who somehow has a letter addressed to her from a member of the Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society in Guernsey, as she makes her way to the small English town to reveal what the book club was actually all about.
It is possibly one of the best original Netflix films I’ve ever watched—stunning production and gorgeous wardrobe! Lily James’s performance—among the many English actors I recognised—is breathtaking. Definitely not to be missed.
I’m not sure if this was based on a true story, but even if it isn’t, I’ll still believe it is. Through the trailer, I didn’t have much to expect from this film, but I found myself incredibly moved by the story. It follows a young, budding author in 1946, who somehow has a letter addressed to her from a member of the Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society in Guernsey, as she makes her way to the small English town to reveal what the book club was actually all about.
It is possibly one of the best original Netflix films I’ve ever watched—stunning production and gorgeous wardrobe! Lily James’s performance—among the many English actors I recognised—is breathtaking. Definitely not to be missed.
Le Jeu
(Nothing to Hide)
As you can already tell from the title, this one isn’t English—it’s French! In fact, it is one of the numerous versions of an Italian movie called Perfetti Sconosciuti—which has been adapted into multiple languages in various countries.
The story revolves around 7 friends who meet up for dinner on a lunar eclipsed night and start a game in which they compile all their phones at the centre of the dinner table. Throughout the night, every time a notification bell or a call appears on the phone, everyone gets to find out what it is, completely revealing the details of each other’s private lives.
The Italian version, from the trailer I saw and Agung‘s testimony who’s seen it, felt more comedic and lighthearted. This French version was quite tense—but still incredibly entertaining with an amazing twist at the end.
As you can already tell from the title, this one isn’t English—it’s French! In fact, it is one of the numerous versions of an Italian movie called Perfetti Sconosciuti—which has been adapted into multiple languages in various countries.
The story revolves around 7 friends who meet up for dinner on a lunar eclipsed night and start a game in which they compile all their phones at the centre of the dinner table. Throughout the night, every time a notification bell or a call appears on the phone, everyone gets to find out what it is, completely revealing the details of each other’s private lives.
The Italian version, from the trailer I saw and Agung‘s testimony who’s seen it, felt more comedic and lighthearted. This French version was quite tense—but still incredibly entertaining with an amazing twist at the end.
Ronny Chieng
Asian Comedian Destroys America
Usually, I don’t go for stand up comedies—I’m not sure why, but I just don’t seek them out. However, when I saw a peek of this one on Instagram—it’s become quite a meme, apparently—I was intrigued. So I checked it out and, man, you best believe I ended up rolling on the floor (okay, no, my bed) laughing so hard.
He was talking about the abundance of America, how efficient the country would be with with an Asian president and, well, Asian childrearing. It’s extra perfect for me that Ronny Chieng comes from Southeast Asia—Malaysia, in fact—so our sense of humour isn’t all that different. My favourite thing is his mimics and how serious it is, even as he is spewing all this seemingly offensive jokes.
Usually, I don’t go for stand up comedies—I’m not sure why, but I just don’t seek them out. However, when I saw a peek of this one on Instagram—it’s become quite a meme, apparently—I was intrigued. So I checked it out and, man, you best believe I ended up rolling on the floor (okay, no, my bed) laughing so hard.
He was talking about the abundance of America, how efficient the country would be with with an Asian president and, well, Asian childrearing. It’s extra perfect for me that Ronny Chieng comes from Southeast Asia—Malaysia, in fact—so our sense of humour isn’t all that different. My favourite thing is his mimics and how serious it is, even as he is spewing all this seemingly offensive jokes.
The Crown
This is the series I actually went to Netflix for in the first place. I’m not sure how I could’ve missed it in the first post I wrote on this streaming service, but here it is. By far, The Crown is my absolute favourite series on Netflix—all three seasons! It is the simple story of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II from the moment of her coronation to, well so far, around the time young Prince Charles started falling in love.
This series introduced me to the members of the royal family I hadn’t known before—and made me greatly sympathise with Princess Margaret, poor darling. It is incredibly well done, with stunning production value and wonderful performances—especially by Clare Foy, Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter. Although it is all prim and proper, it is also very moving and absolutely entertaining.
The Crown
This is the series I actually went to Netflix for in the first place. I’m not sure how I could’ve missed it in the first post I wrote on this streaming service, but here it is. By far, The Crown is my absolute favourite series on Netflix—all three seasons! It is the simple story of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II from the moment of her coronation to, well so far, around the time young Prince Charles started falling in love.
This series introduced me to the members of the royal family I hadn’t known before—and made me greatly sympathise with Princess Margaret, poor darling. It is incredibly well done, with stunning production value and wonderful performances—especially by Clare Foy, Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter. Although it is all prim and proper, it is also very moving and absolutely entertaining.
The IT Crowd
An oldie but goodie, this one. Yes, it’s not a Netflix original, but I’m making an exception because this is my second favourite series on earth—only after Scrubs. If you’ve been following British television for a while, you must have at least heard of this one. I myself used to watch this on cable when I was in middle school or high school and I absolutely love it! The mix between Chris O’Dowd and Richard Ayoade is the best recipe to crack me up.
It tells the story of the IT department of a company that is located in the basement and has been rather forgotten by almost everyone at the office. The department consists of only 3 people—one geeky Irishman, one nerd with zero common sense and one woman who pretends to know computer yet is the head of the department. Needless to say, mayhem ensues all the time.
An oldie but goodie, this one. Yes, it’s not a Netflix original, but I’m making an exception because this is my second favourite series on earth—only after Scrubs. If you’ve been following British television for a while, you must have at least heard of this one. I myself used to watch this on cable when I was in middle school or high school and I absolutely love it! The mix between Chris O’Dowd and Richard Ayoade is the best recipe to crack me up.
It tells the story of the IT department of a company that is located in the basement and has been rather forgotten by almost everyone at the office. The department consists of only 3 people—one geeky Irishman, one nerd with zero common sense and one woman who pretends to know computer yet is the head of the department. Needless to say, mayhem ensues all the time.
The Art of Design
My boyfriend Agung introduced me to this series long before our relationship started. He first showed me the episode on Paula Scher—a graphic designer I came to know through Typography class in Uni.
Basically, this is a series of short documentaries focused on different designers every episode—not just graphic design, mind you, even stage design, bio-architecture and automotive design. If you love design of any kind, this is definitely not to be missed. Each episode has its own style, fitting that of the designer’s, revealing their story in the most unique ways. It introduced me to a number of new designers in numerous fields. Personally—and, I suppose, obviously—my favourite episode is of Christoph Niemann’s.
My boyfriend Agung introduced me to this series long before our relationship started. He first showed me the episode on Paula Scher—a graphic designer I came to know through Typography class in Uni.
Basically, this is a series of short documentaries focused on different designers every episode—not just graphic design, mind you, even stage design, bio-architecture and automotive design. If you love design of any kind, this is definitely not to be missed. Each episode has its own style, fitting that of the designer’s, revealing their story in the most unique ways. It introduced me to a number of new designers in numerous fields. Personally—and, I suppose, obviously—my favourite episode is of Christoph Niemann’s.
Til Death Do Us Part
Much like Black Mirror, this one is an eerie anthology series with each episode telling different tales with entirely different characters. Originating from Taiwan, this series tells various stories that don’t seem to have anything in common—but someone always dies at the end, whether figuratively or literally. Death could even be a huge part of the story sometimes—much like in the first episode.
It’s very refreshing sometimes to watch Asian series like this, as they often use other means of communications to get a point across—whereas English-speaking series often rely too much on words and limiting interpretations for the audience. Although incredibly disturbing, my favourite episode the 6th one titled “Login Trouble.”
Much like Black Mirror, this one is an eerie anthology series with each episode telling different tales with entirely different characters. Originating from Taiwan, this series tells various stories that don’t seem to have anything in common—but someone always dies at the end, whether figuratively or literally. Death could even be a huge part of the story sometimes—much like in the first episode.
It’s very refreshing sometimes to watch Asian series like this, as they often use other means of communications to get a point across—whereas English-speaking series often rely too much on words and limiting interpretations for the audience. Although incredibly disturbing, my favourite episode the 6th one titled “Login Trouble.”
I Am Not Okay With This
Brought to you by the creator of The End of the F***ing World, this is yet another adolescent story set in a strange ’80s world with today’s technology—don’t ask. Based on a graphic novel, this series tells a story of a high school girl whose father recently killed himself—leaving her only with her witty little brother, her seemingly judgmental mother and her best friend she’s clearly in love with. One day, she realises that she has a superpower and she shares this secret with a neighbourhood boy who fancies her.
I find the story to be rather sweet, relatable and somewhat gripping. I love the overall vibe of the series—located in a small, woodsy town with an ’80s, autumnal vibe going on—and I believe it to have immaculate potential.
Brought to you by the creator of The End of the F***ing World, this is yet another adolescent story set in a strange ’80s world with today’s technology—don’t ask. Based on a graphic novel, this series tells a story of a high school girl whose father recently killed himself—leaving her only with her witty little brother, her seemingly judgmental mother and her best friend she’s clearly in love with. One day, she realises that she has a superpower and she shares this secret with a neighbourhood boy who fancies her.
I find the story to be rather sweet, relatable and somewhat gripping. I love the overall vibe of the series—located in a small, woodsy town with an ’80s, autumnal vibe going on—and I believe it to have immaculate potential.
What do you love watching most on (or off) Netflix?
