For Comedy Fans:
An Idiot Abroad
The premise of this show sounds deceivingly boring: a guy from Manchester, England, goes on trips to different parts of the world. Yet Karl Pilkington, along with showrunners Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, keep the humor going with quips, reactions, and the occasional fun fact.
Highlights: Season One, Episode One (China) and Season Three, Episode Two (India)
For Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fans:
Advantageous
This film takes place in an imagined future, but its plot is eerily reminiscent of now. Single mother Gwen wants to give her bright, talented daughter enough chances and resources to succeed, no matter what it costs Gwen. Her plight and choices raise ethical and philosophical questions through the framework of unfortunately plausible scenarios.
Highlights: Diverse cast, thoughtful plot, and poetic cinematography
For Reality Fans:
Skin Wars
This show is about competitive body-painting, and, yes, it’s exactly as unconventional as it seems. Yet many of the artists show remarkable talent, and it’s fascinating to see how they interpret the sometimes outlandish themes. These artists go way beyond your dime-a-dozen face painting.
Highlights: Season Two, Episode Ten and Season Three, Episode Two
For Documentary Fans:
Casting JonBenét
This documentary analyzes the unsolved 1996 murder of six-year-old beauty queen Jonbenét Ramsey through the lenses of finding actors to portray the people involved in a true-crime dramatization. Delving into the characters of Jonbenét’s family and other suspects makes for an intriguing and unsettling hour and a half.
Highlights: Suspense
For Musical Fans:
Anastasia
One of the most underrated animated films I know of, this historical-fiction piece imagines how Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, killed at age 17 in 1918, may have survived. The premise comes from a popular conspiracy that the real Anastasia did somehow survive the execution of her family, as excavators did not find her body along with the rest of the Romanovs. The film features beautiful music, so much so that it became a Broadway musical in 2016.
Highlights: Music and Historical aspects
For Romance Fans:
Atonement
You may have read Ian McEawn’s novel of the same name, but the movie version is just as well-made Weaving guilt, love, war, and dreams into a heartbreaking tale of 1930s and 40s Britain, this epic is perfect for a cozy night indoors.
Highlights: Costuming, portrayal of emotion, and casting
For Horror Fans:
The Craft
Four high-school outcasts form a witch coven. They use their newfound abilities more and more often and less and less ethically. What starts as spunky female empowerment devolves into terror and power-madness – the scene in which snakes endlessly slither out of plumbing especially freaks me out!
Highlights: Dialogue and characterization
For Coming of Age Fans:
Sleeping Giant
The lake vacation of three teenage Canadian boys builds in tension and toxic masculinity until everything erupts, changing the boys and their families forever.
Highlights: New, talented actors; picturesque setting, and thoughtful plot
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