Lockdown 2.0 is upon us, and with it comes a whole new list of Netflix recommendations from The College Tribune to get you through the next six weeks. Check out the movies and series that you should be watching with your countless hours indoors.
Challenger: The Final Flight
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This four-part Netflix documentary series takes a look at NASA’s Space Shuttle Programme, specifically the Challenger shuttle which exploded just moments after take-off. This was NASA’s most diverse team of astronauts yet; which even included a school teacher. The school teacher was intended to be the first civilian in space, proving that space could soon be explored by everyone. ‘Challenger’ brings to light the engineers’ well documented concerns in regards to safety issues with the solid rocket boosters. NASA ignored these concerns as they were behind on several deadlines and were not meeting the promises they had made to Congress. The issues would prove fatal for the passengers of the Challenger. The graphic images shown along with the testimonies of the families and NASA workers are truly haunting and they highlight just how unnecessary this tragedy really was. This binge-worthy documentary series will have you glued to the screen trying to find answers and justice for the families of the lost astronauts.
Enola Holmes
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‘Enola Holmes’ is a Netflix film adaptation of the Nancy Springer novel series ‘The Enola Holmes Mysteries’. It is set in the world of the famous Sherlock Holmes, but focuses on the detective’s teenage sister. Enola Holmes is not like any other sixteen-year-old. Being educated and trained unconventionally by her mother has prepared her for the adventure that she embarks on following her beloved mother’s disappearance. On her journey she stumbles upon another mystery; a young viscount who is wanted dead. By who, and for what reason, appears to be unknown. Enola deciphers codes, disguises herself (a lot actually) and utilises her jiu jitsu training to outwit an assassin, a headmistress, the viscount’s family and even her own brothers. This take on the Sherlock Holmes landscape is led by the charismatic and talented Millie Bobby Brown. Enola pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable in Victorian society at the time and proves multiple times to be just as tough and intelligent, if not more, than any of the male characters.
The Fall
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The BBC show first aired in 2013 but its three seasons have been recently added to Netflix, giving it a popularity boost in 2020. ‘The Fall’ is based in Belfast and follows a detective superintendent as she tries to hunt down and understand a psychotic serial killer who targets young professional women. The viewer sees things from the perspective of the killer, a man who appears to be an ordinary husband and loving father to anyone he passes. He can come home after murdering a defenceless woman and still read his young daughter a bedtime story. The series explores his twisted fascination with women and why he has such urges to brutally attack them. The detectives and the killer’s stories work side by side but it becomes apparent that they are not so different. The suspense of the cat and mouse chase storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The cast is full of talent, including Jamie Dornan of ‘50 Shades of Grey’, Gillian Anderson of ‘Sex Education’ and appearances from two ‘Derry Girls’ stars, Siobhan McSweeney and Mary Quinn, to mention a few.
Grace and Frankie
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This Emmy-nominated comedy series is perfect to stick on when everything is feeling a bit much, which can happen a lot when you are trying to get a degree in the middle of a pandemic! ‘Grace and Frankie’ follows two retired women who, despite being polar opposites, are brought together by an astonishing turn of events. Both women discover that their husbands, who are business partners, are seeking divorces so they can become romantic partners. The two women’s lives are thrown upside down as they are forced to live together and try to figure out what to do with themselves. With talented stars like Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen, the show does not disappoint or fail to make you cry with laughter. With all 6 seasons on Netflix, ‘Grace and Frankie’ is the perfect show to watch after a long day of Zoom lectures.
Sinéad Ryan – Film and TV writer
