While I’d focused on Netflix for the last two years, I figured it was high time I expanded my gaze, especially since they’re hardly the only game in town. I’m still being judicious with my selections. Gone are the endless library of reality shows. Instead, I’m focusing on recent movies, original content and comedy specials, with a few offerings of complete back-seasons of shows. I may expand further in the year, but for now I’m focusing solely on the big three streaming-only outlets.
FILMS
Top Picks
The Godfather Trilogy – Netflix 1/1
A Futile and Stupid Gesture – Netflix 1/26
The former marks the first time (I believe) Francis Ford Coppola’s crime saga has been available on a streaming-only platform. It contains two of the greatest films ever made (both Best Picture winners) and one belated sequel (a Best Picture nominee) that’s either the worst thing to ever happen or actually pretty good once you adjust your expectations.
The latter is David Wain’s long-in-the-works comedy about the early days of National Lampoon magazine. Though that topic has already been explored in the documentary (and book) Drunk Stoned Nearly Dead, this dramatization will hopefully bring more laughs.
Recent Selections
A Ghost Story – Amazon 1/7
Ingrid Goes West – Hulu 1/22
Detroit – Hulu 1/24
Cars 3 – Netflix 1/31
Originals
Before I Wake – Netflix 1/5
Rotten – Netflix 1/5
The Polka King – Netflix 1/12
The Open House – Netflix 1/19
Dirty Money – Netflix 1/26
NEW SHOWS
Top Picks
Grace and Frankie (Season 4) – Netflix 1/19
Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams (Season 1) – Amazon 1/12
The former is the very funny and very touching comedy about two older women (a dynamite pairing of Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin) and their attempt to forge a friendship after their husbands come out as gay and leave them for each other.
The latter is a British-American co-production, adapting the numerous short stories from the brilliant sci-fi author Philip K. Dick, whose works were adapted into highlights like Blade Runner and low-lights like Paycheck.
Originals
Glace (Season 1) – Netflix 1/1
Lovesick (Season 3) – Netflix 1/1
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (Season 10) – Netflix 1/5
DEVILMAN crybaby (Season 1) – Netflix 1/5
Disjointed (Part 2) – Netflix 1/12
Somebody Feed Phil (Season 2) – Netflix 1/12
The Path (Season 3) – Hulu 1/17
Tiempos de Guerra (Season 1) – Netflix 1/18
Drug Lords (Season 1) – Netflix 1/19
Trolls: The Beat Goes On! (Season 1) – Netflix 1/19
Just Add Magic (Season 2) – Amazon 1/19
Llama Llama (Season 1) – Netflix 1/26
One Day at a Time (Season 2) – Netflix 1/26
The Adventures of Puss in Boots (Season 6) – Netflix 1/26
El Ministerio del Tiempo (Season 3) – Netflix 1/28
Beyond Berlin (Seasons 1-2) – Netflix 1/30
Retribution (Season 1) – Netflix 1/30
OLD SHOWS
Doctor Who (Season 10) – Amazon 1/1
Episodes (Seasons 1-5) – Netflix 1/6
Grimm (Season 6) – Amazon 1/6
Colony (Season 2) – Netflix 1/12
Grantchester (Season 3) – Amazon 1/30
Fear the Walking Dead (Season 3) – Hulu 1/30
Uncle Grandpa (Season 5) – Hulu 1/30
COMEDY SPECIALS
Top Pick
The 2018 Rose Parade Hosted by Cord & Tish – Amazon 1/1
Amazon is broadcasting original content live for the first time (their broadcasts of Thursday Night Football don’t count) with this parody commentary from Cord and Tish, played by SNL alumni Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon.
Other Specials
Alejandro Riano Especial de Stand Up – Netflix 1/10
Tom Segura: Disgraceful – Netflix 1/12
Arango y Sanint: Riase El Show – Netflix 1/17
Todd Glass: Act Happy – Netflix 1/23
Ricardo Quevedo: Hay Gente Asi – Netflix 1/24
Kavin Jay: Everybody Calm Down! – Netflix 1/26
Mau Nieto: Viviendo Sobrio… Desde El Bar – Netflix 1/26
Sebastian Marcelo: Wainraich – Netflix 1/26