MUST-WATCH: Back to the Ozarks!
Posted January 23, 2022 10:44 pm.
Last Updated January 30, 2022 12:42 pm.
The final season of one of Netflix’s best dramas is here (or is it?)! But will it top the MUST-WATCH Top 10, or could that go to one of world cinema’s best directors? Perhaps a new HBO drama about an period of American expansion? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!
A Hero
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
We’re starting off this week with the newest film from a legend of Iranian cinema!
A man tries to keep himself out of jail while being a good man in Ashgar Farhadi’s A Hero.
A Hero is the latest film from Ashgar Farhadi (the director of A Separation and the Salesman). It stars Amir Jadidi (from Cold Sweat and Zero Day) as a man in prison for failing to repay substantial debts. He’s granted a two day leave, during which he visits his family. Also during this time, he finds a bag of gold with enough money in it to repay his debts. However, instead of repaying his debt, he finds the bag’s original owner and returns it to them. This leads his family and community to call him a hero, but is he a hero if he fails to repay his original debts, leaving his family without him?
You can watch this film on Amazon Prime Video now!
The Gilded Age
Where to watch: Crave
Next up, it’s time for a new HBO drama!
The Gilded Age is a new ensemble drama set in New York City during the Gilded Age. That’s the era of American history following the Civil War, during a period of great expansion and industrialization. The show stars Christine Baranski (from the Good Fight and Mamma Mia!) and Cynthia Nixon (from And Just Like That… and Tanner ’88) as two old money sisters living in the fast-changing city. Their young poor niece comes to live with them, at the same time a young money robber baron (played by Morgan Spector from the Plot Against America and A Vigilante) and his wife (played by Carrie Coon from the Leftovers and the Nest) try to break into a change-resistant high society.
You can watch the first episode on Crave now!
As We See It
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Now, let’s take a look at a new dramedy series!
As We See It is a new show that shows the viewer the perspective of people living with autism. It’s about three roommates, who each are all played by autistic actors. They are Rick Glassman from A Futile and Stupid Gesture, relative newcomer Albert Rutecki, and Sue Ann Pien from Everlasting. They live in an apartment, and each have their own goals which include being able to support yourself, finding a loving relationship, and mustering the courage to walk outside. This show also stars Joe Mantegna, Sosie Bacon, and Chris Pang.
You can check this out on Amazon Prime Video now!
Ozark (Season 4, Part 1)
Where to watch: Netflix
And now, a return to a part of America with more shoreline than the whole coast of California!
The fourth and final season of Ozark is here! At least, the first half is. Netflix has gone the route of splitting this show’s last season into two, meaning we’ve got seven episodes right now. The last time we saw Marty and Wendy Byrde (played by Jason Bateman of Arrested Development and Laura Linney of the Big C), they were recovering from the death of Wendy’s brother. Ruth (played by Julia Garner from Maniac) has quit working for Marty, and has thrown her lot in with Darlene (played by Lisa Emery from Margot at the Wedding). The FBI is closing in, the cartel is getting angry, and the intensity keeps growing around them.
You can watch the first half of the final season on Netflix now!
Zeros and Ones
Where to watch: VOD
Last but not least, a new film from one of America’s most provocative auteurs!
Ethan Hawke in Abel Ferrera’s latest film, Zeros and Ones.
Zeros and Ones is the latest film from Abel Ferrera (the director of Bad Lieutenant, King of New York, and Ms. 45). It stars Ethan Hawke (from First Reformed and Training Day) as twin brothers. One is a anarchist revolutionary who may be involved in a planned attack on the Vatican, and the other is an American soldier hoping to stop that attack. But the film is incredibly twisty, taking many unconventional turns along its dark and stormy plot.
You can watch this film on your VOD service of choice now!
MUST WATCH TOP 10
10. The Lost Daughter – Netflix
9. RUN THE BURBS – CBC Gem
8. Euphoria (Season 2) – Crave
7. Archive 81 – Netflix
6. Zeros and Ones – VOD
5. The Gilded Age – Crave
4. As We See It – Amazon Prime Video
3. Peacemaker – Crave
2. A Hero – Amazon Prime Video
1. Ozark (Season 4, Part 1) – Netflix
