One summer Robin and I were catching up on Breaking Bad, at that time considered to be one of the most ground-breaking episodic shows on television. We were so into the storyline that we were staying up until 1 or 2 a.m. saying to each other, “Can you do another one? I can do another one? Wanna’ do another one?!”
It seems that we reprise our experience each summer with another show (or two or three or . . .). This summer I would like to add to my “binge-watching” post from 2021 with a few more offerings here. Again, I would say, please read “parental guides” on imdb.com so you know what you’re getting into or want to stay away from. [I broke down sobbing and could not finish Up In the Air because the storyline was done to me.] And for all who carefully consider the content of any entertainment, please read my writings on forming convictions here and here and here.
Without further ado, here is a list adding to my offerings that Robin & I have found compelling:
- Under the Banner of Heaven is a crime drama limited-series based on a true story occurring in a Mormon community in the 1980’s. [Hulu]
- Joe Pickett concerns a game warden whose detective skills outshine the local magistrate. The series is based on a composition of C. J. Box page-turners. Box’s books will surely be the basis for future on-screen action. [Hulu]
- The Dropout is the true-life tale of Elizabeth Holmes who created Theranos duping scientists and board members alike. The limited series continues to ask the question, “How do you know what to believe?” [Hulu]
- The Offer is based on behind-the-scenes finagling that created one of the most iconic motion pictures of all time – The Godfather. I found myself wondering how many other stories could be told about the difficulty of getting a movie made. [Paramount +]
- Better Call Saul is winding down to its last episodes later this summer. Of course “winding down” should probably be “winding up,” the six season series is so good. Vince Gilligan has outdone himself as the creator of the prequal to his outstanding Breaking Bad. [AMC+]
- Maid is a hard-to-watch, must-see story of a young woman in the throes of emotional abuse along with the consequences of good and bad decisions. I recommended this to a class at public university wherein almost all the young women responded, “Oh yes! Everyone has to see this series!” [Netflix]
- Dopesick is the disgusting story of family greed which helped to produce the opioid crisis. The awfulness of addiction for individuals and its impact on medical institutions is crucial to understand. [Hulu]
- Five Came Back documents (yes, it’s a must-see documentary) the impact of WWII on some of the premiere movie directors in the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s who were shooting footage for the military. I was shocked at what I saw for so many reasons. By the way, It’s a Wonderful Life takes on a whole new meaning after seeing what combat experiences did to the famed director Frank Kapra. [Netflix]
- Bosch “Everyone counts or no one counts.” I loved this series so much that after the last season finished I re-watched the whole series again. One of the best cop shows ever, with a stoic combat-hardened Vonnegut-quoting atheist detective played by Titus Welliver. Not to be missed. [Amazon]
- Stranger Things has dropped its fourth season. If the first three are any indication, I can’t wait for this one. [Netflix]
- Longmire has been out for a while but if you missed it, catch up. Based on mystery novels by Craig Johnson, these seven seasons are enjoyable, engaging television. I loved the shows for the wit and wisdom of a stoic go-it-alone Wyoming sheriff. I’m a sucker for “stoic.” [Netflix, A&E]
- Yellowstone, 1883 (and soon to come 1932) is the saga of an American family. There is much to love in this show, including the not-so-subtle questioning of land as property. If you missed it, make sure to note that Taylor Sheridan was/is the writer/creator/producer, sometimes director/actor in these shows. Sheridan is hot in Hollywood. His storytelling skills are unparalleled. And make sure to watch Hell or High Water and Wind River two movies I constantly tell people about, also Sheridan creations. [Paramount+]
I’m rounding out my 21 summer offerings for 2022 with nine movie titles; some “old” (by a few years!) some new. I was just pacing through my “watch list” (which has over 200 movies, SMH). Search them out on imdb.com or rottentomatoes.com to see if they might be for you. [Links to imdb included.]
Pig, Mr. Jones (my review),Joy, Harriet, Please Stand By, A Star is Born (2018), Darkest Hour, The Founder, The Gift
Post Script. I care so much about movies that I wrote a book about how Christians should review film. You can get an overview of the importance of word-pictures related to Scripture related to movies in an address I gave to Moody Bible Institute in 2009.
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Picture Credit: Josh Collingwood, SnappyGoat