By Josh Smith, Contributing Writer
The fall semester just recently came to an end, and I believe I speak for all West Liberty University students when I say, “Thank goodness!” It was a long, grueling semester, and this winter break is much needed. We get to see our families, celebrate the holidays, and most importantly: relax. But what do we do in our spare time? We have five weeks until the spring semester begins, and I know, personally, I don’t have things going on every day. So, I think I’ll spend a lot of time doing one of my favorite hobbies: watching Netflix.
Netflix has taken our generation by storm, and it’s a great way to pass time in our busy lives. Of the many shows and movies that Netflix has to offer, I find myself enjoying a select few the majority of the time. In this article, I will mention my top 10 list of things to watch on Netflix. Disclaimer: this is my personal list and does not reflect the opinions of other Trumpeteers, nor does it necessarily apply to the holiday season. That being said, I hope you enjoy. Now, go Netflix and chill – because it’s cold out…get it? No? Okay.
10. Parks and Recreation
From Emmy Award-winning executive producers Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, “Parks and Recreation” is a hilarious ensemble comedy that follows Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, and her tireless efforts to make her boring American town just a little bit more fun.
9. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
https://youtube.com/watch?v=R-P6p86px6U
Teenaged Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is a legend in his own time thanks to his uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it. Intending to make one last grand duck-out before graduation, Ferris calls in sick, “borrows” a Ferrari, and embarks on a one-day adventure through the streets of Chicago. Dogging Ferris’ trail at every turn is high-school principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), determined to catch Bueller in the act of class-cutting. Writer/Director John Hughes once again tries to wed satire, slapstick, and social commentary, as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off starts like a house afire and goes on to make “serious” points about status-seeking and casual parental cruelties. It brightens up considerably in the last few moments, when Ferris’ tattletale sister (Jennifer Grey) decides to align herself with her merry prankster sibling.
8. How I Met Your Mother
HIMYM is a comedy about Ted (Josh Radnor) and how he fell in love. It all starts when Ted’s best friend, Marshall (Jason Segel), drops the bombshell that he’s going to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Lily (Alyson Hannigan), a kindergarten teacher. At that moment, Ted realizes that he had better get a move on if he too hopes to find true love. Helping him in his quest is Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), a friend with endless, sometimes outrageous opinions and a foolproof way to meet women. When Ted meets Robin (Cobie Smulders), he’s sure it’s love at first sight, but destiny may have something else in store. The series is narrated through flashbacks from the future, voiced by Bob Saget.
7. Saving Private Ryan
Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) takes his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in combat. Surrounded by the brutal realities of war while searching for Ryan, each man embarks upon a personal journey and discovers their own strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency and courage.
6. Goosebumps (movie)
Upset about moving from the big city to a small town, young Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) finds a silver lining when he meets his beautiful neighbor Hannah (Odeya Rush). The teen is surprised to learn that Hannah’s mysterious father is R.L. Stine (Jack Black), the famous author of the best-selling “Goosebumps” series. When Zach accidentally unleashes the monsters from the fantastic tales, it’s up to Stine, Hannah and Cooper to return the beasts back to the books where they belong.
5. Zootopia
From the largest animals to the smallest, the city of Zootopia is a mammal metropolis where various animals live and thrive. When Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) becomes the first rabbit to join the police force, she quickly learns how tough it is to enforce the law. Determined to prove herself, Judy jumps at the opportunity to solve a mysterious case. Unfortunately, that means working with Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a wily fox who makes her job even harder.
4. Breaking Bad
Mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston) thinks his life can’t get much worse. His salary barely makes ends meet, a situation not likely to improve once his pregnant wife gives birth, and their teenage son is battling cerebral palsy. But Walter is dumbstruck when he learns he has terminal cancer. Realizing that his illness probably will ruin his family financially, Walter makes a desperate bid to earn as much money as he can in the time he has left by turning an old RV into a meth lab on wheels.
3. The Office
This U.S. adaptation, set at a paper company in Scranton, Pa., has a similar documentary style to that of the Ricky Gervais-led British original. It features the Dunder-Mifflin staff, which includes characters based on roles in the British show and, quite possibly, people you work with in your office. There’s Jim (John Krasinski), the likable employee who’s a bit of an every man. Jim has a thing for receptionist-turned-sales-rep Pam (Jenna Fischer), because office romances are always a good idea! There’s also Dwight (Rainn Wilson), the co-worker who is successful but devoid of social skills and common sense.
2. Pulp Fiction
Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are hitmen with a penchant for philosophical discussions. In this ultra-hip, multi-strand crime movie, their storyline is interwoven with those of their boss, gangster Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames); his actress wife, Mia (Uma Thurman); struggling boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis); master fixer Winston Wolfe (Harvey Keitel) and a nervous pair of armed robbers, “Pumpkin” (Tim Roth) and “Honey Bunny” (Amanda Plummer).
1. The Fundamentals of Caring
Finishing off my top-10 is the only Netflix Original on the list. Perhaps one of my favorite movies in recent years, The Fundamental of Caring follows a writer (Paul Rudd) who retires after a personal tragedy and becomes a disabled teen’s caregiver. When the two embark on an impromptu road trip, their ability to cope is tested as they start to understand the importance of hope and friendship. If you can put aside the strong language, this hilarious/inspirational movie will soon become one of your favorite movies – I guarantee it!
I hope you enjoyed my random list of my favorite things to watch on Netflix. Be sure to check a few of them out!
Also, in case you missed it, the most recent Netflix update allows users to download movies and shows to your devices to watch offline. Make sure to take advantage of this awesome update.
