Netflix has become an unbelievable source of entertainment for millions of Canadians. For the relatively cheap monthly subscription, users have access to countless films and television shows from various years, various genres and various cinematic tastes.
The only real problem with Netflix is deciding what to watch.
Luckily we’ve got a new feature to let you know what new programs will be debuting this month and which ones are worth checking out.
Let’s take a look at what’s new on Netflix May 2017!
Deepwater Horizon (2016)
Genre: Drama, Disaster
Directed by Peter Berg
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich
The disaster of Deepwater Horizon is largely remembered as an environmental catastrophe and the result of corporate greed, however, too little attention is paid to the men and women who were aboard that doomed oil rig as Hell broke loose. This film examines those people who were just doing their jobs when their lives were put at risk. Despite having Hollywood’s favorite blue collar hero, Mark Wahlberg, the film wisely avoids a lot of over-the-top heroics. The focus is on the survival of these people as well as a fascinating and detailed look at what when wrong on the rig.
Office Space (1999)
Genre: Comedy
Directed by Mike Judge
Starring Ron Livingston, David Herman, Ajay Naidu
Anyone who has spent anytime in an office cubicle will find plenty to cringe about and even more to laugh about in this hilarious workplace satire. The film follows three hapless office drones who are looking for any way to escape the monotony of their days of work. The movie finds so much humor in those small relatable moments, such as the unreliable office printer, the pointless meetings and the overbearing boss. You’ll be surprised at how hilarious such a mind-numbing setting can be.
Moonlight (2016)
Genre: Drama
Directed by Barry Jenkins
Starring Trevante Rhodes, Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris
The mix-up at this year’s Oscar awards ceremony is still very much in people’s minds but let it not overwhelm the night’s true winner, which was Moonlight. It’s not too often that the Oscars award such a small film, nor one that deals with an experience so different from the Hollywood elite. However, it’s hard to ignore such a remarkable movie. Told in three stages, the movie explores the life of a young African-American boy growing into a man in Miami and within a culture he knows will never accept him for who he is. In terms of acting, writing, directing, cinematography and many other aspects, this film is a genuine masterpiece.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Directed by David O. Russell
Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro
It can be hard to find that right blend between serious subjects, like mental illness, and the comedy of the real world. It’s that delicate line this film not only manages to pull off, but use to its own great success. This charming movie about two outcasts and troubled individuals finding each other amongst their own wild issues, benefits tremendously from fantastic performances from the whole cast. Despite some of the subject matters, this movie will certainly leave you with a big smile on your face.
House of Cards- Season 5
Genre: Political Thriller
Created by Beau Willimon
Starring Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly
It could be argued that this show helped to build Netflix into the success it is today. The thought of a online exclusive TV show was laughable some years ago, but then Netflix acquired an interesting project with huge talents involved and the world soon saw that this was a platform with immense potential. The dark, complex and shocking series follows the rise to power of Frank Underwood, who will stop at literally nothing to become America’s most powerful man. The last season ended in quite a dark place and it will be interesting to see which path the new season takes given the current state of American politics.