Why not treat yourself over this long weekend and indulge in some quality time with Netflix on the sofa. Sink your teeth into a gripping television series, or grab the popcorn for some blockbusting fun. We have chosen a selection of Netflix for your viewing pleasure this weekend.
Orphan Black
This television series tells the story of Sarah Manning, a hustler trying to escape her past life. When she witnesses the suicide of a woman who looks exactly like her, she sees her opportunity and takes the woman’s identity as her own. At first life is fine, but she soon discovers that there are even more people who look like her, and someone is killing them one by one…Orphan Black is a really gripping drama that deals with conspiracies and mysteries in every episode (I’m trying not to spoil too much!), but the real draw is Tatiana Maslany who manages to portray a number of different characters so effortlessly so you would swear they were different actresses.
Iron Man 3
There may have been some doubts over whether the third Iron Man installment would keep the fun and wit of the previous two after director Jon Favreau stepped down, but they needn’t have worried. Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) manages to keep the excitement high whilst installing more than few dry one-liners. Iron Man 3 sees Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) face The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), an international terrorist whose reach knows no bounds.
Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends
Although he’s moved onto much more serious documentaries now, Louis Theroux started his documentary career by exploring some of the strange happenings and events in America, and with the adage “don’t knock it till you try it” in mind, he actively gets involved. Theroux is an incredibly likeable documentary-maker, perhaps playing up the ‘British buffoon’ a bit in order to get some startling confessions from his interviewees. He asks the questions that need asking, yet remains friendly and affable with his American subjects, as rather than question their beliefs and practices, he tries to understand them. In Weird Weekends we follow him as he meets anti-government survivalists, swingers, porn stars, and wrestlers, all whilst trying to give it a go himself. Funny, fascinating, and truly eye-opening, Weird Weekends is perfect for dipping in and out off over a long weekend.
To Catch a Thief
Although not one of Alfred Hitchcock’s great films (even though it was sandwiched between two such greats, Rear Window and Vertigo) To Catch a Thief is still a fantastic watch. Set in the French Riviera, reformed jewel thief John Robie (Cary Grant) is suspected as being up to his old tricks again. Determined not to be wrongly accused, Robie sets out to find the real criminal. To Catch a Thief is Hitchcock in comedy mode, with plenty of sexual innuendos to emphasise the sizzling romance between Robie and American tourist, Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly), and truly stunning visuals.
