It's about that time again. We're approaching the middle of the semester, where midterm exams lie, as well as clever midterm exams disguised as innocent Exam 2s. This is a time of year when we should be busier than ever.
That means, of course, that there are more and more of us scrolling through the Browse screen on Netflix, searching for something, anything, to distract us from our impending doom.
Never fear, fellow procrastinators. I'm here to offer my hard-earned, put-it-off-until-tomorrow-Netflix wisdom. In no particular order, here are ten movies and TV shows to help get you through your trials and tribulations:
1. The Princess Bride
There's something for everyone here: there's action, adventure, romance, humor, and one of the most flawlessly choreographed fencing bouts in the history of cinema.
2. Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
Set in 1920s Melbourne, Australia, the show follows crime-fighting, fabulously wealthy flapper Phryne Fisher. It's based on a series of books, and right now there are three seasons on Netflix.
3. Merlin
If you're familiar with the legend of King Arthur but haven't seen this show, I encourage you to stop reading right now and go watch it. It's a retelling of the entire story from the perspective of the great wizard himself, who, rather than the venerable predecessor to Dumbledore we're used to thinking about, is Arthur's loyal serving boy.
4. Grace and Frankie
This is a Netflix original comedy about two women who are almost exact opposites, thrown together by the revelation that their husbands are gay and want to get married. To each other. Honestly, I thought it sounded cheesy too, but it's hilarious. And Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin? It's a dream.
Speaking of-
5. 9 To 5
Starring--you guessed it--Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, this movie is a rollercoaster of events that starts with three professional women in the seventies getting high together and talking about getting rid of their genuinely awful, sexist pig of a boss, to almost maybe accidentally poisoning him but not really, to imprisoning him in his house while exposing his less than savory business practices.
6. Amelie
It's completely in French, but it's worth it. Amelie is a really cute, quirky movie about a quiet girl in Paris who decides to anonymously begin doing good deeds for the people around her.7. Stranger Things
Maybe this is obvious due to recent hype. There are only eight episodes, but it'll keep you occupied even after you're done watching.
8. Jessica Jones
It's a cross between a detective show and a classic Marvel superhero story. With lots of swearing and David Tennant being way too good at being way too creepy.
9. White Collar
If you thought Matt Bomer only looked good in Magic Mike, think again. Here he's a white collar criminal who strikes a deal with the FBI agent who arrested him--out of prison, wearing a tracking anklet, in exchange for helping catch other white collar criminals.10. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
The premise sounds ridiculous, but you'll get into it, I promise. A girl from Indiana who's been trapped under ground by the leader of a religious cult since middle school is finally free and moves to New York.
11. Sense8
It's literally impossible to explain. I could write a whole article just about this one show. Just know: eight people from all corners of the world wake up one day and realize that they're somehow connected, and can share experiences and memories. Chaos ensues.And here is where I leave you, my friend, armed with this new knowledge. May you procrastinate long.
