This Week’s Binge | February 2022
February is a short month but I still ended up doing my fair share of bingeing and with Oscar nominations having come out I’m now in the middle of watching every movie nominated for Best Picture. If those don’t interest you though, there is plenty else I’ve binged so keep reading!
If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.
Watch | Series
Inventing Anna
Netflix
I love Julia Garner in anything she does (Ozark, The Americans) so I was anxiously anticipating the release of Inventing Anna, in which Julia plays the con artist Anna Delvey.
Inspired by a true story, Anna Delvey seemed to pop out of nowhere and quickly became a NY socialite, only to end up being charged in a crime (no spoilers, this is episode one…plus you know, news).
It’s fascinating what this twenty-something-year-old girl was able to accomplish, but I don’t love the way Hollywood romances criminals. Too many times criminals become the hero of the story.
Julia Garner’s performance does not disappoint, the accent alone is amazing. I’m calling for an Emmy nod!
I am: Entertained
The After Party
Apple TV+
The cast of this comedy series is amazing! Ben Schwartz, Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, the list really goes on and on. Individually they are great but get them together and so entertaining!
In episode 1 you learn that a crime has been committed and then every episode after is focused on one potential suspect, with Tiffany Haddish interviewing each of them.
Such a unique concept, and you know I love a mystery comedy.
I am: Entertained
Watch | Movies
Coda
Apple TV+
Like Mr. Holland’s Opus or Sound of Metal, Coda examines the intersection of music and deafness.
Coda (children of deaf adults) isn’t something I’ve necessarily thought of before, but it’s interesting to see how that dynamic can add complexity to the parent-child relationship.
Nominated for Best Picture, this is highly entertaining and not one of those arty movies that only gets nominated for the craft of filmmaking.
I am: Entertained
Drive My Car
HBO Max (starting 3/2/22)
Not realizing the movie would be available to stream prior to the Oscars, I went to the theater to see Drive My Car. Without having seen a trailer or knowing anything about the film except for that it’s Japanese and subtitled.
As usual, the subtitles didn’t bother me but I do think this got nominated partly because of its artistic storytelling. It is long, and it is slow. Had I been streaming it at home I can’t guarantee I wouldn’t have picked up the phone once or twice.
Without giving spoilers, it’s a story of a complicated marriage, personal struggle, and learning along the way. An interesting story, but it did not need to be quite so long (it’s based on a short story!).
I am: Entertained
Read | Books
The Christie Affair
Nina de Gramont
If you know anything about the famed author Agatha Christie it’s that in her mid-30s, in the 1920s, she went missing for 11 days. She never said what happened and no one knows for sure. What we do know is that she went missing the same day her husband told her he was leaving her for his mistress.
What Nina de Gramont does is imagine what could have happened during those 11 days, but told from the mistress’s perspective.
She isn’t the first person to speculate what happened, but I do think this is the first time I’ve seen it with this twist. And although that is completely speculative (or just made up) what else is happening in the book is a type of historical fiction. I definitely learned something new about Ireland and England in the early 1900s.
I am: Entertained
What Else I Binged…
Here’s a quick review of what else I binged this month
- The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip | The Real Housewives crossover we had all been asking for, Housewives from different franchises go on a trip together. They aren’t themselves and are on their (which is saying something) best behavior. Sometimes you don’t need what you think you want. | Annoyed
- Servant | A supernatural thriller series from M Night Shayamalan, there is no shortage of twists and turns and creepy things. | Obsessed
- Queer Eye Season 6 | Set in Austin, season 6 of Queer Eye doesn’t disappoint. Get the tissues. | Entertained
- Peacemaker | A DC series and a spinoff from The Suicide Squad Jon Cena reprises his role as villain/superhero Peacemaker. Much more enjoyable than the movie. | Entertained
- Doctor Foster | An English series (love those) Dr. Foster is a family doctor who experiences her husband’s betrayal. Hell hath no fury. | Entertained
- Safe | Michael C Hall (Dexter) plays an English doctor (another one) in this limited series where his daughter goes missing. I love English suspense. | Entertained
- Scream | A 2022 movie that pays great homage (and even includes some cast members) to the original 1996 movie. In 1996 Scream changed the game for campy horrors and the 2022 version actually does it justice, hard to do considering the tech age we’re in now. | Entertained
Looking for more to binge? Check out:
- Best Netflix Originals Comedy Series
- Binge-Worthy Netflix Originals Drama Series
- Best Netflix Originals Movies
DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. I am very obsessed with FTC compliance so check out my full disclosure for details.
