1 | 3244 views
Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are two incredibly popular streaming services. In recent years, both providers have moved beyond simply hosting movies and television series on their platforms, opting to also produce and distribute unique content of their own.
Both Amazon and Netflix are now producing a number of original series, ranging from old-school sitcoms to sci-fi thrillers. The following six programs are a few of the most recent hits offered by these two streaming services.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
It’s 1958, and Midge Maisel is living a seemingly picture-perfect life as a Jewish housewife in New York City. Midge’s husband, Joel, is a businessman by day and a struggling comedian by night. Midge soon discovers, however, that her husband has been stealing comedic material from Bob Newhart. When Joel decides to leave Midge, the rest of her life comes crashing down around her. In a moment of drunken impulsiveness, Midge takes the stage and hosts a rowdy comedic performance of her own. Newly-single and now in trouble with the law, Midge’s life will never be the same again.
Directed and written by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, the couple behind the hit show Gilmore Girls, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is packed with witty, rapid-fire dialogue and brilliant comedic moments. A perfect balance of comedy and period drama, this Golden-Globe-winning series is one you won’t want to miss.
Sneaky Pete (Amazon)
Marius Josipović is a con-man recently released from prison. Upon calling his brother, Eddie, however, Marius finds out that Vince, a vicious mobster, is still after the $100,000 he believes Marius owes him. How can Marius escape without facing Vince’s wrath? Stealing the identity of his cellmate, Pete, seems like the perfect solution. Upon getting out of prison, “Pete” seeks out the grandparents he hasn’t seen for 20 years. Marius will soon discover, however, that life on the family farm involves crime and drama, too.
Fans of criminal intrigue shows like Breaking Bad and Justified should give Sneaky Pete a chance. With two seasons available to stream and a third season on the way, Sneaky Pete is a series with plenty to offer and even more to look forward to.
Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams (Amazon)
With 44 novels and 121 short stories written during his lifetime, Philip K. Dick is one of the most prolific science-fiction writers of all time. Even those who haven’t read any of Dick’s stories are likely familiar with films such as Minority Report, Blade Runner, and The Adjustment Bureau, all of which are based on his works.
Similar to the popular dystopian sci-fi series Black Mirror, Electric Dreams is an anthology series comprised of stand-alone episodes. Covering subjects ranging from authoritarian oppression to space travel to altered states of consciousness, each episode of Electric Dreams is uniquely fascinating. If you’ve ever been a fan of shows like The Twilight Zone, you’ll love the eerie, dystopian energy of Electric Dreams.
Ozark (Netflix)
Marty Byrde, a financial planner, and Wendy, a public relations manager, seem like an ordinary couple with two ordinary kids. Marty, however, has been secretly laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel. When Marty’s business partner, Bruce, decides to steal $8 million from the cartel, Bruce and his fiancée wind up dead. In an attempt to save his own life, Marty convinces the cartel that he can launder money more successfully in rural Missouri. Uprooting his family and moving from Chicago to the Ozark Mountains, Marty begins seeking out potential money-laundering opportunities. The Ozarks, however, aren’t the quiet place they seem. Soon, the Byrdes find themselves entangled with local criminals and small-town intrigue, too.
Starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, Ozark is as well-acted as it is well-written. If you enjoyed crime thrillers like Narcos, Bloodline, or Sons of Anarchy, you just might find yourself binge-watching Ozark.
One Day at a Time (Netflix)
Inspired by the long-running ‘70s sitcom of the same name, Netflix’s One Day at a Time is a heartfelt look at the joys and struggles experienced by a Cuban-American family. The series revolves around Penelope Alvarez, a U.S. Army Nurse Corps veteran who has just returned home to civilian life. The day-to-day lives of her family members, including eccentric mother Lydia (Rita Moreno) and quirky children Elena and Alex, are highlighted by the show’s powerful storylines.
The series has received praise from critics for its expert handling of issues affecting modern families. Tackling touchy subjects ranging from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression to sexism and sexual identity, One Day at a Time is a show that forces viewers to reflect on their own biases and perceptions of others. If you’re looking for a show that can make you both laugh and cry, check out One Day at a Time.
Dark (Netflix)
The first German-language program produced by Netflix, Dark has taken both German- and English-speaking audiences by storm. With a sci-fi plot featuring small-town drama and disappearing children, many have compared the series to Netflix’s English-language blockbuster Stranger Things.
Dark follows four families and the mysteries surrounding the residents of the German town of Winden. Strange occurrences and unexplained deaths seem to be tied to the town’s nuclear power plant and the eerie caves nearby. Perhaps the most fascinating element of Dark is its incorporation of time travel into its storyline. Though primarily set in 2019, the series also involves stories set in the years 1953 and 1986, highlighting family drama that stretches back multiple generations.
Reviewed positively by both critics and viewers, Dark has already been renewed for a second season. Is this German thriller as good as Stranger Things? Might it even be better? Watch it to find out for yourself!
Regardless of your taste in television, both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video offer shows that you’re guaranteed to love. If you’re looking for new, high-quality shows to watch, consider subscribing to one of these streaming services. You just might discover your new favorite series!
Photo: © Spectral-Design / fotolia.com
Editor, 09/26/2018
