If you’re anything like me, you should probably be doing homework right now. You’re currently racking your brain for an excuse to avoid the endless abyss that is studying. Good thing the answer to that question only requires either $8 a month or your roommate’s password.
A brand new month is here, so avid binge watchers, get ready to blaze through this month’s collection of new releases.
“Better Call Saul”
It goes without saying that if you haven’t seen “Breaking Bad,” you need to stop what you’re doing and binge watch all five seasons before you even think about doing anything else, because season one of “Breaking Bad” spinoff “Better Call Saul” just hit Netflix.
The series tells the backstory of lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) as he tries to make it as an up-and-coming lawyer before his days in the drug world with Walter White. Odenkirk brings his wit and clever sense of humor to the character, much like he did in “Breaking Bad.” Of course, the series never quite reaches the high that its predecessor did, but it’s absolutely still worth watching.
Other noteworthy additions
“Charlie’s Angels” will give you a helping of mindless action and fun.
“Sin City” will give you plenty of gruesome violence and striking visuals.
British spy comedy “Johnny English,” starring Rowan Atkinson as a hilariously incompetent secret agent wasn’t very popular in the U.S., which is why you’ve probably never heard of it, but it’s coming to a screen near you.
This past year we said goodbye to one of the most intelligently written TV dramas of all time: “Mad Men,” ended after seven seasons and luckily for us, the second half of season seven will be available Feb. 5.
The series stars Jon Hamm and takes a look at an advertising agency in 1960s New York, while exploring the personal and professional lives of the employees and their families.
This series depicts the time period in such glorious detail that you won’t be able to turn away. It’s absolutely beautiful, so make sure to watch season seven and also binge watch the first six seasons if you haven’t already.
You’ll probably have finished all of this by mid- February, but it’s a good thing Netflix keeps them coming.
On Feb. 16, you can watch critically acclaimed period drama “Atonement”, starring James McAvoy and Keira Knightley.
It’s the story of how one seemingly innocent lie from a child can lead to the destruction of several different lives and it’s beautifully filmed, while also bringing out the best from the actors involved. Although hard to watch at times, and definitely very sad, it deserves to be in your queue.
Netflix has a tendency to find things that you forgot about and revive them, in a sense. This is pretty clear in February with Netflix original film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny,” which will be released Feb. 26. I could be wrong, but I don’t think there have been too many die-hard “Crouching Tiger: Hidden Dragon” fans begging for a sequel since the original was released in 2000. The first one was pretty good though, so this one should also be promising.
That same day, you’ve got a brand new series for which fans are holding their breath. Feb. 26 will also give life to Netflix original series “Fuller House,” the sequel to “Full House,” which has been off the air for about 20 years. Therefore, “Fuller House” needs to prove itself with its own comedic merit to be successful. The generational gap is just too big for it to completely rely on the “Full House” name. Most of the original cast is returning though, so it should be worth a look.
Bye-bye favorites
As we usher in the new month, we have to say goodbye to some titles as well. You better quickly watch “The Hurt Locker,” “The Terminator,” “Rain Man,” “The Firm” and the entire “Doctor Who” series,before he jumps into the TARDIS and departs—although you’re probably too late to catch up on all of that if you haven’t started yet.
See you in March
Hopefully this will keep you busy, at least until March. A complete list of everything coming and going in February can be found online. It’s important to unwind every now and then with some binge watching, so keep these titles in mind next time you want to invite your crush over to Netflix and chill.
Follow Alec Kuehnle on Twitter.
