The wet weather is in full swing here in Raincouver, so I don’t feel AT ALL BAD about enjoying evenings at the TV. Fortunately, there have been some great new finds across streaming from out-of-this-world documentaries to refreshing comedies. Find my recent recommendations below!
Among the Stars (Disney+)
Wanna go on a spacewalk? Among the Stars features Astronaut Chris Cassidy on his last expedition to the International Space Station, and contains jaw-dropping footage over our Earth from 400km above. It also provides a deeper insight into the skills, training, and planning required to pull off these missions, as well as the commitment required to leave your life on Earth for months at time. The show goes behind-the-scenes at NASA as the teams determine how to fix one of the most expensive science projects in space, and how to recalibrate teams based on an aborted launch. Plus, the 6-part series concludes with the launch of the first SpaceX crewed mission to the ISS. I highly recommend watching if you enjoy space!
Colin in Black and White (Netflix)
Ava DuVernay’s 6-part docu-drama tells the story of a young Colin Kaepernick as he discovers both his talent and power. The show follows his experience as an incredibly talented multi-sport athlete, as well as the challenges and experiences of being a biracial teenager in a white family, in a white area. Interspersed throughout are educational accounts of Black history and events that tie to the frustrating experiences and obstacles Colin faces as he tries to follow his dream. I found the format very engaging, and you needn’t be a sports or football fan to enjoy and appreciate this series.
Count Me In (Netflix)
I really enjoyed Count Me In, which contains a truly epic drum circle in the last 8 minutes with Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Cindy Blackman from Santana. The documentary brings together some of the best professional drummers in recent history to discuss how drummers have shaped music as we know it. Don’t miss a beat – watch this doc now on Netflix!
Reservation Dogs (Disney+)
A brainchild of Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo, Reservation Dogs is a comedy that follows a group of teenagers living on a reservation in Oklahoma as they try to raise enough cash to leave for California. The soundtrack is killer, and the quick 30-minute format makes it very easy to watch. Plus, three of the leads are Canadian.
