For cord cutters, the anticipation of watching an event live gets transferred over to the weekly dumps of content on the various video streaming platforms. What’s dropping when becomes important knowledge to have, as you organize your queue. If you don’t have time to comb through all the content coming down the series of tubes that make up the Internet, don’t worry — we do. Here are our picks for what you should watch this week.
Give Me Shelter
As our world continues to change and we shape the landscape around us to fit our growing needs, we often forget about the ecosystems and environments that came before us and are changed forever by our presence. All around the world, whether it’s in third-world countries or in the most modern of cities, animals face challenges that we often forget about, as we deal with our own struggles, goals, and ambitions that too often run opposite of what’s best for other species.
Actor and producer Katie Cleary has been a longtime advocate of animal welfare, and through her documentary Give Me Shelter, she highlights some of the greatest challenges that animals face today. The film deals heavily with animal abuse, from puppy mills to poachers, and addresses some uncomfortable truths about how we treat animals. It also makes a point to shine on those who invest in making a difference by dedicating their lives to the betterment of the lives of animals.
Defiance Season 2
It’s 2046. Okay, not here, but in the world of Defiance it is. Earth is filled with new species, and the environment has changed significantly, thanks to terraforming technology. It’s a whole a new frontier, where humans and aliens co-exist. And in the town of Defiance, Joshua Nolan is the law. The second season of the popular SyFy show is available to stream, and now is the perfect time to catch up on the series, as season three is set to kick off in June of this year.
Fruitvale Station
In 2009, police shot and killed Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale, California Bay Area Rapid Transit station. Grant was already restrained, laying on the ground, when an officer shot him in the back. Fruitvale Station is based on the events that led up to Grant’s death. This is the debut film for writer and director Ryan Coogler, and it’s an emotional and trying debut, anchored by Michael B. Jordan as Oscar Grant. Fruitvale Station has an extra bit of resonance in the current climate and delivers a powerful message.
Magical Universe
Everyone has their interests and obsessions. For Al Carbee, that interest is Barbie. The reclusive, 88-year-old photographer has made his name taking pictures of the famous children’s toy. As documentarian Jeremy Workman begins to build a friendship with Carbee, more is unveiled about the photographer’s work. It reveals a man, late in his life and career, who still finds a childlike excitement when it comes to art and creativity.
Dawg Fight
The fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao produced more than $400 million. The world of MMA keeps getting more popular and generating more money. But in a southwestern Florida town where over one-third of the population is unemployed, there is no money to fight for. There’s only the hope of replicating the rise of Kimbo Slice, a resident of the same area who managed to get out of the dire straights situation, thanks to his fighting skills. This documentary tells the stories of those who haven’t gotten out yet.
