Here are our picks for what you should watch this week.
Scandal Season 4
It’s hard to think back through the first three seasons of Scandal and remember everything that has happened. When you think about it, Shonda Rhimes has taken the show so far off the rails at times that trying to make sense of it all in retrospect is maddening. But when you live in the moment of the show, you can’t help but obsess over it. Who is right for Olivia, and when will she choose to do what’s best for her? What’s happening in the White House? And what in the world is B613 all about?
If you think you’ll find all the answers you’re looking for in season four of Scandal, well, you may be disappointed. But it’ll still provide you with plenty of twists and turns, both for Olivia Pope and for all the adjacent characters that populate the insane world of the show. The best part about watching a show like Scandal on Netflix is those little cliffhangers that often end each episode can be immediately resolved. Just don’t power through it too fast — you still have some time before season 5 starts up.
Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer
It’s hard to imagine a Russian punk rock group becoming a worldwide phenomena, but Pussy Riot’s brand of music was exported across the world — though not quite in the Beatlesmania way. The feminist rockers with an anti-Vladimir Putin agenda made waves after performing on the steps of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, which led to the arrest of two members of the group. The documentary from HBO follows the court proceedings and provides a look into Russia’s repressive regime.
Two Days, One Night
Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne are known for their films that tug at heartstrings and create an emotional response within the audience. Their latest work, Two Days, One Night, is no different. The premise is rather simple: a woman just released from the hospital learns that she is without a job. In order to get her position back within her company, she has to convince her co-workers to give up their bonuses for her. A story filled with honesty, compassion, and community, there’s a clear, powerful message that isn’t too preachy.
A Most Wanted Man
The legacy of A Most Wanted Man may be that it is Philip Seymour Hoffman’s final film. Despite it being noteworthy for starring the late actor, there’s plenty of memorable material here for it to stand on its own. Based on a novel of the same name, A Most Wanted Man is an espionage thriller with an all-star cast that will keep you on the edge of your couch cushion throughout, thanks to its thoughtful and detailed script, as well as the brilliant performances turned in by all parties.
The Butler
The Butler tells the story of an African American butler who served eight American presidents over the course of three decades. While the personnel around him changed, he stayed and watched each administration go through some of the most tumultuous and trying times in American history, from civil rights battles to the Vietnam war. With an impressive cast of actors coming and going as presidents, and a powerful performance turned in by Forest Whitaker, the Butler tells an impressive story from history.
