Instant Picks of the Week 3/16/18
Gone are the days of scrolling mindlessly through your queue! No longer will you have to sift through the vastness of what’s coming to the instant viewing wastelands this month! Whether you’re looking for a stellar film or an exciting new show to binge, Instant Picks of the Week brings you the hottest releases in film and television on instant viewing platforms that we know you’ll love, or at the very least not despise.
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (Netflix)
Listening to history teachers drone on can re-suck the life out of figures that once walked the same grounds as you and I, their stories more complicated than we could ever understand, only to be captured in black-and-white print, fading portraits, and dust-magnet artifacts. However, sometimes well-made movies can reanimate these corpses, bringing their lessons and emotions back into the spotlight. THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (2009) is moving in more than just its picture. The film follows Anne from the moment she recieves her diary to the day she loses it, and I cry everytime. From a stand-alone film perspective, it is entertaining and well-paced; from a historical perspective it carries Frank’s inspiring and true message about understanding the complex and uncontrollable world. If you have the time, I’d advise picking up a copy of the diary (which was written with the intent of being read) and watching the film to compare the two! Both are well-worth your while and, ironically, the actors’ work leaves viewers with a better understanding of the raw and real people they portray. [Jade Michaels]
ZUMBO’S JUST DESSERTS (Netflix)
I am a reality competition show addict, and ZUMBO’S JUST DESSERTS is just what I need for a fix to satisfy my lack of baking skills. This is an Australian baking show featuring Adriano Zumbo, a pâtissier, judging the pastry skills of 12 competitors with his host, Rachel Khoo. Not only was I creating a puddle of drool after every episode, but it’s always fun to see people put their passions to the test and get a little stressed over them too. I was stressed myself watching them delicately bake and build some fascinating masterpieces. Sadly, there is only one season of this precious gem, but trust me, you’ll be craving a lemon meringue pie or a chocolate eclair by the end of your delicious binge. [Emma Wine]
