If you’re looking for something heartwarming to stick on that isn’t festive-themed, Netflix have got you covered.
A lot of us have been binge-watching Christmas classics over the last week or so, but there can come a point when you need a change of topic.
Don’t get me wrong, the likes of Home Alone, The Holiday and The Grinch never get old – but there’s no harm in sticking a film on which doesn’t involve the month of December.
There’s plenty of lighthearted movies on Netflix which can still give you that warm and fuzzy feeling inside, even though they don’t have a festive flair to them. And luckily, another one of these feel-good films has just landed on the streaming platform…and people can’t stop talking about it. Take a look at the trailer here:
Marcel The Shell With Shoes On trailer
A24
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The ‘preposterous’ concept might not be your usual cup of tea, but according to viewers, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is an absolute masterpiece.
The 2021 film might be focused on the pursuit of a seaside souvenir who becomes a viral phenomenon while trying to track down his family, but it boasts a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Which is pretty good going for a one-inch-tall talking shell, don’t you think?
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is both a live-action and stop-motion animated ‘mockumentary’ film – which is quite the mouthful. But underneath all that technical stuff, it’s also a movie which has been dubbed ‘impossible not to love’ thanks to it’s emotional plot which revolves around family and friendship.
Former couple Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp came up with the unusual character way back in 2010 and went on to produce a series of shorts about Marcel the Shell.
Interestingly, the journey which their character heads on in the 2021 film was inspired by their relationship and subsequent amicable divorce in 2016.
Reflecting on how their real-life experiences impacted the movie, Fleischer-Camp reckons it was in ‘a pretty positive way’.
Slate and Fleischer-Camp came up with the character back in 2010 (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for National Board of Review)
“Sometimes the things that might wear on a daily relationship can actually make a creative relationship much more productive and powerful,” he told Screen Daily last year.
Slate also believes that their shared history lent ‘layers of the unconscious in a story that doesn’t feel vague or veiled’.
“The story of Marcel is the story of Marcel, it’s not a stand-in for its creators,” she added. “But our own psyches are embedded in there and it’s a nice way to work through all of it.”
And this might be why people are resonating with Marcel the Shell with Shoes On so much.
Essentially, Marcel the Shell – who is voiced by Slate – lives in an Airbnb with his grandmother, Nana Connie, and his pet ball of lint named Alan.
A documentary filmmaker named Dean then ends up moving into the property after his marriage ends, and he stumbles across the unusual trio. But it’s Marcel who is the star of the show – and after sharing a few clips online of the talking shell, the little guy becomes an internet sensation.
Marcel decides to try and use his new-found popularity to reunite with his long-lost family…and I’ll let you find the rest out for yourself, but all I will say is – keep the Kleenex close.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On has stolen the hearts of Netflix viewers (A24)
That little shell with shoes on has had Netflix viewers glued to their TV screens since it dropped, so it’s certainly worth the watch.
But make no mistake, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On was doing just fine anyway.
The movie earned a nomination at the Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature in 2023, as well as getting stellar ratings on Rotten Tomatoes since it’s release.
Both critics and fans have applauded the film since it came out in 2021 – while also acknowledging the fact that a talking shell is a pretty weird protagonist.
One fan wrote: “An entirely preposterous concept, which somehow becomes one of the sweetest and most touching movies I have ever seen.”
Another added: “This movie touched me on so many levels that I didn’t know was possible. The beauty of the story and the message of the movie moved me so incredibly much.”
And a third said: ” It’s nearly impossible not to love this film. Full of heart, joy and humour! It is highly recommended.”
I mean, what more do you need to hear?
Gather your loved ones and stick Marcel the Shell with Shoes On ASAP.Featured Image Credit: A24
Topics: Netflix, TV and Film, Rotten Tomatoes, Weird
Olivia Burke
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Updated 19:31 5 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 12:33 5 Dec 2024 GMT
Netflix finally adds hugely anticipated Keira Knightley thriller with perfect Rotten Tomatoes score
Netflix have dropped a new thriller
As if Netflix’s huge catalogue of shows wasn’t enough, the streamer has dropped another thriller that is sure to rocket right to the top of the charts.
Adding to this week’s The Madness and the still-relevant true crime doc about the death of JonBenet Ramsey, a new thriller show is surely set to overtake both.
The series stars Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw, as well as Andrew Koji and Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire.
Knightley stars in the show (Netflix)
The series has dropped today and already has a perfect 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing, with 19 reviews.
And the critics are raving; fans can’t wait to see Knightley in another big project, and the concept sounds killer, so you can understand the excitement around it.
Check out the trailer here:
Black Doves trailer
Credit: Netflix
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The show is called Black Doves, and the synopsis reads: “Helen (played by Knightley) embarks on a passionate affair with a man who has no idea what her secret identity is; caught in the crosshairs when her lover falls victim to the dangerous London underworld, Helen’s employer’s call in Sam (played by Whishaw) to protect her.”
One of the most interesting things an actor can do is play against their type, so seeing Ben Whishaw as a ruthlessly competent spy, when he’s the guy who voices Paddington and plays the lovely Q in Daniel Craig’s Bond films, is a treat.
Whishaw plays a very different character from his normal ones in this (Netflix)
This also marks Knightley’s first foray into a major film or series in a few years, and she has received praise for her performance in the show.
One journalist posted on twitter regarding the show, saying: “Impressed by Netflix casually dropping the ridiculously entertaining Black Doves at the end of the year without much fanfare as if it wasn’t an absolute triumph.
“People are going to be quoting the dialogue for years.”
In their review of the show for RogerEbert.com, Kaiya Shunyata said: “From shootouts to tender admissions of love, Black Doves feels like a revelation in a genre that grows staler by the year.”
Another, from Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly, said in their A- review: “The spirited Netflix thriller from Joe Barton (The Lazarus Project) is a remarkably fresh, exciting, and laugh-out-loud funny caper, driven by a sharp comedic sensibility and wildly entertaining performances from stars Ben Whishaw and Keira Knightley.”
Knightley and Whishaw have received praise for their leading performances (Netflix)
Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times summed it up in simple fashion, saying: “Fundamentally, it’s a detective show, with the protagonists trying to work out who killed whom and why, while various parties fight for control of a black box. It’s as good as that sounds.”
Empire gave the show four stars, with Olly Richards saying in their review: “All the work put into the characters culminates in a series of immensely satisfying face-offs and enough twists to leave you spinning.
“A second series has already been announced, and the foundations have been so firmly laid that it’s a very exciting prospect indeed.
“Knightley and Whishaw are an A+ team in a spy show that flies above a very crowded genre.”
Sounds like a perfect weekend watch to me.Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Netflix, TV, TV and Film, Rotten Tomatoes, Reviews, Entertainment
Michael Slavin
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Published 18:24 5 Mar 2024 GMT
Netflix fans ‘crying’ after series with 91% Rotten Tomatoes score cancelled after one season
The announcement was made just two months after the show was released on the streaming platform
Fans have been left gutted after Netflix culled one of its most popular series after just one season.
It is a comedy-drama series which revolves around Taiwanese mobster Charles Sun (played by Justin Chien).
After his father is murdered, Sun travels to Los Angeles to protect his mother (Michelle Yeoh) and younger brother (Sam Song Li), who have been completely sheltered from the truth about their family until now.
Series with 91% Rotten Tomatoes score cancelled after one season
Credit: Netflix
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The Brothers Sun, which was released earlier this year (4 January), has received glowing reviews and a whopping 91 percent audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
But, despite being called ‘a thrilling, brilliant dramedy about familial obligations, buried skeletons and the bonds that can never be broken’ by critic Aramide Tinubu, Netflix canned the series after just one season.
Following the news, Chien took to Instagram to respond to devastated fans.
Alongside a picture of himself and his colleagues, the actor wrote: “To all the fans of The Brothers Sun, Thank you for riding with us on this labor of love. It will take some time to digest this news, but I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your love and support for the show.
“Thank you all for your love. Without you, this wouldn’t mean nearly as much as it does. I gave everything I had to this show, and I can’t wait to do the same in the next project, whatever, whenever it may be – I promise I will give it my all.”
Netflix
Fans of the show were equally gutted by the news of its cancellation, taking to X (Twitter) to share how they feel.
One user wrote: “Of course Netflix has cancelled the best thing that I have watched in 2024. The team behind The Brothers Sun deserve better.”
Another commented: “So sad to hear that The Brothers Sun was cancelled. The rules and structures for renewing shows these days seem a little ??????”
And a third added: “Are you kidding me!? They cancelled The Brothers Sun, it was so good, one of the best things I watched last year. Wtf Netflix.”
Netflix
But, for anyone who’s ever wondered why the streaming platform cancels seemingly popular shows, there is a valid reason.
According to Forbes, when Netflix is choosing whether or not to renew a show, it looks at its ‘completion rate’ – the number of viewers who actually watched it through to the end.
This metric gives insight into whether the show would have a strong viewer base for future seasons.
The streaming service doesn’t want to throw its money at new seasons if the majority of the audience couldn’t even make it to the end of the current one.
So, while you may have binge-watched every episode, if most people gave up partway through, it makes sense that it ultimately got ditched.
And while The Brothers Sun spent five weeks in Netflix’s Top 10 for English-language series, according to Deadline, it just couldn’t find a big enough audience.Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Netflix, TV and Film, Rotten Tomatoes
Bec Oakes
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Published 14:49 23 Dec 2024 GMT
The best Christmas movie of all time has been revealed and you’ve probably never watched it
Spoiler, it’s not Die Hard
One way to get a debate going around the dinner table on the big day is by picking out the ‘best’ festive film.
From How the Grinch Stole Christmas to Love Actually and from Home Alone to Elf, we’ve all got our favourite movie to flick on at Christmas.
But apparently none of those are the ‘best of all time’. And no, it’s not Home Alone 2.
Elf trailer
Credit: Warner Bros.
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To be honest, you might be pretty surprised by the film topping Rotten Tomatoes’ ‘Best Christmas Movie of All Time’ ranking – in fact, you’ve probably never even watched it.
Don’t worry though, I’m not going to keep you guessing as you’re listing out all of the Santa Clauses and Netflix festive feel-goods.
The film review-aggregation site goes back to a film from a whopping 80 years ago to name its number one.
Meet Me in St. Louis sits pretty proudly with a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating with 100 percent on the Tomatometer and 87 percent from audiences on the Popcornmeter.
Yep, I bet you’ve never even heard of it, have you?
The musical starring Hollywood jewel Judy Garland from all the way back in 1944 apparently beats out all the other classics – old and new.
And get this, only about 25 minutes of the film takes place during Christmas time.
However, it’s still praised as a ‘Christmas classic’ by many.
It’s the best, apparently… (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
“Meet Me in St. Louis is a classic MGM romantic musical comedy that focuses on four sisters (one of whom is the nonpareil Judy Garland) on the cusp of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair,” reads the movie info.
“The film spotlights the sisters’ education in the ways of the world, which includes, but isn’t limited to, learning about life and love, courtesy of the prototypical boy next door.
“In the end, love – accompanied by song, dance and period costumes, all in glorious Technicolor – conquers all.”
Yeah, interesting. But fair enough, it’s a classic, I guess.
And weirdly, the second-best Christmas film on the list is even older; The Shop Around the Corner from 1940.
And then the third best zooms all the way forward to a much more recent movie, The Holdovers which landed in UK cinemas at the beginning of this year.
The Holdovers was widely praised by critics (Focus Features)
Starring Paul Giamatti, it’s about ‘a cranky history teacher at a remote prep school’ who ends up having to ‘remain on campus over the holidays with a troubled student who has no place to go’.
The other films listed from fourth to tenth best are: Tangerine (2015), Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Little Women (2019), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Klaus (2019), Carol (2015) and It’s A Wonderful Life (1946).
Oh, and good news for the ‘Die Hard is a Christmas film’ debaters, that comes in at 11th place.
But I don’t care what anyone says, it’s Nativity!, Home Alone and The Holiday all the way for me.Featured Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Topics: Christmas, Film, Entertainment, TV and Film, Rotten Tomatoes
Jess Battison
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Updated 17:58 4 Apr 2024 GMT+1Published 17:59 4 Apr 2024 GMT+1
Netflix fans praise dramatic Sheridan Smith series with 92% Rotten Tomatoes score
The 2019 show is very popular on Netflix
Let’s be honest, a lot of the newer shows being released are often utter garbage.
Whether it’s a repackaged storyline, or a ‘fresh take’ on something we didn’t need to watch, there are a lot of underwhelming shows out there.
That’s why viewers are now taking a look at older, more established programmes that they are yet to see.
ITV
And a Mark Marlow-led drama, which came out on ITV in 2019, certainly falls into that category with a whopping 92 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The six-parter, now available on Netflix, follows Sam Cook (Sheridan Smith), a single mother struggling with a gambling addiction, all while an ex-husband called Dave is trying to get full-time custody of their two daughters.
Working as an officer cleaner, she convinces her friend and colleague Jess (Jade Anouka) to try and illegally partake in insider trading to pay off their debts.
Titled Cleaning Up, you can take a look at the trailer below:
Cleaning Up trailer (2019)
Credit: ITV
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Already hoping for a season two, one excited viewer wrote: “I’m loving every episode of this show.
“Sheriden Smith is an amazing actress and I’m enjoying watching her switch between Sam the cleaner and ‘Nancy’ the Inside Trader.
“I’ve enjoyed how the plot has slowly got more and more complicated, especially as Sam tries to hide her gambling addiction from her family, friends and co-workers.
“I’d like to think that ‘real life’ in Canary Wharf is not like this, but I bet it is!
ITV
“Superb story, superb cast and so beautifully paced. I hope there will be further seasons of Cleaning Up in the future.”
A second added: “Excellent programme, it showed what can and does happen to someone with a gambling problem.
“I am a member of Gamblers Anonymous and like any other addiction you can’t say ‘no more gambling’ it does not work like that.
“To kick any addiction you need help.”
ITV
“The cast is wonderful,” another commented. “Sheridan Smith captivates with her deadly affliction.
“A life story well told. We cannot wait until the next episode.
“Should be more programs with this depth of honesty about life.
“After all a very clever person once said ‘life is what happens while you are planning your future’.”
Cleaning Up is available to watch on Netflix now.