You know the drill: the snow is here, and your desire to go out on the weekend is slowly fading. Why leave the comfort of your bedroom to go to the movies, when some of the best viewing options can be streamed from home?
Here are four A&E-approved recommendations, available for streaming on commonly-used platforms:
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”
Streaming on Netflix
The Coen brothers have made their way to Netflix with “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” a six-part anthology film.
The segments, which play more like short films, are loosely connected through their focus on the tropes and hallmarks of Western films.
You can expect the quirks, despair and dark humor of a usual Coen brothers film — and stellar performances from its cast. Zoe Kazan, James Franco, Liam Neeson and Tim Blake Nelson all make appearances throughout the anthology.
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” is also screening at the Landmark Lagoon Cinema in Uptown, if you’d rather see it on the big screen.
Perfect for: If you love “No Country for Old Men,” “Fargo” and/or “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
“The Princess Switch”
Streaming on Netflix
Remember “A Christmas Prince,” the cheesy Christmas movie Netflix released last year?
They’ve released a sequel to the original (“A Christmas Prince: A Royal Wedding,” if you’re interested), and a new entry to their catalog of Christmas fluff — “The Princess Switch.”
The movie stars Vanessa Hudgens as two (!) different women — Stacy, a baker from Chicago who travels to a baking competition in the fictional land of Belgravia, and Lady Margaret, who switches lives with Stacy.
You might be annoyed by the countless plot-holes and the lazy British accents, but let go of that — it’s not in the Christmas (movie) spirit.
Perfect for: When the holiday-themed cocktails you’re pouring are stronger than your desire to actually pay attention to the movie
“My Brilliant Friend”
Streaming on HBO
Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels span a lifetime, depicting the friendship of Elena and Lila, who grew up in Naples together.
The HBO adaptation of the first novel, “My Brilliant Friend,” is narrated by a much older Elena, who receives a call that Lila has gone missing. She tells the story of the start of their friendship, when the girls are young and are growing up in a violent, impoverished neighborhood in 1950s Naples.
Five episodes are available for streaming as of today, and new episodes typically air Sundays and Mondays on both HBO and its streaming websites.
Perfect for: If you’re a fan of the book series or if you need a reason to pick them up over winter break.
“Killing Eve”
Streaming on Hulu
BBC America’s “Killing Eve” was one of the best and buzziest shows of this year. As of Dec. 1, the show is available for streaming on Hulu.
The spy thriller stars Sandra Oh as Eve, a MI5 officer in London, and Jodie Comer as Villanelle, a notorious assassin.
The two women become obsessed with each other — Eve with catching Villanelle, and Villanelle with meeting Eve — and embark on a tumultuous game of cat-and-mouse across Europe.
It’s funny, decadent and thrilling, Oh and Comer (along with the rest of the cast) give exceptional performances. What more could you want in a TV show?
Perfect for: If you missed out on all the hype earlier this year, or if you’re looking for a finals week binge watch. With only eight episodes, “Killing Eve” is perfect for almost anything.
