6 new Netflix picks worth a watch this weekend

With lockdown restrictions here, we will be spending more time indoors. Netflix has really stepped up their offerings this season, and for the weekend that’s in it, here are some new releases worth a watch

The Trial of the Chicago 7

What was intended to be a peaceful protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organisers of the protest — including Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale — were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot and the trial that followed was one of the most notorious in history. This has quite a cast, including  Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Keaton and looks extremely compelling.

Social Distance

Set in the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is an eight-part anthology series showcasing the power of the human spirit in the face of uncertainty and isolation.  Through these varied and deeply human stories, Social Distance aims to provide some much-needed catharsis during a tumultuous time while also capturing a snapshot of this singular moment in history.

Dream Home Makeover 

Nothing distracts during a pandemic like interiors content. Syd and Shea McGee started documenting their signature rustic interior design style and home renovations on Instagram back in 2010 and grew their social media presence into a thriving design business. Dream Home Makeover melds together the personal side of the McGee’s, what it’s like to raise their two daughters and build their own dream home, along with the day to day of running a successful business. Each episode features one home design project that ranges from budget-friendly living room upgrades to full home renovations where money isn’t an object.

Addams Family Values

Not a new film by any means but new to the streaming platform, both this and its predecessor are worthy of a watch. It’s rare that the sequel is as good as the original, but in this case, it’s the weirdly wonderful truth. The Addams Family returns with a stellar cast including the mesmerising Anjelica Huston, Christina Ricci, Christopher Lloyd and the brilliant Joan Cusack who tries to get her hands on the Addams fortune – and kill Uncle Fester off in the process. It’s pure nineties nostalgia with a baby with a moustache.

Rooting for Roona 

The short documentary takes us on a trip to rural India, where remarkable baby Roona lives with her parents. Tucked away in a neglected corner of the North East of India, Roona suffered from Hydrocephalus, a birth defect caused by a build-up of fluid in the brain leading to massive swelling of the head. Her parents Abdul and Fatema, who lead a hand-to-mouth existence, struggled to cope and understand what ailed their daughter. Their journey is extraordinary and life-changing. This one adds colour to a viral news story from a few years back.

The Three Deaths of Marisela Escobedo

When Rubí, a sixteen-year-old teenager is murdered by her boyfriend in Ciudad Juárez, Marisela Escobedo began a tireless crusade to achieve the capture and trial of the man who killed her daughter. With the support of family and friends, Marisela travelled the country for two years, conducted her own investigations, and faced criminal organizations and corrupt officials. Throughout her fight, she risked her life exposing the failures of the justice system in Mexico. A must-watch.

Main photograph: Netflix

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