‘Quarantine Pic(k)s’: TV Marathons

Another weekend, another ‘Quarantine Pic(k)’.

Frequency

Seeing now that my school has officially jumped on the Zoom bandwagon (to the horrified reactions of us students), I think it's fitting for me to try a jump in post frequency. You know, to deal with the fact that we're going to school (i.e. learning) and not actually going to school (i.e. socializing, eating junk, etc.).

It's not going to be the Oscar marathon (1 post/day): I am neither productive nor creative enough to succeed at such endeavors twice a year. However, 2 ‘Quarantine Pic(k)s' per week should be doable, preferably released by the weekend.

No promises will be made, but if I can recommend and bring some entertainment and/or levity to you in these confusing, yet quite historic, times, I'd be more than happy to try.

“Hey Chi, what are ‘Quarantine Pic(k)s’”

Thank you for helping me, the silhouette of my winter coat that resembles another human being!

‘Quarantine Pic(k)s’ is a new category for Hollywood Moviegoers/The Take, where I will be recommending interesting films (preferably ones you haven't seen) that I feel you could spend these self-isolation times watching and enjoying, preferably with family and isolation buddies.

Each ‘Quarantine Pic(k)s’ post will have compact reviews of cross-genre choices, granted they satisfy the descriptions (“mindbenders”, “spooky hollows”, “the 1-inch barrier”), instead of the usual rigid classification (“sci-fi”, “horror”, “foreign language films”).

With the introduction out of the way, let’s get to our second ‘Quarantine Pic(k)s’: TV Marathons.

What is “TV Marathons"?

I mean, it's pretty self-explanatory, ain't it? But to clarify, “TV Marathons" will be my first (and possibly last) post about the TV landscape.

I don't watch ongoing, narrative-driven 24-episode series: it's too time-consuming, and much of the run, highly unrewarding. I like shows in bite sizes: limited series, 16-episode Korean one-and-dones, those that tell their stories in a compact manner, then move on to greener, riskier pastures.

It's the reason why I respect ‘Black Mirror' so much, and will still duly watch it even with its drop in quality: every episode is another creative adventure, fresh and unlike any other on TV.

So there won't be ‘Money Heist' or ‘The Walking Dead' on this list: compelling as they are, they're examples of ongoing or narrative-driven series.

Here, only compact stories and high satisfactory ratings.

The Crown

Sypnosis: A dramatised recollection of the Queen and her Royal Family, from when she was The Princess, to when she has made the titular object her own.

Why I Loved It: I love British people. They're passionate people with funny accents and a knack for destroying a good thing.

Much like this show.

The first two seasons of ‘The Crown' are intoxicating, compact TV: Elizabeth (Claire Foy) and Phillip (Matt Smith) are your average disorganized married couple, with the only differentiating factor being that they’re in charge of a country. Their problems are mundane (moving houses, having children, patriarchy), but as Royals, they are written to be such dramatic, out-of-this-world figures, that it's hard not to love them.

All the while their related families wreak havoc and compete for power. Teep-top TV.

Satisfactory Rating: Enough to seek out the Windsor Family documentary.

Recommendation: You could skip the third season, but those who are interested in the Royal Family, going to the UK, or wanting to pass a day or two, should find their fix with the first two seasons.

Kingdom

Sypnosis: The Crown Prince of Joseon gets caught in a political uprising for his kingdom.

Oh, and there are zombies running around. Carry on.

Why I loved It: It's insane.

South Korea has perfected the zombie genre. Instead of treading water, they always find new, exciting ways to push the sub-genre forward, and ‘Kingdom' is the country's poster child: gory and filled to the brim with surprising twists, well-crafted set pieces, delicious drama and, above all, memorable characters, it rises head-and-shoulder above the heap of zombie dramas on Netflix, on both storytelling and production values. You will cry, you will laugh, you will post it on your Instagram story, then move on.

And you can finish the whole series in one day. 6-episode each season, two seasons a day: the doctor has prescribed for your daily Netflix.

Satisfactory Rating: I learned Korean afterwards.

Recommendation: The first two seasons is a compact story, with no need for a third season. Seek it out if you have finished Crash Landing On You and need your K-Drama fix, or in need of a new series to pass the time.

The Haunting Of Hill House

Sypnosis: A family moves into a haunted house. Shit hits the fan.

26 years later, they come back to said haunted house. You know the rest.

Why I Loved It: I don't handle horror well, so trust me when I say, this is a perfect show.

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ is not just a one-of-its-kind ghost story, it's a subversive family tale: You will be scared, but it is at the dread you're feeling for the Crain family, at how their lovely lives are being turned upside down because of something they can't control. It's an allegory for a broken family, and it's dealt with nuance, heart, and emotional vulnerability, leaving for a fantastic watch, for you and the family.

It's scary too, very much so.

Satisfactory Rating: You will leave the credits to roll ‘til its end. No post-credits scene.

Recommendation: To fresh up after endless K-dramas, or wanting a brand new, original series, or simply wanting to watch a horror film, but said horror films are too mainstream or boring.

Tidying Up With Marie Kondo

Sypnosis: Marie Kondo intrudes your life with efficiency, wholesomeness, and of course, a nice tidying-up.

Why I Loved It: Let's be real: You forgot this even existed. But as things stand, it's the perfect series for the time being.

Stuck in the house, you must have cleaned your room/house: be it from the urging of your Asian mom, or simply for the escape from absolute boredom.

Well look no further than ‘Tidying Up With Marie Kondo' to help you with cleaning houses. Marie Kondo, Asian as she might be, doesn't urge, or shame you for being a lazy pig; no, she comes at everything with joy and happiness, and you welcome her criticism of your small, crap-riddled house. It's being told off, without actually being told off.

Satisfactory Rating: I cleaned my room with a smile after watching this.

Recommendation: It's the ultimate Mom Show. Watch it with your mom, and let's clean your mess of a house together.

The Chef Show

Sypnosis: Jon Favreau continues the movie ‘Chef' in real life, but with Netflix's money.

Why I Loved It: I am a sucker for culinary films and shows. Be it documentary style (i.e. this show, ‘Asian Street Food’), competition based (i.e. ‘Masterchef’, ‘Top Chef’, etc.), or narrative films (i.e. ‘Burnt', ‘The One-Hundred Foot Journey', ‘No Reservations', etc.).

I'd highly recommend all the films above, but that's for another day.

I like cooking. It's a worthwhile activity with immediate rewards, and during this self-isolation period, aside from films, I have had opportunities to swot up on my admittedly mediocre cooking, with most of the dishes coming from ‘The Chef Show', a documentary continuation of one of my favorite films, ‘Chef'.

It's a quick, chilled-out, compact series, with new dishes every episode, and you get to see how they do the delicious Cubanos, grilled cheese sandwiches and “Scarlett Spaghetti" from the film.

It's amazing.

Satisfactory Rating: I made and had grilled cheese sandwiches! It was satisfactory.

Recommendation: For the ‘Chef' fans out there, or whoever needs some nice recipes and food porn, or just something to put on the background whilst you clean your house after binging ‘Tidying Up With Marie Kondo'.