What is the Film Fad vote on the best Netflix Original Series?
Netflix is KILLING it at the moment. With their upcoming projects including a female led Marvel series, four exclusive Adam Sandler films, and even potential Oscar nominated film, Netflix is on a continual climb. But as for right now, it’s their current original content that has us engaged. Take a look below as the Film Fad team weighs in on their picks for Netflix originals.
Netflix Original Choices:
- Lilyhammer : 0
- House of Cards : 0
- Hemlock Grove : 0
- Orange is the New Black : 0
- Marco Polo : 0
- Bloodline : 0
- Daredevil : 0
- Bojack Horseman : 0
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt : 0
Mike’s Pick: Bloodline
The best show on Netflix is “Bloodline.” In fact, I believe that this is one of the best shows on television ever. I know this is a bold and serious statement, but I truly put “Bloodline” on par with incredibly popular shows like “Breaking Bad” and “Walking Dead.”
This Netflix original series is set in Key West, so the backdrop of the show is both unique as well as beautiful. When the waving palm trees and pristine sapphire water is juxtaposed with the dark and ominous plot and characters it creates an irresistible setting. “Bloodline” is also so enticing because of the universal appeal it creates with the family dynamics. Every viewer can relate to a family with siblings who anger them, parents that can never be pleased, and the struggle of deciding whether to leave home to find success or staying rooted to carry on a legacy. The most seductive aspect of “Bloodline” is the unparalleled writing. The plot is crisp and without holes when integrating flashbacks and hallucinations and the dialogue is some of the most realistic I have ever encountered. Throughout all of the episodes there were multiple scenes of dialogue that made me feel as if I were watching a documentary of the Rayburn family rather than a work of fiction.
Even with its steep competition, Bloodline is hands down my favorite Netflix original series and has countless more positive qualities on which I could elaborate; the best way to convince you that this lives up to my bold claim as one of the best series to ever grace our living room tubes is for you to stop watching Friends reruns and start the series now.
Netflix Original Choices:
- Lilyhammer : 0
- House of Cards : 0
- Hemlock Grove : 0
- Orange is the New Black : 0
- Marco Polo : 0
- Bloodline : 1
- Daredevil : 0
- Bojack Horseman : 0
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt : 0
Click to the NEXT PAGE for Glenn’s pick!
Glenn’s Pick: Orange is the New Black
As I sit in here perusing Netflix as us single lonely folks are prone to do, I ponder what new series I should dive into and binge on all weekend. I mainly find myself in this position because I am awaiting the return of my favorite Netflix delight, “Orange is the New Black.”
Why do you ask is “Orange is the New Black” (from now on referred to as Orange) my favorite show? Glad you asked. First of all I like shows that explore our unique American culture. Prison life is one of the aspects of American culture that is quite pervasive, yet not really talked about. It is ingrained in our day to day lives yet we don’t often realize this. John Oliver explains it best…
Anyways Orange does an excellent job of showing the human side of prison and prisoners. While it slants toward the comedic, Orange does have dramatic elements.
The varied cast of characters make episode after episode fresh and entertaining. Their interactions give you a unique glimpse into prison life and the many different facets of it. Working, relationships, politics, etc…
Jenji Kohan has found her mark and, as she has done with “Weeds,” melds together social stereotypes and tropes to tell a pretty engaging story. I like it for its fairness to all sides. Each character has some background so you rarely feel like any of the inmates are unredeemable per se although they have all done bad things…Piper, the show’s main character, for instance. Her back story would leave you to believe she was just caught up in something that she didn’t understand. Or Pousse, whose character at first seems like a misguided teenager trapped in the system. These little touches make the characters likeable and humanizes them.
Along with delving into apportion of society that is usually only spoken about in hushed tones and whispers, the writing on “Orange is the New Black” is superb. It was nominated for a Primetime Emmy and continues to be one of Netflix’s most watched shows. If it were up to me it would have won but it is not so I will just join the others and add to Netflix’s most watched numbers.
“Orange is the New Black” premieres Season 3 on June 12 2015.
Netflix Original Choices:
- Lilyhammer : 0
- House of Cards : 0
- Hemlock Grove : 0
- Orange is the New Black : 1
- Marco Polo : 0
- Bloodline : 1
- Daredevil : 0
- Bojack Horseman : 0
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt : 0
Click to the NEXT PAGE for Madison’s pick!
Madison’s Pick: House of Cards
There is nothing more exciting to me than hearing an announcement that Netflix is releasing a new season of “House of Cards.” In between seasons I always notice the fan base burgeoning. In fact, at work I hear daily conversations in the crevasses of a public bathroom speculating President Underwood’s next attack, I see pictures of Kevin Spacey secretly hung beneath a secretary’s desk, and “Vote for Underwood in 2016” t-shirts are worn by staff on casual Fridays. I have become one of these fans.
At first, I didn’t like the show. Perhaps it is the hipster in me, but when I hear people stress how good something is, my cynical side believes it is too good to be true. In the first episode Mr. Underwood tends to a dog that has been injured and snaps its neck. My initial reaction was, “Great. They murder a dog to start pulling on the viewer’s heartstrings.” After awhile I thought to myself, was he a cold-blooded, psychopathic, dog-murderer or was he saving the dog from experiencing pain? I had to watch more to find out. The more I watched the show the more I fell in love with the Underwood duo. I think fans gravitate toward the Underwoods because they represent society’s worst fear—politicians are really horrible people. If our democracy is anything like the show, we are ultimately screwed! “House of Cards” is also my favorite Netflix original because it is everything that I am not in life: daring, bold, callous, and intense. The level of intensity from the show may have caused me to clench my teeth to the point where my enamel is no longer there, but it was worth every second.
Netflix Original Choices:
- Lilyhammer : 0
- House of Cards : 1
- Hemlock Grove : 0
- Orange is the New Black : 1
- Marco Polo : 0
- Bloodline : 1
- Daredevil : 0
- Bojack Horseman : 0
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt : 0
Click to the NEXT PAGE for Pooya’s pick!
Pooya’s Pick: Orange is the New Black
Now heading into its 3rd season, Jenji Kohan’s “Orange is the New Black” is not only empowering women but also giving audiences a highly watchable series… and Netflix an Emmy nomination engine!
It’s hard to declare one original to be the best among such a varied playing field, but I will say “Orange is the New Black” excels in the following 3 areas.
Uniqueness: What started with a shower scene glimpse of Taylor Schillings humble breasts quickly transcends the skin deep superficiality to join the ranks of the most unique and relatable shows of the decade. There are few shows that showcase an almost entirely female ensemble cast, and even fewer that explore the penile retention of women and associated post trial tribulations.
Tone: The show beautifully blends humor with the drama, never allowing the sometimes inherent comedy to dull the, at times, grippingly abrasive tone and setting.
Provocativeness: this is a series about a bunch of women who have been incarcerated for various crimes learning to live together, so you can imagine there is a certain amount of inherent provocativeness. Just as Jenji Kohan did with her hit series “Weeds,” “Orange is the New Black” bravely touches on homosexuality, females in prison, bureaucracy, preconceptions and societies view of inmates all the while having fun.
Netflix Original Choices:
- Lilyhammer : 0
- House of Cards : 1
- Hemlock Grove : 0
- Orange is the New Black : 2
- Marco Polo : 0
- Bloodline : 1
- Daredevil : 0
- Bojack Horseman : 0
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt : 0
Click to the NEXT PAGE for Ryan’s pick and the final tally!
Ryan’s Pick: Daredevil
While it seems obvious that I would choose “Daredevil” being such a Marvel fanboy, I actually chose this based off the same criteria that I judge many films and television shows. “Daredevil” definitely appeased my fanboy side but despite that arguable bias, Netflix has presented us with series that is more than worthy of being included in a cinematic universe, particularly the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Outside of the superhero aspect, “Daredevil” gives us a rich story with rich characters. Starting with the main character Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), we are given a story of triumph over adversity. While Murdock may have gained superpowers, his accomplishments in spite of his disabilities and tragedies showcase another type of hero as well. Watching his life as a blind lawyer is interesting enough. Seeing how he is able to use his senses to gain an edge in his profession combined with a double life that is above the law creates a plot dynamic that is unique among a sea of cookie cutter programming.
With all of that being just one side of the coin, on the other side lies Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) who comes from a troubled past just like Murdock. The difference is that Fisk’s plan to save the city stems from aggression and fear which makes him the Murdock’s nemesis despite seeking the same goal. Like Murdock, Fisk is a thoroughly dynamic character that has a rich story. As both Murdock and Fisk have their stories further explored they and those they interact with coincide like a candle burning at both ends. When that candle finally burns out, you’re left with an ending that has you ready to light another candle.
The final aspect that sets “Daredevil” apart from other Netflix shows is its entertainment value. Sure, I binge watch “House of Cards” every season and the character development in “Bloodline” is exceptional. But when “Daredevil” captures those aspects and then adds in some of the most beautifully choreographed fight scenes in the realm of both TV and film, I have to acknowledge the edge it has over the other shows. Outside of cinematic elements, “Daredevil” is also a fun ride that you’re ready to experience again and again. Netflix definitely has some quality originals, but I think “Daredevil” will be the only one I watch through again.
Netflix Original Choices:
- Lilyhammer : 0
- House of Cards : 1
- Hemlock Grove : 0
- Orange is the New Black : 2
- Marco Polo : 0
- Bloodline : 1
- Daredevil : 1
- Bojack Horseman : 0
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt : 0
Winner: Orange is the New Black!
Well, according to the tally “Orange is the New Black” is the “best” original series from Netflix. While many disagree with this choice, the majority does rule. Maybe it’s proof that democracy doesn’t work…haha.