It was a stressful first week of November in America. Nearly two years of presidential campaigning finally culminated in a huge, unpredicted outcome, causing many to wonder how they were so blinded to what the rest of the country really believed and felt. Here’s one possible reason: We were all too busy binging TV shows and movies.
Why change anything now? Here are the best new shows and movies streaming this week, and what to drink while watching.
Netflix
1. “Burn After Reading”
This dark comedy from the Coen brothers follows two gym employees who find the memoirs of a CIA agent and then try to sell them off to Russia. America’s used to seeing leaked government secrets nowadays, but it’s way funnier when it happens in a fictional movie. Drink pairing: Russian boilermaker, which is a shot of vodka with a beer — in this case, use a good ol’ American beer.
2. “Jackass 3.5”
When does a person become too old to enjoy watching Jackass? You know when the time comes, but this week, let your inner stupid find enjoyment in the little things. Drink pairing: Miller High Life.
3. “The Missing Ingredient: What is the Recipe for Success?”
This indie documentary follows two restaurants in New York, Gino’s and Pescatore, and tries to answer the question of how you keep a business open in one of the most competitive restaurant cities in the country. If nothing else, it’ll make you appreciate a good restaurant when you see one. Drink pairing: Espresso Martini, just like the one you can find at Gino’s.
Hulu
1. “Patton Oswalt: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time”
Comedy is the best remedy. Drinking pairing: Dewar’s with ice, because at least one thing will go smoothly today.
2. “Creed”
“Creed” was one of the best things to come out of 2015. It follows Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), son of boxer Apollo Creed, as he becomes a boxer in Philadelphia with the help of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). You don’t have to like boxing to like “Creed.” Drink pairing: Old Fashioned with Bluecoat barrel finished gin from Philadelphia Distilling.
HBO
1. “Race”
Another sports movie coming out this week that you don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy is “Race.” It tells the story of Jesse Owens as he goes from Ohio State to the Olympics in Nazi Germany. Drink pairing: Bourbon, or just anything but a beer that follows the German Purity Law.
ICYMI
“Sky High”
This classic Disney movie is on Netflix. It’s about a school in the sky where a bunch of teens learn how to be superheroes. We all need some heroes right now. Drink pairing: A well-balanced wine flight.
