It's officially July and we're still in this pandemic that started over six months ago. While most of us won't be going on our usually summer holidays we can trust Netflix to continue to release some top content for us to enjoy.
So, while you're not out exploring the world and instead sat inside practicing social distancing I've compiled a list of Netflix recommendations to watch this July!
Athlete A (2020)
A harrowing documentary about the exposure of doctor Larry Nasser's sexual abuse against the USA Gymnastic women's team.
I knew very little about the extent of Nasser's horrific actions but this documentary gripped me immediately. Telling the story of how this doctor gained the athlete's trust and then assaulting them as well as the bigger picture of the mental and physical trauma the gymnast had to endure is absolutely heart-wrenching. These women had dreams of being in the Olympics, some succeeding whereas others were left off the team because they dared to stand up against abuse.
Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (2017)
In the sequel to the amazing ABBA musical we get to see how a young Donna Sheridan ended up in Greece, how she met Bill, Sam, and Harry but also how Sophie struggles to re-open Hotel Bella Donna after her mother's passing.
I loved this film when it came out and saw it multiple times in the cinema! ABBA is one of the best bands and their discography definitely deserves TWO films! Angel Eyes and Why Did It Have To Be Me? are my two favourite songs in the sequel! The perfect uplifting film and a way to travel to Greece while the world is still in the middle of the pandemic.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Two Icelandic singers with a dream of being pop stars and competing in the Eurovision Song Contest are thrown into a whirlwind of corruption, heartbreak, and an array of fun Eurovision cameos!
I was slightly nervous about a film based around the Eurovision being produced by Americans but they actually managed to get it right! It's a sweet and funny film with a few tears shed and a soundtrack which is actually incredible. The songs were very Eurovision-esque and they managed to grasp the feel of the contest.
Homemade (2020)
A series of short films created by filmmakers from across the world in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
While the film and TV industry is at a standstill across the world Netflix has produced a series of short films that allow leading filmmakers to let their creativity flow to create films where they are in isolation. The films are incredible and really a testament to how important it is to support the arts while our governments are not.
Hamilton (2020)
The history of one of the American founding fathers Alexander Hamilton presented through a stage production with incredible lyrical flair and a fantastic story.
Okay, this isn't on Netflix, you'll find it on Disney+, but you have to watch it! I first saw this on stage in London in 2018 and saw it once more last year. To finally be able to watch it with the original Broadway cast including Lin Manuel Miranda who wrote the musical is just so inspiring! Definitely worth getting that Disney+ subscription for!
