Stranger Things is a love-child of E.T., Silent Hill and 80’s nostalgia, all presented in a beautiful package on your Netflix-viewing device of choice. The look and feel of mystery-movies from days gone by (the good ones, where the monster isn’t revealed in the first 15 minutes) where the unknown creates the suspense that you want with a drip-feed of supernatural and conspiracy  tells you the history of how we got to where we are right now in the story.

The show follows a group of kids that enjoy their time in the basement playing Dungeons & Dragons until it’s time to bike home. No video games, no smartphones, no Internet; this is the time before the digital revolution. Then one of them goes missing, without a trace, followed by the appearance of a strange young girl that joins them on their adventure to find their friend. But my favorite character is portrayed by David Harbour as Chief Hopper, the police officer that looks into the kids disappearance and soon discovers that not everything is what it might seem in his sleepy little town.

The heritage of the show is captured magnificently in the music and intro, using sounds and instruments that scream 80’s, combined with a title screen that anyone that read/played those old choose-your-own-adventure books will just love.

Stranger Things has a complete season available for streaming on Netflix, but definitely leaves things open for that (as of yet, unconfirmed) second season. Just like the good ol’ horror movies.

https://www.netflix.com/title/80057281

There once was an idea to take the Preacher comic book series and turn each issue into a TV-show episode, shot-for-shot. First thing that all Preacher fans needs to get out of their heads is that this show is not that.

But there is no reason to worry, what you’re getting is still Preacher. The story and characters does seem to have been somewhat changed, but the main beats are still there. Tulip is still a capable woman, Arseface is still a sweet kid, Cassidy is still a vampire, and by the end of the first episode (as if anyone would have guessed otherwise) Jesse still possesses the word of God.

I recently re-read the whole comic, to refresh it in my mind. And while it was still a great read, it is really a product of its time and some of the material, tones and characterizations does not hold up today. What’s been changed is the whole thing has been update to fit the world of today.

Some of the major changes are there for the cinematic effect and re-branding of the characters.

Tulip was always a strong, capable woman that did not fear getting into altercations. This time around she’s a full-blown commando and has by the first episode killed several people and taken down a helicopter with a home-made bazooka. She’s taken the role of the wise-cracking, untouchable Mary Sue. Hopefully we’ll get to see her new backstory and motivation soon, because being raised as a boy and hunter does not account for this.

To make the shows action scenes more interesting, and quite frankly beautiful

Cassidy was never really that good at fighting. He relied on his strength and abilities, but never skill, aside from having been in quite a few scraps in his days. But to make the shows action scenes more interesting, and quite frankly beautiful, he now seems to be a very proficient fighter. And he also seem to have moved from the gutter to now share his vices with a higher class of society.

Jesse is the one that so far stays most true to source. Although, just as a nod to his portrayal in the comics I would have liked to see the white pants. A detail they changed to his backstory, which I believe is so that they can reveal all the players at the right time for the show, but is still a pretty major change to the character is the reason he doesn’t cry. The effect may still be the same, but the motivation changes dramatically from defiance to honor. It’s a small thing, but I feel its a major change in to the character. Which may also be why this Custer seems more modern in his ways and not such a machismo set in old ways of thinking that may have fit the time when the comic was written.

In short I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the show and it’s going to be intriguing to see how they handle and show some aspects of the source material.

But to me the story of Daredevil is secondary in what is being told. I believe many would agree with me that the best parts, and main focus, of the show is delivered by Vincent D’onofrio as he portrays the iconic villain Wilson Fisk, also know as Kingpin.

Usually it’s just accepted that the bad guy is that, a bad guy, and that’s all that’s needed. There might be a short backstory to explain the motivation or history of the antagonist. But Daredevil goes above and beyond to present us with the life of one of the most iconic evils in the Marvel Universe. His history, motivation, and passion is beautify presented and fleshed out. He is still a psychotic criminal, but the effort that goes into explaining how and why, and the humanization of the character compiled through love and loss, is fantastic.

A well-rounded series, while darker than the movies we’ve so far been offered in the MCU, combines a mix of drama, action, comedy and intrigue that displays the more cloak-and-dagger workings in a section of the hometown to many major heroes and villains that Marvel has given us.

The first season of Daredevil is available right now, with the second season incoming in just a few weeks.

https://www.netflix.com/title/80018294

While it might seem like simple-minded show, the drama, emotions, conflicts and everyday-life for all involved is compelling and should appeal to anyone that likes character-dramas. The idiotic hijinks, satirical and parodical views on media, stardom, and corporate politics, and simply stupid jokes (such as my personal favorite: Neal McBeal the Navy SEAL that is a seal that’s in the navy), become supporting characters to the interaction between the main characters as they deal with each others personalities and demons.

The first two seasons of Bojack Horseman, consisting of twelve episodes per season, is available for streaming right now on Netflix

https://www.netflix.com/title/70300800

I’m gonna put you through that fucking wall!

While dealing with the big and small obstacles of everyday life, like a underachieving pot-head for a son, the amalgamation of father-figures those that grew up before the 1990s can recognize is the main focal-point. Using saying, mannerism, satire and parodies of everything that came with a hard-working father in the 70s you get a funny show that should touches home with anyone over the age of 30. And anyone under 30 will just find the absurdity and humor funny.

The first season contains six episodes and is available for binging on Netflix right now
https://www.netflix.com/title/80028732

Bill Burr, the show creator and voice of the main character, is a stand-up comedian that’s dabbled in acting here and there, including a recurring character on Breaking Bad. The show was “in production” for many years before it came to be and the animators were hired. He talked about the production and the show on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast a few weeks ago, if you’re interested in the process.