What to watch in Eastertide

Streaming movies and TV shows was already a way of life before shelter in place, but now that we are all hunkered down at home, binge-watching some good (or not so good) media on your preferred streaming service is more necessary than ever. Here is a list of shows and films, reviewed and curated by the staff of St. Paul’s, that are perfect for watching during this strange season of Easter.

Derry Girls

Type: Television Show
Rating: TV-MA
Watch on: Netflix
Release date: 2018
Seasons: 3
Recommended by: Jason Franklin, Director of Communications

Why it’s good: Set in the 1990s during “The Troubles,” one of the most unstable times in Northern Ireland’s history, the show captures how everyday life continues even during history-defining, traumatic moments. This show is at times hilarious and dramatic. I recommend watching with the subtitles on (even though it is in English) and watch it just for the hilarious nun, Sister Michael (played by Siobhan McSweeney) and the jokes about Protestants and Catholics.

Family-Friendly Alternative: Onward, streamed on Disney+ because it is about brothers on an epic journey to resurrect their father.

Derry Girls, Netflix

Evelyn

Type: Film
Rating: PG
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Release date: 2002
Recommended by: Peggy Slater, Afternoon Receptionist and Administrative Assistant

Why it’s good: Set in Dublin, Ireland, this is a true story about a father (Pierce Brosnan) facing impossible odds to keep his young family together after the government sends his daughter Evelyn and two young sons to an orphanage. The case eventually ends up in Ireland’s Supreme Court. This story starts out on a path of hopelessness and ends in joy - an especially relevant Eastertide message!

Evelyn, MGM Distribution Co. (available on Amazon Prime)

Queer Eye

Type: Television Show
Rating: TV-14
Watch on: Netflix
Release date: 2018
Seasons: 5
Recommended by: Kris Cox, Executive Director, Read Write Spell

Why it’s good: Five friends, known as the “Fab Five”, team up to help out members of the community who are seeking a life change. The Fab Five bring their expertise in the areas of fashion, self-care, home renovation, nutrition, and emotional literacy with the shared goal of empowering each episode’s subject, who they call their “hero.” A very uplifting and positive show!

Queer Eye, Netflix

Anne with an E

Type: Television Show
Rating: TV-PG
Watch on: Netflix
Release date: 2017
Seasons: 3
Recommended by: The Rev. Nancy Vaders, Director of Outreach

Why it’s good: “Anne with an E”, is a take on Lucy Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, and it is full of all the same wonderful characters you know from the book, with a fresh take on the story. Like Eastertide, it’s a wonderful journey of wonder, joy and new beginnings!

Anne with an E, Netflix

Love Actually

Type: Film
Rating: R
Watch on: Amazon Prime (HBO or for rental/purchase)
Release date: 2003
Recommended by: The Rev. Lauren Villemuer-Drenth, Director of Children’s Ministries

Why it’s good: It is about love of all kinds and new beginnings (and “Love actually is all around.”)

Family-Friendly Alternative: Balto, streamed on Amazon Prime (rental or purchase) because it is an animated movie based on a true story about a dog who risked his life to save the child he loved and saved the children of the town. It is about facing challenges and is very uplifting.

Love Actually, Universal Pictures

Waking Ned Devine

Type: Film
Rating: PG
Watch on: Amazon Prime (for rental/purchase)
Release date: 1998
Recommended by: The Rev. Sara Ardrey-Graves, Associate Rector

Why it’s good: It’s a hilarious story about a small village in Ireland that discovers one of their own has won the lottery. A charming tale of what it means to take care of one another as a community.

Waking Ned Devine, Fox Searchlight Pictures

Cookie’s Fortune

Type: Film
Rating: PG-13
Watch on: Netflix
Release date: 1999
Recommended by: Jason Franklin, Director of Communications

Why it’s good: Set in a small, southern town, this is a funny story about an eccentric family centered around the death of a wealthy old matriarch. The story begins on Good Friday and features a fantastic cast (Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler, Patricia Neal.)

Cookie’s Fortune, October Films