Altered Carbon
This futuristic sci-fi show is founded upon the premise that in the future human consciousness can be stored and transferred, by using technology called stacks. This means that people can feasibly live forever, as long as they can afford to acquire a new body and they keep their stack intact. The main character of the show is tasked with solving the murder of a man who is over 300 years old. The show is vibrant, intense, comical and thought provoking. The series explores the various moral dilemmas created by the development of stacks. If you want to veg out on the couch and have your mind blown, this is the show for you, but please do not be discouraged by the first episode which can feel a bit overwhelming at times.
Big Mouth
WARNING: This show is absolutely raucous. Big mouth is a cartoon comedy about the growth and development of 5 sixth graders as they go through puberty. When puberty strikes, it brings “the hormone monster” or “monstress” if you’re a female. The show takes an unabashed look at the daily struggle of being a tween in puberty. Some episodes feature a school dance (every 13-year-old’s nightmare and dream all in one dark, musty school gymnasium), a sleepover, a first date, and everyday life in class. This show is absolutely not appropriate to watch with kids or your grandma (unless your grandma is down with it, then more power to her!) but it will certain give you a good laugh, especially if you watch the episodes in order. However, I’m warning you: I managed to binge-watch all 10 episodes in less than 24 hours and then re-watch them all in less that 48 hours after that, so pace yourself!
Breadwinner
This is a cartoon that I believe was intended to be a children and family movie, but it’s so tragic that I would never put any child through the emotional rollercoaster of watching it. The film follows the trials of a young lady living by Sharia law in Afghanistan under Taliban rule in 2001. The animation is absolutely breathtaking, the artistry is apparent in every frame. The storyline, however, is a real heartbreaker; from the beginning you assume “everything will end up okay, it’s a kids movie” but that’s where you’re wrong. The film solemnly depicts tragedy after tragedy that besieges not only the family the film focuses on, but also every other character introduced in the film. It’s worth noting that no violence is actually portrayed on screen so you could watch this with children, but only if they’re ready to experience some emotional turmoil. Despite the heartbreak you feel while watching the film, it’s worth watching if not only for the artistry used to make the film and the extreme empathy and understanding it gives the viewer for the suffering the people of Afghanistan experienced under Taliban rule.