While you all were out on your exotic vacations instagramming your açai bowls, Film and TV did the hard work for you and rounded up the movies and TV shows you need to see in order to end the most perfect summer ever (or at least to help nurse your last hangover before move–in drama). We know settling into a new semester at Penn can be hectic, so turn to this list when you need some sanity amidst the back–to–school craziness.
Daredevil
Running in its second season, this Netflix superhero show has it all—pretty girls, scary villains and a hero. But where it differs from every other superhero show is that the hero knows his limits. Why try to save the world when you can just save the block you live on? Less of a failure rate that way. That’s a philosophy you can take into the school year: “Don’t do anything too hard. Minimize failure.” Or you know, do try. Whatever.
Orange Is The New Black
Your favorite inmates are back, and things have gotten serious. Like, “Hey, this might be a show about a prison after all,” serious. But don’t take our word for it, catch the latest season on Netflix now and make yourself feel better that you’re going back to school, not jail. Let us know if you can finish it without crying (ed note: we couldn’t).
The Get Down
There may be a bias for Netflix shows here, but The Get Down is just too good to miss. A history lesson wrapped up in a fictional drama we all can enjoy, it tells the story of New York City on the brink of bankruptcy when hip hop and punk began to take move onto the disco scene. And if you’re a sucker for a good bildungsroman ( and want to exercise your Ivy League education) then it’s also a good show to catch.
Finding Dory
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cr—aw heck! In Finding Dory, the sequel to Finding Nemo, Ellen DeGeneres makes us fall in love with Dory all over again. A heartwarming tale that slightly reminds you of all those snorkeling pictures you tried to scroll pass on your timeline.
Captain America: Civil War
There’s fighting with your best friend and there’s fighting with your best friend because your other best friend is a murdering machine without control over his own brain. We’ve all been there. A better superhero battle plot than Superman vs. Batman (sorry not sorry) and great summer film that sparked many group chat debates. All in all, find a way to watch it if you haven’t.
Kubo and the Two Strings
You know what the world needs? More beautifully made stop motion movies. That’s what Kubo and the Two Strings is. Armed with his magical instrument and accompanied by Monkey (voiced by Charlize Theron) and Beetle (voiced by Matthew McConaughey), Kubo is on a journey to save his family and figure out what happened to his father. Watch because stop motion is sick and takes a lot of time to do.
Sausage Party
A strange, strange concept indeed. And, hey, though Seth Rogen isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, this movie is hilarious, even if just conceptually. You need to see it yourself. It’s funny. And strange. But all best comedies are.
