Blonde. Courtesy if Netflix
As the summer heat tapers off, there’s no better way to welcome the end of summer and rain than a cozy night in with snacks and some screen time. Binge-worthy prequels like Lord of The Rings: Rings of Power and House of The Dragon are finally coming to streaming platforms. Likewise, long-awaited films are also being released, such as Korean action film Seoul Vibe and Oscar-buzz-generating Blonde. There’s no need to sift through countless titles and trailers. Vogue Philippines brings you a handpicked selection of what to watch this month. See our list below:
The Crown
If you’re still mourning the recent death of the longest reigning monarch in history, Queen Elizabeth II, there’s no better moment to go back in time and watch (or rewatch) Netflix’s The Crown. Set at the end of King George VI’s rule, the show follows the lives of the key members of the royal family in a dramatized depiction based on actual events. Every two seasons, the cast changes to account for the passage of time, beginning with Claire Foy and Matt Smith as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and later on are portrayed by Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies. With the fifth season of the acclaimed series set to hit the streaming platform in November this year, it’s the perfect time to get caught up if you haven’t already.
Drag Race Philippines
The three-time Emmy Award-winning competition Ru Paul’s Drag Race now has its own local edition as of August 2022. Keeping the original format, Drag Race Philippines pits 12 queens against each other in a race to win the top prize each round. Every episode includes a “Mini” and “Maxi” challenge (Ball, Makeover, Singing, and Stand-up, to name a few). The queens must also create their own costumes as per a runway theme, and do a lip sync performance to a particular song. The energy-filled series has been a recent must-see—viewers can find it online weekly on HBO Go.
Little Women
New on Netflix, the K-drama adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel has proven to be a rendition unlike any before, despite being adapted multiple times—most recently by director Greta Gerwig, earning her film a total of six Academy Award nominations and a win for Best Costume Design. Though the Korean version was based on Alcott’s story, Little Women dives into the modern-day issue of living poverty in South Korea amidst a hyper-excessive upper class and corrupt power figures. The 12-episode series is directed by Kim Hee-won and stars ring Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun, and Squid Game’s Wi Ha Joon. Released at the beginning of this month, Little Women is definitely one to check out.
Blonde
The biopic about Marilyn Monroe which has been hyped for months is finally coming to Netflix on September 28. Ana De Armas (Knives Out, Blade Runner 2049) takes on one of Hollywood’s most iconic and glamorous faces in the psychological drama, loosely based on real events in Monroe’s life and career. Monroe’s husbands are played by Adrien Brody as Arthur Miller and Bobby Cannavale as Joe DiMaggio. The highly-anticipated film has already been generating buzz after its premiere at the 79th Venice Film Festival. De Armas completely transforms herself as she dawns the peroxide blonde hair, transporting viewers under Hollywood lights that shone so brightly on Marilyn.
House of Dragon
Game of Thrones, one of the most successful series of all time, has finally gotten its prequel, House of The Dragon. Set 200 years before the hit series, this fantasy epic traces the reign and conquests of the House of Targaryen. Before Daenerys, there was first Daemon. Starring Matt Smith as the early Targaryen descendant, Prince Daemon, this series promises more edge-of-your-seat action and gripping antics, including a civil war that came to be known as “The Dance of the Dragons.” Based on his novel Fire & Blood, author and executive producer George R. R. Martin, he had been pushing the idea for this show for five years before it was given the green light, and cited the story as having all the elements for a successful spinoff. Watch more of R.R. Martin’s literary universe now on HBO Go.
Elvis
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann’s cinematic drama on the life of music phenom Elvis Presley is now out on HBO Go. The story follows Austin Butler from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Carrie Diaries as the titular lead, and award-winning actor Tom Hanks as his manager, spanning two decades from the beginning of Elvis’ career to the height of his stardom in the 1950s when he completely dominated best-seller charts. The signer became a television sex icon with his look and dance moves that were far ahead of the conservative performances previously seen. Butler became the heartthrob for the role, frequently retaining Presley’s accent for interviews and even breaking down in tears during filming. The movie dropped on the HBO streaming platform early this month on September 2.
