
Melissa Roth

Flee
The most urgent and relevant Oscar-nominated film of 2022, Flee is a deeply personal documentary about a man’s childhood as a refugee that inspires as it creates empathy for those forced out of their homelands.

Charlie Wilson’s War
A suddenly timely look back at how the U.S. first escalated involvement with Afghanistan in the 1980s, told through an eye-opening story that feels like it had to be made up by its Oscar-winning screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin.

The Last Letter from Your Lover
A date night movie that transports you to a lush 1960s French Riviera, the adaptation of the JoJo Moyes novel entwines two eras and two sharply contrasted romances, delivering a wistful summer escape watch.

Sex and Lucía
A cinephile’s choice for a Netflix and Chill night, Sex and Lucia is a steamy and intoxicating portrait of two lovers … and their other lovers … that explores the blurry lines between reality and imagination, love and lust, tragedy and obsession.

My Neighbor Totoro
A joyful, enchanting classic, My Neighbor Tortoro is the rare film that can captivate all ages, from young kids to their parents and grandparents.

Origin Story: How Friends Became the Ultimate Watercooler Hit
After a year-long delay due to the pandemic, the much-anticipated Friends Reunion Special finally has a “stream date”: Thursday, May 27th, a tribute to its original “Must-See TV” night. The big event has already driven legions of fans sign up for HBOMax, turning the service into “Must Stream TV.” David Janollari was a young development

I May Destroy You
An addictive, provocative, Emmy-nominated limited series that challenges how we think and feel about our own relationships – romantic, platonic, and professional. Creator and star Michaela Coel captivates.

Dolores
A gripping history lesson that also sheds light on the methods, risks, and compromises required to organize and sustain a movement.

I Am Greta
Surprising and inspiring, I Am Greta is a testament to the power of one voice — no matter the age. Watch it with the disenchanted young student in your life.

Melissa Roth

The Bear
The Bear is a fast-tempo character study set behind the scenes of a family-run Chicago restaurant. It invites you in to pull up a chair and watch the drama unfold, but never lets you get too comfortable.

The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is a wildly imaginative take on the superhero genre, but it works mainly because of the strong characters and dysfunctional family at its core.

Rutherford Falls
Rutherford Falls is a clever and sweet satire similar to Michael Schur’s other half-hour comedies. Like Parks and Recreation and The Good Place, it’s surprisingly deep and deserves just as much attention.

Cha Cha Real Smooth
Cha Cha Real Smooth is a sweet, intimate antidote to all the noisy summer blockbusters out there. Filmmaker Cooper Raiff proves he’s someone to keep a close eye on.

The 10 Best Episodes of Love, Death + Robots
Netflix’s animated anthology Love, Death + Robots includes so many worthwhile episodes, but these 10 are a great place to start.

We are Lady Parts
This is a funny, endearing, fresh show that demonstrates what proper representation looks like.

Why I’m Watching Ms. Marvel and You Should Too
Ms. Marvel delivers the representation Muslims finally deserve. And you don’t have to be Muslim to appreciate it.

Pachinko
Pachinko is a beautiful, sweeping, historic epic spanning generations as one family faces wars, strife, peace, and its own complex legacy.

Watercooler Guide: What You Need to Know about The Staircase
Our Watercooler guide to The Staircase will help you jump right into the conversation about HBO Max’s new true-crime series.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
If you love the idea of an old-fashioned Star Trek that lives up to today’s standards of inclusion and diversity (so, minus the ‘60s sexism), this is going to be right up your alley.

The Best New Movies and TV Shows to Stream in May 2022
We’ve sorted through everything new to stream in May and put together list of titles just for our Watercooler audience.

Heartstopper
Heartstopper is, without a doubt, the best film or TV show about gay teenagers I have ever seen. Innocent, romantic, and tenderly wrought, it is the story and the representation that the LGBTQ community has been craving for decades.

Why Does Paddington 2 Keep Coming Up?
What’s with all they hype about Paddington 2 lately? One of our writers watches it for the first time to see if it’s really as good as everyone says.

More LGBTQ+ Period Movies and Series to Watch After Gentleman Jack
If you’re all caught up with HBO’s new season of Gentleman Jack and craving more period LGBTQ+ dramas, you might want to give these a try.

Get Inspired on Earth Day with these Great Nature Documentaries
Celebrate the Earth with these curated nature documentaries, which all combine entertainment value with the desire to make a positive change in the world.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a fun time filled with impressive acting by its talented cast. Between the laughs, heartfelt moments, and action, this flick checks off all the genres in Cage’s filmography.