[imagesource: Netflix]

I think we have reminded you almost every day this week that we are halfway through the year, via lists taking stock of the best movies and series from the first six months.

Although, it still feels unbelievable how far we’ve come.

Thank the heavens that Netflix has produced interesting and entertaining original content for us to binge while we play it safe at home.

From weird action to unconventional comedy specials, Mashable had done the hard work, and we’ve selected five that stand out.

Bo Burnham: Inside

Sometimes hard to watch, sometimes cathartic, this pandemic-era Netflix comedy special by comedian and musician Bo Burnham takes the format of a YouTube video and turns it into something new:

Among the more impressive pandemic projects to hit the market, Bo Burnham: Inside is an unconventional comedy special that takes a painfully precise look at the traumatic experience of social distancing during COVID-19.

In it, Burnham takes musical aim at everything from aging (’30’) to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos (‘Bezos I’ and ‘Bezos II’) with his characteristic wit and self-depreciation — having made the project while, of course, stuck at home like the rest of us.

Yasuke

In a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and history, this anime is a must-watch:

LeSean Thomas’ miniseries follows the life and legend of its title character, a Black samurai who served daimyō Oda Nobunaga. Years after Nobunaga’s death, Yasuke lives as Yassan, a boatsman who shuttles villagers along the water and speaks little of his past. But a young girl with awesome power undoes Yassan’s quiet life and alias, thrusting him back into a world of warriors, magic and more.

This anime series even inspired some of Netflix Shop’s new merch.

You can watch Yasuke here.

The Dig

The emotionality and history behind The Dig could be exactly the kind of movie needed to remind us of how and why to carry on when the entire world seems about to end:

At the center of The Dig is what might look at first glance like an ordinary bit of land, but with attention and patience reveals a rare and remarkable treasure.

Likewise, The Dig might seem plain and mild at first, set in the picturesque countryside of 1930s Britain and centering on a nice lady (Carey Mulligan) and the nice man (Ralph Fiennes) she hires to unearth the sixth-century ship buried underneath her property.

Gradually, though, it builds to something unexpectedly moving.

Watch The Dig on Netflix.

Army of the Dead

Apparently, the best part of Army of the Dead, directed by  Zack Snyder, is the first 15 minutes, but the rest of the two-hour-and-28-minute movie is actually just as action-packed:

Dave Bautista stars as a mercenary among the undead, tasked with carrying out an impossible post-apocalyptic heist.

In a vault beneath Las Vegas lies more than 200 million dollars, but can he and his crew get it out without falling prey to the living dead?

Expect “a gleefully gory good time” if you watch Army of the Dead on Netflix.

Moxie

This charming film about a fledgling feminist (played by Hadley Robinson) learning to take up space is directed by Amy Poehler, who also stars in the film:

Inspired by her mother’s Riot Grrrl past, Vivian decides to expose systemic sexism at her high school through the anonymous zine MOXiE!, and ends up spearheading a cause other students support.

Robinson hits the perfect balance of fired up and unsure that feels so familiar to young women, and she’s surrounded by a strong and thoughtfully diverse ensemble (including viral hit The Linda Lindas).

If you’re looking for some inspiration, watch Moxie.

There’s also our list of best series and best movies.

It’s the perfect weather to get cracking on all these lists…

[source:mashable]