Seven things to watch on Netflix over break

Winter break is finally upon us, a wonderful monthlong break to recover from the semester, eat well, sleep well, spend time with family and relax.

With the break from homework, essays and exams, comes extra time our hands. Winter break can get boring, and tedious, especially while spending time with family.

I’m a gigantic movie fanatic and Netflixing is my main hobby over break. I’ve compiled seven of my favorite movies currently on Netflix to ease your boredom and throw some excitement into your winter break!

• Tangerine (2015): This indie hit is my personal favorite! Shot entirely on an iPhone 5s (I know, how crazy!), the film is an up close and personal trek through the exuberant life of a transgender prostitute who just got out of jail on Christmas Eve.
• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986): Who doesn’t love zeitgeist 80’s films like Ferris Bueller? Best part about this classic, it was shot right here in Chicago! If this type of movie is your cup of tea, watch “Risky Business,” “Can’t Hardly Wait” and “The Rules of Attraction” as well.
• The Babadook (2014): For all the horror film lovers, I would recommend “The Babadook.” All I can say is… very, very, scary. The movie depicts a mother and her son as they are being taunted by an evil spirit.
• Django Unchained (2012): The latest Quentin Tarantino movie! The movie follows the journey of Django, a slave fulfilling a task in order for him and his wife to be free. If you’re a huge fan of QT like myself, make sure to check out his new film “The Hateful Eight,” which comes out on Christmas!
• Tiny Furniture (2010): Lena Dunham’s first critically acclaimed feature film. The film follows the trials and tribulations of girls in their twenties trying to figure out their lives and become adults in contemporary New York City – very relatable for college students and extremely similar to Dunham’s hit television series! Reminder: “Girls” Season 5 airs in January on HBO.
• Paris Is Burning (1991): This exciting yet heart-wrenching documentary portrays the highs and lows of individuals a part of the queer culture of NYC in the 80s, as they battle being outcasts, racial tensions, and poverty. If you like this film, I would suggest you check out the “Hoop Dreams” documentary as well.
• Boogie Nights (1997): Directed by my favorite director, Paul Thomas Anderson, this thrilling film follows the rise and fall of an adult film star in the 70s and 80s. This is one of the best movies of all time, in my opinion.

Holiday season is also the season of new movies! Be sure to get out of the house, go to the theater and watch the new, exciting upcoming movie releases over break; such as J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars,” Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight,” and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s “The Revenant” (for which Leonardo DiCaprio hopefully will finally win an Oscar!)

Bernie Williams is a junior majoring in English with a concentration in media, cultural and rhetoric studies. She hopes to practice and master an assortment of mediums, including screenwriting, writing for the New York Times, lifestyle blogging, fiction and radio broadcasting. Bernie has a passion for creating and sharing stories. The heightened diversity of the city atmosphere surrounding UIC is perfect for her. Bernie’s side hobbies are indulging in TV shows (specifically Scandal, Girls and Law and Order: SVU), interior design and Instagram.