Celebrity Life

A pandemic, ongoing recession, natural calamities and so on – it’s no wonder that we are all eager to bid adieu to 2020.

This year was all about schools and workplaces shutting down to promote a safer life at home, and it was a blessing in disguise for web series enthusiasts and streaming platforms alike, where the latter thrived because billions were binge-watching their favourite shows. And Netflix took the lead with countless new originals on its library that kept us busy in quarantine.

From psychological thrillers to rom-coms, from murder mysteries to reality series – this year Netflix’s library was renewed with brilliant shows that boast remarkable acting, cinematography and execution.

As we gear up to say farewell to this year, here’s a throwback to the best Netflix shows of 2020

(Hero and featured image credit - The Crown / IMDB ; Sex Education / IMDB)

1. The Queen’s Gambit

Chess is one of the most challenging sports there are, and also the soul of this exceptional miniseries. For those who are not too familiar with the terms of the game, a Gambit means temporarily sacrificing a few pawns to gain control of the board.

[caption id="attachment_213316" align="alignnone" width="753"] Based on a 1983 novel of the same name, this Netflix original follows Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), who masters chess during her years growing up at an orphanage. (Image credit - The Queen's Gambit / IMDB)[/caption]

Based on a 1983 novel of the same name, this Netflix original follows Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), who masters chess during her years growing up at an orphanage. While tranquillisers help her nail the game at first, she soon begins to struggle between her growing popularity as a prodigy and increasing reliance on drugs and alcohol.

The show was critically acclaimed by the audience, critics, and chess community alike. Furthermore, it became Netflix’s most-watched scripted series within four weeks of its release and quickly one the best Netflix shows of 2020. The original novel penned 37 years ago, is now on The New York Times’s bestseller list, queries regarding the sport have doubled on Google, and scores of new players have registered on Chess.com.

Its makers have not hinted at the possibility of a second season yet, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed.

Watch it here.

2. Sex Education

This 2019 British comedy series explores the awkward yet essential topic of sex education for teens. While it debuted in 2019, Sex Education becomes a part of the highly recommended list of 2020 owing to its excellent second season which released this year.

[caption id="attachment_213317" align="alignnone" width="653"] In the first instalment, we are introduced to Otis, an insecure teenage boy who becomes a reluctant expert on the subject owing to his sex therapist mother’s bold at-home clinic. (Image credit - Sex Education / IMDB)[/caption]

In the first instalment, we are introduced to Otis, an insecure teenage boy who becomes a reluctant expert on the subject owing to his sex therapist mother’s bold at-home clinic. He then starts an underground sex advice business at school with his classmate Maeve.

While the first season is more light-hearted and explores the know-hows of budding teen sexuality, the second season follows a more serious approach by casting light on the importance of understanding and preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

For now, fans may keep calm and wait for the third season which is slated for a 2021 release.

Watch it here.

3. The Umbrella Academy

Given the current situation, our world needs an Umbrella Academy more than ever.

Based on a comic book series of the same name by musician Gerard Way, it follows a group of seven adopted sibling superheroes (since the dead one comes back as a ghost) who reunite to solve the mystery of their father’s death. Soon, their focus shifts to saving the world from an upcoming apocalypse which has been predicted by one of them.

[caption id="attachment_213318" align="alignnone" width="687"] The Umbrella Academy bagged two Emmy nominations in 2019 and has also been renewed for a third season. (The Umbrella Academy / IMDB)[/caption]

Merging the and superhero genres with splashes of dark humour, this 2019 series launched its second season this year to positive reviews from fans.

The Umbrella Academy bagged two Emmy nominations in 2019 and has also been renewed for a third season. It stars Tom Hopper, Robert Sheehan, and Elliot Page — who plays Vanya and recently made headlines when he came out as transgender.

Watch it here.

4. Indian Matchmaking

Matches are made in heaven, and a matchmaker’s job is to help people find their soulmate. This docu-series rests on the same premise and delves into the controversial concept of arranged marriages. Sima Taparia – India’s bigshot matchmaker – talks about her journey of helping cosmopolitan clients across the world find their better half.

[caption id="attachment_213319" align="alignnone" width="703"] Indian Matchmaking delves into the controversial concept of arranged marriages. Sima Taparia – India’s bigshot matchmaker – talks about her journey of helping cosmopolitan clients across the world find their better half. (Image credit - Indian Matchmaking / IMDB)[/caption]

From horoscopes to client criterion – Mrs Taparia’s spoke about the challenges she faced with a few picky and complicated people who wanted to settle down but at the same time refused to lower their expectations.

Humorous yet brainy, this one stirred a meme fest on social media upon its debut. While some did not add this one to their favourites owing to its ‘classist’ approach to weddings, others enjoyed it for being a refreshing and entertaining watch.

Watch it here.

5. Dark

Time travel, wormholes, and countless mysteries – Netflix’s first-ever German language series has the perfect recipe that keeps the audience hooked to a screen.

[caption id="attachment_213320" align="alignnone" width="780"] Time travel, wormholes, and countless mysteries – Netflix’s first-ever German language series has the perfect recipe that keeps the audience hooked to a screen. (Image credit - Dark / IMDB)[/caption]

In a fictional city of Winden, the unpleasant past of four families unravel when a child goes missing under mysterious circumstances. Over three seasons, their darkest secrets surface and clues about how they are related to each other. Furthermore, a time travel conspiracy unfolds – one that even hints at the existence of an alternate universe.

The show made its Netflix debut in 2017 and ended in 2020 leaving viewers awestruck with its visuals, acting and a complicated narrative.

Watch it here.

6. Locke & key

For the fans of mystery and horror drama, Locke & Key is nothing short of a visual treat.

[caption id="attachment_213321" align="alignnone" width="751"] Locke & Key is based on a comic book series of the same name and has already been renewed for a second season. (Image credit - Locke & Key)[/caption]

When their father is murdered under unnatural circumstances, the three Locke siblings and their mother move to an ancestral home named Keyhouse. During their stay, the kids discover a peculiar array of keys that may reveal the secrets linked to their father’s death.

The Netflix original, which premiered in February 2020, is based on a comic book series of the same name and has already been renewed for a second season.

Watch it here.

7. Itaewon Class

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Itaewon Class uses it to lay the foundation of its protagonist’s ambitions.

[caption id="attachment_213322" align="alignnone" width="512"] Itaewon Class has already achieved a benchmark of popularity by becoming the seventh highest-rated drama in the history of Korean cable entertainment. (Image credit - Itaewon Class / IMDB)[/caption]

This South Korean drama follows the life of Park Saeroyi, an awkward high school transfer student, who seeks vengeance for his father’s death and wrongful conviction when he locks horns with a business tycoon’s villainous son.

Spanning 15 years, this 16-episode series showcases an underdog’s quest to achieve too much with only a handful of resources. His determination and loyalty towards principles makes the show a must-watch for all.

While there’s no word on a second season yet, Itaewon Class has already achieved a benchmark of popularity by becoming the seventh highest-rated drama in the history of Korean cable entertainment.

Watch it here.

8. Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez

A three-episode docu-series, this one places under a lens the life, conviction, and death of NFL star Aaron Hernandez.

[caption id="attachment_213323" align="alignnone" width="729"] A three-episode docu-series, this one places under a lens the life, conviction, and death of NFL star Aaron Hernandez. (Image credit - Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez / IMDB)[/caption]

Hernandez, who died by suicide at 27 while serving a life sentence, was convicted of first-degree murder of Odin Llyod. However, that was not the only crime on his résumé. Investigations hinted at his possible involvement in an array of other murders and activities. He was also believed to be closeted about his sexuality.

In a nutshell, the series turned every page of his life – from an abusive childhood to becoming a football star and his eventual descent into violence. It relies on recordings of Hernandez’s phone calls from prison to his mother and fiancée to prove his lack of remorse towards his wrongdoings.

Watch it here.

9. Love is Blind

Meghan Markle found her prince charming when she agreed to go on a blind date, and Netflix reality series Love Is Blind gave millennials the same opportunity, but with a twist.

[caption id="attachment_213324" align="alignnone" width="570"] Thirty men and women take up the challenge of going on dates in separate ‘pods’ where they can only talk and do not get to look at each other. (Image credit Love Is Blind / IMDB)[/caption]

Thirty men and women take up the challenge of going on dates in separate ‘pods’ where they can only talk and do not get to look at each other. Over time, the gentlemen can decide if they want to get engaged to the woman they are talking to and only then can they see the face of their partner. It then escalates to meeting families and getting married. The question that remains is, ‘Is love blind?’.

The series took social media all over the world by storm and it’s already been renewed for a second and third season.

Watch it here.

10. The Crown

If you are intrigued by the British royal family, the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and the events that shaped their history, this Netflix original can be addictive.

[caption id="attachment_213325" align="alignnone" width="719"] If you are intrigued by the British royal family, the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and the events that shaped their history, this Netflix original can be addictive. (Image credit - The Crown / IMDB)[/caption]

The four-season series is based on a play titled ‘The Audience’ and chronicles the later half of the 20th century in Britain under the Queen. From her marriage to Prince Philip to her relationship with the first female prime minister Margaret Thatcher and the most recent one being Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s wedding – it’s four seasons of royalty revealed.

This year, we include The Crown on our highly-recommended list owing to its classic yet controversial approach to the late Princess Diana’s struggles. The episodes that depicted her turbulent relationship with the Prince of Wales were deemed problematic and forced the British government to request a disclaimer stating that it is a work of fiction. Netflix, however, turned down the request.

Slated for a 2022 release, the fifth season is all set to explore the Queen’s reign in the 21st century, and the final one is expected to showcase snippets from former Duke and Duchess of Sussex Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal exit.

One of the most expensive TV series in history, The Crown has earned multiple awards and accolades in its name for the acting, storyline, direction and cinematography. Screen Actors Guild, Emmys and Golden Globes – this series already has its name carved on a number of awards and is expected to continue the streak in its upcoming seasons.

Watch it here.

The post 10 Best Netflix TV Shows That Kept us Company in 2020 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Anyone who thinks chess is boring clearly hasn't seen The Queen's Gambit.

This mini-series, based on the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis, has proved a hit since it landed on Netflix on October 23. So much so that growing numbers of people are trying out the game on their cell phones, maybe in the hope of reaching the same level of expertise as the show's chess prodigy, Beth Harmon.

[caption id="attachment_212381" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Queen's Gambit follows the life of orphan Beth Harmon, who becomes a chess prodigy. (Image: The Queen's Gambit)[/caption]

The Queen's Gambit follows the life of Beth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor-Joy), who is placed in a Kentucky orphanage as a child following her mother's death in a car accident. There, she discovers an unexpected talent for chess thanks to the janitor, Mr Shaibel (Bill Camp), who teaches her about the game, while also developing a tranquilliser addiction. Beth battles constantly with her addiction over the years, while trying to make her name in the ultra-competitive world of chess grandmasters.

Although entirely fictional, Beth Harmon's rise in the world of chess seems to be inciting viewers to learn about this game, which has been around for over 15 centuries. Since the show's seven episodes landed on Netflix, mobile chess games have been topping search results in various application stores. Daily downloads have also grown by 63 percent in the US and 11% worldwide, according to app specialists AppAnnie. For example, the "Chess" app from AI Factory Limited currently stands at number 14 in the most downloaded paid-for games on Google Play in the US.

[caption id="attachment_212380" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The rise of Beth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) in the world of chess is particularly compelling to watch. (Image: Netflix)[/caption]

And this newfound interest in the game goes beyond mobile apps — it's also being seen in publishing. The best-seller The Queen's Gambit rose to 16th place in the most-downloaded fictional e-books in Apple's iBookstore, according to data from Pop Vortex. And that's a respectable place, considering that Walter Tevis's coming-of-age novel was first published in 1983.

Intrigued? Watch it here on Netflix.

(All images: Netflix)

The post How Netflix’s ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ is Making Chess Cool Again appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

In need of some light-hearted entertainment?

When the going gets tough, even the toughest could all use a little cheering up. With the pandemic still raging on in other parts of the world, and our travel options remaining heavily limited (though we're looking forward to visiting Singapore soon), 2020 has really been a massive downer.

If you're looking for ways to keep your spirits high, we've got some suggestions. These feel-good Netflix shows will make you laugh and cry — in a good way — and are almost guaranteed to keep you in a positive mood all through the week.

Social distance

Our favourite new show is ‘Social Distance’, an eight-part series based entirely on the COVID-19 pandemic. Each episode features a different cast and storyline touching on topics that hit close to home during these uncertain times: relationship drama, loved ones battling the virus, death, frontlines, and the Black Lives Matter movement. These stories are told through the lens of technology as our current means of communication and as this year would have it, connection.

Watch it here

Emily in Paris

Predictable love interests, Paris, and a red beret — the cliches are many and it’s what makes this show work (among other reasons), the break from reality into a fairytale word. The other reasons being mainly the show’s fashion moments, Emily’s upbeat can-do attitude, and a stellar case including Lily Collins who plays Emily, and Kate Walsh who plays her boss, Madeline.

Watch it here

Blackpink: Light Up The Sky

Blackpink is hailed as the most popular K-pop girl group of all time, and that’s not a status reached without the years of dedication and hard work the K-pop training industry is notoriously known for. This documentary takes a look at the group as individuals and the different backgrounds Lisa, Jisoo, Rosé and Jennie come from. You don’t have to be a Blink to appreciate the authenticity the girls showcase in this documentary, nor their music.

Watch it here

Song Exploder

While we’re appreciating great music in this list, Song Exploder shines a spotlight on some of the greatest musicians of today’s Hollywood. The show is based on the podcast in which various artists talk about the making of their hit singles. This season includes the likes of Alicia Keys, Lin-Manuel Miranda, R.E.M. and Ty Dolla $ign.

Watch it here

The Cabin With Bert Kreischerem

Haven’t you ever wanted to ditch it all and go live in a cabin somewhere? Comedian Bert Kreischer has, and did. In his new abode he sets out to cleanse his “mind, body and soul”, trying out different therapy techniques and challenges with guest appearances by other celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner, Joel McHale, and Kaley Cuoco.

Watch it here

This story first appeared on Prestige Malaysia

(Main image: Song Exploder/ Netflix; Featured image: Emily in Paris/ Facebook)

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I binged watched Emily in Paris in one day. One long, glorious day in my pyjamas with a box of macarons (oops!) Well, what can…

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By now, your bosses and colleagues have probably seen more of your abode than you would've ever expected to show them.

With many of us working from home these days, meetings held over video conferencing apps the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become the new normal. Inevitably, this means letting colleagues into our residences — albeit virtually — and having them catch glimpses of it via our backdrop. Depending on where your workspace is located, this view could range from a boring blank wall to windows or cluttered bookshelves.

Your makeshift office may not be the most glamorous, but there are several easy interior design tricks that you can employ to quickly jazz up the background of your Zoom calls.

Textiles and cushions

If your workstation of choice is the couch or bed, all it takes is a few snazzy throw pillows wrapped in eye-catching fabrics and prints to provide visual interest in the space behind you. Consider dressing your cushions in the Armani/Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli collection, which is inspired by modern art — specifically works by Henri Matisse, Vasilij Kandinskij and Paul Klee.

It showcases striking colour blocks embellished with embroideries, ikat details and intertwined motifs. These are available in various patterns and shades ranging from pastel to neutral hues. More details here.

Houseplants and greenery

Adding houseplants to your home office will help the space look less spartan and bland. Smaller plants like cacti, succulents and spider plants can be displayed on shelves or tables, while larger ones such as philodendrons, snake plants and ZZ plant (Zanzibar Gem) can be placed on the floor to break the monotony of blank walls.

Online plant retailer Flora Houses offers a wide variety of houseplants that will thrive indoors and are generally low-maintenance. Its range includes Japanese fir, fiddle leaf fig and Bird of Paradise. The store provides free doorstep delivery with a minimum spend.

Artworks and paintings

Perhaps houseplants may seem like too much of a commitment, or you simply don't have green fingers. This is where paintings and art pieces make an easier alternative. You can simply hang a couple of them on the wall that constantly forms your video call backdrop.

An Andy Warhol or Basquiat will certainly impress your co-workers, but your art doesn't necessarily have to be expensive or by big name artists. Consider procuring artworks instead from indie galleries such as Odd One Out, which boasts an array of creations by local and international printmakers and illustrators. We can't take our eyes off the above acrylic painting by Micke Lindebergh, which is titled 'Small Yellow Flower Pot' and features colourful blooms accented by quirky squiggles and bright hues.

Statement ornaments and furniture

Inject a dose of quirk into your meeting setup by peppering your background with assorted decorative items and statement furniture pieces. These can be anything from figurines to colourful tiles and dramatic room dividers.

Our go-to is Lala Curio, which is a whimsical wonderland of objets d'art such as brass monkey sculptures, cloisonné birds, and, one of our favourites — an adorable trio of cranes adorned with rock crystal feathers and perched on crystal balls.

Wallpaper

Why settle for one specially curated work area, when you can turn your whole room into an Instagram-worthy space? Wallpaper is a bold and easy solution — if every wall in your room is clad in beautiful prints, you can essentially park yourself in any corner and still have an envy-inducing Zoom backdrop.

Designer wallpaper has seen a resurgence in recent years, and we're obsessed with Christian Lacroix's exquisite Oiseau Fleur vinyl wallpaper, which depicts vibrant botanical and bird motifs against a silk effect embossed base. It comes in two colourways of pink and grey.

(Main image: Brina Blum/ Unsplash; Featured image: Christian Lacroix)

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Sonali Jaffar, the writer and producer | Yeh Hai Mohabbatein | Sonali Jaffar | TMM Sonali Jaffar, the writer turned producer who is known for writing one of the longest-running shows on the Indian television- Yeh Hai Mohabbatein on Star Plus by Balaji Telefilms. She started her career as a journalist and later turned towards […]

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