In my previous life, I wrote about filming locations for several different outlets, which meant watching a lot of movies and TV shows (all in the name of research, of course!). These days, I’m still glued to the screen — especially during the summer months, when a chilled glass of bubbly and a great binge feel like essential survival tools.
Even though this has been an unseasonably pleasant July (shout out to the weather gods!), I’ve still managed to tear through a mountain of content. Some were total misses (I’m looking at you, My Mom Jayne, Amy Bradley Is Missing, Her Last Broadcast, and Materialists), but I did land on a few gems worth sharing.
Read on for five shows, movies and docs to keep you cool, entertained, and maybe even inspired this summer.
Happy Streaming!
xo, Lindsay
DEPT. Q
A brilliantly grumpy detective, a lovably ragtag cold case team, and a razor-sharp script — Dept. Q gets an A+ from me! The irreverent British procedural (based on the Danish novels of the same name) follows Carl Morck, an acerbic Scottish detective recovering from a traumatic shooting, as he’s assigned to a dusty basement unit solving long-forgotten crimes. The casting is pitch perfect, the writing is smart, and the dry humor takes the edge off the decidedly dark material.
Where to watch: Free on Netflix
TRAINWRECK: POOP CRUISE
No vacation plans this summer? After watching this nightmare doc, you’ll feel very good about that! When a cruise ship loses power mid-voyage — and with it, all plumbing — 4,000+ passengers and crew are left stranded at sea in truly horrific conditions. (Translation: no toilets!) Most of the flick’s footage comes straight from passengers’ phones, making it part horror story, part human experiment, and 100% cringe-worthy — but also kind of a blast to watch from the comfort of your fully functioning home. (P.S. – The rest of the Trainwreck series is just as wildly entertaining.)
Where to watch: Free on Netflix
NONNAS
What happens when a grieving New York transit worker hires a quartet of fiery Italian grandmas — or nonnas — to cook in his new restaurant? Pure tear-jerking magic! Based on a true story, Nonnas serves up a heartwarming helping of nostalgia and charm. A tribute to second chances, late-in-life reinvention, and the unexpected friendships that form around a shared table, it’s definitive comfort viewing that will have you craving your mom’s Sunday Gravy — and maybe even some capuzzelle.
Where to watch: Free on Netflix
BUGSY
A ‘90s classic with surprise Coachella Valley cameos? Yes, please! Bugsy tells the story of mobster Benjamin Siegel, with several scenes shot right here in the desert! That “canker sore” of a casino Annette Bening’s character critiques mid-film? It’s actually the former George’s Men’s Store at 1677 6th Street in downtown Coachella — complete with movie signage still visible via Google Street View! The Flamingo Hotel set was built on a dusty patch near Ocotillo Wells, while cast and crew checked into the La Quinta Resort for the two-week shoot. News of the local connection inspired a rewatch — and good news, it still holds up!
Where to watch: Free on Hulu
BARBARA WALTERS: TELL ME EVERYTHING
This one surprised me! I went in knowing little about Barbara Walters (aside from that famous SNL parody) and left completely in awe. The inspiring doc charts her rise to the zeitgeist of television journalism, with Walters not just breaking barriers, but bulldozing right through them — blending news and pop culture in a way that changed broadcasting forever. Don’t miss the jaw-dropping moment when she secures an exclusive sit-down with Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, leaving Walter Cronkite and John Chancellor literally scrambling on a tarmac in her well-heeled dust.
Where to watch: Free on Hulu
Thanks for Reading!
. . . and streaming along with me! Whether you’re house hunting or just trying to escape the heat, I hope this list keeps your summer cool and entertaining. As always, if you’re dreaming about desert living, please reach out! I’d love to help you find the perfect place to call home.