Greetings and welcome to a monthly column called “Lighter” Flicks and TV Picks, where I’ll tell you what to get high to and watch on Netflix. Each list will come with three strain suggestions, as well as 10 movies, documentaries, stand-up comedy specials, or TV shows, organized by mood.
First, what we smokin’ on?
As always, for movies and TV binge-watching, I suggest an indica. Something that’ll leave you smacked and glued to the couch. (Or bed.) (Or air mattress.)
Strains to Enjoy
Northern Lights
You already know what you’re getting from Northern Lights: a straight slap to the face that’ll spread to your entire body like wildfire. It’s one of those strains that will have you feeling good and also mad lazy, which is exactly what you want when you’re about to kick back and have a movie sesh.
G-13
To this day, I’ve only had it one time, but ooooh baby do I remember how slumped over G-13 had me. Translate that experience to the couch and you have the ideal strain for Lighter Flicks and TV Picks.
Bubba Kush
Bubba Kush is so strong that it forces even the most advanced smokers to sit down and be humble. Smoke this strain and I guarantee you’ll be glued to the nearest La-Z-Boy. So hit your nearest dispensary, pick some up, head home, break it down, roll it up, and enjoy one/some/all of the below movie and TV suggestions.
What to Watch on Netflix in June 2017
Belly (1998)
Genre: Crime drama (movie)
Mood: I Want to Get High and Watch Some Sex, Drugs, and Violence
I’ve seen Belly hundreds of times and to this day, I still have absolutely no clue what it’s about. Judging by the 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, neither does anyone else. But that doesn’t make it any less fun to watch when you’re high. It stars DMX and Nas as two best friends/drug dealers/criminals who do a lot of bad shit, then go through spiritual awakenings that send them down separate paths of character change. While it’s not the best movie, what it lacks in plot it more than makes up for in cinematography. Mostly it’s just a bunch of random sex, drugs, and violence, but the way it’s shot is so awesome. (Not to mention, it’s a hood classic.)
Nerdland (2016)
Genre: Animated comedy (movie)
Mood: I Want to Get High and Feel Like “Dude, WTF Did I Just Watch?”
Nerdland is an animated film about two aspiring actors/screenwriters whose Hollywood dreams are dying, which causes them to make decisions that lead them down a path of crime and weird shit. This is one of those movies that make you say “Wait, what the fuck am I watching?” But it’s also one of those movies that you can’t stop watching if you’re high because 1. You don’t want to use the energy it takes to pick something different, and 2. It’s animated and full of trippy color, so your high ass will say “I mean, let’s see where this goes?” Where it goes: absolutely nowhere, but if you want to watch some wild animated shit that’s kind of funny but mostly extreme and confusing, this is the movie for you.
Southside With You (2016)
Genre: Drama (movie)
Mood: I Want to Get High and Watch a Good-Ass Movie
We all like to get high and watch funny movies, but every now and you then you need a good-ass film to make you feel good inside for unspecified reasons. Southside With You has you covered. Simply, it’s a movie about Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date on the Southside of Chicago. It’s so damn good and honestly, there’s nothing else to tell you about it other than that. Watch it. For real.
Ip Man 3 (2015)
Genre: Kung Fu/action (movie)
Mood: I Just Want to Get High and Watch People Fight
I love Kung Fu movies, so these will probably appear at least once per month. Just get ready. The fun part of Kung Fu movies is they’re all in subtitles, but the actors are so expressive that you really don’t even need to read them to know what’s going on in the film. That in turn makes them even more funny/entertaining when you’re high. PLUS MIKE TYSON IS THE VILLAIN IN THIS. WHAT?! LET’S GOOOOOO. And to answer your question: no, you do not need to watch Ip Man 1 and 2 to get what’s going on in 3.
The Art of Organized Noize (2016)
Genre: Music documentary
Mood: Let’s Get High and Learn Something
Among all of the high movie moods, my favorite is Let’s Get High and Learn Something. If you’re the same, The Art of Organized Noize documentary is a must-watch. Basically, it tells the story of how Outkast became Outkast, who all had a hand in it, and how Organized Noize basically created the sound of music today. It’s absolutely fascinating, and if you don’t watch anything else on this list, you should definitely watch this. Shouts to Rico Wade.
The Hunt (2015)
Genre: Nature docuseries (TV)
Mood: GIVE. ME. NATURE.
What would a Get High and Watch This movie column be without at least one show/movie/documentary about nature? Poor and inadequate, that’s what. The Hunt is only eight episodes, following a bunch of animals as they hunt to survive. They show cheetahs, polar bears, hyenas; all kinds of YOOOOO, ANIMALS REALLY EAT ANIMALS type of shit. Do I really need to say more? I mean, there’s even an episode about orcas outsmarting and then eating humpback whales. You know you want to get stoned and watch that.
Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King (2017)
Genre: Stand-up comedy special
Mood: I Want to Laugh, But Also Maybe Cry
I’d never heard of this guy until he popped up under the Recently Added section of Netflix, but I’m so happy I clicked his special because it’s the best one I’ve seen in a really long time. My favorite comedians are the ones that tell you about their lives and the struggles they’ve been through. In this special, Hasan Minhaj gives you the 411 on the brown struggle (which, let’s be honest, 90% of us are completely unfamiliar with). However, he does it in such an honest and emotional way that at certain points you’ll have to wipe away tears, and not from laughing. Smoke a few bowls throughout this one. Your emotions might need it.
Master of None (2015 – present)
Genre: Comedy series (TV)
Mood: I Want to Get High and Be Forced to Think About My Life
If you haven’t seen any of Aziz Ansari’s Master of None, then don’t talk to me or my son ever again. It’s like the perfect show for millennials who make bad decisions in our love lives while also making bad decisions in our real everyday lives. Season 2 just dropped, and while it’s not as good as Season 1, it’s still worth getting high and watching. The “First Date” episode is so funny, real, and honest that you might watch it twice in a row like I did.
The Carmichael Show (2015 – present)
Genre: Comedy series (TV)
Mood: I Want to Get High and Laugh at How Stupid Society Can Be
Jerrod Carmichael is the truth, and when it’s all sad and done, he’ll be the best to ever do it. He has a brilliant comedic mind and applies it to real-life situations in this show that every American should watch. The man has tackled social injustice, American health issues, guns, and more issues. Catch up on Seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix.
Bo Burnham: Make Happy
Genre: Stand-up comedy special
Mood: Let’s Get High and Laugh While Having an Existential Crisis
Bo Burnham has an incredible mind and it’s time for the world to acknowledge it. Make Happy is a brilliant production that highlights both his stand-up and music abilities in the manner of a variety show. He talks about so many things that the only way to describe the content is “Life.” He talks about life. On top of that, it’s so well produced that at times it feels more like a concert than a stand-up special. At the end he wraps it up in an extremely introspective and personal way that’s nothing short of magnificent. Get high, watch this, and then step outside and contemplate your life and all the things you need to change about it.
