Johnny Ashby Offers His Emergency Top 10 Netflix Options

LA-based singer-songwriter Johnny Ashby crafts his gallant, radio-ready pop hits with melodic aplomb and inspirational lyrics held centre by his robust vocal work. The indie-pop style is reminiscent of the more user-friendly efforts of Kings of Leon, or U2 minus the rock tendencies. For his constantly growing fanbase, Ashby’s newest EP, the five-track, In Bloom, is an “uplifting, positive, and hopeful message during a time of uncertainty” that manages to sonically deliver in a manner befitting the benevolent thematics.

With a voice moulded for cinematic, epic balladry, Johnny is perfectly-suited for his next task. Joining us for a streaming-giant inspired feature, this dynamic artist eagerly takes us through his “Help, I don’t know what to watch anymore” emergency Netflix Top 10. We all know the feeling of browsing endlessly, hoping to stumble across something you didn’t realize was on there. Well, next time we will be better prepared. Although this list is based off the US availability, hopefully we can all walk away with a new item on our must-watch list. Take it away, Johnny.

“I was invited for a feature with V13 and was given complete freedom (within reason) for what I wanted to write! I’ve spoken a lot recently about my new EP (it’s called In Bloom, please listen to it!). To change things up, I thought it would be fun to do a Top 10 list of something. Where to start. Well, it’s not as easy as it looks! I love going to the movies and seeing as here in California all movie theatres are currently closed, I’ve really enjoyed digging in to some old favourites and discovering a few new gems on Netflix. So, if you’re like me and spend hours flicking through the menus until you’re overwhelmed with all the choices left at your fingertips, here is MY list of the best options Netflix currently has to offer. Thanks V13 for having me! Enjoy!”

https://youtu.be/I1D-y2VJFzY

1. Nightcrawler (2014, Open Road Films)

“This is a nail-biting indie movie staring Jake Gyllenhaal, and it won an Oscar for best screenplay. A Los Angeles thief stumbles into a new career as a cameraman in search of gritty crimes to sell to news channels. Teaming up with Rene Russo, he tries to find the ‘money shot’ to up their ratings.”

2. Jurassic Park (1993, Universal Pictures)

“Jeff Goldblum says, ‘Life, uh, finds a way.’ Everyone’s seen this, right? David Attenborough’s brother finds a way to bring dinosaurs back from the dead. Naturally, it’s a terrible idea and it ends in a big bloodbath on a small, deserted island somewhere in the middle of the Pacific. Oh, and Samuel L. Jackson is in it.”

3. Back to the Future (1985, Universal Pictures)

“The famous guitar scene in the first movie is probably the reason I now play guitar and make music. It just might be the best movie ever made. The whole trilogy is available on Netflix right now! They made a time machine out of a DeLorean! I mean come on! Watch it already!”

Artwork for ‘In Bloom’ by Johnny Ashby

4. Saving Mr. Banks (2013, Walt Disney Studios)

“I loved Mary Poppins growing up. This is the story of how the movie was made. It’s more interesting than it sounds. Haven’t sold it to you yet? The cast is pretty good. Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney. Once you’ve seen this, you should watch Mary Poppins Returns, it’s on Netflix too. You’ll be singing the songs for weeks.”

5. Drive (2011, FilmDistrict)

“Anybody who knows me knows I have a thing for Ryan Reynolds. Well, this has the other Ryan in it. Ryan Gosling is a getaway driver. The car chases are so good. And that jacket!”

6. About Time (2013, Universal Pictures)

“Written by the same guy who brought you Love Actually and Notting Hill. This one admittedly flopped in comparison at the box office, but that shouldn’t stop you. It’s not your typical love story. Bill Nighy tells his son a secret: all the men in his family have the ability to time travel. But, like all time travel stories, there’s some hidden rules and this time he can’t change history with it. So, he uses it to time travel back and forth and, with a little bit of clever, falls in love with Rachel McAdams. It’s like The Notebook, but with time travel. Yes, it made me cry and who doesn’t like Bill Nighy.”

7. Oasis: Supersonic (2016, A24/Entertainment One/Lorton Distribution)

“The. Best. Band. Ever. This is the story about how they became the biggest rock band in the UK. It’s brilliant. If you live in America, you’ll want to stick the subtitles on.”

8. After Life (2019 – , Netflix)

“Ricky Gervais like you’ve never seen him before. After Life is heartfelt and powerful. The story of a man who has lost his wife to cancer. The only thing that’s stopping him from killing himself is the relationship with his dog. Episodes are only 20 mins each. You can binge the whole thing in one evening.”

9. Ozark (2017 – , Netflix)

“Jason Bateman and his wife (Laura Linney) launder money for a Mexican drug cartel. Forced to leave Chicago, they relocate to the Ozarks. Every day is a fight for their lives and everything keeps going wrong. Fun fact: Brad Pitt is from the Ozarks, but he’s not in the show.”

10. Peaky Blinders (2013 – , BBC/Netflix)

“Loosely based on a street gang in 1920s England. The Peaky Blinders is run by Cillian Murphy who attempts to climb the ladder to the top of the criminal underworld. Another gangster (Tom Hardy) and a policeman (Sam Neill) make life difficult for him. Another TV show where everything goes wrong. This one has you on the edge of your seat for the entirety of it. My favourite character is Arthur played by Paul Anderson. Oh, and, for once, Tom Hardy doesn’t have something covering his face!”

HIDDEN GEM: Being John Malkovich (1999, USA Films)

“A wonderfully weird movie. Feels like a Roald Dahl story which I like because it makes me feel like a kid again. A puppeteer takes an office job and finds a secret door in the filing room. The secret door happens to be a portal that leads him into the mind of John Malkovich. I’m not gonna say anymore… but it’s weird.”