When Amazon started doing original video content, you were all like PAH I’LL KEEP MY NETFLIX ACCOUNT THANKS AMAZON BEGONE WITH YOUR WITCHCRAFT. But since the release of the Emmy winning Transparent earlier this year (an Amazon Prime original show), things have taken a bit of a shift. And, with the announcement of several new even awesomer-looking shows, we're starting to ask – should we get this video streaming service too?
Sure it’s more expensive than Netflix (£79 a year or £6.58 a month) and yes it doesn’t have the same calibre of original stuff yet (Orange Is The New Black is obvs well worth the £5.99 a month Netflix currently is alone) but perhaps it's getting there? Let's take a look...
Mozart In The Jungle
Premiering in December last year, this was Amazon's other high-profile original release that made people go 'HMMM'. Starring Gael Garcia Bernal (yes yes, all of THIS) as the ecccentric conductor that joins the (admittedly much more hedonistic that we imagined) New York Philharmonic, the series focusses on Hailey (played by Jessa from Girls' sister Lola) a talented but newbie oboist who joins and is thrown head first into the madness.
30 Rock
Literally no excuse for not having seen this yet. But it isn’t on UK Netflix so maybe that’s why. Tina Fey’s first show after leaving SNL is (IMHO) the best of the best of the half-hour US comedy shows. Following Tina’s character around as she tries to create an SNL-style show that’s staffed by lunatics. It finished two years ago and I’m still missing it.
Scandal
We’ve been somewhat vocal about our love of this show in the past. It’s the reason Kerry Washington is everywhere, it’s the reason no one trusts what the press says about politicians any more (House of Cards probably had a hand in that too) and it’s one of the most ridiculously glorious things you’ll ever see. Watch with a glass of red wine and a giant bowl of popcorn.
The Object Of My Affection
A PRIME CUT OF ROMCOM HISTORY RIGHT HERE KIDS. Jennifer Aniston is the social worker who falls in love with her gay best friend to the point that she wants to leave her boyfriend and raise her unborn child with him. It’s unglamourous, charming and a reminder that romcoms don’t always have to follow the SAME DAMN PLOT. BTW Picture Perfect is also on Amazon Prime if you’re in the mood for another excellent '90s Jen An romcom.
Black Book
The astonishingly good Dutch language film from the director of* Basic Instinct* (obvs) about a Dutch-Jewish singer who, after escaping the Nazis in WWII becomes a member of the resistance by getting a job at the local Nazi headquarters. Things are complicated a bit when she falls in love with one of the commanders.
The Bling Ring
You all know The Bling Ring but hey, INCYMI thus far, here it is in all its glory. Emma Watson is Queen, spoiled teenage Hollywood brats are not. Also props to Paris Hilton for letting them use her actual house.
Like this? Then you might also be interested:
Check Out Rebel Wilson In This Exclusive Behind The Scenes Clip At The Pitch Perfect 2 Bootcamp
'It's Hard To Be Followed Just Because We Are Black' Meet The Girl Behind New Film Girlhood
Far From The Madding Crowd Is Basically A Massive Game Of 'Snog, Marry, Avoid'
Follow Jess on Twitter @Jess_Commons
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.