5 Netflix shows to kickstart 2019

Netflix has announced a line-up of its films and series slated for the beginning of 2019, jam-packed with exciting stories featuring, among others, zombies, superheroes and women in charge.

Here are five to look out for that will kick-start the New Year in high gear.

1. Tidying up with Marie Kondo

A new year is usually associated with fresh beginnings and clean starts.

Netflix original series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo features the titular tidy guru Marie Kondo as she comes to the rescue by helping people tackle the clutter that is holding them back.

“My mission is to spark joy in the world through tidying,” Kondo says in her introduction in the trailer.

The series launches globally on Netflix on Jan. 1.

2. Lionheart

When her father fell ill, Adaeze had to take over the family business along with her uncle and prove her worth in a male-dominated world.

Lionheart is a 2018 Nigerian movie produced by Chinny Onwugbenu and directed by Genevieve Nnaji. It stars Pete Edochie, Genevieve Nnaji and Nkem Owoh.

The film premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Canada and was acquired by Netflix that same month, making it the first original Nigerian movie to be acquired by the streaming network.

It is slated to premiere on Netflix on Jan. 4.

3. Polar

The world’s leading hitman, Duncan Vizla, more commonly known as “The Black Kaiser”, was enjoying his retirement when his former boss suddenly made him a scapegoat in his organization. Duncan has to go back to the dark world to face a younger, faster and cruel army of murderers.

Polar is a film adaptation of the action noir comic series of the same name directed by Jonas Åkerlund and based on a speculative script by Jason Rothwell.

Starring veteran Mads Mikkelsen, along with Vanessa Hudgens, Katheryn Winnick and Matt Lucas, the film is slated for release on Netflix on Jan. 25.

4. Titans

A team of young superheroes led by Nightwing, formerly Batman’s first Robin, are united to eradicate evil and other perils, which exist within themselves as well as around them.

The Netflix original series stars Teagan Croft, Brenton Thwaites and Anna Diop.

It is set to be available on the streaming platform on Jan. 11.

5. Kingdom

Set in Korea’s medieval Joseon period, when a kingdom is defeated by corruption and famine, a mysterious plague spreads that turns the infected into zombies.

The crown prince, framed for treason and desperate to save his people, sets out on a journey to unveil what evil lurks in the dark.

Kingdom is a South Korean television series written by Kim Eun-hee and directed by Kim Seong-hun.

The thriller-fantasy series will be Netflix’s second Korean original series and will premiere on Jan. 5. (wng)