Most Recommended Titles

These titles are most often recommended by Netflix

13267 people have been recommended Planet Earth: The Complete Collection
 2007  4.6 stars 550 mins Documentary   Rated: NR

Narrated by David Attenborough, this Emmy-winning series transports nature lovers from the Himalayan Mountains to the depths of the ocean and everywhere in between, exploring the planet's most fascinating wildlife and challenging environments. Bioluminescent squid, vibrant birds of paradise and the nearly extinct Siberian Amur leopards are just a few of the captivating creatures featured in this collection of exquisitely shot episodes.



12546 people have been recommended Breaking Bad: Season 1
 2008  4.3 stars 346 mins Television   Rated: R

Diagnosed with cancer and given only two years left to live, high school chemistry teacher Walter (Emmy winner Bryan Cranston) attempts to secure his family's financial future by teaming up with his former student, Jesse (Aaron Paul), to produce and distribute the illegal drug meth. As Walter slowly builds his empire, his wife, Skyler (Anna Gunn), grows suspicious of his erratic behavior, and the DEA starts searching for the area's new drug kingpin.



11049 people have been recommended When We Left Earth
 2008  4.3 stars 408 mins Documentary   Rated: NR

Follow the 20th century's space race all the way to the moon -- and beyond -- in this incredible, comprehensive six-part documentary series narrated by Gary Sinise. Chronicling America's space program from the early days of the Mercury project to the era of the space shuttle, the sensational series features eye-popping footage from a host of various missions, plus in-depth interviews with NASA astronauts and engineers.



10778 people have been recommended Long Way Down
 2008  4.3 stars Television   Rated: PG-13

Together again, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman make another outrageous excursion in this Fox Reality Channel follow-up to the actors' first trip, which was documented in the series "Long Way Round." Kicking off their travels in the Scottish village of John o' Groats, the pair eventually make their way to Cape Town, South Africa, journeying through Europe and Africa to reach their final destination.



8993 people have been recommended The Blue Planet: Tidal Seas/Coasts
 2001  4.2 stars 100 mins Documentary   Rated: NR  until 01-Apr-2010

The Blue Planet: Seas of Life reveals the sea and its various communities at their most fearsome and alluring. Part 4 of this TV documentary series includes the following episodes: "Tidal Seas," detailing the effects of strong tides on sea creatures and landscapes; and "Coasts," a glimpse into the life of turtles, sea lions and other creatures that retreat to the coast during breeding season.

   

8751 people have been recommended Apocalypse Now / Apocalypse Now Redux
 1979  4.2 stars 341 mins Drama   Rated: R

Francis Ford Coppola's timeless epic adapts Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness to the Vietnam War, where special operations Capt. Willard (Martin Sheen) must travel deep into the Cambodian jungle to locate and kill the mysterious -- and insane -- Col. Kurtz (Marlon Brando). This double feature includes the 1979 Oscar-winning masterwork set in the Vietnam War, along with the re-edited and expanded 2001 director's cut, Apocalypse Now Redux.



8363 people have been recommended Life: Season 1
 2007  4.3 stars 480 mins Television   Rated: PG-13

After spending years behind bars for a crime he didn't commit, Detective Charlie Crews (Damian Lewis) returns to the police force determined to prove himself to wary co-workers, especially his distrustful new partner, Dani Reese (Sarah Shahi). Crews finds it hard to readjust to the law enforcement world but also discovers that his years away have changed his perspective, helping him notice minor details needed to solve crimes.



8160 people have been recommended Dear Zachary
 2008  4.2 stars 93 mins Documentary   Rated: NR  until 24-Feb-2011

Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne's poignant tribute to his murdered childhood friend, Andrew Bagby, tells the story of a child custody battle between the baby's grieving grandparents and Shirley Turner, Bagby's pregnant ex-girlfriend and suspected killer. Initially, Kuenne made this documentary as a memorial for Andrew's loved ones, but it morphs into an emotional legal odyssey when Turner goes free on bail and is allowed to raise her son.

   

7889 people have been recommended Star Wars: A New Hope
 1977  4.6 stars 127 mins Sci-Fi & Fantasy   Rated: PG

In a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas cemented his status as a pop culture legend with this classic battle between good and evil. This is the original, unenhanced version that thrilled moviegoers during the film's initial theatrical run. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), with the help of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), face off against Darth Vader to save Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and destroy the Death Star.



7715 people have been recommended Sons of Anarchy: Season 1
 2008  4.5 stars 608 mins Television   Rated: R

Things are changing in the town of Charming, Calif., and not necessarily for the better, prompting a group of motorcycle-riding vigilantes to take matters into their own hands. Young Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) is all for it at first, but as the Sons of Anarchy veer into increasingly treacherous territory, he's no longer sure where he stands. Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman play Jax's mother and stepfather in this FX original series.



7711 people have been recommended Cosmos: The Complete Collection
 1980  4.3 stars 780 mins Television   Rated: NR  until 01-Jun-2010

Renowned astronomer and author Carl Sagan explores the mysteries of the universe in this award-winning series, presenting fascinating and controversial insights into astronomy, biology, religion, evolution and more. With a focus on mankind's place in the grand scheme, universally speaking, Sagan takes viewers on an educational intergalactic journey through topics such as the Big Bang theory, early civilizations, purported UFO abductions and more.

   

7678 people have been recommended From the Earth to the Moon
 1998  4.2 stars 720 mins Television   Rated: NR

This 12-hour HBO miniseries created by Tom Hanks garnered 17 Emmy nominations and captivated audiences. From the early stages of the space program and Kennedy's 1961 call to reach the moon within a decade to the successes and heartbreaking failures of the race for space, the dream was kept alive by dedicated, daring professionals and a nation intent on reaching for -- and landing amid -- the stars, all while the world faced the Vietnam War.



7570 people have been recommended The War: A Ken Burns Film
 2007  4.3 stars 900 mins Documentary   Rated: NR

Documentarians Ken Burns and Lynn Novick bring the harrowing history of World War II to life through the personal accounts of a handful of participants from four "typical" American towns -- proving nothing was typical during this terrible time. Historical footage and photographs combine with realistic sound effects to create visceral scenes of the battles at Omaha Beach, Guadalcanal, Okinawa and more in this seven-part PBS presentation.



7484 people have been recommended The Beatles Anthology
 1995  4.2 stars Television   Rated: NR

Truly the definitive collection of Beatles material and a must-see for Beatles fans of all ages, this set includes rare and previously unreleased footage of the Fab Four, including an intimate performance by the surviving Beatles recorded in 1994. Dolby 5.1 surround sound and picture restoration enhance this classic assortment of interviews, concerts and music videos.



7413 people have been recommended Family Guy: Freakin' Sweet Collection
 2004  4.4 stars 115 mins Television   Rated: PG

Seth MacFarlane's witty animated series follows the exploits of the wonderfully demented Griffin family. See which five episodes, including "Road to Rhode Island" and "I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar," are MacFarlane's favorites in this special compendium. Extras include optional commentaries by MacFarlane, Chris Sheridan, Garrett Donovan and Steve Callaghan; a preview of "American Dad"; and a preview of the fourth season.



7268 people have been recommended Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
 2008  4.5 stars 43 mins Music & Musicals   Rated: NR  until 22-Feb-2012

When he's not busy breaking the law or trying to get close to his secret crush, Penny (Felicia Day), supervillain wannabe Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris) boasts about his exploits via his Internet video blog and dreams of defeating his nemesis, Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion). Conceived during the 2008 Hollywood writers' strike, Joss Whedon's quirky musical comedy originally debuted as an online miniseries.

   

7219 people have been recommended Wild China
 2008  4.2 stars 353 mins Documentary   Rated: NR  until 20-Dec-2010

This six-part series from the BBC uncovers some of the most exotic and uncharted natural habitats hidden within the vast and diverse topography of China, including Yunnan's forests, the Tibetan plateau, the Silk Road and the Mongol steppes. Through high-definition and other cutting-edge camera technologies, the footage presented here captures stunning wildlife sequences, along with a plethora of breathtaking landscape photography.

   

7192 people have been recommended Lost: Season 1
 2004  4.4 stars 1035 mins Television   Rated: R  until 01-Aug-2010

Stranded on a tropical island after their plane crashes 1,000 miles off course, a group of castaways must learn to survive in their new home, avoid the gigantic something crashing through the trees and determine whether they're really alone. Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, Terry O'Quinn, Dominic Monaghan and Naveen Andrews head the diverse ensemble cast in this landmark series, which won an Emmy for Best Drama.

   

7095 people have been recommended The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: Indecision 2004
 2004  4.2 stars 299 mins Television   Rated: R

This uncensored look at the contentious 2004 presidential campaign takes sardonic aim at both political parties via reports by faux journalists Stephen Colbert, Ed Helms, Samantha Bee and Rob Corddry. Host Jon Stewart is also on hand with guests such as Sen. Joseph Biden and Sen. John McCain. Included are eight programs from the conventions (four from each side) and the windup of the show's coverage, "Election Night 2004: Prelude to a Recount."



7032 people have been recommended Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: Vol. 7
 2009  4.2 stars Television  until 08-Jun-2011

Celebrity chef and best-selling author Anthony Bourdain trots around the globe in search of new and unusual culinary and cultural experiences in these episodes of his popular Travel Channel show. Highlighting both the food and the flavor of each destination he visits, Bourdain connects with locals wherever he goes and gives viewers a glimpse of both well-known restaurants and off-the-beaten-path delights.

   

6983 people have been recommended Scrubs: Season 1
 2001  4.2 stars 558 mins Television   Rated: NR

This show gleefully departs from the usual medical dramas, instead mining the laughs that come with interning at a busy and bizarre hospital. From the first day onward, J.D. Dorian (Zach Braff) and his classmates, the surgery-obsessed Chris Turk (Donald Faison) and smart-and-sassy Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke), discover that becoming a doctor requires tons of patience, clarity and a sense of humor in this first season of the hit series.



6949 people have been recommended Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense
 1984  4.2 stars 99 mins Music & Musicals   Rated: NR

Director Jonathan Demme expertly crafted this unrivaled concert film from footage of three live gigs at Hollywood's Pantages Theater. The staging concept -- the brainchild of Talking Heads' front man David Byrne -- begins with the lead vocalist striding onto an empty stage, acoustic guitar and boom box in hand. With each new tune, another band member or backup singer joins Byrne onstage, building steadily toward the smokin' finale.



6858 people have been recommended Life in the Undergrowth
 2005  4.2 stars 250 mins Documentary   Rated: NR

In this landmark five-part documentary, renowned naturalist David Attenborough uncovers a microscopic hidden world bustling with life and death, where remarkable creatures live on a grand scale -- despite their diminutive size. Thanks to astounding technological advances, you'll get up close and personal with antler moths, cicadas, desert locusts, glowworms, silk-spinning spiders and a swarm of other invertebrates.



6802 people have been recommended Family Guy: Vol. 4: Season 4
 2005  4.3 stars 315 mins Television   Rated: R

The deeply disturbed yet sidesplittingly funny Griffin family continues its misadventures in this collection of more episodes from the animated series' fourth season. There's lots going on in the Griffin household as talking dog Brian returns to college; dad Peter starts a Society for the Acceptance of Fat Men; baby Stewie goes through breast milk withdrawal; daughter Meg pretends to be a lesbian; the Griffin house becomes haunted; and more.



6769 people have been recommended Long Way Round
 2004  4.2 stars 360 mins Television   Rated: PG-13

A sort of The Motorcycle Diaries for the Hollywood set, this documentary miniseries chronicles the cross-continental adventures of actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they set out on their BMW bikes to travel round the world. Embarking from London and arriving 115 exhausting days later in New York, the duo tackles 20,000 miles of tough terrain, explores offbeat destinations and takes in colorful local culture.



6736 people have been recommended Battlestar Galactica: Season 1
 2003  4.4 stars 762 mins Television   Rated: PG

Join Adama (Edward James Olmos) and Laura (Mary McDonnell) as they lead a ragtag fleet of human survivors (from the destroyed colonies of Kobol) in search of a mythical planet called Earth. But beware, the robot race of Cylons is in hot pursuit … and it seems nothing will stop them. Based on the original TV series from 1978-80, this 21st-century update was broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel and instantly won a legion of admiring fans.



6619 people have been recommended Seinfeld: Seasons 1 & 2
 1989  4.2 stars 437 mins Television   Rated: NR

See how NBC's famous show "about nothing" -- one of the most popular sitcoms of all time -- first became "must-see TV." Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) leads the Manhattan foursome that also includes frustrated George (Jason Alexander), sometimes-shrill Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and, of course, Kramer (Michael Richards), Jerry's big-haired, eccentric neighbor with a knack for unique entrances. Keep an ear peeled for your favorite catchphrases. ...



6431 people have been recommended Gladiator: Extended Edition
 2000  4.5 stars 164 mins Action & Adventure   Rated: NR

Fans of Gladiator's original theatrical release will appreciate this extended version of the epic Ridley Scott film, packed with extra action footage and gripping dialogue. Featuring a strong supporting cast and an Oscar-winning performance from actor Russell Crowe as the dauntless Roman general Maximus, this big-budget Best Picture winner became an instant classic -- and helped elevate its leading man to icon status.



6414 people have been recommended Fringe: Season 1
 2008  4.3 stars 1032 mins Television   Rated: PG

Searching for answers after a plane inexplicably lands with all its passengers and crew dead, FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) tracks down eccentric Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble), a brilliant but institutionalized scientist, to help her solve the mystery. But she'll need the help of his estranged son, Peter (Joshua Jackson), in order to connect with Bishop, and the three soon team up to explore paranormal phenomena in this sci-fi series.



6348 people have been recommended The Sopranos: Season 1
 1999  4.4 stars 780 mins Television   Rated: NR

Modern-day New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) brings an element of humanity to the "family" in this Emmy Award-winning series from HBO, as Tony turns to a psychiatrist (Lorraine Bracco) to come to terms with the effect of his job's brutality on his life. As the Feds crack down and the tension within the organization rises, Tony's wife (Edie Falco) and two kids have expectations of leading a normal life.



6256 people have been recommended The Godfather
 1972  4.5 stars 177 mins Classics   Rated: R

When organized crime family patriarch Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), steps in to take care of the would-be killers, launching a campaign of bloody revenge. Francis Ford Coppola brings Mario Puzo's multigenerational crime saga to life in this Oscar-winning epic that also spawned Best Actor honors for Brando, who refused the prize for political reasons.



6239 people have been recommended Up
 2009  4.3 stars 96 mins Children & Family   Rated: PG

After a lifetime of dreaming of traveling the world, 78-year-old homebody Carl (voiced by Ed Asner) flies away on an unbelievable adventure, with Russell, an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer (Jordan Nagai), unexpectedly in tow. Together, the unlikely pair embarks on a thrilling odyssey full of jungle beasts and rough terrain. Other voices in the Golden Globe-winning film include the renowned Christopher Plummer and Pixar stalwart John Ratzenberger.



6220 people have been recommended The Life of Mammals
 2002  4.1 stars 500 mins Documentary   Rated: NR  until 01-Apr-2010

Naturalist David Attenborough hosts this in-depth examination of the most diverse -- and arguably the most successful -- class of life on Earth: mammals, from the smallest shrew to the biggest whales and the most advanced primates. This enthralling series explains what is and isn't a mammal, how they live, and why they have managed to thrive in every region of the planet, even in the most inhospitable environments.

   

6210 people have been recommended Dexter: Season 1
 2006  4.4 stars 650 mins Television   Rated: PG-13  until 01-Jul-2010

Playing a sympathetic serial killer might sound like a stretch, but former "Six Feet Under" star Michael C. Hall pulls it off in this macabre drama about a likable forensics expert who channels his violent tendencies into knocking off miscreants. Dexter Morgan (Hall) seems so harmless, in fact, that neither his girlfriend (Julie Benz) nor his cop sister (Jennifer Carpenter) suspect the true nature of his extracurricular activities.

   

6188 people have been recommended Arrested Development: Season 1
 2003  4.4 stars 491 mins Television   Rated: R  starting 01-Apr-2010

When wily patriarch George Bluth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor, in an Emmy-nominated role) is sent to jail, his responsible son (Jason Bateman) takes over the family business. But he's no match for his crazy siblings (Will Arnett, Tony Hale and Portia de Rossi) and sharp-tongued mother (Jessica Walter), whose daily diet consists of vodka and reckless consumption. David Cross and Michael Cera co-star in this short-lived but critically lauded Fox sitcom.



6101 people have been recommended Firefly: The Complete Series
 2002  4.5 stars 720 mins Television   Rated: PG-13

Set almost 500 years in the future, this short-lived but much-loved TV series follows the adventures of the ragtag crew (including Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres and Alan Tudyk) of the transport spaceship Serenity, who view no job as too small, too dirty or too close to the line of illegality. When a passenger is wanted by the ruling Alliance regime, the Firefly must hide out in the dangerous fringes of space.



6057 people have been recommended Chuck: Season 1
 2007  4.3 stars 556 mins Television   Rated: PG-13

Chuck (Zachary Levi) was a computer nerd working at an electronics store until he opened the wrong email and downloaded subliminal government information into his mind. Now, this ordinary guy is running from assassins, spies and terrorists out to pick his brain. With the help of crack CIA operative Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski) and a protector from the National Security Agency (Adam Baldwin), Chuck dodges bullets and international intrigue.



6032 people have been recommended Schindler's List
 1993  4.5 stars 193 mins Drama   Rated: R

Liam Neeson stars as Oskar Schindler, a greedy German factory owner made rich by exploiting cheap Jewish labor. But as World War II unfolds, he becomes an unlikely humanitarian, spending his entire fortune to help save 1,100 Jews from Auschwitz. Co-starring Ralph Fiennes, Steven Spielberg's holocaust epic won seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and is an unforgettable testament to the possibility of human goodness.



6021 people have been recommended Friday Night Lights: Season 1
 2006  4.2 stars 955 mins Television   Rated: NR  until 01-Oct-2010

In rural Texas, there's not much in life that matters more than high school football -- a point this series drives home searingly as it chronicles the ups and downs of a team that carries the heart and soul of its town on its players' backs. First-time coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and quarterback Jason Street (Scott Porter) lead a stellar team, but the pressure is enormous in this drama adapted from the hit movie of the same name.

   

6020 people have been recommended The Wire: Season 1
 2003  4.2 stars 780 mins Television   Rated: NR

Creator David Simon's gritty HBO drama takes an unflinching look at Baltimore's drug culture, through the eyes of both the dealers and the police. Season 1 follows the investigation of a violent drug-dealing crew known as the Barksdale Organization. But the line between good and bad is blurred, as the cops push the boundaries of morality while even the hardened criminals display flashes of humanity. Dominic West stars as detective Jimmy McNulty.



6006 people have been recommended Burn Notice: Season 1
 2007  4.3 stars 590 mins Television   Rated: G

When secret agent Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) inexplicably gets his walking papers, he makes his way home to Miami and turns his talents to private detective work, all the while trying to get to the bottom of his mysterious fall from grace. Gabrielle Anwar and Bruce Campbell co-star in this breezy espionage series, in which multiple Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Sharon Gless plays Westen's carping mother.



5976 people have been recommended The Best of the Colbert Report
 2007  4.2 stars 175 mins Television   Rated: PG-13

Armed with flawed logic, unreasonable conclusions and sidesplitting humor, no-nonsense journalist and truthiness seeker Stephen Colbert delivers to audiences his comical take on current events in this collection of popular sketches and interviews. Parodying such shows as "The O'Reilly Factor," Colbert goes toe-to-toe in verbal battles with celebrity guests including George Lucas, Barry Manilow and Willie Nelson.



5948 people have been recommended It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Seasons 1 & 2
 2005  4.4 stars 425 mins Television   Rated: R

A group of dishonest and self-absorbed friends -- Charlie (Charlie Day), Mac (Rob McElhenney), Dennis (Glenn Howerton) and his sister, Dee (Kaitlin Olson) -- run a downtown Philadelphia Irish bar, where fresh, sharp-edged comedy is served up and proscribed topics like racism and gun control are thrown down. Situations created by everyone's judgemental behavior usually go from uncomfortable to hysterically horrible. Danny DeVito also stars.



5844 people have been recommended The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror
 1990  4.2 stars 88 mins Television   Rated: NR

Get spooked with the gang from Springfield in this collection of their much-anticipated Halloween specials. Bart (voiced by Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (Yeardley Smith), Homer (Dan Castellaneta), Marge (Julie Kavner) and Maggie endure chills and thrills in these short horror-movie spoofs that are filled with time travel, cannibalism, nightmare invaders, aliens and wizardry. Also includes the featurette "Kang and Kodo's Finest Moments."



5753 people have been recommended Ken Burns' Civil War
 1990  4.3 stars 720 mins Documentary   Rated: NR

This documentary masterpiece from Ken Burns depicts the strategies and action of famous Civil War battles, and relates the stories of generals, field soldiers, politicians, heroes and a beleaguered president. The Emmy-winning miniseries begins by looking at the factors that led to the firing on Fort Sumter, and covers specific notable battles, climaxing with Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender and Pres. Abraham Lincoln's assassination.



5665 people have been recommended Generation Kill
 2008  4.1 stars 362 mins Drama   Rated: NR

A platoon of young but highly trained Marines leads the charge of American forces during the 2003 invasion of Iraq in this gritty, Emmy-nominated HBO miniseries that highlights the challenges soldiers face on the front lines. Alexander Skarsgård, James Ransone, Stark Sands and Jon Huertas head the cast in this realistic portrayal of war in the Middle East, based on a nonfiction book by Rolling Stone scribe Evan Wright.



5586 people have been recommended Shrek (Widescreen)
 2001  4.3 stars 95 mins Children & Family   Rated: PG

It ain't easy bein' green -- especially if you're a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek (Mike Myers). On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess (Cameron Diaz) from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot -- a wisecracking donkey (Eddie Murphy). This is the widescreen version of the film and includes a commentary, technical goofs, a storyboard pitch of deleted scenes and more.



5585 people have been recommended The Simpsons: Christmas 2
 2000  4.2 stars 89 mins Television   Rated: UR

The Simpsons are back to spread more yuletide cheer in this hilarious compilation featuring four episodes of the animated TV show. Mr. Burns hires Homer to be his personal "prank monkey." A blizzard traps Principal Skinner and the students of Springfield Elementary. Homer's hit song "Everybody Hates Ned Flanders" tops the charts. And Homer steals all of Springfield's Christmas gifts when Lisa tells him people would be happier without presents.



5546 people have been recommended Heroes: Season 1
 2006  4.3 stars 1012 mins Television   Rated: NR  until 01-Oct-2010

This Emmy nominee for Best Drama follows a global group of everyday people who, in the midst of their perfectly normal lives, awake to discover they have special powers -- from stopping time to reading people's thoughts. The newly minted superheroes eventually join forces to defeat their mutual foe, who plots to steal their super-DNA and destroy the world. Hero Masi Oka earned his first Emmy nod playing Hiro, a time traveler.

   

5460 people have been recommended Mad Men: Season 1
 2007  4.3 stars 546 mins Television   Rated: UR

It's 1960, and ad executive Don Draper rules the roost at New York's Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency amid a glamorous climate of never-ending cocktail hours, worry-free smoking and ego-stroking power in this Emmy-winning series. Draper has the good fortune of being a man's man --and a ladies' man to boot. But with the world beginning to change, he'll have to use all his smarts to stay one step ahead.