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Welcome back! I hope you guys are safe and spending plenty of time watching your favorite streaming services. Luckily, we have many options. Today, I’m giving you a list of really fun, interesting, and entertaining streaming shows. I’m avoiding the shows that made me fall asleep. For now, I’m focusing on streaming exclusives on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. I’m including HBO and STARZ because you can subscribe to them as a stand alone streaming service. Also, I’m only recommending shows that I’ve already binged. I’ll try to catch up on certain shows within the next few weeks. All right! Let’s dive in!
Stranger Things This show is such a guilty pleasure and very nostalgic for those of us who grew up in the eighties. It’s a really interesting and fun throwback to classic sci-fi shows and films. The visual effects are pretty good and the kids are delightful. This show might also make horror fans happy because it includes a plethora of creepy monsters. Stranger Things is pretty weird, but also charming and unique. Boardwalk Empire In my opinion, this show is one of the best streaming options on HBO NOW. It ended quite a while ago, but you can binge the entire series. Boardwalk Empire takes place during the Prohibition era in Atlantic City. Basically, it’s a mob show. The writing is excellent, the characters are well crafted, and there’s so much bloody violence. I just love it. This one would be perfect for anyone who’s looking for action. The Boys I would say The Boys is possibly the best superhero show and one of the best options on Amazon Prime. Granted, this show won’t appeal to everyone. It takes a hard, gritty, and more realistic approach to the superhero genre. This show is intensely violent, but still thought provoking and substantial. If you enjoy gritty shows, give this one a shot. The Handmaid’s Tale This dystopian drama on Hulu chronicles the lives of women who are forced to reproduce offspring for wealthy men. It’s a frighteningly realistic story about what could happen if any country falls in the wrong hands. During uncertain times like now, some viewers might run away from this type of show while others might find it quite interesting. The writing is impeccable and Elizabeth Moss gives a top notch performance as the lead character. Watch The Handmaid’s Tale if my synopsis sounds intriguing to you. GLOW Do I have any wrestling fans here? GLOW is an entertaining dramatic comedy that’s loosely inspired by women’s wrestling from the nineteen-eighties. Truthfully, you don’t even have to like wrestling at all. This show is really good with great character development and lot of material that focuses drama outside of the ring. It’s much better than I anticipated. Check it out on Netflix if you’re curious. Daredevil All of the Marvel shows on Netflix have been cancelled, but they’re still available for viewing. If you want to start watching the Marvel shows, begin with this one. Daredevil is a dark, gritty, and emotional series about a hero who wants to make a difference in a corrupt society. It’s nothing like the MCU movies. Keep in mind, this show is only for adults. I wouldn’t recommend showing it to kids. Fans of the Daredevil comics will definitely enjoy this series. Outlander I’m not usually a fan of romances, but Outlander is a rare exception. A woman accidentally time travels to eighteenth-century Scotland and ultimately falls in love with a rebellious highlander. Yeah, it sounds like the premise of a bad Harlequin romance, but the plot is actually very complex. It also has enough violence and historical elements for those us who aren’t enthusiasts of the romance genre. You might feel skeptical, but I recommend watching it on STARZ anyway. Six Feet Under This drama is shockingly good. It ended several years ago on HBO, but you can binge all five seasons. I didn’t have very high expectations for this comedic drama that focuses on a family who owns a mortuary. But it’s so entertaining, the performances are remarkable, and it’s oddly relatable. This show puts a unique spin on death in a very thought provoking way. Many of you probably don’t want to hear about death right now, but it’s still an interesting show and not post-apocalyptic in any way shape or form. Give it a chance. The Mandalorian Disney+ is having a very good start with their opening streaming exclusive. Their Marvel shows were postponed due to current situations, but you can at least watch The Mandalorian. It’s a fun adventure in space with a strong influence from westerns. This show is great for the whole family and it can appeal to anyone. You don’t have to be a hardcore Star Wars fan to appreciate it. The action is great, the plot is decent, and it’s somewhat different than the other streaming shows. Yes, Disney+ is worth the money. In fact, you can bundle Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for $12.99 per month. Jessica Jones After you finish Daredevil, watch Jessica Jones. It’s gritty and violent like Daredevil, but very different in all other aspects. I suppose you could call it a feminist work, but in a way that raises awareness rather than just girl power. The protagonist is a damaged PI with super strength. This show is raw, powerful, emotional, and totally unique in terms of the superhero genre. It also has a lot of noir elements. You can watch the complete series on Netflix. Band of Brothers This HBO miniseries aired many years ago, but I still recommend it. Band of Brothers is a highly realistic drama that takes place during World War II. I’ll give you a hint. If you think Saving Private Ryan is a brilliant film, watch this miniseries. You’ll love it. I binged the entire series in one weekend. The audience sees the war through the perspective of entire military units. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Altered Carbon If you’re a hardcore sci-fi enthusiast, Altered Carbon would be an excellent choice. This show is very cerebral and it can be pretentious at times, but the plot is fascinating and it has really cool sci-fi elements. It might not be a great viewing for casual streamers, but there’s definitely a niche audience for this show. Even action fans might enjoy Altered Carbon. This show includes quite a bit of action sequences and violence. Mozart in the Jungle Here’s a niche show for people who love music. Mozart in the Jungle is a comedic drama that focuses on the lifestyles, sacrifices, and eccentricities of classical musicians. It’s very different compared to most television shows and I actually find it pretty realistic. You might find certain elements over the top, but truth is usually stranger than fiction. The story has a lot of heart and substance, plus the overall show is just unique anyway. You can watch it on Amazon Prime. True Blood Is this show good or bad? I’m not sure, but it’s really entertaining and funny. True Blood is a violent, dark comedy with a big emphasis on romance. It was based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries and originally aired on HBO. Basically, if you like vampires, werewolves, sex, and violence, this show will be up your alley. Believe it or not, the story is really interesting and each season has a different main villain. Try it for something outside of your usual schedule. Spartacus This show is the ultimate binge fest for action fans. As the name implies, the show takes during antiquity and chronicles Spartacus through his gladiatorial years and a major slave uprising. Spartacus is a jaw dropping escapade of visual mayhem and the cruelties of the Roman Empire. Some people might think the show has too many sexually explicit scenes, but I would say it makes sense for the time period. If nothing else, watch the show for violent action scenes. It never has a dull moment. Subscribe to STARZ and binge away. Westworld I would definitely recommend this series for hardcore sci-fi fans. Westworld is very interesting, unusual, and downright weird. However, some us like weird shows. The actors are great, the writing is very good, and it’s a lot different than other shows available on HBO. Basically, it’s a robot uprising at a theme park with a western theme. If you want something different, check it out. 13 Reasons Why This show is very controversial, but the plot is super realistic and I think every parent of a teenager should watch it. I have to admit, this show can be a tough viewing because it tackles major themes like sexual assault, peer pressure, bullying, gender identity, problems with social media, and other issues that are common in teen culture. I find the show quite fascinating and eye opening. It certainly raises awareness about every scary element in youth culture. You can watch 13 Reason Why on Netflix. The Umbrella Academy I really love this show for some reason. It’s another superhero series, but totally different than the Marvel shows and The Boys. For some reason, a bunch of children were born with super powers and a scientist adopted seven of them for research. It’s a really fun and touching show about family, personal turmoil, identity, and other issues. Plus, it has plenty of cool action sequences. Season one is available on Netflix. Lucifer This show has a convoluted history because it originally aired on Fox for three seasons until it was cancelled and then renewed on Netflix for future seasons. As the title suggests, this show is about Lucifer, the prince of darkness. But it’s entirely a comedy. This show is so hilarious and entertaining. The writing can be hit and miss, but it’s still quite enjoyable. This show is probably one of your best options to fight boredom. The Expanse I believe this show originally aired on the Syfy channel until it was cancelled and picked up for a continuation on Amazon Prime. It’s a space opera that focuses on various cultures from many planets. The Expanse can be very cerebral in some ways, but it also places a big emphasis on adventure and political intrigue. I suppose it’s a little bit like Star Trek except somewhat less niche. Truthfully, I’m not a Star Trek fan, but this show definitely grabs my attention. Well, my list should give you several ideas. If you’re home and bored, try any of these shows. I’m sure multiple shows on this post will be appealing. Watch out for more streaming and game recommendations. I haven’t figured out my next post yet, but you can always check in to find out. Thanks a lot and I’ll see you guys next week.
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All right! I promised to talk about games and streaming for the next several weeks, so here we go! I have plenty of time to play games now. Most recently, I played the remake of Resident Evil 2, Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition, and Pokémon Sword and Shield. I'll give you my thoughts and recommendations for each game. Check it out and have fun!  This game is a remake of Resident 2 from way back in 1998 on the original PlayStation. A zombie outbreak is causing mass chaos in Raccoon City and the story focuses on two characters, Claire Redfield and Leon Kennedy. They'll either fight and survive or become zombie food. The outcome depends on the player. Let's start with the positive elements. This game is a really good survival horror experience with legitimate scares, limited resources, frightening enemies, and multiple challenges. The player needs to look around every corner because a monster could make a surprise appearance. Resident Evil 2 has a really creepy atmosphere and it's definitely one of the scariest games in recent memory. Monster fans should be thrilled with this game. You'll encounter all kinds of terrifying monstrosities, including zombies, a mutant alligator, a grotesque plant, Resident Evil's signature tyrant, and a mad scientist named William Birkin in the form of a hideous eldritch abomination. The game has a huge number of enemies. Also, the graphics are excellent. The characters are very expressive, the monsters are frightening, and the environment is hauntingly realistic. I didn't have a lot of time to explore Raccoon City, but the post-apocalyptic environment is well crafted with great detail. A few elements really bothered me. This game has some major technical issues. The developers made the game too dark and claustrophobic. I'm pretty sure these elements were intentional to make the experience more tense, but it's actually a problem. It's really hard to see doorways, exits, corridors, useful items, new weapons, and more. That's a frustrating issue when you're running away from zombies and trying to find a way to escape. Even a flashlight doesn't help very much. Also, your line of vision will be more narrow than in real life. It's not actually a realistic point of view. I have to admit, this game is super frustrating. Ammunition and health is scarce, enemies are everywhere, the environment is claustrophobic, and some of the bosses are nearly impossible to defeat. You'll probably run out of ammo multiple times. Furthermore, inventory space is very limited. I had to make difficult choices, like getting rid of my health packs and certain weapons to generate more space. The game has more than one difficulty setting, but all of them are hard. It's beyond challenging. I would call the experience obnoxious. Additionally, the game has two campaigns; one for Claire and one for Leon. However, the gameplay doesn't change very much between the two campaigns. So, this game doesn't have much replay value. Basically, the gameplay and plot is the same with both characters, except a few boss fights are different. I just wish the player could have a significantly different experience with each character, kind of like Resident Evil 6. Ultimately, Resident Evil 2 is a great experience for fans of survival horror, but you'll need a lot of patience. This game is returning the franchise to form with both positive and negative results. In a way, this game is alienating casual players, but I'm sure it will appeal to hardcore enthusiasts.  Injustice: Gods Among Us is a fighting game that's currently available on the PlayStation 4. Our favorite DC superheroes are mysteriously transported to an alternate dimension where Superman is ruling the world under a totalitarian regime. Now Batman and the rest of the Justice League must stop him and rescue Earth across multiple dimensions. If you enjoy fighting games like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, Injustice would be a great choice. The gameplay is amazing with a wide variety of combinations, power moves, and grapples. I found the controls very easy to use and accurate. You can literally chew up scenery by throwing opponents through walls, smashing objects on their heads, and smacking them across the screen. Most fighting games can get stale after a while, but this one has enough variety to keep players engaged. The story is also surprisingly good for a fighting game. It's a compelling story with drama, thought provoking moments, and a lot of character development. This game gives us a worst case scenario with one of the most powerful comic book characters. If Superman wanted to conquer the world, he could do it. Honestly, Injustice would be an interesting film adaptation. Plus, this game is the Ultimate Edition with all characters and bonuses unlocked at the beginning. It's fantastic! You don't have to make online purchases or unlock anything through the main storyline. I know it might seem like cheating, but customers shouldn't have to rely on extra purchases to enjoy a game. Despite its strengths, Injustice has a couple of flaws. The animation isn't very good, although it was an earlier release. I remember Injustice 2 having superior graphics to this one. The scenery looks really fake and the characters are a bit strange. In fact, some of the animation is comically bad. For example, Wonder Woman looks like a Barbie doll with ultra skinny arms and legs, a small head, and gigantic breasts. It's kind of sad and hilarious at the same time. Keep in mind, these issues don't ruin the game. Like some fighting games, Injustice has a really short campaign. I literally completed the main story in one day. It's very entertaining and interesting, but modern audiences will probably expect more for today's standards. Today, gamers are used to playing campaigns that last for multiple weeks. Overall, this game is perfect for individuals who enjoy the fighting genre. It has a brisk pace, terrific gameplay, a good story, and extras like interchangeable costumes. I also highly recommend the Legendary Edition of Injustice 2. It has every unlockable component as well.
I finally played Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch, which had mixed reactions from gamers. You're the protagonist who trains and battles pokemon in the Galar region. An annual tournament is taking place and you want to become champion. However, pokemon are running amok and transforming into gigantic sizes. Hopefully, you're brave enough to save the world from unstoppable forces.
Personally, I think Sword and Shield are very good, even though many Pokémon fans had a lukewarm response upon release. The world building is super cool. Galar has multiple locations, 400 types of pokemon, several gym trainers, and many opportunities for exploration. The map is highly immersive, but not overly complex. I don't have the best sense of direction, but it wasn't difficult to maneuver through the region. The Wild Area is a brand new area in the Pokémon series where you can catch pokemon, battle them, collect useful items, and go camping. Most of the rare pokemon will probably show up in this area. Okay, you probably want to hear about the pokemon. The game has a really big variety of them, including some new ones. I heard this game has a scaled down number of pokemon, but that's probably a good thing. 400 pokemon is plenty. Seriously, most people don't have time to catch a billion. Sword and Shield has a combination of pokemon who are cute, powerful, strange, and unique. You can obtain certain pokemon through trading and special events. I really enjoy the camping element. You can set up a camp with your team of pokemon, play with them, and feed them. That's the best way to help them become friendlier with you. Overall, it's a really fun experience. The gameplay is entertaining as well. It's essentially a classic Pokémon game except there's a bigger emphasis on items and power ups. For example, I found evolution stones all over the place. It's not difficult to level up your pokemon and fighting is a very fun experience. You'll encounter a variety of simple and challenging matches. Also, some pokemon are more difficult to catch than others. Pokémon fans shouldn't be disappointed with the overall gameplay. I like the story too. It's a nice little mystery with several subplots. Every time you think the story is going to end, another chapter begins. I learned a lot of details about the Galar region and its history. Sword and Shield also has a decent cast of characters, including allies, rivals, trainers, gym leaders, enemies, etc. Naturally, you'll have a chance to see a few legendary pokemon as well. These games have quite a bit of substance. Unfortunately, I have to address some issues. Dynamx is a new element in the Pokémon series. Basically, one of your pokemon can become giant for a few turns per battle. It can be helpful in certain battles, but I'm not fan. It doesn't make a huge difference. You can still get beaten by regular pokemon and Dynamax moves don't always cause a lot of damage. It's just a gimmick. You won't get a significantly different experience playing both Sword and Shield. The two games have some different pokemon and a couple different trainers, but that's it. The plot and overall experience is the same. I played both games and finished the main story, which was a very long experience. I would say most people could choose one game or the other. Only play both games if you really watch to catch everything. Okay, I like cute pokemon. Those types of pokemon are my favorites, even if many of them are less powerful. But these games make you earn the cute ones. I have a few examples. You get Charmander after finishing the main storyline. Eevee is very hard to find. You can only get Togepi through a trade. Some of the cuter pokemon like Squirtle and Bulbasaur aren't in these games at all. So, that part was a bummer for me. Sorry to break it to you, but most players won't catch every pokemon. You'll have to jump through really crazy hoops to catch specific ones. Many gamers have to get specific pokemon through breeding, special events, rare encounters in the wild, trading with real people, etc. For example, the games have three starters and they can't be found in the wild. You'll have to trade with a friend somehow to get all three of them. Good luck finding someone who wants to trade away their starters. Despite a few mishaps, Sword and Shield are really strong additions to the Pokémon franchise. It's an entertaining ride with endless possibilities. I definitely recommend these games for hardcore Pokémon fans and casual players. Both games are addictive and players could easily spend multiple weeks or months catching pokemon. That's the end of my triple feature review. Most of us are going to be stuck inside for quite a while, so let's make the best of it. I genuinely believe things like movies, games, books, and streaming shows are essential for this time period. You can always order these items online and have them delivered to your residence or downloaded digitally. I want to give a special thanks to everyone who needs to keep working right now, including people in healthcare, grocery stores, gas stations, laundromats, delivery services, law enforcement, and other life sustaining forces. Keep your chin up and stay healthy. I haven't figured out my next post yet, but it might include a list of recommended streaming exclusives. We'll see. Thanks for visiting and I'll see you guys next week. Have a good night! |
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May 2019
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