Stay-inside ordinances are still in effect and a lot of us are starting to get antsy. No matter what, you’re probably looking for something new to do. If you’ve been reading a ton, maybe it’s time to discover a new TV show. If you’ve been watching way too much TV, you could pivot toward a new video game. Whatever you might be looking for, we’re using this space to share what the Innovation & Tech Today team has been playing, watching, and reading this week to hopefully give you some inspiration.
Playing
Final Fantasy VII Remake
It’s a moment for which some gamers have been waiting for years: the remake of Final Fantasy VII. The long-awaited remake of this classic could not have come at a better time. With completely revamped graphics and gameplay, this remake takes Final Fantasy VII to the next level, reminiscent of the original game, but for the modern era.
Pokemon Ruby
In times of stress like this, sometimes it’s good to return to an old classic, maybe even a childhood favorite. This week, I found myself playing through Pokemon Ruby all over again – something I haven’t done to completion since elementary school. It’s as straightforward and addicting as I remember, but still mindless enough that I can do it while I’m watching TV if I so choose.
You can play Pokemon Ruby on your computer here!
Watching
Chopped
For me, right now is the perfect time for comfort television. And although it might be fast-paced and stressful at times, Chopped has always been the perfect comfort food for me. It’s creativity in ingredients (each chef is given bizarre ingredients they must cook with) keeps it fresh and entertaining, plus, with 36 seasons, there is plenty of content to burn through.
Ozark
It’s the show that Netflix has been begging everyone to watch for three years. And you know what? It’s pretty good! Jason Bateman and Laura Linney deliver dynamite performances in this show about a family that must relocate from Chicago to Osage Beach, Missouri, following a money laundering scheme gone wrong. But what happens when they get wrapped up in local crime in Osage Beach? Well, you’ll just have to watch to find out.
Cosmos
Cosmos has been an Innovation & Tech Today favorite for a while. In fact, we just spoke to Neil deGrasse Tyson about the new season, Cosmos: Possible Worlds. Cosmos is everything you want in a TV show: it’s entertaining, educational, and visually pleasing. Neil deGrasse Tyson is a gregarious science communicator, making him the perfect host for Cosmos. If you have any interest in science and you haven’t watched Cosmos, then what are you waiting for?
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
After it won umpteen awards, I’m sure you’ve heard of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel by now. And, to be sure, there is a reason it won all those awards. A fantastic period dramedy following a housewife in the late 1950s who discovers that she has a knack for stand-up comedy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is as funny and delightful as it is poignant at times.
Featured Pick by Shane Brisson, Creative Director: CW’s Arrowverse
I was never a huge fan of D.C. comics, simply because I loved all the Marvel characters so much. After exhausting all of the Marvel shows on Netflix, some other great sci-fi type movies, and more, I felt like I was running out of options.
After talking this through with my co-workers and gathering suggestions, I decided to take on CW’s Arrowverse. With a whole universe to follow, and character stories intertwining, I found this watch order especially helpful.
Well, let’s just say I am hooked. I have been going back and forth between 5 of the shows from their beginning:
- Arrow
- Flash
- Supergirl
- Legends of Tomorrow
- Black Lightning
I have only omitted 3 shows so far from the list:
Vixen, Constantine, Freedom Fighters
Now, I can’t tell you how many hours I have invested in these shows, but I can tell you I am up to late 2018 on the run sheet and look forward to seeing how things progress. Yes, there are spoilers out there and I know ultimately how Arrow ends it’s run, but getting there is half the fun and I look forward to continuing down the trail.
Reading
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
An extremely dark take on the western genre, Blood Meridian or The Evening Redness in the West is perfect for anyone looking for a classic. McCarthy’s straightforward and descriptive style is emblematic of Hemingway, giving readers a no-frills story about the menace that came with western expansion.
Beastie Boys Book by Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz
Named one of the Best Books of the Year by Rolling Stones and The Guardian, Beastie Boys Book is a must-read for any music fans out there. Written by Mike D and ADROCK themselves, Beastie Boys Book is an autobiography as creative as the music group was, telling their journey in full while featuring poems, photography, and even comic strips.
Geek Dad: Awesomely Geeky Projects and Activities for Dads and Kids to Share by Ken Denmead
If you’re finding yourself stuck at home with your kid and you’re running out of activities, then you might want to give Geek Dad a read. Get ready to share your love of science and technology with your child with this comprehensive guide. Featuring ideas such as: construct a Slip n’ Slide; build a working lamp from LEGO bricks and CDs; create a comic strip or your own board game; and so much more.
