Richard’s Recommendations

These are some things that I’ve enjoyed recently that I highly recommend!

This list will evolve over time as I see new movies and television shows or play new games.

Palm Springs (Movie, 2020)

This is one of the funniest and most endearing movies I have seen in years. It takes the idea of a character caught in a time loop that movies have been exploiting for years (Groundhog Day, The Edge of Tomorrow), but the characters and writing breathe heartwarming new life into the premise. Watch it on Hulu right now. Seriously, right now!

The Orville (TV, 2017-Present)

The Orville bills itself as a Star Trek Parody. Actually, it’s not all that funny, though plenty of scenes are amusing. What becomes fascinating about the series is that it turns out that it presents some truly interesting and thoughtful science fiction.

Blow the Man Down (Movie, 2020)

This Amazon Original Film offers a tense and complex narrative reminiscent of The Coen Brothers, but not altogether a copy of their style. Blow the Man Down holds its own as a socially-relevant modern-day fable.

Hellblade: Senua’s Saga (Game, 2019)

I may have come to this game a little late. Gamepass let me delve into this truly unique example of game storytelling this year with little-to-no commitment. I was almost immediately hooked on the profoundly effective audio and visuals of this deeply contemplative game.

Lovecraft Country (TV, 2020-Present)

It is no easy task to combine the fun schlock of a monster-of-the-week show with the social relevance and emotional power of a prestige drama, but this show manages to deliver on every level.