April Favorites: The Best Movies, TV Shows, and Videogames (Retro and New) I've Encountered Recently

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I encounter a lot of media all the time, and I don't get to share all of it with you.  Some of it is too new, and some of it I just haven't worked into a post (yet), but it's all worth talking about.  I thought it would be fun to share my April favorites, some of the movies, TV shows, and videogames I've been into lately, and I'm hoping you'll use the comments to tell us what you're into, too. As always, I've included links to the products

Videogames

Need for Speed Underground (2006) for PS2

In this game, your goal is to dominate the underground street racing scene by defeating your rivals and upgrading your ride.    

This game has everything that I've come to expect from the Need for Speed franchise - intensity,  challenge, impressive cars with even more impressive customization options, and mediocre character development.  However, stand-out features include the ability to choose your difficulty level each time you choose a race (in other words, if you're struggling with a specific race, you can play it on a lower difficulty setting for less prize money) and the need to increase your reputation in the underground racing scene by customizing your car.




 Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (2009) for DS

This puzzle game sequel to Professor Layton and the Curious Village - Nintendo DS follows archeologist Hershel Layton and his apprentice, Luke, as they travel the countryside beating puzzles and solving mysteries, all in the name of locating an ancient box said to kill anyone who opens it.

I love that everything about this game is charming: the animated countryside, the soft background music, the incredibly British characters and their incredibly British dialogue (Incidentally, The developer, Level-5 Inc, is a Japanese company.)  I also like how low-pressure it is  It gives you plenty of opportunities to casually explore and interact with the NPC's as you wish, and very few puzzles or problems must be solved immediately.  Most of the time, if you get stuck, you can come back when your mind is fresher.

I do have to admit, though, that I can only play this game in small doses; After 30-60 minutes, even basic puzzles become difficult, and I have to quit.   



Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright (2015) for 3DS

In this turn-based combat RPG, you play as Corrin, a young and isolated princess who has just completed her training and earned permission to leave the fortress and join the war raging in her kingdom. 

I borrowed this game and stinkin' fell in love with it.  I fell in love with the turn-based combat idea (which I have little experience with) because it gives me as much time as I need to plan out my strategy.  I fell in love with the absolutely gorgeous graphics.  I fell in love with the main character, Corrin, who is noble, strong, and a bit niave. And I fell in love with the narrative, which unfolds gradually, leaving you with questions you're dying to know the answer to. 




Pokémon Moon (2016) for 3DS

You and your mom have just moved to the tropical Alola region, home to the the famous Alola trials.  Your job is to travel the region's islands catching Pokemon, defeating the the strongest trainers the trials have to offer and standing up to the notorious Team Skull.

Now don't tell anyone, but...this the first regular Pokemon game I've ever played (I played Pokemon Snap a couple years back) because these games were banned while I was growing up.  I was stunned by Moon.  Was it a bit easy for someone in their 20s?  Yes, but it was still a blast.  I loved exploring the different islands, finding Pokemon I had never heard of before, and watching one of the most significant characters, Lilly, grow into a stronger, bolder personality.  I was also surprised at how attached I got to my Pokemon; when they evolved, I found myself torn between a maternal pride and the sense that I was losing my beloved child.




TV

Batman: The Animated Series

This 1990's interpretation of Batman relies on classic villains and a 1940's film aesthetic to produce a Gotham City that is as moody and unpredictable as he is.

I'm part way through the forth season of this show (which is good, since it's leaving Prime toward the end of the month), and its been an intense ride so far  I've watched the creation of a host of super villains, the adoption of two Robins, and the advent of Bat Girl.

When I'm finished with this series, I plan on writing a dedicated post, so I'll keep my comments short, but suffice it to say, this show deserves to be as iconic as it is.


 Merlin

BBC's Merlin follows Merlin, the personal servant of Camelot's Prince Arthur, and one of the few magicians remaining despite the King's mission to destroy all magic.  He must protect the prince, who is prophesied to be a key play in the fate of the kingdom, all the while concealing his power from those who are closest to him.

You've probably watched this series already; it seems like most people have.  However, give it a shot if you haven't.  The character development is stellar (I swear, I would kill for anyone of the main characters), the plot keeps you on the edge of you seat, and in general, it is an fresh retelling of a story that can sometimes become stale because from overuse.

Movies


Saban's Power Rangers (2017)

The new Power Ranger's movie is an origin story.  Four troubled high school kids with next-to-nothing in common find themselves mysteriously transformed into superheros when they come into contact with alien artifacts.  They are charged with the job of defeated an intergalactic witch named Rita who is trying to destroy the earth, but find their abilities limited by their lack of trust in each other.

This movie is so excellent, that I had to bring it up.  It does an excellent job of maintaining everything that is memorable about the original Power Rangers series (namely, a lot of action, the theme song, and an easy-to-hate villain), while still growing the series up.   The characters, though young, are still easy to related to for a non-high school audience because they are well fleshed out.  The show also powerfully deals with heavy themes like death, Autism, and sexting.  


So, old or new, what have you been watching and playing lately?



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Twenty Unhappy Songs for When You're in a Miserable Mood (1995-2005 Retro Pop/Rock)

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I think there are two types of bad moods, the ones that melt when they come into contact with  sunshine or a couple upbeat songs and the ones that get worse the harder you try to be happy.  The second type of bad mood, at least for me, requires some time alone, some patience, and a little bit of music that gets me, that reminds me that I'm not the only one who feels that this way.  The playlist below is curated just for those moments.  Each of these pop and rock songs from the years 1995-2005 can be soothing because they openly recognize the reality that sometimes life hurts and we just have to learn to deal with that.

If you want to listen to any of these songs, you can find them in a Spotify playlist embedded at the end of the page.  In case you want to either look up more information about them or buy them, each song title and album cover is linked to the respective song's Amazon page.  

Also, I chose the 1995-2005 time range because it is rich with depressing music, and it is my go-to during bad moods of the second type.        

Finally, I am committed to recommending only clean media on Retro Reviews; all of the songs I've listed here are free of explicit language and sexual content. However, some of the other music that their respective artists produce is not.  I would especially suggest approaching Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, Seether, Matchbox 20, and Green Day with caution.

By all means, do check out Skillet, Creed, Switchfoot, and 12 Stones, though.  They're awesome.    




Name (1995) by Goo Goo Dolls

This rock ballad deals with finding your identity and feeling invisible in a world of heartache.  It's perfect for those moments when you're not quite sure who you are.