CR recommends

Are you in a rut?

Do you need something new to listen to, watch, eat or play?

We’re here to help.

In its sixth edition this year, The CR Recommends is our contribution to the endless lists — best books, best TV shows, best movies, best music of the year — that publications churn out because they are well-read and they can be done in advance so employees can take some time off during the holidays.

What you’ll find in our version is a variety of recommendations from our staff suggesting TV shows, musical artists, movies, video games, books, food and other items.

Our hope is that after reading this piece, you’ll try something new. Maybe it will become your new favorite. But even if it doesn’t, at least you’ll have expanded your horizons.

Movies

Elemental

This Disney and Pixar film took my heart and wrapped it in a warm hug. I’ve watched “Elemental” (movies.disney.com/elemental) probably half a dozen times since its June release. The story follows Ember, a hot-headed young adult preparing to take over her father’s shop. She meets Wade, the cool, charismatic love interest. The only problem — she’s fire and he’s water. Literally. While the “forbidden love” is a blatant metaphor for interracial dating, there’s more to their world. “Elemental” demonstrates the pressures of living up to familial expectations, making your mark on the world and honoring your culture. — Bailey Cline

Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3

When Marvel Studios first announced 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” many fans collectively thought, “Who?” Now, thanks to the films directed by James Gunn, these then obscure characters have become some of the most loved in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This year saw the release of “Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3,” Marvel’s best film of the year, which provides the touching backstory of Rocket, voiced by Bradley Cooper. While there are still plenty of humorous moments, Rocket’s tragic past is touching and may induce a few tears. — Scott Shaffer

Video games

Coral Island

Farming simulators have become one of my favorite pastimes — apparently, I’m not alone. “Coral Island” started with a Kickstarter campaign in early 2021, drumming up more than $1.6 million in pledges from 36,374 backers. After a few years in development, “Coral Island” (stairwaygames.com/coral-island) released its 1.0 version in November. Like other popular farming games, “Coral Island” allows the player to build their own farm in a welcoming community. What makes this game unique is its ties to the ocean and the impact pollution can have on a seaside town. — Bailey Cline

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

This game covers all three trilogies of the “Star Wars” saga in a video game format acted out by Lego versions of your favorite characters. The game takes a bit of a tongue-in-cheek approach with a few slight changes to the beloved films. There are over 300 playable characters, 100 vehicles and 23 planets to explore. The game is forgiving, making it a natural for non-gamers and youngsters. An excellent way for “Star Wars” fans to enjoy some fun with their children or grandchildren, playing together in that galaxy far, far away. — Scott Shaffer

Blog

Ish Mom

A friend of mine is busy. Her youngest child is learning to walk. Her oldest is around 10 and on the autism spectrum. In between are two more. How does she cope? She writes a blog. “Ish Mom” (ishmom.com) offers reviews of books and make-up products, suggestions for crafts and games that have been a hit with her kids and a weekly “dump” of memes she has found insightful or amusing. But its primary focus is parenting — serious advice about parenting. The writer is intelligent, thoughtful and smart enough not to assume that all her readers are parents. She makes me laugh and she makes me think. Hard. — Louise Ronald

Music

Shannon Clark & the Sugar

It’s always fun to stumble onto a new favorite artist. It’s even more exciting when you find out that artist is kinda, sorta, almost local. That was my experience with Shannon Clark and the Sugar (shannonclarksugar.com), a country band from Darke County, Ohio. Shannon and Brittany Clark were involved in the music industry in their younger years but stepped away following the death of their second daughter. They eventually would return to music as a healing tool, and their band was born when oldest daughter Navie joined. They opened for Tim McGraw in 2022. Start with “This Old World.” — Ray Cooney

Shannon Clark & The Sugar is a Greenville, Ohio, band that opened for Tim McGraw in 2022. The group is made up of husband and wife Shannon (third from left) and Brittany Clark (left), their daughter Navie (right) and cousin by marriage Joey Howard. (Photo provided)

 

Iron Maiden’s Senjutsu

Throughout our lives, most of us tend to favor music that was popular when we were teens. As we age we tend to lose interest in new music. For those of us who grew up during the 1980s and enjoyed that era’s hard rock and heavy metal can do both. Since the coronavirus pandemic, a number of groups have put out new music. In late 2021, Iron Maiden released its 17th album “Senjutsu.” This album sounds as good, if not better, than anything they’ve released since singer Bruce Dickinson’s return to the band in 1999. Their Days of Future Past tour is scheduled to continue in 2024 focusing on songs from the new album as well as 1986’s “Somewhere in Time.” Dickinson has also released a single ahead of his upcoming solo album “The Mandrake Project.” — Scott Shaffer

The War and Treaty

In the last six months, I’ve listened to a lot of music from artists I had never heard of previously. The War and Treaty (thewarandtreaty.com) is now a new favorite. The husband-and-wife duo of Micheal Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter that was founded in 2014 in Michigan is both powerful and soulful. They count blues, soul, R&B, gospel, country, folk and rock all as influences. As I write about them, I can hear Tanya luring in listeners with the first phrase of their song “Take Me In.” Other favorites are “Five More Minutes” and “Dumb Luck.” — Ray Cooney

TV

ER

This annual piece is usually more about new things we’ve found, but for this one I’m reaching back to an old favorite I rediscovered. Having re-watched some other shows enough, I decided to try the 1990s medical drama that was a favorite during my teen years. “ER” (nbc.com/er) is even more than I remembered it to be. On average, it is a strong TV medical drama. At its best, it is a heart-pounding action movie with life-or-death consequences. Episode seven of season two — “Hell and High Water” — is a prime example. — Ray Cooney

Streaming stars

Here are a three of my five-star picks that are sure to add the word “binge” to your vocabulary. 1) “The Queen’s Gambit” (Netflix) — You don’t need to know, or even care about, chess to enjoy this intriguing seven-episode series. 2) “Fargo” (Hulu) — If you enjoy dark comedies, unexpected plot twists and turns, and sitting on the edge of your seat, this one is for you. 3) “Poker Face” (Peacock) — Imagine if you could tell if someone is lying to you. If you enjoy a good mystery, Columbo-style, check this one out. — Rick Reed

Food

Patty melt at The Chocolate Moose

Talking with Connie Ronald about this piece, I mentioned some of my favorite previous suggestions came from her late husband Jack recommending a specific dish rather than just a restaurant. The patty melt at The Chocolate Moose (thechocolatemoose.com) in Farmland popped into my head. When I mentioned it, Connie’s eyes lit up. She said she and Jack used to split a patty melt on their Saturday dates. It’s a sandwich done right — a burger patty with grilled onions and Swiss cheese on rye bread. Give yourself time to take in the 1950s diner ambience and enjoy a milkshake. — Ray Cooney

Area attraction

The Reid Center

Richmond has a jewelry box. A Tiffany jewelry box. Three stories high. It was built in 1904 as Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, a gothic structure with more than 60 Tiffany Studio stained-glass windows. After declining attendance forced the church to close, a local consortium recreated it as The Reid Center (reidcenter.org), a venue for concerts and other events. The current calendar includes a Valentine’s Renaissance Madrigal Dinner, a Celtic concert, Fiesta Mexicana and noon concerts every other Wednesday. The noon concerts are free and offer a great opportunity to see the windows in their full daylight glory. — Louise Ronald