Have some free time but don’t know what to do? Want to watch a new show but unsure where to start? This comprehensive guide summarizes the best and most watchable TV shows and movies currently airing.
Criminal Minds 5:00 p.m. on ION Monday
If you like original crime series, you’ll love this long-running show. Members of an elite part of the FBI, the Behavioral Analysis Unit, are tasked with a gruelling assignment: tracking down previously unknown perpetrators of violent crimes by using the controversial science of profiling. You may want to start from the beginning: there are some storylines that get confusing if you jump in from the middle. You can find other seasons on Netflix.
The Flash, 8:00 p.m. on CW Tuesday
The Arrow fans are sure to enjoy this show, set in the same universe but focusing on an entirely different character. Barry Allen’s life changes forever when a freak accident leaves him with superhuman speed. He uses his powers to fight crime, and, like any good superhero show, there are plenty of action scenes, villains and rivals, and one hero coming to terms with his new responsibilities. This show is definitely worth starting from the beginning, as may important details are revealed in the first few episodes. Not to mention, it is just a very fun show to watch. Find seasons one, two, and three on Netflix, with season four on its way there soon.
The Goldbergs, 8:00 p.m. on ABC 7 Wednesday
If you liked the mockumentary style of Modern Family, or just want to find a new favorite sitcom, this show is for you. The storyline is based off of actual videos that the creator took as a kid, chronicling his life as the youngest sibling of three. Adam is a slightly geeky kid, learning about sibling rivalry, growing up, and, most importantly, the importance of sticking together and protecting one another as a family.
Modern Family, 9:00 p.m. on ABC 7 Wednesday
Claire and Phil are the typical American married couple: he’s a real estate agent, she’s a stay-at-home mom raising three kids, Haley, Alex, and Luke. Claire’s brother, Mitchell, lives with his husband Cameron, and their adopted daughter, Lily. Jay, Claire’s father, is married to his Colombian wife, Gloria– although some people mistake him for her father. With laughs and some occasional food for thought, this comedy portrays one large, modern, happy family.
Grey’s Anatomy, 8:00 p.m. Thursday
High-stakes surgeries and relationship drama all in one show? Grey’s Anatomy does a good job of balancing the two for those who want a show with both. This medical drama focuses on the doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital, who manage to juggle nerve-wracking medical procedures with occasional scandals and passionate personal relationships. Make sure to start the show from the beginning; so many characters get introduced and storylines played out that it will be incredibly confusing for those who join in late. You can find up to season four on Netflix, and anything else can be found on Hulu (the show is currently all the way on season 13, so this may be the better choice).
How to get Away with Murder 10:00 p.m. Thursday
Like Scandal but can’t get enough of suspenseful thrillers? If that sounds like you, this is definitely a show worth checking out. Annalise is a defense attorney who represents the most hardened, violent criminals, and she’ll do almost anything to win their freedom. Each year, she picks her top law students to come work with her at her law firm. As her students vie for top position, the show also focuses on two murders and Annalise’s quest to solve or defend them. This chilling and suspenseful thriller is designed to keep watchers at the edge of their seats. The show begins at 10 p.m., a bit late for a school night, perhaps, but well worth the watch.
Movies
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
This movie, based on the much-loved children’s book by Ransom Riggs, tells the story of Jake, a boy who has recently witnessed his grandfather die at the hands of a terrifying monster. Of course, no one believes him, but his travels eventually take him to the children’s home that his grandfather stayed in as a kid, where children with unnatural powers live. The movie stays true to the book’s original plot, with plenty of peculiarities, time loops, and effective casting. While there is definitely a “Tim Burton-esque” feel to the characters and effects, the end result is not overdone.
Sully
Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger, whose split-second thinking may have saved everyone on a flight after a flock of birds unexpectedly damaged his plane on a routine flight, is put on trial for his unconventional and controversial decision to land the plane in the Hudson River. Along with his co-pilot, he must deal with disciplinary hearings and authorities questioning his judgment, as well as sudden fame and PTSD from the incident. If you like disaster films like Apollo 13, this movie is another great Tom Hanks film, albeit at a slightly slower pace.
