Welcome back, Sailors! Good to finally be back with online school. Maybe not the most traditional way of schooling, but hey, if it works, it works! We here at The Beacon know how it feels to be stuck at home with nothing much to do (we’re all in the same boat!), so we decided to put together a list of some of our favorite movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, and books that you can discover while we all stay at home and safe together.

Books

The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton

A tale about friendship, trust, and social classes, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, takes you through the story of Ponyboy as he navigates the confusing world of Greasers and Socs. Read along as our heroes escape danger after danger, question what it means to be who they are, and face loss within their own lives. This book took the genre of teen fiction and opened up a whole new world of possibilities, displaying that “teen drama” can really be more than losing the big football game or getting turned down for the dance.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams

One of the most well-known sci-fi book series out there, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams takes its readers all over the universe as well as space and time. Get ready to find out the age old question, “What is the meaning of life?” as the series also delves into several different topics, old and new, by using elements such as time travel, aliens, virtual reality and, most importantly, humor.

Scott Pilgrim, Bryan Lee O’Malley

A story about true love with a videogame twist, this graphic novel series, written by Bryan Lee O’Malley, takes the videogame ideology of “beating seven bosses before getting the princess” and creates a complex, reflective and humorous tale. Watch Scott Pilgrim fight his way through evil actors, blonde ninjas, robot-building twins and many more as he learns what it means to be a kind person on top of figuring out what true love really is.

Albums and Podcasts

The Michelle Obama Podcast, Michelle Obama

The former First Lady of the United States of America has always discussed her views on current affairs through interviews and social media, but now she’s taking a more mainstream turn. Michelle Obama touches on a few topics that have recently shaped our realities, speaking out about the protests and the global pandemic that we continue to face each and every day. Her well-constructed ideas, viewpoints, and criticisms are magnified by her voice and her experience in the White House.

Surfer’s Choice, Dick Dale

Get into the beach spirit with some good ol’ surf rock! Surfer’s Choice is an album by the king of the surf guitar himself, Dick Dale. These surf-cultured tunes will get your blood pumping, with beats that will make your bones start moving and rhythms that will turn any gloomy, overcast day into something that will shine just a little brighter.

Planet Pink, Shock Therapy 

A little bit of New Wave never hurt anybody! As Costa Mesa natives, Shock Therapy take their first steps into the music world with their electrifying first album, Planet Pink. Plunge into strange tales about victims of the clam, cyborgs and their symphonies, and what life on Uranus would be like, all while being entranced by the band’s electronic and distinct sounds.

Movies

Uncut Gems

The latest Adam Sandler film, Uncut Gems, will give you quality entertainment during quarantine. The story follows Howard Ratner as he struggles to pay back his immense gambling debts by placing increasingly risky bets. As he attempts to rebuild his broken relationships and wipe his slate clean, everyone around him only sees his gambling addiction. This action-packed movie will definitely grab your attention.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Another spectacular film by Academy Award-winning director Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie in a story following a TV star and his stunt double, trying to achieve fame and popularity in the final years of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The artistic direction and seamlessly expanding plot make this film incredibly amusing and exciting until the very end.

Avengers: Endgame

If you have yet to watch Endgame, now is the time to do so. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe in ruins following the horrific events of Avengers: Infinity War, the Avengers assemble once more with the aid of their remaining allies in order to undo Thanos’s destruction and restore equilibrium in the universe. Although I was not always an Avengers fan, this quarantine made me hop on the bandwagon, and I’m very glad I did.

TV Shows

Adventure Time

We all need good animation in our lives, and if you have yet to watch Adventure Time, now would be a good time to get started. Follow along as Finn the human and Jake the dog explore the incredible Land of Ooo, all the while saving the citizens of the Candy Kingdom. The extraordinary duo travels far and wide, venturing into lands of ice, fire and slime inhabited with strange and unruly creatures. Whether you are alone or watching with your friends, this show is sure to make you laugh out of your pants.

Gilmore Girls

A fan favorite that appeals to just about everyone, Gilmore Girls is at the top of the Netflix charts for a reason. Set in the small town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, the plot carefully follows the relationship between single mother Lorelai and her daughter Rory. When Rory is accepted into a prestigious private high school, despite not discussing it with her mother, Lorelai turns to her wealthy parents for support. The loan they offer to pay for Rory’s education creates a new family dynamic and begins a series of high school adventures.

Down to Earth

What’s not to love about Zac Efron? Efron, known for his comedies and singing career, has assumed a different kind of role in the new docuseries Down to Earth, which examines balanced and sustainable ways of living. Watch Efron travel around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien as they learn about and put into practice healthy ways of living life. Learning to live more ecologically and sustainably is vital for young adults to live their best lives and take good care of their planet; this series presents this prime topic in both a doable and gratifying way.