Mid-Pandemic Entertainment Distraction: What the Abacus Team is Watching This Week (April 9)

With everything going on in the world, we all need a distraction. A good show or movie can be the perfect way to take your mind off of COVID-19 related concerns. Because of this, we are publishing a weekly blog post of mid-pandemic entertainment. Find out what the Abacus team is watching this week!

1) Onward (Disney+)
Family Adventure Movie; PG (ages 7+)

"Onward came out in theaters the week prior to our county’s Shelter in Place order, so when we heard it was on Disney+ on April 3^rd we couldn’t wait. Tom Holland and Chris Pratt are such a dynamic pair from Avengers to this fun animated adventure. The story is of an elf named Ian (Tom Holland) living in a world where magic was once real, but throughout the centuries story turned to legend and legend turned to myth. Anyone that still believed was “childish”, including Ian’s other brother Barley (Chris Pratt). On Ian’s 16^th birthday his Mother gives he and Barley a gift from their father, who passed away before Ian was born. This gift was proof that magic did and does exist and it’s up to the brothers to use magic to see their father, one last time. Like any magical adventure this one is filled with grueling obstacles, interesting discoveries, but most of all brotherly love." - Molly, Client Support Operations

2) Ozark (Netflix)
Drama Series; TV-MA

3) Dispatches from Elsewhere (AMC)
Drama Series; TV-14

"We were given these recommendations (Ozark & Dispatches from Elsewhere) and they are easy to get hooked on… great quarantine, binge watching shows… ENJOY!" - Donna, Account Management

4) River Monsters (ITV Hub, Hulu, Amazon Prime)
Wildlife Documentary Series; TV-14

"I have been watching River Monster since 2009 when the first release came out. The host Jeremy Wade is a biologist and extreme angler who explores freshwater mysteries and local folklore, to debunk these myths and track down these harrowing tales. Every episode is full of adventure and persistent to learn. Jeremy is always thorough in his information and thoughtful of others. If you remember the show Goosebumps, you can definitely relate to this show. A unique way of setting the situation in which the monster is going to be caught, just like the goosebumps show!" - Kieran, Client Support

5) Veep (HBO, Amazon Prime, Hulu)
Comedy Series; TV-MA

"I started rewatching this extremely funny, well-written series this week. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays the Vice President of the United States. For 7 seasons, you follow her hilariously dysfunctional day-to-day existence as she puts out political fires and juggles public and private demands." - Matthew, Marketing

6) Babylon Berlin (Netflix)
Drama Series; TV-MA

"This is a beautifully shot film Noir style detective show set in Pre-WWII Berlin. Amazing art direction, intelligent plot twists and turns, all thoughtfully placed against the backdrop of Weimar Republic Berlin. This will equally please Murder Mystery fans, Noir aficionados, and History buffs. Highly recommend!" - Lily, Human Resources

Be sure to check out our team's Mid-Pandemic Entertainment picks from last week!