This show stars Steve Carell as a reluctant general put in charge of a new military division dedicated to getting America back on the moon.
It has the power of Netflix behind it, and a lot of good things going for it: talented actors, good-looking sets, fairly smart dialogue, and the legendary comedy creator behind The Office and Parks and Rec.
Unfortunately, Space Force just isn't that funny, and absent of laughs, there's not much else to pull you into its story. Its enjoyable enough, but I feel like it had the potential to be much more.
Reviews
9 Reviews
Love Life
(2020–2021)
Somewhat entertaining, though definitely below typical HBO caliber
28 May 2020
This series follows the chronological love life of a 20-something in NYC, played by Anna Kendrick, with each episode focusing on a different relationship.
It's entertaining enough, and luckily the episodes aren't too long (30 mins) but honestly it's nothing to write home about. It doesn't say anything particularly unique or thought-provoking about love, nor is it particularly funny.
Though I've liked Anna Kendrick in other productions, personally she doesn't do it for me here. For a show that's entirely centered on its main character, the main character is kinda bland and a little annoying.
Upload
(2020– )
Funny, fast watch
21 May 2020
It's a satirical take on where our high-tech society is headed, with a healthy dash of romance and mystery along with the humor.
I'm not saying it's the best show I've ever seen or anything, but it's definitely an entertaining, light bingeable watch.
Sweet Magnolias
(2020– )
Slow but sweet
20 May 2020
Is it packed with action? No. Is it terribly unique? No. Are the Southern accents very believable? Not really.
But it is wholesome, easy comfort viewing. Gets off to a slow start, and some of the characters are more interesting than others, but I enjoyed watching the family drama and romance of the main character's storyline.
If you like shows like Virgin River, Hart of Dixie, Gilmore Girls, then you'll find Sweet Magnolias pretty bingeable.
Never Have I Ever
(2020–2023)
Hilarious, relatable, and full of heart
16 May 2020
I binged the entire thing in one day, and then I watched it all again a few days after that. Seriously one of my favorite shows ever.
It's extremely relatable for anyone that remembers what it's like to be a teenager, and its firecracker main character is impossible not to love. The show also manages to be laugh-out-loud funny while simultaneously delving into serious topics like grief.
The diversity of its cast really adds to the quality of the story, too (instead of being shoehorned in for the sake of checking boxes). Just watch it.
It's extremely relatable for anyone that remembers what it's like to be a teenager, and its firecracker main character is impossible not to love. The show also manages to be laugh-out-loud funny while simultaneously delving into serious topics like grief.
The diversity of its cast really adds to the quality of the story, too (instead of being shoehorned in for the sake of checking boxes). Just watch it.
The Great
(2020–2023)
Can't figure out what genre it's going for, not funny enough for its crudeness
16 May 2020
The costumes and sets are beautiful, and the story is loosely based on a very interesting historical character. The show makes it clear, however, that it is NOT trying to be a historically accurate, serious period piece.
Instead, it advertises itself as a comedy--which would be good except for I honestly didn't find it that funny. The humor was too campy for my taste.
Mrs. America
(2020)
Women's empowerment and activism--on both sides of the aisle
15 May 2020
I'm not a historian, so I really can't speak to the historical accuracy of the series. I can, however, speak to its quality as a television show.
This series could easily have just been a sugar-coated, one-sided celebration of female unity and 'girl power.' Instead, they took the far more unique and challenging approach of telling the story of American feminism from the perspectives of women on BOTH sides of the debate. Rather than depict Phyllis Schlafly as some zombie brainwashed by the patriarchy, they show her for who she was--a powerful, successful political activist (whether or not you agree with her politics).
The cast is almost entirely female, which as a female viewer is really refreshing and fun to watch. The show illustrates that women are just as varied and diverse as men are; each character has her own background, motivation, and agenda. There's no single definition of what it means to be a liberated woman, and women's empowerment can cut both ways.
When organized, women are a force to be reckoned with. Whether that's a force for good or evil is up to your own interpretation.
This series could easily have just been a sugar-coated, one-sided celebration of female unity and 'girl power.' Instead, they took the far more unique and challenging approach of telling the story of American feminism from the perspectives of women on BOTH sides of the debate. Rather than depict Phyllis Schlafly as some zombie brainwashed by the patriarchy, they show her for who she was--a powerful, successful political activist (whether or not you agree with her politics).
The cast is almost entirely female, which as a female viewer is really refreshing and fun to watch. The show illustrates that women are just as varied and diverse as men are; each character has her own background, motivation, and agenda. There's no single definition of what it means to be a liberated woman, and women's empowerment can cut both ways.
When organized, women are a force to be reckoned with. Whether that's a force for good or evil is up to your own interpretation.
Hollywood
(2020)
Pretty to look at, but not much substance
13 May 2020
This show is very Ryan Murphy (creator of Glee, The Politician, Scream Queens, etc) so if you like his work, you'll probably like this show. It's highly stylized--the actors and sets are very pleasant to look at, but the characters and dialogue aren't that believable (you didn't watch Glee because it was a *realistic* depiction of high school, right?).
And yet, despite the very theatrical, Hollywood vibes...it actually wasn't that interesting? It's fine to make a show that isn't realistic, but then you have to make up for it with thought-provoking characters, drama, a unique premise, something. All in all, I'd say the show is good if you're just in the mood for some easy, stylized comfort-viewing.
I only watched a few episodes before deciding it wasn't for me. I don't have any huge quibbles with the show beyond it just not being my taste, though I do feel like it had a somewhat gratuitous amount of sex. Don't watch with your preteen daughter expecting it to be Glee.
And yet, despite the very theatrical, Hollywood vibes...it actually wasn't that interesting? It's fine to make a show that isn't realistic, but then you have to make up for it with thought-provoking characters, drama, a unique premise, something. All in all, I'd say the show is good if you're just in the mood for some easy, stylized comfort-viewing.
I only watched a few episodes before deciding it wasn't for me. I don't have any huge quibbles with the show beyond it just not being my taste, though I do feel like it had a somewhat gratuitous amount of sex. Don't watch with your preteen daughter expecting it to be Glee.
The Half of It
(I) (2020)
None of the joy or humor of 'Never Have I Ever' or 'To All the Boys'
12 May 2020
Maybe it's unfair of me, but I can't help comparing this movie to another teen-focused Netflix production I just finished watching: Never Have I Ever. Mindy Kaling's new series not only features an incredibly diverse cast, but is also hilarious, relatable, and full of heart. By comparison, 'The Half of It' feels hollow and bleak.
The trailer for this movie was promising, and I basically was expecting another 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' but with a queer twist, which I'm all here for. But 'The Half of It' has none of the humor, awkwardness, or angst that typically makes teen productions entertaining and realistic. Thirty minutes in, I didn't feel particularly attached to or invested in any of the characters, and the plot wasn't interesting enough to keep me hooked, either.
I know not all teen movies have to be light-hearted comedies, but look at how 'Never Have I Ever' managed to delve into deep subject matter like grief while still being highly engaging. 'The Half of It,' on the other hand, felt like it was trying too hard to be moody and introspective.
Maybe this movie got way better after the first 30 minutes, but I gave up at that point. For what should've been a triumphant win for representation, this movie didn't nearly live up to its potential.
The trailer for this movie was promising, and I basically was expecting another 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' but with a queer twist, which I'm all here for. But 'The Half of It' has none of the humor, awkwardness, or angst that typically makes teen productions entertaining and realistic. Thirty minutes in, I didn't feel particularly attached to or invested in any of the characters, and the plot wasn't interesting enough to keep me hooked, either.
I know not all teen movies have to be light-hearted comedies, but look at how 'Never Have I Ever' managed to delve into deep subject matter like grief while still being highly engaging. 'The Half of It,' on the other hand, felt like it was trying too hard to be moody and introspective.
Maybe this movie got way better after the first 30 minutes, but I gave up at that point. For what should've been a triumphant win for representation, this movie didn't nearly live up to its potential.
Tell Your Friends