TV and Movie Recommendations for Spring 2020

Too Hot Too Handle 

This show is #1 on Netflix at the current moment and is very different. It’s created by the same people who made The Circle and Love is Blind, so if you liked those, make sure to check this one out too! They take “the sexiest people in the world” who are focused on the ideology of Tinder and online dating. They are taken to a beautiful island and forced to connect emotionally, not physically. The catch is, if they do anything physical with each other, they will lose money! I’ve heard watching it will make you feel good about yourself because of how dumb and self-centered these people are. I haven’t watched it for myself yet, but it seems interesting. Check it out if you’re a fan of reality TV!

The Society

This one-season show on Netflix is very creepy and may even remind you of the situation we are in now. While traveling to a field trip destination, high schoolers are informed of their trip's cancellation. The students return home, only to discover they are the only ones in their town. None of their parents are home, and they receive no responses to phone calls. Not only that, but no one has an internet connection, and every way out of the town is covered in forest. The teens must overcome their differences and work as a team to figure out what to do.

Criminal Minds

I have been binging this show! It’s so addicting and has 15 seasons, so it’s perfect for quarantine. The show focuses on the Behavior Analysis Unit of the FBI, which means they analyze the behavior of murderers & their victims. Almost every episode shows a different kind of serial killer, and the BAU’s creepy analysis on them and their past. I highly recommend it if you like crime shows. It can be a bit scary and freaky at times, but it’s so interesting!

Tiger King

If you haven’t heard about Tiger King, you’ve been living under a rock, but I’ll enlighten you anyway. Tiger King is a reality show that explains the dark and crazy lives of tiger breeders and zookeepers. You learn a lot about the sad lives of animals in captivity. The show follows the crazy lives of zookeepers Joe exotic, Carol Baskin, Bhagavan (Doc) Antle, Jeff Lowe, and many more. This show is WILD; it involves potential murders, animal cruelty, adults acting like children, accidental suicides, cult stories, and so much more. It also has a very strong message about the potential extinction of tigers, which you might not have even known about. According to Google, it is estimated that there around 3,200 and 3,500 tigers remaining in the wild and over 5,000 in captivity in the United States ALONE, which is upsetting. The show is well made and ends with a great message. Be aware of the potential harm that “rescue” centers and zoos have on animals. This show will for sure enlighten you on the crazy, sad, yet very interesting reality of animals in captivity.

All American

I’m sure you’ve heard of this show, but in case you aren't sure it will live up to the hype, let me convince you. The show is based on the real hardships that professional football player Spencer Paysinger had to go through to get where he is today. The story takes place in California and follows the lives of many high school kids dealing with every problem you can imagine. The characters are amazingly written, and the acting is incredible. The show addresses many problems such as drug addiction, the absence of a father, fear of disappointing parents, depression, gang violence, death of parents, and so much more. It makes you realize the privilege you and others may have and not even realize. The show handles issues in great and inspirational ways, and it encourages you to look out for yourself and others on many occasions. It has 2 seasons each with 16 episodes that are 45 minutes long; you can stream All American on The CW’s website along with Netflix and Youtube.

The Invisible Man

This movie was planned to come out in theaters but is available on-demand and on streaming sites online! This movie is a must-watch if you like psychological thrillers. It focuses on the life of a woman still trying to escape her sociopathic ex-boyfriend from the grave. He killed himself, yet he is still haunting her every move and making her life a living hell. The videography in this movie is phenomenal! I don’t wanna give too much away, but check it out! 

Beautiful Boy

If you haven’t seen this movie already, I strongly recommend you check it out. It is based on the true story of Nic Sheff and his struggles with methamphetamine and other drugs. The movie stars Timothée Chalamet and Steve Carell, and the amazing direction of Felix Van Groeningen. The acting is INCREDIBLE, and the videography is chilling. It is a truly heartbreaking and emotional rollercoaster but has a strong message about the major effects drug addiction can have on people and their families. Drug addiction is a major crisis in the world and, more specifically, in the youth. This movie opens your eyes and gives a lot of information that you might not know. I strongly recommend watching this with a friend or a family member; it truly shows you the effect you can have on the people around you.

I Am Not Okay With This

I Am Not Okay With This is a comedy-drama Netflix original inspired by Charles Forsman’s graphic novel. The show stars Sophia Lillis and Wyatt Oleff, who formerly worked together in the movie rendition of Stephen King’s IT. Sydney Novak (Lillis) is a teenager living in a somewhat new town, struggling through the obstacles of high school, sexuality, and superpowers. Her neighbor and companion, Stanley Barber (Oleff), tries to help her cope with her newfound powers, along with everything else a teen might encounter. The story is narrated through Sydney’s thoughts and writing, giving the watchers a piece of her mind and a greater understanding of the situation. The chemistry of the characters is captivating, and the story’s twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat for the duration of the show. Being only 1 season with 8 episodes, it is a perfect quarantine binge, like watching an extra long movie. The show enthralls watcher’s attention as the story develops from an ordinary girl battling ordinary problems into something much, much greater. 

Sex Education *maturity warning*

Sex Education is a dramatic Netflix original show, with two seasons (and another to come!), making it a perfect quarantine watch. Although the content is mature, the messages and themes are benevolent, expressed through the raw and genuineness of the characters and their chemistry. In the show, Maeve Wiley and Otis Milburn create a clinic for sexual advice, targeting high school students (their peers). The plot deepens as Maeve and Otis develop a strong friendship (with its fair share of twists), allowing the story to unravel into a heartfelt “battling high school” and “the wonders of adolescence” type show. Not only is it an interesting watch, but it also addresses the issues that many people come across and might not feel comfortable coming forward about. That’s the great thing about the show; it’s literally about a deeper view on sexuality in teens while addressing important and neglected topics allowing for genuine guidance and advice, leaving an underlying message that you are not alone.