Avant Guardians is a seven part web series that is the brainchild of comedian, Alesia Etinoff, who in addition to serving as writer and director, stars as troubled guardian angel, Razz. Struggling with her job, Razz has been ordered by her boss (none other than God) to undergo counseling with arkangel, Dr. Hanniel, played by […]
Netflix has added to and propagated this increasing trend of watching artists at work. Last year, they introduced their series Abstract which followed a sneaker designer, illustrator, architect, and others in their process of creation. This year, the streaming service has added to their archive the hip-hop docuseries Rapture. Each installment focuses on one to […]
Come Sunday is a biopic that focuses on the revelatory and controversial experience of real-life pastor Carlton Pearson, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. The film focuses on Pearson’s newfound belief in universal salvation and how it causes him to lose his influence, prestige, and congregation. While the movie does its best to capture the weight of […]
In her latest special Hard Knock Wife, Ali Wong returns several months pregnant with her second child and ready to spew more meditations on life postpartum. Her decision to film not one but two stand-up specials while visibly with child is in itself a revolutionary act. In such a male-dominated, misogynistic space, Wong takes on the topics of […]
The HBO series Being Serena offers a look inside the private life of the most decorated, talented, and courageous athlete of our time, Serena Williams. In a matter of what feels like only two years, she has become a mother, wife, and continues to be a dominating force on the tennis court. Being Serena explores her […]
I am about 25 episodes into the 80 episode long telenovela Celia, loosely based on the life, love, and music, of the legendary Celia Cruz. When I told a friend about my recent binge obsession, she asked me a simple question: why? All I could think of was that Celia did something for me and […]
This contemporary remake of a classic stars hot up-and-comer Trevor Jackson and one of my personal favorites, Jason Mitchell. Set in Atlanta, we follow allegedly low-key drug pens Priest (Jackson) and his partner Eddie (Mitchell) as they attempt to remain low-key and do one major deal before they retire from the drug game. While I […]
The following review contains spoilers. Lil Rel teams up with basketball star Kyrie Irving in Uncle Drew, the new movie about camaraderie, intergenerational relationships, and growth. Dax (Lil Rel) is an orphan who, after a traumatic experience on the court, tries to regain love and validation by coaching the winning team on the 50th anniversary […]
OWN’s Love Is ___ is the true story of Black Hollywood Powerhouse couple Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil. The format takes place like a present-day interview of the married couple as they recall the details of how they met. The episodes then flashes back to a younger Nuri and Yasir, recent Los Angeles transplants trying […]
Sorry to Bother You is exactly what the world needs right now. Directed by Boots Riley and starring Lakeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson, the film creates a space for eccentric blackness to thrive in, and doesn’t rely on trite stereotypes based on what we’re expected to be like. This may be uncomfortable to viewers who […]