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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
As a humorist who focuses predominantly on African American male comedians, it is quite likely that I have reached my saturation point. It is no surprise considering that I spend my days and nights (re)watching the works of contemporary greats like Paul Mooney, Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, and Chris Rock. I mention all this to […]
Ms. Roxanne Shante burst onto the New York hip hop scene as a teenage battle rapper killing the game way before I was even a thought. It is with this reverence that I approach the biopic Roxanne, Roxanne. My heart warmed at watching this young girl from Queens murdering dudes way older than her. It […]
In Champagne Papi, the women of Atlanta are finally in the spotlight. This is Van’s first appearance since Helen, which signified the end of her problematic relationship with Earn. Here, we begin to see the aftermath of the breakup while following Van’s misadventures. Centering on Van and her crew, the four friends set out for […]
“Tyler Perry’s Acrimony, presumably titled to set it apart from your acrimony or mine, is a female revenge saga packed with so much hysteria that it could set back the burgeoning #MeToo movement a beat or two. Showcasing Henson in this crass ripoff of Fatal Attraction is like shoving a comet in a shoebox.” – […]