Black on Black Cinema
482 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 314 ratingsIn-depth Black film reviews and frank conversations that matter to the Black community.
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Episodes
Small Axe: Mangrove - Episode 189
January 19, 2021 22:13 - 1 hour - 109 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss and review the first episode of the Small Axe anthology directed and co-written by Steve McQueen. This episode is entitled "Mangrove." The film is about the Mangrove restaurant in west London and the 1971 trial of the Mangrove Nine. It stars Shaun Parkes, Letitia Wright, Malachi Kirby, Rochenda Sandall, Alex Jennings, and Jack Lowden.
...All Wars and Strife in Existence - Preview to Episode 189
January 08, 2021 16:07 - 44 minutes - 82.2 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film of sorts. The guys will be tackling the first episode of the Steve McQueen anthology, Small Axe. The first episode is entitled "Mangrove." The episode (2 hours long) is about the Mangrove restaurant in west London and the 1971 trial of the Mangrove Nine. It stars Letitia Wright, Shaun Parkes, Malachi Kirby, Rochenda Sandall, Alex Jennings, and Jack Lowden. The random topic of the week is about the riots from Trump ...
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Episode 188
December 24, 2020 22:27 - 2 hours - 121 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return with a special guest, T'ara, to discuss the 2020 film, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" starring Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Coleman Domingo, Glynn Turman, and Michael Potts. The film is based on the August Wilson play of the same name. Following the "Mother of Blues," Ma Rainey, as she and her band attempt a recording session in Chicago in 1927. Conflicts begin to arise between band members, Rainey, and an ambitious trumpet player named Levee.
Preparing For A Life of Blackness - Preview to Episode 188
December 18, 2020 16:22 - 30 minutes - 57 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to introduce the next film, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" newly released on Netflix. The random topic this week is about the idea of movies/plays like "Fences" being inappropriate for some and why the hosts believe these type of stories help explain the complexity of being Black in America, and largely prepares young people for how to build their armor for being Black.
Life - Episode 187
December 02, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 1999 comedy, "Life" starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. The film follows two men during Prohibition, loudmouth Harlem grifter Ray (Eddie Murphy) and the no-nonsense Claude (Martin Lawrence) who team up on a bootlegging mission to Mississippi. However they run into trouble when a crooked lawman hits them with a phony murder charge. Ray and Claude are given life sentences and shipped off to jail, where they must think of...
The Guys Get Old - Preview to Episode 187
November 19, 2020 17:45 - 55 minutes - 103 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, the 1999 comedy "Life" starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. The film follows two guys who get setup on a murder charge by a crooked cop during the prohibition era. The two men are sent to jail for life and work to prove their innocence while driving each other crazy. The random topic of the week is just that, completely random. With not much to chat about this week, Jay and Micah just talk about getting olde...
Charm City Kings - Episode 186
November 12, 2020 00:51 - 2 hours - 138 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the film "Charm City Kings" that tells the story of a young kid named Mouse who desperately wants to join The Midnight Clique, the infamous Baltimore dirt bike riders who rule the summertime streets. When Midnight's leader, Blax, takes 14-year-old Mouse under his wing, Mouse soon finds himself torn between the straight-and-narrow and a road filled with fast money and violence.
Racial Breakdowns of the 2020 Elections - Preview to Episode 186
November 05, 2020 13:30 - 1 hour - 68.9 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "Charm City Kings." The film follows fourteen-year-old Mouse desperately wants to join the Midnight Clique, an infamous group of Baltimore dirt-bike riders who rule the summertime streets. The random topic this week is all about the racial demographic breakdown that has shown up during this 2020 presidential election.
Bad Hair - Episode 185
October 29, 2020 02:53 - 2 hours - 117 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return with a special guest, T'ara, to discuss the newly released film "Bad Hair." The film is set in 1989 and follows an ambitious young woman who gets a weave in order to succeed in the image-obsessed world of music television. However, her flourishing career may come at a great cost when she realizes that her new hair may have a mind of its own.
Black Capitalism Won't Save You - Preview to Episode 185
October 22, 2020 14:36 - 1 hour - 76.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "Bad Hair" that is from the same writer/director as "Dear White People." The horror/satire film follows a woman who gets a weave to fit in for a job but it begins to have a mind of its own. The random topic this week is all about the actions of Ice Cube, 50 Cent, and Diddy other the last week in reference to the upcoming election. We discuss how their influence and career paths have likely led them to this point a...
Vampires vs. The Bronx - Episode 184
October 15, 2020 13:56 - 1 hour - 90 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2020 horror comedy, Vampires vs. The Bronx. The film follows the story of gentrification from an unlikely and deadly source creeps into the Bronx, a group of teenage friends rally to save the beloved local bodega and fight against a supernatural force intent on taking over their home at all costs.
Ask Us Anything - Preview to Episode 184
October 09, 2020 13:43 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "Vampires vs. The Bronx." A film that weaves horror-comedy elements with the notion of the gentrification of a New York neighborhood, and the kids set to defend it. The random topic this week is an AMA. The listeners in our fan group gather up and submit their random questions to the hosts and get them answered!
Antebellum - Episode 183
October 01, 2020 02:30 - 1 hour - 101 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2020 thriller, "Antebellum" starring Janelle Monáe, Eric Lange, Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons, and Gabourey Sidibe. The film follows a modern-day African American woman who must escape from a 19th-century Southern slave plantation.
No Justice for Breonna Taylor - Preview to Episode 183
September 24, 2020 12:17 - 55 minutes - 104 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "Antebellum." A film that sees a modern-day Black woman (Janelle Monae) transported back to slavery times in America during a nightmarish scenario, and she is forced to try and escape this bizarre out of time situation. The random topic of the week is about the long awaited indictments that finally came down for the unjust murder of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky. Taylor, who was killed during a no-knock raid by three...
How To Be A Player - Episode 182
September 14, 2020 23:11 - 2 hours - 128 MBDray (Bill Bellamy) has a problem: He has a girlfriend, Lisa (Lark Voorhies), but can't seem to say no to any beautiful woman who walks his way. When he's not with Lisa or hanging out with his buddies, David (Pierre), Kilo (Jermaine "Big Hug" Hopkins), and Spootie (A.J. Johnson), he's out with one of his many lady friends. Dray's sister (Natalie Desselle) is both disgusted and fascinated by his behavior, so she hatches a plan to teach him a lesson.
The Loss of Chadwick Boseman - Preview to Episode 182
September 03, 2020 03:13 - 30 minutes - 57.2 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, the 1997 sex comedy "How to Be A Player" starring Bill Bellamy. The random topic this week is all about the untimely death of famed actor Chadwick Boseman who famously played Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, James Brown, and of course T'Challa aka Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Boseman passed away from colon cancer at the age of 43. We discuss our thoughts on his death and his legacy.
SPECIAL EPISODE: Jacob Blake/Kyle Rittenhouse - The Two Americas
August 31, 2020 15:47 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBThis is a special episode this week (you will also get your normal episode as well) on just what's happening in Kenosha, Wisconsin with the shooting Jacob Blake, and the subsequent murders at the hands of a right-wing terrorist, Kyle Rittenhouse. For the first time, Black on Black Cinema will crossover with Look Forward (our political show) to have the hosts of each show discuss their perspectives. We normally work to have insular conversations on issues of race, however, this particular top...
Just Mercy - Episode 181
August 27, 2020 01:14 - 1 hour - 104 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2019 legal biographical film, "Just Mercy" starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson. It tells the true story of Walter McMillian, who, with the help of young defense attorney Bryan Stevenson, appeals his murder conviction. The film is based on the memoir of the same name, written by Stevenson.
Black Checking in the Age of Kamala - Preview to Episode 181
August 20, 2020 15:12 - 39 minutes - 73.9 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, the 2019 biographical film, "Just Mercy" starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. The film follows the story of a young lawyer working to save an innocent man from a false murder charge. The random topic this week is all about the Black checking of Kamala Harris after she was named as the running mate to Joe Biden this year. We discuss the implications of this, and where there might be some much deeper rooted is...
Panther - Episode 180
August 13, 2020 14:27 - 2 hours - 124 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 1995 Mario Van Peebles film, "Panther" based on the novel of the same name by his father, Melvin Van Peebles. The film follows the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense in a condensed timeline. The film stars Kadeem Hardison, Marcus Chong, Courtney B. Vance, and Bokeem Woodbine.
Black Integration into American Society - Preview to Episode 180
August 06, 2020 02:39 - 40 minutes - 75.2 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, the 1995 Mario Van Peebles directed "Panther." The film traces the Black Panther Party from its founding through its decline in a compressed timeframe. It was the first narrative feature film to depict the Black Panther Party incidentally. The random topic of the week is all about a thought experiment on whether on not integration has actually worked for Black Americans and if not why not and what system would wor...
Fatal Affair - Episode 179
August 01, 2020 01:18 - 1 hour - 111 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2020 suspense thriller, Fatal Affair. Starring Nia Long and Omar Epps, the film follows a woman who tries to mend her marriage after a brief encounter with an old friend. She soon realizes that her ex-lover is more dangerous and unstable than she had thought.
An Adventure Story - Preview to Episode 179
July 23, 2020 15:09 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "Fatal Affair." Yes, that movie! Everyone is talking about the new Netflix Black thriller film starring Nia Long and Omar Epps, so look forward to our full review next week. The random topic this week is all about Jay's crazy story about something very near and dear to him. Sit down and prepare for a bit of a wild ride adventure into craziness!
Bucktown - Episode 178
July 16, 2020 14:06 - 1 hour - 68.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 1975 action blaxploitation film, Bucktown. Synopsis: After his brother's death, Duke Johnson (Fred Williamson) travels to a small Southern town to organize his brother's funeral. During his stay, he decides to revive his brother's nightclub business. However, this venture quickly uncovers the thinly veiled racism and corruption that run rampant in the town. Duke and his friend Aretha (Pam Grier) face demands for bribes and v...
Terry Crews Needs A Teachable Moment - Preview to Episode 178
July 08, 2020 21:50 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "Bucktown." This is the 1975 blaxploitation action crime film starring Fred Williamson and Pam Grier (available on Brown Sugar streaming app, or for rent online (Amazon). The random topic of the week is all about actor Terry Crews and his one-man crusade to misunderstand the current Black Lives Matter movement and fight for racial equality. We breakdown why he might be thinking the way he is, why we think he is mi...
Da 5 Bloods - Episode 177
June 25, 2020 15:36 - 2 hours - 141 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss Spike Lee's latest film, "Da Five Bloods." The film tells the story of four African American vets who battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.
We Tried To Go Light, Sorry Guys - Preview to Episode 177
June 18, 2020 13:48 - 1 hour - 73.1 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, Da Five Bloods. The newly released (Netflix) film tells the story of four Black vets battling the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide. The random topics of this week were a smattering of all the craziness that is going on racially in America yet again. We discuss the Aunt Jemima change, Rayshard Brooks being ...
The Help - Episode 176
June 11, 2020 12:53 - 1 hour - 100 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2011 period drama (comedy???), "The Help." The film takes place in 1960s Mississippi, where Southern society girl Skeeter (Emma Stone) returns from college with dreams of being a writer. She turns her small town on its ear by choosing to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent white families. Only Aibileen (Viola Davis), the housekeeper of Skeeter's best friend, will talk at first. But as...
Things Are Too Serious - Episode 175
June 04, 2020 13:38 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBSo we were planning to do John Henry (Netflix) but the movie feels far too silly and frankly, poorly done to discuss in light of the events going on in America after the death of George Floyd. Jay, Micah, and Terrence decided to call an audible and talk about what's happening and our thoughts on how it affects us, and Black people in general. Sorry to the people who subjected themselves to the aforementioned movie. In times of crisis, sacrifices have to be made and in this case, it was their...
COVID Check-in and Total Randomness - Preview to Episode 175
May 28, 2020 14:08 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next movie, the 2020 film "John Henry" starring Terry Crews and Ludacris. The film follows a quiet man with a violent past who has everything changed when an immigrant girl who is on the run from gang violence in South Los Angeles stumbles into his life. The random topic of discuss this week is just that, completely random. The hosts do a COVID-19 check-in on the status of their sanity and riff on some of the topics happenin...
Girls Trip - Episode 174
May 21, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 113 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return with special guests Rod and Karen from the fantastic "Black Guy Who Tips" podcast. The two podcast team up to take on the 2017 raunchy comedy, "Girls Trip." The film follows four best friends, known as the Flossy Posse, who have grown apart over the years. Yet when one of the friends is offered an opportunity to be a keynote speaker at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, she decides to bring along her friends to turn her work vacati...
Holding the Vote Hostage Doesn't Make Sense - Preview to Episode 174
May 08, 2020 13:44 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys announce the next film, "Girls Trip." The film follows a group of friends that have fallen out of touch with one another but decide to have a girls' trip when one of them has a big event in New Orleans. The random topic of the week is all about Diddy's comments about holding the Black vote hostage during the 2020 presidential election if he and other Black people don't get what they want from Joe Biden.
Harriet - Episode 173
April 30, 2020 15:28 - 1 hour - 66.5 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2019 biographical film, Harriet, starring Cynthia Erivo and directed by Kasi Lemmons. The film portrays Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery through the dangerous missions she led to liberate hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad.
White Selfishness in the Era of COVID19 - Preview to Episode 173
April 23, 2020 11:55 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "Harriet." This is the 2019 biographical story of the rise of the famous slave abolitionist and war hero, Harriet Tubman starring Cynthia Erivo. The random topic this week is all about white Americans selfishness in the wake of COVID-19. Protests popping up around the country advocating for returning to normalcy by conservative white people puts others in harm's way like almost no other time in this country. Why i...
Uncorked - Episode 172
April 16, 2020 11:22 - 1 hour - 78.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the film, Uncorked (Netflix), about a young man who is caught between his aspirations of being a sommelier and running his family's local BBQ business in Memphis. The film deal with the division of parental expectations, cutting one's own path, and the middle road of acceptance between the two.
COVID-19 vs. Us - Preview to Episode 172
April 10, 2020 14:53 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, we announce the next film, Uncorked (available on Netflix). The film follows a young man who has dreams of being a sommelier but his parents want him to work in their family restaurant instead. The random topic this week is about COVID-19 infections and deaths and how/why they are heavily hitting the Black population inside the United States.
Coffy - Episode 171
April 03, 2020 14:10 - 1 hour - 79.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 1973 blaxploitation film, "Coffy." As a nurse, Coffy (Pam Grier) has seen the ill effects of drugs up close, but it isn't until her little sister becomes addicted to heroin that she finally decides to wage a one-woman battle. Disguised as a prostitute, Coffy goes on a killing rampage, at first going after street dealers and pimps such as sleazy King George (Robert DoQui), then gradually working her way up to bigger honchos.
Impromptu Dadcast: Quarantine Papis - Preview to Episode 171
March 27, 2020 15:31 - 40 minutes - 27.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to introduce the next episode on the 1973 blaxploitation classic, "Coffy." The random topic this week...Terrence is out so Jay and Micah get into Black Dad talk as they are both working from home with young kids. What are they doing to keep the kids entertained, are they losing their minds, etc!
State Property - Episode 170
March 19, 2020 01:38 - 1 hour - 80.3 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return but this time we do something a little bit different. We review the 2002 film, "State Property" but we change our format this week to a watch-a-long format. So you can now follow along as you hear our actual live commentary on the film. This is a different style than you are used to but we think you will enjoy it just the same. So pop in your copy of State Property and follow along with us on this absolutely insane journey.
Why We Don't Trust Your Revolution - Preview to Episode 170
March 13, 2020 15:05 - 42 minutes - 78.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next movie...sort of. We give you a ton of clues to the next film we are doing (in an unorthodox way, for the record). The random topic of the week is all about why Black people are far more pragmatic when it comes to voting. This is especially relevant in the wake of the Democratic Party primary with Joe Biden winning the Black vote overwhelmingly against Bernie Sanders.
Queen and Slim - Episode 169
March 05, 2020 02:02 - 1 hour - 102 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss, Queen and Slim. The film follows Slim and Queen's first date as it takes an unexpected turn when a policeman pulls them over for a minor traffic violation. The situation escalates, Slim takes the officer's gun and shoots him in self-defense. Now labeled cop killers in the media, Slim and Queen feel that they have no choice but to go on the run and evade the law. When a video of the incident goes viral, the unwitting outlaws soon...
Election Time Pandering - Preview to Episode 169
February 27, 2020 12:41 - 31 minutes - 58.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "Queen and Slim." The film follows a couple on their first day that goes awry after they are pulled over by the police. The random topic of the week is all about the political pastime of pandering to Black people. How do we tell if its actual listening or just empty rhetoric?
Booty Call - Episode 168
February 20, 2020 12:48 - 1 hour - 100 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 1997 sex comedy, Booty Call starring Jamie Foxx, Tommy Davidson, Vivica A. Fox, and Tamala Jones. Booty Call is about a tender-hearted, upwardly-mobile man named Rushon who has been dating his girlfriend Nikki for seven weeks. They really like each other, but their relationship has not yet been consummated; Nikki is not so sure if their relationship is ready for the next stage.
Everyone Needs to Calm Down - Preview to Episode 168
February 14, 2020 04:19 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 1997 romantic comedy, Booty Call (available on Netflix). The story of a guy trying to take his relationship with his girlfriend to the next level (read: sex), all the while having his buddy tagalong to deal with his girlfriend's friend. The random topic of the week involves the reactions to Gayle King's interview with Lisa Leslie about Kobe Bryant. King ask several pointed questions about the rape allegations involving Kobe, ...
Green Book - Episode 167
February 07, 2020 04:03 - 1 hour - 79.9 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss 2018 Best Picture winner, "Green Book" starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. The film tells the story of a racist working-class Italian-American bouncer who becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.
Tragic Death of Kobe and Gianna Bryant - Preview to Episode 167
January 31, 2020 04:03 - 19 minutes - 36.9 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film to be reviewed, "Green Book." The story of a racist body club bouncer hired to be the personal driver to a famous concert pianist named Dr. Don Shirley. The film is loosely based on true events. The random topic of the week is on the untimely death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna during a helicopter crash alongside 7 other people.
A Fall From Grace - Episode 166
January 22, 2020 00:00 - 2 hours - 131 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss their once a year tradition of reviewing a Tyler Perry movie. This year's review is on his newly released film (direct to Netflix), "A Fall From Grace." The film stars Crystal Fox, Bresha Webb, Phylicia Rashad, and ashtray demanding Mehcad Brooks. Synopsis: Disheartened since her ex-husband's affair, Grace Waters feels restored by a new romance. But when secrets erode her short-lived joy, Grace's vulnerable side turns violent.
Tyler Perry's Non-Existent Writers' Room - Preview to Episode 166
January 17, 2020 04:07 - 19 minutes - 35.8 MBThis week the guys announce the next film, but it's a surprise so you will have to wait until the end of the preview episode for that! The random topic of conversation this week is all about the pretty obvious revelation that Tyler Perry doesn't have a writers' room for all of his projects. The guys discuss why this ultimately hurt his work and the implications of not hiring more Black and POC writers.
Dolemite is My Name - Episode 165
January 09, 2020 13:30 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2019 biographical film, "Dolemite is My Name" starring Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes, Keegan-Michael Key, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph. The film follows the unlikely rise of now-famous comedian Rudy Ray Moore as he goes from unsuccessful entertainment everyman to embodying the onstage persona of Dolemite. We see the creation of his first movie, "Dolemite" and what took the man from nobody to a household name in Blaxploitation.
Attacking Folks Online Randomly - Preview to Episode 165
January 03, 2020 15:42 - 21 minutes - 40.7 MBThis week the guys return to announce the next film to be reviewed, "Dolemite is My Name." This is, of course, the newly released film starring Eddie Murphy about the creation of the cult classic, "Dolemite" back in 1975 (on Netflix). The random topic of the week is about the backlash on some dudes for attacking Ari Lennox, Blue Ivy, and Teyanna Taylor for their looks at the start of 2020. The guys discuss the nature of actions online, and why such hard responses come back even when things m...