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
Luce - Episode 164
December 12, 2019 02:39 - 2 hours - 117 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2019 film, "Luce." Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Luce, an A+ high school student who was born in war-torn Eritrea, and later adopted by two liberal white parents (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth). Luce, the model student and kid, eventually runs up against a stern teacher (Octavia Spencer) who makes an alarming discovery that threatens Luce's status as an all-star student.
The (Temporary) Fall of Kamala Harris - Preview to Episode 164
December 05, 2019 16:02 - 25 minutes - 46.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to introduce the next film, Luce. The film follows a white married couple that is forced to reckon with their idealized image of their son, adopted from war-torn Eritrea after an alarming discovery by a devoted high school teacher threatens his status as an all-star student. The random topic of the week is about Senator Kamala Harris failed presidential campaign coming to an end this week.
Us - Episode 163
November 13, 2019 03:17 - 1 hour - 114 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss director Jordan Peele's sophomore project, "Us," starring Lupita Nyongo'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, and newcomer Evan Alex. The horror film follows a family during a serene beach vacation that turns to chaos when their doppelgängers appear and begin to terrorize them.
Kanye West Isn't a Genius - Preview to Episode 163
November 06, 2019 03:08 - 27 minutes - 50.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to introduce the next film, the 2019 horror thriller, Us, directed by Jordan Peele. The random topic of the week is all about the comments coming from newfound gospel musician Kanye West. Now the former rapper is born again, he has some words for Black folks and even his wife.
Candyman - Episode 162
October 31, 2019 11:26 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to do their Halloween special episode on the 1992 film, Candyman, starring Tony Todd. The film follows a murderous soul named "The Candyman" with a hook for a hand who is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth.
We Talk HBO's Watchmen - Preview to Episode 162
October 25, 2019 02:51 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to preview the next film, Candyman. The 1992 horror film starring Tony Todd as the ghost/hook hand murderer, Candyman, who terrorizes the Cabrini Green housing project in Chicago whenever someone speaks his name in the mirror 5 times. The random topic fo the week is on the premiere episode of "Watchmen" on HBO. The guys discuss their thoughts on it, as well as, similarities to another HBO show that never happened, and much more.
Dolemite - Episode 161
October 17, 2019 01:51 - 1 hour - 66.5 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the cult classic, Dolemite, that was originally released in 1975. Starring comedian Rudy Ray Moore, the film follows Dolemite after he is released from jail, who then takes on the criminals and corrupt police officers who framed him in the first place.
The Treatment of Botham Jean's Murderer - Preview to Episode 161
October 10, 2019 11:26 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film to be reviewed, "Dolemite." On the heels of the newly announced Eddie Murphy biography on Rudy Ray Moore, the guys decided to head back to 1975 and check out the very first Dolemite film which is largely considered a cult classic. The random topic of the week is all about the verdict in the Botham Jean murder case, how the murderer was treated by the judge and by Jean's family.
Fast Color - Episode 160
October 04, 2019 15:12 - 1 hour - 79.9 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2018 film, Fast Color, starring Gu Gu Mbatha-Raw. The film tells the story of a woman who is forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family, the only place she has left to hide is home. She works to reconnect with her family, and possibly control her abilities when a new threat arises.
The State of Stand-Up Comedy - Preview to Episode 160
September 27, 2019 11:10 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film to be reviewed, "Fast Color." The movie follows a young woman (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is on the run when it is discovered that she has superhuman abilities. This is one of the few Black films playing in the new genre of superpowered people and looks to take a more serious tone with this woman confronting her past. The random topic this week is all about the state of stand-up comedy, criticism of some of the biggest names...
Why Did I Get Married Too? - Episode 159
September 12, 2019 12:11 - 2 hours - 134 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the sequel to Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married" that they previously reviewed. This time, the couples meet up for their annual Why Did I Get Married getaway retreat in the Bahamas. Each couple continues their specific journies that we saw in the first movie.
Not So Breaking News - Preview to Episode 159
September 06, 2019 12:56 - 24 minutes - 46.3 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to preview the next film, "Why Did I Get Married Too." This is the sequel to Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married" film that we previously covered, and admittedly enjoyed quite a lot. The preview topic this week is that we didn't really have one so we did a shotgun approach to a number of random stories that hit the news over the past week or so. Enjoy!
When They See Us - Part 2 (Episodes 3 and 4) - Episode 158
August 22, 2019 11:42 - 2 hours - 92.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to begin the rough and honest discussion surrounding the Ava DuVernay directed series, "When They See Us." The four-part series, available on Netflix, is a narrative version of the events often referred to as the Central Park Five. "When They See Us," tells the story of five young boys in New York City in 1989 as they were wrongfully accused, jailed, and later exonerated for the gang rape of a white woman in Central Park. In this episode, t...
Tales of New Black Fatherhood - Preview to Episode 158
August 15, 2019 11:56 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next full review episode. Continuing off the back of episode 157, the guys will recap and review the 3rd and 4th episodes of the Ava Duvernay mini-series, "When They See Us" available right now on Netflix. The random topic of the week is all about Black Fatherhood. Both Jay and Micah are new dads of a 2.5-month-old and 7 month old, respectively. They give their views on what being a new Black father is like, the joy of it, f...
When They See Us - Part 1 (Episodes 1 and 2) - Episode 157
August 08, 2019 02:00 - 1 hour - 79 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to begin the rough and honest discussion surrounding the Ava DuVernay directed series, "When They See Us." The four-part series, available on Netflix, is a narrative version of the events often referred to as the Central Park Five. "When They See Us," tells the story of five young boys in New York City in 1989 as they were wrongfully accused, jailed, and later exonerated for the gang rape of a white woman in Central Park. In this episode, t...
Ayo, Keep Our City Outcha Mouf! - Preview to Episode 157
August 02, 2019 11:52 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to FINALLY announce the next film, "When They See Us" (Part 1 and 2). The mini-series deals with the events surrounding the Central Park Five aka The Exonerated Five. The preview topic this week is all about Trump's trifflin' ass attacking Baltimore City because of his beef with Elijah Cummings.
A Thin Line Between Love and Hate - Episode 156
July 25, 2019 12:11 - 1 hour - 79.1 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 1996 film, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, which was directed, co-written, and starring Martin Lawrence. The film follows Lawrence as he plays a known womanizer who gets caught up with an older woman (Lynn Whitfield) who ends up being a bit more than he can handle after their relationship sours.
We Answer Your Questions - Preview to Episode 156
July 18, 2019 14:46 - 44 minutes - 82.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next movie coming up, "A thin line between love and hate" starring Martin Lawrence. A film about revenge when a relationship goes sideways. The topic for the preview episode is just a series of questions from our fan group (www.blackonblackcinema.com/fans) about a myriad of things happening in the news as well as more behind the scene stuff.
'Til Death Do Us Part - Episode 155
July 04, 2019 03:11 - 1 hour - 64.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2017 thriller, "'Til Death Do Us Part" starring Annie Ilonzeh, Stephen Bishop, and Taye Diggs. The film follows a seemingly perfect couple, Madison (Ilonzeh) and Michael (Bishop) who's marriage take a violent turn when Madison ends up pregnant by her husband (ummmm ok).
Tyler Perry on "Building Your Own" - Preview to Episode 155
June 27, 2019 11:14 - 39 minutes - 74 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "'Til Death Do Us Part" and we discuss the "controversy" around Tyler Perry's speech about how he built his own table while others worked to get a seat at the table. The speech was largely well received but some found the speech was taking shots at certain groups and individuals. We discuss why Perry (for all his faults) was correct, and how that was just one half of what must be done by the Black community.
Carmen: A Hip Hopera - Episode 154
June 20, 2019 00:05 - 1 hour - 73.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to review the hip hop musical "Carmen: A Hip Hopera" starring Beyonce Knowles and Mekhi Phifer. This is a VERY 2001 modern take on the Carmen Jones story. The film follows a cop (Phifer) who is seduced away from his girlfriend by an aspiring actress named Carmen (Knowles). The two find themselves on the run from the law as they move to Hollywood for Carmen to get her big break, but things don't go the way the two had assumed it would.
Let's Talk "Striking Vipers" - Preview to Episode 154
June 14, 2019 03:16 - 23 minutes - 44.5 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "Carmen: A Hip Hopera" which is the Black hip hop re-imagining of the "Carmen Jones" story. The preview topic this week is all about the first episode of the 5th season of "Black Mirror" entitled "Striking Vipers." The guys discuss the episode (spoilers) and the implication that it raises as well as the importance of this being handled by a Black cast.
Monsters and Men - Episode 153
June 06, 2019 11:18 - 2 hours - 90.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the film, "Monsters and Men" starring John David Washington, Anthony Ramos, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. The film follows three different perspectives after a neighborhood shooting of an innocent man (an analog for the real death of Eric Garner). The perspectives are a man who videotaped the shooting in real-time, a cop working in the neighborhood in which the shooting happened, and a young boy trying to make it out of the area via sp...
Are there Limits to Diversity? - Preview to Episode 153
June 01, 2019 01:58 - 28 minutes - 19.2 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, "Monsters and Men." The film follows three perspectives on the same shooting of a Black man by the police. The random topic this week was sparked by a conversation on diversity in our fan group. Are there limits that we have on what our own diversity looks like in media based on our own history?
Four Brothers - Episode 152
May 23, 2019 02:47 - 1 hour - 76.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2005 John Singleton directed film, Four Brothers. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Andre 3000, Tyrese Gibson, and Garrett Hedlund as four foster brothers who grew up together in Detroit. They all return home after the untimely murder of the beloved foster mother during a convenience store robbery. After some asking around the brother realize there may be a little bit more to their mother's death than they could have imagined.
THROWBACK EPISODE - Ep134: Acrimony
May 16, 2019 15:03 - 2 hours - 83.1 MBWe are off this week, but here is a modern classic: Our review of Tyler Perry's "Acrimony" starring Taraji P. Henson. This week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys (with special guest T'ara) return to discuss the 2018 Tyler Perry film, Acrimony. Breaking the "one Perry a year" rule, the hosts discuss a film that sees a woman slowly lose it as she finds herself in a dead end marriage to an inventor who's big break is always just around the corner. A story of disappointment, heartbreak, re...
Game of Thrones Deaths/Ayesha Curry - Preview to Episode 152
May 09, 2019 12:25 - 45 minutes - 85.1 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, Four Brothers. After the untimely death of director John Singleton, the guys have decided to do one of his more slept on projects about four brothers raised together in a foster home who come together as adults when their neighborhood and one of them is threatened by a local gangster. The random topic(s) of the week is all about the so-called controversial death of a Black character on Game of Thrones, the Ayesha ...
Native Son - Episode 151
May 02, 2019 02:18 - 1 hour - 75.9 MBAn afro-punk oriented young man, Bigger Thomas, is given a chance to upgrade his life by working for a wealthy white family as their driver. Upon taking the job, things spiral out of control and he's forced to make decisions that may define his path permanently. The film is a modern take on the classic Richard Wright novel of the same name.
We Answer Your Questions! - Preview to Episode 151
April 18, 2019 14:12 - 1 hour - 50 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the film for the next episode, "Native Son." This is the modern remake of the Richard Wright classic novel of the same title. The film follows a young man who is caught up in a world he doesn't quite understand in the high-class area of Chicago. The preview topic this week is all about questions and answers. We take random questions from our fan group (www.blackonblackcinema.com/fans) and try our best to give you a view from beh...
Three the Hard Way - Episode 150
April 11, 2019 02:52 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 1974 Gordon Parks Jr. blaxploitation action classic, "Three the Hard Way" starring Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, and Jim Kelly. The three blaxploitation stars join forces in a film about three men who have to take down a white supremacist organization trying to poison the drinking water of Black people.
How We Deal with Community Loss - Preview to Episode 150
April 04, 2019 02:41 - 33 minutes - 63 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film for episode 150, "Three the Hard Way." The film deals with three Blaxploitation action stars, Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, and Jim Kelly coming together to fight against the poisoning of the Black community. The random topic this week is about the untimely death of rapper Nipsey Hussle, and how we, the Black Community, deal with the loss of our public figures.
Obsessed - Episode 149
March 28, 2019 02:31 - 1 hour - 76.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2009 tour-de-force, Obsessed starring Idris Elba, Ali Larter, and Beyonce. Obsessed tells the story of Lisa (Larter), an office temp, who develops romantic feelings for her boss, Derek Charles (Elba), and repeatedly attempts to seduce him. Derek's wife, Sharon (Beyoncé), learns of Lisa's obsessive behavior and suspects an affair.
American Meritocracy is a Lie - Preview to Episode 149
March 21, 2019 13:07 - 57 minutes - 39.5 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to preview the next film, the 2009 tour-de-force, Obsessed. The film follows a married Black businessman who is being pursued by an off-kilter white secretary at his job. The random topic of the week is all about the exposed college admissions scandal that once and for all disproves the American meritocracy argument.
Blindspotting - Episode 148
March 14, 2019 12:25 - 1 hour - 89.5 MBCollin (Daveed Diggs), a convicted felon, is struggling to finish the last three days of his probation. Collin, along with his short-tempered best friend Miles (Rafael Casal), works for a moving company located in Oakland, a city in the Bay Area. One night while waiting for a red light, Collin witnesses a white police officer (Ethan Embry) gun down a black civilian. As Collin is haunted by the incident, he begins to have nightmares and experiences hallucinations.
Different Parental Dynamics & Preview to Episode 148
March 07, 2019 13:27 - 22 minutes - 42.5 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film to be reviewed, "Blindspotting." The film follows a parolee with three days left on his sentence, only to have him witness a police shooting that threatens to ruin a lifelong friendship. The random topic of the week is about a conversation involving actor, Terry Crews about views of parental dynamics and gender roles in those dynamics. The hosts discuss their three different experiences growing up and breakdown the...
High Flying Bird - Episode 147
February 28, 2019 02:39 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss Steven Soderbergh's latest film, "High Flying Bird" on Netflix. The film follows a fast-talking sports agent who, during an NBA lockout, is working with a hotshot rookie who is concerned about the future of his career. Meanwhile, notions of race and power are explored via professional sports athletes and their team owners.
Integrity vs. Making It & Preview to Episode 147
February 20, 2019 20:50 - 35 minutes - 66.5 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the interview between Steve Harvey and Monique about her being blackballed in Hollywood. The two comedians have a discussion that deals with integrity versus making it in the industry. We breakdown their points, and where they both get it right and both get it wrong. The next film to be reviewed will be "High Flying Bird" (streaming now on Netflix) which tells the story of a young NBA star who, alongside his agent, aims to change...
All Eyez On Me - Episode 146
February 14, 2019 02:20 - 2 hours - 93 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return with special guest, Deacon, to discuss the 2017 Tupac Shakur biopic, "All Eyez on Me." The film stars Demetrius Shipp Jr. as the complex rapper who struggled between growing up inspired by political activists and the draw of the creation of east/west coast rap beef in the golden age of "gangsta rap."
Liam Nesson Implosion & Preview to Episode 146
February 07, 2019 12:30 - 42 minutes - 78.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to preview the next film, the 2017 biopic "All Eyez on Me." The film stars Demetrius Shipp Jr. who portrays Tupac Shakur, legendary rapper and controversial figure. The random topic of the week is on the revelations that actor Liam Nesson once planned to kill a Black man after finding out that his close friend was raped by a Black man. The hosts discuss the weirdly timed revenge story, it's implications, racial overtones, and of course the ...
The Hate U Give - Episode 145
January 31, 2019 02:00 - 2 hours - 106 MBWhen a young 16-year-old high school girl named Starr Carter witnesses her close childhood friend be wrongfully killed by a police officer, she must choose between protecting her manufactured image at a predominantly white high school and being a voice for not only her friend but her community. The film is the quintessential representation of the Black Lives Matter movement from the youth-focused perspective.
The (Black) Oscars 2019 & Preview to Episode 145
January 24, 2019 12:35 - 37 minutes - 69 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return with a preview of the next episode that will review, "The Hate U Give." The film tells the story of a young 16-year-old girl who is caught between a life of code-switching and her own reality as she is the only witness to her friend being killed by a cop. She must grow up faster than most to be a voice for not only her friend in death but also the voice of a coming of age generation in the Black Lives Matter movement. The random topic of th...
Tyrel - Episode 144
January 17, 2019 12:29 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2018 indie film, Tyrel. The film follows a guy named Tyler who is the only Black person on a weekend crazy trip of debauchery in the woods with all guys. He goes along with his white friend and is thrust into an uncomfortable situation after uncomfortable situation as the odd man out.
R. Kelly is Repulsive & Preview to Episode 144
January 10, 2019 12:53 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return after the holiday break to preview the next episode on the 2018 film, "Tyrel." The film follows a sole Black man as he is on a dudebro debauchery weekend with all white guys. The random topic of the week is our thoughts on the "Surviving R. Kelly" docuseries as well as the infamous artist and the crimes he is being accused of by numerous women.
Tales from the Hood 2 - Episode 143
December 19, 2018 15:10 - 1 hour - 70 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss Tales from the Hood 2. The film is an American horror-comedy anthology film directed by Rusty Cundieff and Darin Scott and executive-produced by Spike Lee. The film is the sequel to Cundieff and Scott's 1995 horror anthology Tales from the Hood. The segments "Good Golly", "The Sacrifice", and "Robo Hell" were directed by Rusty Cundieff. The segments "The Medium" and "Date Night" were directed by Darin Scott.
Kevin Hart Apology Debate & Preview to Episode 143
December 13, 2018 02:33 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the upcoming episode on the 2018's "Tales from the Hood 2." This is a follow up to the original Tales from the Hood, which was a series of short stories dealing with race in America. The follow-up takes up the same premise, sort of. The random topic of the week is all about the issue of Kevin Hart being asked to apologize to the LGBTQ community for insensitive jokes he made a decade ago in his stand-up. The hosts discuss apologi...
Mo Better Blues - Episode 142
December 05, 2018 12:25 - 2 hours - 84.9 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss in depth the 1990 musical drama film, Mo Better Blues. The film is directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington as Bleek Gilliam. The story follows Bleek as he works to balance his budding yet successful jazz career with his personal relationships with two different women. Focusing in on the plight of the artist and who Bleek is willing to give up for his music and what he is not.
The Ballad of Budden and Cyn & Preview to Episode 142
November 28, 2018 02:03 - 22 minutes - 41.3 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to preview the next film, "Mo Better Blues." This 1990 Spike Lee-directed film follows a jazz trumpet player through a series of bad decisions that affect his personal relationships and his career. The random topic of the week is about a newly released episode of Love and Hip Hop in which former rapper/now podcaster, Joe Budden and his girlfriend Cyn Santana discuss the fact that Joe doesn't want to have sex all the time. The guys discuss...
Sorry to Bother You - Episode 141
November 14, 2018 03:35 - 1 hour - 75.9 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2018 Boots Riley directed film, 'Sorry to Bother You.' The film stars Lakeith Stansfield as Cash Greene, a telemarketer who has little to no sales at his job until he is advised to use his "white voice" to sell to his customers. After doing so, Cash sees new found success which begins to spiral as he is introduced to some more extreme elements of this capitalistic society in which he now thrives.
Stop Disempowering Ourselves & Preview to Episode 141
November 09, 2018 04:19 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to announce the next film, "Sorry to Bother You" starring Lakeith Stanfield. The film is about a young man forced to affect a white voice in order to be successful in his job to disastrous consequences. The random topic of the week is on Black people convincing other Black people not to vote. As the midterm elections have just passed, the notion of voting as Black people (regardless of party affiliation) is discussed and why voting truly ...
The First Purge - Episode 140
October 31, 2018 11:32 - 1 hour - 67.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss 2018's socially aware horror film, The First Purge. While the fourth movie in the "Purge" franchise, The First Purge is a prequel and details the beginning of the lawless night started on Staten Island, NY. Focusing on Black and Brown lower socioeconomic citizens, the government allows for a single 12 hour period where all crime is legal, including murder. This is supposed to work as a catharsis for the citizenry, but the fears o...