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
Blackface is STILL not OK & Preview to Episode 140
October 24, 2018 12:05 - 34 minutes - 64.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to announce the next film. For their Halloween episode this year, the hosts have decided to do "The First Purge." A film dealing with the brutality of a state sanction night of crime that is experimented on Black people and other People of Color in a low socioeconomic situation. While the fourth movie in the series, this one deals with exclusively with the perspective of Black and Brown folks at the center of this plan of purging the so-c...
Nappily Ever After - Episode 139
October 17, 2018 12:05 - 1 hour - 64.8 MB"Nappily Ever After" is a 2018 American romantic comedy film directed by Haifaa al-Mansour and written by Adam Brooks and Cee Marcellus. The film tells the story of Violet (Sanaa Lathan) who is a perfectionist obsessed with her hair, amongst other things, who is forced to do some soul searching and self-reflection when she breaks up with her long-term boyfriend and shaves her head in a fit of drunken depression.
Is "Black Toxicity" a Thing? & Preview to Episode 139
October 10, 2018 10:33 - 53 minutes - 36.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to introduce the next film to be reviewed, "Nappily Ever After." A film that explores what happens to a Black woman who's hair was a source of her "perfection," and what that means to her and how others see her when that protection perfection is gone and she can be truly seen for who she is. The random topic of the week is all about "black toxicity," what it is, what it means to us inside and outside the community, and how much are we respo...
Not Black Enough - Episode 138
October 03, 2018 03:15 - 1 hour - 74.5 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2017 documentary, "Not Black Enough." The film deals with issues of internal bias inside the Black community when it comes to the color complex, activities of Black people, our hair choices, and much more. The documentary takes testimonies from Vanessa Williams, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Petey Pablo, and many others on the topics at hand.
Fall of Bill Cosby & Preview to Episode 138
September 27, 2018 12:01 - 41 minutes - 76.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to preview the next episode and discuss their final thoughts on Bill Cosby's downfall. The next film to be discussed will be the 2017 documentary, "Not Black Enough," which can be found on Amazon. The hosts discuss how Cosby became the world's biggest hypocrite by giving his pound cake speech and being a sexual predator at the same time. The conversation also pivots to how we view women who are victims of sexual assault including the latest...
Superfly - Episode 137
September 20, 2018 11:46 - 1 hour - 78.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return (with special guest Deacon) with a new episode all about the 2018 remake of the blaxploitation classic, "Superfly." This time the film stars Trevor Jackson as Youngblood Priest, a cocaine dealer (this time in Atlanta) who lifestyle is lavish, yet somehow has been under the radar from police for many years. When an event happens at a club that almost cost him his life, Priest decides to make an exit plan from the cocaine life.
This is Why We Kneel & Preview to Episode 137
September 12, 2018 11:05 - 39 minutes - 73.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to preview the next film, the 2018 remake of the blaxploitation classic, 'Superfly.' The film tells the story of a successful drug dealer who decides to make one last huge score to get out of the drug game. The random topic of the week is on the horrendous murder of Botham Shem Jean by a white police officer in his own apartment no less.
The Best Man - Episode 136
September 06, 2018 11:55 - 1 hour - 75.3 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 1999 film, The Best Man. Starring Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, and Nia Long. The film follows four friends post-college who are gathering for their friend's wedding all before the release of a book that is a semi-fictional retelling of their college life. Lines get crossed, old flames re-emerge, and new revelations hit the forefront in this Malcolm Lee directed movie. Set in the golden age of mo...
Catsuit Excuses & Preview to Episode 136
August 29, 2018 02:55 - 24 minutes - 45.5 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to preview the next film, 1999's The Best Man, starring Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, and Sanaa Lathan. The film follows a writer who uses his friends' real-life experiences for inspiration in his book but ends up revealing more than he planned to when they realize what he has done. The random topic for this week is all about the controversy surrounding Serena Williams and her medically designed catsuit and it ba...
Blackkklansman - Episode 135
August 22, 2018 02:19 - 1 hour - 76.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to discuss the newly released Spike Lee Joint, "Blackkklansman" starring John David Washington. The film (based on true events) follows Ron Stallworth, the first Black cop on the force in Colorado Springs. During his first assignment, he decides to try and infiltrate the local KKK chapter. He successfully does so over the phone and with the help of his fellow white officer Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver). The film pivots between Stallworth's...
One of These Gotta Go & Preview to Episode 135
August 10, 2018 03:19 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys and special guest are back to preview the next film, Blackkklansman. The film is directed by Spike Lee and retells the true story of a Black police officer who successfully infiltrated the KKK.
Acrimony - Episode 134
August 01, 2018 11:55 - 2 hours - 83.1 MBThis 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, regret, and of course revenge. The film stars Taraji P. Henson.
Permit Patty and Friends & Preview to Episode 134
July 18, 2018 12:21 - 36 minutes - 68.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to preview the next episode. They will break their one rule and do a second film this year by the infamous director, Tyler Perry. The 2018 film about a woman scorned, Acrimony, stars Taraji P. Henson. The random topic of the week is all about the new precedent of white people calling the police on Black people for just living their lives. We've seen the rise of the Permit Patti and now even Flagrant Freddie. While the Internet nicknames are...
Crooklyn - Episode 133
July 12, 2018 12:36 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to discuss "Crooklyn," the 1994 semi-autobiographical film co-written and directed by Spike Lee. The film takes place in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York during the summer of 1973. Its primary focus is a young girl, Troy (played by Zelda Harris), and her family. Throughout the film, Troy learns life lessons through her four rowdy brothers, her loving but strict mother (Alfre Woodard), and her naive, struggling fat...
Affirmative Action in Education & Preview to Episode 133
July 04, 2018 14:21 - 44 minutes - 81.9 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to announce the next film, the 1994 Black family drama "Crooklyn" directed by Spike Lee. The film takes place over the course of a hot summer in 1973 from the perspective of a young Black girl in BedSty, Brooklyn with her four brothers, mother, and father. The random topic of the week is all about the Trump administration's new push to remove guidance information for educational institutes for using affirmative action to keep their student ...
Catching Feelings - Episode 132
June 28, 2018 11:43 - 2 hours - 96.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2017 South African film, Catching Feelings. The film follows an urbane young academic and his beautiful wife, as their lives get turned upside down when a celebrated and hedonistic older writer moves into their Johannesburg home with them. Discussions of modern-day South African life, white South Africans role in that life, past and present-day influence, and an insecure man terrified that he is losing his wife.
Doing Well and Staying Grounded & Preview to Episode 132
June 14, 2018 11:16 - 39 minutes - 72.5 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to reveal the next film, Catching Feelings. An independent South African romantic drama where a young couple is forced to look at their relationship through a new lens when a hedonistic famous writer begins living with them. The random topic of the week is all about the dilemma of doing financially well as a Black person by staying in proximity to your community when historically Black people have been put at a disadvantage financially.
Crown Heights - Episode 131
June 07, 2018 11:46 - 1 hour - 80.5 MBCrown Heights is a 2017 American biographical crime drama film written and directed by Matt Ruskin. Adapted from a This American Life podcast, the film tells the true story of Colin Warner who was wrongfully convicted of murder, and how his best friend Carl King devoted his life to proving Colin's innocence. The film stars Lakeith Stanfield as Colin Warner and Nnamdi Asomugha as Carl King.
Roseanne Canceled & Preview to Episode 131
May 30, 2018 03:05 - 36 minutes - 67.2 MBThis week the guys introduce the next film for episode 131, "Crown Heights." The film tells the true story of Colin Warner who was wrongfully convicted of murder, and how his best friend Carl King devoted his life to proving Colin's innocence. The random topic of the week is all about the newly returned show "Roseanne" being canceled after the lead, Roseanne Barr decided to go on a Twitter racist tirade against former Obama advisors, Valerie Jarrett.
Proud Mary - Episode 130
May 24, 2018 12:21 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to discuss the 2018 film, Proud Mary starring Taraji P. Henson, Billy Brown, Danny Glover, and Jahi Di'Allo. Synopsis: Mary is a successful hitwoman working for an organized crime family in Boston. However, her life is completely shifted when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes wrong and she leaves the boy orphaned.
Well-Meaning White Friends & Preview to Episode 130
May 16, 2018 02:33 - 58 minutes - 40 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys (minus Terrence) are back to announce the movie for the next episode, Proud Mary. A modern take on the Blaxploitation genre of film follows an assassin as she works to protect a young boy from a family of organized criminals. The random topic of the week is all about an article entitled " 7 things black people want their well-meaning white friends to know." Jay and Micah go through the articles points and add their thoughts to the overall discussi...
First Match - Episode 129
May 10, 2018 02:54 - 1 hour - 70.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to review the newly released film, First Match. The story follows a young girl named Mo(nique) who's tough exterior and bravado are nothing but merely a cover for her harsh lifestyle of foster care and estrangement from her father due to his prison time. When she discovers that he is out of prison she seeks to connect with him via his high school passion for wrestling. When joining her school's team she hopes to connect with him on a deep...
Canceling Black Celebrities? & Preview to Episode 129
May 02, 2018 03:24 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return with a preview for the next film, First Match. A film, available on Netflix streaming right now tells the story of a girl who decides to join a boy's wrestling team and that brings her back in the favor of her estranged father, but there is more to their relationship than it seems. The guys also discuss the random topic of the week which is all about whether or not certain Black celebrities need to be let go by the community AKA "canceled."...
Come Sunday - Episode 128
April 26, 2018 11:25 - 2 hours - 92.3 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys sit down to review and discuss the film, 'Come Sunday,' from the folks at This American Life. 'Come Sunday' is a 2018 American drama film based on Carlton Pearson's excommunication directed by Joshua Marston, from a screenplay by Marcus Hinchey. It stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Martin Sheen, Condola Rashad, Jason Segel, Danny Glover and Lakeith Stanfield.
The Starbucks Incident & Preview to Episode 128
April 19, 2018 11:57 - 38 minutes - 72.3 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to announce episode 128, "Come Sunday." The film tells the story of a Black preacher who challenges the very core of his religious beliefs and is forced to come face to face with religious leaders who oppose him. The random topic of the week is all about the latest incident at a Starbucks in Philadelphia, in which two Black men were arrested for just sitting there and not buying anything. Issues of implicit bias towards Black men and the ...
Roxanne Roxanne - Episode 127
April 12, 2018 02:40 - 1 hour - 73.5 MBTelling the story of the famed Queensbridge rapper, Roxanne Shante, Roxanne Roxanne takes us back to 1984 during the birth of rap in New York City. Young Shante is the Queensbridge battle rap champion, and sets herself on a path to fame, but is often thwarted by the actions of vicious and selfish men. The story of self-discovery, growing up quickly, and eventual perseverance is at the heart of the female rapper who inspired some of the largest names in the industry to this day. The film star...
Reactions to "March for Our Lives" & Preview to Episode 127
March 29, 2018 13:29 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the hosts return to preview episode 127, Roxanne Roxanne. The story of the famed 80s rap pioneer, Roxanne Shante. The film is currently available on Netflix. The hosts also discuss the reactions to the "March for Our Lives" anti-gun violence rally that happened in DC with the survivors of the Parkland shooting, and around the world. They also discuss black gun ownership and the 2nd amendment in reference to Black people.
Why Did I Get Married? - Episode 126
March 21, 2018 01:30 - 2 hours - 91.9 MBEight married college friends plus one other non-friend go to Colorado for their annual week-long reunion, but the mood shifts when one couple's infidelity comes to light. Secrets are revealed and each couple begins to question their own marriage. Over the course of the week, the couples battle with issues of commitment, betrayal, and forgiveness and examine their lives as individuals and as committed couples. This film explores the resultant emotional impact that infidelity and love have up...
The Bruno Mars Conundrum & Preview to Episode 126
March 14, 2018 11:19 - 48 minutes - 33 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to introduce the next film. It's that time again, our once a year deep dive into the crazy that is Tyler Perry. You asked for it, and we shall deliver. Next week's episode is on the 2007 film, "Why Did I Get Married." Dealing with married couples who each have unique interactions and problems. The random topic of the week is all about the rekindle conversation around cultural appropriation/appreciation and Bruno Mars. Is he a culture vult...
Roman J. Israel Esq. - Episode 125
March 07, 2018 12:45 - 2 hours - 98.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss "Roman J. Israel Esq." The legal drama starring Denzel Washington as Roman J. Israel Esq., a lawyer who has spent his career as the man behind the curtain so to speak. An eccentric legal savant, Israel must confront his hardline views of helping the poor and the disaffected when he is thrust into a world of money and power that he's only seen from a safe distance. When an opportunity for a different life comes into conflict with...
Supporting the Next "Black Panther" & Preview to Episode 125
March 02, 2018 13:02 - 16 minutes - 30.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to announce the next film starring Denzel Washington just in time for Oscar season, "Roman J. Israel Esq." The film depicts Washington as a former civil rights lawyer trying to find his way in the world after he loses his lifelong legal partner. The random topic this week is all about other minorities desire to get their own "Black Panther" level film to represent them, and some odd pushback from some Black folks on social media. A wider ...
Episode 124: Black Panther
February 20, 2018 02:00 - 2 hours - 92.3 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to discuss the latest Marvel film, and the show's first comic book movie, Black Panther. Not just an exciting comic book film, but there is so much more to Ryan Coogler's third film of his career. Making his big onscreen debut in Captain America: Civil War, the character of Black Panther/T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) gets to finally step out on his own solo adventure. While the wait was long, it was more than worth it. Director Ryan Coogle...
Quincy Jones and Getting Old and Black and Preview to Episode 124
February 16, 2018 05:30 - 26 minutes - 49.6 MBThe guys have decided to toss away their previous movie choice and jump right in and handle the likely biggest Black film in the last 10 years and probably for the next 10, Black Panther. The first comic book movie that has ever been done on the show, but a timely and important one. Marvel's latest film isn't just a run of the mill action adventure (though those elements are there), but there is an undercurrent of Blackness that runs through the film that it deserved the Black on Black Cinem...
Episode 123: Barbershop: The Next Cut
February 07, 2018 13:19 - 2 hours - 83.8 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to discuss the 2016 comedy film, Barbershop: The Next Cut. This is the third movie in the Ice Cube led Barbershop series. We are once again taken to Chicago to Calvin's Barbershop to deal with Black issues that are brought up in the shop as well as movements of fighting against Chicago's gang problem. Ice Cube is joined by Common, Nicki Minaj, Cedric the Entertainer, Regina Hall, Deon Cole, Eve, Anthony Anderson, and many others to once ...
We Answer your Questions and Preview to Episode 123
January 31, 2018 14:19 - 36 minutes - 66.9 MBThis week on a new preview episode of Black on Black Cinema, the guys (minus Terrence) are back to introduce the next film to be reviewed, Barbershop: The Next Cut. The random topic of the week will just be a mailbag episode. We asked our fan group to drop some questions/topics they wanted us to address and we did so...enjoy!
Episode 122: Detroit
January 24, 2018 02:00 - 1 hour - 76.2 MBDetroit is a 2017 American period crime drama film directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Mark Boal. Based on the Algiers Motel incident during Detroit's 1967 12th Street Riot, the film's release commemorated the 50th anniversary of the event. The film stars John Boyega, Will Poulter, Algee Smith, Jason Mitchell, John Krasinski and Anthony Mackie. The film is a depiction of the 12th street riots' beginning and then pivots to the specific events inside the Algiers Motel and the subsequen...
MLK Jr's Dream in 2018 & Preview to Episode 122
January 17, 2018 16:07 - 29 minutes - 54.1 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to announce the next film, Detroit. Detailing the infamous Algiers Motel incident during the Detroit riots in the 1960s. The random topic of the week deals with a look at MLK Jr.'s dream for America and how close we've come to achieving it and how much further we have to go.
Episode 121: The Preacher's Son
January 10, 2018 02:39 - 1 hour - 78.7 MBBishop T.K. Wilson and his wife run a respectable church in their community alongside their two children Dante and Donna. However, as with all things, the mask of the church folk begin to slip and secrets begin to find their way to the surface. Hidden relationships, life choices, and respectability are all challenged. Will the church family and congregation be able to withstand this ever-mounting and frankly an insane number of challenges? The Preacher's Son is based on the popular Carl Web...
Dating Outside the Community & Preview to Episode 121
January 04, 2018 02:53 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, introduce the next film, The Preacher's Son. The story of a family that has a father who is the pastor of a church with a son who has a few secrets of his own. For the random topic of the week, the guys discuss this controversy about the actor Michael B. Jordan dating a woman who isn't Black and how some are possibly planning to boycott his next project, Black Panther. A conversation on interracial dating acceptance, hypocrisy, self-defeating thoughts on t...
Episode 120: Mudbound
December 20, 2017 13:18 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBTaking place in the early 1940s in the Mississippi Delta, two men (one Black, one white) find themselves on returning from serving in World War 2 to an America that hasn't changed. Dealing with issues of PTSD, both men are bound by the bigotry of their homeland, while striking up a forbidden friendship that only men who have seen the theater of war can appreciate. Written and directed by Dee Rees (Pariah), Mudbound explores the notion of change through leaving home and seeing it with fresh ...
We All We Got & Preview to Episode 120
December 07, 2017 12:38 - 26 minutes - 49 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to introduce the next film, the 2017 Dee Rees directed "Mudbound." The film chronicles two WW2 vets (one Black, one white) who have profoundly different experiences with racism and PTSD after returning home from war. The hosts also discuss the preview topic of taking advantage of/or underappreciating Black support.
Episode 119: A Girl Like Grace
November 29, 2017 12:48 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBAfter coming back for her final year in high school, Grace (Ryan Destiny) is forced to deal with school bullies, her one remaining friend, and new faces all the while trying to handle the death of her best friend, Andrea (Paige Hurd) from the previous summer. Grace is forced to comes to terms with what it means to be a woman while having examples like mother, an aging woman who uses sex as a weapon for survival, and Andrea's sister who is stuck trying to decide where she wants to go. Direc...
Black Ass Thanksgiving & Preview to Episode 119
November 22, 2017 01:52 - 30 minutes - 55.7 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to preview the 2015 film, "A Girl Like Grace." The random topic of the week is all about the greatest Black holiday of all, Thanksgiving!!! The guys discuss favorite dishes, least favorite dishes, going to other people's houses for the holiday, and the best Thanksgiving stories.
Episode 118: Tales from the Hood
November 16, 2017 03:07 - 1 hour - 84.5 MBTales from the Hood is the 1995 horror anthology film directed by Rusty Cundieff and executive-produced by Spike Lee. Taking a Twilight Zone approach to horror involving Black people is unique in its own right, but adding the social elements to the film is what truly makes Tales from the Hood interesting. The film delves into police brutality, domestic violence, America's acceptance of white bigots back into mainstream society, and violence via gang and drug warfare. All these stories intro...
Tales of Black Dance & Preview to Episode 118
November 02, 2017 11:20 - 37 minutes - 70 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to introduce the next full episode on the 1995 horror anthology film, Tales from the Hood. This week's preview topic is in the realm of keeping things light and fun. The hosts discuss dancing, apprehension to doing it in public, skill level, and hilarious stories over the years when out having fun. There is enough awful things going on in the world, this time we stay pretty light. Also, please check out the video version of this episode f...
Episode 117: Blacula
October 26, 2017 11:03 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBBlacula tells the story of an African prince named Mamuwalde who in 1780 is cursed by the infamous Count Dracula and is forced into the life of a vampire. He reawakens in the 1970s in Los Angeles, where he must adjust to his new settings and begin his life anew. However, he meets a woman who resembles his long-dead wife, Luva, and it sets him on a journey to be with her. He kills/feeds on random people in L.A., and eventually is hunted by the police. The blaxploitation genre of the 1970s wa...
Running from Blackness & Preview to Episode 117
October 18, 2017 11:17 - 30 minutes - 56.6 MBThis week the guys are back to introduce the next film, the 1972 horror blaxploitation classic, Blacula. This episode has been long requested and now it's finally coming. The film takes the Dracula mythos and adds a unique Black take on the entire thing. The random topic of the week is all about successful Black people running from Blackness. The hosts discuss the humorous idea that rapper Waka Flocka Flame says that he's not Black, and the larger implications of such a position.
Episode 116: The Incredible Jessica James
October 11, 2017 11:11 - 1 hour - 73.6 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys are back to discuss the 2017 romantic comedy, The Incredible Jessica James starring Jessica Williams, Chris O’Dowd, Lakeith Stansfield, and Noël Wells. The film follows a young struggling playwright whose life is thrown further into shambles as she recently broke up with her boyfriend and continues her journey to find herself as a 20 something Black woman in New York City. The journey of self-discovery is plagued by daydreams, poor dating moments...
Trump, Puerto Rico, NFL, and Las Vegas & Preview to Episode 116
October 05, 2017 03:24 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBThis week the guys are back to introduce the upcoming 116th episode, The Incredible Jessica James (Netflix original film). The film follows the 20 something Jessica as she has just broken up with her boyfriend and is thrown back into the dating world as well as discovering who she really is a person. The random topic of the week is a multi-angled conversation on the devastation in Puerto Rico, the response from the President, shooting in Las Vegas, NFL kneeling, and overall discussion of one...
Episode 115: I Am Not Your Negro
September 27, 2017 03:16 - 2 hours - 87.4 MBThis week on Black on Black Cinema, the guys return to discuss the 2016 Oscar-nominated documentary, “I Am Not Your Negro,” which dives into the life of the writer, poet, and social critic, James Baldwin. The film is largely based on Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript “Remember this House” and the effect that three civil rights leaders’ deaths had on Baldwin. Specifically, Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X in that order are the basis of the three acts of the film. Documentari...