Second Listen Sunday: Jasmine Guy, “Jasmine Guy”
Earlier this week, fans were excited when the trailer for Netflix’s upcoming sequel series, “A Different World”, was released. In response, I thought it would be fitting to pay tribute to Jasmine Guy’s self-titled album from 1990 for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
Slow Jam Saturday : The Miracles , “I Didn’t Realize The Show Was Over”
Some jobs in music are difficult, but being asked to replace Smokey Robinson is another. When Robinson stepped away from The Miracles in the early seventies, Billy Griffin inherited a microphone attached to one of Motown’s most recognizable voices.
“Feed” Movie Review: Irish Vampire Folklore Can’t Fully Sink Its Teeth In
Saban Films “Feed “has the makings of a horror film that could leave a mark, but it too often rushes past the very ideas that make it interesting. Writer-director Marco Van Belle combines grief with Irish vampire folklore, creating a monster whose most frightening weapon is not simply bloodlust but the possibility of giving a grieving woman exactly what she wants. That is a terrific foundation. The film just does not dig deeply enough into it.
“The Snare” Review: A Familiar Thriller Setup With Real Emotional Bite
Director Merlin Camozzi’s “The Snare” from Obscured Pictures works because it recognizes that one bad break can feel like a life sentence when you’re already struggling.
Pure Scum Review: Privilege Runs Wild Through the Streets of Melbourne
Since the release of “A Clockwork Orange,” directors have attempted to capture the essence of reckless youth and toxic masculinity without making the characters engaging or appealing. Writer-director Gideon Aroni takes on this challenge in “Pure Scum,” a gritty Australian psychological thriller that follows two privileged young men through an increasingly disastrous night in Melbourne.
Second Listen Sunday : The Tony Rich Project, “Birdseye”
When I reflect on the summer of 1998, I was preparing for my junior year, while R&B seemed to be at a crossroads. Brandy and Monica were dominating the youth market with their blockbuster sophomore albums, while established male singers like Luther Vandross and Gerald Levert were comfortably settling into Urban AC.
Slow Jam Saturday : The Tony Rich Project, “Like a Woman”
When you hear the name Tony Rich, “Nobody Knows” is likely the first song that comes to mind. That record was a massive success, and its influence still lingers. However, true music enthusiasts recognize that Rich was never a one-hit wonder. He possessed an incredible talent for songwriting.
“Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma Review: Sex, Slashers, and the Search for Intimacy
After making a splash with “I Saw the TV Glow”, writer-director Jane Schoenbrun continues to carve out a distinctive path with MUBI’s “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma”. Once again, Schoenbrun takes familiar genre material and uses it to explore more personal themes. However, this time, the results didn’t always resonate with me.
The Rivals of Amziah King Review: Matthew McConaughey Finds Gold in an Unlikely Honey Business Drama
Oscar-winning Matthew McConaughey continues to embrace the mature phase of his career with “The Rivals of Amziah King,” a unique and soulful rural drama directed and co-written by Andrew Patterson.
**Cookie Queens” Review: A Captivating Look at the Girl Scout Hustle**
One of the great joys of covering the Sundance Film Festival is discovering a movie you missed has found a distributor. This is the case with Roadside Attractions’ *Cookie Queens*, directed by Alyssa Nahmias and executive produced by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
‘Fightland’ Review: 50 Cent’s STARZ Boxing Drama Lands a Powerful First Punch
Hip-hop mogul Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson continues his successful relationship as an executive producer with the Starz network through the new series “Fightland,” created by Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith.
Slow Jam Saturday : Chauncey Black, “Everyday Is Your Birthday”
This week’s Slow Jam Saturday pick takes us back to 2008 to show some love to Chauncey Hannibal, a member of Blackstreet, and his solo track “Everyday Is Your Birthday.” Chauncey’s vocals were featured prominently on the group’s first four albums until he began his solo career in 2005. He initially signed with Flipmode Entertainment, and “Everyday Is Your Birthday” was the first single from his project titled “Church Boy,” although the actual album was never released.