Slow Jam Saturday :Fergie featuring will.i.am “All That I Got (The Make Up Song)
By 2006, Fergie had become a household name through her work with the Black Eyed Peas. However, when she launched her solo career with *The Dutchess*, she demonstrated that she was more than just the female voice in a successful group. The album produced massive hits like “London Bridge,” “Fergalicious,” “Glamorous,” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” but one of my favorite tracks never became a single.
“Legend of the White Dragon” Review: Jason David Frank Shines in His Final Leading Role
Growing up in the nineties, I experienced the Power Rangers phenomenon firsthand. While I was never a die-hard fan deeply invested in the lore, my heart sank when Jason David Frank passed away in 2022. It felt like another piece of my childhood slipping away.
“Lion Fist” Review: A Throwback Martial Arts Tale With Plenty of Fight Left
Among the most enduring staples of eighties action cinema were the underdog story and the martial arts movie. Following the success of films such as 1984’s “The Karate Kid,” filmmakers found countless ways to combine the two: introduce a hero with something to prove, give him a mentor, put an obstacle in his way, and let the fights do the rest.
Second Listen Sunday: Samuelle, “Living in Black Paradise”
As a longtime music enthusiast, I’ve often wondered how quickly record labels expect lead singers from groups to release solo albums. This question came to mind recently when my iPod played “So You Like What You See” by Samuelle. Listening to the song, I realized he would be a great choice for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
Slow Jam Saturday : Timex Social Club, “Only You”
You know the voice. The moment Michael Marshall starts singing the hook in Luniz’s “I Got 5 on It,” anyone who grew up in the nineties knows exactly what time it is. However, nearly a decade before that 1995 hip-hop classic, Marshall was already responsible for another instantly recognizable vocal.
“The Weight” Review: Ethan Hawke Carries a Familiar Story With Quiet Strength
Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke and Oscar winner Russell Crowe bring their talents to “The Weight,” the latest film from Vertical. Directed by Padraic McKinley, the film features a screenplay by Shelby Gaines, Matthew Chapman, and Matthew Booi, based on an original story by Booi and Leo Scherman.
“The Fix” Review: Good Men, Bad Choices and an Action Thriller in Need of Repair
Outspoken actor Zachary Levi takes on an action role in “The Fix,” produced by Inaugural Entertainment. Guy Moshe directs the film and co-writes the screenplay with Mark Bacci and Ron Hutchinson.
Untold: Mr. T: I Pity the Fool Review: The Man Behind the Mohawk
For many of us who grew up in the eighties, Mr. T was not introduced through just one avenue. He was everywhere: on cereal boxes, in cartoons, in toy aisles, on television as B.A. Baracus in “The A-Team”, and of course, opposing Sylvester Stallone as Clubber Lang in “Rocky III.”
Second Listen Sunday: Anita Baker, “Rapture”
There are some albums you revisit because of nostalgia, and then there are albums you return to because they remind you just how high the standard used to be. Anita Baker’s Rapture falls into that second category. Released in 1986, the album did more than make Baker a star. It helped define what sophisticated, grown R&B could sound like without losing any soul, sensuality, or personality.
Slow Jam Saturday : Gwen Stefani, “The Real Thing (Slow Jam Mix)”
Gwen Stefani had already established herself as a significant force with No Doubt when she released her debut solo album, *Love. Angel. Music. Baby* in 2004. This week, while my iPod was on shuffle, one of my favorite songs from that project, “The Real Thing,” came on. Although the original version has an upbeat new-wave feel, the Slow Jam Mix takes it to another level and is the perfect choice for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.
“The Gentlemen” Season 2 Review: Guy Ritchie Keeps the Criminal Charm Sharp
Guy Ritchie’s television continuation of his film “The Gentlemen” returns with the confidence of a show that understands its brand: sharp suits, sharper insults, and criminals who treat bad ideas like inheritance. Season 2 wisely avoids merely replaying Eddie’s introduction to the underworld.
“LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian” Review: The Fun Returns in Brick-Sized Form
After a disappointing summer movie, it was refreshing to see Din Djarin and Grogu back in a format that reminds us how fun these characters can be. “LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian” uses a clever party setup, featuring Din and Grogu reuniting with their misfit allies to celebrate their adventures while a new pirate threat looms.