Second Listen Sunday: Brooke Valentine, “Chain Letter”
As my loyal readers know, one of my passions during my Air Force enlistment was being a DJ. Since I was stationed in the UK, it was sometimes hard to keep up with the music scene, as there was no satellite radio, the club scene rarely showcased new music, and I missed out on shows like 106 & Park. Often, I would buy new CDs based solely on their covers and find a way to incorporate the music into my sets, particularly if the artist caught my attention. One such artist was Brooke Valentine, who is this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday.
‘The Dink’ Review: Jake Johnson Serves Up a Warm, Winning Pickleball Comedy
Once it became popular, it was pretty clear there would always be a movie about the paddle-wielding insurgency that is pickleball. The only surprise is that “The Dink” from Apple TV manages to extract genuine warmth from a premise that could easily have devolved into a feature-length sitcom sketch.
‘Motor City’ Review: Alan Ritchson Powers a Brutal, Nearly Dialogue-Free Revenge Thriller
Director Potsy Ponciroli shifts gears for his third feature in “Motor City,” produced by IFC Films. Chad St. John penned the film’s screenplay, which was actually on the 2009 Black List and spent several years in development hell before finally getting underway.
Splash City Review: Lionsgate’s Gritty San Francisco Crime Drama Brings Raw Street-Level Energy
San Francisco in film is often depicted through sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge or romanticized, foggy hills. However, “Splash City” from Lionsgate brings the focus down to street level. Co-directed by Alex Ferrufino and Gilbert Anthony Milam Jr. (better known as rapper and entrepreneur Berner), this R-rated crime drama moves away from postcard aesthetics to present a sharp, urgent portrayal of survival on the streets.
Second Listen Sunday : Akon, Konvicted
Since my wife’s favorite solo artist, Ne-Yo, is currently on tour, I decided to show some love to Akon this week for Second Listen Sunday by focusing on his second album, “Konvicted.” I first discovered Akon in the fall of 2004 when I made my DJ debut while stationed in the UK. During my warm-up set, I played “Locked Up,” and one of the bouncers came over, handed me a pound, and said it was about time someone played that song.
Slow Jam Saturday : Ne-Yo, Queen
Last night, R&B superstar Ne-Yo performed at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA, so I felt it was only fitting to dive into his catalog for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. Now, two decades into his solo career, Ne-Yo has numerous songs to choose from, but I decided to go with “Queen.”
Desire Review: Netflix’s Erotic Thriller Turns the 80/20 Rule Into a Dangerous Obsession
Growing up as a teenager in the mid-nineties, I was introduced to a variety of erotic thrillers through Cinemax. I am well-acquainted with this genre and still enjoy watching it today. When Netflix’s “Desire came to my attention, I was immediately intrigued. Although my review copy was entirely in Spanish, my teenage years spent binge-watching telenovelas came in handy.
Lucky Review: Anya Taylor-Joy Leads Apple TV’s Stylish but Uneven Crime Caper
Apple TV’s “Lucky” looks like the kind of crime series built for an easy weekend binge. It has luxury hotels, expensive wardrobes, crooked family members, federal agents, and enough stolen cash to keep everyone suspicious.
Lee Cronin’s The Mummy Review: A Possession Film Wrapped in Bandages”
Writer-director Lee Cronin made an impressive feature film debut in 2019 with “The Hole in the Ground” and followed it up with a fresh and gruesome installment in the “Evil Dead” franchise, “Evil Dead Rise”. However, due to adult responsibilities, I missed his third film in theaters. The mixed reviews and rumors of a troubled production have me concerned.
Second Listen Sunday : Eric Bellinger, “New Light : Acoustics”
I’ve always been a fan of Eric Bellinger. My admiration stems not only from the records he has released under his own name but also from the impressive career he built behind the scenes. Long before casual R&B listeners recognized his face, they were already familiar with his songwriting through tracks he penned for artists like Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, and Wale.
Slow Jam Saturday : Divine, “Lately”
While TLC and SWV are often seen as the defining female trios of the 1990s, this week’s Slow Jam Saturday takes us back to 1998 to revisit a group that deserved more recognition than it received. Before label issues cut their career short, Divine made their debut with the single “Lately”—a heartfelt ballad that showcased beautiful harmonies, emotional honesty, and all the elements of what seemed to be a promising future.
“Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” Review: Zoey Deutch Shines in David Wain’s Raunchy Hollywood Comedy
When I first saw “Gail Daughtry’s and the Celebrity Sex Pass” at Sundance 2026, it quickly became one of my favorite films of the festival. I was elated when Sony Pictures Classics picked up the film for distribution.