Slow Jam Saturday: K. Michelle, Can’t Raise a Man
K. Michelle, a distinct vocalist in the R&B scene, is currently on tour with other notable R&B artists such as Trey Songz, Jahiem, and Keyshia Cole. This presents a perfect opportunity to revisit her second single, ‘Can’t Raise a Man,’ from her debut studio album ‘Rebellious Soul’ (2014), for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.
The Young Wife is an engaging sophomore feature from Tayarisha Poe
Tayarisha Poe, the esteemed writer and director known for her widely acclaimed debut “Selah and the Spades,” presents “The Young Wife,” a unique Afrocentric love story that stands out in the genre for its nuanced portrayal of societal pressures and personal struggles. Produced by Republic Pictures, the film’s narrative delves into the emotional turmoil of Celestina (Kiersey Clemons) as she grapples with the tumultuous expectations of family and friends on the day of her nuptials to River (Leon Bridges). The film intricately explores the challenges these societal pressures pose, contributing to Celestina’s escalating anxiety and apprehension as she embarks on marital bliss, inviting the audience to empathize with her journey deeply.
Clichés abound, Summer Camp is saved by three legendary leads
Director and writer Castile Landon shifts from erotica fan fiction to a friendship story in “Summer Camp” from Roadside Attractions. Nora (Diane Keaton), Ginny (Kathy Bates), and Mary (Alfred Woodard) have been best friends since they were inseparable at summer camp during their childhood. Despite their intense bond, the demands of adult life have led them to see each other less and less over the years.
In a Violent Nature delivers the slasher goods
After getting his feet wet in shorts and music videos, Chris Nash makes his directorial debut with “In a Violent Nature.” Nash also pens the film’s screenplay. When a locket is extracted from a collapsed fire tower in a wooded area, it triggers the reanimation of the deceased body of Johnny (Ry Barrett), a malevolent spirit driven by a grievous 60-year-old transgression. Intent on reclaiming the locket, Johnny targets a cohort of young vacationers culpable for its removal, methodically eliminating them one by one and any others who impede his pursuit.
Second Listen Sunday: Jaheim, Ghetto Classics
Jaheim, a New Jersey-based singer, is currently on “The Love Hard Tour” after a significant break from the music scene. This week, for our Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to revisit his highly anticipated third album, “Ghetto Classics,” released on February 13, 2006. It had been four years since the release of Jaheim’s second album, and while they couldn’t see him vocally, younger singers like Omarion and Chris Brown were the current rage in R&B.
Slow Jam Saturday: Keyshia Cole, I Should Have Cheated
The Princess of Hip Hop Soul, Mrs. Keyshia Cole, is currently headlining the “The Love Hard Tour” with fellow R&B acts Trey Songz, Jahiem, and K. Michelle. So, in that regard, I felt it was only fitting to go back to 2005 and revisit the third single, “I Should Have Cheated,” from her debut album, “The Way It Is,” for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.
Babes is a successful mix of heart and profanity
Pamela Adlon, an actress who has transitioned into a director, presents a heartwarming and uproarious comedy as her debut in “Babes,” produced by Neon Films. Ilana Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz pen the film’s screenplay. Inseparable childhood friends Eden (Ilana Glazer) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau), having grown up together in NYC, are now firmly in different phases of adulthood. Every Thanksgiving, the two decide to meet for a movie, but things take a surprising turn when Dawn goes into labor.
]J-Lo is lost in space in the dull Atlas
Jennifer Lopez reunites with Netflix to take on the Sci-Fi genre in her latest film, “Atlas.” Brad Peyton directs the film from a script by Aron Eli Coleite and Leo Sardarian. Atlas Shepherd (Jennifer Lopez), a brilliant but misanthropic data analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, joins a high-stakes mission to capture Harlan (Simu Liu), a renegade robot with whom she shares a mysterious past. This mission, crucial for the survival of humanity, is fraught with danger and uncertainty. But when plans go awry, her only hope of saving the future of humanity from AI is to trust it.
Sans the overlong run time Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga delivers the action goods
Australian filmmaker George Miller returns to the post-apocalyptic action-adventure genre for his eleventh film, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” from Warner Bros. Miller collaborated with Nico Lathouris to co-write the screenplay for the fifth installment in the “Mad Max” franchise. This installment is a spin-off and prequel to the previous film, “Mad Max: Fury Road.”
Second Listen Sunday: The Weekend, Kiss Land
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I embarked on a musical journey to the Land of Maple Syrup, a nickname for Canada due to its significant maple syrup production. I revisited a pivotal moment in The Weeknd’s career with his major label debut, ‘Kiss Land.’ This album marked a significant transition for The Weeknd, following the success of his 2011 mixtapes’ House of Balloons,’ ‘Thursday,’ and ‘Echoes of Silence,’ and the subsequent compilation album ‘Trilogy.’ ‘Kiss Land’ was his first studio album, a testament to his growth and evolution as an artist, and it was released on September 10, 2013.
Slow Jam Saturday : Kevon Edmonds, Never Let You Down
Frankie Beverly, a renowned music legend, is embarking on his “I Wanna Thank You” Tour, marking the end of his illustrious career. In this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I would like to showcase a cover version of the beloved ballad “Never Let You Down” by Frankie Beverly & Maze.
Second Listen Sunday: Carl Thomas, Conquer
This week’s featured album for Second Listen Sunday is Carl Thomas’s “Conquer.” Thomas, known for his work as a hook singer at Bad Boy Records, is set to join R&B icons Tank and Keri Hilson on ‘The R&B Money Tour. Considering this upcoming event, it’s fitting to delve into the often overlooked ‘Conquer. After a hiatus following his third album, ‘So Much Better’ in 2007, Carl Thomas returned to the scene with ‘Conquer’ in 2011.