Underrated is a slam dunk look at the early days of Chef Curry
The baby-faced assassin gets his flowers from director Peter Nicks in the crowd-pleasing documentary Stephen Curry: Underrated from A24 and Apple TV.
Second Listen Sunday: Houston, It’s Already Written
It’s no secret that Usher became a global icon in 2004 when he released his fourth album, Confessions. However, as the good folks over at YouKnowIGotSoul.com, world-class remixer DJ Soulchild, and, of course, my big but Edward Bowser will tell you, there are a few other singers that dropped albums as well.
Slow Jam Saturday: George Michael, One More Try
The late George Michael successfully transitioned from a boy band to a successful soul artist with his debut solo album Faith in 1987. Michael had already scored four successful singles when the fourth single, “One More Try,” hit the airwaves.
Michelle Buteau’s positivity shines through in Survival of the Thickest
After years of supporting work, comedian Michelle Buteau takes center stage in Survival of the Thickest from Netflix. Taking inspiration from Buteau s same titled essay series, the eight-episode sitcom centers on Mavis Beaumont (Buteau), a newly single Black plus-size stylist who put her dreams on hold to cater to her leach of a boyfriend.
Second Listen Sunday: 112, Pleasure & Pain
R&B quartet 112 was at a crossroads when their fifth album, Pleasure & Pain, hit records stores in the spring of 2005. A year prior, they officially departed longtime label Bad Boy Records for Def Soul, and the group’s fourth album, Hot & Wet, had underperformed two years earlier.
Slow Jam Saturday: Tamia, Still
There’s no question that Canadian singer Tamia is unsung. While she has six Grammys nominations and numerous other awards, mainstream success has yet to be in the cards. I was a month into my first overseas assignment in England when she released her third album, More.
Insidious: The Red Door is a ho-ho hum finale
A horror franchise gets its final chapter from first-time director Patrick Wilson in Insidious: The Red Door. Scott Teems pens the screenplay from a story by longtime series writer Leigh Whannell. The latest entry in the franchise is a direct sequel to Insidious: Chapter 2.
All You Hear Is Noise evokes crowd pleasing nostalgia
Directors Ned Castle and Matt Day collaborate with producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter for a good old-fashioned in-the-crowd pleaser in the documentary All You Hear Is Noise. The screenplay crafted by Castle and Day successfully balances audience appeal while abstaining from the typical stereotypes and oversimplifications frequently portrayed in media representations of intellectual disability.
Confidential Informant is a travesty of a movie
Director Michael Oblowitz delivers another stinker with his latest film, Confidential Informant from Lionsgate. The director pens the screenplay with Michael Kaycheck and Brooke Nasser. Tom Moran (Dominic Purcell) and Mike Thornton (Nick Stahl) are war veterans turned cops on the beat in the Big Apple.
Harrison Ford’s charm overrides the clichés for his Indiana Jones farewell
Iconic film star Harrison Ford returns as the man with the hat for one last adventure in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny from Walt Disney Pictures. James Mangold, an Academy Award nominee, has now taken over the film series previously directed by Steven Spielberg.
Second Listen Sunday: Michael Jackson, Invincible
As a music enthusiast, I will never forget June 25, 2009. That day, a fellow passenger on the shuttle bus informed me of Michael Jackson’s passing. For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I revisited Jackson’s tenth and final studio album, Invincible. It’s common knowledge that Jackson faced legal issues in 1993, which affected his career.
Slow Jam Saturday: LL Cool J feat. Boyz II Men, Hey Lover
This weekend is about celebrating The King Of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson, and his legacy. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I initially had plans to do a write-up on “The Lady In My Life” from Thriller. However, in honor of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary, I decided to go with one of my favorite Hip Hop ballads, “Hey Lover,” which samples the song.