Cheyenne Ewulu on ‘Shades of Cosplay’ and Artistic Expression

February 10, 2022February 16, 2022 Bray Lawrence

Creating an influential and resonating documentary that digs into the heart of cosplay and Geekdom from a Black perspective as her first film wasn’t exactly Cheyenne Ewulu’s plan to begin with. What was supposed to be more of an artistic catharsis to express the frustration with racism and lack of awareness she noticed in the community she called home, became a beacon for Black cosplayers to find hope and admiration in their work.

Animation, Gaming, Interview

NOC Interview: Reed Shannon is a Voice of the Future

December 20, 2021December 20, 2021 Bray Lawrence

Reed Shannon is the very definition of a performer, and there’s a very good chance you have heard or seen him already. Whether it comes to his acting in the upcoming The Wilds season two, making music like his recent single “Bad Girl,” his stand-up career, or his voice acting as the voice of Cartoon Network and fan favorite Ekko from the hit Netflix show, Arcane, Reed has shown that he is able to do it all and more.

Fantasy, Interview, Streaming

Hammed Animashaun Brings Loial to Life on ‘The Wheel of Time’

December 14, 2021December 14, 2021 Preeti

Preeti interviews Hammed Animashaun (Loial) in this special collaboration with the Tar Valon or Bust podcast! Find out who Hammed thought he was auditioning to play, and so much more.

Horror, Movies, Streaming

‘Madres’ Star Ariana Guerra on How Film Can Tell Stories to Inspire Change

October 20, 2021October 20, 2021 Bray Lawrence

Madres is a bit of an enigma as a film. Billed as a horror movie about a Mexican American couple in 1970 who move to California for better opportunities as the due date for their first born approaches, the film takes inspiration from a very real historical tragedy. In the years post WWII, California farm workers were subjected to hazardous working conditions which poisoned them with the deadly pesticides that were being sprayed over the crops. Madres aims to bring awareness to a forgotten disaster and Ariana Guerra wanted to make sure she was apart of this important story when she accepted the role of the film’s protagonist, Diana.

Horror, Interview, Streaming

‘The Manor’ Director Axelle Carolyn Wants to Know Why Everyone is So Afraid to Grow Old

October 19, 2021October 20, 2021 Bray Lawrence

Axelle Carolyn has been a lover of the horror genre from the beginning of her career. Ever since her jump from sitting in front of the screen to being behind the camera as a director, Carolyn has honed her craft to tell human stories through the genre that scares us most. For her new movie, The Manor, premiering on Amazon Prime Video as a part of “Welcome to the Blumhouse,” we were able to sit down and talk with Carolyn about life, death, and the fear of growing old.

Horror, Interview, Streaming

Gigi Saul Guerrero on Campy Horror and Respecting Your Elders in ‘Bingo Hell’

October 15, 2021October 15, 2021 Bray Lawrence

In Bingo Hell, co-writer and director Gigi Saul Guerrero creates a world of horror that harkens to the campiness of early ’80s schlock with a tale that feels as old as time itself. But it’s also a labor of love and reverence for the people in our lives that came before but are often never the protagonist of our stories — our elders.

Horror, Interview, Streaming

The Haunting History of Vampires and Blackness is Captured in ‘Black as Night’

October 11, 2021October 12, 2021 Bray Lawrence

In the film Black as Night, screenwriter Sherman Payne pens a haunting and alluring tale of vampires and their victims through a lens not much often looked through. Crafting a story that centers Shawna, a 15-year-old African American woman, as she battles vampires in a modern day New Orleans against a backdrop of not only the history of Hurricane Katrina but also the generational and systemic trauma of being Black in America.

Movies, Reviews, Streaming

Steve McQueen Highlights Necessary Histories with New Documentaries

September 25, 2021September 25, 2021 Jamal Michel

Director Steve McQueen’s newest Prime Video documentaries on West Indian and Caribbean life in 20^th century London are necessary viewing. In a style similar to Ava DuVernay’s 13^th, the Academy Award-winning director stitches together archival footage and thoughtful interviews that spotlight the violent history of some of London’s most vulnerable communities. Subnormal: A British Scandal, Black Power: A British Story of Resistance, and Uprising document the racially motivated atrocities that plagued black and brown neighborhoods across London in the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, and captures the delicate maneuverings of McQueen’s cinematic eye.

Streaming, Television

Academy Award-Winning Director Steve McQueen’s New Documentaries

August 31, 2021September 1, 2021 Jamal Michel

The masterful work of Academy Award winning director Steve McQueen spans an impressive set of genres, from films to anthology series, and now the 12 Years a Slave director has three new documentaries coming to Amazon Prime. Last year, we spoke to the talented leads in McQueen’s anthology Small Axe that examined the real-life experiences of West Indians living in mid-20th century London.

Movies, Reviews, Sci Fi

‘Nebulous Dark’ Can’t Time Travel Enough to Be a Strong Movie

August 18, 2021August 18, 2021 Bray Lawrence

A nightmare-fueled time-traveling plot unravels in Shahin Sean Solimon’s new film, Nebulous Dark, a sci-fi movie about the world’s last human man as he wakes from deep sleep to find the Earth has been conquered by aliens. This sounds pretty straight forward for a plot, but this is only how I could fully understand the film after watching it and reading the synopsis again. If you were to watch Nebulous Dark after only seeing the trailer, as I did, you would find an almost surreal, nihilist nightmare of a film that I can’t tell if it’s poorly edited and poorly written, or if it’s actively trying to attack the viewer on a subconscious level. What I was left with was an art piece that genuinely intrigues me and is unintentionally funny, by a film that takes itself incredibly seriously.

Fantasy, Movies, Streaming

Watch the Official Trailer for Prime Video’s ‘Cinderella’

August 3, 2021August 3, 2021 Sophia Soto

Cinderella stars Camila Cabello as the title role, along with Idina Menzel, Minnie Driver, Nicholas Galitzine, Billy Porter, and Pierce Brosnan. James Corden, Leo Pearlman, Jonathan Kadin, and Shannon McIntosh serve as the film’s producers and executive producers include Louise Rosner and Josephine Rose. Cinderella was written for the screen and directed by Kay Cannon. The official trailer and poster for the new Prime Video movie has just been released!

Streaming, Television

Official Trailer Debuts for the Second Season of Amazon’s ‘Modern Love’

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021 Mike Manalo

Last year, Amazon debuted its groundbreaking anthology series, Modern Love to solid reviews and an enthusiastic fanbase. I’m happy to report that the acclaimed series is coming back for another season, and this time it’s bringing some heavy acting talent with players like Dominique Fishback and Gbenga Akinnagbe, along with Zoe Chao, Kit Harrington, Anna Paquin, and a host of others!

Fantasy, Movies, Streaming

Amazon Studios’ Releases Teaser and Poster for ‘Cinderella’

July 1, 2021July 1, 2021 Sophia Soto

Amazon Studios’ Cinderella was written for the screen and directed by Kay Cannon. Camila Cabello will take on the iconic title role. The rest of the legendary cast is made up of Idina Menzel, Minnie Driver, Nicholas Galitzine, Billy Porter, and Pierce Brosnan. James Corden, Leo Pearlman, Jonathan Kadin, and Shannon McIntosh serve as producers, while Louise Rosner and Josephine Rose are executive producers.

Comics, Fantasy

Marc Bernardin and Ariela Kristantina Present ‘Adora and The Distance’

June 3, 2021November 5, 2021 Jamal Michel

Just in time for Father’s Day is award-winning writer and FatMan Beyond co-host Marc Bernardin’s first ever YA graphic novel Adora and The Distance. The novel is inspired by Bernardin’s daughter who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler and tells a deeply beautiful and personal tale of adventure, courage, and mystery. The novel follows the goings-on of young Adora as her fantastical world of pirates, giants, and ghosts comes under threat by a mysterious force called “The Distance.”

Interview, Streaming

Joi McMillion, Oscar-Nominated Co-Editor of Barry Jenkins’ ‘The Underground Railroad’

June 3, 2021November 5, 2021 Jamal Michel

Joi McMillion lives up to her name on a daily basis — you’ll rarely catch the Oscar-nominated editor with anything less than a smile. As the co-editor of Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight, Joi became the first black woman to be nominated for an Oscar for film editing and the proof is in the process. Joi and longtime friend and colleague Nat Sanders knew Barry from their time at FSU’s film program and have since established a long and successful working relationship together. After working on If Beale Street Could Talk, Joi took on a project she’s never worked on before: a television series on a streaming service.

Interview, Streaming, Television

Constance Wu on How Her Past and Motherhood Shaped Her for ‘Solos’

May 17, 2021June 11, 2021 Laura Sirikul

The new Amazon limited series Solos, set to debut on May 21, consists of seven separate inspiring stories that are all loosely interconnected. The anthology explores the strange, beautiful, heart-breaking, hilarious, wondrous truths of what it means to be human. In the trailer, Morgan Freeman’s voice describes the mutual feeling of loneliness that all of the characters feel, “We all feel alone in different ways; in feeling alone, we are somehow all together.”

Movies, Music, Streaming

Get Ready, ‘P!NK: All I Know So Far’ Hits Amazon Prime Video on May 21

May 12, 2021May 15, 2021 Sophia Soto

P!nk’s new film, P!NK: All I Know So Far, is almost here and we are counting down the days! The singer just recently received the ICON Award at the Billboard Music Awards and has a very exciting month, sharing a new song, album, and movie with the world. “All I Know So Far” came out on May 7, while her new live album AIKSF: Setlist and movie will be released on May 21.

Guest Post, Streaming, Television

A ‘Gaze’ into the Soul of ‘The Underground Railroad’

May 12, 2021May 15, 2021 Guest N.O.C.

by Barry Jenkins | Originally published on Vimeo

In my years of doing interviews and roundtables and Q&A’s for the various films we’ve made, there is one question that recurs. No matter the length of the piece or the tone of the room, eventually, inevitably, I am asked about the white gaze. It wasn’t until a very particular interview regarding The Underground Railroad that the blindspot inherent in that questioning became clear to me: never, in all my years of working or questioning, had I been set upon about the Black gaze; or the gaze distilled.

Streaming, Television

See the Thrilling New Trailer for Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Panic’

May 12, 2021May 15, 2021 Sophia Soto

Get ready for Amazon Prime Video’s newest original series, Panic! The show, which was written and created by Lauren Oliver and based on her bestselling novel, will premiere on Friday, May 28. The cast includes Olivia Welch, Mike Faist, Jessica Sula, Camron Jones, Ray Nicholson, and Enrique Murciano. All 10 episodes will hit the streaming service at the same time, making it perfect to be your next binge-worthy show.

Movies, Sci Fi

First Look at ‘The Tomorrow War,’ Arriving July 2 on Prime Video

May 4, 2021 Sophia Soto

The Tomorrow War is a new sci-fi actioner that stars Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, and Sam Richardson. This will be Pratt’s first Executive Producer credit on a feature film. Though they wrapped in January 2020, back in April, Pratt announced the official release date of July 2, 2021 as well as the fact that it would be released on Amazon Prime Video.

Sci Fi, Streaming, Television

Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Solos’ Set to Premiere in May

April 19, 2021May 15, 2021 Laura Sirikul

Amazon Prime Video revealed images from their highly anticipated Amazon Original anthology series Solos today.

Created by David Weil, the series stars Academy Award-winning actors Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway and Helen Mirren, Emmy Award-winning actor Uzo Aduba, Nicole Beharie, Anthony Mackie, Dan Stevens, and Constance Wu.

Interview, Sports, Television

Executive Producer Shelly Leslie Talks James Jordan Docuseries ‘Moment of Truth’

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 Jamal Michel

Moment of Truth tells the never-before-seen story behind the murder of James Jordan, NBA star Michael Jordan’s father, and captures the history of the social injustice in Robeson County, North Carolina, where two teenagers, Larry Demery and Daniel Green, were charged and convicted of the crime. IMDb TV announced the April 2 premiere date for the original true-crime docuseries, directed by Matthew Perniciaro and Clay Johnson. The five-part series analyzes and presents new compelling information on the 1993 murder of James Jordan, the crime that shocked the nation, creating a media frenzy and countless speculations and baseless conspiracy theories.

Interview, Streaming, Television2 Comments

‘Them’ Creator and Cast Talk New Amazon Prime Horror Anthology Series

March 31, 2021May 15, 2021 Jamal Michel

The new terror anthology series, Them, will premiere Friday, April 9 exclusively on Prime Video. From creator Little Marvin and executive producer Lena Waithe, Them is a limited anthology series that explores terror in America. The first season centers on … Continue reading ‘Them’ Creator and Cast Talk New Amazon Prime Horror Anthology Series