‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Puts Black Joy on Full Display

July 16, 2021July 16, 2021 Jamal Michel

The reviews for LeBron James’ and SpringHill Entertainment’s Space Jam: A New Legacy are rolling in and they paint a considerably dismal picture of the imagination critics go to the movies with today. For some context, Steven Spielberg’s 2018 IP extravaganza Ready Player One sits with a decent aggregate rating of 72% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, particularly because of the way the film sets up its action sequences and because it is a Spielberg flick. A New Legacy, however, is already down to 32% from critics and that’s mainly because there are “too many IPs,” and the film doesn’t make algorithms function the way they should in the real world.

Animation, Interview, Movies

NOC Interview: ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Stars Eric Bauza and Gabriel Iglesias

July 16, 2021July 16, 2021 Mike Manalo

As I write this, reports have recently come in that our pal, Gabriel Iglesias, is currently recovering from COVID, so before we get into it, we want to wish him a very rapid recovery and all of our best wishes.

Today also marks the debut of Eric Bauza and Iglesias’ new film, Space Jam: A New Legacy! And to celebrate the return of the Tune Squad, we, at The Nerds of Color, were lucky enough to speak with Bauza and Iglesias about their roles in the new movie. Before we begin, here’s a bit about them.

Sports, Streaming, Television

Grammy Award-Winning Artist Common to Narrate USA Men’s Basketball Docuseries

July 16, 2021July 16, 2021 Jamal Michel

I told myself I wouldn’t begin this news about the dope new docuseries coming to Peacock mentioning LeBron James and I’ve clearly already failed. While James’ absence from the USA Men’s National Basketball team isn’t new, the real highlights of the highs and lows of the Olympics have been shouldered by the NBA’s new elite squad, specifically younger players like Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, and Bam Adebayo.

Animation, Movies, Reviews

‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ is For the Children (and Pop Culture Fanatics)

July 15, 2021July 17, 2021 Laura Sirikul

It was only 25 years ago when a major movie studio decided to take the world’s greatest athlete and put him in the world of Looney Tunes. Back in 1996, Space Jam was a phenomenon that sprung action figures, merchandise, comics, and video games.

Animation, Movies, Sports

‘Jam’-tastic Night at the ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ World Premiere

July 13, 2021July 13, 2021 Mike Manalo

Space Jam: A New Legacy is hitting theaters this week. And last night, the stars of the film, plus a few other special guests, took to the purple carpet to celebrate the looniest, toon-iest, basketball extravaganza on screen in the past 25 years!

Sports, Video Games1 Comment

LeBron James Reigns Supreme with New ‘Fortnite’ Skin

July 12, 2021July 15, 2021 Jamal Michel

LeBron “LeFortnite” James is my favorite athlete of all time and if there’s anyone who could get me to actually re-install Fortnite and use my mother’s credit card for a new skin, it’s that dude. Epic announced today that King James is making his Fortnite debut July 14, two days ahead of the premiere of Space Jam: A New Legacy.

Sports, Streaming, Television

Megastars Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert’s ‘We Got Love’ Arrives This September

July 9, 2021July 9, 2021 Jamal Michel

This September, we’ll get an inside look at the life journey and goings on of power couple Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert with their new docu-series We Got Love Teyana & Iman on the E! network. The dynamic duo embark on the ultimate life journey, navigating the many realities of married life, raising children, and creating work as career artists. We Got Love Teyana & Iman takes an authentic and unfiltered inside look at the life of Teyana, Iman, and their daughters Junie B, Baby Rue, as well as their tight-knit entourage of family and friends.

Movies, Sports, Toys

McDonald’s and ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Team Up for Fun Happy Meal & Sweepstakes!

July 6, 2021July 6, 2021 Laura Sirikul

I don’t know about you, but I remember getting the McDonald’s Happy Meal in 1996 when the first Space Jam was released. The nostalgia returns with McDonald’s partnering up with upcoming animated/live-action film Space Jam: A New Legacy to create the ultimate Looney Tunes kids toys!

Fashion, Movies, Video Games

Nike Teams Up with Xbox For Incredible ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Collab

July 1, 2021July 1, 2021 Jamal Michel

When LeBron James’ jersey first dropped in 2003, I dragged my father through the sweltering streets of Brooklyn to the nearest Foot Locker to buy it, alongside a headband and pair of wristbands to parade around in for the next month. I’d beg my mother to take us to the nearest Barnes & Noble with every new Slam magazine cover James appeared in, just to see if it was in stock. With Space Jam: A New Legacy on the horizon, my hopes of getting my hands on more coveted LeBron James memorabilia dwindle in the face of scalpers and buggy sneaker apps that seem to torture me incessantly.

Animation, Movies, Sports

‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Takes Over Six Flags

July 1, 2021July 1, 2021 Mike Manalo

Earlier this week, Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA got jammed (I know. As a Parks and Rec fan I shouldn’t do anything to glorify scumbag Jeremy Jamm, but the pun was right there, okay?)! And the Looney Tunes took over, with their good friends, Don Cheadle, Eric Bauza, and King James himself, Lebron James!

Interview, Streaming, Television

NOC Interview: Tiana Le on Disney+’s ‘Big Shot’

June 18, 2021June 18, 2021 Sophia Soto

Tiana Le made her series regular debut as Destiny Winters in David E. Kelly’s new hit series Big Shot, which premiered on April 16. You might recognize the actress from her recurring roles on HBO’s Insecure, Amazon Prime’s Just Add Magic, and Netflix’s No Good Nick. The season 1 finale, as well as the entire first season, of Big Shot is now available to stream on Disney+.

Animation, Movies, Sports

Pump Up The Jam with This New Trailer for ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’

June 9, 2021June 9, 2021 Mike Manalo

Guilty confession: It’s been 24 years and I still have no idea what “pump up the jam” means? But it sounded cool, and it’s in the first movie, so I’m using it!

Anyway, a few weeks back, we posted a quick teaser trailer for the upcoming Space Jam: A New Legacy! Today WB has dropped the full trailer, in all its glorious looney-ness!

Fashion, Movies, Sports

Nike and Warner Bros. Re-Introduce ‘Space Jam’ to a New Generation of Sneakerheads

June 8, 2021June 9, 2021 Keith Chow

For nearly three decades, the words “Space Jam” brought to mind one shoe. The iconic Jordan XI, in a special black and concord colorway.

Gaming, Movies, Music

Death Row Records Celebrates ‘Above the Rim’ Deluxe Soundtrack with Exclusive Merch

May 20, 2021June 11, 2021 Jamal Michel

When we all saw Tupac Shakur in Juice in the ‘90s, not only did we pray to never run into someone like Bishop in our own lives, but we learned the range Pac had outside of the studio. ‘90s and early 2000s Black cinema was marked by a particular era of gangster-laden, hip-hop fueled narratives that sometimes hit the mark, with films like Do the Right Thing, Boyz N the Hood, and New Jack City lending various insights into the cinematic representation of Black Consciousness as it was in the ‘90s and later.

Animation, Movies, Sports

New TV Spot for ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021 Mike Manalo

Last night during the MTV Movie Awards, Warner Bros. dropped a new TV Spot for Space Jam: A New Legacy. The new spot shines a particular spotlight on Granny and Tweety, and gives us answers about why Granny smells like gin every time we get together to watch a basketball game.

Animation, Movies, Sports

Introducing The Goon Squad from ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’

May 13, 2021August 2, 2021 Mike Manalo

How do you top the likes of legends like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Shawn Bradley, and Muggsy Bogues? By bringing in a new legacy of NBA and WNBA legends!

Movies, Streaming, Television

Ready to Shaq & Chill? Find Out What Superstar, Shaquille O’Neal Watches.

April 28, 2021May 15, 2021 Patrick Strange

Shaquille O’Neal is a Basketball Legend. NBA Champion. Most Valuable Player. Player of the Year. Athlete of the Year. All American. Mr. Basketball. The Diesel.

Animation, Movies, Sports, Streaming

Time to Jam with the New ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Trailer and Poster!

April 3, 2021May 15, 2021 Mike Manalo

Everybody get up, it’s time to jam now! After 25 long years, we’re going back to (cyber)space with the Looney Tunes to play some basketball! And since MJ has long since retired, this time they’re bringing LeBron James!

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.

Animation, Movies, Sports, Streaming3 Comments

‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Posters Show the Starting Line-Up for The Tune Squad

March 29, 2021August 2, 2021 Mike Manalo

Guys, the friggin’ Tune Squad is back! I never thought in 25 years I’d have said something like that, but my 10-year old self is actually really excited. Back in November 1996, the original Space Jam debuted about a week prior to Disney’s live-action 101 Dalmatians film, and has since become a frequently discussed cult classic! Man so much has changed since then! It’s 2021, and now instead we’re getting Space Jam: A New Legacy and Cruella within a month and a half of each other. Indeed, the times they are a-changin’. But I digress.

Movies, Sports

Official Trailer for ‘Boogie’ by Eddie Huang

January 19, 2021January 25, 2021 Patrick Strange

From acclaimed writer, producer, and restaurateur Eddie Huang comes his directorial debut Boogie, the coming-of-age story of Alfred “Boogie” Chin, a basketball phenom living in Queens, New York, who dreams of one day playing in the NBA. While his parents pressure him to focus on earning a scholarship to an elite college, Boogie must find a way to navigate a new girlfriend, high school, on-court rivals and the burden of expectations.

Interview, Movies, Sports

Writer and Pop Culture Icon Shea Serrano Talks Basketball and The ‘Fast & Furious’ Series

December 15, 2020August 2, 2021 Jamal Michel

2020 has been a year of woes, but every now and again nerds and pop culture fiends the world over shared in some of the light brought on by creators and artists whose work helped us through the tumultuous times. Shea Serrano, best known for his pop culture and sports commentary, has been lighting the year up with witty tweets and takes that span from the election to the different ways he and his wife dress (most notably his couch colored sweatpants and hoodie).

Hard N.O.C. Life, Sports

Hard NOC Life: We Love The ’90s

April 27, 2020July 9, 2020 Hard NOC Media

This week on Hard NOC Life, Dominic and Keith take a time machine to the 1990s and discuss new jack swing, and the Chicago Bulls documentary, The Last Dance.