Super Smack’s Journey to Reclaim Cuteness

February 7, 2023February 8, 2023 Bray Lawrence

It’s been well over a year since I met Super Smack in our last interview for his song “Black and Gold” featuring Mega Ran, and we’ve talked and hung out several times after. So when he approached me about interviewing him for the singles off his new project, I was a bit hesitant at first, but my curiosity and excitement won out. I’m happy to say that this is the first of many short interviews with Super Smack for each of his upcoming singles and debut album.

Movies, Streaming

Unravelling the Mysteries of ‘Knives Out’ at the ‘Glasss Onion’ Press Conference

November 23, 2022November 23, 2022 Mike Manalo

It’s time for another mystery folks, and Benoit Blanc, last of the gentleman sleuths, is back on the case! Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is hitting select theaters just in time for Thanksgiving, and to celebrate, we want to take you guys into all the fun and mystery from the film’s global press conference.

Interview, Movies, Streaming1 Comment

Peeling Back the Layers of ‘Glass Onion’ with Jessica Henwick and Madelyn Cline

November 22, 2022 Mike Manalo

Benoit Blanc is back! And once more, he’s investigating another shocking mystery with a group of unsavory suspects aboard an eccentric billionaire’s glass onion in Greece; words that would only make sense in a Rian Johnson whodunnit. Among this cadre of characters is Peg (Jessica Henwick), the long suffering assistant of fashion icon Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson), and Whiskey (Madelyn Cline), the girlfriend of gun-enthusiast and alt-right male-rights activist, Duke (Dave Bautista).

Movies, Reviews2 Comments

NOC Review: The Knives are Out and Sharper Than Ever in ‘Glass Onion’

November 14, 2022December 24, 2022 Mike Manalo

How great is it that we have a Benoit Blanc cinematic universe? Given the major critical and commercial hit that Knives Out was, it was easy to see why the demand for more adventures with Daniel Craig’s super sleuth was inevitable.

Movies, Trailers

New Trailer for ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ Debuts

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 Mike Manalo

We’re gearing up to the debut of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, coming November 23 for one week to theaters, and to Netflix on December 23! The star-studded follow up to Rian Johnson’s smash 2019 hit, Knives Out features a a new whodunnit with the cheeky Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), this time set at a remote location in Greece with a new ensemble of wacky suspects.

Movies, Streaming, Trailers

New Trailer for ‘Glass Onion’ Sets Up All the Puzzle Pieces

September 8, 2022September 13, 2022 Mike Manalo

I’m incredibly excited for Rian Johnson’s follow up to Knives Out, which was one of the most fun original films to come out of 2019!

Movies, Streaming

The Knives are Back Out: ‘Glass Onion’ is the Official Title for the Upcoming Sequel

June 13, 2022June 13, 2022 Mike Manalo

In a very exciting surprise from this morning, writer/director Rian Johnson (Knives Out, Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) took to social to announce the title for the highly anticipated sequel to Knives Out!

Animation, Streaming

Watch the Official Trailer for Netflix’s ‘Human Resources’

March 2, 2022March 2, 2022 Sophia Soto

From the creators of the award-winning series Big Mouth comes the new adult animated spin-off, Human Resources. The talented voice cast features Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph, Aidy Bryant, Randall Park, Keke Palmer, Brandon Kyle Goodman, and David Thewlis. As we approach the premiere, Netflix has just released the official trailer as well as a new set of guest stars!

Music, Sci Fi7 Comments

Cindi Mayweather: Behind The Music

August 31, 2016August 31, 2016 Dennis R. Upkins

Originally published at Black Sci-Fi.Com in June in honor of Black Music History Month and LGBTQ Pride

“I imagined many moons in the sky lighting the way to freedom.”

She is one of the most the critically acclaimed musicians out today. Between her successful albums, films, award nominations and collaborations with everyone from the late Prince to First Lady Michelle Obama, one thing is certain for Janelle Monae; her rising star is only getting brighter.

But who is Janelle Monae?

While researching the chanteuse, I uncovered a most profound discovery. Everything we thought we knew about Monae is a complete work of fiction. For starters her name isn’t even Janelle Monae. It is an alias and part of her cover. In actual fact, Monae’s true identity is Cindi Mayweather; an android from the future.

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Literature, Origins4 Comments

Putting Faith to Purpose: An Origin Story

May 23, 2015May 23, 2015 Dennis R. Upkins

A great visionary by the name of Cindi Mayweather once said, “Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable. I didn’t have to become perfect because I’ve learned throughout my journey that perfection is the enemy of greatness.”

My name is Dennis R. Upkins. I’m a speculative fiction author who writes urban fantasy, YA, and superhero fantasy. Storytelling has always been my calling, but sometimes fate has to put you on the path. The key is to be astute when the signs present themselves.

It was two years ago and I had a homecoming of sorts as I was back in Atlanta for Gaylaxicon/Outlantacon. The con was a smashing success but that was to be expected. What wasn’t expected however was the revelation I would receive repeatedly throughout the weekend.

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Comics, DC Comics2 Comments

The Pristine Balance: The Role of Wonder Woman in the DC Trinity

March 5, 2015March 30, 2015 Dennis R. Upkins

In honor of Women’s History Month…

Musician Janelle Monae has an empowering motto that she shares with other women: “Come in peace, but mean business.”

There couldn’t possibly be a better motto that sums up Wonder Woman, more specifically her role in the DC Trinity. Too often Wonder Woman is conflated for Super Woman, i.e., a female version of Superman and that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The Themysciran Princess has her own agency and a most vital purpose. She’s the pristine balance.

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Comics, Music, Sci Fi3 Comments

The Best of Fanboy Hip Hop

November 18, 2013December 9, 2014 Trish Broome

Most people don’t automatically associate hip hop music with fanboys. Why? Because they’re about as opposite as things get.

Hip hop is part of a subculture that mixes jazz, funk, soul, reggae, disco and other types of music. Its pioneers — like Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, Public Enemy, and KRS-ONE — performed music in the communities that they were passionate about, music that spoke the truth about the social, economic, and political status of the times. Fanboys, on the other hand, are part of a subculture that mixes comic books, television shows, films, video games, and other nerdy topics. Self-proclaimed fanboys discuss (and dress up as) things they are passionate about, and they aren’t afraid to display this passion in their community at places like Comic Con.

So wait, maybe they’re not so different after all.

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