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'The Perfect Find' is Far from Perfect, but It's Celebration of Black Love and Black Hollywood is Welcome

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"The Perfect Find," the Netflix movie based on Tia Williams' novel and directed by Numa Perrier, presents an engaging story centered around Jenna, a 40-year-old woman navigating her career, biological clock, and financial situation. Starring Gabrielle Union and Keith Power, the film follows Jenna's risky decision to engage in a clandestine romance with someone who has the potential to jeopardize her professional comeback. While the movie remains a faithful adaptation of the book, it falls slightly short in building the passionate connection between Jenna and Eric. Furthermore, character development feels somewhat limited compared to its literary counterpart. Union, who visually embodies the essence of Jenna, unfortunately falls slightly short in capturing the character's vulnerability and depth. While she looks the part, there is a missed opportunity to fully delve into Jenna's emotional journey. On the other hand, Powers, who exudes undeniable handsomeness, f...

Boots Riley's "I'm A Virgo' Challenges Us to Deal America's Fear of Black Youth and It's Exploitation of the Poor

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  ' I'm a Virgo'  ', the Amazon Prime show created by Boots Riley, offers a compelling and thought-provoking viewing experience with a wholly original premise: what would life be like through the eyes of a 13-ft tall black man?  With a talented ensemble cast including Jharrel Jerome, Olivia Washington, Brett Gray, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, and Walter Coggins, the series delves into the life of a young man who stands an astonishing 13 feet tall, as he ventures into the world for the first time. One of the standout aspects of the show is its exceptional handling of themes such as racism, police brutality, capitalism, exploitation of lower classes, and wealth disparity. These issues are addressed with a raw and unflinching honesty that forces viewers to confront the harsh realities of our society. Moreover, 'I'm a Virgo' seamlessly weaves in elements of magical realism, adding a surreal touch that heightens the impact of the narrative. Jharrel Jerome continues t...

"Casablanca": A Timeless Classic That Will Steal Your Heart

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"Casablanca," released in 1942, is a timeless classic that has captivated audiences for decades. It's constantly on film critic's list of favorite films. Though so many of the film's lines and images have entered our cultural zeitgeist, I've manage to miss out on seeing the film for 40 years of life. Yet, Casablanca is a masterpiece of storytelling, combining romance, and drama from the Golden Age of Hollywood. The performances in "Casablanca" are nothing short of charismatic. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman give career-defining performances as Rick and Ilsa, the star-crossed lovers at the heart of the film's story. Their chemistry is electric, and their scenes together are some of the most memorable in cinematic history. Bogart's Rick begins the film as stoic and harden Ex-pat owner of a club that stands as the gateway for refugees to flee the Nazis.  Ilsa, played by Bergman, is the stealthily and unattainable ex-lover, who's left  Ri...