The wait is finally over…we finally get to see the final chapter(s) of “The Best Man” franchise.
How many folks have been hanging in since 1999 (raises hand)???!! Well instead of another film we are getting a 8-episode limited series. Set to premiere as a Peacock Original, The Best Man: The Final Chapters will “catch up with Harper, Robyn, Jordan, Lance, Quentin, Shelby, Candace, and Murch as relationships evolve and past grievances resurface in the unpredictable stages of midlife crisis meets midlife renaissance.”
The cast includes Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Harold Perrineau. Malcolm Lee serves as co-showrunner, executive producer, and director of four episodes.
It’s the FIRST OF THE MONTH!!! NOVEMBER 1st!! I’ve missed you all for a few weeks, but I wanted to make sure I started out the new month with a BANG!! So thankful for your support and hanging in there with me!! Check out the new-new below:
Season 4-Titans (Streaming on HBO Max November 3)
1899 (Streaming on Netflix November 17)
Fleishman Is In Trouble (Streaming on Hulu and FX November 17)
Emancipation (In theaters December 2 & Streaming on Apple TV+ December 9)
Season 3-Jack Ryan (Streaming on Prime Video December 21)
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (In theaters February 17, 2023)
Season 4-Succession (Streaming on HBO Max Spring 2023)
On November 06, 1992, a group of students stood in protest against an act of racism at Georgia State University. This protest, and the demands that they issued to the university, led to the creation of the department of African-American Studies (now Africana Studies). To honor their courage, as well as those that supported them, we will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the protests during the 2022-2023 academic year.
On November 3rd, I have the pleasure of giving back to one of my alma maters, Georgia State University-Department of Africana Studies. As part of the 30th Anniversary Celebration events, I will be participating in a Freedom School Panel with Alumni professors.
The panel will take place November 3rd at 7pm via Zoom.
To register for the panel and for more information about the entire week of events, check out the following link!!
Long time no see! For this special edition of PCM, I will be discussing/ reviewing the “scary” movies that have been the background to my spooky season full of college apps. So without further ado here are just some of the films I have watched this month.
Werewolf by Night (2022): This was a new Marvel project that greatly surprised me. Recently I have not been drawn to Marvel like I once was but this immediately caught my attention. It was a new project and endeavor not tied to a major superhero and inspired by the classic black-and-white horror movies of the 50s. The aesthetics that have been drawn from those old movies are definitely present. My only complaint would be that it should have been longer but I would definitely recommend it. Rating: 4 out of 5
Beetlejuice (1988): A classic Halloween movie that I cannot believe I have not seen before. The film nerd in me has kicked myself for not watching this movie before even though I had enjoyed the musical years ago during the height of my musical theater nerd. The practical effects that I will mention later in this post add so much charm and character to the movie. Also, the cast is absolutely stacked and it adds to the movie especially Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice himself. Rating: 4 out of 5
Dracula (1958): An oldie but surprisingly a goodie (in my opinion). It took me a while to watch a “Dracula” movie in any iteration after reading the book a year ago, but with HBO MAX adding classic movies to their platform because of Halloween it was the perfect opportunity to watch. As cheesy as old scary movies always are, it was still a fun movie to watch and just enjoy because it was so ridiculous. Watching old movies is always enjoyable because you get to see what has influenced filmmakers today, especially in the horror and scary movie genre. Rating: 3 ½ out of 5
Eraserhead (1977): Another classic that everyone talks about but I have never seen it before recently. Previously the only David Lynch project that I have seen was Twin Peaks, but after watching it this definitely matches his style. It was unsettling and disturbing like some episodes of Twin Peaks but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Even though on the outside it seems like a psychological thriller movie I personally interpreted the movie as a story of a father that has been thrust into the world of fatherhood prematurely and struggling to find his bearings within this new dynamic. On the less serious side, I finally understood the Eraserhead baby jokes and yes that baby was super freaky not gonna lie. Rating: 3 ½ out of 5
So hopefully this has provided you with some good recommendations for movies for the end of October!
Not gonna waste anytime, its the first week in October and I got some new new that’s ready for you to hit play!! Check out this week’s new trailers below:
The Midnight Club (Streaming on Netflix October 7th)
The Winchesters (Streaming on The CW October 11th)
A Friend of The Family (Streaming on Peacock October 6th)
Season 19-Grey’s Anatomy (Streaming on ABC October 6th)
Season 5-All American (Streaming on The CW October 10th)
Shantaram (Streaming on Apple TV+ October 14th)
Season 2-The White Lotus: Blossom Circle (Streaming on HBO Max October 30th)
Let me tell you!! I am excited about this week’s Hot Topics!! I got some goodies on deck for you!! So much happening in the world!! Check it out below and see for yourself:
Fresh off the press!! The new Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer just dropped and it is stunning!! It hits theaters November 11th! Tickets are on sale now, so make sure you grab yours…I got mine!! In addition to the trailer, check out this feature piece from EW as they go behind the scenes with director Ryan Coogler and the cast to discuss the sequel.
And a special shout out to my alma mater Clark Atlanta University!! Just a few short days ago, CAU was been selected as the home of the New PROPEL Center, a global headquarters for innovation. It will serve as a global HBCU technology and innovation hub committed to strengthening the Black talent pipeline. The location is approximately 5.2 acres and will hold special historic and cultural significance to the CAU campus. As noted by CAU president George T. French, Jr., Ph.D., “Here at Clark Atlanta University, our leadership, faculty, and students are humbled to be a partner in the launch of the PROPEL Center and to have the opportunity to execute this long-term partnership.”
Over across the pond there is a new arts group, the Africa Arts Collective, that is aiming to “showcase African artists and aid in community cohesion.” The Africa Arts Collective is a “new multi-disciplinary arts group aims to showcase African talent living in Northern Ireland, and aid community cohesion.” According to Rahim Saphy, an acrobat, dancer and comedian from Tanzania, “the Africa Arts Collective will bring joy, vibrancy, colour and inspiration to the local arts scene.”
Dancer Cuthbert Tura Arutura and acrobat Rahim Saphy at the launch of the African Arts Collective in Belfast Picture date: Saturday October 1, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Arts. Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Over the weekend, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson completed her formal swearing-in ceremony on Friday September 30th. As told by Brown Jackson during her initial confirmation speech, “It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. But we’ve made it…We’ve made it. All of us.”
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has already brought uncompromising integrity, a strong moral compass, and courage to the Supreme Court.
Today, we celebrate her formal investiture. This is a day for all Americans to be proud. pic.twitter.com/LU9MBQ3gHl
And closing out this week…A new medical school is being proposed at Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD), the first at an HBCU in 45 years!! As relayed by CBS News, Morgan State is teaming up with Ascension St. Agnes Hospital to launch a for-profit, private medical school, which will provide more opportunities for undeserving students. The school is set to open in 2024 and will have 700 students and 150 employees.
Happy Monday!! Boy do I have some goodies to share with you all this week!! So let’s dive right on in:
For all my ATL folks…The High Museum of Art is hosting the first museum survey dedicated to photographer Deana Lawson. From this global lens “working primarily in photography, Lawson investigates and challenges conventional representations of Black identities and bodies.” The Deanna Lawson exhibition opens on Oct. 7, for more details go to HighMuseum.org .
The Dutch Government has created a fund to apologize for their historic role in slavery. From 1596 to 1829, the Dutch took part in transporting nearly a half a million Africans across the Atlantic Ocean. The fund is set to be announced after the nation officially apologizes for its role by the end of this year or the beginning of 2023. It is said that the fund may be as large as 200 million euros. Additionally, European Central Bank Governing Council member Klaas Knot, who is also president of the bank, addressed his apology to the descendants of enslaved people and set up a fund to finance projects worth 5 million euros over the next 10 years in the Netherlands, Suriname and the Caribbean.
Ben & Jerry is rebranding their “Change is Brewing” flavor as a way to help protect voting rights and encourage young Black voter turnout ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm elections. The rebranded ice cream is being distributed at historically Black colleges and universities and in large cities and rural communities across Southern states as part of the Black Voters Matter Fund’s “We Won’t Black Down” tour, which kicked off Sept. 14.
Michelle Obama Portraitist Amy Sherald is set unveil her first European show!! Sherald’s collection of paintings titled, The World We Make is set to be housed at Hauser & Wirth London from October 12 to December 23. Through her paintings, Sherald sees them as “a place to reflect. I want it to be as open, expansive and universal in a sense. I want my work to be a gift to Black people.”
The Make Believer (Monet’s Garden), [Artwork by Amy Sherald-Hauser & Wirth]
“For Love, and For Country”, [Artwork by Amy Sherald-Hauser & Wirth]
Meet Princess Isis Lang, the creator of the “Cardinal Divas” at the University of Southern California. Lang, is currently a musical theater major at the University of Southern California (USC), and the creator of the school’s first-ever majorette team. The Cardinal Divas made their formal debut at the USC vs. Fresno State football game on September 17th. As noted by Lang, “you can look forward to seeing us at these home games on the big screen, showing young Black girls that they can do anything that they think to do.”
oh nothing… i created a majorette team at a PWI and performed at our first game.
truly though i’m so blessed and can’t thank God enough. Thank you to my parents and to everyone who supported me along this LONG journey. and my girls FYE💫The Cardinal Divas of SC are UP NEXT. pic.twitter.com/vif5e02z4b
And lastly, just as the football season gets to rolling, we get some major news about Super Bowl LVII...Rihanna, with style and grace, has officially confirmed that she will be performing at Super Bowl LVII!! The 57th Super Bowl will take place on February 12, 2023, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
And we are back with some new hot features!! A lot is happening in the world, and I’m all for sharing with you!! Check out this week’s new hot topics!!
History Being Made!! An E-Sports degree is coming to a South Carolina HBCU!! With the popularity of gaming and e-sports on the rise, as a billion dollar industry, it is only fitting that HBCU’s pick up the baton and make their mark in this arena. Two years in the making Benedict College is offering a major in E-Sports (to go along with their already existing esports gaming room), making it the first HBCU to do so.
Photo Credit: Benedict College
Looking for a southern-inspired meal on your next Delta flight, starting September 1st Delta Airlines travelers leaving out of Atlanta will be able to enjoy a variety of dishes curated by a Black Woman Chef, Mashama Bailey. Chef Bailey is a James Beard Foundation award-winning chef and also serves as the co-founder and Executive Chef of The Grey in Savannah, Georgia.
Chef Mashama Bailey
Some of the dishes that will be featured on the in-flight menu (Photo Credit: Delta Air Lines)
Making your way to DC anytime soon?? Well make sure you visit the 15 new murals that are part of DC’s 15th anniversary celebration of MuralsDC art program. The first mural (seen below) can be found on the parking lot of the Chik-fil-A on Maryland Ave. in NE DC. More of the installations will be housed in the “Art Allery” an art gallery in an alley on H Street.
MuralsDC first 15th anniversary mural (Photo Credit: MuralsDC)
Gospel singer and civil rights activist Mahalia Jackson now has a dedicated public plaza named in here honor. Mahalia Jackson Court is an 8,500-square foot space housed on 1 E. 79th St. in Chatham, IL that will feature daily food trucks, music, curated art and a playscape for children. Visitors will also be able to check out a history display, which will feature various artifacts.
This past week it was announced that a prequel series revolving around the high profile Netflix show Bridgerton will showcase the glamorous and fierce Queen Charlotte just wrapped up production!! The show’s director Tom Verica announced it on his Twitter…
Imagining a Utopian Future for Queer Nigerians is a new idea being portrayed in Nigerian photographer Daniel Obasi’s latest book “Beautiful Resistance” an artistic collaboration with Louis Vuitton, which chronicles the LGBTQ+ experience in Lagos.
An image featured in Obasi’s newest book. (Photo credit: Daniel Obasi)
Black Future Feminist 