Today, we are reviewing the 2025 film, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, One of Them Days!One of Them Days plunges us into the chaotic lives of best friends Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), whose world unravels when Alyssa’s charming but unreliable boyfriend, Keshawn (Joshua David Neal), steals their rent money to fund his ridiculous “luxury t-shirt” business idea. With a heartless landlord giving them less than 9 hours to scrounge up the cash, they're launched into a frantic and hilarious dash across Los Angeles to avoid eviction.But don't let the laughs fool you! This isn't just your average buddy comedy. One of Them Days forces us to take a raw, honest look at what happens when friendship is pushed to its breaking point, making us reflect on our own relationships and the challenges that threaten them.If you are listening on Spotify or other podcast platforms: 🎧 FOLLOW our podcast!

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Welcome to Black Love and Cinema with Manny and Jess, where we break down love and relationships through the lens of our favorite movies. In this podcast, we present the question, In "Really Love," Is Love Ever Truly Enough?The film Really Love, directed by Angel Kristi Williams, offers a quiet and intimate look at a relationship between two Black creatives in Washington, D.C. It stars Kofi Siriboe as Isaiah, a struggling painter, and Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing as Stevie, a determined law student. The movie captures the beauty of their connection, but it's really about the quiet unraveling that happens when two people who care for each other are pulled in different directions by their careers, their backgrounds, and their own personal pride.The entire feel of the film — from its warm cinematography to its patient editing and jazz-influenced score — is designed to feel emotionally immersive. It avoids dramatic twists and explosive conflict, choosing instead to focus on the subtle moments that accumulate between two people: the glances, the silences, the missed opportunities to connect. This restraint allows the film to show something much more honest and relatable — the slow, almost imperceptible way a relationship deteriorates when communication breaks down.If you are listening on Spotify or other podcast platforms:

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Welcome to Black Love and Cinema with Manny and Jess, where we break down love and relationships through the lens of our favorite movies. Movie Overview: What Temptation Is Really AboutTyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013) follows the story of Judith (played by Jurnee Smollett), a woman who seems to have everything she needs — a steady, loving husband named Brice (Lance Gross), a deep Christian upbringing, and a budding career in marriage therapy. She and Brice have known each other since they were kids, and while their relationship is comfortable and faithful, it has grown predictable.Everything begins to unravel when Judith takes a job at an elite matchmaking firm and meets Harley (Robbie Jones), a wealthy tech entrepreneur who showers her with attention, luxury, and excitement. He awakens parts of Judith that have been quietly aching — desire, ambition, passion. Though she knows he’s dangerous, Judith gives in, and her life begins to spiral. She loses her marriage, her dignity, her health, and her sense of self — all in pursuit of a man who ultimately destroys her.This isn’t a love story. It’s a cautionary tale about temptation, self-betrayal, and the emotional hunger that can lead even the most grounded person into dangerous territory.If you are listening on Spotify or other podcast platforms:

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Ryan Coogler’s 2025 gothic-horror drama Sinners drags us into a sweltering 1932 Mississippi, where a sanctified church and a pulsating juke joint battle for Black souls—and bodies. In this episode of Black Love & Cinema, we unpack how the film’s lush cinematography, blues-soaked score and unapologetic erotics expose the tightrope Black Americans have long walked between respectability and freedom.

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#sinnersmovie #sinners #sexuality #BlackLove #MovieAnalysis #Podcast #RelationshipDynamics #BlackCinema #MannyAndJess #blackloveandcinema #churchhurt #blackchurch #christianmoviereview #moviereviews

00:00 - 03:03 Initial Reactions to Sinners Movie and Why We’re Talking About This Movie

03:04 - 04:00 How Coogler Skillfully Captures Sexuality in This Film

04:01 - 07:55 How the Black Church runs from Embracing The Pleasures of Sexuality

07:56 - 11:31 How the Holiness Movement Put a Damper on Sexuality and Pleasure

11:32 - 15:18 The Traumatic Impact of The Purity Culture 

15:19 - 20:11 The Juxtaposition of the Church and The Juke Joint in Black Culture - Oppression v Liberation

20:12 - 22:46 The Oppressive Nature of Legalism and The Liberation that Grace Affords Us

22:47 - 24:59 There Are No Rules Regarding How Married People Can Enjoy Sex with Each Other

25:00 - 31:44 The Difference Between Having Sex Before Marriage Versus After Marriage

31:45 - 34:10  Enjoy The Life God Gave You and the Pleasures Available to You 

34:11 - 39:04 Final Thoughts and Ratings of This Movie

Welcome to Black Love and Cinema with Manny and Jess! This week, we're delving into the iconic 2000 film, Love & Basketball, starring Sanaa Lathan as Monica Wright and Omar Epps as Quincy "Q" McCall. Beyond being a sports romance, this narrative thoughtfully explores the intricate balance between friendship, romantic love, and the journey of personal growth.

Our interest in the film was sparked by its complex portrayal of friendship evolving into romance. This led us to investigate fundamental questions: Is it genuinely possible to establish a lasting romantic relationship with a friend? And how can one discern when a friendship possesses the potential for a deeper connection, versus when it is best preserved as platonic?

Join us as we analyze Monica and Quincy's intertwined lives, from their initial meeting at age 11 to their experiences with competition, the development of their friendship, and eventually, their romantic relationship.

Discussion Prompt: Have you ever considered pursuing a romantic relationship with a friend? How did you navigate that situation? Share your experiences and perspectives in the comments below!

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#LoveAndBasketball #BlackLove #RomanticRelationships #FriendshipToLove #MovieAnalysis #Podcast #RelationshipDynamics #BlackCinema #MannyAndJess #blackloveandcinema

In Part 2 of our deep dive into Chris Rock’s 2007 film, I Think I Love My Wife, we unpack how Richard and Brenda begin to repair their fractured marriage. From Richard’s journey of taking accountability and cutting off temptation, to Brenda’s emotional re-engagement, we explore how both partners learn to choose each other, intentionally and imperfectly.This episode highlights powerful relationship lessons, including:The danger of emotional cheatingHow temptation thrives in neglectThe power of unspoken needsWhy excitement is not a substitute for meaningThe risk of complacency in marriageThe importance of setting boundariesThe role of emotional and physical intimacyThe value of vulnerabilityHow even unexpected voices, like George, can offer surprising insight in protecting a marriageWhether you're single, dating, or married, this conversation offers honest, relatable wisdom about love, commitment, and the work it takes to sustain both.

Watch part 1 here: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/wYMwxIFBVTb

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00:00 - Richard’s Contribution to the Solution in His Marriage

06:30 - Brenda’s Contribution to the Solution in His Marriage

09:45 - How Richard and Brenda Cooper Grew As A Couple

14:00 - Communication Struggles for Couples

17:00 - Relationship Lesson #1

18:18 - Relationship Lesson #2

20:29 - Relationship Lesson #3

21:41 - Relationship Lesson #4

23:30 - Relationship Lesson #5

25:20 - Relationship Lesson #6

28:51 - Relationship Lesson #7

33:10 - Relationship Lesson #8

40:50 - Relationship Lesson #9

41:55 - Relationship Lesson #10

43:24 - Our Movie Ratings

49:53 - Our Movie Relationship Ratings

#BlackLove #MovieBreakdown #RelationshipTalk #MarriageMatters #ChrisRock #LoveAndCinema #BlackLoveAndCinema

Manny and Jess use the 2007 Chris Rock film "I Think I Love My Wife" to discuss temptation in marriage and how outsiders can infiltrate a relationship.In this episode, we highlight how The Coopers' marriage (as portrayed by Chris Rock and Gina Torres) was vulnerable to the temptation of the beautiful and charming seductress Nikki Tru, played by Kerri Washington.Watch Part 2, where we will discuss how to manage marital complacency, boredom, temptation, and a sexless marriage.

Part 2: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/SCcLQR6lSTb

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Key Themes: Temptation, Emotional Affairs, Adultery, Sexuality in Marriage, Marital Complacency, Boredom, sexless marriage

00:00 - About the Podcast

00:10 - The Problem That Opened the Door to Temptation in The Coopers’ Marriage

00:19 - Richard Cooper’s Growing Dissatisfaction with this Marriage to Brenda

00:58 - How Richard Contributed to The Problems in His Marriage

02:12 - How Richard Justified His Emotional Affair with Nikki Tru

03:10 - The Importance of Communicating Openly With Your Spouse Outside of Counseling/Therapy

05:25 - How Brenda Contributed to the Problems in Her Marriage

10:40 - How Nikki the Temptress was Able to Exploit the Problems in the Coopers’ Marriage

14:19 - Assess What Tempts Your Spouse and Why

15:10 - How Tempters (Outsiders) Exploit the Weaknesses of Your Spouse and Marriage

16:05 - Seduction #1

17:22 - Seduction #2

19:00 - Seduction #3

20:18 - Seduction #4

22:00 - Other People Who Influenced The Coopers’ Marriage

22:30 - George - The Serial Cheater Who Implored Richard Not to Commit Adultery

23:50 - Richard’s Boss Warns Him About Women Chasing Him for Money

25:15 - How Richard and Brenda Individually Contributed to the Problems in Their Marriage

25:15 - Richard’s Contribution to Problems #1

25:28- Richard’s Contribution to Problems #2

26:00- Richard’s Contribution to Problems #3

28:45 - Brenda’s Contribution to Problems #1

29:14 - Brenda’s Contribution to Problems #2

29:39 - Brenda’s Contribution to Problems #3

30:10 - Brenda’s Contribution to Problems #4

31:48 - Both Spouses Have A Part to Play in Marriage that Contributes to All Good or Bad Things That Happen

33:12 - Lessons Brenda Could Have Learned From Nikki to Improve Her Marriage

Breakups, bad decisions, and the last chicken wing—The Brothers (2001) is packed with relationship lessons! We dive into commitment-phobia, toxic exes, sexless marriages, and dating people you don’t even like. In this episode, Manny and Jess discuss what the movie gets right (and wrong) about love. From bachelor party chaos to BeBe’s wedding gown shootout, we break it all down. Tune in for real talk, laughs, and takeaways to help you date smarter and love better!

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🎙️🔥00:00 Introduction to The Brothers

02:10 Our Backgrounds and Why We Chose The Brothers

08:18 Morris Chestnut as Jackson Smith - The Commitment Phobic Pediatrician

10:04 Bill Bellamy as Brian Palmer - The Cynical Lawyer

10:58 DL Hughley as Derrick West - The Married Man with Unmet Needs

11:48 Shemar Moore as Terry White -  The Reformed Playboy

13:29 Key Relationship Themes in This Movie

14:00 Romantic and Sexual Relationships

14:18 Jackson and Denise’s (Gabrielle Union) Relationship - Passion and Fear of Commitment

21:13 Terry and BeBe (Susan Dalian) - The Reformed Player Gets Engaged To a Nutjob

28:00 Derrick and Sheila (Tamala Jones) - The Struggles of a Sexless Marriage

32:58 Brian and Jesse (Julie Benz) -  The Non-Black Sista Who Is Taking Mess from No One

39:46 Family Dynamics and Their Impact on The Brothers’ Relationships

41:10 Jackson’s Family Dynamics and How They Influence His Fear of Commitment 

49:15 Brian’s Family Dynamics and How They Influence His Disapproval of Black Women

53:09 Derrick’s Family Dynamics and Why He Decided to Marry Sheila

54:28 The Brothers’ Toxic Relationship Patterns

56:49 Bachelor Parties and Toxic Relationships

58:29 Derrick - Tempted to Cheat on His Wife

59:22 Jackson Finds Out About Denise and Confronts Her

01:05:00 Terry and His Toxic Bride 

01:08:34 Brian as the authority on toxic women

01:09:54 BeBe shoots up Brian’s house wearing a wedding gown

01:13:40 How The Brothers teaches and gives women permission to be toxic

01:16:53 Romantic Tropes and How They Cause Fantasies About Romantic Love

01:19:00 How to Overcome Commitment-Phobia Unlike Jackson

01:20:57 How to Really Stop Being A Player Unlike Terry

01:22:20 How to Stop Being A Crazy Ex Who Can’t Let Go Unlike BeBe

01:24:47 How to Stop Dating People You Don’t Like or Respect Unlike Brian

01:27:17 How to Stop Relying On Sex to Improve Your Dating Relationship

01:31:44 Relationship Lessons We Can Learn from The Brothers

01:33:10 Green Flags Depicted in The Movie

01:48:39 Our Ratings for This Movie - The Brothers

In our first episode, we share the hilarious and chaotic story of Manny’s proposal—a moment neither of us will ever forget. Spoiler alert: Jess said no… three times. But don’t worry, there’s a happy ending! From nerves to unexpected surprises, this proposal didn’t exactly go as Manny planned, but it turned into a perfect reflection of our love—authentic, messy, and full of laughter. Tune in to hear how we got from “no” to “yes” and get to know the personalities behind the mic in this unfiltered, funny, and heartfelt story.