DISCUSSIONS FROM THE OTHERHOOD

Many of us went to bed last night or woke up this morning to the news of Chadwick Boseman's death. The star of several films featuring black men of character, fortitude and or vision has left us all too soon leaving a vacuum. We waited with 'bated breath anticipating the next Black Panther film that never came, even as Marvel rolled out yet another Guardians of the Galaxy, another Dr. Strange, another Spiderman, and still we waited. Today with the death of the actor who played Tchalla so well and wonderfully, why do we have to ask why it took so long? Where do we go from here, and where do we find black heroism on the big and small screens in the coming years?

In 1968 on Saturday mornings we were treated to the Banana Splits. a variety show cum cartoon extravaganza. Fleagle, Bingo, Drooper and Snorky were our friendly mascots in kids-only, kids-friendly world of adventures. So of course someone has to eff it up. Apparently in 2019 "someone" thought it would be a good idea to turn our childhood dreams into nightmares and releases a Banana Splits horror movie! Tonight join us as wee discuss the past and present of the Banana Splits franchise and what other horrorfications might lurk on the horizon.

It seems a long time ago that we started sheltering in place. And beginning in March many of us thought that this would be a great time to catch up on all those spec fic films and shows we had missed over the years and finally get an opportunity to view the more recent ones that have just aired. So why do we find ourselves watching the same shows over and over again? Is it the nostalgia of recalling life pre-COVID-19; or is it that we just don't know where to find something new? Let's talk about why we watch then re-watch the same programs, how we can introduce new programming into our repertoire and where to find the programs that satisfy our various spec fic appetites. Come join Penelope, Otto, Cranston, James and friends as we discuss our picks and where you can find them!

The Emmy Award nominations were announced last week and SOME BIPOC received nominations for their work. Others did not. Join Penelope, Otto, Cranston, James and friends as we discuss whether the failure to name some and instead naming others has effects on our image and self-image. And tonight on Retro-B Theater we examine James Goodridge's recommended B-rated flick, The Equinox https://youtu.be/S0wb8-k46gY. Join us tonight to share your review!

Yes there is Lt. Uhura and Micheal Burnham in Star Trek, Alexa Woods in Alien vs. Predator, Dr. Karen in Blade, Zula in Conan the Destroyer, Watchmen's Angela Abar, Firefly's Zoe Allen Washburne, Mace Mason in Strange Dsys, Abbie in Sleepy Hollow (and Angela Bassett and Adina Porter playing several roles in American Horror Story). But this listing is a drop in the bucket to all the genre work that is out there. Why do we not see more of Black women in leading Sci-F-, Fantasy and Horror roles? Who would you like to see and in what? Join us tonight to get some answers!

Meteor Man, The Last Dragon, Space Jam... should these and other films featuring people of color that suffered from lack of funding, lack technical support and talent get another bite at the apple? Also have you noticed that on IMDB.com films and shows featuring Black actors in major roles are routinely panned while the same films on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic receive positive reviews? Does IMDB.com skew racist and how should viewers adjust for that bias?

We have a host of new and reimagined streaming services. Some offer content for free and others for very little but maybe we're getting what we pay for. Peacock, Apple TV, CBS All Access and Disney Plus, do these actually deliver; or is the price of $0 too much?

By their nature Sci-Fi, fantasy and horror have their fair share of B movies. But how do we define "B film?" Does the film have to be bad, or have B and lower list actors? Let us know your take and list your favorite B;s

Last week Jordan Peele's second season helming the Twilight Zone hit Netflix with 10 episodes of highly anticipated content. We have binged all ten. If CBS All Access is not in the cards for you... not to worry, take advantage of the One Week Free Trial! Join Penelope, Otto, Cranston and James as they discuss their takes on this Sci-Fi favorite!

Join Penelope, Otto & Cranston as they discuss dramatic Black Speculative Fiction and the elusive concept of Happily Ever After. Let's talk about Get Out, If Beale Street Could Talk and Miss Juneteenth among others. Why is Happily Ever After such a foreign concept for the Black film-going audience? Join us tonight to discuss Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror through the prism of the Black perspective!