Echo Chamber

We’re doing something a little different for our Christmas episode. Instead of your Friday news breakdown, we’re bringing you a Review of the Year!

We sit down with GAS Digital's very own Mike Harrington! And we try and figure out, what was the:

- Best KO

- Best Submission

- Breakout Male Fighter of the Year

- Breakout Female Fighter of the Year

- Fight of the Year

*(Music)

'This Is War' (feat. Army of the Pharaohs 'Vinnie Paz, Esoteric, King Syze, OuterSpace, 7L') by 7L & Esoteric - 2010

In the second part of this week's @EchoChamberFP we conversate with director Otoja Abit. We talk about his new feature, A New York Christmas Wedding and everything that went into that.

Otoja is an actor, writer, producer and director.

He's worked on Broadway (That Championship Season), television (The Night Of, The Slap, The Blacklist, BLACK-ISH, The Defenders) and film (Stonewall, Harlem Knights).

As well as stepping behind the camera, as co-creator & producer of 'Harlem Knights'. Then writing, producing and directing, 'JITTERS' and 'A New York Christmas Wedding'.

Watch the Interview: Here.

Website: Here.

Vimeo: Here.

Twitter: @OhABIT

Facebook: Here.

Instagram: @willfulproductions

                      @ohabit

@EchoChamberFP this week is split, we have another double header. First up, we look at a couple of new Netflix features. And in part 2, we have a sit down with a director Otoja Abit.

This week we have:

The Midnight Sky

Release Date: 23rd December 2020

Director: George Clooney

Cast: George Clooney, Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo

Credit: Anonymous Content, Netflix, Smokehouse Pictures

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Running Time: 118 min

Cert: 12a

Trailer: Here.

Twitter: @midnightskymov

Instagram: @themidnightskymovie

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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Release Date: 18th December 2020

Director: George C. Wolfe

Cast: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Michael Potts, Taylour Paige, Dusan Brown, Jeremy Shamos, and Jonny Coyne

Credit: Netflix

Genre: Drama, Music 

Running Time: 94 min

Cert: 18

Trailer: Here.

Website: Here.

Twitter: @MaRaineyFilm

Facebook: Here.

Instagram: @maraineyfilm 

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*(Music) 

'It Was A Good Day' by Ice Cube - 1992

People, we are mixing things up, today instead of previews, we're coming with that MMA NEWS!!!

We take a look at Dana White video that talks about what the UFC did this year, AS WELL AS, pointing out the cats in the media that were throwing shade from the sidelines!

Then there's the Anthony Pettis saga that started on the 22nd, we thought it might be a week or so, BUT, BOOM all resolved on the 23rd!

Ben Askren and Scott Coker are going at it online, and we know who fired first in this one, Lucas!

AND out of nowhere @sonnench drops the bombshell, Submission Underground ain't done with 2020! We're getting one more card on 30th December, and 'SUG 20' is SICK!!!

So, let's preview the upcoming action with today's (ep. 126) @ChinCheckPod

- Dana put's media on blast

- Anthony Pettis announces he's leaving UFC

- Scott Coker fires a shot at Askren and it goes off!!!

- Anthony Pettis sign's with the PFL

- Submission Underground announce surprise event

*(Music) 

'Rogue Nation' by 7L & Esoteric - 2004

On the days before Christmas, #EFTV brings to you, many thoughts, wanted and un, we've got them. Such as Nicola Sturgeon breaching her Lockdown rules, but not giving herself the same punishment she doled out to others. The Talawa Theatre Company pulled out of their 'Black Joy' season, which was to be held at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 2021. They say it is due to the theatre becoming a 'Nightingale Court' during the day. Gal Gadot is out trying to justify her upcoming role as Cleopatra And it all feels odd after she forced that 'Imagine' video on us All this and more!!!

PLUS, season two of 'Home for Christmas' (Hjemtiljul just hit Netflix, so we checked that out, to see who knocked on the door!

AND, our Audible of the week, is Lisa Bent debut called 'Symona's Still Single'. About a single girl, nearing her 40's and deciding to look at what's right and wrong about her dating life. As well as, what does it mean to be a Black woman trying to exist, date and find love?

This week:

- Sturgeon caught with mask off!

- Bottomless PJs causing a stir

- A Nightingale Court comes between a theatre and a company!

- Gadot tries to justify her casting as Cleopatra!

- France give immigrants citizenship for helping with COVID!

- Chin check

REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS 

- TV: Home for Christmas (Hjem Til Jul) - S2 - thoughts

AUDIBLE

- Symona's Still Single by Lisa Bent

*(Music) 

'Speaking Real Words' (feat. Inspectah Deck) by 7L & Esoteric - 2001

What an incredible weekend to end the year of martial arts @UFC Saturday, THEN, TWO doses of BJJ on Sunday

Things jumped off with the last UFC card of the year, in 'UFC on ESPN+ 41'.

First off, props to Christos Giagos for taking the fight on three days notice and putting in such a solid performance!

Things really popped off with that sick submission from Jimmy Flick.

The improvements we saw in Tafon Nchukwi game is crazy. If he can do that in only his fifth pro fight, watch out.

It was great to see Pannie Kianzad really step into her potential.

Rob Font had been out for just over a year, BUT, time was not stopping his ascendance @necartelmma aren't playing game!!!

In the Co-main, José Aldo gave us one of his best post title performances. He brought the kicks back, he was relentless!

AND, in the Main Stephen Thompson showed what it's like to fight air The movement, technique, composure, this was one of the most complete showings we've had.

We then get Sunday rocking with Submission Underground!

The card gave us great matches, high level submissions AND, a crazy ending.

Amanda Loewen showed she might be the baddest woman on the mats. And if you doubt her, that new shiny championship belt says otherwise!

Craig Jones got the pressure match he wanted, but diamonds are forged that way, and he got took that neck home

Cowboy Cerrone grappling is something else and if you don't recognise that, he'll do it twice!!!

And in the Main, seeing how Mason Fowler adjusted to the challenge, was impressive. Who can take that strap from him!

THEN, Eddie Bravo & Victor Davila closed the show, with the final 'Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds' of the year. And this was a phenomenal showing of talent!!!

Brianna Ste-Marie REALLY showed a sick guard game, with silky smooth transitions. Which all paid off, as she became the first ever female flyweight CJJW champion!

There's also some NFL recap and today's (ep 122) @ChinCheckPod breaks it all down, so let's get with it!

- NFL: Week 15: Sunday Games

- UFC on ESPN+ 41: Thompson vs. Neal

- Submission Underground 19

- Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds: The Female Flyweights

*(Music) 

'Deathgrip' by 7L & Esoteric - 2004

Well, Friday is here, so that means we are turning our gaze to what's been happening in the world of #MMA

We jump off, as we do, with our with our week 15 NFL predictions.

Then we ponder what's going on at Bellator, as they sign Russian fighter Darina Madzyuk after her freakshow fight against Grigory Chistyakov.

Claressa Shields breaks down why she inked with PFL and how she plans to cement her name as the GWOAT!!

He may do some off key ish, BUT, Conor McGregor also show's he's a stand up cat, as he saves SBG Portarlington from closing their doors.

Stephen Thompson thinks Khamzat Chimaev is getting an unfair push. Doesn't seem to consider the current world situation!!!

We look at the 'UFC on ESPN+ 41' weigh-in's, we lose another fight, but also gain one.

AND, take a look at Sunday's 'Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds' card, which is all bout the 'Female Flyweights'!

Today's (ep 124) @ChinCheckPod breaks it all down, so let's get with it!

- NFL Week 15: Predictions

- Darina Madzyuk signs with Bellator after freakshow fight

- Claressa Shields explains why she joined PFL and her plans going forward!

- Conor McGregor saves SBG Portarlington from closing their doors

- Stephen Thompson believes Khamzat Chimaev is getting an unfair push. Doesn't seem to consider the current world situation!!!

- UFC on ESPN+ 41: Thompson vs. Neal - weigh-in's

- Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds: The Female Flyweights

*(Music) 

'Bring It On' (feat. 2-Low, Seagram, Too Much Trouble, 5th Ward Boyz, Odd Squad, Ganksta N-I-P, DMG, Mr. 3-2, Big Mello) by Geto Boys - 1993

@EchoChamberFP this week, takes a look at three films, that delve into nature, college and radio! Be warned though, if you're freaked by crocodiles, kidnappings or tales that go bump, these might not be for you

This week we have:

Black Water: Abyss

Release Date: 7th December 2020

Director: Andrew Traucki

Cast: Jessica McNamee, Luke Mitchell, Amali Golden, Benjamin Hoetjes, Anthony J. Sharpe

Credit: Thrills & Spills, Cornerstone Pictures, ProdigyMovies

Genre: Action, Drama, Horror

Running Time: 98 min

Cert: 18

Trailer: Here.

Website: Here.

Facebook: Here.

Instagram: @blackwater.abyss

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The 2nd

Release Date: 6th December 2020

Director: Brian Skiba

Cast: Ryan Phillippe, Casper Van Dien, Jack Griffo, Lexi Simonsen, William Katt, Richard Burgi, Randy Charach

Credit: Daniel Grodnik Productions, Fury Film Franchise, Lucid Film

Genre: Action, Drama

Running Time: 93 min

Cert: 18

Trailer: Here.

Website: Here.

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Night of Horror - Nightmare Radio

Release Date: 21st December & 30th December 2020

Director: Joshua Long, Pablo S. Pastor, Jason Bognacki, Adam O’Brien, A.J. Briones, Sergio Morcillo, Matt Richards & Oliver Park

Cast: Clara Kovacic, Patricia Arizmendi, James Wright, Adrián Barriopedro, Claudia Beattie

Credit: Black Mandala, Smart Dog Productions

Genre: Horror, Mystery

Running Time: 104 min

Cert: 18

Website: Here.

Trailer: Here.

Digital Platforms: Amazon, Google, iTunes

Facebook: Here.

Instagram: @blackmandala_films

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*(Music) 

'More Gangsta Music' (feat. Juelz Santana) by Cam'ron - 2004

PLUS there is craziness happening at Google, their Google AI department is in disarray after Timnit Gebru was forced out and Sundar Pichai doesn't help things with his weak response!!! All of this and more is discussed in today's #EFTV

PLUS, we finally got round to checking out season one of 'Ballers' on NowTV. Definitely feels like 'Entourage' 2.0!

AND, our Audible of the week, was our second trip to the 'Salvation Sequence', for Peter F Hamilton's 'Salvation Lost'. Book two in the series.

This week:

- What's going on with Google and Timnit Gebru!?!

- Chin check

REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS

- TV: Ballers - S1 - thoughts

AUDIBLE

- Salvation Lost by Peter F Hamilton

Listen to Part A HERE!!!

*(Music)

'Mind Playing Tricks on Me' by Geto Boys - 1991

We're drawing to an end for the year, but it should be a blistering weekend of action, MMA and Grappling

UFC on ESPN+ 41 is the last UFC card of the year. It's thirteen fights (fingers crossed), and we have some outstanding match-ups.

In the Co-main we'll see if José Aldo can turn things around. But he's going against Marlon Vera, who won't stop until he has your will

The Main event sees Stephen Thompson vs Geoff Neal, karate against steel hands fighting to see who's hungry enough for that spotlight.

We then get the final Submission Underground card of the year, with SUG 19 Chael Sonnen has lined up a great line-up, headlined by Satoshi Ishii, who challenges Mason Fowler for the strap!

So, let's preview the upcoming action with today's (ep. 123) @ChinCheckPod

- UFC on ESPN+ 41: Thompson vs. Neal

- Submission Underground 19

*(Music) 

'Yes Yes Y'All' by Geto Boys - 2005