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The crew is back to discuss episodes 2-5 of Discovery.  Our crew reunites but find no safe harbor, and the reality of the decision they've made and all they have lost as a result hits them hard.  They also discover that their joy of what Starfleet means hasn't survived to their current time, as everywhere they go they are met with hostility and distrust.  Finally, we discuss why Adira seemed cool at first, then cooled on us, and how we are totally team Gray, including a way we could have kept both characters without them leaning into the "kill the LGBT" character trope that is too prevalent in modern television.

 

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We're down to the final two (planned) episodes of the Insanity Check. For this episode I'm joined by Justin from 3FifsPodcast and we're able to breathe a sigh of relief because Joe Biden pulled it off and beat Trump in the 2020 election. Sure, we know this isn't going to solve everything, but not having a dictator-wannabe in office is a huge improvement. 

Topics:

* Biden & Trump got the most votes in history because this was the most accessible general election ever

* Joe Biden ran a helluva campaign

* We feel some kind of way about all the "two sides of the same coin" and "I just can't vote for Hillary" folks that all the sudden voted for Biden *cough* Marc Lamont Hill *cough*

* AOC made valid points about moderate Dems 

* Dems don't need to "win back" white working class voters...they only need 40-42%

* The war against facts and truth is being lost

* The Trump campaign really went out like some losers...in the parking lot of a landscaping company 

* Kimberly Guilfoyle offered lap dances to fundraisers who offered the most money

* Rudy Guiliani is not only an idiot but he's leading Trump's legal challenges and its going swimmingly 

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All the trappings of November are here: the Masters and the NBA rumor season! Okay, so while things may be further from normal than football would ever have you think, but we're talking the mess in Houston, the disgrace that is NFL's new hiring incentive plan and talk a little southern hip hop too.

Guest: Nata Edwards - @NataTheScribe

 

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Heard any good news lately? Since television has resorted to treating politics like sports, we're weaving in some coverage of the election into this week's UDPod. Plus, since Atlanta FINALLY stepped up when it mattered, Mike and I are waiting on the apologies from all of you for all the Atlanta Sports Fan Jokes. We'll wait. All this, and COVID is still out there, the NBA season is looking likely and MLB can't get out of their own way.

Guest: The Homie Mike

 

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We're only 3 episodes away from the end of the Insanity Check. It's more real now as I type that. Add in the fact that we recorded this episode only a few days before election night 2020 and well, there's a lot of anxiety going on. So I decided that for this episode, I'd take the Insanity Check back to its roots: Covering crazy news. This week I'm joined by Aaron from the Black Astronauts Podcast and let's just say...we have some fun. First, Four Loko is back with shots. Still no caffeine but what's the worst that could happen? Then there's the used condom reseller in Vietnam and apparently monkey slave labor in Thailand. Like I said, we're getting back to the roots fo the Insanity Check.

We still cover some politics because obviously there's no way to avoid it. We talk about the insane way CNBC defines "struggling" for those families making over $400k and the coo...I mean...black men supporting Trump. 

Topics:

* Four Loko is back with shots

* Costco takes a stand against monkey slave labor

* Someone was reselling used condoms in bulk and we have so many questions (and jokes)

* Jerry Falwell Jr is just as much a piece of shit as his dead daddy

* CNBC's ridiculous claim that families bringing in $400k "struggle" too

* Channing Crowder explains why he doesn't mind paying more taxes

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Kriss, Ro and Brandon are back to review and discuss the last three episodes of Lovecraft Country:

* Jig-a-Bobo

* Rewind 1921

* Full Circle

There's a lot to discuss with not just these three episodes but the whole series. The first thing though is that HBO did a great job of giving Misha Green the space to tell this story (and make the appropriate adjustments for the show compared to Matt Ruff's novel). It's not just important that a Black woman got to tell this story but it also shows the benefits of giving creators the space and room to tell the full story. The final episode being called "Full Circle" is appropriate for how it pulls in a lot of elements from the previous episodes as well as themes to connect everything. To those paying attention, those threads were always there but sometimes audiences need to see the finished product to really put it all together. Lovecraft is definitely a show that could benefit from a second (or more) viewing to catch even more hints at how things will come together.

There's also a needed conversation about the generational pain and trauma that is passed down through Black families. Atticus and Montrose's complex relationship becomes more clear and understandable at the end of this series. The series doesn't make excuses for it but focuses more on how to break the cycle so the next generation is allowed to live without those burdens. 

Make sure you subscribe to Movie Trailer Reviews on iTunes, Spotify and your favorite podcast app to listen as Ro, Kriss and Brandon discuss these three episodes and the entire series.

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There are certain movies that automatically make the Halloween marathon, or at least they should. For years, cult classic The Witches, based on Rolad Dahl's book by the same name, starring Anjelica Huston has landed somewhere on that list between Hocus Pocus and Nightmare on Elm Street. 

Now, HBO hopes you add the Anne Hathaway-led remaking directed by Robert Zemeckis to that watch list. This film - still geared towards children (allegedly) - offers a few unsettling chills and plenty of campiness wrapped in sly humor. 

Leaning into Dahl's The Witches

It's 1967, a young boy (Jahzir Bruno) and his Grandma (Octavia Spencer) find themselves trapped in a hotel during a convention of witches plotting to bespell the world's children turning them into mice. The duo - along with some unlikely accomplices - must outwit the Grand High Witch (Anne Hathaway) and thwart her master plan.

Viewing audiences grew up with the child-friendly version this story (this is a lie, Huston's coven of witches scared the bejeezus out of plenty). It's a wicked adventure of a boy left unexpectedly orphaned - who's then attacked by a wicked witch - learning to persevere. 

For the most part, the main plot points remain unchanged. And while Zemeckis tries to (re)capture the darker undertone of Dahl's forty-year-old tale, the Kenya Barris and Guillermo del Toro crafted script updates time, place, and the ethnic origins of several main characters along with reworking certain key story elements.

(L-r)OCTAVIA SPENCER as Grandma, JAHZIR BRUNO as Hero Boy, and STANLEY TUCCI as Mr. Stringer in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “THE WITCHES,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photograph by Daniel Smith

The costumes are stellar, the cast and location (Alabama) add just the right touch of macabre, and the practical effects and CGI work together to create the right edgy if uptight notes. 

So, the really question is will it appeal to today's audience? Listen as Ro gives a quick breakdown of The Witches and how she thinks it stacks up against the source material and 1990 Roeg adaptation. 

The Witches premieres on HBOMax October 22, 2020

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Director Rick Korn took some time to sit down with the MTR Network and discuss his latest documentary Harry Chapin: When in Doubt Do Something. Singer/songwriter and philanthropist Harry Chapin's best known in music circles for his number one single Cat's in the Cradle. But, Harry Chapin, the man, threw his entire self - and his career - in to being an citizen activist. He wanted to end poverty and hunger in the world; he was willing to dedicate his platform, time and energy wholly to the cause. 

Watch the Full Interview: 

https://youtu.be/Wzv2AKPvk3Y

Rick Korn is a film/TV producer, writer, and director who works with different non-profit organizations - including WHYHunger, co-founded by Harry Chapin, - producing fundraising concerts. He's last documentary focused on the rescue and recovery 9/11 workers. During its production, Korn interviewed Chapin's former partner, Bill Ayres. His casual query of Ayers wondering why no one's ever made a documentary about Harry elicited the response, "Why don't you do it?"

Korn discusses bringing this story to life, his person connection to Harry Chapin and what he how he hopes learning more about Chapin and the activism Chapin dedicated his life to will motivate others to stop doubting, and do something. 

What Would Harry Chapin Be Doing?

Taking up Harry's mission, like many before him, director Rick Korn and his partners are throwing a free docu-concert to encourage people to get out and vote. TONIGHT, Tuesday, October 20, 2020

DO SOMETHING AND VOTE | BENEFIT CONCERT DOCUMENTARY

Featuring commentary from: Harry Chapin, John Lewis (final words as read by Morgan Freeman), Jon Stewart and John Feal, Onondaga Indian Chief Oren Lyons, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Greta Thunberg 

 And performances from:  Alabama Shakes, Black Puma's, Head and the Heart, Keb Mo, Bruce Springsteen, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Raye Zaragoza, and Harry Chapin 

Available Free LiveXLive at 8:00 PM ET | Tune in HERE

The docu-concert benefits over 25 charities including WhyHunger, LI Cares, Sandy Hook Promise, Fealgood Foundation, and Michelle Obama's When We all Vote.

 To donate to any of the charities and get voting information, visit https://bit.ly/cauzedosomething.  All donations will be matched.

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It is good to be back. After taking an impromptu hiatus in September  we're back with a new episode of the Character Corner. We're wrapping up our  Superman series with Part 2. We pick up right where we left with the aftermath of the Death of Superman after his epic fight with Doomsday. Like the first episode, while we talk about issues and storylines, we also focus a lot on the themes around the character and what he means. A lot of the more modern Superman takes show a much more well-rounded and human character than were shown in previous comic eras or even the movies. Superman struggling with being alien yet feeling as if he's one of us humans is a key plot point in a lot of stories. At their core, Superman stories have always really been the story of an immigrant integrating with society.

This was a really fun episode to record. We also draw some parallels between Superman and other characters like Captain America, Cyclops and Spider-Man. Give it a listen. Also, we really do appreciate the 5 star reviews on iTunes. During this rough year, it's been great to hear from fans of our episodes. It really helps keep us motivated to do more. So keep leaving reviews and we'll keep reading them.  

Issues:

*

Reign of the Supermen

* Action Comics #687-688

* Adventures of superman #500 - 502

* Superman #78 - 79

* Superman  Annual #5

* Superman: The Ma of Steel #22 - 23

* Superman: The  Man of Steel Annual #2

*

Superman: The Return of Superman

* Action Comics #689 - 692

* Action Comics Annual #5

* Adventures of Superman #503 - 505

* Adventures of Superman Annual #5

* Green  Lantern #46

* Superman #80 - 83

* Superman: The Man of Steel #24 - 26

* Superman/Doomsday  Hunter/Prey

* Superman The Wedding Album

* Grant Morrison JLA (We're going to do a whole Character Corner on this run)

* Superman Red/Superman Blue Special #1

* Superman #132

* Adventures of Superman #555

* Superman: Man of Tomorrow #10

* Action Comics #742

* Superman: The  Man of Steel #77

* Superman #133

* Adventures of Superman #556

* Action Comics #743

* Superman Red/Superman Blue

*

Superman President Lex  (2003)

* Action Comics #773

* Adventures of Superman #581

* Adventures of Superman #586

* President Luthor Secret Files and Origins #1

* Superman Vo2 #162

* Superman Vo2 #163

* Superman Vo2 #164

* Superman Vo2 #165

* Superman: Lex 2000 #1

* Superman: The Man of Steel #108

* Superman: The Man of Steel #109

* Superman: The Man of Steel #110

* Infinite Crisis

*

Superman: Camelot Falls

* Superman #654

* Superman #655

* Superman #656

* Superman #657

* Superman #658

* Superman #662

* Superman #663

* Superman #664

* Superman #667

* Superman #668

* Superman Annual #13

*

Superman: Last Son of Krypton

* Action Comics #844 - 846, #851, #866-870

* Action Comics Annual #11

*

Superman: For Tomorrow

* Superman #204 - 2015

* Final Crisis

*

Superman: New Krypton

* Superman: New Krypton Special #1

* Superman #681

* Adventure Comics Special Featuring Guardian #1

* Action Comics #871

* Supergirl Vol 5 #35

Rape revenge movies can be hard to review and after watching Violation during the Toronto Film Festival, I'm still not  sure if it's a good movie or not. The problem with reviewing rape revenge movies is that that there are two ways to look at them. On one hand, you can treat them just like every movie and grade them one acting, coherent plot, the way they’re  shot, etc. The other way to review them is to grade them on a curve based on how good the revenge is. If you’re lucky, the movie will both be traditional good, with a fairly deserving dish of revenge being served. Unfortunately for Violation, I’m less sold on it as a good movie than I am on giving it a pass for the way the revenge was enacted. Without spoiling I’ll just say, this is why you never eat Karen’s homemade ice cream at the company pot luck.

Image credit: Courtesy of TIFF

The first 40 minutes of this movie works. Madeleine Sims-Fewer plays Miriam, a woman that is a trying to reconcile with her sister (Anna Maguire) on a weekend retreat with their significant others, who is raped  by her sister’s husband Dylan (Jessee LaVercombe). Violation tells the story of Miriam not only getting revenge one Dylan but also how she was gaslit by both Dylan and Greta after revealing to Greta that she was raped. This is where Violation succeeds. The way this film handles rape and the subsequent shaming and gaslighting of victims is one of the more realistic depictions in a film. Rape typically isn't the "stranger danger" kind but rather a true violation by someone the victim trusts. Follow that up with the immediate shift in blame by the abuser and the betrayal of family and Violation can hit really close to home.

Image credit: Courtesy of TIFF

Unfortunately, this film can't stick to where it's good at. Where Violation goes wrong is its non-linear, barely coherent story. This pains me to say this because I love a non-linear story. It's clear that Dusty Mancinelli and Sims-Fewer (who also co-directed the film) got a bit in-over-their-heads with their first feature length film. While I love a non-linear story, the key to making  them work is making sure the audience is aware of anchor points in the story so they know where in the timeline they are. on top of that, Violation jumps between time points almost too frequently to let key scenes sink in for the audience. This is the real tragedy of this film since its theme of not only rape but gaslighting is done really well, yet the audience doesn’t get a chance to digest some very important moments because the film hops to the next scene in a different point in time. 

Violation is a film that should have been better and more. It's worth checking out for the revenge sequence but when it's all said and done, you'll just wish there was a bit more focus to make it a complete film.

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