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It's the end of August so it's time for another Mailbag episode. This month Kriss and Dpalm get to do a "special" episode because WB just completed the first part of their now two part DC FanDome virtual experience. They released trailers and had panels on some of their highly anticipated (and delayed) movies. And well...we're here to tell you why you shouldn't believe a goddamn thing coming from WB cause they haven't earned that trust. WB has a history of treating DC like an IP farm and not really caring about the properties and we're tired of caring more about them than the billion dollar campaign that owns them. It also doesn't give us confidence in their announcements when the week of this huge virtual event, they were laying off staff that gutted DC Comics, burying DC Universe, cancelling good comics and changing their massive 24-hour event into a 2-day event with the second part not coming until September. 

It's almost as if they don't have a plan and you shouldn't believe anything coming out of their mouths

Kriss and Dpalm record the Mailbag at the end of every month. If you want to send in your own questions and thoughts, email us: [email protected]

 

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MTR's science team, PFunk & Coqui, discuss Texas getting hit hard by the Pandemic and Black scientists going on strike.

* Black Scientists Go on Strike - https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01721-x 

* Lung Transplants are expected to be more common - https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/surgeons-perform-first-known-us-lung-transplant-for-covid-19-patient/2020/06/10/02a43dd6-ab62-11ea-a9d9-a81c1a491c52_story.html 

* Texas Cases Spike After Memorial Day - https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/06/08/872660425/texas-reports-record-breaking-covid-19-hospitalizations-as-state-reopens

* Twitter Realizes its Users Don't Read - https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2020/06/10/twitter-begins-asking-users-to-actually-read-articles-before-sharing-them/

* Tiger King Fever - https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2020/06/11/tiger-king-joe-exotics-former-park-now-called-zoo-of-horrors/

 

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A Storybook Ending turns the question, "what would you do if you realized the person you just killed while defending yourself was in fact a cop" into a timely dark farce. In 18 minutes, writer/director Lanre Olabisi creates a dynamic and layered neo-noir plot that's an excellent balance between the real and the ridiculous. 

Starring Rotimi Paul (The First Purge), Carra Patterson (Straight Outta Compton), Sawandi Wilson (Isn’t It Romantic) and Toni Ann DeNoble (Manifest) this dark comedy tackles a blend of timely issues in the most unlikely setting and circumstances. A Storybook Ending is a comedy of errors that digs in to marital imbalance, greed, and the fear underlying it all, a fear of the police. 

A Storybook Ending screened on August 21st in the HBO Short Film Competition during the 2020 American Black Film Festival. It's one of only five shorts in the prestigious short film competition.

Ro sat down with Lanre to discuss his short film, the inspiration behind the story and how the comedy is a perfect gateway into confronting the issues lurking beneath the laughs. 

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Nikola Tesla is one of the most influential and yet obscure inventors in modern history. A lot of the technology that we enjoy today can be traced back to his ideas, patents and inventions. Yet most people still don't know much about the man. Unfortunately, Michael Almereyda's Tesla isn't going to do much to expand people's understanding of the man. 

Tesla is frustrating 102 minutes. This is a film that suffers from an identity crisis due to Almereyda's uncertainty of the film he was trying to make. Was this film supposed to delve more into who Nikola Tesla was and give a historical background? Was it supposed to focus on his historical achievements and why they were so important? Was it supposed to tie Tesla's inventions and genius with today's technology? Amazingly, the film sticks its toe in each of those things yet does nothing to make them compelling or interesting.

Ethan Hawke is not a bad actor but was not the right choice for Tesla. While Tesla might have been a bit awkward, he was still a presence that attracted people to him. Hawke's portrayal is void of any real emotion or charm or charisma. Eve Hewson does what she can but the script does her and her character (Anne Morgan) no justice. Tesla essentially turns Morgan into an inconsequential character whose sole purpose is to be a sometimes narrator for the story and a way to introduce Tesla to more powerful men. 

Tesla is a wasted opportunity. At least with Nikola Tesla, his inventions and impact on the world will be remembered. The same cannot be said for this film

 

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Words on Bathroom Walls is the latest contemporary romance adapted to film. The novel by the same name by Julia Walton release in 2018. It was wildly popular and viewed as an emotional look into living with an mental illness by some and an unnecessarily biting commentary on the Catholic Church by others. But overall, Words was well received and stuck a chord with many readers. It's not completely surprising to see it made into a feature length film. 

Official Synopsis: Diagnosed with a mental illness halfway through his senior year of high school, a witty, introspective teen struggles to keep it a secret while falling in love with a brilliant classmate who inspires him to not be defined by his condition.

Words stars Charlie Plummer, Taylor Russell, Andy Garcia, AnnaSophia Robb, Beth Grant, Walton Goggins, Molly Parker, Devin Bostic, Lobo Sebastian. 

Since this film adaptation from Roadside Attractions hits theaters (yes, you read that correctly) August 21, 2020. It felt like a good time to sit down and discuss how a story initially told through journal entries translates onto the big screen. 

Ro's joined by Shanna (co-host of the Supergirl recaps) for a dive into of how the film handles the book's themes, its casting and what we really think works (plot and visuals) about Words on Bathroom Walls; with a few tangents along the way.  

DIRECTOR

Thor Freudenthal

SCRIPT BY

Nick Naveda based on Julia Walton’s novel of the same name

 

 

 

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Black Boys is Humanization in Context  

Black Boys focuses on Black young boys and men in America. It' explores how they're dehumanized as a group. It unravels the ways in which society deliberately limited and then blamed for failing to excel. 

“As much as we try to hold on to our humanity, you realize you live in a world where your humanity is constantly being challenged and constantly being questioned.” - Tyrone Howard

It's a timely and necessary documentary that does more than simply help people see beyond their own experience to that of others living in the same society. Director Sonia Lowman centers real people and real struggles in ways that bring the humanity of Black boys into sharp and inescapable focus.

The documentary's savvy in it's approach. Breaking the discussion up into sub-sections. This allows for a focused discussion that feeds into the greater whole in ways that inform and capture the humanity of the people sharing their stories and lives. Black Boys is a reminder that these young boys and men are more than the sum of their physical parts. 

Listen as Kriss and Ro discuss this 2020 Bentonville Official Selection and how the documentary poignantly demonstrates the importance of changing the way we think about the humanity of Black boys, talk about inequity, and never forgetting that heroes are the last thing anyone needs.   

Director(s): Sonia Lowman Writer(s): Sonia Lowman Producer(s): Sonia Lowman, Chad Williamson, Elliot Kotel Editor(s): Evald Ridore Cinematographer(s): Jeanne Tyson Production Designer(s): N/A Music Composer(s): N/A

Cast: Malcolm Jenkins, Carmelo Anthony, Malcolm London, Vic Mensa, Cris Carter, Jemele Hill, Greg Scruggs, Howard Bryant

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The crew is back to discuss the first two episodes of the new animated series Star Trek: The Lower Decks.  Focused on the ensigns of the U.S.S. Cerritos with Mike McMahan running the show, the Rick and Morty style animation combined with the lighthearted and flippant nature of the leads makes for a very enjoyable new show. 

 

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Getting a group of friends together is always a great way to set the stage for drama. So, the premise behind writer/director Chris Chalk's debut feature length film Farewell opens the door for its story to turn in almost any direction. It's a solid choice, for the sneaky thriller it ultimately becomes. 

Farewell: Social Circles and Secrets 

Grace and Chance Charles need to celebrate. Grace accepted a new job that'll take the couple overseas. Her devoted husband's all-in for whatever she needs. Their both writers, but her career's on the rise leaving her overworked and on deadline for her next book. The couple's friends decide to throw them an Anniversary Send-Off. As the group comes together, it's immediately clear, these friendships aren't all sweetness and light.

Farewell explores the relationship dynamics between these friends with just the right amount of the unconventional to be refreshingly engaging.  

Friends and Being Dragged for Filth 

Typically when a film stars a mostly Black cast and centers it's story around a get-together among close friends, the story direction leans towards the comedic. Nut Chalk's directorial debut veers into the awkwardness in ties that not only bind but strangle.

Over the course of a night that starts upbeat swiftly gives way to biting sarcasm, low-key shade, and snide remarks. The dragging (and there's just so very much of it) is so on brand for Black folks that authenticity far out-weights the fact the dialogue and scene pacing could've done with another pass. As the night takes a turn into the sinister - and of course you can see it coming - these friends don't band together to make it through. Poor decision-making and all those secrets bubbling just beneath the surface of all the shade and messiness make for more than a few situations that test your ability to believe. That is until you remember no one is who they tell you they'll be in a crisis. 

Watching the role reversals, acting out, and revelations all given with such solid performances - especially the notable the chemistry between the leads -  Farewell is a technically impressive feature and a horror-tinged (the sound production does it's job a touch too well at times) good time. 

If we're backing husband/wife producing teams in this pandemic, the Chalk's just edged the Franco's out of the top spot for the MTR crew. Of course, that may just have something to do with our desire to never be seen as a bad friend by either....

Listen in as Kriss and Ro dig into why this narrative feature left them with high hopes for whatever Chris Chalk may choose to write next. 

Director(s): Chris Chalk

Writer(s): Chris Chalk

Producer(s): Chris Chalk, K.D. Chalk

Editor(s): Lex Kimbrough

Cinematographer(s): Lex Kimbrough

Production Designer(s): Prisca Choe

Music Composer(s): Daniel Clive McCallum

Cast:

K. D. Chalk (Grace), Chris Chalk (Chance), Cesa Pledger (Mila), Eden Marryshow (Remy), Chantal Nchako (Kit), Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut ( Stacey), and Natalie Woolams-Torres (Laila)

Farewell is the The Bentonville Film Festival Winner for Best First Feature, Narrative.

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MTR's science team, PFunk & Coqui, are joined by our guest Dr. Henry Williams to discuss the bind colleges are in this fall and all of the science being generated around COVID-19.

* Can a Virtual Semester Work? - https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2020/5/13/harvard-undergraduates-against-virtual-fall/

* Meat Shortages on the Way - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-13/there-s-plenty-of-meat-in-america-for-those-who-can-afford-it

* Rick Bright Testimony  - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/05/14/3-takeaways-coronavirus-whistleblower-rick-brights-testimony/

* Too Much Science To Handle? - https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/05/scientists-are-drowning-covid-19-papers-can-new-tools-keep-them-afloat 

* Using Science For Evil - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/14/opinion/coronavirus-research-misinformation.html

 

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More Than the Sum of Its Parts

It's time. Lovecraft Country episode one debuts tonight August 16th on HBO, 9 PM ET. Set your DVR, get that streaming access ready. This is one limited series you don't want to miss. 

Based on the Matt Ruff book by the same name, Lovecraft Country brings the saga of Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) and his family and friends as they attempt to unravel a dangerous supernatural mystery buried in the roots of his family lineage. 

Showrunner Misha Green centers the Black family, the everyday and mundane nature of striving for more in a world designed to keep you dispossessed. The cast lead by Majors also includes: Courtney B. Vance, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Michael Kenneth Williams, Aunjanue Ellis, Jada Harris, and Wunmi Mosaku and trust and believe, no one is ready for what's about to go down. And that's a good thing.  

Lovecraft Country Episode One: Sundown 

Life in this 1950s setting has a pulse and vibrancy not often incorporated in the visual elements where Black life in all its many facets lie at the heart of the storytelling. Expect glorious fashion and vibrant settings as the backdrop to the gritty realities of living and moving under segregation and that's before you ever get to the gore, magical, and other horrific story elements.

Family Matters

This story opens with Atticus traveling from Florida to Chicago. He's heading home after receiving an alarm-raising letter from his father. This Korean War veteran is a much changed man from the awkward skinny kid who left to go to war. But regardless of all else, Atticus loves his family and intends to find his father and see him safely back in the family fold. 

There's no importing "contemporary" sensibilities into the world-building of Lovecraft Country. Instead these writers deliberately reflect life in Jim Crow America. Starting with dispelling the myth that anti-Black sentiment stopped once you crossed into the North. We meet Atticus along his journey just before his bus home breaks down leaving him with no option but to finish the walk into the city with the other Black person seated in the back of the bus. 

Jonathan Majors in Lovecraft Country. Photograph by Elizabeth Morris/HBO

Right out the gate, Lovecraft Country leaves no doubt its that interrogating trauma on multiple levels. Just as Watchmen forced people to recognize the banality of racism and white supremacy in America. Every bit of dialogue between characters is insightful, the soundtrack purposeful, and the lead-in to the horror riddled with historical Easter eggs and multi-level fantastical storytelling. 

Listen as Ro, Kriss and Ava's Daddy (formally known as Phenom) sit down for the first of many conversations to discuss Lovecraft Country's episode, Sundown. 

This is Misha Green's Lovecraft Country now. 

Lovecraft Country meets at the intersection of life in the 1950s Jim Crow America and cosmic horror. Expect the veil between the horrors of the everyday and the supernatural to thin. It's anthology-style is a perfect framework to continuously set it off. Every moment will raise questions about which horror is ultimately more damaging to the psyche.

Prepare because Lovecraft's lens is unapologetically conscious, undeniably Black, and absolutely to here to challenge as it entertains like nothing else coming to the lineup. 

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