What happens when love turns into a chess match? Vivica, Morris, Gabrielle, and the messy brilliance of Two Can Play That Game.

We got Shanté’s 10-day plan, the soundtrack that still hits, we’ll talk about the culture, the comedy, and if it really holds up in 2025!

Timestamps:

00:18 – Introduction

08:28 – Character Analysis and Dynamics

16:14 – The 10-Day Plan

21:01 – Soundtrack and Musical Impact

27:59 – Final Thoughts and Ratings

You can support the show on IG & Threads → @cinematicsoulpod

@ebeknowing

*Sorry for the delay! There was an issue uploading and I had to talk to Riverside support for two days 🥱*

Angela Bassett. Taye Diggs. JAMAICA! This week on The Cinematic Soul, let’s get into the 1998 romantic dramedy How Stella Got Her Groove Back, the film that sparked tropical getaways, auntie fantasies, and more than a few side-eyes at Winston’s accent (respectfully 😂). Would you date someone 20 years younger? Let’s talk about it!

[00:39] Intro: Welcome back

[06:40] How Terry McMillan’s novel became a movie

[10:48] Black excellence across the cast (Whoopi, Regina, ANGELA!)

[17:43] Jamaica’s glow as a character of its own

[25:29] Let’s talk about that age gap

[30:41] Happily ever after… or was it?

[31:20] The real-life story behind Terry & Jonathan Plummer

[36:38] Final thoughts, honest ratings & a question 🤔

Let’s go on a soulful deep dive into Brown Sugar (2002), one of the most beloved Black romantic comedies of the early 2000s. This episode of The Cinematic Soul explores how the film blends hip-hop culture, Black love, and friendship into a timeless story.

On this episode I get into the chemistry of Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs to Rick Famuyiwa’s direction and the iconic neo-soul/hip hop soundtrack featuring Erykah Badu, Common, and Mos Def, and unpack why Brown Sugar still resonates with fans of Black rom-coms, hip-hop films, and nostalgic cinema!

If you love movies like Love Jones, The Best Man, Love & Basketball, or anything from the golden age of Black cinema, this one’s for you.

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📸 Instagram: @cinematicsoulpod

What does it mean to grow up Black, goofy, and just trying to see who can get the most numbers? This week, I revisit one of my all-time favorite films, The Wood, and the layers Rick Famuyiwa gave us in his 1999 ode to brotherhood and coming-of-age 🙌🏾. Let’s go to The Wood!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:20 – Introduction to The Cinematic Soul and The Wood

03:16 – Cultural Reception & Impact

07:47 – The Journey of Rick Famuyiwa

13:38 – USC Film School Legacy & Black Cali Directors

18:43 – The Bet: Dares and Dumb Decisions

30:19 – Real-Life Reflections: “Don’t Say My Name, Homie!”

39:11 – Cinematography, Soundtrack & the Warm Glow of Nostalgia

46:12 – The Legacy of The Wood and Giving Flowers

51:17 – Final Thoughts & Outro

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Personal Threads: @ebeknowing

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IG: @cinematicsoulpod

This week on The Cinematic Soul, I’m revisiting Claudine with all of my thoughts and reflections. From Diahann Carroll’s layered performance to James Earl Jones redefining what love looks like under pressure, this one’s personal. I talked about what this film taught me about my own mother, the broken systems our families navigate, and the Curtis Mayfield soundtrack that still speaks volumes. If Claudine meant something to you, or if you’re just discovering it, take a listen!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Claudine

04:31 Diahann Carroll’s Groundbreaking Performance

11:06 The Complexity of Claudine’s Character

15:29 James Earl Jones as Roop: A New Perspective

16:45 Love Under Systemic Oppression

21:37 The Broken Welfare System: Then and Now

32:54 Resilience Amidst Struggles

34:50 The Soulful Soundtrack of Claudine

39:16 Cinematography and Authenticity in Storytelling

42:32 Describing, The Makings of the Music

48:12 Beauty in Simplicity

51:08 Final Thoughts on Claudine

Social Media

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Personal 🧵: @EBeknowing

IG: @Cinematicsoulpod

Mara Brock Akil dropped a gem with Forever! This coming-of-age love story that hits deep. From family scars to first love and flashing lights, it’s layered and loud in all the right ways. I couldn’t wait to talk about this in my own way! This one’s a smash. Let’s get into it.

Follow the podcast on social media for updates and conversations:

IG: @cinematicsoulpod

Threads: @cinematicsoulpod and follow my personal page as well @ebeknowing!

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to Season Two

02:22 Exploring 'Forever' by Mara Brock-Akil

04:26 Mara Brock-Akil's Impact on Black Television

11:40 Character Dynamics: Keisha and Justin

15:27 The Weight of Expectations: Keisha's Journey

22:38 Navigating First Love and Trust Issues

26:50 Family Dynamics and Parental Influence

35:23 The Silent Terror of Being Black While Driving (w/Personal Reflection)

44:06 Mothers Supporting Mental Well-Being in Youth

49:28 The Importance of Positive Father Figures

53:19 The Impact of Absent Fathers

56:24 Representation of Black Wealth

01:01:05 Visual Artistry and Cinematography

01:09:23 The Role of Music in Storytelling

01:16:19 Final Episode Reflections and Character Growth

If Part One cracked the door open, Part Two will really leave you thinking!

Let’s talk about the blues, legacy, and history Cinematic Soul style!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Thank You / Response From Part 1

04:08 – Ancestors on The Dancefloor

12:17 – “I Lied To You” and Its Roots

17:29 – Delta Connections / Black & Chinese Solidarity

20:48 – The Southern Chicago Legacy and Accents

29:42 – Music as a Memory and Time Machine

35:25 – Legendary Blues Stories / Robert Johnson at the Crossroads

39:01 – Rewriting the Narrative on How We View and Respect Dark-Skinned, Curvy Black Women

43:57 – Trauma Passed Down Through Generations

49:51 – History and Legacy Lessons

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In this bonus episode of The Cinematic Soul, let’s step back into the layered world of Sinners but this time, dig deeper than folklore and sexual scenes. I pull up a chair at the crossroads with Robert Johnson and reflect on what his myth still means today. I dig into the untold history of Black and Chinese solidarity in the Mississippi Delta. I unpack how Chicago accents carry the rhythm of Southern migration. And, challenge the way media continues to sideline dark-skinned, curvy Black women like Annie—when they’ve always been the heart of the story.

Instagram: @cinematicsoulpod | Threads: @ebeknowing

I had to hop on the mic for this one! Sinners isn’t just a movie. It’s a sermon, a spirit bath, and a cultural reckoning all wrapped in blues and blood. In this special bonus episode of The Cinematic Soul, I’m breaking down Ryan Coogler’s newest film and why it shook me to my core. From the Hoodoo-rooted power of Wunmi Mosaku’s Annie to the haunting beauty of the cinematography, the generational trauma, the music, and that juke joint scene? Yeah… we’re going there.

We’re talking horror with a message, vampires as metaphors, Black and Chinese Southern history, Irish folklore, and how kinfolk will always be the heartbeat of survival. If you’ve seen it, you already know. If you haven’t, this episode just might move it to the top of your list.

Follow me on IG: @ebeknowing and @cinematicsoulpod

First off, from the bottom of my heart, thank you all for listening this season! Carving out a space for niche content like this that is FUBU is vital, and your engagement verifies the necessity of diverse voices in the cinematic conversations. In this season finale, we dive into B.A.P.S., a feel-good flick that delivers the hearty laughs we all need sometimes. Joining me is the vibrant Shani Showbiz, whose insights add an extra layer of depth to our discussion. Get ready for the sermon! Be sure to follow Shani on Instagram @damngirlyouknoweverybody and on TikTok @tinyybiggs. Don’t forget to follow The Cinematic Soul podcast on Instagram @cinematicsoulpod to stay updated on future episodes and content for season 2! 🙏🏾

In this episode of The Cinematic Soul, let’s delve into the remarkable narratives of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, the African American mathematicians whose brilliance propelled NASA’s missions during the Space Race. Join me as we celebrate these trailblazing women who transformed the face of science and space exploration. 

For more insights and black cinema lore, follow on Instagram: @cinematicsoulpod