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.

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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

In this episode of The Cinematic Soul, I wanted to explore the 1995 classic Waiting to Exhale. Directed by Forest Whitaker and adapted from Terry McMillan’s novel, the film tells the stories of Savannah, Bernadine, Robin, and Gloria—four African-American women navigating the complexities of love, friendship, and personal growth. With stellar performances by Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon, Waiting to Exhale offers an authentic portrayal of sisterhood and resilience. Also, stay tuned for a special guest near the end of this episode!

Connect with me for more insights and updates:

• ​ Email: [email protected]
• ​ Instagram: @cinematicsoulpod

Cleo went out like a legend. Set It Off (1996) was a story of sisterhood, survival, and defiance. From its gritty cinematography to that gut-wrenching final scene, tune in to listen to the breakdown of why this film still hits in 2025. Buckle up, we’re setting it off.

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Poetic Justice isn’t just a movie, it’s a moment! It’s poetry, love, grief, and fate all wrapped up in a road trip, with Janet and Pac at the center of it. Let’s break down why this film still hits all these years later.

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The heat is rising, and we’re stepping into one of the most powerful films ever made—Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. This isn’t just a movie; it’s a mirror. From the scorching streets of Brooklyn to the boiling tensions between cultures, this film forces you to confront hard truths.

In this episode, I break down how Spike uses the camera to make you feel the pressure, the characters that represent more than just themselves, and that gut-wrenching ending that still hits too close to home. Was Mookie right? Was Sal wrong? And why does this film still hold up after all these years?

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Kasi Lemmons’ Eve’s Bayou is an experience. A Southern Gothic masterpiece wrapped in memory, mysticism, and trauma. On this episode of The Cinematic Soul, we’re diving into the depths of this haunting 1997 classic.

🔹 How the film’s cinematography plays with memory and truth

🔹 Jurnee Smollett and Samuel L. Jackson’s unforgettable performances

🔹 The mystical elements of Mozelle’s visions, fate, and the ‘gift of sight’

🔹 The connection between Eve’s Bayou and Lovecraft Country

Plus, a look ahead at our next episode 🤫 .

Hit play, and let’s get into it. Follow The Cinematic Soul on Facebook and Instagram (@cinematicsoulpod) to keep the convo going ya dig??

Gina Prince-Bythewood understood the assignment. In this episode of The Cinematic Soul, I’m breaking down how she carved out a lane for Black love stories with Beyond the Lights. We’ll also talk about Cynthia Erivo’s rise to fame (shoutout to Fly Before You Fall for putting me on) and why this film never got the flowers it deserved. If you’re still feeling that Valentine’s Day love hangover, this one’s for you.

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