DISCUSSIONS FROM THE OTHERHOOD

In Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House we focus on the horrors of being hoodwinked into purchasing a money pit. In Imitation of Life we follow the tragic tale of a young Black woman who passes as white woman and the shame she feels associating with her mother. What we don't generally focus on is the fact that these stories ultimately deal with how the Anglo characters profit as a result of the la...

The 2022 Emmy Awards have come and gone but the effects will be far reaching. So many new faces, but still so many old tropes. Are we seeing a shift in what we are enjoying as consumers of visual media or is this just an oasis in the entertainment desert?

In an age where we live for sound bytes, when the 24 hour news cycle provides little opportunity to reflect on the facts and opinions hurled our way, and where influencers, and scripted reality shows dictate trends and values, is this how/who we really are? Or is this the effect of our long-term attachment to the super profit machine that compels us to consume ever larger bytes leaving little time...

How do these messed-up racist stereotypes find their way into the zeitgeist? We didn't all watch the same shows or read the same periodicals, right? But look no further than the nearest commercial or political ad, sometimes out of the corner of the eye. you catch a glimpse, Even when we don't openly acknowledge them, do these repetitive negative characterizations leave a mark? How do we combat the...

One week in front of WorldCon 2022 (Chicon 8) and DragonCon 2022 we will be flooded with major and minor works of Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy that promise to thrill and amaze, but with improved investigatory techniques and more people willing to speak out, we are also inclined to be presented with information about our favorite authors, directors, artists and other creators that rub us the...

Everything old is new again... or is it? New projects, new characters but is the Marvel Cinematic Universe really being inclusive or is it a case of Disco Lucy and Freeway of Love? Is the MCU trying to cram whatever properties they have into whatever the new trend is, for a quick buck? Let's discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of the Disco Lucy effect. https://youtu.be/lYN4ZT02HmE https://youtu...

Everything old is new again... or is it? New projects, new characters but is the Marvel Cinematic Universe really being inclusive or is it a case of Disco Lucy and Freeway of Love? Is the MCU trying to cram whatever properties they have into whatever the new trend is, for a quick buck? Let's discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of the Disco Lucy effect. https://youtu.be/lYN4ZT02HmE https://youtu...

In a world where real history is being erased from school books and curricula and where many items of history have never been made available to us, do Spec Fic writers have a responsibility to fill in the gaps? The Watchmen and Lovecraft Country filled in gaps of certain historical issues in American history. Join us as we discuss whether spec fic writers should be educating as much as entertainin...

Con season is in full swing. Experienced con attendees and panelists, Cranston Burney, James Goodridge and Sonia James walk you through how to get the most out of your con experience!

Appearing Remotely for the Urban Nerd Con 2022, the OTHERhood crew discusses how the Urban Nerd lens affects our view of Horror SCI Fi and Fantasy Join us on Zoom Topic: The Urban Nerd Con 2022 Horror/Academic Panel Virtual Access Panel Room Time: Jul 30, 2022 10:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada) Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Daily: https...

We've seen them all before...TV shows, comic books, films that promise the moon and fail to even achieve escape velocity. What high-flying hard sell shows, films and comics were you all in for before discovering you'd been taken by a great ad campaign? Join us tonight in the OTHERhood when we submit the best or shall we say worst of the Overhyped and Underwhelming.

We've seen them all before...TV shows, comic books, films that promise the moon and fail to even achieve escape velocity. What high-flying hard sell shows, films and comics were you all in for before discovering you'd been taken by a great ad campaign? Join us tonight in the OTHERhood when we submit the best or shall we say worst of the Overhyped and Underwhelming.

The Emmy Award nominations have been announced! Are you surprised, shocked chagrined? Peruse the listing and join us to discuss the Emmys and how well reflected those of us from the OTHERhood are in the nominations https://variety.com/2022/tv/awards/emmys-nominations-list-2022-1235313788/

Last week Cranston suggested that we peruse the Rotten Tomatoes 30 Best Films of All Time List. Well I thought it was a good idea until I actually saw the list. There were films that I had never seen or ever wished to see. There were films that I had seen and cursed because I can never get those two hours of my life, back. A couple of films absolutely deserved the accolades. I left that listing th...

The current "What if Miles Morales was Thor" issue raises the question of "Why is it so hard to write an authentic Black voice?" We've often heard people say that you don't have to be a chicken to judge an omelet. But consider that to a chicken an omelet is a horror, something it would never consider judging or eating. Why do we continue having to consume media that makes no attempt to even learn...

As genre film lovers, when a good one comes out we simply cannot wait to see the next installment! But what happens when a great film is followed up by a horrible sequel? Do you wait for the third installment to right the ship or do you just abandon the entire franchise? What are some of your most maligned sequels? How do you deal with the Terrible Twos? https://www.cheatsheet.com/.../worst-sci-fi...

As children of the Sexual Revolution most of us were weaned on Ms. Magazine, La Cage Au Folle, (I Am What I AM), Gertrude Stein, and the understanding of Lord Douglas' poem ending with the words, "I am the love that dare not speak its name." And though the poem was written in 1892 Hollywood still seems to struggle with sex and sexuality. Is Hollywood more concerned with eroticizing and exoticizing...

Our cohost James Goodridge recommended a 1977 film, City of Blood (available on Amazon Prime for rent or sale). While watching it we were struck with the recurring theme of our human fascination for manipulated realities. From City of Blood to Westworld, the Matrix and a host of others, join us to discuss the fascination with the manipulation of and living in false realities.

Our cohost James Goodridge recommended a 1977 film, City of Blood (available on Amazon Prime for rent or sale). While watching it we were struck with the recurring theme of our human fascination for manipulated realities. From City of Blood to Westworld, the Matrix and a host of others, join us to discuss the fascination with the manipulation of and living in false realities.

We know Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, but there are a host of other supers out there from Misfits, to Thunderforce, to Upgrade, to Greatest American Hero. Whether mystical or sci-fi we'll share our lesser known favorite powers, so join us in the OTHERhood to come share yours!

We know Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, but there are a host of other supers out there from Misfits, to Thunderforce, to Upgrade, to Greatest American Hero. Whether mystical or sci-fi we'll share our lesser known favorite powers, so join us in the OTHERhood to come share yours!

Alfred Hitchcock, Frank's Place, The Outer Limits, Prince Planet, some of our favorite and iconic shows seemingly can't be found anywhere. Whether pulled from Netflix, Amazon Prime, no longer on Hulu they have all but disappeared. Well the gang from the OTHERhood has opened its detective agency with it in mind to track down your favorite lost entertainment fare!

Alfred Hitchcock, Frank's Place, The Outer Limits, Prince Planet, some of our favorite and iconic shows seemingly can't be found anywhere. Whether pulled from Netflix, Amazon Prime, no longer on Hulu they have all but disappeared. Well the gang from the OTHERhood has opened its detective agency with it in mind to track down your favorite lost entertainment fare!

There is a pervasive belief by some so-called “real fans” that “wokeness” is destroying beloved stories of other worlds. “Race-switching” has become “race-baiting;” “diversity” is diluting the purity of our fare. “Representation matters” BUT only if our heroes are represented by “traditional characters.” How do we approach these clashes of culture and consciousness? Join us in the OTHERhood as we...

Superheroes are lauded as keepers of peace, righters of wrongs and supporting truth, justice and the American way. But what does that really mean? Do our superheroes support the rights of individuals or do they support the Establishment... the systems that we live under? Join us in the OTHERhood as we ask our superheroes, "Whose side are you on?" https://www.salon.com/2013/11/30/superheroes_are_a_...