Black Men Can't Jump [In Hollywood]

This week, we have Janelle James (The Comedy Lineup) in the studio to talk about Creed 2, starring Michael B. Jordan. We discuss the true-to-life dialogue of the film, the focus on Tessa Thompson's character trajectory, Michael B. Jordan's emotional range (or lack thereof), and toxic masculinity. We also warn all of the middle aged men who are going to take up boxing this week to pace them...

This week, we are joined by comedians Akilah Hughes and Ayo Edebiri to discuss the newly released heist movie, Widows, directed by Steve McQueen and starring Viola Davis. We talk about the heist movie genre, the audience vs critical response to this film, and potential Oscar nominations. We also get into Viola Davis's history of being shafted out of awards, Daniel Kaluuya's acting chops, h...

This week, we are joined by Yedoye Travis (Dark Tank) to discuss the 2006 film, The Pursuit of Happyness, based on the true story of Chris Gardner and starring Will Smith. We get into the harsh reality of being poor in America and how race factors into this film's version of the American dream. We also talk crying during movies, the role of the female lead, and when the public realized rubiks...

We review the 1992 film Candyman starring Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen. We discuss the lore around Candyman, our own childhood fears, the inherent issues with the films casting choices, and how this movie was pitched as a love story. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.com/blackmenpodcast BUY BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYW...

This week, we review the 2003 comedy-horror movie The Haunted Mansion, starring Eddie Murphy. We discuss Eddie Murphy's decision to be in this movie, horror films made for kids, and whether or not casting a black family helped the cause. We also talk about our conflicted relationships with Disney World, the rules surrounding ghost interactions, and debate the relevance of scoring the final cre...

This week, we review the new film The Hate U Give, based on the novel by Angie Thomas. We discuss Amanda Stenberg's phenomenal acting, the positive impact of depicting systemic violence against black people truthfully and with tact, the importance of complex characters, and much more. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.com/...

We review A Haunted House, the 2013 spoof of paranormal activity starring Marlon Wayans and Cedric the Entertainer. We talk about the movie's deeply problematic comedy, making "spoofs", the legacy of similar movies like Scary Movie, and whether or not this film helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.co...

Special guest Tosin Morohunfola (The Chi, Love Is) joins us to review 2018's The First Purge, the fourth installment of the horror franchise that James III swore he would never see. We discuss the controversial political framing, the rising star of Y'lan Noel, whether or not the film was "deep", the constant use of violence against black bodies in recent films, and if this film hel...

We review the second and only film in the Predator franchise to star a black actor, 1990's Predator 2. We talk about the unlikely action star Danny Glover, the somewhat blatantly racist caricatures of gangs, our own conspiracy theories, and whether or not this film helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.com/bl...

We conclude our Wesley Snipes mini-series with his biggest box office earner, Blade II, the 2002 superhero sequel. Did this film had something to do with Wesley's decline in leading films? What happened to N'Bushe Wright's character (erasing of black women anyone)? And did this film actually help the cause? FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpod...

Our Wesley Snipes mini-series continues with the 1992 action film Passenger 57. Was this the film that put Snipes' action star power on the map? Did the writing and directing of this movie hurt the chances for sequels? Is smooth jazz the only way to do a training montage? We answer all these questions and more on the latest episode! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitt...

Special guest Gary Richardson (SNL) joins as we begin our Wesley Snipes mini-series by reviewing the "hood classic" New Jack City, directed by Mario Van Peebles. We discuss the incredible versatility of Wesley Snipes, the problematic policing of Ice-T's character, the disrespect Hollywood has shown movies about black gangsters, and whether or not this film helped the cause. FOLLOW BLAC...

We are celebrating the new film Crazy Rich Asians, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Constance Wu and Michelle Yeoh, with an Asian takeover of our own. Guests Katharine Lerner (Younger), Ellie Lee (iHeartRadio), and Bowen Yang (Las Culturistas) join Jonathan to discuss the first Hollywood studio, Asian led cast in 25 years. This is a special episode you don't want to miss! FOLLOW BLACK MEN C...

Spike Lee is BACK! We review the new film BlackkKlansmen starring John David Washington and Adam Driver. We discuss everything including the real story of Ron Stallworth, the purposely uncomfortable ending, the debut of J.D. Washington in a starring film role, the state of racial politics in America, and so much more. Strap in cause just like the film, the episode is a DOOZY. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN&...

We review the new indie film Blindspotting written by and starring Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal. We unpack everything this film has to offer including police brutality, gentrification, social injustice, gun control, and race relations in America. Did this film help "the cause"? Listen to find out! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://...

We review the new film The Equalizer 2, starring Denzel Washington in his first ever movie sequel. We discuss Denzel's latest "action hero" career chapter, how he constantly saves little white girls, the brilliance of Ashton Sanders, and if this film helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.com/blackmenp...

Our Whoopi Goldberg mini-series concludes with her most successful and iconic film, Sister Act, that inspired a sequel and a Broadway musical. We discuss the factors that made this movie a hit, the lack of diversity in the cast, Radio Raheem, comparisons to Sister Act 2, and if this film helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://w...

We review the new indie darling Sorry To Bother You by Boots Riley, that stars Lakeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson and has been making waves in critic circles. We discuss the importance of such a innovative and strange movie helmed by a black filmmaker, the unique charisma of Lakeith Stanfield, the layers of themes and issues this movie tackles and whether or not this film helps the cause. FOLLOW...

This week we review the new comedy Uncle Drew starring Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish and slew of basketball veterans, including Kyrie Irving in the titular role. We discuss the challenges of turning a commercial campaign into a movie, the standout performances of Shaq, Chris Webber and Nick Kroll, and contemplate if this film helped the cause! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: http...

Did you know they remade the blacksplotation film Superfly and that it came out this weekend? Well, they did! We review this updated classic and discuss the casting choice of Trevor Jackson as the lead, Jason Mitchel's brilliant performance, the stigma of drug dealer movies when it comes to black people but not white people, and try to decide if this film helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN...

The final episode of our Cuba Gooding Jr. mini-series provides an in depth look at the 2003 Disney film Radio. We discuss why this movie potentially ended Cuba's run as a leading actor in major Hollywood films, how movies with black leads are still told through a white perspective, whether or not Cuba's portrayal of Radio is problematic, and if this movie helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN...

The third episode of our Cuba Gooding Jr. mini-series brings us to the 2000 bio-pic film Men of Honor co-starring Robert Deniro. We discuss whether this is Cuba's greatest performance, the Hollywood's troublesome trend with white savior moments, how this film handled the struggles of racism, and if a movie that was mostly forgotten by the mainstream truly helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN...

Special guest Phil Augusta Jackson (Key & Peele, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) joins us as we continue our Cuba Gooding Jr. mini-series with the 1996 film Jerry Maguire. Though this film earned Cuba the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, did it ultimately help or hurt his career? How stereotypical was this role? Can a film with a white lead still help the cause? Listen to find out! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN&#3...

Are you ready? We kick off the start of our new "Cuba Gooding Jr. mini-series" with the legendary 1991 film Boyz N the Hood directed by John Singleton. There is so much to unpack including the incredible backstory of how the movie came to be, the amazing cast that includes Lawrence Fishburne, Ice Cube, Angela Basset, and Nia Long, how the themes of this film are still relevant today, and w...

Special guest Rasheda Crockett (Adam Ruins Everything) joins James III and Jonathan Braylock to discuss the new Gabrielle Union film Breaking In. We discuss Gabrielle's long career, the utter absence of generic action movies starring women of color, whether or not Gaby's character should've beat her children, and if this film helped the cause! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYW...