Black Men Can't Jump [In Hollywood]

This week we dive in to the 1992 Eddie Murphy, Robin Givens rom com Boomerang! A young Halle Berry plays 'the best friend' and this movie was some how considered a failure despite a huge box office and a smooth take the genre. But was this flick good for the cause? FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.com/blackmenpodcast...

Guest Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show) joins for a bit as we talk about the blockbuster that started it all for Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, the 1995 film Bad Boys directed by Michael Bay. We analyze why the film was able to become a franchise, how the lack of explicitly "black" references allowed the stars to have cross over appeal and if this film truly helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN...

We review The Fate of the Furious, the multi-billion dollar franchise that arguably boasts the most diverse cast out of any major blockbusters...ever. So why do these films, headed by Vin Disel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese, Chris Bridges....among others, have such global appeal? And despite their commercial success...does the film's subject matter and style actually help the cau...

Trigger Warning: There is a brief moment in the podcast where we talk about prison rape due to a story line in the film. We review Dave Chappelle's first (and arguably) only leading film role in Half Baked, a 1998 stoner comedy written by Chappelle and Neal Brennan. We talk Chappelle's influence on comedy, female representation in stoner comedies, whether or not this film helped the cause....

Special guest Carl Foreman Jr. (IFC's Frank and Lamar) stops by to discuss the 1992 film Juice starring Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur in his acting debut. We discuss Harlem in the '90's, the popularity of "hood films", Tupac's acting, the career of director Ernest Dickerson and if this movie helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/...

Netflix's film Burning Sands has sparked a heated controversy on black twitter and the boys had to delve in. We discuss hazing, the benefits of fraternities, toxic masculinity, black female representation and if this film starring Trevor Jackson helps the cause! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.com/blackmenpodcast BUY BLA...

This week we review 2004 comedy Soul Plane with Kevin Hart, Method Man, Snoop Dogg, and Sofia Vergara. Crude racial stereotyping, islamophobia, baffling misogyny, and plot holes you could fly a plane through... but did it help the cause though? FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.com/blackmenpodcast BUY BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP...

A special Live episode from Austin's SXSW Festival: the boys test the audience's knowledge of black lead films as fans compete for prizes to see who's really down for the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.com/blackmenpodcast BUY BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD] MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/...

Nick Cannon burst onto the scene in the early 2000's with the surprise hit film Drumline, also starring Zoe Saldana and Orlando Jones. So why did Nick Cannon not become "the next Will Smith"? We discuss this, "black" marching bands, the art of "hollering" and more! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram....

A Disney produced film with an all black cast, two female leads and a woman of color director? We review 2016's Queen of Katwe starring Lupita Nyong'o, David Oyelowo and new comer Madina Nalwanga. We talk about the importance of true black stories told by directors of color, why this film did not receive much commercial success, and if it truly helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T...

The boys review Get Out (2017) - Jordan Peele's thriller starting Daniel Kaluuya and Alison Williams. We discuss how micro aggressions turn into horror elements, the insane quality of these performances, and why there should have been a gratuitous swirl. Find out if this nearly perfect (99% on rotten tomatoes) flick helps the cause! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitt...

Phoebe Robinson (2 Dope Queens, Sooo Many White Guys) joins the fellas to talk about this year's Oscar nominees! Will Moonlight rise? Will Denzel shock the world? And what do we do about Mel Gibson and Casey Affleck movies? FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.com/blackmenpodcast BUY BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD] ME...

Guest Tanisha Long (MTV's Girl Code) joins as we review the 1996 film Set It Off starring powerhouses Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, Queen Latifah and newcomer (at the time) Kimberly Elise. The film, directed by F. Gary Gray, has us questioning why these black women didn't have bigger movie roles, how important layered female characters are, the thirstiness of Blair Underwood, and if t...

Ease on down this podcast episode as special guest Nik Walker (Hamilton) joins to talk about the Motown movie musical The Wiz, starring Dianna Ross and Michael Jackson. We ask why Michael never starred in a film again, why this movie was a financial failure and if it helped the cause! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast https://www.instagram.com/blac...

Special guest Gaby Wilson (MTV) joins us to discuss The Joy Luck Club, written and based off the popular book by Amy Tan and directed by Wayne Wang. The movie stars eight, count 'em EIGHT, Asian women! We discuss Asian representation in Hollywood, strong female characters, and whether or not this film helped the cause. FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackme...

Jaime Foxx is back in the leading role with the new film Sleepless, a 2017 remake of a French film "Sleepless Night", that co-stars T.I. and Michelle Monaghan. We explore why Foxx chose this film, the depiction of a strong female character, the merits of T.I's acting, and if this film helped the cause! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast...

Inauguration Day is here and we are celebrating (or rather mourning) by reviewing the 2003 film Head of State, written by, directed by, and starring Chris Rock. We reflect on the premise of the film, "what would happen if a Black man ran for president", the eerie similarities between Rock's character and Donald Trump, Chris Rock's career, and if this film helped the cause! FOLLOW B...

Happy MLK Day weekend! In honor of Dr. King, we review the 2014 film Selma directed by Ava Duvernay and starring David Oyelowo. There's much to discuss including the controversial screenwriting credit, the detailed and layered portrayal of Dr. King and the SCLC, the lack of Oscar nominations, and much more! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast htt...

Happy New Year! We have special guest Tessa Hersh (Refinery 29's Riot, UCB) and are reviewing the new film Hidden Figures, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae about three African-American women who played integral parts in the NASA space program. We discuss the film's performances, the Award-buzz, if the tone of the film is problematic, the white director and whit...

Special guest Caroline Martin (Broad City, Astronomy Club) joins us as we discuss our first animated feature about the one and only African-American Disney "princess", starring Anika Noni Rose. We discuss why Disney waited so long, the high expectations of the first black Disney princess, whether the setting of the film was appropriate, and if this film helped the cause! FOLLOW BLACK MEN C...

Fences, the new film directed by Denzel Washington, starring Viola Davis and himself and based off the August Wilson play of the same title, is premiering nation-wide this Christmas and the guys have a lot to say about it! We discuss the legacy of August Wilson, the difficulty of translating plays into film, whether or not Viola Davis is "supporting", and more! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T J...

Hallelujer! The boys quickly revisit Tyler Perry in the form of 2013's A Madea Christmas which also stars Tika Sumpter and Larry The Cable Guy. There is joy, anger, and bewilderment in the discussion of Christianity, lying, being the token black person in an all-white neighborhood, interracial marriage, and the hot mess that is Madea! Christmas has come early. Happy Holidays! FOLLOW BLACK MEN...

Special guest Michelle Buteau (Best Week Ever, @Midnight) is with us to talk Last Holiday starring Queen Latifah and LL Cool J. This 2006 holiday film opens conversation involving Hollywood's portrayal of big black women, the legitimacy of LL Cool J's acting career, whether black people can ski, and if our first ever Queen Latifah film helps the cause! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN H...

Special guest Ray Cordova (Astronomy Club) helps us dive into this year's indie darling, Moonlight, starring Mahershala Ali and Trevante Rhodes. We discuss homosexuality in the black community, parents with drug addictions, black masculinity, and a bunch of other deep stuff that directly deals with the cause. Spoilers abound! Go see the movie! FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: ht...

Happy Thanksgiving! The boys discuss the 1997 holiday classic Soul Food, starring Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, and Nia Long. We discuss the nature of black families, the damaging label of "ex-convict", the hit soundtrack, and if this film helped the cause. Gobble it up! (We apologize for that joke.) FOLLOW BLACK MEN CAN'T JUMP [IN HOLLYWOOD]: https://twitter.com/blackmenpodcast htt...