Black Men Can't Jump [In Hollywood]

This week, James and Jon are joined by writer Lo Howard ( Grown-ish ) to tackle Passing , an adaptation of Nella Larsen's 1929 novel of the same name. Written and directed by Rebecca Hall and starring Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland, and Bill Camp, the film premiered on Netflix in 2021. Together, they talk Hall's adaptation choices, the surprising backstory to her taking on the b...

This week, Jerah and Jon dive deep on the 1993 rap world mockumentary CB4 , written by Chris Rock, Nelson George, and Robert LoCash, directed by Tamra Davis, starring Chris Rock, Allen Payne, Deezer D, Charlie Murphy, Khandi Alexander, and Phil Hartman. Together, they cover why CB4 doesn't have the lasting cultural reputation of Spinal Tap , its many great bits, the GRAMMYs, Charlie Murphy, an...

This week, James, Jerah, and Jon dive deep on the 2023 sci-fi comedy They Cloned Tyrone , written by Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, directed by Taylor, and starring John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, Jamie Foxx, and Keifer Sutherland. Together, they cover how the film connected with audiences despite premiering on Netflix, talk through its dense, fun story logic, and dive into the filmmaker's tec...

James, Jerah, and Jon are once again joined by Sasheer Zamata ( The First Woman , Home Economics , SNL , @thesheertruth ) to discuss The Book of Clarence , written and directed by Jeymes Samuel, starring LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, RJ Cyler, and Anna Diop. Together, everyone explores whether or not the film might land for Christian audiences, what's going on with its promotion, the notion of J...

This week, James, Jerah, and Jon are diving into 2023 in TV and film—what they loved, what they hated, and everything in between. Together, they go long on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , Past Lives , The Flash , The Emmys, and a whole lot more. SUBSCRIBE TO EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND OUR BACK CATALOG OF 400+ EPISODES:  https://app.redcircle.com/shows/7655b7ec-dc57-47c9-ab96-1a8fa02f6573/exclusiv...

James, Jerah, and Jon are joined by NaTonia Monét ( Tina: The Tina Turner Musical , PonyBoi ) to discuss the 2023 musical adaptation of Alice Walker's The Color Purple , directed by Blitz Bazawule from a script by Marcus Gardley. Bazawule's version stars Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., and Halle Bailey. Together, James, Jerah, Jon, and Natonia expl...

This week, James, Jerah, and Jon are diving into the new film from writer/director Cord Jefferson, American Fiction . Adapted from Percival Everett's 2001 novel Erasure , the film tracks the novelist Thelonius 'Monk' Ellison (Jeffrey Wright)'s turn from a struggling writer and academic into an overnight sensation when his latest book, a send up of stereotypical "Black pain"...

We're back! James, Jerah, and Jonathan celebrate their first new episode in months by taking a trip to Candy Cane Lane , the new Amazon Prime Christmas feature directed by Reginald Hudland starring Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, and more. Together, everyone explores the film's complicated, packed plot, what was likely improvised and what wasn't, a new Golden Globes cate...

With the show still on hiatus in solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strike, we're replaying one of our favorites: 2017's Girls Trip ! Original Description: Special guest Monique Moses (IFC Sports Court, Astronomy Club) joins the boys to review the new film Girls Trip starring Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish. In a year where Rough Night and Snatched "disap...

It's a special, off-format episode in solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strike! This week, Jon, Jerah, and James interview Ahmed Best and Dylan Marron about their new podcast, The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks . Together, everyone gets into the vitriolic backlash to Jar Jar in The Phantom Menace , what the response to Jar Jar led to for Black actors in performance capture film making, and what broug...

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: In solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA Strike, the show is hitting pause on new release coverage. Follow for updates and listen to the Hollywood Shuffle episode in the meantime, out from behind the paywall! Original description: Our 100th episode is here and we are looking back 30 years with a review of the 1987 Robert Townsend film, Hollywood Shuffle . How far has Hollywood come i...

James and Jonathan are joined by Andrew Dismukes ( SNL ) to discuss the 2023 White Men Can't Jump remake, directed by Calmatic from a script by Kenya Barris, Doug Hall, and Ron Shelton. The film reworks Shelton's 1992 Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, and Rosie Perez vehicle of the same name. Calmatic's version stars Sinqua Walls, Jack Harlow, and Lance Reddick. James, Jon, and Andrew ex...

James and Jonathan are joined again by Taryn Englehart to review the Disney Pixar film Elemental. The movie is set in a world where the four classical elements of fire, water, air, and earth are alive and coexisting. The story follows Ember, a fiery young woman, and Wade, a go-with-the-flow guy, as they discover that they have more in common than they thought. The film explores themes of friendshi...

James and Jonathan are joined again by Tessa to discuss The Blackening. The Blackening is a 2023 American horror comedy film directed by Tim Story and written by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins. The film follows a group of seven Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. Forced to play by his rules, the frien...

SUBSCRIBE TO EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND OUR BACK CATALOG OF 400+ EPISODES:  https://app.redcircle.com/shows/7655b7ec-dc57-47c9-ab96-1a8fa02f6573/exclusive-content   JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/BMCJ James, Jerah and Jonathan are joined by special guest Will Martinez to review the prequel “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”. We land in 90s New York City to find Noah Diaz struggling to make e...

James, Jerah, and Jonathan are joined by special guest Justin Jordan to review the 2023 computer animated superhero sequel, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” It follows Brooklyn’s friendly neighborhood spider, Miles Morales who reunites with fellow hero Gwen Stacy as they weave through the Metaverse and encounter even more Spider-People and disagree over how to control a new threat. Directed...

To listen to the full episode: SUBSCRIBE TO EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND OUR BACK CATALOG OF 300+ EPISODES:  https://app.redcircle.com/shows/7655b7ec-dc57-47c9-ab96-1a8fa02f6573/exclusive-content   JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/BMCJ James, Jerah and Jonathan are joined by special guest Jordyn Rolling to review the 2023 live action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”. It follows the classi...

James, Jerah, and Jonathan are joined by Demi Adejuyigbe to review the next saga in the Fast & Furious Franchise, Fast X. The film is about Dom and The Family confronting their most dangerous enemy yet. The movie stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, and Jason Momoa. Produced by Melisa D. Monts and Diamond MPrint Producti...

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James, Jerah and Jonathan review the 2023 comedy remake of “House Party”. Two financially struggling club promoters and best friends decide to host the party of the year at none other than LeBron James’ crazy mansion. Hijinks and many cameos ensue. The film is directed by Calmatic, written by REginald Hudlin, and stars LeBron James, Jacob Latimore, D.C. Young Fly, Kid Cudi, Tosin Cole, Karen Obilo...

Jerah and Jonathan are joined by special guest Mike Cabellon to review the action film “John Wick: Chapter 4”. In the latest installment of this franchise, John Wick disrupts his own peace by seeking out players of the High Table to regain the same peace he just disrupted. The film stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Rina Sawayama, Hiroyuki Sanada, Donnie Yen, Lance Reddick, Shamier Anderson,...

James, Jerah, and Jonathan review horror film “Scream VI” which follows the core four out of Woodsboro and into New York City. However, their past continues to haunt them and new killers emerge chasing them through the concrete jungle. The film stars Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Tony Revolori. Produced by Melisa D. Monts Edited by Diane Kang Executive produced...

James, Jerah, and Jonathan review “Creed III,” the latest installment of the iconic boxing series. In this chapter, Adonis Creed is faced with a former childhood friend upon their release from prison. This friend, Damian, blames Creed for his time in jail and also wants to step back into the ring to live up to his own potential - taking the title of heavyweight champion for himself. The film is wr...

James, Jerah, and Jonathan are joined by special guests, Vince and Len from The Michaeux Mission, to review the 1989 winner for Best Film at the Academy Awards “Driving Miss Daisy”. It’s the story of a wildly rude and racist rich white woman that forms a superficial bond with her Black driver, Hoke Culburn. The film stars Morgan Freeman. Produced by Melisa D. Monts Edited by Diane Kang Executive p...

James, Jerah, and Jonathan review HBO historical war film “The Tuskegee Airmen” which follows the real story of the heroic group of Black American pilots in World War II. The film is co-written by Paris Qualles and Trey Ellis, and starring Laurence Fishburne, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Andre Braugher, Allen Payne, Courtney B. Vance, Mekhi Phifer, Vivica A. Fox, and Cuba Gooding Jr. Produced by Melisa D...