Fly on the Wallin with Amber and Ben

Hot Island Gossip meets Alien love stories, what more could Amber and Ben ask for in a book? This week we read Cadwell Turnbull’s “The Lesson.” Take a splash into the waters of the Virgin Islands and join us for a discussion about perilous pranks, spiritual spins and knucking when you buck. ________________________ The Malinke Set just dropped!! Grab your joggers and tops here: Shop Roam Loud at r...

Black horror writers have been overlooked for years, and Tonia Ransom has something to say about it. Ransom created NIGHTLIGHT-- an audio drama podcast featuring horror written by Black authors and performed by Black actors. She’s committed to centering black horror authors and ensuring they’re paid for their work. Join us for a scary-good interview about diversity, literacy, and werewolves. _____...

It took 25 years, but Malcolm D. Lee, King James, and Bugs Bunny teamed up to bring you “Space Jam 2: A New Legacy.” Join us for a Looney conversation about thriving black nerds, parental expectations and Warner Bros. slam-dunking their CV in our faces. Resources: Atlantic Article- https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/07/space-jam-a-new-legacy-movie-review/619440/ Article on Jerry Laws...

Pick a card, any card...and feast your eyes on the 2016 film Sleight, directed by JD Dillard. This magical, scientific mash-up sparked a discussion on flipping tropes, monetizing your hobbies, and the danger of not ordering your partner a #1 on fast food menus. Seriously, just get the number one. ________________________ The Malinke Set just dropped!! Grab your joggers and tops here: Shop Roam Lou...

Who says you can’t mix Voodooism and Christianity? We watched Kasi Lemmons’s directorial debut “Eve’s Bayou,” starring a young Jurnee Smollett and an even younger Samuel L. Jackson. Take in this 1997 classic and join us for a discussion about the matrix of memory, Southern Hospitality, and the mystery of the Director’s Cut. ______________________ Book about Grief Referenced in Episode: Anxiety: Th...

Union busting, performance art, and soul-selling in the name of capitalism are just a few of the topics we get into as we discuss Boots Riley’s 2018 film “Sorry to Bother You.” This film is a “horse” of a different color-- starring Lakeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson who bring their “white voice” and artistic talents to the big screen, respectively. _______________________ If you want to sit comf...

We went to the movies to see “The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2,” directed by Deon Taylor, and... the popcorn was delicious. In this episode, we discuss mishandling women in film, playing ableism for laughs, and how Katt Williams attempted to carry this movie on his back. Get ready for another scary good roast. ________________________ If you want to sit comfy... Shop Roam Loud at roamloud.co...

Directed by Deon Taylor, starring Mike Epps, and dragged by Amber and Ben Wallin, Meet the Blacks is a comedy/horror that uncovers what happens when no expense is spared on celebrity cameos. Watch the movie, grab a drink and listen to us recap this purge parody, ultra low-budget funny. If you want to sit comfy... Shop Roam Loud at roamloud.com Promo Code: HOTMESS15 For more awesome music visit: Ch...

We've reached the last stop of "The Underground Railroad." We took a trip with, Pulitzer Prize Winner, Colson Whitehead through a powerful story that prompted discussions of divine anxiety, American labor practices, and the commodification of black bodies. Join us as we close out this incredible story. Source: https://screenrant.com/underground-railroad-show-book-comparison-differences-explained/...

Sometimes, " a useful delusion is better that a useless truth," and this alternate history got right to America's reality. This week we finished watching the second half of "The Underground Railroad" directed by Barry Jenkins. Join us for an emotional dialogue about respectability politics, PTSD and the creative spirit of Black Americans. Vulture Article: https://www.vulture.com/tv/the-underground...

Based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize winning book with the same title, The Underground Railroad directed by Barry Jenkins explores America’s unresolved, tormented past. Watch episodes 1 through 5, and join us for a weighted conversation about the business of slavery, the ethics of suicide, and the precision Jenkins uses to tell Black stories. CBD Sex Polish: https://www.vividwellness.com/

We conclude the epic first season of LeSean Thomas’ Yasuke! We discuss the ever charming and wonderful musician, Thundercat, and we, eventually, analyze the final three episodes of season 1. Tune in to talk excessively long fight scenes, Magical Negro stereotypes, and the powerful potential of Yasuke’s future.

Created by the brilliant LeSean Thomas and starring the soothing voice of Lakeith Stanfield, Yasuke is an alternate history of epic proportions. We discuss episodes 1 through 3 and the difference between alternate history and revisionist history. We go down the in and outs of missionaries and their respective...positions. And of course no conversation would be complete without a discussion of havi...

We got a short story, with a long dialogue. We discuss “The Space Traders” by Civil Rights activist Derrick Bell. This small tale is more prescient now than its first publication in 1992. Tune in for a discussion of unhealthy patriotism, unwritten traditions and unfit congressmen in the sunken place. Georgia Voting Law https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/04/georgia-voting-rights-fiasco/...

We enter the beautiful underworlds of cities, the bad-assery of Jemisin, and the discovery of gods among us while considering the only way Ben would go on a cruise. Join us as we discuss N.K. Jemisin’s most recent book “The City We Became.” Listen and share which of your city’s hidden gems feel like an alternate dimension.

One man’s degradation porn is another man’s grieving process. We sat down to recap the controversial Amazon TV Series “Them,” directed by Little Marvin and produced by Lena Waite. Join our discussion of Black Slash horror, haunting violence, and the effortless ingenuity of Jordan Peele. Resources: https://nightlightpod.com/episode/308-interview-with-tananarive-due/ https://www.imaginaryworldspodca...

This week we reviewed the 2019 film MIB: International with the dynamic duo of Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. F. Gary Gray, director of such classics as “Set It Off” and “Friday,” came into reboot the franchise. We discuss immigration, controlling creators, and drinking Thor’s beer. Sources Referenced: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/behind-sonys-lackluster-men-black-relaunch-re...

This week we read Walter Mosley’s short story cycle Futureland. Find out what happens when an Edgar award-winning mystery author dips his toe into the waters of near-future Science Fiction. We discuss book clubs, toxic work environments, and anti-establishment millennials.

Jefferson Pierce is back with his whole family as backup. We have mad scientists galore, cell regeneration roadkill, poison knives, and godly health clinics. Not to mention a dash of white supremacy. Black Lightning does it all. Join us as we discuss Black Lightning season 2. Season 2 Breakdown: The Book of Consequences The Book of Blood The Book of Rebellion The Book of Secrets The Book of the Ap...

Before the wonder of Black Lightning, Black Panther, and Luke Cage, there was The Meteor Man. The Meteor Man can do it all--X-ray super vision, super strength, and of course, telepathy with dogs only. Robert Townsend’s camp of the superhero genre was years ahead of its time despite some significant set-backs. Power up and watch this cult classic with us Circles & Ciphers: www.circlesandciphers.org...

What do you get when you combine Michael Shultz’s direction with Berry Gordy’s bops? The 1985 smash hit “The Last Dragon.” Kick some ass with this fusion of 80’s NYC, Bruce Lee inspiration and anti-racism. Decades ahead of its time, this cult classic is a must see for every fantasy fan. Harvard Research Study on Asian Students Article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2018/06/23/us/con...

We read the short story cycle, Nine Bar Blues. Giant cicadas, Beale Street Blues, and a devil at the crossroads, what else could you want from Southern fiction? This ain’t no Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha County, this here is Sheree’s Memphis. Other Sources: Mixtape v. Album- https://www.vice.com/en/article/rmx446/the-real-difference-between-a-mixtape-and-an-album Black Justin Bieber-https://www.thrill...

If you loved Wakanda get ready for an Afro-centric world like no other. We watched Naughts and Crosses on Peacock TV-- written by Malorie Blackman and co-directed Koby Adom. This alternate-history story set the game in motion for a discussion of black power, black culture and black band-aids.

We read "The Dark Fantastic: Race and the Imagination from Harry Potter to the Hunger Games" by Ebony Elizabeth Thomas. The book was recently awarded a World Fantasy Award for 2020. Amber and Ben come to terms with imagination gaps, toxic twitter feeds, and “slash fiction.” For once Ben knows more about social media than Amber.

A mostly spoiler-free review of the first season of Black Lightning. Yeah, Black Lightning is fine, but it's Lala, Jill Scott aka Lady Eve, and Tobias Whale that carry this show. We discuss D&D alignment, creator controversy, and awkward family dinners. https://deadline.com/2018/12/salim-akil-accuser-interview-abuse-love-is-own-cancellation-1202524042/ https://www.newsweek.com/black-lightning-seas...