The New Chitlin Circuit

Syd & Lex review 'Style Me for Christmas' starring the talented Raven Goodwin. Both hosts struggle with the mistreatment of the main character. Movie Info Style Me for Christmas (2024) Synopsis: A boutique owner facing eviction finds an opportunity when tasked with styling a charming celebrity, blurring lines between business and pleasure. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33623831/ Follow The New...

Syd & Lex review 'My Favorite Holiday' from filmmaker Tabari Sturdivant and starring Jabari Harvey. Lex was uplifted from a bad day after watching this feel-good flick. And Syd gives high marks and nomiates an unexpected runner-up for the Who Came to Act award. Movie Info My Favorite Holiday (2023) Synopsis: This story follows Trayvon Brown (Jabari Harvey), a young man inspired by his family’s...

Syd & Lex review "She Taught Love" written by and staring Darrell Brit-Gibson. Syd is loving this LA romance. The soundtrack and LA views in this film leave both hosts with nostalgia for Insecure. Movie Info She Taught Love (2024) Synopsis: A guy, Frank, on a self-destructive path. A girl, Mali, with an expiration date. What a perfect time to meet and fall in love. https://www.imdb.com/title/t...

Syd & Lex review 'Mr. Crocket' starring Elvis Nolasco. Syd may be increasing her tolerance for scary movies, but this gory horror was no easy watch. Lex somehow finds something religious about this fright. Movie Info Mr. Crocket Synopsis: A mother embarks on a perilous quest to rescue her son from a demonic children's show host who is kidnapping kids. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32916093/ Fol...

Syd & Lex review 'The Fits' from Anna Rose Holmer and Saela Davis. Lex is blown away by the sheer accuracy of this film's portrayal of the struggle to grow into gender. Syd is swayed into giving flowers to this story, and its lead actor-ess. Movie Info The Fits Synopsis: While training at the gym 11-year-old tomboy Toni becomes entranced with a dance troupe. As she struggles to fit in she find...

Syd & Lex review 'We Grown Now', a coming-of-age story staring Jurnee Smolett, Blake Cameron James, and Gian Knight Ramirez. Lex can't help but point out what's missing from this story. Syd shares her favorite things about stories of Black youth. Movie Info We Grown Now Synopsis: Two young boys, best friends Malik and Eric, discover the joys and hardships of growing up in the sprawling Cabrini...

Syd & Lex review 'Mother May I' from Ebony Tates and Dennis Reed II. The hosts went into this movie expecting a Monster-in-Law type tale, but the plot twist in this movie left Syd and Lex hysterical. Note from Editor Lex: Hey y'all, I was in the process of moving to a new apartment when we recorded this, and I had to use my backup microphone. So my audio may sound a little different than norma...

Syd & Lex review 'Immortal City Records' starring D Woods, RonReaco Lee, and Mia Wilkerson. Syd, our resident Pop Culture Historian, walks us through the legacy of Making the Band 3. The hosts hang on for this wild plot that shows the dark side of the music industry. Movie Info Immortal City Records Synopsis: After accepting a job at Immortal City Records, aspiring singer Drea thinks all her d...

Syd & Lex review the sequel to 'Boxed In' starring Reginae Carter and Clifton Powell. Lex is pleased to see that the boxing choreography has improved since the first installment of 'Boxed In'. But Syd isn't sold on the romantic drama in this sequel. Movie Info Boxed In 2 (2023) Synopsis: Ria is a rising star in the world of boxing. She has everything she could ever imagine with the exception o...

Note from Syd and Lex: Hey y'all, we need to go on a short break, we'll be back with new episodes this summer! - Syd & Lex review 'The Pass' from producers Todd Tucker and Kandi Buruss. Syd ties in the reality tv lore behind the making of this film. And Lex shares a salacious encounter not unlike the drama in this plot. Movie Info Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker's The Pass Synopsis: A married co...

Syd & Lex review 'Succuba' from director Jaron Lockridge. Despite the mystical nature of this story, the hosts remain un-mystified. Movie Info Succuba (2022) Synopsis: An evil presence attaches to a lonely widower who intends to guard it for as long as he can. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18297438/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_2 Follow The New Chitlin Circuit www.tiktok.com/@newchitlincircuit instagram.c...

Syd & Lex review 'Door Mouse', the directorial debut of Avan Jorgia, starring Hayley Law and Keith Powers. Lex loves the neo-noir elements of this quirky thriller. And Syd indulges her ineer Tumblr teen. Movie Info Door Mouse (2023) Synopsis: A comic-book creator working at a burlesque club enlists the help of a colleague to figure out what's behind the disappearances of young women in their c...

Syd & Lex review 'All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt' directed by Raven Jackson. Syd and Lex sink their teeth into this critically-acclaimed pick. Lex brings in childhood memories of fishing and eating chalk dirt. Movie Info All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt Synopsis: A decades-spanning exploration of a woman's life in Mississippi and an ode to the generations of people, places, and ineffable moments tha...

Syd & Lex review 'Life Ain't like the Movies' directed by Robert Mychal Patrick Butler. Syd gives a full rundown of the state of Black teen movies. Movie Info Life Ain't Like the Movies Synopsis: The coming age story of a 16 year old quirky black teen. The film follows him as he goes through high school. He deals with various issues like love, death, bullies, and social awkwardness. https://ww...

Syd & Lex review 'Story Ave' starring Assante Blackk and Luis Guzman. Lex finds beauty in this story that some would paint as a "trauma movie." Syd shares her journey as a Recovering Suburban Kid Movie Info Story Ave Synopsis: Follows a teenage graffiti artist who ran away from home and holds up an unwary MTA worker in a robbery gone right that would change their lives forever. https://www.imd...

Syd & Lex review the first, indie biopic to be featured on the show, 'Sweetwater' starring Everett Osborne. The movie tells the story of one of the first Black basketball players to integrate the NBA, Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton. Syd loves biopics. Lex loves sports movies. So how did both hosts dislike this film so much? Movie Info Sweetwater (2023) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2365971/ Follow Th...

Syd & Lex review "Not to Be Played With" from filmmaker Edd Caldwell Jr. The hosts coin the term "adultery drama" to capture this subgenre of film. And Lex loves the meta way that this story ends. Movie Info Not to Be Played With (2024) Synopsis: An unfaithful man meets a woman who is not to be played with. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30761600/ Follow The New Chitlin Circuit www.tiktok.com/@n...

Syd & Lex kick off season 5 with 'The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster' starring Laya DeLeon Hayes and Denzel Whitaker. Syd may have watched this horror flick through her fingers, but she gives it high marks. Lex applauds the makeup and effects. Movie Info The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster Synopsis: Vicaria is a brilliant teenager who believes death is a disease that can be cured. After the...

A Message from Syd and Lex: Thank you to all of our Listener Homegirls for tuning in and supporting us for 4 incredible seasons of The New Chitlin Circuit! We usually take a break over the holidays, before coming back with a new season in January. We'll still be back with more Black indie reviews next year, but we'll be taking a longer break to rest, work on other projects, and spend time with our...

Thank you for tuning in every Monday this year for season 4 of the New Chitlin Circuit. We reviewed 30+ Black, independent films this year, and now it's time to wrap up the season with awards! See timestamps below for our special award categories. See you in 2024! Season 4 Awards Heavy Hitter Award (Best Picture) Nominees: 'Brother', 'Three Ways', 'Cinnamon', and 'Plenty (2016)' 12:16 Most Unhinge...

Syd & Lex review 'Throwback Holiday' starring Jennifer Freeman and Robert Ri'chard. Syd appreciates the cute, lighthearted love story. While Lex was bored with this predictable tale...until the end of the movie. Tune in for this final review of season 4. Shoutout to listener homegirl Brianna C. for dropping this movie in our suggestion box at thenewchitlincircuit.com! Movie Info Listener Pick:...

We'll be back next week with the final review of the season: Throwback Holiday. This episode originally published last year. We had a blast reviewing it, we hope you enjoy revisiting it! -- Original description: Syd & Lex kick off holiday season with Hip-Hop Holiday starring Ta'Rhonda and Wendy Raquel Robinson. Both hosts are loving this romantic, holiday love story. Movie Info Hip Hop Holiday...

Syd & Lex review 'Uncle Rufus' Last Request' starring Omar Gooding. With holiday season approaching, the hosts are eager for a feel-good family flick. Movie Info Uncle Rufus' Last Request Synopsis: When Rufus dies, his last wish is that his nephew Darius convince his brothers in conflict to create a family business together. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15400712/ Follow The New Chitlin Circuit...

Syd & Lex review 'All I Want is You' starring Claudia Jordan, LeMastor Spratling, and Crystal the Doll. With a cast stacked with fan-favorite actors, Syd had high expectations for this film. Lex isn't a fan of the cliff-hanger ending. Movie Info All I Want is You (2023) Synopsis: After holding her man down on a long four-year bid, Chloe is ready to risk it all when another woman tries to steal...

Syd & Lex are joined by filmmaker Shandrea Evans to review 2023 drama 'Earth Mama', starring Tia Nomore and Doechii. Stick around to the end to hear more about Shandrea Evans' newest project, 'Bloom' Movie Info Earth Mama w/ Shandrea Evans Synopsis: An intimate coming of age story of a pregnant single mother who embraces her Bay Area community as she determines the fate of her family. https://...