We all know that one person that seems to have peaked in High School, whenever you run into them there’s a story beginning like ” Back when I was your age…” it can be annoying right? There have been plenty of movies that tell this story, but I’ve yet to witness a movie that focused on that person being looked at as a role model.
Director Jason Orley’s debut film Big Time Adolescence takes this different approach to a coming of age Monroe (Griffin Gluck) becomes best friends with his sister ex-boyfriend Zeke (Pete Davidson) that’s seven years his senior. Under the misguidance of his stoner, B.F.F. Monroe aka Mo navigates the complications of high school.
When Mo’s begged by a high school friend to procure booze for the senior party, reluctant to become the beer guy. Mo’s hands are now tied once the money is in hand. Zeke encourages Mo to rip them off with watered-down booze and overpriced pot pocket. Zeke just saw it as an opportunity to make an extra buck off high schoolers that don’t understand the pricing on weed. Mo now becoming the drug dealer at the party he begins to morph into someone that his not.
Throughout the film, Mo begins to mature and realize that things he idolized in Zeke aren’t as cool. Following his arrest for being the weed guy at parties his time away from Zeke puts him at a crossroads to straighten up or take the same road as his best buddy.
Pete Davison’s portrayal of Zeke was more of an overexaggerated version of himself, someone who was a nonchalant guy who does care enough to try at anything he does. As if Orley never gave him a script to the story but had him react actors/actresses performance in each scene. For example in a scene where he broke up with his girlfriend as she left, he didn’t bother to get up and chase her but instead calming sipped his milk out of a cereal bowl.
Big Time Adolescence isn’t a film that will be life-changing but it illustrates how kids have an instinctive need to follow someone older to learn how to make it through life. If the wrong role model is chosen the behaviors shape after spending adolescence of observing that person could lead to a life of an unmotivated manchild.
Big Time Adolescence is now available to stream on Hulu, check out the trailer below:
The Story of Madam C.J. Walker has always been inspirational to anyone that dreams of becoming a legendary figure in American entrepreneurship. Although her story is synonymous with becoming a self-made millionaire, the struggles of what it takes to reach this goal sometimes will get lost in the African American diaspora just to celebrate the fact she is a black millionaire.
Netflix Limited Series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, starring Octavia Spencer is a great biopic illustrating the stubbornness, can’t take no for an answer, and the idea of expanding on your success that separated her from the average business owner.
Addie applying her miracle grow to Sarah Breedlove hair.
“Madam C.J. Walker’s story really struck me as one of a woman who was a visionary, who was ahead of her time. And it really needed to be told in a way that reflected that,” said series co-executive producer Nicole Jefferson Asher. “Not just for the sake of doing that, but to really get us deeper into her imagination, and on another level, to show what was special about her, what made her unique and what enabled her to do what no one had done before. This was a woman who didn’t go to school. She had to teach herself to read. And she ended up becoming a millionaire in her lifetime. So that takes a tremendous imagination. And so we wanted to use interstitials, fantasy elements, magic realism, all of these things to be able to put the viewer in her mind.”
Let’s start at the being of Madam C.J. Walker’s story, first known as Sarah Breedlove a poor washer-woman who is losing her hair. When she meets a beautiful mulatto woman named Addie, who saves her bald spots with her miracle grow. To show her appreciation of Addie (Carmen Ejogo), Sarah wants to become a saleswoman, but Addie knocks her confidence down by telling her to stick to washing as women will never want to buy a product from someone who looks like her.
Sarah creating her version of a miracle hair grower.
Infuriated, Sarah creates her own line of products. Though they sell well she craves more and decides to move her entire family to Indianapolis. Sarah’s company is successful until Addie arrives in town. Frightened by the competition Sarah decides to offer a “buy one get one free” deal but in the ensuing struggle to fulfill orders her home burns down. As she watches Addie scoop up her business she vows to rebuild her business and takes on the name Madam C.J. Walker.
In order to fulfill those orders, Sarah knew she needed to open that factory fast. Manging to put a downpayment on a factory to fulfill those orders but Sarah knew she needed to secure investors to pay for the rest. Struggling to find one she decides to gain Booker T. Washington’s endorsement. unfortunately, Mr. Washinton was opposed to lending his help because of sexist views on women entrepreneurs. Margaret Washington and the only wife of the elite black men saw it differently, putting money together that helped Sarah secure that factory.
Sarah takes a trip to New York with the hope of getting her products in the 10 cents or less stores.before setting off on this trip she decides to take her daughter Leila (Tiffany Haddish) over her husband Charles (Blair Underwood). Whose beginning to feels like he is being cut out from the business more and more. Addie takes the opportunity to poach five of Sarah’s top saleswomen out from under her including Dora, a beautiful saleswoman who is having an affair with Charles.
When Sarah returns to the chaos she discovers all that has been going on and once again puts her business first.
Maden C.J. Walker speaking to Rockafella on how to handle disgruntled workers.
While many have condemned the series for moving too quickly, it easy to see their points while episode 1-3 kept a patent pacing. The final episode did wrap up the story quickly opening with a rapid montage where she becomes a millionaire and moves into a mansion next-door to John D. Rockefeller. This series could’ve benefited from expanding more on the ascent of her company but maybe over two more episodes.
In my opinion, the pace at which the series ran was spot on, some series can suffer from adding in too many details losing the interest of your audience. I prefer liking the biopic to a PowerPoint presentation you hit on keep points of information so your audience leaves with some general knowledge and if there is a legitimate interest in the subject that person will do more indebt resource.
These days when we hear about a biopic being made of a historical Black-figure, the response is often both interest and concern. Hollywood tends to add inaccurate information to sell the general public on the story but Netflix’s newest biopic stays true to the life of hair industry mogul Madam C.J. Walker.
It’s Junior year “Grown-ish,” Season 3 is here and Ms. Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi) is now an upper-class woman. As the pre-game to adulthood Zoey is ready to put all that boy drama behind her and continue to kill it as a personal stylist to Rapper Joey Bada$$. Now back on the campus of Cal U lets see how long this drama-free life lasts.
(Before we move any farther I would like to issue a spoiler alert, as I will be reviewing the entire series)
Zoey pulls up to here new off-campus apartment where she and her girls plus Vivek ( Jordan Buhat ) will be living it up. Zoey is surprised with an HBCU-style welcome home party, Ana (Francia Raisa), Sky (Halle Bailey), Jazz ( Chole Bailey), and Zoey are ready to get into formation with their Beyoncé inspired Cal U hoodies that moment of being Sasha Fierce didn’t last long once Zoey spotted Aaron (Trevor Jackson).
When we last saw those two together they were lip-locking on the tar mack before her flight. Not speaking to Aaron since the kiss Zoey Needing her girls for consul about what to do. After apologizing to Ana who had a history with Aaron last season. Ana shrugs it off and encourages Zoey to go talk to him to find out what that kiss meant.
This makes for a comedic interaction because before the conversation Doug (Diggy Simmons) convinced Aaron to partake in his bud brownie. Aaron needs a break from the reality that this is his last year at Cal U and adulthood is right around. Now on a high plane of thinking, Zoey questions about what happened after there kiss aren’t registering with him. He tells Zoey it means nothing, just a kiss, but if she’s down to do more his okay with that. Zoey declines but feels great that she was able to resolve the situation she left behind.
And just like that situation number two pops up, ex-boyfriend Luca (Luka Sabbat) is also at the party and to make matter worse he lets Zoey know he tried to catch her at the airport. Unable to digest this information she is summoned by Joey Bada$$ for a fashion emergency. Now falling back into old habit Zoey is wondering what Luca would’ve said and would they still be together? Joey gives her some much-needed advice that she can’t second guess herself, be proud of her decision in choosing herself over someone else.
Now re-energize Zoey returns to the party to participate in a swag surf line and then the surprise that many fans believe would come later in the season the last housemate Nomi (Emily Arlook) walks in 8 to 9 months pregnant. This is just episode 1 and there is so much more to unpack.
The next few episodes deal with the surprise of Nomi’s pregnancy, as many thought she was a lesbian. Turns out after getting drinks with Zoey, she stayed at the restaurant were she would hook-up with Phil unprotected. It revealed that she hook-up knowing without protection because she didn’t care about the repercussions and it wouldn’t be bad to have someone who would love her unconditionally. Nomi who considers him one nightstand don’t think she should bother him with news of her pregnancy raises the debate if she should or shouldn’t tell him among the friend group. Nomi’s tune chance once she realizes Phil is an actual person after looking at his social media account. Nomi also is dealing with the choice to keep the baby or put it up for adoption. With the pressures of her current situation, Nomi decided to leave Cal U and head home to figure out the best course to take.
Amid Nomi pregnancy surprise, Zoey and Luca are backsliding. The couple never got the closure their relationship needs are trying to find how to be friends again. The two even hook-up one last time, creating an awkward what happens next question that needed to be answered. Luca’s answer was made apparent when he was found hooking up with season 3 new character Jillian (Ryan Destiny) This made the decision easy for them to call their relationship over and start their friendship.
Zoey catching Luca at Jillian’s dorm
Throughout this season Zoey’s faults as a friend have been on full display, this is made clear when Graduate to be Aaron’s student loan troubles come to a head when he looks for a job at the Cal U job fair, which leads him to ask Zoey for her help in getting a job working for her dad at Stevens & Lido. Aaron goes to Stevens & Lido, only to discover that Zoey didn’t call her Dad to schedule an interview. Instead, he meets Andre on the elevator as he leaves for the evening. Andre reveals that he’s filled the position already. Once Doug gives Zoey more info on Aaron’s situation, her guilty about forgetting to contact her Father leads to her going to see him. Upset, he shouts at her for always being a taker but never a giver, and he’s sick of it. Aaron leaves Zoey in tears after calling her selfish and slamming the door in her face. To make it up to Aaron, Zoey’s Father gets him a job as a Dean’s assistant where any Master’s program is available at no cost.
Aaron realizing Zoey didn’t call her Dad to schedule an interview
Other charters to see growth throughout the season were Sky and Jazz, both having to give up something to gain what they want. Jazz struggles to balance track and her personal life, she’s been late to the last several times and continues to do poorly at practice. Sky taking notice thinks Doug is getting in the way of her focus, and she needs Jazz to get her head in the game so they can reach the Olympics like they always intended. Jazz begins to avoid Doug and it has him wondering what his done wrong. Once they’re able to sit down and talk Jazz tells Doug that she wants to take a break while she goes through training for the next six months. She asks Doug to wait for her, but he doesn’t respond.
Sky and Jazz talking about Jazz priorities
On the other hand, Sky is dealing with the fact she is dating outside her race. After giving Doug such a hard time back in season 1 about him talking to white girls it is irony that Rodney the guy she dating is white. Sky who wants a connection with her significant other through their shared cultural experiences. It then becomes that Sky has to decide if she wants to stay true to her beliefs or change her way of thinking to be happy with the guy she likes.
The spring finale of Grown-ish had the most shocking decision made all season. During Zoey’s 21st birthday, she passes out from a panic attack. it seems the stress has taken its toll on her with studying for finals, planning Joey Bada$$’s big show, and she and Aaron still aren’t talking. Once regaining consciousness she sees Samuel L. Jackson aka Aaron, their discussion ended with the question of why Zoey is trying to balance everything and why not choose to focus on one thing. Aaron thinks that choice would be quitting her job with Joey but it backfires as Zoey decides to leave Cal U. After her meeting with the Dean it official Zoey is the second Johnson to drop out of college. Before she leaves, Aaron and her share one more kiss, giving fans another will they or won’t they scenario. The episode ends with Zoey and Nomi having some Facetime catching her up on the drama that went down on her birthday, and suddenly Nomi’s water breaks.
Zoey dressed as Aaliyah for her 90s themed birthday party
Even though the “Grown-ish,” is going on break it will be back this summer with more exciting and hilarious college advantages. For now, check out the promo below:
It has been a growing trend for a music artist to release a visual to accompany their latest single and Gunna is no different his newest single “SKYBOX, is his first solo offering since 2019’s Drip or Drown 2.
The YSL rapper confirmed he was locked in album mode on twitter posting a trailer for his upcoming sophomore album Wunna. The Spike Jordan-directed teaser begins with a news audio clip about a meteorite that hit earth; we see a large mansion under a purple sky before the camera cuts to the interior where Gunna is surrounded by beautiful girls.
“SKYBOX” official video was also directed by Spike Jordan, opening with a claymation Gunna falling from a hot air balloon and into a village in the Middle East. He roams the rural town alongside exotic women, camels, and rapping goats before being kidnapped in a limo and taken to a party with belly dancers.
In addition to readying his new album, Gunna had delivered on a number of joint records from The Neptunes-produced “Stop Playing” off Megan Thee Stallion’s EP Suga to “Numbers” by A Boogie Wit da Hoodie and “Heatin Up” by Lil Baby.
You can watch the official video of “SkyBox,” below and stream the track now on Apple Music and Spotify.
The annual tech, film, and music conference in Austin, Texas, South By Southwest (SXSW) has been canceled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, announced by city authorities on Friday. Coming just two days after Austin, public health officials said the event could proceed as planned.
The two-week conference and festival, which was scheduled to kick off March 13 are already exploring options to reschedule the conference, as well as providing a virtual online experience for 2020 participants. The conference has drawn more than 417,000 visitors from106 countries and brought $356 million to Austin’s economy.
“We will continue to work hard to bring you the unique events you love,” said organizers. “Though it’s true that our March 2020 event will no longer take place in the way that we intended, we continue to strive toward our purpose – helping creative people achieve their goals.”
“We are devastated to share this news with you ‘The show must go on’ is in our DNA and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place,” SXSW organizers said in a statement. “We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.”
Prior to the announcement, many participants had already pulled out including Twitter, Facebook, Apple, and the major record labels. Now SXSW will be joining Miami’s Ultra Music Festival as another to fall victim to the coronavirus. All eyes are now turning to the next major event, Coachella, which is scheduled to be held April 10-12 and April 17-19 in Indio, Calif.
“What we’re hearing from Coachella is that it’s on,” one prominent artist manager told Forbes. “But we have $1-2 million in production costs already sunk in that the artist would be responsible for … we’re not finding any insurance companies who will cover our risk of cancellation due to [coronavirus]. I’m holding off on spending any more until we see how this it plays out.”
