The killing of Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old Black male changed everything for Kirkman. “The events of the Ferguson uprising from 2014 to 2015 was a turning point that sparked something within me,” says Kirkman. “Being on ‘Ground Zero’ with my friends and peers, protesting the injustices, I witnessed firsthand my community’s strength and the fight … Read more
In a 2009 news article, “Race Becomes More Central to TV Advertising,” Shreffler comments, “Advertising is aspirational. It’s who we want to be, a lifestyle we want — not always who we are.” It is one thing to be aspirational but another thing to distort reality and not having Black executives at the advertising decision … Read more
Last year represents a curious milestone for the MCU where race is concerned: every villain in every 2023 film or series was Black (with the exception of the second season of their animated series “What If…”). When I’ve pointed that out to people, the response is usually, “how did that happen?” But for me there … Read more
And so when I got to the movie, you know, I liked “Independence Day” a lot and I liked “Men in Black” a lot, and I liked “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and “Six Degrees of Separation”—let’s not forget that Will starred in this big drama for his screen debut—he was the big Black … Read more
Sci-fi subgenres: heist, crime dramedy Dream writer: Steve Blackman (“Umbrella Academy”) The “Dune” of Kristen Wiig’s Dreams Kristin (“Palm Royale”) is writing something that isn’t a comedy. She’s concerned when she pitches the concept she’ll have to defend her choice. “Dune” is the type of story she’s envisioning, but maybe with a slightly comedic take. … Read more
When a man stripped him of his strength and identity of manhood, he became powerless in a hurtful and extremely damaging situation. This tragic event can be even heavier in the presence of other men, leading the victimized to wonder what other men will think of them? Time and time again men bury these hurt … Read more
Even the superficial adhesives of Black culture in “The Shield” feel out of place. They’re flat, impoverished recreations of the real thing, outdated even when they first appeared on the series over 20 years ago. This problem extends to something as seemingly minor as the names of gangster characters. In contrast to what all the … Read more
I feel responsible for fostering the development of future documentary filmmakers and researchers, so I started Collected Voices Ethnographic Film Festival to highlight the films created by young people, anthropology professors, and professional filmmakers. I have worked with many producers over the years, and I wanted to give them a platform to screen and discuss … Read more
(If you know how I can capture my other white whale, that is, the director’s cut of “The Meteor Man,” you’d be doing me a solid. I know most film critics would cite the missing footage from “The Magnificent Ambersons” as their most desired cinematic dream—and I’d like to see that, too. But my white … Read more
Krysten Ritter leads a solid sci-fi series that does not reach the same heights as its predecessor. Plot: Set in the near future, Orphan Black: Echoes takes a deep dive into the exploration of the scientific manipulation of human existence. It follows a group of women as they weave their way into each other’s lives … Read more