BLOG: Amazed by ‘The Apollo’ and sent by ‘Sex Criminals’

Here are some things across the internet that I found or recently rediscovered in the last few weeks that are cool and interesting.

 

Music:

“Coffee” by Kelly Rowland – This song by Kelly Rowland, which features an alluring beat with explicit double entendres, is possibly too short. One double entendre is something many may no longer recognize – mornings. Just like the drink it is named after, this independently released song and music video can give you much-needed energy to be productive while staying indoors. 

“Something’s Got A Hold On Me” by Etta James – While doing research for a presentation about the Harlem Renaissance for class, I had some bomb recommendations in my YouTube feed including this performance. This rediscovery led me then to Queen Bee’s (Beyoncé) depiction of James performing “I’d Rather Go Blind” in the star-studded, entertaining 2008 film “Cadillac Records.”

 

Must Watch: 

“The Apollo” (HBO) – This eye-opening documentary shows the history and legacy of the Apollo Theater in New York City. Founded in 1934, and being one of the first spaces to let black Americans on the stage and in the audience, The Apollo’s legacy is something that was instrumental in defining popular culture and acting as a stepping stone for many black artists for decades. Until the end of April “The Apollo” is one of the free titles temporarily available on HBO.

“Parasite” (Hulu) – As an arbiter of internet awesomeness, I could tell you this was an amazing film, but then again everyone you know that has seen this has already told you this was an amazing film and it even won bestists, most awesomest film award (aka Best Picture) at The Oscars. So why would I tell you again? Because it is my moral duty as a cinephile and it is now available to stream on Hulu – which is free with your Spotify Premium for students account. 

This film shows the extremities of poverty and wealth in modern-day South Korea between intertwining two families. From trailers and posters, there is definitely tension. In addition to its international accolades, once “Parasite” arrived on Hulu April 8, it became the second most-streamed film on Hulu of all time within one week.

“Onward” (Disney+) – Disney films like this don’t need a shout out because we all are going to watch it or not at this point. However, I wouldn’t be doing this blog right if I excluded this heartwarming film. Venturing into Dungeons and Dragons pre-COVID-19, I found more jokes and allusions than before, so tell your local DMs (Dungeon Masters) to recommend across the land.

 

Must Reads: 

“Sex Criminals” by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky – This story follows two people that before meeting thought they were the only ones who froze time when having an orgasm. Upon hooking up and discovering they share this power, Suzie and Jon plan to rob a bank that Jon works at and that is foreclosing on her library. In addition to the zany premise, the panels are filled with Easter eggs to pop-culture that you may miss zooming through the dialogue. The Harris County Public Library only had volumes one through three, so suffice to say I now own volumes four and five.

“The Lunar Chronicles” by Marissa Meyers – With the exception of a red flag in book three and a half (Fairest: Levana’s Story) this series is worth a headfirst dive in. Each book features a new female lead that mirrors the stories of Cinderella (“Cinder”), Little Red Riding Hood (“Scarlet”), Rapunzel (“Cress”) and Snow White (“Winter”) backdropped over a complex jump into the far future (approximately 126 years after WW IV) where there are seven sectors making up earth’s population and one enemy colony on the moon newly named Luna. 

There are some valid issues with this book such as the homogenization of races and using a glamour (sci-fi/fantasy power of illusion that changes the appearance) to essentially put on blackface. Despite those two glaring issues, the series was really fascinating and creative, so I would recommend giving the main four novels of the series a read. Especially if you like re-imaginings of older stories or the genre of science fiction.

“From Scratch: A memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home” by Tembi Locke – In the April 14 blog, I recommended a very emotional book, and in the spirit of flooded tear ducts and all of the feels, I want to recommend Tembi Locke’s memoir and debut novel. This title reads very “Eat, Pray, Love” – but it is not about someone going to find themselves in another country and all of the troupes that come with it. Locke’s story is centered around her family and the grief associated with losing her Sicilian born husband, Saro.

Loss is a big part of this novel, but as the title suggests so is reaching for joy and highlights the power of food – something that brings people together and creates bonds.

 

More Ya Know:

“Divorce Lawyers Give Relationship Advice” (GLAMOUR) – Times are tough and tempers are running high whether you falsely believe COVID-19 is caused by 5G or you are practicing social distancing (as recommended by the CDC) and are justifiably stressed about finances and home life.

One type of YouTube genre I like is “expert-tells-you-thoughts-on-things-that-pertain-to-them” and this video does exactly that with relationships. They aren’t therapists, but they do see the ugly side of break-ups and tell of the common issues they see. Spoiler alert: communication is one, but there are still more interesting bits.

“People of Color in European Art History” – History, including art history, is very Eurocentric and even when talking about Europe, the people of color (POC) are often still left out in classes that have to cover centuries of art. The expected “foreign” Moor pops into images every so often. However, this archive that spans pre-1100s to the 1700s covers when POCs were the main subjects, the artist and/or the patrons. From the 1800s onward most depictions of POCs were initially racist as people in power sought to hold on to power in a world where chattel slavery was becoming less and less acceptable.

This blog I found from an article entitled “Yes, there were black people in the Renaissance.”

“I went Viral” (BET) – This series on the BET YouTube Channel is exactly how it sounds. It interviews people like Kalin Elisa, also known as “Squat Bae,” and Nick Parriwhack, known from “Oh no baby, what is you doin.’” The interviews reflect on the moment, the feeling and the aftermath of what it means to go viral online. Interviewees viralness even go as far back as Tay Zonday’s “Chocolate Rain” and one of the first people to capitalize on viral success online, Soulja Boy.