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The Harder They Fall Wasn’t As Great As I Expected It To Be, But Here’s Why That’s A Okay With Me

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the harder they fall review

I know you heard about Netflix’s new Black western that came to town recently called The Harder They Fall! But if you live under a rock, here’s what the film is all about. (Before I start kicking dust in yo eyes and shit with this The Harder They Fall review.)

You see, this Blackity Black western, is about an outlaw named Nat Love (played by Jonathan Majors), who’s out for revenge, due to childhood traumas.

And when Nat finds out his enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) somehow managed to wiggle his way out of prison, he’s hell bent on finishing what he started.

And while the film is directed by Jeymes Samuel, and produced by Shawn Carter (Jay Z for those of you refusing to call this man by his government name), and pretty much everyone’s most anticipated Netflix film of the year, something feels a tad off.

Allow me to explain.

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Or at least try my very best, to spin these outrageous feelings into words.

The Harder They Fall Review

the harder they fall poster

Okay look, The Harder They Fall is definitely a Netflix must see!

It’s everything you want from a Black western. The story itself is top notch. I thought the twist at the ending was incredibly clever. 

Oh and this isn’t one of those movies with a ton of great names just for namesake! Everyone holds their weight!

Although, I gotta give my props to Deon Cole, RJ Cyler and Danielle Deadwyler!

Everybody and they mama knows Idris, LaKeith, Jonathan, Regina, Delroy and Zazie gon’ show out! But the performances from Deon, RJ and Danielle were outstanding! I mean, they legit held their own! And to be amongst such big names and to still have people notice you because you yourself are absolutely amazing is incredible!

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the harder they fall deon cole
THE HARDER THEY FALL. DEON COLE as WILEY ESCOE in THE HARDER THEY FALL Cr. DAVID LEE/NETFLIX © 2021

But I’d be lying if I said I thought The Harder They Fall was a GREAT film!

I mean the beginning was a tad bit traumatic, and I wasn’t expecting that at all! (So be prepared to hold on to your seats from the get go!)

And if you HATE seeing blood, be prepared to close your eyes because these blood splatters were clearly sent from the devil himself, and imported straight from a slasher film! I cringed every damn time, despite knowing the shit was fake as can be! (And I don’t even think I felt this bad watching Candyman! Crazy I know!)

Nonetheless, while The Harder They Fall doesn’t disappoint. (Even the scoring is on point!) I’m just as shocked as you probably are that I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would! And I’m not sure why!

I expected this to be one of my top films this year. Black western? LaKeith? Regina? Jonathan foine ass Majors? Clearly this was gonna be a solid film.

But for some reason, I don’t feel as excited now that I’ve watched it, as I once did leading up to it’s release! And again, I have absolutely no friggin’ clue why!

the harder they fall jonathan majors delroy lindo
THE HARDER THEY FALL (L to R): JONATHAN MAJORS as NAT LOVE and DELROY LINDO as BASS REEVES in THE HARDER THEY FALL Cr. DAVID LEE/NETFLIX © 2021

Maybe it’s the way they used Zazie to light-wash Mary’s character that still bothers me?

Knowing that Mary was a big, dark skin woman, and they used someone completely opposite (when there are actresses who would have done the true Mary justice, including Lovecraft Country‘s Wunmi Mosaku) just don’t sit right with me.

I get that the movie is fictional, but that’s really just a lame ass excuse to explain the misuse of talent here! Sure movies aren’t supposed to be our only source of education on Black figures, but think of all the plus size dark skin girls who could have seen their badass on screen this year! Don’t bitch about In The Heights and then let The Harder They Fall slide through.

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It’s the same issue, whether they’d like to admit it or not, and we have to be more mindful these days!

On the other hand, maybe this was just too much of a “regular degular” Western for me to feel excited? It feels true to genre, and maybe because of that, because there was nothing SHOCKING, maybe that’s why I feel this way?

I mean … I’m comparing apples to oranges here, but when I first saw Candyman, I was completely blown away with how much I enjoyed it. I expected that same wow factor with The Harder They Fall! And maybe THAT was my problem?

I expected it!

the harder they fall zazie
THE HARDER THEY FALL: ZAZIE BEETZ as MARY FIELDS in THE HARDER THEY FALL Cr. DAVID LEE/NETFLIX © 2021

But I’m not mad that this one didn’t live up to the crazy standards I have set in my head and here’s why.

We need more Black films! Period.

I’m okay if 80% of the new Black films we get are just “good” movies. They don’t have to all be great! And that’s because we’re sorely lacking in Black stories!

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I just want more Black stories about Black folks, doing Black shit! It’s really just that f*cking simple!

Normally, when a film, especially a BLACK film, doesn’t live up to my expectations, I’m disappointed. But that’s not how I feel y’all! I enjoyed The Harder They Fall.

There’s just something that’s missing to push it over the edge to greatness. I’m not sure what it is, and I can’t quite explain the madness, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that we NEEDED THIS FILM!

the harder they fall regina king idris elba laketih stanfield
THE HARDER THEY FALL (L to R): REGINA KING as TRUDY SMITH, IDRIS ELBA as RUFUS BUCK, LAKEITH STANFIELD as CHEROKEE BILL. CR: DAVID LEE/NETFLIX†© 2021

All the westerns I’ve ever watched growing up as a kid, were about white folks.

Barely a Black folk in sight, unless they were filling the stereotypical quotas.

And now here we have ourselves a western full of Black magic!

Sure it has a crappy remix of a reggae song that I truly hold dear to my heart, but that’s besides the point.

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So despite how I feel at the moment, I’m not mad I watched this, and I recommend that everyone does watch it.

Keeping in mind that there are a few triggering scenes to beware of.

And I look forward to, what I hope, will be a sequel! Because despite how ANY of us feel about this movie, there’s not a doubt in my mind that it wasn’t needed!

Shaye is an Entertainment Writer from Brooklyn, NY and a big fan of anything and everything superpowers related (especially if kids/teens are involved), cooking + baking shows (like MasterChef Junior and Cupcake Wars), teen dramas, sitcoms, comedies, and legal dramas. When she's not binging the latest series on Netflix or writing, you can find her spilling her thoughts on the Brown Side of Disney Chat or creating YouTube videos with her daughter for their new family site, Popcorn and Tater Tots.

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Live Recaps

Live Recap: 31 Thoughts I Had While Watching The 3rd Episode Of Netflix’s New “Wednesday” Series

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wednesday netflix episode 3 recap

After watching episode 1 of the new “Wednesday” series on Netflix, I’m now hooked and back to share my initial thoughts of episode 3 via this live recap.

The new series is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy.

And I absolutely love it! So here are …

31 Thoughts I Had While Watching “Wednesday” Episode 3 On Netflix

Spoiler Alert – If you haven’t seen “Wednesday” episode 3 on Netflix yet this recap will spoil things a bit. I omitted names so you don’t know who is who. But if you loathe all kinds of spoilers, bookmark this joint and wait until you’ve seen the episode.

wednesday netflix

  1. Not them kids in the secret society. The nightshade? 
  2. This society don’t even sound fun. 
  3. Omg she really is my best friend. I love her so much. This scene was delicious!!
  4. Her sarcasm. I love it. 
  5. Aww she speaks German?
  6. Not these pilgrims getting they ass whooped … again.
  7. Awwww look at Wednesday being nice.
  8. She really used his retainer to pick a lock and his nasty ass put it right back in his mouth.
  9. Lemme find out Wednesday was a witch or something.
  10. Not ‘just what the fudge are you going in here’. I say fudge all the time too, but that was clever, considering she’s talking to kids and they were working with fudge. 
  11. Awwww he’s a gorgon … and clueless.
  12. Great now I want Girl Scout cookies!
  13. Not the Taco Bell bag.
  14. Omgggg see i knew it!! *Hagrid voice* You’re a witch Wednesday! 
  15. Damn girl I thought you was gon’ slit his throat not cut his face.
  16. Not avenge us! 
  17. Wait is he the beast??? Or is the girl the beast??
  18. Yup. I knew that beast was back! Look how I said it’s name and it just popped up. Also the first jump scare of the series too. 
  19. Of course the monster is human. 
  20. Not him mansplaining her powers. 
  21. They put one cellist with a whole band? Foolery! 
  22. Not sis playing while the madness happens and it’s good too!! Ohhhh it’s this song!!! I love it!
  23. Of course her hands are clean … if Thing did it.
  24. Tell her sis!!
  25. If y’all ever wondered how bad my sarcasm is … it’s as bad as Wednesdays. 
  26. How the camera took photos on its own?
  27. Of course she was apart of the secret society!!! 
  28. How he turn himself into stone right before the date?? Ridiculous. 
  29. Why she keep covering shit up?
  30. Why is he screaming underwater?
  31. Oh no. He knows who the monster is. Wait is it his family? He locked it up?

Anywho, that’s it for this episode! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

Even though all episodes of “Wednesday” are already available to watch on Netflix, I’ll be sharing my thoughts of each episode as I watch them.

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Live Recap: 43 Thoughts I Had While Watching The 2nd Episode Of Netflix’s New “Wednesday” Series

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wednesday netflix episode 2 recap

After watching episode 1 of the new “Wednesday” series on Netflix last night, I’m now hooked and back to share my initial thoughts of episode 2 via this live recap.

The new series is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy.

And I absolutely love it! So here are …

43 Thoughts I Had While Watching “Wednesday” Episode 2 On Netflix

Spoiler Alert – If you haven’t seen “Wednesday” episode 2 on Netflix yet this recap will spoil things a bit. I omitted names so you don’t know who is who. But if you loathe all kinds of spoilers, bookmark this joint and wait until you’ve seen the episode.

wednesday netflix

  1. They be casting the same type of white men as ‘police who search the woods’ huh.
  2. Not this boy f*cking alive!!!! Stoppppp!
  3. Really!? They think sis is lying. Her extremely honest ass? Make it make sense!
  4. They couldn’t find sis a cute love interest? Ugh!
  5. They got Thing giving hand massages now?
  6. Jenny’s acting is superb!
  7. Not them singing “Don’t Worry”.
  8. She’s also great at archery? Oh boy Riah is definitely going to wanna be Wednesday again for Halloween if she sees this. She’s already interested in archery. 
  9. OMG they made her wear white? Ew. Why!
  10. Nobody see this hand crawling everywhere on the ground? 
  11. Ohhhhh shit who the hell is that?
  12. Ohhhhhhhhhh!!!! Shit!!! Not her pretending to be Rowan!!
  13. I still can’t believe it’s ol boy from “The Gifted” series!! 
  14. Of course Wednesday knows about dangerous plants.
  15. Wait! If she’s a shape shifter, could she be the monster?
  16. Poor kid. 
  17. Not sis telling her to apologize to Thing! Girl bye. TF.
  18. Why does everyone understand what Thing is saying except me? Ugh!!
  19. Men really do think “a chance of less than 1%” is still a chance and that’s the muhf*cking problem.
  20. Noooo! Not “a very big smoker”. He nasty. It’s always the tiny nerds.
  21. Ohhhh that’s why Rowan is “expelled”!! So she don’t have to keep pretending she’s him. Got it.
  22. Wait Rowan wasn’t trying to kill her?
  23. Not a secret society. What’s a kooky school without one?
  24. Look at Wednesday opening up to people and dare I say making friends? I can hear her rolling her eyes at me now.
  25. It’s the roommate!! He knows something.
  26. How she in here, while this boy home!! 
  27. Ohhhh … so roomy knew Rowan was gonna do something??
  28. Yeah I don’t believe this girl, a total badass, is dying for this boy’s attention. Puhleeze! 
  29. Now their outfit colors are different?? Wednesday’s uniform is a different shade.
  30. Not a Poe cup! Hopefully no one dies like in Harry Potter.
  31. Awwww look at the pretty boy siren. Swimming in the water and about to go f*ck shit up. 
  32. This no rules shit is wild!! They got people pushing boats under water … someone added a whole ax to their boat and not just as decoration. It’s giving … insane! 
  33. Awww, she added a net feature to their boat to catch the sirens. Smart girl.
  34. Them jokers can’t be that easy to fool.
  35. Not a vision!! Not now!!! Oh it’s worse than a vision. 
  36. Her cat outfit is cute AF though, not even gonna lie. Wardrobe doing they THANG! Yasss! F*ck it up!!
  37. Not ‘WWWD’ aka what would Wednesday do. That was cute.
  38. Alright the hand swimming is one thing but him punching homeboy unconscious is just ridiculous. 
  39. Jeez stop comparing this girl to her mama before she set something on fire! 
  40. Awwww the answer is snap twice. That’s such a cute way to add the famous snap into the series.
  41. This must be the secret society room!
  42. God damn they done kidnapped the girl right when she was starting to figure shit out. 
  43. This is really good by the way!!

Anywho, that’s it for this episode! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

Even though all episodes of “Wednesday” are already available to watch on Netflix, I’ll be sharing my thoughts of each episode as I watch them.

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Live Recap: 34 Thoughts I Had While Watching The 1st Episode Of Netflix’s New “Wednesday” Series

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wednesday netflix episode 1 recap

I finally watched episode 1 of the new “Wednesday” series on Netflix and of course I’m super excited to share my initial thoughts via this live recap. So excited, I’m writing this instead of going to sleep, despite having work in the morning.

The new series is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy.

And I absolutely love it! So here are …

34 Thoughts I Had While Watching “Wednesday” Episode 1 On Netflix

Spoiler Alert – If you haven’t seen “Wednesday” episode 1 on Netflix yet this recap will spoil things a bit. I omitted names so you don’t know who is who. But if you loathe all kinds of spoilers, bookmark this joint and wait until you’ve seen the episode.

wednesday netflix

  1. Oh snap sis released piranhas in the swimming pool!! Not that they didn’t deserve it or whatever. I’ve always said — bully the bully, so eh. They should have left her brother alone.
  2. This is going to be magnificent! It’s really the wicked Wednesday we’ve come to know and love.
  3. We already knew Jenny was gonna kill this! I mean, I did at least.
  4. Not even 3 mins in and we’re off to a cruel start. Tim Burton needs to do the villain movies for Disney because this is what I needed (and never got) from Cruella.
  5. He just chilling in the woods? Drinking? Even after the warnings? Yup. White people shit.
  6. I love the color contrasts! They’re so “black”, dark and spooky, and the new headmaster is all “white”, and angelic-like, right down to her white hair.
  7. Not Wednesday going to therapy. 
  8. Wow the suits do look blue on screen. They looked purple in the photos I posted on Twitter!
  9. Wednesday suggesting “winner draws first blood” during her fencing spar with the queen bee is insane, but so spot on for her character in this and I love that.
  10. Wednesday lost!? 
  11. Not someone tried to kill our good sis already!! 
  12. Am I the only one wondering what Wednesday is writing a novel about?
  13. I need this therapy session to not be so in my face. Literally. Like back TF up!!
  14. Omg they sent her therapist her script! I’m crying! She’s so sick right now.
  15. If the lady don’t catch her escaping I’ll be disappointed. And boom, I’m disappointed.
  16. Omg the way she gets her visions is insane! That’s so (not like) Raven.
  17. Awww she reads Italian.
  18. Her eyes are HUGE.
  19. She better not end up liking this weirdo.
  20. Not Wednesday against pilgrims. 
  21. She said boo and they attack her? TF I mean, ignore the fact that she been attacking folks left and right herself.
  22. Her dad is wanted for murder??? SAY WHAT? You mean she may actually like her parents now?
  23. Ahhhh she plays the cello!! And now I’m in love.
  24. He has magic???
  25. Wait is she putting them to sleep?
  26. They ran her pet scorpion over with their bikes! Oh my gosh. How cruel can one be. Oh the irony in that statement. No wonder sis is so tortured inside. It’s trauma.
  27. It’s ‘thing’ giving this boy the middle finger, for me. Hilarious. 
  28. Why does this kid sound/look so familiar???
  29. Not Wednesday got two boys after her already. 
  30. Not these pilgrims looking for a fight … again. Like they ain’t just get they ass whooped a day or two ago. Bruh.
  31. WTF is this boy doing!!
  32. He has to kill her???
  33. OMG that’s the vision she had!!
  34. They’re gonna blame this on her, aren’t they?

Anywho, that’s it for this episode!

Even though all episodes of “Wednesday” are already available to watch on Netflix, I’ll still be sharing my thoughts of each episode as I watch them.

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