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Why You Need To Watch Charm City Kings

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Like a few others, I got to watch Charm City Kings before the world shut down last year, and I was literally blown away! Like … had to wait for everyone to leave the room so they couldn’t see me wiping my tears, blown away. So if you haven’t already, despite it currently streaming on HBO Max, here’s why you need to watch Charm City Kings on HBO Max.

Why You Need To Watch Charm City Kings On HBO Max Right Now

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In this gritty coming-of-age drama, fourteen-year-old Mouse (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) desperately wants to join the Midnight Clique, an infamous group of Baltimore dirt-bike riders who rule the summertime streets.

His older brother, Stro, was their top rider before his death — a loss that consumes Mouse as much as his passion for bikes. Mouse’s mom (Teyonah Parris) and his police mentor, (yeah you read that correctly), Detective Rivers (William Catlett), work to help the teen reach his full potential.

But when the Clique’s leader, Blax (Meek Mill), takes the boy under his wing, the lure of revving his own dirt bike skids Mouse toward a road way past the straight and narrow.

Jahi Di’Allo Winston, William Catlett, and Teyonah Parris (who yes, is currently serving us all playing the badass Monica Rambeau in WandaVision right now) all give incredible performances in this amazing coming of age story that reminds us to chose our friends wisely and shows us exactly what could happen if we don’t.

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If you’ve ever had someone set you on the right path, or given you advice that may have changed your life, this one’s for you.

This one’s for all the teachers that continuously reminded us that we were more than enough! That we could be whoever we wanted to be!

This one’s for all the old heads that grew up on the block with us and made sure we stayed out of trouble! And this one’s for all of the Black folks who are tired of seeing Black kids being failed by their community on screen, and off screen. (You know, like in Cowboy Concrete! Which I got to see last year as well, and can’t wait for everyone else to see!)

While I can’t promise you that won’t happen … AGAIN … here in Charm City Kings, I can promise you that this movie directed by Angel Manuel Soto, will provide you with a sliver of hope as it ends.

So if you haven’t already seen Charm City Kings yet, I’m gonna need you to get it together. Like seriously!

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Pick up ya laptop, ya tv remote, ya phone, whatever you need to turn HBO Max on to watch this gut wrenching masterpiece ASAP! And while you’re picking things up, pick up ya favorite drink to numb the pain at the end and a pack of tissues because Meek Mill may annoy you in real life but in Charm City Kings, he’ll bring you to tears!

Even though the film is set in Baltimore, Meek really shows us why Philly is the city of “Brotherly Love” and I ain’t mad at it.

P.s – The film was also executive produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, in case you needed more of a reason to support and watch this film! It’s all around amazing, and y’all know I don’t say that unless it needs to be said.

So yeah … watch it!

Click here to watch Charm City Kings on HBO Max today.

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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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If You Can Get Past All The Fuckery In Peacemaker Episode 1 (Including Some Racism) You’re In For A Wild Explosive Finish

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peacemaker episode 1 review

But again … that’s only if you can make it to the end of episode 1 of HBO Max’s new DC Comics “Peacemaker” series.

Which if I’m being honest, is a little hard to do.

I finally started the series last night, and I was a little surprised that it’s not as “light” as The Suicide Squad movie, which I loved.

While the movie was incredibly funny — because it was incredibly foolish, this series feels a tad bit more serious.

Episode 1 starts us off with one of my favorite comedy actors, Rizwan Manji (who I loved in Perfect Harmony), and for those first few minutes I thought we were getting a silly series similar to The Suicide Squad.

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But something feels different about this. What exactly? Keep reading to find out.

Peacemaker Episode 1 Review

Spoiler Alert – If you haven’t seen Peacemaker episode 1 yet, this recap will spoil things a bit. Not much, so if you don’t mind small spoilers, you can totally read this. But if you loathe all kinds of spoilers, bookmark this joint and wait until you’ve seen the episode.

So, is it seeing John Cena’s bare ass on screen, in a hospital robe, that bothers me?

Of course not.

Despite me not liking the Peacemaker character, and not being attracted to the former wrestler, seeing his bare ass on screen isn’t what bothers me.

It’s also not the Black girl working at the hospital being a snitch.

Okay, okay fine. That bothered me a little bit.

But not as much as that foolish ass dance in the title sequence.

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However, none of those bother me like hearing Danielle Brooks’ character Leota Adebayo say pussy over and over again.

Why?

Because if you watched Orange is the New Black, you remember how similar the words pussy and the name of her good friend Poussey sound!

And I’m still not over her death in the show. So yeah, that triggered a lot of feelings.

And on top of that, her character is married to a woman?

I’m a little tired of folks casting straight actors as gay characters, as if there aren’t any actual gay actors in the world?

But that’s another argument for another day. That you can expect to see soon, because I just watched Eternals and of course it’s the same shit there.

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Anywho … the humor I thought would be in this, doesn’t hit like it did in The Suicide Squad.

The Suicide Squad was wild, and that’s what made it so intriguing to me. Although everything in the movie felt stupid, I could tell it all had a purpose. And it was SO damn insane that it made me laugh.

But I don’t get those same feelings from Peacemaker episode 1.

So when they made it absolutely clear that Peacemaker’s dad (played by Robert Patrick) is in fact racist.

Not just slightly racist because he says fucked up shit. No, no he’s actually racist!

That’s where it all went downhill for me.

And when Mr. Racist laughed at the story about Bloodsport being bitten by rats as a child, I lost it. Sir literally nearly died from laughter, and I just can’t.

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I’m sensitive about kids and the way they’re treated. Can you tell?

So even though we learn that Peacemaker’s dad makes his helmets, and they all have special abilities, the racism is hard to get past.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t bothered by how much people love throwing racism into tv shows that are meant to be “funny”.

I know James Gunn does crazy shit, and everyone loves him for it, but racism is hard to ignore when you’re Black.

I also get that he’s probably not making these series for me … or for us … so that’s another thing to take into consideration. White folks don’t get triggered by racism.

So racism, on top of an inhuman female killer machine, or whatever that “girl” was at the end, is a bit too much for my scary ass.

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But the wicked cool explosion at the end almost makes cringing through this worthwhile.

Almost.

I’m still not fully convinced that I should continue watching this, because the bone breaking sound effects feel like they belong in a horror film, and we all know how much I hate those.

But despite the fact that I’m easily frightened, hate horrors and thrillers, and hate seeing blood. There’s something so creative about the way James Gunn approaches explosions, that always excites me.

So the ending of episode 1 was kind of amazing. And exactly what I was hoping this series would be. The ending felt like The Suicide Squad, and I want more of that.

I’m just not sure this entire series is gonna be worth the watch. Because if I have to suffer through an entire 40+ minute episode just for a single, captivating moment that truly excites me, this one ain’t for me.

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Issa Rae Sent Fans On A Scavenger Hunt Throughout Inglewood To Celebrate ‘Insecure’ Final Season

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If you’re an Insecure fan, then chances are … you’ve already seen the final season!

I haven’t but I know you have!

But what you probably haven’t seen is this cute video showcasing the scavenger hunt Issa sent fans on throughout Inglewood, California to celebrate Insecure’s final season! It actually looks pretty freaking cool!

So what was this ‘Insecure’ scavenger hunt (that I wasn’t invited to) all about?

Well … Issa Rae’s Audio Everywhere Company, Raedio, partnered with Community (an innovative text message marketing platform) on a first-of-its-kind live scavenger hunt activation.

The viral video creation agency, Keithcity Group (known for creating Bill Nye’s viral Tik Toks) planned and executed the videography of the event, as well as the post-event reel.

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The scavenger hunt, designed for Insecure superfans to celebrate the show’s final season (and featuring a final soundtrack produced by Raedio), took place in Inglewood, California, last month. Last freaking month! And yet nobody told me? I coulda used an excuse to visit Cali last month man!

Anywho … Fans received exclusive Insecure-themed messages and videos via text that led them to several landmark locations and small businesses spotlighted in Rae’s hit HBO show.

The scavenger hunt culminated in a private immersive experience.

The Insecure Final Season Scavenger Hunt …

  • Took fans to black-owned businesses in Leimert Park and businesses featured on Insecure, including the place Rae tried to make a difference in the Inglewood Community during the first half of the series.
  • Gifted Raedio prizes to fans, such as hand sanitizer, t-shirts, and tote bags upon arrival at different locations.
  • Spotlighted The Coffee Shop co-owned by Issa Rae, and upon arrival, fans found the QR code that led them to a clue about the second location via text message.
  • Culminated with a private event where fans got to hear the season five soundtrack, produced by Raedio. Music artists featured on the soundtrack, like B.K. Habermehl and Josh Levi, also attended this private event.

So yeah, it sounds pretty cool, and a really special way for fans to celebrate a show they loved! I’m hoping we get more events like this in 2022. That I get invited too. Just saying.

Here’s a sneak peek of what the scavenger hunt was like …

All 5 seasons of Insecure are now streaming on HBO Max.

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8 Of The Best Quotes From Dune

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Listen, if you haven’t seen the new Dune film yet … I’m sorry, but you missed out! The moment it comes back on HBO Max you better RUN! I’m still shocked at how much I enjoyed it, and I watched it at home! And if I’m being completely honest, I’m still kicking myself for not seeing it in theaters.

However, while watching the Dune movie on HBO Max, I couldn’t help but notice these quotes. These quotes are my absolute fave so I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Here Are The Best Quotes From The “Dune” Movie

“If you want it, make me give it to you.”


“Dreams make good stories. But everything important happens when we’re awake.”


“You fight when necessity rises no matter the mood.”


“They’re not human they’re brutal.”


“Don’t be too sure it’s an act of love.”


“You dismiss my mother in her own house.”


“So much potential wasted in a male.”


“Should we remove them, save the water?”

Are any of these quotes above your favorite? Did I miss a good one that you loved?

If so, leave your favorite quotes in the comments below!

Dune is no longer streaming on HBO Max, but it’ll be back soon!

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