EDITORS' CHOICE!
Daishaundra Loving-Hearne & April Augustine rate movies, TV shows, and books
Our recommendations are on a 5-star scale:
⭐️ = ‘PASS’ to
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ = ‘MUST SEE’
MOVIES
A Jazzman’s Blues
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A beautiful yet haunting movie from Tyler Perry about love, the realities of America, and perseverance.
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This movie is so thought provoking, between the dry humor and hilarious ‘if you know, you know’ moments, you find yourself having some pretty deep introspection about the realities that we face in church culture sometimes. A great reminder to steer clear of spiritual narcissism and keep your connection with God pure and untainted.
The Woman King
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Tears and more tears. This movie gives us so many emotions: joy, empowerment, sadness, pride. There are many think-pieces about how the Dahomey tribe shouldn’t be glorified; however, the history is very present, not hidden, in this film. The movie itself is so well done and impressive, and found so many of the deep facets of what it means to be a Black woman, a warrier, a leader, and a teacher, as well as the beauty and fullness that is Black history.
Nope
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Jordan Peele has given us thought-provoking movies such as Get Out and Us. With Nope, he pushes us again, this time with a neo-Western ‘horror’ movie. Initially, the reviews for this movie were mixed, but it is definitely worth seeing. The underlying subtext — subtle jokes that include plays on Black community sayings or colloquialisms — made this more a comedy than traditional horror film. It’s yet another beautiful metaphor, this time about the dangers of Hollywood and celebrity culture and idol worship. Kekee Palmer and Daniel Kaluya are excellence personified.
Emancipation
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
We tend to shy away from movies focused on slavery because of the negative feelings and impact it leaves with the viewer, especially Black people. However, the takeaway feelings from Emancipation are those of hope. This movie is so surprising, heartbreaking, enraging, and filled with knowledge. Without giving away spoilers about the ending… we could watch it play out over and over. As usual, an award-winning performance by Will Smith.
Emergency
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Emergency is so real. For so many of us, this boy’s reality while in college is also our everyday reality. Oftentimes, these movies evoke anger because some people don’t understand — or don’t care to understand — the everyday realities of being Black in America. This movie is beautifully done and prompts great conversations about Black youth.
Spell
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This isn’t the typical type of scary movie, but it takes the viewer on a wild up and down ride… again without giving away too many spoilers, hang in there because it’s so worth it! This movie ended up being SO good. Additionally, you may walk away wanting to take a deep dive into the history of Black spirituality and hoodoo. And Loretta Devine does such an amazing job you may not be able to see her in the same light for at least a couple of months.
Alice
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Even though this is yet another movie about the terrible realities of being Black in America, this film could have easily gone on for an additional couple of hours. It is thought-provoking and at times may make you very angry while watching, though you may be pleased with the ending. If you love a movie that inspires conversations and research, this is one to watch.
TELEVISION
There is a new era in TV! There used to be very few aspects of Black life being positively represented on TV and film. Black actors, directors, film scorers, producers, and the like have historically gotten snubbed or overlooked when it comes to positively or accurately representing Black people and their art, but these shows are most definitely award-worthy. Black people are far from monolithic and these programs show how colorful, full, different, and vibrant our lives and our stories truly are. If you feel like being immersed in Black culture and the beauty of Black life, here are some shows that will make you feel right at home.
The Chi
(Showtime)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Bel-Air
(Peacock)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Harlem
(Amazon Prime)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Godfather of Harlem
(Roku)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Best Man: The Final Chapters
(Peacock)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Kindred
(Hulu)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Man Who Fell To Earth
(Showtime)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Abbott Elementary
(Hulu)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Lovecraft Country
(HBO Max)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Insecure
(HBO Max)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Atlanta
(Hulu)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Wonder Years
(Hulu)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Sweet Life: Los Angeles
(HBO Max)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Grown-ish
(Hulu)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Black-ish
(Hulu)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
P-Valley
(Starz)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Power and the Power franchise: BMF, Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Power Book IV: Force
(Starz)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
All American
(Amazon Prime, Netflix)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Snowfall
(Hulu)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Twenties
(Amazon Prime)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Game
(Old seasons on Hulu, New season on Paramount+)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Queens
(Hulu)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Raising Dion
(Netflix)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Rap Sh!t
(HBO Max)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Woke
(Hulu)
April: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Daishaundra: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
BOOKS
Our top three book picks are:
All About Love by bell hooks
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
White Tears/Brown Scars by Ruby Hamad
COCOA (Color Our Community On Awareness) also has a great page recommending bookstores at cocoawwv.org/books, and a link to their book list at: goodreads.com/review/list/150903044-cocoa !