Using AI to depict a deceased person’s likeness continues to be a topic of discussion, unfortunately. There are actors like the still-living (thankfully) Robert Downey, Jr. who say they absolutely do not give studios permission to resurrect or continue their careers via AI cameos. Then, there are other cases where it is being done to serve a narrative purpose, which is terrible or needed, depending on whom you ask. The latest news is that Cobra Kai season six part two used AI to bring back Mr. Miyagi, the famous The Karate Kid character. (Thank you SlashFilm for bringing this to our attention!)
As fans of the film know, Pat Morita passed away in 2005 and since then his character has only existed spiritually. Now, AI has made it possible for Mr. Miyagi to appear in Cobra Kai. Here’s what Cobra Kai co-creator Josh Heald had to say about why this was necessary:
“For so many seasons, we’ve told a Miyagi story that was focused on the absence of Mr. Miyagi. This season, we’re digging into a little bit more of the looming presence of new information, new ideas or a new glimpse into a part of Mr. Miyagi’s life that the series has never focused on. That Daniel has never been aware of. So by digging more into that and getting more and more in Daniel’s head with his kind of tortured idea of, ‘What didn’t he know?’ … does that affect and infect his opinion of Mr. Miyagi?”
Interesting. It is not clear what Morita’s family nor former cast members feel about this. But Netflix and the show’s creatives said they depicted his likeness in the most respectful way possible. There’s one final part to this story so we will have to see its conclusion in 2025.
The post COBRA KAI Season 6 Part 2 Uses AI to Bring Back Major THE KARATE KID Character appeared first on Nerdist.
Shutterstock / Jacob Lund 
The post Everything To Expect When Dissolving Fillers appeared first on Essence.
Photo Credit: Melina Pizano / Matchroom
Alycia Baumgardner has always embraced a fighting spirit. Growing up in a family of fighters, she didn’t just learn to Photo Credit: Emma Sharon
Outside the ring, Baumgardner’s interests are as varied as her boxing >HBCUs to inspire young fans are a testament to that commitment, as she encourages them to embrace self-confidence and strive toward their dreams.
For the accomplished pugilist, her place in athletics goes beyond the titles and belts. “To be the face of women’s boxing is a blessing,” she says. “With my story and what I can offer outside the ring, I can reach so many people. It’s bigger than the sport.” She sees her role as a legacy-maker, one who’s known not just for her victories, but for the words she shares and the impact she leaves. “People aren’t going to remember me just for the belts,” she insists. “They’re going to remember what I spoke about, what I told that young girl who dreamed of becoming a champion one day.”
Her journey, however, isn’t without obstacles. As a Black woman in a male-dominated sport, the boxing star had to confront challenges head-on, often feeling like she stood out in a world where she didn’t see many who looked like her. Reflecting on her experience, she says, “Being a young Black girl with muscles wasn’t common. But I always believed one day, people would respect my work ethic.” That belief continues to fuel her as she balances the demands of her sport with the pressures of being an influential figure.
Photo courtesy of Matchroom. This past September, Alycia faced an unexpected setback during her highly anticipated match with Delfine Persoon at Trilith Studios in Atlanta. The fight was intense, with her determination to defend her undisputed super featherweight title. By the fourth round, a cut over Persoon’s right eye—caused by an accidental clash of heads—forced the ringside doctor to call the fight, resulting in a no-contest ruling. While the decision was anticlimactic, she viewed it as a temporary hurdle rather than a defeat, exuding the same resilience that’s defined her career.
As she looks to the future, the 30-year-old’s focus remains clear. She’s dedicated to her craft, to her community, and to inspiring the next generation of fighters. And while the challenges ahead may be tough, she’s grounded in her faith and her purpose. “Prayer is important,” she says. “I’ve always had this faith that I was meant to be something great, and through obstacles, I’ve learned to overcome.”
Baumgardner’s journey is one of grit, grace, and undeniable strength—a true testament to her belief that, in boxing and in life, every setback is an opportunity to rise. As she continues to train, mentor others, and push the boundaries of the sport, she shows that her fight goes far beyond titles; it’s about redefining life’s possibilities.
TOPICS: black women in sports boxingThe post Alycia Baumgardner On Faith, Femininity And Breaking Barriers In Boxing appeared first on Essence.
Episode one of Uzumaki was supposed to be a crown jewel in the offering for the Anime Fall 2024 season this year. Delayed a few times, the series production labored to finally bring this anime adaptation of one of legendary horror mangaka Junji Ito’s most popular works to life. Airing on Adult Swim, we were given the green light to prepare for a visual feast for old and new fans alike. The first episode aired to good fanfare: introducing teens Shuichi, Kirie, and the madness of the spiral that overtakes their town and the people within it. I loved the high-quality animation, the music, and the creepy, atmospheric look of the series and how I looked forward to watching more.
And then I watched the second episode and as goes the title of one of my favorite albums by The Roots, Things Fall Apart. I was looking forward to watching this episode as I figured that it would be the one to tackle the iconic hair spirals that Kirie falls victim to as more and more spirals start manifesting in the town. That much proved to be true with an unfortunate truth: the drop of quality of the animation dropped tremendously making fans question (and meme endless, online), what happened, here?
Spoilers Big and Small, Up Ahead!
@zoros110cm the first episode was godly bro what happened
♬ original sound – EliaZ#uzumaki #uzumakimanga #uzumakianime #junjiito #junjiitocollection #animation
Animation Blues?
Episode two of Uzumaki brought the jokes and memes on social media as the animation was noticeably and laughably bad. A general consensus online that started to circulate that even fan created projects have looked more decent and polished. Toonami co-creator and Uzumaki executive producer Jason DeMarco did address the animation quality and fan backlash online as first spotted and reported by CBR:
“It’s fine, we knew this would happen. I can’t talk about what went down but we were screwed over and the options were A) Not finish and air nothing and call it a loss, B) Just finish and air Ep 1 and leave it incomplete or C) Run all four, warts and all. Out of respect for the hard work, we chose C.”
DeMarco continued, “After waiting so long, it makes sense people would be mad. Unfortunately, I can’t tell them who to blame it on…but someone is definitely at fault here, and we all just had to do our best when things imploded. Maybe others would have made different choices. We did the best we could with what we had.”
“But again, a lot of [people] worked very hard on this show, and I didn’t think the actions of just one or two people should be the reason it never saw the light of day. Maybe that’s the wrong choice, I truly don’t know. But those people have a right to be annoyed and disappointed.”
Game Rant’s reporting of the sudden decline of quality in the series via episode two of Uzuamaki featured some of my favorite tweets documenting the bizarre pieces of animation and very noticeable–stop and stare parts of the episode, seen here. Speculation abound leading to many of us wondering if severe budget constraints, outsourcing some scenes overseas to cut costs and meet deadlines–already a problem as the project was five years in delays–a serious issue that would soon plague the entire series and the end result.
CBR also reported a change in directors and animation studios with Episode 1 being directed by Hiroshi Nagahama (Mushishi, The Flowers of Evil) and animated by studio Fugaku. Whereas Episode 2 was directed by Yuji Moriyama and animated by studio Akatsuki. It makes me wonder between the delays how long the production really took. As Gizmodo reported, “Moreover, eagle-eyed fans registered that much of Uzumaki‘s promotional material centered solely on the show’s premiere episode, with very few showcasing scenes from the limited series’ other three episodes.” It makes me wonder between the delays how long the production team went between doing work on the episodes and when the hand-off was during the COVID-19 pandemic (early) days?
Spiraling Out, I mean Crashing Out
My question with what the second episode of Uzumaki gave us, why would people return for more? Why keep eyeballs on this series when Fall Anime Season fan fave Dandadan had just started to great fanfare and reviews? Why would Uzuamki be a series to keep on the radar of an anime fan’s streaming list when a new offering of Shojo and Josei anime adaptations and titles like Nina the Starry Bride, How I Attended an All-Guy’s Mixer and Yakuza Fiancé would be easier to jump into and enjoy? But I did return to watching this adaptation of my favorite Junji Ito’ manga for the next two episodes without much glee or satisfaction, sadly–if only to satisfy my completionist spirit when it occasionally comes to anime.
Episode 3 of Uzumaki had an edge over the previous with a slight improvement animation wise over episode 2, but the pacing of the episode dragged on. I really found it hard to be excited to watch and keep focused on the happenings in the episode but did my best to carry on, regardless of the padding out of the original source material–the manga. Episode 4 of Uzumaki, while not as great as the first episode, showed glimpses that the animators and team that handled the first episodes had hands in the last. Showing some stiff and awkward scenes here (please tell me the tornadoes made you giggle too?!) and there, the very last episode helped attempt to bring back the standard of the first episode and wrap up the story. There were some really cool visual effects included in this last episode that helped push the narrative into its final scenes along with more strange and terrifying happenings.
Over-Hyped and Over-Hated?
What do we, as the audience, take away from this dismal showing of this long-awaited adaptation?
What did this adaptation of Uzumaki do right or well enough?
First and foremost, it gave a solid first episode that introduced the lore and creepiness of the source material well. Secondly, the attention to detail regarding body horror (yes, even the episodes that made it ridiculous to watch) worked in its favor. Lastly, the soundtrack and the sound design was masterful, and this was the one consistent part of the creative process that stayed true, in my opinion.
Having Colin Stetson’s talent on this haunting and steadfastly creepy musical score is the perhaps, the most positive part of watching what this series literally descended to and visually illustrated the horror of the story. If you adored the soundtrack like I did, you can find it online via YouTube and Spotify and even pressed to vinyl (with some really neat packaging) as well.
Uzumaki may have started off, in my own words, as an unsettling and darkly picturesque adaptation, but it quickly dissolved into a disappointing mess of animation and awkwardness. At only four episodes, it should have been an easier task versus a momentum regular season or cour of an anime in the likes of twelve episodes or more. I don’t know how to feel that as anime became even more popular globally during COVID-19 crisis, the production of the adaptation of this long-awaited series spiraled into a forgettable, near mediocre mess.
There were a host of anime series, films that were impacted by the health crisis (Here’s a list back in 2020 from Crunchyroll for example) but Uzumaki’s failure to have a consistently solid showing makes me just feel incredibly sad. The thing is I’m not even mad anymore, just disappointed and wondering what could have been and what we could have had. It makes me wonder what is the state of animation outside the United States and what this means for partnerships and collabs between such adored giants like Adult Swim and Toonami and Japanese animation studios to come, like Lazarus?
I really, really wanted this to be the one to break the “Junji Ito Adaptation Curse” especially as Ito-Sensei is only growing older. Plus, we’re all much more aware of how fragile the health and lives of creatives are, especially living through the pandemic years. When it comes to creatives and artists of the Asian Diaspora — particularly Japanese creatives who make manga, the world has lost several greats. In recent years we’ve lost Kazuki Takahashi (Yu-Gi-Oh!), Mia Ikumi (Tokyo Mew Mew), Motoo Abiko (of Fujiko Fujio fame, one of the creatives behind Doraemon), Kentaro Miura (Berserk), Leiji Matsumoto ( Galaxy Express 999), Hinako Ashihara (Sand Chronicles) and even Akira Toriyama (Dragonball).
I really want a win for him in the realms of an anime adaptation. Sadly, this won’t be it. My hot take is that this anime adaptation of Uzumaki was over hyped and thus over-hated. Yet, I cannot even blame fans (and haters) for feeling let down for this was supposed to be the chosen one–the adaptation to break “the curse.”
I’ll forget Uzumaki, in time (It won’t be hard!), and I’ll return to Junji Ito’s manga as there’s still years of his work for me to devour. I’ll get back to dreaming that one day, the curse will be broken, and fans can rejoice of a faithful, stunning, consistent adaptation that will make us all proud and emotionally invested–the right way for such an incredible source material. Until then, we wait. I truly feel like I was baited and hooked for a series adaptation that did not live up to what we all hoped it would be or what was promised. Shame, but I’m not spiraling out over it anymore or longer than I have to.
WHEW. This was hard to write. Have thoughts? Feel Bamboozled? Join us in the comments section for a group therapy session.
Love anime? So do we! See what else we have to offer on the site via anime here!
Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you?
Sign up here! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram!
The post ‘Uzumaki’ Series Results in Being Fumbled and Forgettable appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Months ago, I wrote a primer guide introducing audiences to Look Back once the trailer for its animated adaptation dropped.
Look Back follows the coming-of-age tale of Ayumu Fujino, a super confident girl and her shut-in classmate, Kyomoto. The two first cross paths over a friendly rivalry that started in elementary school upon discovering their shared love of manga creation, which eventually blossoms into camaraderie as they mature into their young adulthood.
As for my favorite Tatsuki Fujimoto manga, I could not wait for the animated adaptation that brings a tale on growing up, maturity, and cherishing those we call friends. I knew that I wanted to go watch and review it, so off I went Sunday night to do just that.
Spoilers big and small up ahead!
I was so looking forward to watching Look Back in theaters, and the first five minutes or so cemented that it was in fact, a great idea on my end. Opening to artist Ayumu Fujino and her artwork by way of her four panel manga strips, audiences get to see her short manga animated on the big screen! Seeing those comics come to life visually stunned me and caught the theater by surprise as laughter could be heard around the room. I LOVE the artistic flair that is added to certain scenes through the film as decided by the animation team, like exploring the emotions of Fujino in the scene where she walks home in the rain after first meeting Kyomoto.
Let me set up the scene for you: Fujino–after giving up on manga- has met her then-rival, found out that she was looked up to and seen as a mentor, even referred to as Sensei-teacher by the then shut-in but incredibly talented student. She leaves the girl feeling validated and almost marches home with glee, stomping and jumping in puddles–her body language really alive on the screen and the animators took time to emotionally express the culmination of her younger self’s victory. It is an impressive animation segment of the story where I believe Studio Durian asked themselves: How can we extend the scene from the few pages in the manga and make the audience feel a part of this character’s emotions?
The music in Look Back is composed by Haruka Nakamura (composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist based in Tokyo, Japan) who some anime fans may know for his work on a Nujabes tribute and for Trigun Stampede. Here, his dedication to the piano in the making of the soundtrack for the film gave me a new appreciation of the musical instrument and how at home it sounded in all the music I heard for the film. Look Back’s title song, “Light Song” with vocals by Urara (which is included in the film trailer) sets a nostalgic tone for the film which tonally feels appropriate and helped make it a song I wanted to listen to again and again.
Sometimes when fans talk about adaptation in anime, some of the finer points of the original work gets lost in the sauce–to much disappointment from fans everywhere. While watching the film in theaters, I was happy to see the motifs and visuals from the manga: see the back of Fujino at her desk over the years, starting in elementary school, later with Kyomoto at her feet at her own desk. Seeing the windows, doors and the two girls together in their youth, especially with the overly confident Fujino leading the way for her friend through crowds and streets helped me place the story beats in my head as I watched them along with others in the dark theater.
Seeing such attention to detail in the four panel comics and the montages of the girls creating manga and enjoying themselves included in the movie reminded me that this was an adaptation made with much respect to Tatsuki Fujimoto and his widespread, critically acclaimed manga that the film adapts. I am obviously a big fan of this adaptation, and I’m placing it on a personal list of ‘anime adaptation done right’ in my head–glancing at social reveals that many fans feel the same. The film also holds a pretty decent surprise via Rotten Tomatoes, as well.
Actress Yumi Kawai, perhaps best known for her roles in Plan 75 (2022), Desert of Namibia (2024) and Shigatsu ni nareba kanojo wa (2024) stars as the voice of the more confident Ayumu Fujino. Mizuki Yoshida is perhaps best known for her acting in Alice in Borderland (2020), The Lump in My Heart (2022) and Mayhem Girls (2023) accompanies Kawai as her best friend and creative collaborator on screen as the more timid Kyomoto.
While most fans make take to their more explosive and confrontational scenes in the film, I think both actresses really show us their mettle in the quieter scenes like when Mizuki Yoshida (as Kymototo), thanks Yumi Kawai as (Fujino) for getting her– a shut in student out that room– and into the world. Such quieter and more subtle scenes like this in the film help flesh out the friendship of the girls and the years that bond them together.
The animated credits, that I highly suggest that you sit through, is a subtle and moving part of the story–even if it serves as an animated end-cap. Paying attention to the voice acting talent section will reveal a surprising and beloved voice acting talent credited! (Big Hint: I’m high-fiving my fellow The Vision of Escaflowne fans!) The credits also serve as a quiet time for reflection for viewers seeing that solo character coming back to her desk and working, having a piece of their former friend with them.
Look Back’s North American film distributor included a wonderful surprise after the film (as they are known to do, we love GKids extras!) I was able to watch a prerecorded, subtitled Q&A with director Kiyotaka Oshiyama and two of the main voice actresses of Kyomoto (Mizuki Yoshida) and Fujino (Yumi Kawai). The director who also wrote the screenplay elaborated on taking his time on adapting the original and stopping and coming back to the project to give it his best effort when he felt it wasn’t quite heading in the right direction.
My fellow audience members in the theater got to watch him talk about the care and consideration that went into respecting and adapting the original source material in detail. With the animation, he spoke about the free reign they, as a team, had in making certain scenes ‘pop.’ My fellow BNP contributor Mikkel reminded me of Oshiyama saying that as a director, he went back and made sure the animators didn’t erase their sketch lines because he wanted that imperfection included in–this just stands as an incredible glimpse into the process of making this film and how aligned the creative team were in honoring Fujimoto’s manga.
Watching the segment with the voice actresses talk about their roles revealed so much like Yumi Kawai’s admission that this was her very first voice acting role and the actress favorite lines in the film! I was moved by them admitting their nerves and working around trying to best present the characters’ (voices) for the film. It is my hope that this special is accessible to viewers everywhere once the film hits streaming services and DVD.
Look Back isn’t a long film, the run time is maybe a few minutes short of an hour–and it doesn’t need to be longer, to be a stand out film that emphasizes friendships, connections and creative outlets. When I think back on this film, I know that I highly recommend it to others. If I could paraphrase what I wrote in the Black Nerd Problems Discord: I wanted to watch this again the next day–everyone should bring tissues whether you watch it in theaters or wait for it to be on streaming services.
Seeing Fujino back at her desk and the changes she makes through the film alone, then with Kyomoto and then alone again helps me process their story of pride, validation, creativity. and the heart-breaking tragedy that separates them. I am reminded of why I loved the manga in the first place. This brilliant coming-of-age story that dared to stand out and becomes a great force to recognized with here on the big screen, animated. Look Back is a delightful, heart-breaking film adaptation dedicated to the main core of its source material: focusing in on art, artists, and the pursuit to make and the sacrifices made in that pursuit.
LOOK BACK from Kiyotaka Oshiyama based on the manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto in theatres starting October 4
See screening times, additional cast information and more of the GKIDS website.
See more of GKIDS on Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, Tik Tok, and Youtube.
Love anime? So do we! See what else we have to offer on the site via anime here!
Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you?
Sign up here! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram!
The post REVIEW: ‘Look Back’ is the Stand Out, Coming-of-Age Adaptation We All Need to Watch appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Every year, there’s typically a few holiday movies released to get us excited for Christmas. Lately, some have taken different approaches in a creative way like Violent Night, Spirited, and Candy Cane Lane. Red One pairs Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Callum Drift) and Chris Evans (Jack O’ Malley) on a mission to save Santa Claus (played by J.K Simmons) after he is suddenly kidnapped by Gryla (Kiernan Shipka).
I’ve long thought Simmons was born to play J. Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man flicks, but I could have been wrong as he is the perfect Santa Claus. He exhibits charisma, charm, and a great amount of warmth that is different from previous actors who have donned the red suit. The clock is ticking as Drift must find Saint Nick and bring him back to the North Pole before it’s time to set out to deliver presents. He enlists the help of O’Malley as he is the world’s most notorious bounty hunter and can track down any and everything. Lucy Liu plays Zoe, Callum’s director, and aids the duo along their path to save Christmas.
While it is a Christmas movie, there are several layers to unpack with a heartwarming message within its core. O’Malley has a son that he has been quite distant and unavailable for. As an avid gambler leading a rough around the edges lifestyle, he felt it best to allow the young boy to take on his mother’s new husband as a father figure. As the film goes on, he begins to see the importance of being present regardless if he thinks he’s a good fit as a dad.
It’s important to note that Red One knows exactly what it is and doesn’t try to be more than that. Does it have wild moments and characters? Yes. Are there aspects of the film that could have been left out entirely as it didn’t contribute much to the story? Yes. Going into this film, you have to know you’re in for a fun ride full of holiday themes with an entertaining cast, and that is exactly what a Christmas movie is. Did they check off all the boxes without being a duplicate of previous films? Yes.
One thing that worked really well is the amount of hilarious comedic moments, and, as a personal fan of Evans, I was quite surprised to see how funny he can be. This is one of the first times we’ve seen him in a role that portrays him as up to no good and somewhat sleazy, which adds to the “deadbeat” dad storyline.
We need more roles like this for Evans. He shined in the film, when ironically it is Johnson who is heavily marketed as the main focal point. This type of character isn’t super new to Evans as he tapped into his funny side years ago in Losers, Fantastic Four, and What Your Number?
Johnson has some moments himself as well as he has just resigned at the commencement of the film as Santa’s right-hand man. We go the whole film without knowing why until the very end when it is revealed, and it is a bittersweet moment.
There are some things that didn’t work but ultimately don’t take away from the joyfulness of Red One. For starters, some of the moments that include Saint Nick’s brother, Krampus (Kristofer Hivju), are a bit drawn out and could have been concluded. It’s a solid addition to the story seeing how that is a legit nod to Santa actually having a brother.
Shipka as Gryla is a terrifying villain who plays like Scarlet Witch but with a Christmas agenda. There’s a moment when she embodies Ted (Nick Kroll), and it was an unbearably drawn-out cringe moment that I truthfully couldn’t wait to be over.
The last piece that didn’t work is the chemistry between Evans and his son, Dylan (played by Wesley Kimmel). I couldn’t place my finger on what the true issue was, whether it was Evans not coming off as a dad or if the kid being as old as he was didn’t translate, but regardless, it was a missed unfortunately.
Watching this play out in IMAX was a thrilling treat, especially given the fact that at its initial announcement, the film was supposed to be released on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming platform (I’m still curious about that switch up because the press run has been a lot and quite exciting to watch). One thing is for certain: this film isn’t for critics, it’s for the audience to enjoy especially the kiddos. Red One will be one of those entries on Rotten Tomatoes where the audience score will shine while it potentially gets torn up on Tomatometer.
Regardless, it’s truly a blast of a film with its funny moments, holiday cheer, and over-the-top action sequences that make it fun for the whole family. It’s the perfect film to take the out-of-town fam bam to when they come in for Thanksgiving to get everyone excited for Christmas.
Red One will be released in theaters November 15, 2024.
The post Review: Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans Delivers in the Holiday Action Comedy ‘Red One’ appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
Fall can be a great time to travel. There are fewer crowds, the leaves shine with warm colors, and the weather is cool enough for outdoor exploration.
While traveling offers many benefits, such as breaking away from routine and relaxation, it can also be an excellent opportunity to discover history and learn about the past.
If you want to take a trip this fall, here are five historic places where you can honor Black heritage and learn something new.
- Farmville, Virginia
The name Farmville, Virginia, may sound like a nursery rhyme song and is probably not on your bucket list of places to visit. However, it’s home to one of the most significant student walkouts in history. Led by Barbara Johns and John Arthur Stokes, 16-year-old students who organized a protest with other students, and together, they walked out of all-Black Robert Russa Moton High School to contest the school’s poor conditions. The momentous day happened on April 23, 1951, and later, this walkout was included in the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case.
Place to check out on your visit: When in the neighborhood, check out Twin Lakes State Park. This historical place is excellent for fishing, boating, hiking, and swimming. The two recreation areas, Godwin Lake and Prince Edward Lake, were once only available to white residents of Prince Edward County. In 1950, the Prince Edward State Park for Negroes was opened. The parks combined in 1976 to be open to all.
The Moton Museum is also a National Historic Landmark site. This museum strives to preserve history by retelling the story of the Robert Russa Moton High School student protest.
- Vero Beach Florida
Florida was a state slow to desegregation. However, a baseball team in Vero Beach set the example for equality. In 1948, Dodgertown, a multi-sports facility in Vero Beach, became the South’s first integrated Major League Baseball training facility. For the first time in history, Black and white players from the Dodgers and Montreal Royals shared living quarters, played, and ate together.
While society continued with its racist regulations, the baseball team created its own rules. In 1954, their starting lineup featured an African American for the first time in history.
Things to do: Vero Beach is a place for nature lovers. One enchanting place to visit is the McKee Botanical Garden, which has the largest display of outdoor lilies in the United States. You can also check out the Indian River Lagoon, where you can take a boat to see animals such as manatees, dolphins, and birds.
- Birmingham, Alabama
If you know civil rights history, the name Birmingham rings an eerie bell. The city is well known for the Birmingham Riot of 1963, which occurred after the bombing of Gaston Motel and the home of Rev. A.D. King. Many African Americans were enraged by not only the occurrence of the incidents but also how poorly the police pursued its perpetrators.
As a result, riots broke out demanding justice. These riots later led to President Kennedy proposing a major civil rights bill that was later passed under President Lyndon B. Johnson as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Must-see places: Visiting the civil rights district is necessary for a city with so much history. In 1993, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute was founded to help retell the historical moments of Birmingham’s past. These exhibits serve as windows into the past, transporting you back in time. Within the area, you can also visit the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, which was once a meeting ground for Black activists. Although it was bombed with no one inside, it holds strong today as a reminder of the past.
- Albany, Georgia
Of course, not every movement led to a happy ending in the fight for equality. Still, every demonstration and every fight was a significant crack in the downfall of segregation. One such movement was the Albany Movement in Georgia. In 1961, the National Association for the Advancement of Black People (NAACP) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) formed a desegregation campaign called the Albany Movement. Their goal was to desegregate an entire community. However, this goal was not achieved and led to the jailing of over 1,000 African Americans, even with the influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
However, this failure laid the groundwork for the success Dr. King Jr. would eventually have in Birmingham, Alabama.
Places to visit: The Albany Civil Rights Museum and Institute has well-documented educational exhibits on civil rights history. Within its walls, you can see documents of the past, such as photographs, voter registration, and much more.
The Ray Charles Plaza is another essential place to visit. Stationed in the middle of the plaza is a life-size sculpture of the music legend Ray Charles, who sits at a Baby Grand piano. Surrounded by running water that falls off into a reflecting pool, the sound of the water gives the impression that Charles is making music.
- Lafayette, Louisiana
One of Lafayette’s most significant civil rights events happened around the desegregation of Southwestern Louisiana Institute (SLI), now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, at the beginning of 1953. The NAACP sued the college for not permitting four Black students, Clara Dell Constantine, Martha Conway, Shirley Taylor, and Charles Vincent Singleton, to register there. Through persistent efforts, John Harold Taylor became the first Black student enrolled in the summer of 1954.
Things to do: If you visit Lafayette, you’ll have plenty to do, but visiting the Acadian Cultural Center or Vermilionville is a must. These folk-life centers present history through hands-on experiences of local traditions that continue to shape the city’s cultural landscape.
Before you leave, check out local music clubs for a unique musical experience with Cajun and Zydeco performers.
Visiting historic places is a great way to learn about the past in an interactive way. Which city will you explore next? For more information you can check out the Civil Rights Trail website.
The post Take a Fall Trip through History by Visiting These 5 Civil Rights Historic Destinations appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, John Wick co-director David Leitch revealed something shocking. Before Keanu Reeves was attached to the action film, Bruce Willis was slated to star. Leitch revealed more on the early days of the John Wick series to celebrate the franchise’s 10th anniversary.
Leitch and his directing partner, Chad Stahelski wanted to level up in their career directing a feature length film. They were originally second-unit directors, stunt choreographers, and coordinators. The original John Wick script by Derek Kolstad had come to Leitch and Stahelski while Willis was attached to the project.
“We were first exposed to the script by our manager at the time, Kelly McCormick, who’s now my wife and producer. She had introduced us to Basil Iwanyk and Peter Lawson at Basil’s company [Thunder Road] to maybe do second unit work on that script. So that was the first time we read it, and I think Bruce Willis might’ve been attached at that time,” Leitch told The Hollywood Reporter.
After Reeves signed on to the project, he approached the pair to direct second unit as they had worked together on The Matrix. The pair already considered the offer previously and asked if they could be the main directors instead. With Reeves’ support the rest is history and Leitch and Stahelski became action movie legends.
Okay imagine if Bruce Willis was John Wick though. The entire vibe of the move would be different. For some reason I feel like Keanu Reeves going on a revenge-fueled rampage because of his puppy’s death just makes sense. Thinking of Bruce Willis in the same role is hard to visualize, although he is an amazing action actor in his own right. Die Hard is the best Christmas movie of all time and I’ll die on that hill.
Regardless of who John Wick is, the film made it to the big screen, and we love it. Don’t worry if you can’t get enough of the John Wick universe there is an upcoming spinoff film, Ballerina. Ana de Armas is John Wick’s character, Eve Macarro, as she learns the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.
In addition to Ballerina, there is also another spinoff film in the works right now about Donnie Yen’s assassin character, as well as a new series, John Wick: Under the High Table. Additionally, a John Wick experience is opening in Las Vegas later this year.
The post David Leitch Reveals Bruce Willis Almost Played John Wick appeared first on Nerdist.
ONE MUSICFEST will be held on Oct. 26 and 27. The festival was first held in Atlanta’s Central Park in 2022 and moved to Piedmont Park last year, but organizers just announced that it is returning to Central Park for this year’s event.
The organizers posted the information on social media to inform guests about the change.
#OMFFam, we’ve got an important update! #OMF2024 will now be held at Atlanta’s Historic CENTRAL PARK! Read above for details
Y’all remember #OMF2022, right? SAME energy for this year!
New location, same vibes! The countdown is ON, and we can’t wait to party. Let’s make this 15th anniversary one for the books!
“WSB-TV reported that the change occurs at the smaller park as it celebrates its 15th year.
“By moving to Central Park, we can continue to deliver the activations and experiences you love without compromising on quality. We believe deeply in the power of culture and the significance of independently owned Black festivals,” a written statement from the organizers read. “We’re committed to making the best choices for our music-loving community and keeping ONE MUSICFEST strong.”
On Oct. 26, people can expect to see performances by Earth, Wind & Fire, Fantasia, Method Man & Redman, Nelly, and Cardi B. Atlanta DJ Greg Street’s OMF Anthem will also allow local talent Young Dro, Crime Mob, Travis Porter, and Trillville to take the stage.
The following day, Jill Scott, Victoria Monet, Keyshia Cole, Dru Hil, Gunna, Glorilla, and Sexyy Red are expected to take the stage. DJ Drama will also have special guests. DJ Mars Block Party will also have T.I., Keri Hilson, Lloyd, and other artists.
Tickets for the event, starting at $99 for a single-day ticket, can be obtained on the ONE MUSICFEST website.
Marvel Comics’ most recent relaunch of the X-Men line of comic books, titled X-Men: From the Ashes, follows the end of the Krakoan Age storyline and introduces many new elements to the X-Men franchise. Among the ongoing series of comics is also Wolverine, a relaunch that follows the adventures of the eponymous and perpetually enraged mutant we all know and love. The comic’s first issue, Wolverine #1, introduced a powerful new metal that’s not only stronger than Adamantium in Wolverine’s bones but also threatens to change the Wolverine lore forever.
For a long time in the history of Marvel Comics, adamantium was regarded as an indestructible steel alloy named after the legendary adamantine, a metal found both in Greek mythology and classical literature. First introduced in The Avengers #66, published in July 1966, Adamantium draws its origins from the work of Dr. Myron MacLain, an American metallurgist contracted by the US government during WWII for military research and development.
This indestructible metal in Marvel lore was fused with Wolverine’s bones and claws by the nefarious Weapon X program through mutant experimentation. The process was incredibly painful, as it involved fusing molten metal with one’s skeleton, and the only reason Logan survived is because of his primary mutant power — his regenerative healing factor — which allows him to heal and regenerate his injuries and damaged tissue with incredible speed and efficiency.
Now, the recently introduced gold adamantium (not its official name) challenges the position of regular Adamantium as Marvel Comics’ strongest metal. The events of Wolverine #1 follow the battle between Wolverine and Cyber in the Canadian wilderness. While the skin on Cyber’s arms is bonded with Adamantium, Wolverine’s Adamantium claws and his innate ferocity allow him to overpower and brutalize Cyber. However, amidst the clash of their fight, a mysterious golden metal awakens deep underground.
Cyber, now injured and fleeing from Wolverine, stumbles across this golden metal that possesses him and begins infecting his own Adamantium, providing the metal with its own golden sheen. But what makes the whole thing interesting is that the fans are given insight into gold adamantium’s “thoughts” through narration, where it calls adamantium “false metal,” along with its plans to eradicate it from the world. However, the metal didn’t just possess Cyber’s adamantium; it also purified Cyber’s will and made him “worthy” of wielding this new form.
Now, it’s important to note that Adamantium can be considered false metal, as it’s not found in the natural world. Instead it’s an alloy; a combination of base metal and metallic and non-metallic elements that improve its specific properties, and its rarity can be attributed to the fact that the exact recipe for making adamantium in Marvel Comics is only known to the US government. As a synthetic alloy, adamantium is totally unbreakable. For the longest time, its only known weakness was Antarctic vibranium, which disrupts its molecular stability and causes it to melt.
So, the gold adamantium isn’t wrong to call the regular adamantium false metal. However, the fact that the former possesses its wielders and “makes them worthy” of wielding it suggests godly origins. It just so happens that the Olympian gods, based on the Greek pantheon, are part of Marvel Comics and are reimagined as powerful beings residing in the dimension of Olympus. Hercules, in particular, has been a recurring Marvel character since he was first introduced in 1945’s Young Allies #16 and then reintroduced in 1965’s Journey Into Mystery Annual #1.
In the latter of the two comic books, Hercules appears wielding a Golden Mace, which is made out of adamantine, making it as strong and durable as Thor’s Mjolnir. Considering that Mjolnir has been shown to resist and even break through or shatter Adamantium-based weapons, we can clearly deduce that adamantine —which has a gold-like appearance — is stronger than adamantium.
Fans now speculate, and all evidence points toward the fact that the newly introduced gold adamantium might actually be adamantine and that the metal possesses anyone with Adamantium in their system. Thanks to the nefarious Weapon X, a lot of Wolverine’s enemies also wield some form of adamantium, and Cyber was the first one to succumb to its influence. Constrictor, a mutant who wields adamantium cables instead of claws, is also seen wielding golden cables in Wolverine #4, suggesting that he, too, fell under the new metal’s influence.
To make things worse, the new metal seems to be unifying some of the deadliest mutants in comics, and it won’t stop until Wolverine himself is stripped of his adamantium or turned into yet another mindless pawn in its army. Sadly, there’s still no explanation on whether the gold adamantium is actually adamantine on a mission to destroy its synthetic and obviously inferior imitator and what actually drives it to do so. It’s entirely possible that Wolverine and Cyber’s clash awakened some ancient adamantine deposit and that it’s not too happy about the state of things.
Also, some comic book storylines and series, like Astonishing X-Men, feature a Wolverine variant that wields claws fused with adamantine instead of adamantium, granting him extra powers, such as psychic immunity, energy disruption, and energy absorption. Now, assuming that the gold adamantium is actually adamantine, it would seem that the mainstream Wolverine from the new comic book series is about to develop a completely different, antagonistic relationship with the divine metal from the comics.
The post Is Wolverine’s Greatest Battle Against a Golden Version of His Own Adamantium? appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
The month of October is taking on new significance in Bermuda as the island nation celebrates its second annual Art Month.
BLACK ENTERPRISE received an exclusive introduction to the growing event, featuring art exhibitions, walking tours, Bacardi tastings, and sip-and-paint sessions inside a shimmering centuries-old cave. Launched in 2023, Bermuda Art Month: A Celebration of Culture, Creativity, and Connection features a diverse array of events that captures the essence of Bermuda’s vibrant artistic spirit.
Bermuda Tourism Authority curated a special itinerary of captivating art tours, thought-provoking panel discussions, elevated exhibits, and interactive art sessions in stunning Bermudian locations for the sole purpose of demonstrating how the island’s scenic venues serve as a canvas for creativity to thrive.
I had the pleasure of enjoying a pleasant three-night stay at Bermuda’s Hamilton Princess & Beach Club. For over a century, the iconic “Pink Palace” has welcomed elite travelers from around the world, earning its reputation for elegance, exceptional hospitality, and outstanding quality.
More than just a hotel, Hamilton Princess is also a stunning walking museum featuring a remarkable art collection displayed throughout its common areas, with works by renowned artists such as Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso. Offering a self-guided art tour that showcases iconic names in modern art at every corner, the Hamilton Princess is the ideal place to stay during Bermuda Art Month.
My visit to the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda introduced me to its latest exhibit NOT ALL HAS TO BE AS I WAS, by the remarkable Bermudian artist Gherdai Hassell. This contemporary showcase tells Bermuda’s story through art, featuring Hassell’s captivating painted portraits blended with various materials. The exhibit also includes her collaborations with fellow Bermudian artists and selections from the Masterworks Permanent Collection. Addressing themes of gender, identity, and Bermudian heritage, the exhibition reflects on the island’s history of Spanish and British rule, as well as the diverse cultural backgrounds of descendants of slaves and early settlers.
Pieces in the exhibit from the museum’s permanent collection feature works by artists native to Bermuda or inspired by their time on the island. Highlights include Nude in a Garden (c. 1950s) by Bermudian artist Charles Lloyd Tucker (1913–1971), and an intimate drawing by renowned artist Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986), who visited Bermuda in the springs of 1933 and 1934 while recovering from depression. A standout piece in the exhibit is Gherdai Hassell’s The Bermuda Onion, symbolizing the island’s history as a significant onion exporter and the metaphor of peeling back layers to reveal more profound meaning. A separate exhibit, The Descendants of Summer, features documentary-style photographs that beautifully capture the diverse essence of life in Bermuda.
Our next stop was the Bermuda National Gallery, where we toured the Bermuda Biennial Exhibition. Since its inception in 1994, this open call for Bermudian artists and island residents has been a cornerstone of Bermuda’s contemporary art scene. This year’s theme, “Places, Presence & Poetics: An Unpacking”, features 32 artworks by 25 artists showcasing various scales and mediums. The exhibition offers a powerful glimpse into the themes captivating artists today. Gherdai Hassell’s Organic Waters is among the featured artists, further underscoring her prominent role in Bermuda’s contemporary art landscape.
I had the pleasure of joining two walking tours led by Bermudian historian Kristin White, who provided an in-depth look at Bermuda’s art scene and how Black artists uplift and support one another in a country with a history of segregation. The tour explored the stories of the Gombey dancers, Sally Bassett and Mary Prince, who have inspired influential works by local Black artists. Bermuda also honors Mary Prince with a national holiday, making it the only country in the world to celebrate and recognize a Black woman with such a distinction on Mary Prince Day.
We also learned about the challenges many contemporary artists face when commissioned for public works. One such artist, Shanna Hollis, carefully considered her approach when asked to create a mural in the historic St. George’s town square. Inspired by her brother, fellow painter Nashon Hollis, Shanna embraced the opportunity to involve the community in her work. The resulting mural is a tribute to Bermuda’s rich history, spanning time.
Art is best enjoyed on a full stomach with a great drink, and Bermuda has visitors covered.
Art Month coincides with the Taste of Bermuda festival, held from September 30 to October 2, celebrating the island’s diverse eateries and showcasing local culinary talent. We enjoyed attending The Art of the Pour Bartending Competition at Bacardi Headquarters in Hamilton, where 15 of Bermuda’s top bars and restaurants competed for Bermuda’s Best Cocktail.
The Wild Herbs N Plants Foraging Tour with Doreen Williams offered an immersive and refreshing experience, introducing us to Bermuda’s edible wild plants and healing properties. We sampled fresh fennel, prickly pears, and grapes. Afterward, Ms. Doreen treated us to a beachside, all-vegan lunch. Her homemade spread included pumpkin spice donuts, shortbread cookies, fresh chips and salsa, and natural juice made by hand. We wrapped up the trip with well-deserved relaxation on the stunning Cooper’s Island beach.
Our final night was truly memorable as we went to Grotto Bay for a captivating Sip and Paint session inside a stunning, illuminated cave. While enjoying smooth R&B and reggae, we sipped white wine, snacked on sandwiches, and received expert guidance from Bermuda’s own Alshanté Foggo. Thanks to her help, I transformed my preschool-level painting into a piece I’d be proud to hang on my wall.
By sharing my personalized itinerary, I hope to remind you that Bermuda has so much more to offer than just pink sand beaches and Swizzles—though you can enjoy both while immersing yourself in the island’s vibrant art scene. Bermuda Art Month invites locals and international visitors to immerse themselves in the island’s spirited artistic culture and heritage. This month-long event fosters collaboration between local artists, galleries, and cultural institutions, all united by a shared passion for art, culture, and creativity. Attendees can deepen their appreciation of Bermuda’s culture through educational workshops, diverse exhibits, and connections with fellow art lovers. Plan your visit next October as the island establishes Art Month as a cherished annual tradition on its cultural calendar.
RELATED CONTENT: Level 3 Travel Advisory Issued For Egypt Due To Increased Risk Of Terrorism
Photo by DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images
Democrat Angela Alsobrooks has been named the projected winer of Maryland’s U.S. Senate race against Republican Larry Hogan according to The Associated Press.
Her win makes her the first Black U.S. Senator in the state’s history.With a distinguished record of public service—including eight years as Prince George’s County State’s Attorney followed by two terms as County Executive—Alsobrooks is set to bring her deep-rooted experience to Congress, where she joins a small, historic cohort of Black women who have served in the Senate.
Alsobrooks’s campaign has carried historic weight, and her victory marks a new chapter for Maryland. “People like me don’t make it to the Senate, but we should,” Alsobrooks said during her address at the Democratic National Convention in August. She highlighted the systemic barriers that Black women face in reaching high political office. Reflecting on the experience, she told ESSENCE, “We’ve only elected two Black women to the Senate and only had three serve so far, so it was a joy to go out on that stage and represent so many people whose voices, I believe have been underrepresented in the Senate. And it was a great moment.
Alsobrooks shared that her inspiration for public service was partly sparked by Kamala Harris, who was then a district attorney in San Francisco. In 2009, Alsobrooks read an ESSENCE article about Harris’s innovative approach to justice. “I read a story in Essence magazine about a district attorney using new ideas to keep her community safe,” she recalled. Motivated, Alsobrooks began implementing restorative justice principles in her own work, working toward a reimagined justice system that broadens access to opportunity and reduces recidivism.
Looking ahead, Alsobrooks said determined to enact meaningful change on key issues, including economic opportunity and healthcare access. Her platform emphasizes expanding reproductive rights, improving healthcare access, and increasing educational resources for Marylanders. She has also voiced her support for comprehensive immigration reform, including arel="tag">Angela Alsobrooks Election 2024 Paint The Polls Black
The post Historic Victory: Angela Alsobrooks To Become Maryland’s First Black U.S. Senator appeared first on Essence.
BET+ is set to light up the holiday season with the highly anticipated return of ALL THE QUEEN’S MEN for its fourth season, premiering on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Fans will be treated to a riveting double-episode premiere, setting the tone for what promises to be the most explosive season yet, with new episodes rolling out every week.
The hit series, starring Eva Marcille as the fierce and fearless Marilyn “Madam” DeVille, dives into deeper waters as she sets out on a relentless mission to take down those behind her father’s kidnapping. This season’s storyline guarantees a symphony of intrigue, betrayal, and unrelenting ambition as Madam fights tooth and nail to safeguard her empire and exact her revenge.
Returning to join Madam’s perilous quest are series regulars Skyh Alvester Black (Amp “Addiction” Anthony), Candace Maxwell (DJ Dime), and Racquel Palmer (Blue), among others, bringing more intensity and complex dynamics to the screen. With its signature blend of high-stakes drama and shocking twists, season four is poised to captivate audiences from start to finish.
For those eager to revisit or catch up on the gripping saga, seasons one through three are available to stream now, exclusively on BET+. With the return of ALL THE QUEEN’S MEN, the platform continues to solidify its place as a hub for powerful storytelling and Black excellence in entertainment.
Take a look at the trailer for ALL THE QUEEN’S MEN below.
TOPICS: All The Queens Men BET+ Eva MarcilleThe post ‘All The Queen’s Men’ Returns: Eva Marcille Leads a Thrilling New Season on BET+ appeared first on Essence.
Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images
In a surprise appearance, Vice President Kamala Harris joined Saturday Night Live on November 2, just three days before the 2024 Presidential election, for a playful cameo alongside Maya Rudolph, who’s been portraying her all season.
The night opened with a string of impersonations, featuring James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump, Dana Carvey as President Biden, and Andy Samberg as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. But the real spark came when Maya, as Harris, took a moment in front of a mirror and wished aloud for some relatable advice.
“I wish I could talk to someone who’s been in my shoes… a Black, South Asian woman running for president, preferably from the Bay Area,” Rudolph said.
Enter Kamala Harris herself, dressed in a matching suit and greeted with thunderous applause from the audience. Sitting across from her SNL double, Harris smiled and said, “You and me both, sister. It is nice to see you, Kamala. I’m just here to remind you: You’ve got this. Because you can do something your opponent cannot do. You can open doors.”
The line was a cheeky jab at Donald Trump’s recent struggle with a garbage truck door, and the audience laughed as Harris chuckled through the sketch, as Rudolph mimicked the vice president. “I don’t really laugh like that do, I?” Harris asked. “A little bit,” Rudolph replied, adding a dramatic flourish.
The two Kamalas then riffed on Harris’ first name, which her opponent, Trump has repeatedly mispronounced.
“Kamala take my palm-ala,” Rudolph said as she grabbed Harris’ hand. “The American people want to stop the chaos and end the dram-ala with a cool new step-mamala. Kick back in our pajam-alas and watch a rom-com-ala.”
Harris suggested putting on “Legally Blond-ala.”
“Because what do we always say?” Harris said. Then she and Rudolph said in unison: “Keep Calm-ala and Carry On-ala.”
Together, they chanted,“Keep Calm-ala and Carry On-ala,” before finishing each other’s line: “We know each other so well we even finish each other’s… belief in the promise of America.”
They wrapped it up with a pitch for the vote. “I’m gonna vote for us,” Rudolph said, as Harris playfully replied, “Great! Any chance you’re registered in Pennsylvania?” Without missing a beat, Rudolph answered, “No, I am not.” Harris shrugged, “Well, it was worth a shot!”
With that, the duo delivered SNL’s classic sign-off: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”
TOPICS: 2024 Elections kamala harris Saturday Night LiveThe post ‘Keep Calm-ala’: Kamala Harris Makes Surprise ‘SNL’ Cameo Alongside Maya Rudolph Ahead Of Election Day appeared first on Essence.