deerstalker
Every year, people gather with their families to celebrate the holidays and partake in games, food, and fun. While some opt for music playing or setting up karaoke, most of us have some sort of movie on in the background. Holiday movies are always popular, but sports games are becoming the new thing, with major match-ups being set for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day (it was recently announced that Beyoncé will be performing on Christmas during the halftime show for the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens).
Sports tend to cater to the guys and oftentimes, you’ll get some family members yelling for them to change the channel. But you can’t go wrong with one of the thousands of movies to throw on. With so many options, one genre of flicks that tend to catch everyone’s attention regardless of age is a good ole pick from Marvel. You’ll get the conversation going from who’s everyone’s favorite superhero to who will win in a fight between so and so to even how comic book accurate some of the plots truly are. But with that in mind, the real question comes down to which film from the MCU you’d throw on to get everyone to lock in and stop talking for five minutes. There is only one answer to that: Avengers: Endgame.
While there are so many solid choices over the span of a decade, nothing hits quite like the massive fight sequence in the third act. But we can break it down even further than that and pinpoint the exact five minutes everyone will be tuned in. Captain America wielding the Mjolnir and fighting Thanos are some of the most exciting minutes across any Marvel film ever made for many reasons, but most of all for how we felt when we first saw it. The excitement, the shock, the screams we let out in the theater, it was such a moment in cinematic history, especially for comic book nerds everywhere.
This was a moment that had been brewing for such a long time, spanning way back to the living room scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron when Cap attempted to lift the hammer and it moved slightly, causing Thor to jokingly show signs of worry. The interesting thing about Avengers: Endgame is that, when it is on, it’s hard to turn away. There are so many storylines and so much going on that you want to stop what you’re doing and plop down with your second round of food and just watch. Doesn’t matter what part you tune in to, you know the story well and you know what to expect, that’s why you’ll have your tissues ready for that Iron Man scene.
Now, the question posed was what can get them to keep quiet for five minutes, but if you want one that is so good, it’ll probably have everyone seated for the entire movie, well that’s a different story. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is hands down the best film from the MCU and it has yet to be topped. Sure, we loved the nostalgia that came with Spider-Man: No Way Home and End Game is fantastic, but the second installment to Cap’s trilogy was built different. It had everything from a solid group of characters (no overload, kept it simple), great storyline, and the conflict was worth following along because, well, that’s his best friend and he’s going to follow him to the end of the line. It is a masterpiece from beginning to end and contains its own five minute moment that’ll get your fam to hush: the fight between Cap and Bucky when his mask flies off and Steve is left in shock. The shock value was there and the sequence was entertaining, but it didn’t hit the same level as Thanos getting it handed to him by an unexpected hero that turned out to be as worthy as Thor.
While we’ve made our pick for what to put on the tele to entertain your family and friends this holiday season, the fact is that Marvel packs some heavy hitters that it’s kind of hard to go wrong with any of them, but Avengers: Endgame is a no brainer for us. It appeals to every generation as the older ones will recall when the comic books first released, as the kiddos will light up to see their favorite heroes battling one alongside one another. Not everyone is into movies, but Marvel has some names that everyone will be familiar with, regardless of if they’ve seen the films or not so they’ll glance over when a familiar face appears on the screen. So this holiday season, try it out: turn on Disney+, scroll over to Avengers: Endgame and test our theory. The host might find this to be the perfect time to sneak away while everyone’s watching to begin cleaning so everyone can leave on time!
The post The Best MCU Film to Make Your Visiting Family Stop Talking for Five Minutes appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
Every year, people gather with their families to celebrate the holidays and partake in games, food, and fun. While some opt for music playing or setting up karaoke, most of us have some sort of movie on in the background. Holiday movies are always popular, but sports games are becoming the new thing, with major match-ups being set for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day (it was recently announced that Beyoncé will be performing on Christmas during the halftime show for the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens).
Sports tend to cater to the guys and oftentimes, you’ll get some family members yelling for them to change the channel. But you can’t go wrong with one of the thousands of movies to throw on. With so many options, one genre of flicks that tend to catch everyone’s attention regardless of age is a good ole pick from Marvel. You’ll get the conversation going from who’s everyone’s favorite superhero to who will win in a fight between so and so to even how comic book accurate some of the plots truly are. But with that in mind, the real question comes down to which film from the MCU you’d throw on to get everyone to lock in and stop talking for five minutes. There is only one answer to that: Avengers: Endgame.
While there are so many solid choices over the span of a decade, nothing hits quite like the massive fight sequence in the third act. But we can break it down even further than that and pinpoint the exact five minutes everyone will be tuned in. Captain America wielding the Mjolnir and fighting Thanos are some of the most exciting minutes across any Marvel film ever made for many reasons, but most of all for how we felt when we first saw it. The excitement, the shock, the screams we let out in the theater, it was such a moment in cinematic history, especially for comic book nerds everywhere.
This was a moment that had been brewing for such a long time, spanning way back to the living room scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron when Cap attempted to lift the hammer and it moved slightly, causing Thor to jokingly show signs of worry. The interesting thing about Avengers: Endgame is that, when it is on, it’s hard to turn away. There are so many storylines and so much going on that you want to stop what you’re doing and plop down with your second round of food and just watch. Doesn’t matter what part you tune in to, you know the story well and you know what to expect, that’s why you’ll have your tissues ready for that Iron Man scene.
Now, the question posed was what can get them to keep quiet for five minutes, but if you want one that is so good, it’ll probably have everyone seated for the entire movie, well that’s a different story. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is hands down the best film from the MCU and it has yet to be topped. Sure, we loved the nostalgia that came with Spider-Man: No Way Home and End Game is fantastic, but the second installment to Cap’s trilogy was built different. It had everything from a solid group of characters (no overload, kept it simple), great storyline, and the conflict was worth following along because, well, that’s his best friend and he’s going to follow him to the end of the line. It is a masterpiece from beginning to end and contains its own five minute moment that’ll get your fam to hush: the fight between Cap and Bucky when his mask flies off and Steve is left in shock. The shock value was there and the sequence was entertaining, but it didn’t hit the same level as Thanos getting it handed to him by an unexpected hero that turned out to be as worthy as Thor.
While we’ve made our pick for what to put on the tele to entertain your family and friends this holiday season, the fact is that Marvel packs some heavy hitters that it’s kind of hard to go wrong with any of them, but Avengers: Endgame is a no brainer for us. It appeals to every generation as the older ones will recall when the comic books first released, as the kiddos will light up to see their favorite heroes battling one alongside one another. Not everyone is into movies, but Marvel has some names that everyone will be familiar with, regardless of if they’ve seen the films or not so they’ll glance over when a familiar face appears on the screen. So this holiday season, try it out: turn on Disney+, scroll over to Avengers: Endgame and test our theory. The host might find this to be the perfect time to sneak away while everyone’s watching to begin cleaning so everyone can leave on time!
The post The Best MCU Film to Make Your Visiting Family Stop Talking for Five Minutes appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
Perhaps you remember the really cool trailer that Cheyenne aka Cheyenne Ewulu (comedian, writer, host, actress and nerd in all the best ways) put on on Twitter (X or whatever folks are calling it nowadays) a year ago? That trailer about some goofy but nerdy friends in a comic shop that they were running with a dope song behind it all. I remember watching that trailer–that pulled in over a million eyeballs via views on the site–and loving the flavor of this really funny and memorable type energy and wanting more.
Thankfully someone was listening–the 11-minute proof of concept and trailer for “The Comic Shop” not only took off online but also made some waves on the film festival circuit. It was officially selected for the Micheaux Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, and Black Girls Rock Film Fest. The Comic Shop was nominated for Best Digital Series at Micheaux Film Festival. Now Cheyenne and the crew are back with great news! They are using Kickstarter to fund a full season of The Comic Shop, first kicking off on November 12th!
Log Line:
Under the regular threat of eviction, and the looming competition of a big box store, a quirky group of friends strive to keep their comic book store afloat by any ridiculous means necessary.
The Premise:
Welcome to Oh Em Gee Comics! The shop that’s constantly holding on for its dear life in a Los Angeles strip mall that’s seen…well, better days. This comic store and its crew are fighting a constant uphill battle against the ever-evolving digital age, financial ruin, and their own incompetence.
Starring:
The four horsemen of this nerdy apocalypse? Stephanie (Cheyenne Ewulu), a hard-headed leader with mommy issues more lofty than her comic collection; Keith (Zeno Robinson), the “uncool cool guy” whose ideas are as outrageous as his ever-expanding assortment of graphic tees; Dominique (Shanae Cole), the fashionista whose head seems to always be in the clouds; and Connor (Grayson Miles), the frat boy D&D addict who “just needed a job”. They’re not just co-workers, but a band of friends united by their obsession with comics and all things geek.
Who Is This For?
The big question: Who is The Comic Shop, for?
-For people who want to see something new and fresh
-For the nerds who love to see other nerds running the show
-For folks who want a show with a queer lead (Cheyenne, herself!)
-For folks who love stories about the friendships that make the grind worth it
-For anyone who loves comics, comic book stores, and people bonding over them
-For anyone who loves comedy, workplaces dramas and mockumentary–if you love Super Store, The Office or Community
-For anyone interested in supporting a new project with Black and POC talent both on-screen and behind the scenes
Why Stories Like This Are Needed:
On the Kickstarter page, Cheyenne notes that “The Comic Shop is a project that I’ve taken out to pitch to various executives, and I must say, it has been quite a journey trying to convince Hollywood that Black nerd joy is both marketable and entertaining. They just simply did not see the appeal in a show about carefree Black nerds.”
Cheyenne and the crew are trying to raise enough funds on KS to produce a whole season of The Comic Shop. I am a big fan of dreamers and folks who are eager to make things happen when they get a “NO” and a dead end–a real Black Nerd Problem, indeed. I love see us on screen and behind the scenes, I love seeing more diverse, more nuanced and more creatives representations of us, by us.
The Comic Shop just looks so incredibly fun and colorful and vibrant..and everything that I love to see, watch, and nerd over. I love the dynamic of the characters that Cheyenne and her friends bring, on screen. I am here for the type of humor and how it is framed for everyone to see. I adore the look of the shop and what everyone is wearing. I love the vibes and this really silly, ridiculous, slice of life like adventure for fans of a great mashup of funny and real life messiness.
The Comic Shop | A Mockumentary Sitcom! is now crowdfunding on Kickstarter.
The campaign is off to a great start and the page is loaded with so much additional information to dive into: stretch goals, bios and photos of the cast and crew, and a whole lot of lore and backstory about the project itself and the vision for it all in the future. Check it all out and consider doing your part to help bringing The Comic Shop — your next favorite workplace comedy– to life!
Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you?
Sign up here! Follow us on Bluesky ,Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram!
The post The Comic Shop | A Mockumentary Sitcom! now on Kickstarter appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
StoryCorps, a national nonprofit dedicated to elevating the voices of everyday individuals, has launched a groundbreaking new initiative, Brightness in Black. In collaboration with Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand’s Black Community Commitment, this three-year project aims to spotlight Black stories in a way that changes the narrative and celebrates the joy and diverse richness of Black life.
To delve deeper into this multi-year initiative, ESSENCE sat down with StoryCorps CEO Sandra Clark. She emphasized that Brightness in Black goes beyond traditional storytelling and seeks to reshape how Black stories are told and received. Launched in September, the project launched in Philadelphia and Atlanta—two cities deeply rooted in Black culture and history.
Clark began by emphasizing that Brightness in Black is rooted in the core mission of StoryCorps—to let people tell their own stories in their own voices. “StoryCorps, over the last 20 years, has really crossed the country, collecting stories from everyday people. And what we know about those stories is that when people get to tell their own stories in their own voices about what’s most important to them…it becomes a legacy,” Clark shared. “These stories knitted together are the real story of America.”
As Clark explained, this initiative is not just about documenting experiences; it’s about addressing the oversimplified and often negative narratives surrounding Black lives. “Our stories are often oversimplified. The narratives about our lives are often very limited,” she said, reflecting on how Black communities are typically portrayed in media. Brightness in Blackis a chance to flip the script—to focus on the nuance, the joy, and the aspirations that aren’t always given the spotlight.
Brightness in Black officially launched in Philadelphia and Atlanta in September, and Clark explained that choice wasn’t just about demographics; it was about history, community strength, and local partnerships “These cities have such rich Black histories, and the people there are no strangers to the work of changing the narrative,” Clark said.
StoryCorps isn’t just parachuting in and asking people to tell their stories. Clark explained that the project relies heavily on collaboration with community organizations, creatives, and educators in those cities. “We’re working with local partners—organizations and educators who have been doing this work for a long time. They understand the power of storytelling and the importance of capturing the full scope of Black life,” she said.
Through partnerships with HBCUs, community organizations and local creatives, Brightness in Black will begin with storytelling events, recording sessions and workshops designed to engage both individuals and larger communities. “It’s not just about coming in to record stories and leaving,” Clark explained. “We’re creating connections, working with local leaders to make sure this initiative feels deeply rooted in the communities.”
One of the initiative’s key pillars is changing the typical narrative that focuses on struggle. Clark shared that while the difficult parts of the Black experience cannot be ignored, there’s so much more that needs to be highlighted, too.
“We, as Black folks, are so used to telling our stories starting with trauma, difficulty, and hardship. And while those experiences are certainly part of our lives, there’s so much more to our story. Brightness in Black gives us the space to talk about our dreams, aspirations and joy in everyday life. We want to focus on the brilliance of Black life in all its forms,” said Clark.
The initiative includes in-person and virtual opportunities for people to share their stories through the StoryCorps app, community-based storytelling sessions, and StoryCorps Connect, which allows friends and family to record conversations from wherever they are.
Black joy and Black fatherhood are examples of the kinds of stories Clark said the initiative hopes to amplify. So, what happens to all of these powerful stories once shared? The recordings collected throughout the three-year initiative will be archived in the Library of Congress, ensuring that these stories become part of the historical record. Beyond that, the stories will be shared widely—through radio, podcasts, and local events that bring these narratives to life in their communities.
“Narrative change works best when everyone gets to hear the stories,” Clark said. “It’s not just about sharing our stories with each other in Black communities—it’s about the wider world hearing these stories, too. That’s how we shift perspectives.”
Each city involved in Brightness in Black will have opportunities to feature these stories locally, ensuring that the people of Philadelphia, Atlanta and other future cities hear reflections of their own community in meaningful ways. As Brightness in Black continues to roll out over the next three years, Clark is excited about the project’s potential impact. “This isn’t just a collection of stories—it’s a movement to reshape how Black life is viewedand appreciated,” she said.
“We want to make sure that at the end of this initiative, we’ve created a lasting legacy for future generations to look back on and see the full picture of Black life in America.”
TOPICS: Brightness In Black share black stories StoryCorps tell black storiesThe post Telling Our Stories: How StoryCorps And The Jordan Brand Will Amplify Black Voices With The “Brightness In Black” Initiative appeared first on Essence.