deerstalker
https://blacknerdproblems.com/why-what-if-is-my-most-anticipated-marvel-project-of-2021/
Whew, so 2020, huh? The year that threw everything in shambles. From comic books and television to events and movies, there is nothing the pandemic hasn’t touched. That includes Marvel and the powerhouse known as the MCU. With many comic books delayed and the MCU effectively put on a forced hiatus, a lot of stuff we’ve been looking forward to was pushed to 2021, the year of new horizons.
Now we are looking at a stacked 2021, especially on the film and tv side of things. The MCU has six Disney Plus shows and three new theatrical films. However, there is only one project on my mind that I can’t wait for – What If…? That’s right, even above the upcoming Spider-Man 3, the animated Disney Plus MCU project is the thing I’m looking forward to the most in 2021, and you should be too. So, let’s walk through why I’m so excited and what What If…? is all about.
What If We Traveled Across the Multiverse?
Okay, so way back when Disney Plus first made its debut, What If…? was one of the few MCU shows announced alongside Wandavision and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. However, there is a lot of mystery surrounding What If…? as it hasn’t received as much spotlight as some of the other Disney Plus shows. What we do know is that it’s an animated spin on the MCU and based on the comic of the same name. In the comics, What If…? explored possibilities like a world where Captain America was never frozen in ice or Spider-Man joins the Fantastic Four. The comics were a fun chance to create alternate versions of our favorite comics. It’s made in the same vein as The Twilight Zone and other anthologies.
The show will be a similar anthology, where every episode twists and turns your favorite MCU moments. What if T’Challa, not Peter Quill, was abducted by Yondu and the Ravagers? What if Captain America turned into a zombie and fought the Winter Soldier? What if Peggy Carter took the super-soldier serum instead and became Captain Britain? These are just a few examples of what we will see and damn does that sound amazing. I love anthologies and even more than that, I love esleworlds tales that twist and warp stories we’re familiar with in unfamiliar ways.
I’m also a big fan of animation. I even wrote a piece a little while ago about Marvel needing to step up its animation game. The truth is, Marvel’s cartoons and animated projects don’t hit like they used to. While anomalies like the excellent Into the Spider-Verse are the exception, a lot of their cartoons aren’t on the same level of quality as their old work or even DC’s animated output. From the previews, Kevin Fiege and Marvel Studios are pulling out all the stops to make What If…? as unique as possible.
The CGI animation looks fantastic, and it’s the kind of style that one would expect from an upcoming Disney or Pixar project. It features beautiful cel-shaded character work that mimics the aesthetic of the MCU films while still feeling like an original thing all on its own. And with the concept behind What If…?‘s animation, this feels like the perfect avenue to explore remixed versions of stories we are familiar with. Even better, if the reception is good, who knows what other Marvel Studios animated projects we might get in the future.
Another reason to get excited for What If…? is the cast. Many of the biggest stars from the MCU have already recorded voicework and reprised their infamous roles for the Disney Plus show, including actors Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin, Natalie Portman, Samuel Jackson, Micheal B. Jordan, the late Chadwick Boseman, and many more. However, the biggest casting news is Jeffery Wright from Westworld as the voice of The Watcher. He will be narrating every episode as the character. It’s almost too perfect and something that doesn’t just feel like a one-off thing.
What If…? is a lot of work put into an animated show. It could just be the nature of things as the streaming wars grow larger, but I’d like to make some speculations. The multiverse is going to play a huge part in the MCU. Wandavison to going to kick it off and Spider-Man 3 may very well see the consequences of cracking the wall between worlds. I’m excited because What If…? might be the best look we get at those other worlds. At least until Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness arrives but that’s a year away. I wouldn’t write it off as its own thing just yet, and the show could be just another big piece of the MCU’s multiverse puzzle.
There is a lot to be excited about with Marvel’s other projects this year. So many new characters will make their debut, and I’m sure they will open another can of worms onto the MCU. I can’t wait to see those too, but What If…? has an allure, unlike all the others. Plus, animation has shown to go to limitless places that live-action has yet to achieve, and Marvel could even revive the comic to take advantage of the show’s debut. You can have The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Eternals, and all the others. I want to take a trip down the weird rabbit hole of what the MCU could’ve been if things were a little different.
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The post Why ‘What If…?’ is My Most Anticipated Marvel Project of 2021 appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Whew, so 2020, huh? The year that threw everything in shambles. From comic books and television to events and movies, there is nothing the pandemic hasn’t touched. That includes Marvel and the powerhouse known as the MCU. With many comic books delayed and the MCU effectively put on a forced hiatus, a lot of stuff we’ve been looking forward to was pushed to 2021, the year of new horizons.
Now we are looking at a stacked 2021, especially on the film and tv side of things. The MCU has six Disney Plus shows and three new theatrical films. However, there is only one project on my mind that I can’t wait for – What If…? That’s right, even above the upcoming Spider-Man 3, the animated Disney Plus MCU project is the thing I’m looking forward to the most in 2021, and you should be too. So, let’s walk through why I’m so excited and what What If…? is all about.
What If We Traveled Across the Multiverse?
Okay, so way back when Disney Plus first made its debut, What If…? was one of the few MCU shows announced alongside Wandavision and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. However, there is a lot of mystery surrounding What If…? as it hasn’t received as much spotlight as some of the other Disney Plus shows. What we do know is that it’s an animated spin on the MCU and based on the comic of the same name. In the comics, What If…? explored possibilities like a world where Captain America was never frozen in ice or Spider-Man joins the Fantastic Four. The comics were a fun chance to create alternate versions of our favorite comics. It’s made in the same vein as The Twilight Zone and other anthologies.
The show will be a similar anthology, where every episode twists and turns your favorite MCU moments. What if T’Challa, not Peter Quill, was abducted by Yondu and the Ravagers? What if Captain America turned into a zombie and fought the Winter Soldier? What if Peggy Carter took the super-soldier serum instead and became Captain Britain? These are just a few examples of what we will see and damn does that sound amazing. I love anthologies and even more than that, I love esleworlds tales that twist and warp stories we’re familiar with in unfamiliar ways.
I’m also a big fan of animation. I even wrote a piece a little while ago about Marvel needing to step up its animation game. The truth is, Marvel’s cartoons and animated projects don’t hit like they used to. While anomalies like the excellent Into the Spider-Verse are the exception, a lot of their cartoons aren’t on the same level of quality as their old work or even DC’s animated output. From the previews, Kevin Fiege and Marvel Studios are pulling out all the stops to make What If…? as unique as possible.
The CGI animation looks fantastic, and it’s the kind of style that one would expect from an upcoming Disney or Pixar project. It features beautiful cel-shaded character work that mimics the aesthetic of the MCU films while still feeling like an original thing all on its own. And with the concept behind What If…?‘s animation, this feels like the perfect avenue to explore remixed versions of stories we are familiar with. Even better, if the reception is good, who knows what other Marvel Studios animated projects we might get in the future.
Another reason to get excited for What If…? is the cast. Many of the biggest stars from the MCU have already recorded voicework and reprised their infamous roles for the Disney Plus show, including actors Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin, Natalie Portman, Samuel Jackson, Micheal B. Jordan, the late Chadwick Boseman, and many more. However, the biggest casting news is Jeffery Wright from Westworld as the voice of The Watcher. He will be narrating every episode as the character. It’s almost too perfect and something that doesn’t just feel like a one-off thing.
What If…? is a lot of work put into an animated show. It could just be the nature of things as the streaming wars grow larger, but I’d like to make some speculations. The multiverse is going to play a huge part in the MCU. Wandavison to going to kick it off and Spider-Man 3 may very well see the consequences of cracking the wall between worlds. I’m excited because What If…? might be the best look we get at those other worlds. At least until Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness arrives but that’s a year away. I wouldn’t write it off as its own thing just yet, and the show could be just another big piece of the MCU’s multiverse puzzle.
There is a lot to be excited about with Marvel’s other projects this year. So many new characters will make their debut, and I’m sure they will open another can of worms onto the MCU. I can’t wait to see those too, but What If…? has an allure, unlike all the others. Plus, animation has shown to go to limitless places that live-action has yet to achieve, and Marvel could even revive the comic to take advantage of the show’s debut. You can have The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Eternals, and all the others. I want to take a trip down the weird rabbit hole of what the MCU could’ve been if things were a little different.
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The post Why ‘What If…?’ is My Most Anticipated Marvel Project of 2021 appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
My favorite part about writing is coming across interesting words. I love to analyze their origins and try to find a way to sneak it into sentences any chance I get so that I may feel fancy. After all, language is complex and beautiful in many ways. But like many creative thinkers, I struggle with one important issue. Just how many cuss words is “too many” cuss words? Netflix’s History of Swear Words, tackles one of my favorite subjects in a fun filled documentary series. They cover the most used swear words, and provide facts, historical and present context for how these words is used.
Some cusses are universal with interchangeable meanings (like f*ck, a personal top three). Others have weird histories and complex ways to use them. What I loved most about this documentary series is that it gives you that early 2000s “your teacher rolled a television into the classroom, so you know it’s about to be lit” feeling. It’s fun, easy to take in, and oddly nostalgic. If you’re looking for a quick laugh, with a load of fun facts filled with expletives, History of Swear Words is your documentary.
Local Sailors Swearing in your Living Room
Artists, non-creative beings alike love the tantalizing feeling of a cuss-word rolling off the tongue. It’s fun, and allows us to express visceral emotions in ways that normal words can’t. History of Swear Words introduces experts who study language and the history of swear words and simplifies it for local audiences. For the record, I love documentaries. Especially when they’re explorative, informative, and feels entwined with drama and audacity. But overall, the stereotype of documentaries tends to have a bad rep. History of Swear Words is the kind of programming that makes us feel at ease.
Another aspect of this documentary is that it covers the transition of how words become swear words. I believe it is important to discuss the shifts in our language and who or what dictates a word as inappropriate. The series not only talks about the shifts in language from its derivatives but also covers the expansiveness of words. How words become slurs and how some words are reclaimed and used as compliments. Though each episode is quick and light, it can influence audiences to do more personal research into the uses of these words.
A Classic Gentleman for Our Classy Documentary
At first, I was skeptical about Nicolas Cage being the host. I knew there was always a humorous aura about Nicolas Cage, and this project should not have come as a surprise to me. Because within the first 10 minutes of episode one I thought to myself, yeah, they knew what they were doing. Nicolas Cage, the research commentators, and comedians did a good job setting the tone and allowing it to serve as light commentary and informative. But though the comedians managed to make it fun and light, at times some jokes can fall flat and leave a pretty “eh” feeling. Granted, not every joke will hit, due to the classic rule of statistics.
If you’re looking for a documentary that will go into deep dives about linguistics and how curse words shape how we communicate on various levels beyond the surface, this is not the place. This rather serves as an introductory measure for what you might want to look into on your own. The conversations about who is allowed to say certain phrases and who is not feels very nuanced and light, they don’t go into deep conversations about it, it’s just a glazed reminder for a couple of minutes.
Sit Down, Relax, and Enjoy the F***ing Show
As a budding documentary fan, I believe this is a classic series one could play in the background while doing a simple task or chores. It doesn’t take an immense amount of energy to get into. Nor is this the (sometimes) anxiety inducing investigative documentary we know. They did a great job reeling in audiences and gauging great facts about the swear words they covered. They produced a moderately diverse cast with an array of experts covering its uses in comedy, historical contexts, and everyday life. History of Swear Words is not only a quick, fun binge, it’s also really fun to swear-a-long.
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The post ‘History of Swear Words’ is a Fun Documentary for When You Don’t Give a F*** appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
I first learned about Yesenia Moises through a friend and through social media–the best of places, aren’t they? In the era before ‘Rona, fellow BNP writer Leslie was checking out the vendor hall at BlerdCon back in 2019 with her family which included her daughter and her niece when they came across the booth of the artist-illustrator.
I was later told about Honeysmoke: A Story of Finding Your Color, Moises’ first published book as illustrator and started to follow the artist on social media. When I heard that she was debuting her first book, I jumped at the chance to ask for a review copy and, in turn “tell a friend’ about a creative they should check out and a book that they’ll soon love.
Stella’s Stellar Hair opens to one young Stella waking up with the biggest, poofiest, untamed hair. It’s not at all what she wanted, especially on such a big day–today is the Big Star Little Gala! She notes that her hair twisted and turned and zigged and zagged, made loopity-loops and lots of curly q’s. She longs to look her best even though she’s not entirely sure what style will suit her. After speaking with her mama, she’s off on a very important quest to see her aunties on each planet and request their help with her hair!
I love the affirming language used throughout the book! Stella’s head is tended to with love, and she wears a number of different styles with everything from twists and braids to curls that make up an elegant crown. Hair is important to so many of us, and there are many wonderful descriptive words throughout the book to share with young readers to help increase their vocabulary and even boost the confidence of those reading who may see themselves on the page.
So often with hair–with all the variety and beauty that comes with Black hair, there is so much negative talk and mockery surrounding it. With afro textured or natural styles like locs, there’s more than enough ridicule and shame that comes attached to young Black and Brown kids before they even leave elementary school. There’s more than a handful of stories in recent years that will make your heart sink. On the upside, I was elated to hear that California became the first state to ban discrimination based on one’s natural hair, (including lock and braids) a year ago.
The narrative of this adorable children’s book has layers: Stella travels from planet to planet to Auntie to Auntie to be loved on and have her head tended to. It is a ritual that continues with adults that are loving and reassuring. These threads of the story touch on the importance of family, celebrating them, and acknowledging the work of all the women/femme/female presenting persons in our family circles do that, in turn celebrate us.
Each of Stella’s Aunties are a treat to meet on each planet: all come in different shades of brown, different body types and different, unique hairstyles. Towards the end, it is clear that our titular young star gazing character has learned something from each of them, and she remembers them in the end when she approaches her big look for the gala event. As the Ashanti proverbs, goes: it takes a village. Even if that village is spread out in the galaxy!
For young minds who are interested in science, Stella’s adventures will be well welcomed! Moises’ artwork sets the stage with an outer space setting, with each visit to another planet, splashing details of each planet on every page. For example, Auntie Rubi who lives on Mars has now permanent red colored tresses as she lived there so long. Auntie Iris on Saturn clad in roller shakes, leads her niece onto the floor of a fun looking roller rink in space. After my first read through, I counted it all joy to go through the book again and check out all the Aunties once more to further connect them to the planets they resided on.
“Curls, waves, braids, twists or something that is shiny and new. The hair that you wear is stellar as long as it is totally you!”
A fun, colorful tale for the 4-8 age group, Stella’s Stellar Hair will capture the imaginations and the hearts of little ones and parents everywhere with its ode to self-love, self-empowerment, and flair for color. Illustrating a variety of hairstyles and types of hair worn by Black and Brown folks everywhere, it leans towards celebratory with kind, helpful adults present on nearly every page to guide a little girl towards having an attitude of loving how she is and taking everything she’s learned from the kinfolk in her life.
With a sci-fi inspiration, young readers will appreciate visuals like Stella’s hoverboard and Mar’s red hued background, the final two pages after the story wraps up sheds more light on the planets in our solar system that young readers will enjoy. I loved this book even with the heartbreaking exclusion of Pluto, which we know has been reclassified as a dwarf planet. (I watched Sailor Moon growing up–I don’t want to break up the Sailor Scout/Senshi family!) Regardless, this book is still a bright, fun shining example of what kid-lit needs and what I’d be glad to buy a few more copies of for the young readers in my life!
9 Handfuls of Glimmering Stardust Out Of 10
Read more about the book and see where to purchase it here!
Yesenia Moises is an Afro-Latina illustrator and designer with a specialty in product design. Her work proudly portrays people of diverse backgrounds playing leading roles in fantasy adventures that are brimming with color. Yesenia is the illustrator of Honeysmoke: A Story of Finding Your Color. Stella’s Stellar Hair is her first picture book as both author and illustrator. See more of her on her personal website, on Twitter, and Instagram!
You can always check the Literature category for our site’s book reviews and other book news here! Check out our bookstagram here!
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The post ‘Stella’s Stellar Hair’ Shows Black and Brown Kids the Beauty of Their Unique Crowns of Hair appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
The latest Netflix comedy series comes in the form of History of Swear Words, the synopsis is as follows:
An education in expletives: the history lesson you didn’t know you needed. History of Swear Words, hosted by Nicolas Cage, is a loud and proudly profane series that explores the origins, pop culture-usage, science and cultural impact of curse words. Through interviews with experts in etymology, pop culture, historians and entertainers, the six-episode series dives into the origins of “F**k”, “Sh*t”, “B*tch”, “D**k”, “Pu**y”, and “Damn”.
View the trailer for History of Swear Words:
Each of the six episodes is only 20 minutes long and they pack in a lot of information in that limited run time. History of Swear Words is directed by Christopher D’Elia (Brockmire, @midnight) and written by Bellamie Blackstone (I Love You, America, @midnight). It’s a well put together show despite the high number of shots of people sat in front of a greenscreen. The graphics are well designed and add value to the show to make it more than just talking heads.
Nicolas Cage (Face/Off) is a great host for this light yet informative series about the history and usage of swear words. Cage has a fairly extravagant set from which to present and he is exactly what you would expect. He is odd and makes for an entertaining host.
The show isn’t all Cage though. Experts from the worlds of cognitive science, lexicography (compiling dictionaries) and more give you actual knowledge about the swear words. But this is a comedy series so they have comedians and actors liven it up so the show isn’t too dry.
Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program.), Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), Jim Jeffries (The Jim Jeffries Show), Patti Harrison (Shrill), Zainab Johnson (Upload) and Nikki Glaser (Trainwreck) are just some of the famous faces that appear. Isiah Whitlock Jr is heavily featured in the ‘Sh*t’ episode for his now famous way of drawing out the word, as seen on The Wire.
Each episode gives you the origins and use of the six featured words, “F**k”, “Sh*t”, “B*tch”, “D**k”, “Pu**y”, and “Damn”. There are also random facts thrown in such as the effect swearing has on your pain threshold. As well as which actor swears more in the movies than any other (no it’s not Samuel L Jackson).
Interesting that they include an episode on damn, which is not really considered a swear word anymore but could be considered the original swear word. Its religious origins have been forgotten/discarded somewhat but it has an interesting history.
This isn’t a show I thought I needed but it is surprisingly good. They timed it right at 20 minutes an episode, any longer and it would probably drag a little. Each episode is fast paced, alternating between facts and nonsense it keeps you entertained. Nicolas Cage presenting the History of Swear Words sounds ridiculous, and it is, but in all the right ways.
History of Swear Words will premiere globally on Netflix on January 5 2021.
The post Nicolas Cage shares the History of Swear Words in Netflix show appeared first on The Nerd Element.