Uncategorized
https://blackgirlnerds.com/celeste-oconnor-and-ernie-hudson-aint-afraid-of-no-ghosts/
When I signed on to Zoom to speak with Ghostbusters: Afterlife star and OG Ghostbuster Ernie Hudson and costar Celeste O’Connor, Hudson remarked excitedly, “There are Black girl nerds?” I assured him there were a lot of us, and we loved him in the movie.
We’re living in an age where fandom is no longer defined by one race or gender. Black fans, female fans, and fans of every background are being recognized, and we’re starting to see more diversity in projects that historically excluded us.
“How I got the role was kind of a funny story,” Celeste O’Connor explained about booking the role of Lucky, a teenager who works at the local diner. Lucky gains the attention of Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and somehow gets corralled into the plan of Phoebe (McKenna Grace) to save the day. “I got the audition and it was just a mysterious Sony film. The role just said, ‘Teen Girl.’ I was in school at the time, and I had an exam I had to study for. I messaged my agents if it was okay to pass on it, and they were like, ‘No, you should really do this!’” O’Connor’s agents were usually fine with the actor turning down a role, especially for school. O’Connor was attending the prestigious Johns Hopkins University pursuing a medical degree. When their agents asked them to drop their studies for this role, they knew this had to be a big deal.
“I was like…okay!” O’Connor continued. “I came home from the library and sent in the tape and then you know, amazingly, they loved it. I did a couple of rounds of auditions, and then I went to LA to meet Jason [Reitman, the director] and Finn. Then from there, well you know, we made magic happen.”
I asked Hudson how he got involved with this reboot.
“I see it more as a continuation,” he explained as we tried to find the best phrase for what the movie was. Was it a reboot? A sequel? “The movie five years ago with the ladies, I think they tried to put it in another universe. It was confusing to the fans because it wasn’t an extension. But this directly connects. One of the grandchildren is from the family of one of the Ghostbusters. I think that made it easier to connect. I was happy with the way Jason Reitman wrote and put it together.”
My first foray into Ghostbusters was the 2016 film starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. I was a little too young when the first movies came out and they scared me, so being older I was able to appreciate the campy nature of the film. While the 2016 version was plagued with criticism, I’m thankful for it because it introduced me to the franchise.
O’Connor also remembers being scared of the original films when their father brought them home. After getting the part, though, they rewatched the originals and then rewatched them again in May with their friends. Ghostbusters: Afterlife has an interesting cast, full of young ones to watch. O’Connor fits right in as films like Selah and the Spades and the upcoming The In Between have helped them carve a niche as a current young actor on the rise.
Personally, O’Connor wants to use their platform to advocate for diversity and inclusion. “I love having jobs, but at the same time I think there’s a real need for representation both in front of and behind the camera,” they said.
Jason Reitman is the son of the original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman. He’s created a story in which the estranged family of Egon Spengler (played by the late, great Harold Ramis) moves back to a small town where they’ve inherited Spengler’s house after he passes. As the family begin to uncover his secrets, they discover there’s much more to his story than just being a deadbeat dad.
Using revolutionary technology, Reitman was able to recreate scenes using Ramis’ likeness. I asked Hudson how he felt about the tribute.
“I’ve yet to meet someone who said they either didn’t cry or they didn’t want to cry when the old Ghostbusters show up. The tribute to Harold was emotional, and I think the fans had so much love for him. To see that moment in the movie, it just kind of made things right,” Hudson explained. He was also happy to see that Winston was still treated with respect.
Hudson went on to say, “Winston has a moment that gives him dimension that I feel was missing from the first films. I was very very happy. I love the new family, but I was also happy they took a moment and said, ‘Let’s acknowledge this,’ because I think it’s what the fans have been wanting.”
Ghostbusters is an iconic piece of American cinema, and it continues to grow and evolve. I asked Hudson what he’d like the next generations of audiences to take away from the film. He answered thoughtfully, “Ghosts are primal. No matter what age, we all have to say goodbye at some point. But I grew up in a house that believed in ghosts, so it was about facing those fears. It’s scary because you have to face it, but there’s something to facing those fears. That’s what it’s really all about. Some horror movies are so outrageous, but [Ghostbusters] is personal. You don’t have to be afraid, you can laugh.”
Ghostbusters: Afterlife is currently available on Blu-ray and VOD.
When I signed on to Zoom to speak with Ghostbusters: Afterlife star and OG Ghostbuster Ernie Hudson and costar Celeste O’Connor, Hudson remarked excitedly, “There are Black girl nerds?” I assured him there were a lot of us, and we loved him in the movie.
We’re living in an age where fandom is no longer defined by one race or gender. Black fans, female fans, and fans of every background are being recognized, and we’re starting to see more diversity in projects that historically excluded us.
“How I got the role was kind of a funny story,” Celeste O’Connor explained about booking the role of Lucky, a teenager who works at the local diner. Lucky gains the attention of Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and somehow gets corralled into the plan of Phoebe (McKenna Grace) to save the day. “I got the audition and it was just a mysterious Sony film. The role just said, ‘Teen Girl.’ I was in school at the time, and I had an exam I had to study for. I messaged my agents if it was okay to pass on it, and they were like, ‘No, you should really do this!’” O’Connor’s agents were usually fine with the actor turning down a role, especially for school. O’Connor was attending the prestigious Johns Hopkins University pursuing a medical degree. When their agents asked them to drop their studies for this role, they knew this had to be a big deal.
“I was like…okay!” O’Connor continued. “I came home from the library and sent in the tape and then you know, amazingly, they loved it. I did a couple of rounds of auditions, and then I went to LA to meet Jason [Reitman, the director] and Finn. Then from there, well you know, we made magic happen.”
I asked Hudson how he got involved with this reboot.
“I see it more as a continuation,” he explained as we tried to find the best phrase for what the movie was. Was it a reboot? A sequel? “The movie five years ago with the ladies, I think they tried to put it in another universe. It was confusing to the fans because it wasn’t an extension. But this directly connects. One of the grandchildren is from the family of one of the Ghostbusters. I think that made it easier to connect. I was happy with the way Jason Reitman wrote and put it together.”
My first foray into Ghostbusters was the 2016 film starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. I was a little too young when the first movies came out and they scared me, so being older I was able to appreciate the campy nature of the film. While the 2016 version was plagued with criticism, I’m thankful for it because it introduced me to the franchise.
O’Connor also remembers being scared of the original films when their father brought them home. After getting the part, though, they rewatched the originals and then rewatched them again in May with their friends. Ghostbusters: Afterlife has an interesting cast, full of young ones to watch. O’Connor fits right in as films like Selah and the Spades and the upcoming The In Between have helped them carve a niche as a current young actor on the rise.
Personally, O’Connor wants to use their platform to advocate for diversity and inclusion. “I love having jobs, but at the same time I think there’s a real need for representation both in front of and behind the camera,” they said.
Jason Reitman is the son of the original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman. He’s created a story in which the estranged family of Egon Spengler (played by the late, great Harold Ramis) moves back to a small town where they’ve inherited Spengler’s house after he passes. As the family begin to uncover his secrets, they discover there’s much more to his story than just being a deadbeat dad.
Using revolutionary technology, Reitman was able to recreate scenes using Ramis’ likeness. I asked Hudson how he felt about the tribute.
“I’ve yet to meet someone who said they either didn’t cry or they didn’t want to cry when the old Ghostbusters show up. The tribute to Harold was emotional, and I think the fans had so much love for him. To see that moment in the movie, it just kind of made things right,” Hudson explained. He was also happy to see that Winston was still treated with respect.
Hudson went on to say, “Winston has a moment that gives him dimension that I feel was missing from the first films. I was very very happy. I love the new family, but I was also happy they took a moment and said, ‘Let’s acknowledge this,’ because I think it’s what the fans have been wanting.”
Ghostbusters is an iconic piece of American cinema, and it continues to grow and evolve. I asked Hudson what he’d like the next generations of audiences to take away from the film. He answered thoughtfully, “Ghosts are primal. No matter what age, we all have to say goodbye at some point. But I grew up in a house that believed in ghosts, so it was about facing those fears. It’s scary because you have to face it, but there’s something to facing those fears. That’s what it’s really all about. Some horror movies are so outrageous, but [Ghostbusters] is personal. You don’t have to be afraid, you can laugh.”
Ghostbusters: Afterlife is currently available on Blu-ray and VOD.
Growing up I only got to play full Pokémon games through family or friends. I admired the game from afar but never got to do a full play-through of a classic Pokémon game*. (Outside of Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness on the Gamecube the true underrated classic.) Honestly, I was floored to see of my favorite video game franchises and my deep love for open world games is finally being merged together. They gave us all of the previews but honestly, it still didn’t prepare me for the immersive experience this game had to offer.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the power house we all wished it would be and more. If you’re looking for a game that gives you an equal amount of stress and relaxation Pokémon Legends: Arceus is for you. One minute you’re hiding in the grass trying to throw Pokéballs at Bidoofs, next minute you’re running away from a swarm of Paras that always wants the sauce. When I first sprawled across the field, I thought it was pretty barren. Some Bidoofs, a couple of Starly, in the first few minutes I thought they fumbled the bag. But I was wrong. Pokémon Legends: Arceus slowly reels you in and gives you the opportunity to run into Pokémon of almost any level. Sometimes they chase you in the middle of the night, sometimes they’re tame and watch from a safe distance. But one thing’s certain, you’re a Survey Corps child prodigy, you must earn your keep, or they’ll throw you into the woods to die.
*I don’t think that can happen to anyone during their play through, but they make that very clear every time you seem hesitant in your answer.
Prepared to Feed You to the Bidoofs
One of my favorite parts about Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the absolute savagery. Savagery with the Pokémon is a given, but savagery with the NPCs? That’s an exceptional level. You have a man teaching you how to pack your bag, and there is no (currently identified) price cap. You can essentially go to him, pay wads of cash just to learn how to fit ONE more item in your satchel. Which when you think about it, is nuts because how can you fit 20 stones, 20 berries 50 Pokéballs and a bunch of mushroom cakes in a tiny satchel? First of all, that’s sorcery, that man is magical. Second, he’s magical and taking all of your money. That whole satchel situation is a lesson on “Do I really need that?” And the answer is no. Capitalism is the enemy, you won’t take another cent from me SATCHEL BOB! * (Take all of my money, I don’t wanna throw away my precious berries.)
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the flip on “boss battles” became an unexpected star. Pokémon games usually feature gym battles as major points of transition in the story where you can mark your progress. This time we are facing Pokémon head on. It essentially feels like mini legendary battles without being able to catch them. You’re just out here throwing balms filled with their favorite food to calm them down. On one hand, same. But also, the fact that the Pokemon are aiming AT YOU. In the other games, they’re respectful. Pokemon versus Pokemon. Here? They are menacing and want to kill you. But you know it’s understandable, you’re grumpy, you’re glowing, and you want to be alone. I feel that on a personal level.
Scream, Run, Repeat
Pokémon Legends: Arceus allows you to explore various terrains and see Pokémon in their habitat, but one thing I wish they did was incorporate some of the elements from Pokèmon Snap. In Pokémon Snap, we got to see Pokémon interact with one another, but we don’t see that at all in the game. Like yes what a cute bunch of Chimchars gathered together, but they do nothing really except walk around and sleep. They don’t even interact with each other really. That’s one aspect that would’ve truly enhanced the experience. Like you really mean to tell me that a pack of Growlithe’s ain’t *tussling with each other across a field?
(Using flamethrower on another Pokémon to have lunch. In all, it’s still very hard to believe Pokémon don’t eat each other, but I digress)
The art style of Pokémon Legends: Arceus definitely left room for the imagination. We all expected this during the previews, but there were still some kinks that went unsolved. Outside of grass that barely blows in the wind, in dark areas like caves weird outlines would show up around the character. It feels like the developers put a lot of energy into how the moves look, and how to battle sequences are portrayed but not necessarily enough in the lifestyle of the Pokémon and the environment. It was too minimalistic for such a flashy game.
A Lesson for Old Fans
One thing I need old fans of Pokémon to understand is that this game is nothing like the previous games. I don’t know how humans in general slowly domesticated Pokémon over the generations, but these are their ancestors okay. Pokémon here are equipped with violence. They will come after you. You can move around and actually get hit and fall over. Personally, I don’t know how you survive after a murderous balloon uses psychic on you but, go off sis. I had an Alpha Machoke chase me down beachside, and not in like a dreamy 90s Baywatch kind of way. More like it’s trying to crush my bones and turn it into protein powder.
Truthfully, if you’re not running and screaming for most of the game, you’re not becoming fully immersed in the experience. I desperately want everyone to play Pokémon Legends: Arceus, because it gives you all the love Pokémon fans gave over these generations. So go ahead throw that ball of mud at the alpha Garchomp, chase down that Gyarados then run away, you deserve all the thrill this game has to offer.
Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram!
The post ‘Pokemon Legends: Arceus,’ Why Haven’t You Started Playing it? appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.