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Here’s what we reviewed in comics this week that you might want to check out:
DCeased: Unkillables #1
Whereas DCeased always had a very somber overtone, Unkillables is a little more cavalier and boisterous. The tone is fitting considering that most of the principles are unconventionally heroic at minimal. Taylor’s ability to weave lore and various plot points is still very commendable, and the ease of which you can line up events and timelines even though it’s been months between issues is commendable.
Superman Smashes the Klan #3
The best Superman stories are supposed to evoke hope. Hope for a tomorrow that is better than today. Hope that we are capable of becoming better ourselves. Hope that even throughout all of the uncertainties that life has, we’ll get through. And the conclusion to Superman Smashes the Klan is very much hopeful and very much, in fact, one of the best Superman stories that one could ask for.
Guardians of the Galaxy #2
The Guardians are more than just a team: they’re family (dysfunctional as they may be) and we get to watch them pretend they’re not as invested as they are. Juann Cabal’s artwork is pretty inspired. The color palette is as eclectic and vibrant as the book’s cast of characters. Rarely have I seen Rocket Raccoon looking as expressive in his emotional range as he was in the final pages of this book.
Wolverine #1
Someone has been stealing Krakoan flowers with curative abilities for street drug applications and Wolvie is hot on their trail. Of course, the customary superhero shenanigans are there, but I found a lot of entertainment in the exposition moments where Logan is rousting the bar or getting crime lab information from Sage.
Marvel’s Voices #1
Within this mix, a few pages stand out. ‘Race’ by Ayala, Chang, and Maiolo is a fun bit of action between Shuri and Forge, featuring Wakandan tech vs. Krakoa tech in a world ranging car race. Stelfreeze delivers a Black Widow 2-pager that is a perfect feature for his artistic style. Silver Surfer gets a galactically-worthy feature from Markman, Scott, and Sanchez-Almara.
What books did you check out this week that we didn’t cover? Hit us in the comments or on our social media!
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The post The Pull – 02/19/2020: New Voices Ready to be Heard appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Here’s what we reviewed in comics this week that you might want to check out:
DCeased: Unkillables #1
Whereas DCeased always had a very somber overtone, Unkillables is a little more cavalier and boisterous. The tone is fitting considering that most of the principles are unconventionally heroic at minimal. Taylor’s ability to weave lore and various plot points is still very commendable, and the ease of which you can line up events and timelines even though it’s been months between issues is commendable.
Superman Smashes the Klan #3
The best Superman stories are supposed to evoke hope. Hope for a tomorrow that is better than today. Hope that we are capable of becoming better ourselves. Hope that even throughout all of the uncertainties that life has, we’ll get through. And the conclusion to Superman Smashes the Klan is very much hopeful and very much, in fact, one of the best Superman stories that one could ask for.
Guardians of the Galaxy #2
The Guardians are more than just a team: they’re family (dysfunctional as they may be) and we get to watch them pretend they’re not as invested as they are. Juann Cabal’s artwork is pretty inspired. The color palette is as eclectic and vibrant as the book’s cast of characters. Rarely have I seen Rocket Raccoon looking as expressive in his emotional range as he was in the final pages of this book.
Wolverine #1
Someone has been stealing Krakoan flowers with curative abilities for street drug applications and Wolvie is hot on their trail. Of course, the customary superhero shenanigans are there, but I found a lot of entertainment in the exposition moments where Logan is rousting the bar or getting crime lab information from Sage.
Marvel’s Voices #1
Within this mix, a few pages stand out. ‘Race’ by Ayala, Chang, and Maiolo is a fun bit of action between Shuri and Forge, featuring Wakandan tech vs. Krakoa tech in a world ranging car race. Stelfreeze delivers a Black Widow 2-pager that is a perfect feature for his artistic style. Silver Surfer gets a galactically-worthy feature from Markman, Scott, and Sanchez-Almara.
What books did you check out this week that we didn’t cover? Hit us in the comments or on our social media!
Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here!
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
The post The Pull – 02/19/2020: New Voices Ready to be Heard appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Written by: Beverly Kwakye
For moviegoers fond of watching films in which a protagonist battles the inner demons that lie within the subconscious but ultimately affect what is real, The Night Clerk delivers such a story.
Writer and Director Michael Cristofer’s The Night Clerk gives viewers 13 Cameras vibes through the eyes of a watchful 24-year-old hotel night clerk.
Bart Bromley, who has Asperger’s, played by actor Tye Sheridan, uses his unique method of understanding those around him to solve a murder that takes place at his workplace. While relying on internal senses and worldly observations to scope out hotel guests, Bart finds himself uncovering way more than he bargains for when he becomes a suspect in the crimes he’s spent his shifts observing.
Watching evil unfold through the eyes of a young adult on the spectrum intensifies the film by filling the plot with feelings of manipulation, trickery, and deceit. These tactics contribute to and challenge viewers’ thinking. These techniques allow viewers to analyze what did in fact occur or what events in the film were exaggerated by the director to heighten the theatrics of the film. The heightened elements of trickery, deceit, and the burgeoning romance between the hotel clerk Bart and the guest Andrea, played by Ana de Armas, allows viewers to wonder whether certain events were exaggerated.
Trickery and Deceit
Unlike other dramatized films with a semi-predictable plot in which a male protagonist wins the heart of his love interest through his heroic work, Cristofer’s The Night Clerk separates itself from this overused narrative. In this crime-drama, there are several occurrences in the movie that make it appear as if Bart wins the love and affection of Andrea. The filmmaker has the audience convinced that it is Bart’s quirkiness that Andrea ultimately falls for, thus contributing to her siding with him. This makes Cristofer a unique storyteller. He is able to manipulate his audience’s initial thought process until the end of the film. Viewers are led to believe that Bart and Andrea solve a crime together and they end up together.
Did It Happen?
Bart is a tough character to analyze because his actions suggest that he is set to be the villain of the film. He is watchful and has cameras placed where they shouldn’t be, and that in itself is a criminal act. Bart is on the spectrum and is still discovering details about himself as the film progresses, and so are the viewers. There are several scenes in which Bart appears to be both the perpetrator and the victim of the violent crimes that occur at the hotel. These elements all add suspense to the film and complexity to the character’s development. While there is blood on his hands and he is being interviewed by the detective, viewers can believe that he is guilty of something. This tactic goes back to the filmmaker using Bart to manipulate the audience. Because he is on the spectrum, when Bart works with investigators, his lack of communication skills makes him appear suspect. Bart is able to adjust his mannerisms based on the circumstance and whom he is interacting with. When he interacts with the investigator, he does not want to speak. Instead, he smart talks himself out of the situation.
The Best Films Lead to Reflections
The best films tend to lead to reflections, and The Night Clerk is by far a 4-star film that gets one thinking. Cristofer avoids a cliche conclusion by allowing the character to come to terms with himself and the world around him. Viewers see Bart interact with outsiders by attempting to make cordial greetings. One may ask, why is this important? Why couldn’t the film conclude like other cliche love stories in which Andrea and Bart would most likely leave together after busting the bad guy? “Winning the girl” may be the love story that viewers expect, but it is not the story that Bart needs.
The effect of escaping from this narrative allows the protagonist to grow and learn something from himself and Andrea. If Andrea served a purpose in the film in relation to Bart’s development, she was there to reassure him that it is okay to speak up. Bart speaks up by going against the detective who deems him uncooperative during the crime investigation. Bart also speaks up by going against Andrea, the girl the audience is led to believe he would run away with at the end by leading detectives to the perpetrator. Ultimately, The Night Clerk is a film that presents itself as one that has a predictable plot but surprises viewers as the film concludes.
The post ‘The Night Clerk’: Crime-Drama Infused with Trickery and Deceit appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
Source: Tommy de Yampert / iOne
If you’ve ever wanted to bask in the beauty of being Black during Black History Month in more ways than just reposting a few widely known quotes, hitting up some Black-owned businesses or just passing around that “I’m Black Y’all” clip from CB4, we have an idea for you. Why don’t you give yourself a chance to be immersed in our history by going on a trip? You can check out the landmarks in your own city that pay homage, or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can go on an actual road trip with friends or family to a few cities around the country that take you up close to our past, our present and our future.
We selected seven cities and/or towns that have plenty for you to explore. Black History Month is preparing to come to a close, but it’s also a great launch pad for you to start visiting these cities when the ancestral spirit moves you. Check out seven places to visit that should be on your bucket list, because not only are they lovely, but they’re also beacons for African-American history and culture.
Source: Tommy de Yampert / iOne
Oakland, Calif.
Overflowing with Black history, Oakland is where the Black Panther Party’s roots begin. The political organization was founded by Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton in this very city back in 1966. But aside from the beginnings of the revolutionary group, today, there are so many things to see and do in Oakland. While Black History Month is still going, you can check out the third annual Black Joy Parade on February 23. It is both an actual parade and festival where guests are asked to “be present, be creative, be open and be free.” Outside of just the month of February, there are a wealth of Black businesses that are thriving that you can support, including Feelmore, an adult sex positive shop, Betti Ono, a cultural arts venue, gallery and art and design store, McMullen, a luxury fashion boutique catering to the fierce style of Black women, and Queen Hippie Gypsy, the first Black-owned “crystal botanica” for the quirky Black girl. Whenever you go, whatever you do, don’t forget to visit Marcus Books, which is the oldest independent Black-owned book store in the country, operating on Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, fittingly.
Source: Tommy de Yampert / iOne
Memphis, Tenn.
A predominately Black city, Memphis is filled with places and spaces that are all about celebrating Blackness. Organizations like the Hattiloo Theatre, one of four freestanding Black theaters in the country, and the CLTV Collective help to cultivate the talents of Black artists and creatives. Memphis Black Restaurant Week in March puts the spotlight on restaurants owned by people of color all around the city, promoting economic diversity. There’s the Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival, which celebrates Africa’s cultural influence through a parade, performers and of course, food. And there are staples like the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, which is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, as well as the legendary Beale Street, a home for blues. Flooded with music, food and entertainment, it’s one of the state’s most popular attractions.
Source: Tommy de Yampert / iOne
Selma, Ala.
Selma, in general, is quite rich in history, but it’s especially remembered for its place in the Civil Rights Movement. You can visit the Edmund Pettus Bridge where “Bloody Sunday” took place, when civil rights marchers going from Selma to state capital Montgomery were attacked by law enforcement while protesting against racial discrimination in voting. There’s also the famed Brown Chapel AME Church, where a monument for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stands out front (and is located on Martin Luther King Street). The church was the headquarters/starting point for voting rights marches in ’65 and the offices of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Also check out the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute as well as the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.
Source: Tommy de Yampert / iOne
Atlanta, Ga.
Sure, there are plenty of restaurants, businesses and sites of leisure filled with Black folks in Atlanta, but there are also so many places steeped with history in the city. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Site features Dr. King’s birth home as well as his tomb. Visit the campuses of four landmark historically Black colleges, Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta and Morris Brown. There’s also the John Wesley Dobbs Plaza, which features a bronze sculpture of the civil rights activist, political leader and Atlanta native, as well as the Herndon Home, a residence built buy Atlanta’s first Black millionaire, Alonzo Herndon, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
Source: Tommy de Yampert / iOne
Detroit, Mich.
It’s a must if you step in Detroit that you check out Hitsville U.S.A., aka, Motown’s first headquarters. The space has gone from legendary recording studio to a museum that showcases where some of the greatest singers and musicians recorded classics, along with memorabilia, photographs and Motown artifacts. Also a beloved space, the Charles H. Wright Museum has more than 35,000 artifacts dedicated to the Black experience, as well as being home to hundreds of annual events in its vast space. In addition to that, you can enjoy the N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art, and support an array of popular Black-owned businesses, including retailers Detroit is the New Black, Source Booksellers, and restaurants like Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles, Savannah Blue and more.
Source: Tommy de Yampert / iOne
Washington, D.C.
There is, perhaps, no more impressive of a place to visit in all of the country during Black History Month or any month at that than the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The Smithsonian institution, which is located on the National Mall, has only been open since 2016 but has garnered a lot of fanfare in a short time thanks to all the exhibits and objects on display in the 350,000 square foot space. If that’s too much space and stories for you to walk, show love to the great Frederick Douglass by visiting his home for a guided tour. You might be interested in visiting the Shaw neighborhood where Duke Ellington called home, as well as escaped slaves. The area, known as “The Heart of Chocolate City” has some delicious food offerings, too. You can check out the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963, or take a picture in front of him at the much more recent Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Don’t forget to stop by beloved HBCU Howard University‘s campus. There’s no shortage of Black brilliance in Chocolate City.
Source: Tommy de Yampert / iOne
NY
Honor two unforgettable names in Black history by visiting the homes of Harriet Tubman in upstate New York, and Langston Hughes in Harlem. The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park features the abolitionist and activist’s house, which you can see the grounds of, as well as the Fort Hill Cemetery where she rests and the landmark Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church.
If you choose to wander to uptown NYC to show some love to poet Langston Hughes at his home on 20 East 127th Street, you’ll find the I, Too, Arts Collective, a non-profit that offers poetry salons and more, honors his memory there. And New York City being New York City, there are all sorts of experiences and events happening around the city that help to celebrate Blackness all-year round, as well as plenty of historical sites. Enjoy a stop at the Apollo Theater, The Cotton Club, Minton’s Playhouse or The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. From there, go to The Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn, the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens, the African Burial Ground National Monument and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (take dance classes or check out a performance) in Manhattan, and a lot, lot more.