Oroku Saki Origin Series

 

I wrote a blog last week on a wish list of comic book villains, I would like to see have their own TV series. After I completed and shared it, a thought randomly popped in my mind. I forgot to add one Oroku Saki to the mix.

For those unfamiliar Oroku Saki is the man who would become The Shredder in the Ninja Turtles-verse. And his backstory could create a very interesting and dramatic origin television series. Oroku Saki was a student of the ninjitsu form of martials arts in Japan. Depending on the variation of the Turtles lore, he was either a member of the Foot Clan who rose up the ranks, or he founded the Foot Clan. Either story would work to show how he became so cunning and ruthless.

One factor that would show how he became The Shredder, would be the love triangle he was embroiled in. Again, based on the variation Oroku was a friend of fellow ninja Hamato Yoshi (Splinter's human owner) turned foe, or they were always foes. The wedge being driven by their respective love for a young woman named Tang Shen. Who doesn't love a good love triangle on TV shows?

Oroku Saki's journey to becoming The Shredder would be must see TV. It also would help expand the Ninja Turtles universe and provide a fairly new spin on the main villains arc. Of course there would be fan service hinting towards things that fan's love about the franchise. While also bringing another new generation to the world of the Turtles. I'm all for a Oroku Saki series, and hope one day it come's to fruition. 

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Paramount + Music Docs Wishlist

 

Paramount Plus has recently released a documentary about Boy Bands and the chokehold they have had on pop culture throughout the years. It's a very interesting documentary that I really enjoyed. Paramount Plus can be a frustrating streaming service, but one thing it has going for it is the amazing music focused docs they have been produced. 

The latest one joins a growing list of Paramount Plus produced docs such as the Milli Vanilli doc which helped people realize how great they were and how wronged they were. Cyndi Lauper, 80's hair metal genre, and how napster and downloading music blew up. After watching the doc, I did my usual and started thinking about subjects I would like to see Paramount Plus do documentaries on.

10.Ashlee Simpson Lip-Sync Scandal

Ashlee Simpson has never been considered a strong vocalist. Yet on October 26th, 2004 during an appearance on Saturday Night Live, she became the subject of mass scrutiny when a recording track played before she took the microphone.

It led to wide confusion before she did an awkward dance and left the stage. Accusations of lip syncing spread out and it took her some time to recover. It'd be nice to hear the whole story behind this mishap and the ensuing issues it caused.

9.B2K

One group that wasnt mentioned in the Paramount doc was B2K. In the early 2000's the popularity of B2K rivaled that of a Backstreet Boys and Nsync, especially in the Black community. Debuting in the fall of 2001, the group released their self-titled debut album in March of 2002 and the train known as B2K went full speed ahead from there. From that point on they headlined scream tours, made music videos for what seemed like every song they had. And stole the stage when they performed.

In early 2004 just as their debut film You Got Served was about to be released, the group broke up. With three members separating from Omarion and more importantly their manager Chris Stokes. Allegations and finger pointing presumed from there. Omarion went on to have a successful solo career, and the group reunited in 2019 to go on tour. They just can't seem to get out of their own way as a unit, and are holding back their legacy. Time for everyone to express the reasons why.

8. Latin Pop Craze of the 90's

During the late 90's while the pop Craze led by Boy Bands and teen sensations was taking the world by storm. There was another genre ruling the airwaves, the Latin Pop music scene exploded. Led by Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, and Christina Aguilera pulling double duty. Other stars such as Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez who released her debut album in 1999, helped the genre gain crossover appeal. 

The Latin Pop Craze story has never been told fully from its fruition to the flame out. It's time it is given it's due.

7. Dixie Chick's exiled 

This moment in music history was covered in the 2006 film Dixie Chicks: Shut up and Sing, but it's been over 20 years since the whole ordeal happened and needs to be revisited. In 2003 the Dixie Chicks were one of the most popular music acts in country and music overall. That was until they publicly denounced President George Bush and the Iraqi war.

It seemed like they lost just about everything when that occurred. And they had to wade through death threats and such. They were able to eventually move past that controversy and the journey needs to be shared.

6. Regional Music

This topic would need to be a docu-series more than a documentary so that each subject would get their proper due. That is region based genre's of music, sounds that are unique to certain areas and usually only natives to that area appreciate it for what it is. Baltimore club music, D.C. go-go music, Chicago House Music, New Jersey Club, Miami Bass, crunk music the list goes on and on. These sounds are unique and speak to people in different ways, time to really spotlight these various genres.

5. Emancipation of MiMi

2025 marks the 20 year release of Mariah Carey's album The Emancipation of Mimi. This was her comeback album that bought Mariah back to her chart topping ways, after the much publicized mental health breakdown she had during the release of her Glitter album and film. During the production of this album Mariah enlisted the aid of producers such as Babyface, Jermaine Dupri, Pharrell Williams, and Kanye West among others. It paid off big time.

The album's top single We Belong Together you could not escape that year. It went 7 x platinum and was nominated for 10 Grammy's, winning two. It was even rereleased with additional songs and the public still ate it up. The Emancipation of Mimi reminded people that Mariah is a legend, and it's time the backstory of that album is shared to celebrate it's greatness.

4. M.C. Hammer

I wrote a blog about M.C. Hammer and his rockstar status earlier this year. Hammer's story has been covered in a VH1 Behind The Music episode and a 2001 TV movie on VH1. And then the story kind of stopped there, he went from the highest of the highs to the lowest of the low's after he squandered his money and the rap industry turned against him. He eventually found happiness and Christ, became a tech investor and even had a reality show in 2009 on A&E dubbed Hammertime. He's also starred in several commercials in the 2000's and 2010's starting a second career as a endorser.

There have been reports the hip hop industry has been trying to give Hammer his flowers every chance they can in the last few years, yet he constantly turns them down. A documentary for him to explain his reasonings and how he feels about the newfound appreciation for him would be amazing TV.

3. One-Hit Wonders

One-hit wonders are probably the most consistent thing in music. All genres have them, and all eras have them. There's also no rhyme or reason or "science" to what makes a one hit wonders. Here today, gone tomorrow is often the story of one-hit wonders. A fun introspective documentary covering some of the biggest acts that had one hit and was gone in a blink of a eye, would probably help some of these acts get introduced to a new generation. 

2. Spice Girls

Formed in 1994 and hailing from London, England five young ladies burst onto the U.S. music charts in 1996 with their hit single Wannabe. From there Sporty, Scary, Ginger, Baby, and Posh Spice took over pop culture screaming Girl Power. For the next year and a half, the Spice Girls released their debut album Spice and a follow up Spice World. They starred in a film carrying the same name, had dolls and young girls aspired to be them.

Then suddenly in May of 1998, member Ginger Spice left the group and things spiraled from there. The group's popularity tail spined, and just like that it was over. They released one more album as a quartet in 2000, Forever. Since then the group has gotten back together and broken up more times than one can count. Yet their legacy is still as strong as ever, as the 90's nostalgia cycle is still running. It's time all 5 women tell their side of the experience and bring fan's in on the wild ride...which hopefully leads to a reunion tour. 

1. New Jack Swing

To me New Jack Swing is the one of the greatest genre's of music ever, that still does not receive the full credit it deserves. Merging the styles and sounds of hip-hop and r&b, the sound of New Jack Swing still influences both genres as well as pop music to this very day. Founded by producer Teddy Riley in 2018, New Jack Swing became more than music. It became clothing, lingo, and a way of life it was a certain style.

Record labels such as Uptown Records headed by Andre Harrell were built off of the new jack swing era. Television series like New York Undercover were birthed from the culture of new jack swing. As tastes changed in the mid-90's the sound kind of faded away, but it's legacy lives on and it's time the entire story of that era is told.

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5 Comic Book Villains Who Deserve A TV Series

 

Two heavily praised series focused on comic book villains both recently completed their first seasons. Agatha All Along on Disney plus, and The Penguin on Max. Both series were produced in a way that someone not familiar with the backstory could drop right into them and not be lost. I'm not sure if either show will get a second season, but I hope they both opened the door for more villains to get some shine. 

Per usual I started bouncing ideas off the wall on which villains from comic books maybe good fodder for TV. With that here are 5 villains who should get a TV series.

5. Anton Arcane

Dr. Anton Arcane is the main villain in the Swamp Thing franchise and a bit of an underrated villain. He is a wealthy scientist who is consumed with immortality, and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Going as far as to experiment on other's with biogenetics mutating them into "Un-Men". He's a mad genius when you think about it.

A TV show focused on Arcane would be a tough sell being that Swamp Thing is a very niche product amongst comic book fans. However, the potential is there the show would be on the lower-budget of the production spectrum and it would be a good procedural mix of horror and drama. The character was portrayed on TV by Mark Lindsay Chapman in the early 90's TV adaptation of the comic. As well as Louis Jordan in the 80's film and it's sequel. A TV show would allow the character to be fleshed out and introduced to a new generation, possibly reviving the entire franchise.

4. Black Cat

Felicia Hardy better known throughout the streets of New York City as Black Cat, the best burglar in town. She has a very love/hate relationship with one Peter Parker but that would distract from the story. A Felicia Hardy led TV show should focus on her starting her cat burglar journey, as the daughter of a cat burglar who was known on a global scale Walter Hardy.

The series could focus on a father/daughter relationship and Felicia getting use to her main "job" as well as her day job. The tone of the show could be comedic in nature more along the lines of She-Hulk or a bit more dramatic and intense like a Agatha or Loki. Maybe the popularity of a television series, would finally lead to an appearance in a live-action Spider-Man film.

3.Deadshot

Deadshot is a hit-man in the DC Comics world, quite possibly the greatest hit-man who's ever lived. He also is a hitman with a code of conduct, but also has a tendency to do death defying stunts. He is considered by most in the comic book lore to possess self-destructive behavior. Depending on what variation of Deadshot who's real name is Floyd Lawton one get's, he also is a devout family man.

Which brings a whole layer of wonderful TV to the landscape. A globetrotting assassin that kills at will, and sometimes is forced to work for the Suicide Squad. Just want's to get home to his family at the end of the day. Think John Wick with the family theme and man that could be some amazing TV.

2. Tombstone

Another member of the Spider-man rogues gallery, Lonnie Lincoln better known as Tombstone was a ruthless imposing figure in the world of crime. He was a black Albino man, who filed his teeth to give off the appearance of a vampire. Using his look and strength to intimidate his opponents. Lonnie was a enforcer for Kingpin, but eventually branched out on his own. Or depending on the story, never worked for Kingpin.

Which would create a new street-level crime lord in the MCU world, working to take control of Harlem. While also going through the effects of how much he stands out in the world of crime, and honestly since youth never feeling like he belonged anywhere. Damn, now that's a good premise for a villain's TV show to display the complexity of these characters.

1. Mr. Freeze

I wrote a blog back in 2018 practically begging for a origin story film for Mr. Freeze, I still stand behind that. However, now I would settle for a television show that would allow more time to tell his full story. And it is a simple yet relatable story, of a scientist Victor Fries driven by the desire to save his wife from a terminal disease uses cryogenics to freeze her until a cure is found. Until a lab accident changes his molecular structure and he can only survive in sub-zero temperatures.

We always see the journey of superheroes of course, but the journey of a villain with his newfound "powers" and adapting to his new life has not been explored yet (I don't think). How he must quickly use his brains to create an environment suitable for him, while also working for a cure. And becoming the latest villain to try and take over the city of Gotham. All the ingredients for prime television. Mr. Freeze is a far more complex character than his live action depictions would have believe. 

It's time we really see his story and be entertained in the process.

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10 Cartoons Starring Celebrities You Don't Remember

 Late last month was the 10th anniversary of Mike Tysons Mysteries. An animated cartoon that aired on cartoon networks adult swim, that made Tyson the center point of the cartoon.

                                  

The anniversary of the show made my brain start rattling through the archives of when cartoons were created just for celebrities. After all big name celebrities themselves are a brand, and they work to sell their brands. Usually these cartoons were nothing more than publicity and cash grabs, but some of them were quite entertaining. 

We remember Life With Louie and Jackie Chan Adventures. Here's a list of celebrity starred cartoons for lack of a better way to word it, you likely dont remember. Away we go.

10. Mister T

In the early 1980's fresh off his run as the villain in Rocky III and his role on the NBC hit A-Team, Mr. T was on top of the world. People were enamored with the gravel voiced, mohawk sporting, covered in jewelry Mr. T. Since his popularity was at a all-time high, he even had his own cereal and comic book. To continue to ride the wave, he was given his own cartoon debuting in the fall of 1983. 

The cartoon featured Mr. T  as a gymnastics coach who travels the world with his crew solving mysteries, pretty straight forward concept for a cartoon. It lasted for 3 seasons and featured interludes in the beginning and end of each episode featuring Mr. T in the flesh.

9. Karate Kommandos

Karate Kommandos was an attempt to cash in on the G.I. Joe craze that all the kid's loved in the mid-80's. Created by Chuck Norris and featuring a interpretation of him, this 1986 cartoon followed Norris is a covert ops government agent alongside his team of operatives all of different races. Facing off against a super villain by the name of Claw and his organization Vulture. Sound familiar? 

Since this cartoon was produced by the same company that produced Mr. T's cartoon, the format was the same. Episodes opened with Norris explaining the premise of the episode and closed with Norris talking to the audience providing a lesson learned that episode. The cartoon only lasted one season, but if interested a few episodes are on YouTube.

8. Hammerman

I previously wrote about how M.C. Hammer was a rock star in the early 90's, the man was truly everywhere. Commercials, dolls, soundtracks, sitcom appearances, you could not turn on the TV during that time and not see Hammer. So no surprise he received his own cartoon in 1991, Hammerman. Starring Hammer as Stanley a meek young man who has a pair of talking shoes in his possession, which once he wear's them he becomes the neighborhood superhero Hammerman.

Following the trope well known at that time, Hammer had a message at the beginning and end of each episode. The cartoon only ran for one season as Hammer's popularity was starting to wane and he no longer was considered "cool".

7. Kid 'N Play

Debuting in 1990, I'm kind of shocked this one was ever green-light. It followed rap duo Kid 'N Play, along with their producer Hurbie and DJ, DJ Wiz (both voiced by Martin Lawrence) and friend Jazzy. They would go about their day as teenagers trying to become musicians, getting into their teenager mischief. 

    
                                    
 

The cartoon get's brownie points for having the duo's hit single Rollin' With Kid N Play be the intro. The two would also appear live during interludes of episodes, to promote positivity to the audience.

6. New Kids on the block

Another musical act that was everywhere you turned in the late 80's and early 90's was New Kid's On The Block. The king's of boy band's during that era, they too had dolls, cereal, and lunch boxes. So it's no surprise following the trend in 1990 they were awarded their own cartoon. Following the band alongside their tour, they stumble upon an adventure at each tour stop. A bit different format from the norm in this genre that was actually different.

It's everything you'd think it would be, campy, maybe a little over the top, but it got the job done of selling the brand known as NKOTB.

5. Wish Kid

In the 1990's Macaulay Culkin had a run that made him arguably the biggest child star in film history. Fresh off his starring role in Home Alone and before his wave of mid-90's hits, Macaulay starred in a cartoon for NBC debuting in 1991. Following a young boy Nick who clearly is based on Culkin, who has a baseball glove that could grant wishes. It came with limitations, but granted enough wishes to get him in trouble.

The cartoon only lasted one season like most of its counterparts, but it was enjoyable while it lasted.

4. Camp Candy

Late comedian John Candy's cartoon debuted on NBC in 1989. It followed Candy as a camp counselor alongside fellow staffer Nurse Molly, teaching the kids attending his camp about the outdoors. At the same time staving off his arch nemesis Rex Deforest from destroying the camp at all costs. 

The show aired for two more seasons in syndication, and it wasn't until the third and final season that Candy began appearing in live segments for the show.

3. Mary-Kate And Ashley in Action

When I spoke about celebrities being brands earlier, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are the personification of that idea. As they gained popularity from their joint role as Michelle Tanner on Full House, they branched out into TV-movies and straight to home video specials, along with another sitcom. It was only fitting to target their pre-teen market, they would venture into cartoon land which they did in 2001 on ABC.

The cartoon followed the duo as teenage special agents traveling the globe to support their mission. It only lasted one season, and in a break from the norm did not include the sisters in live action segments. Except for the intro which helped explained the double life nature of the storyline.

2. Jackson 5ive

If you're a 70's kid you remember this show, if you're a 80's/early 90's baby chances are you remember this show from the early days of the Cartoon Network. The animated series debuted in 1971 when the group were at their peak of popularity. It followed the brother's on tour with their manager Berry Gordy getting into several misadventures while on the road. An fictional animated version of Diana Ross would also appear in the cartoon from time to time.

The cartoon also featured live action concert footage of the band and the intro included photos of the brothers morphing into their animated counterparts. In addition, the intro was a medley of four of their biggest hits Stop The Love You Say, ABC, Mama's Pearl, and I Want You Back.

1. Pro Stars

Probably the best cartoon from the era of celebrities starring in cartoons. Pro Stars followed three of the greatest sports players to ever play their respective games. Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Bo Jackson who doubled as secret agent heroes alongside being pro sports stars. They were usually called to action by a child in danger and would save the day by episodes end.

The cartoon debuted in September 1991 on NBC and didnt even make it an entire season. Ending in December 1991, not sure what caused the early cancellation but it was a missed opportunity.

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7 Best Halloween Movies Where Kids Saved The Day

 

An overlook film genre for spooky season are the family friendly movies, you know the one's when kid's save Halloween. During my routine Halloween movie viewings, I was watching Monster House and thought about other movies where kid's were the main protagonist who made Halloween safer for everyone else. With that, here are 6 of the best Halloween movies where kids saved the day.

7. Ernest Scared Stupid

Jim Varney's famous character Ernest P. Worrell was featured in television special and nine films, they barely had any plot and mainly used to highlight slapstick humor. My favorite Ernest movie is 1991's Ernest Scared Stupid, the film features a town overran by trolls released from a curse due to Ernest's negligence. When Ernest can't take on the trolls himself, he enlists the aid of neighborhood kids to help him in the battle.

6. Spirit Halloween

2022's Spirit Halloween: The Movie is an unfortunate victim of poor promotion by it's distributor. I remember hearing about the film, but absolutely do not remember one single commercial promoting the film. I also think audience members hearing the title weren't sure how to receive the film, but it is a underrated gem. It follows a group of friends who decide to intentionally get locked in a Spirit Halloween store overnight, and must battle haunted animatronics and merchandise in the store. Led by a corrupt real estate developer (Christopher Lloyd) who has been trapped in a curse for decades. 

5. The Curse Of Bridge Hollow

Another 2022 film, this time courtesy of Netflix The Curse Of Bridge Hollow starred Priah Ferguson of Stranger Things fame. Alongside Marlon Wayans and Kelly Rowland, with Rob Riggle , Nia Vardalos and other character actors rounding out the cast. The film follows Priah's character Sydney and her parents moving to the small town of Bridge Hollow which has an obsession with Halloween. Sydney basks in it, while her father Howard (Marlon Wayans) who is a scientist detests it. They soon must team up as a family to save the town when a old curse from Stingy Jack brings all the decorations to life.

4. Spaced Invaders

This 1990 film follows a quintet of Martians receiving a signal from a Halloween broadcast of War Of Worlds and mistake it for a real occurrence. They head to Earth to join in the "fun" but finding no invasion, try to find out what is going on. They are confused for kid's dressed in Halloween costumes and befriend a young girl named Kathy (Ariana Richards, Jurassic Park fame) and Brian. Soon they realize Earth is truly under distress by another alien race the Martians have been in battle with, the Emperor Drones from Arcturans. It's campy, it's 90's, and it's a fun ride. 

3. The Monster Squad

                                   

Clearly inspired by other 80's film's like The Goonies, Gremlins, and E.T.. This 1987 cult classic opened the door for later films where kid's save the day. It follow's a group of horror film loving kid's dubbed The Monster Squad, who must battle Universal Classic Monsters when Dracula awakes and set's out to take over the world (classic trope). The kid's must not let that happen before midnight when Dracula will pretty much be invincible. 

2. Goosebumps

2015's Goosebumps was based on the R.L. Stine children's books of the 90's. Character's from various Goosebumps books led by Slappy the dummy come to life and take over a small town with no intent of ever returning to the world their books. Jack Black stars as a fictional version of R.L. Stine who must work with his daughter and some neighborhood kid's to save the day. 

1. Halloweentown

This 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie is a childhood classic. It follows a group of siblings who learn their come from a lineage of witches and warlocks, and travel to a place where Halloween exists year round. And it's inhabitants are all variations of creatures associated with spooky season, skeletons, ghosts, trolls etc. They must save the town from a mysterious demon who is intent on destroying it and the other side, the "mortal" world. 

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8 Things That Cultivated My Love For Films

 

I've hit 200 blogs written here on A Blog By B, Thank you!!! to everyone who has ever read a blog of mine. I'm sure if you've read enough articles you know I love my movies, and I am a very nostalgic person. Since this is my 200th blog, I decided to write a more personal blog and discuss a few things that have made me the movie buff, nostalgic individual I am today. I didn't get this way overnight, so with that here are 7 things in my life that have cultivated my love for film.

HBO First Look

I have always, always been fascinated by filmmaking and the entire process of it. HBO use to produce a half hour series, First Look which looking back was more promotion of a film than a true peek behind the scenes. What they did share in episodes always intrigued me and made me appreciate at a young age the magic of moviemaking and all the work that goes into big productions.

Regular Cable TV

Through good old cable TV and shows like Dinner And A Movie, I was introduced to films like The Breakfast Club, Top Gun, and Day's Of Thunder. One of my stop and watch it movies Gleaming The Cube I first saw on the USA network and they would repeatedly play it in the summer.

Columbia Video

I was somewhere between 6 or 7 when my grandmother joined Columbia House and ordered several VHS tapes, a decent amount for me. Just like that I saw movies like Stand By Me for the first time, had copies of childhood favorites like Problem Child 1 and 2 and Don't Tell Mom The Babysitters Dead. New releases at the time Stay Tuned I wore those tapes out. I think my grandmother had that membership for a good 5 years, and I added a lot of films to the library during that time. In fact I'm one of the few people on this planet who still have a VCR and I've held on to many of those VHS tapes to this day.

Encore

Back in the 90's Encore was an upstart cable channel, and it kind of catered to the movie buff in all of us. I know it did for me for sure. Encore is where I first saw films like Fast Forward. D.A.R.Y.L. Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo, Just One Of The Guys, Short Circuit. Something I shouldn't have been watching in Stripes, Cherry 2000, the first Vacation film.

Along with those films, Encore also is where I first saw the original Karate Kid, one of my personal favorites Last Dragon, and Ghostbusters. All of these were heavy hitter films that to this day have a impact on my life and my personality. 

What I really enjoyed about Encore and this was before the internet was that it was very informational. Encore would have short breaks where a host would provide behind the scenes information on the next movie about to play. From how the character of Sho'nuff came to be in The Last Dragon. Who wrote the script for Karate Kid, Eddie Murphy turning down the role of Winston in Ghostbusters. The station was just a treasure trove of movie knowledge that I ate up to add to my repository of useless facts.

VCR

When I was about 7, it was either my uncle or a older cousin showed me how to use a VCR, and the concept of blank tapes and recording. From there I was off to the races, recording sitcoms, cartoons, movies, wrestling events, even music videos. I got the timing down to when to hit record to a science, and thought a set of blank tapes were a gold mine. Like I mentioned previously I still have a VCR and just like the movies I obtained, my blank tapes full of random things I've recorded are still safe in my vault.

DVD's

Man when DVD's and DVD players became more affordable and started to take over from VHS I was in awe. Besides the clarity of movies the special features often drew me in. I use to really enjoy watching deleted scenes and offering my own opinions on why it should have been in the movie or I could see why it was cut. Next to the deleted scenes my favorite special feature was the commentary. While it could be distracting hearing filmmakers discuss the thought process behind how the movie got greenlight, made, challenges etc. I was a sponge for.

Movie Theaters

It's an expensive hobby (but honestly what hobbies aren't these days?), but going to the movies is something I have loved since I was a kid and still love today. The 1989 Batman film is the first movie I vividly remember seeing in theaters, with Karate Kid III and Ghostbusters II  being the first movies I remember seeing at a Drive-In a few weeks later, I was only 3 years old at the time by the way. I just love getting my popcorn and sitting in a theater getting immersed into the world and the characters. It's even better when it's a movie that was made specifically for the movie theater experience.

The first movie I saw coming out the pandemic was Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, just sitting in the leather chairs and eating my very buttery popcorn. I just felt home and thought to myself, man I really missed this. I still get annoyed if I'm running behind and miss a trailer even though I can clearly catch it online. The movie theater experience is a huge contributor to me being a movie buff.

 

Relatives

I grew up like a lot of people my age spending a lot of time at grandma's house. I had older cousins who were between 5-8 years older than me that were also always at grandma house. As they got older and aged out of certain toys or films, they would leave them behind. I would find them and take them in like a lost pet. So old VHS tapes my cousins left behind were my introductions to shows like Captain Power: Soldiers Of The Future and Masters Of The Universe. They also would let me watch movies with them I was a tad too young for, but they were coming of age and understood the films. So movies like Juice, or the Child's Play films I watched with my older cousins.

 We use to stay up late and watch music videos replay on The Box (if you know you know), watch Nick At Nite or get snacks from the store and have "parties" watching TV. Looking back this is the biggest influence on my love of certain properties and why I'm so nostalgic towards the 90's. It always reminds of the good times I just wanted to hang with my older cousins. 

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Five BasketBall Hidden Gem Films

 

The NBA season officially kick's off this week and to celebrate the spirit of alley oops, jump shots, and slam dunks. I figured why not write about some basketball movies. There's classics like Hoosiers, White Men Can't Jump, Above The Rim, Coach Carter, He Got Game, and Love & Basketball. Then there's the not quite classic tier but good films the Blue Chips, Glory Road, and Sunset Park of the world. The list goes on until you get to the one's you either never heard of or forgot about. 

I'm here to educate and refresh your memory about those films. Here are five hidden gem basketball films you may like. 

5. Eddie

This 1996 film followed the 90's film trope of a average joe becoming the head coach of a pro team and uses unconventional methods for winning results. Whoopi Goldberg stars as a New York Knick fanatic named Edwina better known as Eddie, she wins a contest to become the assistant coach for a half and leaves such an impression. She is selected to become the head coach (mainly as a publicity stunt by the owner). Unsurprisingly in the film world, she rejuvenates the Knicks to make the playoffs, and help's many players learn more about themselves along the way.

Eddie isn't available on any streaming service. There are a few rips uploaded to YouTube though.

4. The Winning Season

This 2009 film definitely flew under the radar of basketball films, it stars Sam Rockwell as Bill Greaves a borderline acholic busboy who is spinning his wheels in life. A friend of his who now is the principal at a high school, hires him to coach the girls varsity basketball team. Bill is a bit in over his head, and the girls give him a run for his money. Eventually he help's them through their own personal struggles, while they alley oop in helping him rebuild his relationship with his daughter. The film also stars a young Emma Roberts and Rooney Mara, and actually has plenty of heart.

The Winning Season is available on Tubi, Pluto TV, and The CW app.

3. Hurricane Season

Another film with heart is 2009's straight to DVD film Hurricane Season starring Forrest Whitaker. Also starring Tajiri P. Henson, Lil' Wayne and Bow Wow the film is based on the true story of high school coach Al Collins and his team. After Hurricane Katrina devasted New Orleans and the surrounding communities, Al assembles various players from different high schools in the area to assemble a team. They head out to the road of winning the state championship, giving the area something to smile about and rebuilding their respective communities. 

Hurricane Season is available on Peacock, Tubi, and the CW app.

2. Celtic Pride

Boston Celtics fans have a reputation for being quite fanatical. This 1996 film exaggerates that claim feeding into that reputation. The film stars Dan Akroyd and Daniel Stern as two Celtics fans who lives pretty much revolve around the team. As the Celtics are poised to lose the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, the two come up with a scheme to kidnap star player Lewis Scott (Damon Wayans) until after game 7. Effectively guaranteeing Boston will win, that is until Lewis blackmails them into choosing prison or The Celtics. One of Judd Apatow's earlier films, it is not for everyone but if you just need some mindless entertainment this one's for you.

Celtic Pride currently isn't available to stream without renting. I have seen it on tubi quite a few times, so it should cycle back on it soon.

1. Rebound: The legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigult

Legend has it Earl 'The Goat" Manigault is one of the best basketball players that never was. This 1996 HBO original movie starring Don Cheadle and directed by Eric La Salle helped tell his story. Earl was a playground legend on the streets of New York in the 60's. He had an amazing leaping ability and was highly sought after in high school and college. Yet, he succumbed to the allure of drugs and eventually hit rock bottom. This film follows his life up to him turning things around, it makes you want to learn more about the goat. As well as think about other legends who never made the NBA who stories deserve to be told. 

I don't believe this film has ever been available to stream. If you want to see it there are rips uploaded to YouTube, quality isn't the best but gets the job done.

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