Why Black Millennials Still Love Insecure 10 Years Later

 

Insecure recently celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this month. I want to take a moment to celebrate this amazing show and its run. Created by Issa Rae who gained fame on YouTube with Akward Black Girl, the show was a true moment for young Black Millennials.

When the show debuted, many of us were at the age where major life milestones were happening or not. Making Insecure one of, if not the first show most Millennials could relate to as adults.

The show touched on the typical relationship, situationship, damn why did I do that? Subjects. Along with casual dating, hoe phases and everything in between. But it also touched on real life matters in humorous ways. How millennials did everything right as far as attending college. Yet, still can't get ahead. With both Issa and her boyfriend Lawrence either not working or in dead end jobs, for a period of the show.

The stress that brings with the stress of bills. Friendships changing, not because of squabbles but just life shifting. Celebrating friends wins and milestones, wondering when it's gonna be your turn. And hell even still being relatively young in your late 20s-early 30s, and still contemplating are you running out of time?

The breakup between relationships but not friendship, when you have the same circle of friends. It can messy there.

The show was genuine, funny, had several oh damn moments. While also paying homage to shows and movies before it. And making all of us Black Millennials realize we weren't alone in the struggle. Those five seasons were gold, and it's why 10 years later we still love the show.

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5 Fighting Games That Could Become Movies

Paramount's Street Fighter released this past weekend. The third live action attempt to do right by the franchise. While I had a couple issues with the film (no real plot, film all over the place), I took it for what it was and enjoyed it. It's miles above the 2010 film and even more campy and silly than the 1994 film starring Jean Claude Van Damme and Rual Julia.

While a sequel is likely on the horizon. I started thinking about something Hollywood loves to do when a film is successful. Find copycat films and franchises to make. So with that here are 5 video game franchise, I think have potential to become movies.

 Primal Rage

This would have to be animated because the plot is so absurd. The plot of the game existed in a alternate version of Earth, called Urth. Devastated by a Meteor strike nearly wiping out humans, but the ones who survived worship prehistoric animals with supernatural powers.

These creatures fight one another with the fate of the planet, in the winners hands. Like I said very out there and absurd. It could be a very fun film though.

SoulCalibur

SoulCalibur first released in 1998 and since then has built a franchise with 7 main titles and some spin-off titles. The premise of the games are built around swords. Namely the souledge sword which is a personification of evil, the sword itself and the person who holds it. And the soulcalbur which is used to fend off that evil.

The games are typically set in the 16th and 17th century when swords were the weapons of choice. Some high octane action sequences with masterful swordplay. May have folks signing up for classes to learn how to wield swords.

The King of Fighters

The King Of Fighters was released in 1994 and since then has spawned 14 additional games. The premise of the game is a fighting tournament, but not one on one tournaments. It's teams of 3 against each other in these matchups.

Which could explore themes like jealousy, collaboration, brotherhood, and all the teamwork tangible in the world. Life lessons against the backdrop of exciting fights. Could be a good time.

Def Jam: Vendetta

Due to a variety of reasons the Def Jam brand is not as strong or popular as it once was. That doesn't mean a new generation couldn't admire it for the first time. And that's where Vendetta comes into play.

The 2003 video game featured the protagonist (who I don't remember actually having a name). Facing off against actually rap artists such as DMX, Method Man, Ludacris, N.O.R.E. and more through the streets of New York. It was popular enough to get a sequel just a year later.

A movie with a hard hitting soundtrack, a few cameos from rappers and singers. Some fun fights that doesnt take itself too serious, and audiences could be in for a good time.

Double Dragon

When it comes to fighting video games, Double Dragon is an OG game. One of the first fighting arcade games in 1987, it laid the foundation for Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and other popular fighting games. The plot follows two brothers fighting threwthe mean streets of their town. Much of the crime ran by overlord Willy Macky in the video game. And martial arts crime boss Shadowboss in the animated series.

The 1994 film has been mangled over the years for its campiness, and deviations from the source material. However to this day it is a cult classic and acknowledged as a product of its time. If Street Fighter is now on its third try, getting a film adaption right. Double Dragon deserves another chance.

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5 Underrated Action Horror Movies

It's spooky season, one of the most fun times of the year. When most folks sit down to watch a movie this time of year, their aiming for the straight up horror films, maybe a little comedic horror film, or a family friendly one. Which leaves the action horror genre to get left behind.

Fear not, I'm here to provide you with some films in that genre. They aren't the most popular or the best, but something quick to watch just to be entertained. It gets the job done, here are 5 underrated action horror movies.

Dylan Dog: Day Of Night

This 2010 film starred Brandon Routh who was trying to reinvent himself and move on, from his failed run as Superman. He took on this film inspired by the comic book, about a New Orleans detective who investigates crimes from the undead. The creatures of the night like vampires, zombies, and werewolves.

Taking on a investigation he stumbles into a ancient artifact wanted by vampires. And sets out to protect it and solve his original case. It's more silly and comedic than a straight up action horror film. However if you don't mind a good laugh with your werewolve sightings, this film is as good as any.

It's currently available on tubi.

Ghosts of Mars 

This 2001 film was written and directed by horror legend John Carpenter. It's trailer is actually better than the movie, but that doesnt mean the film was horrible. Starring Ice Cube, Jason Statham, Pam Grier, and Natasha Henstridge. It follows a police unit sent to Mars to transport a criminal.

Well Mars has other plans. Ancient spirits of Mars take over human bodies on this small colony and are on the hunt. The hunt for other humans leading to a battle for survival. It actually has some cool action scenes in the film. It's definitely a product of it's time with some corny jokes sprinkled in.

Currently if you wanna watch it, its only available to buy/rent on streaming services.

Planet Terror

Robert Rodriguez is a gifted filmmaker with a polarizing record. You either love his films or hate them, with very much in the middle. His 2007 Planet Terror is one I was initially eh on and learned to enjoy. It's very off the wall and is a call back to those late night B movies you'd find on local stations or cable TV.

Set in a small Texas town, a biochemical agent is exposed to the town. Cause citizens to turn into zombies with a thirst for blood. Rose McGowan leads the charge to save the day, as a one legged go go dancer. Who soon turns that leg into a weapon of destruction.

Like I said straight B movie vibes and campy. Give it a shot you'll love it.

Doom

The 2005 video game adaption starring Karl Urban and The Rock was widely panned by critics and fans upon its release. One thing it was praised for though was its first person shooter point of view, true to the game its adapted from.

The film follows a elite space marine unit, sent to Mars to respond to a distress signal. Well they got more than they bargained for on the red planet. And all hell breaks loose. The film is harmless action fun when you turn your brain off. Making it just right for spooky season.

It's currently available on Starz through cable providers or the app.

Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight

The beloved Tales From The Crypt franchise produced two films in the 90's. The first film was 1995's Demon Knight. A campy mid-level film starring William Sadler, Billy Zane, & Jada Pinkett Smith. It features Sadler as a military vet guarding a key that could eradicate evil.

Zane is The Collector hell bent on getting that key. And Pinkett Smith is one of several inhabitants of a boarding house caught up in the mix. In true Crypt fashion it is a campy, but fun action film that has flown under the radar.

It's currently streaming on peacock

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D3 Is Better Than You Remember

 

It's the 30th Anniversary of D3 The Mighty Ducks, the final film of the Mighty Ducks trilogy and probably the least revered one out of the three. While the original is a Millennial classic and the greatest Kids sport film ever. D2 raised the stakes just enough and people still loved it. D3 same beat, same formula and its not as beloved.

Yet, I don't understand why that is. Because truthfully D3 has the best main plot of the three films. It's a film about change, growing up, and the pains that come with it. Something we all experience in life. The Ducks are now teenagers, entering a private school on scholarship a completely new world to all of them. And a new coach who is more stern and a hardass then Coach Bombay was. He has his own views on how hockey should played, and the team primarily Charile have a hard time adjusting.

In truth Charlie doesn't want to grow up, he's still holding on to his younger years and the "Duck" way of doing things. And Coach Bombay was the father figure in his life, and him moving on Charlie feels like he abandoned the team but most importantly him. Some deep stuff beneath the surface of a kid oriented hockey film.

Of course Coach Bombay proves otherwise and comes through in the clutch to legally save the team, one of the better scenes in the movie. Only behind a scene spearheaded by Jeffrey Nordling who plays Coach Ted Orion, in a beautifully crafted scene comparing hockey to life. If I was a youth sports coach I would show that scene to my team for the motivation. And the older I've gotten I appreciate that scene so much more and all the gems in it.

Simply put on this 30th Anniversary, D3 deserves so much more love than what has come its way. It truly is a early lesson about life, change, and preserverance. It is a classic in its own right.

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