5 Hidden Gem Black Romantic Comedies

 

It's that time again when love is in the air. Dudes that have been slacking all year go overboard, while everyone else either celebrates or says I love you and keep it moving. However you celebrate Valentine's Day with your significant other. You can never go wrong with a good movie to watch.

For every Boomerang, Love Jones, and Love & Basketball. There are a abundance of Black led romance films, that for whatever reason many haven't heard of or it just didn't get its due. With that, here are five hidden gem Black romance movies.

5. Strictly Business

I wrote a blog on this back in 2021 to celebrate the film's 30th anniversary. I'm adding it to this list because this is one film I will die on a hill trying to get people to see it.

It's a simple love story with partnerships, 90's vibes and New Jack Swing mixed in. Give a chance and you can learn some lessons in it.

4. The Perfect Match

Starring Cassie and Terrance J, The Perfect Match was released in 2016. Terrance J. plays Charlie a modern day noncommittal womanizer. He meets Eva played by Cassie a talented and mysterious singer/actress.

Soon enough they start kicking it and Charlie realizes he wants a bit more of their relationship. The film has a good message of not setting expectations when initially meeting and dating someone, and go with it to see how it goes.

3. Disappearing Acts

Disappearing Acts is a 2000 HBO original movie stars Sanaa Lathan and Wesley Snipes, based on a book from Terry McMillan. Sanaa and Wesleys characters are on opposite ends of the educational and career spectrum.

Upon starting a relationship they navigate bumps and bruises. Withholding information and encouraging one another. Find this hidden gem and give it a shot.

2. Sprung

Sprung is one of those films either you've seen it or you haven't. Talking to people it seems a lot more folks haven't seen than have. Released in 1997 the film follows Montel (Rusty Cundieff who also wrote and directed) and Brandy (Tisha Campbell Martin) who start a blossoming romance. While they're friends Clyde (Joe Torry) and Adina (Paula Jai Parker) who fell apart after a one night stand based on lies, seek out to sabotage the relationship as it gets serious.

The film is about true love overcoming obstalces near and far. It's by no means a laugh out loud or great film, but it has some endearing qualities about relationships.

1. Southside With You

Southside With You is a simple romantic film that was released in 2016 to substantial buzz. Set in 1989, the film follows future president Barack Obama played by Parker Sawyer, going on a first date with his future wife and first Lady Michelle Obama (Tika Sumpter).

Both are ambitious young individuals but that's not what the film focuses on. Instead it shows their walk through the park, museum visits and late night treat of ice cream. Simple things that build connections to lead to long term relationships. Even with the buzz, the film wasn't a box office hit or even a cult classic afterwards. It has a message about seeing the potential in someone even if they aren't there yet.

Watch the movie you may learn a thing or two.

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M.C. Hammer: Rap's First Pop Star

 

Two things sparked this article, first watching peacocks Run-DMC documentary King's From Queens. Another spark I was randomly YouTubing old Super Bowl commercials and revisited M.C. Hammer's Cheetos popcorn commercial for the 2020 Super Bowl. The ad used nostalgia to tap into folks trying out a new product, but it led me down a Hammer rabbit hole.

I came to the conclusion M.C. Hammer regardless of how people feel about his rapping skills, or whatever else that led to the rap industry turning against him. Was Hip-Hop's first real pop star. Sure Run-DMC were the first cross-over stars due to their collaboration with Aerosmith on Walk This Way. But Hammer took what they did and ran off with it. His album Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em went diamond (10 million copies sold.)

He was an amazing showman with his high energy footwork that was James Brown inspired. To my knowledge, he was one of the first hip hop stars that truly believed in a full production for his concerts. Lights all over the stage, full band with backup singers and back up dancers. Along with his clean image we soon saw Hammer everywhere.

He hosted Saturday Night Live in 1991 to help promote the Addams Family movie, which he had the lead single on. Made guest appearances on sitcoms such as Amen and Out All Night. Not stopping with guest appearances, he was all on TV screens with endorsements.

Pepsi commercials , Taco Bell commercial , a sponsorship with British Knight sneakers complete with an ad. A few KFC commercials one of which Paul Mooney famously ripped on. It didn't stop there though with Hammer.

He had his own Saturday Morning cartoon Hammerman. Which ran for a season on ABC in 1991. And had lunchboxes released in conjunction with the show. There was even M.C. Hammer dolls made by Mattel, which are probably a fortune now if someone still has one in its original packaging. I'm honestly surprised he didn't have a video game similiar to Michael Jackson's  Moonwalker on Sega with his likeness.

We can't forget his trademark pants that were synonymous with him. That in itself was a marketing tool. From 1990 to probably 1992 Hammer was everywhere. While he may have mismanaged his money, and gotta ridiculed for it. He paved the way for other rappers to get money in various ways. 

Come on. Would artist like Snoop Dogg, Megan The Stallion or Drake have some of the endorsements they've had if not for Hammer? Following the Run DMC documentary, we need a true M.C. Hammer documentary.  It's time Hammer is properly given his flowers for his contributions to hip hop. Acknowledging him as the first real rock star of rap is a step in the right direction.

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Hollywood Needs To Adjust Release Schedule

 I celebrated another year around the sun the end of last month. One issue I have every year is exactly what to do on my birthday? Unlike folks born in warmer months, my options are really limited if I'm not going on vacation. Then I looked into social events like axe throwing, wreck rooms, and bowling but looking at the cost compared to time spent participating in one of these activities. I didn't find it worth it, so I looked at old faithful the movie theaters.

The only thing playing that I kind of had a passing interest in was the Mean Girls remake. Now, of course inventory is low on movie releases due to the respective 148 writers strike and 118 day actors strike last year. However, it got me thinking about movies released in January.

Typically January is usually a dumping ground of movies that studios aren't really sure what to do with. If a movie was released in December of the previous year to generate some Oscar buzz. The studios ride that out while releasing throw away films.

In recent years though studios have started to release bigger films on MLK weekend. Bad Boys For Life became the highest grossing movie released in January when it debuted in 2020.

The Blockbuster movie season is from late April to mid August.  I think it's time Hollywood starts thinking outside the box and release a "blockbuster" film or two during January. For one with covid and then the writers and actors strike, movie theaters have been taking a hell of a one-two punch in recent years. They need more quality films that bring audiences to the theaters and not just in the condensed months towards the middle and end of the year.

Second, to be honest a lot of blockbuster films haven't really been blockbustering. For example Fast X and The Flash are blockbuster films released last summer that were disappointing. Did they really need to be released when they did? Or could they have been released earlier in the year when people are content starved and negative word of mouth may not have played a part and hit them so hard.

Lastly, with the advancement of streaming and audience perception that going to the theaters is no longer required. Studios and theaters need to combat that perception year round and emphasize there is nothing like seeing a movie in theaters for the first time.

The best way to do that? Give people reasons to see movies in theaters all year long. For the right film people will turn out, for instance when Black Panther debuted in February of 2018.

 Now, I can understand hesitation from theaters to sink alot of money into releasing a movie in January with weather concerns. One ssnowstorm or harsh cold streak on the east coast and Midwest would derail the box office take for those films.

But we're in a new time that requires new ways of doing things. There are a lot of jobs dependent on those industries and they need to be creative with how they survive. And with so much reaching for consumers wallets and attention, switching things up and experimenting is always a good idea in my book.

For someone like myself who enjoys the movie going experience, I wouldn't mind making a birthday celebration out of seeing a new must see release every year. Here's to hoping Hollywood takes heed.

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Ten Favorite Bobby Brown Songs

 Bobby Brown is undoubtedly the king of the stage. Watching clips from his heyday he had stage prescence, charisma and the moves. We can't forget the moves as he made his foot work light work. I've seen him twice with New Edition and saw him last month perform solo for the first time, and while he can't dance like he use to. He still is one of the coldest ever to grace the stage.

 Watching him perform you can definitely tell Usher and Chris Brown were inspired by him. With both giving him his flowers in recent years. Its no doubt in my mind if he didnt have his demons and consistently made quality albums. He would be in the convo as an all-time great. Hell he may have performed at a super bowl.

He dropped four solo albums in his 40 year career, while everyone knows Don't Be Cruel and Bobby dont sleep on his first album King Of The Stage. 

I am a big New Edition and Bobby Brown fan and figured since it's the king's bday  I'd share 10 of my favorite Bobby Brown songs.

10. Humpin' Around

The lead single off his 1992 Bobby album, the song is high energy with a heavy bass and drum influence. The brilliant thing about the song is that you are so busy you probably miss the meaning of the song. The song is about one partner in a relationship suspecting the other is cheating. While the accused is telling them pump your breaks.

The music video involves a lot of dancing and I won't lie when that song comes on I do my fair share. Especially when I convince myself I can dance to it and burn some calories.

9. My Prerogative

My Prerogative is really about blocking out the noise, living life and doing what you makes you happen. Bobby has said it is his favorite song he's ever done, and knowing what his life was like when he made the Don't Be Cruel album was made. I can totally see where he's coming from, for me though it's a cool Bobby B. song but nowhere near a top tier favorite.

8. Rock Wit'cha

Bobby along with Babyface who produced the song, had to show folks he had range. Which he display's in the song, it's a totally 80's song. Soft and sensual, Bobby let's the lady in his life know he's down to party. The backing instruments and the fade out of the chorus repeating "I want to Rock" just give's this song the chef's kiss.

7. Good Enough

Following up on showing range, Bobby let Babyface produce another hit for him on this track. This could be a sequel to Rock Wit'cha in my opinion. On the previous song, he just wanted to party all night, on this one he confesses if he's not up to par in many ways. He will work as hard a possible to make things right.

The drum heavy set helps drive home the tropical feeling of the song as well.

6. I'll Be Good

I first heard this song on an episode of 227 that Bobby Brown guest starred in. He showed that masterful footwork in his dancing scene that episode. It wasn't until I got older and actually listened to the Don't Be Cruel album I realized how much this song hits. It's 100% contains that New Jack Swing sound which makes sense since Teddy Riley produced it and is quite funky, you have no choice but to get up and dance to this song. I often wonder why a actual music video was never made for this one.

5. Every Little Step

An uptemo feel good  drum heavy New Jack Swing song about weathering the storm of relationships. Every Little Step will have everyone in a chokehold on the dance floor. The video that introduced everyone to the gumby haircut and the roger rabbit dance. The choreography in the music video, will have everyone trying to be as slick as Bobby Brown. No matter how much you try to resist you, you will bop hard to this.

4. I'll Really Love You Girl

Talk about an underrated album cut. This song is it, I'm still really confused why it was never released as a single. Everything just comes together and blends so well with this song, from Bobby's vocals to the cohesiveness of the instruments on the beat. Simply put this is one smooth track across the board. Here is the song for those who have never heard it, it deserves to be more well known and on quiet storm type radio programs everywhere. 

3. Roni

Bobby's most popular ballad and it's easy to see why. L.A. Reid and Babyface struck gold again with the production on this. The background horns and drums make a perfect combination to create this soothing beat. This is the type of song that a guy can use to sweep a woman off her feet if he plays his cards right. The whispery soulful of the background vocals helps bring home the sensual vibe. 30 plus years later Roni still has a gripe on ear lobes when its played.

2. On Our Own

If there is one Bobby Brown song that is without question my shit!!! it is this one. Released as a single for the 1989 Ghostbusters II soundtrack, this is another banger produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface. If you've ever heard it I shouldn't really have to explain why it is the shit. If for some reason you've never heard it, play it and let me know how long you go before tapping your feet. 

1. Don't Be Cruel

Now honestly I debated on one and two because they both just hit on all cylinders in my opinion. When I sat and thought about it what else could be number 1 but Don't Be Cruel? This song never gets old and everything just came together so flawlessly with this one. Even from the prelude track that proceeds the actual song, with it's haunting vocals. Then when the beat drops man it's game over from there.

Another masterpiece by Babyface and L.A. Reid, the lyrics, the beat, Bobby's rap. It's simple Don't Be Cruel is infectious as whole. I use to wear this song out playing GTA: San Andreas riding around town. I've actually danced to the choreography on this track when I call myself trying to do light exercise. At times my toddler daughter joins me in and always repeats "Don't Be, Don't Be". Which should tell you how impactful the song is. 

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Five Black 2000's Sitcoms You Forgot About

It's Black History Month, so I decided to kick it off by bringing to light some Black led Sitcoms from the 2000's you may not remember.

With all of the entertainment options out there it is easy for those that didn't make an impact to be forgotten as time goes on. As such here are 5 Black 2000's sitcoms you probably forget.

Meth & Red

In the summer of 2004 FOX came up with an idea that was ahead of its time. Year round first run programming. To help kick off that endeavor they gave rappers Method Man and Redman a show.

The single camera comedy followed the two rappers as fictional versions of themselves. They move into a mansion in a predominantly white neighborhood, and there goes the neighborhood. 

The shows tone was slapstick and zany and only lasted one season. Method and Red were unhappy with  how Fox presented the show and got into a heated feud with them. Making the show easily forgettable in the minds of many.

Tracy Morgan Show

Before his true star making role on 30 Rock, or his hilarious sitcom The Last O.G.. Tracy Morgan had a short lived sitcom on NBC after leaving Saturday Night Live.

The sitcom debuted in December of 2003 and ran for 18 years. It had a solid supporting cast with Tamala Jones, comedy legend John Witherspoon, and Heavy D. Katt Williams before his career really blew up was also a member of the cast.

Whole funny, the show sadly didn't catch on for some particular reason. Which is a shame as it slowly fading if the memory banks of people.

All About The Anderson's

Before he starred in the now classic sitcom Black-ish, Anthony Anderson was still a consistently working comedian and actor still looking for his big break. The WB network attempted to give him that with All About The Andersons.

Debuting in the fall of 2003, the sitcom followed Anderson as a struggling single dad who moves back in with his parents. He soon realizes that was a bad mistake. I honestly remember watching the show, but don't remember much about it. So it didn't leave an impact and it's easy to understand why it's not well-known.

The Big House

Katt Williams gave this sitcom some notoriety and refreshed some folks minds when he went on his Club Shay Shay spiel. In case that didn't refresh your memory I'll help you out.

Just before Kevin Hart's "star making" role in Soul Plane. He starred in a sitcom that only lasted for six complete episodes. It debuted on ABC in April of 2004. The sitcom was Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in reverse, Hart was a wealthy young man who due to some bad decisions by his parents. Basically was broke and forced to move to Philadelphia with his middle-class family.

The sitcom premise had potential, but I don't remember it being overly funny. It took Hart a few more years to become the rock star comedian he is today. Which means this blip of a sitcom in his career has been long forgotten.

Wanda At Large

In my opinion Wanda Skyes is funny, but her style of humor is acquired taste funny. You have to enjoy a certain type of comedy or be in the mood for it. She learned her style doesn't work for everyone with her TV show Wanda At Large.

The sitcom debuted on Fox in spring of 2003, with its episodes spilt in half to create two seasons before being canceled in the fall of 2003.

Skyes played a former D.C. government employee who becomes a local political commentator on a station, while becoming a stand up comedian. Like I said her style just isn't for everyone, and it shows which is why most don't remember this show.

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Five Random Thoughts About The Orioles Sale

 

On a quiet Tuesday evening, a bombshell announcement quickly spread out amongst news source. The Angelos family after 30 plus years have agreed to sell the Oriole's. For now the way the deal stands is they are only selling 40%, but once family patriarch Peter Angelos who is 94 and reportedly very ill passes on. The new ownership group will take full control of the team, with the Angelos maintaining a small percentage of the team.

There's a lot of questions surrounding this deal, and a lot of happy dancing going on. As fans have grown dissatisfied with the ownership, despite our recent successfully season winning the AL East and being in the playoffs for the first time in 7 years. While we wait for the MLB to approve the deal and more clarity is provided. Here are a few random thoughts I have about this transaction.

What Kind Of Changes Will The New Owners Make?

It's customary in any business deal that new owners survey the scene and start making changes. Often a good portion of those changes involve personnel decisions. It is my biggest hope that Mike Elias and his team are left alone, he is a very methodical individual from what I can tell. So far his long-term goal of putting the Oriole's in a situation to be contenders for years to come, looks to be finally coming together. 

We had a surprise successful season in 2022 that shocked a lot of people. Then last season we ran away with the AL East, winning 101 games and the division. Hopefully the new owners leave things as they are from that perspective and keep the momentum rolling.

Will The New Owners Open The Checkbook?

Even with the top farm system in baseball and a ton of prospects who have the ability to be superstars one day. The Orioles still need some veteran help who has been to championships and knows what it takes to get there. Within the AL East you can do all the drafting and developing and rule 5 hidden gems you want, but to battle the big boys of the East consistently the checkbook has to open.

That's not to say just spend on anyone that is a "name". However, in order to make it to the World Series, you need solid hitting and defense and some good damn near great pitching. John Means is a good talent, but he is not a true "ace", for the Oriole's to get one. Some hefty figures will need to get involved.

Will MASN Improve?

Reportedly Ownership of Masn will be included in the deal, I wonder if there are any implications with the Nat's though. So what will become of Masn? during the off-season it is a pitiful channel honestly. During the season when it should be a showcase of the Oriole's legacy and what the Nat's have been able to do since moving to D.C. in 2005. Instead everything is very run of the mill, produce a few documentaries on the teams, show some classic games. I don't know how many times a older game has played on Masn during a rain delay, and it's the same rotation of games. Show younger generations the Oriole's Magic and create lifetime fans with archives. And I hope the commentators are allowed to speak a little bit more freely, and some thought and money are put into the content. 

Hopefully discussions are had about accessing Masn if you dont have a cable subscription and improving the apps.

What Was The Hold up Over The Stadium Deal?

The Orioles and the state of Maryland had fans sweating bullets over a new stadium deal. A deal was finally made in mid-December right before Christmas. While the two sides had been negotiating on a new deal for a couple years including with the previous Governor Larry Hogan, there were alot of twists and turns involved in the discussions. Including a false announcement the night the O's clinched the division, that a deal had been made when in reality it hadn't.

The biggest holdup in the deal was that Angelos wanted to develop the land around Camden Yards. With a vision of having Camden Yards similar to The Battery in Atlanta. Even though there was some logistical issues that needed to be sorted out with an idea like that, it wasn't necessarily a bad one. Now with Angelos agreeing to sell the team, what was the point of holding up negotiations to have that provision in? If selling the team was always in the back of his mind? Unless getting something close to that in the agreement with the state, helped bolster his asking price for the team.

What Will Become Of The Angelo's Legacy?

When Peter Angelos led a ownership group to buy the Oriole's in 1993, he was hailed a hero. Returning ownership of the team to local businessmen with ties to the areas. In the 30 years since, Angelos has grown to be a very complicated figure amongst Oriole's fans, never really loved but hated a good portion of the time. He'd make good decisions like hiring Pat Gillick who architected the Toronto Blue Jays teams that won back to back World Series Championships in '92 and '93. Along with hiring Davey Johnson as team manager and the two led the Orioles to back to back playoff appearances in '96 and '97. But then he wouldnt let them run the team, leading to Johnson leaving in '97 after being voted A.L. Manager of The Year. Gillick left the following season once his contract was up, and the Orioles wouldn't make the playoffs again until 2012.

He tried to compete with George Steinbrenner but wouldn't open his checkbook nearly as much. When he did there were cases of bad luck like Albert Belle, Chris Davis, and Mark Trumbo or talents signed who already seen better days like Vladimir Guerrero. Things like that aren't necessarily his fault, but occurred on his watch and at times his insistence. He refused to really invest in the farm systems leading to the Oriole's being way behind other clubs in that aspect.

When his son's took over, they made the shrewd decision to bring in Mike Elias who was in the front office when the Astros built their farm system, which led to them being playoff contenders every year. Winning the World Series in 2017, a year before Elias would be hired by the Orioles. To their credit they largely let Elias build the team how he see's fit.

Now things took a turn when Louis Angelos filed a lawsuit against John with a claim he wanted to move the team to Nashville, which sent shockwaves of fears up O's fans back's. Since that lawsuit it just seems John is never transparent with fans and the media, or outright caught in a lie. From the blunder of how stadium lease negotiations were held. To his continued promises and then resistances to "open the books", his lashing out at a reporter about asking a question on MLK day. He soon drew the ire of O's fans, who were rather tired of him always choosing the worst time to undermine the Oriole's when things were rolling in the right direction.

Once the Angelo's family no longer has complete control of the team, I think people will give them a little bit of a break. However, the family will never be considered ideal owners in the eye's of O's fans. Under their Ownership the Oriole's only made the playoffs six times in their 30 years of ownership, never appearing in the World Series. They aren't in the conversation as one of the worst ownership groups in sports history, but they never will be considered one of the best.

                                    

Honestly I don't care about rich people with rich people problems. As long as we see more fruitful years of the Orioles in the playoffs, and a World Series championship before I hit 40 (I just turned 38). I will be a happy man.

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Streaming Wishlist: Nickelodeon on Paramount Plus

 Paramount Plus has a Nickelodeon hub on its service. Sadly, it is missing a lot of classic Nick shows. Sure Kenan & Kel, All That, and  Are You Afraid Of The Dark ? are available. But there's so much more if the SNICK heyday we deserve. Especially when we pay the subscription price every month.

Paramount Plus needs alot of help with their offerings. I figured I'd give them a hand with some programs to make available.

My brother And Me 

It's really hard to belive that My Brother And Me only ran for one season. The way Nickelodeon use to replay it I legitimately thought it ran alot longer than it did.

The show followed a middle class Black family in Charlotte and the misadventures of the two brothers and their friends. It really was a underappreciated gem and gave Amanda Seales her first role. Years later knowing how important representation is, Paramount Plus needs to provide parents a opportunity to introduce a new generation 

The Secret World of Alex Mack 

The Secret World of Alex Mack debuted in October 1994 and ran for four seasons. The series followed preteen Alex Mack who accidentally  comes in contact with a strange chemical that grants her powers.

Soon along with her best friend Ray and her older sister Annie, they work to keep her powers hidden from everyone else including the plant that created the chemical. The series was a combination of many genres from slapstick silly to dangerous situations. 

It was a staple of the SNICK TV block and a pioneer of young females in the STEM field. Refresh the ratio on the show and make it available.

Space Cases 

One of my favorite Nickelodeon shows that most people probably don't remember. The show drew me because Walter E. Jones (Zack from Power Rangers) was in the show, he first starring role after leaving Power Rangers.

A Star Trek esque show for kids, it followed the students of a space academy who board a ship and find themselves stranded on the other side of the galaxy, light years away from everything they knew. 

Of course on they're journey back they visit new places, and meet new alien races. The show dealt with themes such as prejudice against other races. 

Cousin Skeeter

Skeeter is a mischievous but good hearted kid who goes to with his cousin Bobby and family. The weird thing is, Cousin Skeeter is a puppet but it's never acknowledged in the show. 

Skeeter was voiced by comedian Bill Bellamy who provided all the necessary wisecracking. Megan Goode was a co-star of the show as Bobby's friend Nina. The theme song was a alternate version of 702's Steelo. Bring Cousin Skeeter back so we can get some good laughs.

Taina

Taina debuted in 2001 on Nickelodeon, running for two seasons. The series followed teenager Taina Morales who aspires to be a singer and actress. To help her get there she attends the fictional Manhattan High School Of The Performing Arts.

The show follows Taina and her friends as she navigates teenage life while frequently daydreaming about being a big star. The message is clear with this show, don't give up on your dreams. I think more kids could use that inspiration now more than ever.

The Brothers Garcia

The Brothers Garcia debuted in the summer of 2000 and was a historical moment in TV history. It was the first English speaking show that featured an all Latino cast and crew.

The format was a boys will be boys plot following the brothers and their family growing up in San Antonio, TX. John Leguizamo narrated the series similiar to shows like The Wonder Years, Everybody Hates Chris, and Young Sheldon. 

The show ran for four seasons and a sequel series, The Garcias was actually released in 2022 on HBO Max. It only lasted one season as I'm sure no one was aware that it existed. Paramount Plus needs to make this hidden gem available 

The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo

The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo was a different kind of Nickelodeon show. Mainly a whodunit series for kids, I believe it helped kids draw out they're curiosities and learn how important details are. Shelby Woo is a teenager living with her grandfather (Pat Morita) who operates an inn.

In her spare time she interns at the local police department, and comes across a case of two she thinks she can solve. Which would put her sleuth skills to good use. She always faced adversity but always got the job done. 

Good Mystery series in general are missing from today's offerings. Ones aimed at kids and preteens are pretty much non-existent. Paramount should do us a favor and allow us to put our detective skills to use watching the show.

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