The 1965 Debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley
A historic debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley at Cambridge University on the question: “Is the American Dream at the expense of the American Negro?” This experience is just stunning for me. Not just because the content is stunningly and sadly relevant in 2020, but the unspoken language that was communicated. Mr. Baldwin is the picture of elegance, grace, and calm with an underlying intensity that builds on itself. Buckley is a picture of arrogance, gall, pomposity, pretentiousness, and smugness. In a packed auditorium, the audience voted on who won the debate:
Baldwin received 544 votes. Buckley just 164
Watch it on YouTube.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Storytelling • Truth-telling • Clarity
Uncorked
“Some dreams can’t stay bottled up”. A young man has a dream to become a sommelier. His father wants him to join the family barbecue business. Simple right? I mean, the story arcs write themselves right? Nope. While there are some parts that are formulaic, it’s the nuanced performances of Courtney B. Vance, Mamoudou Athie, Niecy Nash, and many others that were striking. Of course, ANYTHING with the great Courtney B. Vance, is a no-brainer for me. This Neflix beauty had me laughing, reminiscing, crying, and reconnected my resilience battery to some more ‘juice’. Uncorked made me want to learn more about not just the world of wine but how families evolve around purpose and the pursuit of it.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Purpose • Perseverance • Tenacity
Fun with Dick & Jane
This reboot movie with Jim Carrey and Tea Leoni is all KINDS of stupid but I laughed out loud at scenes that were ridiculous but if you have EVER been faced with losing everything, you’ll find yourself saying, ‘But, you know what….I MIGHT just…’ Jim Carrey who, in my opinion, can well, overact/exaggerate but somehow the director struck a good balance between the slapstick, physical comedy that he’s known for but making room for the other actors to also shine. Plus, it’s just about 90 minutes of pure mayhem, fun, with some decent messaging at the end.
You can find it on Netflix now.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Resourcefulness • Fear • Inequities
The Devil Wears Prada
This movie is SO much fun and Meryl Streep is just brilliant in this. Yes, the treatment of her assistants is brutal and I would never treat anyone like she did. But you have to laugh at: ‘Is there some reason why my coffee isn’t here? Has she died or something?’ or ‘Find me that piece of paper that I had in my hand yesterday morning.’ PURE HILARITY! However, there is a worthy message underneath all of the ridiculousness: a woman can rise in her field, own her space, and define her own destiny. Plus, the pumps, the clothes, the GLAMOUR…y’all. Oh and Stanley Tucci is also fabulous.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Power • Perseverance • Creativity
Crimson Tide
Denzel Washington is this film is amazing. First, it has not gone unnoticed that he had top billing on all of the marketing over screen legend Gene Hackman. There is probably a great story there along everything that it took to bring the blockbuster to life back in 1995. Whenever I need a reminder of how to stay strong in the face of just straight up racist, discriminating foolishness and STILL be cool, I watch this movie. There are several themes that apply to the entrepreneurial experience, including, how to build and sustain integrity, perseverance, and tenacity in the face of great mental, professional, and physical challenges.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Purpose • Perseverance • Excellence
Selma
This film, directed by Ava DuVernay and produced by Oprah Winfrey is stunning. I experienced such a range of emotion and connection to every character and our history and how it was depicted. This film inspired me to go deeper in bringing in elements like cultural anthropology in to the brand discovery process. We MUST know where we’ve been so that we know where we’re going.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Purpose • Perseverance • Tenacity
Scandal
Okay. I’m not gonna lie, Scandal RULED my Thursday nights. The online debates that episodes would spark were ferocious, passionate, and deeply committed to the all things in Shondaland. But, the weekly connection/reminder that Black women can LEAD a massive show like this, was whispered into my conscious when I needed it the most.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Trailblazing • Drive • Passion
Madam Secretary
This series, produced by Morgan Freeman, is a strong representation of how women in leadership positions can look/sound/feel like. I’m sad that the series ended in 2019. But it’s binge-worthy.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Purpose • Strength • Visibility • Access
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
[from wikipedia] Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse grossed over $375 million worldwide against a $90 million budget. It received praise from critics for its animation, direction, characters, story, voice acting, humor and soundtrack, and won numerous awards, including Best Animated Feature at the 91st Academy Awards, 46th Annie Awards, and 76th Golden Globe Awards. It was the first non-Disney/Pixar film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature since Rango (2011), as well as the first non-Disney/Pixar film since Happy Feet (2006) to win that award when a Disney or Pixar film was also in contention.
THAT’S.WHAT’S.UP.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Identity • Purpose • Evolution
Insecure
Issa Rae is …well…I LOVE her and her work. I so appreciate her talent. The show itself is everything from pee-in-your-pants (almost) funny to embarrassing to heartbreaking. I love her commitment to presenting a diverse cast in front of the camera and building a diverse production crew behind the camera. She keeps it real with us while providing plenty of space to see and celebrate Black beauty in all of its shapes, sizes, and colors.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Authenticity • Honesty • Humor • Self-love
Clear and Present Danger
I love any and all political thrillers. Harrison Ford just owned these roles back in the day.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Purpose • Strength • Integrity
The Princess Diaries
Such a cute, fun movie BUT what I love is the fact that this hit was produced by two Black women: Whitney Houston and Debra Martin Chase. Shonda Rhimes was a screenwriter for Royal Engagement. As we all know, Rhimes went on to create Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder for ABC. The movie went on to launch the career of Anne Hathaway.
IMPORTANT THEMES: Potential • Confidence • Evolution
The Mandalorian
A Star Wars related product without Mark Hamill??!! Well, this was a fabulous, fun, and heart-warming addition that I just enjoyed throughout. Total escapism stuff here. :)
IMPORTANT THEMES: Companionship • Strength • Family
Black Panther
Ryan Coogler’s film featured a predominantly black cast for the first standalone film for a black Marvel superhero that broke ALL kinds of records. I was especially inspired by the prominent and powerful roles that women played. #WakandaForever