Movies/TV
The Everyday Hero
On the other end of the telephone line is a man who has just hijacked a New York City subway car. Our man Denzel Washington takes the call.
Esther Iverem
Jun 12, 2009,
14:33
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Movies/TV
A Revved Up 'Star Trek'
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| The new cast of 'Star Trek.' |
Despite some annoyances, the new “Star Trek” succeeds where few other movie remakes or re-imaginings have in the past. For one, Zoe Saldana as Uhura pushes the envelope and updates the image and persona of the Black, sexy techie.
By Esther Iverem
May 8, 2009,
11:06
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Movies/TV
Claws and Heart
When I first thought about writing about Wolverine, I toyed around with the idea of posing the question of whether Wolverine is Black but there wasn’t much evidence, material or jokes for me to work with. (In contrast, for example, the Hulk can at least be referred to legitimately as a person of color.)
By Esther Iverem
May 1, 2009,
11:21
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Movies/TV
Music and Madness
“The Soloist” tells the true story of one homeless man, Nathaniel Ayers, a talented but mentally disturbed musician who is discovered by a newspaper journalist.
By Esther Iverem
Apr 28, 2009,
10:50
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Movies/TV
American Just-Us
“American Violet,” is a raw and honest movie based in part on the true story of how a wide swath of the Black community in Tulia, Texas was arrested one day in a massive drug raid in 1999.
By Esther Iverem
Apr 16, 2009,
18:03
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Movies/TV
Broadcasting While Black
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| A scene from the intro of "Say Brother." |
A new PBS online project emphasizes how African Americans have taken control of media to move communities and culture forward.
By Mark Anthony Neal
Mar 13, 2009,
10:52
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Movies/TV
Those Brutish 'Watchmen'
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| The Comedian is a not-so-funny, brutish superhero in "Watchmen." |
Do cynics need superheroes too? The movie "Watchmen" says yes. And what happened to the Black character who is included in the book?
By Esther Iverem
Mar 6, 2009,
12:23
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Movies/TV
Oscar Love and Hate
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| The cast and crew of "Slumdog Millionaire" accept the Oscar for Best Picture. |
Let’s face it. It’s easy to have a love-hate relationship with the Oscars and this year is no exception.
By Esther Iverem
Feb 23, 2009,
12:52
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Movies/TV
Energetic and "Notorious"
“Notorious,” the biopic about rapper Biggie Smalls, captures the energy and raw talent of a defining era in hip-hop.
By Esther Iverem
Jan 16, 2009,
10:18
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Movies/TV
Marking An Era of Hip-Hop
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| Voletta Wallace and Wayne Barrow, producers of the film "Notorious," face the media outside the apartment building where Wallace raised her son, known to the world as the Notorious B.I.G. Photo by Esther Iverem |
"Notorious," the new biopic on The Notorious B.I.G., also recreates what was for many the end of an era in hip-hop, when the streets became the most promoted affirmation of the music and its artists.
By Esther Iverem
Jan 15, 2009,
08:56
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Movies/TV
Not Easily Broken
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| Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson in "Not Easily Broken." |
Even though “Not Easily Broken” could easily be described as a predictable morality play or soap opera, it has a few elements working highly in its favor. By Esther Iverem
Jan 9, 2009,
11:30
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Movies/TV
TV One's "Unsung" Heroes
Fresh off of their live coverage of the Democratic National Convention, TV-One unveiled what is perhaps its first legitimate original hit, the music documentary series "Unsung."
By Mark Anthony Neal
Dec 24, 2008,
11:27
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Movies/TV
2008--Our Best in Film
“Slumdog Millionaire,” a film about India's "untouchables," tops SeeingBlack.com's list of the best film productions and performances in 2008. Our list focuses on movies by or about Black people. See what else made the list!
By Esther Iverem
Dec 24, 2008,
10:32
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Movies/TV
'Curious' and Compelling
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” starring Brad Pitt and Taraji P. Henson, is a movie that allows us to suspend our disbelief in the supernatural.
By Esther Iverem
Dec 24, 2008,
10:09
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Movies/TV
"Seven Pounds" of Flesh
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| Will Smith stars in "Seven Pounds." |
Will Smith's new film, "Seven Pounds," is a study in what it means to be successful and accomplished, what it means to suffer, and what is means to give of yourself.
By Esther Iverem
Dec 19, 2008,
11:37
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Movies/TV
"Earth" and "Doubt"
The new version of the sci-fi classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still” takes on the contemporary theme of global warming. And "Doubt" leaves the audience with
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| Jaden Smith (top right) appears in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and Viola Davis (bottom) stars in "Doubt." |
questions about priest conduct in the Catholic church.
By Esther Iverem
Dec 11, 2008,
19:17
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Movies/TV
Blues and Fast Cars
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| Beyonce Knowles as Etta James in "Cadillac Records." |
Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody and Beyoncé Knowles star in “Cadillac Records,” which highlights how blues produced by a Chicago record company gave birth to today's popular music.
By Esther Iverem
Dec 5, 2008,
10:37
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Movies/TV
No Black Girls Here!
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| Edi Gathegi (left) appears as a vampire in "Twilight." |
Why are movies like "Twilight" hard-pressed to show Black males and females in a relationship—or even existing in the same community?
By Esther Iverem
Nov 21, 2008,
10:35
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Movies/TV
Mississippi Delta Blues
“Ballast,” an award-winning independent film playing around the country, makes us think about the hard tragedies unfolding in lives that won’t make the evening news.
By Esther Iverem
Nov 14, 2008,
11:21
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Movies/TV
Old-Head Soul
"Soul Men," starring Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes, is part buddy flick, part road trip and part cheesy comedy.
By Esther Iverem
Nov 7, 2008,
10:39
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Movies/TV
The LAPD Once Upon a Time
The new movie "Changeling" reveals how the Los Angeles Police Department has a long history of being crooked and brutish—with White as well as Black and Brown residents of the City of Angels.
By Esther Iverem
Oct 24, 2008,
11:57
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Movies/TV
The Last Mammy... (and 'W')
Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo co-star in "The Secret Life of
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| Jeffrey Wright as Colin Powell in "W." |
Bees," and Jeffrey Wright and Thandie Newton deliver killer performances in "W."
By Esther Iverem
Oct 17, 2008,
12:55
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Movies/TV
Race and Football Glory
“The Express,” about Ernie Davis, the first Black player to win college’s coveted Heisman Trophy, reminds us again of the ways that sports and race are inextricably linked in the United States.
By Esther Iverem
Oct 10, 2008,
10:08
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Movies/TV
Trouble the Water
“Trouble the Water,” which chronicles the events of August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit the U.S. Gulf Coast, is also a rare first-person account of being Black and poor today in the United States.
By Esther Iverem
Oct 3, 2008,
08:01
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