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Celebrate Black Voices On Streaming: What To Watch On Netflix, Hulu And More

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Celebrate Black Voices On Streaming: What To Watch On Netflix, Hulu And More

In the past few years, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video have done a tremendous job of offering subscribers with a great deal of movies, shows, and documentaries celebrating unique voices in the industry and society as a whole. In the past we’ve seen various streaming services offer a platform for Pride month and quickly respond to current events.

And now, services like HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, and Apple TV+ are offering up special sections, collections, and lists of content celebrating Black voices, whether it be a movie about a trailblazing figure or a documentary series about the impact of African-American culture. Here are just some of the best options…

Hulu

The Hulu Black Stories hub is one the richest collections of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and specials found on the popular streaming service. If you have a Hulu subscription and are looking for empowering stories to watch yourself or share with the family, there are tons of options worth checking out. We have provided a quick list of three of those titles.

Genius: Aretha (2017)

In 2017, the Emmy-winning anthology series, Genius, turned its attention to the trailblazing Aretha Franklin with an exploration of her as a cultural powerhouse, as well as her personal side with a brilliant portrayal by Cynthia Erivo.

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Stream Genius: Aretha on Hulu.

Wu-Tang: An American Saga

The Hulu original series Wu-Tang: An American Saga dives into the history and impact of the titular hip hop collective that launched the careers of RZA, Method Mad, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, GZA, and so many others.

Stream Wu-Tang: An American Saga on Hulu.

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

Barry Jenkins’ 2018 drama If Beale Street Could Talk follows a young couple in 1970s Harlem as they try to keep a positive mindset after tragedy and prejudice fall on their doorstep.

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Stream If Beale Street Could Talk on Hulu.

Disney+

The Disney+ Celebrate Black Stories section is another streaming option that contains inspirational stories from the annals of history as well as the House of Mouse’s extensive catalog of titles.

Summer Of Soul (2020)

One of the best music documentaries in recent memory, Questlove’s Summer of Soul uncovers long-lost footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which saw Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, The Staple Singers, and more come together for an unforgettable event.

Stream Summer of Soul on Disney+.

Black Panther (2018)

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Featuring the late Chadwick Boseman in his most iconic role, Black Panther sees the newly crowned king of Wakanda protect his throne and his people from an outsider with ties to his family.

Stream Black Panther on Disney+.

Black Is King (2020)

Beyoncé’s 2020 visual album, Black is King, takes viewers through a journey not unlike The Lion King that follows a young king as he finds his place in the world while dealing with love, betrayal, and self-identity.

Stream Black is King on Disney+.

HBO Max 

The HBO Max Black Voices collection showcases the best the streaming platform has to offer from Black creators both in front of and behind the camera, with a rich collection of movies, shows, and documentaries.

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John Lewis: Good Trouble (2020)

The 2020 documentary, John Lewis: Good Trouble, illustrates the life and legacy of the late civil rights activist and United States Congressman through interviews and stories about his personal journey to make America a better place over the course of more than 60 years.

Stream John Lewis: Good Trouble on HBO Max.

Judas And The Black Messiah (2021)

Shaka King’s Oscar-winning biographical drama, Judas and the Black Messiah, details the final days in the life of Illinois Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya).

Stream Judas and the Black Messiah on HBO Max.

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Between The World And Me (2020)

Through interviews with Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Oprah Winfrey, and several others, Between the World and Me tackles the African-American experience with a highlight on inner-city life in Baltimore.

Stream Between the World and Me on HBO Max.

Peacock

Peacock’s Celebrating Black History section gives everyone with a Peacock Premium subscription access to hundred of movies, shows, and specials highlighting the African-American experience.

What’s Love Got To Do With It (1993)

One of Angela Bassett’s best movies, What’s Love Got To Do With It sees the Golden Globe winner take on the role of music icon Tina Turner in this empowering biographical drama.

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Stream What’s Love Got To Do With It on Peacock.

Harriet (2019)

Cynthia Erivo stars as Harriet Tubman in Harriet, a sprawling biographical drama that follows the abolitionist on her journey from freed slave to one of the most prominent figures of the Underground Railroad and 19th Century American history.

Stream Harriet on Peacock.

The Defiant Ones (2017)

The multi-part documentary series The Defiant Ones explores the partnership and friendship shared by Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, revisiting how the pair forever changed the music industry in the late 20th Century.

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Stream The Defiant Ones on Peacock.

Netflix

Netflix has a collection called Black History in Motion that showcases the streaming platform’s vast library of Black-centric titles, including some impressive documentary features.

Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali (2021)

The 2021 documentary, Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali, explores the short-lived yet powerful friendship shared by the two cultural icons in the 1960s and offers some revelations from their shared history.

Stream Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali on Netflix.

Colin In Black And White (2021)

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The 2021 limited series, Colin in Black and White, tells the story of Colin Kaepernick as he goes from a young and promising football player to one of the 21st Century’s most powerful activist-athletes.

Stream Colin In Black and White on Netflix.

I Am Not Your Negro (2016)

Based on James Baldwin’s Remember This House, the 2016 documentary, I Am Not Your Negro, takes the late writer’s work and turns it into a stunning visual essay that explores racism in America.

Stream I Am Not Your Negro on Netflix.

Amazon

Although there is no special section celebrating Black culture, Amazon Prime subscribers still have access to a lot of great original content featuring prominent voices from the community.

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Phat Tuesdays (2022)

The 2022 Amazon documentary series Phat Tuesdays goes into great deal about Guy Torry’s decision to launch an all-Black comedy night at The Comedy Story, which would help launch the careers of Martin Lawrence, Chris Tucker, Steve Harvey, and give even more time to shine.

Stream Phat Tuesdays on Amazon.

Black History, Black Freedom, And Black Love (2022)

Over the course of three collections, various scholars share unforgettable and largely unknown stories from Black history in stunning detail in Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love.

Stream Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love on Amazon.

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One Night In Miami (2021)

Regina King’s 2021 drama, One Night in Miami, offers a fictional account of the night Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown, icons of the civil rights movement, got together to celebrate and contemplate Black culture.

Stream One Night in Miami on Amazon.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is another great option to celebrate Black voices for those with a subscription to the popular service.

Truth Be Told (2019)

The Apple TV+ original drama series Truth Be Told stars Octavia Spencer as a podcaster who will stop at nothing to uncover the truth and pursue justice, even if it costs her everything.

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Stream Truth Be Told on Apple TV+.

The Banker (2020)

The Banker sees Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson star as two 1960s entrepreneurs who come up with a brilliant way to give members of their community a better shot at housing.

Stream The Banker on Apple TV+.

Dear (2020)

The 2020 documentary series, Dear, sees the likes of Spike Lee, Stevie Wonder, and Oprah Winfrey read letters written by complete strangers who have been inspired by their actions over the years.

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Stream Dear on Apple TV+.

These are just some of the great titles celebrating Black voices on various streaming services. And, with all the 2022 movies and new and returning shows coming our way, expect this list to be updated sooner rather than later. 

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Wait, Is Warner Bros Scrapping Its $70 Million Batgirl Movie? Rumors Are Swirling

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Wait, Is Warner Bros Scrapping Its  Million Batgirl Movie? Rumors Are Swirling

After years of anticipation from DC fans, Warner Bros finally found a way to introduce Barbara Gordon to live-action, announcing a solo movie for the hero with the developing Leslie Grace-led film. Batgirl, which finished filming earlier this year, has been scheduled to hit HBO Max sometime this year, however according to a number of new reports, Warner Bros doesn’t want Batgirl to see the light of day. Outlets are reporting that $70 million project is being scrapped after test screenings scared off the studio on the movie. 

Batgirl has been called “irredeemable” by a reported “top Hollywood source” found by The NY Post. Per the report, the movie will be “shelved,” but it has yet to be confirmed by the studio if it’s purely a rumor or a bombshell piece of news for one of Warner Bros’ upcoming DC movies.  

The Wrap backed up this report, sharing it had additionally heard via insiders that the movie “did not work” for studio executives – made by Bad Boys For Life and Ms. Marvel directors Adil El Arbi and Billal Fallah for a reported budget of over $70 million (though it may have ultimately cost the studio $90 million by the time cameras finished rolling). 

The news could perhaps be the product of the recent change in Warner Bros’ leadership, with CEO David Zaslav becoming the new big boss since WB merged with Discovery. There was some rumored talk of the previous WB chair Toby Emmerich considering Batgirl for a theatrical release rather than a HBO Max exclusive, however, but the new reports suggest the film isn’t testing to the level of a big-screen project and may be removed from getting any kind of release. 

Batgirl would not only introduce Leslie Grace’s Barbara Gordon, but is features a stacked cast including the return of Michael Keaton as Batman and J.K. Simmons as James Gordon. Brendan Fraser plays the film’s villain, Ted Carson a.k.a. Firefly. It’s arguably unheard of for a project as high-profile as this one to lose any form of avenue for distribution. 

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Apparently, a move like this is not uncharacteristic for Warner Bros’ new CEO, however, who previously shut down the failed streaming service CNN+ weeks after it launched (it reportedly cost $300 million to put together). There is some restructuring of DC projects currently underway behind the scenes, with David Zaslav on the search for a someone to fill a role much like Marvel boss Kevin Feige has at Marvel Studios. 

Coming off San Diego Comic-Con late last month, Marvel Studios announced and showcased a lineup of projects planned until 2025 including two more Avengers films, whilst DC did not bring anything from Batgirl to its panel. Instead, Warner Bros chose to only focus on Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Black Adam, both of which have set release dates later this year. Warner Bros. Discovery is set to report its earnings for this past business quarter on Thursday; it’s possible we’ll learn more then. 

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High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: 5 Feelings I Had While Watching The Season 3 Premiere

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High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: 5 Feelings I Had While Watching The Season 3 Premiere

What time is it? Summer time!

Well, that’s what the students of East High are saying in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. I know, the name is a mouthful, but honestly, this show is a whole lot of fun and if you haven’t watched it, you definitely should. The first two seasons were great, from the songs in Season 1 to the drama in Season 2, and when it was announced that the series would be getting a Season 3 and 4, I was all on board. 

Now that I have watched the first episode of Season 3, I am even more excited for the next episodes to come, and that premiere has me all in my feelings – specifically these five. 

Nostalgic  

Man, this show makes me so nostalgic for when I was younger. 

Don’t get me wrong, I would never travel back in time to then, just because I was so young and didn’t know half the stuff I know now, but there is just something about listening to the soundtrack of some of these original songs from the High School Musical movies that just get me. While we don’t get many songs in the first episode, we get the classic, “What Time Is It” from High School Musical 2 within the few three minutes of the show and ugh, the memories. 

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If you were a tween or kid back in 2007 and watched HSM2 when it premiered on Disney Channel, you know this song just as well as I do. And for years, I sang this song on the last day of school – heck, I still sing it now whenever warm weather comes around and I’m two years out of college. I love this music, and I can already tell from just this first episode that this season is going to make me so nostalgic. 

Curiosity

I’m really curious to see what they’re going to do with this camp in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. 

For those who don’t know, the first two seasons of this series were pretty much based around the first film’s premise. The show takes place in a world where the movies exist, but instead of the actors from the High School Musical cast that we’re familiar with, we are introduced to students who are auditioning for those iconic roles. And over the last two seasons, we’ve watched them grow into brilliant performers while singing in productions of both High School Musical and Beauty and the Beast, with covers and original songs all along the way. 

But the whole entire point of the first two seasons was that this show took place in the same high school where the movies were filmed. So it’s only natural to think that the second season might end up happening at the country club that was in High School Musical 2, but nope – we are at a summer camp, something that was never talked about in the original movies. 

The arrival of everyone coming to this summer camp is fun, but it makes me wonder how they’re going to include the songs from High School Musical 2 into this season when it’s not at the same location as the film, but it’s still interesting to watch, nonetheless. 

Proud 

Dude, I love Olivia Rodrigo – and I mean that. This girl has done so much these last two years and watching her in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is always a joy. 

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But what really makes me so proud of her is that I’m not even just proud of the actress, but the character as well. Nini is this young star who is a little afraid to take these big risks but she does so anyway, knowing that she has this big break she can’t lose, which was the big theme of this first episode. She goes away on this road trip with a producer over the summer so she can record songs, giving her that shot, and I am so proud of her for doing that. 

Olivia Rodrigo plays her perfectly, and while I know that her character was demoted to a guest role thanks to Rodrigo’s budding music career, I can’t help but be proud, because wow, she has blown up. It makes me want to watch her documentary on Disney+ again

Eagerness 

I know I said earlier on that I was curious as to how they’re going to really change up this season with this new location. But, about twenty minutes in, I genuinely was feeling eager to see where this show would go – specifically the dynamics of new characters. 

For two seasons, we have pretty much been surrounded by the same characters, and while we have grown to love them, I think this season was the one where we truly needed a change in not only scenery, but characters as well. And this first episode brought a ton of them in. 

One of the scenes that got me really eager to see what happens with these new characters was when Gina, Ashlyn and Kourtney, three clear as day theater kids, find out they have to share a cabin with Gadget (a new character) and two other girls – and you can clearly tell at first that they are not feeling the vibe, and you can almost smell the problems from a mile away. 

That screams great television, and it’s got me wondering how much more drama this show is going to produce over the next episodes with these new dynamics. I’m so eager to see. 

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Excitement

Seeing Corbin Bleu in the premiere episode made me very excited to see where this fictionalized version of him is going to go next. 

Usually, when it comes to the original members from the High School Musical movies, we’ll get some pictures from them from the old high school – like Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron both recently taking pics there in 2022 – but I didn’t think anyone would come back to the show. We had Lucas Grabeel and Kaycee Stroh in Season 1 but no one in Season 2, so I’m super pumped to see Corbin Bleu back for this season.

Not only that, but Jason Earles. Do you guys know who he is? The moment I saw him as Dewey, the director of Camp Shallow Lake, I practically screamed. This man is Disney Channel royalty. He was not only a co-star on Hannah Montana but also on Kickin’ It and I can’t believe he is in another Disney show and it has me so excited. 

I’m not sure how often he and Bleu are going to be on the show, but I know for a fact that those two appearing on that stage has me excited for what this season holds and I can’t wait to see what’s next. Could Zac Efron be next?

What are you guys looking forward to with Season 3 of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series? All I know is that if I don’t get a cover of “Fabulous” by Carlos in this season, I will riot. I demand it, Disney+!

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The School For Good And Evil: 6 Quick Things We Know About The Netflix Movie

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The School For Good And Evil: 6 Quick Things We Know About The Netflix Movie

Book adaptations of big-time novels always seem to go over well with audiences, and have for plenty of years, with movie sagas such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings taking over the box office. But, a newcomer is arriving on the movie scene, one which should have been adapted almost as soon as it came out, if you ask me.

The School for Good and Evil, an amazing addition to the fantasy genre, is finally getting its own adaptation into the film world – but not in theaters. However, it will be appearing as a Netflix movie, on the popular streaming website. However, what else do we know about this upcoming film? What is it going to be about? Who is going to be in it? There are plenty of things that you might not know, but we do. Here are some quick things we know about the upcoming Netflix film.

(Image credit: Netflix)

The School For Good And Evil Release Date Is Set For October 21

Mark your calendars, fantasy lovers, as The School for Good and Evil is going to be coming out as part of the 2022 movie release schedule! Announced with the official poster from the Netflix Twitter page, it was confirmed that The School for Good and Evil would release on the popular streaming platform in Fall 2022, specifically on October 21. 

Talk about a great addition to all the fun Halloween movies we’ll be watching during that time of year – I can always use a little good and evil in my life. 

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Sofia Wylie in The School for Good and Evil.

(Image credit: Netflix)

The School For Good And Evil Has A Star-Studded Cast

With an adaptation like The School for Good and Evil, we all knew that the cast needed to be amazing. And, luckily, there’s no shortage of amazing additions to this Netflix movie. First, let’s take a look at the two leads characters of the film, Sophie and Agatha, where the story begins. These two roles will be played by Sophia Anna Caruso, known for her role in the Broadway musical Beetlejuice, and Sofia Wylie, who stars on a Disney+  show you really should watch, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Wylie is especially excited for her role in The School for Good and Evil. In an interview with MTV, she talked about her part as Agatha and how she’s excited to “bring some realness” to the character that hadn’t been seen before. She described Agatha’s struggles with internal and external beauty through her own experience, saying that it’s something she can relate to and that it’s an important message to teach.

That’s something that I personally can really relate to, that voice inside of your head, how much power it has. I deal with those doubts and those insecurities. And I think I can really bring some realness to Agatha in that sense because I know, as a teenage girl, it can be very difficult to overcome that voice.

Adding on to this cast, Deadline reported that two megastars, Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington, signed on for two of the main roles in the upcoming film. Theron is set to play Lady Lesso, and Washington will portray a teacher at the school, Professor Dovey.

In addition to these two, in another article, Deadline reported that Laurence Fishburne, known for his roles in The Matrix trilogy and many other films, as well as action star Michelle Yeoh, from movies such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Crazy Rich Asians, and her TV role in Star Trek: Discovery, have stepped up to be in The School for Good and Evil. Fishburne will play the Schoolmaster – a role that sounds quite fitting for someone of his talents, and Yeoh will portray another teacher, Professor Anemone.

Also for the film, Demi Isaac Oviawe, Kaitlyn Akinpelumi, and Freya Theodora Parks will play Anadil, Dot and Hester, three young women who are a part of The Coven in The School for Good and Evil, as confirmed by a behind-the-scenes look with the author of the original novel, Soman Chainani on YouTube.

Already, this film is shaping up to be filled to the brim with some of the Hollywood elite. I, for one, can’t wait to see what they do with the material they are given, because it’s about to get magical.

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Charlize Theron in The School for Good and Evil.

(Image credit: Netflix)

The School For Good And Evil Will Follow The Bestselling Book Series

For those who don’t know, The School for Good and Evil is composed of several novels in a series. Netflix confirmed that this new movie will be based on the series by Soman Chainani, and from the premise of the film, it’s looking to be exactly like the first novel.

As confirmed by the description from the trailer for the new movie on YouTube, The School for Good and Evil is going to follow two best friends, Sophia and Agatha, who are swept into a world of trying to balance both good and evil when they are given different roles, but this in turn causes their lives to turn upside down. 

I’m already on board for a story like this. Two opposing personalities who end up being trained in styles that they thought they weren’t aligned with? Thrown into unlikely situations? Fantasy elements? My god, I can almost feel the franchise coming. Netflix has a great addition with this one.

Bridesmaids Director Paul Feig Is Directing The School For Good And Evil

I don’t think there could have been another perfect choice for the director for The School for Good and Evil than Paul Feig. The legendary director has produced some of the biggest comedic hits in the last ten years. For example, Feig directed the smash-hit Bridesmaids back in 2011, the 2016 remake of Ghostbusters, the Emilia Clarke Christmas comedy Last Christmas, the comedy thriller, A Simple Favor, and so many others.

Besides movies, Paul Feig has also directed multiple episodes of several incredible sitcoms, such as The Office, Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and 30 Rock. The School for Good and Evil novels have an amazing comedic element to them, and I can only imagine what a comedic director like Paul Feig will bring to the table in this new film.

The castle in The School for Good and Evil.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Finding Neverland Screenwriter David Magee Wrote The Screenplay For The School For Good And Evil

When it comes to an adapted screenplay, you always have to make sure that you find the right person to do it, because with novels, there are so many details that need to somehow make it into the movie. The School for Good and Evil found its screenwriter in David Magee.

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Magee is a perfect choice, because not only has he been around the business for some time, he’s had plenty of experience in writing fantasy, working on films such as the Academy-Award winning Life of Pi, the Disney sequel Mary Poppins Returns, and wrote the screenplay for Finding Neverland, the story of the author who created the legendary character, Peter Pan. Truly, he has great experience up his sleeves, and I’m eager to see what he’ll do with the fantastic story that is The School for Good and Evil.

The bit apple in The School for Good and Evil.

(Image credit: Netflix)

The School For Good And Evil Has Finished Filming 

As you can expect for a film that already has a trailer, The School for Good and Evil finished production for their film not too long ago. From a tweet on Twitter from Netflix Geeked, it was confirmed back in July of 2021 that filming had wrapped on the film and was entering into the post-production phases. 

Watch The Trailer For The School For Good And Evil 

If you haven’t yet seen the trailer for The School for Good and Evil, be sure to watch it now, as you won’t want to miss out on the magic. 

With an amazing cast, awesome story, and some really cool looking set pieces featured in the trailer, The School for Good and Evil is looking to be an amazing addition to Netflix’s original film line-up. I can’t wait for this movie to pop up as part of the 2022 Netflix movie schedule. I’m practically counting down the days. 

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