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How Noir Horror Films Changed the Genre Forever

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Jordan Peele

Noir horror has come a good distance since the first noir horror, “The Goose’s Son,” in 1940. While this early film and others prefer it hold a crucial place in the history of the genre, there is no such thing as a denying that black horror evolved from offering low cost thrills and cutscene scares to becoming a strong medium for social commentary and alter.

The New Wave of Black Horror Films

Black horror movies have experienced a resurgence lately. And it’s not nearly thrills and kills. These movies are used as vehicles for racial and social commentary, often in complex or nuanced ways.

One of the most prolific black horror directors is Jordan Peele. While he’s widely known for his comedic work on Key & Peele, Peele has carved out a brand new, vital space for himself — and plenty of others — in a genre that has historically lacked black representation. His visionary work in Get Out and This Is Us has solidified his place as a number one auteur in the field. While Peele could also be the biggest name, he’s not the just one. There are loads of black horror movies that deserve your attention.

“Get Out!” (2017)

Jordan Peele’s 2017 hit Get Out is a milestone in the black horror genre. The symbolism is rife as black Chris Washington and his white girlfriend, Rose Armitage, navigate a journey to her family’s secluded estate. Unlike other works that cope with overt racism and prejudice, Get Out explores a more insidious kind that is commonly wrapped in white good intentions.

On the other hand, the auction scene, by which Rose’s father wages a disturbingly quiet bidding war for Chris, is an unabashed depiction of the commodification and exploitation of black bodies. Chris is effectively sold to the highest bidder in a game of bingo that originally seems benign but then, like systemic oppression, seems to be much more sinister.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 22: (L-R) Daniel Kaluuya and Jordan Peele attend the Los Angeles premiere of Focus Features’ “Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul” at Regal LA Live on August 22, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

“We” (2019)

Peele’s follow-up to Get Out was 2019’s Us , which uses horror to dissect a myriad of issues, including class, identity, and social injustice. When a young girl is confronted by her doppelgangers at a carnival, it begins a lifetime of haunting that culminates when she returns to the location along with her family as an adult. The family is confronted by a gaggle of doppelgangers who claim to be called the Tethered.

The imprisoned function a metaphor for the underprivileged and forgotten amongst us. They are similar in every way, yet treated as a lower class of residents deserving of shame and fear. They are unable to dictate their very own lives, and chaos unfolds as they stand up against their oppressors.

AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 9: Buzzfeed talks with Jordan Peele, Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke about the upcoming Universal Pictures film “US” at the Comcast NBCUniversal House for SXSW on March 9, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Comcast NBCUniversal)

“No” (2022)

“Nope” is a horror film with exploitation themes in the entertainment industry. Spectacle and consumption are at the heart of this gripping horror film that follows a pair of siblings attempting to capture UFO footage. They know that capturing and monetizing their discovery may very well be the financial lifeline their ranch needs, however it opens up questions on what it means to commodify something extraordinary for private gain.

Gordy the chimpanzee is one other tragic example of exploitation and what happens when creatures in captivity are pushed to their limits. His massacre at the party is a brutal reminder that everybody – even nature – has a breaking point, and it’s best for everybody not to seek out out what that time is the hard way.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 28: Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer attend the UK premiere of “NOPE” at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 28, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Universal)

“The Nanny” (2022)

“The Nanny” is a story about how the American dream can often change into a nightmare for black immigrants, written and directed by Nikyat YusuSierra Leonean-American filmmaker. The film weaves together West African mythology and the story of Aisha, a Senegalese immigrant who leaves all the pieces—including her young son—back home to hunt a greater life in New York City.

One of the central themes of “The Nanny” is Aisha’s experience as an immigrant, and watching her struggle as an underpaid and overworked domestic employee reinforces the each day horrors that many immigrants face. Mother Moon is a water deity in West African tradition and effectively serves as one other character in the film. In West African folklore, Mami Wata symbolizes the dual nature of water – its power to lift or drown its inhabitants.

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 4: Nikyatu Jusu receives the Someone to Watch Award onstage during the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 4, 2023 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

“Angry Black Girl and Her Monster” (2023)

This SXSW Darling debuted in 2023 and was picked up for streaming later that yr. The story reimagines Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with a young, vivid girl named Vicaria, played by actress Laya DeLeon Hayes. Systemic violence is embedded in the film, as her mother and brother are killed by gun violence.

Vicaria is an incredibly intelligent, hopeful girl who believes she will bring her brother back to life, which might be interpreted as a rejection of the trauma and loss that usually shape young black lives. When her brother is resurrected, his own violent tendencies force viewers to think about how trauma affects survivors and perpetuates the cycle of violence that so many attempt to escape.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 5: Laya DeLeon Hayes attends the New York special screening of Netflix series His Three Daughters on September 5, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Netflix)

The Future of Black Horror

The success of so many dark horror movies proves that it’s not only a genre that’s viable, but one which audiences are desirous to support and explore. Thankfully, audiences don’t must wait too long for an additional dark horror film, as director Jordan Peele has revealed that he has one other project in the works, set to premiere in 2026.

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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LaMelo Ball Charlotte turns heads as she arrives at the game in Scooby-Doo’s “The Mystery Machine.”

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LaMelo Ball, LaMelo Ball Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball Mystery Machine, Scooby Doo Mystery Machine, Scooby Doo, theGrio.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Say what you’ll about Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball, but there isn’t any denying the 2022 NBA All-Star has a mode all his own.

The Hornets point guard turned heads on Thursday night when he I drove as much as the Spectrum Center for the team’s game against the Detroit Pistons in a colourful Hummer a reproduction of Scooby-Doo’s “Mystery Machine” – only rather more expensive than the one Shaggy and Velma rode in the kid’s cartoon.

Ball, a lover of enormous dogs, promoted the release of his Scooby-Doo x Puma MB.04, which might be released on November 27.

Ball wore vivid, multi-colored Puma shoes during warm-ups after which become vivid orange shoes for the match.

After the Hornets won 123-121 in extra time, Ball said he liked how his rental equipment was dressed up.

Ball, nonetheless, stopped in need of saying he might try to purchase one, joking, “I already have a Hummer, so I wouldn’t even bother.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Angelina Jolie’s disturbing performance in new interview sparks criticism Years after health problems caused her face to sag

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Angelina Jolie promotes her next film, “Maria”, in which she plays the role of the famous opera singer Maria Callas.

However, for some fans, the press was more about Jolie’s health and appearance than her work in film.

On November 21, Jolie sat down with Michael Strahan for an interview on “Good Morning America” ​​to discuss her fear of using her real voice to sing opera for the role and the enjoyment of motherhood. However, in the course of the chat, some fans claimed they noticed Jolie’s face looked different than usual.

In the newest interview, Angelina Jolie expresses concerns about her health. (Photo: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

One person was cited by Express US for this story he said“It looks rough.”

Another commentator on Page Six he wrote“Ok, I just read that her face looks different because she stated that she developed hypertension and Bell’s palsy, a condition that she said caused her face to droop to one side. I assumed she looked like she had a stroke, in order that explains it.

Debates about Jolie’s sickly appearance erupted when fans noticed visibly large veins on her arms during separate red carpet appearances. Even those that knew her health were still shocked and anxious by her photos.

Jolie first revealed that she had the disease in 2017. In an interview with Vanity Fair she said he said she discovered she had hypertension and Bell’s palsy in 2016, the identical yr she filed for divorce from Brad Pitt.

So when she was diagnosed with the disease, she said she wasn’t sure what could have caused it. “I can’t tell if it’s menopause or if it’s just the year,” said Jolie, then 42. “Sometimes women in families put themselves last until it manifests itself in their own health.”

However, she also said that she is trying to pay more attention to her health. “I actually feel more like a woman because I make wise choices, I put my family first and I am responsible for my life and health. I think that’s what makes a woman complete.”

Last yr, the “Maleficent” star opened up again about her condition, revealing that it was caused by the stress of ending her relationship with Pitt.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, she said he said“My body reacts very strongly to stress. My blood sugar levels go up and down. Six months before the divorce, I suddenly developed Bell’s palsy.

According to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke“Bell’s palsy is a neurological disorder that causes paralysis or weakness on one side of the face. It occurs when one in every of the nerves that control the facial muscles becomes damaged or stops working properly, which may cause the facial muscles to droop or sag.

This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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“The Honorable Shyne” is a hit. This is why I wanted to tell this story. — Andlandscape

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One of the primary reasons Andscape culture author Justin Tinsley and I were tapped to co-executive produce was our backgrounds as music journalists. The documentary chronicling Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s rise to fame, imprisonment, and re-emergence as a political leader suits firmly into our wheelhouse, as his best rap years got here within the early 2000s – right at the center of our hip-hop fandom. I donated my time helping with the documentary, which was a top ten show in its debut week on Huluas a likelihood to help tell the story of hip-hop. I got here away from the project with an understanding of a man in conflict, at odds with himself and his past, and wanting to forge a path forward.

Shyne’s story illustrates the American dream: a poor black immigrant comes to America and from nowhere becomes one in all the largest rap stars. It is also a story about how the American criminal justice system and music industry chew up and spit out so many young Black people. To carelessly follow Shyne’s story is to consider him as just one other young black man who fell into a bad situation and never recovered. After all, his rap profession was effectively derailed when in 2001 he was sentenced to ten years in prison for the 1999 shooting at Club New York in Manhattan. But what inspired me about Shyne’s story was his refusal to let this devastation define him.

In 2021, I hung out in New Orleans with former No Limit rapper McKinley “Mac” Phipps, who had just been released from prison after spending 21 years in prison for a murder he denied committing. As I listened to Shyne’s story, I considered Mac. Both were avatars of a system that tested rap as much because it tested individual men. Mac’s story was about how hip-hop lyrics may be used to accuse someone within the face of overwhelming evidence of their innocence. Similarly, Shyne’s trial created a sensation about hip-hop’s relationship to violence in a city hungry for head on a plate.

Both Shyne and Mac emerged from prison as completely different people than once they entered. In Mac’s case, it was the period of time he spent at home, during which he transformed from a teenage rapper into a man after 20 years spent in confinement. For Shyne, his transformation got here from faith when he converted to Orthodox Judaism in prison. When I have a look at people like Shyne and Mac, I wonder how they’ll survive being locked in a cage, and their answers are inspiring.

While Shyne’s rap stories are what drew me to this project, it’s his journey as a man that makes me proud to help tell his story. And we actually get to see that journey after he raps the ultimate bars of his rap profession.

Shyne got here to the film wanting to discuss his lowest moments – the time after his release from prison in 2009, when he lashed out, frustrated at seeing a latest crop of rap stars emerge within the void left by his absence. He was rudderless. As rudderless as anyone may be who has lost a decade to a prison system that wanted to destroy him. And much more, since it was closed when the superstar’s fame was on the tip of his fingers.

The raspy-voiced rapper could have let these mishaps define him, but that is where Shyne’s story resonates with everyone, whether or not they’re a rap fan or not. Shyne’s second act, the one through which he finds purpose in community and family, where he uses his innate charisma and true genius to turn out to be a political leader and motivational speaker.

I cannot discuss Shyne’s reappearance without mentioning Sean “Diddy” Combs. Combs, the disgraced hip-hop mogul who signed Shyne to his label Bad Boy Records and helped launch his profession, is the elephant within the room throughout the documentary and in Shyne’s life. So lots of the artists who emerged under Diddy – from G Depp and Mase to The Notorious BIG – suffered terrible consequences. Shyne’s name was all the time on the list because he spent ten years in prison. And yet, Shyne’s approach to healing and moving forward is as inspiring as his ability to overcome what he sees because the sabotage of his life and profession.

These are lessons I didn’t expect to learn from the stories in regards to the hip-hop star from my childhood. These are inspiring moments that can be of interest to those that haven’t yet turn out to be inquisitive about the Brooklyn, or somewhat Belizean, rapper featured within the documentary. These are the points that make me proud to be a a part of telling Shyne’s story.

DavidDennis Jr. is a senior author at Andscape and the creator of the award-winning book “The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son, and the Legacy of a Freedom Ride.” David is a graduate of Davidson College.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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