Movie critic Grae Drake from FOX 11 Los Angeles recently gave a preview of several upcoming films, including 'The American Society of Magical Negros', 'Frida', and 'Love Lies Bleeding' [c036f011]. 'The American Society of Magical Negros' has stirred controversy and explores the cycle of self-compromise and the resulting pain. The film is set to release in the United States on March 15 [c036f011]. 'Frida' and 'Love Lies Bleeding' were also highlighted in the preview, but no specific details were provided [c036f011].
'The American Society of Magical Negros' is a racial satire directed by Kobi Libii. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024 and focuses on defense mechanisms and survival strategies for Black people navigating racism in America. The movie follows Aren, played by Justice Smith, who discovers a society of magical Black people whose abilities are used to improve the lives of White people. It is also a love story. The movie premiered worldwide on March 15, 2024, but it has not yet been revealed where it will be available for streaming. It is currently having a theatrical run. The purpose of the film is to explore the 'magical negro' trope, which refers to Black characters who exist solely to further the plot of a White protagonist. The cast includes Justice Smith, David Alan Grier, An-Li Bogan, Drew Tarver, Aisha Hinds, Michaela Watkins, Nicole Byer, Tim Baltz, and Rupert Frind [8d36b5e0].
'The American Society of Magical Negros' has received attention for its portrayal of the challenges faced by Black writers in the publishing industry and the pressure to conform to certain narratives. The film follows the story of Thelonious 'Monk' Ellison, a Black professor of English, who conducts an experiment by submitting a stereotype-driven manuscript to reflect the racist appetite of the white publishing industry. The film presents complex storytelling about Black characters and the barriers that make such stories difficult to produce. It also addresses the well-being of real people dependent on Monk's ability to sell his writing, offering a corrective to racial satire. The film includes tender moments that highlight close connections and lessons about human nature. It critiques the racism in publishing and the perception that Black stories are valuable only for their depiction of harsh realities. The film explores the tensions between Monk and another Black author, Sintara Golden, who challenges Monk's judgment of her work and his provincial view of art making [17b8ddcd].
Nia Blackwood, a 12-year-old Jamaican American writer, is set to release an animated movie based on her book. The movie, co-directed by Dianne Diaz and produced by Kenia Mattis, follows the story of Piper, a young Jamaican American girl, and her grandmother as they embark on a quest to rescue feline friends and find solutions to their daily challenges. The animation showcases a blend of Jamaican and American cultures through music and community. The voice actors include Nia Blackwood as Piper, Essence Jade Wooten as May, Nyla Acker as Sam, and Brooke Blackwood as Lillian. The official premiere is yet to be finalized, but there will be red carpet launches in Jamaica and South Florida [a1f7dfa8].
An animated musical spin-off of the TV series Miraculous: Ladybug and Cat Noir is set to release in 2023. The movie follows the story of Marinette, an ordinary teenager in Paris who becomes Ladybug and gains magical powers of creation. She teams up with Cat Noir to save Paris from a new villain. The movie is part of the Miraculous franchise, which is known for its African Originals and international series and movies. Showmax, a streaming platform, offers a variety of content including the Transformers movies, performances by South African actress Simoné Pretorius, DC superhero movies, and British movies [77bfaf54].
Miraculous Corp, a joint-venture between Mediawan and ZAG, has partnered with Nex to develop an endless runner game called Miraculous Ladybug: Paris Dash. The game is based on the hit animated TV series Miraculous™ - Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir and the blockbuster animated feature Miraculous™ Ladybug and Cat Noir: The Movie. It will be available later this Fall 2024 in the U.S. exclusively on the Nex Playground console. The game uses proprietary AI motion tracking technology developed by Nex, allowing players to use their natural body movement. In the game, players control Marinette and Ladybug as they race through Paris to defeat enemies and collect Miraculous jewels. The game is suitable for ages 5 and up. Miraculous Corp's COO, Julian Jacob, expressed confidence that Miraculous fans will enjoy the immersive gameplay experience. Nex CEO, David Lee, stated that the partnership brings the Miraculous brand to life in new ways [3bdf4dad].