Here's Everything New & Black AF On Netflix This June
It's Gemini season, ladies! It's time to take advantage of this communicative time of year and spend time with people we like and thanks to the big Mercurian energy you'll feel over the next two weeks, you'll have the boost of charm you need to make any interaction a win.
Socializing is dope and all, but we all know that there's no better way to kick it with someone than to sit in silence for hours at a time for an epic binge session.
Netflix announced that along with their regularly scheduled third-party content, they would be releasing a total of 56 original movies and shows this June; so no matter who you decide to watch with, you should definitely be able to find a good compromise. Here's all the black-led movies and TV shows that are coming to Netflix this June:
Carmen: A Hip-Hopera - June 1
Netflix
With an all-star cast like Beyoncé, Mekhi Phifer, and Mos Def, it's safe to say that MTV's Carmen: A Hip-Hopera is a true underrated classic. Inspired by the 1875 opera and 1954 motion picture starring the legendary Dorothy Dandridge, Carmen tells the story of a free spirited temptress that embroils herself in a whole mess of drama after a run-in with an engaged police officer who she later falls in love with. When the two star-crossed lovers trade in the life they knew for a future on the run, they find out that fate always has the last word, and sometimes you won't like what it has to say.
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - June 1
Paramount
The Madagascar franchise was actually lit AF. The first movie was an underrated classic, and the sequel had an all-star lineup including but not limited to Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett and Willow Smith, Sherri Shepherd, Bernie Mac, and Cedric the Entertainer.
The 2008 cartoon-animated film picks up where the first film left off, with a gang of domestic zoo animals from New York City that are stranded on the island of Madagascar. When they finally make their attempt to retreat to back to the states by plane, they instead crash land in dead in the middle of the motherland.
Black Mirror - June 5
This creepy sci-fi thriller changed how we see technology, and on June 5th, the series will return with three new stories. Nicole Beharie (Sleepy Hollow), Anthony Mackie (Ant Man) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen (The Get Down), will star in the third episode, "Striking Vipers" about a couple who uses an app to conceive their second baby, but it seems that infertility isn't their only problem.
The Black Godfather - June 7
Known as the gatekeeper of the entertainment industry, Clarence Avant made an imprint on black culture that won't likely be forgotten. With praise from celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Diddy to Barack Obama, this documentary tells the story of how a music executive from Greensboro, North Carolina became the Godfather of Black Music.
Ralph Breaks The Internet - June 11
Disney
This Wreck-It Ralph sequel is a Disney animated film that stars Taraji P. Henson and Sarah Silverman. Ralph Breaks the Internet tells the story of a young gamer and her best friend who travel into the depths of the internet to find a mechanical part to fix her favorite video game.
Marlon: Season 2 - June 14
NBC
Although this Wayans brother's sitcom was canceled recently, you can still catch up with all of the episodes from both seasons on Netflix this June.
Grey's Anatomy: Season 15 - June 15
ABC
Meredith is creeping with an intern?! Amelia's husband is another woman's baby daddy?! Jesse Williams is still fine AF?! This damned show can make me laugh, cry, and hot and bothered all in one episode, and this June, you can enjoy the magic of every episode to date without commercials.
Grey Sloan Memorial was overflowing with hot tea last season, and you can fully indulge in all the drama on June 15th.
Beats - June 19
Recently, Netflix revealed that we will be forced to say goodbye to the ladies at Litchfield County Correctional Facility this July for the 7th and final season of Orange Is The New Black, but they're not making us say goodbye to our favorite character just yet.
Uza Aduba will star alongside Anthony Anderson in the new Netflix original film, Beats, about an agoraphobic music prodigy that finds an unlikely manager in a former music producer turned school security guard.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse - June 26
Sony Pictures
I'm not much into comic book action hero movies, but this film features a black Spider-Man and I am here for it. Starring Shameik Moore (Dope), Mahershala Ali, and Bryan Tyree Henry (Atlanta), this computer-animated film gives an alternate view of the Marvel classic and was the first non-Pixar film to win the award for the Best Animated Feature since Rango in 2011.
Motown Magic: June 28
Netflix
I definitely didn't know this existed before, but this is the most amazing thing I've ever seen and I'm in love. Motown Magic is an animated series that was executive produced by Smokey Robinson about a young boy from Motown who uses his magic paintbrush to decorate his city. Starring celebs like Ne-Yo and BJ The Chicago Kid, Motown Magic is a classic that the little kid in your life needs to watch ASAP.
Featured image by Getty Images.
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Blair Underwood Initially Turned Down 'Sex And The City' Because 'It Was About How Samantha Was Fascinated By Dating A Black Man’
Actor and heartthrob Blair Underwood is opening up about why he turned down Sex and the City the first time he was offered a role. Many fans of the HBO series may recall Blair's time on the show in which his character was dating Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). However, he was previously offered another role where his character would date Samantha (Kim Cattrall).
During his interview with AV Club, the Set It Off star revealed that he was uncomfortable with the initial offer due to the character's fascination with him being a Black man.
“I actually did say ‘no’ the first time,” he said. “The first time they had offered the role, to be honest with you, it was about how Samantha was fascinated by dating a Black man and wanted to know if, uh, all of the rumors were true about our anatomy! And I said, ‘Listen, I’m honored, thank you, but I just don’t want to play a character based on race, on curiosity about a Black man.'”
But that didn't stop them from reaching out again. This time he was offered to play Dr. Robert Leeds, the love interest to Miranda and he decided to go for it. "So they were nice enough to call about a year later, and I said, 'Well, is it gonna be about race?' And they said, 'No, no, no, we’re not even gonna mention race!' And I think it really did only come up maybe once," he recalled.
"It did five episodes, and I think Samantha mentioned it once, saying something about 'a Black doctor' that Miranda was dating. And that’s really been a consistent thing in my career: not wanting to be boxed as 'the Black guy.'
"I’ve had that conversation with many producers along the way, and they were so great. They said, 'No, he’s just a doctor who Miranda meets in the elevator, and they have a nice little fling.' And it was amazing."
Blair has had a wide-ranging career playing everything from a lawyer on L.A. Law to playing Madame CJ Walker's husband on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker. And during his interview, he revealed another role that he initially turned down, Set It Off. The movie, which is considered a classic in Black culture, stars Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Blair's character, Keith, played a banker and love interest to Jada's character, Stony.
He explained why he said no at first and eventually accepted the offer. "I had initially said “no” to that. Because I was playing this historic, iconic African-American historical figure in Jackie Robinson, and the time, y’know, there was Boyz N The Hood, and Menace II Society was out there, and I’d finished playing this noble Negro… [Laughs]," he said.
"And I’m reading the script, and there’s a scene where Jada Pinkett’s character—Jada Pinkett-Smith now—was going to sell her body so she could make some money to send her brother to college. And I remember, honestly, I threw the script across the room. I was, like, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do something uplifting for the Black culture and Black characters, and I don’t know if I want to see this.”
After a conversation with the movie's director F. Gary Gray and the actor's manager encouraging him to finish reading the script, Blair had a change of heart. What he first thought about the movie turned out to be totally different.
"So I finished the script, and I saw that the character they were asking me to play was really the love story in the midst of all of this turmoil of all of these characters, the four ladies: Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada," he explained.
"It was so well-written, it was such a great platform for them. And to be able to play the love story and the storyline that gave Jada’s character a leg up and a way out of this world, something to hope for, to wish for, someone to love her… I said, 'You know what? I’d like to be a part of that.'
"And I’m so glad I did, because that film resonates to this day. People all the time come up to me and say that they love that movie. So I’m glad that I did it."