The West Coast is having a Heat Wave. While the East Coast is gearing up for a tropical storm. Cities like Boston and Minneapolis have experienced the hottest month of June to date; and the South is set to break records for the summer heat. Yet, it's still like Christmas this July. Between new music, shows, and movies, July seems to be the best time to go out and return home to rest up in front of the screen.
Luckily for us, those moments of rest can be just as entertaining as having a night out on the town. And with the help of Netflix and their upcoming originals, there's no chance of their being a dull moment. Fresh off the sleigh, Netflix has delivered ten new pieces to add to their New Black Netflix lineup. From the emotional short documentary, Audible, to the action-packed Gunpowder Milkshake, Netflix has something for everyone this upcoming month.
Check out what's new and Black on Netflix this July, while avoiding unnecessary summer sweats.
Audible: July 1st
This original Netflix documentary follows The Orioles, a football team from Maryland School for the Deaf, who haven't lost a game in 16 seasons. Although, that quickly changes when they are defeated by a local football team. Now, in hopes to return to their original standing, The Orioles head on a journey to earn their title once more, while refusing to allow their deafness to be a hinderance.
Born to Play: July 1st
Low on funds, but full of passion comes the Boston Renegades on their road to redemption. After losing their championship match the previous year, Born to Play highlights a women's football team which consists of unpaid athletes of various ages, 19-49. With relentless determination and motivation, the women of Boston Renegades dedicate their time, bodies, and salaries to their dream of being professional football players.
The Best of Enemies: July 1st
Based on the book The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South by Osha Gray Davidson, comes The Bestof Enemies. This film focuses on the rivalry between the radical civil rights activist Ann Atwater and the leader of the Ku Klux Klan, C. P. Ellis. Ann Atwater is known for her involvement in the betterment of African-American communities, while focusing on reducing school violence and ensuring the peaceful desegregation of schools.
The film stars Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell as Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis, respectively.
Why Do Fools Fall In Love: July 1st
Why Do Fools Fall in Love follows the life of Frankie Lymon until his death at the tender age of 25. Particularly, the movie follows Frankie Lymon and the three women who claim to have been married to Frankie upon his death and want to lay claim to his estate. The film gives a playful, charismatic, and entertaining take on a tragic story about show-business and loyalty. This Gregory Nava picture features Black icons, Larenz Tate, Vivica A. Fox, Halle Berry, Lela Rochon, and Little Richard.
We The People: July 4th
We The People is a new Netflix series that combines civic sessions with catchy musical tunes. A 10-episode series created by Chris Nee, executive produced by the Obamas, We The People sets out to teach viewers about the rights and duties of being an American Citizen. Nee states that, "The entire project was about finding ways to talk about things that have become very partisan and not take sides." With hope, this mini-series will inspire younger viewers to become more interested in politics and their civic duty.
Gunpowder Milkshake: July 14th
Two words: Angela. Bassett.
According to Netflix, this upcoming film is the "mother of all action films." Gunpowder Milkshake is an action-filled story about a mother-daughter assassin team and their friends, as they revolt against the group of men who fight to take everything from them. The Netflix original also stars Game of Thrones legend Lena Headey, Haunting of Hill House/BlyManor queen Carla Gugino, Doctor Who alum Karen Gillan, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon alum Michelle Yeoh.
Naomi Osaka: July 16th
Up until 2017, the name Osaka was barely uttered beyond the tennis community. Now, just four years later, Naomi Osaka has become a household name and she has a story to tell. In this three-part mini series, we get a glimpse of tennis-player and Grand Slam winner, Naomi Osaka's life and career as she overtakes the world of women's professional tennis.
Django Unchained: July 24th
Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, returns Django (Jamie Foxx) accompanied by dentist-German bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) to Netflix's streaming service. Django Unchained follows Django, a freed slave, two years before the Civil War. On a mission to hunt the South's most-wanted criminals, Django discovers that his long-lost wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), remains a slave and sets out on a mission to free her.
All American: Season Three: July 27th
After announcing his return to South Crenshaw High at the end of season two, season three of All American picks up with the festering of grievances and rivalries. With Spencer and Coach Baker changing teams, the stakes between Beverly High and Crenshaw has now reached the all-time heights with father pitted against son and friend pitted against friend. Tune in to figure out who will win the rivalry and what will become of Spencer and friends their final year of high school.
Resort to Love: July 29th
Resort to Love/Netflix
In the early 2000s, romantic comedies were like the air you breathe: all around and all encompassing. Now, finding a romantic comedy is like finding a musical strictly made for the big-screen, rare and often underwhelming. Though, that might be set to change. Netflix's new romantic comedy Resort to Love, produced by Alicia Keys, tells of an inspiring singer who obtains a resident job at the island resort and spa. Meanwhile, she discovers her ex-fiancee and his current finance plan to get married at the venue. It stars Christina Milian, Jay Pharoah, and Sinqua Walls.
Featured image via Resort to Love/Netflix
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
