Taneasha White
Judas and The Black Messiah: How Impactful Work Still Leaves Black Youth Behind
It’s nominated for six Oscars, just earned a BAFTA for star Daniel Kaluuya’s performance, and made history as the first film with an entirely Black team of producers to earn a Best Picture nomination from the Academy. But is the history depicted in Judas and the Black Messiah a completely reliable picture? Directed by Shaka
When Masculinity Meets Trauma: How Art Mirrors Life in Da 5 Bloods
The prevalent overarching themes of PTSD and harmful masculinity are interwoven very closely in Spike Lee’s latest project, mirroring star Chadwick Boseman’s secret fight with cancer while making the movie.
Irresistible
A post-election escape watch from Jon Stewart, the 2020 political satire works as an entertaining crash course on local campaign organizing while doubling as an expose on the dysfunctions of the “election economy.”
Dead to Me (S3)
A form of cinematherapy, Dead to Me’s final season brings a big plot twist, one that can be emotionally provoking as well as a cathartic and entertaining conversation starter.
What to Stream on Election Night
The stakes may be high but many cords have been cut, which means a lot of us need to find new ways to watch the midterm election returns…or escape them! For news junkies, most of the cable and broadcast networks now have multiple streaming options to use across your devices — and we’ve linked to
Till
Capturing the wake of a critical moment in history through the eyes of a mother’s grief, Till walks a tightrope balancing the devastation of what happened with the power of what it inspired. It’s a movie you won’t want to turn away from.
What to Watch This Weekend: November 4th-6th
To get a jump on your weekends, get the best Watercooler picks each week through new short-form audio platform, JAM.ai. (You can add us to your playlist.) For this weekend, we’ve picked two new movies to check out in theaters this weekend and two watercooler-worthy options to stream from home. For expanding horizon: Utama For
An Explainer Guide to ‘Black Adam’
Despite struggling to get made for a full decade, the Dwayne Johnson blockbuster Black Adam has officially topped the box office for three weekends in a row. The films brings new life to the DC Comics universe (aka DCEU), but as superhero worlds become ever more sprawling and overlapping, it can be hard for viewers
What to Watch the Weekend of October 21st-23rd
Looking to be transported? We’ve picked four of the best new films and TV series to watch over the weekend of October 21st. They’ll take you away to 1920s Ireland, 1980s Argentina, modern day Mexico, and near future London.
The White Lotus Season 2: Your Watercooler Guide
One of 2021’s hit watercooler shows is back — this time transporting us to The White Lotus Sicily, where a murder, a foursome, three generations of Italian American ladies men, and Jennifer Coolidge will be facing a whole lot of sexual politics.
Laid Off? 10 Movies to Watch
What to watch when you’ve been laid off? Here are the best movies about getting downsized and starting over.
12 Book Adaptations to Get Excited About This Year
With each New Year comes a fresh lineup of literary adaptations, and 2023 will not disappoint audiences. Much-anticipated sequels (Dune, Shadow and Bone) finally arrive to satiate followers. Beloved classics (Wonka, The Color Purple) get new spins—and songs. Judy Blume adds another film adaptation to her career as an author, as does Bram Stoker. Whether
Never Have I Ever
A fresh coming-of-age dramedy, Never Have I Ever depicts how the death of a loved one can impact teens’ mental health, as well as a parent’s wellbeing. Families enduring similar struggles will find relatability and reassurance to know they’re not alone.
A Royal Drama to Fill the Meghan and Harry Void: Corsage
Harry and Meghan drama might be waning, but our fixation with all things royalty has not. An Oscar Shortlist for Best International Film, Corsage looks at the first royal celebrity with depth and imagination.
Norah Jones’ Streaming Watchlist
After three long years, Grammy-winning star Norah Jones is going back on tour. She tells the Watercooler’s Steve Baltin what she’s been listening to and watching — and what she’s up to on her podcast.
A Millennial Nostalgia Watchlist
2023 promises to reenact many Millennials pop culture milestones. If you’re feeling all that nostalgia, here are the best TV series to watch to take you back…and make you see how far you’ve come.
The Oscar Contenders for Best International Film
In recent years, the Motion Picture Academy has made a concerted effort to represent more diverse and international perspectives, and the expansion of its membership has put “subtitled films” on the radars of voters — and, in some cases, in contention for the biggest awards. The turning point came just three years ago, when South
Catch Up Watches: The Best Series to Transport You
The best escapist shows and movies with travel and exotic settings.
The Seven Faces of Jane
A original take on both anthologies and road trip movies, Seven Faces of Jane experiments with the “roads not taken” concept by tapping eight different directors, each one using a different genre and a different “Jane.”