West of Temptation and Power

     Bringing February to an end with a four pack of African-American directed films. 

     The film that finally gave Denzel Washington his long overdue Oscar. A film that launched a thousand cheap imitators to dominate the decade's award bait genres. Birthing AFI's 50th Greatest Screen Villain and so far two different TV continuations. Antoine Fuqua's turn of the Century crime classic- Training Day

     Previously only known for his cinematography, Ernest Dickerson slid in with a masterful assurance to deliver a standout feature at the height of the 90s urban crime wave. Starring Tupac Shakur, in only his second film role (his first being a cameo with Digital Underground in Nothing But Trouble the year before) just before the release of his landmark second album, and Omar Epps, in his film debut. Tired of being pushed around and desperate for respect, Bishop talks his friends into robbing a corner store. It all goes very wrong from there but one might still get some Juice.
     One of the most unique vampire films ever made. A minister in training finds himself at a crossroads and visits his friend in New York City. Little does he expect to be brought straight into the sights of the forces of Hell. With Temptation breathing down his neck, can his friends pull him out of its clutches or will they all be Def by Temptation. 

     A western that uses all the genre's features with the laudable goal to bring the focus on real African-American cowboys (who made up between 20-25%, Mexican vaquero accounted for 33%... 30% of Texas settlers were African-American). Tragically, it doesn't quite reach it's target. A large ensemble cast leaves too many with nothing to do and no impact on the narrative or audience. It's determined drive to try and get it's fictional hero a place among the best known Old West folk heroes leaves a lot to be desired. Mario Van Peebles' valiant but messy Posse.  
     All that and Kevin feels the feels he feels, Tyler might be cooking up something in a wheeled kitchen, and Dave has an honest heart to heart with all writers out there. Join us, won't you?

Episode 194- West of Temptation and Power

I Know Who Joyrode Me

     This week- two tales of youth in over their heads and at the mercy of corrupt officials.

     Jason and Midget are avid participants in Newark's most popular sport- joyriding. One day they pick the wrong car to an evening drive. Owned by a police officer who will stop at nothing to clear himself in the wrongful shooting of a neighborhood kid. Beware the traffic through a New Jersey Drive.

     The town of New Salem has a predator among its sleepy inhabitants. Terrible pianist and aspiring writer of dinosaur Kindle erotica, Aubrey Fleming, disappears one night after a football game. Days later she is found in a ditch horrifically missing limbs. When she wakes up in the hospital she reveals another shock, that she isn't Aubrey but down-on-her-luck stripper Dakota Moss. Is Dakota her mind protecting her from trauma? Is she really not Aubrey and if so where is the town's favorite fanfic author? All this and more will be revealed, mush to everyone's dismay, as soon as Dakota says I Know Who Killed Me.

     All that and Dave survives another November marathon, Kevin likes to watch, and Tyler does terrible things to himself in the name of art. Join us, won't you? 

Episode 182- I Know Who Joyrode Me