Cortland Wrote It

As a fan of West African culture and British accents, "In The Long Run" made my heart smile! Idris Elba's show is intriguing from start to finish—a hilarious, heartwarming, and culturally aware hit that deserves more recognition and accolades.  The story begins with Walter (Idris Elba) welcoming his younger brother Valentine (Jimmy Akingbola) to his home in England after moving from Sierra Leone. Set in the 80s, the show is filled with Jheri Curl juice and eccentric furniture. Valentine adjusts to his new life with the support of Walter, his wife Agnes (Madeline Appiah), and their son Kobna (Sammy Kamara). However, outside the home, Valentine faces the harsh realities of living in a majority-white country. Despite the cultural clash between his Sierra Leonian roots and England, his family and friends guide him along the way. Walter's best friend, coworker, and neighbor Bagpipes (Bill Bailey) is an understanding and modern-thinking man. Bagpipes and his wife Kristy (Ke...

First and foremost let me start by thanking Ed Helm’s character, Nathan Rutherford, for pronouncing “ NEVADA ” correctly. As a Vegas native I love hearing people from the other side of The Mississippi pronounce my home state correctly. Rutherford Falls, so far, has been a unique watch. I don’t think I’ve quite seen a (modern) show like this. Rutherford Falls is based in a town called…Rutherford Falls. A small town founded by European settlers who actually stole the land that they “found” from the local Native American tribe. That’s the typical American Discovery Story though so no one is surprised! The Town of Rutherford Falls is unofficially ran by Nathan Rutherford and officially ran by The Mayor, Diedre Chisenhall, who just so happens to be a Black woman, and officially unofficially owned and ran by the Minishonka Nation. See the dilemma ? Ultimately this show is about (the removal of) a controversial statue within the towns center square. Some want it removed because if it’s racis...

“White People Money” is an interesting watch! I always try to support my people and their art, regardless of the budget. This film is about 70 minutes long, but it covers a lot of important issues and topics within the African-American community. The beginning portrays a toxic relationship between a couple, which many can relate to. The film also highlights how Black women are often more financially mature than the Black men they date—a situation I've experienced myself. Kareem, the main character, works at a dead-end job with white colleagues who display implicit bias and racist behaviors, despite the company being Black-owned. Kareem and his toxic girlfriend, Nora, come into a lot of money and face the challenge of how to spend and invest it. While they have potential, the wrong people find out, and soon everyone wants a piece. Midway through the film, a burglar couple detains Kareem and Nora, and they deliver some harsh but valid truths about how many Black people handle newfoun...