Cortland Wrote It

So I went to see *Inside Out 2* with the family this past weekend, and I must say, it was subpar at best. This movie adds fuel to the burning fire that says, “Sequels are never as good as the original film.” Some movies don’t need sequels, and *Inside Out 2* is one of those movies. The movie was predictable from the jump. I feel like whoever wrote the film only wrote it because they needed a check. Instead of writing this film as if they needed a check, I wish they would’ve written this film as if RENT WAS DUE (If you know, you know). I would like to point out that June Squibb playing Nostalgia was GREAT casting; her lines in the movie were few, but she subtly stole the show. It’s cool that Riley is growing up and we get to see her next chapter in life as she’s sharpening her hockey skills, prepping for high school, and experiencing a wider range of emotions as she gets older. Her puberty experience was written as if she were Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde with a twist of Robert Frost’s “Th...

W H O A ! I have so much to say about SZN 2 of David Makes Man. This show may have given us one of the best jumps from season to season. I couldn’t have ever predicted seeing what I saw from SZN 1’s end to SZN 2’s begin(bars). First of all, OWN did a sensational job with casting. The adults they casted to play the older version of the children from SZN 1 was pretty spot on. From Young David(played by Akili McDowell) to Adult David(played by Kwame Patterson) to Young Shella(Kimaya Naomi) to Adult Shella(Zsané Jhé). Can’t forget young JG(Cayden K. Williams) & Adult JG (Arlen Escarpeta). Okay so back to the show, the concept that the writers of SZN 2 used is very therapyesque & mentally appealing. SZN 2 is basically setup to allow Adult David to reconcile his past relationships with everyone in his childhood, from his mom to his brother to his schoolmates to his neighbors. As an adult, David has a casual relationship with a woman named Nicole, played by the beautiful Brittany S. H...

We Don’t Talk About Bruno  *ENCANTO* 🕯 offers a fascinating yet important take on life. In J. Cole’s track “Love Yourz,” he raps, “No such thing as a life that’s better than yours.” I could be wrong but it feels like whoever wrote *Encanto* is a diehard J. Cole fan because this movie is the animated, mild version of that song. The main character, Mirabel, initially comes off as a hater. Her entire family is blessed with unique gifts, while she appears gift-less. She spends most of her time focused on her family’s gifts and her lack thereof, believing that a person’s gift defines their entire worth. Later in the movie, the writers show and prove that this mindset is neither true nor healthy. As humans, we are much more than the gifts God has blessed us with. Nobody is truly perfect, and anyone claiming to be perfect is probably unhappy on the inside. Another line from “Love Yourz” goes, “There’s beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success.” This bar is embodied in *Encanto* (as...

Alright, alright, alright! If you haven't seen "King Richard" yet, you're missing out! This film is a profoundly inspiring story that showcases the incredible journey of Venus and Serena Williams, two of the greatest athletes of all time. The trials and tribulations that their parents, Richard and Oracene Williams, went through to give their daughters the chance to become legends are truly motivating. It's a powerful portrayal of a Black father doing everything in his power to ensure his family's success and opportunities—a narrative we need more of. The movie doesn't shy away from showing Richard Williams' stubborn side, making it more realistic and relatable. As a Black father myself, I understand that his struggles and the process were far more detailed and challenging than depicted, but the film had to condense his story. The chemistry among the actors was natural and impressive, and they all deserve recognition for their performances. While I didn...

"Dickinson" might be the most underrated show right now. With shows like BMF dominating STARZ, INSECURE ruling HBO, SQUID GAME taking Netflix by storm, and Wu-Tang: An American Saga thriving on HULU, we must not overlook Dickinson on Apple TV+. Hailee Steinfeld is phenomenal as Emily Dickinson, bringing the poet and her poetry to life in a way we've never seen before. Given that we only have a few paintings of Dickinson, Steinfeld and the production team provide a vivid depiction of who she was, much like how we imagine dinosaurs from their bones. Dickinson's poems are her bones, providing the pieces to reconstruct her life. Steinfeld's on-screen chemistry with every character, especially with Wiz Khalifa, who plays "Death," is outstanding. Their interactions during the carriage ride scenes are captivating. The way they connect is so authentic that if someone told me they were a real-life couple, I'd believe it. The dynamics of their conversations ar...

First things first, whoever was in charge of casting for this series might be the greatest casting director of all time. Casting TJ Atoms as Ason, aka Ol’ Dirty Bastard, is one of the most accurate castings since Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles or Will Smith as Ali. TJ Atoms completely embodies the character of ODB, and it's even more impressive given that ODB is deceased and unavailable for TJ to study his full personality firsthand. Similarly, Ashton Sanders as Bobby Diggs, aka RZA, is a brilliant casting choice. Sanders nails RZA’s speaking voice and delivers a standout performance overall. He's one of those generational actors destined for greatness—I hope Hollywood recognizes his talent. This show was and is definitely needed. The Wu-Tang Clan never fully received the respect they deserved. The fact that they managed to set aside their Park Hill-Stapleton beefs and personal egos to form the Wu-Tang Clan is impressive. These guys took numerous risks, both calculated and uncalcula...

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...