Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 0:08

Hi, I am Reggie Ponder, the Real Critic, and I wanna welcome you to the first edition, our first podcast. And this is The Real Critics Network. And I have with me my friend and longtime collaborator, katia Woods, and we will talk about that later. But first, let me introduce myself to people who might not know who I am. I am a film critic outta Chicago, born and raised. I'm from the south side. Yes. Everybody always asks me, do I know Michelle Obama? Yes, I know Michelle Obama. But anyway, I'm from the South Side. I've been a film critic for over 20 years. And I really believe in the dialogue about film and being inclusive./\ One of the things that has spurred me to be a film critic is the fact that here in Chicago, it is dominated by white males. And I just think, you know, you need to have a little more spice in there. And so that's why I became a film critic. I currently Right. For the, for indigo. com. You can catch my video reviews there. I also write for the guy Garfield Lawndale news, which is a, a paper on the West side. I'm living on the West side, but I'm loving both the South side and the West side. Cause I'm a South sider by heart. And then I'm also contributing to other places as well. At the end, I'll make sure we put the links to all the places that I'm contributing to, but with that. I'm going to introduce my collaborator here, Katya Woods.

Kathia Woods: 1:34

Hey everybody, my name is Katya Woods. I am a film, TV critic, entertainment journalist, like we all got to wear multiple hats because the industry is saying you can't stay in one lane because you'll be poor, poor, poor. I am out of Philadelphia, but I currently live in Georgia. Still love my birds though. Even though Reggie tries to try to push me in the other directions, you know, it's still go birds. And I have my own outlet cup of soul show. com where we really try to hone in and, and, and cover film, but underrepresented black, Latin X, Asian, and women. And I also contribute to the Philadelphia Tribune and the Sacramento Observer. And I have a radio segment every Wednesday on Word and Reality Check with Tanya Pendleton, where we kiki, we talk all things film. And I'm so happy that we're doing this because we've been talking and we've been talking and we've been talking and our kids done graduated college and moved up, moved back in. And you know, we done got a dog. And all this other stuff and we are just so happy to give a different perspective to this very interesting conversation that is film and hopefully will enlighten, make you laugh and have you also look at some films that you may not look at when you are out at your cinemaplex or whatever place you consume your your films and your television.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 3:02

Well, you heard it there, that's my friend Kathia and I wanna tell you something is that she did say that you know, that she's for the Birds, which is, you know, Philadelphia, but she's in Atlanta, so it could actually be the Falcons, you know, that's what it could actually be.

Kathia Woods: 3:17

They're at home, they're on the couch. The fellow day three equals, I'm playing on Sunday.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 3:22

So,

Kathia Woods: 3:24

you know, their stadium is being used for the college, you know, championship. The Falcons are on vacation,

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 3:36

whatever, whatever. So we'll get into, we'll get into our first segment. And our first segment is called what's on my mind. And I'm going to kick this off for our first stuff podcast here. And what's on my mind. Is the question whether or not we should have these award shows at all, given the fact that Hollywood is in such a have. You look at the fires that are happening in L. A. The question is, should we be celebrating excellence in film while people are struggling? But then the other question is. Well, why shouldn't we? Wouldn't that help the industry? Wouldn't that keep people working? Wouldn't that be honoring the work that people have been doing? I don't know the answer to this one, but it really on my mind. That's what's on my mind. And I'm going to be thinking about it for a while. I forgot to mention, that I'm a member of various organizations. And one of them is the. Critics Choice Association and our awards are supposed to come up and we're discussing this topic right now, whether or not we should continue on and have the award shows that I don't have to answer, but the segment is what's on my mind. And that's what's on my mind. Kathia, what's on your mind?

Kathia Woods: 4:49

Well why? I think it's it's a tough one, right? I do think the award shows need to go on because we had award shows. We had award shows 9 I think was about as horrible as something because why what's happening in L. A. Is a natural disaster, right? 9 11 was something that was done to us. And shook up our whole entire world and we still proceeded with award season. Now, as in 9 11, the tone of the award show needs to change, right? It was a little bit more town down. People didn't come so overtly diamonds and pearls, right? And the focus was on awareness to what our country was dealing with, right? And, and, and, and taking care of those families that lost loved ones and the enormous amount of first responders. That we lost, right? So I think we can do that with the award shows. And I think the bigger picture a lot of people are missing is there are a lot of gig workers, which are people who get hired per contract. For whether it's a show or whether it is handing out water, they make their bulk of their money, a good portion of their salaries working award season, you know, so the person that you see in the carpet you know. Guiding the stars as they take their pictures, the photographers that take the pictures of the stars makeup artists hairdressers, the list goes on and on the seat fillers. It is not. I need us to get out of this mindset. It's just rich people celebrating rich people because the people holding the mic, the personal lighting, those people are not rich. They're working class people. They just happen to work in an industry. And a lot of those folks did lose their home and they're going to need money. They need to make a living in order for them to be able to rebuild. You know, they still going to have to find temporary housing. They still got to eat at some point. These resources are going to dry up and you're going to need money. You know, you don't need to bank up in order for you to support everybody. So I want us to think a little bit more logistically. I think we can do this. Some people said a telethon. I said, now hold up now. Let's not always go crowdsourcing to the people. The people have shown up and are giving to these GoFundMe's and the list goes on and on, right? The first thing is let's go ask regular people. The regular people are hurting. That's why we have the tone of the election because regular people said we want somebody Who is going to help us get our grocery bills down. I do think that all the studios, one thing that I like that I'm seeing is for instance, the Academy scrapped the Oscars nominee luncheon. So they said that 250, 000 that they would have spent on the Oscars nominee luncheon is going towards. Helping first responders helping rebuild. Disney came out and said we're giving 15 mil. Netflix said we're giving 15 mil. Right? All these, all the studios need to buck up first. We don't need any more of these parties. I was in love with the Grammys. I love a good party, but I like the fact that they're like, All the labels have scrapped every label, every situation in music usually has either a pre party and after party or several parties, you know, the rock nation brunch don't need that. So they're taking that money that they would have resource for those things and they're giving it. To support first responders, to support various different organizations. That's something that I do agree that we should be doing because you know what? How can you sit there Kiki and have champagne dreams when somebody's house burned down? You know? Yeah. No, at

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 8:53

at, at i. That's

Kathia Woods: 8:56

a way to go take that money. But you still, like I said, is. Have the award shows, bring the focus, have the stars, and most importantly, I want to be very clear on this, right? I, the American Red Cross has been a little dicey, and from Haiti to Katrina and some things. I'm not saying that the American Red Cross is not needed. That they don't do good work. I still give blood and all of that, but I would like to see these award shows honed down and work with local charities or charities like world central kitchen with chef Andres, who is always boots on the ground and feeds. Everybody has food works with local restaurants to bring awareness, to do community work. I would like to see us move away from the super huge. Organizations and work with local charities that are working with the working class people that were affected.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 9:57

Well, you said a lot. See, that was what was on my mind. Obviously that was what was on your mind as well. So you gave us, more than what I was asking for today, Kathia, but that's what you do. Some really good stuff and be very interested here. You guys what's what's on your mind? Hit us up on on our social medias. They'll be out there. But absolutely Tell us what's on your mind as well with that. We're going to move into What we do on a regular basis and when I say what we do on a regular basis We are watching movies and television shows left and right. I have to tell you though, is that Kathia says that she's doing TV and she's doing radio. She's doing movies. She's doing all the girls also writing about the movie about music. I be like, You just have to hit her up because she's writing about everything. And that's what a journalist does I'm just a critic right now. But that's what you do. And we really appreciate that. So let's get into our first movie for this week. And Kathia, I would like for you to kick this one off. And this is the movie, Unstoppable.

Kathia Woods: 11:02

Well, it's the story about Anthony Robles who won a state championship, wrestling championship for the University of Arizona. What makes the story so remarkable is that Anthony was born with one leg. Yes, you heard me correctly. He has one leg. He was born that way. He didn't have an accident. He was born that way and was a you know, a championship wrestler in high school and a state wrestler, a state champion in for the university of Arizona. And he tells, and he had a difficult life because he was raised by his mother, who also has a remarkable story. And his stepfather, who we don't like, we don't like him at all. And he was very abusive and not just to him, but the family and, you know, all that good stuff. And in spite of all of that, Anthony overcame his disability and not just became an amazing wrestler, but he's a testament to the human spirit of what you can do when you set your mind to something and just. An overall good person. It has Bobby Carnavale plays his stepdad that we don't like. Jennifer Lopez plays his mother which I think is her best performance since Hustlers. You know what I mean? Where we get her, you know, we don't get jazzed up, Jen. We get, you know, she plays a mom who is imperfect, who has to learn to love herself and and it's Jarell Jerome plays Anthony Robles. And, you know, Jarell is won an Emmy for When They See Us. Who's a remarkable young actor. He's just really, really good and gifted. And you're gonna cry, you're gonna cheer, you're gonna laugh. And I think it's something that we need right now where right now where we're dealing with so much right and we're like, I don't know. Can I do it? Can I start over again? I'm tired because it seems every year new year new beginnings and we what 16 days, 17 days into January and we like. Return to sender because she's doing too much already. So I think it's, it's also a movie the whole family can watch, you know what I mean? And I think it's kind of like reminds you of resiliency and saying, you know what? Although it feels dark, we will overcome when we can work through this.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 13:24

Wow. Well, well, I you, you really put it in perspective here. I will tell you is that both of us got a chance to speak with Jarrell Jerome and Anthony Robles and just meeting those people in person. I, it, it just substantiates how phenomenal Anthony Robles is just meet him in person. You, you, you'd watch the film and you think, man, this, this guy is phenomenal. And then when you meet him, you're like, man, this guy is phenomenal. What I liked about this film it, all the things that you said, I liked about this film. I also like that this is a film that is inspirational. Is that there is no way that an able bodied person can look at this and not be inspired. And then there is no way that someone who might have a disability can look at this film and not be inspired. This is a very inspirational film to see how he was able to navigate a very, very tough situation at home and Tough situations on the mat. And it's interesting how those two things in some kind of ways a parallel each other is that his his struggles on the mat and his struggles at home. He used the same kind of strategies to to overcome it. Jerome. Is very good in this film and he talks about how he had to go through a lot of training to understand how to move his body, how to use crutches, all the things that he needed to, to try and portray this phenomenal person in it, in the best and most respectful way. And I, I think he, he does that in spades and I agree with you that, jennifer does a really nice performance here, but Bobby, Bobby actually brings it. You, you say we don't like his, his, his, his stepfather. We don't, but in part because of the portrayal that Bobby brings to that character. Oh my goodness. I, I want to hit Bobby next time I see him. I mean, I'm, I'm mad at him. And And then lastly a Chicago connection for us, you know, we, we can't from, from a Chicago perspective because he had two coaches and when, when you look at, and I'm laughing to myself because when you look at both of the coaches that, that he had, you have Michael Pena, Chicago, Chicago, Chicago, and then you have Don Cheadle. And so you really do have this powerhouse. ensemble that works together to bring this very true and very important story to the big screen. And I think it's one of those movies that's a must watch.

Kathia Woods: 16:14

I agree. I mean, I think again, it's, it's, you know, it's dropping at the right time. Sometimes art and life like intersect. And I think this is, this is one of those, you know what I mean? And hopefully it will inspire us to rise and remember when we lean into our strengths, you know what I mean? Even when we're scared, we can do amazing things.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 16:38

I love that, Katya, that you talk about when we lean into our strengths, because people thought that him not having that extra leg was going to be, it was a, they looked at him with a disability, but what his mother and he, how he, We see what his mother says like, yeah, yeah, yeah, you might be missing something, but you got something and the stuff that you got, those are your strengths and those strengths, we're going to lean into those and help you be the best that you can be. And I, I love the fact that you mentioned that about leaning into your strengths.

Kathia Woods: 17:12

100%.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 17:14

Well, this is I'm recommending this for sure. And I think you are as well.

Kathia Woods: 17:19

100%. And you can, you know, everybody can pull up on the, to the couch, get your favorite spot in your snacks. And you can watch this as a family.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 17:29

Absolutely. Well, great. Well, that's our first movie. Let's talk about our second movie. And I know a lot of times you guys be thinking. It's one of them days. It is. That's the movie. We're going to talk about one of them days. This one is starring Kiki Palmer and SZA, where they're best friends. I'm talking about ride or die friends and they start running into a little problem that everything that could go wrong goes wrong and everything that could go right goes wrong. In this film, the, the premise of the film is that they got their rent money. They're ready to pay the rent, but SZA's character decides for some unbeknownst reason to me to give the money to her boyfriend instead of giving the money to the rent man, to the landlord. That don't make, does that make sense to you? That doesn't make sense to me. But anyway, boyfriend borrows the money. And now that's what he said, he said, he said in the film that he was just using it as a loan, you know, so I'm going with what he said, but he took the money. Boyfriend takes the money to do whatever he needs to do. He talking about, he is an entrepreneur and he was trying to do some t shirts but anyway, that puts the two. In jeopardy of being evicted, and now they have to find the money by the end of the day, so they're not evicted, and it is really about their day going through their day trying to figure out whether or not they will have a place to live. Now, I, in my review, I said this. The trailer tells you whether or not this is the type of film for you because everything, all the, the good gags are previewed in the trailer, but don't worry, context matters. And so, even though they're previewed, you don't get to see the full effect of what's happening in each one of the gags that they're talking about, like going to give blood, or Or going I think going to give blood and, and a number of other things that happen in the film, they're just previewed, but when you see it in real time, you're like, oh, okay, I see what's going on, but you, you know how there's these films that. That some of us be like, dang, why do you have to put our business out on the street? Because it touches on some real issues that you have, like a living, living paycheck to paycheck, going to payday loan places not being able to. Not being able to progress in your, in your job. So there's so many different things that it touches, touches on, and there's some real issues. So I like the film because it touches on a number of real issues that people have. I liked this film because it has some funny, funny to it, but I will tell you some of these things were hard to suspend belief for, even though Even though it had some, some, some nuggets of truth in them, there were some things that just were hard to suspend Belief. I, it was hard for me to suspend belief that she would give her money to the boyfriend. She not stupid. She what? You guys gonna get the money to the boyfriend and, and think he gonna go pay the rent for you and boy, Ben? Leeching off you all the time. I wasn't buying that it was hard for me to believe that they would walk down the street Just flashing their money after they were money hungry and they needed the money real real bad So there were a number of things in the film that I was like, and it just doesn't ring true. However, it was surprisingly In the film they used to frame ghetto and I was like so my review says that this is ghetto But with some audience appeal, it actually has some audience appeal. You're going to like these two characters. You're going to love their ride or die attitude. You're going to love the fact that the two of them can argue. But can still figure out that, you know what? It's us. It's our relationship that really matters. They build each other up and they support each other. So I overall I like this film even though they had some things that made me go. Hmm. That's what I got for you, Kathy

Kathia Woods: 21:56

I think you're right. This is a perfect film for this time of year. Now, I agree with you. If you're looking for some deep context, some super, this is not the film. This is a good kiki. You come with your girlfriend, your boyfriend, whatever. You get your little popcorn, you sit where you like to sit in the theater and you tune out for the hour and some change. That's what it is. Think like Fridays, right? And I love the fact that number one is number, Isa has kept her word opening the doors and bringing other people through the door. The director, this is his feature film debut. He started out directing music videos and then directed a couple episodes on rap ish. I'm saying the nice word because we keep in a family and, and and then she. Had the opportunity to produce this movie in under her deal with Sony had him direct that got Kiki Palmer Who although people are like, well, it's Kiki. She's got a lot of experience She's not if you look at the trajectory of Kiki's career and where her peers are that were in that same You know child actor class Kiki doesn't get this most of her opportunities Once again come from black cinema black communities, and there's nothing wrong with that so for Issa to be like, Hey, I'm going to get a veteran like Kiki to play Drew, and I'm going to give SZA, who I'm sure they have their relationship being in this LA artistic clique, her opportunity to, her first to act. And I was very pleasantly surprised by SZA because, you know, it can be hit or miss with these comedians and with these music artists that have

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 23:43

played themselves. I'm really glad. Really glad that you're mentioning that. Thank you so much.

Kathia Woods: 23:48

Yeah. Cause you know, sometimes you're like, Ooh, this can go one or two ways. It can go real bad. I can go. And I also think that I like the fact that SZA leaned into Kiki and, you know, they build a rapport over social media before filming this so that, so they can have natural chemistry, which they do. And I also liked that SZA didn't try to overreach. She's like, okay, I'm going to stay in my lane. I'm going to stay in this bubble. And I'm going to own this space. Right. Now I, as far as I read you, you and I would never give our ears. First of all, we wouldn't date somebody like Keyshawn. That's number one. Who's a hot mess. Who's the third roommate that don't pay rent, but occupy space. That's number one. We would not, he would not be in our lives. Number two. What

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 24:35

I will say though, before you get to number two, is that. That you're, you're right. But what I do like about this film is that, that. It's taking people who would do that, right? There's some folks who, their man ain't, ain't, ain't about it, you know? And, and, and so it's saying that, you know, sometimes that happens, and sometimes we have a bad judgment, and, and I think they, they address that issue in this film. Go ahead, number two.

Kathia Woods: 25:04

I mean, I was going to say to you, I had a roommate in college. And when I interviewed the ladies along, I said, listen, we had a, where I hope, you know, violated you'd come home. You'd miss like cafeteria lounge. You're like, Ooh, I'm good. I got my tuna. I got my bread. I'm gonna make my little situation. When I get, I got my juice, you know, he didn't, he liked my stuff. Cause I bought name brand stuff where his girl was buying stuff that was a little off brand. And I had like, you know, my ham and my cheese and I thought I was gonna make the sandwich and I walk in the door. He was eating my, my food, Reggie. He was drinking my juice, my mango juice. And I was like, you know what? If I, if I stay, there's gonna be some blood. Not mine, cause he's gonna get cut. And we had to have a talk with her. We're like, he is more than sleeping over. He is, he's living here. He's eating our food. He is the fourth unwanted roommate and he needs to pay rent. He needs to contribute or you need to take your man to the grocery store and buy the food He likes and stop having him eat. He was drinking the cereal my other roommate She tried to have some cereal in the morning when I tell you when I tell you She was hot when she had that cereal in the bowl and no milk and had no breakfast before class So yes There are people like Keyshawn and Alyssa and who's living on a hope and prayer thinking that this man that has no job sitting on the couch was going to pay rent like we knew it as soon as she said we like that rent is gone. But again. You're not watching this for contacts. You're not watching this for it being realistic. Does it have some rough moments? Yes, but you're watching it for the two leads to two girls. You're rooting for the two girls and you want them to make better choices. You want them to do better. And that's what I love about this film is the camaraderie, the complete opposites, as we do have with all of our friends. But at the end of the day, it's the sisterhood. It's the love that they have for each other in spite of being in these horrendous circumstances that they cause that pulls them through. And I, and again, I think That's what I like about it. That's what a lot of the girlfriends that I go to go see it like about it And it's perfect escapism Movie watching go in lean in leave your troubles on the other side and just have a little mental vacation That's what this movie is

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 27:43

I will say though, is that, that I already know, so I can hear one of my brothers saying, you like that movie? This is not for him. This is not, this film, if you, I'm glad you mentioned like, movies like Friday. If you, Don't like those types of movies. Don't even think that you're gonna enjoy this this type of film I don't exactly compare it to that, but I've heard a couple of people comparing it in maybe in that genre if you will This might not be that that film for you because it is It's a little, it's a little silly and a little exaggerated, but this is a film that you have to suspend belief to go in and see, because I already told you that I had a couple of things that, that I was like, ah, nah, that, that, that wouldn't happen. I don't believe it. And, and, and that type of thing, but it does. I think first and foremost that it is about that friendship and that ride or die friend that, you know, that friend who will cause the problems and get you into trouble, but will actually stay around when they do it. You know, you got some friends that they'll cause you some problems and they'd be like, I'm out. I see you. I'm I'm gone. And then you'd be like, well, wait a minute. I ain't start this stuff. So it's about that. But it's also about self worth because both of these young ladies had to figure out, had to get to the point to talk to. Project to others what they were worth, but in a sense, they also had to believe in themselves that they were worth something on scissors characters case. It's it's about her paintings and how great she can paint and what she could bring to the table on. Kiki's perspective, it was really that, look, I know that I shouldn't be at this level. I am so much better and I'm better than the people who are managing me and I need to go out there and represent that. So I love, I love that. And I think that that is, is real important. They have some other actors in this that are. Important. You know, I'm always about that whole Chicago thing. They had the Chicago crew down pat. They had my boy Dwayne Perkins in the house. They had Lil Rel Howery there. Obviously, Keke Palmer. So, Chicago was well represented. And then they had some other people, like let me see. I think they had some other people. Cat Williams was in it. Janelle James. But they ain't Chicago, so, you know, what can I say?

Kathia Woods: 30:15

And again, it's just great escapism and again, this movie works. The parts and make you lean in is because of the two leads, you know what I mean? You can relate to these girls and just making bad decisions in your 20s and also, you know, being afraid to live up to your potential. So I think. That's what the winning thing is. I absolutely think you should go and you should support because again, I love what ISA is doing, which is making sure there's work for new faces and giving opportunities and then also leaning into to our veterans. And again, this is a great thing, you know, for you to go see with your older daughter, not your little daughter, your older daughter. Right. And, and, and, you know, for, with your girlfriends, you know, if you, you know, you not. You won't go to club. I'm not the club girl anymore. Go and have some lunch and have some drinks and then go see this movie. This is a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 31:15

There you have it. So we talked about two movies and we're both, we're recommending both. I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm recommending this film with, with the caveat. Cause I already know some of my people be like I'm not going to go check that one out. So I know who you are. This is probably not that movie for you. So anyway. Now we're going to move into our final segment of the day, which is Basically what I call the rant and rave. This is where we get 30 seconds to passionately rant or rave about something on film and TV. And I'm going to let Katya do it first because she not going to do 30 seconds. You know, she going to rant and rave for a minute. So I'll come back and I'll, and I'll tie it up, you know?

Kathia Woods: 31:56

Well, it's not necessarily film or TV, the ban on TikTok. Allegedly on Monday, we will no longer have access to TikTok and it leads to a bigger conversation in our industry. How is this going to affect our profession? Because the studios who relied so much on influencers, many who are, have a large following on TikTok. Will they still be using them when they don't have a platform? Because a lot of them put all their eggs in one basket, which is TikTok, and they, they're not on Instagram. They're definitely not on, on Facebook. They're not on X or Twitter, whatever you call it. Where are these people going to migrate? Are they gonna go back to Snapchat? Like, how is this. What's happening. And in the meantime, we, we've been consistently doing us. So how is the ban on Tik TOK going to affect our profession, our community and this marketing outlet, right? That the studios have been relying on not always utilized well, right? Because I heard a woman last year at comic con talking about, excuse me, at cinema con, how she used influences for a thousand and one. Which is the movie with Tiana Taylor and I'm like, well that, but you used the wrong influencers because the movie was about mom, motherhood, and you used some 20 year olds. So I'm really curious what is going to happen to those all, all those folks. And I always said it's Don't put, have your own platform, use social media as your marketing and then revert it back to the platform that you own. Because in this case, you're, you can have, I mean, some of these people have a million followers. Some of these people have a hundred K followers and Baba on Monday.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 33:46

Yeah, it's, it's gonna, it's, that's a really good one to, to, to bring out and see, I, I I wasn't even gonna comment on your, on your rant, but I think that that's a really interesting thing. I, I think that the studios, because they are so in love with The social media people is that they'll try to figure out some way to assist them because those, those numbers that those social media folks have, if you got, you know, 1, 2, 3 million followers, which some of these folks absolutely do. The studio is is like Google for Gaga for that so it'll be interesting I'm that's a really interesting rant to see what the studios might do and also just how It will affect that industry overall. Thanks for that one. That's that's that that that was good I don't even know if mine is as good as yours

Kathia Woods: 34:36

Girl

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 34:41

so I I hate to talk about Philadelphia stuff But my thing is, is that I have fallen in love. I'm talking about in love, just absolutely in love with. Coleman Domingo. I, I, I'm sorry. I know, I know that's your boy. And we, we talking about Philly, but I fall in love with Coleman Domingo. He has just proven to me time and time again that he is bad. This dude, everything he puts out, I'm like watching it and I'm watching it like on pins and needles. And the thing that I, I finished a few weeks ago, but I want people to go check out, it is on Netflix and it is called The Madness. It is madness for real brother is out there just doing his daily job at CNN as the CNN pundit, and then all of a sudden, all hell breaks loose, and he is being framed. He, he has to fight for his innocence. But in addition to that. He has to fight for his family and the way in which they, they construct this, because I only got a few minutes, 30 seconds for this rant. So I'd have to talk about the series a little later, but the way they construct this with him being estranged from his wife, he got a son that he's trying to. Show what, what's the right thing to do. And then he got a daughter who's just kind of out there and they, they not really, they not good, good, as, as, as Usher would say, they not good, good. And the way in which they put all of this stuff together is so It's captivating. It is my jam. Coleman Domingo is my jam. That, that's my, that's my 32nd rant.

Kathia Woods: 36:29

No, I agree. And what Coleman did, I got a chance to speak to my friend, is he made sure they did exteriors of Philadelphia, not just in popular. Like if you're from Philly, you can tell. Everybody always, here's a hint for you guys. Everybody always shoots at the front. What they call the rocky steps. Know those are the art museum steps. Go and support that art museum. It's absolutely utterly beautiful. Right on Wednesday, you can go pay what you want and see a lot of the artwork in there, which is absolutely gorgeous. They shop behind. There's a whole other part of the art museum that a lot of these shows, a lot of these films don't ever take care of. And that leads into West Philly. And he made sure they went to parts of his neighborhood. where he grew up, where the people were to show love to the community. And that I really, really love because again, Philadelphia is more than downtown. It's also Philadelphia really is. And like a lot of big cities, it's a city of neighborhoods and too often they concentrate. On just the part where the money is. They don't go to the people. And he said, no, I'm an executive producer. I'm a Philadelphia native, I'm a West Philly native. We gonna go to the hood. We shooting in North Philly, uptown, we shooting in West Philly. We're gonna go be with the people. And I appreciate that so much.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 37:57

Appreciate. Yeah. I since, since you commented on my, on my rant, I do have to say is that the actors in this. Man, oh man, they got, that is Mixon, who playing the son, they got Marsha Stephanie Blake playing playing she is killing, I mean, she, I, I was like, Where did I see her from? I, I had to be like, I know this, I know this woman. They got Deon Cole. And then they got the, the actor extraordinaire. And I'm just mentioning a few of them. And I, I apologize. Cause you should have just mentioned the whole cast, but Stefan McKinley Henderson. Oh my goodness. Do I love me some him? This, this show. It's worth it. Go and check it out. If you don't have Netflix, go over friends house who got Netflix and just sit down and binge it. Cause this one, this one was, was all that. Don't

Kathia Woods: 38:54

get them in trouble. You got to go over there or ask to be a part of the family plan. Don't get the password because Netflix.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 39:01

Just go over to the house and say, look, can I stay here for a couple of days? Cause I want to watch this series or at least come back and check it out, but bring your own snacks. Be, be, be, be upright. Bring your own snacks. Don't don't go over the house and then expect them to give you the snacks too. But check out the madness. That's that one is, is, is really about, about it. Hey, that's, that's our show for today. We, we talked about a lot of things. Hopefully you'll follow us on social media. I'm, I'm on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube. I had a presence on Tik Tok, but I didn't really do anything on Tik Tok. So it doesn't matter. But at The Real Critic, that's R E E L The Real Critic, that's me. And then on Facebook, if you're on Facebook, you can follow me at Reggie, The Real Critic. So please do that. Katya, tell them, tell them where they can find you again.

Kathia Woods: 39:57

I'm Katya underscore on, I am not on Twitter anymore. Cause. be doing the most, but I am on blue sky. I'm on spill. I am on Instagram. I was on tech talk, but as you know, it's gone bye bye and I am on Facebook. So you can follow me there on all things, you know, and listen, somebody else was saying like, where are we going to? I said, listen, y'all let me know, work it out. And. See if it sticks around for a minute before you ask me to join.

Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic: 40:26

I, I heard that. Well, I actually joined Blue Sky too, so we'll need to hook up on Blue Sky, for sure. I joined it as, at The Real Critic. Nobody took that, so that was really good. With that, hey. We gonna do this on a regular basis. I hope you guys enjoy what you, what you heard. We gonna bring on some other people as well, periodically to come in and chime in because we believe that the dialogue is much stronger than the monologue. Hey, this is the Real Critics Network. Thanks for joining and we'll see you guys next time.

Kathia Woods: 40:59

See you next time.