It’s officially September which means it’s time for another watchtime round-up. Last month, I started a series here on the blog where I share the best tv shows and movies I’ve watched lately. If you are new to the blog you may not know that I work in the entertainment industry. My 9-5 job is as a showrunner assistant on a TV show. I absolutely love it! As an aspiring TV writer, it’s so great to be in the writers’ room. Everyone I work with is extremely talented and open to sharing their knowledge. Every single day I learn so much about how to be a better storyteller. One day I will have my own TV show on air but until then I’ll keep watching and learning from others. Here’s everything I watched in August.
TV SHOWS:
The Chi (Showtime)
The finale of THE CHI season 3 aired a few weeks ago and for me it marked the official beginning of my journey to becoming a TV writer. I worked on season 3 of THE CHI as the Writers’ Production Assistant and it was such a cool experience. As the Writers’ PA, my main responsibilities were making sure the office had all its supplies and that I got all the writers’ lunch orders right. I’d never been more excited to get someone’s coffee ahaha! Once all of my tasks were done, I sat in the writers’ room, listening to the writers break the story and craft the entire season. The room was very accepting of its assistants and valued our input. I even pitched a few ideas that made it into the show! If you haven’t checked out season 3 of THE CHI, go watch it on Showtime. And make sure you watch the credits to see a familiar name!!
I May Destroy You (HBO)
This show right here!! Whew chile! This show right here is not for the faint of heart. Created by writer Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You is a raw, no holds barred look at sexual violence and its effect on the survivor. Michaela created the series as a way to process her own sexual assault and sis really goes there. I don’t want to spoil anything but I will say that if you have experienced sexual assault, certain episodes may be especially triggering. This story is so beautifully and masterfully told that I’m rooting for her to win all the awards next season.
Lovecraft Country (HBO)
I’ve also been watching another one of HBO’s newest series, Lovecraft Country. This series is produced by Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams so you know you’re in for some filmmaking magic. If nothing else the show is gorgeous. I mean the cinematography is top notch. And the story itself? A brilliant mix of historical fiction and sci-fi. The show sheds light on many different parts of the African American experience in the U.S. during the 60s without being preachy. There’s monsters, spells and haunted houses but in the most intriguing, adult way possible. Lovecraft Country has only been airing for a few weeks so if you binge the first three episodes soon you can be all caught up by Sunday’s new episode.
MOVIES:
Project Power (Netflix)
Jamie Foxx’s latest movie is a Netflix action film where he acts as a former soldier on a mission to save his daughter from drug overlords. Sound typical? Well it’s not, there’s a catch! The drugs that these pushers sell give people strange abilities. Think invisibility, firepower and the ability to go bulletproof. On his journey, Jamie tangles with a teen girl armed with some dope rap skills on a journey of her own. Definitely add this to your weekend watchlist.
Black is King (Disney +)
Y’all already know by now that I am a card carrying member of the Beyhive. Matter of fact, this blog post is going live on Queen Bey’s bday. So it was only right that I close out my August watchlist with her latest achievement, Black is King. Now technically, BIK came out in July but I didn’t have the time to give it my full undivided attention so I put off watching it until I could. The queen out did herself yet again. If you listened to the soundtrack she released for THE LION KING, then you know that Black is King is the visual aspect of the album. Each song is woven together to retell the story of the Lion King. I love the music but the visuals were the best part for me. The costumes, the set design, the hair and makeup. Watching Black is King makes you bask in all the black excellence. Not going to lie, I cried when the Brown Skin Girl video played. It was that beautiful. You can catch me watching it again tonight to celebrate the Queen turning another year older. Happy bday Bey!
Those are all my August media picks. If you didn’t catch my last watchlist, you can see everything I watched in July here.
