Source: Netflix / Netflix
The Cassius Squad is back with a new edition of Black Watch to make your weekend streaming as seamless as possible. This week’s picks include a bittersweet ending to a women-led show, a comedic legend’s big return to the screen and more…
Whether it’s documentaries, cult classic shows, or movies newly introduced to your favorite streaming platform, we’re making sure your watch list features some of the brightest talents the culture has to offer.
Harlem – Prime Video
Source: Prime / Courtesy of Prime
HARLEM has followed the adventures, and drama, of four devoted girlfriends —Meagan Good as “Camille,” Grace Byers as “Quinn,” Shoniqua Shandai as “Angie,” Jerrie Johnson as “Tye,” and Tyler Lepley as “Ian”—for now three seasons. With the historic neighborhood as the backdrop; work issues, relationship drama and plain tomfoolery often makes for hilarious tribulations with just enough feel good resolution thrown in for good measure. The latest and final season also includes Kofi Siriboe, Logan Browning, Robin Givens, and Gail Bean in recurring roles. Tap in on Prime Video and keep putting on for Harlem, authentically, regardless. —Alvin aqua Blanco
Back In Action – Netflix
Source: Netflix / Netflix
The title of Netflix’s film Back In Action should be taken quite literally. Cameron Diaz is back in front of the camera for the first time in a decade after retiring, and Jamie Foxx is back on the big screen since his health scare. The duo plays a married couple who escaped the throes of the CIA 15 years ago only to be accidentally discovered living under the radar. Hilarity ensues, as does a no-way-they-did-that action film that’s aided by Diaz and Foxx’s comedic chemistry. They might even end up needing some help from Glenn Close. For an easy watch this weekend Back in Action is a safe choice —that’s got spy, action, and comedy genres all mixed into one— that you won’t regret.
Swipe on over to Netflix to watch. — Bruce Goodwin II
The Expanse – Amazon Studios
Source: Amazon Studios / Prime
The Expanse is a television adaptation of a popular science-fiction book series of the same name, pulling from the writings of James S.A. Corey, the pen name for the writing duo of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. In this political climate, The Expanse would be considered “woke” which just means people who aren’t white men dominate the cast and it shouldn’t matter because race or gender rarely comes up in the series.
Dominque Tipper, pictured right, plays the role of the dynamic Naomi Nagata, a “Belter” who grew up in an asteroid belt community after war and division made the planets Earth and Mars mortal enemies. Joining Tipper on the BLACK WATCH tip is Chad L. Coleman, who some might remember as Dennis “Cutty” Wise of The Wire fame, playing the tortured role of a former soldier of the United Nations Navy turned OPA (Outer Planets Alliance) rebel. Martin Roach, Mpho Koaho, and other Black actors have recurring roles throughout the series.
Ultimately, The Expanse examines class and political motivations with noir-style Belter cop Joe Miller, played by Thomas Jane, and Earth-born ship captain James Holden, played by Stephen Strait, leading the diverse cast with Cas Anvar, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Frankie Adams delivering soul-stirring performances as well. Sadly, the first three seasons of The Expanse are leaving Prime Video in under two weeks so we suggest bingeing this realistic space-based drama over the weekend —D.L. Chandler