I am honored to be featured in
@RottenTomatoes
latest Know Your Critic. I had an absolute blast chatting with
@sophiemrie
about my journey as a critic. Also side note the fact that
#ChrisJamalEvans
is in this photo is a chefs kiss to an awesome article!
@ChasingDestinee
This looks like an absolute dream. My feet won’t hurt. No ones nasty sweat will touch my body. I won’t have to shove people to move out of my personal bubble. I say we keep this after the pandemic is over.
So let me get this straight. For weeks it’s been doom and gloom for theaters and now because it’s Will Smith you’re upset the film did well? The racism is blatantly showing.
To say this interview was a full circle moment would be an understatement. Last month I posted my Euphoria recap & to my surprise Zendaya saw it & shared It on her platform. I had the chance to thank her for uplifting our voices which is something that rarely happens.
Thank you so much
@brielarson
for speaking out and bringing attention to this issue that many of us WOC have been dealing with for quite some time. Thank you for being an ally and using your platform to bring change for the better.
Brie Larson on making sure her
#CaptainMarvel
press days are as inclusive as possible: "I started paying attention to what my press days looked like and the critics reviewing movies, and noticed
it appeared to be overwhelmingly white male”
I clearly decided to take a nap at the wrong time today 😂 but seriously though thank you for the kind words, memes, and messages. I was having a terrible day but you all made me smile big again and I appreciate you for that.
Sending love and light all of your ways.
I really enjoyed
@SonicMovie
it takes everything we loved from the first and made It bigger and even better with the fun new additions of
#Knuckles
and
#Tails
while truly leaving lovers of the game completely satisfied. Also
#DrRobotnik
is chef’s kiss so damn good.
#Sonicmovie2
I see you
#BlackPanther
with the Best Picture Nomination. People said It couldn’t be done. First superhero movie to ever accomplish this! Congrats!
#GoldenGlobeNoms
I’ve seen a lot of debate over the lack of POC and WOC reviews of
#Joker
but are we going to discuss the real issue with publicists gatekeeping. I know plenty of WOC and POC critics trying to get access but most of our emails are ignored or were lied to saying tickets are gone. I
#ChallengersMovie
is a banger. Stellar performances from Zendaya, O’Connor, and Faist. Zendaya in her villain era is chef’s kiss. Brilliant camera work and that freaking score! Kuritzkes script lends to some great character exploration of what It means and takes to be a winner
I had a bloody good time watching the new
#ScreamMovie
which truly gives us fans a fun new installment that honors the legacy of the previous
@ScreamMovies
while keeping things fresh. The kills and gore are bigger and better than ever.
@jennaortega
and
@jasminsavoy
were AMAZING!
I truly hope someday Black press can have an honest conversation about how hard It is to get access Black talent for Black led/ directed films. We are out here trying to support you and your film but gatekeeping is continuously shutting us out.
I hate even giving things like this attention but enough is enough. The way some of these publications have completely disregarded this film. Didn’t cover It in their summer movie lists and have barely talked about its box office success is extremely disheartening. Might I add
#BadBoysForLife
was well worth the 17 year wait. Martin Lawrence and Will Smith’s comedic chemistry is undeniable. The film delivers some satisfying action sequences along with some shocking revelations. Audiences will be highly pleased and asking for more!
#BarbieTheMovie
is witty, heartfelt, and downright fun at times. Ryan Gosling is a scene stealer delivering most of the laughs while Margot Robbie’s heartfelt performance will tug at your heartstrings. While I enjoyed most of the film the screenplay feels bloated at times
#Spiderhead
cleverly examines the complexities & dangers of love, loss, & regret. Hemsworth is a blast to watch while Jurnee and Miles performances provide an emotional depth to their characters that forces the audience to delve deeper into the darkest secrets of their souls.
@JohnBoyega
@irisawifi
Soooo I’ve been having this argument for days now
@JohnBoyega
Finn isn’t friend zoned clearly I’m the only who saw the look Rey gave Finn while he was tucking Rose in at the end. Y’all better stop playing with my girls emotions before she takes Rose out for messing with her man
#JudasAndTheBlackMessiah
is haunting and powerful. See it in theaters and streaming exclusively on
@hbomax
this Friday.
*Available on
@hbomax
in the US only, for 31 days from its release, at no extra cost to subscribers.
When I tell you
#SamLevinson
wrote TF out of that episode.
@colmandomingo
and
@Zendaya
acted their asses off. I think some may miss how damn good this episode was for the dialogue to be that engaging to make you forget they’re in a diner the entire time.
#Euphoria
#EuphoriaHBO
Wow
@malcolmariefilm
blew me away. Levinson’s writing & direction continues elevate with every project. JDW continues to make a name for himself giving his best performance yet & Zendaya brings a raw vulnerability to the film that will have everyone talking.
#MalcolmAndMarie
I don’t know who needs to hear this but it’s ok to for you not to enjoy a movie. But you also don’t need to criticize or demean others for liking it. It’s just weird.
that this film is led by two Black men and one of few if only Black films releasing theatrically this summer. This movie should be talked about from many positive angles yet It kills you to know that
@BadBoys
took the number one spot and also broke the myth that films with POC in
Imagine doing a junket where your white colleagues are interviewing the entire cast of a film but all POC press are slated to only speak with the one Black actor as if the color of my skin doesn’t allow me to connect and interview non POC talent this happens every single day
I don’t know how many times I have to say this but reading is fundamental and understanding the context of the ENTIRE article is so crucial. Very disappointing to see so many colleagues react and not research before passing judgement for social media clicks.
#Dune
is a love letter to sci-fi fans. Villenueve truly does the source material justice with this epic and beautiful spectacle that makes this exciting world fully realized. Chalamet is the perfect embodiment of Paul Atreides while Ferguson commands every frame she’s in.
#TheWomanKing
is a riveting, powerful, & emotional film about the importance of community & sisterhood led by a stellar BLACK acting ensemble. Viola continues to show why she one of the best in the game while Lashana, Thuso, and Sheila show they are forces to be reckoned with.
So today I went to the movies at
@AMCTheatres
(I know im crazy but it’s a long story) I was very disappointed to see the lack of enforcement which I expected for requiring masks in theaters was not enforced. There was a couple sitting in front of me and they did not have their
For
@shadowandact
@Blavity
I had the chance to get a status update on
#Blade
from Kevin Feige and if he is open to Wesley Snipes returning. Full interview:
For those saying I misunderstood. I did not. It’s not about the context It was used in. It’s why anyone would have thought this film was not going to do well over a slap. The smear campaign of headlines being ran has been terrible leading up to & after the film’s release.
WOW!! I just hit 50,000 subscribers on my
@payorwait
#YouTube
channel. I remember starting my channel 4 years ago when I was unemployed & taking a leap of faith of doing what I love talking about movies. I just want to thank everyone who has watched a video and subscribed I
You all I am literally fighting back tears at how much you have supported me today. In just a few short hours I have reached have of my GoFundMe goal which will allow me to attend Sundance. My heart is so full and appreciative of all your support!
Just a few hours later and we are already at $1,850. That’s what I’m talking about! Thanks everyone! See screenshots for context. To add a few dollars (or more) to
@payorwait
’s
@sundancefest
campaign, visit:
I would love to see an article about how critics of color are looked over, emails ignored or denied access to premieres, junkets, and special screenings all year until publicists realize they vote for awards.
You have got to be kidding me first
#Swagger
and now
#Riches
two of the best shows out on TV. Feels like most of the POC series are getting cancelled after the strike and It just doesn’t make sense. These are two fantastic shows that definitely deserved more seasons.
Front and behind the camera don’t sell. Also that sequels can still sell and be good if the story is there. If you really care about the theatrical experience then any success should be celebrated and especially when It shuts downs myths that have continuously kept POC from
I’m just so tired of trying to prove my worth when all they see is the color of my skin. I cover all film and tv why am I continuously being placed in a box because I am Black. Why can’t I just be treated the same as my White colleagues free to talk to ALL talent.
#KnivesOut
is a fun and hilarious who done It. Rian Johnson knocks it out of the park while paying homage to the murder mystery genre. Daniel Craig is the MVP of the film while Toni Collette is a close second. This will definitely be an audience favorite at
#TIFF19
I had an amazing time chatting with
@halleberry
about her new movie
#TheUnion
and giving me a word about how you can’t win big if you don’t risk big! Full interview:
Sometimes I think about the time Oscar Isaac thought I had enough money to buy a Valentino dress and now I believe he was manifesting I’m gonna be rich someday. Lord I see what you’re doing for other peoples bank accounts now please do It for mine cause this inflation is raggedy.
I've seen white critics, publicists, editors, celebrities, gatekeepers post
#BlackLivesMatter
& blackout their social media today in support. While you may think I would be happy to know we have allies I am literally livid. Before you show your support answer the below questions
I had such a blast this weekend at the
@HCAcritics
#HCATVAwards
and now here is my yearly obligatory photo that I am alive and I can wear real clothes when I feel like it lol.
Am just so frustrated with us dancing around this topic and not indentifying the real issue at hand. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WILL NEVER EXIST IF STUDIOS AND PUBLICISTS ARE NOT ONBOARD! It’s that simple you can invite tons of diverse press to festivals and trust me I appreciate It
Let me end on a positive note of a studio that goes above and beyond to give me opportunities I never thought I would be able to be apart of which is
@netflix
who gives access year round & has also allowed me to moderate some amazing panels. Most recently
#ThePowerOfTheDog
I saw the tweet about gatekeeping against Black creatives for
#WakandaForever
and I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand I totally understand why it’s important to have Black voices especially women at the center for this press tour but this is a bigger issue than that.
Critics of color and women are still being discriminated against when we show up to these festivals. So let’s actually be about change and have the real conversation. Ok I’m done crawling back into my 🕳
It’s very insulting & harmful to allege that RT became more inclusive of diverse critics to raise RT scores & that this inclusion led to low scores for art house films. It’s giving you want to go back to the good ole days & forego diversity of voices
**Whispers to Netflix** this would be the perfect time to pick up Riches, Rap Sh!t, and Swagger just like you saved Designated Survivor, Lucifer, Manifest, YOU, and Girls5Eva. These would make great additions to their roster.
I had a blast with
#TheSuicideSquad
. Gunn truly allows each character to shine in their own way while giving us some amazing gore and fun laughs from beginning to end. Margot and Idris command even scene they’re in while Daniela Melchior injects the film with much needed heart.
In regards to my thread yesterday I don’t want this to be a gang up only on WB because to be honest they are not the only studio guilty of this. Another huge offender is
@DisneyStudios
@DisneyTVStudios
who recently created their own in house multicultural group and since then my
I’m so depressed right now. I just found out I was denied for the
#sundance
press stipend and now I’m on the hook for a non refundable hotel along with two others. Also my freelance friends who had booked work no longer can afford to go either 1 month before festival starts
I’m still in disbelief that I had the chance to speak with George Clooney about his upcoming Netflix film
#TheMidnightSky
and his answer about who his North Star is, is so touching. Full Interview:
#JudasandtheBlackMessiah
is a powerful drama that redefines Fred Hampton's enduring legacy. Daniel Kaluuya is electrictrifying as Fred Hampton while Lakeith Stanfield's bold portrayal of William O'Neal is haunting.
I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with
@yahya
about the importance of working with
#NiaDaCosta
and taking on the mantle of
#Candyman
from the Black perspective. Full Interview
#candymanmovie
I feel like I can finally breathe. My mom has been in ICU the past few days and it’s been tough not being there with her. She’s finally going home today and getting her COVID vaccine today as well.
Da 5 Bloods is a timely and necessary story about Black vets and their fight to survive being Black in America. Delroy Lindo delivers an award-worthy performance in this compelling drama. My review:
#Da5Bloods
I truly hope in 2024 that we get to see more Black love in film and tv. Because watching these new shows and films coming out you would think Black love doesn’t exist and that we don’t even desire one another 😔
I just received some devastating news that I will be out of a home in 60 days but I trust in God and I know that sometimes you have to be removed from a bad situation so you can receive your blessing that is right around the corner. 🙏🏾
It’s always so telling how during awards season publicists are so responsive and accommodating once they realize I am a voting member of an organization like they weren’t ignoring my emails all the months prior. Y’all stay telling on yourselves.
#MalcolmAndMarie
delivers stunning cinematography, clever writing, but most of all two knockout performances from its leads. My review for
@malcolmariefilm
because without those programs I would not have been to half the festivals I attended if I they didn’t exist. It is becoming frustrating to do the same song and dance each festival. Spend money take time off work to go and be denied access to premiere screenings Red carpets,
#BlackWidow
is everything I ever wanted in a female led comic book film.
#ScarlettJohansson
and
#FlorencePugh
are fantastic! Its action packed with awesome fight choreography & great set pieces. To see a film led by women were they are strong, fierce, & kick ass warms my heart.
Movies that haven’t even been in theaters for a month with known talent are already on VOD. What is the incentive to go to theaters when you can wait less than 2-3 weeks to watch at home? Is this the unfortunate new normal? Do studios not care about box office revenue anymore?
First up I was recently accepted as a member of the Atlanta Film Critics Circle and the Southeastern Film Critics Association. I am so excited to be apart of both of these organizations with such amazing film critics to call my peers!
Don’t ever move during awards season 😩 I thought I was going crazy as yo why I wasn’t receiving anything and the person living in my old place found me on social and was like do you know your mail is still coming here. Thank goodness she said something.
Peele’s
#NopeMovie
is the weakest installment of his filmography.
#Nope
starts out as an intriguing & chilling adventure but quickly becomes a narratively dense mess. I appreciate the ambitious yet poorly executed swing taken but this ultimately left me disappointed & frustrated.
It truly pains me to see the lack of diversity when It comes to showcasing the full spectrum of diverse content creators on
@YouTube
delving into film and TV on a consistent basis. I see so many cool and talented creators of color killing It but when I look at some of these
I forgot to mention that over the weekend I hit 40k subscribers on
#YouTube
I want to thank everyone for always supporting and watching these past few years. Almost to 50k then to 100k we go!
#payorwait