Adventures In Black Cinema With Desmond Thorne

Latest Episodes:

Adventures in Acceptance & Adolesence (Pariah) w/ Cai Thomas Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

Happy Pride month, everyone! This week, Desmond dives into the Queer classic PARIAH with filmmaker Cai Thomas. They talk about the incredibly lived in performances, the craft of director Dee Rees and her team, as well as how they both connect to the film as young Queer Black people! And of course, no guest episode is complete without a game of Who’s Invited!!

Adventures in Confusion & Conflation (Antebellum) May 18, 2021

Show notes

This week, Desmond gets critical about the 2020 slavery film, ANTEBELLUM. He talks about the confusing narrative, what he thinks the filmmaker’s intentions were, and other Black media that has portrayed these ideas correctly. Also, Desmond has the word on the street about one of Black film’s biggest Blockbusters!

Adventures in Divisions & Duplicates (Us) May 11, 2021

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This week, Desmond takes a deep dive into Jordan Peel’s second film, US! He gets into the incredible performance of Lupita Nyong’o and the rest of the cast, the brilliant allegory in the film about class systems, as well as the ways in which this film also portrays Trump’s america. Also, Desmond gives his reactions on this year’s Oscar ceremony!

Adventures in Saviors & Snitches (Judas and the Black Messiah) w/ Maori Karmael Holmes May 04, 2021

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This week, Desmond is joined by the founder of the BlackStar Film Festival, Maori Karmael Holmes to discuss JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH! They dig into the brilliant performances, the history behind the film, and ways in which Fred Hampton’s legacy lives on. Also, Maori is put to the test with another round of “Who’s Invited”!!

Adventures in Aging & Artistic Integrity (The Forty-Year-Old Version) Apr 27, 2021

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Back to our regularly scheduled programming, Desmond gets into the lovely hidden gem THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION this week, and talks about the importance of artistic integrity as you age as a Black artist, and the magical expression of Hip-Hop. Also, there’s a new segment on the show!!

A.B.C.’s First Annual Oscar Extravaganza! Apr 20, 2021

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Welcome to the Oscar Extravaganza!! In this week’s mega-sized episode, Desmond breaks down the Oscar voting process, his thoughts on this year’s major category nominations and some of this year’s history makers! Check it out and get those ballot pools ready!!

Adventures in Loving & Lighting (If Beale Street Could Talk) Apr 13, 2021

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Love is never easy, but it can be extremely beautiful, as portrayed in Barry Jenkins film adaptation of James Baldwin’s IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK. This week, Desmond talks about the incredible performances in this ensemble film, as well as the gorgeous design, and the many awards that it could have been nominated for at the Oscars. Also, this week’s You Betta Act award goes to a performance in another Barry Jenkins film.

Adventures in Mobbin’ & Money (Set It Off) w/ Lynaé DePriest Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

Now that we’re back from our Girls Trip, let’s rob!! This week, Desmond reunites with Jada and Queen in their first film collaboration, SET IT OFF! Desmond and his guest, comedian Lynaé DePriest get into the Nitty Gritty about what this film says about how society antagonizes Black women, and the beautiful Black female friendship in this classic film. Also, listen to Lynaé absolutely slay a fresh round of Who’s Invited!

Adventures in Fun & Friendship (Girls Trip) Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

Pack your bags! This week Desmond gets into the nitty gritty of the epic comedy GIRLS TRIP!! Desmond talks about the wonderful performances from the main cast, the fun moments in the film, and the important messages that the film carries about Black female friendship. Also, this week’s You Betta Act award goes to one of the last great Black sitcoms on network television, that you may not have seen!

Adventures in Pizza, Plays, & Protests (Do the Right Thing) Mar 16, 2021

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It’s our thirtieth episode!! This week, Desmond digs into one of the best films of all time, DO THE RIGHT THING. Desmond talks about Spike’s process while crafting the film, the incredible performances, the ways in which aspects of this film are similar to a play, and the reasons why this classic film will live on forever.