Movies

Favorite Fictional Presidents, Atlanta, Luke Cage creator Cheo Hodari Coker – IP 51

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us-presidential-sealWe are witnessing history with this latest episode of Inside Pop! This is the last episode we’ll release before our country elects a new president. In honor of this historic moment, we each countdown our top 3 favorite FICTIONAL pop culture presidents; from President Whitmore of  Independence Day to President Palmer of  24 to President Shepherd of The American President and many more.

luke-cage-showrunner-cheo-hodari-coker-and-star-mike-colterWe also share our experience attending the Producers Guild of America’s Produced By NY conference. The event was a who’s who of producers in film, television and digital programming. We’ll give you the inside scoop of on everything from what Chris Rock thinks of Donald Glover’s Atlanta to our exclusive interview with the creator and showrunner of Marvel’s Luke Cage, Cheo Hodari Coker.

We also take a moment to wrap up the biggest project Inside Pop has ever tackled – The Big Sell 30 Day Challenge! We discuss the highlights, shout out all of our collaborators and let you know where to go to find all of the Big Sells in one place.

And we return to our regular Big Sell format allowing Amita to sell Sean on a song he’s never heard of, written by one of her favorite singer/songwriters and sung by one of his favorite vocalists.

All of that plus Sean performs one of the worst Morgan Freeman impressions ever recorded!

 Pop Culture Presidential MOMENTS

Battlestar Galactica

Independence Day

Deep Impact

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Additional Links

Nathaniel Zablan of The Tone Podcast Writes About Ben Folds

Leslie Odom, Jr. Sings President Obama’s imagined thoughts written by Sara Bareilles

Big Sell 30 Day 25: The Perfect Podcast

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perfectpodcast-a2Sean here with our 25th #BigSell for our Big Sell 30 Day Challenge. This is a ‘perfect’ big sell. It’s also a bit narcissistic! Hosting and producing Inside Pop with my partner in crime Amita Patel has been creatively fulfilling, challenging in the best way possible and super fun! I’ve enjoyed it so much that I decided to launch a second podcast a few months ago. My big sell for you today is my ‘other’ podcast, The Perfect Podcast.

The Perfect Podcast celebrates the highest achievements in music, film, literature, food, visual arts and more! In each episode I talk to a different person about the creation they believe achieves perfection. From the perfect short story to the perfect music video to the perfect cocktail to the perfect skyscraper – the show explores and celebrates the artists who have achieved the elusive, intimidating, confounding and 100% subjective state of . . . Perfection!

So far I’ve interviewed a runner about the time he unexpectedly achieved a Perfect Run, an editor from Publisher’s weekly about his pick for a Perfect Graphic Novel, and a cigar aficionado about his go-to daily Perfect Cigar.

Recently I interviewed Jamie Broadnax, the founder of Black Girl Nerds, about her choice for a perfect fictional character. I was ecstatic when she chose the leader of the X-Men and former queen of Wakanda – Storm. It’s a great conversation that touches on representation, feminism and kick-ass Mohawks.

The goal of the podcast is to celebrate all types of culture with a diverse roster of super smart, passionate people. In addition to getting my guests to share their expert opinions I also ask them to discuss their personal connections to the subject. In my most recent episode art critic Vince Aletti discusses his Perfect Portrait: a picture that inspired him to come to NYC 50 years ago and has remained a totem for him ever since.

In my “perfect world”: 1) You take a listen to and love The Perfect Podcast and subscribe 2) In the future I get to interview Mark Romanek about “Got Til It’s Gone” (my pick for a perfect music video); Nile Rodgers about Bowie’s Let’s Dance (or Duran Duran’s “The Reflex” or Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”); Shonda Rhimes, David Mitchell, Annie Lennox, Questlove and the list goes on and on and on.

Coming soon . . . A Perfect Song (you’ll have to listen to hear what my guest chooses).

Follow Inside Pop @PopInsiders and let us know how you’re enjoyed #BigSell30.

Moonlight, Mary J. Blige, Queen Sugar, Alexa – IP49

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Is Fall 2016 shaping up to be one of the greatest seasons for Pop Culture ever? Consider our latest episode that celebrates the ridiculous heights achieved in music, film and TV in just the past 7 days.

First up we discuss the independent feature, Moonlight which opens this week. This movie has filled Sean’s soul and rocked his world so hard that it gets the full House of Hyperbole treatment. Find out why he thinks this film cannot be missed!

 

Then, we discuss the new single from the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige. Mary has sat on the throne for 2 decades but we think her new song, “Thick of It,” is one of the most soul baring and emotionally gut wrenching songs she’s ever recorded. We also reveal the role Mary has played in our personal friendship and podcast partnership.

Plus, we talk about the new television drama on OWN, Queen Sugar. The show is halfway through its first season and continues to bring an impressive blend of  melodrama, social realism and the most gorgeous cinematography on TV. All hail Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay! Whether you’re a huge fan or haven’t had a chance to catch it, Amita shares a tip on the ‘best’ way to view past and upcoming episodes.

And #BigSell30 moves into the home stretch with a Big Sell from friends of the show Caroline and Tom Romita (and their new best friend, Alexa).

Big Sell 30 Day 7: A.O. Scott reviews The Birth of a Nation

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#BigSell30 is one week old! Say it with me – one new piece of pop culture, once a day for 30 days!
Sean David Johnson aka @therealseanjohn here with our Day 7 Big Sell.
birthEarlier this week Amita and I saw a screening of The Birth of a Nation. After the screening and the cast & crew Q &A she and I stood outside the theater and wrestled with our feelings about the film. My conclusion – the film was solid, but not great. Well made, but not extraordinary. Moving and glorious in parts, but also flawed throughout.
If I’m going to sit through a film that assaults me with scenes of emotional and physical horror, that film better be transcendent (like 12 Years a Slave, for example). Unfortunately, The Birth of a Nation does not transcend its limitations or the news surrounding the former sexual assault trial of director Nate Parker.
My big sell for today is the A.O. Scott review of the film. It’s a superb essay on the considerations we make before we see a film and the baggage we bring into the theater.
You can read the his NY Times review: here
Finally, even though I’m not recommending The Birth of a Nation,  I have to say this is still a great weekend to support Black Creators and subject matter. Ava DuVernay’s documentary, 13th, is essential viewing. Issa Rae’s Insecure premieres on HBO this Sunday and contains some of the biggest laugh out loud moments I’ve experienced all Fall.  And if you haven’t binged the entire season yet – Luke Cage on Netflix provides you the opportunity to revel in the fantasy of a bullet proof Black man who fights crime and reads Walter Mosley novels.

Follow Inside Pop on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30!

The Week in Black Excellence – IP 47

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13thThis week, we are reveling in the gifts of Black Excellence bestowed upon us by the pop culture Gods in film, television and music! We had the exclusive opportunity to watch visionary director Ava DuVernay’s latest documentary, 13th, and discuss why we were so extremely moved by this powerful film.

luke-cageThen, it’s hoodies up as we geek out over our immediate (and spoiler free) reaction to the premiere of Marvel’s Luke Cage.
solange

 

 

Plus, Solange drops her latest album, A Seat at the Table, and we immediately put it on repeat!

All that and Sean gives his first Big Sell in the #BigSell30 Day Challenge!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders and don’t forget to send us your Big Sells for #BigSell30!

The Big Sell 30 Day Challenge is Here!

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The Big Sell is getting even BIGGER! For the past 10 months we’ve ‘Big Sold’ each other every week – taking turns recommending something new in the world of pop culture for the other to check out. The result? We’ve each heard more music, seen more movies, read more short stories and experienced so much more great new pop culture than we’d ever experienced before. And our water cooler banter is so ON POINT!

And now we want YOU to get in on the act.  We’re inviting you to take part in the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge. Join us and commit to trying out one new piece of pop culture every day, for 30 days. A new song, TV episode, movie, poem, viral video, smart phone app – anything goes.

Listen to this special Inside Pop episode for all of the details. Beginning October 1st we’ll tweet and post recommended Big Sells. And we want to hear from you! Tweet us using #BigSell30 and tell us what you’ve been trying out.

Throughout the month we’ll have special episodes and special guests who’ll share their Big Sells with all of us.

So join us for the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge and we guarantee at the end of the month you’ll have whiter teeth, increased spiritual awareness and a firmer butt. And also – none of those things. But you will have the experience of feeding your pop culture obsession with great recommendations from fellow fanatics! #BigSell30