Join me, your host Monica, as I sit down with the brilliant Christian Devine, a TikTok sensation known for his thought-provoking perspectives on video game culture. This week, we're tackling the complex interplay of Black culture and media representation, starting with a fascinating chat on a unique collaboration in the works—a live-action comedy feature from the minds behind South Park and Kendrick Lamar. Listen in as we speculate on how this unexpected pairing could shake up the landscape of narrative storytelling in media, drawing on examples like Vince Staples' Netflix series that offer fresh, authentic voices in the industry. Venture with us through a cinematic landscape as we critique the handling of racial tropes in the film industry, specifically focusing on "The American Society of Magical Negroes" and its early exit from theaters. Christian and I dissect the narrative's bait-and-switch tactics, the missed opportunities for incisive commentary, and how such creative choices impact the legacy of Black actors and stories in Hollywood. As we navigate these discussions, we also shine a light on the broader implications for Black representation in media, from the weight of authenticity in hip-hop to the overlooked talents in films like "Miss Juneteenth" during award seasons. Wrap up your listening experience with our heartfelt reflections on identity and authenticity in both politics and pop culture. From Sterling K. Brown's stellar performance to the evolving political consciousness post-Obama era, we leave no stone unturned. We round out our episode with recommendations that push the envelope of cultural understanding, including Dev Patel's 'Monkey Man' and the must-watch 'The Vince Staples Show.' So plug in your headphones and get ready for an enlightening journey through the highs and lows of entertainment, the power of storytelling, and the quest for true representation. (00:08) Entertainment News and New Projects (13:25) Magical Negro Film Review (18:54) American Society of Magical Negroes Critique (32:00) Interrogating the Magical Negro Trope (36:02) Critique of Movie Representation in Media (41:41) Media Portrayal of Black Experience (46:19) Exploring Black Representation in Film (57:23) Exploring Themes of Identity and Authenticity (01:08:24) Exploring Grief and Identity in Film (01:19:55) Character and Authenticity in Pop Culture (01:32:40) Discussion on Media and Representation (01:40:02) Recommendations for Movies and TV Shows Christian's Linktree https://linktr.ee/xiandivyne Christian's TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@xiandivyne Manika's Socials Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1CmokqeLIagz7nYQJfeRIw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdulcio98/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/manika3000 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manika3000?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1 Podcast Socials YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ivebeenmeaningtowatchthatp2316 Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeenMeaning2Pod Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ivebeenmeaning2pod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ive-Been-Meaning-To-Watch-That-113280083760521/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivebeenmeaning2/ Thank you so much for listening to the podcast. We really appreciate it. If you would like to support the podcast, you can subscribe for 4.99 a month. https://anchor.fm/ivebeenmeaningtowatchthat/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ivebeenmeaningtowatchthat/support