Loading...

PODCAST

The Cinematic Soul

The Cinematic Soul is where Black films and storytelling meet deep conversations, humor, and a touch of nostalgia. I’m a passionate film lover from the South Side of Chicago! This podcast dives into the artistry, culture, and impact of Black cinema—from timeless classics to hidden gems. Each episode brings in-depth film breakdowns, behind-the-scenes insights, and real talk about how these movies reflect Black life, love, and legacy. The Cinematic Soul is a space to celebrate the beauty of our

tv & film film history

All Episodes

01:36:20

The Price of Protection | Revisiting The Bodyguard...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/07/07

What does it cost to protect someone the world believes belongs to everyone?For the Season 3 finale of The Cinematic Soul, I’m joined once again by Ang B. Freely to revisit The Bodyguard (1992), Whitney Houston’s unforgettable film debut alongside Kevin Costner! We explore how the film uses romance, suspense, and celebrity culture to ask bigger questions about love, vulnerability, sacrifice, and what happens when a person’s public image begins to consume their private identity.Along the way, we

en

01:28:47

Breaking the Cycle | Revisiting Is God Is (2026)

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/06/12

What happens when revenge becomes your identity? And what does healing look like when you’ve spent your entire life carrying someone else’s pain as well as your own?This week on The Cinematic Soul Podcast, I’m joined by Ang B Freely to unpack one of the most fascinating films I’ve watched in a long time: Is God Is!From the complicated relationship between Racine and Anaia to the film’s use of fire, faith, trauma, and retribution, we explore the layers beneath the story and why its message lingers

en

01:33:38

Freedom Had a Voice | Revisiting What’s Love Got to...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/06/05

The Cinematic Soul is where we revisit Black films, look at how they were made, talk about what they get right, and what they leave behind.This week, my friend Brittany joins me for a conversation about What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993), the film that brought Tina Turner’s story to the big screen and introduced a generation of viewers to one of the most powerful stories of survival ever put on film.We talk about the movie’s portrayal of abuse, resilience, and self-discovery, along with the ways

en

00:26:20

Do You Know Where You’re Going To? | Revisiting...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/05/18

This week on The Cinematic Soul, I revisit the 1975 cult classic Mahogany starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams. From the moment the opening runway sequence begins, Mahogany feels like a dream wrapped in glamour, ambition, loneliness, and desire. I talk about the haunting beauty of “Do You Know Where You’re Going To?”, the way Chicago is captured through a 1970s lens, Diana Ross’ unforgettable screen presence, and why her eyes carry so much of the emotional weight of the film even in its

en

01:20:02

The Wiz, Mentorship & the Stage That Changed...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/05/03

The Cinematic Soul is where we revisit Black films, look at how they were made, talk about what they get right, and what they leave behind.This week, I’m joined by Keith R. Myles Sr., a drama teacher and mentor whose journey into theater didn’t follow a straight line.We start with The Wiz, but the conversation naturally moves beyond the film. For Keith, that experience helped shape how he saw himself and what he believed was possible. It led him into teaching, into directing, and into spaces where

en

00:21:37

Why Do Fools Fall in Love Didn’t Tell Frankie Lymon’s...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/04/21

The Cinematic Soul is where we revisit Black films, look at how they were made, talk about what they get right, and what they leave behind.This week, we’re revisiting the 1998 film Why Do Fools Fall in Love and taking a closer look at how it tells the story of Frankie Lymon.On the surface, it’s a biopic. But once you sit with it, the focus shifts. The movie leans heavily into the courtroom battle between the three women in his life, which makes for an engaging watch—but also keeps Frankie at a

en

00:31:56

Why Get On Up Hits Different Now | Chadwick, James...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/03/30

In this episode, let’s sit down for a deep conversation about Get On Up and why Chadwick Boseman’s performance as James Brown still feels so powerful. I break down the film’s storytelling choices, cinematography, the way music drives emotion, and how Chadwick completely disappeared into the role.More than just a biopic, this film captures movement, pain, ambition, and legacy in a way that still hits hard today. I also talk about the emotional weight the film carries now, especially when looking back

en

00:29:46

The Cost of Genius | Ray and the Legacy of Ray...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/03/17

The Cinematic Soul is where we revisit Black films, unpack the culture behind them, and celebrate the stories that stay with us.Today we’re talking about genius. The kind that changes music forever but also comes with pain, pressure, and complicated truth.In this episode we revisit the 2004 film Ray and explore the life and legacy of Ray Charles. I take a deeper look at Jamie Foxx’s transformative performance, the film’s cinematography, and the way music becomes part of the storytelling instead of

en

00:21:50

The Sound That Changed American Music | Cadillac...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/03/09

The Cinematic Soul is where we talk about movies through the lens of Black culture, history, and the music that lives inside these stories.The sound that changed American music didn’t start with rock and roll. It started with the blues and the artists who recorded at Chess Records!In this episode we take a look at the story behind Cadillac Records and the musicians who helped shape modern music. From Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf to Chuck Berry and Etta James, these artists helped transform the

en

01:33:51

Dreamgirls (2006): Effie White, Beyoncé, and the...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/02/28

Dreamgirls (2006) remains one of the most influential modern Black musical films. In this episode of The Cinematic Soul, I sit down with Shani Showbiz to talk about the legacy of Dreamgirls, from Jennifer Hudson’s unforgettable performance as Effie White to Beyoncé’s portrayal of Deena Jones, and the complicated ways Black women have been seen and sometimes boxed in by the music industry and Hollywood.This episode also marks the first full video episode of The Cinematic Soul, bringing the

en

00:35:20

Crooklyn Raised: Why Spike Lee’s Most Personal Film...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/02/22

In this episode of The Cinematic Soul, I sit down with one of the most important films of my life, Spike Lee’s Crooklyn. A movie that raised me.I share what it was like growing up watching Crooklyn with my family and why it still feels like home every time I revisit it. We get into the brownstone in Bed Stuy, Arthur Jafa’s cinematography, the lens choices during the Virginia sequence, and why those visual shifts matter. I talk about Delroy Lindo as Woody and how that performance shaped the way I see

en

00:40:40

The Jacksons: An American Dream and the Making of a...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/02/16

In 1992, ABC aired a five hour event that felt bigger than television. The Jacksons: An American Dream is ICONIC! It was a Black family story told at a scale we did not see often back then. Gary, Indiana to global stages. Talent, tension, discipline, dreams. All of it.This episode of The Cinematic Soul revisits the mini series that shaped how many of us first understood the Jackson legacy. The brilliance. The pressure. The faith. The fear. The performances that still give chills. We talk about the

en

00:27:45

Remembering The Temptations Beyond the Hits

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/02/08

In this episode of The Cinematic Soul Podcast, we sit with The Temptations and talk through why it still resonates decades after its original airing.Rather than treating the miniseries as a history lesson, this conversation looks at how the story balances memory and dramatization, how perspective shapes who gets centered, and how the music carries emotional weight even when the facts get complicated. We talk about performances that linger, especially the quieter ones, and what the series reveals

en

00:31:27

The Five Heartbeats (1991): Brotherhood, Betrayal &...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2026/02/02

Season premiere baby! 🎙️This week I’m diving into The Five Heartbeats (1991) — the music, the brotherhood, the breakdown, and why Robert Townsend really gave us a Black cinema classic that STILL feels personal.If you know…you know.If you don’t…press play and meet the Heartbeats 👌🏾Chapters00:00 – Welcome Back (Season Premiere)02:05 – Why The Five Heartbeats Still Matters08:38 – Robert Townsend’s Vision & Grind14:01 – Character Chemistry & Performances17:55 – The Emotional Core (Brotherhood, Pain,

en

00:31:17

Two Can Play That Game (But Should We?)

The Cinematic Soul ·

2025/08/21

What happens when love turns into a chess match? Vivica, Morris, Gabrielle, and the messy brilliance of Two Can Play That Game.We got Shanté’s 10-day plan, the soundtrack that still hits, we’ll talk about the culture, the comedy, and if it really holds up in 2025!Timestamps:00:18 – Introduction08:28 – Character Analysis and Dynamics16:14 – The 10-Day Plan21:01 – Soundtrack and Musical Impact27:59 – Final Thoughts and RatingsYou can support the show on IG & Threads → @cinematicsoulpod@ebeknowing

en

00:41:26

How Stella Got Her Groove Back: Romance, Regret &...

The Cinematic Soul ·

2025/07/22

*Sorry for the delay! There was an issue uploading and I had to talk to Riverside support for two days 🥱*Angela Bassett. Taye Diggs. JAMAICA! This week on The Cinematic Soul, let’s get into the 1998 romantic dramedy How Stella Got Her Groove Back, the film that sparked tropical getaways, auntie fantasies, and more than a few side-eyes at Winston’s accent (respectfully 😂). Would you date someone 20 years younger? Let’s talk about it! [00:39] Intro: Welcome back [06:40] How Terry McMillan’s novel

en

00:51:41

Hip-Hop Soul Cinema: Brown Sugar & the Era of Black Love

The Cinematic Soul ·

2025/07/07

Let’s go on a soulful deep dive into Brown Sugar (2002), one of the most beloved Black romantic comedies of the early 2000s. This episode of The Cinematic Soul explores how the film blends hip-hop culture, Black love, and friendship into a timeless story.On this episode I get into the chemistry of Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs to Rick Famuyiwa’s direction and the iconic neo-soul/hip hop soundtrack featuring Erykah Badu, Common, and Mos Def, and unpack why Brown Sugar still resonates with fans of Black

en

00:53:25

Mackin’, Hangin’, and Growing Up: The Legacy of The Wood

The Cinematic Soul ·

2025/06/23

What does it mean to grow up Black, goofy, and just trying to see who can get the most numbers? This week, I revisit one of my all-time favorite films, The Wood, and the layers Rick Famuyiwa gave us in his 1999 ode to brotherhood and coming-of-age 🙌🏾. Let’s go to The Wood!TIMESTAMPS:00:20 – Introduction to The Cinematic Soul and The Wood03:16 – Cultural Reception & Impact07:47 – The Journey of Rick Famuyiwa13:38 – USC Film School Legacy & Black Cali Directors18:43 – The Bet: Dares and Dumb

en

00:56:54

On and On: The Makings of Claudine

The Cinematic Soul ·

2025/06/15

This week on The Cinematic Soul, I’m revisiting Claudine with all of my thoughts and reflections. From Diahann Carroll’s layered performance to James Earl Jones redefining what love looks like under pressure, this one’s personal. I talked about what this film taught me about my own mother, the broken systems our families navigate, and the Curtis Mayfield soundtrack that still speaks volumes. If Claudine meant something to you, or if you’re just discovering it, take a listen!Timestamps:00:00

en

01:26:15

The “Forever” Episode

The Cinematic Soul ·

2025/06/07

Mara Brock Akil dropped a gem with Forever! This coming-of-age love story that hits deep. From family scars to first love and flashing lights, it’s layered and loud in all the right ways. I couldn’t wait to talk about this in my own way! This one’s a smash. Let’s get into it.Follow the podcast on social media for updates and conversations:IG: @cinematicsoulpodThreads: @cinematicsoulpod and follow my personal page as well @ebeknowing!Timestamps:00:00 Welcome to Season Two02:22 Exploring 'Forever' by

en

36 results

Similar Podcasts

We"ll Bring The Popcorn

Josh Fields & Brad Covey

Entertain This!

Hayden, Mitch, and Tom

Pop Culture Happy Hour

NPR

Classic Conversations: Pop culture Interviews with Jeff Dwoskin

Jeff Dwoskin

Deck The Hallmark

Bramble Jam Podcast Network