Before Black Panther and Creed, Ryan Coogler made this short film at USC. This was the first collaboration between director Coogler and composer Ludwig Goransson. Both attended USC Film School at the same time. Continue reading
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Category: film
3/30/26 O&A NYC HOLLLYWOOD MONDAY: The Harlem Sandman (1943) From Hit Parade of 1943
The Harlem Sandman features Nick Stewart, Count Basie, Jack Williams, Dorothy Dandridge, Ernest Morrison and Pops & Louie from Hit Parade of 1943. Continue reading
3/30/26 O&A NYC THE MORNING FUNNIES: Sinners Parody w/ King Bach and Taye Diggs
King Bach released a parody of Ryan Coogler‘s film Sinners in May 2025. The sketch was written and directed by King Bach and features a guest appearance by Taye Diggs, who also served as an executive producer for the project.
3/30/26 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Whitney Houston – I Have Nothing (The Concert for a New South Africa Durban – LIVE)
In 1994, Whitney Houston took the stage in Durban, South Africa, making her the first major Western musician to visit the newly unified, post-apartheid nation following President Nelson Mandela’s winning election. This performance was more than a concert; it was a celebration of freedom, hope, and unity. Whitney’s powerhouse voice and emotional delivery brought joy and inspiration to a country newly liberated. Continue reading
3/23/26 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Lena Horne – The Lady Is A Tramp
Lena Horne performed by The Lady Is a Tramp from the musical Babes in Arms (1937). The musical features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart. Continue reading
3/19/26 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY – WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Ella Fitzgerald A-Tisket-A-Tasket
A-Tisket, A-Tasket is the 1938 breakout hit that catapulted Ella Fitzgerald to national stardom. Co-written by Fitzgerald and arranger Al Feldman (Van Alexander), the song is a playful jazz adaptation of a 19th-century children’s nursery rhyme. Ella famously performed the song in her 1942 film debut, Ride ‘Em Cowboy. Continue reading
3/18/26 O&A NYC THE ARTS WITH ALEX SMITH JR.: About the Oscars
By Alex Smith, Jr.
Sunday night was the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ (AMPAS) 98th Oscar Awards at the Dolby Theatre, in Los Angeles, CA. I have watched the Oscars for decades now. I have found some Oscar programs better than others. I can’t remember any of them being spectacular except maybe the year The Godfather I won best picture-1973. Continue reading
3/4/26 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Cotton Comes To Harlem- Iris, Officer Jerema and the Paper Bag
Cotton Comes to Harlem was the beginning of short period in American film that featured black actors in leading roles and the themes dealt with issues from the African-American microcosm. With a screenplay by Arnold Perl and Ossie Davis, and directed by Davis this action drama represents the black perspective. Much of the film’s humor is urban black comedy, which was groundbreaking in 1970.
2/28/26 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Wattstax Concert (1972)
Wattstax was a benefit concert organized by Stax Records to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the 1965 riots in the African American community of Watts, Los Angeles. The concert took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 20, 1972. The concert’s performers included all of the Stax’s prominent artists at the time. The genres of the songs performed included soul, gospel, R&B, blues, funk and jazz. The film stars Isaac Hayes, The Staples Singers, Luther Ingram, Johnnie Taylor, The Emotions, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Albert King and others special guest star Richard Pryor. Continue reading
2/14/26 O&A NYC ITS SATURDAY ANYTHING GOES: Lady Sings the Blues
Lady Sings the Blues is a biographical musical drama starring Diana Ross in her Academy Award-nominated film debut as the legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday. Continue reading
