It shouldn’t be a wake-up call

Last week, a man I saw in person merely days prior was gunned down in front of his husband. Jonathan Joss, a respected Indigenous actor and proud gay man lost his life because people have been given the green light to hate others into non-existence. The anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and vitriol from both Republicans and Democrats has sprouted violent attacks across the country. Despite what the police say, the act of shooting an unarmed person is rooted in hate.

This Pride month, don’t let Joss’s death be a wake-up call. We should have already been woke. The writing isn’t just on the wall; it’s a living and breathing organism suffocating the most vulnerable communities to death. And we will not stand for it. From the river to the sea, ALL of us will be free.

Press Play: State of Play 2025

I tend to consider myself a gamer. I don’t own fancy headsets or understand the many acronyms, but I remember reading Electric Gaming Monthly and purchasing the first Official Xbox Magazine. I purchased both a PlayStation 4 and 5 — my first ever — to play Marvel’s Spider-Man and its sequel. And I’m impatiently waiting for the next Injustice game. However, lately, I’ve felt like an outsider looking in.

None of the games appealed to me. They all felt like copycats of the same damn game: either a tedious horror/survival or a multiplayer hell I didn’t want to deal with. Fortunately, the gamer gods heard my cry for some third-person, single-player titles and other games reminiscent of my childhood. Peep the trailers below.

Get over here!

My all-time favorite game is releasing a mega kollection to commemorate the iconic franchise. While my feelings about Mortal Kombat 1 were a bit lukewarm, I am anticipating the next entry and the film’s sequel.

Double-0 Double-0

When I think of James Bond, my mind goes back to overnights with my childhood friend. He not only introduced me to the films but also the classic GoldenEye 64. The game single-handedly revolutionized the first-person shooter genre. I can’t wait to get my hands on this edition.

Gonna take ya for a ride?

This is not your daddy’s Marvel vs. Capcom. The latest fighter featuring comic characters not titled Marvel Rivals was previewed last week, featuring 4v4 battles. Tõkon: Fighting Sould appears to be a Japanese import featuring some of Marvel’s greatest heroes and foes in stylish, anime styling.

ICYMI: HBO Max’s On the Record

Since Def Jam’s elusive CEO decided to open his mouth this week, I’d recommended streaming the material that has him living an alleged harmonious life in Bali (which has no extradition laws with the U.S.). On the Record is a harrowing account of the alleged sexual harassment, assault, and rape that several women accused Russell Simmons of inflicting on them throughout his tenure of running that label. If we learned anything from Surviving R. Kelly it is to believe Black women victims when they come forward. The sweeping #MeToo movement had a moment in film but the reckoning has yet to purge a rancid culture from the music industry, specifically hip-hop. (We are currently witnessing the fall of another titan play out in court).

SINNERS is available on digital

Ryan Coogler’s magnificent film is now available to purchase or rent on several services. I bought my copy via Apple TV, which came with a heft of deleted scenes. And I’ll buy the Blu-Ray when it arrives on shelves sometime in July. If you haven’t seen it, avoid the deleted scene below and hand over your coins to a nearby service to experience the movie of the year.

Coming Attractions

Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth

The prequel series released a new trailer months ahead of its August debut. The single film franchise that’s haunted my REM sleep for decades received a boost after the success of Alien: Romulus. Now, from the mind of Fargo and Legion scribe, Noah Hawley, the Ridley Scott sci-fi narrative enters a new chapter on Earth. When an unmanned spacecraft crashes on the planet, a group of synthetic humans are recruited to explore and obtain its contents. Unfortunately for them, the what doesn’t want to be tamed.