Black on Black Cinema | Black Movie Reviews Podcast By TNP Studios cover art

Black on Black Cinema | Black Movie Reviews

Black on Black Cinema | Black Movie Reviews

By: TNP Studios
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Black on Black Cinema is a long-running podcast delivering in-depth reviews of Black films — from Oscar winners to hood classics, indie gems to blockbuster hits. Hosted by four Black men from Baltimore, we bring honest opinions, genuine disagreements, and conversations that matter to the Black community. We review: Spike Lee films, Jordan Peele films, Tyler Perry films, Black horror movies, Black indie films, Black action movies, Black comedies, classic Black cinema, new Black movie releases, Black TV shows and limited series, and everything in between. Featured on RogerEbert.com. Over 570 episodes and 13 years of Black film coverage. Topics include: Black film reviews, Black movie recommendations, Black cinema history, representation in Hollywood, Black horror, Black sci-fi, Blaxploitation classics, Black rom-coms, and cultural commentary from a Black perspective. New episodes weekly. Subscribe for your next movie night pick. 🎧 Also on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms.

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Episodes
  • Why is Raven Symone Running Away from the Blackness of Her Show

    Why is Raven Symone Running Away from the Blackness of Her Show
    Sep 3 2026
    Black on Black Cinema breaks down Raven-Symone's resurfaced comments questioning whether her own iconic character, Raven Baxter from That's So Raven, was actually Black. On her podcast Tea Time, Raven told Kalen Allen, "Take away the color, make them green, and hear the words. What color are they?," challenging the idea that the show's Blackness was inherent rather than just visual.

    The internet had immediate and strong reactions. Fans pointed to the show's entire episode about racial profiling, Tonya's locs, Victor's soul food references, Cory's Black history paper storyline, and Della Reese's jazz singer character as clear, undeniable markers of Black identity woven directly into the writing, not just the casting.

    We break down both sides of this: is Raven making a nuanced point about Blackness not being monolithic, or is she minimizing a show that meant something real to a generation of Black kids who rarely saw themselves centered on Disney Channel?

    The next film to be reviewed is Tyler Perry's upcoming third movie in the "Why Did I Get Married trilogy." We will be breaking our promise about no more Tyler Perry films to review "Why Did I Get Married Again?" which reunites most of the original cast for one last wild time.


    Black on Black Cinema is a long-running podcast featuring in-depth Black movie reviews and frank conversations that matter to the Black community. We review Black films across every genre — from Black horror and Black sci-fi to indie dramas, comedies, and blockbuster action. Covering filmmakers like Spike Lee, Jordan Peele, Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, and more. Hosted by Jay, Micah, Terrence, and T'ara. Featured on RogerEbert.com. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Look Forward (progressive politics), and Dense Pixels (video game news).
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    27 mins
  • Chameleon Street (1989): Ambitious, Flawed, Unforgettable

    Chameleon Street (1989): Ambitious, Flawed, Unforgettable
    Aug 28 2026
    Black on Black Cinema tackles Chameleon Street (1989), Wendell B. Harris Jr.'s astonishing writer-director-star debut based on the true story of Detroit con artist William Douglas Street Jr., who successfully impersonated reporters, lawyers, an Ivy League exchange student, and even a surgeon, performing over 30 real hysterectomies without any medical training. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 1990, beating out Reservoir Dogs, and then inexplicably went without distribution for over a year, effectively burying Harris's career before it started.

    The concept is genuinely brilliant, a razor-sharp satire about race, class, and identity performance in America, anchored by a magnetic, one-of-a-kind lead performance from Harris himself. But the execution is a different story. The film is tonally unpredictable, structurally chaotic, and at times narratively difficult to follow, swinging wildly between avant-garde experimentation and straightforward biopic beats without clear rhythm. We break down what makes Chameleon Street a genuine one-of-a-kind vision worth seeking out, where the filmmaking gets in its own way, and why this would be ripe for a modern remake with better structure and focus.


    Black on Black Cinema is a long-running podcast featuring in-depth Black movie reviews and frank conversations that matter to the Black community. We review Black films across every genre — from Black horror and Black sci-fi to indie dramas, comedies, and blockbuster action. Covering filmmakers like Spike Lee, Jordan Peele, Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, and more. Hosted by Jay, Micah, Terrence, and T'ara. Featured on RogerEbert.com. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Look Forward (progressive politics), and Dense Pixels (video game news).
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    1 hr and 37 mins
  • The NABJ Was Right to Drag Stephen A. Smith, Here's Why

    The NABJ Was Right to Drag Stephen A. Smith, Here's Why
    Aug 20 2026
    Black on Black Cinema breaks down the National Association of Black Journalists giving Stephen A. Smith its "Thumbs Down" award, reserved for commentary the organization considers especially insensitive, stereotypical, or at odds with NABJ's mission around fair representation of the Black community. NABJ's statement specifically cited Smith's recurring pattern of disparaging commentary toward prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media, saying it reinforces harmful narratives and undermines fair, respectful representation.

    We agree with NABJ here, and we break down exactly why. Smith has spent years building a media empire on saying whatever gets a reaction, and his commentary toward Black women specifically has followed a consistent, well documented pattern that deserves scrutiny; not just from critics online, but from an organization built to hold Black media figures accountable to Black communities. Smith's response was predictably combative, essentially promising retaliation on his platform. He even ran to Fox News' Sean Hannity to make his thoughts known. A curious platform if he is trying to reach Black people...hmmm. We discuss why that reaction proves NABJ's point more than it disproves it, what accountability from within the profession actually looks like, and why Smith's expanding political platform makes this moment even more significant.

    We also announce the next film to be reviewed which is the 1989 film "Chameleon Street" which follows a social chameleon who impersonates reporters, doctors and lawyers in order to make money. (Film is available to watch on Tubi for free).


    Black on Black Cinema is a long-running podcast featuring in-depth Black movie reviews and frank conversations that matter to the Black community. We review Black films across every genre — from Black horror and Black sci-fi to indie dramas, comedies, and blockbuster action. Covering filmmakers like Spike Lee, Jordan Peele, Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, and more. Hosted by Jay, Micah, Terrence, and T'ara. Featured on RogerEbert.com. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Look Forward (progressive politics), and Dense Pixels (video game news).
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    33 mins
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Featured Article: Get Reel—These Are the Best Film Podcasts to Listen to in 2022


We've compiled a list of the best movie podcasts for film buffs of all stripes. Some of these are in-depth review podcasts, where you can get insightful analysis of new releases and forgotten gems. Some are weekly news roundups, bringing you the latest headlines from the film and entertainment worlds. There are podcasts here for sci-fi and horror fans, queer film lovers, '90s movie aficionados, and anyone looking for a deep-dive into film history.

Featured Article Get Reel These Are the Best Film Podcasts to Listen to in 2022
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