Four Layered Takes

In today's show, we review episode 4 of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" on Disney+ before tomorrow's — possibly emotional — new episode drop. (Scene-by-scene breakdown starts at 21:00) An episode must be good if it has us beginning the discussion for 20 minutes on the themes included and how they parallel current events. Our takes... Palestine/Israel conflict, Native American and African American experiences mirror the Flag Smashers; MiMi would take the serum and go straight to Mar-a-Lago; new Captain America thinks he has jurisdiction all over the world… sounds familiar; Ayo put in that Contra code on Bucky’s arm; the Dora Milaje is how incels are made; the hillman college approach to voter suppression; is the new Captain America as bad as Homelander? Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's show, we review episode 3 of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" on Disney+ before tomorrow's new episode drop. Our takes... we didn’t sign up for "Disney John Wick"; only thing MiMi understood was Krog Street Tunnel; Maya Rudolph Jr. is gangsta; MiMi only understands the episode in terms of Beyonce beefs; Marcus gives breakdown on Zemo and other characters that may be confusing.  We also wonder where "Black Panther" goes from here without Chadwick and we couldn't leave without giving our thoughts on one Ron "Zaddy" Isley. Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's show, we review episode 2 of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" on Disney+ before tomorrow's new episode drop. We begin today's podcast briefly speaking on anxiety and quickly touching on the new Tina Turner documentary, which is AMAZING, before we get into the Marvel review. Our takes... Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan have great chemistry; everyone can’t be a majorette; Mel has a weird affection for inanimate Marvel objects; “Maya Rudolph’s” daughter was wrecking dreams; plot twist, it's was the white man who had all the warrants; no one has had a lit onscreen death since Queen Latifah in “Set it Off”. Plus, here's the link for the backstory on Isaiah Bradley — the forgotten Black Captain America.  https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/2577/truth_red_white_and_black_2003 Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's episode, we review episode 1 of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" on Disney+ in preparation of the episode 2 drop tomorrow. Our takes... Marvel starting off hot again with the "subliminals" of what/who being “American” is; loved the action and Falcon's new suit; Falcon is just as naive as Obama; the new Captain America will be the Rick James of “line steppers." Also Marcus and crew give their brief thoughts on the whole Derrick Jaxn situation (girl blink twice if you're ok). Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's episode, we review "Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell" on Netflix. Our takes... it was a good depiction of his life, connected on personal level with new footage; Biggie inspired the style of so many to follow; Mel delivers the most random top 5 rappers list ever; Drake is the LL Cool J of this generation; we give Kendrick Lamar and Lauryn Hill their "flowers"; Kim has some controversial takes on Biggie’s place in history; plus who some of our listeners thought belonged in "the greatest" category. Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In another double-review episode we first take a look at Oprah's interview with Meghan and Harry, then finish with (the polarizing) "Coming 2 America" at around the 39:30 minute mark. On the "real royals"... it's always been the racism and colonialism for us sis; Marcus criticizes Harry; we wonder if Meghan should've known what she was getting into; also, look out for the new film "Madea goes to Buckingham Palace!" On the "movie royals", "Coming 2 America" (39:30)... this movie hits different when you watch it with the elderly; should've been called "Coming to and from America real quickly"; Chris Tucker should actually check if Lavelle is his son; the problem around Lavelle's conception and the continued use of African stereotypes and tropes.  Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's special and extended episode — because we couldn't decide what to review —we talk "I Care A Lot" first and "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" at around the 31:40 minute mark. Our takes on "I Care"... it's good old #ffffff shenanigans; probably could've ended after the first hour; perfectly captures America & its capitalistic tendencies. Our takes on "Billie" (31:40)... LOTS of trauma; MiMi keeps "fawning over" Trevante Rhodes; Evan Ross always plays annoying characters; 'Jerk Billie Holiday' isn't a menu item; Billie and her boos gave us the TI/Tiny prototype. Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's episode, we review the special "Euphoria" episodes for Rue and Jules. Our takes... great, well-executed and emotional episodes; you can't BS a bullsh*tter; Rue has self-sabotaging behavior; we talk personal experiences with the addicts in our own lives; we question what "femininity" really means; Marcus has thoughts on Lil Boosie; this generation's stress levels are super high; and iHop always trying to do too much.. Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's episode, we review the highly anticipated, "Judas and the Black Messiah." We have a special guest, Octavia, who gives us a lot of the tea as a native Chicagoan and cousin to Fred Hampton. Our takes... AMAZING performances by the leads and costars; there were several missed opportunities to get into the real stories; the ages of those cast ended up being a major loss to the storytelling; it probably could've been more successful at getting the full story and impact out as a mini-series. Octavia offers some amazing insight into the Chicago gang world at the time which played a role in Hampton's work. She also discusses her family's involvement in events surrounding Fred's work at the time, including a "close-call that never was" leading up to the raid that ultimately ended Hampton's life.   Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's episode, we review the most traumatic-azz "stage play" ever. Our takes... a good nap would've probably solved a lot of this; you need a dictionary to watch M&M; Zendaya’s acting is so good it inspires you to smoke cigarettes; best thing about the movie was the soundtrack; Malcolm was naming names like DMX; Rue should’ve just stayed with Jules; KeKe thinks it would’ve been better as a silent film; Sam Levinson suffers from Tyler Perry syndrome; we also begin to question if it’s just John David Washington. Plus, we almost spoil "Bridgerton" but not quite. Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's episode, we review the amazing "One Night in Miami." We start off welcoming each other after our holiday break and all that transpired in the in-between. Our takes — this is possibly the best Malcolm X portrayal; Malcolm X is the "Tommy" of the show "Martin"; the music of this current time in the struggle is largely missing; there were others who would've been dope to have been present in the room.Also, "We tried to tell y'all — an old Negro fable" should've been the title of the year 2020  Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's holiday (early drop) episode, we run down a quick list of our holiday favorites. Some were a bit…questionable lol. We get nostalgic on childhood Christmas movies; nothing says Christmas like Chet Hanks and Katt Williams. Plus we touch on Netflix's “Jingle Jangle” (no real spoilers). Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In today's final take on the great show that was Lovecraft Country, we enlist the thoughts of several of our friends and most dedicated listeners in our first ever call-in episode.Thoughts and opinions were diverse; from some surprise "favorite characters" discussed, to where LCC ranks among other acclaimed TV shows.Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In this week’s follow-up on episode 10 (we're also doing a review of the entire season next week), we do our deep-dive of the season finale. Our takes... we look at themes of feminism; we admit that "Will-Stina" got that drip; Pineapple is not everyone's safe word; Dee is destined to eventually send Hippylota to Shady Pines Nursing Home; we look at ideas for a possible season 2.  Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

After some initial audio issues in last week's initial upload (sorry about that), we're back for our rapid reactions to Lovecraft Country's finale before our "deep-dive" podcast later in the week! Our quick takes... Mel doesn’t know what night it is and needs Ginkgo Biloba; we're buying stock in Morton Iodized Salt; Titus (in limited minutes) put up "white supremacist MVP numbers". Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In this week’s follow-up on episode 9, we do our deep-dive. Our takes... we warmed up a little more on the second watch; Hippolyta gon’ Hippolyta; Mimi has a question about the necessity of the trip to Tulsa; Mel caught an error in editing and also coins a new name for Christina/William; she also goes in-depth about the names Montrose recalls; lastly...we are our ancestors Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

Our rapid reactions to Lovecraft Country ​E​p. ​9​ before our "​D​eep-​D​ive" podcast later in the week! ​Short summary, our enthusiasm was a bit hampered by a recent watch of a different series also featuring Tulsa; F' them kids, y'all better run for your lives; The Montrose storyline has run its course. Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In this week’s follow-up on episode 8, we do our deep-dive. Our takes on what was actually a very heavy episode... we wonder if oppressed communities get the individual freedom to self-preserve; we give a little bit of history to "Uncle Tom's Cabin"; Ji-ha takes "captain save a ho" at its literal meaning; we shout out the underrated Black horror film, "Tales from the Hood". Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

Here are our rapid reactions to Lovecraft Country ep. 8 before our "deep-dive" podcast later in the week! Ji-ha is "Lovecraft Country's" 'Condola ("Insecure"); Mel's happy ending gives her memory lapse; Mel also doesn't know what "meta" means, but she's sure this is it; shout out to actress Jada Harris, aka "Dee" for a brilliant performance.  Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.

In this week’s second episode, we do our deep dive into episode 7, "I Am." Our takes... we’re still 'flabbergasted' by this episode; Marcus gives ode to the women in his life; Montrose could’ve gotten that Al Green special; Mel is scarred by old black men who count fast; a word on women, self-discovery, and motherhood. Please visit us at @4layeredtakes and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on iTunes, Google Play and now Spotify.