Bande de Filles (Girlhood)

Céline Sciamma’s Bande de Filles is a gripping, wrenching film that explores the life of a young French girl growing up in an abusive, broken home. Marieme (Karidja Touré) whose low grades could not get her into high school joined a girl squad—led by the fine-looking Lady (Assa Sylla). Marieme’s life changed in a significant, surprising way. It’s an oldie but goodie and now available on Netflix.

Chris Rock: Tamborine

Chris Rock is back. He is older, wiser, bitterer, funnier, and blacker. He started off his new Netflix’s special with police brutality, a bit on gun, and briefly on American politics. If Bush gave us Obama, Trump might give us Jesus. His harsher contents are on being a Black parent and getting a divorce. To prepare his kids for White America, everything that is white in his house has to be sharp, heavy, or hot. His advice on relationship is to have sex and to travel places. You need to be coming and going. To make marriage work, you need to keep on fucking. It’s been a long time since Rock did a special and he doesn’t disappoint.

Kavin Jay: Everybody Calm Down!

I am glad to see more Asian comedians on Netflix. Unfortunately, Malaysian Kavin Jay is another disappointment. His materials range from obesity to parents to porn, but his writing isn’t edgy nor twisted. As a result, it doesn’t leave any deep impact.

Tom Segura: Disgraceful

The title of Segura’s latest Netflix special should be a warning. From retarded to squinting to porn, his jokes are disgraceful yet brilliant. His dark comic isn’t for everyone, but if you are open to controversial topics, you’ll love it. Watch it now before Netflix removes it.

Harith Iskander: I Told You So

I was excited to see an Asian comedian on Netflix. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Malaysian Harith Iskander’s jokes, which range from girlfriend to parents, are shallow and mundane. I could only get through half the the special before giving up. Sorry Harith, I wish you told me so.

Katt Williams: Great America

Katt is still charismatic, energetic, and pornographic. Katt’s materials aren’t great, but he delivered. The Trump jokes, for instance, aren’t edgy, but still funny as fuck. He had some standout punchlines. On driverless car, he would just sit in the back and if the cop pulls him over the officer can talk to the driver. On technology, if you interact with Siri and Alexa, you have a threesome. On relationships, he offers three-word advice: “do more fucking.” If you can get past the vulgar and misogynistic language, Katt is highly entertaining.

Dave Chappelle: Equanimity

Dave Chappelle is too good at this shit. He knows it and proved it. Holding down the crowd in Washington D.C., Chappelle started with a pregnant Chinese woman, moved to transgender, transitioned to dusty white people, and then finished with the motherfucker that we all hate together. Yes, he is talking about the motherfucking president. His storytelling is so convincing that it gives me hope. History repeats itself, and he points out: “This motherfucker might be the lie that saves us all.” This is an optimism for 2018. Needless to say, every second of this special is worth watching.

Dave Chappelle: The Bird Revelation

Chappelle addresses sexual allegations straight on. He can tell how Robert Weinstein is a rapist based on Weinstein’s ugliness. In contrast, he defends Louis C.K. He also drops some fascinating knowledge on Black history and explains the dirty tricks that a pimp used to get the extra mileage out of his “bottom bitch.” There’s a line about the Asian’s eyes, but I am not offended. His recklessness yet fearlessness makes his comic compelling and engaging.

Craig Ferguson: Tickle Fight

In his latest Netflix special, Ferguson talks shit about the president. Trump means shit in Scottish, he muses. It’s not true until people tweet about it. In his 50s, he became a vegan because if he eats an egg he can’t trump for three days. His pussy lips and affection for Japanese toilet are hard to erase visually. He is charming nevertheless.

Spike Lee: She’s Gotta Have It

Lee’s new joint for Netflix makes a powerful statement on sex, feminism, politics, race, art, and black culture. Music plays a huge part on the success of the series. Every time a sample of a song is played, the screen would cut to the album cover of the song. The technique is simple yet simply brilliant.

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