It's the second half of Mermay and we're back with a different spin on the human and fish as lovers trope with The Shape of Water (2017) directed by Guillermo del Toro and starring Sally Hawkins, Doug Jones, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer.

In this episode, we discuss del Toro's love of Universal Monsters and his religious inspiration, and finding love and community as an outsider. 

Our recommendation: Amélie (2001), Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)

Watch del Toro's interview on Popcorn with Peter Travers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otts5vS_f8o

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Episode 98: The Shape of Water (2017)

We dug deep into the BGFC Archives and unearthed something we've been teasing since our very first official release: our pilot episode, recorded in the ancient time of AD 2017. Braindead/Dead Alive (1992) is Peter Jackson's 3rd directorial feature and stars Timothy Balme and Diana Peñalver as two lovers determined to stay alive after the undead take over their New Zealand neighborhood.

Out of all the movies we've watched together, this movie is probably the slimiest and, 6 years ago, we wondered if Peter would ever get back to this kind of filmmaking (seems unlikely)? We also wondered who would get the ax in the then-burgeoning Me Too Movement, and would there continue to be more additions to the Lord of the Rings franchise (unfortunately, there is no end in sight)?

Since this is our pilot episode, you get to hear all the mistakes and giggles of two girls just finding their podcast wings. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and listened to us grow over these last few years 💖

Our recommendations: Heavenly Creatures (1994), The Frighteners (1996)

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The Lost Episode: Braindead/Dead Alive (1992)

We kick off #noirvember by traveling back to our childhoods with Belly (1998), a hip hop classic directed by industry legend Hype Williams and starring DMX, Nas, T-Boz, Taral Hicks, and Method Man.

In this episode, we give Hype his well-deserved flowers, discuss if this movie really depicts Black people in a stereotypical light, and reflect on just how influential this movie has been over the last 25 years.

This week's recommendations: Paid In Full (2002) and State Property (2002).

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Episode 101: Belly (1998)

We're wrapping up Noirvember with Deep Cover (1992) directed by Bill Duke and starring Laurence Fishburne, Jeff Goldblum, Charles Martin Smith, and Victoria Dillard.

In this episode, we discuss modern day copaganda, Laurence's lack of film acting nominations, early 90s racism and more. 

This week recommendations: The Fast and the Furious (2001), Under the Silver Lake (2017), The Mighty Quinn (1989), The Departed (2006) and/or Infernal Affairs (2002), The Godfather (1972)

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Episode 102: Deep Cover (1992)

For our final Rough Cut of 2023, we watched May December (2023), directed by Todd Haynes and starring Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton. 

In this episode, we discuss actors making the leap from tv to film, power dynamics in relationships and the audience perception of these relationships, and the real-life case that inspired the movie. May December is streaming now on Netflix.

This week's recommendations: Safe (1995), Persona (1966), 3 Women (1977)

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Rough Cut 20: May December (2023)

Happy Black History Month and happy 6 years of Black Girl Film Club! ✊🏾🎞️✊🏾

We’re taking the train to Brooklyn with a discussion on Just Another Girl on the IRT (1992), directed by Leslie Harris and starring Ariyan A. Johnson, Ebony Jericho, and Kevin Thigpen. 

In this episode, we have a very important question: where are all the Black girl coming of age stories? We also explore the challenges of being a young woman in early 90s New York, impending motherhood, and what not to do when your dream gets deferred.

Our recommendations this week: A Thousand and One (2023) and Riding in Cars with Boys (2001)

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Episode 103: Just Another Girl on the IRT (1992)

This week, we close out Black History Month with the 2024 BAFTA winning Earth Mama (2023), directed by Savanah Leaf and starring Tia Nomore, Erika Alexander, and Doechii.

In this episode, we continue our discussion on Black womanhood, this time with an expanded conversation on adoption, the struggles of being a young mother looking for a support system, and what the life would be like if America actually supported reproductive rights.

Our recommendations: The Florida Project (2017), Juno (2007) + stick around til the end of the episode for some BHM faves by Britney

Watch The Heart Still Hums (2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8jFwsqu3sk&t=845s&pp=ygUUdGhlIGhlYXJ0IHN0aWxsIGh1bXM%3D

Read "Born From My Memories: A Note From Savanah Leaf": https://a24films.com/notes/2023/07/a-note-from-savanah-leaf

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Episode 104: Earth Mama (2023)

On this special edition of the Rough Cut, we're back to talk about this year's Oscars! In this very loose episode, we list a few of our predictions, chat about the Razzie's, a dissect the online uproar over the Barbie nominations. 

No recommendations this week! Slide us your recommendations or tell us your your nomination predictions at our email:
💌 blackgirlfilmclub (at) gmail (dot) com

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Rough Cut 21: Oscars 2024

On this episode of Black Girl Film Club, we welcome blogger and fellow podcaster Lauren from Fashion Grunge! We get lost in L.A. and dodge Valley Girls, the Atari Gang, and some creepy alien while chatting about 90s culture, movies, and fashion in Gregg Araki's Nowhere (1997), starring James Duval and Rachel True.

Our recommendations: The Doom Generation (1995), KIDS (1995), The Virgin Suicides (1999)

Lauren runs the blog Fashion Grunge and reviews (mostly 90s) movies on Fashion Grunge Pod. Follow her and subscribe to her Patreon: https://linktr.ee/fashiongrunge

Support us with a Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/blackgirlfilmclub

Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/blkgirlfilmclub. Check us out on Instagram www.instagram.com/blackgirlfilmclub. Visit us at www.blackgirlfilmclub.com.

In the Studio With: Nowhere (1997) feat. Lauren @ Fashion Grunge

We've been sucked into a tv time warp, speeding back in time 1990s but also the 1970s with The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)! 

In this episode, we reminiscence about classic sitcoms, and the blissful oblivion of one of tv's most iconic families.

Our recommendations this week: The Beverly Hillbillies (1993), The Addams Family Values (1993)

Support the show with a Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/blackgirlfilmclub

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Episode 105: The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)

Throuples everywhere: rejoice! We had some thoughts and feelings on Challengers (2024), Zendaya the Brand™, racism in tennis, and what makes the perfect love triangle. Spoilers everywhere!!

Our recommendations: Y tu mamá también (2001), Three Ways (2022), 7 Days in Hell (2015)

Support the show with a Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/blackgirlfilmclub

Check out the rest of our socials at linktr.ee/blackgirlfilmclub

Rough Cut 22: Challengers (2024)

Black Girl Film Club is a podcast aimed at creating a space for black girls to watch and discuss movies. Join hosts Britney and Ashley as they analyze movies and the film industry from their unique, and often underrepresented, point of view.

New episodes twice a month!

Episode 98: The Shape of Water (2017)

Black Girl Film Club

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