epi 005 | part 1 — "backrooms"

The 2000s changed the landscape of Black cinema.This was the era of DVD collections, BET countdowns, 106 & Park, mall movie theaters and blockbuster soundtracks. Black films reached audiences on a massive scale, spanning teen comedies, sports dramas, romances, hood classics, biopics, family films and studio comedies.In Part One of Episode 5, we explore how the 2000s became one of the most commercially successful decades in Black film while asking an important question: When does representation become formula? From Drumline and Love & Basketball to ATL, Ray, Dreamgirls, Coach Carter and Baby Boy, we examine the films that defined a generation and the cultural conversations they continue to spark.Because there was so much to unpack, Episode 5 has been split into multiple parts. The next parts continues the conversation with hood classics, Tyler Perry, Black romance, dance films, comedy and the evolving business of Black cinema.You can now watch full video episodes on the Apple Podcasts app and on YouTube.Films & TopicsDrumlineLove & BasketballRoll BounceFat AlbertATLCoach CarterLove Don't Cost a ThingRayDreamgirlsAliNotoriousCadillac RecordsBaby BoyShottasFollow Cool Theory for more conversations exploring Black film, television, music and visual culture.Instagram: @cool.theory