Kinda Movie Critics Podcast · On-Ear Network

Ep. 96 - I'm a Virgo

July 24, 2023·1 hr 16 min·5 clips

Studios want to scan background actors and use their likeness in perpetuity, even after death.

This episode of the Kinda Movie Critics Podcast features hosts Martin and Mel discussing the Boots Riley series *I'm a Virgo*. They frame the conversation around Riley's past criticism of superheroes as fascists and his unique artistic voice. The hosts detail the show's premise, following Cootie, a 13-foot-tall Black man in Oakland played by Jharrel Jerome. They note the supporting cast includes Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, Brett Gray, and Olivia Washington, with Walton Goggins as the superhero antagonist. Martin and Mel explain the series explores Cootie's coming-of-age, his idolization of a vigilante hero, and the practicalities of his daily life. They connect the giant metaphor to the real-world perception of Black boys as older and more threatening than they are. A significant portion discusses a lengthy and intentionally uncomfortable sex scene between Cootie and his speedster girlfriend, Flora. The hosts describe the scene's graphic nature, including wet mouth noises, and interpret it as a punishment for audience curiosity. They find humor in Jerome's awkward performance during Cootie's attempts to woo Flora, like when he pays for a burger in pennies. The conversation also covers Boots Riley's filmmaking style, which they label as making "art films for hood niggas" with straightforward, unpretentious messaging. The tone is casual and conversational, filled with personal anecdotes and digressions, including their astrological signs and viewing habits. Listeners who enjoy analytical, spoiler-filled discussions of surreal social satires from a Black perspective would appreciate this episode. Those seeking a focused, formal critique or who are sensitive to graphic sexual content might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A loose, talky take on I'm a Virgo that widens into strike talk and Black representation.

Kind of Movie Critics uses I'm a Virgo to open up a wider talk about Black creatives, audience expectations, and the way some work gets treated as if it should be easy to label.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a candid take on Boots Riley, Moonlight, and the very specific charm of I'm a Virgo.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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