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‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Review

by Dwight Brown film critic for DwightBrownInk.com and NNPA News Wire (***1/2) Buckle up, Spider-Man fans. What feels like a barrage of one billion cartoon images is coming your way. Digital effects so massive and rapid-fire, your eyeballs will scream for mercy. The Oscar®-winning 2018 Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse is a distant 2018 memory. Back […]
The post ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Review first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

June 2, 2023

Chicago Defender Staff

by Dwight Brown film critic for DwightBrownInk.com and NNPA News Wire

(***1/2)

Buckle up, Spider-Man fans. What feels like a barrage of one billion cartoon images is coming your way. Digital effects so massive and rapid-fire, your eyeballs will scream for mercy.

The Oscar®-winning 2018 Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse is a distant 2018 memory. Back then bug-bit, highschooler Miles-Morales (Shameik Moore) lived with his Puerto Rican mom Rio (Luna Lauren Velez) and African American, police officer dad Jefferson Davis (Bryan Tyree Henry) in Brooklyn.

He’d been mentored by OG Spider-Man Peter J. Parker (Jake Johnson) and befriended and smitten by Gwen Stacey (Hailee Steinfeld)—aka Spider-Woman. Miles and other folks banded together to fight what was evil. It was a challenging feat made easy to discern by Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman’s screenplay and expertly directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman.

That filmmaking team has turned over the reins to directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson. Phil Lord’s co-writing team now includes Christopher Miller and Dave Callaham. The difference is night and day. The ultra-contemporary dialogue sounds like kids on the street expounding on life, parents who don’t understand them and the ambivalent feelings they have for others. Multiple extraneous characters are piled on to the point of oversaturation, but are easy to tell apart, nonetheless. The plotline splinters in a various directions. Some fascinating. Some not. Still, what’s on view is astounding to see 99% of the time.

The Spot (Jason Schwartzman) is a villain who blames Miles for his deformed existence. The white ghost of a figure, with black spots on his body, seethes: “I’m going to take everything from you like you took everything from me!” Spider-Man’s clear assignment is to stop him. The waters ahead are muddied by a band of Spider-People from the Spider-Society. They’re led by Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), who wants to implement a different approach to saving the Multiverse. They clash. They clash big time. And nothing will thwart a mission like a bunch of narcissistic super-heroes disagreeing. Miles: “Everyone keeps telling me how my story is supposed to go. Nah. Imma do my own thing!”

The visuals kick ass. Quick, kinetic illustrations thrown at the screen like a series of colorful, pop art paintings. Special attention to shapes, shades, textures, layers and angles. An uncanny mixture of old-school drawings and futuristic animation. The action sequences thrill, too. Folks dangling from webs, gliding through the air. Fist fights, annihilations. More people, more superheroes. Jumbo-size, comic book words plastered on the footage. It’s a lot to absorb. Stunning to look at in the most ingenious ways. An assault on the senses. A good one. Makes you want to ask the film’s creators how many psychedelics or magic mushrooms they took before they dreamed up this fable. And if drugs weren’t involved, they all need psychiatric help!

Minus a few expository moments, it’s like an eclectic, staccato MTV video is blasted at you for 2h 20m (editor Mike Andrews). Or, like you just took a punch and are still seeing stars. The colors (art directors Dean Gordon and Araiz Khalid), costumes (Brooklyn El-Omar) and sets (Patrick O’Keefe) are stunning. The non-stop visual, digital, audio and animated effects are completely arresting. When Daniel Pemberton’s blaring musical score (driving bass and soaring strings) isn’t revving up emotions and energy, the most upbeat, neo-soul, funk, rock playlist is streamed, like it was culled from Spotify’s top ten: “Sunflower,” by Post Malone; “This is My Time,” by Lecrae; Familia,” by Nicki Minaj.

When the script isn’t selling bombastic, self-indulgent, big-picture visuals, it finds time to explore deep-seeded feelings. Heartfelt emotions between a teen boy and his worried parents. Between an angst-riddled adolescent girl and her struggling-to-understand single father (Shea Whigham). These moments are precious. Calming oases amid a stormy onslaught that’s as invigorating as it is exhausting. For the first 40 minutes of setup, the hurricane of hallucinations and fantasies are entertaining. But as the film rattles on, the younger moviegoers may stay more attentive than adults, who may become weary.

The entire cast conveys more drama with voices, tones and inflection than in-the-flesh actors could ever do in a live-action treatment. The new additions of Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Karan Soni, Jorma Taccone and Amanda Stenberg bring more life to the party.

It might be hyperbole to say that this state-of-the art animation is about as genius as it gets for the genre. But for kids, teens and twentysomethings, raised on MTV, comic books and TikTok, that isn’t an overstatement. It’s their truth. This is their holy grail. Their generation’s take on what a superhero parable should be. Zillions of images hurled at their eyeballs until they’re dizzy and in ecstasy.

In theaters June 2^nd.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shW9i6k8cB0
Visit NNPA News Wire Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com.

The post ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Review appeared first on Chicago Defender.

The post ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Review first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win

Master the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework with Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt. Learn every stage, tactic, and win!
The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
What You Learn in This Episode:
The three foundations that make every negotiation tactic work
The complete seven-stage car-buying negotiation sequence
Exact language for every stage of the dealership conversation
Five common dealership tactics — the turnover, the four-square, the packed payment, spot delivery, and forced add-ons — and how to counter each one
Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
___________________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
____________________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts

Stay toasty in the CX-90! Plush Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, and a memory-equipped heated steering wheel deliver ultimate luxury.
The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Mazda CX-90 interior with heated seats offering premium comfort.

Experience ultimate comfort in the CX-90. Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, 8-way power adjustments, and memory settings for both front passengers. The heated steering wheel with memory tilt/telescope adds premium convenience.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY