 Hi, my name is Akilah and I'm here with I'm Avery, I'm Andrew, and we are the A-team. Today, the A-team is going to be taking on media literacy. We're going to be talking about remakes and sequels and how we're feeling about them. Let's get started. So, you go kick us off. Okay. With the first question, we want to answer this question and see which films do we want to binge to get ourselves ready for new and up-and-coming remakes. I guess you can go first, Avery, if you want to. This one's not necessarily a remake, but recently for, what was it, Halloween ends. I watched the original one, Halloween 2018, and then Halloween kills all back-to-back, like right before going to the theaters, at the point where I was on a time crunch and I had it blaring while I was showering and playing in the car on the way of theater. I was not driving to clarify. Safety first. Yes. That's one that comes to mind recently, definitely making a tradition of watching all the screen movies back-to-back in preparation for the new sequel, but as we keep adding up, it becomes more and more of a task. Now it's like six movies back-to-back. More dedication. That is a lot of dedication. Yeah, that's what I can think of recently for me. How about? Yeah, I would say I definitely want to re-watch the original Beetlejuice because I feel like now that they're trying to remake or do a sequel to the movie, I feel like I need to refresh myself. That's really cool. I think I'm definitely going to re-watch the Barbie movie, the OG Barbie movie with Tyra Banks before I go see Barbie on Friday. I didn't know that there was an original Barbie movie. Yeah, the OG Barbie, yes. Well, it's called Life-Sized, but it's with Tyra Banks and I think, don't quote me, Lindsay Lohan, and Tyra Banks is a Barbie that comes to life. It's a great movie, great film. So I'm going to watch that before I go and watch the Barbie, Barbie Hammer. I'm seeing it Monday, so definitely let me know your thoughts next week. Yes, of course. We can do a little chat. Yeah, I'm not going to watch it, so I just want to live vicariously through y'all. That's fair. Okay. You're seeing Open Hammer? No, no. I'm not watching any of that. I'm seeing both packed back. I mean, yeah, you're a true Barbie Hammer then. Yeah. Yes, yeah. So the second question is, what is the second question? Do you have any brand loyalties when it comes to movies? Brand loyalties. So here's my thing. I love movies, but I don't know anything which might be problematic about the actual studios that produce them. So I can name three movies, and I wouldn't know if Paramount, Disney, I can name a Disney movie, or whoever else made them. So I don't think I have a brand loyalty to any production studio necessarily, but I do love Disney. Like, I mean, how can you not like Disney? I feel like they kind of have like a little conglomerate in our brains or something because I don't think you can kind of experience this life without at least a knowing of or a reference to some Disney movie. Some property you can't avoid. Yeah, you can't avoid it. So, like a true, I don't think I can show that, Apple Girlie brand stuff. But like a true Apple Girlie, I'm also a Disney girlie. Walt Disney would be proud. Yes. And Walt Disney we trust. What about you guys? My only brand loyalty, I guess, coming up, I watched a lot of Cartoon Network. I love Cartoon Network. So, yeah. And my family is like a Disney family. Like, my older sister worked at Disney. So, yeah, we consumed a lot of Disney content. Not by choice, but, you know, you just got to do what the family does. So, yeah. But Cartoon Network is my, like, one and only love. Yeah. Favorite show from Cartoon Network? Texas Laboratory. The Solid Choice, yes. Oh, yeah. For me, I don't have, like, brands in, like, specific... Watch me a little bit. When I say, like, Paramount, would that be a studio? Yeah, production studio. I don't have, like, a favorite studio or... Okay, that's kind of a lie. We'll get back to that. I don't necessarily have a favorite studio. I have some directors that I'll, like, follow their projects and definitely excited for, for example, Robert Eggers, the guy who made The Witch, The Lighthouse, and most recently, The Northman. Yeah, that looked intense. I wanted to watch The Northman. Maybe I will now. I would highly recommend it. There are, like, certain horror IPs. The one studio that pretty much any movie with their, like, brands slapped onto it, I'll be intrigued by is A24, absolutely. Like, very solid movies. But, yeah. You're a hard guy, huh? You don't see these shades. He'll look like he hard-bodied. V-Bruh, yeah. The shades just give me, like, ray vibes. Like... Hello? Excuse me? Ray? Ray Charles. I know who you're talking about. I just wanted to know who you are. You know who you're talking about. That is so insane. That man is blind. Please. It gives me too cool for school more than anything. You know, like... Stop talking about your shades. Like, movies. Avery, you have some questions for us? Sure. First, what do you think makes a sequel or remake, like, worth existing, I guess, to be one? I feel like that definitely is, like, a very good question. And I think it's, like, a few things. I feel like the social impact is probably, like, the highest on that list, though. Because even in the case of, like, again, the original screen movie, or even the original Lion King, how there was a societal impact that happened, like, when those movies dropped. Some type of curve, some type of, I don't know the word, but little divot into how, like, we interact with each other or just social norms in general. Something like that definitely tops that, like, the sequel should be as impactful or should hope to be as impactful as the original film. I would also say that the cast definitely plays a part in it because their chemistry obviously makes the movie. So I would hope that if they don't recast the same people that they would be able to recast people that have a similar or as an inviting, you know, propelling energy. I feel like those are the main two, though. Like, how is it going to impact us? Because that's why the movie's being released. So if you feel like you have a good enough script, you know, and good enough actors, and you feel like it's going to be shifting culturally, you might be going to something. Okay. How about you? Yeah, I feel like it's a really good question, especially because some of these remakes coming out, and I'd be like, who asked this? That's real. Texas Chainsaw Mask. That's a good example. But, yeah, I feel like most of the time, the audience that's, like, digesting the remakes would, like, die hard fans. And, like, they would definitely, like, become part of the box office numbers. I don't know if, like, I myself would be one of those people, but because most of the time I feel like remakes just, like, drum up the energy of the past and, like, which is not a bad thing, but it's just, you know, I'm always looking for, like, the new, what's new about this remake? Like, what is new, like, about this movie that's going to be different than the last movie? So, yeah. I don't know if that's the answer. Nothing. But, I don't know. What about you, Avery? For me, I'm going to use, like, Scream, the 22 sequel and Scream 6 as examples. Very vaguely. So, if anyone hasn't seen it, it doesn't matter. I feel like if it, like, ups the ante, switch things up, keeps it engaging, and it's, like, not repeating. Basically, like, if it shows, they like to be blunt, gave a damn about making the movie and not just about making money. You know, like... Or just, like, making the same movie again. In a different font. Yeah. Like, if anyone here has seen Scream 6, you know what I mean. That definitely ups the ante and changes things. Yeah. Yeah. I think one movie I could definitely uplift is, like, The Mask. Have you all seen that one? The Jim Carrey one? Yeah. Like, that one, the original, perfect. Like, beautiful. The Mask 2? I don't know what they were doing. Like, what? Like, why? Like, don't even... Yeah. But, yeah. There are definitely some sequels that we just don't talk about. I feel that way about, like, maybe y'all haven't seen this. But Mean Girls, the original, the original Mean Girls with Lindsey Lohan was, like, really good. Like, that was, like, a solid movie. And then the second one came out and it was kind of what she was saying. The remake, the same movie in a different font. And it just didn't work because it's, like, a one-hit wonder. You know, like, you... If it hits, then it hits. But if it doesn't, then you kind of just get lost. Right. In the shine of the other one. Yeah. Lost in the sauce. Basically. I will say one more thing I would want to, like, I want to add on before getting to the second question is... How do I phrase this? How do you phrase this? This is kind of repeating the same thing, but also not. For example, the Texas Chainsaw Mask or, like, Netflix sequel, if anyone's seen that. Like, Netflix Produced It? Yes. Okay. I don't know why that exists and all the characters are very unlikable. Like, TLDR, it's basically, like, these teens come into this, like, abandoned town where a leather face used to live to literally, like, gentrify it and buy it out. And that's the plot. They all die. It's a horror movie. No spoilers. It's a horror movie. But, uh, yeah, just the way they do it, makes it so the characters are very unlikable. And also, I'm all for having, like, messages in movies if they're done right. But for whatever reason, this one has, like... I won't get into detail just... But it has a message that tries to, like, cram down your throat that goes nowhere, really, besides... plot convenience, let's just say. I can definitely understand that because I feel like some sequels are just there to make, like, statements more so than it is to, like, continue the craft of what the movie was initially about. Or, like, again, like, the nuance that it might have brought. But they're just trying to make a statement that doesn't really go with what the film is. But they know that they can. They can milk it because they have a fan base. Like, you were kind of saying, Andrew. Yeah. And it's, like, timing, too, right? Because, like, if the fan base is, like, like, getting older, there might not be much, like, will for a new remake, and then someone will remake the movie. And it's just, like, no. We didn't ask for this. But I don't know. Or it could be the exact opposite, where, like, fans are starved for a new sequel, like, my God, someone make a new Friday of 13th. I'm begging you. And they're like, no. Solve the legal issues, please. You had another question for us? Yeah. I'm trying between... Okay. How soon is... How many questions did you have on? Not too much. Just this one. How soon is too soon to remake, like, to remake a movie? For example, this isn't, like, necessarily movie-related, but there was a game called The Last of Us Part II, which released in 2020. And allegedly, they're already... Let's get into it. Not remaking it, but you have feelings about it? I have feelings, so do I. But we would be here for probably two hours minimum, if I talk about it. Anytime they do the adaptation from, like, video games to, like, live-action movies, I just feel like it goes wrong, like, every time. I just don't. Like, even when they do, like, adaptations, when they did the... I mean, this is not, like, the same, but when they did, like, the live-action bleach adaptation, I was like, no. I did not like that. I was not a fan. No, and then they came out with The Last Season of Bleach, which I was just like, yes, we need that. But the live-action? No. Like, I didn't watch it. I think I put it on in the first 20 minutes, so I was like, turn it off. Just turn it off. But, I mean, what do you think? I mean, I can't, like, attest to The Last of Us. I don't know if it's the same as The Show, The Last of Us. I like that show. One thing can I finish what I was saying about that, by the way. So, yeah, what made me think of this question in the first place was they made The Last of Us Part II the game, not the show. And allegedly, a composer leak, they're already not remaking, but remastering the game, and it's been like, under three years since it came out. And it's like, I don't feel like that needs to exist personally, and that's what kind of made me start thinking about this. So, what are your thoughts on that with media? Yeah, because you were initially asking about, like, how soon Yeah, how soon is too soon? I feel like it depends because I think that the same thing happened, like, with the Avatar movies, the Blue People, not the Airbender. Thank you for the clarification. Yeah, I had to make sure. I had to make sure. Because I think that after they made the second one, whatever, in the water, way of the water, yeah. They said that they were already working on the third one. But I feel like the difference, or like the timeframe between the first Avatar and this one was like, almost 10 years. So them confirming that they're making a second one doesn't mean that we're going to get it immediately. And I think also because of how long it was, I'm not saying people expected a faster turnaround, but I think they wouldn't be upset with one because of how long it took. I feel like the same thing can be said for, like, albums and, like, music when artists withhold music for, like, years. It's just like, hey, we might have got a single, we might have got a feature, but, like, where's the meat? Where's... We need the good stuff. The market has demands. Yeah, we do. The people have demands. So... But I don't know. I think that... I think it does depend on how long it takes to, like, produce the new thing and when it's actually going to come out, legal issues maybe. But also there has to be I feel like a year at least before anything is confirmed or denied like, kind of maybe needs to happen because you have to let it simmer. You have to let what you just produced like, settle into the public and see how people feel, how it ages. Because what somebody might want right after the movie might not be what they want a year later. People's, you know, needs change. That's my spill. Cool. What do you think? I don't know. I just feel like things get produced faster and faster nowadays. So, I definitely feel what you're saying. Like, we want, like, a faster turnaround. Sometimes. Sometimes. I myself feel like a faster turnaround. I feel like that just depends on, like, who's doing it. And, like, is the production team fans of the property that they're working on. Which, you know, it depends. So, yeah. What about you, Avery? Um, I feel like it's a double-edged sword. To use, like, Marvel, for example, they're coming out with a new movie, like what, every month or something? Yeah, I'm supposed to say that. Along with, like, a new show. But, and, like, full-school is where I've not really kept up with stuff since Endgame, besides Spider-Man and the recent Guardians of the Galaxy. But, um, it's just because it's, like, too much. They have, like, six shows. Who knows how many movies. You have to watch the show as minimum to understand, like, two of the characters in one of the recent movies, I think, that they're really saying. That just sounds like bad writing to me. It should be, like, understandable. Yeah. Um, but, also at the same time, like, let's say Scream. I'm so excited for Scream 7. Oh, right. It comes out. Um, but also, take your time. Crush it. Make sure it's a good, uh, product. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like that's all, like, our collective concern is, like, make sure it's a good product. If you're gonna remake it. Make sure it's good. Yeah. That's well. I guess, like, along the lines of how impactful these films are to us and enough for us to care. I mean, at the very least, I have a question for you guys about how these films have maybe made you look at yourself or life differently in any way, whether it be the original film or the prequel. Um, maybe all of the movies as a whole. Just, like, anything that you've pulled from them that you may use, not even in your day to day, but just overall. Um, I've definitely pulled, like, multiple quotes from the movies that I've watched. Nothing's coming to mind right now, but, um, like, I mean, I feel like it's inspiring to, like, see someone deliver a line and it's like, wow, that just hit, like, and I'ma say that school tomorrow. Same energy, yeah. Like, I don't know. Which I think. I mean, it doesn't have to be a line necessarily, even, or either, but just more so a theme. Like, I mean, I don't know if I can say this, but we can talk about, like, the theme of Marvel and military propaganda. So, like, the themes in the movie, you know, and you may not look at Spider-Man and see military propaganda, but you may just see somebody inspiring, and we all know, like, little kids have an aspiration to be a superhero, but, like, you as an adult, you know, as somebody that is maybe less imaginative and more cognizant. How do you, you know, interpret those themes if they affect you at all? Or if you take any of them at all? Avery? Okay. Um, my brain's blanking help. I mean, I just, I would say that, like, every movie that I watch, I aspire to watch again, just to see something different in it, like, the second time or, like, the third time around. I don't know. I try to watch the background characters and, like, see if I could, like, pick out, like, little details here and there. I don't know if I'm, like, I would take that with me in, like, real life because it's a movie, but I don't know. Yeah. For me, it's a bit harder to think of stuff because, so I'm mainly a horror fan, and, uh, I'm not really trying to take the messages from Scream and apply those to my real life. You know. That's real. Um, I don't know if I would just, sometimes, like, a really good movie just has an impact on me, which, like, I can't describe, but just... It just sticks with me, you know? I definitely feel like I have, like, um, childhood movies that, like, have stuck with me. Um, one of them, which is, like, what kind of inspired me to do anything related to, like, visual art is Kirkland. It's a Spike Lee film. And, every message that I got from that film, like, as a little, as, like, a little person, um, is still is so present today. Um, I think just because it was, like, a really wholesome movie, though, you know, kind of sad, but it was a wholesome movie. So, thinking about that, thinking about how, um, this character was, like, the first character that I've seen that was, like, anywhere parallel to my actual life, about it just being a movie, but art imitates life, you know? Or whichever way you want to put it. Um, so, seeing actual things that are not, maybe not superhero or, like, bloody murder, but seeing, like, some aspect of real life in a movie, knowing that it's a movie, is, like, wow. Like, maybe this just made me think about things a little bit differently. Also, just perpetually have the line from Heather's in my head, real life sucks, losers dry. If you want to fuck with the Eagles, you got to learn to fly. Like, that stays in my head incessantly. So, that's, you know, the tidbit that I pulled from a movie. Um, but, yeah, that's what I think about. Cool. I guess my other question is still along the same lines. Um, but how has your perception of, like, enjoying a movie when you were younger changed from when you were older? Like, um, I guess my thinking about, like, Pocahontas as a child and, like, how enjoyable it was versus enjoying it now. Like, how has your perception changed? Um, this question is very good because I just watched one of my favorite movies that I haven't watched in a long time called Kung Fu Hustle. I recommend it. It's very funny. But, um, yeah, watching that movie made me realize that, like, when I was younger, I was too obsessed into, like, martial arts. Like, in a very, like, comical way. Like, if you learn martial arts, you solve your world problems. Like, you know, all your issues would go away. And, like, um, I think now, since seeing it, like, recently, I think that, yeah, I don't know where my mind was, but, you know, that was, like, how many years ago. And, like, yeah, I don't think it was, like, very impactful to me other than being a good laugh because, you know, I love a good laugh. It was, it's a comedy, and, like, I feel like comedies definitely are, like, hold a special place in my heart because they translate so many ideas and, like, principles at the same time. So, yeah, I mean, it just reaffirmed like, those principles in, like, my mind. But, like, yeah, Kung Fu Hustle, I recommend it. Is that your movie? Um, I couldn't really name, like, one in specific, but in general, um, I find it's either one of two paths, either one filled with nostalgia, maybe you get emotional, you have a good time. The other root, you sit back and you're like, why the hell was I allowed to watch this as a kid? Um, for example, if anyone's seen this, uh, Ace Ventura Pet Detective, if you haven't seen it in recent time, my god, rewatch it, it's aged terrifically. Um, and I should not have seen it when I did. Um, but, yeah, that, uh, yeah, also I did think of a movie that recently had an impact on me across the Spider-Verse. Across? It was a very good movie. I feel like, um, I don't know if I have, like, a specific movie. Um, um, actually speaking of Mean Girls earlier, watching Mean Girls Now versus watching it when I was 12 is interesting to say the least. Um, I feel like, like, like you were saying, Andrew, sometimes when we're children, like, we have this idea that, like, if we anchor into this one thing or do this one thing that it's gonna change everything. And I feel like, as adults, there's just a nuance in that that, like, you can do one thing and it changes a lot of things, but it might not be learning kung fu. And it might not be wearing the right clothes or speaking the right way, whatever it is. Saying the right things. Exactly, doing the right things. Um, so, yeah, I feel like, like you were saying every, like, it's like, oh, nostalgia. I know all the words. And then it's like, hold on, like, why was I allowed to, like, let these things or these themes or these ideas, like, roam free in my brain? Um, that's such a tender age. Right. So, that's gonna be it for our show. How did you, how you guys feel? How y'all feeling? I'm good. I'm ready to go watch a movie. Ah! You, you ought to ate that one thing. What movie? Which one? You should watch Barbie. Barney? No, Barbie. You should watch Barbie. Yeah, go to the theater right after this. Come watch Barbie with us. Ah, I can't. I can't watch that movie. I'm sorry. Well, Andrew won't be watching Barbie. Nope. Avery is a Barbie-heimer. And I'll be watching Barbie. We'll give you a review when we see you next week. This is the A-Team. I'm Akilah. I'm Avery. I'm Andrew. And this was our dig into media literacy. Hope you guys enjoyed it.