White People Won't Save You

Top 20 white savior films: 20-16

We finally did it! Sorry for the delay but welcome to the first of four mini (for us) episodes where we count down what we think are the 20 worst white savior offenders. Our criteria is 1. Critical acclaim (box office, reviews at release, awards), 2. Lasting impact, 3. Caucacity, 4. How strongly do white people still stand by this movie. 
With that said, feel free to write in and let us know your thoughts and what your top 20 white savior movies would be at whitepeoplewontsaveyoupod@gmail.com or on IG  and Tiktok at @whitepeoplewontsaveyoupod. We'll have a new episode up tomorrow as well with Dylan Green discussing Spike Lee's newest, Highest to Lowest! 

Deadly Breed

Apologies for the late episode, but we think the content of the movie will make up for it because...phew, what the hell was this. Cameron asked for something unhinged and he got that and more in 1989's Deadly Breed. Look, the tagline for the movie is "If you're not a white American, relocate or die." Enough said. We also get into a debate about the constant refrain of "seeing both sides" and some of the craziest caucacity to date. 
Also, fun announcement! Next week we will be starting our top 20 most caucastic white savior movies of all time. It took a while and some debate to put together but it should be a fun few weeks as we talk through the list. Who will be crowned the worst of the worst? Tune in and find out! 

The Craft (Feat. Shakira Ja'nai Paye)

Sorry for the delay, Jordan was at Comic-Con (Ancestral Recall in stores next week) but we back! And we're so happy to have special guest Shakira Ja'nai Paye of the upcoming Demascus (on Tubi) and her amazing podcast I'm kind of that witch! So of course we're talking about the 90's cult hit, The Craft. 
While not a white savior movie per say, there's still lots to discuss. We talk about how Rochelle's story was changed after Rachel True was cast, how Black magic like voodoo is often portrayed negatively, and play a very Baltimore specific game. 
Huge thanks to Shakira! Check out her podcast wherever you listen to ours and also watch Demascus on Tubi starting August 7th! And follow her at @Shakirapaye on IG and TikTok. 
We of course always have something cooking. We're thinking of doing some live movie streams, so write into us at whitepeoplewontsaveyoupod@gmail.com

White House Down

I mean....you already know what time it is. As we take the day to boo America and its continued shortcomings and intentional cruelties, we hope we can also provide a few laughs for you here. Staring Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum, 2013's White House Down was the first presidential movie of the Obama era. We talk about our favorite Black presidents on film, the out of control plot, and if 50 Cent would be a good fill in for Jamie's secret service. 
We're living in some wild times and it can't be overstated enough that now is the time for people to come together. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones, but also look out for those in the most need. Our trans family, our immigrant family, our elders are all going to need help so whatever you can do, let's try our best to be good to each other. 

Judgement Day

Happy Juneteenth and Happy Pride! We have another WPWSY investigation for you today as we try to decode the confusing but also outrageous Judgement Day starring Ice-T, Mario Van Peebles and a brief cameo by Coolio.
The plot: Black Israelites(?) have kidnapped Johnny Cage from the Mortal Kombat movies in order to bring about the destruction of earth from a series of asteroids. It's wild. We break down whatever the hell Mario Van Peebles is going for, a very confusing conversation about chicken and waffles, and if you can recreate terrible cgi on purpose. 
Today, we celebrate those who came before us as well as looking toward a future where all people are free. Look after your community today and celebrate with those you love. 
Also, be on the look out for Jordan's new comic series Ancestral Recall which you can pre-order at your local comic shop today! 

Sheena

“See, even in chains we can defeat them. Turn your minds back my people. Remember yourself a thousand, thousand moons ago. Bring your bows!” All of this dialogue was spoken by a white woman in chains standing over an African tribe and that's really all you need to know about 1984's Sheena.
Based on the comic book series of the same name, Sheena is a wild ride that made us ask why is the villain an African prince/celebrity/NFL kicker? Is that really how you pronounce shaman? And how unsafe was this set as clearly very real animals where running into very real people. 
Guess what! That comic project Jordan has been talking about forever? It's finally on the way! Ancestral Recall will be in stores August 6th wherever you get your comics. It follows an eccentric painter who can tap into the power of historical Black figures and travels time and space to find his wife/fight a sentient AI corporation from the future. All very timely. 
Also be on the lookout for our rescheduled book club and movie club soon. Follow us at @whitepeoplewontsaveyoupod on IG WPWSY on Bluesky or write in to us at whitepeoplewontsaveyoupod@gmail.com 

Sinners

Finally! Sorry for the delay, but we know people have been asking, so here are our thoughts on Ryan Coogler's new film Sinners! 
You know we loved it and we share our thoughts on this incredible film. We also will have a follow up coming soon with all of the additional conversation about box office and cultural impact as well as a few roundtables!

Die Hard With A Vengance

Is it only April? We hope everyone has been doing well and hanging in there. Hopefully today's episode will help up lift some spirits because we've got a fun one with 1995's Die Hard With a Vengeance. Not only was Jordan surprised to learn this is actually the third film in the series, but also that it could have also co-starred Laurence Fishburne instead of Sam Jackson. 
It also lets us ask a lot of important questions like who was the first Black person to save the world on film and what if Simon Gruber asked questions only about Black history? 
Our book club is starting up soon! Coming up on Sunday April 27th we'll be discussing Eve Ewing's Original Sin which explores the intentional failures of America's education system when it comes to Black and Indigenous children specifically. We'll be talk about it on our IG (@whitepeoplewontsaveyoupod) and on our discord so be sure to join us on both. 
We'll be back in two weeks with Academy award winner Adrian Brody in the very confusing Chinese blockbuster, Dragon Gate.  

The Soloist

Oscar season might be over but that doesn't mean we still can't cover some Oscar bait. 2009's The Soloist that has all the makings of an awards season darling: two stars at the height of their power with Robert Downey Jr. an Jamie Foxx, an award winning director and screen writer and a sappy true story. And yet, it feels like a parody. 
We discuss how cruelly this movie treats the unhoused community it seemingly wants to uplift, Jamie's crazy hairline and outfits, and how movies like this seek to win awards through Black pain. 
Announcement: We are finally starting out book club this April! Our first book will be Eve Ewing's Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism. We will be livestreaming our discussion on IG (@whitepeoplewontsaveyoupod) on April 27th so stay tuned and we hope to see you then! 

Just Cause

Never in the history of this show has a movie caught Jordan and Cameron so off guard. 1994's Just Cause isn't just a wildly racist movie, it actually thinks it's doing the work...until it decides the work is too hard and creates a cartoonishly villainous Black character with the craziest plan we've ever seen in a movie. 
Starring Sean Connery, Laurence Fishburne, Blair Underwood, Ruby Dee, Scarlett Johansson, Ed Wood and somehow more, it follows all the usual twist and turns of your usual 90's thriller until it makes the hardest left turn into "actually this Black man is a psycho and the police were right to beat and castrate him." Yes, you read that right. 
Anyways, we're chugging along and getting ready to launch our book and film clubs coming up this month. Join us on our Discord and Instagram (@whitepeoplewontsaveyoupod) to learn more.  We'll be trying to organize more as the year goes on, but we hope everyone is hanging in there.  We love you and we've got you!