Film & TV
Spike Lee’s ‘Da 5 Bloods’ Review: A Rare Look at Black American Heroes
written by Kimberly Jones
Spike Lee’s newest joint Da 5 Bloods tells the story of four Black vets who return to Vietnam years after they served to collect the remains of their dear friend and former commander Norman (Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman), and to recover the gold they buried there years ago.
The cinematography in the opening scene alone leaves the audience instantly intrigued and at the same time overwhelmed. A compilation of images and clips of Malcolm X, Angela Davis, Muhammad Ali, protests in the streets of the US and injured children in Vietnam are all eerily similar to the images we are still looking at today.
Paul, the self-professed “leader” of the group, played by Delroy Lindo (known from his iconic roles in Crooklyn and Malcolm X) returns to work with Lee for the fourth time. Otis (Clarke Peters from HBO’s The Wire), Eddie (Norm Lewis, Scandal), and Melvin (Isiah Whitlock Jr., The Wire) are having a long-overdue reunion with their bond and brotherhood still intact. Paul, the wild card of the group, commands the screen in every scene. He has several irrational outbursts throughout the film, as he suffers from PTSD but still is in denial about the severity of the situation. Paul is confrontational the majority of the film but he is also comical – him playing a Black Trump supporter wearing the MAGA hat and campaigning for “the wall” is pure comedy. His personality comes off as a little cold and selfish because he only cares about himself and about getting his hands on the buried gold that he feels he is entitled to. Paul has been hardened by life and it shows in his attitude and actions towards his “brothers”.
Da 5 Bloods is unique in the way that it takes viewers on an emotional roller coaster through the raw emotions of Black men dealing with grief and family struggles, and their difficult journey to find closure. Paul’s estranged son David (Jonathan Majors from HBO’s Lovecraft Country) unexpectedly shows up and adds to his father’s stress – the two have a strained relationship. David grew up feeling like an orphan, his mother died in childbirth and he always felt that his father blamed him for her death. Otis returned to a major surprise – he had a daughter that he had never met. Because she was biracial, his daughter was disowned by her family and her community. Sadly, racism and the war had robbed Otis of the precious time with his now adult daughter.
The buried gold in the movie represents what was owed to these soldiers for serving a country that never honored them. Not only were they not honored as veterans but as black men in America. They fought a war in Vietnam and returned only to fight a war at home. Eddie even brought up the idea that the gold should be used as reparations for Black Americans. Lee used this as a reference to the 40 acres and a mule, a post-Civil War promise that was made to Black Americans but never fulfilled. Paul quickly shuts this idea down, however. This is something that is owed to him personally, and he does not have the slightest intention of sharing it with anybody.
Some scenes included flashbacks to the Vietnam war. Lee did not use younger actors for these scenes, which is somewhat confusing and very unrealistic. Watching these older actors active in war scenes is awkward and takes away from the authenticity of the scene because it is distracting. Lee may have chosen this route because he wanted to portray these men as present-day heroes. Unfortunately, this may not have been the best choice for the audience.
Da 5 Bloods is a complex story that explores the effects of war on Black soldiers. This was long overdue since war blockbusters in Hollywood do not usually focus on these types of stories. This tale of brotherhood is a balanced mix of politics, humor, heroism, patriotism and sorrow. Lee brought his vision to life successfully with great visuals, performances and, of course, with Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? as the soundtrack. Although the album came out in 1971, the lyrics are relevant to our world today.
Spike Lee always has a unique way of telling black stories and giving voices to the voiceless. This film is no different. Da 5 Bloods could not have come at a better time. With the current climate in our country, this story can get the attention that Black servicemen deserve.
Da 5 Bloods is now streaming on Netflix.
Hulu’s gripping political thriller Paradise has officially been renewed for Season 2, an exciting new for the fans of the Sterling K. Brown-led series. With its mix of high-stakes drama, unexpected twists, and a stellar cast, the show has quickly become a standout hit for the streaming platform. The news came on February 20, 2025, just ahead of the Season 1 finale. Here’s everything you need to know about Paradise Season 2, including what’s next for the series, its performance so far, and how you can catch up.
Why Did ‘Paradise’ Get Renewed For Season 2
Since its debut on January 26, 2025, Paradise has become a fan favorite with its intricate storytelling and genre-blending narrative. Created by Dan Fogelman—known for the emotional powerhouse This Is Us—the series follows Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) as he unravels a web of secrets following the mysterious death of President Cal Bradford (James Marsden). What started as a political thriller quickly became a dystopian territory, revealing a world of underground cities and hidden truths.
The renewal comes as no surprise, given the show’s impressive performance. Paradise launched with 7 million global views in its first week across Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally, outpacing even The Bear Season 3’s debut numbers. Its consistent presence on Hulu’s Top 15 list and critical acclaim have cemented its status as one of 2025’s must-watch shows. With Season 1 still unfolding—new episodes drop every Tuesday, culminating in the finale on March 4, 2025—Hulu’s early renewal reflects strong faith in the series’ staying power.
What to Expect in the upcoming season
While specific plot details for Season 2 remain under wraps, Fogelman has hinted at a grand vision for the series. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed that he has a three-season arc planned, with Season 1 designed to answer key questions while setting the stage for bigger mysteries. The Season 1 finale promises to resolve the question of “who killed the president,” which launches a fresh journey for Xavier and the residents of the titular underground city.
The latest episode (Episode 6, “You Asked for Miracles,” released February 18, 2025) dropped a bombshell: Xavier’s wife, Teri, presumed dead in the surface cataclysm, might still be alive. This revelation, coupled with Xavier’s rebellion against the controlling Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond (Julianne Nicholson), sets up a Season 2 filled with personal stakes and societal upheaval. Will Xavier uncover the whole truth about Paradise’s elite? Could the habitable surface, a secret kept from the citizens, play a larger role? We shall see.
The ensemble cast—including Sarah Shahi as Dr. Gabriela Torabi and Nicole Brydon Bloom as the enigmatic Jane Driscoll—will likely return, with potential new faces joining to expand the story. Fogelman has teased “big moves ahead,” suggesting a pivot that keeps the narrative fresh yet “follow-able” for viewers.
How to Watch ‘Paradise’ Season 1—and Season 2 Prep
Now’s the perfect time if you haven’t jumped into Paradise yet. Season 1 is currently streaming on Hulu in the U.S., with new episodes airing Tuesdays at midnight ET. Internationally, Disney+ subscribers can follow along, making it a global phenomenon. ABC will air the entire first season starting April 7, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET/PT for those without Hulu, a rare move that broadens the show’s reach.
When Will Season 2 Premiere?
No official release date for Season 2 has been announced, but fans might expect it in early 2026 based on typical production timelines. Season 1’s rapid renewal suggests Hulu is eager to keep the series rolling, and Fogelman’s clear roadmap could streamline the process. Stay tuned for updates as production ramps up post-finale.
Will Smith hinted at the long-awaited sequel to his 2008 superhero film, “Hancock,” and expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Zendaya during his recent appearance on xQc’s live stream on Twitch.
Fans and industry insiders have discussed the prospect of a sequel for years. The original film grossed over $624 million worldwide—the fourth highest-grossing film that year. Now, it seems that the project may finally come to fruition.
“There’s a really cool Hancock 2 idea,” Smith said during the stream. “We haven’t even talked about it.”
Smith added, “I’m going to give you one little piece. Zendaya [is] being approached for a role in Hancock 2.”
The original film, helmed by Peter Berg, follows Hancock (Smith), a scruffy superhero who protects the citizens of Los Angeles while leaving horrendous collateral damage in the wake of every well-intentioned feat. The movie also starred Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, and Eddie Marsan.
In 2012, Berg told Comicbookmovie there was an ongoing conversation about the sequel, but the schedules needed to align.
“We’ve been talking about the sequel between us, Will Smith, [producers] Michael Mann and Akiva Goldman, and myself. We’re all interested, but we literally just have trouble getting into the same room at the same time,” the director explained. “We did have a series of meetings last year and started to hash out an idea for sequel — and Will Smith actually had the idea — so I think it will happen, it’s just a question of timing.”
Stay tuned for more updates!
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‘Paradise’ Renewed for Season 2 at Hulu: Everything You Need to Know
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