Kai Leakes's Blog

Christmas Everyday, Christmas Campaign & Fake Yourself A Merry Christmas 'Holiday Trio' Quip Watch⛄
WHERE TO WATCH: Lifetime & OWN

GENRE: Holiday Romance 🤶🏾🎅🏿

GENERAL QUIP: Here we are with my holiday love in the cozy winter fun reviews, where I'll be watching Black Love in the holidays on Lifetime and OWN. If BET+ drops some on their cable network, I may...may watch a few of those as well. Let me start with this note...all of these movies suffer from the Lifetime and OWN 5-minute crunch rush at the end, which annoys my soul. 

With that... let's get to my first watch...

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CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY SUMMINATION: Francine "Fancy" Ballantine, a fashion designer who's trying to balance her career with family responsibilities, learns lessons about faith, family, and the true meaning of Christmas...including love.

QUIP: Brandy Norwood surprises with a Christmas Lifetime movie that was truly sweet and light. This one gave me TWO of my fave Blaque male actors as her love lead and interest, and my fave Debbi Morgan as her mother. We are also introduced to Brandy's babygirl playing as her younger third sister. I truly enjoyed this start to my holiday movie watch. What I loved about having Brandy with her ML interest (Robert C. Riley) was their chemistry and cuteness. Our ML knows how to play into giving intimacy and connection that isn't overkill, which works for these sweet holiday romance movies. Though the build-up takes forever and a day, and has you scratching your head about how this is even going to unbundle itself, we get that Lifetime 5-minute crutch at the end and our holiday HEA. Kick off your holiday watch with this one.

RATING: 4 1/2 Christmas Trees 🎄🎄🎄🎄⛄

TRAILER: 

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CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN SUMMINATION: Sudden office rivals must pull off a holiday sales pitch.

QUIP: So, this Lifetime movie was a no for me dawg. I'll explain why. I quit mid-way through the movie because the acting was atrocious and overkill. This story also felt like a remix of the many Vivica A. Fox Lifetime holiday-produced movies that I watched in previous years back. This is not just hyperbole from me. We have the fave Jackee playing the mother of the FL, and I promise these two played these exact same roles, going through this same holiday drama, just in different cities and different forms of corporate roles. I need something new here, and not the same latte holiday romcom. However, if you just need some holiday love to watch, check it out.

RATING: 2/5 Hot Cocoa ☕☕

TRAILER:

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FAKE YOURSELF A MERRY CHRISTMAS SUMMINATION: After reserved professor Maya pretends she's dating an unconscious stranger, she's swept into his family's holiday plans and feels undeniable sparks with her boyfriend's doctor, Daniel, who also happens to be her ex.

QUIP: OWN kicked started their holiday Black love with a cute second-chance at love stocking stuffer featuring Kiki Layne. This movie made up for the mess that I watched previously on Lifetime (Not Brandy's movie). Though a little messy in the storyline, because...specific drama within it, and unbelievable happenstance going on that you know was done just to push a storyline. The overall feel and romantic spill of the story was still strong and watchable. This story also suffered from its OWN (see what I did there) 5-minute crutch as well, but gave us a second-chance HEA in the end.

RATING: 4/5 snowflakes ❄❄❄❄

TRAILER: 

High Horse: The Black Cowboy 'Buckiin'-Look at that horse' Holiday Watch/Quip:

WHERE TO WATCH: Peacock streaming

GENRE: Documentary [3 eps.]

SUMMINATION: A three-part, pop culture and historical docuseries that confronts and reclaims the Wild West. It reveals the story of the Black cowboy whose history has been stolen, erased, and left untold. Produced by Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions.

QUIP: Happy Friendsgiving! 🦃

It was with bated breath that I waited to watch this much-anticipated documentary over the holidays, and it was so worth it. I had tears, grins, anger, and righteous shade for everything that was discussed and shared. It was beautiful to my history-loving eyes to see the footage and photographs of my people shown throughout this documentary. It hurt my heart to (of course) listen to a lot of the information that I knew. I smiled at learning about the different rodeos across the country that I hadn't known about and wish I had, and wished that I had been privy to visiting because I love me some horsies (*whispers* And seen them brothas pon dem thangs as well!😏). Anyway, I highly suggest this series; it's informative, attentive, and not a dull watch. You will want to throw some bones and fight to protect what has been lost, but it leaves us with hope, something that has been a woven part of our culture and blood memory. Again...check this out. 

RATING: 5/5 Horses🐎🐎🐎🐎🏇

TRAILER: 

Good't morning Kai Leakes Readers!

Sharing my interview with Jason DeHart and his platform [Words, Images, & Worlds].Enjoy my awkward wig and my awkwardness as I talk about my books and tings. 🤣
I've shared in the past that I am an introvert and I have a fear of public speaking, so this is why I say that I feel that I rambled through this interview and failed in a way. My host was amazing, and I hope that you enjoy some of the things that I've shared. A lot of it is familiar, and alot might be new. 

This interview took place at the end of October, but was just released today, 11.25.25

EJD's Friends & Lovers, and Toni Braxton's He Wasn't Man Enough 'Lifetime Romance in Black Love' Watch/Quip: 
WHERE TO WATCH: Lifetime Channel

GENRE: ROMANCE

GENERAL QUIP: Welcome back to my musings and quips and this will be a general quip for ya'll with Lifetime giving us some visuals and support in the Black Love department! I have two reviews for you all. One that I was debating about even sharing my thoughts on, and another that just released. So let me get to them.

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FRIENDS & LOVERS - Parts I-II SUMMINATION: Based on the popular and beloved Eric Jerome Dickey novel, four friends' lives become intertwined when romance blooms between a doctor and a comedian, while his best friend falls for her free-spirited bestie.

F&L QUIP: What's love got to do with it? Is the jam Tina Turner used to sing, and it applies aptly to this beloved IP by Eric Jerome Dickey. His IP's have been long in the wind for being adapted, and many of his fanned readers have been waiting. Before his passing, he had shared that he had been working on screenplays, and many got wind that this story was going to be adapted. Everyone in the literary world and, of course, his beloved fans waited with bated breath in anxiety over seeing how this would turn out, and here we are. The fact that it was produced through Lifetime, we knew a lot of grace would need to be given, and that's where my ratings will need to be understood. I enjoyed the story for what it was. It has been YEARS since I read the actual novel. I was in High School when it was first released, and I read it in 95-96. So I went in watching with no expectations, outside of the fact that this movie was split into two parts. I enjoyed seeing a few of my fave acting leads, Naturi Naughton (it was refreshing to see her in something new since Power), Simone Missick (my girl since Luke Cage), Kendrick Sampson (Mr. Insecure...is getting around), and RonReaco Lee (It's always great to see the OG TV crush).

As I watched, everyone gave a strong performance. Shelby irked my ever-lasting godstopper nerve, and I still feel that left eye tick with that character. There was a flow and moments that had me questioning if we were sure, as the viewers and readers of the original story, that this update was still flowing with the original source; however, it wasn't taking away from anything. That is...until the Lifetime five flat forward and sudden drop in budget. Had they NOT had that type of edit...my views in this movie would be exceedingly different. The structure and feeling of the movie changed for me and truly turned the project into something reminiscent of another individual's IP. I will not share the name out of respect. But IYKYK. Especially with a Toys R Us moment that bothered me.

All in all, the movie gave our beloved EJD his voice in honor, and I feel that he might be looking on smiling, cracking up, shaking his head, and being proud that it's shared with the world. 

RATING: 3 1/2 books out of 5 📚📚📚💓

TRAILER: 

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HE WASN'T MAN ENOUGH SUMMINATION: When a successful writer reconnects with her estranged former college best friend via their shared third best friend, the trio team up to help turn a painful betrayal into an unexpected journey of friendship and healing.

H.W.M.E. QUIP: So...I went into Ms. Toni's movie looking to chuckle over a messy romcom while also enjoying a few of my fave actresses [Toni Braxton, Essence Atkins, Yvette Nicole Brown]. This story tried to give me a romcom with older women (I loved that part), but then... changed its focus more so about friendship. I enjoyed the cute little story, even though it wasn't clear in deep detail about the discord between the trio of friends. The title of the movie didn't fit the overall arc of the story, even though it was a thread (It just didn't vibe in the same way, unlike how Mary J's usage of her songs into stories did). I needed more of that, not the Lifetime squeezing it in at the last five minutes of the movie. That gave everything a disservice to why it drew me in. However, again, this story that laced in mending of friendships, and understanding relationships between friends...then partners, was cute. It's a simple watch. 

RATING: 3 1/2 books out of 5 📚📚📚💓

TRAILER: 

HI-FIVE & OMINISCIENT READER: THE PROHECY - 'K-Movie for the Anime/Comic Lova Watch 'Quip:WHERE TO WATCH: Rent on Amazon for both, or rent on Viki for Hi-five

GENRES: ACTION, FANTASY, COMEDY (w/ Hi-Five)
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GENERAL QUIP:

I'm back with my almost end of the year movie and TV quips and musings. With how lackluster TV has been, my pickings have been very slim, and my selection for reviews has been even slimmer. So for this quick quip, I've put two K-Movies that I chose to watch due to the buzzworthy hype and previous year hype that I had been privy to before their releases in the US. Now, I have a MAJOR love for fantasy and action. Put it together with things adapted from comics and anime, then give me a banging or interesting trailer, and then you've got me. Both of these movies got me via the trailers, and again, the talk about them. Let me get to my reviews.

I will be doing my holiday reviews soon. Keep a lookout. 🎄

Note: I watched each movie with English subs, no dubs. 

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HI-FIVE SUMMINATION:  Five ordinary people, who developed their superpowers after receiving organ transplants from a previously superpowered being, band together to fight against a similar foe.

[🏆Fave 2025 K-Drama Watch] 

HIGH FIVE QUIP: Let me share with you how this movie had me scouring the net to see it once I saw the trailer, and due to several of my favorite K-actors being in it, it did NOT disappoint. Step into an alt-world where the extraordinary occurs. What would you do if you end up one day having a life-saving procedure and end up with superpowers? This movie was absolutely fun, action-packed, hilarious, and unserious all at the same time. I am so glad that it finally got its well-deserved release. There are some K-drama BTS issues related to its late release due to one of the formerly popular K-actors in the crew (He's a fave: Yoo Ah-in ), and, sadly, it had to sit for a bit and miss out on a proper global theatrical release, because again, this was not a disappointing movie. Every actor shone in their role, including my other fave secondary character (who I call the 'homie': Oh Jung-se), who is related to one of the main crew of this film.

I learned that this movie has won 2 awards and has been nominated for more!

Check out this fun film, enjoy the bombasticness of it, and the wild Western-centric soundtrack.

RATING: 4 1/2 out of 5  Fists & Rick Rolls. 🤜🏽🤜🏽🤜🏽🤜🏽💥

HI-FIVE TRAILER: Enjoy this favorite scene of mine from the film'HI-FIVE' which includes my fave 2ndary actor.  😆

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OMINISCIENT READER SUMMINATION: Based on the popular manhwa & webtoon, Dokja's favorite novel comes ominously true; using his intricate knowledge of the impending apocalyptic story, the office worker changes destiny.

OMINISCIENT QUIP: So, Omni Reader...I came in having no idea of the manhwa or webtoon, but I had heard talks about the movie and how loved the IP was. Being a fan of the ML's (Ahn Hyo-seop & Lee Min-ho) and SML (🐢Shin Seung-ho) of the movie, and seeing the trailer, it gained my interest so I checked it out. This one, was one of those movies that you could immediately tell that it was a cash-grab adaptation. I followed the production info before it dropped and heard about the issues this one also had BTS, and with watching it...you could visibly see the issues. What could have been a strong start in a long movie franchise kind of fell short, and if the talk about how good the manhwa and webtoon were, might have slightly made me not want to look into them if I wasn't how I was. Because of this movie's SFX, I felt like the production crew went on strike in the middle of making a video game, I grew curious about finding out the story of the manhwa/webtoon itself. I feel bad for the stars of the movie. I loved every actor in it. I understood what was trying to be conveyed, but it felt messy in production and direction. So, with that, enjoy it for the action, the basis of the original IP, but understand that it's remixed (not adapted) from the original IP. 

RATING: 3 out of 5 game controllers 🎮🎮🎮

OMINSCIENT TRAILER: 

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, 'A chopped bonny apples Joseon watch' Quip:WHERE TO WATCH: Nettyflix [12 episodes] 🏆Fave 2025 K-Drama Watch

GENERE: Period Rom-com Fantasy

SUMMATION: After time-traveling to the Joseon era, a talented chef meets a tyrant king; her modern dishes captivate his palate, but royal challenges await her.

QUIP: Welcome to the time travel special of 'Chopped' Joseon style, ya'll!!! I have been waiting on this highly anticipated show since it began making its runs on the K-drama circuit. Then once it dropped...I had to suffer through dodging all the nasty little spoilers being shown. I sat in anxiety, hoping that I'd love this show, which, based on the previews, was giving me my other favorite time-traveling Joseon cooking rom-com show, "Mr. Queen," vibes. (I highly recommend that one; you can read my review here.)  

Interestingly enough...and this is a good thing, it was nothing like that, except in light homage of similar situational feels. That's it and that's all, but that's what sets the two apart for me, which makes me value Mr. Queen more. HOWEVER....Bonny Apples holds its own in giving me joy, laughs...early attraction and kisses, as well as all the different interpretations of food brought into the Joseon period. As a foodie, I was locked in. As a hopeless romantic, the recasting of our ML [Lee Chae-min] was PERFECTION (You all can look up the pre-production drama that happened with that; it was goofy, but eh). He gave all that needed to be given. Regal sex appeal, ruthless callousness...in needed situations and great fighting skills. Our FL [Im Yoon-ah] was an EXCELLENT contrast in bringing her modern sensibility, aloofness, and utter forgetfulness of the era she was in/disbelief in being in it, personality to his abrasive nature, which was being hidden purposefully due to royal intrigue. On top of that...sis could throw down in the kitchen, causing a PG version of my fave anime Food Wars, reactions.

I do recommend watching this show just for the escapism and food. I do have two lingering questions about that ending and epilogue as well. One is a minor little gripe related to my P.S. below. All in all, watch dis ish, and enjoy. My eyes were hit by onions at the end, because I'm a sap, go judge ya peoples!

RATING: 4 1/2 out of 5 frying pans w/ rice 🍳🍳🍳🍳🍚

P.S. Let me leave with my fave saying that only those in my Blaque K-drama group understand...

🗣️🗣️THAT SILVER-HAIRED BAMA!!! [Secondary actor: Jo Jae-Yoon]

HIGHEST 2 LOWEST 'APPLE TV ALL UP IN MY POCKET' WATCH/QUIP:WATCH ON: APPLE TV OR THEM THEATRES 

GENRE: Drama-Suspense

SUMMINATION: When a powerful music mogul is targeted by a ransom plot, he is forced to fight for his family and legacy while jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.

MUSING: So! It's been a while, and I'm back, thanks to that Spike X Denzel joint in our ears, after so many decades of naught! It would take these two...(and Megan Thee Stallion with her own project) to get me to break off some recession coin just to sign up for the fruit plus and watch this, and watch this as I lay up sick, I did. 

I will start out by saying, I went in with no expectation for what the story was about. I knew and still know nothing about the original IP this was inspired by, but because it was a cineophile classic, of course, I'm going to add it to my watch list. With H2L I was here just for my all-time favorite Blaque Hollywood icon of a male lead, Mr. Denzel Washington, and to support director icon, Spike Lee. To keep my quip a quip, I will say this: many of the comments out there with this film about the jarring colorism in the casting of the women woven into this story about the music industry with a mix of a kidnapping, are accurate in my opinion. For those familiar with the style of Spike Lee, this choice becomes dominant, in almost being its own commentary and storyline in and of itself with Black men and their connection to wealth and women. 👀👀*looks at the screen* As annoying as that is. 

Moving on, I'm still mulling over this movie, but my out-of-the-gate impression is that, it wasn't bad for his current return about the music biz (and the loss of culture/essence in music) and the hold social everything has with it; it also wasn't a fave in my collection of his. I'm one of those who enjoy his eye for art and using his style of cinematography to highlight that (used to want to study with him and Ava). It makes me look for the black cultural easter eggs that he 'doesn't' always just slam in your face (which, we know that he did throughout, it's what he does). Scriptwise, with his style, that pacing was etchy at times, but I will say, Spike gave me two favorite moments in film. I won't go into details, but I will drop a note. It's a particular the OG thug bit, and a moment with Rocky in the studio: the smile, that I smiled!!

Denzel gave a brilliant performance as expected. We get a lot of 'Spike's faves' cameos, which were cute and enjoyable quips and jokes peppered throughout the film's dialogue. Outside of my other fave, co-star Jeffery Wright, there was another who appeared for a bit, he and Jeff were underused in my opinion, and that's saying a lot in Jeffery's case. One major con in casting was also the chemistry between Denzel and his wife. The acting with her just...was...off. Outside of that, the teens that were cast did their big one, and I hope they move on in the acting world to bigger, amazing projects.

Although everything is shiny and attempting to feel like presenting Spike for a new generation, it still remained just that...a Spike Lee Joint. I give a big applause to Rocky as well, he truly stepped into the film righteously and held his own.

P.S. As a older millennial...seeing my fave ML age is messing with my spirit. We all getting old. 😭

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 music notes 🎶🎶🎶🎶

Eyes of Wakanda 'A Wakanda Forever' Watch/Quip:WHERE TO WATCH:  Disney+ [4 episodes]

GENRE: Animation, Family, Action

SUMMINATION: A Prelude in the Black Panther MCU franchise focused on the start of the War Dogs and a very important mission.

QUIP: I tried to stave off watching this, but...I blew right through it like I knew that I would. In the voice of Claudia from Interview with a Vampire: theeee OG movie...I want some more!! Okay, honestly, it is MFing PERFECTION how it started, where it went, and how it ended. I knew when I got to that final episode what was up and had a big ol' smile the whole time. I also absolutely enjoyed the animation and seeing who the voice actors were [ I see you Cress Williams!! You were amazing!]

My final thought is this...this treatment with the BP franchise is beyond problematic. The erasure going on...dipping into the deep sea toxic levels of that 'R-word' folks and is exhausting. The greatness that comes out in storytelling...in US, doing our best to gatekeep and protect this IP is something amazing, because it shows the power of our work and the gifts of our griot ancestral skills. With that...*raises fist in the air and shakes it* DAMN IT ALL MOUSE...DAMN IT ALL!! 😑😑

And with that, I suggest you all support and get your final droppage of the BP Cooglerverse as I'll call it, because each story has lovely threads to everything.

RATING: 5 out of 5 Panther salutes 🙅🏾🙅🏾🙅🏾🙅🏾🙅🏾

Washington Black 'A Soaring Steamfunk' Watch Quip: WHERE TO WATCH: Hulu [8 episodes]

GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure, Family, Coming of Age, Romance

SUMMINATION: Chronicling the 19th-century coming-of-age adventures of George Washington "Wash" Black, an 11-year-old budding genius, and his experiences creating a steamfunk world in an oppressive, daunting time while discovering his brilliance with the embracing of a systemic support of makeshift family, friends, and love along the way.

MUSING: See..Black folks can carry other fantasy stories too!!😇 Based on the 2018 novel book of the same name, by Esi Edugyan, this series was a beautiful tapestry rich with Black Diaspora history wrapped in a warm blanket of light steamfunk magic and brilliance. I had my qualms at first, but I let them go and enjoyed the story for what it gave. Every actor in this series shined (S/O to Tim Ellis, aka our former Lucifer), however, my favorite interactions with our young male leads (Earnest Kingsley Junior [older Wash] /Eddie Karanja [Younger Wash]) were absolutely with Sterling K. Brown (as Medwin Harris), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (as Anne), and our two indigeious actors featured later in the series (IMDB aren't crediting them oddly). I also adored the brief but impacting story we get with Kit (Shaunette Renée Wilson).

The challenges and stakes for our ML stressed me out in worry for him (I loved that the character himself was NOT given the annoying child trope), and that made me love the narrative of this story. You felt the protection around our ML as a child. This baby had a village, for real, especially when villains start kicking up that mess...hard!

I'm glad some folks whomst I thought would turn into skanks did not though. Good times. 😆

Watching this series felt familiar to my spirit as a writer of fantasy and made it so much a joy. My con with the story is just a personal thing that goes into what I feel is an exoticism with colorism that really wasn't necessary, only because the historical context was ultimately period story troping. But it is what it is, and for that particular character, the author felt a need to create that character in that descriptive way and background. (a point gets to stay with that character only for adding to the Dispora narrative in sharing another island's POV...albeit very brief).

Moving on, I highly recommend watching and supporting this series. [Episodes 7-8 were my favorite and worked my eye sockets.] Also, check out the book.

Honorable Mention: I loved recognizing all the actors in this, I was pointing like Leo D. Ya'll betta get that money!

RATING: 5 out 5 compasses 🧭🧭🧭🧭🧭

If you enjoy Steamfunk, check out my novella short, 'Oni's Tears': 

Squid Game 3 'Game Over' Watch/Quip:

WHERE TO WATCH: Nettyflix 🏆Fave 2025 K-Drama Watch

SUMMATION: Do you really need one?

QUIP: Squid Game is back, and we are at the end of the long game for real this time. Last season we were introduced to a new crew of 'players', and this time we pick up with the survivors who are still getting down trying to win the big final jackpot. The stakes are still high, the emotions are still emoting, and new games are still being introduced to shake our spirits. I had some faves in this final season that really held it down at the end. It made the slow burn and former introduction narrative from last season worth the stakes. Ultimately, with this season, you get everything tied up, yet...some things still leave you wondering what's what and how's how. But if you paid attention to the tiny details, you can figure out how things end up how they do, and the ending makes sense.

I truly did enjoy what was given because, honestly, at least with the Korean franchise, you can't give any more (in regards to the characters we had) unless you go with origin stories. There were rumors that that might happen, but watching this final season, you get the sense that the creator is exhausted. So, let the creator rest his brain while us fans fill in whatever assumptions and questions that we still have about this world in fanfic and call it a day. The tramua is done...until 'Merica flies in and ruins the franchise. 

Also...there's a cute little cameo towards the end. I talk about it on Threads on why I liked it...but also would have liked it to make sense due to something, you all will find out.

RATING: 4/5 Jump ropes ➰➰➰➰