View Post

Let Me Define Fantasy For You

In The Actual Factual, The Menu by Kurt McVey1 Comment

I really don’t understand the outcry over a lack of body representation at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The fashion industry as a whole? Definitely. But this particularly extravagant gig, which the brand itself calls “the biggest fashion show in the world?” No. This network TV event (filmed this past Thursday in NYC and airing Dec. 2ndon ABC), an over-the-top …

View Post

Negotiating with Nature. (Film Review)

In Crumbs, Film, The Actual Factual by Genna RivieccioLeave a Comment

Negotiating with Nature fully captures today’s main issue: mankind’s current Weltanschauung clashes with the way nature works. Filmmaker Stefan van Norden has the lyrical objectivity and open-minded poetry to lead audiences through a narrative of awakening. This suave documentary is an ode to nature and a call to action for the natural environment’s renewal and survival of all living beings. …

View Post

Just A Wrinkle: Why Disney’s Newest Adaptation Shows the Flaws of Bringing Classics to Theaters

In Film, Marry + Screw + Kill, The Actual Factual by Alcy LeyvaLeave a Comment

When it was announced that Disney was finally bringing a film adaptation of bring the beloved classic “A Wrinkle in Time” to the big screen, fans rejoiced. Adding Ava DuVernay (director of the 2015 film Selma) to the fold as the director seemed liked icing on the cake. With DuVernay’s eye and a Disney budget, it was safe to bank …

View Post

Is Facebook Making You Unsuccessful?

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Originally intended as a way for collegiate chums to keep in touch, Facebook has now grown into a monolith of cultural proportions. While some see it as a useful technological tool capable moving the societal needle, others see it as distraction that dissolving the very fiber of society itself. Despite its polarization, Facebook isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Nevertheless, just …

View Post

LiAngelo Ball Reveals UCLA Made Him Thank Trump for China Release.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

A new entry in the Ball-Trump feud. During an interview with The Breakfast Club this week, former UCLA hoopster LiAngelo Ball revealed that the university made him thank President Donald Trump for helping with his release from China. Last November Ball was with teammates Cody Riley and Jalen Hill when they were accused of shoplifting some sunglasses and subsequently detained. …

View Post

Rooting for the Underdog or Undermining Black Girl Magic?

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.

veryone loves an underdog—especially when it comes to sports. The 1980 US Olympic hockey team versus the Soviet Union, Patrick Ewing and the Knicks versus Michael Jordan and the Bulls… everyone wants the “little guy” to have their day in the sun. But sometimes things aren’t so simple. Sometimes there are politics involved that can add meaning to the jeers …

View Post

5 Black Superhero Movies That Came Before Black Panther.

In Crumbs, Film, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.1 Comment

Marvel’s Black Panther is set to make history upon its release next February. With the success of the Netflix series, Luke Cage, comic fans and moviegoers have been foaming at the mouth for a Marvel major motion picture in which the lead superhero is black. Well, Marvel did one better with Black Panther, by hiring a black director, Ryan Coogler (known …

View Post

Proper Screening or Blatant Misogyny? | Female Cop’s Dominatrix Past Could Cost Her Her Job.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.

ops haven’t been on their best behaviour in most recent years. With a number of cases where they have open fire on unarmed civilians and accusations of brutality across the board, those who have sworn to protect and serve are under the microscope more than ever—and rightfully so. In light of these indiscretions, victim’s families, politicians, community leaders and protesters …

View Post

The One or The Many? | The Utilitarian Undertone of OITNB Season 5.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.

ith its fifth season having only debuted just under a week ago, everyone and their binge watching mama is raving about Orange is the New Black. The latest season picks up where the last season so teasingly left off: Dayanara (portrayed by Dascha Polanco) pointing a gun at CO Thomas Humphrey (portrayed by Michael Torpey) as a majority of the other …

View Post

11. | Meridian Lights. |x| Kwesi Abbensetts.

In Audiorotic, The Actual Factual, The Menu, Visual Arts by Quiet LunchLeave a Comment

is a captivating cinematic collaboration by music duo Meridian Lights and multi-creative Kwesi Abbensetts that mirrors the crescendous and pulsating rhythm of a hot New York summer. It is their second collaboration this year. Why the number eleven? The band issued this statement along with the visuals: “The 11 symbolizes the potential to push the limitations of the human experience …

View Post

“THE HOLE PUNCHER” | HAYLEY MCCULLOCH.

In Crumbs, Pie Hole, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Hayley McCullochLeave a Comment

he hole puncher was a heavy steel manually operated thing, lacquered in flashy red enamel. I sometimes preferred it to toys. Maybe it was reminiscent of a mini Ferrari, a glossy candy apple, the made up lips of a Hollywood starlet. Cast ergonomically, it provided a satisfying fit in the palm when cradled in the hand. It was made to remove two small …

View Post

The Misunderstanding of Lauryn Hill: You Used To Love Her? You Never Did.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

Many of us taint love with expectations. It may seem daunting—or even outright foolish—but to love someone is to expect NOTHING in return. That’s right. You give your love and expect nothing in return. Why am I blathering about love? Last week I read an article on Medium by Stefan Schumacher titled, “It’s Finally Time to Stop Caring About Lauryn …

View Post

The Rise of the Asshole Rich.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual by Quiet Lunch1 Comment

Tom Perkins is a billionaire venture capitalist  who made his fortune backing Silicon Valley start-ups. He helped turn AOL, Google, Amazon, and a host of other companies into household names.  He made some shrewd decisions, and did very well.  So far so good.  No one begrudges him and his success. But like so many of the uber-rich these days, he’s …

View Post

Why the ‘Bound 2’ Video is a Satirical Masterpiece.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

As of right now, Kanye West’s video for the single “Bound 2” is at 14,417,991 views on YouTube. Out of the 225, 368 viewers that chose to vote on the video on YouTube, 163,637 of them gave the video a “thumbs down.” Some even called it terrible. Directed by British fashion photographer Nick Knight, the video is an Americana influenced wet dream that features wingless …

View Post

Street Prattle: Another Storm on the Way.

In The Actual Factual, The Menu by Quiet LunchLeave a Comment

Quiet Lunch is often doling out its own opinions, but today that all changes for the better. Sure, we may be wise beyond our years but we’re also surrounded by a city filled sophisticated scholars and crude sages. Featuring our correspondent, Rico, in some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, Street Prattle is an effort to document how New Yorkers …

View Post

Portrait of An American Craftsman.

In The Actual Factual, The Menu by Quiet LunchLeave a Comment

The world of business can be a treacherous one, but every once in a while you meet someone who gets it; someone who is able to balance profit and efficiency with integrity and self reliance. Marcus Troy knows that someone and is nice enough to introduce us to him. His name is Frank Clegg and his company, Frank Clegg Leatherworks, …

View Post

Everything Must Go.

In The Actual Factual, The Menu by Quiet LunchLeave a Comment

Yesterday, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts began the first phase in which they will proceed to auction off 350 paintings, photographs, and prints at Christie’s in New York. Te auction is open to the public and features some never before seen works that are priced anywhere from the lower thousands up into the millions. Here is Life+Times’ exclusive …

View Post

A Look Back at Election Night 2012.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Quiet LunchLeave a Comment

Last Tuesday was a nail biter–for about the first few hours–then, by night’s end, Obama supporters were joyously rioting and looting in the streets while Romney supporters were downing vats of arsenic. Our good friend, Cassell A. Ferere, was at Brooklyn Tap House NYC capturing the festivities and was nice enough to share his experience with us so that we …

View Post

Did the World Really Need Another iPhone?

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Akeem K. Duncan.Leave a Comment

When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, he likely envisioned a new era of communication, where important messages were delivered in a convenient time span, where distant family members were only a phone call away. Sure, he probably had a few dollar signs in his eyes, but I doubt he didn’t rub his hands together maniacally at the thought that …

View Post

Doodling a New Daye.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, Visual Arts by Matia G.Leave a Comment

Quiet Lunch had the distinct pleasure of interviewing filmmaker Michael Daye, who has recently gained notoriety for his remixed portraits of famous authors. What started out as “a project between projects,” became “an exercise in exploring a different medium,” as Michael told us. Speaking about the “Doodling on Famous Writers” series Daye says, “By ‘defacing’ portraits of these esteemed writers …

View Post

Higgs Boson for Idiots.

In Crumbs, The Actual Factual, The Menu by Quiet LunchLeave a Comment

We’re basically idiots so when come upon something that dumbs itself down for the good of making us smarter, we’re all over it. Scientist recently discovered a particle that could be the building block of the universe — needless to say, we’re impressed. But not impressed enough to actually try and process the complicated jargon that may involved with it …