SPA WEEKEND + BLACKSTAR FILM FESTIVAL and 2026 NABJ Convention Review | SEATED Podcast | Ep. 44

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Hosts Tre'vell Anderson and Ray Love Jr. are packing their robes and bracing for chaos for their review of Jon Lucas and Scott Moore's new comedy, SPA WEEKEND.

Starring Michelle Buteau alongside Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, and Anna Faris, the film follows a group of burnt-out friends whose much-needed luxury spa getaway descends into a wild, R-rated disaster when their most chaotic bestie crashes the trip. Ray and Tre'vell get into the nitty-gritty of the film's execution, unpacking how this messy girls' trip plays through the Black gaze and whether the laugh-out-loud hijinks actually give what they're supposed to give or just rely on tired tropes. Tune in for their hella honest verdict: is this disastrous vacation a "Seated," "Stream It," or a "Skip It?"

The duo opens the show with Ray's bucket-list recap of attending his very first 2026 BlackStar Film Festival! He unpacks his favorite films, can't-miss events, and exciting encounters with some of his favorite people in the industry (complete with exclusive video b-roll for our YouTube watchers).

Plus, the hosts play a special "Canon Cousin" edition of the Black Cinema Games, highlighting five iconic Black-led films that act as canonical cousins to Spa Weekend—centered on retreats, tropical vacations, and weekend trips where the paradise vibe completely goes off the rails. Finally, they close the show with Good Vibes Only, sharing what's bringing them joy this week Law Roach stepping on necks on Project Runway and the Sunday at Archie's YouTube vlog, which launches them into a brief chat on their experience at the 2026 NABJ convention.

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00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:38 - 2026 BlackStar Film Festival Overview

00:13:30 - 2026 BlackStar Film Festival: Best Films (Call Of My Life, West Side Familia, The Seeds We Carry, ChikaBOOM!, We Are Not Dreaming)

00:23:50 - SEATED Merch Exclusives!

00:26:26 - Spa Weekend Spoiler-Free Chat