Untitled Mailbag V5

Welcome back everyone to V5 of the Untitled Mailbag.

Don’t forget to get your questions in for the next mail bag by emailing me here: thevaleroverdict@gmail.com or send your questions on Twitter here.

If you follow me on social media, you get an understanding of who and what I stand for. I have strong beliefs in the things I feel are right, not just for me but for the generations that grow up after us. I’ve had several people ask me why am I so passionate about the Black Lives Matter movement and Black lives in general, and today I’ll try my best to answer just that.

I’ll spare you the I didn’t grow up to be racist or to see color but more so along the lines of what I have witnessed in my life. I have a best friend named Darnell Scoby. I met him through work, and we hit it off fast, and we have that type of friendship where we don’t talk for a couple of weeks, and we can pick up right where we left off. There were more times than I can count I witnessed this man profiled because he drove around in a nice car or walking into fancy stores in the mall, and the eyes never leave him. It would always bother me having to witness this, but multiple times we had some grown-up conversations about how this is how it is.

Saturday, we drove down to see the Black Panther mural this guy had painted in Nashville in remembrance of Chadwick Boseman, and I was in awe of what he did.

We were in awe of this beautiful drawing, we get ready to head down to Whole Foods, and I drive by this.

I had to pull over and take the pictures of these, but as I did, I just was at a loss for words. These murals weren’t painted because they died of cancer like Chadick, but yet they were painted because they were innocent people who were murdered. I was at a loss for words when I saw this. I sat there looking at them and started to cry because they were beautiful, but yet my heart was broken. Racism, oppression, social injustice are real and very much happening daily. Some of you might think otherwise, but most of you (me included) couldn’t walk in the shoes or relate to the idea of what Black lives go through daily. We need change, we need to use our voice, make a stand because Black Lives Do Matter, and if you don’t understand the movement, you are just part of the problem.

So why does this mean so much? Because Black Lives Matter and I will continue to utilize my platform, my voice, my actions to make people realize this until things are changed.

Moving onto your questions this week, thank you again for sending them in!

Question from Katherine (@likeyoudox on Twitter) – What are you favorite coming of age films?

Lady Bird comes to mind. I just rewatched this the other night and was reminded how perfect this film was and how the Oscars robbed it.

This year a good one was Big Time Adolescence, boy do I love that movie. Eighth Grade, The Edge of Seventeen, and The Way, Way Back also come to mind.

Question from Michele (@mamamimimichele on Twitter) – How did you get started in this business? What do you like most about what you do? Whats the name of your Fantasy Football Team?

The story is similar when it comes to both football and movies. I have had a huge passion for both since I was a little kid. I started writing about film well over a decade ago, but I have been following the Oscars since I can remember. I just love both so much, and last year I started getting heavy back into writing more and more. The Devy Delight and MCDI were born and after the Drive-In Podcast Network, both of which have driven me to write more.

The Fantasy football team name is dependant on the league, and my favorite to use in leagues is ‘Jimmy G-Spot”

Question from Lindsey Baker (@lindseymbaker on Twitter) – What is your favorite RomCom?

I always go back to Jerry Maguire, and I say that because it mixes in a lot of the things that I love dearly. You have movies, love, and football, not much more I could ask for. You have incredible performances from Renee, Tom, and Cuba, and a great story that hits you in the feels every single time.

Question from Jassemakhan (@jassemakhan on IG) – Is there a better sports betting app than Draftkings?

Bovada is the app that I use a lot. I can’t bet on sports through the Draft Kings app in the state of TN (which sucks).

Question from Kenzie (@KenzVanunu on Twitter) – Why is Neil hot? Who is an Actor you’d like to see switch and go behind the camera to direct?

Neil is hot for several reasons. He has impeccable swagger, he has a jawline that men would die for, and he is playing Batman. I mean what more could you want?

Honestly, Leonardo DiCaprio is hands down the answer for me. When you have been onset with the likes of Martin Scorsese, Alejandro Inarritu, Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, and James Cameron, he has had to learn something about the world of directing. I do know he loves to produce stuff, but I would love to see him give it a shot behind the lens.

Few other names: Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.

Thank you so much for reading another episode of my weekly mailbag, hit me up on here or talk to me on Twitter with your questions @RickyValero_