After a crazy Valentine’s Day, try out an even crazier weekend watchlist that consists of  James Baldwin, gambling and lesbians.

“HIGH CARD” (Crunchyroll)

“HIGH CARD” is an anime that focuses on Finn, an orphan who decides to make money for his financially stressed orphanage through gambling. What he did not expect was to be caught in the crossfires of a car chase and shootout over a “lucky” card. Finn learns that this card is a part of the 52 X-Playing cards, which is a magical deck that gives the owners of these cards superhuman abilities. A secret group, named High Card, is directed by the king of (hilariously named) Fourland to collect all cards a part of this deck. Finn joins High Card and goes on dangerous, action packed missions.

This Winter 2023 original anime is ongoing and has six episodes out currently. With a fun and colorful animation style and catchy opening song by FIVE NEW OLD, this is sure to be a hidden gem of the season. 

If Beale Street Could Talk (Netflix, Hulu)

Based on a novel of the same name by James Baldwin, “If Beale Street Could Talk” tells the story of Tish, a young black woman living in Harlem during the 1970s. Her fiance Alonzo Hunt, nicknamed Fonny, has been her friend since childhood and, now that they are soon to be married, are dreaming of a future together. However, these plans come to a screeching halt when Fonny is arrested for a crime that he did not commit.

Centering around racial injustice, this 2018 film allows audiences to witness Tish’s perseverance as she fights against the system that has her lover wrongfully imprisoned. Whether a fan of James Baldwin or looking for something that celebrates Black History Month, this movie is a definite must watch.

So My Grandma’s a Lesbian! (Netflix)

“So My Grandma’s a Lesbian” is an LGBTQ Spanish comedy about Eva, a woman who is going to be married to a well-to-do man with one problem: his family is extremely conservative. This comes in as the main conflict because Eva who is cared for by her grandmother Sofía, who is getting married to a woman named Celia. Terrified of what this may mean for her own wedding, Eva goes to see her grandmother and things get…complicated.

With a jarring title and possessing tags like “campy” on Netflix, this movie is sure to be a fun ride for movie nights.