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

WATCH ON YOUTUBE 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.   JOIN THE SEATED MOVIE CLUB https://www.seatedshow.com/join   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 00:59:11 - Spa Weekend Spoiler-Filled Review 01:08:24 - Seated, Skip It, Stream It Verdict  01:09:39 - Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score, Letterboxd Rating 01:10:25 - Black Critic Spotlight: Carla Hay, CultureMixOnline.com 01:11:45 - Black Cinema Games: Canon Cousins Edition - Vacation Chaos & Paradise Problems 01:22:37 - Good Vibes Only: Project Runway Season 22, Sunday at Archie's: I Finally Went To NABJ (Ep. 7) CONNECT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seatedshow, Website: https://www.seatedshow.com Email: holla@seatedshow.com   CREDITS Hosts: Tre'vell Anderson and Ray Love Jr.  Produced by: Slayzhon and FiftyLeven Media Editor: Ray Love Jr. Theme Music: Buckroll Animation: Agung Adhi Location Partner: The WalkGood Yard ( @WalkGoodLA ) Creative Consultant: Jade Fox ( ⁨@iamjadefox⁩  ) Publicity: House of Heralds   TITLES DISCUSSED 21 & Over starring Miles Teller, Skylar Astin, Justin Chon, Sarah Wright (Directed by Jon Lucas, Scott Mo