The concept of "magic cord hallmarks" refers to the distinctive qualities or characteristics that often accompany the practice of magic or the use of magical tools. These hallmarks are believed to be evidence of the presence or influence of magic, and are often seen as signs of successful magical workings. One common magic cord hallmark is a feeling of energy or vibration. Practitioners of magic often report feeling a tingling or buzzing sensation when engaging in magical activities. This energetic sensation is seen as an indication that the magic is working and that the practitioner is successfully tapping into the unseen forces or energies of the universe. Another hallmark of magic cord is synchronicity or meaningful coincidences.
I Will Be Seated for ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’
On November 15, Focus Features released a teaser trailer for The American Society of Magical Negroes. And even though I’m salty they only shared it on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) but not YouTube, I have not been the same since.
Directed by writer/actor Kobi Libii (Doubt, Madam Secretary), the satirical fantasy film looks to turn the storytelling trope of the Magical Negro on its head and into a fantastical adventure. As a refresher, the trope occurs when a fictional work uses its primary Black character to serve the interests of its white character. They have little to no importance to the plot and exist as a tool to help the white characters on their journey. Unfortunately, this is not a trope of a bygone era. In 2019, the Oscars awarded Green Book, a movie that turned an important Black American composer, Don Shirley, into a Magical Negro. Even into the 2020s, the trope has reappeared in popular media like The Queen’s Gambit and The Strand. You can learn more about the trope in former TMS writer Princess Weekes’s video on Magical Negros in Stephen King’s work.
The American Society of Magical Negroes stars Justice Smith (Detective Pikachu, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves) as Aren. After a secret society of magical Black people recruits Aren to help join their cause, his life changes forever. What’s their cause? Making white people’s lives easier. The teaser trailer shows iconic performer-with-too-many-credits-to-choose-from David Alan Grier delivering this message to Aren. The film also features An-Li Bogan (The Unsettling), Drew Tarver (The Other Two), Michaela Watkins (The Unicorn), Rupert Friend (Homeland), and Nicole Byer (Nailed It!).
While satirizing this trope is not new, it’s newer to film and that’s really exciting. In 2012, Key & Peele gave us an episode with a “Magical Negro Fight.” In 2019, Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show explored this via their “Magical Negro Rehab” skit. Still, no film has confronted this legacy through a central topic like The American Society of Magical Negroes appears to be. In an interview with IONCINEMA, Libii shared his hopes for the film.
“I think people will feel energized and lifted by [The American Society of Magical Negroes] at the end. But it’s also a racial satire with some real teeth to it. So, it’s not afraid to bite while at the same time it will pour something nice on the wound before you leave.”
The American Society of Magical Negroes premieres in theaters on March 22, 2024.
(featured image: Focus Features)
Focus Features Dates Kobi Libii Satire ‘The American Society Of Magical Negroes’ For Spring
Focus Features has set a March 22nd theatrical release date for The American Society of Magical Negroes, a satirical comedy marking the feature directorial debut of Kobi Libii, which stars Justice Smith (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves), David Alan Grier (upcoming The Color Purple), and more.
Focus is distributing the pic in the U.S., with Universal Pictures International handling international. Set to open against it on the 22nd is Lionsgate’s Mark Wahlberg pic Arthur the King. The film tells the story of a young man, Aren, who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.
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Rounding out the cast are An-Li Bogan (After Yang), Drew Tarver (The Other Two), Michaela Watkins (You Hurt My Feelings), Rupert Friend (Asteroid City), and Nicole Byer (Nailed It!). Pic’s producers included Julia Lebedev and Eddie Vaisman of Sight Unseen, as well as Angel Lopez and Libii.
An alum of Sundance’s Screenwriters and Directors Labs, where he developed The American Society, Libii has most recently been seen writing and performing on Comedy Central’s The Opposition with Jordan Klepper. Other onscreen credits for the writer, director and actor include the shows Doubt, Madam Secretary, and Transparent, to name just a few.
Focus is currently in theaters with Alexander Payne’s dramedy The Holdovers starring Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and up-and-comer Dominic Sessa. Among other titles coming up for release through the company are Zelda William’s feature directorial debut Lisa Frankenstein, written by Diablo Cody, which is out February 9th, and Ethan Coen’s Drive-Away Dolls starring Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Beanie Feldstein, which hits theaters February 23rd.
Focus Features
Focus Features will release filmmaker Kobi Libii’s feature directorial debut, The American Society of Magical Negroes, on March 22, 2024. Libii is an alumnus of both the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and Directors Lab, where he first developed the project. The American Society of Magical Negroes is a fresh, satirical comedy about a young man, Aren, who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.
The film stars Justice Smith, David Alan Grier, An-Li Bogan, Drew Tarver, Michaela Watkins, Rupert Friend, and Nicole Byer, and is produced by Julia Lebedev and Eddie Vaisman of Sight Unseen, Angel Lopez, and Kobi Libii.
Kobi Libii is a writer/director/actor, most recently seen writing and performing on Comedy Central’s The Opposition with Jordan Klepper.
Focus Features’ slate includes Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers starring Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, along with upcoming titles Drive-Away Dolls from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke starring Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Beanie Feldstein, Zelda William’s feature directorial debut Lisa Frankenstein, written by Diablo Cody, as well as Back to Black about the life and music of Amy Winehouse from director Sam Taylor-Johnson, Robert Eggers’ reimagining of Nosferatu, which stars Bill Skarsgard, Lily Rose-Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Aaron-Taylor Johnson and Willem Dafoe, Baltasar Kormakur’s Touch, and Goran Stolevski’s new feature, Housekeeping for Beginners, among others.
Focus is distributing The American Society of Magical Negroes in the U.S. with Universal Pictures International handling international distribution.
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Another hallmark of magic cord is synchronicity or meaningful coincidences. Magic practitioners frequently experience a series of events that seem to be connected or related in some significant way. These synchronicities are seen as signs that the magic is aligning the forces of the universe to bring about the desired outcome.
A third magic cord hallmark is a sense of connection or communion with spiritual or supernatural beings. Many magical traditions involve working with spirits, deities, or other non-physical entities. Practitioners may report feeling a sense of presence or communication with these beings during magical rituals or spellwork. An additional magic cord hallmark is increased intuition or psychic abilities. It is not uncommon for those who practice magic to report heightened levels of intuition or psychic awareness. This can manifest as increased accuracy in divination, heightened senses, or an overall greater sensitivity to subtle energies or signs. Finally, a magic cord hallmark can be an altered state of consciousness. Magic practitioners often enter into altered states of consciousness during rituals or spellwork. This can include states of trance, meditation, or deep focus. These altered states of consciousness allow the practitioner to connect with the energetic or spiritual dimensions associated with magic. In conclusion, the concept of magic cord hallmarks encompasses various distinctive qualities or characteristics that often accompany the practice of magic. These hallmarks may include feelings of energy, synchronicity, connection with spiritual beings, increased intuition, and altered states of consciousness. These hallmarks serve as indicators that magic is present and engaged, providing evidence of the successful practice of magic..
Reviews for "The Symbolism and Meaning behind Magic Cord Hallmarks"
1. John - 2/5 - "I found 'Magoc cord hallnark' to be quite underwhelming. The story was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow. The characters lacked depth and development, and I didn't feel invested in their journey. Additionally, the writing style was a bit convoluted and distracting, which further hindered my enjoyment of the book. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend it to others."
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "I really struggled to get through 'Magoc cord hallnark'. The plot was confusing and lacked a clear direction. The pacing was slow, and I often found myself losing interest. The characters were forgettable and lacked any engaging qualities. The writing style was overly descriptive, bogging down the story even more. I was ultimately left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone seeking an enjoyable reading experience."
3. Michael - 2/5 - "I had high hopes for 'Magoc cord hallnark', but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story had potential, but it was poorly executed. The world-building felt inconsistent, and I struggled to connect with the fantastical elements. The dialogue was stilted, making it difficult to engage with the characters. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with long periods of boredom followed by rushed action sequences. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it."
4. Emily - 1/5 - "I couldn't finish 'Magoc cord hallnark' as I found it to be incredibly dull and confusing. The writing style was hard to follow, with disjointed sentences and a lack of coherent storytelling. The characters were flat and lacked any depth, making it difficult to care about their journey. The world-building was haphazard and poorly explained, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. I would not recommend wasting your time on this book."