What’s better at bringing people together than a good ole fashioned movie? As we enter in February, we will begin celebrating the community, culture, and history of African-American heritage. This marks the 47th year of celebrating Black History Month and The Flash offers these five film suggestions to get you in the spirit.
Gather your friends and family and prepare to celebrate black history: binge style. Here are some newly released movies starring some of your favorite African-American actors/actresses.
The Color Purple (The Musical 2023)
For those of you who watched the original 1985 movie based off the 1982 novel by Alice Walker, please understand that the musical is actually, according to Screenrant.com, starkly different in tone and uses instances of humor, allusions to the Broadway musical, a soulful and catchy soundtrack, and contemporary dance numbers to complement its storyline.
Some of the heavy hitters of this adaptation include Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and Colman Domingo.
American Fiction (2023)
Starring Jeffery Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Issa Rae, this film takes a comedic glance at the harmful stereotypes depicted in black literature, written by black authors. Monk is a novelist, struggling to reach popularity and under the pressure of his editor to write a “black novel” He argues that he is a black author, therefore making his novels “black” novels- but in protest of the stereotypes and cliches often found in these “black” novels he writes the most “black” novel under a pen name.
Origin (2023)
Written and directed by Ava DuVernay, this story delves into the life of Isabel Wilkerson, an author assigned with the task of writing about the murder of Trayvon Martin. Wilkerson dives into the world of the young teen to really understand and bring his story to life- only to become inspired as she makes it her mission to tell how we’re connected and impacted by systemic racism.
The Wiz (1978)
This movie adapts the film “The Wizard of Oz” with the twist of a black cast consisting of the original plot.
This Film is kid- friendly and a great family night movie that will keep the laughs rolling.
The main characters include Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.
Love and Basketball (2000)
Two lovers with aspiring professional basketball careers are on a quest for love as they endure the trials and tribulations of maintaining a long-distance relationship.
This film outlines the realm of a female athlete pursuing a basketball career, something Hollywood has never seen depicted in a movie.
The main characters include Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Kyla Pratt, and Jess Willard.
This film is excellent for a romantic movie night.
The Help (2011)
Depicting the life of African-American housekeepers during the 1960s, author Kathryn Stockett highlighted the hardships and opinions of African-American housekeepers during the Civil Rights Movement.
This film is an excellent film for mother-daughter bonding time. The main characters in this film are Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, and Jessica Chastain.
Emancipation (2022)
This film highlights the life of a slave who flees a plantation in Louisiana after being whipped nearly to death on his final straw.
This screenplay is for adults and consists of mature topics. The main character in this film is Will Smith.
King Richard (2021)
This film outlines the father-daughter dynamic between Serena and Venus Williams and their father, Richard Williams, as he cultivated their love and grit for the sport of tennis.
This is an excellent film for father daughter bonding. The main characters of this film consist of Will Smith, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sidney, and Demi Singleton. The movie was grossly overshadowed at the Oscars by the slap heard around the world when Smith slapped Chris Rock.
Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
Here is a film to give you some nostalgia while watching with your family and friends.
A young African-American girl from a dysfunctional family on the verge of dropping out of school is discovered by her English teacher who discovers her vast vocabulary and gift of spelling incomparable to anyone her age.
The cast of this film consist of Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, Angela Basset, and Sean Michael Afable.
So enjoy these suggestions and many more!
