Written by Crystal Tyson on February 16, 2020.
There are movies that win Oscars and then there are CLASSIC movies. Classic movies are those distinguished films or unique works of cinema that have transcended time and trends - impacting our culture as well as our communities. Black History Month has arrived! I wanted to celebrate these beautiful 29 days (thanks Leap Year) with you by presenting 29 movies in black cinema you should (MUST) watch.
Disclaimer: There are so many amazing Black films in the world but please remember I only have 29 days for an endless amount of Black excellence! These are movies that impacted my life whether it be making me laugh, think, cry, or shout! Although we've placed the synopsis of each film, it may suit you best to watch the trailer provided.
Feb 16: Menace II Society
(Drama/Crime; Rated R) - After growing up in the gang lifestyle of the Los Angeles projects, 18-year-old Caine Lawson (Tyrin Turner) wants a way out. Everyone around him, including his unpredictable friend O-Dog (Larenz Tate), is trapped in their lives of crime and violence. With the help of his caring teacher (Charles Dutton) and supportive girlfriend (Jada Pinkett), Caine plans to leave the city for good. But in a series of tragic events, Caine realizes that escape will not be easy.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2pjnGy8Fk
Feb 17: School Daze
(Indie film/Comedy/Musical; Rated R) - At historically black Mission College, the activist-minded Dap (Larry Fishburne) immerses himself in a world of political rhetoric and social movements -- one day he hopes to rally the students as a united front. At the other end of the spectrum, Julian (Giancarlo Esposito), the head of the biggest fraternity on campus, is more concerned with maintaining a strict social order. In between, Dap's conflicted cousin, Half-Pint (Spike Lee), spends most of his time rushing the fraternity.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKIeii8qEt4
Feb 18: The Great Debaters
(Historical Period Drama; Rated; PG - 13) - Poet and professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) teaches at the predominately black Wiley College in 1935 Texas. He decides to start a debate team, something nearly unheard of at a black college. While at first he butts heads with the influential father (Forest Whitaker) of one of his best debators, eventually he is able to form a team of strong-minded, intelligent young students, and they become the first black debate team to challenge Harvard's prestigious debate champions.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN2AGZThL-8
Feb 19: Set It Off
(Drama/Thriller; Rated R) - After being fired from her job as a bank teller, Frankie (Vivica A. Fox) begins working at a janitorial service with her friends Tisean (Kimberly Elise), a single mother; Cleo (Queen Latifah), a boisterous lesbian; and Stony (Jada Pinkett), who is dealing with the recent death of her brother. The women are struggling with their finances, so they decide to start robbing banks. At first the group is successful, but they soon attract the attention of an obsessive detective (John C. McGinley).
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9rxRimf99w
Feb 20: Poetic Justice
(Drama/Romance; Rated R) - Still grieving after the murder of her boyfriend, hairdresser Justice (Janet Jackson) writes poetry to deal with the pain of her loss. Unable to get to Oakland to attend a convention because of her broken-down car, Justice gets a lift with her friend, Iesha (Regina King) and Iesha's postal worker boyfriend, Chicago (Joe Torry). Along for the ride is Chicago's co-worker, Lucky (Tupac Shakur), to whom Justice grows close after some initial problems. But is she ready to open her heart again?
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVN8VjmuIEk
Feb 21: The Five Heartbeats
(Drama/Family Drama; Rated R) - Coming in on the tail end of a rhythm and blues singing group explosion, The Five Heartbeats (Robert Townsend, Michael Wright, Leon, Harry J. Lennix, Tico Wells) rise and fall within the space of seven years. Along the way, the group deals with all manner of fame and fortune distractions -- jealousy, greed, too much womanizing and drugs all take a toll. Their troubles culminate when executive Big Red (Hawthorne James) is arrested for the murder of manager Jimmy Potter (Chuck Patterson).
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1drGa9micKQ
Feb 22: Boyz In Da Hood
(Drama/Crime; Rated R) - Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is sent to live with his father, Furious Styles (Larry Fishburne), in tough South Central Los Angeles. Although his hard-nosed father instills proper values and respect in him, and his devout girlfriend Brandi (Nia Long) teaches him about faith, Tre's friends Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky (Morris Chestnut) don't have the same kind of support and are drawn into the neighborhood's booming drug and gang culture, with increasingly tragic results.
