Yana McGuire | Staff Writer
Like it or not, movies have helped shape our society. Some filmmakers have used this fact to their advantage in a positive way by bringing awareness to social issues, telling stories that were meant to be hidden, and invoking empathy in order to produce change.
In honor of Black History Month, here is a list of movies to enjoy year-round that creatively bring issues that African-Americans face to the forefront and impact society and/or the film industry.
Year: 2017
Length: 1h 44m
Rated: R
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams
Where to watch: Amazon Prime (plus fee)
Vibing on that new relationship energy, a black man agrees to spend the weekend with his white girlfriend and her family for the first time. A series of awkward events leads to an unforgettable discovery.
WCC Film Instructor and horror movie enthusiast, Darrick Lee, recalls the feeling of underrepresentation in his youth during the 1990s horror scene.
“If they had a black character, the black character would die, or it would be like the black character would be some kind of joke or comedic relief,” Lee said. “When you’re that age, and you’re seeing that, it kind of just shapes your worldview.”
Since the release of “Get Out,” Lee has noticed that casting for horror movies has been more inclusive in a positive way.
“I think ‘Get Out’ sort of changed the way that filmmakers look at casting,” Lee said.
Year: 2016
Length: 2h 7m
Rated: PG
Director: Theodore Melfi
Stars: Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer
Where to watch: Apple TV
Based on the true story of three African-American NASA mathematicians who fought the odds of gender and racial discrimination of 1940s society in order to provide vital information that helped launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit. This movie was nominated in 2017 for three Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture, and helped encourage a new generation of women interested in STEM, according to Forbes.
Year: 1989
Length: 2h
Rated: R
Director: Spike Lee
Stars: Danny Aiello and Ossie Davis
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Throughout the hottest day of the summer, tension between Italian-American owners of a local pizzeria and African-American residents slowly progresses into violence on the streets of New York. Spike Lee’s clever use of comedy and drama landed this movie in the top 100 movies of all time, according to The American Film Institute.
Year: 2004
Length: 1h 50m
Rated: TV-PG
Director: Joseph Sargent
Stars: Cliff McMullen and Yasiin Bey (AKA Mos Def)
Where to watch: MAX
The only made-for-TV movie on the list follows the true story of a black man who started off as part of the cleaning staff, yet proves himself suitable to assist doctor Alfred Blalock with his cardiac medical research, landing them both at Johns Hopkins University. Both men face multiple racial hurdles of 1930s society. Yasin Bey was nominated for the 2004 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie.
Year: 1992
Length: 3h 22m
Rated: PG-13
Director: Spike Lee
Stars: Denzel Washington and Angela Bassett
Where to watch: Max
This biographical epic follows the life of the intelligent and influential civil rights activist, focusing on the key moments from his childhood all the way up to his untimely death. Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for Best Leading Actor for his role in this movie. Spike Lee did a wonderful job of humanizing the historical figure and invoking empathy for the struggle Malcolm X went through.
Year: 2018
Length: 2h 15m
Rated: R
Director: Spike Lee
Stars: John David Washington and Adam Driver
Where to watch: Amazon Prime (plus fee)
Colorado Springs Police Department’s first African-American detective, new to the position, teams up with an experienced coworker to go undercover and eradicate the Ku Klux Klan. This movie is a perfect example of creatively bringing a lesser-known story to light.
Year: 1954
Rated: Not Rated
Length: 1h 45m
Director: Otto Preminger
Stars: Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge
Where to watch: Amazon Prime (plus fee)
A brilliant, visually pleasing, modern portrayal of Georges Bizet’s legendary opera “Carmen,” with an all-African-American cast. The tale of temptation and its consequences is still relevant 70 years later. This movie is a cultural milestone that changed the film industry, making the other movies on this list possible.
“Carmen Jones” also provided the world with a view of African-Americans other than the typical Hollywood maid or butler character.
“One of the reasons why I love Carmen Jones is just like, you know, people say black excellence and I just look at that (movie), I’m like, that’s what it is,” Lee said.
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