Pls share what you believe to be the most important films...?

[bliss_eternal]

...regarding black people/people of color.

Last year, during black history month I noticed someone was asking people (through Blockbuster.com I think) to vote for the ten most important films to black history. I thought it would make an interesting topic for discussion here, but at that time we didn't have a lot of "traffic" in this area.

I've opened the range somewhat to include "people of color" so if there's a film with an all asian, hispanic or native american cast that you feel is significant to broadening the discussion about diversity in our country, please share it!

Also when providing films, please share some of the following (or all):

-why (or how) it impacted you?
-why you feel it is (or will be) culturally significant?
-share one film, or several.

...rate them in order of importance if you'd like.

Oh and on edit, feel free to share films that don't feature a predominate cast of color. If there are others cast in the film, that's fine. Also, you don't have to like the film--just feel it is important to our history, and significant for some reason. But if you dislike it, share why (as well as why, you are recommending it for this list).

Thanks and looking forward to reading others list of films.

:hi:

[bliss_eternal]

1. I'll start things off w/a few of my favorites...

They are now known as "Blaxploitation" or "Soul Cinema" and I know to many they are cheesy, and considered sub-par but I adore these movies and consider them important:

Coffy
Friday Foster
Foxy Brown
Sheba Baby

I love these films because they feature a black woman as a heroine, which I feel is something to be celebrated. I don't care how poor the production value of the movies was, or that they feature hustlers, pimps and a lot of old stereotypes (and awful dialogue). When I watch these movies, all that I care about is I'm seeing a woman of color who is strong, independent (employed), successful, loving, beautiful and in many cases she kicked ASS!

I know that at the time they were created, the NAACP hated these movies and spoke out against them. I understand where they were coming from, and appreciate their stance. I feel they are important to our history and show another side to people of color, particularly given that the 70's was a time of awareness and "black pride."

I have many, many other films to share--just wanted to get things started off. Anyone that dislikes these movies, feel free to share about that, and why (I won't be offended ;)).

[kwassa]

7. well, I only remember Pam Grier taking a shower

:applause: :headbang: :bounce: :nuke: :hi: :kick: :loveya: :woohoo: :patriot:

Friday Foster.

[bliss_eternal]

10. hey, kwassa...

Dh was reading over my shoulder and his comment on your post is,"...oh yeah. I totallyunderstand."

:thumbsup::bounce::loveya:

sheesh, dudes.

[Fire1]

2. Let me start off by saying that I've always loved

Sidney Portier. Therefore, it should be no surprise that among my favorite films, not just black films, are In The Heat of the Night, To Sir With Love and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. His portrayals of black men with dignity and intelligence is so characteristic of the man himself. Roots, Color Purple and Beloved would have to be close seconds simply because of their truth, historical value and damned fine acting.

[bliss_eternal]

3. Hi Fire1...

...I'm embarassed to admit this, but I wasn't allowed to watch Roots when it aired originally. :( I didn't see it until I was a young adult, I'm sad to say. But I agree that it is was a major milestone in historically, and culturally significant films. It says as much about our culture as it does about those that enslaved our ancestors, and shows aspects of the cycles of oppression.

Sidney Poitier is wonderful, isn't he? I've always liked the song and film,"To Sir, With Love."
I thought it was so cool that he was present at the Awards show, the year Denzel and Halle won their best actor and actress Oscars.

Thank you for sharing films you love! :hi:

[bliss_eternal]

4. Cabin in the Sky...

...is one of my not so guilty pleasures. ;) Whenever it's aired, I make the time to watch it. Ethel Waters, Lena Horne, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson and Butterfly McQueen. :bounce: The Duke Ellington orchestra and Louis Armstrong. :bounce: What's not to love? So many of the people that opened the doors of entertainment for later generations of entertainers of color.

I think it's one of those films that I sit with a big stupid grin on my face, while watching. It really tickles me, as I know what a huge deal it had to be for the time it was made. I just love seeing all those gorgeous people, singing and dancing.

I actually updated Lena Horne's wikipedia page to reflect her comments from That's Entertainment 3, to detail her comments about the removal of the sequence, where she sings while taking a bubble bath. It bugs me so much that Hollywood did that--I mean wtf? Black women didn't bathe? :grr::mad:

[bliss_eternal]

5. Boyz in the Hood....

...:cry::applause::bounce::cry:

The first Oscar nominated film, to feature significant portions of the community I grew up within as the film's backdrop and scenery. A water shed moment, after Boyz in the Hood several "hood" movies were released by other film makers. Some good, others not so much. :shrug:

Excellent cast and beautifully written.

I feel it's culturally significant as it showed a slice of the reality of life for the young, black male in the inner city through Tre', Ricky and "Doughboy" Baker.

[Number23]

6. Eve's Bayou. And Daughters of the Dust

Beautiful, magical films. God, I love Eve's Bayou. Just breathtaking.

And of course, Boyz in the Hood was powerful too. Do the Right Thing as well, even though School Daze changed my life. I had no idea the whole light skinned/dark skinned thing was still going on. The fact that it was such a pivotal part of the movie (along with pledging) just blew me away!

[bliss_eternal]

11. omg....Eve's Bayou....!

:loveya: :bounce:
If no one had mentioned it, I was planning on sharing my love of this film.
Just the greatest movie....EVER!

The cinematography is just soooo gorgeous! Amy Vincent was the cinematographer (thought it was cool that Kasi Lemmons worked w/a female cinematographer on the film. I adore the costumes (vintage), the hair designs, every single actor and actress in the film and the dialogue/story. I was so sad it wasn't nominated for an Academy Award. I paid to see that one in theaters a few times--I enjoyed it so much!

I continually hear good things about Daughters of the Dust. I've got to see that one.

The "light skinned vs. dark skinned" thing was going on at that time (and it continues today--sadly). :eyes: Though, I honestly feel that Spike has some "issues" around that topic himself.

Do the Right Thing is amazing!

I liked She's Gotta Have It, when I initially viewed it, but I no care for that movie.

[kwassa]

8. Eyes on the Prize

a brilliant documentary series about the Civil Rights movement with superb interviews with the original participants.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/about/fd.html

as seen every February on PBS, along with many other excellent documentaries about African-Americans.

I like good documentaries much more than fictional films, and PBS has had many over the years.

here is a URL listing all their docs,

http://www.pbs.org/history/history_united.html

a few that I've seen and liked.

the great documentary on Malcolm X, much better than Spike Lee's bio, IMHO

Malcolm X: Make It Plain

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/malcolmx/

The Murder of Emmit Till

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/till/

The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/

Soldiers Without Swords: The Black Press

http://www.pbs.org/blackpress/film/index.html

Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin

http://www.pbs.org/pov/brotheroutsider/

Scottsboro: An American Tragedy

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/

John Brown's Holy War

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/brown/

(there are a bunch more on this list .......)

[bliss_eternal]

13. At one time, this was viewed in school.

Not recommended, but required. It was viewed as a class, then discussed. But I don't think school budget constraints (and No Child Left Behind:eyes:) allows time for students to watch this during class time, anymore. :( Which makes me sad.

I honestly believe this should be required viewing...for everyone.

Thank you for this important film series, kwassa. :thumbsup:

[FrenchieCat]

9. Those which impacted me personally in my life and I think made a difference in the life of others

"Carmen Jones" (1954) -
For the sheer sexual magnetism displayed on the big screen
by the beautiful and tragic Dorothy Dandridge, and the most handsome Harry Belafonte.
I was mesmerized by this musical (saw it at a Black film revival with my mother when I was 13),
as it was the first film that I saw where the stars were talented beyond measure,
were almost too beautiful, totally sensually Hot, and were Black. I almost pied in my pants.







"Imitation of Life" (remake) (1959)-
I was affected by the classic 1959 version of "Imitation of Life"?
I didn't see this movie until I came to the states (on television),
at a time when Black was being proclaimed as Beautiful in my neck of the woods.
This film brought tremendous sorrow to me in my first viewing,
and sniffed out an unknown (at the time) ugly truth about the self loathing some in the
Black community experienced in an era of exclusion from so much that represented my new country.
The discrepancy between the film, my life growing up with a White Mother and my feelings about that,
and my new experience in the United States after growing up discriminated against
in France (in small but noticeable ways) really provided some basis for never wanting to run away from my Blackness. It took a bit longer for me to embrace my White part though...sad to say.







"A Raisin in the Sun" (1961) -
A superb cast of fantastic actors with a magnificent script.
I have to believe that it had to have been a ground breaker at the time that it came out,
although again, I didn't see this film until years after it was made.
The characters were very real, something that wasn't often shown when it came
to stories about black people at the time.






"Lillie of the Fields" (1963)-
I saw this movie when I was very young (in France) and because of my background,
I didn't see it as a movie about a Black man with a good heart,
but I saw it as the story of a man with a good heart.
Because the Nuns were German, I only saw him as an American....
and nothing else.
I think that was the beauty of this 1963 film which won Sydney Poitier
his Academy Award for Best Actor.







"Guess who's Coming to Dinner?" (1967)-
broke new ground in race relations,
as it legitimized interracial romance,
provided Black men with an image different from some of the ones previously depicted,
and received great acclaim, partially due to the huge stars who played in it,
and partially due to the subject matter at a time of
great strife on the subject in these United States.






"Lady Sings the Blues" (1974)
Diana Ross made me love Billie Holiday's music,
and 1930-40 fashion. It also made me afraid of heroin.
Nuff said.







"Cooley High" (1975)
Cause I was a Junior in High School when this film was made,
and although it was about an earlier era,
and I loved the scene with the garage party
where the guys were rolling on the girls to
Smokey's song. the Soundtrack was to die for!
I went to a lot of garage parties so I could relate.
I couldn't get enough of that movie!








Edited, cause shit....I almost forgot

"Black Orpheus" (1958) Brazil -

I was held captive by everything about this film, period.
I had danced as a young girl, and this made me join a dance troupe
specializing in Brazilian dance.

Here's a small slice, just in case you are not familiar.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0jZRkFtksI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eamoeba%2Ecom%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2Fjamoeblog%2Fdick%2Dconte%2Don%2Dblack%2Dorpheus%2D50%2Dyears%2Dlater%2D%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded

[bliss_eternal]

12. Wow, FrenchieCat...!

I love that you included stills from the films!

Cooley High:
I almost wore out my mother's Cooley High album as a kid.

Lady Sing's the Blues:
I recall driving everyone nuts as a kid, because I wanted to see Diana Ross soooooo bad. They told me I wouldn't understand the movie. I didn't care. I begged, and pleaded....puh-leeeease, let me see it. No one would budge. When it eventually aired on tv, I watched. They were right, I didn't know what the hell was going on. lol. It was years before I got it (once I was a teen).

Carmen Jones:
Harry Belafonte, Dorothy Dandridge and a very young Pearl Bailey...just sublime!

Imitation of Life:
My all time favorite weekend afternoon, guilty pleasure. Lana Turner is sooooo over the top. Gotta' love her!
I had a thing for Sandra Dee movies growing up, so it's great to see her, too.

You provided so many classics--Lillies of the Field, Raisin in the Sun, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

I haven't seen Black Orpheus and am adding it to my list. Thanks for the rec on that one! :hi:

[Kind of Blue]

14. Bravo for including Black Orpheus!

:applause: That is one movie I've seen every time it's come on television since I was 10 and will never ever tire of. Even in Africa, my mother as a teen back then when the movie was released said it was really big news, and the first time it came on TV, she was sooo excited and gathered us kids to watch the movie with her. Wow, it truly made me feel beautiful and I just couldn't wait to grow into a sexy body like Euridyce, Mira and I think her name was Sarafina. As far as imagery and role models, I think this movie is teaming with so many, many images of people of color, everyone I seem to recognize and relate to, just telling a timeless love story :thumbsup:

[kwassa]

21. I absolutely love "Black Orpheus"

so many of the songs in the film became classics, as well.

I can't find the original, but here is a good version of "Manha De Carnaval", a beautiful song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ieWwrmygbA

and another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22DEBZzi_vE&feature=related

[bliss_eternal]

15. Significant performance: Lou Gossett in An Officer...

...and a Gentleman. :bounce::applause::bounce:

Sorry to add a category, after creating the op. But I realize there are times a person of color is part of an ensemble cast, or they are in a supporting part of a cast that isn't particularly diverse. Or perhaps they are a leading character, but opposite a non-ethnic character.

So if anyone can think of someone from a film that (wasn't a diverse movie), please feel free to share. I believe it's important to recognize the work of actors of color, in whatever they appear in.

I *adored* Lou Gossett Jr.'s performance in An Officer and a Gentleman. He doesn't come close to getting the amount of screen time as Richard Gere, but his performance blew me away! Oh and back in the day, he was pretty easy on the eyes, too :loveya::P.
I really think Lou Gossett set the standard for the fine, bald black man. Well...he and Avery Brooks (from a man called Hawk).....
:P (--swoon--) but that's another thread, for another day. ;)

[omega minimo]

72. ++++++++++++

late to this great thread, kicked up and still kickin' :hi:

[Kind of Blue]

16. Daggone It! So many of my favorites have

been taken. I take much too long to think :rofl: Must be getting old. Here are some of mine, not so much about being a person of color but the stories that can and have happened.

Coming to America - for my family, it portrayed and linked Africans and African-American in a positive light. Well, balanced IMHO. I could watch that dance scene a million times!
Brother from Another Planet - as lover of sci-fi, this to me was the first time I'd seen a person of color in a movie of this genre. I think it subtly opened doors for people of color to enter the genre in film.
A Soldier's Story - I think it is important because it's a classic who done it, an exceptionally Smart mystery with exceptional acting. I love it when a movie outwits me.
Glory - simply because it exposed me to an aspect of the Civil War that I'd never known and it still haunts me.
Anna Lucasta - starring Eartha Kitt who I thought was just the sexiest woman alive when I was a kid and it was the first sexy film with people of color I'd ever seen. I wish I'd remembered this one for SemiCharmedQuark's thread but I guess it would be labeled a "black movie." Though Anna Lucasta is a bit sordid, I think it does have a HAPPY ending that I rarely saw of A-A dramas of the '50s.
The God's Must Be Crazy - when I first started seeing the movie trailers back in the '80s, I thought, Oh Dear, another film portraying the African as a savage. When I finally saw it, I found that it was not only hilarious but the hero's journey to throw the evil Coke bottle over the edge of the world, because it brought greed and the feeling of possession to the Bushmen who had no such concept, was brilliant. It was really speaking, to me, against Western Civilization as a whole, especially our society that has taught "greed is good." Look where that has gotten us.

[Fire1]

17. You're right, Kind of Blue, I forgot all about Glory and I even

bought it!! I also forgot Amistad! A most significant film.

[Kind of Blue]

19. OMG, I forgot Amistad, too! I loved that movie.

So many good ones easy to forget because there are just not enough to keep them floating in our awareness. How could I forget Amistad and Black Orpheus? :spank:

Just reminded me that I wish somebody would do a movie about Alexander Pushkin, a man of color who's considered the father of Russian literature, first to teach the Russian public how to read. And he was so handsome, too :loveya:

[FrenchieCat]

18. I loved, loved, loved The Gods Must Be Crazy!

It was one of those films that I laughed hysterically all the way through, and came out of the movie feeling a bit better about the world.

[Kind of Blue]

20. It was too funny!

Almost like a documentary because the acting was so real. And to think a group of people could live without the concept of ownership and possession. Well, I'm sure a lot has changed for them now.

[bliss_eternal]

26. Great list...!

I was so delighted by Coming to America. I now think of it as a "black" fairy tale. To this day, I can't get through the "Sexual Chocolate" scene without laughing hysterically.

What can I say about A Soldier's Story? Other than I wish I could have seen it as a stage play.

Adding Anna Lucasta and the God's Must Be Crazy to my "gotta' see" list. :thumbsup:

[omega minimo]

74. "Brother From Another Planet"!!! ANYTHING the great Joe Morton is in!!!

[kwassa]

22. White Men Can't Jump

why?

This is the first Hollywood film I can remember that showed the real Los Angeles, not just Beverly Hills, Malibu, and the westside, where the white folks live. This showed central, south central, and those aspects of minority neighborhoods never seen in movies.

I know those ball courts down on Venice Beach where the ball hustlers are first shown.

This film also showed the black neighborhoods down LaBrea, and that classic line about the Vista View apartments, "there ain't no Vista, there ain't no View, there ain't no Vista of a View".

mostly, it shows the complexity of multi-ethnic LA, and it is the first film I've seen to do that.

The interracial couple of Woody Harrelson and Rosie Perez, the interaction and racial aspects with Wesley Snipes and everyone else.

it is a really good LA film.

[bliss_eternal]

23. Rosie Perez was awesome....!

I was excited that she got rave reviews from critics for the movie, and got other roles after this. Her work in Fearless was amazing and she deserved the nomination she received (imo).

I was also pleased (and surprised) to see the "real LA" in White Men Can't Jump. Including the route I walked to get home from junior high school, and much of my childhood neighborhood. I used to ride my bicycle up and down much of the black neighborhoods of LaBrea. :hi:

I enjoyed Tyra Ferrel's work in this, also. She's such a talented actress, I wish she worked more (also featured in Boyz in the Hood).

[Princess Turandot]

24. May I suggest one?...

To Kill a Mockingbird is a film which if viewed today for the first time, would, I believe, be seen as a fine cinematic achievement by most. But when it was released in 1962, written by a young woman who had grown up in a small town in Alabama, I have to hope that it made more than a few people think about its message. A black man (played by a youngish Brock Peters) dies for daring to feel sympathy for a young white woman with a vicious, alcoholic father. A white lawyer, played by a real life liberal lion, Gregory Peck, clinging to the belief that all were equal before the law, attempts to prove the black man innocent of a false accusation of rape. He fails, despite every piece of evidence supporting the man's innocence. Then as a result of doing the right thing, the lawyer almost loses his children at the hands of the same vicious man, for his 'crime' of believing in the black man. It drew a stark portrait between good and evil and the injustices still faced by black folks almost a century after the Civil War was fought, as well as their dignity in the face of those injustices.

I read an interview of Gregory Peck given several years after making the film, which practically made my hair stand up. (The actor who played the vicious alcoholic father was dead by that time.) he said that the man, whose name wasn't worth looking up, basically shared the same opinions of the character whom he played, minus the booze. Peck indicated that he could barely cope with being on the set with him when they were in the same scene.

[bliss_eternal]

25. Your suggestion is welcome....

...of course. :hi::hug:

Excellent, classic film!

[Number23]

27. Gasp! *Swoon*

My undying :loveya: to those who suggested A Soldier's Story, Imitation of Life, and Glory.

Ohh, how I love A Soldier's Story!! Howard Rollins was so fine in that movie it actually HURT to watch him sometimes.

And after reading this thread, I'm seriously curious about Black Orpheus now too!

[bliss_eternal]

28. The Women of Brewster Place...

...the made for tv movie, by Oprah's production company based on the novel by Gloria Naylor. I loved this movie mini-series so much, as it is focused on the women living in this building, and their relationships (w/each other, their significant others, etc).

I was so fond of this movie (and the novel), I adapted a scene from the novel as a one-act piece for my university theater class. I chose a scene featuring the lesbian couple, Theresa and Lorraine. I felt it was important to feature women of color in a loving relationship, through art/drama.

More films to come. :hi:

[noiretextatique]

34. gloria naylor is a wondeful writer

one of my favorites :hi: i wish i had seen your production

[BumRushDaShow]

29. How about these?

There are so many good ones that others have listed but let me try some that I haven't seen mentioned yet. Mostly "modern" ones but all, IMHO, are something that makes you take pause, or are tear-jerkers, or are even gut-wrenching:

Rosewood (John Singleton, 1997)
I could barely finish watching this. It was just that painful. But the story needed to be told. And the only thing that came close to how I felt after I had finished watching this, was how I felt after reading "The Destruction of Black Civilization" by Chancellor Williams. "Roots" and "Roots II" were painful, but this took it another notch further, which I never thought could happen.

Get on the Bus (Spike Lee, 1996) - I believe this was Ossie Davis' last film. Little talked about but timely at its release, it captured the spirit of the Million Man March while on the periphery of it (as it was assumed that "everyone" knew what eventually happened that day). Although I think Spike was trying to force as many archetypes in there as he could (which then seemed to awkwardly cobble together their stories), a veteran like Ossie could sprinkle his magic dust over the whole thing to help give this fictional piece a true docu-drama feel.

Dream Girls (Bill Condon, 2006) - Deservedly nominated for Oscars and surely Jennifer Hudson's performance justified her win. This was yet another emotional roller coaster ride - and it continues to be every time, even when you know the ending! As a period piece, it definitely captured the Motown era and the chitlin'/chickbone circuit.

Waiting to Exhale (Forrest Whitaker, 1995) - Every time I watch this movie (and I have watched it dozens and dozens of times), I scream and yell and rant at the world for NOT automatically nominating Angela Bassett for an Academy Award. This was perhaps one of the most silky smoothest, most gorgeously shot and edited black movies that I have seen to date - between the acting, music, cinematography, locations, costumes - it just flowed like chocolate cream from scene to scene to scene. And the famous, should-have-been-nominated scene with Bassett gets me crying EVERY SINGLE TIME! Although this is a purely fictional film, I think it helps to uncover and reflect on a segment of our population (and the psyche of that population), that is rarely shown.

American Gangster / Devil in a Blue Dress (Ridley Scott, 2007, Carl Franklin, 1995) - I guess I could say that ANYTHING with Denzel in it is a hit. LOL (although he has had some duds over the years). But here you have 2 films, one based off a true story and the other fictional, both dealing with the criminal element - the protagonist being the criminal in one film and the detective in the other. But both show, from the black perspective, how things are/were "handled". The whole story behind Frank Lucas was definitely an eye-opener to me despite happening during my lifetime (but then I'm not a NYer). And oddly enough, regarding Mosley's "Easy Rawlins"... Don Cheadle will forever be "Mouse" to me! LOL The little-discussed "westward migration" of blacks to California during and after WWII was also what caught my attention.

As a side-note - since "Cooley High" was mentioned, I'd have to throw Car Wash (Michael Schultz, 1976) in there too! This was definitely a mid-'70s period piece that me and my friends (we were in high school when it came out) reference every time we hear the song on the radio. It's like back in the day watching "Starsky and Hutch" and Huggy Bear. LOL

[Fire1]

30. Dream Girls, Am. Gangster and Waiting to Exhale were

good movies but not that significant or important to me. I guess the portrayals in Waiting...... are such a common occurrence in our community, it's just no big deal. I grew up in Motown during that era, so Dream Girls was no biggy either. Spike Lee's movies generally don't excite me and I was really disappointed in his latest attempt. Car Wash was stereotypical, which I didn't appreciate, but I guess if I had perceived it differently, it would have been funny.

[bliss_eternal]

36. Thank you...

...for sharing films you consider significant, BumRushDaShow. I appreciate your participation in this thread! :hi:

[Blue_Tires]

31. 30 posts in and no one mentions "Shaft?"

Spike Lee's Katrina documentary deserves a mention, too...

[bliss_eternal]

37. He's a baaaad....

...shut your mouth! :P Feel free to share why you consider Shaft significant, (or just why you like it).

I consider it significant as one of the first films to feature a black man as the lead, and a hero (of sorts). ;)

I'll get around to seeing Spike Lee's Katrina documentary one of these days. When released, it was still to fresh in my mind (I didn't want to get mad all over again).

[Blue_Tires]

39. and not just because he was the hero and lead

it was a very cool, hip, style that was full of attitude...Like a lot of rogue detectives in the movies, Shaft did things HIS way with no apologies...(and there is also that great soundtrack...)

and Lee's documentary is by far his best work...a decade from now I can see high schools and colleges showing it as the definitive record of all the controversy and aftermath...

[bliss_eternal]

70. Regarding Spike Lee's Katrina documentary....

...I still recall sharing much outrage (and disgust) on DU with others watching Bill Maher's show on HBO, the night Spike Lee and Tucker Carlson were featured. Spike spoke of Katrina and his planned documentary (at that time, I think it was either in development or the beginning of filming).

Carlson had the audacity to get urinary w/Spike Lee, asserting that Spike "shouldn't suggest there was a conspiracy in place or other such nonsense"...:wow: ...which made Spike pretty mad. As Carlso said it was "irresponsible" of Lee to "suggest governement conspiracies against the poor or people of color."

:eyes:

...at which point Spike asked Carlson about the Tuskegee experiments (of which it seemed Carlson knew nothing about). (color me surprised).

It's kind of funny to think about now in retrospect, but good grief is Carlson a clueless piece of work. :rofl:

[cyndensco]

32. How can a story of a down-and-out pimp, wannabe-rapper

be added to this list of important, culturally significant films? Maybe it is a stretch, but Hustle and Flow is one of my all time favorites. It portrayed some hard luck characters joining forces to cut a rap CD. The movie ended in a sad, unfortunately realistic way, but provided a weird sense of hope. The acting was brilliant and it was one of the few movies I was sorry to see end.

Hoop Dreams was another of my absolute favorites. It was a documentary that followed two Chicago boys through high school on their quest to become professional basketball players. There were so many twists and turns, it could not have been scripted better.

[bliss_eternal]

35. Not a stretch at all...

...I appreciate your participation and additions to this list. My rental list is growing by leaps and bounds, thanks to all the great films shared.

Hustle and Flow got great reviews. Even if it had not, if you found it worthy, that's all that matters (for this list).

I still recall the late Gene Siskel absolutely raving about Hoop Dreams--he LOVED that film! I'm so glad you added it. :hi:

[kwassa]

46. I also recommend Hoop Dreams and Hustle and Flow

They are both excellent films.

[noiretextatique]

33. Beloved, The Color Purple, To Sleep with Anger

off the top of my head

[bliss_eternal]

38. I recall what a huge deal...

...the Color Purple was, when released. We read it in my AP English class. Our teacher took a group of people to see it, so we could discuss it in comparison to Alice Walker's novel.

[noiretextatique]

40. well

i was a grown woman when that movie came out :hide:
:rofl: it was a very big deal...probably one of the few movies i actually went to see in a theater.
beloved was a fascinating film that be summed up thusly: racism makes you crazy :wow: seriously, i can't recall a film that so accurately and powerfully depicted the psychological devastation of enslaved people and their descendants. the book is one of my all-time favorites, but it's also very painful to read. i don't think i can see the film again.

[bliss_eternal]

41. lol.

it was my senior year, so i was almost an adult. ;) :blush:

beloved was one of the times i've felt badly for oprah. i saw beloved as an "art film." i guessed as such much of the audience wouldn't get that, or understand the context, etc. art films frequently don't command great box office or enthusiastic reviews. yet, it seemed odd that some critics (who are well versed in film) didn't even get it.

i had a visceral reaction to it, and found it difficult to watch (and didn't finish it for that reason). it's very well done, and i wanted to see it, because of the actresses (and the novel). so given my problems w/viewing it, i understand your not wanting to see it again. maybe one day i'll see it completely. :scared:

[bliss_eternal]

42. it's a shame...

...you weren't the reviewer when the film was released. i saw sooo many stilted, confused reviews that clearly didn't get the film's on any level. you summed it up perfectly:

quote:
beloved was a fascinating film that be summed up thusly: racism makes you crazy

simple. ;)

[bliss_eternal]

43. Paris is Burning.

documentary film, chronicles the lives of black and latino, gay (and transgendered) youth in the late 80's, at the height of the 'drag balls' in Harlem, New York. If you want to know where Madonna got "voguing" from--watch this film.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Is_Burning_(film)

It's significant (imo) because this aspect of our culture is so rarely shown nor allowed to tell their story, themselves. Glbt youth of color seem invisible to far too many, and I love this film for making them far less (invisible). I hate to sound cliche, but I laughed and cried while watching this film (and I do everytime I watch it). It explores the fact that most are homeless (due to parents throwing them out) for not accepting their gender, sexuality. It also shows how they "live" for their weekly "drag ball" competitions.

It sickened me to see so many kids of color homeless, existing as sex workers to survive. :scared::cry: At the same time, it was so moving to see the community (and homes) they created for themselves (i.e. older members, taking in the younger ones and creating families of their own). This was all detailed so beautifully. Sadly, many featured in this film are now deceased (i.e. hiv, aids, murder, etc.). :cry:

[bliss_eternal]

44. Jumping the Broom: The New Covenant...

...a documentary of glbt couples of color.

I feel this is significant as a film featuring another aspect of black glbt culture, those in long term, committed relationships. I don't think my description (or feelings) about this film would do it justice, so I'll share the link w/comments and details from the filmmaker:

http://www.eqca.org/site/pp.asp?c=9oINKWMCF&b=1417253

:hi:

[noiretextatique]

45. Cry Freedom, Diva. City of God

Cry Freedom is the commercial version of the life and death of south african hero Steven Biko. I saw an amazing film about south africa in college, but i cant remember the name of it. I believe the musical Sarafina was based on this film...the one I can't remember the title of.

Diva
This is one of my favorite films. The Diva is a sista from Philly, and her rendition of the aria from La Wally is amazing.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082269/



City of God:
http://www.foreignfilms.com/film.php?asin=B0000D9PNX

[kwassa]

47. "Diva" is a wonderful film

[noiretextatique]

50. i saw it again recently on cable

i wonder what happened to her. i have a friend who looks just like the Diva.

[kwassa]

51. she is a real opera singer

this is the most recent info I could find on her

http://www.operatoday.com/content/2006/01/the_diva_live_w.php

and a short bio on Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelmenia_Fernandez

[noiretextatique]

53. thanks

i'm glad she's still singing, as of 2006 anyway. that aria she sang in the film takes my breath away. indeed she is a real opera singer.

[kwassa]

48. Chiwetel Ejiofor, in ...

(thinking of black English actors)

Dirty Pretty Things, Kinky Boots, Love Actually, American Gangster

a superb actor.

[Kind of Blue]

54. And I might proudly add, a British-Nigerian. I love him! n/t

[kwassa]

49. The Wire

This was a television series on HBO, rather than a film, but it has more black actors, and more good roles for black actors, than anything I can think of in television or film, at any time in the history of either. Superb writing, superb acting.

I think it is the best television series ever made, and I am not saying that lightly. A great tv series, like this, can be much better than practically all feature films.

It brought us the great Idris Elba, a British actor than completely disappeared into his American role.

Five seasons, rent it, I can't recommend it highly enough.

[cyndensco]

52. TCM aired The Green Pastures this past Easter.

It was released in 1936, had an all-black cast, and was based on a "fable" written by the white screen writer. Based on bible stories, the disclaimer in the beginning was that negroes often told bible stories and pictured themselves as the characters. I guess that was how MGM could justify having a black God in one of its movies.

Two things struck me about the movie. First, I don't remember one sentence where the noun and verb agreed. I am sure many/most/all of the actors were able to speak proper English but the script called for what Hollywood probably considered negro language. Even the main character was listed in the credits as "De Lawd."

Second, it appeared to have a rather large budget. There were angels fishing from clouds, lots of animals for Noah's Ark, constant dry ice, etc.

I talked with my father about it and he told me it was a BIG deal when it opened in Memphis. Folks in the neighborhood put on their Sunday's Best and proudly went to the theater (balcony) to see it.

[bliss_eternal]

55. I hope TCM airs this again...

...as it sounds interesting. I sincerely enjoy seeing the films from that period, as it was clear it was almost a novelty. Cabin in the Sky uses similar vernacular, but not on a consistent basis.

:hi: Thanks for sharing!

[Blue_Tires]

57. i didn't know about that one

my dad was a big fan of "Go Down Death," which I thought until now was the first movie with an all-black cast:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036870/

[cyndensco]

62. Cool. I didn't know that one.

Looks like our early films were based on the bible, huh?

[bliss_eternal]

56. Miss Evers Boys by HBO....

starring Alfre Woodard, based on the infamous Tuskee experiment. Significant because of the importance and implications of this "secret" govt. experiment, utilizing human beings of color (black men). So they could "test" the long term affects of syphillus on humans. :cry::mad::grr:

Excellent and important film. An Emmy, Cable Ace and Golden Globe award winner:

list of awards and nominations:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119679/awards

details about the film and experiment here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Evers%27_Boys

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuskegee_experiment


Also by HBO films--The Tuskegee Airmen, starring Laurence Fishburne

Significant as it is about the groundbreaking unit of airmen, the first African American combat pilots United States Army Airforce, that fought in World War 2.

(btw, who saw the remaining members at the inaugural parade? ;):hi: i did! such an exciting and moving moment:bounce:)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tuskegee_Airmen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuskegee_Airmen

list of nominations and awards:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114745/awards


More films to come! :hi:

[bliss_eternal]

59. typos, yikes...

...i've got to stop attempting to post in the wee hours of the am, after completing projects, on little (to no) sleep. :banghead:

sorry for the rather obvious typos, everyone.

[Brewman_Jax]

58. The Great Debaters

was a very good movie in that it showed the trials and tribulations the Wiley College debate team had to deal with in the Jim Crow era--Hollywood license not withstanding. The real Wiley College debate team had Southern California as its most memorable opponent, not Harvard as in the movie.

[bliss_eternal]

60. Don't you just love...?

...the glory of hollywood's re-telling, frequently resulting in a major "white wash?" ;)

For example, last year the movie 21 made headlines, because of it's removal of Asian character from the original story. The book, Bringing Down the House of which the film is based, tells the story of a group of (mostly) asian MIT students--who succeeded in bringing down the house by counting cards, etc-- but we'd never know that given the film hollywood created :eyes: :

Quote:
Controversy arose over the decision to make the majority of the characters white, even though the main players in the book Bringing Down the House, upon which the film 21 is based, were mainly Asian. Studio executives determined that "most of the film's actors would be white, with perhaps an Asian female."

Nick Rogers of The Enterprise wrote "The real-life students mostly were Asian-Americans, but 21 whitewashes its cast and disappointingly lumps its only major Asian actors (Aaron Yoo and Liza Lapira) into one-note designations as the team's kleptomaniac and a slot-playing "loser."

excerpt from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_(2008_film)#Casting_controversy

also see (book film based on):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bringing_Down_the_House_(book)


Thank you for adding the Great Debaters, Brewman. Due to the hard work of many negro players in hollywoood paving the way--we now have the ability to see them called african american actors. They have the fame, wealth and clout to ensure our stories are told as close to reality as possible. It certainly doesn't ensure that there are no changes to the original story, but in my opinion, it's helped many projects.

I remain hopeful for the day that asian, latino and other groups of color have the same ability in Hollywood.

[bliss_eternal]

61. Basquiat starring Jeffrey Wright...

...the story of the artist (painter), Jean Michel Basquiat.

Something that struck me about the film, was the fact that they didn't allow it to get weighed down (as it could have) regarding the Basquiat's drug use and/or addictions. I got the sense that those aspects are dealt w/on an abstract basis (which I found interesting and appreciated). As sometimes films about artists, seem almost exploitative in this regard (imo), when there was an addiction in the person's background.

I enjoyed Jeffrey Wright's performance, but wished there was more of it. I later read that Wright said much of his work in the film was edited (which I found interesting).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Michel_Basquiat

http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/artistInfo/artist/2969/lang/1


regarding the film:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basquiat

[kwassa]

65. I liked this film, too.

Julian Schnabel, the director, is a very famous painter in his own right, and knew Basquiat personally.

and, minor side point, I knew Mary Boone in college. She became one of the most powerful art dealers in New York by the time she was in her late 20s. I hate these underachievers. She is played in the movie by Parker Posey. Boone was Basquiat's dealer.

Jeffrey Wright is a supremely talented actor who rarely gets roles that challenge his skills. An old story for minority actors.

[bliss_eternal]

66. this bothers me, too...

Quote:
Jeffrey Wright is a supremely talented actor who rarely gets roles that challenge his skills. An old story for minority actors.

it's particularly troubling when i see some minority actors getting high profile roles, based on their "name" (but not necessarily based on their talent, imo). in other words, they are popular, so they get cast--while actor's like wright, don cheadle, and otherss with far more talent (in my opinion) go w/out the recognition or great roles. :(

it's one of the reasons i created this thread. to help bring some attention to films, and artists that people may not have had prior exposure to.

as you probably recall from living here, kwassa--there are usually art houses.
theaters where one can view indie films, and learn of artists like jeffrey wright (and parker posey). sadly, not every state has such a place to see these films.

even here, we've seen closures to some of our art houses. :(:cry::(
we had a cool one in hermosa beach, that closed several years ago. it was turned into a gym. :eyes:

Quote:
I knew Mary Boone in college. She became one of the most powerful art dealers in New York by the time she was in her late 20s. I hate these underachievers....

LOL! :spray:
i thought this was an interesting side character (as many that parker posey portrays are--i love her work). while watching the film, i wondered if mary boone was the actual dealer for Basquiat, what her career was like and if she was the way posey portrayed her. so this is very interesting to know...thanks, kwassa! :hi:


on edit--and i wasn't aware that julian shnabel was a painter, too. now i have to find out more about his work. thanks!

[kwassa]

67. Schnabel is frightening, he is so talented.

The idea that a great painter can also be a great filmmaker is so completely unlikely. Most visual artists I've been around tend to be very nonverbal types, which is why they are visual artists in the first place.

Check out "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" another excellent movie by him.

Art houses, like the Nuart in West LA, get done in by first VCRs, then DVD players, and a few multiplexes that play foreign films.

The problem is that there has never been a large audience for really intelligent films. Mass audiences like the lowbrow.

edit to add, the Nuart is apparently still in business, which is good to hear. I spent a lot of time there.

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/LosAngeles/NuartTheatre.htm

[bliss_eternal]

68. Schnabel...

...it makes sense to me now, that he's a painter. I avoided "Basquiat" for some time, as I feared it would be yet another exploitative, tortured artist film, focused on his drug use (and little else). :eyes:

I really "hate" movies focused on "drug use". They walk the fine line between being over the top and pretentious, or blatantly gross and sickening. :(

Schnabel handled the drug use as a painter would....abstractly, stylistically...it's quite subtle. If one doesn't know about Basquiat's history and how he died, you wouldn't suspect this about him, from viewing this film--which I totally appreciated. (Did we really need a male, painter version of "Lady Sings the Blues?" ;))

It totally makes sense that he knew him, and wanted to focus on the man and his work, not his shortcomings.

Bravo, Mr. Schnabel.
:applause:

Yes, the Nuart's still going strong.
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1128/

I'm still mourning the loss, of missing the limited run, re-release of Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, a few years ago. The director's final cut, of course. :(
:cry::cry::cry:

Can you imagine that...on the big screen? (bliss sighs wistfully...)

There's a rather nice house in South Pasadena I need to visit (now also part of Landmark).

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/LosAngeles/RialtoTheatre.htm

[bliss_eternal]

69. Since you're a fan of indies...

...and art houses, you may want to check out "Z Channel, A Magnificent Obsession." A documentary film, by Alexandra Cassavetes. If you haven't seen it already, of course. ;)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405496/

It's an excellent film, taking us all back to the days before cable in southern California. It's focused on many foreign and independent films (prior to the 80's).

There's also "Midnight Movies, from Margin to Mainstream." It airs on cable from time to time (but you can probably rent it, too). It made me nostalgic for the days when you could go see a midnight movie, in a theater.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457414/

What's the theater in Chicago that still does midnight movies?
I recall a couple when I lived there...one in/near Rogers Park? It was a total dive (small, kinda dirty) but super cheap and so much fun! :rofl:

While I was there, they were running a midnight showing of "Seven." :scared::scared::scared:
(I wouldn't take money, to see that film again...:scared:)

[kwassa]

75. We had Z Channel back then ....

Z Channel was great, lots of foreign films. We, like everyone else, stole the premium channel signals by taking the scramble cylinders out of the lines just outside the house. They could be screwed in and out by hand! Early technology.

I really have to search on cable to find interesting films now, though that is where I found The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I also watch things on Sundance.

[HopeOverFear]

63. Purple Rain? LOL

[bliss_eternal]

64. Well, why not...?

I'll be honest, I loved Purple Rain! I'll always have a soft spot for it in my heart.

Forgive me, as i know looking back at it, it may not stand up to well to scrutiny. Rumour has it, it originally received an "X-rating," and was edited to receive an 'R rating.' But, many of the edits are rather obvious, and poorly done.

In spite of all that, it was a huge deal at the time it was released (and made). A movie feauturing a black pop star, to be released and end up grossing millions was unheard of at the time.

Thanks, HopeOverFear!

[bliss_eternal]

71. "What's Love Got to Do With it" starring Angela Bassett...

...as Tina Turner.

Significant to me as the first leading film role for a black woman (and a biopic), since Lady Sings the Blues. The classic "triumph over adversity" story, generally reserved for non-ethnic women in films. Angela Bassett showcased some major acting chops in the film.

What's Love Got to Do With It also features the wonderful choreography of the late Michael Peters. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0676592/

The film tells the the story of the woman that made kicking ass, and taking charge of one's life after 40 a possibility for women everywhere. Thank you, Tina Turner! :thumbsup:

I love that the film didn't shy away from the horrors of domestic violence. It features graphic, emotionally charged and violent scenes of Ike's physical abuse of Tina. While difficult to watch, I feel it was an important (and brave) choice on the part of the filmmakers.

Laurence Fishburne as Ike walked the difficult line of portraying the character's truth, while simultaneously making him human. As a film based on the book, "I, Tina" (by Kurt Loder), it seems appropriate that Ike wasn't particularly sympathetic (or even likable). The voice of the book is Tina's...so the action of the film should feel like it's the way Tina experienced it.

Each of the leads were Oscar nominated for their roles.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108551/awards

[omega minimo]

73. An excellent American story, beautiful film "Thumderheart"

with Val Kilmer and Sam Shepard.

Incredibly good film, underrated, excels on so many levels. Tells the story of Native Americans then and now, historic genocide and modern business-related crimes against communities over resources, reservation life, relationship with white culture, the FBI agent who has a calling in his spirit.........................

[bliss_eternal]

76. sounds very interesting...!

i like the work of both actors. thanks for the addition, omega! :hi:

[bliss_eternal]

77. Hollywood Shuffle...

...by Robert Townsend.

Though it may not stand up to today's standards of films, I still enjoy this (when it's aired on cable).

I feel it's significant as one of the first black satirical films that pointed out the challenges inherent to attempting to work in the non-ethnic dominated, film and television industry (i.e. Hollywodd). It's difficult to break stereotypes and create positive role models, when there are still producers and casting directors demanding that actors of color,"....act MORE ethnic." :eyes:

[LooseWilly]

78. I know I'll probably be excoriated for saying this, but I loved the Wire.

Not a "film", but an HBO series... but I loved the way that it did such a wonderful job of humanizing the dealers and the cops and everyone in between in a community context that was predominantly black.

Watching it while driving a cab in Oakland (I have to say, I felt a lot of kinship to Omar's boyfriend in that 4th season)... I have to say, the portrayal of the dealers, especially the street level dealers, was the best thing I've seen in a long time. I can't think of a character I've loved as much as I loved Bodie in a long ass time.

[bliss_eternal]

79. not at all...

...i've been eyeing the dvd's as rentals for a while now.

kwassa also rec'd this above:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=258x6642#7225

appreciate your input to this thread, loosewilly. :hi:

[bliss_eternal]

80. Recently viewed The Garden...

..on the local environmental channel. An amazing documentary film, which covered the battle in south central Los Angeles, for a group to maintain a community garden. I don't want to say too much and ruin it for anyone that doesn't know this story, and may be interested in seeing it. I recommend it. It's an important film.

from the film's website:

The fourteen-acre community garden at 41st and Alameda in South Central Los Angeles is the largest of its kind in the United States. Started as a form of healing after the devastating L.A. riots in 1992, the South Central Farmers have since created a miracle in one of the country’s most blighted neighborhoods. Growing their own food. Feeding their families. Creating a community.

But now, bulldozers are poised to level their 14-acre oasis.

The Garden follows the plight of the farmers, from the tilled soil of this urban farm to the polished marble of City Hall. Mostly immigrants from Latin America, from countries where they feared for their lives if they were to speak out, we watch them organize, fight back, and demand answers:

Why was the land sold to a wealthy developer for millions less than fair-market value? Why was the transaction done in a closed-door session of the LA City Council? Why has it never been made public?

--------snip------

http://www.thegardenmovie.com/

[bliss_eternal]

81. Bringing this back,...

as a few different minority history months are coming after the beginning of the year. Some may be interested in checking out cultural movies.

[Brewman_Jax]

82. Remember the Titans

Historical and artistic license by Disney not withstanding, still a mostly good film of the trials and tribulations of desegregation told through a high school football team.

[bliss_eternal]

85. I enjoyed it....!

...loved the casting, the story, and learned (as you said) Disney's artistic licenses weren't a tremendous (or detrimental to the story).

So glad you added this to the list, Brewman...thank you!

[Blue_Tires]

83. A few good pieces on ESPN's "30 For 30"

My favorite so far has been "No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson".... Brilliant, brilliant documentary with a deft, ironic touch by Steve James of "Hoop Dreams"

James is also a native of Hampton, and was able to bring his experience of the racial dynamics in the film...

[bliss_eternal]

84. Ooooh....

...how did you know, that I have a personal weakness for documentary films? Well, you probably did not--but I do. LOVE them! So thanks SO much for this rec. I didn't know that ESPN featured documentaries....this sounds like a must see!

[bliss_eternal]

86. From Brewman Jack's historical list....

the made for television biographic film, "Something the Lord Made" starring Mos Def. :thumbsup: