Film Reviews & Movie Analysis

In the UK, October is Black History Month, and so I thought I would dedicate this months Top Five post to looking at movies and TV series that either has a black lead or a predominantly black cast.

MOVIES

Being the organised individual that I am, I picked a movie from a different genre to stop this list getting a little out of control.

1. Think like a Man (2012)

I have no shame about about my love of Romance movies and to fill this gap Think Like a Man immediately came to mind. Based on the non-fiction book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey, the movie follows men and women looking to fix themselves – or their significant others, in order to form a healthy relationship. It’s hilarious, has a stunning cast (Taraji P. Henson, Meagan Good and Michael Ealy to name a few) and it’s a light enjoyable romantic comedy with characters you can’t help but route for.

2. Django Unchained (2012)

This one ticks Drama, Western and Action as Jamie Foxx plays a freed slave who accompanies a German bounty hunter to take down every white man in his way to find wife Kerry Washington in Quentin Tarantino’s enjoyably gorey movie. A stellar all star cast and a less depressing take on a slavery themed movie.

3. Dreamgirls (2006)

Loosely based on the history of girl group The Supreme’s – to which Diana Ross formerly belonged. Dreamgirls features a soundtrack for the ages thanks to the musical talents of Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles and Anika Noni Rose – not to mention Eddie Murphy and a surprisingly multi-talented Jamie Foxx. The story is pretty powerful, the music is catchy – but damn these women have some pipes.

4. Hidden Figures (2016)

This historical drama outlines the difference three African American women made whilst working at NASA in the 1960’s. Each mathematician held fast to their beliefs, their intelligence and their worth in the constant face of racial and gender adversity. Inspirational AF and starring the marvels that are Taraji P Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe.

5. Black Panther (2018)

The most recent movie on the list, and yes you could say this is another action movie, but Google classified it as a Fantasy/Science Fiction so that’s the category I’m using for this line up. Though part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it worked autonomously to shine a positive light on Africa – even if it was on the fictional nation of Wakanda. It also showed that Black actors and cultural themes shouldn’t be pigeonholed to Nollywood or limited releases. One can reflect their culture and have it positively received worldwide.

TELEVISION

It was incredible difficult to keep so many classic black 90’s sitcoms off of this list and to be honest if I went down that path I don’t think I would have been able to choose just five. Therefore as a restriction, I tried to keep it pretty modern.

1. Insecure (2016 – Present)

Starting as a YouTube series entitled; Awkward Black Girl, the show was revamped and and buffed. Appealing to the modern black woman, Insecure focuses around the life of Issa and her best friend Molly – two black women dealing with the regular work place, men, and life drama. If it sounds simple, then that’s because it is, and yet it’s the first of its kind in this age to target black women, despite them going through exactly the same issues as everybody else.

2. How To Get Away With Murder (2014 – Present)

This artfully contrived series has really gone through the grinder, but Viola Davies, who plays main character Annalise Keating has kept viewers coming back for more… for five ridiculous seasons. I’m not hating – I have in fact watched 3/4 of the series so far and will probably get roped into the latest one at some point. This show made the list because Viola Davis was the gateway to proving that previously overlooked darker skinned black women could carry a show and carry it with success.

3. Grown-ish (2018 – Present)

Okay so I will admit I didn’t technically finish watching this show. It was a little too juvenile for me – however I am here for what it stands for…. a chance to expand the themes set in Black-ish, projected to a younger audience with a positive lead in Yara Shahidi.

4. Black Lightening (2018 – Present)

Based on the comic of the same name, this CW adapted superhero series sits in the same vein as The Flash, Arrow and Supergirl (though not a part of their universe). Its location and premise allow the series to examine the war on drugs, intercity crime, and the government handling of black neighborhoods in America. It features (obviously) a black lead in Cress Williams’, Jefferson Pierce but also shows that black women can be both smart and super too.

5. Everybody Hates Chris (2005 – 2009)

I know I said recent shows but I make no apologies for including the comedy greatness that was Everybody Hates Chris. Based on the upbringing of comedian Chris Rock, depicted by Tyler James Williams, the show focuses on his teenage years living in Brooklyn with parents that are shockingly realistic, and navigating the school corridors as the only black kid in the 1980’s. It’s funny through and through, but at its center still projects a strong message and a clear depiction of growing up poor and black.

There is is so much TV and so little time, so here are a few shows that I’ve heard good things about but haven’t gotten around to yet; Power, Queen Sugar, Atlanta, Luke Cage.

You may or may not have noticed that all the shows and movies on this list are all American. I did in fact try to make a UK specific one but it was pretty sparse and I would have had to add shows I didn’t even like or watch if I wanted to fill it.

Still, shout out to the following that I have watched; Undercover, Luther, Bulletproof, and the ones that I haven’t; Chewing Gum, Black Earth Rising, Yardie. One day we’ll catch-up.

My Last Top Five: Back to School
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