Worst2First: My Top Ten Films for Black History Month

Worst2First: 

My Top Ten Films for Black History Month

February celebrates Black History month, and there's been countless films that celebrate the African American community and features some of the best actors and actresses to ever grace the silver screen.

In honor of Black History month, here are ten movies you should check out.

#10

Precious

 "Precious" is a tale about an overweight, illiterate girl named Precious who is having her second child and lives in a highly abusive home.  Yet, despite all her struggles, she still maintains a hope to become somebody important someday.  Featuring an Oscar-winning performance by Mo'Nique and introducing Gabourey Sidibe (who was also nominated for an Oscar), the film is a powerful look into the world of one young girl who shows the power of perseverance.  The film also won an Oscar for Geoffrey Fletcher for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, making him the first African American to win the Best Screenplay Oscar.

#9

Ray

Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his performance as Ray Charles, one of the most influential rhythm and blues musicians to ever play the piano, despite the fact that he went blind at the age of seven.  The film chronicles his childhood all the way to his rise to fame, and the pits, downfalls and heights that came along with it.

#8

The Pursuit of Happyness

Will Smith and his real life son Jaden star in this moving, powerful film about a man who is down on his luck who gets custody of his young son, but can't make ends meet.  It tells the true-life story of Chris Gardner and how he survived being homeless with his son and the struggles he faced.  It's a powerful film, one that tugs at the heart strings and gives you hope in the most hopeless of situations.

#7

The Help

 "The Help" takes place in Jackson, Mississippi during the civil rights movement, and features a young woman who decides to write a book detailing the lives of the African American maids and the struggles they went through.  The film earned Octavia Spencer an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and features a standout cast including Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain and Allison Janney.

#6

Remember the Titans

"Remember the Titans" tells the true-life story of a high school football team in the deep south who just acquired their first African American coach, and dealing with the integration of African American players on the team.  Denzel Washington gives a powerful performance in one of my favorite sports films of all time, including one of my favorite lines in any movie: "Attitude reflects leadership, captain." 

#5

Fences

"Fences" is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by August Wilson about an African American family living in Pittsburgh in the 1950s.  The man of the house works hard for a living to support his family, but also yearns for the day when he played professional baseball, and wonders what could've happened.  The film features an amazing performance by Denzel Washington, who also directed the film, but it's Viola Davis's performance that gave me goosebumps and moved me profoundly, and I fully expect her to be rewarded the Oscar this year for her once-in-a-lifetime performance.

#4

Hidden Figures

"Hidden Figures" is the untold true story of three African American women - Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson - who used their knowledge, guts and determination to help get John Glenn into space.  The film is one of a kind, featuring three tremendous performances by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae that lifts your spirits and makes you happy in a world filled with unhappiness.

#3

Glory

"Glory" is the true-life story of Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) who leads the first all-black volunteer company during the Civil War as they struggle against the prejudices of the Confederates and their own Union armies.  The film won three Academy Awards, including Denzel Washington's first win for Best Supporting Actor, and also features Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes and Andre Braugher.

#2

The Color Purple

Steven Spielberg directs this powerful piece is cinema based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker about a young African American girl named Ceile Harris in North Carolina in the early 20th century and the problems she faced in life such as domestic violence, incest, poverty, racism and sexism.  The film was nominated for a staggering eleven Academy Awards and featured first-time performances by Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg, as well as starring Danny Glover, Margaret Avery and Rae Dawn Chong.

#1

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

In 1967, segregation was still rampant in America, and it's in this divisive climate "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" was released, and it was groundbreaking.  The film featured three Academy Award winners - Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn (who won another Oscar for her role here) and Sidney Poitier - and focuses on a white family who's lives and views are turned upside down when their daughter brings home her fiance - who is African American.  The film is still as powerful and resonating as it was back then, and truly is one of the classics of cinema.