List
Black Joy on Screen
Here are some of our favorite titles.
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American Fiction
2024Get this itemThelonious "Monk" Ellison, a Black author/professor, hasn’t had a novel published in a long while because he refuses to write the stereotypical fiction that white publishers want. Frustrated, he takes on a fake identity, writes a book as a joke that he thinks is dreadful, and to his surprise it becomes a huge success. This received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Jeffrey Wright. Cord Jefferson (who also directed the film) won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Suggested by Sharon.
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Origin
2024Get this itemWriter/director Ava DuVernay (“Selma”) describes Origin as a “film about a woman in pursuit of an idea." Based on the critically acclaimed nonfiction book Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, this ambitious cinematic work explores caste systems across the world, making you think deeply about human behavior and oppression. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who plays the author, is stunning. Suggested by Brenna and Sharon.
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The Color Purple
2024Get this itemAn adaptation of the musical stage production based on the Pulitzer-Prize-winning book of the same title, the story centers on Celie, a Black woman living in the American South in the early 1900s. Celie experiences tragedy and hardship yet proves to be resilient as she leans into the friendship and support of the women around her. Reprising her role from the stage musical, Danielle Brooks picked up an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
2023Get this itemEverything about this movie is next level. It’s the highly anticipated sequel to Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse.”Here, Miles Morales ventures into the Multiverse, joining Gwen Stacy and other Spider-People as a threat to their very existence looms large. The first won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film in 2019, and this one received a nomination in the same category. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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On the Come Up
2023Get this itemI was excited to learn that the adaptation of Angie Thomas' bestselling book is also Sanaa Lathan’s directorial debut. The story follows 16-year-old Bri Jackson, a gifted rapper who’s trying to break out with the right song at the right time. Lathan plays Bri’s mother to newcomer Jamila Gray, and the always reliable Da'Vine Joy Randolph is Aunt Pooh. It’s an empowering musical journey. Suggested by Sharon.
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Black Panther, Wakanda Forever
2023Get this itemWe appreciated director and writer Ryan Coogler's acknowledging the loss of the incredible Chadwick Boseman. The characters and we as viewers mourn the loss of beloved King T'Challa, but we cheered as the women of Wakanda took center stage and gave the story a new direction. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Abbott Elementary: The Complete First Season
2022Get this itemThere's a perfect balance of laugh-out-loud moments and thoughtful critiques about the school system. This award-winning TV series is a must see. Suggested by Amber, Brenna, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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The Woman King
2022Get this itemGina Prince-Bythewood (Love and Basketball) directs the heck out of this women-led historical fiction movie about the Agojie, an all-female military unit in the 1820s that guarded the West African kingdom of Dahomey. The incomparable Viola Davis transformed herself to become General Nanisca, and her co-leads Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, and Sheila Atim all deserve much acclaim. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Summer of Soul (...or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
2022Get this itemAbsolutely one of the best documentaries in recent years, it examines the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival that ran for six weekends, with legendary musical artists and huge attendance. From the 40+ hours of footage shot, first-time director Questlove does an awesome job selecting performances, conducting interviews, and using archival TV footage and headlines. Suggested by Brenna, Rummanah and Sharon.
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Time
2022Get this itemDocumentarian Garrett Bradley ingeniously combines original film and home video to tell the compelling story of Sibil Fox Richardson, who spent two decades fighting to get her husband paroled from prison. It all leads to an unforgettable last scene that hits you in the heart. Suggested by Sharon.
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One Night in Miami
2021Get this itemCelebrate Regina King for her directorial debut! Working with an excellent screenplay by Kemp Powers, King gives a fictionalized glimpse into the complicated friendship between four luminaries of the Civil Rights era. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Respect
2021Get this itemThis long-awaited biographical drama stars Jennifer Hudson as the amazing Aretha Franklin. She gives a knockout portrayal, and it’s easy to see the passion Hudson has for her subject. Recommended by Sharon.
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Zola
2021Get this itemIt's creative, bold, risky, coded, and cutting. Based on a 2015 tweetstorm that went viral, Aziah “Zola” King brilliantly described her road trip odyssey weekend that went sideways, and filmmaker Janicza Bravo brought it to the screen. Suggested by Sharon.
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Harriet
2020Get this itemCynthia Erivo stars as Harriet Tubman, delivering a remarkable performance. She researched to find the right singing voice and trained to do many of her own stunts. Yes, Harriet is somewhat of an action hero! Director Kasi Lemmons (“Whitney Houston”) says that this biopic is a freedom story. Suggested by Sharon.
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The Photograph
2020Get this itemLooking at the complexities of love and commitment, this romantic drama revolves around a photograph and a letter, and Mae and Michael as they investigate the past to understand the present. The lead characters have a lot of on-screen chemistry, and writer/director Stella Meghie skillfully gives us a wonderful twist by the end. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Small Axe: Collection of 5 Films from Steve McQueen
2020Get this itemExquisite storytelling from writer/director Steve McQueen (Widows) about London's West Indian community. This collection of five loosely connected made-for-TV movies tells a powerful narrative that is as specific as it is wide reaching. Suggested by Sharon.
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The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel
2020Get this itemMusic matters most for this film about the renowned Clark Sisters, and the actors do their own glorious singing. Plus, we have the multitalented Aunjanue Ellis as their mother Mattie Moss Clark, a woman singularly focused on her vision for her daughters.
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Miss Juneteenth
2020Get this itemDo not miss this touching mother-daughter story. Nicole Beharie shines as a mom who wants her daughter to have the type of opportunities she lost. Kudos to writer/director Channing Godfrey Peoples. On a tiny budget, she delivers an outstanding first film. Suggested by Sharon.
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