The first question I asked myself when I first started writing this is: What makes a black movie "black". The criteria for a black movie is the following (now keep in mind this is my site so we are playing by my rules) A black film should have the combination of the following:
- Black director
- Black producer
- Black screenwriter
- Black actors
- Last but not least the subject matter in which black culture is portrayed in a positive light.
Everything else is just n*gga nonsense.
I intentionally left out Boyz in the Hood, Menace II Society, Do the Right Thing (and a couple of others you may heard of), because those movies were no brainers. Although the list I put together has some no brainers I also mixed in some movies that you've probably haven't heard before. The list was designed to reflect various points of view within black culture.
All of this would not have been possible if it wasn't for Oscar Micheaux to lead the way. He's the inspiration for any black person who aspires to become involved in the film industry.
In the Heat of the Night (1967) - Sidney Poitier already had over 20 movies under his belt before staring in this and he was a moderate box office draw. He paid his dues and this was part was a reward of sorts. Poitier's performance is brilliant. When you get a chance watch the movie carefully. Notice how his character gains the respect of the reluctant Chief Gillespie (Rod Steiger). Detective Tibbs does it by just being better at his job than Gillespie.
Watermelon Man (1970) - Mario Van Peebles did this movie a year before he made Sweet Sweetback's Badd Ass Song. It is the story of how a white bigot wakes up one morning to discover he's become a black man. Godfrey Cambridge is great in this movie. Would you believe the producers wanted to cast a white man in the lead?
Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) - Ossie Davis wrote and directed this adaptation of the Chester Himes classic. The first black buddy cop movie I can remember enjoying. How many movies made pre-1970 (not including the Micheaux race movies) that are directed and written by a black man based on material written by a black man? Ossie Davis was a trailblazer for a reason folks.
Shaft (1971) - This movie was the cash cow of the 70's. It proved that black heroes were marketable (at least til they got tired of us). Shaft was originally supposed to be a white guy. But with the studio hiring Gordon Parks Sr to direct and the success of Mario Van Peebles Sweetback's success the studio decided to rewrite the movie for a black audience.
Three the Hard Way (1974) - The premise alone was enough to make me see this movie many times over as a kid. The story involves a white supremacist plot to taint the United States water supply with a toxin that is harmless to whites but lethal to blacks. The only obstacles that stand in the way of this dastardly plan are Jim Brown, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly, who shoot, kick and karate chop their way to final victory. Of course we win in the end. This movie probably has one of the highest body counts of white people in that era.
A Soldier's Story (1984) - The cast alone is incredible. The ending telling. Adolph Caesar should have gotten an Oscar for what he did in this movie.
Hollywood Shuffle (1987) - If you plan on being a black actor in Hollywood, you must see this movie. The activator scene is one of the funniest things put of film. The most disappointing thing is that Robert Townsend isn't doing stuff like that today.
Raw (1987) - See what happens when enough power players in Hollywood get on the same page? Directed by Robert Townsend. This is when Eddie Murphy was funny and before he started taking money to do sh*t. The opening sketch was written by Keenen Ivory Wayans (who also was one of the producers) and the director of cinematography was Ernest R. Dickerson (director of Juice). They have not worked with each other since and it's a damn shame. Look for Sam Jackson in the opening he plays Eddie's uncle who's the only one laughing at Eddie's joke.
School Daze (1988) - If you plan on pledging a black frat see this movie. This movie also deals with a lot of boughy stereotypes. And talks about that little secret we've had among each other concerning light and dark skin.
Glory (1989) - The story that every young black American child should know. And not forget.
Daughters of the Dust (1991) - This is a work of passion by director Julie Dash. This movie will make you want to read about the Gullah culture in the Carolinas.
One False Move (1992) - Afro-Noir at its finest. Carl Franklin's debut is a brilliant work that contains a few twists that take the viewer for a loop. Side note: When this movie first came out no one realized that the director was black.
Dead Presidents (1995) - Great heist movie. One of the best soundtracks ever.
Hav Plenty (1997) - Boughy comedy. I put this in there because it's just so damn funny. Lee Plenty is an almost broke would-be novelist and Havilland Savage is rich and very beautiful woman and his friend. When she invites him to her home for New Year's Eve, and from there it gets funny. In this movie you have various "Boughy" stereotypes. The broke (but educated) black man, the sista that has it all together, the golddigging best friend, etc.
Rosewood (1997) - The story of a forgotten town. Again if you are a black person living in America you should see this movie. It presents an ugly side of America that people have forgotten about, but a side we should always remember.
Bamboozled (2000) - Spike Lee's angriest movie. It gets muddled toward the end but I still think it is a very important film.
Boycott (2001) - In his portrayal of MLK I feel Jeffrey Wright got it down in this one.
Paid in Full (2002) - Of all the "hood" movies that have been made. This one closes the book on them perfectly.
Notable mention: Birth of a Nation (1915) - This movie is on the list because it provides us with perspective on how far we've come. It is a must see if you are African-American. Please keep in mind there were no black people in this movie. All the actors playing black roles had to wear black face. It caused riots nationwide and was a favorite at the White House.
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