One Sentence Black Film Reviews
Don’t watch the help, watch these black films instead.
One of the most interesting results of the George Floyd protests is the increased awareness of films created by black people. It’s great to see white and nonblack folks buy, watch, and highlight creative projects that feature black lives. Content such as Dear White People, 13th, and Da 5 Bloods are trending thanks in part to this movement.
However, some content does not deserve recognition. These films typically feature white saviors saving black folks from themselves. Some examples include well-meaning white teachers empowering black and brown students to aspire for more, white people overcoming their racism by becoming friends with ONE black person, and my personal favorite, white folks adopting poor black children from the inner city. There are other examples of these types of films. You have probably seen them before. There is no reason to list their titles here.
To help steer people in the right direction, I decided to highlight a series of films created by and for black people in a project titled, One Sentence Black Film Reviews. Many of these films had mainstream success, while others had not received their moment in the spotlight. My goal is to feature all of these films. These reviews are currently on my social media and Ko-Fi pages. This project is ongoing, and this blog post will update weekly.
If there are any films you want me to highlight, please list them in the comments section below. You can also support any of my ongoing projects by signing up for my weekly newsletter or buying me a coffee on Ko-fi.
One Sentence Black Film Reviews
Miss Juneteenth (2020)
“The acting is serviceable at best, but the film does a solid job of showcasing different aspects of southern black culture through the lens of a former beauty queen.”
About: A former beauty queen turned single mother signs her defiant daughter up for the “Miss Juneteenth” pageant in Forth Worth Texas, hoping it will give the teen a brighter future.
Starring: Nicole Beharie, Kendrick Sampson, and Alexis Chikaeze
Directed by: Channing Godfrey Peoples
Screenplay by: Channing Godfrey Peoples
Available: Buy or rent on Prime Video or Apple TV
Little Woods (2018)
“Moody, atmospheric, and ruthlessly tragic, Nia DaCosta's film will challenge you to think about the opioid epidemic in a different light.”
About: In order to save their family home, estranged sisters Ollie and Deb dive into the illegal world of drug smuggling near the Canada-United States border in North Dakota.
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Lily James, Luke Kirby, Lance Reddick, James Badge Dale
Directed by: Nia DaCosta
Screenplay by: Nia DaCosta
Available: Free for Hulu subscribers.
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
“Spike Lee's multigenerational war epic is deeply poignant, gorgeously filmed, and absolutely perfect for our troubled times.”
About: While wrestling their inner demons, four black veterans return to Vietnam to find their lost comrade and the gold he helped them bury.
Starring: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock, Chadwick Boseman
Directed by: Spike Lee
Screenplay by: Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo, Spike Lee, Kevin Willmott
Available: Free for Netflix Subscribers.
He Even Has Your Eyes (2016)
“You can't help but root for married black couple Paul and Sali as they try to adopt a white baby in this charming Belgian-French dramedy.”
About: Unable to have a child of their own, French-African couple Paul and Sali adopt a white baby despite the dismay of their family and a prejudiced social worker.
Starring: Lucien Jean-Baptiste, Aïssa Maïga, Zabou Breitman, Vincent Elbaz as Man
Directed by: Lucien Jean-Baptiste
Screenplay by: Marie-Françoise Colombani, Lucien Jean-Baptiste, Sébastien Mounier
Available: Free for Netflix subscribers.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)
“Profoundly moving and melancholic, Jimmie's quest to restore his childhood home shows how gentrification can impact the black community.”
About: Along with his best friend Mont, Jimmie attempts to take back his grandfather’s Victorian house in an ever-increasingly expensive San Francisco.
Starring: Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors, Danny Glover
Directed by: Joe Talbot
Screenplay by: Joe Talbot, Rob Richert
Available: Free for Prime Video Subscribers.
Selah And The Spades (2019)
“Genuinely intriguing and surprisingly political, Selah and her band of misfits bring much-needed diversity to indie teen films.”
About: At a posh private Pennsylvania boarding school, senior Selah Summer’s reign begins to slip when she recruits a successor to take her place as leader of the notorious faction, the Spades.
Starring: Lovie Simone, Celeste O'Connor, Jharrel Jerome, Ana Mulvoy-Ten, Jesse Williams
Directed by: Tayarisha Poe
Screenplay by: Tayarisha Poe
Available: Free for Prime Video Subscribers.
Friday (1995)
“I’m still pissed that the film ruined my name, but I have to admit it’s a great coming of age tale.”
About: Two broke best friends try to figure out how to pay back a drug dealer before the end of the day.
Starring: Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, John Witherspoon, Nia Long, Tiny Lister Jr.
Directed by: F. Gary Gray
Screenplay by: Ice Cube, DJ Pooh
Available: Buy or rent on Prime Video or Apple TV.
Love & Basketball (2000)
“No matter if they’re on or off the court, the chemistry between Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps is electrifying.”
About: Monica and Quincy’s dream to become professional basketball players blossoms into a love for each other.
Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Alfre Woodard, Dennis Haysbert, Debbi Morgan, Harry J. Lennix
Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Screenplay by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Available: Buy or rent on Prime Video or Apple TV.
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