10 Must Watch Movies for Black History Month

Want new interesting movies to watch? Well below I will be mentioning 10 movies that you can watch for the month of black history or just for fun. These movies will have you going through an emotional roller coaster from crying, to laughter, to smiling and more. I have watched all of these and have learned more my culture, controversial issues that still exist today, plus unity and love. 

1.  DO THE RIGHT THING   

          Spike Lee movies are G.O.A.T (Greatest of all Time). This  plot focuses around a local pizza boy who lacks ambition but is friendly with everybody and highly respected. The setting takes places on a hot summer day exploring different personalities and situations. At first I slept on this movie but I gave in and watched it. Amazing! This movie shows things that are still happening today. The ending of the movie had me shook. Do the Right Thing displayed racial segregation, seclusion and riots while sparking tension, controversy and praise as well.  It's a must watch!  

  

                                                                                                           

2. ANTWONE FISHER 

This movie had me on the edge of my seat. The story line drew me in as fast as the blink of an eye. It's about a young black sailor Antwone Fisher (played by handsome Derek Luke) who is apart of the navy trying to find himself. He has trouble facing anger outbursts that leads him to a navy psychiatrist played by the amazing, talented Denzel Washington.  Antwone grew up not knowing who his real parents were and as a child was raised by his abusive adoptive mom. Anyways he looks up to Denzel Washington's character as a father figure, finds love, finds himself and to find out more you'll just have to watch it!

           

3. THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION

I learned so much watching this documentary. Anytime something about my history is brought up I am all ears. This is actually the first feature film that goes into depth about The Black Panther Party's  trials, tribulations, journeys and interactions. This documentary really showed the credit they deserved that some people would sleep on or look past. Their significance to american culture, political awakenings for black people and many lessons learned from their experience was showcased. One thing I learned while watching was that the black panthers had a free breakfast for their community. To learn more what they did to shape today watch the documentary!! You wont be disappointed!

                                                

4. HIGHER LEARNING 

Now let me you this movie had me on a roller coaster of emotions. This movie shows the different encounters of the different races shared upon campus. Showcasing racial tension, rape and the reason why education is such an important asset in everyone's life. Plus some dope people are in this movie: Omar Epps, Ice Cube, Lawrence Fishburne, Regina Hall and etc. There was even a part in the movie where a white guy called out reverse racism to a black guy who was standing up for himself and other people of color in ignorant circumstances. Literally reverse racism doesn't exist against a race that has never been oppressed but was the oppressor - that's a whole other story! Really great movie I definitely recommend.

5. LIGHT IT UP

This movie is so underrated and lowkey. I came across it looking for a new movie to watch. It stars Usher, Rosario Dawson (one of my favs), Forest Whitaker and more. A movie about high school students standing up for their high schools poor conditions (no heat, light) bringing tension. This literally still happens today, not always broadcasted and brought to light but it's definitely there. Even features a officer arresting or/and willing to kill a student all because of a misunderstanding- no new news right there. So many young black children and black people are innocently killed approximately every 48 hrs for what... a misunderstanding. The climax at the end of this movie had me thinking every about all the unjust things in society today towards POC. Give it a watch!!

 6. A BRONX TALE 

This movie follows a young teenage Italian- American boy (Calogero)  growing up in the Bronx who looks up to two people. His father and a local boss of a mafia. His father teaches and guides his son like every father should but the mafia boss has respect from the whole neighborhood. Calogero ends up having a crush on a black girl Jane (played by beautiful Taral Hicks) but doesn't know how to approach her being that racial tension was very high around the setting of the movie taking place in the late 1960s. He even finds himself saying racial slurs himself which he greatly knows is wrong. This movie foreshadows a lot life lessons between his to father figures and shows interracial dating.

7. WAITING TO EXHALE 

Waiting to exhale had one the best iconic scenes of all time. The scene where Angela Bassett's character takes all her husbands clothes, puts them all in a car, smokes a cigarette then lights the clothes and vehicle on fire while walking away with strength and power is everything. This movie shows the companionship, love and support of sisterhood in friendship. Through breakups, one night stands, wack relationships it reaches almost all the above. The title explains itself, all of the four women in this friendship are "holding their breath" until the day they can find a man who is understanding, supportive, loyal and willing to love them in every aspect of the word in a relationship. I feel like every woman can relate to some of the things these women of experienced and maybe even a particular character. If you have not watched this yet- where have you been?

                                                   

   

8. BOYZ N THE HOOD

Basically this movie explained everything form gentrification to how young black men resort to things they know they probably should not be doing because it's all they know and see living in poor living circumstances. If you don't know what gentrification is it is the raise of rent, increased property, getting rid lower income families and replacing small businesses in "urban" areas. Crazy right?! It explores the every day lives of black men living in the hood obviously due to the title. Watching this movie I learned about gentrification, more about responsibility and the endangered consequences of innocent black men. Every young black man should watch this movie.

 9. BEYOND THE LIGHTS

Noni Jean (Gugu Mbatha- Raw) is a new upcoming singer but though she is getting more recognition the pressure of keeping up with something that she is not causes her to almost end her life. Noni ends up being drawn to the officer Kaz (Nate Parker) that saw her at her worst and saved her life. A relationship between the two blossoms even though their family, friends and coworkers are telling them to focus on whats really important; their career. He shows her what love is and Noni ends up finding herself and speaks up to what her own vision is for her singing career and not everyone else's opinion. A scene that really stuck with me is when Noni took her beautiful purple weave out and let her even more beautiful natural hair flourish. She was afraid of what Kaz would think but he loved it and played with it and kissed her passionately. That scene was important to me because so many black girls are taught to hate their beautiful coily curls and resort to straighter hair textures. I learned to love myself more, do things for myself only and follow my self intuition. This movie spoke volumes!

10. LOVE JONES

Last but not least- Love Jones! Starring Nia Long and Larenz Tate. Larenz Tate's character is poet who from time to time presents his poems at an upscale jazz nightclub. He meets Nina (Nia Long's character) they exchange some small talk he goes to perform his poem renaming the title to "A Blues for Nina". He thought he was slick! Nevertheless, they start dating and try to play it off as just "kicking it" knowing that they both have strong feelings for each other. Something that still happens in today's relationships as well. The producers of this film said they wanted to create a film between African Americans that didn't involve drugs or violence. Their relationship is a beautiful thing, they express their creativity with each other, with Tate's character being a writer and Nia Long's being a photographer. But it also features the downs of a relationship and admitting your true feelings to someone you love. You'll have to watch the whole movie to see how everything goes. *Sips Tea*

Love Jones Quote

That's it folks! Hope you enjoyed my list of recommended movies. All the movies mentioned are movies that I have personally watched and my truthful thoughts toward each one.

Tell me what you think below! Have you watched any of the movies I've mentioned? Any similar or recommended movies that you love as well? COMMENT BELOW AND LET ME KNOW.

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