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Dad's top
20 Black & White Films - Ranked!
Countdown from #20 to #1.
This
includes Dad's spoiler-free Mini-Preview!
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Honorable Mention |
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The Shape of Water (2017)
A Fairy Tale for
Troubled Times
Director: Guillermo del Toro, rated R for language, zombie
gory violence
  Starring: Sally
Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael
Stuhlbarg, Nick Searcy, Nigel Bennett
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"When he looks at me, the
way he looks at me... He does not know, what I lack... Or - how
- I am incomplete. He sees me, for what I - am, as I am. He's
happy - to see me. Every time. Every day. Now, I can either save
him... or let him die" - Giles, interpreting Elisa
Why watch this? It's
strange, haunting and a work of extraordinary beauty.
Plot Summary:
In 1962 Baltimore, Elisa, a mute cleaning lady working at a
high-security government laboratory, leads a lonely, isolated
life. Her existence changes forever when she discovers a
mysterious, captured humanoid amphibian creature and forms a
deep, unique bond with him. To save him from a sadistic colonel,
Elisa teams up with her friends to plan a daring escape and set
him free.
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Dad's Preview:
As Guillermo del Toro's career has matured, the director has
shown true mastery of the human condition. As in
Hellboy
(2004), he often uses creatures as conduits of humanity
(defined as the capacity for compassion, empathy and kindness).
The point being that many humans are in fact monsters because of
their lack said humanistic traits. This tender love story occurs
in spite of the cruelty inflicted by many damaged men. It takes
a woman, a true empath, to see the soul and beauty within a
being that may be frightening at first glance. I most enjoyed
that this film conveys an honesty. Nakedness is exposed. True
feelings come forth regardless of the scoffs of prudish,
structured society. As a whole, this amazing film with its
whimsical feel, harkens to older films, yet within a modern
context. It feels old and new. And it is really unforgettable.
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Double Dare You
Prod.; Fox Searchlight Pics
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#20 Top |
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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (1967)
a love story
of today
Director: Stanley Kramer, rated Approved
Starring: Spencer
Tracy, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Houghton,
Cecil Kellaway, Beah Richards, Roy E. Glenn Sr.
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"There is nothing,
absolutely nothing, that your son feels for my daughter that I
didn't feel for Christina.
Old? Yes. Burnt out? Certainly. But I
can tell you the memories are still there –
clear, intact,
indestructible." -
Matt Drayton
Why watch this?
Racism is our history. This film attempts, successfully, to talk
about it.
Plot Summary:
This drama film is about a young white woman who introduces her
African-American fiancé to her wealthy, liberal parents. The
parents are forced to confront their own latent prejudices as
they grapple with the implications of their daughter's choice in
a society where interracial marriage was still controversial.
The story unfolds over the course of one day, culminating in a
dinner where both sets of parents meet for the first time.
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Dad's Preview:
This is one brave film from the 1960's that took on the
controversial topic of interracial marriage, and it does so
head-on. A young couple are determined to marry; Joanna, a white
girl, and John, a black man. They have planned a dinner with
both sets of parents to make their announcement and clear the
air on some issues. It turns into quite a memorable evening as
the stubborn parents squabble over their differences. Spencer Tracy's
final speech is one for the ages. |
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Stanley Kramer;
Columbia Pictures
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#19 Top |
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Monster's Ball (2001)
A lifetime of
change can happen in a single moment.
Director: Marc Forster, rated R for nudity/sexuality,
racial language, suicide
Starring: Bill Bob
Thornton, Halle Berry, Heath Ledger, Sean Combs, Mos Def, Peter
Boyle, Gabrielle Witcher, Amber Rules
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"I've always believed that
a portrait captures a person far better than a photograph.
It
truly takes a human being to really see a human being." -
Lawrence Musgrove
Why watch this?
Most of the film is about pain, its aftermath, and how folks try
to move on.
Plot Summary:
A white corrections officer, Hank Grotowski, works on death row.
After a series of personal tragedies, he quits his job and meets
Leticia Musgrove, an African-American woman also dealing with
immense personal loss. Unbeknownst to them both, Hank was one of
the officers who carried out the execution of Leticia's husband,
creating a complex and tragic connection between them.
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Dad's Preview:
This is a brutally hard film to watch at times. There are many
tragedies that befall its flawed characters: A prisoner is executed.
A young man takes his own life. A
mother's child is killed by a car. Each calamity is peppered with
generational racism. Still, amid all that, two lost, emotionally
wounded
people
find each other and try to salvage something from the carnage.
Performances are stellar all the way around, including
Thornton and the late Heath Ledger. However, it is Halle Berry
and her
palpable pain, who shines, and she justifiably won the Oscar for Best Actress. |
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Lee Daniels
Entertainment; Lions Gate Films
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#18 Top |
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Do the Right Thing (1989)
It's
the hottest day of the summer. You can do nothing, you
can do something, or you can...
Director: Spike Lee, rated R for language
Starring:
Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richards Edson, Spike Lee,
Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Tuturro, John Savage
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"They're - They're not
really black. I mean, they're black, but they're not really
black. They're more than black. It's different." – Pino, trying to explain
why Magic Johnson, Eddie Murphy and Price are "different" black
people.
Why watch this? Race
relations get to a boiling point in Spike Lee's NYC masterpiece.
Plot Summary:
On the hottest day of the year in a Brooklyn neighborhood,
racial tensions simmer between the residents and the owners of a
local pizzeria. The story follows various characters as
conflicts escalate over the course of the day. This increasing
friction ultimately leads trouble.
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Dad's Preview:
As typical for a white man, my first viewing of this film
upset me. I think I was incapable of getting it. Now, I think I am
starting to. The film is centered around Sal's Pizzeria, located
in Brooklyn, which is mostly a black neighborhood. Racial
tensions increase in the hot summer weather, as an argument over
Sal's all-white picture "Wall of Fame" in his restaurant. Films
like this make me want to do the work to understand racial
issues in our country. We have to co-exist, folks. It seems to
be getting better, but we've got a ways to go. We'll all be
happier, when we finally do. |
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40 Acres
and a Mule; Filmworks;
Universal Pictures
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#17 Top |
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Remember the Titans (2000)
Before they could
win, they had to become one.
Director: Boaz Yakin, rated PG
Starring: Denzel
Washington, Will Patton, Donald Faison, Nicole Ari Parker,
Hayden Panettiere, Kip Pardue
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"If we don't come together
right now on this hallowed ground, we too will be destroyed,
just like they were. I don't care if you like each other of not,
but you will respect each other. And maybe... I don't know,
maybe we'll learn to play this game like men." -
Coach Boone
Why watch this?
I do like a good high school football movie. This is a great one.
Plot Summary:
In 1971, amidst forced school integration, a Black head coach is
hired to lead a Virginia high school football team, replacing a
respected white coach. This change creates significant racial
tension and conflict amongst the players and the community.
Despite the challenges, the coaches and team members strive to
overcome their differences and unite to achieve success on the
football field.
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Dad's Preview:
This may be a football movie, but the theme is unmistakably that
racism is destructive to building a team and society as a whole. As it builds up to the final big game,
the team finally comes together, sometimes by addition and sometimes by
subtraction. By the end, the Titans stand together as brothers.
I can't say enough about another stellar performance by Denzel Washington.
Also look for a very young Ryan Gosling.
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Walt Disney
Pictures; Jerry Bruckheimer Films,
Technical
Black Films;
Buena Vista Pictures Dist.
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#16 Top |
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12 Years a Slave
(2013)
The
extraordinary true story of Solomon Northup
Director: Steve McQueen, rated R for
violence, torture, cruelty, nudity
Starring: Chiwetel
Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano,
Garret Dillahunt, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Lupita Nyong'o,
Adepero Oduye, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Michael Kenneth
Williams, Alfre Woodard
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"If you want to survive, do
and say as little as possible.
Tell no one who you really are
and tell no one that you can read and write."
Clemens
Why watch this?
You want to play down slavery? Watch this film, then we'll
talk.
Plot
Summary:
In the pre-Civil War United States, a free Black man named
Solomon Northup from upstate New York is abducted and sold into
slavery. He endures twelve years of brutality and hardship on
cotton plantations in Louisiana, facing cruelty from his owners
and struggling to survive. Despite the challenges, Solomon
fights to maintain his dignity as he desperately looks for ways
to regain his freedom.
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Dad's Preview:
Here we are graced with great performances from an all-star cast.
It's a hard story to see, and I wept long
and hard after this film. The audacity of anyone to justify the owning of fellow human beings makes me want
to scream. The direction and acting are top-notch, and Chiwetel
Ejiofor leads the list, as the Northern free black man taken into
bondage. Slavery is a gaping scar on
our country's legacy. To EVER move on, American citizens need to face it, teach
that it happened in
our schools, and accept responsibility. |
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Regency
Ent., River Road Ent., Plan B Ent.,
Film4; Fox Searchlight Pics
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#15 Top |
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Green Book (2018)
Inspired by a True Friendship
Director: Peter Farrelly, rated PG-13 for bigotry,
violence
Starring:
Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian
Maniscalco, Dimiter D. Marinov, Mike Hatton, P.J. Byrne, Von Lewis
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"So if I'm not
black enough and if I'm not white enough, and not
man enough, then tell me, Tony, what am I?" -
Dr. Don Shirley
Why watch this?
In a country divided by race, we just need to rub elbows to find
our common ground.
Plot Summary:
In 1962, a working-class Italian-American bouncer named Tony
"Lip" Vallelonga is hired to drive renowned African-American
classical pianist Don Shirley on a concert tour through the Deep
South. Facing widespread racial segregation and prejudice, they
must rely on "The Negro Motorist Green Book" to navigate safe
havens for Black travelers. Despite their vastly different
backgrounds and personalities, the two men form an unlikely bond
and friendship as they confront adversity and learn from each
other during their journey.
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Dad's Preview: This film
was
based on a true story, and won the Oscars for Best Picture
and Supporting Actor (Mahersala Ali). This thoroughly enjoyable
flick
held my attention for every single second. The two lead
characters could not be more
different, yet their journey together carries the film
forward to where we hope it goes. In the end, both men emerge
with a larger world-view and a lot more empathy to folks
different than them. |
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Participant Media,
DreamWorks Pics, Innisfee Pics,
Cinetic Media,
Alibaba Pics; Universal Pictures
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#14 Top |
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The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
(2005)
For justice.
For loyalty. For friendship.
Director: Tommy Lee Jones, Rated R for language,
violence, sexuality
Starring:
Tommy Lee Jones, Barry Pepper, Dwight Yoakam, January Jones,
Julio Cesar Cedillo, Melissa Leo, Levon Helm, Mel Rodriguez
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"You try to run away
again, and I'll kill you. I guess you know that by now." -
Pete Perkins
Why watch this?
A memorable Texas border tale about murder, penance and retribution.
Plot Summary:
When an undocumented Mexican ranch worker is mistakenly killed
and improperly buried, his friend, a Texas ranch foreman named
Pete Perkins, remembers his promise to bury him in his hometown.
Taking matters into his own hands, Pete kidnaps the border
patrol agent responsible for the death and exhumes the body.
With his captive and the deceased tied to a mule, Pete embarks
on a long, arduous journey across the border to fulfill his vow.
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Dad's Preview:
This powerful neo-Western is both compelling on it's own and as
an allegorical tale. It wanders through a young border patrolman's
life - his hate-filled racism, his crime,
torture... and eventual redemption - all at the hands of a hard
Texas cowboy. Tommy Lee Jones and Barry Pepper deliver wonderful performances in this
grueling
journey to justice. This marked Tommy Lee Jones' first hand at directing,
and it's a stellar effort. What I noticed most was the attention
spent on all the little moments: Tender flashbacks between
friends, the odd encounter with the blind man, and the scene
sitting in the uneventful Mexican bar. There is a richness on
display here that perhaps only someone who grew up in a Southern
border state can appreciate, but I think it is broader than
that. |
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EuropaCorp,
Javalina Film Co.;
Sony Pictures Classics
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#13 Top |
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Sicario
(2015)
The border is
just another line to cross.
Director: Denis Villeneuve, rated R for language,
intense violence
Starring: Emily
Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio del Toro, Jon Bernthal, Maximiliano
Hernández, Victor Garber, Daniel Kaluuya, Julio Cesar Cedillo
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"You should move to a small
town, somewhere the rule of law still exists. You will not
survive here.
You are not a wolf, and this is a land of wolves
now." - Alejandro
Why watch this?
It will help you understand the brutal drug war border states faces
every day.
Plot Summary:
This intense film follows a female DEA officer who wants to make
a difference. She is assigned to an experienced team working on
a big drug bust. She quickly learns that things work very
differently than the black and white world she's used to. She's
also in way over her head.
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Dad's Preview:
Del Toro once again chews up every
scene
with his ability to portray the tough guy with a touch of
heart. His experienced CIA assassin completely juxtaposes
Emily Blunt's role as FBI Border Agent Kate
Macer. The scene where they infiltrate the drug tunnel at night
using infrared goggles is heart-stopping! The driving,
suspenseful soundtrack is
beyond powerful, as is the stark desert backdrop. If you want an
education on the real "war on drugs", this is it.
And it is brutal. |
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Black Label Media,
Thunder Road; Lionsgate
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#12 Top |
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Trading Places (1983)
They're not
just getting rich... They're getting even.
Director: John Landis, rated R for language, crude
humor, brief nudity
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ralph
Bellamy, Don Ameche, Denholm Elliott, Paul Gleason
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Yeah. You know, it
occurs to me that the best way to hurt rich people
is by turning
them into poor people." – Billy Ray Valentine
Why watch this?
I love the premise. I love the cast. I love the execution.
Plot Summary: Two
incredibly wealthy brothers, the Dukes, make a bet about whether
a person's surroundings or genetics determines their success. To
settle this, they orchestrate a complete life swap between their
successful, high-society commodities broker, Louis Winthorpe
III, and a street-smart hustler, Billy Ray Valentine. The film
then follows the hilarious chaos that ensues as both men
navigate their drastically altered lives and eventually discover
the Duke brothers' cynical scheme.
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Dad's Preview:
I was not
an Eddie Murphy fan. After this film, I came around. The basic
plot is two uber-rich old farts deviously select one poor person and one
rich person, then reverse their settings, all to settle a bet
regarding nature vs. nurture. In this well-written, smart, John Landis comedy, we
are blessed with ex-SNL'ers Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, plus
the stunning force of veteran actress, Jamie
Lee Curtis. The scene where Aykroyd disguises
himself as Santa is one of my all-time
favorites. I'll not be having the smoked salmon... |
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Aaron Russo;
Paramount Pictures
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#11 Top |
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To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
The most
beloved Pulitzer Prize book now comes vividly alive on the
screen!
Director: Robert Mulligan, rated Approved
Starring: Gregory
Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, Brock Peters, Paul
Fix, Robert Duvall, Frank Overton, John Megna, Rosemary Murphy,
Ruth White
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"If you just learn a single
trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of
folks. You never really
understand a person until you consider
things from his point of view...
Until you climb inside of his
skin and walk around in it." – Atticus Finch
Why watch this?
It's a superb adaptation of the Pulitzer-winning classic novel.
Plot Summary:
Scout Finch is a young girl growing up in a racially segregated
Alabama town during the Great Depression. Her principled lawyer
father, Atticus, defends a black man falsely accused of raping a
white woman. Through the trial and interactions with their
mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley, Scout and her brother Jem
confront the complex realities of prejudice, injustice, and the
loss of childhood innocence.
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Dad's Preview:
This classic is a wonderful, yet somber message film about a racially motivated
trial in the deep Southern state of Alabama... in the
1930's. There is a
pivotal
moment in the film, at night, when an angry mob descends upon
the jail house, hell-bent on lynching the
black man on trial. Only Atticus Finch, the black man's
attorney, stands in their way, and he
seems no match for their anger, torches and guns. Suddenly Scout,
Mr. Finch's
8-year-old daughter, steps forward. What
this precocious young lady does next will have you in tears. |
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Brentwood
Prod.; Universal Pictures
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#10 Top |
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Places in the Heart (1984)
The story of a
woman fighting for her children, for her land, for the greatest
dream there is... the future.
Director: Robert Benton, rated PG
Starring: Sally
Field, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, John Malkovich,
Danny Glover
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"You took a no-account
piece of land and a bunch of people that didn't know what they
were doin' and
you farmed that land better than anybody could -
colored or white. You're the one that brought in the
first bale
of cotton this year. Don't you ever forget that." - Edna
Spalding
Why watch this? ...
two reasons, 1) it's about Texas country folk, and 2) Mom loved it.
Plot Summary:
In Depression-era Texas, a newly widowed woman, Edna Spalding,
struggles to save her family's farm from foreclosure. Facing
immense hardship, she takes the advice of a Black handyman, Moze,
and decides to plant cotton, a crop she knows nothing about. To
make ends meet and keep her children, Edna also reluctantly
takes in a blind boarder, Mr. Will.
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Dad's Preview:
My mom, Elsie, lived through the Great Depression on a dirt farm in Texas. People today
have no concept of a hard life. Oscar-winner Sally Field
carries the story as a mother forced to take charge of her farm
after the sudden death of her husband. Amid all the hardships to run a
40-acre cotton farm, she
reluctantly enlists help from a kind black man, Mose. A tornado
hits the small town nearby, then the Klan attacks her farm and
attempt to
murder Mose. You
will stand up and cheer at the courage and determination inside
this little lady a she fights to defend and protect her own. |
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Delphi II
Productions; Tri-Star Pictures
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#9 Top |
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Traffic
(2000)
No One Gets
Away Clean
Director: Steven Soderbergh, rated R for language,
sexuality, drug use, violence
Starring: Don
Cheadle, Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Luis Guzmán,
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Erika Chistensen, Jacob Vargas, Miguel
Ferrer, Tomas Milian, Amy Irving, Topher Grace, Albert Finney, James Brolin,
Benjamin Bratt
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"If there is a war on
drugs, then many of our family members are the enemy. And I
don't know how you
wage war on your own family." – Robert
Wakefield, U.S. Drug Tsar
Why watch this?
It drives home that drugs are here, and the war is in our
homes.
Plot Summary: This
is a multi-narrative exploration of the illegal drug trade, from
various perspectives including law enforcement, politicians,
traffickers, and users. One storyline follows a judge appointed
as the US drug czar, grappling with his new role while
discovering his daughter's drug addiction. A second thread
focuses on two DEA agents tracking drug distribution across the
US-Mexico border, leading to the arrest of a major trafficker.
The third narrative delves into the complex world of a jailed
drug lord's wife who tries to navigate and maintain the family
business.
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Dad's Preview:
This powerful film is a harsh blast of truth into the average
suburban citizen's life, as it tells the story of drug use in
the United States, and I am not talking pot. It covers all the related topics and gets
down and dirty. There are unforgettable scenes that will make
you flinch. It portrays its characters
realistically - nobody is truly good or bad. Del Toro's performance
really stands out as the Mexican cop working against the drug
trade from the other side of the border. It is a parental must
see. |
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Bedford Falls
Prod., Laura Bickford Prod.,
Initial Ent. Group;
USA Films
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#8 Top |
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Lone
Star (1996)
John Sayles invites you to return to the scene of the
crime.
Director: John Sayles, rated R for violence,
language
Starring: Chris
Cooper, Kris Kristofferson, Matthew McConaughey, Ron Canada,
Elizabeth Peña, Joe Morton
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I remember Charlie Wade
came to my father's hardware store once...
The man winked at me.
I peed my pants." – Ben Wetzel
Why watch this? This Texas
mystery centers on a cold-case murder and secret
relationships.
Plot Summary:
Sheriff Sam Deeds is notified to investigate the discovery of
skeletal remains in a Texas border town. The bones belong to a
notoriously corrupt sheriff who mysteriously disappeared decades
earlier. As Sam delves into the past, he uncovers long-buried
secrets involving his own legendary father, the town's former
sheriff, Buddy Deeds.
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Dad's Preview:
I didn't expect to like this film, back in the 90's. I was not a
huge fan of either McConaughey or Kristofferson, but man, they both
won me over with these great performances. That said, the rock of this south
Texas crime drama is Chris Cooper. He's calm and quiet, yet complex.
The tale follows several seemingly unrelated stories,
working through old mysteries being revisited due to new information. It all leads to a
rewarding revelation. This is fine film-making by director John
Sayles. The plot layers, and outstanding scene segues, give this
masterpiece a pleasant richness. Then, there is Kris Kristofferson as Sheriff
Charlie Wade - he leaves quite an impression. |
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Castle Rock Ent.,
Columbia Pics, Rio Dulce;
Sony Pictures Classics
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#7 Top |
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Gone
with the Wind (1939)
The most
magnificent picture ever!
Director: Victory Fleming, rated G
Starring: Clark
Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Thomas
Mitchell, Hattie McDaniel, Ona Munson
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I'm
going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be
hungry again. No, nor any of my folk.
If I have to lie, steal,
cheat or kill, as God is my witness, I'll never be hungry
again." - Scarlett O'Hara
Why watch this?
... the burning of Atlanta, which is a spectacle on screen to behold.
Plot Summary:
It follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara, a spoiled, rich plantation debutante.
Then the Civil War begins... As the South's eventual loss
becomes evident, Atlanta is burned. In the aftermath, Scarlett
finally returns to her devastated plantation home. With her
father dead, she has a fight on her hands to keep it. Luckily,
the noble scoundrel, Rhett Butler, gives her aid.
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Dad's Preview:
This is the great American story of the Old South. As I have watched this film through the years,
my affection for Scarlett has evolved. This is her journey from
brat to strong survivor... and how she becomes a strong
woman. The film is about her and
the many conflicts she endures. My Mom loved this historical
epic and swooned over the
handsome Clark Gable and his confident charm. Many have
called this a "racist" film - I disagree. Yes, it portrays a
racist South, yet also gave us an admirable black character in
Hattie McDaniel as the strong-willed servant, Mammy. She was the
first African American to win and Academy Award (for Best
Supporting Actress). |
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Selznick
International Pictures,
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer;
Loew's Inc.
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#6 Top |
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Gandhi (1982)
His
Triumph Changed The World Forever.
Director: Richard Attenborough, rated PG
Starring: Ben
Kingsley, Candice Bergman, Trevor Howard, John Gielgud, Martin
Sheen, Daniel-Day Lewis, Roshan Seth
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Whenever I despair, I
remember that the way of truth and love has always won.
There
may be tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they may seem
invincible,
but in the end, they always fail. Think of it:
always." – Mohandas Gandhi
Why watch this?
This stunning epic still finds a way to intimately touch
each heart that views it.
Plot Summary:
This epic drama follows the life of Mohandas K. Gandhi,
the influential leader of India's nonviolent
independence movement against British rule. The story
showcases his journey from his time as a lawyer in South
Africa to his eventual leadership of the movement in
India, promoting his philosophy of nonviolent
resistance. It highlights significant events in his
personal and political life, depicting both his
successes and the challenges he faced in uniting his
country and achieving self-rule.
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Dad's Preview:
It's hard to argue with 8 Academy Awards. This film is massive and
unrelenting, as it follows the life of Mohandas Gandhi, and his
non-violent protests against the British occupation of India. Ben
Kingsley's performance is hypnotic - he transforms into the
peaceful, determined leader. The man Gandhi, was a
miracle of a humanity on this Earth and we should all acknowledge
his beliefs and way of thinking. |
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Goldcrest
Films; Int'l Film Investors, Nat'l Film Dev.
Corp. of India
Indo-British Films; Columbia Pics
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#5 Top |
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Mississippi Burning (1988)
1964. When America was at war with itself.
Director: Alan Parker, rated R for violence/racial
language
Starring: Gene
Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, R. Lee
Emery, Gailard Sartain, Michael Rooker
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Down here, things are
different; here, they believe that some things are worth killing
for." - Anderson
Why watch this? ... Gene Hackman's visit to the private social club.
Plot Summary:
In 1964, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, two FBI
agents with starkly different methods are dispatched to a small
Mississippi town to investigate the disappearance of three civil
rights workers. They face a community steeped in racial
prejudice and a local law enforcement system that proves
resistant to their inquiries, seemingly complicit in the
unfolding events. As the agents delve deeper, they uncover a
deeply entrenched network of racism and violence, forcing them
to confront the town's secrets and the dangers inherent in
challenging the status quo in the segregated South.
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Dad's Preview:
This film is great for two reasons. First, it tells the true story of three
missing civil rights college students who went missing in
Mississippi - a story that needs to be told, a story about
racism and the Klan. Second, it unleashes
Gene Hackman on a bunch of Southern racists hicks who think they are
above the law because the local sheriff is in on their
deplorable activity.
This film is an exposé on the deeply bigoted hate of the Old South.
The cast is superb. Look for a young Frances McDormand in a key
role. |
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Frederick Zollo,
Robert F. Colesberry;
Orion Pictures
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#4 Top |
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Dances With Wolves (1990)
Lt. John Dunbar is about to discover the
frontier...within himself.
Director: Kevin Costner, rated PG-13 for frontier
violence
Starring:
Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney Grant,
Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Tantoo
Cardinal, Jimmy Herman
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#2 -
Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review
and Deep Dive of Dances With Wolves
"I've never known a people so
eager to laugh, so devoted to family, so dedicated to each other. And,
the only word that came to mind was harmony." - John Dunbar
Why watch this?
This "Western" finally depicts Native Peoples with accuracy.
Plot Summary: This
epic Western film, starring and directed by Kevin Costner, was
adapted from Michael Blake's novel of the same name. It tells
the story of a Union Army lieutenant who requests duty on the
American frontier and develops a profound connection with a
tribe of Sioux Indians. The film explores themes of cultural
exchange, prejudice, and the conflict between expanding American
civilization and Indigenous ways of life.
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Dad's Preview:
For five years Costner established himself as a leading man
in such films as
Silverado
(1985) and
Bull Durham
(1988).
Dances changed all that, by proving that he was a also a serious
filmmaker. This beautiful work of frontier art strips
away many previous notions of the American
West as portrayed on film in classic Westerns. A lone Northern soldier heads West.
There he encounters Native Americans, namely a Lakota Sioux tribe. He
learns that all the rumors about these people are false, and he
embraces the relationship. However, in America, it's never that
simple. The scenery is breath-taking, all set to an incredible
musical score. This Oscar-winner is a glorious epic to behold,
and serve as a reminder regarding those who land we
took. |
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Tig
Productions, Majestic Films Int.;
Orion Pictures
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#3 Top |
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The Color Purple (1985)
It's about life. It's about love. It's about us.
Director: Steven Spielberg, rated PG-13 for
language
Starring:
Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, Adolph Caesar,
Margaret Avery, Rae Dawn Chong
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"A girl child ain't
safe in a family of mens, but I ain't never thought I'd have to
fight in my own house!
I loves Harpo, God knows I do. But I'll
kill him dead 'fo I let him beat me." - Sofia
Why watch this? This
incredible saga shows that courage can be silent and strength
is enduring.
Plot Summary: The
film follows timid Celie, an African-American woman in early
1900's rural Georgia, as she endures difficult circumstances,
including domestic violence and bigotry. Separated from her
beloved sister Nettie, Celie finds strength and hope through
various relationships, particularly with the strong-willed
singer Shug Avery and her own growing self-reliance. The story
spans forty years, depicting Celie's journey from oppression to
finding her voice.
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Dad's Preview:
This is a journey wrought with pain, cruelty and
oppression. This film was our introduction to the amazing Whoopi Goldberg, Danny
Glover and the indomitable Oprah Winfrey. Director Steven Spielberg, though he
took a lot of crap for it, again, hits
the cinematic mark. If you don't see only black and white, check
out this valuable, inspiring American story about a part of our history
that needs to be seen. And understood. |
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Amblin
Entertainment, The Guber-Peters
Company;
Warner Bros.
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#2 Top |
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Philadelphia (1993)
No one would take
on his case... until one man was willing to take on the system.
Director: Jonathan Demme, rated PG
Starring: Denzel
Washington, Tom Hanks, Jason Robarbs, Mary Steenburgen, Antonio
Banderas, Joanne Woodward
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#27 -
Dad's Full
(Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of
Philadelphia
"Every now and again -
not often, but occasionally - you get to be a part of justice
being done.
That really is quite a thrill when that happens." -
Andrew Beckett
Why watch this? ...
are all men created equal? Apparently not all
men.
Plot Summary:
An ambitious lawyer Andrew Beckett is fired from his prestigious
law firm after his HIV-positive status and homosexuality are
discovered, prompting him to sue for wrongful termination. He
hires Joe Miller, a homophobic personal injury lawyer, as his
only willing advocate, and together they fight his former
employers in a landmark discrimination case that challenges
prejudice and reveals uncomfortable truths.
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Dad's Preview:
I've always been a fan of courtroom dramas. Philadelphia is
that, and much more. An attorney, Andrew Beckett, is fired from a prestigious
firm. The stated reason? - bad performance. The real reason: He is
a gay man with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Andrew hires Joe Miller, one of the few lawyers willing to take his case. Together they take on the
firm's corrupt practices, fueled by society's fear and hatred towards the community
most impacted by the deadly disease. This amazing film should
serve as a gut-punch regarding false fears and bigotry. Please
have the courage to watch it. |
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Clinica Estetico
Prod.; TriStar Pictures
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#1 Top |
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The Searchers
(1956)
The Biggest,
Roughest, Toughest ...and Most Beautiful Picture Ever Made!
Director: John Ford, rated Approved
Starring: John Wayne,
Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood, John Qualen, Olive
Carey, Henry Brandon, Ken Curtis, Harry Carey Jr.
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#8 -
Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review
and Deep Dive of The Searchers
"Seems like he never
learns there's such a thing as a critter that'll just keep comin'
on. So we'll find 'em in the end,
I promise you. We'll find 'em.
Just as sure as the turnin' of the earth."
– Ethan Edwards,
referring to the Indians who kidnapped Debbie
Why watch this?
Basically to watch the greatest Western ever made.
Plot Summary:
Confederate veteran Ethan Edwards has returned to his brother's
Texas homestead only to find it raided by Comanches, his family
massacred, and his niece Debbie abducted. Fueled by a complex
mix of hatred and a desire for vengeance, Ethan embarks on a
years-long search with Debbie's adopted brother, and half-breed,
Martin.
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Dad's Preview:
This is by far the most complex character in John Wayne's
long, storied career. Set in the stark, beautiful desert landscape of
Monument Valley, famous director John Ford masterfully delivers
this Western odyssey filled with danger, tragedy, and two lost
men - determined to rescue a kidnapped family relative, young
Debbie. After years of making
movies together, Ford knew
Wayne could create a compelling, conflicted character, and not just play
himself. Throw in our history's racism towards Native
Americans, and you've got a powerful film. The
final scene forever belongs to cinematic history. Wayne deserved
the Oscar for Best Actor, in my opinion.
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C.V. Whitney
Pictures; Warner Bros.
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