Friday, February 29, 2008

Numbers 10 through 1


I have to agree with the last ten movies being important, but should some of them be in the top 10? Some yes and some no. The “Five Heartbeats do not deserve the distinction of being the number two film. Now that the list is complete I am anxious to hear with others think of the top 50.

10. Do The Right Thing - Director Spike Lee set this movie is the New York neighborhood in Bed Stuy on the hottest day of the year. What an explosive ending. Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis are at the top of their game.

9. Ali – Will Smith brought a larger than life character to the big screen. Before I saw the movie I had my doubts, but Mr. Smith did a wonderful job.

8. What’s Love Got To Do With It – Angela Bassett did herself proud in her portrayal of Tina Turner. When the real Tina shows up at the end of the film I found myself missing Angela.

7. Love Jones – I love this film. Larenz Tate and Nia Long play love struck buppies who keep finding their way back to each other.

6. A Soldier’s Story – A brilliant film about the murder of a Black sergeant during WWII. Howard Rollins lead an all star cast which included Denzel Washington, David Alan Grier, Robert Townsend and Adolph Caesar.

5. Ray – Jamie Foxx was awesome as Ray Charles. Regina King also stole a couple of scenes in the film.

4. Cooley High – Glynn Turman and Lawrence Hilton Jacobs starred in this film about Chicago teens in the early 60’s. This film had a dynamite Motown soundtrack.

3. Glory – This story about a Black infantry squad earned Denzel Washington his first Oscar nod.

2. The Five Heartbeats – Come on! While this movie might belong on the list it definitely does not belong in the top ten, let alone the number 2 position. Hell “Hollywood Shuffle” was much more groundbreaking.

1. The Color Purple – This is a great film, but I don’t know if I would have voted it as the number one Black film of all time. The ensemble cast was wonderful.

11 comments:

X. Dell said...

You were rights (referring to your response to my previous comment).

Other than Mario, I don't see the name Van Peebles on this list at all. Too bad. I think I would have included Cooley High, but not in the top ten.

As for Hollywood Shuffle I think the industry is a lot more comfortable about racism when it's depicted as history, not as something that's ongoing, and certainly not when the accusation is levelled at it.

Lori said...

Interesting top 10. I'm with you on the questioning of "The Heartbeats" as the #2 film. Robert Townsend must have been helping compile the list (smile).

In all fairness, I really do need to watch this film again. I've heard a lot of folks raving about it, but I can't remember being terribly impressed the first time I watched.

I'm not mad at "The Color Purple" being the #1 movie. It should certainly be in the top 10. Did I miss "To Sleep With Anger?" Did it make the list at all? This would probably be near the top of my list. As would the original version of "A Raisin" and I can't forget "Love Jones." Also, I'd give "Do The Right Thing" and "A Soldier's Story" the nod.

What about you PJ. What would be on your top 10 list? (smile)

pjazzypar said...

x.dell, I am partial to seventies fare and I noticed the omission of any real Blackplotation films, starring the likes of Pam Grier, Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, Ron O'Neal. Where are the "Foxy Browns", "Hammers", and "Superflys". I am just saying they were an extremely big part of Black cinema and should have been included. I saw a lot of stuff in the top 50 that I would not have included, but sadly it wasn't my list.

Lori, I would have left out the biopics, sorry Will and Angela. they might deserve to be there,but not in the top ten. The Five Heartbeats would definitely have to go. My list would be so subjective I won't even compile it because it would have stuff like "Sparkle", "A Piece of the Action" and the one you mentioned "To Sleep With Anger", which was not included on the list. The ensemble cast in that film was awesome.

Malcolm said...

This list is highly suspect. I liked "The Five Heartbeats", but I'm not even sure it would make the top 50.

Although it at least made the top 10, I would have put "Do the Right Thing" at #1. Also, how in the hell is "The Wiz" on the list and way up at #11?

Here are some films that I would have put on the list:

Get On the Bus

Love and Basketball

A Day In Black and White

Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored

pjazzypar said...

I thought about "Love & Basketball" too. You know damn well that "Drumline" had no business on a list of best 250 Black films. "Get On The Bus" and "Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored" most definitely. I just wondering about movies like "The Mack". Love or hate these types of film they laid the foundation for what was to come later, e.g. Spike Lee Joints, John Singleton, hell even Quentin Tarantino.

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