What to watch this Black History Month
By Makayla Sordo
As the year progresses we make the slow trek into the month of February, nationally recognized as Black History Month. A month dedicated to admiring Black achievements and creativity, it’s purpose is to remind a once neglective country that Black culture runs deep. Here is a personal collection of movies to enjoy this month that highlight the works of black directors and actors in the film industry.
“Moonlight” directed by Barry Jenkins
Screencap from “Moonlight” by Barry Jenkins
The film follows a young boy named Chiron in three different chapters of his life as he struggles to find himself growing up in Miami. Barry Jenkins is an amazing director that consistently uses metaphors to relate his characters to their worldly surroundings; his use of creative landscape shots is shown throughout his portrayal of Miami and the community Chiron grows up in. The film also features actor Mahershala Ali as a father figure to a young Ashton Sanders, delivering heart wrenching scenes together.
“Crooklyn” directed by Spike Lee
Spike Lee remains a respected director in the film industry as anyone can recognize his talent and natural eye for aesthetics. “Crooklyn” is a perfect example; the story follows the Carmichael family living in early 1970s New York as they deal with money trouble, grief and everyday struggle in Brooklyn. The movie specifically focuses on the youngest daughter Troy and how she deals with her four brothers and life on the busiest street in town. It’s a feel-good movie with a genuinely amazing soundtrack that feeds an old soul straight by the hand with songs like “ABC” by The Jackson 5 and “Everyday People” by Sly & The Family Stone.
“Sorry To Bother You” directed by Boots Riley
If this movie were to be stripped of all it’s charm and comedic value it could be summarized by the statement ‘A young black man struggles in his telemarketing job as he tries to fight capitalism in America.’ That however is not the case, considering 10 minutes into the film Lakeith Stanfield’s character, Cassius Green, is experiencing vivid and personal connections with the customers he interacts with using his newfound “White Voice.” The visuals for this movie are so comical that it’s entertaining enough but it’s taken one step further with witty dialogue. The movie is just overall strange and realistically a gracious 13% of the movie won't make sense but it is absolutely worth the watch.
“Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” directed by Peter Ramsey (and others)
Screencap from “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
As one of the most anticipated movies of 2018, it was only fair that Miles Morales was featured on this list. “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” was bringing a completely new telling of your friendly-neighborhood Spiderman to the table—an animated Black Spiderman named Miles Morales first introduced in the 2011 comics “Ultimate Fallout #4.” His hero origin followed that of the other Spidermen, just a regular kid living in New York that happened to wear the mask now, except a tear in the space and time continuum opens up a portal to other dimensions where Spider-people from all different universes are thrown into what we know as our very own Brooklyn, NY. The soundtrack and animation design mixed with the lovable Spiderman origin story made this movie perfect for enjoyers of all different backgrounds and ages. Peter Ramsey, an African American illustrator for Dreamworks worked on the majority of the animation for this film contributing to the variety of nominations and awards the film collected on animation alone.
“Pariah” directed by Dee Rees
“Pariah” is what could be considered the perfect coming-of-age movie. The main character is a lovable and “tough” girl named Alike that struggles with her LGBTQ+ identity due to her conflicting feelings of her parents' idea of her and her friends' idea of her. The use of downtown “club life” in relation to Alike’s home life is such a huge contrast that each cut scene between the two settings always strikes just the right nerve. Dee Rees, an independent Black creator, perfectly depicts young love and identity crisis in a euphoric and unique light. The film released in 2011 yet the story never gets old; it really does get better every time you watch it.