Mark your calendars for the onslaught of 2013 Holiday movies that are coming your way. “The Best Man Holiday” got the Christmas season off to a great start. Because of its success, Hollywood movers and shakers will no longer snub their noses at films that have a storyline and Black cast, the movie demonstrated that we too have a story to tell, and people are willing to pay money to see it.
That being said, let’s take a look at films that fearlessly take on a Black theme, or Black director, includes a predominately Black cast, or well-known Black actors that are in theaters now, or will be in the following weeks.
“Black Nativity” follows Langston (Jacob Latimore), a street-wise teen from Baltimore raised by a single mother, as he journeys to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives Rev. Cornell and Aretha Cobbs (Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett).
Unwilling to live by the imposing Rev. Cobbs’ rules, a frustrated Langston is determined to return home to his mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson). Langston embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey and along with new friends, and a little divine intervention, he discovers the true meaning of faith, healing, and family.
“Black Nativity” stars Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Mary J. Blige, Jacob Latimore and Nasir Jones. The film is directed by Kasi Lemmons and based the legendary Langston Hughes story.
“Black Nativity” is in theaters now.
Spike Lee’s “Old Boy” starring Josh Brolin and Samuel L. Jackson is also in theaters now.
“Old Boy” follows the story of an advertising executive (Josh Brolin) who is abruptly kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement. When he is inexplicably released, he embarks on an obsessive mission to discover who orchestrated his bizarre and torturous punishment only to find he is still trapped in a web of conspiracy and torment.
“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” starring Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela and Naomi Harris as Winnie Mandela is in theaters now. Oscar buzz is already swelling around Elba for his flawless portrayal of one the world’s greatest champions of justice.
“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” is based on Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same name.
Tyler Perry’s “A Madea Christmas” has uprooted Madea and placed her in a place that only she can make right in her mind first and others second.
Madea gets coaxed into helping a friend (Anna Maria Horsford) pay her daughter a surprise visit in the country for Christmas, but the biggest surprise is what they’ll find when they arrive. As the small, rural town prepares for its annual Christmas carnival, new secrets are revealed and old relationships are tested while Madea dishes her own brand of Christmas spirit to all.
Tyler Perry’s “A Madea Christmas” is in theaters Friday, Dec. 13.
“Grudge Match” matches wits with two of the silver screen most powerful actors, Robert De Niro, and Sylvester Stallone andone of the funniest men in Hollywood, Kevin Hart.
De Niro and Stallone star as old boxing rivals who come out of retirement for one final match. De Niro and Stallone play Billy “The Kid” McDonnen and Henry “Razor” Sharp, two local Pittsburgh fighters whose fierce rivalry put them in the national spotlight.
Hart stars as the fight promoter, and you know he will keep the laughs coming.
“Grudge Match” is in theaters Christmas Day.
Your holiday viewing starts now! I’ll see you at the theater.
