Top Movies Starring Minority Women
Real Women Have Curves
American Ferrera plays a young, promising high school student who must battle her old-fashioned, appearance conscious mother and her own insecurities as she makes the move from high school to college. The film, based on a stage play, can be a little slow, but has some really fun moments, great character development, and offers a positive theme: stop worrying some much what other people think of you. Ferrera is an engaging star. George Lopez has a cameo.
Down In The Delta
Alfre Woodard is one of America’s best actresses. In this film, directed by Maya Angelou, Woodard has a rare chance to be a film’s lead. She plays a single mother who’s struggle to break free of addiction leads her to the Delta south where she reconnects with family and deals with her personal demons. Entertaining and upbeat, with an independent movie feel; a great showcase for Woodard.
GirlFight
Michelle Rodriguez (Lost) stars as a hard-scrabble city girl looking for her place in the world. She finds it in the boxing ring, where she begins to excel and gain confidence and control over her own life. The movie precedes “Million Dollar Baby” by a few years and while it didn’t get half the notice, and has a kind of “movie of the week” production value thing going on, the script and acting are good and the sports movie clichÃ?©s are kept to a minimum.
What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Angela Bassett was Oscar-nominated for her portrayal of rock icon Tina Turner. The movie traces Turner’s early years with abusive husband Ike, played by Laurence Fishburne who was also Oscar-nominated.
The Josephine Baker Story (HBO)
Lynn Whitfield won an Emmy and was nominated for a Golden Globe for this 1991 bio-pic about the legendary African American cabaret performer and bombshell. Directed by Brian Gibson, the late director who also helmed What’s Love Got to Do With It (and was married to Whitfield). Not for kids, but a rags to riches story of a 20s celebrity suitable for adults
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (HBO)
This time, it’s Halle Berry giving voice to a legendary African American performer. Berry, too, was Emmy-awarded for her work in this film, which tells the life story of Oscar-nominated Dandridge, star of such movies as “Carmen Jones.” The movie itself won a Golden Globe. Loretta Devine and Brent Spiner co-star.
Miss Evers Boys (HBO)
Alfre Woodard won an Emmy for playing a nurse who cares for men who were used as a control group (as in, they didn’t get medicationâÂ?¦) in a cruel experiment by the government. Not an easy story, but a one. Woodard and a supporting cast including Laurence Fishburne, Ossie Davis, and Joe Morton power the movie. Directed by Joseph Sargent who later directed Something The Lord Made with Mos Def and Warm Springs with Kenneth Branagh for HBO
Lackawanna Blues (HBO)
Though told from a young boy’s point of view, this movie belongs to Emmy-winner S. Epatha Merkeson (Law & Order) who plays a maternal boarding house owner who’s love and support keeps a community of odd-ball borders afloat. The movie, told in vignettes, is writer/co-star Ruben Santiago Hudson’s tribute to the real life woman played by Merkeson. Funny, heartfelt, and poignant moments fill this period piece.
Eve’s Bayou
Kassi Lemmons directs this child’s eye view of family intrigue in the bayou. Samuel L. Jackson co-stars as the title character’s father, a respected doctor who’s not exactly faithful to his wife. The film maintains air of mystery and suspense that goes along with it’s murky setting. You really do need to suspend your disbelief with the wig Vondie-Curtis Hall’s got on, though.
The Joy Luck Club
Ming-Na (ER) stars in this epic-style, multi-generational tale about the women in one Chinese/Chinese-American family including external struggles and family conflicts. Based on the best-seller by Amy Tan, who also wrote the screenplay, the movie interweaves the stories beautiful and to great dramatic effect.
The Story of Qui Ju
Funny and beautiful Chinese-language film about a woman played by Li Gong (Memoirs of A Geisha) who gets increasingly tangled in red-tape as she tries to get some justice for her husband, who had a rather, um, unfortunate thing occur. If you think foreign films aren’t accessible or hate subtitles, give this one a try, anyhow. It’s easy to follow and has plenty of laughs. Great stuff by Zhang Yimou, acclaimed director of films like Raise The Red Lantern.
What’s Cooking
A Thanksgiving dramedy, this film stars a culturally diverse cast of women all caught up in family drama (and melodrama, and comedy�) as they prepare their Thanksgiving meals. Mercedes Ruhl, Joan Chen, Alfre Woodard star with supporting cast including Julianna Margulies (ER) and Dennis Haysbert (24). Directed by Gurinder Chada (Bend It Like Beckham)
Tortilla Soup
Jacqueline Obradors, Tamara Mello and Elizbeth Pena star as the daughters of Hector Elizondo’s chef. As they each struggle with romantic problems, their dad conjures up meals connected to their feelings. Raquel Welch sends up her own sex symbol image. Paul Rodriguez and Constance Marie also star. Based on the film “Eat, Drink, Man, Woman” which is an Asian version of the same story, written by Ang Lee.
Mi Vida Loca/My�¯�¿�½ Crazy Life
1993 look at the harsh lives and hidden hopes of Latina gang girls in L.A. as portrayed by Siedy Lopez and Angel Aviles. Directed by Alison Anders.
I Like It Like That
Lauren Velez (New York Undercover) stars as a New York City wife and mom who’s music buisness career just starts to take off as her estranged husband’s life hits the skids. Also stars Jon Seda (Homicide) and Jesse Borrego (24).Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½
Other movies:
Diary of A Mad Black Woman
Soul Food
The Wedding (TV movie)
Their Eyes Were Watching God (TV movie)�¯�¿�½
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Just Another Girl on the RIT
