When women make power moves, people pause. When black women make power moves, for a split second, the world stops. You stop. There’s an infinite amount of movies that depict the power a woman can hold. You feel it through the screen and you marvel at the actress that made you feel ALL of that. At some point in every black woman’s life, the absence of representation has probably made you feel less alone than you can properly express. So when you see a black woman on screen make those moves you once thought you couldn’t make for whatever reason, you’re like damn. BLACK WOMEN CAN WIN. I can win. So if you’d like to go through movies that can fill you with that black girl energy, and make you feel invincible, even if it’s just for a bit, keep reading;
Nappily Ever After
Synopsis:
A soulful barber helps a woman pick up the pieces of her life after an accident at her hair salon makes her realize that she isn’t living her life to the fullest.
Promising Review:
“By the end of this movie, I had tears in my eyes, and no, not the sad kind but the genuinely happy sort. It reminded me that being natural is just as beautiful. A reminder I think we could all use every once in a while. As the movie progressed and as a black woman myself, I could see the main character Violet becoming free and settling into becoming comfortable with herself. Because black women especially tend to be self-conscious about their hair. I think the creators and author chose a very powerful symbol. Also loved the soundtrack. Not one song seemed out of place and had meaning for each scene.”
Step Sisters
Synopsis:
Jamilah seems to have it all. She’s the president of her sorority, captain of the step dance crew, and student liaison to the college dean, and she has been accepted to Harvard Law School. When the hard-partying white girls from Sigma Beta Beta embarrass the school, Jamilah is ordered to come to the rescue by teaching the rhythmically challenged how to dance, in hopes of winning the Steptacular, the most competitive of dance competitions.
Promising Review:
“I absolutely loved the movie! The personal growth of the characters, storyline, and lesson were all really good! There are a few cheesy moments lol but that’s just fine. Overall I really liked Step Sisters.”
Malcolm And Marie
Synopsis:
A filmmaker on the brink of Hollywood glory and his girlfriend, whose story made his career, find themselves pushed towards a reckoning as a single tumultuous night decides the fate of their relationship.
Promising Review:
“An absolutely amazing performance by these two. The relativeness to people in the film industry is impeccable. It’s a shame this movie has become something fun to critique but in all my understanding as a mentally ill, mixed race, black female actress (who is coincidentally also named Marie) this film hit me in ways I never would have expected even from such brilliant actors, cinematographers, and director.”
First Match
Synopsis:
Hardened by years in foster care, a teenage girl from Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood decides that joining the all-boys wrestling team is the only way back to her estranged father.
Promising Review:
“First match is about the struggle of a fearless young African-American teenage girl whose anger is valid and a little misguided, but valid still (I have to emphasize this point). Her mother is gone, and her father is in jail so she hops around foster homes with the hope that when her father gets out they can be a little family. The movie portrays the harsh realities of absent fathers, broken girls, and the need to have an outlet, in this case, Mo chose wrestling. Olivia Newman’s work is my new fave. I don’t think I have seen anything more intense than this since watching I,Tonya. It’s so gripping you’d wanna cry, I did.”
Roxanne Roxanne
Synopsis:
The most feared battle emcee in the early 1980s in Queens, New York, was a fierce teenager from the Queensbridge projects. At the age of 14, Roxanne Shanté was well on her way to becoming a hip-hop legend, as she hustled to provide for her family while defending herself from the dangers of the street.
Promising Review:
“I thought this movie was phenomenal, Nia Long did an amazing job and the young lady who played Roxanne was fantastic. This was very eye-opening and inspirational about life in general: knowing yourself & knowing your worth. Most importantly, going after your dreams and not letting anyone come in between that.”
Lionheart
Synopsis:
Looking to prove her worth, a woman steps up to the challenge to work with her crude and eccentric brother when her father, Chief Ernest Obiagu is forced to take a step back due to health issues.
Promising Review:
“I have been to Enugu State once and I love the city and long to visit again. Seeing the movie Lionheart, made me feel I was present in that city despite being worlds apart. The roles played by various Nigerian star celebrities were performed superbly unlike any ‘Nigerian film’ put together, where the celebrities still portray their real-life personality no matter how hard they try not to. Genevieve’s reputation in reality as an icon in the industry was inherent in Lionheart as she played the role of Adaeze so well I forgot who was real among the two. Much less Onyeka Onwenu, Mr. P, and Phyno, Africa’s star artists in the Music Industry who played their roles as professional actors and actresses would. Now apart from being professional musicians, they are obviously now professional actors and actresses too. The movie’s soundtrack is excellent. The soundtracks kept me watching and gripped me with joy.)”
Citation
Synopsis:
A bright student in Nigeria takes on the academic establishment when she reports a popular professor who tried to rape her.
Promising Review:
“WOW, a job well done. I have watched it 3 times already and made sure my cousins who are in university also watch it. The storyline is loud and clear, this movie is an eye opener to young girls who have been silent and believed that the lecturers/profs are above law. Thank you a lot and to Temi Otedola you nailed the character, a job well done to you too my sister. God bless you.”
A Fall From Grace
Synopsis:
When a woman is indicted for murdering her husband, her rookie lawyer believes there may be a conspiracy at play.
Promising Review:
“Another excellent Tyler Perry Movie. Crystal Fox (Hannah 🙂 is soo convincing and such an excellent actress! I just love her husky strong voice. I can’t believe that this quiet policewoman from the long-running, In the Heat of the Night sitcom has emerged into such a powerful actress. Proof that experience, patience, and God’s favor will lead you to the right people, places, and events for your divine destiny and blessings! I also love Phylicia Rashād (such a powerful actress also and beautiful woman) and Mehcad Brooks (first saw him in True Blood). Can’t wait for the obvious sequel!”
The-Forty-Year-Old-Version
Synopsis:
A down-on-her-luck playwright thinks the only way she can salvage her voice as an artist is to become a rapper at 40.
Promising Review:
“Life in Harlem and NYC could not get more real. The hopes and dreams of the impassioned writer and producer were fulfilled. Rap becomes as real as it can be and understandable. Very moving, well written & highly entertaining. This movie in its essence is introspective into the modern woman’s midlife crisis. It’s relatable, witty, Refreshing, funny, truthful, endearing, heartfelt, and inspirational. Exciting to see Radha’s POV about life, the joys of aging, career, dating, and hip hop with some bits of humor thrown into it. She nailed it for sure.
So transparent! real perspective and the acting was authentic… overall it felt genuine! Well worth watching. Genius work!!!!”
Juanita
Synopsis:
Fed up with her life, a woman leaves her grown kids behind and hits the road in search of a fresh start.
Promising Review:
“Excellent movie! Loved Alfre Woodard in this role. Like others have said, it’s great to see a dark-skinned black woman in a leading romantic role, and to hear her story. I like how it integrates family, different cultures, parenting, spirituality, nature, mental health, addictions, love, and empowerment. It speaks to the power of choices we make and how these choices can lead us somewhere positive, rather than staying with the status quo which can keep us down. Also, it speaks to the difficulty and importance of letting our adult children become the masters of their own lives, like when we let our toddlers learn to walk, they will fall down.”
She Is King
Synopsis:
A talented young South African woman from a rural village travels to Johannesburg to become a star; she lands a role in a musical about a Zulu Queen Mkabayi and attempts to keep up with her more experienced peers.
Promising Review:
“If you enjoyed watching Lala Land starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone and you also love this Great Land called South Africa with its Rich Culture, you WILL enjoy She is King. She is King is a musical. .. one of the first of its kind in South Africa. It’s a beautiful film that celebrates African culture, history, and music in a contemporary, fun-filled way, Is a timeless story of a talented young woman traveling to Joburg, City of Gold, to become a star. The lead of this great movie is none other than SA IDOLS semi-finalist Gugu Zulu with her great abs, beautiful dark skin, and beautiful singing voice. Gugu Zulu is the full package. When you listen to Gugu Zulu sing in this movie, you will be blown away.”
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Synopsis:
Tensions rise when trailblazing blues singer Ma Rainey and her band gather at a recording studio in Chicago in 1927.
Promising Review:
“Must watch. Wakanda forever!! One last bow, one last breath-taking chills of Chadwick’s final performance, will truly send emotional shivers down your spine. You can feel the intense emotion in his character, Levee. You’re immediately hooked on his character, charm, and upbeat “I want it, I won’t now” attitude. I felt his emotional performance, during a scene where his character Levee, shares the horrors that he witnessed as a child. Meanwhile here comes the force of nature, Viola Davis as The Mother of Blues herself, Ma Rainey. I can honestly say I have never seen such a magnificent well-executed performance delivered like this before. Now don’t get me wrong, Viola Davis is one of the many talented actors, on stage, and on screen. Yet I never heard her sing before, so I was blown away by the voice, the soul the emotion, and the way Viola/Rainey demanded respect. Truly an outstanding performance.”
The Holiday Calendar
Synopsis:
A photographer discovers that the antique Advent calendar she inherited seems to predict her future, including a budding romance.
Promising Review:
“It’s a lovely movie. Just like Christmas movies should be; dreamy. Kat Graham and Quincy brown both acted really nice. It’s a story of a girl who works as a holiday photographer but doesn’t enjoy her work much because she wanted to have her own photo studio and shoot some real stuff.. her grandfather gifts her a holiday calendar and surprisingly it had magical powers.. starting from December 1st every door opens every day with a clue gift..so it’s an interesting movie and a treat to watch.”