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The 100 Best Black Films

post #1 of 54
2/5/07 at 2:59pm
Thread Starter 
I was hoping someone would post about this, but everyone has stayed silent, including the mainstream media, unsurprisingly. A Kansas City critic recently compiled, in a long-delayed response to the AFI, the 100 Best Black Films, a list celebrating the best in black cinema. Normally, I would begrudge such a list segregating a "black" film as a seperate entity from the selections on the AFI List, but have you seen AFI's collection recently? It's an immensely white list, and significantly indicative of a certain bias in modern mainstream critic organizations like the AFI. At least this list gets it right by placing "Do The Right Thing" at number one.

Here's an article about the list.

And here's the top ten (which sorely needed "The Harder They Come", somehow ranked far lower)...

1. “Do the Right Thing” (1989; directed by Spike Lee; with Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Spike Lee, Robin Harris)

2. “The Color Purple” (1985; Steven Spielberg; Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey)

3. “Claudine” (1974; John Berry; Diahann Carroll, James Earl Jones)

4. “Malcolm X” (1992; Spike Lee; Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett)

5. “Sounder” (1972; Martin Ritt; Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, Kevin Hooks)

6. “Carmen Jones” (1954; Otto Preminger; Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey, Diahann Carroll)

7. “Super Fly” (1972; Gordon Parks Jr.; Ron O’Neal, Carl Lee)

8. “Cooley High” (1975; Michael Schultz; Glynn Thurman, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Garrett Morris)

9. “Hoop Dreams” (1995; Steve James; William Gates, Arthur Agee)

10. “Coming to America” (1988; John Landis; Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones)

The rest of the list.
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post #2 of 54
2/5/07 at 2:59pm
I thought you quit.
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post #3 of 54
2/5/07 at 3:03pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I did. But no one discussing something of this magnitude seems odd, particularly at CHUD. I just want to hear everyone's thoughts on it, because I think it's a fucking fantastic list.
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post #4 of 54
2/5/07 at 3:03pm
The magnitude of some critic in Kansas City?
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post #5 of 54
2/5/07 at 3:04pm
You never did send me that list you promised me, fab.
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post #6 of 54
2/5/07 at 3:07pm
"Akeelah and the Bee"? Nice short term memory on that list. Get some more Oscar Micheaux and Paul Robeson up in that.
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post #7 of 54
2/5/07 at 3:09pm
Quote:
43. “Set It Off” (1997; F. Gary Gray; Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox)
Hell Yeah!
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post #8 of 54
2/5/07 at 3:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 70sCinema
"Akeelah and the Bee"? Nice short term memory on that list. Get some more Oscar Micheaux and Paul Robeson up in that.
Took the words out of my mouth. Micheaux gets far too little credit as a filmmaker, much less a black one. This is probably because most of the prints of his films don't exist anymore.

I knew Fabfunk would be back. Asshole.
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post #9 of 54
2/5/07 at 3:22pm
Where the fuck is KILLER OF SHEEP?
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post #10 of 54
2/5/07 at 3:43pm
This is typical bullshit, trying to act as if enough black filmmakers have been given the chance to make a body of work where picking 100 great ones is possible. I have a problem with this idea of 'Black History Month' on principle but either way this is a lame idea. They should have done 25 so the list couldn't have SET IT OFF.
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post #11 of 54
2/5/07 at 3:49pm
I guess you're not interested in the struggles of black women forced to lead a life of crime because of our racist society. Plus, John C. McGinley was off the hook in that flick.
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post #12 of 54
2/5/07 at 3:51pm
The Color Purple is remembered too fondly. Not a good flick and doesn't deserve to be anywhere near Do the Right Thing. Or Set It Off. But, nice to see Fabfunk back in fab effect.
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post #13 of 54
2/5/07 at 4:02pm
No George Washington. No Blood of Jesus. No Ganja and Hess. But The Colored People is #2. F that list.
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post #14 of 54
2/5/07 at 4:27pm
Looking over the list more I'm seeing some real oversights.

-No JACKIE BROWN. Absurd.

-They have RAGE IN HARLEM but no DEEP COVER. Bill Duke himself would probably tell you DEEP COVER is his best film. At least he damn well better.

-Where's BAADASSSS?

-For all the Spike Lee movies that made the list, to leave off HE GOT GAME is a genuine gut-shank.
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post #15 of 54
2/5/07 at 5:10pm
Color Purple isn't a terrible film but I would think they'd use this list to honor some black directors rather than Spielberg at #2.
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post #16 of 54
2/5/07 at 5:34pm
Baby Boy above Boyz N the Hood and Blade above Dead Presidents. This list is frightening.

Although I was psyched to see The Cool World locking in at #82. Until I realized it had nothing to do with either Noids or Doodles.
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post #17 of 54
2/5/07 at 6:04pm
Edwards (the guy who made the list) is one of those quote whore critics who says positive things about every shit movie.
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post #18 of 54
2/5/07 at 6:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moltisanti
-Where's BAADASSSS?
Baadassss is actually a better movie than the movie it's about. Leaving it off the list is ridiculous. Of course, Sweetback doesn't appear to be on the list, either. Ray at 11? Hustle and Flow all the way down at 93? Undercover Brother?

Fuck this guy.
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post #19 of 54
2/5/07 at 6:35pm
Sweetback is at #44, but I agree with you about Baadassss - except for that one guy's horrible Cosby impression.

Quote:
“My main goal has been to expose people to the long history of black cinema,” Edwards said. “And I wanted to shake up Black History Month, get some new names out there."
This thread would embarrass him.
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post #20 of 54
2/5/07 at 6:39pm
I must have missed it whilst gagging over the positions of Ray and Hustle & Flow.
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post #21 of 54
2/5/07 at 6:52pm
Quite understandable.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian Challis
Where the fuck is KILLER OF SHEEP?
#81. Three down from Juice.

Holy fuck, I want to call this guy.

Quote:
Edwards knows his choices will trigger debates and says that’s part of the fun.

“I know there are some omissions that will make people angry. Like ‘The Wiz.’
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post #22 of 54
2/5/07 at 6:56pm
I wanted to watch SWEETBACK after I first saw BAADASSSS but was turned off by the amount of folks who stated it was awful. I understand why it should be on the list though. I feel the same about SHAFT. It's a real ho-hum movie but the impact it had makes it worthy for an entry.
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post #23 of 54
2/5/07 at 7:00pm
This sounds more like a "First 100 Black Films That Came to Mind" list than anything else.
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post #24 of 54
2/5/07 at 7:02pm
Which makes the part where he says he spent five years compiling it fucking hysterical.
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post #25 of 54
2/5/07 at 7:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moltisanti
I wanted to watch SWEETBACK after I first saw BAADASSSS but was turned off by the amount of folks who stated it was awful. I understand why it should be on the list though. I feel the same about SHAFT. It's a real ho-hum movie but the impact it had makes it worthy for an entry.
I think it actually helps to watch Baadassss first, as it puts the movie into perspective. Without having a sense of the times, and what black audiences had seen on screen up until that time, it can be hard for some people to understand why Sweetback was so important.
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post #26 of 54
2/5/07 at 9:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moltisanti
-No JACKIE BROWN. Absurd.
-They have RAGE IN HARLEM but no DEEP COVER. Bill Duke himself would probably tell you DEEP COVER is his best film. At least he damn well better.
[/QUOTE]

I believe the criteria for their choices are based upon the chosen films reflection of the "black experience", so neither JACKIE BROWN or DEEP COVER qualify.
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post #27 of 54
2/5/07 at 9:33pm
Perhaps you're right. I know BLADE and I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA do a far better job reflecting the black experience than DEEP COVER and JACKIE BROWN.
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post #28 of 54
2/5/07 at 10:03pm
'Blade' is a fairly ridiculous choice, I didn't realize it was on the list, the prominently black 'I'm Gonna Git You Sucka' deserves it's place judging by the criteria mentioned in the article.
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post #29 of 54
2/5/07 at 10:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf
I thought you quit.
My fucking thoughts exactly.
Don't make a huge quitting declaration without meaning it.
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post #30 of 54
2/5/07 at 10:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Collins
My fucking thoughts exactly.
Don't make a huge quitting declaration without meaning it.
Well, it's not like junkies have a monolopy on hollow declarations.
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post #31 of 54
2/6/07 at 12:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JacknifeJohnny
'Blade' is a fairly ridiculous choice, I didn't realize it was on the list, the prominently black 'I'm Gonna Git You Sucka' deserves it's place judging by the criteria mentioned in the article.
I love I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA, easily one of my ten favorite comedies but I don't know if it says any more about the black experience than THE NAKED GUN says about the white experience. It's just a really funny movie with a lot of talented blacks (and John Vernon!) behind and in front of the camera. I don't really have a problem with SUCKA being on this list, if anything I'm pissed that it placed lower than the vastly overrated FRIDAY.
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post #32 of 54
2/6/07 at 12:23am
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka is one of my favorite comedies and definitely should be higher up. Undercover Brother isn't quite in the same league but also deserves better.
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post #33 of 54
2/6/07 at 3:18am
Where's Dolemite? Willie Dynamite?! This list is invalid.
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post #34 of 54
2/6/07 at 3:20am
As much as I love my blaxploitation films, even I have to admit that Dolemite actually isn't very good. It's just so outrageous that you have to admire it.

Now Black Belt Jones, on the other hand...
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post #35 of 54
2/6/07 at 3:23am
Quote:
I believe the criteria for their choices are based upon the chosen films reflection of the "black experience"
Where's The Jerk?
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post #36 of 54
2/6/07 at 5:40am
Blazing Saddles?
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post #37 of 54
2/6/07 at 10:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Nunziata
I have a problem with this idea of 'Black History Month' on principle
I'm addressing this comment kind of late and perhaps I'm not best qualified to address it, but I think you must consider that when an entire race of people are culturally marginalized for the majority of their time in the history of this country (slavery was a long time ago, but 1954 certainly isn't) it becomes a question of self-esteem.

'Black History Month' shouldn't be necessary, but until the economic divide between blacks and whites has shrunken to a degree where it's at least negligible, then any placebo effect (however limited) 'Black History Month' can provide for current and future generations should be accepted w/out complaint.

2¢
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post #38 of 54
2/6/07 at 10:47pm
When I read Nunziata's comment I was thinking that he had a problem with the fact that we have to take a month out of the year to act like we're solving the problem of 200 years of slavery, or whatever it was, and everything following that. There's this one time a year sense of self-righteousness from corporations and social/political leaders in the form of speeches and commercials on tv with black people in them, but for the rest of the year civil rights is not given the attention it needs.
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post #39 of 54
2/6/07 at 10:50pm
Back to the films under discussion - I haven't seen many blaxpoitation movies, but of the ones that I have seen, I have to say that Coffy is by far the best, way better than Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which I have heard a lot of people say is the best (not here on the CHUD boards though).
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post #40 of 54
2/6/07 at 10:54pm
Not to mention that putting "___ Month" in February, the one month of the year that is significantly shorter than all others, seems like a backhanded compliment to ____, whatever it may be.
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post #41 of 54
2/7/07 at 12:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai Mike
Blazing Saddles?
Or this bizarre rip-off of Blazing Saddles
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post #42 of 54
2/7/07 at 1:00pm
One thing i find truly hilarious about this list is that House Party is at 64 and Hotel Rwanda is at 66.

Oh yeah, and that 22 movies are higher than City of God, including Baby Boy, Friday and Coming to America.
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post #43 of 54
2/7/07 at 2:34pm
Morpheus' Cornbread, Earl & Me at #77? Injustice!

On a side note, today I took part in a voluntary questionnaire (Federal & State laws require) at work that asked me to identify my race, gender, and veteran & disabilty status ("to promote civil rights and equal employment opportunities"). If I chose to not self-identify, I was assured that I would not be subjected to any adverse treatment.

Is the timing on this coincidence?
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post #44 of 54
2/7/07 at 2:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moltisanti
I love I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA, easily one of my ten favorite comedies but I don't know if it says any more about the black experience than THE NAKED GUN says about the white experience.
Well, it does do a fairly good job in sending up a lot of the more common aspects of the blaxploitation genre -- you could have played good chunks of IGGYS in the early 70s and no one would have thought of it as a comedy.
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post #45 of 54
2/7/07 at 3:11pm
Which chunks would those be?
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post #46 of 54
2/7/07 at 3:12pm
It's not the chunks in question, but the audience. The ones who thought Dolemite was real might not think it was a comedy.
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post #47 of 54
2/7/07 at 3:15pm
But to say no one would have thought of it as a comedy in the early 70's seems a bit odd. I'll go back to the old analogy, if NAKED GUN had been released before DIRTY HARRY I'm sure it sill would have been seen as a comedy.
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post #48 of 54
2/10/07 at 11:37pm
That list missed way too many films:
Across 110th st
BELLY
CLEOPATRA JONES
ROCKERS
(SUN RA's) SPACE IS THE PLACE
MINGUS DOCUMENTARY BY THOMAS REICHMAN

I'm shocked and happy they put PUTNEY SWOPE and PARIS IS BURNING
on the list
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post #49 of 54
2/15/07 at 6:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fabfunk
I was hoping someone would post about this, but everyone has stayed silent, including the mainstream media, unsurprisingly. A Kansas City critic recently compiled, in a long-delayed response to the AFI, the 100 Best Black Films, a list celebrating the best in black cinema. Normally, I would begrudge such a list segregating a "black" film as a seperate entity from the selections on the AFI List, but have you seen AFI's collection recently? It's an immensely white list, and significantly indicative of a certain bias in modern mainstream critic organizations like the AFI. At least this list gets it right by placing "Do The Right Thing" at number one.

Here's an article about the list.

And here's the top ten (which sorely needed "The Harder They Come", somehow ranked far lower)...

1. “Do the Right Thing” (1989; directed by Spike Lee; with Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Spike Lee, Robin Harris)

2. “The Color Purple” (1985; Steven Spielberg; Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey)

3. “Claudine” (1974; John Berry; Diahann Carroll, James Earl Jones)

4. “Malcolm X” (1992; Spike Lee; Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett)

5. “Sounder” (1972; Martin Ritt; Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, Kevin Hooks)

6. “Carmen Jones” (1954; Otto Preminger; Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey, Diahann Carroll)

7. “Super Fly” (1972; Gordon Parks Jr.; Ron O’Neal, Carl Lee)

8. “Cooley High” (1975; Michael Schultz; Glynn Thurman, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Garrett Morris)

9. “Hoop Dreams” (1995; Steve James; William Gates, Arthur Agee)

10. “Coming to America” (1988; John Landis; Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones)

The rest of the list.
My choice.

1. the color purple
2. Malcom X
3. Do the right thing.

Those three are the best.
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post #50 of 54
2/15/07 at 6:36pm
Ummmm... what defines a "black film"?

Director? Writer? Actor? Racists?

I don't really get it unless it's a film about being black. I understand a film like Badasssss getting consideration, but isn't Do the Right Thing about all races? I guess you could put Do the Right Thing on a top Italian-American films.
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