Teresa Yvon Farley Movies
Writer-director Spike Lee's epic portrayal of the life and times of the slain civil rights leader Malcolm X begins with the cross-cut imagery of the police beating of black motorist Rodney King juxtaposed with an American flag burning into the shape of the letter X. When the film's narrative begins moments later, it jumps back to World War II-era Boston, where Malcolm Little (Denzel Washington) is making his living as a hustler. The son of a Baptist preacher who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan, Little was raised by foster parents after his mother was deemed clinically insane; as an adult, he turned to a life of crime, which leads to his imprisonment on burglary charges. In jail, Little receives epiphany in the form of an introduction to Islam; he is especially taken with the lessons of Elijah Mohammed, who comes to him in a vision. Adopting the name 'Malcolm X' as a rejection of the 'Little' surname (given his family by white slave owners), he meets the real Elijah Mohammed (Al Freeman, Jr.) upon exiting prison, and begins work as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Marriage to a Muslim nurse named Betty Shabazz (Angela Bassett) follows, after which X spearheads a well-attended march on a Harlem hospital housing a Muslim recovering from an episode of police brutality. The march's success helps elevate X to the position of Islam's national spokesperson. There is dissension in the ranks, however, and soon X is targeted for assassination by other Nation leaders; even Elijah Mohammed fears Malcolm's growing influence. After getting wind of the murder plot, X leaves the Nation of Islam, embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca that proves revelatory; renouncing his separatist beliefs, his oratories begin embracing all races and cultures. During a 1965 speech, Malcolm X is shot and killed, reportedly by Nation of Islam members. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, (more)
- 1990
- PG13
The title of this earnest anti-drug drama from distinguished black television journalist Tony Brown, the long-time host of the PBS show Tony Brown's Journal, has a double meaning: it refers to a slang term for cocaine, and also to the deeper problem of the lead character, a woman who has lost touch with her African-American heritage. Kim grew up in a middle-class neighborhood with plenty of love and material things, including a drop-dead gorgeous wardrobe. She was an exceptional high-school student and dreamed of becoming an attorney. She goes to college, discovers cocaine, and finds her life falling apart. Eventually she is convinced to become a member of the Black Student Union and there she meets good-hearted and handsome Bob, a pre-med student who helps her move away from drugs and back to her studies. He is the first African-American boyfriend Kim has ever had. Things look up, until the driven, conniving, drug-addicted Vanessa becomes Kim's dormmate. Vanessa desperately wants to become a TV anchor woman and will do anything, even sleep with studio execs, to get there. She has a terrible influence on the weak-willed Kim and gets her involved in a rapid downward spiral of humiliating sex and increased drug use that results in tragedy for both girls. Ultimately though, it leads to Kim's redemption. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Troy Beyer, Teresa Yvon Farley, (more)
