Paris Qualles Movies
Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald, Sanaa Lathan, and John Stamos all return to reprise the roles they originally played on Broadway in this made for television take on Lorraine Hansbury's timeless play about a 1950s-era Chicago family longing for a better life. Walter Lee has died, and now his widow Lena Younger (Rashad) is about to receive a $10,000 check from her late-husband's insurance company. Everyone in the family dreams about the ways their lives will be changed with the arrival of the money, family matriarch Lena - who longs to retire from her job as a domestic servant for a wealthy white family - in particular. Having lived in a one room tenement apartment ever since she and her late husband originally married, Lena is eager to purchase a house of her own and provide her family with a real home. Lena's son Walter Lee, Jr. (Combs), currently employed as a chauffer, and has recently become taken with the idea of purchasing a liquor store as a means of solving his family's financial woes. Like her mother-in-law, Walter's wife Ruth (McDonald) is also a domestic servant for a white family, and dreams of the day she can walk away from her job. While Walter's sister Beneatha (Lathan) strives to become a medical professional, tuition is expensive and she is currently being pursued by two men - wealthy but superficial George Murchison (Sean Patrick Thomas) and intellectual classmate Joseph Asagai (David Oyelowo). Much to everyone's surprise, Lena uses the lion's share of the money to purchase a home in the all-white residential neighborhood of Cllaybourne, splitting the remainder between Walter (for his entrepreneurial endeavor) and Beneatha (for tuition). Around the same time Walter loses his share of the inheritance to a smooth talking con man who claimed he could help finance the liquor store, the Claybourne "home improvement" association makes the discovery that the Youngers are black and sends emissary Mr. Lindner (John Stamos) to try prevent their neighborhood from becoming integrated by buying the house back. Now faced with the prospect of losing it all, Walter considers making a deal with Mr. Lindner in order to recover his losses. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sean Combs, Audra McDonald, (more)
Based on a true story (as reported on a 1986 episode of 60 Minutes), this made-for-TV film stars Kirstie Alley and Delroy Lindo as Donna Selby and Ricardo Thornton, two developmentally challenged adults. Institutionalized throughout most of their lives, Donna and Ricardo suddenly find themselves on their own when their longtime home, a facility called Forest Haven, burns to the ground. After a few years' independence, the two protagonists have fallen in love and are determined to marry and raise a family -- but this is expressly forbidden by the Social Services authorities. Although a happy ending is a foregone conclusion in light of the actual story, the pathos and suspense along the way is almost unbearable (but certainly not unwatchable). Co-produced by star Kirstie Alley, Profoundly Normal made its CBS debut on February 9, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kirstie Alley, Delroy Lindo, (more)
- 2000
This historical drama, based on a true story, is set in Georgia in the mid-1800s. David Dickson (Sam Waterston) owns a large plantation, as well as a number of slaves who do the labor required to run it. Dickson finds himself attracted to one of his new slaves, a bright and willful teenager named Julia (Lisa Gay Hamilton); Dickson rapes Julia, and nine months later she gives birth to a daughter, Amanda. Amanda is fair-skinned and can pass for white, so Dickson raises her as his daughter without acknowledging Julia as the mother, fabricating a story that Amanda's mother died in childbirth. After Amanda (now played by Jennifer Beals) has grown to adulthood, Dickson dies, leaving his entire estate to her. However, Henry (Ron White), Dickson's younger brother, knows the truth about Amanda's heritage and questions the will in court; a high-minded lawyer named Charles Dubose (Tim Daly) agrees to represent Amanda in court as the sordid secrets of the Dickson family air in a public courtroom. Sam Waterston served as co-producer as well as male lead for A House Divided, which was produced for (and first aired by) the Showtime premium cable network. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jennifer Beals, Lisa Gay Hamilton, (more)
- 2000
This made-for-TV drama is based on the true story of Ron V. Dellums, an African-American congressman who housed a white exchange student from South Africa during the height of South Africa's minority rule. The Color of Friendship stars Carl Lumbly, Shadia Simmons, and Penny Johnson. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carl Lumbly, Shadia Simmons, (more)
- 1997
Based on the memoirs of Yvonne S. Thornton, this heartwarming, inspirational family drama centers on a poor black laborer who wanted his six daughters to grow up to be doctors. With a determination bordering on obsession, he demands much of his girls, something they don't always appreciate. He also makes many personal sacrifices to make sure they will succeed in life. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carl Lumbly
Based on a true story, The Tuskegee Airmen chronicles the experiences of the first African-American fighter pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Using Hannibal Lee (Laurence Fishburne) as a focal point, the movie follows the airmen from their initial training at Tuskegee, Alabama, through their combat assignments during World War II. Featuring fascinating vintage military planes and exciting air-combat footage, the film also depicts the racism encountered by the pilots. In one example, the airmen are forced to give their seats on a crowded train to German prisoners of war. Even after the airmen complete their training, the military brass is reluctant to trust them in battle. But First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt publicizes their plight by going to Tuskegee and having one of the African-American pilots take her for a plane ride, and shortly thereafter the airmen are assigned a combat role. Eventually they join with other African-American pilots in the 332nd Fighter Group where their skill in protecting bombers from enemy fighters finally earns them the respect they deserve. The screen story was co-authored by Robert Williams, one of the pilots trained at Tuskegee. ~ Rovi
- 1994
Ten-year-old Wendy Sylvester (Stephi Lineburg) disappears from a foster home. The subsequent investigation reveals that Wendy had been subjected to neglect and abuse by her foster mother. The girl turns up in a specially designed "hiding place" within the home of her compassionate former teacher Arnette Fenady (Lisa Eichhorn), who insists that she is acting in the child's best interest -- but who is obviously an extremely disturbed woman despite her noble intentions. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
While coming of age in the inner city, Darryl Crawford (Amir Williams), a young African-American man with a tremendous sense of familial loyalty, happens to witness a gang-related bloodbath and is horrified to discover that his beloved older brother Sly (Richard Chevolleau) is one of the perpetrators, in Bruce Pittman's made-for-cable urban dramaBlood Brothers. Primarily, Darryl grapples with his conscience over informing on Sly -- but this fear becomes second-string when the remaining gang members close in on both brothers and threaten their lives. Blood Brothers features acclaimed black character playerBill Nunn (Regarding Henry) in a key supporting role as the boys' father. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Starring:
- Clark Johnson, Mia Korf, (more)
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