THE TOP 100 Black MOVIES THAT WHITE PEOPLE SHOULD WATCH

June 2020

The top 100 Black movies that White People should watch is a list of my best suggestions for stories by and about black people in America that white people especially but all people that want to truly understand the life, history and oppression that Black people have faced in America since the invention of racism and slavery coincided with our experiences being shared as a people who were captured and enslaved only because of our skin color and the value that we bring to the world. If you are truly to ever understand and empathize with black experience in America, you must first accept the fact and understand that we have always been kept outside of and on the fringes of this great society by our skin color while consistently being abused, murdered, disenfranchised, house broken, mentally destroyed, targeted, silenced, raped, lynched, mutilated, under and mis-educated, stereotyped, policed, denied access to generational wealth as well as startup capital, all while consistently contributing our value, strength, voices, music, culture, love, fighting prowess, leadership and dedication to this country throughout its entire history and our equality is still denied. This list of movies will help bridge the divide of ignorance and lack of awareness on the part of white people who do not know the full beauty, mental strength, toughness, creativity, resilience and perseverance of Black people in America. Please enjoy and share.

Sincerely, Marquis

The Top 100 Black Movies that White People should watch Writers note**These movies albeit very popular amongst Black people may not have garnered the attention of large audiences and Hollywood which is exactly why you need to see them now to add to your education and knowledge. Also, films only made the list if I have actually seen them and I am purposefully leaving off all gangster, “hood” and slavery movies no matter how much I love them because those are the movies that Hollywood promotes, and most have seen already. They are great conversation starters and I agree must watch movies, but they do not expand the conversation toward change and a better understanding of Black people’s shared experiences in America.

Enjoy! And let me know what you think or if you have any questions.

1. Fruitvale Station (2013) by Ryan Coogler -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2334649/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

2. Nothing But a Man (1964) by Michael Roemer -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058414/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

3. Watermelon Man (1970) by Melvin Van Peebles -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066550/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

4. Claudine (1974) by John Berry - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071334/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

5. Get Out (2017) by Jordan Peele -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052448/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

6. Carmen Jones (1954) by Otto Preminger -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046828/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

7. Bamboozled (2000) by Spike Lee -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0215545/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

8. Boomerang (1992) by The Reginald and Warrington Hudlin -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103859/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

9. Rosewood (1997) by John Singleton -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120036/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

10. Hollywood Shuffle (1987) by Robert Townsend -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093200/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

11. Malcolm X (1992) by Spike Lee -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104797/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

12. I Will Follow (2010) by Ava DuVernay -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1624426/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

13. Remember the Titans (2000) by Boaz Yakin -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1624426/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

14. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) by Gabriele Muccino -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3

15. Love and Basketball (2000) by Gina Prince-Bythewood -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0199725/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

16. Cooley High (1975) by Michael Schultz -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072820/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

17. Do The Right Thing (1989) by Spike Lee -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097216/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

18. The Five Heartbeats (1991) by Robert Townsend -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101891/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

19. The Great Debaters (2007) by Denzel Washington -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427309/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

20. The Color Purple (1985) by Steven Spielberg -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088939/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

21. Civil Brand (2002) by Neema Barnette -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0326806/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

22. Dead Presidents (1995) by Allen and Albert Hughes -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112819/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

23. House Party (1990) by Reginald and Warrington Hudlin -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099800/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

24. Just Mercy (2019) by Destin Daniel Cretin -

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2308774/?ref_=tt_ov_dr

25. Trading Places (1983) by John Landis -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086465/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

26. The Wiz (1978) by Sidney Lumet -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078504/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

27. Glory (1989) by Edward Zwick - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097441/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

28. For Colored Girls (2010) by Tyler Perry -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1405500/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

29. Hidden Figures (2016) by Theodore Melfi -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4846340/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

30. Selma (2014) by Ava DuVernay -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1020072/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

31. Panther (1995) by Mario Van Peebles -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114885/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

32. Down in the Delta (1998) by Maya Angelou -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142231/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

33. Kings of the Evening (2008) Produced by Reginald T. Dorsey, Dir: Andrew P. Jones -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1006904/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

34. Set It Off (1996) by F. Gary Gray -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117603/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2

35. Mudbound (2017) by Dee Rees - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2396589/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

36. DreamGirls (2006) by Bill Condon -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443489/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

37. The Hate U Give (2018) by George Tillman Jr. -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580266/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

38. The Secret Life of Bees (2008) by Gina Prince-Bythewood -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580266/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

39. Eve’s Bayou (1997) by Kasi Lemmons -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119080/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

40. Love Jones (1997) by Theodore Witcher -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119572/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

41. The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh (1979) by Gilbert Moses -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079154/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

42. Higher Learning (1995) by John Singleton -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113305/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

43. The Learning Tree (1969) by Gordon Parks -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064579/?ref_=nm_knf_t1

44. One Week (2000) by Carl Seaton -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258854/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3

45. Ray (2004) by Taylor Hackford - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0350258/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

46. Mo’ Betta Blues (1990) by Spike Lee -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100168/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

47. Akeelah and the Bee (2006) by Doug Atchison) -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437800/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

48. Mahogany (1975) by Berry Gordy -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073335/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

49. The Help (2011) by Tate Taylor -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454029/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

50. Daughters of the Dust (1991)by Julie Dash -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104057/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

51. Just another Girl on the I.R.T. (1992) by Leslie Harris -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104575/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

52. Life (1999) by Ted Demme - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0123964/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

53. Sparkle (1976) by Sam O’Steen - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075249/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

54. The Preacher’s Wife (1996) by Penny Marshall -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117372/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

55. In The Heat of the Night (1967) by Norman Jewison -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061811/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

56. Soul Food (1997) by George Tillman Jr. -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120169/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

57. Girls Trip (2017) by Malcolm D. Lee -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3564472/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

58. Ali (2001) by Michael Mann - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0248667/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

59. Waiting to Exhale (1995) by Forest Whitaker -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114885/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

60. Moonlight (2016) by Barry Jenkins -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114885/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

61. Cadillac Records (2008) by Darnell Martin -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1042877/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1

62. Pariah (2011) by Dee Rees - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1233334/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

63. Talk to Me (2007) by Kasi Lemmons -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796368/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

64. Yelling to the Sky (2011) by Victoria Mahoney -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504508/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

65. Beyond the Lights (2014) by Gina Prince-Bythewood -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3125324/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

66. Barbershop (2002) by Tim Story -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303714/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

67. Mississippi Damned (2009) by Tina Mabry -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1169834/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

68. Night Catches Us (2010) by Tanya Hamilton -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0775543/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

69. Race (2016) by Stephen Hopkins -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3499096/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

70. Mooz-lum (2010) by Qasim Basir -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1450328/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

71. The Inkwell (1994) by Matty Rich -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110137/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

72. Glory Road (2006) by James Gartner -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385726/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

73. The Best Man (1999) by Malcolm D. Lee -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168501/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

74. Drumline (2002) by Charles Stone III -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303933/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

75. Stomp The Yard (2007) by Sylvain White -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0775539/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

76. The 40 Year Old Version (2020) by Radha Blank -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10642834/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_1

77. Coach Carter (2005) by Thomas Carter -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0393162/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

78. Antwone Fisher (2002) by Denzel Washington -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168786/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

79. John Q (2002) by Nick Cassavetes -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251160/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

80. A time to kill (1996) by Joel Schumacher -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117913/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

81. Bad Boys (1995) by Michael Bay - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112442/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

82. Gang of Roses (2003) by Jean Claude La Marre -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339091/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_28

83. Posse (1993) by Mario Van Peebles -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107863/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

84. Straight Outta Compton (2015) by F. Gary Gray -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107863/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

85. Mo’ Money (1992) by Peter MacDonald -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104897/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

86. Strictly Business (1991) by Kevin Hooks -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102996/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

87. I’m Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) by Keenan Ivory Wayans -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095348/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

88. Sister Act (1992) by Emile Ardolino -

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001915/?ref_=tt_ov_dr

89. Blade (1998) by Stephen Norrington -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120611/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

90. Black Panther (2018) by Ryan Coogler -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1825683/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Successful Strategies for Working from Home

April 2020

I’m a father of a beautiful young daughter, former middle school teacher turned full time filmmaker, writer, director, producer, consultant that has been working from home or remotely since 2010. So, if you are also working from home now, I want to offer my support and provide you with my top ten successful strategies for working rom home. Just imagine reaching your maximum work output and potential in whatever field you work by taking control of your work flow, workspace, work schedule and work pace. As the boss of you, you get to determine what you can accomplish on any given day and find ways to not only fulfill your job requirements at a higher level but also pace yourself in a totally new way that can help you in your pursuit of happiness. Marquis Smalls Top 10 strategies for working successfully from home:

1. Take a holistic approach. When you start to design your ideal at home work setting, you have to see it as a total change in lifestyle for you that finally puts you in control of your own life and work experience. You are the “boss” of you and can decide just ho to hold yourself accountable in the personality style that you’re most comfortable in which should instantly alleviate some stress and help you find a more enjoyable work flow.

2. Design your entire day and work flow. When to wake up? When to take breaks? When to eat lunch? What amount of work you need to complete for that day? How successful do you want/need to be? Do you actually need to talk to anyone else to get your work done? Are you more comfortable sitting in a chair? Your couch, your bed? Take time to stretch, do some yoga, a workout, a walk, a bike ride, meditation, or even a quick phone call to a loved one. What time do you want to shut it down and transition from work mode to home mode? And how do you prefer to make that transition.

3. Once you have woken up, take your time to breathe deeply for a few minutes while still in bed then get out of bed and stretch first before doing anything else. Now that you don’t have to rush to get dressed, or deal with traffic or a commute, you can take our time getting out of bed in ways that you rarely could when having to be at a work location. The breathing and stretching exercises to start your day will immediately have an impact on your mood, focus, clarity and energy.

4. Decide what your first task will be after you’ve gone to the bathroom, showered, washed up and brushed your teeth. When considering your first task of the day, this is where the fun starts. You are in total control of your schedule so my suggestion is to have a priority list of things to do for the day.

5. Write it down, post it on a board, use a planner, create a schedule on your computer, use notebooks or legal pads, post it notes, whatever works best for you to outline your top tasks and keep track of getting them done. Inspire yourself accordingly to complete each task and track your progress for the day and week.

6. Do not set a time to complete your tasks unless you know you have a meeting, a call or another task that needs to be completed by a certain time. This is key to successfully working from home. Now that you are in control, you are no longer a slave to the clock. There is no arrival time, no ID swipe, security check or exit time that you need to be concerned with anymore so just start knocking tasks off your list. Once that first task is complete or you worked it as far as you could, now is the time to transition directly into task 2 or take your first break.

7. If you choose to keep pushing, and not take a break in between tasks, that’s great for you. You must be loving what you’re doing and have clearly found a rhythm that is moving you through tasks easily. You may decide to work to music, you may want to listen to an audio book, a podcast or the news while working. Either way, you’re getting the work done and doing it in a way that makes you not want to stop. So, keep working!

8. Think through, consider and design your work space. Were you comfortable where you were while doing task 1? If you want to go back to that space and it’s conducive to you feeling good about getting the work for task 2 done there, then stay comfortable and keep it moving. But if you know you want to switch things up feel free to have a second or even third favorite place to work in your home where you can change the vibe, tone and energy to stay at your highest level of productivity.

9. As you develop a workflow that works for you, whether to burn through tasks consecutively or to break in between each task, you now have found a pace and work style that is working for you and should also be making you feel happier and more accomplished as you complete tasks and the day goes on. Don’t be afraid or concerned with taking mini breaks of 5-10 minutes to just breathe, stretch, eat a small snack, drink a cup of tea or exercise really quick. The key to keeping your focus and energy up is to keep your blood flowing and your mind free throughout the day.

10. Use your to do list to make a note of how long a task took you to complete it. This will also empower you to make necessary adjustments when more tasks get put on your plate or even when you have more down time because you are being so productive and knocking tasks off consistently at a high level. “Down” time can then be repurposed to include more freedom during the workday to call loved ones, check in with your kids to make sure they are doing their school work, show your kid what you do for work or even have them be your assistant for the day, exercise more, read more, look for other jobs that you can work from home if you want but most importantly stay happy, healthy and productive as you revel In your success of working on your own terms.

Once you’ve found your ideal work, space, work flow, and happiness in being your own boss, you can incorporate research, read the industry trades, “google” information that can support your work or expand your knowledge of the field you’re working in or even just make or take a call or send an email that you deem necessary to your overall success and growth. You can now work like a CEO of your own small one-person company and enjoy the benefits that ownership affords you. That experience and freedom alone should help you determine your ideal end of the work day and allow you to spend time with your family and loved ones or just pamper yourself with some “me” time or by watching your favorite shows or a new movie before laying your head down and getting some of the most peaceful sleep you’ve had in a while because you know that you’ve accomplished all you set out to do that day. And by incorporating these successful strategies for working at home into your daily, weekly and monthly regimen you will make it through this crisis healthier, happier, and more valuable than ever. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay blessed, stay creative, stay productive, stay happy!

Sincerely, Marquis

WHAT WE SHOULD DO NOW IN THESE TROUBLING TIMES

July 2016

Some of you ask what you should do in these problematic times. I suggest reading and studying the constitution(the actual laws that we live under today were mostly written at the original Federal Convention in 1787) Since we can't dispute or deny that 1787 was a time of overt racism and slavery that founded this country then why not make the argument that it is time to amend the constitution to better reflect the current state of our country particularly looking at the laws that lead to the tragedies that make our world so hard to live in today. Let's push our governments, leaders and politicians toward new legislation that would help make ALL citizens feel safe. I know the first place that I'm going to start is the fact that we are not in a time of "domestic tranquility" and the constitution claims that it was one of the main reasons that it was written. So we need to hold our government accountable now and start asking the questions around who in office is truly going to fight to "insure our domestic tranquility" A "small" yet simple common sense answer to our problems that I believe will at least get us started in a better direction.

Street Dreams Films

Street Dreams Films

THE TOP 100 Black MOVIES THAT WHITE PEOPLE SHOULD WATCH

June 2020

Successful Strategies for Working from Home

April 2020

WHAT WE SHOULD DO NOW IN THESE TROUBLING TIMES

July 2016