Soul Cinema | The Tuskegee Airman

As filmgoers prepare for producer George Lucas’ aerial action assault with his passion project, Red Tails, here is an earlier TV version of the saluting these brave men, HBO’s The Tuskegee Airman.

Soul Cinema | Lost Boundaries

As we pause to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we examine some of the pre-Civil Rights films that examine race in America. One such story is the classic 1949 drama, Lost Boundaries.

Soul Cinema | Coonskin

The latest entry in our series is a movie sure to divide the audience, the controversial 1975 animated/live action film, Coonskin. Originally boycotted prior to it’s release by CORE for being racist, the film is a forerunner for projects such as Spike Lee’s Bamboozled and Aaron McGruder’s series, The Boondoocks. The opening theme song may be a challenge for some!

Soul Cinema | Cornbread, Earl and Me

The latest film that we will spotlight this month is very special to me. In addition to an amazing cast of veteran and respected actors, little Larry Fishburne made his debut in this engrossing 1975 drama, Cornbread, Earl and Me. He is credited as Laurence Fishburne III and co-starred with Moses Gunn, Rosalind Cash, Bernie Casey and Madge Sinclair.

Soul Cinema | Trick Baby

Our cinematic journey through 1970′s Black film introduces a rarely-seen gem about two con-artsts, one an elderly Black man and the other his White accomplished better known as Trick Baby. The film stars Kiel Martin and Mel Stewart, in a very different role from our earlier selection, The Landlord.

Soul Cinema | The Landlord

Today’s Soul Cinema entry is one of my favorite films from the 1970s that dealt with race and class, The Landlord. Director Hal Ashby‘s directorial debut starred a young Beau Bridges as well as Pearl Bailey, Diana Sands, Louis Gossett, Jr. and featured an Best Supporting Actress Oscar performance from Lee Grant.

Soul Cinema | Across 110th Street

To kick off Black History Month, every day we will feature a full-length classic film as a part of our Soul Cinema series. Up first is a gritty 1972 crime drama, Across 110th Street featuring an unforgettable title song by Bobby Womack starring Yaphet Kotto and Anthony Quinn.