A number of unrelated people from different social and ethnic backgrounds are observed in their lives leading up to, and their reactions in the aftermath of, a tragedy, in this case the assassination of Robert Kennedy. Directed by Emilio Estevez with an awesome cast at his disposal, Bobby is a fascinating and intelligent observation of the impact events in history have on the common people who both create it and are influenced by it. An intriguing premise. find out more...

This dramatic history of Chicago's Chess Records has a superb soundtrack(though it consists almost entirely of covers) and its insights into the relationship between white money making businessmen and poor black talent back in the stifling '50s more than makes up for its overwrought melodrama, historic inaccuracies and poor script. find out more...

Don Haskins is the basketball coach for a small Texas University, but he's also a man with a dream and that is to win the National Championship. Based, if somewhat inaccurately, on a true story that took place in the 1960s, Glory Road is a remarkable, if familiar, tale of the underdog, in this instance a predominantly black team, coming from nowhere to powerhouse through the field and face the overwhelming favourites in a final that everyone only thought they'd witness as spectators. An inspirin find out more...

Spike Lee's mainstream take on the ex-petty crook turned Islamic preacher and leading 60s Civil Rights spokesman Malcolm X. Washington's performance is riveting in this epic. find out more...

A mesmerising dramatisation of one of the kings, Ray Charles. Unsurprisingly the soundtrack is pure bliss, but it is Jamie Foxx in the title role that pulls everything together, an hypnotic performance of a music legend, through all his highs and lows, and one of those increasingly rare examples of a leading actor Oscar that actually makes sense. find out more...