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.
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CATCH A FIRE (2006)
Certification12 Our Rating
The 1980s; an innocent young South African is arrested and, along with his family, tortured. Angered by these events he becomes what he was falsely accused of, an ANC terrorist/freedom fighter. Based on a true story, Catch A Fire is a searing, adrenalin-drenched, dramatic thriller.
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FREEDOM WRITERS (2007)
Certification12 Our Rating
Erin Gruwell is a teacher with strong ideals and a passion for education, but when she finds herself in the middle of a school riven by gang violence and racial segregation she initially struggles to hold onto her beliefs. It is from this seemingly untenable position that Erin begins to show her "un-teachable" students their own worth, encouraging them to share their stories and discover the world of others. Based upon the bestselling book ‘The Freedom Writers' Diary' this is an enjoyable, well
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GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' (2007)
Certification15 Our Rating
Marcus, once an orphaned street kid, always knew he was going to be a rapper. However, when his mother is murdered, his life begins to spiral out of control. It's only a matter of time before he's hustlin' and selling drugs to pay the rent. Only his music keeps him alive, as he madly scribbles the lyrics that fly around his troubled mind. Only when another tragedy strikes does Marcus begin to change his life. 'Fiddy' makes his motion picture debut in Get Rich Or Die Tryin'!, by Oscar-nominated d
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GOODBYE BAFANA (2007)
Certification15 Our Rating
Employed by the apartheid South African government as prison warden to Nelson Mandela, James Gregory would seem like the ideal man for the job, white, deeply racist and yet fluent in Mandela's native tongue, the authorities seem to have found the perfect spy. What those in power failed to grasp were a man's ability to change and the irresistible personality of Mandela himself. Based on James Gregory's memoirs, 'Goodbye Bafana' is a moving dramatisation of an unlikely friendship.
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HOW HIGH (2001)
Certification15 Our Rating
Two buddies smoke some "magic" weed and get themselves accepted at Harvard, which roles you into the old social/culture clash gigglethon. How High pretty much obligates you to be drifting high above your hubbly bubbly to squeeze out the laughs, think poor cousin of ‘Friday' and presuming you're well stocked this might just work. NB in 2002 the movie won the 'Stony Award' for the Best Stoner Movie!
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HUSTLE AND FLOW (2005)
Certification15 Our Rating
Djay is a small time pimp listlessly hustling his main girl Nola and dreaming of a less ugly existence. When DJay meets an old school friend he is immediately smitten by the opportunity for escape� the chance to make his name as a rapper. With the imminent arrival of an urban music producer DJay knows his one way out is to do what he does best�make the hustle. Hustle And Flow is not an original tale but it's elevated by some tight, spare, unsentimental direction and an Oscar nominated perfor
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IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967)
Certification15 Our Rating
An arrogant bright black Northern homicide detective travelling via a small Mississippi town becomes involved in a murder investigation after a local industrialist is found dead. Engaged in a clash of wills with the local racist cop the two eventually develop a mutual respect. Won Best Picture at 1967 Academy Awards.
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RAY (2004)
Certification15 Our Rating
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.
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SHAFT (1973)
Certification15 Our Rating
The fact that this highly successful hip movie attracted attention because the hero, and much of the cast, was black, then a ground-breaking event in American film, shouldn't distract from the fact that it was also a high quality private eye flick with a great music score from Isaac Hayes. With some of the most amazing flared trousers to ever be seen the film now looks a classic period piece. To be watched.
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