Nicole Alicia's Top 10 Black "Time-Period" Movies

I love black history!It's not just a month for me...I've always been interested in my family history on both sides. When we had to do family trees in school as a project, I got very excited to share and learn about my heritage.I am African-American and our culture is rich and used to be built on legacy and heritage.I'm am trying to keep that tradition with my son and pass on to him the love of learning about our history as a people and what was passed on to me from my great-grandparents, grandparents and my parents.

I just realized that I am a huge fan of what I call "time-period" movies.

Currently, I am writing a historical fiction novel based in the 1940's. As I am delving deeper into my research, I started questioning the reason of why I am so interested in black history and certain time periods.So I thought I'd share with you my top 10 list of Black "time-period" movies that I love to watch any time of the year, but especially since it's Black History Month this is a timely kind of post, don't 'cha think?So here we go...

1. Crooklyn- Another Spike Lee Joint...as you know from previous posts I am a Spike Lee fan. I loved this from the first time I saw it though. Being an only child not only did it give me an active imagination of what it would be like to have brothers, but I related to Troy's character in a certain way as a small girl as well. It was based in the late 60's, early 70's which is a time period that my mom and dad were fond of since they were in their teens and 20's during this era. I still love to hear the stories of what took place back then.
2. Dead Presidents- Ladies, I've always had a thing for Larenz Tate...he's is too handsome. This one though I loved the plot, not so much the ending but the again how they based it around what was historically happening and the very real after affects of the Vietnam War, and then tying a great fictional story-line to it. Plus, it was the start of so many actors careers, like cry-baby Terrance Howard and Chris Tucker.
3. The Inkwell-Again...Larenz Tate. I think this one may have resonated with me because he was spending a summer in an unfamiliar place...I too used to do that as well as a kid.
4. American Gangster-It just amazes me I think also, what you could do back in the '60's and 70's that people were getting away with. I'm a big fan of mob and criminal movies or movies based on a true stories I should say. This is another one I watch, over and over.
5. Hoodlum-Closely related to the whole Frank Lucas story since it's about Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas's mentor. I mean you really can't go wrong with a movie that has Cecily Tyson in it, can you?
6. Harlem Nights-Do I even need to explain the greatness of this one? Classic! R.I.P. Charley Murphy
7. Cooley High-This is somewhat of a comedy, but totally has a #squadgoals appeal to it, if you know what I mean. This is back when dudes, really had each other's back. Another movie based in the 60's...I have no idea what my fascination about this decade is? LOL!
8. Corina, Corina-I think I may have watched this one so much as a little kid, I messed the VHS up! I think it's one of the best acting roles Whoopi has ever played in. It's a touching story about color lines also and my first real visualization of what segregation was back then. Again, the costume design on this one is so neat!
9. Glory- I still watch this one just to see that one tear role down Denzel's face. Classic!
10. The Five Heartbeats/Dream Girls- Look I can't leave these off over here, I just can't! I know ALLL the songs to both movies and can't decide which I like best.

 I hope you like my list...leave comments below...let me know which is your favorite!!!Until next time...