“Origin”
Ava DuVernay’s astonishing adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s essential novel, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, stars the amazing Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as the author who links the injustices made throughout human history by illuminating the unspoken system of caste that fuels them
2. REAL LIFE HEROES
“Rustin”
No list of this year’s Oscar contenders is complete without Colman Domingo, whose portrayal of the titular Black organizer in George C. Wolfe’s rousing biopic gives the man who made the 1963 March on Washington a reality his rightful place in history.
“The Burial”
Maggie Betts unearths another crowd-pleasing true-life story with this look at the unlikely bond forged between an elderly white funeral director (Tommy Lee Jones) and his successful Black lawyer (Jamie Foxx).
3. BLACK ICONS
“Little Richard: I Am Everything”
Lisa Cortes’ powerful documentary about the King of Rock ‘n Roll examines both his unequaled impact on American music as well as the shame he harbored regarding his sexuality.
“Air”
In this film wonderfully directed by Ben Affleck, we get the eye-opening details of the pivotal role basketball legend Michael Jordan’s mother, Mrs. Deloris Jordan, played in allowing shoe salesman Sonny Vaccarro (Matt Damon) to court her son on Nike’s behalf.
4. JOURNEYS TOWARD INDEPENDENCE
“Poor Things”
Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos delivers another delightfully strange and provocative parable, this time with Emma Stone starring as a woman brought back to life by an eccentric scientist (Willem Dafoe).
“The Color Purple”
Alice Walker’s landmark novel about a young woman’s journey toward independence has been turned by director Blitz Bazawule into a rousing hybrid drama/musical, adapted from the Broadway musical.
5. SLICE-OF-LIFE
“Past Lives”
Celine Song’s wrenching debut feature centers on a woman (Greta Lee) who finds herself perched between the man (John Magaro) she married and the man (Teo Yoo) whose path she meaningfully crossed more than once in the past.