This month, Cinemark celebrates Black History Month with a selection of some of the most influential and entertaining movies made by Black filmmakers in the last few years. Even better, these are titles that many audiences have not had a chance to see on the big screen!
Why Is February Black History Month?
For almost a century — ever since historian Carter B. Woodson suggested that Black history be taught in American schools during the second week of February — the month of February has been associated with the history, contributions, and sacrifices made by African Americans as they contributed to the development and character of the United States. February was unofficially designated as Black History Month by the 1960s, and in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month. President Ford hoped that Americans would "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."
Cinemark's Black History Month Movies
Dolemite is My Name
Eddie Murphy has one of his greatest roles as Rudy Ray Moore, who was desperate to find acceptance and fame as a comedian. When Moore developed a pimp action hero caricature called Dolemite he had his ticket to stardom. DOLEMITE IS MY NAME chronicles Moore's efforts, especially as he masterminds a subversive low-budget kung-fu movie with Dolemite as the centerpiece.
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME plays on February 7 at 6:30pm.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM is a superb playground for actors. Playing the fierce, uncompromising blues singer Ma Rainey, Viola Davis burns up the screen as Ma engages in a battle of wills with her manager and producer during a recording session, even as her band members (Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, and Michael Potts) engage in a battle of willpower with the ambitious horn player Levee. Chadwick Boseman delivered his final performance as Levee, and his work is magnificent.
MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM plays on February 14 at 6:30pm.
The Harder They Fall
This big, entertaining western follows outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) as he seeks revenge against Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) as the latter is released from prison. THE HARDER THEY FALL trains its focus on the Black characters who are often marginalized in many Westerns, and in doing so it presents an amazing collection of memorable old-west personalities: Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz), Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi), and fast-drawing Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler) all ride with the character played by Majors, while Rufus Buck has a crew that includes "Treacherous" Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield).
THE HARDER THEY FALL plays on February 21 at 6:30pm.
Da 5 Bloods
Spike Lee made the sort of war movie that only Spike Lee could create, with a mesmerizing lead performance from Delroy Lindo. He plays one of four African American Vietnam veterans who head back into a remote area of Vietnam, where they hope to find the remains of their fallen squad leader (played in flashbacks by Chadwick Boseman)... and a cache of hidden gold. Lindo and the rest of the cast — Isiah Whitlock Jr., Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, and Jonathan Majors — explore the long-buried secrets and resentments harbored by all the characters, making DA 5 BLOODS a unique and explosive look at America's past and present.
DA 5 BLOODS plays on February 28 at 6:30pm.
Click through for more information and tickets to these movies!
All images courtesy of Netflix.