#ThrowbackThursday: 10 Classic 90s movie-staples in every Black household
Undeniably, the 1990s is a monumental decade for Black cinema.
With cinematic releases, like Malcolm X, The Wood and Brown Sugar, the 1990s produced some of the most memorable films in Black history. This decade of movies have lasted the test of time to become movie-staples in every Black household.
Here are 10 groundbreaking movies that continue to impact the next generation of Black people.
The Five Heartbeats (1991)
Starring Robert Townsend, Michael Wright, Leon, Harry J. Lennix and Tico Wells, The Five Heartbeats follows the ups and downs of a rhythm and blues singing group as they deal with the distractions that come with fortune and fame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKhZXOU5SCg
Love Jones (1997)
Following aspiring writer Darius Lovehall (Larenz Tate) and aspiring photographer Nina Mosley (Nia Long), Love Jones shows the unique love story, which started with the couple meeting at a Chicago club.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNMoQ_Cqt4E
The Best Man (1999)
After writing a novel loosely based on the lives of his tight-knit group of friends, writer and committed bachelor Harper Stewart (Taye Diggs), who is set to be best man at his friend Lance's (Morris Chestnut) wedding, desperately tries to keep the book a secret when an advance copy of the book gets into the hands of his ex-flame, Jordan Armstrong (Nia Long).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6QrNMNPYus
Menace II Society (1993)
Caine Lawson (Tyrin Turner) grew up in the gang lifestyle of the Los Angeles projects where everyone around him is trapped in their lives of crime and violence, including his unpredictable friend O-Dog (Larenz Tate). His teacher (Charles Dutton) and girlfriend (Jada Pinkett Smith) help him picture a life outside of the city. When Caine decides that he wants to get out, he discovers that his escape will not be so easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHle3FQbWmw
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Stella (Angela Bassett), a 40-year-old stockbroker, travels to Jamaica with her friend Delilah (Whoopi Goldberg) for some fun in the sun after an unlucky romantic life. There, she starts an island fling with Winston (Taye Diggs), a handsome 20-something year old. When it’s time to return to California, she realizes that she has developed feelings for her new man. How Stella Got Her Groove Back follows the journey of their relationship as challenges come their way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A1Fvc_HD5I
New Jack City (1991)
Drug tycoon Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes) and his crew are at the top of the New York City narcotics trade. Under Brown and his heartless leadership, the drug operation turned into a multimillion-dollar empire. Scotty (Ice-T) and Nick (Judd Nelson), two police officers, go undercover to bring down Brown’s operation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pumf6m7d14w
Set It Off (1996)
After being fired from her job, Frankie (Vivica A. Fox) begins working at a janitorial service with her friends Tisean (Kimberly Elise), a single mother; Cleo (Queen Latifah), a boisterous lesbian; and Stony (Jada Pinkett), who is mourning the death of her brother. Dealing with financial issues, the group of four decides to rob banks. While it starts off successful, the group eventually catches the eye of Detective Strode (John C. McGinley).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb5jq3doQa8
Friday (1995)
Craig Jones (Ice Cube) has just gotten fired from his job, is annoyed with his girlfriend Joi (Paula Jai Parker) and his best friend, Smokey (Chris Tucker), owes the local drug dealer money. All of this happened before lunch on Friday. Throughout the following hours of the day, Smokey and Craig experience all of the nuances of urban life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umvFBoLOOgo
Boyz N The Hood (1991)
In Boyz N The Hood, Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) travels to South Central Los Angeles to live with his father, Furious Styles (Larry Fishburne). Although he has values instilled from his father and faith lessons from his girlfriend Brandi (Nia Long), Tre’s friends do not have that same support. Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky (Morris Chestnut) are constantly drawn into the neighborhood’s booming drug and gang culture, with increasingly tragic results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLgCCdLbQNc
Boomerang (1992)
Known by many as a ladies’ man, Marcus (Eddie Murphy), an ad executive, gets a taste of his own medicine when he meets Jacqueline (Robin Givens). When they become romantically involved, he is turned off by her noncommittal approach, which is similar to his own. During the same time, Marcus begins to develop feelings for Angela (Halle Berry), who is more thoughtful than Jacqueline.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOty3K6h03s