Reggae Music News

Next Big Thing: Three standout films for Black History Month

By David Friend

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Next Big Thing Three standout films for Black History Month

The weekly Next Big Thing column highlights what’s bubbling under the surface in entertainment with a look at rising stars in the world of music, as well as standout TV shows, movies and web series that would be a shame to overlook.

This week, we look at three standout films to mark Black History Month.

INSPIRING TRACK COMEBACK

Former Olympian Harry Jerome is often missed in the scope of Canadian sports history, but “Mighty Jerome” hopes to draw new attention to his inspiring story.

The documentary follows the Vancouver-raised track and field star whose record-setting career in the early 1960s was stopped short by a crippling leg injury.

Many thought he would never return to the sport, but Jerome launched a relentless and inspiring recovery effort.

Director Charles Officer, who previously worked on “Nurse. Fighter. Boy,” focuses on Jerome’s determination and frames his story in the political context of the time.

Since his death from a brain aneurysm in 1982, Jerome’s story has gained more attention in some sports circles. An annual track and field meet in Burnaby, B.C., was named after him and a statue of Jerome has been erected in Stanley Park.

“Mighty Jerome” is available to rent on the National Film Board’s website and to buy through digital retailers.

FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS

“Selma” was one of the gems from last year’s awards season and is a powerful retelling of a pivotal time in Martin Luther King Jr.’s life.

Director Ava DuVernay frames the story around King’s campaign for equal voting rights and the marches he led from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., in 1965.

Her perspective brings a unique sense of history and a powerful urgency to what was a turbulent time in U.S. history.

But it’s the moving performance from David Oyelowo as King which grabbed the most attention last year _ partly because he was snubbed for an Oscar nomination.

The film also includes supporting performances from a list of familiar faces, including Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Giovanni Ribisi.

“Selma” is available to stream on Netflix and on disc.

RISING STARS

If you’re looking for a toe-tapping good time, “The Five Heartbeats” will put you on the right track.

The 1991 film _ directed by Robert Townsend and co-written by Keenen Ivory Wayans _ is a fictional take on a bygone era when soul music reigned supreme.

At its centre is the three-decade story of the Five Heartbeats, an R&B vocal group created for the film but loosely inspired by Motown singers of the 1960s like The Temptations and Four Tops.

While the film stays within the genre conventions of a rise-to-fame story, it’s the energetic musical numbers that give it an extra spark.

“The Five Heartbeats” also stars Townsend in a lead role and features comedian Eddie Griffin making his film debut in an uncredited cameo.

The movie is available on DVD and streaming on Netflix.

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