Black Shadows on a Silver Screen

The Rosa Parks Story is a 2002 American television movie written by Paris Qualles and directed by Julie Dash. Angela Bassett portrays Rosa Parks, with Cicely Tyson in a supporting role as her mother. It was broadcast by CBS on February 24, 2002. It received awards from the NAACP and the Black Reel Awards. Storyline: A seamstress recalls events leading to her act of peaceful defiance that prompted the 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. Plot: This biopic tells the story of civil rights activist Rosa Parks (Angela Bassett) from her days as a private-school student to her public battle against racism and segregation. As a secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Parks defends local children who have been victimized by racism. But when she is arrested after refusing to give up her bus seat for a white passenger, Parks inspires the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. Synopsis: Television movie about Mrs. Rosa L. Parks, the woman who inspired others when, exhausted after a long day at work, she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. Mrs. Parks was then arrested and jailed. Her courage and defiance led to the Montgomery bus boycott, one of the most successful non-violent protests in American History. The stand-off ended only when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled bus segregation illegal. Quotes: Rosa Louise McCauley Parks: Why do you always push us around? Tagline: They needed a common cause... Her heroic stand gave them one. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Angela Bassett, Peter Francis James, Tonea Stewart

Dir. Julie Dash

Miss Evers' Boys is an American made-for-television drama starring Alfre Woodard and Laurence Fishburne that first aired on February 22, 1997, and is based on the true story of the four-decade-long Tuskegee Syphilis Study. The main character Nurse Eunice Evers is based on Eunice Rivers Laurie. It was directed by Joseph Sargent and adapted by Walter Bernstein from the 1992 stage play of the same name, written by David Feldshuh. It received twelve nominations at the 1997 Primetime Emmy Awards, ultimately winning five, including Outstanding Television Movie and the President's Award (awarded for programming that best explores social or educational issues). Synopsis: The true story of the U.S. Government's 1932 Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, in which a group of black test subjects were allowed to die, despite a cure having been developed. The film highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by Nurse Eunice Evers, portrayed by Alfre Woodard. Themes and Reception: "Miss Evers' Boys" addresses themes of medical ethics, betrayal and the consequences of systemic racism in medicine. The film is noted for its powerful performances, particularly by Woodard, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Alfre Woodard, Laurence Fishburne, Craig Sheffer

Dir. Joseph Sargent

This week, we're proud to feature First Time Felon (1997), a gripping drama that explores the challenges of redemption and personal transformation within the criminal justice system. 📽️ Feature Presentation: First Time Felon (1997) Based on the true story of Greg Yance, First Time Felon follows a young Chicago gang member who, after being arrested for drug possession, is given a choice between a five-year prison sentence and a four-month stint in a military-style boot camp. Opting for the latter, Greg faces the harsh realities of the program under the stern guidance of Sergeant Calhoun. The film delves into themes of resilience, personal growth, and the struggle to break free from a cycle of crime. ​ Rotten Tomatoes +10 Blue Hill Avenue (The Movie) +10 Amazon +10 🎭 About the Cast & Crew Omar Epps: Portraying Greg Yance, Epps delivers a compelling performance that captures the internal conflict and determination of a young man seeking a second chance. Known for his roles in Love & Basketball and House, Epps brings depth and authenticity to the character.​ Delroy Lindo: As Sergeant Calhoun, Lindo embodies the tough yet principled drill instructor who challenges Greg to confront his past and embrace a new path. Lindo's distinguished career includes notable performances in Malcolm X, Crooklyn, and Da 5 Bloods.​ Director Charles S. Dutton: An accomplished actor and director, Dutton brings a nuanced perspective to the film, drawing from his own experiences to portray the complexities of the criminal justice system.​ 📺 Stay Connected Don't miss out on our curated selection of films that celebrate Black excellence and storytelling.

Dir. Charles S. Dutton

Attica is a 1980 American television film directed by Marvin J. Chomsky. It stars Morgan Freeman, Henry Darrow, Charles Durning, Joel Fabiani and Anthony Zerbe. It depicts the events leading up to and during the 1971 Attica Correctional Facility riot and the aftermath. Storyline: A TV-movie re-creation of the tragic events which followed the Attica Correctional Facility rebellion of September 9, 1971. Inmates demanding better food and living conditions took 38 guards as hostage. Negotiations begin immediately, only to continually break down thanks to uncompromising stubbornness on both sides. Four days into the crisis, the rebellion ends in a bloodbath, with state troopers firing on the prisoners, killing several of the guards in the process. Based on the eyewitness reporting of the New York Times' Tom Wicker, who was one of the civilian negotiators during the stalemate. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Henry Darrow, Charles Durning, Joel Fabiani

Dir. Marvin J. Chomsky

Separate but Equal is a 1991 American two-part television miniseries that dramatizes the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which challenged racial segregation in public schools. The film stars Sidney Poitier as lead NAACP attorney Thurgood Marshall, Richard Kiley as Chief Justice Earl Warren, Burt Lancaster (in his final television role) as lawyer John W. Davis (loser of Briggs v. Elliott and the Democratic candidate in the 1924 US presidential election), Cleavon Little as lawyer and judge Robert L. Carter, and Lynne Thigpen as Ruth Alice Stovall. Directed by George Stevens Jr., the miniseries received critical acclaim for its performances and historical accuracy, highlighting the moral and legal complexities of the case. In 1991, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences rewarded the film with the Outstanding Miniseries award. The film received 8 nominations for Emmy Awards in 1991 and won 2 and received 3 nominations for Golden Globe Awards in 1992. Synopsis: A dramatization of the American court case that destroyed the legal validity of racial segregation. Storyline: This film follows the true story of the NAACP court challenge of racial school segregation in the Brown vs. Board of Education. This was the struggle that would destroy the legal validity for racial segregation in general and prove to be the start and the first major victory of the civil rights movement. Tagline: The true story behind the most important legal battle of our time. Critical Reception: John Leonard called the film "splendid" and "a triumph" in New York Magazine. While generally praising the film, Richard Zoglin in Time Magazine called the portrayal of Warren's visit to Gettysburg "simplistic." A contemporary review in the Orlando Sentinel called the film "one of television's finest hours." We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Sidney Poitier, Burt Lancaster, Richard Kiley

Dir. George Stevens Jr.

Uncle Tom's Cabin is a 1987 American made-for-television drama film directed by Stan Lathan, and starring Avery Brooks, Bruce Dern, Phylicia Rashad, Samuel L. Jackson and Edward Woodward. It is based on the 1852 novel of the same name by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This movie depicts the life of an aging black slave, Tom, and the people with whom he interacts. Synopsis: This powerful adaptation of the Harriet Beecher Stowe novel follows the adventures of a group of slaves in the 19th-century American South. When Eliza (Phylicia Rashad) hears that she and her son will be separated despite a promise to the contrary, she flees the plantation on which she's a slave, leaving behind her friend Tom (Avery Brooks). The story splits, following Tom as he clings to faith in the face of immense cruelty at the hands of Simon Legree, while Eliza and her son try to survive and remain together despite the odds. Taglines: The road to Freedom is Long and Costly We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Avery Brooks, Kate Burton, Bruce Dern

Dir. Stan Lathan

SCOTT JOPLIN (1977) | BILLY DEE WILLIAMS BLACKTREE MEDIA SATURDAY MOVIE SHOWCASE Before jazz transformed American music, there was Scott Joplin, the King of Ragtime. Billy Dee Williams stars in this 1977 biographical drama about the legendary Black composer who helped revolutionize American music with classics including Maple Leaf Rag and The Entertainer. Directed by Jeremy Kagan, the film follows Joplin’s journey from playing piano in saloons to becoming one of America’s most influential composers, while confronting racism, personal tragedy, and the struggle to have his music recognized as serious art. Featuring: Billy Dee Williams, Clifton Davis, Margaret Avery, Godfrey Cambridge, Eubie Blake, Mabel King, Taj Mahal and Art Carney. 🎬 Year: 1977 | Rating: PG | Runtime: 96 minutes Joplin’s influence extended far beyond ragtime, helping shape the musical traditions that followed. In 1976, he received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize Special Citation for his contributions to American music. Discover the extraordinary story behind the music and one of Billy Dee Williams’ lesser-known performances. 🎬 Watch more classic movies and television streaming 24/7 at BlackTreeTV.com — Where Legends Live Forever. 🔔

Starring Billy Dee Williams, Clifton Davis, Margaret Avery

Dir. Jeremy Kagan

Wilma is a 1977 TV movie about the life of Wilma Rudolph, a legendary American sprinter and Olympic champion. It features Shirley Jo Finney as Wilma, Cicely Tyson as her mother and a young Denzel Washington in an early acting role as her boyfriend. Written and directed by Bud Greenspan. Storyline: The story of American track sprinter Wilma Rudolph, who overcame physical handicaps to win three gold medals in the 1960 Olympics. At the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, an amazing athlete, Wilma Rudolph (played by Shirley Jo Finney), became the first woman to win three consecutive gold medals. But the most amazing part of this true story is that Wilma was stricken in her youth with crippling polio, a disease she conquered to become one of America's greatest female athletes. The story begins with Wilma's childhood in rural Tennessee when her parents learn of her illness. Wilma's mother does everything in her power to bolster Wilma's self-confidence and help her overcome the handicap. Her determination pays off as Wilma grows in strength, speed and agility. Eventually, her tremendous courage and astounding athletic ability bring Wilma to her greatest triumph at the Olympic Games. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Shirley Jo Finney, Cicely Tyson, Jason Bernard

Dir. Bud Greenspan

Heat Wave is a 1990 American thriller-drama television film about the 1965 Los Angeles Watts Riots, directed by Kevin Hooks and starring Blair Underwood, Cicely Tyson, James Earl Jones, Margaret Avery, and David Strathairn. On August 11, 1965, a routine traffic stop on a summer night sparks years of frustration within Los Angeles' African American community into a race riot that shocks the United States. A rookie black journalist investigates the tensions of the Watts section of Los Angeles in the bloody summer of 1965. A superb depiction of the Watts riot and how it possibly started in great detail. Storyline: The events that led to the 1965 race riots in Watts, Los Angeles, are covered by a black messenger-turned-reporter at the L.A. Times, as he was one of the first correspondents to arrive at the scene. The movie also follows the troubled times he, his family and friends went through in one of the most tense and sad moments in American history. Review: The Watts ghetto uprising of 1965 is a proving ground for a young black journalist. Excellent cast and fine script portray the anger and frustration of blacks in Los Angeles and the U.S. in the 1960s and the fear of change felt by blacks and whites when civil rights reform began. Strong drama with minimal emotionalism. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, Sally Kirkland

Dir. Kevin Hooks

Unbowed is a 1999 film about an unlikely romance that develops between a Lakota warrior (Jay Tavare) and a young black woman (Tembi Locke) at an 1890s black college. Storyline: Three Lakota Sioux men enroll in a historically black college, and their reluctance to assimilate causes friction between their black peers. Some come to embrace their similar history, while others remain bitter. One becomes involved in an interracial relationship with an African American woman. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Tembi Locke, Jay Tavare, Chuma Gault

Dir. Nanci Rossov

Intro - You Should Be Dancing / Alone Massachusets To Love Somebody Words Closer Than Close Islands In The Stream Our Love (Don't Throw It All Away) Ft. Andy Gibb Night Forever / More Than a Woman Lonely Days New York Mining Disaster 1941 I Can't See Nobody And The Sun Will Shine Nights On Broadway How Can You Mend a Broken Heart Heartbreaker Guilty Immortality Ft. Celine Dion Tragedy I Started a Joke Grease Jive Talkin' How Deep Is Your Love Stayin' Alive You Should Be Dancing ----------------------------------------------- Bee Gees, performing live concert at One Night Only Don't forget buy the original DVD © 2013 Bee Gees

Dir. Michael Simon

Meteor PART ONE of TWO: Full Miniseries. Following an unparalleled series of meteor fireballs plummeting toward Earth, a renowned scientist, his assistant, and an on-target conspiracy theorist race against time to expose a government cover-up, reveal the truth, and prevent a massive meteor from destroying the planet. EPISODE 1 - 1999 Watch Part 2 here: Starring: Jason Alexander Michael Rooker Billy Campbell Ernie Hudson Marla Sokoloff Christopher Lloyd Stacy Keach Kenneth Mitchell Erin Cottrell Directed by Ernie Barbarash 2009 MORE Popcornflix MOVIES, FREE on YouTube!  Action:  Romance:  Horror:  Crime:  Drama:  Comedy:  Western:  Popcornflix Channel page: Watch more free movies and TV series at Popcornflix.com, or on the Popcornflix app available on Roku, Amazon FireTV, iOS, Android, Chromecast, and AppleTV. , Full length free movies and TV series. Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: Popcornflix is owned/operated by Screen Media Ventures

Dir. Víctor Moreno

A friendly bar owner and a funeral home director find their lives unexpectedly intertwined when a dark turn of events brings them together at the crossroads of life and death. As the mystery unfolds, secrets and dangerous circumstances blur the line between ordinary lives and a world where every decision can have deadly consequences. Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery Stars: Patrick Muldoon, Brittany Underwood, Danny Pardo Directed by: Zachary Charles Raderstorf Crime Stories TV brings you gripping crime dramas and thrillers that reveal the courage, deception, and survival behind every case. Each film dives into the darker side of human nature - where justice, truth, and danger collide.

Dir. Jeanmarie Condon, John Ridley

Black Hollywood is a 1984 feature documentary that explores the role of black actors, black directors and the black audience in American movies. it was shot entirely on location in Hollywood. Remember the early 80s - hip hop had just been born, break dancing filled clubs and streets and Eddie Murphy and late great Richard Pryor were the only two black stars making it. In an action-packed showcase of clips and interviews, Diahnne Abbott, Rosalind Cash and Alfre Woodard talk about negative stereotyping. Jim Brown, Vonetta McGee and D'Urville Martin come up with alternative solutions to the one-way-street that was "blaxploitation" and discuss new ways of advancing an independent black cinema. There is a rare interview with Lorenzo Tucker, the Black Valentino, about his career with Oscar Micheaux. Joel Fluellen and Vincent Tubbs tell memorable stories of what life was like for the few blacks working in Hollywood in the 50s and 60s (including Dorothy Dandridge). There is a marvelous speech by Sidney Poitier on accepting the Black Hall of Fame "oscar". Griffiths' Birth Of A Nation is panned. Grandmaster Flash and his "Message" is the theme tune and the writer Oscar Williams holds the whole show together with his advice to the creative outsider. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Jim Brown, Diahnne Abbott, Rosalind Cash

Dir. Howard Johnson

Hallelujah is a 1993 television drama film produced for the 11th season of PBS' American Playhouse. Stars James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad. Synopsis: A holiday tale about a young reverend (Dennis Haysbert) who is given two days to impress a Washington, D.C. church committee that is concerned about his age and single-parent status. Additionally, he is challenged when he encounters a pregnant teen and a homeless veteran. Storyline: Christmas at the Messiah Church in Washington D.C. A young preacher and later in the day a mysterious pregnant girl arrive at the church doors looking to begin new lives The preacher, the Reverend Oliver Crawford, is not the judgmental church committees first choice to be the Messiahs new pastor. He is an unwed father of a teenage son and he is given only two days to prove his worth to his new parishioners. Meanwhile Katherine, a sixteen-year-old girl, who is about to give birth has come to the area to escape an abusive home and to search for a grandfather she doesn't know. With the help of local homeless advocate Big Willie Thorton, Crawford attempts to revive the spirit of the church and provide solace to the displaced girl. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Ralph Fiennes

Dir. Chris Addison