Must haves...

Today’s blog is very simple. Periodically, I am going present you a list of must sees, must reads, must listens or must haves. Some of you will probably have already seen, read, heard, listened or have these things but here goes nothing:

Must sees:

Sicko by Michael Moore – I am not a 100% fan of all of his films because at some point I always feel manipulated by him and his flare for the dramatics (such as taking Columbine survivors to WalMart headquarters or a boatload of ill Americans to Cuba) but this film illustrates how poor healthcare in America truly is.

Ganga Zumba – A film based on the true story of an enslaved African, Ganga Zumba, who manages to escape to the hills of Brazil and live free with several colonies of other escaped Africans for decades before being recaptured. Other peoples of African descent in the new world known to have done the same are the Garifuna in Central America and the Maroons in Jamaica. (Don’t ever let folks tell you we didn’t fight back!)

Sankofa – It’s been a while since I’ve seen this but this film by Haile Gerima ignited a passion within me as a black woman and as a filmmaker. It also showed the brutality of slavery without romanticizing our ancestors’ experiences for mass appeal.

Bandit Queen – I love films from India but not Bollywood and this is one of my favorites. This film is based on the true story of an Indian woman, Phoolan Devi, forced into marriage at 11 yrs. old and raped repeatedly by her husband who escapes to help lead the resistance against India’s corrupt caste system and the government. This movie shows why women can overcome anything and rise to be victorious!

Salaam Bombay – Another Indian film, directed by Mira Nair. Most of the films actors were actually children living on the streets of Bombay. It was heartbreaking because it shows the cyclical nature of life and how inescapable poverty is in most countries.

The Great Debaters – I consider myself a pretty smart chick but I’d never heard of this debate beween Wiley College and Harvard before. It was an uplifting film beautifully told by Denzel Washington and he’s made me hungry for more of his work. (My friend and I actually clapped at the end of this film… yes, we are nerds and proud of it!)

Other films:
Earth, Fire, Water – a trilogy of films by Indian filmmaker Deepa Mehta

Michael Clayton – an excellent understated film with amazing performances by Tilda Swinton and George Clooney.

No Country for Old Men –I love the Coen Brothers; they tell a mean story that leaves you with chills running down your spine.

Broken English – a film I discovered at my local library and fell in love with, directed by Zoe Cassevetes. It’s a love story for all of us cynics who desperately want to believe in love.

Must reads:

Octavia Butler – If you think Anne Rice has one hell of an imagination please read Octavia Butler who seamlessly blends science fiction and science fact to create believable futuristic and supernatural worlds.

Stephen King – Don’t sleep… Stephen King is a master writer whose words both terrify and offer insight into the darkest recesses of the human psyche.

Edwidge Danticat – I envy her, I really do, because she discovered her talent and became successful at such a young age. She has a collection of stories about the Haitian experience entitled, Krik Krak, that I love and another semi-autobiographical book about emigrating to America entitled, Breath, Eyes, Memory that are among my favorite books.

Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye – As a dark skinned girl growing up in a world that did/does not appreciate dark skinned girls this book spoke to my own need for love and acceptance and more importantly how racism has impacted the black standard of beauty and severely damaged our psyche.

Must listen:

Punta from Central America – Straight up party music where one winds their waist as fast as possible while twirling in a circle. A woman, regardless of size, can’t help but to feel sexy doing this dance!

Bachata – Whew! This dance can be pure sex on the dance floor if done right. Passion oozes between the man and woman holding them together like glue.

The Nightwatchman – Tom Morello formerly of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave hits us with insightful politically aware music once again with this solo project. (Yeah, I have a crush on him, so what?) Black rock rules!

Floetry - Damn, I am so sad that they broke up because these sistahs made some serious music. I am praying for a reunion.

Erykah Badu – She’s a consummate artist; her music is deep, witty, and lyrical. She inspires me to “do me” at all times.

Other must haves:

Decency
Courage
Sense of humor
Pride
Humility

Peace!