Evolving Folks Project

Movies are magic, at least to me. Yes, some people have made terrible movies, and some of them are cheesy too. Hell, every October I binge on terrible and sometimes not-so-bad horror flicks. Some of my faves are the original Carrie and Children of the Corn. Movies can take us to different worlds or realities. Some of the most influential people in society are A-list Hollywood actors. I know the club is elite and exclusive since most actors are grinding like most of us in the world.

But that’s not the point of this post. The world is in rough shape, and humanity is to blame. We have wars, famine, exploitation, and corporate greed, along with sexism, racism, and xenophobia running wild like the recently deceased, Uber famous pro-wrestler and terrible human being, Hulk Hogan. He also starred in movies in the 1980s and 1990s. I know that Hollywood and streaming services have promoted these problematic aspects of the human experience on film. On the flip side, movies can take your mind away from the existential millennial dread, bills, or the stressful job. People like escapism, and films are sometimes the most affordable escape from the daily routine. That’s why Marvel dominated the box office in the 2010s, and the 2020s saw Barbiehammer rule the summer of 2023.

The movies show the good, the bad, and the ugly of humanity. But you can also explore fantasy or sci-fi realms that don’t exist in reality. Films can transport you to that world for at least a couple of hours. Some movies had terrible plots but memorable characters. And some films have memorable characters and plots. Also, what counts as your favorite movie is subjective to the viewer. So today, I’ll share some of my favorite films. And remember, these are my favorite films from childhood until today. Sit back, enjoy, and maybe I’ll give you a reason to “Netflix and chill” this weekend.

The Last Dragon

The film’s release heralded the end of the Blaxploitation era, shifting the cinematic landscape. In 1985, when I was just two years old, the movie premiered on the big screen. The plot is absurd, with Taimak portraying “Bruce” Leroy Green, a local martial arts teacher and Kung Fu Master. In the film, he faces off against arcade manager Eddie Arcadian, who is also a wannabe music producer. He hires a man known as Sho Nuff, who is the self-proclaimed “Shogun” of Harlem, to face Leroy in a death match. The Last Dragon is a film that is absolutely over the top, with its bold style representative of its time. If I had a child, they’d experience this iconic film, which fused martial arts, hip hop, soul, funk, and turned stereotypes on their head. The music was so good that it was like another character in the movie. On VHS, I watched this movie every day after school when I was ten years old.

Couching Dragon, Hidden Tiger

The film, a 2001 Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film, successfully transported the captivating wuxia style to Western viewers. For me, the movie is a masterpiece of storytelling and beauty. The film launched Ang Lee into the ranks of top-tier directors and also showcased the ethereal beauty of Zhang Ziyi to the world. It’s an understatement to say the fantasy-like martial art scenes are some of the best fight scenes ever put on film. Each fight moves the story forward. Throughout the movie, there is a dramatic narrative revolving around sexism, forbidden love, freedom, and rigid societal norms that trap individuals. At the end of this movie, I still shed a few tears.

Blade

The movie that launched Marvel’s comic book reign over the box office throughout the 2000s to this day. The 1998 film “Blade,” starring Wesley Snipes as the human/vampire hero, was a surprise success. With its dark humor, wit, and style, it was one of the blackest comic book movies ever made (sorry, not sorry, Black Panther). The movie’s mood utterly captivated me, and I even penned a full blog post about it a while back. This quote will always stand the test of time: “Some muthafuckas are always trying to ice skate uphill.”

Face/Off

The idea must have come from someone who thought, “What if we put John Travolta and Nicholas Cage in a sci-fi movie where they trade faces and all hell breaks loose?” It’s one of the most ridiculous 90s movies of all time. The sight of John Travolta portraying Nic Cage, and vice versa, was an amazing thing to witness. The movie was pure Nick Cage, and then, out of nowhere, Margaret Cho arrived. If you like doves cooing softly, the sharp crack of gunfire from dual-wielding pistols, the metallic clang of magnetic jail boots, and the sweet smell of peaches, this might be the movie for you.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Original Movie)

The rubber suits could scare younger viewers nowadays. However, this 1990 film was a groundbreaking achievement in puppetry and animatronics, a testament to the innovative work of the Jim Henson studio. The film was a 90s independent success story. The original TMNT movie is a seamless blend of the original Ninja Turtles comic books and the 80s children’s cartoon. It captured a dark tone while remaining suitable for children. This film presents the most menacing version of The Shredder.

The Dark Knight

The only thing I can say is that it was one of those movies that caused a social media firestorm when Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker—the film’s primary antagonist. We must credit the deceased actor for proving his critics wrong and creating the second most iconic Joker character after Mark Hamill’s animated version. The movie features a kick-ass car chase that was filmed in Chicago, my hometown, on Wacker Drive. The pitch-perfect film captured the violent, complex dance between the Joker and Batman.

The Matrix

It is a cliché, but while watching this movie in a crowded theater as a fifteen-year-old kid, I was completely blown away. Film and TV have copied it countless times because of its iconic status. Twenty-six years later, a classic sci-fi action movie, full of futuristic visuals, has endured.

Equilibrium

It’s a Matrix-inspired movie, sure, but this is the low-quality, direct-to-video type, starring Christian Bale and Taye Diggs. Hollywood’s habit of typecasting Taye Diggs was clear in this movie. It was easy to hate his villainous Cleric Andrew Brandt, but also difficult not to be fascinated by him. He should have been given more comedic and villainous roles, instead of just being the pretty boy. Also, the ridiculous gun-fu in this movie is a blast to watch. Plus, Sean Bean keeps the trend of his character getting murked in a film or show . It’s a remarkable little sci-fi film that’s fun to watch because it tries to have a message, but the Trainwreck of a plot is too ridiculous to take it seriously.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

This film is likely one of the best action sci-fi movies, filled with great stunts and visual effects. In 1991, the classic movie solidified Arnold Schwarzenegger’s position as a true superstar. It’s a simple story of a boy and his robot, and it’s completely wild. Also, this gave us Linda Hamilton’s iconic Sarah Connor, a hardened badass, determined to stop the machines. The film features the T-1000, whose liquid metal body made him one of Sci-Fi’s most terrifying villains. After the success, James Cameron had the go-ahead and funds to create fifty Avatar movies. After T2, they made multiple sequels, but none surpassed the sequel to the original B-movie sci-fi film.

Get Out

Get Out is a film that is unlike any other, a defining moment for its genre. The film gave birth to a fresh and innovative style within the horror genre. A film that explores the horrors of racism, aka racial horror. Get Out isn’t an actual horror movie in the traditional sense. The term “The Sunken Place” originated from it. In watching this film, you’ll see that horror legends like Hitchcock and Kubrick influenced director Jordan Peele. He injected his creative vision, giving the genre a whole new flavor. Funny scenes’ uproarious laughter contrasts with the eerie, quiet scenes. Get Out’s power is in its subtle storytelling. The acting is pitch-perfect, and every actor hits their mark. Get Out illustrates how the Black experience in America has always been a nightmare. Faced with horror, we continue to experience joy and laughter. The film is a modern masterpiece, a vibrant and stimulating cinematic experience.

Unleashed

This film is set in Glasgow, Scotland. Action star Jet Li took a risk, portraying a trafficked boy, transformed into a human weapon for a British gangster, a role brilliantly played by Bob Hoskins, to create a more dramatic action film. Morgan Freeman and Kerry Condon, a truly underrated actress, shine in this film. This is the tale of a man, once dehumanized, who rediscovered his humanity through the unexpected tenderness of a peculiar family. Also, this film included some of Li’s most brutal fight scenes, showcasing his aggressive, attack-dog-like fighting style for a truly kick-ass experience.

The Crow

The film, a true Gothic masterpiece, was overshadowed by tragedy following the untimely death of Brandon Lee, the son of the iconic martial arts legend Bruce Lee. This movie had a dark atmosphere, creating a moody and emotional setting. The visuals, with their unique and creative designs, were some of the best in ‘90s filmmaking.  Eric Draven is one of the most alluring film anti-heroes of the ‘90s, thanks to Lee’s performance. I got to watch at the dollar theater as a preteen, the dim lights creating a darkly magical atmosphere. Based on James O’Barr’s grim comic, the film’s legacy includes multiple sequels and a TV series, cementing its status as a cult classic. I rewatched it last year, and the movie continues to amaze me.

Antwone Fisher

For me, this movie is a difficult watch, but it’s also the film that brought Derek Luke into the spotlight. The movie resonated with me deeply, as I, much like the title character, also spent my formative years in the foster care system, growing up in the Midwest, just like the real Antwone Fisher. In the United States Navy, I discovered my biological family, mirroring Antwone’s experience. Denzel Washington and Derek Luke deliver powerful performances, and Viola Davis, as Antwone’s estranged mother, steals the scene—a film filled with pain, sorrow, hope, redemption, and second chances.

Honorable mention

Sinners

This film is one of the newest on the list and has far more soul than Dust till Dawn, which it resembles. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is a visually stunning spectacle that captivates the audience. With a kick-ass soundtrack, it’s a bloody good time from beginning to end. A Delta Juke Joint came alive with intense energy, which quickly evolved into a Devil’s playground with its well-acted performances. In the first half of the film, we establish our characters and their intertwined relationships. The second act is a descent into chaos. The epilogue is the hero mowing down a group of Klansmen at the film’s end, a triumphant moment that earned a standing ovation! I wish more of the actors were from the South, but this fantasy horror film is still a true standout. The second flaw is that we, as an audience, get an insight into which porn our director favors and get treated to his spit play kink. Well, Tarantino inserts his lady foot fetish into every film, so equality, I guess?