I don't know anyone of my generation who hasn't seen this movie. A white South African girl is an exchange student hosted by a black family in the United States during the 1990s. It may be a Disney made-for-TV movie, but it's damn good.

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Imitation of life is one of my favorite movies, as well as Eve's Bayou I strongly suggest you move it up on your netflix queue. Jurnee Smolett did such an amazing job! I've purposefully avoided Gone with the wind.

I can't believe that the Color Purple wasn't on Time's list. That movie really paid attention to important issues within the black community, which definitely led to much of the controversy surrounding it and HELLO Shug and Ms. Celie's relationship

"Power is never given back. When it's stolen, if you want it back, you have to take it." - M. Caballero

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Where's "The Great White Hope, " "Sounder" or "Roots???"  Granted "Roots" was a mini-series but was there ever a film more suited for this category??  "I am Legend?"  Are you kidding???  They forgot to include "Space Jam" and "Meteorman" I guess. 

CJ

Peux ce que veux. Allons-y! - LGen Romeo Dallaire

Imitation of life has rightfully earned it's place at the number 1 spot. I saw this movie many years ago so I only remember bits and pieces (plus I was 13 like at the time), but this is a must see! Since I can't find the right words to describe this film, I'll borrow some. An IMBD user comment (thanks Ron Oliver) sums it up quite nicely: "IMITATION OF LIFE preached a powerful sermon on racial justice & equality..."

WORD!

Eve's Bayou I also saw. Not too surprised it made the list.

I also liked Waiting to Exhale in which Angela Bassett ushered out a stellar and memorable performance. Who can forget when she took all her husband's clothes and burned it, along with his car. Priceless. In a story about four friends and their search for their mister right, we also see an AE favorite, Loretta Devine who was just a-dorable. Whitney Huston and Lela Rochon completed the square circle of friends. I don't think it's necessarily top 25 material, but it's definitely worth seeing. Besides, with Angela leading the pack, can you go wrong?

P.S They way Angela was yelling in this movie reminded me of Monique/Tasha (Rose Rollins' characters on Girltrash and The L Word respectively). No?

This may sound odd, but I could also have almost seen Night of the Living Dead on the list.  I totally see why I Am Legend was on the list, and not just because I adore Will Smith. :)

Sadly, when I saw this list posted the first movie I thought of was not a good one.  The Time list is a positive one -- It would be strange to have a mix of both positive and negative movies representing/starring African-Americans during Black History Month, I think.  But it's also important to discuss the offensive hate-fueled movies which had an impact.  Birth of a Nation was the first movie which came to mind because it had a -significant- impact upon African-Americans and the Civil Rights Movement.  I don't think any of the other movies listed had a more significant impact upon history.

It's an absolutely horrible and offensive movie, it's sickening that the propaganda in it fueled the amount of hatred it did.  Hell, it was praised by our President at the time.  That certainly didn't help.  I don't think there's a more influential film in this genre because of the direct impact it had.  Please note, I am not advocating this movie, but I do think it is an important one to see.

On a positive note, movies I thought should have been on this list:  Glory, The Color Purple and A Raisin in the Sun.

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I Am Legend is based on the graphic novel, in which the main character isn't Black. It just so happens that Will Smith was casted for the role. So I really don't understand why it's on the list. Ali would be a better fit. To put a movie on this list simply because the lead character is Black seems somewhat silly.

Imitation of Life, however, is an amazing film. It has one of the most heart felt songs. Amistad is strangely missing from this list. Hell in my opinion one of the most important film on race would be Crash.

 The movie that should be on this list (but it hasn't been made yet lol) is "Toussaint". A biographical film about Toussaint Louverture the man who led the Haitian Revolution and made Haiti the first country in the Western Hemisphere to achieve Indepence since America.

Though these aren't major motion pictures Feast Of All Saints, Lackawanna Blues, Something The Lord Made, among countless others deserve honorable mention.

I was fascinated by that movie when I first saw it. A big chunk of my family tree is missing due to those who decided to "pass." This was the first time I ever saw this on film and realized that it wasn't just limited to my family.

I haven't read the whole list/article yet so I might be jumping the gun but two films that readers here might be interested in are: "Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored" released in 1995 and "Claudine" from 1974. Both feature strong female characters with wonderful performances from the lead actresses.

Ok, I was more than a little bewildered when I first saw this on the list, but the writer is actually focussing more on Will Smith's role in the film biz than on the film itself. And I see his point. Overall, this was an really thoughtful read; not much in keeping to my own personal taste, but Mr. Corless backs up his selections to the point where I almost forgot just how much I loathe most of Spike Lee's movies - including the two on this list.

Almost. I'm still mad about "She Hate Me" and I didn't even last 15 minutes ....

Speaking of Toussaint L'Ouverture, I recommend the play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange.

Birth of a Nation was a very important film on many levels.  Aside from being the first feature length motion picture, D.W. Griffith was a brilliant filmmaker who revolutionized techniques still used today.  It's too bad his ignorance spawned the revitalization of the klan but that's another story.

On my list I'd add The Homesteader (Micheaux, 1st feature written, produced, and directed by an African American).  Also by Micheaux, Body and Soul (starring Paul Robeson) and Within Our Gates (Micheaux's response to Birth).  Claudine, starring James Earl Jones was also a good film that dealt with several social issues including single parenting.  I agree that Lackawanna Blues and Something the Lord Made are good films.  And Imitation of Life the original (and the remake) are worth watching.

The Color Purple was an amazing film that could've been so much better if Spielberg would've stayed true to the relationship between Shug and Celie (but that's just my opinion.)

I have to say I'm bothered by the editorial decision to go with the headline "25 most important films on race" when we're talking specifically about films about African Americans. Why not call it what it is? There's absolutely nothing wrong with "25 most important films for African Americans." For one thing, we're only talking about one race here, so let's be specific. What's with this country's tendency to equate race with blackness? I realize, of course, it's Black History Month and that's what the article is about. I have no problem with that. I'm just wondering why the headline doesn't reflect that.

And beyond that, some of those films (I Am Legend) have nothing to do with race as a topic, so they really aren't films "on" race. I'm not really sure then what this author seems to think success or parity is for African Americans in film, because he's pretty damn optimistic. Apparently parity means they can win some Oscars finally and there can be a star who beats George Clooney in the box office...but it's almost obnoxiously optimistic.

The point about Morgan Freeman playing God almost made me laugh out loud because the author was sincerely arguing that was a sign of parity. The typecasting of Freeman as the pure, all-knowing, moral guidepost as God or his usual reverent narrating character is a stereotype in itself. Just like Mammy in Gone with the Wind. The very pure, somewhat simple, beacon of morality in a film. African Americans still, more often than not, are cast as either the gangster, drug dealing mess ups who must be saved by a white savior (usually a nice white teacher or coach), or cast as the pure of heart, one dimensional characters who must help to save clueless, self absorbed white people, mere tools for the development of white characters. And that's if they're lucky enough to get a leading role! When can they start playing real complex characters who don't have to fit into one side or the other of this dichotomy, just as often as white people get to? That would be parity...Halle Barry winning an Oscar and Will Smith being a super star is great, but it isn't a sign of the end of racism, and I wish mainstream publications would at least try to be a little critical of present day America even as they praise it and condemn the past...

I was trying to figure out how to write a short one about all my concerns about this list, and you covered two of the three. I also found the title rather funny and slightly ironic considering the whole thing is about African Americans or people in those roles. It wasn't really about race as a commentary at all. I wonder why Time went with that. I hope it was more than the fact that it's February. Kinda makes it messy for the next author who actually does try to cover the best movies ON race, and with all races invited.

The 'on' part is interesting too. I think the whole mention of "I Am Legend" is because Time and Warner Brothers are the same company and they have some spiffy deal for the author to so mention it, just in time for DVD sales. Who knows. But bogus regardless. If it has anything to do with race, it's vague and shouldn't be mentioned on this list. But the list is a joke regardless so no matter.

Third was one that another reader posted earlier and that's the fact that this list is overwhelmingly positive, which in some regard is nice, but is also disconcerting. Did everyone forget that some of the most important movies (and books) on race (and that includes all races) are the ones that were so startling obscene (at least by today's standards) like Birth of a Nation that it actually shook shoes? It's like those circumstances where had it not been produced, would things be the way they are? I don't care if they're negative or positive, if they made a statement and they linger around to do damage or repairs, I'd say that's worth mentioning.

As far as actual movies... I can think of a dozen new movies that better deserved the recent spot where I Am Legend sits. Many already mentioned here (yeah! A Night of the Living Dead!). Dead Presidents or Hoop Dreams? And where is Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967) ? I think they should have saved this list for a better time, and did some more research, even if that meant a way longer list. We like lists. Or at least renamed it or something. I didn't dig it. The early movies were good though since a lot of them I haven't even heard of and was actually useful- I'll be looking for them... But in all, nah.

Stormy Weather (1943) is loosely based on the life of Bill "Mr. Bojangles" Robinson. This film features Lena Horne, the aformentioned Bill Robinson, Katherine Dunham, Ada Brown, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller and the Nicolas Brothers.

Thie soundtrack provides the title track (Stormy Weather), Ain't Misbehavin' and several others. The dance routines are simply awesome. In my opinion, this film is a gem and definitely should have made the list.

Cabin in the Sky was also released the same year (1943) and it featured Lena Horne, too. Granted, not the most posistive story, but worth mentioning.

I believe these films have as much significance and relevance, if not more than - Madea's Family Reunion or I am Legend.

with most of the comments above.  Where is Roots, The Color Purple, Hotel Rwanda should have been at the top of the list and Sounder was a really good and telling movie.

As for I Am Legend, I take issue with that as well.  If they had included Ali instead then there would not have been much of an argument from me on this pick.

As for Morgan Freeman playing God, I'm not sure how to swallow that as an achievement.  The role was not a serious one. Afterall the films were comedic based (at least in my opinion).

I haven't see the list so I don't know what's all on it. I wil have to check it. I'm glad Imitation of Life made the #1 spot. I wish Hollywood do a remake of the movie,the right way.I wouldn't know who to cast in that remake so many talentive A-A actors/actresses. 

The color purple is not on there? Shocking. TCP,is one of the most important books in A-A lit. It was also the first time an A-A same gender relationship was exposed between several of two primary female characters. Geez. 

Dorothy Dandridge. Carmen Jones, another fantastic film. I agree Eve's Bayou  don't forget about Akeelah. The Great Debators should top that list too. Tuskgee Airmen. Rosewood?  Countless others.

Thanks for mentioning the Time article to us.   

"Do I have to dial 9 to call 911?"( This  quote was shared to me by a nurse who was talking about her then 14 year old  daughter who asked her  this while the father was suffering a heat stroke)

So many classic African American Movies have been omitted from this list that it is a tragedy.

Where is:

A Raisin in the Sun

The Women Of Brewster Place

Mahagony

Not forgetting previoulsy mentioned films such as School Daze - The Colour Purple

And how is it that Madea's Family Renunion and I am Legend could even be given any consideration.

This list should have been complied via some public vote or similar forum