Enjoy These Blassics for Christmas: Part Deux
This Christmas will tap into all the traditions. Dad, Grandpas, and Uncles scream at the same football game on the TV. Mama, Grandmas, and Aunties are fixing dinners in the kitchen. All the kids are trading school gossip while sharing the latest TikTok trends and dances.
We’ll be sharing time with our family and friend circles. Other people celebrate other holiday festivities like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. This year, you can tap into the Black experience by enjoying times when family and friends could gather before social distancing. So, here are some Christmas Blassics for you to enjoy this holiday season.
This Christmas
This recent Christmas Blassic, based on the classic Donny Hathaway song of the same name, centers on the Whitfield family as the eldest son (played by Idris Elba) comes home for the first time in four years. But his return is only the tip of the iceberg as the family has to confront secrets as Christmas approaches. In addition to Elba, the film stars Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo, and Regina King, Lauren London, Chris Brown, Sharon Leal, Columbus Short, and Laz Alonso.
Almost Christmas
Just like This Christmas, this modern Christmas Blassic centers on a dysfunctional family coming together for Christmas. The film follows the Meyers family as they come together for the first time since losing their matriarch. As Christmas approaches, secrets come to light, and hijinks ensue just in time for the holidays. The film stars Kimberly Elise, Mo’Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, Gabrielle Union, Keri Hilson, Jessie Usher, Danny Glover, Omar Epps, John Michael Higgins, D. C. Young Fly, and Romany Malco.
The Best Man Holiday
The Christmas Blassic reunites the cast of another Blassic, The Best Man, over a decade later. The film sees the gang back together again as Mia Sullivan (played by Monica Calhoun) sends the letters asking them to spend Christmas with her and her husband, Lance. Issues (new and old) come up amongst the friends as a tragic secret looms over the gathering. Along with Calhoun, the film stars Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Harold Perrineau, and Melissa De Sousa.
Black Nativity
This modern Christmas Blassic is based on a stage musical retelling of the Nativity by celebrated Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes. The film follows a teenage boy (played by Jacob Latimore) as he reunites with his estranged pastor grandparents. Through a series of musical numbers and Christmas festivities, the two generations come together in the holiday spirit. Latimore headlines acast filled with stars like Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Tyrese Gibson, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, and Nas.
The Preacher’s Wife
This 1996 Christmas Blassic is a remake of the 1947 film The Bishop’s Wife. The film follows an angel, Dudley (played by Oscar winner Denzel Washington), who tries to help a struggling pastor save his church and his family. Conflict ensues as Dudley begins falling for the pastor’s wife (played by the late Whitney Houston). Along with Washington and Houston, the film stars Courtney B. Vance, Loretta Devine, Gregory Hines, and Jenifer Lewis.
The Kid Who Loved Christmas
This 1990 TV film follows an adoptive father and son fighting to stay together for Christmas. The small family faces uncertainity after the tragic death of the adoptive mother. The entire family gathers to support them as the father fights Social Services to keep the little boy. The film stars Cicely Tyson, Michael Warren, Sammy Davis Jr. Sideman, Gilbert Lewis, Charles Q. Murphy, Ken Page, Ray Parker Jr., Della Reese, Esther Rolle, Ben Vereen, and Vanessa Williams.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
This 2020 Netflix Christmas favorite highlights a cankerous inventor, Jeronicus Jangle (played by Oscar winner Forest Whittaker), who must find his creative spark after his heyday. Losing his wife, book of inventions, and a life-changing toy causes him and his daughter to grow apart. Years later, his granddaughter Journey (played by Madalen Mills) helps him regain his creative spark and reclaim his family and life. Along with Whittaker and Mills, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Ricky Martin, and Lisa Davina Phillip round out the cast.
Last Holiday
This 2006 Christmas Blassic is a reimagining of the 1950 film of the same name. The film follows unassuming salesperson Georgia Byrd (played by Queen Latifah) as she deals with a misdiagnosis. This prognosis sends her on a path to self-love and discovery by going on her dream vacation and trying new things. However, in the end, things work out for Byrd. In addition to Queen Latifah, the film stars LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton, and Giancarlo Esposito.
While eating your dinner this holiday season, why not watch and reminisce over these fantastic films?
Originally published at http://adreonpatterson.net on December 19, 2023.
