Five Movies That Have Taken Over Our Screens Since 1992

Mentioning the impact that the Bodyguard had on us musically and on screen for the last 30 years inspired to me list four other movies that have also had us in a chokehold.

Malcolm X – One of the most electrifying movies directed and starred Spike Lee. Built around an extraordinary performance from Denzel Washington, Malcolm X draws on the iconic civil rights leader’s autobiography to trace his journey of empowerment, from his childhood plagued by white-supremacist violence to a life of petty crime to his conversion to Islam and rebirth as a fearless fighter for Black liberation. The film also features Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo, Al Freeman Jr., and others, this is a passionate monument to a man whose life continues to serve as a model of principled resistance. Malcolm X became prominent as the voice of the Nation of Islam, which supported Black separatism, before leaving the organization in 1964 and angering some of its followers to the point of receiving death threats. He was murdered at age 39 in February 1965 while preparing to speak at New York’s Audubon Ballroom. Recently, the city and state awarded Muhammad Aziz and the estate of Khalil Islam $36 million for wrongfully convicting them of Malcolm X’s murder. They both served 20 years in prison. Songs “Revolution” by Arrested Development and “Someday We’ll All Be Free” by Aretha Franklin are my favorites from the movie Soundtrack.

Passenger 57 – John Cutter (Wesley Snipes) is a former policeman flying to Los Angeles to start his new job working for the anti-terrorism unit of a major airline. However, apprehended terrorist Charles Rane (Bruce Payne) is on the flight, too, being transported by the FBI. After Rane’s accomplices kill the FBI agents and free him, Cutter realizes the entire flight is in danger. With the help of flight attendant Marti Slayton (Alex Datcher), Cutter tries to capture Rane and free the passengers. Notable co-stars are Robert Hooks, who played in  Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, with breakout stars Bruce Greenwood, Elizabeth Hurley, and Tom Sizemore.

Home Alone 2 – Because we just couldn’t get enough of the first one, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) returned for part 2. This time he loses track of his father at the airport, he mistakenly gets on a plane headed for New York City,  while the rest of the McCallisters fly to Florida. Now alone in the Big Apple, Kevin cons his way into a room at the Plaza Hotel and begins what he imagines is the perfect vacation until Kevin discovers that the Sticky Bandits (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern), formerly the Wet Bandits are on the loose. With access to his uncle’s home that is being remodeled, he lures the Sticky Bandits back to another fun filled trap to stop them from robbing a toy store just before Christmas. Hollywood comedy legends Eddie Bracken plays Mr. Duncan and Rob Schneider plays a bell hop. Cameo by former President Donald Trump who actually owned the Plaza Hotel at the time of filming. Songs “Sleigh Ride” by TLC and “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms are my personal favorites.

Aladdin – Aladdin (voice of Scott Weigner) is a lovable homeless boy who steals food to survive with his money and best friend Abu. One day, he unknowingly meets Princess Jasmine (voice of Linda Larkin) , the beautiful daughter of the sultan of Agrabah. Jafar, her father’s trusted advisor and evil sorcerer, lies to Princess Jasmine about killing Aladdin to get him to venture into an underground cave to retrieve a magical lamp. Once Aladdin retrieves the lamp, Jafar who is disguised as an old man, grabs the lamp and kicks Aladdin back in the cave as it closes forever. What he doesn’t know is that Abu grabbed the lamp back as they were falling. As he stumbles around trying to figure out how to get free, he rubs the lamp and releases a powerful, wisecracking, larger-than-life genie voiced by Legendary comedian Robin Williams. As Aladdin and the genie start to become friends, they embark on a mission to win over Jasmine and ultimately end up saving the kingdom as a whole. Songs “Friend Like Me” by Robin Williams and “A Whole New World” by Lea Solanga and Brad Kane are my favorites. I also like Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle’s version.

Let me know which of these classics are your favorites!