There’s a lot of movie nights (and days) for our families these days, and as Black History Month is around the corner, we would like to celebrate positive representation in the media for View Ridge Families to enjoy at home.
Movies for Little Kids (G)
An American Girl Story – Melody 1963
Streaming : Amazon Prime
Set in Detroit during the Civil Rights Movement, “An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win” examines the joyful life and troubled times of an irrepressible 10-year-old African-American Girl whs vivid imagination and creativity reinforce her optimism. When shocking national events threaten her sense of security, Melody must her find inner strength to restore her hope for a better world.
Age Rating: 7+ Common Sense Media reviews
Discussion Questions from Blogger Modern Day Donna Reed
Documentary Movies for Adults & Older Kids
John Lewis : Good Trouble
Streaming : Amazon ($1.99), HBO Max (Free), YouTube ($3.99)
Free Film Festival January 21 12:00 AM – January 24 11:59 PM
Using interviews and rare archival footage, JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE chronicles Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration. Using present-day interviews with Lewis, now 80 years old, Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. In addition to her interviews with Lewis and his family, Porter’s primarily cinéma verité film also includes interviews with political leaders, Congressional colleagues, and other people who figure prominently in his life.
Age Rating: 10+ (violence) Common Sense Media Reviews
Good Trouble Handbook from the filmmakers
Narrative Drama for Adults and Older Kids
Selma
Streaming : Hulu, YouTube ($2.99), Amazon Prime ($2.99), Apple TV
A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.
Age Rating : 13+ (violence) Common Sense Media
Curriculum Guide from Teach With Movies