Whether you’re heading to a cocktail soirée or your regular date night, having a black dress that feels both elevated and easy to wear is a closet game-changer. For Nina Dobrev, that formula recently came in the form of a shirt-style leather dress she wore to the Sundance Film Festival. While the actress didn’t tag the brand on Instagram, the Xllais Faux Leather Bodycon Maxi Dress is eerily similar. The piece checks all the same boxes with its sleek faux leather finish, body-hugging silhouette and modern boatneck design.

Leather dresses tend to skew casual by nature, but this version elevates the look with a more refined silhouette. The bodycon fit and ankle-skimming length immediately make it feel dressier, while the neckline adds structure and sophistication, framing the shoulders and collarbone in a way that feels intentional rather than laid-back.

Get the Xllais Faux Leather Bodycon Maxi Dress for $37 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

A faux-leather finish gives the dress the same glossy, swanky feel seen in Dobrev’s Sundance look, but the streamlined cut makes this piece ideal for evening plans. Plus, it hugs the body without looking overly tight, striking that balance between flattering and wearable. Throw a blazer over it to channel that cool, off-duty celebrity energy, or pair it with heels and a clutch for an easy transition into cocktail territory.

Related: Love Nicky Hilton’s Little Black Dress? Nail the Look for $30

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You can’t ever go wrong with a timeless staple like a little black dress. That’s especially the case when it’s as cute as the one fashion icon Nicky Hilton chose to wear to close out 2025. The socialite, model and fashion designer posted several pics of herself looking oh-so-adorable in a bow-adorned black mini dress […]

One Amazon reviewer called the Xllais Faux Leather Bodycon “one of the most flattering dresses [they’ve] ever owned. Another shopper raved that it’s “form-fitting and classy at the same time.”

If you’re looking for a black leather dress that feels inspired by celebrity style yet works for real-life plans, this is one to add to your cart. Shop the Dobrev-inspired look now and make this piece your go-to for nights out!

Get the Xllais Faux Leather Bodycon Maxi Dress for $37 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more faux leather dresses here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Kate Hudson’s Black Maxi Dress Is an Elevated Cozy-Girl Combo

There’s no denying it: little black dresses are and always will be a wardrobe staple. However, Kate Hudson just made an argument for swapping mini-length styles for the equally versatile black maxi dress. Right in time for Paris Fashion Week, the Running Point actress delivered a model-worthy look in a long-sleeved bodycon design. Her exact […]

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Romantic comedies will never truly die, but some of the best ones do tend to get lost, especially in this age of the streaming shuffle. Between endless superhero releases and prestige drama, a surprising number of heartfelt, hilarious love stories have quietly slipped from the public eye. Luckily, Prive Video’s catalog hides some of the genre’s finest overlooked gems that are perfect for your Valentine’s Day watch.

From the unconventional antics of intercultural clashes to nostalgia-tinged charmers that make us feel fuzzy inside, these are the rom-coms that remind us why we fell in love with falling in love on screen in the first place. They’re funny, tender, and yes, sometimes a little messy — but that’s exactly what makes his genre so irresistible. Celebrate the most romantic holiday with these hilarious, heartfelt gems.

7

‘I Want You Back’ (2022)

Image via Prime Video

Peter (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny Slate) may be total strangers when they meet, but they soon form an instant bond after learning they were both unexpectedly dumped on the same weekend. What starts as shared heartbreak quickly morphs into a mischievous plan to win back their exes by sabotaging their new relationships.

There’s something undeniably charming about two people finding purpose — and even love — amid emotional wreckage. It’s a setup that could easily spiral into chaos, and that’s exactly what makes it so irresistibly fun to watch. Day and Slate bring sharp comedic chemistry alongside an undercurrent of vulnerability that keeps the antics grounded. In many ways, I Want You Back understands that heartbreak and hope can coexist, and that sometimes, the best love stories begin when you stop trying to fix the past.

6

‘The Big Sick’ (2017)

Image via Amazon Studios/Lionsgate

When Pakistani-born comedian Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani) falls for grad student Emily (Zoe Kazan), the cultural and familial differences between them pose enough challenges on their own. But when Emily suddenly falls ill and goes into a coma, Kumail is forced to confront not only her parents but also his own identity and fears about commitment.

Based on the true story of Nanjiani and his writer wife, Emily Gordon, it’s not surprising that The Big Sick has become one of the most affecting romantic comedies of the past decade. A perfect blend of humor, heartache, and honesty, the film brings humanity to moments of pain and uncertainty. The result is a story that transcends genre labels, offering an unflinching yet hopeful look at what it means to love across boundaries, cultures, and tragedy.

5

‘The Family Stone’ (2005)

Image via 20th Century Fox

The Stone family’s Christmas gathering is anything but peaceful when Everett (Dermot Mulroney) brings home his uptight, conservative girlfriend, Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker), to meet his chaotic, Bohemian relatives. What follows is a holiday full of clashing personalities, buried secrets, and unlikely romantic shifts that leave no one quite the same.

Part dysfunctional family dramedy, part tender love story, The Family Stone has everything you need for a good comfort watch (no matter what the critics may say). Beneath its prickly humor lies a compassionate story about belonging, grief, and self-acceptance. Stacked with a stellar cast, including the late great Diane Keaton, Parker shines in an underrated performance as she turns Meredith from a caricature into someone heartbreakingly human. It’s a holiday flick that truly sneaks up on you emotionally, reminding us that love, in all its forms, can be messy, uncomfortable, and still entirely worth it.

4

‘The Idea of You’ (2024)

Image via MGM Studios

An accidental meeting at Coachella turns into a whirlwind romance between Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mother, and 24-year-old boy band star Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine). But the relationship quickly becomes complicated by the realities of Hayes’ fame as the two are forced to navigate the intense scrutiny that comes with being an unconventional couple.

What could’ve been simple escapism becomes something much deeper thanks to Hathaway’s grounded, luminous performance. Indeed, The Idea of You turns its fanfiction roots into emotional truth, exploring how love can be liberating rather than limiting. Sexy, bittersweet, and refreshingly mature, this film is a reminder that reinvention — and desire — don’t have expiration dates. Forget the age gap discourse; this is a love story about choosing yourself, no matter who’s watching.

3

‘Something From Tiffany’s’ (2022)

Image via Prime Video

After an engagement ring is accidentally swapped with a less expensive gift from Tiffany & Co., the lives of two couples become unexpectedly connected. Not only does the mix-up cause the couples to confront and question the state of their relationships, but it also leads to the discovery of who they are truly meant to be with.

In the tradition of the cozy, snow-dusted holiday rom-com, Something From Tiffany’s seemingly follows in the footsteps of some predecessors, feeling like a throwback to the glossy escapism of Christmas love. But beneath its twinkling surface is a story about timing, fate, and the bravery it takes to admit when something (or someone) just isn’t right. Zoe Deutch‘s warmth and comedic chops carry the film, reminding audiences why she might just be one of today’s rom-com darlings.

2

‘Somebody I Used to Know’ (2023)

Image via Prime Video

Upon returning to her hometown, workaholic TV producer Ally (Alison Brie) reconnects with her ex-boyfriend, Sean (Jay Ellis), and begins to question everything about her life. Things only get more complex when she meets his younger and free-spirited fiancée, Cassidy (Kiersay Clemons), who reminds her of the person she used to be.

Co-written by Brie and her real-life husband Dave Franco (who also directed the film), Somebody I Used to Know sidesteps rom-com formulas to deliver something more grounded and introspective. It’s about nostalgia, self-sabotage, and the realization that love isn’t always about getting back what you lost. Brie is magnetic as the film’s lead, capturing that universal ache of wanting to rewrite the past. Sure, it might be a little heavy sometimes, but at the end of the day, it’s a film that remains funny, wistful, and deeply relatable.

1

‘Begin Again’ (2013)

Image via The Weinstein Company

Greta (Keira Knightley) is left devastated when her long-time songwriting/romantic partner, Dave (Adam Levine), succumbs to the trappings of newfound fame and ends their relationship. But things turn for the better when Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a disgraced record-label exec, stumbles upon Greta performing on a small stage, as he’s immediately captivated by her raw talent.

From Once director John Carney, Begin Again follows in its footsteps by being a love letter to artistic collaboration and emotional renewal. While not a traditional love story, its emotional core beats just as powerfully, celebrating connection through artistic creativity rather than romance or lust. With an infectious soundtrack (sung by the actual actors), as well as two leads who radiate sincerity, the film quietly captures the magic of new beginnings and second chances. Frankly, it’s an almost perfect rom-com that not many people think to watch.

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Release Date

September 7, 2013

Runtime

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104 minutes

Director

John Carney

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Writers

John Carney

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Producers

Anthony Bregman, Guy East, Judd Apatow, Molly Smith, Nigel Sinclair, Sam Hoffman, Tom Rice, Tobin Armbrust, Marc Schipper

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Gordon Ramsay is sending a powerful message to Brooklyn Beckham amid his family feud.

The celebrity chef, who is a longtime friend of David and Victoria Beckham, weighed in on the tension Brooklyn and his family are facing during an interview with The Sun published on Friday, February 13.

“We’re dear friends and have been for two and half decades. Their relationship with Brooklyn is, it was, solid. I’ve seen and [wife] Tana’s seen firsthand just how good of parents they are. And David as a dad is just incredible,” Ramsay, 59, said.

Ramsay acknowledged that the family dynamic appeared to have shifted when Brooklyn, 26, fell in love with Nicola Peltz Beckham, 31, and married her in April 2022.

Related: Brooklyn Beckham’s Quotes About His Family: No Interest in Reconciling, More

Brooklyn Beckham’s ongoing feud with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, has made headlines for years. Brooklyn married his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, in April 2022. Rumors soon began to circulate that Nicola and Brooklyn’s mother had a falling out over a wedding gown — an allegation Brooklyn tried to stymy. “They’re always going to […]

“It’s hard when you enter that age in life when you join with another family. There’s a different dynamic going on and so there was bound to be some form of clash,” Ramsay told the outlet. “But the relationship with David and Brooklyn is very, very deep and I know how much David loves Brooklyn and I think it’s only going to be a matter of time before Brooklyn takes a good look at himself and understands just what they mean.”

The Hell’s Kitchen star said he believed Brooklyn and his parents will eventually patch things up and pointed out how much support David, 50, and Victoria, 51, had provided their son over the years.

“It’s easy to get up on that rollercoaster isn’t it, and get carried away but it will come back because I know. I know how many times they’ve pulled him out of the sh*t,” Ramsay continued. “I know how many times they’ve absolutely stood by him through thick and thin.”

He added, “David’s an amazing dad and he will absolutely get that back online. Time. Time’s going to be the best healer.”

Ramsay said that he’s still in touch with Brooklyn and has a lot of respect for the Cloud23 founder. However, Ramsay hoped the “penny would drop” with Brooklyn soon and that he would bury the hatchet with his family and “remember where you came from.”

“We’ve messaged a little bit, it’s a very difficult situation. I love him. His heart is incredible. But it’s hard isn’t it, when I think you’re infatuated. Love is blind. They say it for a reason,” Ramsay said.  “You know, he’s desperate to stand on his own two feet, he’s desperate to forge his own way and I respect that for Brooklyn. That’s such a good thing to do. But remember where you came from and honestly, one day you’re not going to have your mom and dad. And you need to understand that.”

Ramsay went on again to emphasize how much love there was for Brooklyn from his parents despite the public feud.

“I know, 24/7, seven days a week just how much David loves Brooklyn and that penny will drop with him,” Ramsay added.

Related: Brooklyn Beckham Breaks Silence on Family Feud With Parents and Brothers

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Brooklyn Beckham spoke out directly for the first time about the months-long feud that has fractured his famous family. Beckham, 26, addressed the drama within his family — which has left him estranged from his parents, David and Victoria, and his younger brothers, Romeo and Cruz — while competing in the Ryder Cup Celebrity All-Star […]

Ramsay also touched on claims Brooklyn made in January via a scathing Instagram statement, where he alleged Victoria danced “inappropriately” with her son at his wedding to Nicola.

“Whilst Victoria is upset, and [has] every right to be upset… we were there at the wedding. There was nothing salacious, nothing inappropriate, everyone was having fun,” Ramsay said.

When asked  about the memes that circulated mocking the dancing claims, Ramsay said he hadn’t seen them but had a message for Brooklyn.

“Victoria’s got a great sense of humor. She can bat that sh*t away in a heartbeat,” he responded. “I just want Brooklyn to just a moment to yourself and just remember, you’re half mom and half dad and you’re an amazing man but boy, they’ve done more for you than anyone will do in your entire life. [Including] any father-in-law, let me tell you.”

James Van Der Beek’s brother Jared has shared a heartbreaking tribute to his sibling in the wake of his death.

Jared, 47, took to Instagram on Friday, February 13 to open about his feelings of loss after the Dawson’s Creek star’s death. (James died on Wednesday, February 11 following a stage III colorectal cancer battle. He was 48.)

“There’s a special bond that exists between brothers and two days ago, that physical bond was broken.I now know why people call it heartbreak when you lose someone close to you,” Jared wrote.

He added, “There is a feeling of devastation and pain that runs so deep in the heart, I didn’t know it would hurt so badly.”

Alongside a carousel of throwback photos of their family over the years, Jared paid tribute to James and shared more details of their close connection.

“He was my person, the one I went to for any and all things. I’ve looked up to him since I was born. He has never failed to be there for me whenever I needed him,” Jared wrote.

He continued: “It has been wonderful reading and seeing how he touched so many lives not because of something he did, but because of who he was. He shared with an open heart and with his wise soul. As painful as this pain deep in the heart is, the healing has already begun with all the outpouring of love, prayers, and support. I truly thank all of you have taken the time to reach out, letting me know that you’re there. The community of people who were intimately involved in his passing were nothing short of amazing. Thank you to everyone known and unknown who helped his transition be as beautiful as possible.”

Concluding the post, Jared said he missed James and will always love him.

“James, I already miss your physical being and your words of wisdom over the phone. Yet, I also feel your presence so strongly and I know you will continue to be guiding me,” he wrote. “Thank you for living your life with me. I love you.”

Followers shared their support for Jared in the comments section, including James’  former Dawson’s Creek costar Kerr Smith.

“Jared…I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m still having trouble processing all of this,” Smith, 53, wrote. “I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. Please know you’re in my thoughts. ❤️🙏😢”

Family friend Erin Fetherston added, “This is so beautiful Jared. You were there for him in the most incredible way. What a gift it was to witness your brotherhood. God bless you and your family ❤️.”

James’ death was announced via a statement made via his social media accounts on Wednesday.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith and grace,” the statement read. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”

In the wake of his death, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to raise funds for his widow Kimberly Van Der Beek and the couple’s six children.

‘Good Mythical Morning’
Say Goodbye to Stevie Wynne Levine

Published
February 14, 2026
5:33 AM PST

Merle Oberon is not a Hollywood name that gets tossed around much anymore. In the 1930s, however, she was one of the biggest box office stars. With her stunning looks and emotionally-charged performances, Oberon starred in a series of screen classics, including an Oscar-nominated performance inThe Dark Angel and a turn as the heroine Cathy in what is perhaps — at least up toEmerald Fennell — the best known version of Wuthering Heights(although others have their preferences).Oberon’s casting in any of her best-known roles, though, would’ve been controversial at the time, had the world known a secret that she harbored from a young age. Oberon was part-Asian. Born in Bombay — which was then part of British India — Oberon’s mother was Burgher, part of a Sri Lankan Eurasian ethnic group.This is only the beginning of a confusing mystery as to what exactly Oberon’s origin truly is. Her early life, in fact, is a cinematic tale befitting of her movie star status.

Oberon Concealed Her True Background for Decades

According to the Asian American Foundation, Oberon spent her life claiming to have been born to white parents in Tasmania, Australia. In an interview, author Mayukh Sen said that her mixed-race background actually subjected Oberon’s family to “abject poverty” and “rejection from both white Britons and other Indians” for “perceived racial impurity.”

“However, upon traveling abroad to the United Kingdom—a place that was a haven for Anglo-Indians who felt alienated in British India during the yawning years of the empire—she could slough off any stigma a little more easily,” Sen explained. Oberon worked hard to conceal the truth of her identity, the author related, because of her difficult childhood and how important it was that she did “nothing to forfeit any security once she obtained it.”

“For Merle, the lie created for her by studio publicists back in 1932—one that involved not only concealment of her racial identity, but also a fictitious birthplace—was so involved that unraveling it herself would have sacrificed that cocoon of safety she’d built for herself. I’d love to be wrong about this, but I just don’t think Merle would have put so much on the line in the final years of her life,” Sen said.

Merle Oberon Stood by Her Likely-Faked Birthplace

Image via MGM

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So deep did Oberon’s Tasmanian story go that there was a theater named for her in her supposed birthplace of Hobart. She is known to have visited Australia twice, in 1965 and 1978, according to the bookTill Apples Grow on an Orange Tree by Cassandra Pybus.The first time, she strangely fell ill and left the country when a reporter for theSydney Morning Heraldpressed for details about her birth. The second time, she largely stayed in her hotel room and had “crying jags.”

Even her actual mother was a work of fiction.According to The New York Times, Constance Selby gave birth to Oberon — only 14 at the time. Selby had been raped by her stepfather, so her mother, Charlotte Selby, took charge of Oberon, who grew up believing that her mother was her sister.

When she got to Hollywood, obviously, a new reality was created, which had already been set in stone for Oberon. Oddly, unlike many stars, her first name got to stay — though it was really her middle name Estelle Merle O’Brien Thompson, which was shifted to Merle Oberon. A slight, but supremely posh alteration.

Related

The 10 Greatest ‘Wuthering Heights’ Adaptations, Ranked

Heathcliff and Cathy wander the silver screen eternally

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“I couldn’t dance or sing or write or paint,” she was once quoted as saying. “The only possible opening seemed to be in some line in which I could use my face. This was, in fact, no better than a hundred other faces, but it did possess a fortunately photogenic quality.”

She was 17 when she came to England in 1928, and she was eventually discovered by powerhouse British filmmaker Alexander Korda, who bestowed upon her the breakout performance of her career, that of Anne Boleyn in the Charles Laughton-starringThe Private Life of Henry VIII. She married Korda, who would sell her contract to Hollywood’s Samuel Goldwyn.

Here her career really took off, as she shifted between California and England, making movies likeThese Three andThe Cowboy and the Lady, appearing alongside big stars such asDavid NivenandGary Cooper. Her best-remembered performance would be inWilliam Wyler’s version ofWuthering Heights, which was named as one of the 100 best movies ever made by the American Film Institute in 1998. Co-starring with Laurence Oliver, her effervescent performance as Cathy became the one most audiences identified with the seminal, tragic literary character all the way up to Margot Robbie.

Merle Oberon Never Acknowledged the Truth of Her History

Image via MGM Studios

In later years, her career would cool off. Her last screen appearance would be in 1973’sInterval, a low-budget drama that also featured her then-husband, Dutch actorRobert Wolders, who was 25 years her junior. She died following a stroke in 1979 at 68 in Malibu, California.Years later, Oberon is now generally considered to be the first Asian nominee in the Best Actress category, a fact that was widely reported after Michelle Yeoh’s historic win in the category for 2022’s Everything Everywhere All at Once. Though she may never have been able to embrace her past, her legacy continues and extends across the decades.Wuthering Heights is available to stream on Prime Video, HBO Max, and Tubi in the U.S.

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Release Date

April 7, 1939

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Runtime

104 minutes

Director

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William Wyler

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  Laurence Olivier

  Heathcliff

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  Merle Oberon

  Catherine ‘Cathy’ Earnshaw Linton

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For the past four decades, dramas about the struggles of surviving the inner city have done more than launch prolific careers. They give force to people of color often overlooked in the media at large. The initial renaissance of urban dramas sparked by the groundbreaking impact of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing opened the door for filmmakers to tell hard-hitting stories, including politically charged tales, crime stories ripped from the headlines, and powerful biopics.

The following list ranks the ten best urban dramas within the last 37 years. Though there are plenty of cult classics that are worthy of being part of this list, the ones highlighted here made the most cultural impact on cinema and around the world. More than stories driven by tragedy and working-class struggles, these films made a loud and clear statement.

10

‘Bulworth’ (1998)

Image via 20th Century Fox

While Warren Beatty’s Bulworth satirizes American politics, the ridiculous premise is undercut with biting commentary about social inequality. The actor/director plays a corrupted US Senator from California, frustrated with politics to the point of arranging his own assassination. With nothing to lose, Bulworth turns his re-election campaign into a hip-hop-driven crusade to speak the truth about systemic racism while developing deep feelings for a young activist (Halle Berry).

Because of its culture-shock elements and truth-telling themes, Bulworth makes this list despite being marketed as a comedy because of how it contends with politics. Much of the star’s comedically candid performance, especially during the senator’s TV interview scene, is driven by the need to expose the hypocrisy of the political parties. Politicians like to talk about changing the fortunes of struggling Black families, but never propose concrete steps to make a change. Even at its most absurd, Bulworth manages to poke at politicians who forget what matters most: their voters.

9

‘Juice’ (1992)

Image via Paramount Pictures

The Harlem-set drama marking the directorial debut of Spike Lee’s frequent cinematographer, Ernest Dickerson, did not follow the more mellow dramatic route of earlier urban films. The story follows four teenage friends fed up with gang threats and police harassment when they turn to crime. During a convenience store robbery, the most daring of the group, Bishop (Tupac Shakur), ends up killing the owner, which puts him at odds with the others, including aspiring DJ Q (Omar Epps).

Social commentary takes a backseat to this cold, gritty character study of the impact street violence has on impressionable youth. The late Shakur’s first leading role in a major motion picture is one of the most haunting portrayals of teenage youth in the ‘90s, living in street life and ultimately destroyed by it. Dickerson’s kinetic cinematography, with a tone restraining anything remotely sentimental, makes Juice a genre-defining drama of the era.

8

‘Dead Presidents’ (1995)

Image via Hollywood Pictures

The Hughes Brothers’ sophomore effort took a different angle on domestic life for veterans coming home from the Vietnam War. Marine combat veteran Anthony Curtis (Larenz Tate) returns to his Bronx neighborhood in 1973, suffering from PTSD and witnessing the hardships of his fellow men. Struggling to make ends meet, Anthony turns to the militant group called “Nat Turner Cadre” to execute an armored car heist.

Connecting the war with the plight of Black veterans, Dead Presidents was unique for expanding urban dramas outside the domestic front. Critics, including Roger Ebert, were divided on the film for its expansive storytelling, holding a 49% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its moderate success at the box office helped to launch the careers of Chris Tucker, Freddy Rodriguez, and Terrence Howard.

7

‘American Gangster’ (2007)

Ridley Scott’s epic crime drama put a human face on the heroin epidemic of the ‘70s. American Gangster is based on the true story of notorious Harlem kingpin Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), who defied his rivals to build a criminal enterprise through exporting heroin from Vietnam. His rise to power makes him a target of multiple enemies, including the Italian mafia, a corrupt cop (Josh Brolin), and a New Jersey detective (Russell Crowe) who eventually brings down the operation.

As vast as the dramatic scale is, American Gangster examines the human side of Lucas in a compelling way through Washington’s performance. Unlike his competitors, Lucas used his drug money to improve the lives of his family members, including his mother (Ruby Dee). But the film does not allow the audience to forget that the gangster’s good deeds come at the expense of poisoning the Black community. The blurred lines of the narrative made American Gangster stand out from mob movies like The Godfather and Scarface.

6

‘Straight Outta Compton’ (2015)

The biopic about the formation of the hip-hop group N.W.A. landed in theaters with just as much of a fire as the group’s first album. The F. Gary Gray film recounted the group’s early rise from the streets of Compton to a lightning rod in the music scene. Along the way, they not only clash with the establishment through their music but also with each other as money and loyalty fracture their bond.

Straight Outta Compton reframed hip-hop history for mainstream audiences, positioning West Coast gangsta rap as socio-political messaging rather than glorifying gang violence for profit. Its police brutality depictions echoed contemporary headlines, bridging generational activism. Commercially successful yet culturally charged, it proved urban music stories could command blockbuster scale without diluting political edge.

5

‘New Jack City’ (1991)

Image via Warner Bros.

A pioneer in the hood movie genre of the ‘90s, New Jack City took the Warner Bros.-produced gangster pictures of the ‘30s and modernized them for urban audiences. The film follows drug lord Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes) and the Cash Money Brothers (CMB) as they take over Harlem with their crack cocaine operations. As Brown rises in power, the NYPD puts pressure on Det. Stone (Mario Van Peebles) to break up CMB and their crack house establishment. Stone enlists a pair of “New Jack” undercover detectives, Scotty Appleton (Ice-T) and Nick Peretti (Judd Nelson), to infiltrate the operation and bring it down from the inside.

Director Peebles changed the perception of crime lords who were usually romanticized in such classics as Superfly and Scarface by revealing the true harm they were causing to the community. A film like this didn’t call for a straight-laced hero with a badge to take on Snipes’ charismatic crack lord. It needed someone real to deliver the truth, which Ice-T did better than anyone else in this film.

4

‘Menace II Society’ (1993)

Image via New Line Cinema 

The Hughes Brothers made their hard-hitting debut with their bleak depiction of growing up in the Watts section of Los Angeles. It follows the tragic life of Caine Lawson (Tyrin Turner), whose lack of parental guidance puts him straight into the gang life of crack dealing alongside his best friend O-Dog (Larenz Tate). When a romance with his jailed uncle’s girlfriend (Jada Pinkett Smith) changes his outlook on life, tragedy lies ahead.

Menace II Society refuses to romanticize gang life. The film’s documentary-like brutality—especially its infamous opening scene at a liquor store robbery—disturbed audiences and critics alike. Rather than offering redemption, it presented the environment as destiny, forcing viewers to confront systemic abandonment without narrative comfort.

3

‘Fruitvale Station’ (2013)

Ryan Coogler’s devastating debut recounts the final day of Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan), a young Black man killed by Bay Area transit police in 2009. The film follows Oscar through ordinary moments—family interactions, attempts at self-improvement, and quiet reflection—before the tragic encounter.

What makes Fruitvale Station so powerful is its intimacy. Coogler refuses sensationalism, grounding the story in humanity rather than martyrdom. Jordan’s performance transforms Oscar from a headline into a fully realized person. The film became a cultural flashpoint, arriving years before the George Floyd protests yet foreshadowing the modern police accountability movement.

2

‘Boyz n the Hood’ (1991)

Image via Columbia Pictures 

John Singleton’s landmark 1991 drama made him the youngest Academy Award nominee for Best Director for a good reason. Boyz n the Hood did not sensationalize South Central’s crime epidemic, but rather depicted the real circumstances of what makes a Black child fall prey to the gang culture. The coming-of-age tale follows Tre Styles III (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), who is constantly struggling to walk the straight and narrow line in his Crenshaw neighborhood. On the flip side, there is Tre’s friend Doughboy (Ice Cube), who gets involved in crime early in life to become a Rollin’ 60s Crip.

Beyond the graphic imagery of gang violence, police brutality, and sexuality, Boyz aimed to tell a tale not rooted in fantasy. While Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing paved the way for examining race relations after the Civil Rights Movement ended, Boyz examined the idea that systemic racism is a detriment to young Black people by keeping them trapped in their harsh environment rather than offering real opportunities to break out of it.

1

‘Do the Right Thing’ (1989)

Image via Universal Pictures

Out of any movie in Spike Lee’s 40-plus years in filmmaking, Do the Right Thing continues to withstand the test of time by being the most relevant picture in tackling race relations in America. Set on a scorching-hot summer’s day in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood, the central conflict surrounds pizza delivery boy Mookie (Lee) and his Italian-American boss Sal (Danny Aiello). The collision of class and race reaches a boiling point when a protest to add photos of Black celebrities to the pizzeria’s wall, orchestrated by the conscientious Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito), turns tragically violent.

On re-examination, Do the Right Thing opened a window on social tensions America had been ignoring. The mass media highlighted icons likeMichael Jackson, Magic Johnson, Oprah Winfrey, and The Cosby Show, but overlooked simmering tensions like the Howard Beach incident, which inspired the film—racial divisions boiled over beyond local news. What the cameras were not showing, aside from local news outlets, was the fact that racial division was still present to the extent of boiling over.

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Release Date

June 14, 1989

Runtime

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120 minutes

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Astrologer Richard James
What’s the Future for Kim K & Lewis Hamilton?!?
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Published
February 14, 2026
1:00 AM PST

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