Classics in the Browning
Directed by Spike Lee
With Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall
Rated PG-13, 202 minutes, 4K UHD
In English and Arabic with English subtitles
Often misunderstood still today (in no small part because his legacy has been mischaracterized and misused by various politicians and leaders), Malcolm X was a towering figure in the Civil Rights Movement; however, bringing his life story to a wide and diverse audience required the clout and savviness only Spike Lee had during the era of New Jack Cinema. And still the film almost didn't happen at various points, including when Warner Bros. shut down the production and Lee embarked on a last-minute funding campaign from prominent Black celebrities. Denzel Washington, who was arguably at his peak visibility, received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Malcolm X, which focuses on his intellectual awakening, reasoning, and influences, whether from his time hustling, incarcerated, converting to Islam, speaking for the liberation and rights of Black folks, or (in one of the most famous scenes in 1990s cinema) visiting Mecca.