Top 10 Films of 2010 According to the African American Film Critics Association

I don't have a large degree of trust in the ability of the annual Academy Awards to comment on the image of African Americans in film.  After all, they only seem to recognize African American actors when they are in roles like slave-era mammies, modern-day mammies, corrupt cops or servants with driver's licenses.

As such, I'm please to share the feedback by the African American media professionals around the nation who are part of the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA). The organization honors excellence in cinema by creating awareness for films with universal appeal to Black communities, while emphasizing film about the Black experience and those produced, written, directed and starring performers of African descent. The association actively reviews the quality and standard of Black talent, content and media coverage.

The AAFCA List of Honorees: 

• Best Feature Film:               “The Social Network” directed by David Fincher
• Best Documentary:              “Waiting for Superman” directed by Davis Guggenheim
• Best Actress:                         Halle Berry, “Frankie and Alice” 
• Best Actor:                             Mark Wahlberg, “The Fighter” 
• Best Supporting Actress:    Kimberly Elise, “For Colored Girls” 
• Best Supporting Actor:        Michael Ealy, “For Colored Girls” 
• Best Director:                        Christopher Nolan, “Inception” 
• Best Screenplay:                  “Night Catches Us” by Tanya Hamilton
• Best Song:                            “Four Women” composed by N. Simone, “For Colored Girls”
• Special Achievement:         Lena Horne, Roger Ebert and Melvin Van Peebles. 

AAFCA Lists Top Ten Films of 2010:

1.            The Social Network

2.            The King’s Speech

3.            Inception

4.            Black Swan

5.            Night Catches Us

6.            The Fighter

7.            Frankie And Alice

8.            Blood Done Sign My Name

9.            Get Low

10.         For Colored Girls

I have to admit that I don't go to out to see movies at the theaters very much. As such, I haven't seen many of the movies being recognized this year by AAFCA. However, I am heading over to my Netflix queue to add these movies. I'll be seeing 'em soon!

What do you think about the choices made by AAFCA for best movies, actors and such?

African American Film Critics Association Selects 'Precious' as Top Film of 2009

Villagers will recall that this blog participated in an interview with Morgan Freeman about his role in 'Invictus'. We are proud to report that Mr. Freeman was selected as Best Actor 2009 for his role in that film!

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) named 'Precious' as the Best Picture of 2009. Directed by Lee Daniels, the Lionsgate release captured a majority vote by the organization, which is comprised of African American media professionals from across the nation. Founded in 2003, AAFCA announced this year’s honors at its first live event last night in Los Angeles.

Nicole Beharie earned AAFCA recognition as Best Actress 2009 for 'American Violet.' With the first unanimous vote in an acting category in the organization’s history, Mo’Nique was selected Best Supporting Actress for 'Precious.' Anthony Mackie earned Best Supporting Actor recognition for his performance in 'The Hurt Locker.' Lee Daniels was named Best Director for 'Precious,' with a tie for Best Screenplay between Ron Clements, Rob Edwards, John Musker for 'The Princess & The Frog' and Geoffrey Fletcher for 'Precious.'

“In 2009, the film community produced a dazzling array of performances from African-American talent both in front of and behind the camera,” states Gil Robertson IV, AAFCA Co-Founder. “This year’s selections give a strong indication that the film community is becoming more committed to a wider range of stories that entertain and educate.”

AAFCA bestows the Special Achievement Award to Michael Jackson, whose seminal film 'This Is It' captured a lifetime of exemplary creative expression.

The organization’s Top Ten list of film honors includes “Up In The Air,” “The Hurt Locker” and “Good Hair.”

“The films selected for 2009 reflect a fascinating combination of work that both entertains and addresses themes and issues of cultural importance,” remarks AAFCA President, Wilson Morales, editor of Blackfilm.com.

The African American Film Critics Association’s Top Ten Films of 2009 are as follows in order of distinction:

1. Precious
   
2. The Princess and The Frog
   
3. Up In The Air
   
4. The Hurt Locker
   
5. This Is It
   
6. American Violet
   
7. Goodbye Solo
   
8. Medicine for Melancholy
   
9. Good Hair
   
10. Up
    

• Best Actor - Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
  
• Best Actress - Nicole Beharie, “American Violet”
  
• Best Supporting Actress - Mo’Nique, “Precious”
  
• Best Supporting Actor - Anthony Mackie, “The Hurt Locker”
  
• Best Director - Lee Daniels, “Precious”
  
• Best Screenplay (tie) - Geoffrey Fletcher, "Precious" and R. Clements, R. Edwards, J. Musker, "The Princess & The Frog"
  
• Special Achievement - Michael Jackson

Villagers, I have to admit that I haven't seen vast majority of the winning films. I plan to add all of them to my Netflix queue. I am grateful that AAFCA honors excellence in cinema by creating awareness for films with universal appeal to Black communities, while emphasizing film about the Black experience and those produced, written, directed and starring performers of African descent.

Do you think that these 2009 award winners are right? Did AAFCA miss anything?