Movies About Sam Cooke

From Peter Farrelly, starring Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco
Rated PG-13

Green Book is a 2018 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Peter Farrelly. The film stars Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, and follows a working-class Italian-American bouncer who becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South. The film is inspired by the true story of a tour of the Deep South by African-American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley and Italian-American bouncer Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga who served as Shirley’s driver and bodyguard. In the film, Dr. Don Shirley is a world-class African-American pianist who is about to embark on a concert tour in the Deep South in 1962. In need of a driver and protection, Shirley recruits Tony Lip (Mortensen), a tough-talking bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx. Despite their differences, the two men soon develop an unexpected bond while confronting racism and danger in an era of segregation. The film received widespread critical acclaim and was chosen by the National Board of Review as the best film of 2018. It won three Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Ali, and Best Original Screenplay.

From Destin Daniel Cretton, starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Brie Larson, Charlie Pye Jr.
Rated PG-13

Just Mercy is a 2019 American biographical legal drama film directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. The film stars Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson, and follows the story of lawyer and civil rights activist Bryan Stevenson (Jordan) and his battle to overturn the wrongful conviction of Walter McMillian (Foxx), a death-row inmate who was convicted of murder and sentenced to the electric chair. The film follows Stevenson as he meets with McMillian's family and local communities, and fights against racism, poverty and an unjust criminal justice system to prove McMillian's innocence. Along his journey, Stevenson also faces opposition from the law and the local authorities. Ultimately, Stevenson's work leads to McMillian's exoneration and a historic Supreme Court ruling that changes the future of capital punishment in the United States.

From Spike Lee, starring John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier, Topher Grace
Rated R

BlacKkKlansman is a 2018 American biographical crime film directed by Spike Lee. It is based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African-American police officer from Colorado Springs who infiltrated the local Ku Klux Klan branch with the help of a Jewish surrogate who eventually becomes its leader. Set in the 1970s, the film follows Stallworth as he works with a colleague, Flip Zimmerman, to gain access to the organization and protect fellow African Americans in the community. The film features an ensemble cast including John David Washington, Adam Driver, Topher Grace, Laura Harrier, and Alec Baldwin. The film received critical acclaim and won a variety of awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the 91st Academy Awards. It also grossed over $100 million worldwide and has been hailed as an important film for its timely and relevant themes related to racism and white supremacy.

From Shaka King, starring LaKeith Stanfield, Daniel Kaluuya, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback
Rated R

From Robin Bissell, starring Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell, Babou Ceesay, Anne Heche
Rated PG-13

From Christopher Nolan, starring John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Juhan Ulfsak
Rated PG-13

From Regina King, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr.
Rated R

From Neil Burger, starring Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston, Nicole Kidman, Aja Naomi King
Rated PG-13

From Ang Lee, starring Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong
Rated PG-13