Parade Magazine had an article with the title saying, “Movies We Love.” The article mentioned how movies can trigger positive emotions. I believe this is true. Sometimes you can watch a good movie and forget your problems. We spend a lot of energy avoiding things that trigger negative emotions; however, we should also spend energy embracing the things that trigger positive feelings and memories.

There was only one movie on the Parade list that I have watched. That was Raiders of the Lost Ark. I decided to create my own list of movies that I love. This is my list. You can feel free to create your own list. I do want to say that I am a huge Marvel fan, but I am not listing any of these movies. I am making a list of movies from my childhood and early adulthood that bring pleasant memories.

1. Lady Sings the Blues starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams. I remember Billy Dee Williams holding money in his hand and asking Diana Ross did she want his arm to fall off.
2. Claudine starring Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones. This movie showed that love conquers all. It also had one of the best soundtracks with Gladys Knight & the Pips.
3. Three the Hard Way starring Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, and Jim Kelly. This movie may have been considered a blaxploitation film; however, I enjoyed it.
4. Cooley High starring Glynn Turman and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. After seeing this movie, I asked my father to drive me through Cabrini Green so I could see the neighborhood.
5. Harlem Nights starring Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, and Della Reese. The cast puts this movie on my list.
6. What’s Love Got to Do with It starring Angela Basset and Laurence Fishburne. You get to see Tina Turner triumph over her circumstances.

I am not criticizing the Parade list. I am sure there was a process for creating it. I just felt compelled to create my own list. The beautiful part of life is that you can create your own list.