FOREST WHITAKER

RESPECT (2021)
Starring Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore and Tate Donovan. Directed by Liesl Tommy.

Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, 'Respect' is the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice.

CITY OF LIES (2020)
Starring Johnny Depp, Forest Whitaker, Toby Huss, Dayton Callie, Neil Brown Jr., Shea Whigham, Xander Berkeley, Melanie Benz, Shamier Anderson and Laurence Mason. Directed by Brad Furman.

The story of two men and their mutual hunt for the truth. As the pair delve deeper into the mire of scandal and deception, this powder keg tale systematically unravels the reputation of the city’s law enforcement, politics and justice system, while introducing us to a new kind of hero.

BLACK PANTHER (2018)
Starring Chadwick Boseman, Andy Serkis, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'O, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Sterling K. Brown, Martin Freeman and Daniel Kaluuya. Directed by Ryan Coogler.

After the events of 'Captain America: Civil War', T’Challa returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T’Challa’s mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk.

REVIEWS Black Panther - More of a purr than a bold roar

ARRIVAL (2016)
Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tzi Ma and Mark O'Brien. Directed by Denis Villeneuve.

Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat.

REVIEWS Arrival - An extraordinary science fiction classic
Arrival - Not your typical alien invasion movie

SOUTHPAW (2015)
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, Rita Ora, Naomie Harris and 50 Cent. Directed by Antoine Fuqua.

A boxer fights his way to the top, only to find his life falling apart around him.

REVIEWS Southpaw - All bark, no bite

TAK3N (2015)
Starring Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace and Forest Whitaker. Directed by Olivier Megaton.

Bryan Mills' reconciliation with his ex-wife is tragically cut short when she is brutally murdered. Consumed with rage, and framed for the crime, he goes on the run to evade the relentless pursuit of the CIA, FBI and the police. For one last time, Mills must use his “particular set of skills,” to track down the real killers, exact his unique brand of justice, and protect the only thing that matters to him now – his daughter.

REVIEWS TAK3N - Third time better

OUT OF THE FURNACE (2014)
Starring Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe and Sam Shepard. Directed by Scott Cooper.

When Rodney Baze mysteriously disappears and law enforcement doesn't follow through fast enough, his older brother, Russell, takes matters into his own hands to find justice.

THE LAST STAND (2013)
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Jaimie Alexander and Genesis Rodriguez. Directed by Jee-Woon Kim.

Sheriff Owens has resigned himself to fighting what little crime takes place in sleepy border town Sommerton Junction after leaving his LAPD post following a bungled operation. But when a notorious drug kingpin escapes custody, the entire U.S. law enforcement descends on the small town to make their last stand.

REVIEWS The Last Stand - He's back

BURDEN
Starring Garrett Hedlund, Andrea Riseborough, Forest Whitaker, Tom Wilkinson, Usher, Tess Harper, Anna Colwell, Austin Hébert, Dexter Darden and William Walker. Directed by Andrew Heckler.

When a museum celebrating the Ku Klux Klan opens in a small South Carolina town, the idealistic Reverend Kennedy resolves to do everything in his power to prevent long-simmering racial tensions from boiling over. But the members of Kennedy's congregation are shocked to discover that his plan includes sheltering Mike Burden, a Klansman whose relationships with both a single-mother and a high-school friend force him to re-examine his long-held beliefs.

After Kennedy helps Mike leave behind his violent past, the Baptist preacher finds himself on a collision course with manipulative KKK leader Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson). In the face of grave threats to himself and his family, the resolute Kennedy bravely pursues a path toward peace, setting aside his own misgivings in the hopes of healing his wounded community.

DOPE (2015)
Starring Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, ZÖe Kravitz, A$ap Rocky and Chanel Iman. Directed by Rick Famuyiwa.

Malcolm is carefully surviving life in a tough neighbourhood in Los Angeles while juggling college applications and academic interviews. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself.

REVIEWS Dope - Slang: Excellent - generalised term of approval

FRUITVALE STATION (2013)
Starring Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Durand, Chad Michael Murray, Ahna O'Reilly, Ariana Neal, Keenan Coogler, Trestin George and Joey Oglesby. Directed by Ryan Coogler.

This is the true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 and feels something in the air. Not sure what it is, he takes it as a sign to get a head start on his resolutions: being a better son to his mother, whose birthday falls on New Year's Eve, being a better partner to his girlfriend, who he hasn't been completely honest with as of late, and being a better father to T, their beautiful 4 year old daughter. He starts out well, but as the day goes on, he realises that change is not going to come easy. He crosses paths with friends, family, and strangers, each exchange showing us that there is much more to Oscar than meets the eye. But it would be his final encounter of the day, with police officers at the Fruitvale BART station that would shake the Bay Area to its very core, and cause the entire nation to be witnesses to the story of Oscar Grant.

REVIEWS Fruitvale Station - Life & death of an ordinary man