I love watching movies, there is nothing like a tub of popcorn and some candy while watching an unfolding storyline.  Movies are very good at bringing out emotions and taking us away from our daily problems; they are a great escape.  Although I rarely have the time or money to go to the movie theater (think triplets) I enjoy having movie nights where I either watch movies with the family or on rare occasions by myself.  Here are five movies that I enjoyed watching and that pulled at my heartstrings.  

1. SOUL FOOD (1997)

Starring: Vanessa Williams, Vivica Fox, Nia Long and Mekhi Phifer.

Synopsis: Soul Food is a story about the Joseph family.  The story focuses around the daughters of the Matriarch Mama Joe. Mama Joe is the glue of the family bringing them together every Sunday for dinner.  When Mama Joe falls ill to diabetes the family struggles to stay together as they drift further apart without Mama Joe and the Sunday family dinners.

2. KINGDOM COME (2001)

Starring:  LL Cool J, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica Fox, Loretta Devine, Anthony Anderson, Toni Braxton, Cedric the Entertainer and Whoopi Goldberg.

Synopsis: Kingdom Come is a story about the Slocumb Family. The story focuses around the patriarch of the family who recently died.  The family comes home to the mother for support and for the funeral services.  During their return home we can see the dysfunctional nature of the family. 

3. JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION (2004)

Starring: Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, Solange Knowles and Bow Wow. 

Synopsis: Johnson Family Vacation is a story about the Johnson Family.  Nate Johnson is separated from his wife who has custody of their three children.  Nate gets the idea to take a family vacation to his family reunion thinking that the drive from California to Missouri will help to get his family back together.  

4. MADEA’S FAMILY REUNION (2006)

Starring: Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood, Lynn Whitfield, Boris Kodjoe, Maya Angelou, Jenifer Lewis and Cicely Tyson.

Synopsis: Madea’s Family Reunion is a story about Madea’s family coming together for a family reunion but focuses on Madea’s two nieces and their struggles. One niece Vanessa is engaged to a man who physically abuses her and the other niece has two children and has sworn off relationships.  The two sisters search resolutions to their problems.    

5. THIS CHRISTMAS (2007)

Starring: Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, Loretta Devine, Chris Brown, Mekhi Phifer and Regina King.

Synopsis: This Christmas is a story about the Whitfield Family. The family consists of the mother and her six children; three daughters and three sons. The family comes home for Christmas and the drama unfolds; infidelity, divorce, pregnancy, interracial relationships and unpaid debts are only a few of the problems plaguing this family.