In 1935, Professor Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington), a brilliant, fiery professor at Wiley College in Texas, inspires his students to form the schools first debate team. Using the power of words, Tolson shapes a group of underdog students from a small African American college into elite debaters, who eventually challenge Harvard in the national championship. Directed by Denzel Washington. With Forest Whitaker, Jermaine Williams and John Heard. Categories: Drama, Based on a True Story. Year: 2007.
Gina Ravera in The Great Debaters
Forensic detective Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman) is shaken by the sudden disappearance of his niece, Naomi (Gina Ravera), and heads to her North Carolina college campus to investigate. There, Alex meets Kate McTiernan (Ashley Judd), a young woman who managed to escape from the same man who kidnapped Naomi. With seven women missing and two already found dead, Alex and Kate must work quickly if they are to save Naomi and the other girls before this sick, self-described "Cassanova" takes their lives. Directed by Gary Fleder. With Cary Elwes, Alex McArthur, Tony Goldwyn, Tatyana Ali, Jeremy Piven and Mena Suvari. Categories: Thriller, Drama, Crime, Mystery. Year: 1997.
Gina Ravera in Kiss the Girls
For four decades, Big Momma (Irma P. Hall) has served a delicious home-cooked banquet every Sunday, bringing together her daughters Teri (Vanessa L. Williams), Maxine (Vivica A. Fox) and Nia (Nia Long), along with their various friends and lovers. When Big Mama ends up in the hospital, it's up to the daughters and grandson Joseph (Brandon Hammond) to settle their differences and prove that, where family is concerned, you can never have too many cooks in the kitchen. Directed by George Tillman Jr..With Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer and Brandon Hammond. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Family. Year: 1997.
Gina Ravera in Soul Food