Over the years, the DVD Patrol has featured a lot of movies and one actress who has always stood out is Whoopi Goldberg. She is one terrific actress and comedian who has proven she has an amazing range from her movie debut in “The Color Purple” to her many appearances on stage right up to her role as one of the ladies who tells it like it is on “The View.” Recently, an article had featured black actors who won Oscars, but Whoopi’s name was strangely absent. I thought that was a little weird for someone that everyone knows. So in honor of giving someone credit where credit is due, I assembled the team and said let’s do our favorite Whoopi Goldberg movies. This was one we couldn’t pass up. See if any of these appeal to you.

TYLER MURPHY
“Ghost” (1990)
One thing I always liked about the movie “Ghost” was the demonic shadows that suddenly appeared to take a sinful dead man’s soul back to hell. The creepy wraiths quickly rush forth and claim their prize before scattering back to hell.
 The movie’s plot is about the kind-hearted Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) and his lover Molly Jensen (Demi Moore). Sam is killed in a mugging, but his longing for the love of his life – and justice – ties his soul to the earth. He wonders to and fro frustrated by his inability to contact Molly... that is until he meets Whoopi Goldberg’s character Oda Mae Brown, the cheap street psychic who turns out to be the real deal. 
I’ve always kind of considered Whoopi to be an actor who often plays unique (freak) roles. So maybe that’s why I found her performance of the crazed and ruffled psychic, a natural one.
The movie moves forward with Sam convincing Oda Mae to try and contact his lost love. An interesting idea, a strange black woman showing up on a doorstep to tell a woman her lover says “hello” from the great beyond. 
The movie realizes this and pokes fun at the idea before finding a dramatic way to prove she’s on the level. The movie evolves more as the man responsible for killing Sam targets Molly. Eventually though, the three overcome.
“Ghost” is a heart-breaking movie complete with high caliber actors and some iconic cinematic moments of romance. It’s definitely worth watching at least once before shuffling down the mortal coil.

BRIAN GOLDEN
“Sister Act” (1992)
As a longtime fan of actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg, I’ll admit I was a bit more excited for this latest Toddster Team-Up than some. The woman is such a talent and I’ve always been just as impressed by her dramatic acting skills as I have her comedic timing. As for my all-time favorite Goldberg film, well, that was easy.
“Sister Act,” the 1992 comedy starring Goldberg as lounge singer Deloris van Cartier/nun Sister Mary Clarence, finds the actress taking on a role that truly suits her abilities. And her performance is, to put it mildly, over the top.
When a sassy yet in-the-dark Cartier discovers the criminal nature of her mobster boyfriend Vincent LaRocca (played by the fabulous Harvey Keitel), the singer flees to the police and, reluctantly, agrees to testify against him. Convinced that LaRocca will stop at nothing to keep this from happening (including the murder of Cartier), Lieutenant Eddie Souther (Bill Nunn) places the worldly performer in a place where no one would ever suspect to find her, including Cartier herself – a Catholic convent.
What follows is a string of hilarious events as Deloris is forced into the convent’s choir – which is absolutely horrific – eventually taking over its instruction at the urging of Sister Mary Lazarus and befriending Sisters Mary Patrick and Mary Robert (portrayed brilliantly by Kathy Najimy and Wendy Makkena).
As a musician, I loved this film for its extremely accurate portrayal of a music group and its improvement through both practice and dedication. In addition, the casting for this film was extraordinary and the supporting actors and actresses really helped to make Goldberg shine all the brighter. Not to mention the fact that, when it comes to laughs, “Sister Act” is sure to please. A truly inspiring and heartfelt film. 

MELISSA STAGNARO
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” (1986)
I don’t know exactly how I came to watch “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” for the first time. I’m assuming my brother Dennis had something to do with it, because the language alone would have been enough for my parents to forbid my pre-teen self from getting anywhere near it.
It was, I believe, my first Whoopi Goldberg movie. But it certainly wasn’t the last. I’ve always loved her films, particular ones like this one which allow her to truly stretch her comedic wings. I just love her style, so irreverent yet so real at the same time.
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” is, of course, named in honor of the classic Rolling Stone’s song of the same name. Whoopi plays Terry Doolittle, a computer operator who unwittingly gets caught up in Cold War-era espionage plot when an English spy contacts her via the computer. There are sinister CIA and KGB agents, a bit of intrigue and, of course, lots of laughs. One of my favorite scenes is when Whoopi gets her blue-sequined dress caught in a paper shredder while crashing a British Embassy party. I laugh just thinking about it.
Jon Levitz, Jim Belushi, Annie Potts and the late, great Phil Harmon all add to the comedic brilliance of the film, which was “Laverne & Shirley” star Penny Marshall’s directorial debut. It wasn’t well received by critics, but don’t let that dissuade you from watching it if you haven’t seen it already. It’s definitely a good time, even if the humor is a little “raw” at times. (Lots of language and some adult content, if I remember the parental warnings right.)
I had the opportunity to watch it again a few months ago, and found something new to laugh about: the technology. The movie was filmed long before our current digital age, prior to email and the Internet becoming mainstays of modern life. Now, of course, the computers in the film (and their capabilities) seem so archaic. It’s amazing to think of how far things have come.

JEFF GENUNG
“Star Trek: Generations”  (1994)
When I first heard that Whoopi Goldberg was joining the cast of my beloved “Star Trek: The Next Generation” TV show, I was less than thrilled. What’s a comedian doing on Star Trek? Is she gonna do stand up?
What I didn’t realize at the time was the Ms. Goldberg was a longtime Star Trek fan, having connected with Nichelle Nichols’ Lt. Uhura character in the original 1960s series. Apparently, the nascent Whoopi was amazed that there was a black woman on TV who wasn’t a maid. “I knew right there and then I could be anything I wanted to be,” she said.
Turns out my fears were unfounded ... the character they created for Whoopi, the Enterprise “bartender,” Guinan, was far from slapstick. Wise beyond her years (and much older than she appeared), Guinan became a touchstone for the Enterprise crew, dispensing sage advice along with exotic alien drinks in her Ten-Forward recreation lounge. 
When the Next Generation crew made their leap from TV to the silver screen, it was a foregone conclusion that Guinan would make the trip with them (although Goldberg is mysteriously uncredited in “Generations,” her character plays a key role). Although we scarcely learn anything about Guinan’s alien race in the TV show, a little more light is shed on the El Aurians in “Generations.” The chief villain in the piece, evil scientist Soran (played brilliantly by Malcolm McDowell), is in fact one himself. Guinan’s insight into her own people, and her innate ability to sense things that transcend time and space, come in handy as Capt. Picard (Patrick Stewart) tries to figure out the mystery of the Nexus.
Simple, understated and elegant – not always words you’d use to describe Whoopi Goldberg. But as Guinan, she embodies all three effortlessly.

TODD CAMPBELL
“Burglar” (1987)
Great comedies come along and they just appeal to you. When I saw this, this was a second of three movies that always stick out in my mind being one of Whoopi Goldberg’s best. The first being “Jumping Jack Flash.” (Melissa beat me to the punch again, man!) Anyway, we open on a little cleaning lady who appears to be going to work. A little closer and we notice Bernice Rodenbarr (Goldberg) sneaking into a house to rob it. Thnking she has enough time to get everything she is after, she relaxes a bit only to find the owner comes back early and has to get a bit creative to get out of there. 
Later, she is turned on to another job by Cynthia Sheldrake (played by the lovely Leslie Ann Warren) to recover some stolen jewelry, but gets surprised by the owner again but this time while she is hiding the owner of the place is murdered. Now she has to find the murderer while avoiding the police. Being helped by the quirky Carl (Bobcat Goldthwaite) and Ex Cop Ray Kirschman (GW Bailey), Bernie needs all the friends she can get to get out of this one.
I enjoyed the pacing of the movie and Goldberg’s comedy timing is right on with what she has to deal with. One great story and if you haven’t seen it, I hope you get to check it out!

Some fun movies and I hope some of these might be right up your alley. All of them are available on DVD now. Before we go, some great movies are on the way with a review coming on “I Am Number Four.” In a few weeks, another team up coming up. What will it be? Wait and see! The Toddster comes back next time.